Alice Louise Wightman and Descendants

Alice Louise Wightman and Descendants

 

Generation No. 1

1. Alice Louise Wightman  was born February 27, 1858 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI1, and died May 21, 1935 in Wichita, KS1. She was the daughter of George R. Wightman and Mary Crandall. She married William S. Kirby July 5, 1876 in Galesburg, MI2, son of William Kirby and Rhoda Swetland. He was born November 25, 1857 in Crescent, Saratoga Co., NY3, and died 19274.

In 1880, Alice Kirby was living in Charleston Twp. in Kalamazoo Co., not far from her parents, and caring for her infant son Willie G. Kirby. Also living in her household were two unrelated individuals, Rachel Davis and William Adams. The former was probably assisting Alice with the infant. In addition, 11-year-old Arkansas-born Emma Wightman was also living in the household. In the census, she reports that Emma is her "sister", but she is almost certainly her niece instead. Emma was the orphaned daughter of Alice's older brother James M. Wightman, who relocated to Arkansas prior to his untimely death.

In 1900, Alice and William were still living in the Charleston Twp. section of Galesburg, on Battle Creek Rd (or St), where he was farming. William G., George, Harold and Nina were living with them. Alice's 19-year-old niece Margaret McIlwain, her deceased sister Ida's child, was also living with them. In that census, Alice reported only having had four children and that all were still alive.

In 1910, Alice and William were still living on the same farm on Battle Creek St. in the portion of Galesburg that lies in Charleston Twp. The census confirms that one of her four children did not survive. In 1920, they were still in Charleston Twp. farming.

Although William S. Kirby was born in New York, he moved to Kalamazoo County with his parents when he was an infant and would only have remembered growing up in Michigan. As an adult, he owned and operated the Valley Stock Farm about nine miles outside Kalamazoo. His horse farm was well known for having one of the finest studs in the county. Oddly, William does not appear in the 1880 US census with the rest of his family. Alice ("Allie") does indicate that she is married. In 1890, William began raising horses at his farm and over the years reared several award-winning animals. He owned a racetrack on his property where several locally-prominent events were held. He also raised sheep and was very financially-successful.

Children of Alice Wightman and William Kirby are:

  • William G. Kirby, born June 5, 1879 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI; died 1932.
  • Dr. George Wightman Kirby, born January 10, 1881 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI5.
  • Harold Eli Kirby, born October 15, 1883 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI.
  • Nina Isabella Kirby, born September 11, 1886 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI5; died 19066. She married Dr. M. E. Hunn6. Nina died at the very young age of 20, probably not long after her marriage.
  • Mary S. Kirby, born January 23, 1892 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI7; died Bef. 1900. Mary must have died in childhood; she does not appear in the 1900 census with the Kirby family.
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    Generation No. 2

    2. William G. Kirby was born June 5, 1879 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI8,9, and died 193210. He married Anna E. Wilkins June 18, 1902 in Battle Creek, MI11. She was born 1878 in Michigan12,13, and died 194414. Her parents were both born in England.

    In 1910, William G. Kirby was living in Charleston Twp., MI and working as a school teacher. He reportedly became a scientist, and received his training at the University of Michigan, although I've found no documentation to support that. Sometime in 1910, William apparently moved his family to Missouri, where they stayed until about 1919.

    In 1920, William and family lived at 702 (or 707) 8th St. in Fargo, ND in a house they shared with Harold and his family. The three boys were aged 10, 12 and 15, and late addition Nan Alice was still a baby. William was working as a manager for the Horton Motor Company.

    Children of William Kirby and Anna Wilkins are:

  • Clifford Kirby, born ca. 1904 in Michigan15.
  • Weymouth Kirby, born December 7, 1907 in Michigan16; died June 1987 in Augusta, Richmond Co., GA16. Weymouth lived in Illinois for a period of time, before eventually moving to Georgia.
  • Everett Kirby, born ca. 1909 in Missouri17.
  • Nan Alice Kirby, born ca. October 1918 in Missouri17.
  • 3. Dr. George Wightman Kirby was born January 10, 1881 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI, and died March 16, 1954 in Wichita, KS. He married Lottie P. _____ ca. 1905. She was born ca. 1881 in Illinois or Indiana. He married Corrine Mae Courtney October 1, 1919 in St. Joseph, MI. She was born January 28, 1891 in Amboy, Lee Co., IL25.

    George followed his namesake's career path. He was a student at the University of Michigan from 1901 to 1904, studied medicine, but did not graduate. During his time at the University of Michigan, he served as a Vice President for the Student's Christian Association as a representative from the medical school in 1903 and then served the same organization as Vice President and member of the Executive Board in 1904. George W. Kirby went on to complete his training at Rush Medical College in Chicago, receiving an MD from that institution. After graduating from Rush in 1905, he went on to practice medicine in Galesburg, before moving on to Millersburg, IN.

    In 1910, George W. Kirby was living in Goshen (Elkhart), IN, where he was in general practice as a physician. His wife of five years was listed as Lottie P. Kirby, born in Illinois (later she claims Indiana), of the same age as George. Living with them are their two young children, Robert and Ruth.

