The Kirk family experienced tragedy in 1892. George Kirk Farm, Section 26, Halstead Township, Harvey County, Edward’s 1882. In the spring of 1871, the Kirk family moved to Kansas and took a homestead a mile and half north of the growing town of Halstead. George saw opportunities in the United States and in 1863 even “though the Civil War was raging, he set his face westward to bring his little family to the land where he thought there awaited them larger opportunities than were present in his native land.”Īt first he worked as a coal miner and later, as a shaft foreman in the mines of northern Illinois.

He married Jane Cooper 21 October 1861. Their first child, William, was born in 1863 in Scotland. George Kirk born in Torrence of Campsie a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland 18 January 1840.

So, who was this early Harvey County settler? “He at once distinguished himself as a pioneer of the kind that has made Kansas the leading commonwealth of the world.” ( The Wichita Beacon, 12 December 1916, p. The obituary for George Kirk of Halstead, Kansas noted: George & Jane Cooper Kirk: Harvey County Pioneers Balcony Lt-Rt: Agnes, Maggie, James, Thomas, Jane, George Jr. Lt-Rt ground: William, George Sr, Albert, Jane Kirk.

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