Samuel Kirk & Son

American, active 1846–1861; 1868–1896

PlaceBaltimore, Maryland, United States

BiographyIn August 1815, Samuel Kirk, at the age of 22, opened a small store on Market Street in Baltimore and entered into a partnership with John Smith which continued until 1820. With Samuel Kirk's son, Henry Child Kirk, becoming a partner in 1846 the firm's name was changed to Samuel Kirk & Son. Two other sons of Samuel Kirk, Charles D. and Clarence E. Kirk were admitted as partners in 1861 and the firm name was changed to Samuel Kirk & Sons. In 1868, the latter two brothers left the firm and the name was changed back to Samuel Kirk & Son. Samuel Kirk died in 1872, leaving Henry Child Kirk to work alone until 1890 when his only son, Henry Child Kirk, Jr., joined the firm as a partner. Henry Child Kirk, Sr. formed a corporation and the firm name was changed to Samuel Kirk & Son Company. In 1924, the firm's name was changed to Samuel Kirk & Son, Inc. In 1979 The Stieff Company purchased Samuel Kirk & Son, Inc. and changed the firm's name to The Kirk Stieff Company. Today, Kirk is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenox, Inc. In 1990 the Stieff Company was acquired by Lennox Corporation, a subsidiary of Brown-Foreman. All production in Baltimore ceased in 1999 and production of most items under the Kirk Stieff name are outsourced. The old factory has been turned into offices.

Samuel Kirk & Son
1815-1820, Kirk & Smith with John Smith
1820-1846 solo
With Samuel Kirk's son, Henry Child Kirk, becoming a partner in 1846 the firm's name was changed to Samuel Kirk & Son. Two other sons of Samuel Kirk, Charles D. and Clarence E. Kirk were admitted as partners in 1861 and the firm name was changed to Samuel Kirk & Sons. In 1868, the latter two brothers left the firm and the name was changed back to Samuel Kirk & Son.

Geography: American, active 1846-1861

Person TypeCorporate Body