William Wilson Kirk

William Wilson Kirk is an honored pioneer of Worth county who has lived to witness remarkable changes during the period of his residence here. At the time of his arrival all this district was wild prairie land on which hardly a furrow had been turned nor a improvement made. There was much wild game to be had, no roads had been laid out, the streams were unbridged and in June the land was dotted with millions of wild flowers, while in December it was one dazzling and unbroken sheet of snow. One could ride for miles without coming to a fence or habitation to impede progress. The town of Fertile was then all open prairie and Mason City had but two stores. Mr. Kirk was for many years identified with agricultural interests but is now living retired in Fertile, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

He was born in Berlin Center, Mahoning county, Ohio, on the 6th of Novem­ber, 1831, his birthplace being in Berlin township. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Byers) Kirk. The father was born south and west of Pittsburg, Penn­sylvania, but left that neighborhood when a boy in company with his parents, who removed to Mahoning county, Ohio, where they purchased a farm. There the grandfather of William W. Kirk passed away after having taken an active part in the development and progress of the region, in which he also held several public offices. His son, James Kirk, died in Mahoning county, January 5, 1848, when but thirty-six years of age. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was born in Ohio and they were married in that state, but long after her husband's death Mrs. Kirk removed to Iowa and spent her last days in Mason City.

William Wilson Kirk was reared upon the old home farm in Ohio and upon his father's death, which occurred when the son was but sixteen years of age, he took charge of the old home farm of eighty acres, which he continued to cultivate and improve until he reached the age of twenty-four. At that time he took up his abode in the town of Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, where he operated a farm belonging to his uncle, Hiram Byers, there remaining until May, 1862, when he removed westward to Worth county, Iowa, establishing his home in Fertile township. After living there for two years he removed to a place four miles north of Mason City, which at that time was a small village. For six years he gave his attention to the development of a farm there belonging to his mother and brother, on the expiration of which period he returned to Fertile township and soon after bought land in Danville township, just over the boundary line of Fertile township. He acquired one hundred and sixty acres and' with characteristic energy began the development of the land, which he converted into rich and productive fields. As his financial resources increased he made further investment in property, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres near Hanlontown, Worth county. This he continued to operate until 1902. His wife died in 1900 and in 1903 Mr. Kirk removed to the village of Fertile and is now living with his daughter, Mrs. L. M. Foster.

It was on the 7th of March, 1855, that Mr. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Wean, a daughter of John and Margaret (Corsner) Wean. She was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, where her parents were farming people, there spending their entire lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were born six children: Rosalie; Alice Maud, who passed away in 1915; Dora Emma; Martha May; James Horace; and Lucy Lucinda. As stated, the wife and mother passed away on the 23d of October, 1900, when she was sixty-six years of age, and her death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to her immediate family but also to many friends whom she had made during the long period of her residence in Iowa.

Mr. Kirk gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Christian church, and the cause of education has found in him a warm champion during his service as a school director. His life record indeed forms an integral part in the history of this section of the state, for he came to Fertile township as its third settler. There was no village of Fertile at that time and he can remember when Mason City was a tiny hamlet of eight log cabins. It was a very easy thing for any hunter to go out and return with a large amount of wild game, which furnished many a meal for the early settlers. Hardships and privations had to be endured, but neighbors were kindly and helpful and there was a spirit of good cheer and hospitality that made life, even amid pioneer surroundings, well worth the living. Mr. Kirk can tell many interesting tales of the early days and he well deserves prominent mention in this volume as one of the earliest settlers of Worth county and as one who, has contributed much to its agricultural development

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 246 - 250

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, February 16, 2006