    George and Lottie divorced sometime around 1916 or 1917. Lottie raised the three children on her own and eventually became Assistant Dean of Women at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. In 1930, Lottie Kirby was living in Bloomington, IN and working as a secretary to the registrar at IU. The three children, Robert, Ruth and Paul, all single and in their 20's were still living with her. Robert was working as a commercial salesman at that time.

    During World War I, Dr. Kirby saw service in the Reserve Medical Corps at Camp Dodge, IA. At that time, he was living in Goshen (Elkhart), IN. He served as Captain in the Mayo Institute, and in 1918 some service overseas, at Bon Secours Hospital No. 88 in June and July 1918, then a Evacuation Hospital No. 1 from July to Dec, 1918, and finally in a Bon Secours Hospital from Jan-July, presumably 1919. Shortly after returning from the war, Kirby relocated to Wichita, KS.

    George married Corrine just after the war, in 1919, and she moved to Wichita, KS with him. Corrine was listed as having lived in Bradford, IL at the time of their marriage. "Elkhart, IN" is also indicated on their marriage record, indicating that they may have met there.

    In 1920, George Kirby was living as a lodger in Wichita, KS in the household of Lou Watson. He listed his marital status as "married." Living in the same household is a woman named "Jimmie Kirby" about 20 years his junior, who is also married. She was born in New York. According to Vince Marshall, Corrine went by the nickname "Jimmie," so it appears that he and his wife were both now living together in Wichita.

    In 1930, George W. Kirby was living with his wife Corrine in Wichita, Kansas. They lived at 912 Spaulding Ave. George. now 49 years old, held a sizeable personal wealth of $70,000 and owned his home. In 1930, George listed his profession as physician in private practice. Living with them was George's mother, Allie L. (Wightman) Kirby, and his niece, Nina Kirby.

    George built a huge mansion in Wichita, referred to as "Kirby Castle," which became a well-known local landmark. It was torn down in 1962.

    George was a Republican and a Presbyterian. He was a member of the American Legion, the Sedgwick County, Kansas State, and American Medical Associations, the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club, the Masons, and the Knights of Pythias.

    George lived at 1201 West River Boulevard in Wichita at the time of his death. He died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

    Children of George Kirby and Corrine Courtney are:

    4. Harold Eli Kirby was born October 15, 1883 in Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI18. He married Lora C. _____ ca. 190719. She was born 1885 in Michigan20,21, and died 193222. Lora's father was born in Pennsylvania, her mother in New York.

    Harold was reportedly schooled at the University of Michigan (although I've found no record of his attendance there) and became superintendent of manual training at Kearney Military Academy in Kearney, NB.

    In 1907, for a few months after their marriage, Harold and Lora lived in Michigan, presumably in the Galesburg area.

    Sometime around 1908, Harold apparently moved his family to Missouri for a short time.

    In 1910, Harold and Lora, both in their mid-20's, were living in Bluffton, Wells Co., in northern Indiana, a few miles south of Ft. Wayne. Harold's occupation is difficult to discern, but it does seem to be "manual training" or something like that. Living with them were their two very young daughters, Nina and Lora.

    In 1920, Harold and family were living in a house they shared with Harold's brother William and his family at 702 (or 707) 8th St. in Fargo, ND. Harold was working as an "organizer" at the Horton Motor Co.

    Children of Harold Kirby and Lora are:

  • Nina Kirby, born ca. 1907 in Michigan23.
  • Lora Kirby, born ca. February 1909 in Missouri23.
  • Mary Kirby, born ca. 1910 in Bluffton, Wells Co., IN24.
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    Sources

    1. Mary Ross Whitman, George Wightman of Quidnessett, RI and Descendants, (1939, Chicago: Edwards Brothers).

    2. John C. Crandall, Elder John Crandall of Rhode Island and His Descendants, (1949, New Woodstock, NY).

    3. D. Fisher and F. Little, Compendium of History and Biography of Kalamazoo County, Mich, (1906, Chicago: A. Bowen), p 539.

    4. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    5. Mary Ross Whitman, George Wightman of Quidnessett, RI and Descendants, (1939, Chicago: Edwards Brothers).

    6. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    7. Mary Ross Whitman, George Wightman of Quidnessett, RI and Descendants, (1939, Chicago: Edwards Brothers).

    8. International Genealogical Index, "Electronic."

    9. Mary Ross Whitman, George Wightman of Quidnessett, RI and Descendants, (1939, Chicago: Edwards Brothers).

    10. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    11. International Genealogical Index, "Electronic."

    12. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    13. 1920 US Census.

    14. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    15. 1920 US Census.

    16. Social Security Death Record, "Electronic."

    17. 1920 US Census.

    18. Mary Ross Whitman, George Wightman of Quidnessett, RI and Descendants, (1939, Chicago: Edwards Brothers).

    19. 1910 US Census.

    20. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    21. 1910 US Census.

    22. Oak Grove Cemetery Marker, Galesburg, MI.

    23. 1910 US Census.

    24. 1920 US Census.

    25. "Wichita Eagle," Wichita, KS, March 17, 1954, courtesy of Vince Marshall. Who's Who in Wichita,  (1929).

     

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