Source: Past & Present of Bureau Co. - 1906
Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin, Tampico Area Historical Society, www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 270

George W. KIRKPATRICK

George W. KIRKPATRICK, owner and manager of the Tiskilwa gas plant, to which he gives his whole attention, having deeloped this into an extensive and profitable business enterprise, was born in the town which is still his home, his natal year being 1862. He is a son of John KIRKPATRICK, who came to Bureau county in 1857 from the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio, and settled on a farm wouth of Tiskilwa, where he owned three hundred acres of choice land, following farming there throughout his remaining days. He wedded Honor GRUBB and they became the parents of eight children, but George W. is the only one now in Bureau county. The father died in 1889, and the mother passed away in 1891.

George W. KIRKPATRICK was educated in the district schools and in Tiskilwa and remained upon the home place until 1896, when he took up his abode in Tiskilwa and was engaged in canal work as foreman for several years. He then turned his attention to his present industry, with which he has been connected since 1901. He completed the plant on the 1st of May of that year and it was the first of its kind in the state. Gas is manufactured by what is called the cold press gasoline gas plant and has a capacity of 300,000 feet per month. It could supply gas for a town of twenty-five hundred people. The product is manufactured by compressed air being forced through gasoline in a specially prepared tank. He has piping in all of the business houses and one half of the residences in Tiskilwa and the product gives the best satisfaction to his patrons, so that the business is now proving profitable.

Mr. KIRKPATRICK was married in Februray, 1884, to Miss Bessie DRAPER, now deceased. Unto Mr. an Mrs. KIRKPATRICK have been born three children, Mabel Haarold and Ruth. Politically Mr. KIRKPATRICK is a stanch republican but without aspiration for office. He belongs to Tiskilwa lodge, No. 550, A. F. & A. M. and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his wife and elder daughter are connected with the Eastern Star lodge at Tiskilwa. Theirs is a pretty and attractive home facing the park, and the residence was erected by Mr. KIRKPATRICK, who also has a good business. The family are prominent socially here and the members of the household enjoy the warm esteem of all who know them.