Shirley Association Genealogical Research Website

Thomas Shirley (cont.)
b. 1740-50. Lived in Prince William Virginia. Family to South Carolina and Kentucky

< Back to Branch 7 Thomas Shirley < Thomas Shirley Jr

2(i). Elijah Shirley born 7 March 1803 (source: bible of father); He died April 1860

married Mary "Polly" Harbison June 12, 1828 born Mar 3, 1808 Barren, Kentucky, died Jan 25, 1865 Metcalfe, Kentucky, USA

children:

3(i). Robert Shirley born Nov 11, 1830 KY. Enumerated in Metcalfe Co KY in 1880 census, age 49. He died. Jan 15, 1913. He was buried at Shirley Cemetery, Metcalfe Co KY.

Ancestor of DNA Kit #644563

Robert Shirley (source: finadagrave)

married 1) Sarah Ann Gee Dec 21, 1850. She was born Dec 21, 1831 d. Aug 28, 1865,

married 2) Mary Ann Knipp, She died 22 January 1890 and buried at the Shirley Cemetery, Metcalfe Co KY.

married 3) Marcella J. Love on 20 November 1890 in Metcalfe Co KY

children: by 1st. wife Sarah Ann

4(i). William Lee Shirley born Aug 2, 1853; Lived at Edmonton, Metcalf Co KY in 1880 census, age 27, farmer; He died Apr 20, 1905

married Quintilla Harbison age 27 in 1880 census

children:

5(i). Luther Shirley born about 1875 in KY, age 5 in 1880 census

5(ii). Ann Shirley born about 1878 in KY, age 2 in 1880 census

4(ii). James R. Shirley born Aug 2, 1853 (twins?); He lived with brother William Shirley in 1880 census, age 27, occupation: teacher; He died. Oct 28, 1923; Buried Pleasant Hill Church Cemetery, Metcalf Co KY

4(iii). John T. Shirley born Sept 16, 1855 d. Jun 15, 1905

4(iv). Sarah F. Shirley born Nov 15, 1857 d. Sept. 18, 1858

4(v). Lemuel Crittenden Shirley born July 25, 1859 Shirleys of Butte Co California

LEMUEL CRITTENDEN SHIRLEY. – No object lesson could be presented to the student of history more striking than the transformation wrought in California during the past half century. Lemuel Crittenden Shirley well remembers the appearance of the country thirty-six years ago, when he first came to California from Kentucky. He was born near Glasgow, Ky., July 23, 1859, a son of Robert and Ann (Gee) Shirley, both Kentuckians. The former was a farmer, was a stanch Union man, and died at the age of eighty-one. His wife died when she was thirty-five years of age. They had six children, only two of whom are now living. Grandfather Elijah Shirley was born in Virginia and migrated to Kentucky, where he helped to develop the country.

Lemuel Crittenden Shirley was reared in Kentucky and attended the public schools until he was sixteen; from that time until he was twenty he worked with his father on the home farm. He then worked two years for wages, receiving one hundred dollars per year. He felt that California held better opportunities for a young man, and having an uncle, Benjamin Ely, near Winters, Yolo County, decided he would come West and join him. He arrived in October, 1881, and at once went to work for Mr. Ely, remaining with him three years, after which he worked at carpentering two years in Winters. The next year he was foreman on a ranch. With his farming experience in California and in the East, and with twenty-five hundred dollars he had saved, he felt equal to undertaking ranching for himself, and in 1886, with his brother, C. E. Shirley, leased twelve hundred acres of the Pratt grant, Butte County, and bought the farming outfit for six thousand dollars. He paid down one thousand and reserved fifteen hundred dollars for his first year’s expenses. He planted eight hundred acres to grain, using two eight-mule teams in his work. He found that he would need more money to carry him through the year, and went to see J. H. Rice at Dixon, the man who owned the property he was farming. He obtained five hundred dollars and Mr. Rice advised him to get a Holt combined harvester and said if the dealer would not sell to him, that he, Mr. Rice, would go on his note, but he obtained it with no security except his own note. Mr. Shirley was successful from the beginning, and the first year reaped twenty thousand bushels of wheat which he sold for $1.65 per cental. After Mr. Shirley had made his clean-up for the year he took a trip back to Kentucky to visit his family and friends.

In 1888 the brother, C. E. Shirley, died, and Lemuel C. continued farming on the Pratt grant alone until 1906. As he succeeded he leased more land; at one time, from 1893 to 1897, with S. J. Nikirk, he also farmed the Phelan ranch of two thousand acres, besides leasing two thousand acres more of the Pratt grant for two years of that time. He had four eight-mule teams and his partner had three eight-mule teams; they had two combined harvesters and were kept exceptionally busy for they raised large quantities of wheat and barley. In 1897, when his lease for the Phelan ranch was up, Mr. Shirley bought his present ranch of one hundred forty acres, located three miles north of Chico on Shasta Road, and known as the Waste place when he moved onto it. He ran the Pratt ranches until 1906, when he sold off a part of his outfit, continuing to raise from five to six hundred acres of grain each year. On his home place he has set out thirty-five acres in French prunes and ten acres in peaches; for irrigating his orchards and alfalfa he sunk a well and installed an electric pumping plant with a capacity of eleven hundred gallons per minute. He raises hogs and sheep, increasing his flock to one thousand ewes of the Merino breed. For thirty-one years he has operated a combined harvester and since 1906, besides doing his own work, cuts for others. Since 1914, his sons run the harvester.

