Recently received some wonderful information from a second cousin. Thought I would place it out on the mail lists in case it matches up to someone else's research. If you are connected to the VanKirk clan, please let me know. I would love to share information. Taken from Mountain View Times, Friday, September 9, 1927. Volume XXX - Number 19. David H. VanKirk Died Last Friday A shadow of gloom was cast over this community last Friday when it was learned that Dvid H. VanKirk, one of our most beloved citizens, had died early that morning at Pampa, Texas, where he had gone for a visit with relatives. The body was brought to Mountain View and the funeral services were held at the High School auditorium Saturday afternoon at three o'clock, where an exceptionally large crowd of friends gathered to pay their last respects to this departed one, whom was loved by old and young. Rev. F.L. Giles, pastor of the local Methodist Church preached the funeral sermon and paid a glowing tribute to the life and character of the deceased. Knight and Knight conducted the funeral, and the body was buried in the Mountain View cemetery. The obituary follows: David Huston VanKirk was born December 23, 1845 in Wayne County, Ohio, and died September 2, 1927, at the age of 81 years, eight months and ten days. He was united in marriage to Harriett Elizabeth Kick in 1868, whose death preceded his about two years. To this union were born seven children, of whom E.K and D.T. Vankirk of Mountain View, and Mrs. Lela Brown of Amarillo, Texas are still living, besides grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Josephine Lawhead of Pampa, Texas, and Howard VanKirk of Portland, Oregon, whom he raised. Two of them were with him when he passed away. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in Company D., 169th Ohio Volunteers Infantry, in the Civil War. He moved onto a farm near Topeka, Kansas, in 1879, and afterward engaged in the mercantile business in Topeka, coming from there to the Oklahoma Territory at the opening, April 22, 1889. He served two terms in the Territorial legislature of Oklahoma in the years 1897 to 1899 as representative of Kingfisher County. In the year 1922 he came to Mountain View where he engaged in the grain and stock business until the country became more settled, when he became interested in farming and stock raising, and has made his home here since, retiring in the year 1920. One of the streets of Mountain View was named for him. Deceased had been a member of the Methodist Church since boyhood. Cards of Thanks We wish to thank our many friends for their sympathy and aid during the illness, death and burial of our beloved father and grandfather; and also extend our thanks for the beautiful floral offerings. E.K. VanKirk and wife D.T. VanKirk and family Lela L. Brown Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Hunkapillar Mr. and Mrs. Don P. Lawhead