American sacred music composers biography

by Jacob Henry Hall

There are but few gospel song composers who are better and more favorably known than the subject of this sketch, Wm.

J. Kirkpatrick, born February 27, 1838. His father, Thompson Kirkpatrick, was a school teacher and music teacher, and well known as a musician in Mifflin, Juniata, Cumberland and Perry Counties, Pennsylvania, [United States].

American sacred music composers biography

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William J. grew up in a musical atmosphere, and at an early age learned to play upon the fife, flute, violin, and later upon the violin cello. In the spring of 1854 he left his home in Duncannon, Perry County, Pennsylvania, for Philadelphia to study music and learn a trade, and served over three years at carpentering.

He was much more interested in music than in mechanics, devoting all his leisure time to its study. His ambition at this time was to become a violinist.

In February, 1855, he joined the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Philadelphia, and from that time de