At Madison, Yolo County, Mr. Shirley was married to Miss Martha Howard, a native of the Lone Star State, and they have had five children born to them: Beulah May, Mrs. Britton Lobdell of Chico; Robert C.; Joseph Howard; Eugene E.; Leola M., a graduate of Chico Normal School, was engaged in teaching, and is now the wife of Rev. Galen L. Rose of Chico. The other children are graduates of Chico High School, and Eugene E. supplemented his education with a course in the department of agriculture at the University of California. The three sons were associated with their father in business until they volunteered and enlisted for service in the United States forces against Germany. Robert C. and Howard are in the aviation section of the signal corps, and Eugene E. is in the medical department, One Hundred Sixtieth California Infantry. Rev. Galen L. Rose has volunteered as a chaplain. In 1887 Mr. Shirley made his first trip back East; in 1907 he took his family back on a two months’ trip to visit his father, who was then living. He has been very successful and with his family enjoys all good things that go to make for happiness and right living.

Mr. Shirley is a Democrat in politics. In 1902 he was nominated on that ticket for the office of supervisor and at the election won by six hundred majority in a Republican district. He took the oath of office in January, 1903, and served four years; the last year he was honored by being elected chairman. In 1906 he was a candidate for reelection and won by about the same majority, serving until January, 1911. The district had grown until there were over two thousand Republican majority, and when Mr. Shirley was renominated for his third term he was defeated by only one hundred fifty votes. He served the county impartially and gave excellent satisfaction to his friends and constituents. His motto always has been a square deal for everybody. He is a stockholder of the California State Life Insurance Company of Sacramento. He was made a Mason in 1884, in Buckeye Lodge, No. 195, F. & A. M., at Winters, Cal., but transferred his membership to Chico Lodge, No. 111, F. & A. M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shirley are members of Josephine Chapter, No. 104, Order of Eastern Star. Mr. Shirley also belongs to Chico Lodge, No. 113, I. O. O. F., and to Great Oak Camp, No. 136, W. O. W. He and his wife are active members of the Christian Church at Chico, of which he is a member of the board of trustees.

Transcribed by Marie Hassard 23 October 2008. Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1050-1052, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.

married Martha Howard

children:

5(i). Beulah May Shirley. She married Britton Lobdell of Chico CA

5(ii). Robert C. Shirley

5(iii). Joseph Howard Shirley

5(iv). Eugene E. Shirley

5(v). Leola M. Shirley, a graduate of Chico Normal School, was engaged in teaching, and is now the wife of Rev. Galen L. Rose of Chico.

4(vi). Charles E. Shirley born Mar 15, 1862 in KY, age 18 in 1880 census; He died Mar 18, 1888, age about 26

4(vii). Nevil O. Shirley born April 8, 1864 in KY, age 16 in 1880 census; He died Nov 27, 1887, age about 23

children of 2nd wife

4(viii). George A Shirley born about 1870 in KY, age 10 in 1880 census

4(ix). Edmund Rogers Shirley born 15 September 1870 in KY, age 8 in 1880 census. He moved to Yolo Co California by 1900 and San Luis Obispo Co CA by 1910 census. He died 17 February 1952 and buried at San Luis Cemetery, San Luis Obispo CA

married Fannie Word on 5 December 1894 in Yuba Co CA. She died 1937.

children:

5(i). Clyde Shirley born about 1895 in CA, age 5 in 1900 census

5(ii). Charles Albert Shirley born 10 October 1901 in CA (source: Calif Death Index), age 9 in 1900 census. He died 27 March 1982 in Nevada Co California

5(iii). Paul Curtis Shirley born 21 March 1907 in CA, age 3 in 1900 census. He died 10 November 1967 and buried at San Luis Cemetery, San Luis Obispo

3(ii). Amanda Shirley born ca. 1832 KY nothing more known

3(iii). Thomas M. Shirley born ca. 1835 KY nothing more known

3(iv). Mary Shirley born ca. 1836 KY nothing more known

3(v). William Jefferson Shirley born Nov 6, 1837 Barren Co. KY; Lived at Metcalf Co KY in 1880 census, age 42, farmer; He died. Mar 18, 1906 Metcalfe Co. KY

married Margaret Eliz. Slemmons b. Jan 9, 1848 Barren Co. KY d. Feb 4, 1918 Metcalf Co. KY

children:

4(i). Vena Shirley born about1866 in KY, age 14 in 1880 census

4(ii). John E Shirley born. Dec 2, 1868 in KY, age 12 in 1880 census

4(iii). Nancy Ann Shirley born April 7, 1871 Summer Shade, Metcalfe Co. KY, age 9 in 1880 census

