William Kirkman, deceased, one of the honored pioneers of Walla Walla county, was prominently identified with stock raising interests for a considerable period and previous to that time was engaged in prospecting for a time. His activities were of a character that contributed to the progress and prosperity of the district in which he resided and Walla Walla numbered him among her most honored and valued residents. He was born near Manchester, in Lancashire, England, December 7, 1832, and received his education and grew to manhood in his native country. When about twenty years of age he came to the United States. He had been identified with the firm of Grant Brothers, proprietors of woolen mills in Lancashire, England. It is supposed that these brothers were the originals of Dickens' characters of the Cherable brothers. They had designed a fancy Marseilles vesting and Mr. Kirkman came to America to introduce the goods. For two years he resided in Boston, Massachusetts, after which he made his way westward by the Isthmus of Panama route. He spent some time in the gold mines of California and then proceeded by sailing vessel to Australia and to the Sandwich Islands, but returned to the American continent when the news was received of the discovery of gold in paying quantities on the Fraser river in British Columbia. He proceeded to the gold fields there and for a number of years divided his time between the mines in that region and in California. After making and losing what in those days amounted to several small fortunes he determined to engage in a more stable business and, accordingly, in 1862, he returned to San Francisco and the next year purchased cattle in Oregon, which he drove to the market at Boise, Idaho. He there established himself in the stock business. In 1866 he took an eighty-mule team pack from Walla Walla to Montana, where he disposed of all of his goods. He then became interested in a milk ranch and dairy business, but in 1870 he disposed of his ranch and stock and returned to San Francisco with the intention of making that city his permanent home. However, he afterward came to Walla Walla and entered into partnership with John Dooley for the conduct of a cattle business. Their cattle range extended from Pasco to Spokane and from Sprague to the Snake river and was known as the Figure 3 Ranch. This firm was the first to ship cattle out of the territory to Montana and elsewhere. At a subsequent period Mr. Kirkman became heavily interested in the sheep industry and for many years he was an extensive raiser of both cattle and sheep. During all this time he maintained his partnership relation with Mr. Dooley, their connection continuing for about twenty years. He also invested in farm lands, becoming in time the owner of twelve hundred acres. In 1891 he retired from active life and the year 1892 was spent by him in travel in Europe. He had hoped that freedom from business cares and the pleasure of travel would enable him to regain his health, which had become quite seriously impaired, but this expectation proved futile, as he died at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, April 25, 1893, when on his way home. Mr. Kirkman was a man alive to all public interests and opportunities. He was one of the early contributors to Whitman College and paid the tuition of various students there in order to help them and the institution. When the receipts of the college were too small Mr. Kirkman joined with John F. Boyer to make up the deficit. He was a man of many substantial qualities and thereby gained many friends. He contributed much to the development of the northwest along material, social, intellectual and moral lines, his influence always being on the side of progress and improvement for the individual and for the community.
WILLIAM KIRKMAN
On the 4th of February, 1867, in San Francisco, Mr. Kirkman was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Potts, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Robert and Agnes (Evans) Potts, who passed their entire lives on the Emerald isle. Mrs. Kirkman came to the United States in her girlhood, going to San Francisco to join her two sisters who were already residing there. The four surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman are William H., Fannie A., Myrtle B. and Leslie G. The eldest son was horn in Idaho in May, 1868, and pursued his education in Whitman College and in the Boston University, from which he was graduated on the completion of a law course in the class of 1893 and then located for practice in Walla Walla, where he followed his profession for two years. He wedded Maud Ashley, who passed away in 1905, leaving one son, William Leslie, who was born in 1901. William H. Kirkman resided in Walla Walla and filled the office of clerk of the federal court for a year. He was also a member of the city council and a member of the school board. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons as a member of the York Rite and of the Mystic Shrine, and he also held membership with the Elks, in which he filled all of the chairs of the local lodge. Fannie A. is the wife of A. H. Reynolds, a prominent attorney and president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Walla Walla. The youngest son, Leslie G., was born in Walla Walla in June, 1881, and pursued his education in the schools of his native city. He married Mabelle E. Hawman and they have one child, Leslie Gilmore, who was born in 1916. Leslie G. Kirkman is an Elk and a Mason. He resides in Walla Walla and he and his brother are engaged in farming, the latter having retired from law practice, and they are now devoting their attention to the cultivation, development and further improvement of the old homestead property which was left by their father. Myrtle B. Kirkman resides with her mother in Walla Walla.
William Kirkman was very prominent in civic affairs and exerted great influence on many interests that had to do with the upbuilding and progress of Walla Walla. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was a delegate to the national republican convention which was held in Minneapolis in 1892 and nominated Benjamin Harrison. He was appointed on the committee with William McKinley to notify Mr. Harrison of his nomination. Mr. Kirkman served on the first board of directors of the penitentiary upon its establishment and was a member of the board of education in Walla Walla, contributing much to the development of its school system. As previously stated, he was closely associated with the welfare and progress of Whitman College and was still a member of its board of directors at the time of his demise. He was a man of sterling qualities, possessing a kindly, genial disposition that endeared him to those who came in contact with him, and was charitable to a fault. Although not a member of any church, he was a liberal contributor to the support of various religious bodies of the city and no worthy cause appealed to him in vain. His interests were broad and embraced all that was worth while in life, yet his greatest care and his fullest devotion were always given to his home and family.