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Copied By: Donald G. Kirk, New Hampshire
From: ‘Americana Illustrated’
Vol. XX111 (23) – Fourth Quarter - No. 4
Copyright, 1929; The American Historical Society, Inc.
Kirk and Allied Families
William Burns Kirk, son of Jesse Kirk, born in Scotland, April 3, 1799, came to America with two brothers and located in Fishkill, New York, where he learned the wheelwright’s trade and became a well-known wagon maker. When he came to Onondaga County, he located in the village of Cardiff, and then called Crisham Hollow, where he continued to build wagons. He prospered and accumulated a large amount of property, and in 1826 bought the John Garrison tavern, on the site of the present Kirk Block, at the corner of South Salina and West Fayette streets, Syracuse. He also invested largely in New York Central railroad stock, and in 1859, built the first Kirk Block, a four-story brick structure. He became one of the influential men of Syracuse, and was very active in securing a chapter for the city. Hid death occurred January 18, 1886. He married Sara Garfield, born February 23, 1807, died May 13, 1876, and both he and his wife were buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Children, their first child, a daughter was named Thankful, born February 25, 1836, died January 25, 1902. Their second child, a son named Mark H., born April 29, 1842. And their third child, a son named William Burns, of whom further.
William Burns (2) Kirk, the youngest son of William Burns and Sarah (Garfield) Kirk, was born in Syracuse, New York on June 16, 1850, and died at his home in the city of his birth, August 26, 1911, having been in feeble health for several months preceding his death. He was educated in Syracuse schools, and early in life developed a strong aptitude for business. Long before the death of the elder Williams Burns Kirk, his youngest son had been closely associated with him in his large real estate and investment business. And after the death of his father in 1886, William B. Kirk, the younger, succeeded to the management of the very large Kirk estate. In 1887, he built the large Kirk Block, erected by his father, the brick used being burned at the “Rock Cut”, between Syracuse and Jamesville, where Mr. Kirk bought 25 acres on which to locate the yard and kilns. This second Kirk building is now known as the City Bank Building. He was a wise investor, and the affairs of the Kirk estate were capably administered. Like his father, an ardent Democrat, he labored enthusiastically for party success. For many years he acted in cooperation with those two prominent leaders of the Syracuse Democracy, Henry J. Mowry and William A. Beech, their influence being shown in his appointment as Democratic State Committeeman.
In 1888, Mr. Kirk was elected Mayor of Syracuse, and was re-elected in 1889. Mayor Kirk’s administration was marked by energy, broad-minded intelligence and public spirit, through which Syracuse profited abundantly. The greatest act of his administration was that affecting the water supply. Other citizens were zealous and influential agents in that great municipal undertaking, but he was destined to be the master workman, partly on account of the official authority, which he possessed as Mayor, and partly because his individual labors were inspired by an enthusiasm that never abated, a persistence that never weakened, and an energy that never flagged. Nor was his interest in the project of a pure water supply limited to argument, agitation, and official duty. It is known that he contributed in one way or another, out of his own private means, an aggregate sum in itself a considerable fortune. This was an example of civic pride and usefulness, so loyal and unselfish as to be recalled with deep gratitude by future generations who will be benefited. The Legislature of 1888 gave the mayor power to appoint a board of water commissioners, the first board being composed of five members: E.B. Judson, Alexander H. Davis, W.H. Warner, P.B. McLennan, and W.K. Niver.
At a special election on June 1899, the city voted a bond issue of $3,000,000 to secure the Skaneateles water. In May 1888, the Legislature authorized the bonding of Syracuse for $300,000, to erect a new city hall, and gave the mayor power to appoint four commissioners to have charge of it’s erection. Mayor Kirk appointed Henry J. Mowry, John Durin, Jr., August Falker, and E.F. Holden. The new city hall was completed in 1891, William Cowie being then mayor, and was built several thousand dollars within appropriation. Mr. Kirk was retained as city hall commissioner after retiring from the office of mayor.
Mr. Kirk was a member of Central City Lodge, No. 305, Free and accept Masons; Central City Chapter, No. 70, Royal Arch Masons; Central City Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar; and of the various bodies of Central City Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belonged to other bodies, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and to a number of fishing and hunting clubs, among them, the Triton Fishing Club, and the Mashtogoosh Fishing Club, both of Canada. He was one of the largest real estate owners in Syracuse, his holdings in the southern part of the city being very large, and including that one-time popular racetrack, Kirkwood Driving Park. He was interested in the asphalt business in South America, and in South Bay, and also in electrical railway holdings.
A man of large inherited means, and to which he added, had wealth been his object in life, would have been one of the riches men of his city. But he spent and gave freely, and in his political enthusiasm never spared any expense to add party prestige or success. As a public official, he will long be remembered in Syracuse, for there are two things that stand out preeminently in his public career. The first is a broad statement, but nevertheless a fact, that he made one of the very best mayors Syracuse ever had; the other, the fact that Syracuse secured her Skaneateles water supply during his administration, through his persistent effort.
That is his great moment, but there are others, including the present city hall, over whose portal his name is inscribed in bronze. This building was authorized and the city bonded for it’s erection during his administration; the fires asphalt paving ever laid in the city (West Onondaga, from South Salina to Baker streets) had its beginning under him, and there were important changes made in the operations of the city’s finances. He was a man of honest convictions, and won respect for his sincerity and political virility from even his political opponents. Said the Syracuse ‘Journal’: “He made a good mayor and one of the most progressive Syracuse ever had”. In the last canvass Mayor Kirk made for his office; he was beaten by; William Cowie, who thus spoke of his predecessor:
“I am confident that no chief executive of the city accomplished so much good of a permanent Character for Syracuse as Mayor Kirk. His activity and indomitable energy in promoting the Skaneateles water project to a success, was a public-spirited an unselfish labor, to promote the best interests of the citizens for all time.
He did not hesitate to devote his private means to the furtherance of the project he had in view, to provide Syracuse with a plentiful supply of pure and wholesome water, and our citizens owe this public-spirited man a lasting debt of gratitude for his unselfish labors to secure Skaneateles water.”
In his personal relations, Mr. Kirk was very human and kind, accommodating and warm hearted. His benefactions were large, but until his son, not long before his father’s passing, took charge of his office business, none of the family had the slightest idea of the extent of his charity, nor of the number of poor families who were practically his pensioners. His giving was done so quietly and without ostentation as to leave those nearest to him in the dark, and that was as he wished it.
Mayor Kirk was personally a genial, courteous, popular gentleman, whom it was a pleasure to meet and an honor to know. He possessed a wealth of friends, and by his fellowmen, generally, he was held in high esteem. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse. Mrs. Kirk survives her husband, her residence being No. 974 James Street.
William Burns Kirk (2nd) married, January 21, 1879, Rozella (Rose) Poole.
Their children:
1. Sarah Garfield, born May 23, 1880, died January 23, 1892.
2. Laura, born July 3, 1882; married Dr. Ralph S. Heilman, lived in Pennsylvania.
3. Rose Poole, born, July 4, 1886; married Walter Justin Raleigh.
4. William Burns (3rd), of Syracuse, born July 14, 1888; Married Angebelle Fulton.
5. Henry M., of Syracuse, born March 3, 1891; married Loretta McCarthy.
6. Donald Garfield Kirk (1st), born October 12, 1895; Married Sybil Munro,
And resided in Camillus, Onondaga County, New York.
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