Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 320 - 321

JAMES M. KIRBY, a thorough and skillful farmer, and a business man of more than ordinary capacity, is a representative of the agricultural and stock-raising interests of Salem Township. There he is recognized as an important factor in preserving the reputation of the township as one of the most rapidly growing sections of Sedgwick County.

     The subject of our sketch, a native of Indiana, first opened his eyes to the light in Vigo County on the 8th of September, 1837, and was orphaned when a child five years of age by the death of his parents, John and Mary (Anderson) Kirby. The latter, it is believed, were natives of North Carolina, and had but three children, of whom but two are living - James M., of our sketch, and his brother, Francis M., of Douglas County, Ill.

     James M. Kirby was reared to manhood in his native State, and thrown upon his own resources at a tender age, having been deprived of the advantages usually accorded those who are permitted to spend their childhood and youth under the parental roof. He made his home with John Isbell, of Vigo County, Ind., with whom he lived until reaching manhood, and whose niece he subsequently married. In 1858 he made his way to Douglas County, Ill., of which he continued a resident until the breaking out of the Rebellion, and on the 3d of July, 1861, enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 35th Illinois Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the Department of Missouri, under the command of Gens. Curtis and Siegel, with whom he fought at the battle of Pea Ridge and was seriously wounded in the lower limbs, involving a confinement of six weeks in the hospital at Batesville.

     Young Kirby, upon his recovery, was transferred with his regiment to the Department of the Mississippi, and subsequently engaged in the siege of Corinth and the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Tallahoma, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. Later he marched with the army of Gen. Sherman to Atlanta, and was under fire nearly every day during that memorable campaign, which lasted several weeks. During this time he met the enemy at Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain and Pickett's Mills, and at the latter place suffered the loss of his brother William, who met his death on the battlefield. After various other minor engagements and skirmishes, Mr. Kirby with his regiment was detailed for guard duty along the railroad in the State of Georgia, to protect the trains which were bringing troops and provisions for the reinforcement of the army. About this time, the term of his enlistment expiring, he was sent with others of the command to Springfield, Ill., where he received his honorable discharge on the 27th of September, 1864.

     After a faithful service of three years and three months, Mr. Kirby returned to his old haunts in Douglas County, Ill., comforted with the reflection that although he had never been rewarded with any shoulder straps, he had done his duty as bravely and manfully as many of those who had received a military title. The terrible scenes which he had witnessed during his conflict with the enemy, the wearisome marches and the tedious monotony of camp life, the hardships and privations, will live in his memory until he is no more numbered among the living.

     During the time of his absence in the South there had been a maiden of his native county who had watched the career of young Kirby with intense solicitude, and who perhaps rejoiced more than any other in his safe return from the scene of conflict. To this lady, Miss Lucinda Isbell, he was married on the 5th of January, 1865, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Vigo County, Ind. Mrs. Kirby was born in Vigo County, March 15, 1842, and is the daughter of Henderson C. and Jane (Edna) Isbell, the father a native of Kentucky, and the mother of North Carolina. Mr. Isbell was twice married, and Mrs. Kirby was the daughter of the first wife. Mr. I. removed from Kentucky to Indiana during its pioneer days, and was the head of a household including eight children, of whom the following survive: Alice, the wife of C. R. Pritchard, of Montgomery County, Kan.; Martha, Mrs. William Osborn, and Josephine, of Vigo County, Ind.; and Lucinda, Mrs. Kirby.

     The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are: Emma, born Oct. 9, 1865, and now the wife of E. P. Carson, of Salem Township; Melissa, born April 12, 1868; and Samuel, March 28, 1870. After marriage our subject and his wife settled in Douglas County, Ill., where they lived until the spring of 1876, then crossed the Mississippi and took up their abode in Salem Township, this county. Here Mr. Kirby now has 240 acres of finely improved land, with a splendid residence, and other substantial out-buildings - in fact everything required for the success of the progressive modern agriculturist. When it is remembered that Mr. Kirby started out in life with no capital but his strong hands and resolute will, too much credit cannot be given him for the manner in which he has improved his time and opportunities and what he has accomplished.

     It is hardly necessary to state that Mr. Kirby is one of the most earnest adherents of the Republican party, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Post No. 25, in the city of Wichita. He has served as the Director of his school district, and with his estimable wife, is a member in good standing of the M. E. Church at Haysville, in which he has officiated as Class Leader and Steward, and is still serving in the latter capacity. No man takes a deeper interest in the prosperity of his adopted county, and it is safe to say that few have contributed in a larger degree to bring about this result.

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