Bio: Kirkham, Carlton M. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.

Surnames: Kirkham, Bissell, Goodrich, Smith 

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 759-760 

Carlton M. Kirkham is another one of the flourishing and prepossessing farmers of Eau Claire, and was born in 1853 in St. Lawrence county, New York, the son of Hiram and Polly (Bissell) Kirkham, and is descended from prominent Scottish ancestry. His grandfather and also his grandmother met tragic deaths by being drowned in Lake Champlain. His father died at the age of 53, and his mother lived to the age of 63 years. In this branch of the Kirkham family were seven sons and one daughter: James, who enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, died while in the service; Andrew; Charles A.; Hiram H. and Eugene also served as soldiers under the Stars and Stripes during the Civil War; Carlton M.; Rufus, and Sophia, who is the wife of W. D. Goodrich, of Valley Center, Kan. 

In 1854 C. M. Kirkham came to Wisconsin and first located in Dodge county, where he lived until 1868, whence he came to Eau Claire county. He first worked in the woods at chopping and logging, and with the money thus earned he afterward purchased 120 acres of land, which he cleared, subdued and brought to a good state of cultivation, and there established a home for himself and family. He has since been actively engaged in general farming, and his place is improved with a substantial residence and outbuildings. 

In 1878 Mr. Kirkham married Miss Mary Smith, of Trempealeau county, a daughter of Stephen Smith, and they have had four children, as follows: Stephen A., Earl B., Frank V. and Bernice B. A man of thrift and progress, Mr. Kirkham is alive to all the issues of the day, and any movement which he considers for the benefit and advancement of his community receives his liberal support. He has been prominent in county affairs, has held several local offices, and is now (1914) supervisor of his township, having served twelve successive years as supervisor; he also served as school district clerk for twenty-nine years at the expiration of this school year. 

He is a taxidermist and does a great amount of work in that line.