Occupation Physician
Married 19 Nov 1875 Hugh Kirkland

Death Stole In
Dr. Helen Upjohn Kirkland Passed Quietly Away.
Dr. Helen Upjohn Kirkland passed away last evening at 6:30 o'clock after a prolonged illness. Funeral services will be held at her late residence, 619 west Main street, on Friday afternoon, at 2 o'clock.
Helen Upjohn was born in Richland, Kalamazoo county, February 24, 1839, and since her birth has been continuously a resident of this county. She was the eldest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Uriah Upjohn, and as the first child of a large family, she took her place beside the young mother to share with her the responsibilities and cares incident to a rapidly growing family. In her early youth, she attended the seminary at Richland, which was then a prominent Institution, conduct by well-trained and well-equipped instructors. Late r she took a course at Kalamazoo college, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1872, taking afterwards a post-graduate course in New York. She was. one of the early pioneers and an earnest advocate of the study and practice of medicine as a vocation for women, being a member of the first class of the University of Michigan when the department, was opened for the admission of women. During her active practice, which lasted as long as her health would permit, she was one of the most prominent lady physicians in this part of the state.
In 1875 she was married to Hugh Kirkland, who died two years since.
During the past ten years, Mrs. Kirkland has been an invalid, bearing, however, the pain and discomforts incident to her condition with a fortitude and patience remarkable in one of natural vigor, who had reached mature years, after a life of unusual activity.
She approached death without hesitation—Indeed, welcomed It as a release from prolonged suffering. At the last nature was kind and lulled her to sleep In the night of time, that she might waken to the glories of a morning of eternity.
"Death Is another life. We bow our heads
At going out, we think, and enter straight
Another golden chamber of the king's.
Larger than this we leave, and lovelier.
And then in shadowy glimpses, disconnect.
The story, flower-like, closes thus Its leaves."
Kalamazoo Evening Telegraph November 6, 1901 page 5

HELEN M. (UPJOHN) KIRKLAND, M. D., of Kalamazoo, the eldest of a family of twelve children of the venerable pioneer of medicine, Dr. Uriah Upjohn, was born in Richland, Mich., February 24, 1839. In her girlhood she received the best educational advantages the little village afforded in its public schools, and for several years attended the Prairie Seminary, which at that time was a flourishing and popular school. Later, she entered the Baptist College at Kalamazoo, becoming a member of the senior class, but not graduating. Subsequently, our subject engaged in the profession of a teacher, and was thus occupied for three or four years, teaching in Richland, also in Iowa during the two or three years the family lived there, excepting that she returned to Michigan to attend school for one year. Soon after her father moved back to Michigan for the sake of better educational advantages for his growing family. After her course at the Baptist College, she taught private classes in French, botany and drawing, which to her was a very pleasant pastime, she having a taste for those studies. Wishing to become proficient in something, she pursued the study of art for a few years, receiving instruction in Chicago, Kalamazoo, and later in Ann Arbor. Several years were spent at home, assisting her mother in the care of her large family. In 1869, her father, seeing the necessity of providing his children with better educational advantages, purchased a large house in Ann Arbor and sent eight of his older children there at one time. Helen, being the eldest, took charge and managed the household of younger brothers and sisters. She also found time to pursue her painting and attend Prof. Winchel's lectures on botany and geology. That year the doors of the Michigan University were thrown open to women in all its departments. Having acquired an interest in her father's profession and practice, she determined to study medicine, and returned home to read under his instruction, entering the University at Ann Arbor in 1870, and graduating in the medical department in 1872, being one of a class of six first lady graduates. The Doctor at once began an active practice in Kalamazoo, in connection with her father and brother, Dr. Henry Upjohn. Six months after beginning practice, she went to Boston, and there and in New York was engaged for six months in hospital work. Returning thence to Kalamazoo, she at once secured a lucrative and desirable practice, which she still continues at her office at No. 619 Main Street. She has evinced great skill in her practice, stands high in the profession, and for the past twenty years has practiced with remarkable success, rare faithfulness and conscientiousness. Her practice has been general, and she is recognized as being able and accurate in the diagnosis of diseases. She is a member of the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine, Michigan State Medical Society, and American Medical Association, having been a delegate to the latter organization from the local society. Her marriage, which occurred November 19, 1875, united her with Hugh Kirkland. Dr. Kirkland is a woman of ability, and finds time beyond the duties of her profession to ally herself with the advanced thought of the day, and, while not assuming a leading part in the great questions affecting woman and woman's work, her opinion and counsel are sought and respected. She is a member of the Ladies' Library Association, and is in close sympathy with the advanced thinkers of the age. Portrait and biographical record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren counties, Michigan,1892. p. 841-2