KIRK, John J ¹

  Research Notes:

From "History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885"

Friendship M. E. Church, Tennessee Township:

This is among the oldest religious organizations of the county. As early as 1833, Rev. Cord, a missionary, preached to the congregation at the house of John Hunt, now owned by John J. Kirk. During the winter of 1835-36, a class was organized at the house of John Kirk, by Rev. Carter, and services were held there for about two years, when a school house was erected on section 5, where their church now stands. The house was a small affair, 16x20 feet in size, of frame constuction, and was used by this denomination until it was replaced by the present church, which was erected by the society in the spring, or early summer, of 1852. It is 30x40 in dimensions, and has a seating capacity of 250 persons. The lumber for the building was cut and sawed on Crooked Creek, in Hancock County, some six miles distant. The original members were Robert and Nancy Cook, Mrs. Penny and daughter, Esther Hunt, Malinda Hunt, Mr. Justice and wife, John and James Hammer, John and Nancy Kirk, John and Margaret Lyon, Vandever Banks and wife, James Renshaw and wife. Mrs. Banks is probably the only surviving member of the little band, who assisted in the organization of this society. The ground on which the church stands, was deeded to the society by Dodson Siebalds, for a Methodist camp meeting ground and originally consisted of two acres, but in 1874, John B. Eakel deeded half an acre for cemetery purposes. The first camp meeting held in the Military Tract was at Burlington, and other points equally distant The present pastor of the church is H. C. Cady, of Colchester, who preaches every two weeks. The membership at present numbers about 30, with the following officers: Arthur Chapman, George and Clarence Bartlett, R. W. Lyon, Sherman Kirk, trustees; Sherman Kirk and Clarence Bartlett, stewards.

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  Noted events in his life were:

• He appeared on the 1850 US Census census on 26 Sep 1850 in McDonough County, Illinois. ⁴ John Kirk, age 21, m, w, farmer, born in Illinois

• He appeared on the 1860 US Census census on 30 Jun 1860 in Tennessee, Mcdonough Co., Illinois. ⁵ Kirk, John J., age 31, male, value of real estate $3500, value of personal property $810, born in Kentucky.

• He appeared on the 1870 US Federal Census census on 12 Jul 1870 in Tennessee, Mcdonough Co., Illinois. ⁶ Kirk, John J., age 41, m, w, farmer, $11000 real estate value, $2100 personal estate value, born in Kentucky, one male citizen of US of 21 years of age and upwards.

• He appeared on the 1880 US Census census on 2 Jun 1880 in McDonough County, Illinois. ⁷ Kirk, John, white, male, age 51, married, farming, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Virginia

• He appeared on the 1900 US Federal Census census on 15 Jun 1900 in McDonough County, Illinois. ⁸ Kirk, John J., head of household, w, m, born December 1828, age 71, married, 10 years married to present wife, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Virginia, farmer, 0 months unemployed, can read, can write, can speak English, Owned home, free of mortgage, farm, number of farm schedule=89.

• He died on 1908. This date is according to the Ancestrial File of Lester Coiner at Family Search.com

• Researcher: John Kirk Will, Dec 1856, Blandinsville, IL. ⁹ Will: Kirk, John
(Blandinsville)
Death: 7/1856
Probate: 12/1856
Witness: C. R. Hume and V. M. Hardin
Heirs: wife Nancy; son John J. Kirk, son-in-law Samuel E. Fredrick, daughters, Julia A., Hareick (Harriett:), Marietta, Lucy E; grandaughter Juliet Archer-John Archer, Nancy E. Archer

John married Margaret Ann ALLISON, daughter of William ALLISON and Margaret EAKLE, on 12 Aug 1853 in McDonough County, Illinois. (Margaret Ann ALLISON was born @1834 in New Hope, Augusta, Virginia and died on 21 Jan 1861 in McDonough County, Illinois.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They signed a marriage contract Marriage Records 1763-1900 on 12 Aug 1853 in McDonough County, Illinois. According to the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900 their license number was 320.

John next married Amanda ALLISON, daughter of William ALLISON and Margaret EAKLE, on 13 Feb 1862 in McDonough County, Illinois. (Amanda ALLISON was born on 25 Apr 1836 in New Hope, Augusta, Virginia and died on 27 Mar 1889.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They signed a marriage contract Marriage records on 13 Feb 1862 in McDonough County, Illinois. According to the Illinois State Marriage Index 1763-1900 their marriage license number was 00001766.

John next married Harriet N BARTLETT on 10 Apr 1890 in McDonough County, Illinois. (Harriet N BARTLETT was born in Oct 1845 in Ohio and died on 4 Jan 1935 in Tennessee, Mcdonough Co., Illinois.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They signed a marriage contract Marriage Records on 10 Apr 1890 in McDonough County, Illinois. According to the Illinois Statewid Marriage Index 1763-1900 their license number was 00003383.