Elias E. Shirk

  General Notes:

In the 1850 census Elias is recorded as living in the household of his sister, Mary ... see general notes on his sister, Mary Shirk.


See general notes on his father, Jacob Shirk, regarding the family story found in The Shirk Family History by Henry Yocom Shirk written in 1914, page 75 through 82 which includes:
Elias E. Shirk, the sixth son and seventh child of Jacob and Catherine (Erb) Shirk, was born in Clay Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. His mother died when he was quite young. His sister, Mary Buch, wife of Emanuel Buch, gave him a home after his mother's death, where he remained until his maturity, when he took up his abode in the Hawkeye State, there he also took his companion. To their union were born eleven children; two died in infancy: To them were born Theresa [see note below]; she married Howard Miller, druggist of Monmouth, Ia. Samuel B. died at the age of 54 years. Jacob B. married Cora Shieb and are living at Monmouth; Ia. They are the parents of ten children: Elizabeth B. married Francis J. Juel. To their union were born four children: Clarence Juel married Phoebe Lincoln, a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln; Ethel Juel married Dayton Johnson; Glen and Bernice Juel are both single; David B. married Mary Lock. No issue. Mary Jane married Jacob Fasnacht. To them was born a son, Raymond Edward. Their residence is 14 S. 43d St., Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Benj. B. married Miss Blanche Shirk of Dakota. Katherine B. married Edward Frances Post; they have one child, Edward Frances Post, Jr. Sarah Louisa married Walter Forest Craig. They are the parents of one child, Walter F. Craig, Jr. Mr. W. F. Craig is serving in the Iowa State Legislature.

Elias E. Shirk was a well read and public spirited, and highly respected man, by all who knew him, arriving at the ripe old age of 78 years when he departed this life in November 1913 at his home in Monmouth, Ia., where also his offspring are yet remaining except Mary Jane (Mrs. Jacob I. Fasnacht), who is residing in Philadelphia, Pa.
[Note: The above Theresa Shirk, married to Howard Miller, is actually the daughter of Samuel Shirk ... see general notes on Samuel Shirk for various documents to support that conclusion]


The 1870 Federal Census for Jones Co., Iowa, Wyoming P. O., page 248B, dated June 25, 1880 records Ellias (34 - PA/PA/PA) and Susan (34 - PA/PA/PA) Shirk with children Samuel (13 - PA), Jacob (10 - PA), Elizabeth (8) - Iowa), David (6 - Iowa), Mary J. (3 - Iowa), John (1 -Iowa), and Benjamin (1/12 - Iowa). Elias is a farmer with real estate valued at $2,500 and a personal estate valued at $500.

The 1880 Federal Census for Monmouth, Jackson Co., Iowa, District 323, page 579B, dated June 9, 1870 records Eli (44 - PA/PA/PA) and Susan (44 - PA/PA/PA) Shirk with children Jacob (20 - PA), Elizabeth (18) - Iowa), David (16 - Iowa), Mary (13 - Iowa), Benjamin (9 - Iowa), Kate (6 - Iowa), Alice (4 - Iowa), and Sarah (1 - Iowa). Eli is a farmer.

In 1892 Elisa Shirk was President of the Monmouth School Board in Jackson County.

The 1900 Federal Census for Monmouth, Jackson Co., Iowa, District 62, page 132B records Elias E. (Sept 1833) and Susan G. (Nov 1833) Shirk with children Allice B. (Aug 1875 - Iowa) and Saddie L. (Sept 1878 - Iowa). Elias is a farmer and has been married to Susan for 44 years. They have had 11 children of whom 9 are still living.

The 1910 Federal Census for Springville Town, Brown Township, Linn Co., Iowa, District 77, page 33A records Eli (74 - PA/PA/PA) and Susan G. (74) Shirk with children Allce B. (25 - Iowa) and Sarah L.. (23 - Iowa) living with Samuel (76 - PA/PA/PA) and Martha J. (75 - PA/PA/PA) Bye on Fawley Ave. Eli is a retired farmer and has been married to Susan for 54 years. They have had 11 children of whom 9 are still living. Both Alice and Sarah are Public School Teachers.

Elias married Susan G. Bare circa 1856 in Pennsylvania. (Susan G. Bare was born in Nov 1833 in Pennsylvania and died after 1920 in Winterset, Madison Co., Iowa.)