Lucas-Cerro Gordo County IA Archives Biographies.....Kirk, Charles R. 1857 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896)

CHARLES R. KIRK.—In studying the lives and character of prominent men, we are
naturally led to inquire into the secret of their success and the motives that
prompted their action. Success is not a question of genius, as held by many, but
rather a matter of experience and sound judgment; for when we trace the career
of those who stand highest in public esteem and in business circles, we find in
nearly every case that they are those who have risen gradually, fighting their
way in the face of opposition. Self-reliance, conscientiousness, energy,
honesty,—these are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments
and greatest success; to these may we attribute the success that has crowned the
efforts of Charles R. Kirk.

   This gentleman is a native of Bethany, Harrison county, Missouri, born
December 16, 1857. His father, George W. Kirk, is a native of Delhi, Delaware
county, New York, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. The great-grandfather Kirk was
the founder of the family in America, coming to this country from the north of
Ireland. In Illinois George W. Kirk married Miss Mary J. Reid, who was of
English lineage, her family removing from Virginia to the Prairie State. Five
sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk. The eldest, Hon. John Robert Kirk, is the
present Superintendent of Public Instruction of Missouri and one of the noted
educators of that State, having devoted his life to that work. He enjoys the
distinction of being the first Republican elected to a State office in Missouri
for more than twenty years, and is probably the first member of his party that
ever served in the position which he now fills. George T., the next of the
family, is a retired teacher living in Ridge way, Missouri; Charles R. is the
third in order of birth; Maurice G. is cashier of the freight department of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and Harry E. is
employed as a stenographer in the office of his eldest brother.

   The subject of this review completed his literary education in the Bethany
high school, and after teaching for a short time entered the Missouri Medical
College of St. Louis, in 1879, there pursuing his studies for one year; but ere
completing the prescribed course he left that institution and turned his
attention to chemistry and pharmacy. He holds a certificate as a registered
pharmacist of Iowa and first began business as a druggist in Mason City, where
he remained for about two years. In 1884 he came to Chariton and opened a store
on the location where he now carries on business. His stock was at first small,
valued at only about $1,000. He was just getting nicely started when in 1887 his
store was destroyed by fire and he had a hard time to meet his obligations, but
he succeeded in paying off every dollar and since that time prosperity has
attended his efforts. He was soon enabled to resume business, and he now has a
good drug establishment well stocked with a good assortment of everything found
in his line, and from the public he receives a very liberal patronage.

   On the 29th of December, 1886, Mr. Kirk led to the marriage altar Miss Minnie
Lynn Gray, daughter of Andrew D. and Margaret (Gourley) Gray, a lady of
education and refinement, who has successfully taught in the public schools of
Iowa, and at the time of her marriage was one of the able teachers in Chariton.
She was born in the city which is still her home and is a graduate of the
Chariton high school.

   As success has crowned the efforts of Mr. Kirk and his financial resources
have been increased, he has extended his business operations. In the spring of
1889 he became interested in importing horses and has made two trips abroad,
purchasing stock in England and France and visiting the countries of the old
world. He gives considerable time to the training and development of his horses,
having one which has made a record of 2123J trained and driven by himself. His
stock is all standard bred and he has some very fine specimens of the noble
steed, of which he is a great admirer.

   Mr. Kirk is also extensively interested in real estate. Since 1888 he has
given much attention to operations in this line, has extensive mining interests
in Mexico and Nevada, and also owns an addition to the city of Chariton,
comprising seventy acres, which is known as the Brookdale addition. Of the
Chariton Telephone Company he is vice-president. His success is the just reward
of his own labors and has come to him entirely through perseverance, energy,
able management and keen discrimination.

   Mr. Kirk has served as president of the Lucas County Agricultural
Association. He is a prominent Knight Templar Mason and is an active member of
the Knights of Pythias society. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and has
served for about five years as secretary of the Eighth Congressional district
committee and two years as chairman of the Republican county committee. When
abroad he was accompanied by his wife, they spending considerable time in
visiting the principal cities and points of interest in Europe. They have also
traveled extensively in America, and thus added materially to their knowledge of
the world, its inhabitants and. their customs, for no other school furnishes the
facilities that the school of travel does. This worthy couple are leading
members of society, and in the city which is still their home they have a wide
circle of warm friends.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA

ILLUSTRATED

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."'—MACAULAY.

"Biography is by nature the must universally profitable, universally pleasant,
of all things."—CARLYLE

"History is only biography on a large scale"—LAMARTINE.

CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1896

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