Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 511. DAVE J. KIRBY Agricultural pursuits have always engaged the attention of Dave J. Kirby, who owns and operates a portion of the ranch upon which his father located when he first came to Yamhill county thirty-seven years ago. He was born in Minnesota, on the 6th of February, 1873, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Burns) Kirby, the former a native of Yorkshire, England, and the latter of Roscommon, Ireland. The father was reared in the old country, where he also received his education and was trained for the vocation of a farmer. When he first emigrated to Canada he engaged in teaming for three years, but subsequently removed to Minnesota and again devoted his energies to farming. In 1874, with his wife, whom he had met and married in Canada, and his children, he emigrated to Oregon, settling on one hundred and twenty-five acres of land that he bought in Yamhill county. In the operation of this he met with success and was later able to add to his holdings, continuing to devote his energies to farming until 1899, when he withdrew from the active work of the fields and removed to McMinnville, where he is now living retired. Mr. Kirby has attained the venerable age of eighty-two years, while his wife is seventy-nine. Our subject is the youngest of their four living children. The others in order of birth are as follows: T. E., who is a farmer in Minnesota; F. J., who is living in California; and D. M., who is a farmer of Yamhill county. As he was a child of only two years when his parents brought him to Oregon, Dave J. Kirby has spent practically his entire life in Yamhill county. His boyhood and youth were not unlike those of other lads of the period who were reared on a ranch. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, and at such times as he was not engaged with his lessons assisted his father with the work of the fields and the care of the stock, thus acquiring, a practical knowledge of the fundamental principles of agriculture and stock-raising. He remained at home with his parents until their retirement, after which he rented the land he is now cultivating. Mr. Kirby has, applied himself intelligently and progressively to the direction of his activities and is meeting with success by reason of his capable efforts. He is recognized as one of the prosperous, and competent representatives of the agricultural interests of the county, as well as one of its substantial citizens. In 1897 Mr. Kirby was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Leabold, a native of Yam-hill county, and a daughter of George and Mary Leabold, who were also born here, the mother continuing to make her home in this county. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leabold there were born five children, of whom Mrs. Kirby is the eldest, the others being as follows: Rosa, the wife of George McFarquher, of Alberta, Canada; Rodney, who is deceased; Mamie, the wife of L. L. Ladd, of Sheridan; and Gertrude, who married William Hearty, also of Sheridan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kirby there have been born two daughters, Mary and Anna, both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which denomination they are rearing their family, and he votes the democratic ticket. He has never been an office seeker, however, his energies at all times being concentrated upon the development of his personal affairs in which he is meeting with a goodly degree of success. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.