Biographical Sketch of Walter B. KIRK, M.D. (1897): Harford Co., MD

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris 
<jmcdmorris@comcast.net>.

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Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties,
Maryland.", New York, Chapman Publishing Co., 1897, pp. 387-8
(photo accompanies the article)

"WALTER B. KIRK, M. D., of Darlington, Harford County, is a member of one
of the pioneer Quaker families of the adjoining county of Cecil, his great-
grandfather, Josiah Kirk, having been numbered among the original settlers
of Blue Ball, District No. 4.  Josiah P. Kirk, son of Ellis P. Kirk, and
father of the doctor, was born and reared at the homestead of Blue Ball,
in the western part of the district, and in that locality his entire life
has been passed.  Since 1870 he has been proprietor of a grist mill at
Liberty Grove.  His early education was limited, being confined to a brief
schooling, but his intelligence and forethought have enabled him to make
the most of his opportunities, and there are few men in his neighborhood
better read than he.  He takes no part in politics and has never been an
office-seeker.  However, he has his views upon political matters and is an
earnest supporter of the Democratic party.

"The marriage of Josiah P. Kirk united him with Annie E., daughter of Haines
Reynolds and sister of Edward H. Reynolds, of whom mention is elsewhere
made.  Their family comprised four children: Walter B.; Sherwood H., who
resides in Lancaster, Pa.; Ada and Lewis, living at the parental home in
Liberty Grove.  The subject of this sketch is a young man, born in 1868, and
is a native of the village of Rising Sun.  When he was two years of age his
parents removed to Liberty Grove, and he was educated in the school there
and in West Nottingham Academy, graduating from the latter institution in
1886.  On completing his literary studies, he taught school at Blythedale
and Chapel.  With the intention of becoming a physician, in 1890 he entered
the medical department of the University of Maryland at Baltimore, where he
took the regular course of medical studies, graduating in 1893.  In June of
the same year he came to Darlington, where he opened an office and began in
professional practice.  He has since gained the confidence of the people by
his reliability, accurate methods of diagnosis and skillful treatment of
intricate diseases, and his practice now extends through several districts.

"While giving his attention mainly to the demands of his profession, Dr.
Kirk has not been unmindful of the benefits to be derived from fraternal
organizations.  He has been quite active in the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and has passed all the chairs in Deer Lodge at Darlington besides
being a member of the grand lodge.  In former years he was connected with
the Junior Order of American Mechanics and held all the chairs in the local
lodge.  Now, in the prime of his career, his life promises to be one of use-
fulness to his fellow-men.  His earnest advocacy of all plans for the public
good and his well-known breadth of culture, have gained for him a warm place
in the regard of all who know him."