McManus 168

Full name

John Luke Kirkland

Date of birth

11-11-1808 - 'named after John Luke Esquire'^[1]

Place of birth

Dundee^[1]

Gender

Male

Marital status

Married^[2]

Name of spouse

Margaret Soutar - marriage took place on 24-12-1839^[2] and was registered in Dundee and St Vigean's parishes

Children

Alexander Soutar (1841): Catherine Robertson (1842): John (1844-1844): David Soutar (1846): Margaret Ann (1848): George (1851): Mary Jane (1853):^[3] William John (1854-1860): Their second son John died at 3 weeks and was buried in the Howff on 1-02-1844.^[4]

Home address

41 Reform Street^[5][6]
Dundee

43 South Tay Street^[7]
Dundee

Hawkhill Place^[8][9]
Dundee

thereafter

Pine Grove^[10][11]
Perth Road
Dundee

Age at death:

87 years^[12]

Place of death:

Edinburgh - at the home of his daughter,^[13] 89 Comely Bank Avenue^[12]

Date of death:

02-06-1896^[12][13] - Cause of death senile heart disease^[12]

Buried:

Western Cemetery, Perth Road, Dundee^[14]

Religious affiliation

Established Church: John Kirkland was one of four subscribers towards the purchase of a site at Greenfield Place, Perth Road and was present at the laying of the foundation stone there for St Mark's Church, of which he became an office-bearer.^[15][13]

Political affiliation

Not known

Clubs / societies

Dundee Board of Management of the Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Society - a Director:^[11] High School of Dundee - a Director:^[11] Dundee Choral Society - an Honorary member:^[11]

Public offices

Not known - it was said of John Kirkland that he took 'no particular concern in public affairs.'^[13]

Related subscribers

Subscriber  30 – Thomas Bell – father in law of John Kirkland’s son, David Soutar Kirkland who married Abigail Frances Jarvis Bell

Subscriber 179 – Provost Parker – father in law of John Kirkland’s niece, Sarah Kirkland who married Frederick Carr Parker

Subscriber 180 – Charles Parker – brother in law of John Kirkland’s niece, Sarah Kirkland

Subscriber 181 – Edward Parker – brother in law of John Kirkland’s niece, Sarah Kirkland

Occupation

Wood Merchant / Importer of Foreign Timbers^[16][11]

Employment

Owner^[16][11]

Place of work

John Kirkland & Son, importers of foreign timbers^[16]

Work address

Trades' Lane^[17][13]
Dundee

Ward Road^[10][13]
Dundee

thereafter

Victoria Sawmills^[16][11]
Victoria Dock
Dundee

Career to date:

John Kirkland was assumed into partnership, along with his brother William, within his father's timber business by the early 1830s.^[18] The firm was named 'William Kirkland & Sons.'^[18] At that time, the woodyard and sawmill of the firm were situated on the west side of Trades' Lane.^[18] Their father died a few years later on 1 October 1834.^[19] At the time of his death, his probate record indicated that he and his sons held equal shares of the firm and that the value of the stock was fairly modest.^[19] Brothers William and John continued in business together, under the same title, after the death of their father. Around 1850, the firm sought larger premises and, to that end, they procured then leased an extensive area facing onto Ward Road (upon which was later built the Baptist Church and Gymnasium).^[13] By 1860 approximately, John withdrew from their joint business and struck out with his son, David Robertson Kirkland, to form 'John Kirkland & Son.'^[16] The firm of 'William Kirkland & Sons' continued to operate under his brother William. John Kirkland's new enterprise operated from premises at the harbour (Victoria Dock).^[16] He remained at that site for 20 years, giving up his business in the early 1880s.^[13]