Elisha
Kirklen
Elisha Kirklen, merchant at St. Elmo, was born March 9, 1832, in Bledsoe
County, and is one of ten children born to Elisha and Susan (Hixon) Kirklen. The
father was born in North Carolina in 1802, and came to Bledsoe County at a very
early date. He served as justice of the peace for many years, and was a very
successful farmer and merchant. He was of English descent and died in 1866. The
mother was born in Bledsoe County in 1804. She was an active Christian worker,
and died December 17, 1886. She was of German descent. Our subject received a
fair education in the common schools of Bledsoe County. He assisted his father
on the farm, and in 1852 married Miss Nancy Stockton. She was born December 18,
1833, and was the daughter of William and Charlotta (Reckter) Stockton. Nine
children are the result of our subject's marriage: Mary S. (Mrs. Ashley),
Martha J. (Mrs. Schultz), Laura L. (Mrs. Adams), Abraham, Lizzie (Mrs. Jackson),
William, Elisha, Joseph and George. Mrs. Kirklen is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. Our subject farmed in the Second District until 1884,
when he moved to St. Elmo and engaged in merchandising. He has a fine farm of
800 acres in the Second District, also four and a half acres in St. Elmo. Mr.
Kirklen is a Democrat in politics, and was postmaster at Hamilton postoffice
for several years.
"Goodspeed's History of East Tennessee, Hamilton County." 1887