KIRK, Joseph, recalls his pioneer days - 1912

KIRK

Posted By: Doris Challis (email)
Date: 12/9/2003 at 20:33:24

"Fairfield Daily Journal"
June 13, 1912
Page 4, Column 3

KIRK WAS PIONEER.
Mt. Pleasant Free Press: Joseph KIRK and son "Dug" of Lockridge, were in town on Decoration Day. "Dug's" real name is William Henry KIRK, but some years ago a neighbor called him "Dug" when he was a mere boy and the name has stuck. Joseph KIRK is 80 years old and looks younger than he did a year ago. His father came here in 1834, looked around and liked the country so well that he went back to Hancock County, Illinois, and brought his family to a claim on Round Prairie, near Glasgow, Jefferson County. Afterwards he found that he was on Section 16, and had to move but he was allowed some money for the improvements that he had made. Section 16, you know, belonged to the school lands of the state. Joseph KIRK remembers the famous plank road built from Burlington to Mt. Pleasant, and helped to drive hogs over it to Burlington. He also worked on the plank road which was to have been built from Mt. Pleasant to Fairfield. The road was graded and a great deal done on it, but the planks were never laid. He doesn't remember what stopped the work unless it was lack of funds.

Transcribed by Doris Challis from Jefferson County Records, Vol. 3. Not related to the subject.