SHIRK, Washington Daniel 1849-1943

SHIRK, WEST, RAVENSCROFT, BLOSSER, MOYER

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 11/26/2009 at 09:54:38

Fairfield Daily Ledger
Saturday March 13, 1943

W.D. SHIRK, 93, Old Resident of City, Dies

Noted traveler, made trip around the world after 80 years old

W.D. SHIRK, 93, well known resident of Fairfield for the past 50 years and extensive traveler, passed away this morning at 4 a.m. He died at the home of Mrs. E.M. WEST, 306 East Madison street, where he had made his home for the past ten months. His death came after a serious illness of eleven days.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 3 pm. at the Hoskins funeral home in charge of Rev. A. P . Keast. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Mr. SHIRK was born November 7, 1849, in Ohio. He came to Iowa about 79 years ago. He was engaged in farming for several years on a farm north of Fairfield, and was also a school teacher in the rural schools in Jefferson county.

In later years he operated a grocery store on the north side of the square for a short time and helped build the first telephone lines in Jefferson county.

As far back as 1876, Mr. SHIRK started writing articles for the Fairfield Ledger. He was always interested in traveling and in his early manhood took extensive trips throughout the United States. It was interesting pen pictures of these early trips through mountains, forests, caves and national parks that furnished the subjects for Mr. SHIRKS interesting articles.

For many years he resided on North Main street, the first house south of the C.B. & O. tracks on the west side of the street. Even in his advanced age he never gave up the lust for travel. After he was 80 years old, Mr. SHIRK traveled around the world alone. Despite his advanced age he was able to tell and to write interesting articles concerning travels at that time.

A collection of minerals and fossils collected painstakingly through the years and which probably could not be duplicated at any expense of time or money was presented to Parsons college by Mr. SHIRK in November, 1932.

Some of the specimens came from Wind and Crystal Caves in the Black Hills and were of the utmost beauty. They were collected by Mr. SHIRK years ago, being selected with care and discernment. Permission to collect specimens from these caves has long since been withdrawn.

Many of the specimens came from other parts of the country, those from Catalina Island being of unusual interest.

An article which appeared in the November 2, 1932, issue of the Fairfield Daily Ledger, written by Mr. SHIRK, tells of his experience as a fisherman and catching 15 sharks. The fishing expedition took place off the coast of California near Catalina Island.

Mr. SHIRK is survived by one sister, Mrs. Nettie RAVENSCROFT, Ainsworth, Neb., and a number of nieces and nephews, including Roy BLOSSER. of Fairfield.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Son of John and Harriet SHIRK.

Married to Fannie/Fanny MOYER on June 11, 1882 at the home of her father. Evidently she filed for divorce in November, 1929 (no children); it isn't clear if the petition was finalized. Both spouses are buried separately, however, in the plots of their respective parents at Evergreen Cemetery.

Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Plot: Old.P.280