The record of the life of Mr. Kirk is that of an honest, industrious, persevering man, who has followed his chosen occupation for a very long period and is still carrying it on in an energetic and methodical manner. His home is situated one mile west of the village of Locust Valley, in the town of Oyster Bay, where for twenty years or more he has followed the blacksmith’s trade, and for the twenty years previous he was similarly engaged in the village. In addition to that trade, until recently he was engaged in wagon making and repairing.

The father of our subject, John Kirk, was born in Glencove, Queens County, and in early life learned the trades of millwright and shipbuilder, which he followed for a number of years in the navy yard of New York. By his marriage to Mary Albertson, also a native of the island, he had three children who attained mature years, namely: William E., who was born in the city of New York on the 4th of July, 1822; Degrove and George, both deceased. When our subject was a mere child his mother returned to Long Island and here, as soon as old enough, he hired out to work on a farm. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but he managed to gain a fund of general information that has been of great assistance to him in business affairs.

At the age of sixteen Mr. Kirk entered a shop in Glencove, where he was employed for two years, and afterward he spent a similar period in the shop of Mr. Cox. For several years afterward he worked for Mr. Weeks. On entering business for himself, he opened a shop at Locust Valley, where he remained about twenty years, and then moved to his present location, one mile west of the village, where he built a shop and remodeled the house. He has been three times married, his first wife being Jane Weeks, daughter of his former employer, and mother of one child that died in infancy. By his second wife, Sarah E. Underhill, he had two children, but both died young. His present wife is a member of an old family of Long Island. Her father was born and reared in the town of Oyster Bay, were he followed the occupations of farmer and weaver. She is one of eight children, of whom four are still living, and by her marriage she is the mother of four children, namely: Isabelle; Jane; Annie, wife of Benjamin Downing of Glenhead; and William E., who for some years has been his father’s right-hand man in the management of the shop.

In former years Mr. Kirk was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket in national elections, but in local matters is inclined to be independent. He is liberal in his views, conceding to others the right to their opinions, which he claims as his birthright. At no time in his life has he sought office, as his tastes and inclinations lead him to prefer a private life. He is industrious and persevering, and deserves the competency which he has accumulated by hard work.

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Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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