Dr. Frank Alonzo Kirby, a physician and surgeon, with offices at No. 355 Whalley street, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, July 24, 1870, a son of George Hiram Kirby, who was also a native of Sheffield. His ancestors, coming from England, were among the earliest settlers of Massachusetts. He became a successful farmer but at the time of the gold rush to California he was among those that went to the Pacific coast, rounding Cape Horn in 185l. There he remained until 1864, when he returned to Sheffield, where he remained until his death at the age of seventy-six years. In early manhood he had married Jemima Bartholomew, who was also born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and belonged to one of the oldest families of that state of English descent. They were married after Mr. Kirby returned from California and they became the parents of four sons: John A., a miller by trade, residing at Hull, Illinois; George A., a salesman living in New Haven; Frank A.; and Joseph B., who occupies the old family homestead. As a pupil in the public and high schools of Sheffield, Massachusetts, Frank A. Kirby pursued his education and also attended the Great Barrington high school and Columbia University, now the George Washington University, of Washington, D. C. He pursued his professional course in the last named institution and won the M. D. degree upon graduation with the class of 1895. His early life, to the time of his entrance into the university, was spent upon the home farm, save for a year which was devoted to teaching in the public schools of Sheffield and Great Barrington. Following his graduation he became an interne in the Bushwick Hospital of Brooklyn, New York, and was also connected with the General Hospital at New Haven. After spending two years in hospital work, during which time he gained valuable knowledge and experience, he entered upon the private practice of medicine in which he has since been actively engaged, and his work has demonstrated the fact that he is fully competent to cope with complex professional problems. Dr. Kirby was married in New Haven to Miss Leota Grace Maiden, a native of Iowa, and they have become parents of two children, Leota Grace and Samuel B. Dr. Kirby holds membership in Trumbull Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and
has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Lafayette
Consistory of Bridgeport. He is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine
and he belongs to Relief Lodge, I. O. O. F., of New Haven. Something of
the nature of his recreation is indicated in his membership in the Win-chester
Arms Rod & Gun Club and his interest in the city's welfare is evidenced
in his membership in the Chamber of Commerce. For four years he was a member
of the Governor's Foot Guard, serving on the hospital corps until it was
disbanded. Along strictly professional lines he has connection with the
New Haven, the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American
Medical Associations, and through the proceedings of these societies he
keeps abreast of the most advanced thought bearing upon professional activities.
Modern History of New Haven
Illustrated Volume II New York – Chicago
pgs 279 - 280 |
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NEW HAVEN COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES pages / text are copyrighted by Elaine Kidd O'Leary & Anne Taylor-Czaplewski May 2002 |