Howard-Grant County IN Archives Biographies.....Newkirk, George 1842 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 24, 2006, 12:41 am Author: Jackson Morrow GEORGE NEWKIRK. In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition in the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life, making his influence felt for good in his community in Liberty township, Howard county, where he has long maintained his home, and because of the honorable career he has known here and also because of the fact that he is numbered among those patriotic sons of the North who assisted in saving the Union's integrity in the dark day's of the sixties, he is eminently worthy of a place in this book. George Newkirk was born in Adams county, Ohio, November 5, 1842, the son of Cyrus and Cassie (Phillips) Newkirk, the former a native of Pennsvlvania and the latter of Virginia. The subject's lineage is of Scotch, English and German blood. Cyrus Newkirk, who spent his life as a farmer, became a man of influence in his community, and was known as a devoted Christian, having been a member of the Baptist church. George Newkirk, our subject, was ten years old when he came to Indiana in 1852, locating in Grant county. He received a good education, having attended the common schools and later a college at Tipton, this state. Our subject was only nineteen years old when he felt his call to duty in defending the flag, consequently he enlisted in 1862 in Company H, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and he was with this regiment when it took part in the following engagements: Hartsville, Mellon, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Graysville, Ringgold, Tunnel Hill. Rocky Face Ridge, Adairsville, Dalton, Resaca, Ackworth, Cassville, New Hope Church. Pickett's Mills, Culp's Farm, Big Shanty, Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Chattahoochee River, Ezra Church, Utoby Creek, Jonesboro, Altoona, the march to the sea with Sherman, Ebenezer Church, Savannah, Sisters Ferry, through the Carolinas, Barnsville Court House, Fayetteville, Averysboro, Bentonville and Smithfield. Although the subject was in the most exposed places in many of the above named engagements and picked up the flag many times after it had been shot down he was never wounded. He was mustered out June 24, 1865, in Kentucky. After the war Mr. Newkirk returned to Grant county, Indiana, and later located in Howard county, near Russiaville, on a farm. He has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits with marked success in connection with trading and dealing in stock. He still owns a fine farm in Liberty township, Howard county, which is well improved and well managed. Mr. Newkirk has been able to lay by a comfortable competance [sic] for his declining years owing to his habits of industry and frugality. Our subject was united in marriage January 9, 1867, to Martha A. Floyd, of near Russiaville. Three sons, all deceased, were born to this union, namely: William, Morris and Charles. The subject's first wife died and he was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Kingery. Two daughters have been born to this union, one of whom is living, Maude, who was born April 21, 1878, is the wife of Thomas C. DeVaney. They live in the state of Washington. Maude was a student at New London and received a musical education at Indianapolis, later becoming a successful teacher of music. The subject and wife are members of the Christian church, having always been active workers in the same. Fraternally Mr. Newkirk is a Mason, having taken the first degree in 1865. He has taken the York Rite, the Knights Templar and the Scottish Rite degrees. In March, 1892, he became Master of the Blue Lodge. The daily life of the subject shows that he is living up to the teachings of this great order. In politics Mr. Newkirk is a loyal Republican and his public-spirited nature, coupled with his popularity among the members of this party, caused him to be selected for various county offices of responsibility and trust. He has served very creditably as county commissioner of Howard county for two terms, from 1888 to 1894, filling this important position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, having represented the first district. Our subject is a member of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Russiaville; being commander of the same, and he has served as delegate to six of the national encampments of this great organization. In 1906 he was commissioned colonel on the staff of the commander-in-chief. It is quite an honor to receive such an appointment, which is never given unless the recipient has had a past record worthy of the same. Mr. Newkirk has found time during his busy life to travel to nearly all parts of interest in the United States, having spent considerable time in the South. Since 1904 our subject has made his home in Greentown, having practically retired from business life and he is spending his closing years in comfort and the blessings of a serene age, conscious of the fact that his life has been well and profitably spent. He is a well informed man on current topics, honest and upright in all his relations with his fellow men, and but few citizens of Howard county are better known and none more highly respected, for he has spent nearly his entire life within the borders of this county, and has always been active in the promotion of the county's welfare. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA BY JACKSON MORROW, B. A. ILLUSTRATED VOL. II B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (circa 1909) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/howard/bios/newkirk377nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/infiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb