Samuel T. Kirkham

                 Goodspeed 1890

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Samuel T. Kirkham for many years has devoted his attention to farming and
blacksmithing and of both these callings he is a thorough master. Born in
Pike County, Ark. in 1847, he is a son of Hon. James H. and Elizabeth
(Kelley) Kirkham, the former born in (Addison) County, Vt., in (1804) and
the latter in (Illinois). When the father was about six years of age his
parents were drowned while sleigh riding on Lake Champlain, on the ice,
and from that time until he was fifteen years of age he made his home with
his (cousin) Orin Field at which time he became a sailor a calling he
followed for some fifteen years in different capacities visiting in the
meantime nearly every civilized country on the globe. He met with many
thrilling experiences and like all sailors who begin at the foot of the
ladder experienced many hardships. At one time a storm drove his vessel out
of the direct track of ships and for nine months he was lost on an open
sea. After abandoning this calling he traveled in different parts of the
United States and for quite a number of years he taught school. When
Arkansas was yet a Territory he came thither and at about the age of
(twenty-eight) years he was married here and settled in what is now Pike
County where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on March
10, 1870. He was ... (coroner and surveyor) of Pike County and performed
the first and only civil execution in that county. In 1866-67 he was a
member of the General Assembly of the State from Pike County, held the
office of justice of the peace a number of years, and was a prominent,
active and well esteemed citizen. He was first a Whig in politics, later a
Republican, and was an active worker for his party. He was a member of many
years standing of the Christian Church and inherited Scotch blood from his
father, although the latter was born in Vermont, his name being Kirkum,
which was changed by James H. to Kirkham. The maternal grandfather Rev.
William Kelley was born in (Tennessee) but at an early day came to what is
now Pike County, Ark. and here died in 1869. He was an M.D. of the Botanic
School of high standing with the profession, a member of the Christian
Church for many years and at one time during the early history of the State
he filled the office of county and probate judge. He was of Irish descent
and in this county his wife passed from life in 1857. The mother of the
subject of this sketch was a pious and refined lady, worthy member of the
Christian Church who died in 1874 having borne a family of eleven children,
Samuel T. being the only one now living in Clark County. He became familiar
with farm life in his boyhood but the most of his education he received was
obtained at home. He served for about three weeks in Capt. Preston's
company of cavalry after which he returned home and here remained. In 1866
he settled on his present farm which was then heavily covered with timber,
and now has 90 acres of his 122 acre farm under cultivation. He is a
conservative Republican in his political views and is an elder in the
Christian Church of which his wife and family are also members. He was
married October 12, 1865 to Miss Eliza, daughter of J.Q. and Lucy Trout,
who were born in South Carolina and Alabama respectively, their marriage
taking place in the latter State. They came to Clark County, Ark. in 1860
and are here still living both being members of the Missionary Baptist
Church. Mrs. Kirkham was born in Alabama and has borne Mr. Kirkham five
children, one son and three daughters now living.
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Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas, Clark County,
1890, page 146-147, revised, with corrections.
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Update 03.28.01              David Kelley 1997                 BIO-0022.HTM