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DR JOHN JACOB SHIRK Newspaper: NASHUA REPORTER - Nashua, Iowa Date: Thursday, April 25, 1907 Dr John Jacob SHIRK passed away at his home in this city at 11:50 o'clock Saturday morning after an illness of several weeks. Dr SHIRK had been an invalid for over a year, and although at one time during the past year his life was despaired of, he recovered so as to be able to be out upon the streets again. Nine weeks ago he was again confined to his bed, but he never rallied from his last illness, and on Saturday he answered the summons of his Master. John J. SHIRK was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Feb. 17, 1826. In 1852 he moved to Freeport, Illinois, coming later to Chickasaw County, Iowa, and settling at Old Chickasaw. After living there six years he returned to Freeport, and in 1879 he came to Nashua, where he made his home until his death. He was married May 7, 1846 to Miss Phoebe STOCKS, who survives him. To this union there were born twelve children, nine who are living, and who are as follows: Mrs. H. M. (Mary) HILLS, of Little Falls, Minnesota; Madames R. C. (Emma) MCLEES and H. T. (Rose) LAWSON, of Freeport, Illinois, Mrs. C. M. (Sadie) MCGILLIGAN, of Ridott, Illinois, Madames W. H. (Bertha) TUCKER and Frank (Jessie) SHUFELT, of Nashua, Iowa, and Albert, Charles, and William SHIRK all of Washington state. He also leaves to mourn his death two brothers, Jacob B. and Daniel F. SHIRK of Freeport. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted as veterinary surgeon, a profession he followed throughout his life. The deceased was one of Nashua's most highly esteemed citizens. He was a man who had no enemies, and the quiet, unassuming life he led, won for him a legion of friends. He was a member of the GAR Post of this city, being past Commander, and was faithful in the performance of hs duties. The funeral was held at the M. E. (Methodist Episcopal) Church at 2 p.m., Monday, Rev. A. W. SMITH officiating, and the remains escorted by his comrades of the Grand Army Post, were laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Nashua, Iowa. DR JOHN JACOB SHIRK Newspaper: Uncertain, but perhaps again from the NASHUA REPORTER Again the funeral bell tolls and another of Nashua's honored and respected citizens passed to his long home. Dr John J. SHIRK was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania on Feb.17, 1826, and died at 11:50 a.m. Saturday, April 10, aged 81 years, 2 months, and 3 days, death resulting from Bright's disease and heart trouble. In the early fifties, the deceased moved to Freeport, Illinois where he remained a couple of years and then moved to Old Chickasaw. After six years residence here he returned to Freeport for a time but for the past twenty-eight years he and his family have resided in Nashua. During the war, Dr. SHIRK was enlisted as a veterinary surgeon and continued in the profession after returning home until forced by illness to abandon his profession. On May 7, 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe STOCKS and to this union twelve children were born of whom nine survive, beside the aged companion to cherish the memory of a kind and indulgent parent. During our acquaintance with Dr SHIRK we had grown to have a deep respect for him. He was always pleasant to meet and his bright, cheery smile showed a heart full of love and warmth. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. A.W. SMITH from the M. E. Church Monday afternoon and internment was made at Greenwood Cemetery. The members of Geo. W.S. Dodge Post and the Relief corps attended in a body and we do not remember of ever seeing more of the veterans together on a similar occasion - certainly a mark of deep respect. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. Contributors notes: Mrs JOHN J. SHIRK Newspaper: NASHUA REPORTER - Nashua, Iowa Date: Thursday, Dec. 2, 1909 Mrs John J. SHIRK passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank SHUFELT, Monday, just as the shades of evening were drawing to a close. Mrs SHIRK had been in failing health for some time past, but her final illness was of short duration, she being confined to her bed only five days. The cause of her death was due to heart trouble. Phoebe Ann STOCKS was born in Bilper, England, Dec. 12, 1829, and when four years of age she came to America with her parents, settling in Pennsylvania. From there she moved to Illinois and thence to Iowa in 1856. On May 7, 1849 she was married at Freeport, Illinois to John J. SHIRK, who proceeded her to the great beyond April 20, 1907. They lived in Nashua two years when they returned to Freeport. Thirty years ago they returned to Nashua, which place was the home of the deceased until the time of her death. She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom are living and are as follows: Mrs. Mary HILLS, of Little Falls, Minn.; Mrs. Emma MCLEES, of Freeport; Albert H. SHIRK of Clallam, Washington; Mrs. Rose LAWSON, of Freeport; Mrs. Sadie MCGILLIGAN, of Ridott, Illinois; Mrs. Jessie SHUFELT, of Nashua; Will and Charley SHIRK, of Bellingham, Washington; Mrs. Bertha TUCKER, of Nashua. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Ellen STONE, of this city, and four brothers, James STOCKS, of Los Angeles; (Zachary) Taylor STOCKS, of Buffalo, Wyoming; Cyrus STOCKS, of Grinnell, Iowa; Millard STOCKS, of Biggsville Illinois. Mrs SHIRK spent the later thirty years of her life in this community and was held in high esteem by those who knew her. She was a woman who possessed many lovable traits of character, which made her one of the kindest and best of wives and mothers. Since the death of her husband she had made her home with her daughter, Mrs SHUFELT, who cared for her tenderly. Three daughters, Madames HILL, MCLEES and LAWSON, arrived Tuesday to attend the funeral. The funeral was held at the Congregational Church Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Rev. HESS officiating, and the remains were laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Nashua, Iowa. Contributors notes: Phoebe's parents immigrated to Stephenson County with their family coming from Pennsylvania about 1843. Her parents were Thomas & Martha (GRATIEN) STOCKS, originally from England. She also had siblings that must have preceeded her in death: Charles, George, Mary, and Rhoda. Contributed By: Sharon Shirk - Rockford, Illlinois Email: sharonshirk@insightbb.com |