Alexander Kirk

Mr. Alexander Kirk

The late Mr. Alexander Kirk, whose death occurred at his residence, Kirklands, near Golden Grove, on July 20, at the age of 93 years, was a most interesting personality. His-long life was industrious and well-matured, and active habits clung to him in his closing years. On his 90th birthday Mr. Kirk walked five miles over the hills in company with a relative, and there was little doubt that love of outdoor exercise was partly the secret of the old colonist's remarkable vitality.

He was born near Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, and was one of the oldest settlers in South Australia, having arrived in the ship Lysander in 1838. As a young man he was first employed in making the Old Port road and building the McLaren and Government wharfs at Port Adelaide. As there was no accommodation to be had, Mr Kirk secured a half-ton cask, which served as a sleeping compartment during his engagement at the Port, and proved, on the whole, to be a convenient domicile, as it could be turned in any direction to suit the wind and weather.

Mr. Kirk afterwards bought some cows and "squatted" in the bush at Golden Grove. As feed was plentiful, the milk yield was heavy. The "squatter," having no horses, was forced to carry his butter on his shoulder to town for sale, a distance of 14 miles, and receive in exchange household necessaries. No money was obtainable at that time. In 1844, after his marriage to Miss Smart, who had arrived by the ship Ariadne in 1830, Mr. Kirk bought one of the sections held by him for the remainder of his life, and built his homestead. The greater part of the timber was sawn by band from a large red gum tree, which stood near by. Mr. Kirk went to the Victorian diggings in 1851, and did well. Afterwards he carted copper between the Burra mines and Adelaide.

During his subsequent residence near Golden Grove he interested himself in local affairs. For many years he was a member of the Teatree Gully District Council. He was also a prominent worker in connection with the local Presbyterian Church, having been Treasurer for 19 years, and also a trustee. The deceased enjoyed a game of cards, and sometimes used to walk seven or eight miles to witness sports. He had been known a few years since to cut down a tree, for the sake of doing anything energetic. He was one of the oldest subscribers to The Register in South Australia. Mrs Kirk died about two years ago at the age of 83. The family consisted of 10 children, six of whom survive—Mr. Robert Kirk and Mr A. C. Kirk, of Golden Grove: Mrs Jones, of Koolunga; Mrs Jose, of Adelaide, Mrs Shillabeer and Mrs J. Burden, of Onetree Hill. The deceased had 26 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Alexander Kirk. (1912, August 3). Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), p. 41. Retrieved July 5, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164775925''

Most likely this arrival:

KIRK Alexander arrived in SA 1839-07-06 aboard Lysander from Liverpool

http://www.familyhistorysa.org/shipping/passengerlists.html

Descendance https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=DESC&db=sabmd&i...