Harry Miller Shirk (1854-1919)

SHIRK, GEORGE, BOWERS, SAYRE, SIMPSON

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

The sad but not unexpected news reached Hartley about noon Thursday, November 20th, of the death of Mr. H.M. Shirk at his farm home 12 miles northwest of town. He had been a sufferer from diabetes for a long time. Every effort of medical and nursing skill was made to cure or at least stay the dread disease, but to no avail. Though he was able to be up and around most of the time, yet it was evident for more than six months that his strength was gradually failing.

Harry Miller Shirk was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania on November 3, 1854, and was 75 years and 17 days of age at the time of his death. The family came west and settled in Grundy county, Iowa. Here he was married to Miss Alice George on February 26, 1880. Two children were born of this union, Mrs. Pearl Bowers of Grundy Center, Iowa, and Harvey G., who has resided with his parents on the farm.

Mr. Shirk came to O'Brien County many years ago and made his home continuously in this vicinity. No man in all this region has been esteemed more highly than he for sterling qualities of character. Upright and honorable in all his conduct, honest and square in all his dealings, kindly dispositioned, genial and neighborly, he was held in high regard by all who knew him

He was one of twelve children and is survived by four brothers and two sisters. J.N. and J.S. Shirk live at Grundy Ceneter and J.M. Shirk at Goldfield, Iowa. Those living in this vicinity are Mrs. J.W. Sayre of Hartley and Mrs. Simpson of Spencer. These with the wife and children and many neighbors and friends grieve at his going from us.

Recently at his own request, Rev. Bassett administered the Holy Rite of baptism for him. Thus he confessed the Christian life and died peacefully in the faith.

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday morning at 11 o'clock and music rendered by Mrs. Kloppenberg, Miss Marguerite Slaught, John Linder and John Carr. Burial was made in the Hartley cemetery.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 27 November 1919 pg. 6