Samuel B. Shirky

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 advanced 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 Brethren 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 owns 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 fruits and grapes 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 successfully in blue grass, timothy and clover, in order to convert them into a stock farm exclusively. He now handles all the live stock the size of his farm will allow. He has some very fine graded cattle and is constantly improving the herd. Samuel B. Shirky was married in the year 1865, to 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 both members 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.