Henry Kirklin was born in Boone County on June 6, 1858. He spent most his life practicing horticulture and teaching young people the art of grafting and pruning. He worked at Joseph B. Douglas nursery in his teen years and learned more and more about horticulture, a field that would turn into his future career. He then unofficially taught at the University of Missouri. Kirklin then settled down with Martha Moss and started a commercial farm from which he sold all kind of produce. He passed on August 14, 1938 of heart disease.
Henry Kirklin, born a slave with little education became what may have been the first
unofficial African American teacher at The University of Missouri. He became a successful businessman and vital member of his community through hard work and dedication.
Henry Kirklin was born June 6, 1858 in Boone County Missouri. His mother,Jane, helped free him from slavery when he was five years old. When he was a teenager Kirklin worked at the Joseph B. Douglass nursery in Columbia for several years. It is said that Douglass, who was the general agent of the University of Missouri’s horticulture department, urged Kirklin to get a job as a gardener and greenhouse supervisor.
Kirklin was soon recognized by Samuel Mills Tracy, head of the department and a teacher at the university, for his skill with plants. Tracy asked Kirklin to unofficially teach his students how to prune, graft and propagate plants. as part of the hands on portion of his class since Tracy himself did not have the time. However, due to the segregation of races and the university’s policy of no official negro teachers Kirklin did not teach inside a classroom but in the open air. It was stated in a 1913 article about Kirklin that he was “Pretty near a teacher, even if his name was not in the faculty directory"
On May 8, 1880 Kirklin wed Martha Moss in Columbia Together they had two daughters Estella And Mattie.Three years later Kirklin bought a half acre of land on which to grow fruits and vegetables to sell. He was commonly seen walking around town with his wheelbarrow laden with goods. In seven years his business had became so successful that he had purchased more land to keep up with the demand of his produce. He grew several different vegetables and fruits which his customers could purchase for food or they could purchase the plants themselves so they could start their own gardens.
Even as a successful businessman Kirklin still taught the students of the University of Missouri the hands on approach to horticulture. He even turned down multiple offers from the Lincoln institute, known as Lincoln University today, to teach agriculture so that he could remain being a gardener. Kirklin was an active part of the community putting in hours at St. Paul’s A.M.E Church, collecting money to help the war effort during World War I, and helping young African Americans attend college.
Henry Kirklin died of heart disease on August 14, 1938 in Columbia. Through his accomplishments and success he showed that anything is possible no matter how humble of a background you have.
"Henry Kirklin (1858 - 1938)." Henry Kirklin. State Historical Society of Missouri, n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2015."
unofficial African American teacher at The University of Missouri. He became a successful businessman and vital member of his community through hard work and dedication.
Henry Kirklin was born June 6, 1858 in Boone County Missouri. His mother,Jane, helped free him from slavery when he was five years old. When he was a teenager Kirklin worked at the Joseph B. Douglass nursery in Columbia for several years. It is said that Douglass, who was the general agent of the University of Missouri’s horticulture department, urged Kirklin to get a job as a gardener and greenhouse supervisor.
Kirklin was soon recognized by Samuel Mills Tracy, head of the department and a teacher at the university, for his skill with plants. Tracy asked Kirklin to unofficially teach his students how to prune, graft and propagate plants. as part of the hands on portion of his class since Tracy himself did not have the time. However, due to the segregation of races and the university’s policy of no official negro teachers Kirklin did not teach inside a classroom but in the open air. It was stated in a 1913 article about Kirklin that he was “Pretty near a teacher, even if his name was not in the faculty directory"
On May 8, 1880 Kirklin wed Martha Moss in Columbia Together they had two daughters Estella And Mattie.Three years later Kirklin bought a half acre of land on which to grow fruits and vegetables to sell. He was commonly seen walking around town with his wheelbarrow laden with goods. In seven years his business had became so successful that he had purchased more land to keep up with the demand of his produce. He grew several different vegetables and fruits which his customers could purchase for food or they could purchase the plants themselves so they could start their own gardens.
Even as a successful businessman Kirklin still taught the students of the University of Missouri the hands on approach to horticulture. He even turned down multiple offers from the Lincoln institute, known as Lincoln University today, to teach agriculture so that he could remain being a gardener. Kirklin was an active part of the community putting in hours at St. Paul’s A.M.E Church, collecting money to help the war effort during World War I, and helping young African Americans attend college.
Henry Kirklin died of heart disease on August 14, 1938 in Columbia. Through his accomplishments and success he showed that anything is possible no matter how humble of a background you have.
"Henry Kirklin (1858 - 1938)." Henry Kirklin. State Historical Society of Missouri, n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2015."