Walter Bruce Shirk1

b. 16 May 1867
FatherBenjamin Palmer Shirk2 b. 28 Jul 1831, d. Nov 1875
MotherSarah Isabella Moffett2 b. 29 Nov 1839, d. 24 Mar 1872
Birth16 May 1867 Walter Bruce Shirk was born on 16 May 1867 in Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois.1,3 
Childhood  By the time Walter reached 8 years of age he had lost both of his parents to consumption. Walter and his 6 siblings were all placed with other family members. Walter's uncle William Shirk, who lived in Sedalia, Missouri, traveled to Carroll County with the intention of bringing one of the boys home with him. He chose Walter. Family tradition held that Walter seemed the least hardy of the boys and the most in need of a good home.4 
Cens-18802 Jun 1880  Walter was enumerated in William Shirk's home in Sedalia in 1880, along with William's wife Fanny and 3 children. Walter was enumerated as William's son. William was noted to be a lawyer.5 
Occupation  Walter went to work for the Missouri Pacific RR and quickly advanced in the company. One of his first assignments was as the General Livestock Agent in Ft. Scott, Kansas, where he also met his future wife.4,1 
Marriage25 Nov 1891 He married Anna Grace Cormany, daughter of William Cormany and Susan Emmert, on 25 Nov 1891 in Ft Scott, Kansas.1 
  Anna was the granddaughter of Susan Price and David Emmert. Walter's cousin (once removed), Margaret Davis Moffett was married to David Emmert, a son of Susan Price and David Emmert. 
  The couple's first child was born in Kansas City; by the birth of Benjamin in 1895 Walter had returned to Sedalia with his new family. 
Residence  There they were enumerated in both 1900 and 1910. The family grew to include 6 sons [although son Benjamin died in 1896]. Walter's occupation on the 1910 census was recorded as "commercial agent for the railroad". The family resided at 1111 7th St. In Sedalia.6,7 
Cens-19201920 By 1920 they had moved to Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, where they rented a home at 3212 Olive Street. Walter, at 52, was still employed as an agent for the railroad.8 
Death Walter died in Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado.9 

Family

Anna Grace Cormany b. 26 Feb 1868, d. 2 Jul 1955
Children
  • Walter Cormany Shirk1 (20 Sep 1892 - )
  • Benjamin Rinewalt Shirk1 (13 May 1895 - 5 Apr 1896)
  • Robert Bruce Shirk1 (23 May 1897 - )
  • William Minton Shirk1 (4 Mar 1900 - 1956)
  • Elliot Mackey Shirk1 (26 Sep 1904 - Jan 1995)
  • James Moffett Shirk3
ChartsDescendants of William Moffett and Mary Gardner
Descendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Last Edited17 Jul 2008

Citations

  1. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Walter Bruce Shirk-Anna Grace Cormany family group sheet". This information was submitted by Walter Bruce Shirk.
  2. [S2049] "Shirk Family Genealogy", p. 34-7.
  3. [S2035] George Wanger, A Genealogy of the Descendants of Rev. Jacob Price, p. 669-.
  4. [S2049] "Shirk Family Genealogy", p. 38.
  5. [S2057] W.S. Shirk household, 1880 U.S. cens., Pettis Co., MO, pop. sched., Sedalia, ED 126, page 9A (p. 213 stamped), dwelling 78, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 9 of 40. Household included: W.S. Shirk, 36, lawyer, b. PA; Fanny H., 32, wife, b. MO; Walter, 13, son, b. IL; Bessie, 9, dau, b. MO; Maud, 5, dau, b. MO; Willie, 2, son, b. MO.
  6. [S2053] Walter B. Shirk household, 1900 U.S. cens., Pettis Co., Missouri, pop. sched., Sedalia, ED 114, sheet 11A (p. 283 stamped), dwelling 230, family 260, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 21 of 47. Household includes: Walter B., 33, b. May 1867 IL, marr 9 yrs, Frt agent for RR; Grace C., wife, 32, b. Feb. 1868 KS, mother of 4 children, 3 living; Walter C., son, 7, b. Sept. 1892; Robert B., son, 3, b. May 1897; William M., son, 2/12, b. March 1900; all children b. MO; also a servant.
  7. [S2058] Walter B. Shirk household, 1910 U.S. cens., Pettis Co., Missouri, pop. sched., Sedalia, ED 136, sheet 4A (p. 259 stamped), dwelling 69, family 69, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 7 of 25. Household included: Walter B. Shirk, 42, marr #1, b. IL, father b. PA, mother b. IL, commercial agent for railroad; Anna, wife, marr #1, mother of 6 children, 5 living, b. MO; Walter C., son, 17; Robert B., son, 13; William M., son, 10; Elliot M., son, 5; James M., son, 2; all b. MO; resid 1111 7th St.
  8. [S2059] Walter B. Shirk household, 1920 U.S. cens., Jackson Co., MO, pop. sched., Kansas City, ED 233, sheet 9B, dwelling 136, family 241, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 18 of 25. Household includes: Walter B. Shirk, 52, rents home, b. IL, livestock agent for railroad; Grace, wife 51; Robert B., son, 22, bookkeeper; William M., son, 19, laborer at packing house; Elliot M., son, 15; James M., son, 11; all b. MO; resid 3212 Olive St.
  9. [S423] Letter, Kimberly Baer to Diana Powell, 17 Aug. 1996. Kim included this information on a chart titled "Ancestors of Walter Bruce Shirk."