Michael Swarr Shirk II (1749 - 1829)

Born 6 Sep 1749 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 25 Jun 1829 at age 79 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Birth and Early Life

Michael Swarr Shirk was born on September 6, 1749 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of 4 known children born to Michael Shirk and Elizabeth Swarr. ^[1]

Marriages and Children

"Now to trace our family from Michael I. Michael II born September 6, 1749 was a mennonite minister and came to Walker Township in Mifflin County (now Juniata County) in 1805. He settled on the homestead now owned by Banks Weaver. He married Barbara Weber and later, Mary Weber. His children were to Mary. An administrative paper dated October 20, 1829, is recorded in the Lewistown courthouse and was signed by Michael, Joseph, Peter, Samuel, Mary, Martha, Barbara, Elizabeth, Julia, John, and Susan. He is buried at Lost Creek near Oakland Mills, Pa. The marker inscription is German and spelled Scherck." — excerpt from Preacher John Shirk's Genealogy ^[2]

Marriage 1

Michael was married to Barbara Weber (or Weaver), daughter of Christian Weaver/Weber and Magdalena Rutt, on March 2, 1771. Barbara Weber Shirk passed away. According to Preacher John Sherk's Genealogy, Michael and Barbara had no children together.

[Note: an older version of the Mennonite Vital Record cards appears to have an administrative error giving Michael's first wife Barbara as the mother of the 11 children. More recent update of the cards corrected to Mary being the mother].

Marriage 2

Michael widowed, then married Mary Weber (or Weaver), daughter of Christian Weaver/Weber. Together they had 11 known children, born between the years 1772-1791.

1. Martha/Magdalena Shirk (b. 1772)
2. Elizabeth Shirk (b. 1773)
3. Peter Shirk (b. 1774)
4. Samuel Shirk (b. 1775)
5. Barbara Shirk (b. 1776)
6. Joseph Shirk (b. 1777; d. 1855)
7. Mary Shirk (b. 1782)
8. Michael Shirk (b. 1786; d. 1874)
9. Judith Shirk (b. 1789)
10. Susanna Shirk (b. 1791)
11. John Shirk (d. 1840)

Death and Burial

Michael Shirk passed away on June 25,1829 (age 79). He was buried at the Lost Creek Mennonite Cemetery, Oakland Mills, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, USA. ^[3] The marker inscription is in German and the name is spelled "Scherck."

On June 25, 1829, Michael II and his son Michael III went to the woods for a load of firewood. After cutting and loading a load on the wagon, Michael II sent his son home to unload it. Michael II remained to cut more while he waited for his son to return with the wagon. During this time, a severe thunderstorm came up and not have time to get home, he took shelter under a large pine tree. While sitting there, a bolt of lightning struck the tree and killed him. After the storm was over, his son, Michael III, came back with the wagon and found his father sitting dead.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S., Mennonite Vital Records, for "Michael Shirk II" (see sidebar).
2. ↑ Preacher John Shirk's Genealogy available here to read online free, until it’s taken down https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/G006086.pdf.)
3. ↑ Michael Scherck Memorial and Biography https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71649749/michael-scherck
4. ↑ Preacher John Shirk's Genealogy, published by Ancestry.com 2004

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