T.J. KIRK. – It is pleasant to see that the oldest pioneers, who bore the brunt of the settlement of the country, are now the most prosperous.
Mr. Kirk came to Oregon in 1846, being at that time but a boy of seven. He lived with his father in Linn county until 1871, when he made his home in Umatilla county near the pleasant city of Centerville. Here he has been in the horse and cattle business and a pioneer in raising wheat on the uplands. He now owns a farm of fourteen hundred acres consisting of the best land in the region, from which he harvests thirty bushels of wheat per acre. He also owns a considerable share of town property.
In the political arena of the county, he has taken quite an important position, having been elected as representative to the state legislature in 1888. He met with this success on a Republican ticket. This indicates his popularity; and the secret of this is his deep and intelligent interest in all matters pertaining to the prosperity of his county.
Mr. Kirk was married to Miss Ann Coyle in October, 1860. Mrs. Kirk is a native of the state of Illinois, and emigrated with her parents to Oregon in 1851.