Sterling in Whiteside County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Col. Edward N. Kirk House
(AKA Paul W. Dillon House)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
1. Col. Edward N. Kirk House Marker
historic house
is listed on the
National Register
U.S. Dept. of Interior
Washington, D.C.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 41° 47.487′ N, 89° 40.848′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Illinois, in Whiteside County. It is on East 3rd Street (Illinois Route 2) east of 10th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1005 E 3rd St, Sterling IL 61081, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this
this page online
Regarding Col. Edward N. Kirk House. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
This 123-year- old home is of the Italian Renaissance Period and was constructed by Colonel Edward N. Kirk , Union officer in the Civil War, who was wounded twice and died in Sterling in July of 1863. Between 1863 and 1882, many prominent Sterling residents owned the property, now known as the Paul W. Dillon Home.
On August 11, 1882, Rebecca Patterson sold the property to Washington M. Dillon and Sarah J. Dillon, parents of the present owner of the property, Paul W. Dillon.
Washington H. Dillon, father of PaulW. Dillon, founded what was known as Northwestern Barb Wire Company in 1879. Paul W. Dillon was with the firm during his early years and became plant superintendent of the then Northwestern Barb Wire Company in 1903 at the age of 20.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 20232. Col. Edward N. Kirk House MarkerMarker is at the left corner of the house, which now is known as the Dillon Home Museum.
Paul W. Dillon was elected President of the Board of Directors of Northwestern Barb Wire Company in 1920 upon the passing of his father, Washington M. Dillon. From that time on, Paul Washington Dillon, or "PW", as he was affectionately known, was synonymous with the growth of Northwestern Steel & Wire Company in Sterling, Illinois.
Also see . . .
1. Col. Edwin N Kirk House (PDF). National Register nomination for the property, which was listed in 1980. (National Archives) (Submitted on August 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Edward N. Kirk. Wikipedia article on the Quaker school teacher, attorney, and Union brigadier general in the Civil War. (Submitted on August 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. Northwestern Steel and Wire. Wikipedia article on the steel mill and wire factory located that began
Unknown via Wikipedia (Public Domain), circa 1858
3. Edward Needles Kirk (1828-1863)
He recruited and organized the 34th Illinois Infantry and served as its first colonel. He was wounded in the shoulder at Shiloh and then in the hip at Murfreesboro, from which he died several months later.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
