The farming interests of Crescent Township find a worthy representative in John Kirkwood, who owns and cultivates a neat and well improved farm of two hundred and forty-four acres, where he now lives, and also an improved farm in Norwalk Township. He belongs to one of the old families of the county, his birth having occurred in Crescent Township, November 26, 1858.

His father, Robert Kirkwood, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, July 27, 1827, and in 1847, when a young man of twenty years, wedded Miss Mary Muir, also a native of that place. The following year they emigrated to America, and, after a voyage of seven weeks, landed at New Orleans, whence they made their way to Florence, Nebraska, opposite Crescent City, reaching their destination in the 10th of May, 1848. A few days later, however, they came to Pottawattamie County and settled on government land in what is now Crescent Township. The father devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and became well-to-do, leaving a large estate. Settling here in pioneer times, he endured many of the hardships and trials common at an early day, and as the years passed aided in the substantial development of the county, laying broad and deep the foundation for its present progress and improvement. He worked at day labor, often receiving but forty cents per day. His first home in the county was a log cabin fourteen feet square, but his ambition led him into larger things and the careful direction of his business interests in the course of years won him a measure of success, which made him one of the substantial residents of the county. His reputation for honesty and business probability was unassailable and never was his path strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. On the contrary he was thoroughly reliable in all that he did and his interests were well managed. He was one of the organizers and stockholders in the Council Bluffs Savings Bank and his judgment was always regarded as sound in business matters. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat, thoroughly conversant at all times with the issues and questions of the day. In community affairs he was active, serving for three terms as a member of the Board of Supervisors, also as Township Trustee, while for sixteen consecutive years he was treasurer of the school board. He also received the nomination of his party for the state legislature, but declined to become a candidate. He and his family were members of the Church of Latter Day Saints and died in that faith, the father passing away in 1897 and the mother four years later, at their old home south of Crescent. His record is a notable example of the opportunities that were enjoyed by the pioneers in the development of the natural resources of the west and yet the present generation can scarcely realize what it meant to live upon the frontier, far removed from the comforts and civilization of the older east, braving hardships and trials and facing many dangers incident to life on the frontier.

In the family of Mrs. And Mrs. Robert Kirkwood were seven children: Janet, the widow of William McKeown, who resides at Underwood, Iowa; Agnes, the wife of Hans Hansen, of Hazel Dell; Belle, the deceased wife of Frank Finch, of Hancock County, Iowa; John, of this review; James, residing in Long Pine, Nebraska; Thomas, who makes his home in Hazel Dell Township; and Lizzie, the wife of James Lapworth, of Crescent.

John Kirkwood of this review was reared to agricultural pursuits and throughout his entire life has been so engaged. The practical experience which he gained in youth has proven of the utmost value to him in his later years. He now owns two hundred and forty-four acres of rich and productive land where he lives in Crescent Township, and also has an improved farm in Norwalk Township. He has made nearly all of the improvements on this farm and it presents a most attractive appearance with its substantial out-buildings, its well tilled fields and its good grades of stock.

In 1884 Mr. Kirkwood was married to Miss Agnes Lapworth, a sister of James Lapworth, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood have been born nine children: Robert, at home; Gertrude, the wife of Wesley McMullen, an agriculturist of Crescent Township; and Horace E., Arthur Boise, Clara B., Lloyd, Agnes, Fern and Ruth, also at home. The parents are members of the Latter Day Saints Church and are much esteemed by many friends, who entertain for them warm regard by reason of their many good qualities of heart and mind. Mr. Kirkwood is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.

[1907 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, submitted by Cathy Danielson]