| Michael Kivlin is entitled to recognition as one of the prominent farmers of the town of Fitchburg, where his life since childhood has been spent, and which has been the scene of his remarkably successful career.He was born in Rutland, Vermont, on December 8, 1853, and is one of five children born to Michael and Anna (Killerlain) Kivlin, both of whom were natives of Ireland and are now deceased. The father was a farmer and fisherman in the north of Ireland, and in the early fifties migrated, with his wife and two children, to the shores of America. They made the journey in a sailing craft and were more than six weeks on the ocean.
Upon their arrival in America they located at Rutland, Vermont, where the father worked in the slate and marble quarries near Hydeville and Rutland for a few years, and in 1860 he came with his family to Wisconsin. Locating in Dane county the father worked as a common laborer for about two years, and then purchased forty acres of land in the town of Fitchburg, and began general farming. He added to his farm from time to time until it comprised sixty acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1898, the mother having died in 1897. Of the five children, John is given a more extended mention on another page of this volume; Bridget married Matthew Smith, who is also given particular mention herein; Michael is the subject of this review; Mary Ann is the wife of Martin Price, of York, Nebraska; and Catherine married John McDermott, who is given personal mention on another page. Michael Kivlin attended the common schools in Vermont for a short time and after the removal of the family to Wisconsin added to his scholastic training in the schools at Lake View. He resided at home until he was twenty-five years old then worked by the month as a farm hand until 1880, when he purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Fitchburg and began his independent career as a general farmer. He has added to this tract from time to time until he now owns two hundred and twenty acres, upon which he made all necessary improvements. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, voting for the mean and measures that meet his unbiased approval, and his personal worth has been recognized by election to the responsible position of town treasurer; and at present is a road commissioner. He and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic church. Mr. Kivlin was married in September, 1878, to Miss Kate Glennon, a native of Philadelphia, the date of her birth being January 3, 1856. Her parents are Edward and Ellen (Madden) Glennon, now prominent residents of the town of Fitchburg, and she received her education at Swan Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Kivlin are the parents of ten children: James H., George S., Catherine A., Anna F., Millie I., Mary L., Eddie L, Margaret E., Vincent and Howard M. James H. married Anna O’Brien and resides in the town of Dunn. 1906 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, p. 513-514. |
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