My Genealogy Hound

JESSE JARRETT KIRK, a well known farmer of Whitemarsh township, for many years one of its supervisors, was born in Horsham township. He is the son of James and Tacy (Jarrett) Kirk, and was born January 6, 1827.

The Kirks are one of the oldest families in Montgomery county. The ancestor of the family came from Scotland in 1687, and settled in what is now Delaware county, Pennsylvania. In the line of descent from him was the grandfather of the subject, Jesse Kirk, who was a native of Horsham township, in Montgomery county. He was educated at the schools in the vicinity of his home, and after spending a few years in the occupation of a farmer engaged in the hotel business in connection with his farming interests. He was a successful business man, and accumulated a competence, leaving considerable wealth. Among his children was James (father), who was born on the homestead in Horsham township. He obtained a good education at the neighborhood schools, and after farming for a time decided, like his father, to engage in the hotel business. He located at what was known as the old Haymarket Hoatel, on Sixth street, between Coates and Green streets in Philadelphia. He conducted that establishment for some time, was very successful, and became widely known and popular. In politics he was a Republican, doing all that was possible to promote the success of its candidates. He married Tacy Jarrett, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Jarrett, of the same township. Their children were: J. Edwin, Elizabeth, Hymen, Mary, John, Jacob, William H., Ellwood, Harry and Jesse J., the last named the subject of this sketch.

Jesse J. Kirk was educated in the neighborhood schools, including what was known as the Eight Square School, in Whitemarsh township, where he studied under Margaret Farou, a teacher of some note. On leaving school he engaged in farming, but did not long continue in that occupation. When he was quite young his father removed to Upper Providence township. At the age of fifteen years Jesse entered the Plymouth Meeting store in Whitemarsh township, remaining there for five years in the position of clerk and general manager. He then engaged in similar pursuits at Spring Mill, in the same township, remaining there a year. On account of ill-health he was advised by his physician to engage if possible in some outdoor employment. He therefore purchased a team and engaged in hauling for some time. He next engaged in the digging of iron ore in Plymouth and Whitemarsh townships, there being an immense quantity near the surface in that vicinity. He so continued until the furnaces ceased operations and there was no further demand for the product. He then betook himself to farming as a healthy outdoor occupation, and has followed it ever since. In 1872 he removed to his present home in Whitemarsh township.

On November 9, 1849, Mr. Kirk married Miss Margaret Freas, born February 11, 1825, daughter of George and Rachel Freas, of Whitemarsh township. They had the following children: Emma, born January 6, 1851 who married George W. Keys, who has been for a number of years in the office of the recorder of deeds at Norristown, either as recorder or as deputy; Mary R., born October 3, 1852, unmarried, and is housekeeper for her father; William A., born December 1, 1859, married Annie Vandyke, and has seven children. Mrs. Kirk died March 17, 1892.

Mr. Kirk is a thoroughgoing Republican. Although not an office seeker, he has held the office of assessor four years, and supervisor for nearly twenty years, having been named by both parties for the latter position on several occasions. He is a member of the Masonic order. In religious faith he affiliates with the Society of Friends, although not a member. He is connected with Fort Washington Lodge, No. 308, F. and A. M.

John Kirk, the immigrant, located in what is now Upper Darby, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and was married the same year he located in Darby, to Joan, daughter of Peter Elliott. He died in 1805. They had a family of ten children. Most of those in Montgomery county are descended from John, the second son of John and Joan Kirk, including Jesse J. Kirk. He was born January 29, 1692. In 1712 he purchased from John and Sarah Ironmonger 200 acres of land in Abington township, Montgomery county, adjoining Upper Dublin township, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He paid 260 pounds for the entire tract. He subsequently made another purchase of 500 acres of land in Upper Dublin township. He was a stone mason by trade, and in 1722 built the stone mansion for Sir William Heith on Graeme Park, in Horsham township. In the same year he married, in Abington Meeting, Sarah, daughter of Rynear Tyson. John and Sarah Kirk were the parents of eight children. The Kirks have intermarried with many prominent families of lower Montgomery.