JOHN S. KIRK, Police Magistrate, Havana; was born in Trumbull Co.. Ohio, April 4, 1833; when about 15 years of age, he went to Iberia, Morrow Co., where he was employed as station agent; in 1853, he removed to Ft. Madison, Iowa, and took a contract to build ten miles of railroad; he served for a time as guard at the State's Prison, and, in August, 1861, enlisted in Co. E, 19th Iowa V. I.; in July, 1862, he was commissioned Captain, and served in that capacity till the close of the war; was at the siege of Vicksburg, battles of Prairie Grove, Red River Expedition, Port Hudson, and Morganzia; at the latter place, the entire regiment, with the exception of seventeen men, was captured by the enemy, the Captain being among the number not taken. He served for some time prior to the close of the war in garrison duty at New Orleans and, when mustered out of the service in 1866, returned to Ft. Madison, Iowa, and from there to Havana, his present home, in June of the same year; here he engaged in books and stationery business, and, three years later, on account of failing health, sold out and went to Colorado; was there one summer, and, on his return, engaged in dry goods trade under firm name of Hackman & Kirk; sold his interest four years later, and, in May, 1874. was elected Police Magistrate; re-elected in 1878; Mr. K. is a member of Mason Lodge No. 143, I. O. O. F. ; Havana Lodge No. 743, K. of H.; Standard Lodge, No. 231, I. O. M. A.; he is also Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Regiment. I. N. G.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer