My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS J. KIRKPATRICK. The Farm and Fireside, published in Springfield, is circulated far and wide, and although many of its readers may not be familiar with the name, they are yet well acquainted with the name of Thomas Kirkpatrick, its managing editor. Although still a comparatively young man, being not yet thirty-five years of age, he has been engaged in editorial work for some fourteen years, and was probably one of the youngest editors in the country when he began his labors in that line. To his devoted mother is due the formation of his moral haracter and his business habits, and she also by the labor of her own hands secured to him the benefits of education. His father left home when Thomas was but four years old and engaged in mining on the Pacific Coast. He contributed to the support of the family as far as he was able; but not meeting with great success in his operations the support of the family in a large part devolved upon the mother.

The maternal grandparents of our subject moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in an early day, and in the latter State Miss Fannie Aley was born. She married Joshua M. Kirkpatrick, a native of Virginia, and to them, in Dayton, a son was born, September 23, 1855. This is he who owes not only the greater part of his sustenance during boyhood, but all that is best in his manhood, to a mother’s love and devotion. About the 1st of June, 1870, being then fifteen years of age and unwilling to burden his mother longer, young Kirkpatrick entered the United Brethren publishing house to learn the printing business. After completing the printer’s trade, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, pursuing his studies two years, during which time he mastered the art of stenography in addition to the regular course of study.

In the spring of 1871 Mr. Kirkpatrick entered the employ of his uncle, P. P. Mast, as his private secretary, and his experience in printing secured to him the control of the private printing office of P. P. Mast & Co., which was put in the following spring. The subsequent fall Mr. Mast announced in the presence of his nephew his intention to employ a stenographic amanuensis. Mr. Kirkpatrick at once requested that the position be held for him, and within three months he had acquired the art, this being prior to the completion of the studies which he pursued at the University, which alternated with employment, by which he supported himself. Mr. Kirkpatrick, as soon as competent, assumed the duties of stenographer, and held the position until the summer of 1874, when the firm undertook the publication of the Farm and Fireside, a semi-monthly paper, of which our subject was given the editorial charge. Two years later the paper sold out to the present firm, which is composed of P. P. Mast, J. S. Crowell and T. J. Kirkpatrick, the latter continuing to act in an editorial capacity. The publication is a neat one, containing much matter of value to agriculturists, together with interesting articles for the household, the latter including poetry, short prose articles, housekeeping hints, etc. It has reached a circulation of nearly two hundred and forty thousand copies, in the publication of which a large force is required. The building occupied by the plant is a large four-story brick structure of modern design and architectural beauty. The firm also publishes the Ladies’ Home Companion, a handsome illustrated ladies’ paper, issued semi-monthly, which is fast acquiring an enormous circulation. At present its regular issue exceeds one hundred thousand copies. Mr. Kirkpatrick has editorial charge of this paper also, as he has of all the publications of the firm.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was married May 8, 1877, to Miss S. Corinna Reid, of Jackson, Mich., and daughter of William B. Reid, Esq., and who is but two months her husband’s junior. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was born in the city of Raleigh, N. C., November 25, 1855, and removed with her parents to Ohio when a little girl. Thence, later, they went to Michigan. Of this union there was born one child, a daughter, Hazel. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are influential members of Trinity Baptist Church. Our subject has been prominently connected with wheeling and is the inventor of the Kirkpatrick bicycle saddle, which has been in universal use for several years. He is also prominently connected with the League of the American Wheelmen, and was President of the organization two terms. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. The little family occupies a neat and pleasant home at No. 343 South Limestone Street.