James S. Kirk & Company (Soaps)

Product Details Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from James S. Kirk & Company dating back to the 1910's. This document, which is signed by the company President and Treasurer, was printed by the Western Bank Note Company and measures approximately 12" (w) by 7 1/2" (h).The vignette features a detailed bust of a Native American. Images You will receive the exact certificate pictured. Historical Context James S. Kirk, a native of Scotland who grew up in Montreal, moved his soap manufacturing business (James S. Kirk & Company) from Utica, New York to Chicago in 1859. In 1867, he set up a large new plant on North Water Street. In 1870, this facility employed about 30 men and 20 children and made nearly $600,000 worth of soap during the year. By 1880, the North Water Street plant was one of world's largest soap factories, with machinery driven by steam engines, a workforce of 250, and an annual output worth over $2 million. By the turn of the century, when there were