Person Page - 2801

     Irvin Shirk was born on 27 October 1880.¹ He was the son of William St. Clair Shirk and Georgia Smith. Irvin Shirk married Cora Fuller on 5 March 1902.¹

     Irvin Miller Shirk was born on 5 September 1851.¹ He was the son of John Stouffer Shirk and Mary Bowles Miller. Irvin Miller Shirk died on 4 June 1858 at Carroll Co., IL, at age 6.¹ He was buried in June 1858 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL.

     Occupation: Farmer. Isaac Newton Shirk was born on 22 July 1859.¹ He was the son of John Stouffer Shirk and Mary Bowles Miller. Isaac Newton Shirk married Viola Morse on 20 December 1881.¹ Isaac Newton Shirk died on 25 December 1933 at age 74.

     Jacob Shirk married Sophia Balmer. Jacob Shirk was born on 26 November 1774 at Green Twp., Franklin Co., PA. He was the son of Joseph Shirk and Barbara Kauffman.

     Jacob Balmer Shirk was born on 5 June 1838 at Franklin Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk and Susan Stouffer. Jacob Balmer Shirk married Anna Elizabeth Gotschall on 30 September 1861 at Chicago, Cook Co., IL.¹ Jacob Balmer Shirk married Elizabeth Trostle on 7 October 1886 at McPherson, McPherson Co., KS.¹ Jacob Balmer Shirk died on 28 May 1909 at Ramona, Marion Co., KS, at age 70.

     Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk was born on 11 July 1806 at Greene Twp., Franklin Co., PA. He was the son of Jacob Shirk and Sophia Balmer. Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk married Susan Stouffer, daughter of John Stouffer and Hannah Price, on 16 October 1828 at Franklin Co., PA. Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk died on 29 April 1877 at Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL, at age 70. He was buried in May 1877 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL, Findagrave #129219134.

     James Moffett Shirk was born on 24 February 1908.¹ He was the son of Walter Bruce Shirk and Anna Grace Cormany. James Moffett Shirk died in August 1977 at Kansas City, Clay Co., MO, at age 69.²

     Jennie May Shirk was born on 29 April 1861.¹ She was the daughter of John Stouffer Shirk and Mary Bowles Miller. Jennie May Shirk married William Sayre on 22 December 1880.¹ Jennie May Shirk died in November 1943 at age 82.

     Jesse Blaine Shirk was born on 17 October 1881 at Carroll Co., IL.¹ He was the son of Jesse McClure Shirk and Cordelia M. Rahn. Jesse Blaine Shirk died on 22 September 1882 at Carroll Co., IL.¹ He was buried in September 1882 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL.

     Occupation: Miller.
Note: Mrs. Cordelia M. Shirk, widow of the late Jesse M. Shirk, came to this county during the period of its early settlement and has watched its growth and development with unalloyed interest. She was born in Franklin County, PA Oct. 30, 1840 and lived there until 14 years of age, then set out with her parents for Illinois, they coming directly to Mt. Carroll, then a very unpretentious village, and where she lived until her marriage.

The parents of our subject were William and Rebecca (Overkirsh) Rahn, the father born in PA March 15, 1818. Mr. Rahn was a farmer by occupation, although he had other business interests. The wife and mother died in IL in 1862; and Mr. Rahn in 1869, removed to Iowa where he resides.

Jesse M. Shirk was born in the town of Waterford, PA, April 10, 1833, and lived there until 19 years old, acquiring a practical education in the common schools. His parents were in limited circumstances and at an early age he was obliged to look out for himself. He learned the miller's trade of his father, at which he employed himself some time before coming West, and in 1852 set out for Indiana. He sojourned one year in Indiana, when he returned to PA and came with his father's family to IL, in this county, and continued at his trade for many years thereafter. On the 14th of Octoer 1857 he was united in marriage with Cordelia M. Rahn. They began their wedded life together in Mt. Carroll, but in 1861 removed to a tract of land in Salem Township where Mr. Shirk prosecuted farming two and on-half years. He then returned to Mt. Carroll, and about 1865 purchased an interest in the Mt. Carroll mill, and was afterward engaged in the operation of this until his decease, which occured Sept. 20, 1888.

Mr. Shirk was recognized by all as an honest and upright citizen, and politically gave his allegiance to the Republican party. He identified himself with the Baptist Church some years ago, in which he officiated as Deacon for some time before his death. He was prospered in his business transactions, accumulating a good property, and left his family in comfortable circumstances. About 21 years ago he erected a fine brick residence on Washington Street, which he occupied with his family until his earthly labors were ended.

To Mr. and Mrs. Shirk there were born nine children, four of whom died in infancy and one daughter Susie R., who married Dr. D. Strickland of PA died at her home Feb. 29, 1884 at the age of 24 years. The survivors are: Clara, the wife of Wm. Mackay, son of John Mackay, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work, they have two children and live in Madison, Dak. Zella F; Charles F, engaged in milling in Mt. Carroll and C.Lee. The children have been well educated and fully fitted to take their places as honored members of the community.

