Hugh A. Kirk. While it cannot be claimed for all Champaign County farmers that they live up to the opportunities afforded them, there are some of them whose progress and prosperity are well worth noting and whose modern methods have in the last few years almost revolutionized the industry. One of these wide-awake and progressive agriculturists is Hugh A. Kirk, whose finely cultivated fields are a credit to Harwood Township and whose thoroughbred stock have made his name known all over the county.
Hugh A. Kirk was born in Champaign County, Illinois, and belongs to an old pioneer family of this section. His parents, James and Alice Kirk, were born in Ireland. The mother passed away some years ago, but the father survives, although the weight of years is heavy upon him. He is surrounded by loving descendants who tenderly minister to his wants. He was one of the early members of the Catholic Church at Ludlow, reared his children in that faith and they have always followed its teachings.
Hugh A. Kirk attended the parochial schools at Philo and St. Joseph, and the Paxton High School, and still later took a course in Brown’s Business College. He has made a special study of scientific agriculture and has proved the value of such a course on his farm of 240 acres. His land has been made to produce abundantly through intelligent cultivation and he has been equally successful in other farm industries. He owns the magnificent black imported stallion Keota General, and raises Aberdeen cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. Additionally he gives a great deal of attention to his valuable full blood Orpington chickens. For the proper accommodation of this exceedingly valuable stock, Mr. Kirk has made wise provision. On his farm a certain system is followed, the old haphazard way of carrying on agricultural operations being obsolete here. Aside from all this the farm is well situated and well watered and drained, and through the introduction of modern comforts much of the old-time drudgery is a thing of the past. Fine shade trees are a part of the landscape and Father Kirk can remember when he set them out as saplings.
Mr. Kirk was married in the Catholic Church at Ludlow on June 7, 1916, Father Drumming officiating, to Miss Marie Deany, who was born in La Salle County, Illinois, and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary Deany, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in Illinois. They have one son, Harold Hugh Kirk.
In politics Mr. Kirk is a Democrat and fraternally belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. The family is one that has always been held in high esteem in this section, its members being solid, representative people.
