My Genealogy Hound

M. L. Kirby, M. D., and druggist, was born in Macon County in 1844, one of ten children, seven living, of Jessie B. and Elizabeth S. (Young) Kirby. The father, born in Jackson County, Tenn., in 1799, was a son of Pleasant Kirby, a native of England, and who came to America when a boy, and served in the war of 1812. He was a merchant. Jesse, the father, was married in 1820, and soon removed to Macon County, where he spent his life as a farmer, and died in 1850. The mother was born in Virginia in 1802, and died in 1872. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a self-educated man, and in 1863 enlisted in Company A, Eighth Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Federal Army, and remained in active service until the close of hostilities. He then returned home, and in 1870 studied medicine under Dr. E. H. Bratton, of La Fayette. In 1875 he graduated from the medical department of Nashville University, since which he has built his extensive practice in La Fayette, and is now one of the county’s most popular physicians. Since 1881 he has been examining surgeon for Tennessee and Kentucky. He also has the only drug business in town. In November, 1886, his entire business property, stock and building, were destroyed by fire, with a loss of about $10,000. A successful financier, he at once erected a new block and residence combined, and is now established on a more extensive scale. He owns also about $12,000 worth of Lane County (Kas.) real estate. In January, 1867, he married Martha D., daughter of T. J. and Eliza A. Wakefield. Four of their five children are living: Alice, Miriam, Alvis, Merlin and Anna Manson. In 1882 and 1883 Dr. Kirby represented Macon and Clay Counties in the Legislature, and in 1886 refused the nomination. A Democrat in politics, his first vote was for Gen. McClellan. He is a member of the High Priesthood of the Masonic order, and of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. Mrs. Kirby was born in Macon County in 1847; is a member of the Christian Church.