Kirker, Gov. Thomas, Homestead
SW of West Union on SR 136, West Union, OHGovernor Kirker Homestead is important in Ohio as the home of Thomas Kirker, the second governor of Ohio. Thomas Kirker was born in Tyrone Co., Ireland in 1760 and immigrated to Lancaster Co., Penn. in 1779. In 1790 he moved with his new bride to Kentucky and in 1793 joined the small company of men and women at the fort at Massie's Station (present-day Manchester, Ohio) on the Ohio River. After the defeat of the Shawnee at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, Kirker was the first to settle permanently outside the stockade in 1795. He first built a log house as was the custom in those days, but in 1805 Thomas Metcalf build him a home of hewn stone. Metcalf later moved to Kentucky and became governor of that state. The Kirker home was built about 250 feet from Zane's Trace, which was blazed through Ohio in 1797.
Kirker was a popular man and was elected as one of Adams County's three representatives to the Ohio Constitutional Convention in 1802. After statehood, Kirker served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 3/1/1803 to 4/16/1803. He then served in the Ohio Senate for 10 sessions from 12/5/1803 to 2/16/1815 serving as Speaker of that body for 7 of those sessions. Kirker became Ohio's second governor by succession after Governor Tiffin resigned that position on March 4, 1807. Kirker finished Tiffin's term until December of 1807 and served an additional term as governor until December 1808 when the gubernatorial election between Nathanial Massie and Return J. Meigs failed. (Meigs had won the election but was found technically ineligible to run and Massie then refused to take the office.) Kirker served again in the Ohio House from 12/15/1816 to 1/28/1817 serving as Speaker. He was again elected to the Ohio Senate and served from 12/3/1821 to 2/8/1825. He was a presidential elector in 1824. Governor Kirker died in 1837 and is buried within sight of his home in the Kirker Cemetery.
The Kirker Homestead was visited in July 1863 by Confederate soldiers under the command of General John Hunt Morgan. The rebels were after horses but failed to find any as a result of the Kirkers being forewarned of the enemy's approach. George S. Kirker, the youngest son of the governor, owned the home at that time. George Kirker served in the Civil War as Captain in the 141st O. V. I.
The Homestead has been in the Kirker family since 1805.
Local significance of the building:
Kirker was a popular man and was elected as one of Adams County's three representatives to the Ohio Constitutional Convention in 1802. After statehood, Kirker served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 3/1/1803 to 4/16/1803. He then served in the Ohio Senate for 10 sessions from 12/5/1803 to 2/16/1815 serving as Speaker of that body for 7 of those sessions. Kirker became Ohio's second governor by succession after Governor Tiffin resigned that position on March 4, 1807. Kirker finished Tiffin's term until December of 1807 and served an additional term as governor until December 1808 when the gubernatorial election between Nathanial Massie and Return J. Meigs failed. (Meigs had won the election but was found technically ineligible to run and Massie then refused to take the office.) Kirker served again in the Ohio House from 12/15/1816 to 1/28/1817 serving as Speaker. He was again elected to the Ohio Senate and served from 12/3/1821 to 2/8/1825. He was a presidential elector in 1824. Governor Kirker died in 1837 and is buried within sight of his home in the Kirker Cemetery.
The Kirker Homestead was visited in July 1863 by Confederate soldiers under the command of General John Hunt Morgan. The rebels were after horses but failed to find any as a result of the Kirkers being forewarned of the enemy's approach. George S. Kirker, the youngest son of the governor, owned the home at that time. George Kirker served in the Civil War as Captain in the 141st O. V. I.
The Homestead has been in the Kirker family since 1805.
Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Ohio was a key battleground state in the 2004 presidential election, with the outcome ultimately decided by a margin of just over 118,000 votes.
About Adams County
Adams County Timeline
Adams County, Ohio, located in the southwestern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, who held the region as hunting grounds. In the late 1700s, European settlers began to arrive in Adams County, establishing the first permanent settlements.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development. The county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. It became a prominent center for agriculture, known for its fertile soil and favorable climate. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the mid-1800s further stimulated growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
Adams County also played a role in the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an important stop on the journey to freedom. Many abolitionists in the area, such as John Rankin, helped enslaved individuals seek refuge and provided assistance along the way.
In the 20th century, Adams County faced the challenges brought by industrialization and economic change. The decline of agriculture and the closure of local industries led to a period of economic struggle. However, in recent years, Adams County has made efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural beauty and historic sites.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of significance and natural beauty, with a growing population and a diverse mix of cultures. Its historical sites, such as the John Rankin House and the Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve, stand as testaments to the county's rich past. As Adams County looks to the future, it strives to preserve its heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development. The county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. It became a prominent center for agriculture, known for its fertile soil and favorable climate. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the mid-1800s further stimulated growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
Adams County also played a role in the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an important stop on the journey to freedom. Many abolitionists in the area, such as John Rankin, helped enslaved individuals seek refuge and provided assistance along the way.
In the 20th century, Adams County faced the challenges brought by industrialization and economic change. The decline of agriculture and the closure of local industries led to a period of economic struggle. However, in recent years, Adams County has made efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural beauty and historic sites.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of significance and natural beauty, with a growing population and a diverse mix of cultures. Its historical sites, such as the John Rankin House and the Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve, stand as testaments to the county's rich past. As Adams County looks to the future, it strives to preserve its heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Adams County, Ohio.
- 1787 - Adams County is established as the first county in the Northwest Territory.
- 1790 - The county's first permanent settlement, West Union, is founded.
- 1798 - The first courthouse is built in West Union.
- 1803 - Ohio becomes a state, and Adams County is part of the new state.
- 1828 - The Ohio and Erie Canal reaches Adams County, boosting trade and transportation.
- 1865-1869 - The Civil War and its aftermath bring significant changes to Adams County.
- 1877 - The Ohio River flood devastates the county, causing significant damage.
- 1920s - Adams County experiences economic decline due to the Great Depression and the decline of coal mining.
- 1967 - The Adams County Amish community is established, leading to an increase in tourism and cultural diversity.
- 1987 - The Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center is opened, providing vocational education opportunities.
- 2005 - An observatory, the John T. Wilson Homestead Observatory, is opened to promote astronomy and scientific education in the county.