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Among the prominent citizens of Brownville at an early date was Edmund Kirby, afterwards Colonel Kirby.
“He was a son of Ephraim Kirby, an officer of the Revolution, and afterwards judge of the supreme court of Connecticut. Colonel Kirby was born at Litchfield, Connecticut, April 18, 1794; entered the army as lieutenant in 1812; served during the war on the northern frontier; joined General Brown as aid in 1820; from 1821 to ’23 discharged the duties of adjutant-general at Washington; in 1824 was appointed paymaster of the army, and returned to Brownville, where he married Eliza, a daughter of General Brown. From 1832 to ’40 he was engaged in the Florida wars with the Indians; was chief of the pay department during the Mexican war; volunteer aid to General Taylor at the storming of Monterey; aid to General Scott at Vera Cruz, Cierra Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec, and the Mexican capital, and always distinguished for courage and bravery.”
In 1848 he returned to his home in Brownville; was enthusiastically received by the citizens, a large cavalcade going out to meet and welcome him on his approach to the village. The seeds of disease were implanted in his system by the hardships of war in a tropical climate, which had so impaired his health that he sought relief from the medicinal waters of Avon Springs, where he died, August 20, 1849, aged fifty-five. His remains were brought to Brownville, and laid in the village cemetery with fitting military honors. A plain shaft of Quincy granite marks his resting-place, and bears silent testimony to his heroic deeds. By his side in the village cemetery, lie the remains of his gallant son. “Brigadier-General E. Kirby, who was wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, and died May 28, 1863, at the age of twenty-three, a worthy son of an honored sire.”
Transcribed by Holice B. Young from Jefferson Co. History by L. H. Everts.
Copyright January 2000 by Sherrye Luther Woodworth