Jacob Shirk, the father of our subject (meaning Jesse Shirk) was born in PA and married Susan Stouffer. They reared a family of 8 children. The father was a miller by trade, although, after coming to the West, he engaged mostly in farming, and died about 1878 in this county. The mother survived until 1885 and spent her last days with her daughter in Mt. Carroll. Mr. Shirk was a member of the Dunkard Church and a man generally respected by all. Our subject, besides the property already spoken of is the owner of land in Kansas.

Portrait & Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Co., IL, 1899, Pg 856. Jesse McClure Shirk was born on 10 November 1833 at East Waterford, Juniata Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk and Susan Stouffer. Jesse McClure Shirk married Cordelia M. Rahn, daughter of William Rahn and Rebecca Overkirsch, on 14 October 1857 at Carroll Co., IL, Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900:

GROOM BRIDE CNTY DATE VOL/PAGE LIC
SHIRK, JESSE M RAHN, CORDELIA M CARROLL 10/14/1857 OMR/0125.¹ Jesse McClure Shirk died on 20 September 1888 at Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL, at age 54.¹ He was buried in September 1888 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL.

     Jesse McClure Shirk was born on 1 April 1867 at Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL.¹ He was the son of John Stouffer Shirk and Mary Bowles Miller. Jesse McClure Shirk married Inez May Ralston on 25 September 1891.¹ Jesse McClure Shirk married Hattie Emeline Lewis on 4 October 1894. Jesse McClure Shirk died on 11 July 1946 at Goldfield, Wright Co., IA, at age 79.

     John Irvin Shirk was born on 5 June 1900.¹ He was the son of Perry Mason Shirk and Fannie Viola Holmes. John Irvin Shirk died in April 1970 at Clark, SD, at age 69.²

     Occupation: Farmer. John Stouffer Shirk was born on 4 November 1829 at Greencastle, Franklin Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk and Susan Stouffer. John Stouffer Shirk married Mary Bowles Miller on 22 October 1850. John Stouffer Shirk died on 19 August 1900 at Melrose Twp., Grundy Co., IA, at age 70.¹ He was buried in August 1900 at Sheller Cemetery, Melrose Twp., Grundy Co., IA.

     John Stouffer Shirk was born on 15 June 1865.¹ He was the son of John Stouffer Shirk and Mary Bowles Miller. John Stouffer Shirk married Medora George on 14 September 1887.¹ John Stouffer Shirk died on 19 June 1920 at age 55.

     Joseph Shirk married Barbara Kauffman. Joseph Shirk was born in 1738 at Shirksville, Bethel Twp., Lebanon Co., PA. He was the son of Caspar Sherk and Magdalena Foulk. Joseph Shirk died before 28 May 1811 at Franklin Co., PA.

     Joseph Bushey Shirk was born on 20 August 1846 at Franklin Co., PA. He was the son of Rev. Jacob Balmer Shirk and Susan Stouffer. Joseph Bushey Shirk died on 21 September 1849 at age 3.

     Leah Shirk was born in August 1815 at Lancaster Co., PA.¹ She married Martin Shaeffer in 1838 at Pennsylvania.¹ Leah Shirk died on 30 May 1891 at Stephenson Co., IL, at age 75.

     Lillian Shirk was born on 24 February 1896.¹ She was the daughter of George Gotshall Shirk and Lillie Bowlby.

     Loren D. Shirk was born on 24 March 1902.¹ He was the son of Witmer Hostetter Shirk and Thurzia L. Williamson. Loren D. Shirk died in October 1974 at Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA, at age 72.²

     Lucille Maureen Shirk was born on 24 October 1902.¹ She was the daughter of Isaac Newton Shirk and Viola Morse. Lucille Maureen Shirk died in June 1981 at age 78.

     Lydia Shirk married John Hunsecker.

     Mabel Grace Shirk was born on 27 October 1882.¹ She was the daughter of Isaac Newton Shirk and Viola Morse. Mabel Grace Shirk married John Silas Price, son of John Price and Catharine (?), on 15 January 1902. Mabel Grace Shirk died on 2 December 1933 at Grundy Co., IA, at age 51. She was buried in December 1933.

     Marie Shirk was born on 18 November 1898.¹ She was the daughter of Perry Mason Shirk and Fannie Viola Holmes.

     Martha Shirk married Jacob Strickler, son of Heinrich Strickler and Susanna Stauffer. Martha Shirk was born in 1740.

     Mary C. Shirk was born on 11 November 1866 at Carroll Co., IL.¹ She was the daughter of Jesse McClure Shirk and Cordelia M. Rahn. Mary C. Shirk died on 21 August 1867 at Carroll Co., IL.¹

     Miles H. Shirk was born on 5 December 1870. He was the son of William Snyder Shirk and Frances Hostain. Miles H. Shirk died on 2 June 1886 at age 15.

     Mina Pearl Shirk was born on 17 June 1903.¹ She was the daughter of Ralph Jacob Shirk and Josie L. Weiss.

     Naomi Shirk was born on 15 January 1903.¹ She was the daughter of George Gotshall Shirk and Lillie Bowlby.

     Neva Shirk was born on 21 July 1901.¹ She was the daughter of Owen Miles Shirk and Tena Merilat.

     Ona May Shirk was born on 11 August 1892.¹ She was the daughter of Jesse McClure Shirk and Inez May Ralston. Ona May Shirk married Harry Hasbrouck on 4 April 1911.