- THOMAS KIRK, of Janesville, a cooper by trade, now living
a retired life, was born in County
- Antrim, Ireland, on the 8th day of May, 1817, and is a son
of John and Mary Elizabeth (AULD) KIRK. When a young man, he
bade good-bye to home and friends, and in the spring of 1842,
crossed the broad Atlantic to America and settled in Portsmouth,
Ohio, where he learned the cooper's trade. In that city he was
united in marriage, Oct. 19, 1849, Miss Mary L. AULD becoming
his wife. She was also born in County Antrim, Ireland, the native
land of her parents, John and Grace AULD, with whom she came
to America when but two years old. Eleven children were born
of their union, seven daughters and four sons. Elizabeth, who
was born Aug. 3, 1850, died Aug. 28th, of the same year; John,
born Aug. 3, 1851, resides in Janesville, and is engaged in farming;
William, born June 7, 1854, died March 28, 1876; Agnes, born
Dec. 7, 1856, and dwells with her parents; Sarah Jane, born Feb.
14, 1859, is employed at Rockford; Martha, born May 20, 1861,
died Aug. 20, 1861; Thomas, born Aug. 10, 1862, died Aug. 19,
1868; Grace, born Sept. 21, 1868, is a teacher at Centralia,
Wis.; Mary, born March 5, 1868, dwells at home, a saleslady;
Alexander, born Sept. 11, 1870, died on the 16th day of September,
following; and Martha, born Oct. 2, 1873, a student at the high
school.
- Mr. KIRK remained a resident of Portsmouth, Ohio, until 1849,
when he came to Janesville, and
- embarked in the coopering business in this city, continuing
in that line until 1886, when he retired from business life.
He did an extensive business, often employing as many as twenty-five
hands, and his was one of the leading enterprises of Janesville.
His fair dealings won the confidence of all with whom he came
in contact, and he was deservedly held in high regard by all.
He takes great interest in civic society, and is a leading member
of the Masonic Fraternity. He belongs to Janesville Lodge No.
55, A. F. & A. M.; Janesville Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.; and
Janesville Commandery No. 2, K. T. He is also a member of Wisconsin
Lodge No. 14, I.O.O.F., and has passed all the chairs of that
order. He has held many offices in the Masonic Lodge, has been
Treasurer of the lodge, the Chapter, the Commandery and the Council,
and served as Master in all the bodies. In politics he is a Republican,
and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
-
- [Transcriber's note: I think the birth year of Grace above
is incorrect - it shows she and Mary were both born in the same
year. I would think Grace was probably born between 1862 and
1867.]
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 195-196.
- Courtesy of Carol
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