John was born 19 Mar 1827 in Hardeman Co TN, the youngest son of William & Nancy Kirk Love. He came to Kaufman County at 15 years of age, but was reluctant to leave San Augustine Co, the family's first stop in Texas, because he had met a young girl who had captured his heart. It took John nearly 20 years to claim his sweetheart - he married Ellen Putnam in Goliad TX in 1864. She was a native, devoted to her father, who was a very early pioneer in Texas. It is believed that John's brother, Andrew, who admired Ellen's father, named his youngest son George Putnam in honor of Ellen's father or brother, who were both named George. Only a month after their marriage John enlisted in the 6th Texas Cavalry, Co. A, of the CSA. While he was away Ellen fell victim to the same epidemic that claimed John's brother, James, and sister, Anna. Ellen died Nov 2, 1865 while John was away in the Civil War. It is not known where she is buried. John came home from the war unscathed and married a young neighbor girl, Julia Millicent Stanley in Kaufman Co 1869. They lived near what is now the Combine Community. John was a farmer who owned slaves from 1848 to 1864. He died 19 Mar 1888 and is buried at Kaufman City Cemetery. Julia remarried to Thadeus James Broughton, an attorney & Kaufman County Clerk. She lived to be 105 years old, dying in 1958. Children of John Kirk Love:
 Tombstone of John Kirk Love Kaufman City Cemetery |