HIRAM VAN KIRK. The ancestry of this gentleman were natives of New Jersey, in which State his grandfather, Jacob Van Kirk, was born September 27, 1766. In early manhood he came with his father's family to West Bethlehem township, this county. He was married to Elizabeth Lee, who was born December 9, 1777, and they reared four children, viz.: Enoch, born April 14, 1796; Joseph, born January 17, 1798; Anna, born February 15, 1806; and Leah, born May 18, 1817. Hiram Van Kirk, son of Joseph and Eliza (Corwin) Van Kirk, was born September 18, 1830, in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., where his entire life has been passed. He received his education in the common schools, and profited by his early opportunities. On May 15, 1862, he was united in marriage with Anna F. Hughes, who was born December 1, 1837, a daughter of Samuel L. and Susan Hughes, of Amwell township, who were the parents of nine children five sons and four daughters. They are old residents of Washington county, and further record of the family will be found in the sketches of John and James W. Hughes. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kirk have two sons: James H., born July 17, 1863; and Francis J., born August 2, 1869, both of whom yet remain with their parents on the old home farm, which has been the property of Mr. Van Kirk for twenty-nine years, and consists of 150 acres of prime land. He is also the owner of another farm of 144 acres, known as the John P. Van Kirk place. Politically, Mr. Van Kirk is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, having been one of the "wheel horses" in Amwell township for many years. Mrs. Van Kirk is a member of the Christian Church, and though her husband is not connected with that body, he gives liberally to the cause, and does all in his power to promote the interests of morality and religion.
Text taken from page 944 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/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]