In 1869 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kirk and Miss Elizabeth C. Warren of Story county, a daughter of John and Ellen (Groseclose) Warren, both natives of Johnson county, Indiana. It was in the fall of 1853 that the Warren family came to Story county, Iowa, and the father purchased the farm now owned by our subject, where he and his wife continued to reside until called to their final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were born nine children, seven of whom are still living, namely : Charles W., who is now principal of the Collins schools; James Burtis, a farmer of Polk county, Iowa; Edward A., a resident of Greeley, Colorado; Frank B., who is now operating his father's farm; Addie E., the wife of Harley Elliott of Union township; Lulu, the wife of Ingral Hendrickson of Cambridge; and Carl H., of Des Moines.
The republican party finds in Mr. Kirk a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has taken quite an active part in local affairs, serving as constable for five years, assessor for eight years, and as a member of the school board for over twenty years. Fraternally he is connected with Ersland Post No. 234, G. A. R., of Cambridge, and both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his long residence in this county he has become widely and favorably known, and is a man honored and esteemed by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES F. STUART.
Charles F. Stuart is an honored veteran of the Civil war but was no more loyal to his country at that time than he is in days of peace, for he is ever ready to aid in promoting projects and movements tending to advance the welfare of county, state or nation. Much of his life has been spent in Iowa and he is now living on section 24, Franklin township, where he owns and cultivates fifty-three and a half acres of land.
He was born at Bridgeport, Belmont county, Ohio, May 13, 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Diana (Richardson) Stuart, the latter a native of Maine, as was probably the father. They lived for a number of years in Belmont county, Ohio, and in 1858 became residents of Jones county, Iowa, settling about three miles northwest of Olin. Their remaining days were passed in that county, where the mother died in 1868, at the age of fifty-seven years, while the father passed away in 1876, at the age of sixty-seven. He was a millwright and followed that trade while in Ohio, but after coming to Iowa turned his attention to farming. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and five daughters : George A., who enlisted at Reynoldsburg and served for three years in the Civil war, after which he died in Illinois; Charles, who passed away at the age of seven years; Mrs. Elmira Jane Robinett, now deceased; Mrs. Mary Ann Forquer Norman,