January 23, 1851

Birthday of John R. Kirk, attorney, educator, and leader in Missouri’s schools. He is remembered in Kirksville with the Kirk Auditorium (now the Kirk Building), Kirk Academy, Kirk Society, and his portrait in the President’s gallery.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.

Photo // Paul Sableman, Flickr