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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN KIRKUP, a leading and influential farmer of the town of Homer, was born in Abbeytown, County of Cumberland, England, January 7, 1849. He is a son of William Kirkup, who was born and lived and died in the above county.

William Kirkup was a farmer by occupation. He married Margaret Hayton, who was born in the same county as her husband. She died at the age of sixty -eight, in 1872. He was called to the other world in 1892, aged seventy-eight. Five children were fostered at their threshold, who bore the following names: Ann; Mary; Martha, who died at the age of sixteen; John; and Esther E. John Kirkup, whose name appears at the head of these lines, received his education in the common and high schools and Green Row Academy, on the seashore of North England. He left the academy at the age of seventeen to work for his uncle, John Holliday, on the farm, where he remained three years. When he reached his majority, in common with others of his fellow country-men, he sought a home in freedom-loving America. His place of landing was New York City, arriving there November 9, 1869. He came direct to Homer and made his home with Mr. Atkinson of that place. His first employer was Isaac Foster, for whom he worked two years. He was next with John H. Miller a year, then he went to New Orleans, La., and after spending six months in the South, returned to the employ of Mr. John H. Miller. The following two years were spent with George W. Miller and George Johnson; he then rented a farm in the town of Solon and stayed upon it four years; from there he moved to Judge Gillett’s farm in Scott, where he remained until 1881. Since that year he has lived on a farm near East Homer.

Mr. Kirkup was married December 28, 1875, to Emma J. Foster, daughter of Isaac Foster of Homer, N. Y., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book. Four children have blessed their home, namely: Margaret; Bertha J.; William H., deceased; and Earl H. Our subject is an avowed Republican. He was appointed to take the census of District No. 1, of the town of Homer, in 1890, and has served as justice of the peace for eight years, the last term expiring in 1892. The duties of every position to which he has been chosen have been faithfully and honestly discharged. Socially, Mr. Kirkup is a member of the Albright Grange, No. 440, Patrons of Husbandry, in which organization he is now steward, having held every other office except that of treasurer. He is a member of the East Homer M. E. Church, a trustee and an active worker. He is also interested in the Sabbath School, of which he has been steward and superintendent for the past seven years. He is quite a reader, whereby he keeps himself posted on all political and current events. He is a thorough Christian gentleman, and has the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen to the fullest extent.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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