Joseph Van Kirk and Martha Adams

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Husband Joseph Van Kirk ^{1 2}

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           Born: 14 Apr 1807 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 1871 - South Franklin Twp, Washington Co, PA 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Joseph Van Kirk (      -      ) 2 3
         Mother: [Unk] Beabout (      -      ) 3

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       Marriage: 11 May 1837 4

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   Other Spouse: Nancy Hagerty (      -      ) 3 - 1825 3

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Wife Martha Adams ^{1 2}

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           Born: 11 May 1805 - Buffalo Twp, Washington Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: Joseph Adams (1770-1832) 4
         Mother: Martha Moore (1768-1828) 4

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Children

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1 M Joseph A. Van Kirk ³

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           Born: 29 Aug 1840 - South Franklin Twp, Washington Co, PA 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 14 Apr 1883 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Sarah E. Van Kirk (1842-Aft 1910) 5 6
           Marr: 22 Oct 1863 4

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2 F Sarah Margaret Van Kirk ^{2 3}

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           Born: 24 Mar 1842 3
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1910
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Silas Tharp (      -Bef 1910) 2 3
           Marr: 4 Dec 1873 3

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3 M John H. Van Kirk ^{2 3}

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           Born: 12 Jul 1844 - South Franklin Twp, Washington Co, PA 2 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Margaret J. Noble (      -      ) 7 8

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4 F Mary Ellen Van Kirk ³

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           Born: 14 Feb 1848 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 1854 3
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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General Notes: Husband - Joseph Van Kirk

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His early life was spent on the farm, consequently he had but limited means and opportunities for an education. However, by diligent use of such means as were at his command, he succeeded in fitting himself for all the numerous duties which devolved upon him from time to time. Possessed of a good memory, and a taste for reading, he was well-informed and well up with the times in which he lived. He was a shareholder in the first railroad built in Washington County, know as the "Hempfield Railroad," and also in the Chartiers Valley Railroad, and was a stanch supporter and share-holder of the Upper Ten-Mile Plank Road Co., which he served for many years as manager, and for several years occupied the position of president of the company. He was frequently called to serve his fellow-citizens in different offices in his township. In religion he was a Presbyterian, uniting with the Church of East Buffalo in 1853, soon after which he was chosen to the office of ruling elder, a position he filled until the close of the pastorate of Rev. William P. Aldrich. He afterward united with the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington, Pennsylvania, and was a member of this church at the time of his death.
His first land purchase adjoined the farm formerly belonging to his father, and there he built his home, and lived until he was called to his final rest.

With his first wife he had four children, three of whom died in childhood.

1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 1038, 1041.

2 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 892.

3 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 1038.

4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 1041.

5 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 431, 1041.

6 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 842.

7 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 779, 1041.

8 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 745, 892.