​KIRKLAND, JOSEPH, an American author; born in Geneva, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830; removed to Chicago, Ill., in 1853; entered the volunteer service at the outbreak of the Civil War, serving as private, lieutenant, and captain of the 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was promoted major in 1863; and served in the Army of the Potomac. After the war he engaged in mining, law practice, and later in literary work. His publications include: "Zury, the Meanest Man in Spring County" (1887); "The Captain of Company K" (1891); with Caroline Kirkland, "The Chicago Massacre of 1812"; and "The Story of Chicago" (1892-1894). He died in Chicago, Ill., April 29, 1894.