Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 96.
 
J. H. KIRK

     J. H. Kirk, who has had charge of the postoffice at Dorena, Lane county,
continuously since 1901, has not only been a trustworthy official in every
respect, but his courtesy and accommodation have gained for him the friendship
of the patrons of the office. Mr. Kirk is a native son of Oregon, to which state
his father, who was a veteran of the Modoc Indian war, came by covered wagon in
1852, traveling by way of Dallas and Portland to Oregon City. Later he moved to
the Rogue River section, from which locality in 1872 he came to Eugene, and in
1882 located in the Row River district, settling at Dorena in the following
year. He was married in this state to Miss Sarah C. Armpriest, to which union
were born three children, two sons and a daughter, namely : J. W., who was
married to Miss Mattie Chrisman; J. H.; and Julia A., now deceased, who was the
wife of J. H. Martin.
     J. H. Kirk received a good public school education and then engaged in
teaching school, which profession he followed for about five years. He also gave
some attention to farming but since 1901 has been engaged in mercantile affairs,
having a general store at Dorena, where he is also serving as postmaster. The
history of the Row River postoffice at Dorena is briefly as follows : The first
office was known as Chrisman and was established about thirty-six years ago.
John H. Kirk was the acting postmaster up to the time of the discontinuance of
the office for about two years. The second postoffice was established at Bed
Rock, on McCauley's creek, and the postmaster was A. Bigelow. Later the office
was moved to Dorena, under which name it was known, and on April 20, 1901, J. H.
Kirk was commissioned postmaster, the office being of the fourth class, and he
has served to the present time. Wildwood postoffice was established thirty-six
years ago about nine miles above Dorena, and was maintained there for several
years, eventually being moved to Culp Creek, where Minnie Culp served as
postmaster. The name of Wildwood was later changed to that of Star, and the
postmaster was George W. Kerr, father of Mrs. Kirk, and some years later the
Star office was in charge of J. T. Salle. A postoffice, known as Mineral, was
also established at Sharp creek. When the Dorena office was established, it was
kept in conjunction with a store, and the present location of the office is in
the store which was originally owned and operated by the Bohemia Lumber Company,
and which was bought by Mr. Kirk.
     On December 14, 1888, Mr. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss Clara A.
Kerr, who also is of old pioneer stock. Her father, who died at Cottage Grove in
January, 1921, was in the early days a mine foreman at Wildwood. His widow is
still living. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have four children, namely : Myrle, who became
the wife of John D. Holstron, to which union were born two sons, and who is now
the wife of J. L. Whitsell; Harry W., who married Miss Ora England; Ernest L.,
who married Miss Fern Jennings and they have three children; and Bertha Lucile,
who died in 1922.
     Mr. Kirk has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for
seventeen years. He has shown helpful interest in the welfare of his community,
has rendered valued service for two years as assessor, prior to which he served
as deputy assessor, and for fifteen or more years was a member of the school
board. He stands consistently for the best things in the life of the community
and has been an important factor in its civic and moral development. Because of
his kindly disposition, his able public service and his friendly manner, he is
deservedly popular throughout the district in which he lives, he and his wife
having many warm and loyal friends.

     
*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.