Individual Details
Joseph Lane Kirkpatrick
(22 Apr 1803 - 8 Apr 1884)
Joseph Lane Kirkpatrick was born three miles south of Edwardsville, Madison Co., Illinois, 22 April 1803. When he was eight he saved the life of one of his brothers while witnessing the drowning of another. The elder brother, Isaac, waded into a river to save a younger brother who had fallen into the river. Isaac was swept away and drowned. Joseph moved quickly downstream and pulled the other boy ashore and saved his life.
Joseph married Meriel Pratt who was born in Vermont. Meriel seems sometimes to have used the name Maria and we also find her as Marilla so we are not entirely certain of her true name, though Meriel seems the likely choice. She was born in December 1799. When she was two weeks old, according to one story, her mother attended funeral services for General George Washington with Meriel in her arms.
When he was 11 years old, Joseph made a profession of religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1832 he was licensed as a local preacher the the quarterly conference at Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. Six years later he was appointed to the Fort Madison, Iowa Circuit. He continued as a Circuit Rider in Iowa for a number of years and then transferred to the Central Illinois Conference. At length he was put on the Church superannuated list but continued to serve in Sunday School and as a substitute for other ministers. He was described as a "plain, practical speaker with a heart full of love for God and humanity." While Kirkpatrick was away, his wife operated the farm and tended to the couple's six children.
One account refers to his memory of events past: "The recollection of the Elder of events transpiring in the early day is remarkably good. When but three years of age, he was sent to school and in this year (1806) occurred an eclipse of the sun, the remembrance of which is still vividly impressed upon his mind. Another event was the murder of a family of eight persons by the Indians, which occurred about eight miles from his father's house in 1811. An earthquake also occurred in this year or the following, which shook the houses for miles around."*
On the 1880 U. S. Census of McDonough Co., Illinois he appears with his wife, Merial, son William and William's three oldest children.
He was a Republican in his politics. He died near Blandinsville, Illinois, 8 Apr 1884. His widow died at Macomb, Illinois 28 Feb 1887.
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* This was the great New Madrid earthquake of December 16, 1811, centered near the town of New Madrid, Missouri, which is the most powerful earthquake to have struck the North American Continent in historical times. It was felt as far away as South Carolina, and among other things, caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a time. In an area of 150 miles long by 40 miles wide, the ground sank from three to nine feet.
Joseph married Meriel Pratt who was born in Vermont. Meriel seems sometimes to have used the name Maria and we also find her as Marilla so we are not entirely certain of her true name, though Meriel seems the likely choice. She was born in December 1799. When she was two weeks old, according to one story, her mother attended funeral services for General George Washington with Meriel in her arms.
When he was 11 years old, Joseph made a profession of religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1832 he was licensed as a local preacher the the quarterly conference at Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. Six years later he was appointed to the Fort Madison, Iowa Circuit. He continued as a Circuit Rider in Iowa for a number of years and then transferred to the Central Illinois Conference. At length he was put on the Church superannuated list but continued to serve in Sunday School and as a substitute for other ministers. He was described as a "plain, practical speaker with a heart full of love for God and humanity." While Kirkpatrick was away, his wife operated the farm and tended to the couple's six children.
One account refers to his memory of events past: "The recollection of the Elder of events transpiring in the early day is remarkably good. When but three years of age, he was sent to school and in this year (1806) occurred an eclipse of the sun, the remembrance of which is still vividly impressed upon his mind. Another event was the murder of a family of eight persons by the Indians, which occurred about eight miles from his father's house in 1811. An earthquake also occurred in this year or the following, which shook the houses for miles around."*
On the 1880 U. S. Census of McDonough Co., Illinois he appears with his wife, Merial, son William and William's three oldest children.
He was a Republican in his politics. He died near Blandinsville, Illinois, 8 Apr 1884. His widow died at Macomb, Illinois 28 Feb 1887.
====================
* This was the great New Madrid earthquake of December 16, 1811, centered near the town of New Madrid, Missouri, which is the most powerful earthquake to have struck the North American Continent in historical times. It was felt as far away as South Carolina, and among other things, caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a time. In an area of 150 miles long by 40 miles wide, the ground sank from three to nine feet.
Events
| Birth | 22 Apr 1803 | Edwardsville, Madison Co., Illinois | |||
| Marriage | Abt 1826 | St Clair Co., Illinois - Mariel Pratt | |||
| Death | 8 Apr 1884 | Blandinsville, McDonough Co., Illinois | |||
| Title (Nobility) | Rev. | ||||
| Burial | Camp Creek Cemetery, Industry, McDonough Co., Illinois |  |
Families
| Spouse | Mariel Pratt (1799 - 1887) |
| Child | Thomas C. Kirkpatrick (1827 - 1911) |
| Child | Elizabeth E. Kirkpatrick (1828 - 1852) |
| Child | Daniel Kirkpatrick (1832 - ) |
| Child | Francis Asbury Kirkpatrick (1833 - 1915) |
| Child | Mary Jane Kirkpatrick (1837 - 1914) |
| Child | William Berry Kirkpatrick (1839 - 1926) |
| Father | Thomas Newton Kirkpatrick (1766 - 1821) |
| Mother | Mary Ann "Polly" Lane (1777 - 1839) |
| Sibling | James Harrison Kirkpatrick (1798 - 1876) |
| Sibling | John Lane Kirkpatrick (1799 - 1869) |
| Sibling | Isaac Gillham Kirkpatrick (1801 - 1810) |
| Sibling | Richard Henry Kirkpatrick (1804 - 1834) |
| Sibling | William P. Kirkpatrick (1806 - 1885) |
| Sibling | Susan Emily Kirkpatrick (1808 - 1883) |
| Sibling | Winnifred P. Kirkpatrick (1810 - 1839) |
| Sibling | Jesse Walker Kirkpatrick (1810 - 1857) |
| Sibling | Sarah Louisa Kirkpatrick (1811 - 1885) |
| Sibling | Thomas Milligan Kirkpatrick (1813 - 1886) |
| Sibling | Francis Asbury Kirkpatrick (1815 - 1879) |
| Sibling | Polly D. Kirkpatrick (1817 - 1819) |
| Sibling | Charles Alford Kirkpatrick (1820 - 1896) |
| Sibling | Jonathan Hart Kirkpatrick (1822 - 1838) |
Endnotes
1. McDonough County Genealogical Society.