James William Kirk was born 1862 at Oregon City, Oregon.
His wife was Matty Chrisman. Children: Clarence, Ralph,
Edith, Elsie and another daughter.
In 1905 he lost his left leg, which did not slow him down any.
In 1913, at 51, he came to north central Montana and homestead by the Canadian line. In the 20's he sold the
farm, returned to live with his son, returning in 1928.
From 1928 to his death in 1952, he lived with the Wicks
family, who had bought his land. He is buried in Harve,
Montana by my grandparents and thier two infant sons.
Granddad Kirk was thought of a family member by the
family.
I would like to return a scrap book made by grandmother
for "Granddad" Kirk. It still contains pictures of the Currin
family, George, Elsie, Pearl and Ivan.
There are a few clippings also, and cards.
cadyfam@ttc-cmc.net

Hello Barbara - Do you have any other history on James William (sibs, parents, migration, etc.) I am searching for family history on Frederick James Kirk, b. 1928, d. 1986 whose family lived in California. His father was Lloyd W. of Calif., Mother was Vonnie Anderson of Indiana. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you. Jennifer :)

Hello! "Grandpa Billy" was my great grandpa. My Grandpa was Ralph Leslie Kirk, my dad is Ralph Bartlett "Bart" Kirk. My sis and I are the family historians, we have many pictures of you, too. Would love to get them id'd and shared with you.
We always were told how good care you all took of him.He raised my dad while Grandpa farmed and Grandma taught school in Montana. I am looking forward to hearing from you! Katie

I will send a picture from the scrape book of the Currin family.
My uncle is still living, he could tell you about Mr. Kirk,
as he is 84 this fall.
Let me know if you would like the scrape book.

Barbara, I can't tell you how excited we are about this! Dad is 85, I hope we can get some memories started and some good stories told. We would love to have the book, how kind you are. We have a thick file at the Cottage Grove/Dorena genealogical society and will put copies of everything there.
Jen, if you will email me, I will pass on what I have. We are not in the same direct line, but may be able to help.
Katie

I had not realized that Mr. Kirk came from the same area
as my grandparents. Florence Evans and John Jewel Wicks
were married at Cottage Grove, my aunt was born at Star.

Barbara, I didn't know that either. I would think then that the families knew each other in Oregon as it was such a small area. That is very interesting.. Somewhere in my files I have that a Wicks married a Kirk and we couldn't figure that out~maybe it was in Oregon. Have you anything in your history about that? Katie

Not that I can think of.......but I don't have all the lines
worked out to the younger ones. Even some of the older
ones, because of the common names, are not done.

Dear Barbara, the scrapbook arrived in today's mail. I just don't know how to thank you!! You know I came into ancestry.com and on a whim typed in Montana instead of Oregon and now this! The book is so dear, it is so good to know how loved he was. I am hoping we can get to the bottom of the mystery about why they divorced and why he returned to Montana.
About Grandma Matt~of her my grandmother, who never said a mean word about anyone said, "she was the meanest woman ever lived". The boys, Dad and Uncle Jim, used to go camp in the woods when she would come visit, their own grandmother!
When we finally found her grave last year and told Dad we were going to visit and leave flowers, he very seriously said, "I want you to approach the grave very carefully". When I asked why he said that he was afraid the earth would open up and flames would shoot out!! We did, and it was calm and peaceful. I know the Kirk men were a wild bunch, it must have been difficult to be married to them (she was only one day passed her 15th birthday when they wed) but a divorce in those times was rare. I guess we will never know.
We found a lot of Pitchers in Cottage Grove at the Shields Cemetery, we are indeed related.
Again, thank you so much, what a wonderful treat this has been. Will work on getting the Currin cards back to them thru the CG genealogical society.
Big hug and another thank you! katie

Hello Katie - I just received your message through back-tracking the thread on yours and Barbara's posts. What luck! If I am the "Jen" you're referring to in your post of May 25th, I'd be very grateful if you shared with me what you have. I have hardly anything on my father, whom I never met, and am very curious to learn what kind of fellow he was. Thanks very much. Jennifer Kathleen (Kirk) Jones :)