George C. Kirby learned his business as a farmer and stockman when a boy in Champaign County, and having added to knowledge and experience the other qualities of industry and prudence, he has been getting steadily ahead in the world since he began his independent career.
Mr. Kirby was born in Sidney Township of this county January 22, 1885, a son of George Marion and Froella Catherine (Stillwell) Kirby. His father is still living in Sidney Township, where the mother died May 5, 1901. They were the parents of nine children: Cora of Sidney; Viola, wife of Frank Cannon of Homer Township; Albert of St. Joseph Township; Grover C.; Arthur of Decatur, Illinois; Frank of Sidney Township; Clarence, at the home place; Addison of St. Joseph; and the youngest, a son, died in infancy.
Grover C. Kirby grew up at his father’s home and received his educational advantages in the district schools. At the age of twenty he left home and began farming for himself as a renter. The first two years he spent on a place of 160 acres in St. Joseph Township, and then removed to Sidney Township, where he has the active management of 400 acres in section 6. He is rapidly gaining an independent position in the world as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Kirby is a Democrat in politics. His home is on Route No. 57 out of Sidney.
He married Miss Ella Marie Light, who was born in Philo Township. They are the parents of two children, Hazel, born September 10, 1908, and Helen Irene, born April 8, 1912.