- VAN KIRK, William T., a leading grocer of Janesville, was
born in Carlton, Orleans county,
- N.Y., January 25th, 1843, his parents being John J. and Elizabeth
A. VAN KIRK, both descendants of old Holland families. The paternal
grandfather of William was Oliver VAN KIRK, who settled in western
New York about the year 1790. William came to Wisconsin with
his parents in 1845, the family settling on a farm near Milton,
in the town of Harmony, where he attended the district school
in the winters until he arrived at the age of thirteen, when
he entered Milton College and was a student there for two terms.
In 1858 he went to Janesville, where he was employed in the provision
store of C. H. CONRAD until the winter of 1862-63, when he embarked
in business for himself, opening a small grocery on North Main
street. In January, 1864, he formed a copartnership with J. H.
CONRAD, now a member of the wholesale spice house of BELL, CONRAD
& Co., of Chicago, and the new firm succeeded to the business
of C. H. CONRAD, with whom Mr. VAN KIRK had formerly been employed.
This partnership expired, by limitation, in 1869, and since that
time Mr. VAN KIRK has been alone in business, having had an uninterrupted
experience in the grocery trade for almost forty years. During
this time he has built up a large and prosperous business, and
has established for himself a permanent place among the successful
business men of Janesville.
- Mr. VAN KIRK's mother died in Janesville, August 18th, 1887,
and his father died in December,
- 1895, aged eighty years.
- On the 6th of May, 1868, Mr. VAN KIRK was united in marriage
with Miss Belle BOSTWICK,
- a native of New York, whose birthplace was near Batavia.
Five children grace this union, four sons and a daughter - Fannie
Belle, William C., Frank W., Joseph A. and James Garfield. The
latter was born on the day Gen. Garfield was nominated for the
presidency, and was named in honor of the distinguished man.
"Garry," as he was familiarly known, lived a short,
pure life, loved and respected by all, and died June 28th, 1892,
aged twelve years.
- In politics Mr. VAN KIRK is a thorough Republican, and since
becoming a voter has cast his
- ballot and labored earnestly for the success of that party.
He has held various positions of honor and trust, having served
four years as a member of the city council, over four years as
member and treasurer of the board of trustees of the State Institute
for the Blind; secretary of the Rock County Agricultural society
six years, a member of the Janesville fire department twenty-one
years, and president of the same several years. Being a recognized
leader in local politics, he was, twenty years ago, chosen chairman
of the Republican county committee, and has faithfully served
in that capacity to the present time.
- Socially he is a member of the Janesville Lodge, No. 55,
A.F. & A.M., Janesville Chapter, No. 5,
- R.A.M.; Oriental Lodge, No. 22, Knights of Pythias; Mohawk
Tribe, No. 3, Independent Order of Red Men, and Rock County Caledonia
society.
- Mr. VAN KIRK, with several others, procured the charter for
the present electric light plant, also
- the street railway and the Janesville Hydraulic company,
and these companies afterwards donated their interests in these
several enterprises to further the city's growth and promote
its welfare. Mr. VAN KIRK at present is president of the Janesville
Business Men's association, of the Oak Lawn Charity hospital,
of the Hanson Furniture company, the Janesville Hay Tool company,
a member of the board of supervisors, and also of the Oak Hill
Cemetery association.
- Mr. VAN KIRK is an enterprising, successful business man,
broad and liberal in his views
- respecting public policy, and can always be relied upon to
faithfully perform whatever he undertakes. He belongs to the
progressive class of Janesville's citizens, and is well informed
on all the leading issues of the day. It is Mr. VAN KIRK's intention
soon to retire from active mercantile business, and his many
friends will wish him a long life in his beautiful home, surrounded
by his family, and in the enjoyment of the fruits of his many
years of toil and anxiety.
-
- [Taken from "Men of Progress: Wisconsin" (c)1897
The Evening Wisconsin Company, Milwaulee, pp. 440-441]
Courtesy of Lori
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