Jacob Shirk ¹⁰

  General Notes:

According to the Shirk Family History by Henry Yocom Shirk written in 1914, page 75 through 82:
Jacob, a son of Ulrich and Maria Eberley Shirk, was born and reared in West Cocalico Twp., Lancaster Co., PA, born in 1796; married Miss Catherine Erb. To this union were born eight children:
Daniel .E., Benjamin E., Mary, Joseph E., Jacob, Levi (died young), Elias, and David E. Jacob and Catherine, after marriage, bought a fine farm in Clay Twp., Lancaster Co., where all their children were born. Catherine, their mother, died Sept. 1842, aged 43 years. Jacob, the father of this family, sold his farm and bought a farm adjoining the corporation of Lancaster City, and about the same time again married, a Mrs. Eliza Markley, a widow in Lancaster City. To them were born two children children: Henry and Lizzie; they both died young, and on Dec. 5, 1871, Jacob Shirk died leaving a large estate of valuable property, his second wife dying a few years later.

[Children of Jacob and Catherine Shirk]
Dr. Daniel E. Shirk, Jacob and Catherine's first child, born Oct. 12, 1820, was reared on his father's farm in Clay Twp., Lancaster o., Pa., receiving a limited education in his youth, but by diligent study acquired a fair knowledge of different languages: Greek, Latin, French and German; studied medicine with the celebrated Doctor George B. Kerfoot, of Lancaster, Pa. Commenced practising medicine at the age of 22 years in the village, now Lincoln, Pa. In 1842, he united in marriage with Amelia Wilson, of Reamstown, Lancaster Co., Pa. Eight children were born to them: Hiester, Wilson, Oliver, Daniel, Jacob, Amelia, Catherine and Lizzie.

Dr. Shirk had lived in Carroll County, Iowa, some 18 years, and from there came to Mountain Grove, Mo., where he died July 5, 1900. His wife preceded her husband in death about three months. In religion, he was a German Baptist, he and his wife having been members of that denomination for many years.

Benjamin E. Shirk, Jacob and Catherine's second son, born Nov. 1825, was also reared on his father's farm, in Clay Twp., Lancaster Co,, Pa., receiving a common school education in the district school of those days, being of studious nature, he acquired a good education and also studied medicine, and became very proficient in his practise at Adamstown and Reading, Pa., until 1889 when he went west and took up his residence in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was a noted medical practitioner, as well as extensive land owner and farmer, owning at the time of his death, 570 acres, which occurred Jan. 18, 1908, aged 82 years. He is survived by his wife (her maiden name being Lucy Blensinger), and two daughters, Mrs. John Coburn and Mrs. Elizabeth Remey, and one son, Robert Shirk of Marshalltown, Iowa. A grandson, Walter Shirk, of Madison, Wisconsin, who had been reared by Dr. Shirk. Jefferson Shirk his father, being the oldest son, died many years ago.

Mary Shirk, Jacob and Catherine's only daughter, was born and reared on her father's farm in Clay Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., born Feb. 1, 1823. Married Emanuel Buch who was born May 2, 1814. After marriage, they took up their residence on a farm they bought near Lincoln, Lancaster Co., Pa., where to them were born the following named children: Jacob S., April 1, 1843; Mary Ann, June 15, 1846; died Jan. 3, 1871, aged 25 years. Emanuel, Feb. 7, 1856; died in Infancy; Susanna, Jan. 3, 1858, died Dec. 5, 1858; Catherine, Oct. 21, 1849; Joseph.

Jacob S. Buch married Miss Pricilla Royer, Oct, 4, 1884. His wife being a daughter of Daniel and Mary Lutz Roger. To this union were born [Mary Ann, Susanna, Adam, Emanuel, Jospeh, Daniel, John, and Lizzie]:
Mary Ann, Dec. 2, 1865, married to Jacob Redcay. To them were born Adam, John, Nettie, Sadie and Mary.
Susanna, born Sept. 30, 1857 [1867], married Abraham Eshleman: their children are: Lillie, decd; Howard, Elmer, Clayton, Daniel, Lizzie, Norman, Annie and Raymond, Oliver decd. Howard married Miss Mary Zook, one child, Walter, born to them.
Adam Buch [born July 1869] married Alice Steeley [born ca 1876], daughter of Daniel Steeley [born ca 1852].
Emanuel, born Feb. 28, 1871; died Dec. 13, 1872 ; Joseph, born July 8, 1872, died April, 1873; Daniel, born Nov. 6, 1873; married Ada [born ca 1879], daughter of John Kilhefner [born ca 1855]; John., born July 8, 1876; Lizzie, born May 31, 1878; married Oliver Demmy. To them were born: Edna, Lillie, dec'd., and Raymond. Lemon, born May 22, 1883; married Jennie Weinhold, daughter of John Weinhold. To them were born: Homer, Jacob, Spencer, John, Oliver and Lester, dec'd; Kate born March 15, 1889; married Stephen Enck. To them was born one son: Franklin Earl. This concludes Jacob Buch's descendents.

