KIRKPATRICK.--Rev. J. D. Kirkpatrick was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., November 27, 1828, and is a son of Finis Ewing and Margaret (Gant) Kirkpatrick, deceased. The mother died when he was just three days of age. He has a twin brother, Robert Simpson Kirkpatrick, now a farmer and resident of the State of Washington. The parents were native of Tennessee. Rev. Kirkpatrick was reared by relatives in Tennessee. When seventeen years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and in 1848 moved to McCounty, Ky., where he resided till a few years before his death. The last few years of his life were spent in Riverside, Cal., where he departed this life September 17, 1912. In 1858 he married Mary Jane Rudolph, who was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., July 22, 1834, and to this happy union were six children born, four of which preceded him to the grave. When Rev. John D. Kirkpatrick was sixteen years of age, he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In the spring of 1855 he was licensed to preach, and was an active worker in the vineyard of the Lord until recently, when declining years forbade. In his political convictions he was a Prohibitionist, and at one time he was a candidate of that party for the legislature. Fraternally, he was a Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Rev. Kirkpatrick joined the Obion Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry and remained there until Mayfield Presbytery was organized, and as he resided in the territory that composes Mayfield Presbytery, became one of its charter members. Rev. John D. Kirkpatrick was one of the leading members of his presbytery, held revivals and built churches throughout her bounds, and was loved by all. He was a good presbyter, one to whom all looked for decision of questions. He was not forward to speak, but when he spoke he carried his point as but few are able to do. The writer has had the privilege of assisting him and having his help in revivals that proved a blessing to the younger preacher. Some six years ago Rev. Kirkpatrick, with his family, moved to Riverside, Cal., where he has made his home since that time, and from the fact that no Cumberland Presbyterian Church was in reach, he joined the U.S.A. Church. He leaves a life-long devoted wife, two sons--W. T. and Wallace Kirkpatrick--a number of grandchildren, and a host of warm friends to mourn his absence. Uncle John, as I called him, has gone to that reward that awaits the faithful. Look up, Aunt Mary Jane, the time is not far in the distant when you will follow in his footsteps, in the way he has gone.          S. B. RUDOLPH.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 12, 1912, page 783]