Benjamin Franklin Shirk1,2

b. 27 January 1866, d. 22 April 1938
FatherBenjamin Palmer Shirk2 b. 28 Jul 1831, d. Nov 1875
MotherSarah Isabella Moffett2 b. 29 Nov 1839, d. 24 Mar 1872
Birth27 Jan 1866 Benjamin Franklin Shirk was born on 27 Jan 1866 in Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois.1,2 
Childhood  Benjamin's father died when Benjamin was 9 years old. His mother had died 3 years earlier. "Benny" lived with his grandmother Moffett for a year and then went to live with Chester and Evaline Olmsted whose own children were grown. Years later Benny's daughter, Viola Kremenak, wrote that Chester Olmsted had admired Benny's father and was good to Benny (who would later name a son Chester). Viola described her father as an avid reader and dedicated student. He was a handsome boy with a fair complexion and black curley hair which she described as being "a Moffett."3,4 
Ward  In 1884 Chester Olsted became Benjamin's guardian, replacing Peter Stouffer who had served in the position since 1875.5 
Marriage22 Dec 1889 Benjamin married Viola Shore on 22 Dec 1889 in Milledgeville, Carroll County, Illinois.1 
Migration1897  The couple's first 3 children were born in Mt. Carroll. In 1897 the family moved west, settling in Sutherland, O'Brien County, Iowa.3 
  They farmed land in Waterman township until about 1919 when they moved slightly southeast into Buena Vista County.6,7 
Cens-19208 Jan 1920  There they were recorded in 1920 farming in Barnes township. Five children remained at home [daughter Hattie married in 1913, son Chester died in 1903].8 
Occupation  Benjamin also served as the postmaster of Linn Grove, a community in Barnes township.3 
Death22 Apr 1938 Benjamin died on 22 Apr 1938 in Linn Grove, Buena Vista County, Iowa, at age 72.3 
Burial He was buried in Linn Grove.3 

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Benjamin spent the early years of his life in Carroll County, Illinois. See the Carroll County map (also accessible via the Misc. Locations link in the menu bar at the top of any page).

Family

Viola Shore b. 23 Dec 1868, d. 17 Aug 1956
Children
  • Hattie Isabel Shirk9 (6 Feb 1891 - 9 Jun 1980)
  • infant Shirk6 (before 1900 - before 1900)
  • Harold Amhurst Shirk9 (30 May 1894 - 18 Mar 1960)
  • Chester Emerson Shirk9 (1 Dec 1896 - between Sep 1903 and 1904)
  • Benjamin Victor Shirk9 (12 Apr 1898 - 12 Dec 1965)
  • Hugh Osborn Shirk9 (30 Sep 1900 - 7 Nov 1969)
  • Robert Franklin Shirk9 (28 Feb 1905 - 5 Apr 1993)
  • Viola Blanche Shirk9 (11 Nov 1906 - 23 Sep 1990)
ChartsDescendants of William Moffett and Mary Gardner
Descendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Last Edited2 May 2011

Citations

  1. [S2035] George Wanger, A Genealogy of the Descendants of Rev. Jacob Price, p. 669-.
  2. [S2049] "Shirk Family Genealogy", p. 34-7.
  3. [S2049] "Shirk Family Genealogy", p. 37-40.
  4. [S1032] Chester Olmsted household, 1880 U.S. cens., Carroll Co., Illinois, pop sched., Wsox, ED 23, page 19C (p. 625 stamped), dwelling 174, family 178, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 18 of 21. Household includes: Benjamin Shirk, 14, servant, b. IL.
  5. [S1055] Mrs. Robert Mace, Probate Records of Carroll Co., Illinois, Vol 3, pp. 51, 69.
  6. [S2050] Benjamin F. Shirk household, 1900 U.S. cens., O'Brien Co., Iowa, pop. sched., Waterman township, ED 89, sheet 11B, dwelling 202, family 210, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 22 of 26. Household includes: Benjamin F. Shirk, 34, b. Jan. 1866, marr 10 yrs, father b. PA, mother b. VA, farmer, owns farm, is mortgaged; Viola, wife, 31, b. Dec. 1868, marr 10 yrs, mother of 5 children, 4 living, b. IL; Hattie I., dau, 9, b. Feb. 1891 IL; Harold A., son, 6, b. May 1894 IL; Chester E., son, 3, b. Dec. 1896 IL; Benjamin V., son, 2, b. Apr 1898 IA; also a farm laborer.
  7. [S2051] Benjamin F. Shirk household, 1910 U.S. cens., O'Brien Co., Iowa, pop. sched., Waterman township, ED 95, sheet 3A (p. 191 stamped), dwelling 29, family 30b, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 5 of 15. Household includes: Benjamin F. Shirk, 44, marr #1, marr 20 yrs, farmer; Viola, wife, 41, marr #1, marr 20 yrs, mother of 8 children, 6 living; H. Isabel, dau, 19 b. IL; Herald, son, 15, b. IL; B. Victor, son, 12; Hugh O., son, 9; Robert F., son, 5; Viola B., dau, 3; last 4 children b. IA.
  8. [S2052] B.F. Shirk household, 1920 U.S. cens., Buena Vista Co., Iowa, pop. sched., Barnes twp, ED 1, sheet 5B, dwelling 37, family 37, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 10 of 28. Household includes: B.F. Shirk, 54, farmer, owns home, is farm, is mortgaged; Viola, wife, 51; Herald, son, 25, farmer; Victor B., son, merchant; Hugh O., son, 19, clerk; Rbt F., son, 15; Viola B., dau, 13.
  9. [S2049] "Shirk Family Genealogy", p. 39.