Catherine Buch (daughter of Mary and Emanuel) married Lemon Reddig,. To them was born one daughter, Mary.

Joseph S. Buch married Lizzie Eberley. To them were born: Clayton, Oct. 7, 1889; Ella, Nov. 6, 1891; Maggie, Sept. 24, 1894; Milton, Aug. 23, 1895.

Joseph E. Shirk, Jacob and Catherline's third son and fourth child, was born March 28, 1828, reared on his father's farm in Clay Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. Being of a studious nature, acquired a good business education, and engaged in the hardware trade for four years in the city of Lancaster Pa. In the spring of 1850, went to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he bought several hundred acres of good farming land and engaged in farming and stockraising. In Oct. 1856, he united in marriage with Miss Sarah Gockley, who was born at Williamstown, Dauphin Co., Pa., March 31, 1836. To them were born three girls: Mary A., Catherine and Elizabeth.

Mr. Shirk has by energy, ability and perseverence accumulated a handsome estate of mostly farm property, of the best quality. God has favored him, with a long life to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He died July 5, 1912, aged 84 years. Mrs. Shirk preceded him in death, seven years, aged 69 years.

Jacob E. Shirk, the fourth son and fifth child of Jacob and Catherine (Erb) Shirk, was born May 5, 1830; died July 16, 1895. Mrs. Shirk was born Sept. 1, 1820 [census records imply 1840]; died May 10, 1909. In his young days enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1852, cruising with the expedition sent to Japan by the United States government to obtain a treaty in which two ports were opened to commerce in 1854, which was conducted by Commodore Perry. He had also been on the briny waters of the ocean on a whaling expedition. Later in life, went to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he married his wife and settled down to farm life, and acquired a fine farm, where he spent the balance of his life in farming and stock raising. To their marriage were born twelve children and all are living ([as of] 1913); Laura (Shirk) Reed, Jefferson Shirk, farmer and stock raiser; Ella (Shirk) Chaffee, Nora (Shirk) Foster; Simon Shirk, a farmer; Arminta, (Shirk) Scott; Leah (Shirk) Ackerman; Jacob Shirk, a farmer; David Shirk, a farmer; Theodore Shirk, a farmer; Mae Shirk, a stenographer; George Shirk, a traveling man. Those are all residing in Minnesota, at or near Bricelyn P. O., Blue Earth County, Minn.

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; 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.

David E. Shirk, seventh son and eighth child of Jacob and Catherine (Erb) Shirk, was born in Clay Twp. Lancaster Co., Pa., lived with his father in Lancaster, working at brick making on his father's farm, later entered into the cold storage business of butter, eggs, etc. In about 1860 he married Miss Susan Holsworth. To their union were born two daughters: Mary, wife of William Hawkins and Jane, the wife of George Snyder. In 1869 David, with his family, took up their abode at Sac City, Iowa, where he died April 24, 1903, his wife preceding him in death a week prior.


The 1840 Federal Census for Elizabeth, Lancaster County, PA records Jacob Shirk as head of household with: 1 male (40-50), 1male (15-20), 2 males (10-15), 1 male (5-10), 2 males (<5), 1 female (40-50), 1 female (15-20).

The 1850 Federal Census for Lancaster City, Pa. (NW Ward, page 271) records Jacob (56) and Elizabeth (40) Shirk with children Jacob (20), David (13), Henry (5) and Elizabeth (3). Jacob is a farmer with real estate valued at $13,000.

The 1860 Federal Census for Lancaster City, PA (NE Ward, page 933) records Jacob (66) and Elizabeth (50) Shirk with children Henry (15) and Elizabeth (13). Also in the household is Eliza's mother, Barbara Markley (70 - PA) who is blind. Jacob is a farmer with real estate valued at $16,000 and a personal estate valued at $1,000.

The 1870 Federal Census for Lancaster City, PA (Ward 9, page 400) records Jacob (76) and Elizabeth (60) Shirk. Jacob is a retired farmer with real estate valued at $25,000 and a personal estate valued at $3,000.

Jacob married Catherine Erb. (Catherine Erb was born circa 1799 and died circa 1842 in Lancaster Co., PA.)

Jacob next married Eliza Markley circa 1844 in Lancaster City, Lancaster Co., PA. (Eliza Markley was born circa 1810 in Lancaster, PA and died circa 1873 in Lancaster City, Lancaster Co., PA.)