My Genealogy Hound

ALBERT KIRKLAND belongs to one of the oldest families in the town of Hanover. His parents were George and Sally (Convis) Kirkland, and he was born June 1, 1833, in the town of Hanover, on the farm upon which he now resides. His grandfather, William Kirkland, came to New York State from one of the New England States, first locating in Schoharie county, but afterwards in Chautauqua county, in the latter of which he died. During the war of Independence he enlisted in the service of his country, and bravely did what he could to defend it from the tyrannous rule of the British monarchy. The result of his marriage was a family of three boys and four girls. The father of Albert Kirkland was ushered into life on March 15, 1797, in Schoharie county, New York, and died August 26, 1854, in the town of Hanover, Chautauqua county. He came to Chautauqua county some time prior to the year 1821, and was therefore one of the pioneers of that county. His first purchase of land amounted to ninety acres, to which he afterwards added fifty acres more, both tracts constituting the old homestead now occupied by his son. He was a hard-working, economical man and knew fully the representative value of a dollar. He lived in stirring pioneer times and was fully acquainted with all those experiences which are a part of every pioneer’s life. His marriage resulted in a family of ten children: Sarah, Ezra, Mary, Lovisa, Rosina, Naomi (dead), George, Albert, Edwin and Walter (dead). He was a whig in politics and a communicant of the Methodist church.

Albert Kirkland’s childhood days, youth, manhood and declining years have all been passed upon the old homestead, around which, in the autumn of his life, cling many pleasant memories. His early education was acquired in the same school which he now helps to support, so that it has measured the experiences of two generations. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer and is the present owner of one of the best farms in the county.

Albert Kirkland married twice. His first wife was Nancy T. Giles, a daughter of Abel Giles, of Hanover township, by whom he had one daughter, Minnie, at present a student at the Fredonia Normal school. Subsequent to the death of his first wife, March 4, 1880, he united a second time in marriage; this time to Annette M. Persons, by whom he had one child, Bert, born in 1881, a daughter of Orris Persons, of Westfield, New York. Mr. Persons is a farmer and grape-grower and was once married to Melva Shaw, who bore him six children.

His life is one of independence, contentment and peaceful labor, tempered with the benedictions that come to an honest, conscientious life. He is a consistent member and supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, while politically he casts his vote with the Republican party.