William P.Kirk;one of Monessen’s oldest businessmen;died of a heart attack at his home;218 Fourth street;Sunday morning;Jan.8;1956. Death came at 10:45 a.m.as Mr.Kirk was sweeping snow from the front porch. He
was 84 years old.
Mr. Kirk; who would have celebrated his 85th birthday on April
6; came to Monessen in 1903 and
purchased the Avenue Drug Store
from A. C. Saltzer.
The pharmacy was operated as the Avenue Drug Store for a
year; when its name was changed to Kirk’s Avenue Drug Store. The
Avenue was dropped in 1905; establishing a title; Kirk’s Drug
Store; which still survives 50 years
later. Mr Kirk was born in Ohio in
1871. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1893 and
was licensed by the state as a
pharmacist in 1897. He worked in
Pittsburgh pharmacies for six
more years before coming to Monessen.
For 52 years; Mr. Kirk was active in business; retiring in August; 1955. Full operation of the drug store was assumed by Mr. Kirk’s son and partner; James A.Kirk.
The deceased also was active
in other business affairs and civic projects for many years. He was the first president of
what is now the First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.; holding the office for 25 years. He also served a term as president of the Board of Trade;forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce;in 1920-1921. Mr.Kirk was one of the founders of the Park Development Co.;which initiated real estate activity in the City Park area; and the Monessen Improvement Co.;which promoted the development of the Graham avenue area of the City. The deceased was the oldest living past master of Monessen Lodge 638;Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member of other Masonic orders;including the Monessen Royal Arch Chapter 290;McKean Commandery 80 in Charleroi;A.A.S.R. Valley of Pittsburgh Consistory;and was a life member of Syria Temple;Pittsburgh. He was one of the oldest active members of the National Association of Retail Druggists and the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association. He was a past president of the Western Pennsylvania Retail Druggists Association. A member of the First Methodist Church;he was also a charter member of the Monessen Rotary Club. Survivors include his son;James;a daughter;Mrs.George B. (Ruth) Saylor;of Squirrel Hill and three grandchildren. Friends are being received at the Edwin Melenyzer Funeral Home;262 Donner avenue;Monessen from 1 to 5 and 7 to 10 p.m. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home;with Dr.Leroy Cass;Methodist Church pastor;in charge. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Edwin F.Melenyzer;funeral director in charge.