JOHN H. VAN KIRK is a representative of the family of that name in Franklin township. His grandfather, Joseph Van Kirk (1), was a native of the State of New Jersey, which had long been the home of his ancestors, but in early youth he came to Pennsylvania, and located in what is now South Franklin township, Washington county. Joseph Van Kirk (1) was united in marriage with a Miss Beabout, and there were born to them the following children: Eben, Reuben, Osee, Sarah, Christina and Joseph (2). Mr. Van Kirk passed the greater part of his married life on the farm, but some years before his death he sold his farm, and with all his family except his son, Joseph (2), removed to Wayne county, Ohio, which in those days (1824) was considered the "Far West." Joseph Van Kirk (2) was born April 14, 1807. His early life was spent on the farm, consequently he had but limited means and opportunities for an education. In 1825 he was married to Nancy Hagerty, and there were born to them four children, all of whom died in childhood except Christina. She lived to womanhood, and was married to Colin Dickerson, but about one year after she died, leaving one son, Joseph Dickerson, who now resides in Champaign county, Ill. Mr. Van Kirk was married (the second time) May 11, 1837, to Martha Adams, who was born May 11, 1805, and to this union there came four children, viz.: Joseph A. (sketch of whom appears further on); Sarah Margaret, born March 24, 1842; John H. (of whom a brief sketch follows); Mary Fallen, born February 14, 1848, died in 1854. Of these, Sarah Margaret was married to Silas Tharp, of Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., December 4, 1873. Joseph Van Kirk had, as already intimated, but a limited education, but by diligent use of such means as were at his command, he succeeded in fitting himself for all the numerous duties which devolved upon him from time to time. Possessed of a good memory, and a taste for reading, he was well-informed and well up with the times in which he lived, always ready to give aid in money or influence for the promotion of improvements for the public good. He was a shareholder in the first railroad built in the county, known as the "Hempfield Railroad," and also in the Chartiers Valley Railroad, and was a stanch supporter and shareholder of the Upper Ten-Mile Plank Road Co., which he served for many years as manager, and for several years occupied the position of president of the company. He was frequently called to serve his fellow- citizens in different offices in his township, all of which duties he performed with conscientious fidelity. In religion he was a Presbyterian, uniting with the Church of East Buffalo in 1853, soon after which he was chosen to the office of ruling elder, a position he filled acceptably until the close of the pastorate of Rev. William P. Aldrich; he afterward united with the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington, Penn., and was a member of this church at the time of his death, which occurred May 8, 1870; his funeral service was conducted by his pastor, Rev. Henry Woods, D. D. Having no capital to begin business save willing hands and a strong will, he nevertheless succeeded in securing a competence, which enabled him to spend his last years in comfort and contentment. His first land purchase adjoined the farm formerly belonging to his father, and here he built his home, and lived until he was called to his final rest. John H. Van Kirk was born on the home farm in South Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., July 12, 1844. On November 21, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret J. Noble, a resident of Buffalo township, Washington county, and they have had five children, as follows: one, a daughter, born February 2, 1876, died in infancy; Mary V., born February 10, 1877; Robert N., born December 17, 1878; Mattie Bell, born March 24, 1881, and Sarah Margaret, born March 17, 1884. JOSEPH A. VAN KIRK was born August 29, 1840, on the home farm in South Franklin township. His youth was here passed, and in attending the common schools, until he attained his majority. On October 22, 1863, he was married to Sarah E. Van Kirk, who was born October 14, 1842, a daughter of Captain Joseph Van Kirk, of Amwell township, Washington county. After marriage they settled on a portion of the farm, where they continued to reside and where the following children were born to them: Clarence B., December 20, 1865, Charles, October 29, 1869, and Joseph B., August 29, 1871. Mr. Van Kirk was well-informed in the current topics of the day; he was an ardent worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and was chosen at different times to fill positions to which he was elected; in religious belief he was a Presbyterian, having united with the church of East Buffalo in his youth, but afterward transferred his membership to the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington, Penn., of which he was a member at the time of his death, which occurred April 14, 1883.

Text taken from page 1038 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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