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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
McKirdy, William
McKirdy, William , Farmer, Largs Farm, Totaratahi. Mr. McKirdy was born at Largs, Scotland, in, 1853, and came to Port Chalmers with his parents by the ship “Zambia” in 1862. He was apprenticed as a blacksmith, and learned his trade with the well-known firm of Reid and Gray. Mr. Reid was his brother-in-law, before he left Scotland. Mr. McKirdy subsequently entered the service of Messrs J. Mill and Co., whom he served for twenty-three years at Oamaru and Fort Chalmers. He purchased 115 acres at Totaratahi in 1896, and settled on his property in 1903. At Port Chalmers he was a member of Court Robin Hood, Ancient Order of Foresters, but took his clearance to Court Pride of Dunedin. Mr. McKirdy was married, in 1877, to a daughter of Mr. Henry Spears, of Dunedin, and has had one son and four daughters; two of the daughters have died.