David Kirkwood, Clerk of the County Council, and a native of this county, was born in Caledon, May 26, 1829. His parents, William and Margaret (McDonald) Kirkwood, were from Scotland, the Kirkwood’s being a Renfrewshire family. The father of David was a pioneer in this part of the Province, a farmer after coming to Canada, dying in the Township of Caledon in 1849. His mother died in 1860.
Schools in the boyhood of our subject, were very poor in his locality, neither grammar nor geography being taught, and he had to attend to such branches outside of the school room. He was reared on the farm, and in the strictest habits of industry and virtue, his parents being members of the Presbyterian Church.
He was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1875, when he’s appointed Clerk of the County Council, rented his farm, and moved into Brampton. He has been Clerk of the Caledon Township Council since 1871, still holding that office; was in that township Council four years and Deputy Reeve two of them; was Secretary of the Caledon Agricultural Society thirteen years; and immediately on settling in Brampton’s made Treasurer of the County Agricultural Society, a position which he still holds.
He is a Liberal, always moderate in his political sentiments, and more so since taking his present county office.
He was the first Master of Wellington Lodge, No. 271, of Free Masons, in Erin Township, six miles from his home, and when he retired from the Lodge, was presented with a Past Master’s jewel. Religiously he adheres to the faith of his parents and ancestors, having long been a communicant in the church, maintaining a consistent Christian character.
Mr. Kirkwood has a second wife, being first married in 1863, to Miss Barbara Smith, of Chinguacousy, she dying childless in 1867; and the second time in 1872, to Miss Mary McDonald, of Esquesing, County of Halton, having by her four children, all yet living.