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James Kirk
James Kirk is of Scotch-Irish parentage, and is forty-five years of age. His father was characterized by industry, frugality and sobriety; his mother by self-reliance and integrity; both by piety. These qualities were his heritage.
Because of the long illness and early death of his father, his youth was oppressed by poverty and hard work, which, combined with close study, overtaxed even a vigorous body.
| He worked as a farm-hand, carpenter, school teacher, to obtain the means of procuring collegiate instruction. He entered Eureka College in 1867, and was graduated in 1871. In the meantime he was a student of law, but chose the work of education as a life employment.
After a successful experience as principal of schools, he was called, in 1876, to teach natural and physical science in Eureka College. He gave the institution eight years. of faithful service, resigning in 1883 to give more time to the county superintendency of schools, a work which he had undertaken in 1881. This office he resigned in 1889 to become superintendent of schools in
Pekin. He served the schools of this city until called to be assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1891. To the value of his service in
this office, the State Superintendent has given highly appreciative expression in his last State report.
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In addition to his school duties Mr. Kirk has taught for several years, from the pulpit, the way of the Lord; and the fruit of this labor is a reward of inestimable value.
Mr. Kirk was happily married in 1874, and has had five affectionate children. God has blessed him.
Source:
A History of Eureka College, St. Louis: Christian Publishing
Company, 1894.
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