Samuel M. Kirk
The Kirk homestead is located on Section Fifteen of Liberty Township. It is the birthplace of Samuel M. Kirk, who now occupies it, and has been in the possession of the Kirk family since it was settled in the midst of the green woods during the pioneer days of Grant County. Mr. Kirk has given many years to the industry of agriculture in Grant County, has prospered and provided well for his family, and has always stood high in the estimation of the community.
Samuel M. Kirk was born on the Kirk home in Liberty Township, April 18, 1853, a son of Joseph and Malinda (Moore) Kirk. The paternal grandparents were John and Lydia (Fisher) Kirk. Few residents of Grant County have an older American ancestry than the Kirks. The line of descent goes back to one Timothy Kirk, who came to the United States with the Colony of William Penn, and settled in what is now the great city of Philadelphia. All the Kirks now living in the United states are descended from this original immigrant. The family bore useful part in the winning of independence from great Britain. Grandfather John Kirk was a soldier in the War of 1812, another great-grandfather William Fisher was drafted in the Revolutionary War, was taken before General Washington but, being a Quaker he was allowed to return to the farm. On the maternal side great-grandfather Andrew Jack, when only a boy of 16 crossed the Delaware River on ice with general Washington, was commander of a battery in the American Army, and fought in the Battle of Trenton, New Jersey. He was born June 30, 1756, and died January 23, 1846. Thus Mr. Kirk has unusally well founded claim to membership in the patriotic order composed of descendants of the Revolutionary Veterans. Joseph Kirk father of Samuel M. immigrated from Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, to Clinton County, Ohio. There he and his wife had their home for about seventeen years. He was a farmer by occupation. From Ohio they moved to Grant County, and established their home nine miles southwest of Marion, along the road which is now known as the Marion and Liberty Pike. In the midst of the woods he bought sixty acres of land, and after clearing away a spot among the trees he built a house of hewed logs. Al l he timbers were poplar, and the residence was considered at that time one of the best homes in that section of the county. It stood there about half a century, and was an old land mark, which had witnessed many remarkable developments in the country round about. It was finally torn down by Samuel M. Kirk. The father remained on this farm, clearing and improving it, and was a prosperous and influential citizen. He and his family were communicants of the Friends Church, and he always interested himself in politics, but never for the purpose of acquiring official honors. He was satisfied to have his friends in office, and he worked in their interests. They were three children in the family: Mary Elma, is the widow of Lewis Jones, served in the Civil War, was discharged at Vicksburg, returned home and died in 1869; Eveline E., is deceased; and Samuel M. Kirk is the only son.
Born on the homestead farm, in Liberty Township, Samuel Kirk, is a product of the early schools and social conditions of Grant County. After he was old enough to attend school for about two or three months each year, and the school house was one of those primitive institutions in which the curriculum consisted entirely of the three R's, and oftentimes the instructor was but ill equipped for teaching. Those old schools apparently did a good work in behalf of their pupils, since many of the worthiest and most useful citizens of the later generation all acknowledged their indebtedness to similar instruction.
On January 19, 1878, Mr. Kirk married Miss Mary Murry. She was born in Liberty Township, June 5, 1859, a daughter of Andrew and Phenia (Beman) Murry, both of whom were old settlers of Liberty Township. Mrs. Kirk grew up in the same township with her husband, and was also educated in the local schools. There are two children now living of the marriage of Mr. Kirk. Carlos Kirk, who was born January 20, 1881, graduated from the common schools at the age of fourteen and later became a graduate of the Marion Normal College, in the Teacher's and Business Courses. He is now a successful teacher in Liberty Township. He married Cora E. Flora, who before her marriage was also a teacher. Eva, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk was born July 16, 1883, graduated from the local schools, and is now the wife of Bert S. Todd, a well known stock farmer in Liberty Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk are active members of the Friends Church. In politics he is a Republican, has always supported the party and its candidates, and like his father has worked in behalf of his friends but never for himself in the direction of local offices or other political honors. Mr. Kirk owns a well improved homestead of thirty-three and a half acres, located nine miles southwest of Marion.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 1308.