From the Richmond (MO) Conservator
Samuel B. Shirky dies at age of 94
Samuel B. Shirky, one of the pioneers of Ray County, passed away peacefully
at his home in the Rockingham community at 7:30 o'clock Friday morning. He
was 94 years old. In spite of his advnaced age Mr. Shirky has been in good
health although for the past few days he had not been feeling well.
Funeral services were held at 11 o'clock Sunday morning at the Rockingham
church. Burial was in Wakenda Cemetery.
In 1865 Mr. Shirky was married to Miss Catherine Zigler, also a native of
Rockingham county. Va. Mrs. Shirky, aged 90, survives her husband. He also
leaves seven children: John Shirky, Richmond, MO; Mrs. Anna C. Macey,
Ironton, Mo; Gideon E. Shirky, Madison, Kans; Joseph E. Shirky, Detroit;
Miss Emily Shirky, Kansas city; Samuel Mohler Shirky, Beaumont, Texas;
Howard Shirky, Richmond, MO. Forty-nine grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
During the long life of this Ray county patriarch, he was always especially
interested in the church and the schools. He was an elder in the church of
the Bretheren and was one of the thirteen original members of the Wakenda
church formed in 1870. He was keenly interested in every movement in his
community designed to furnish the children a first class education and also
to permit them to enjoy wholesome forms of entertainment.
For seven years from 1922-1929 Mr. Shirky was chairman of the board of
managers of the Missouri Home for Confederate Soldiers at Higginsville, MO.
He resigned in 1929 on account of his health.
From 1881 History of Ray County, MO.
Samuel B. Shirky. Was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the first day
of September 1840. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood and
after he grew up remained at home, working on the farm until the beginning
of the war between the states. He enlisted in the Confederate army in
August, 1861, Company H, 10th Virginia cavalry, Hampton's brigade. He was
engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, the seven days fight around Richmond
and at Spottsylvania Court House. He was paroled after the surrender of
General Lee, at Appomattox court house, and returning home resumed the
business of farming. In the spring of 1859, he came to Missouri and located
where he now resides, section twenty-six, township fifty-three, range
twenty-six in Ray County. He onews one hundred and sixty acres of very
productive land, all in a high state of cultivation except about twenty
acres of timberland. Upon this land is a large spring affording water
sufficient for hundreds of head of stock. He has two thrifty young orchards,
besides small fruitss and grapsed in great abundance. He has a handsome
commodious residence, and a barn unusually large, well arranged and
convenient for the accommodation of all his live stock, hay, grain and
agricultural implements. For the past four years, Mr. Shirky has been
seeding his fields sucessfully in blue grass, timothy and clover, inorder to
convert them into a stock farm exclusively. He now handles all the live
stock the size of his farm will allow. He has som very find graded cattle
and is constantly improving the herd. Samuel B. Shirky was married in the
year 1865, t Miss Catharine Zigler, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia.
They are the parents of eight children. six of whom are now living: John H.,
Anna C., Gideon E., Joseph B., Sallie V., and Emma F. Mr. Shirky and his
wife are bothe memebers of the German Baptist Church. His parents, David and
Catharine Shirky, are both natives of Rockingham county, Virginia and both
still living. Mr. Shirky has a model farm and he conducts it very well.
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