My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ANDREW KIRK, conductor, Wilkinsburg, was born in Donegal township, Washington county, Pa., Feb. 18, 1840, son of Samuel and Bridget (Dougherty) Kirk, who were born in the same township, the father in 1816. John Kirk, the grandfather of William A., came from Scotland to Washington county in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Samuel Kirk served twelve consecutive years as assessor of his native township, and has also been collector. He and his wife are now seventy-two years old. They have two sons and two daughters, W. A. being the eldest. John R., the third child, lost his left leg on the railroad, and is now resident here, being employed in the shops at Torrens. William A. Kirk remained on the home farm till twenty-four years of age, when he was employed as brakeman on what is now the B. &. O. R. R. In 1867 he took a position as passenger-brakeman on the Pennsylvania railroad, and three years later was running a train. He is now employed on the fast through trains between Pittsburgh and Altoona. Since December, 1870, his home has been in Wilkinsburg. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been four years president of the Knights of the Punch; has been all his life a democrat. May 7, 1867, he married Sarah I., daughter of Lewis and Agnes (Ingraham) Roberts, of Greene county. Mr. Roberts was murdered while postmaster at Clinton, Ill., in 1860. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk: Francis Ernest, Charles Boyd, Anna Blanche and Fannie Hazle living, and Minnie Pearl and Harry Clifford, second and third in order of birth, who died when small.