History

William Kirk (Kirke) Born Wick, Caithness, Scotland 25th January 1839 on arrival in Maryborough in 1865 took over the Business of Dann and Co. upholsterer and cabinetmakers. The business was in Adelaide Street, Maryborough near The Central Hotel. A year later he conducted his first funeral for a John Tinkler who had died in an accident in October 1866. William Kirk was in partnership with Meekin (Mechin) for a year, then in March 1870, the long partnership of Kirk & Winston was formed.
 
 
On 14th April 1872 a fire began in Kirk and Winston's cabinetmakers business and destroyed the Shakespeare (the Theatre Royal) a store owned by Mr Nightingale and Mr Kruger's butchery.
 
Kirk and Winston were called upon to bury the two Kanakas in a part of the cemetery set aside for felons, (George and Tommy) who were executed on May 18th 1877 for the rape and mutilation of Mrs McBride (a portable gallows brought from Brisbane). They were executed near the Court House (now the town hall green). When they were dead, the doctor wanted to remove their heads for preservation in the Queensland Museum, but the Sheriff would not allow it.
 
 
The Town Hall Green seats have been known by the locals as Jimmy Kirks waiting place, meaning they are sitting there waiting for the undertaker.
 
Benjamin Winston died in November 1902. In August 1904 Mrs Winston sold his share to James Kirk (son of William Kirk) and the name was changed to Kirk & Son.