Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

coin, Mr. Kirk laid out the first hospital,
a wooden structure of three stories. Pres-
ident Lincoln was greatly interested in
the work, going every day to watch its
progress. Mr. Kirk was mustered out in
1865, at Indianapolis, Indiana.
After his return to Stamford, Mr. Kirk
formed a partnership with Edwin N. Sco-
field, of that city, under the firm name of
Kirk & Scofield. They built many im-
portant residences in Stamford and its
vicinity, becoming one of the leading
building firms in that part of Connecticut.
After a time the partnership was dis-
solved and Mr. Kirk continued the busi-
ness alone until his retirement. He assisted
in organizing Miner Post, Grand
Army of the Republic. While never seeking
political office he fulfilled, in the most
satisfactory manner, the public duties
which were required of him.
Mr. Kirk married, July 4, 1848, Mary
Lake, born December 3, 1827, in Kent,
Putnam county, New York, and they became
the parents of the following children:
I. Theodore Howard, mentioned
below. 2. Andrew J., born February 10,
185 1 ; now a resident of Ridgewood, New
Jersey ; married Bella Unkles, and has
one son, John. 3. William Warren, born
March 6, 1852, in Patterson, New York;
was for years editor and owner of the
"New Canaan Messenger," and is now
deceased ; married Mary Adelaide Noyes
April 8, 1874, and their only son, William
E. J. Kirk, is a physician. 4. Laura E.,
born March 14, 1853; married Julius A.
Smith, and they have three children
Caroline A., Jennie Irene, and Marion
Julia. 5. Phoebe J., born September 23,
1856, and is now deceased. 6. Charles A.,
born June 9, 1858; now a resident of
Stamford ; married Mary Lunney and
they had two children, Howard and
Harry. 7. Walter, born October 31, i860.
8. Byron, born April 29, 1862. 9. Frank,
:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
335
born August 3, 1865. 10. George C, born
August 25, 1867, at Stamford; married
Julia M. Scofield and had two children,
Marjorie and Clinton. The three sons of
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk, Walter, Byron, and
Frank, are deceased. Mrs. Kirk passed
away May 20, 1897.
Cheered by the company of his children
and grandchildren, who were, none
of them, far distant, Mr. Kirk spent his
declining years in the serene conscious-
ness of a useful life, and the comforting
thought that the world was better for his
having lived in it. On March 12, 1906,
he "ceased from earth." The city of
Stamford is proud of her institutions, her
architectural beauty and her honorable
history, but above all, she is proud of her
men, the citizens who have made her
what she is and have caused her name to
be honored among the cities of the commonwealth.
On the roll containing the
names of these men, that of Warren Kirk
stands very high, and as the years go on
the results which he accomplished and
the influence which he diflfused will be
more and more highly appreciated.
(Ill) Theodore Howard Kirk, son of
Warren and Mary (Lake) Kirk, was born
October 17, 1849, in Patterson, New York,
where he received his education in the public
schools. His working days began when
his father enlisted in the Union army and
left for the seat of war. Theodore H., then
a boy in his thirteenth year, obtained a
position in a grocery store and it soon
became evident that he had in him the
makings of a successful business man.
On March 12, 1884, his employer, C. W.
Dearborn, having failed, Mr. Kirk purchased
the business, forming a partner-
ship with A. C. Dixon under the firm
name of Kirk & Dixon. At the end of
twenty-two years the connection was dis-
solved, Mr. Kirk purchasing his partner's
interest and for seven years conducting