Born in Washington, D.C., Kirkpatrick was named after his grandfather, who had been a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

[3] Kirkpatrick received a recess appointment from President Grover Cleveland on November 20, 1896, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by Judge Edward T. Green.

He was nominated to the same position by President Cleveland on December 8, 1896.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 15, 1896, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on May 3, 1904, due to his death in Newark.