4(iv). James W. Shirley born about 1873 in KY, age 7 in 1880 census

4(v). Mollie Shirley born about 1876 in KY, age 4 in 1880 census

4(vi). Susie Mamie Shirley born 11 January 1876 in KY, age 4 in 1880 census

4(vii). Eugene Shirley born June 23, 1878 Metcalfe Co. KY, age 2 in 1880 census (unnamed)

3(vi). John Shirley born April 2, 1839 KY d. Aug 12, 1851, age about 12

3(vii). Eli Shirley born Nov 4, 1840 KY; He lived with brother Robert Shirley in 1880 census, age 37, single; He died Oct 29, 1905

3(viii). Sarah A Shirley born. ca 1844 KY

3(ix). James A. Shirley born Jan 6, 1846 d. Dec 18, 1851, age 5 years

3(x). Frances Shirley born Aug 8, 1847 KY d. Mar 8, 1864

Home Page | Contact

copyright Shirley Association
All Rights Reserved

		Thomas Shirley (cont.) b. 1740-50. Lived in Prince William Virginia. Family to South Carolina and Kentucky
		< Back to Branch 7 Thomas Shirley < Thomas Shirley Jr
		2(i). Elijah Shirley born 7 March 1803 (source: bible of father); He died April 1860 married Mary "Polly" Harbison June 12, 1828 born Mar 3, 1808 Barren, Kentucky, died Jan 25, 1865 Metcalfe, Kentucky, USA children: 3(i). Robert Shirley born Nov 11, 1830 KY. Enumerated in Metcalfe Co KY in 1880 census, age 49. He died. Jan 15, 1913. He was buried at Shirley Cemetery, Metcalfe Co KY. *Ancestor of DNA Kit #644563* Robert Shirley (source: finadagrave) married 1) Sarah Ann Gee Dec 21, 1850. She was born Dec 21, 1831 d. Aug 28, 1865, married 2) Mary Ann Knipp, She died 22 January 1890 and buried at the Shirley Cemetery, Metcalfe Co KY. married 3) Marcella J. Love on 20 November 1890 in Metcalfe Co KY children: by 1st. wife Sarah Ann 4(i). William Lee Shirley born Aug 2, 1853; Lived at Edmonton, Metcalf Co KY in 1880 census, age 27, farmer; He died Apr 20, 1905 married Quintilla Harbison age 27 in 1880 census children: 5(i). Luther Shirley born about 1875 in KY, age 5 in 1880 census 5(ii). Ann Shirley born about 1878 in KY, age 2 in 1880 census 4(ii). James R. Shirley born Aug 2, 1853 (twins?); He lived with brother William Shirley in 1880 census, age 27, occupation: teacher; He died. Oct 28, 1923; Buried Pleasant Hill Church Cemetery, Metcalf Co KY 4(iii). John T. Shirley born Sept 16, 1855 d. Jun 15, 1905 4(iv). Sarah F. Shirley born Nov 15, 1857 d. Sept. 18, 1858 4(v). Lemuel Crittenden Shirley born July 25, 1859 *Shirleys of Butte Co California* LEMUEL CRITTENDEN SHIRLEY. – No object lesson could be presented to the student of history more striking than the transformation wrought in California during the past half century. Lemuel Crittenden Shirley well remembers the appearance of the country thirty-six years ago, when he first came to California from Kentucky. He was born near Glasgow, Ky., July 23, 1859, a son of Robert and Ann (Gee) Shirley, both Kentuckians. The former was a farmer, was a stanch Union man, and died at the age of eighty-one. His wife died when she was thirty-five years of age. They had six children, only two of whom are now living. Grandfather Elijah Shirley was born in Virginia and migrated to Kentucky, where he helped to develop the country. Lemuel Crittenden Shirley was reared in Kentucky and attended the public schools until he was sixteen; from that time until he was twenty he worked with his father on the home farm. He then worked two years for wages, receiving one hundred dollars per year. He felt that California held better opportunities for a young man, and having an uncle, Benjamin Ely, near Winters, Yolo County, decided he would come West and join him. He arrived in October, 1881, and at once went to work for Mr. Ely, remaining with him three years, after which he worked at carpentering two years in Winters. The next year he was foreman on a ranch. With his farming experience in California and in the East, and with twenty-five hundred dollars he had saved, he felt equal to undertaking ranching for himself, and in 1886, with his brother, C. E. Shirley, leased twelve hundred acres of the Pratt grant, Butte County, and bought the farming outfit for six thousand dollars. He paid down one thousand and reserved fifteen hundred dollars for his first year’s expenses. He planted eight hundred acres to grain, using two eight-mule teams in his work. He found that he would need more money to carry him through the year, and went to see J. H. Rice at Dixon, the man who owned the property he was farming. He obtained five hundred dollars and Mr. Rice advised him to get a Holt combined harvester and said if the dealer would not sell to him, that he, Mr. Rice, would go on his note, but he obtained it with no security except his own note. Mr. Shirley was successful from the beginning, and the first year reaped twenty thousand bushels of wheat which he sold for $1.65 per cental. After Mr. Shirley had made his clean-up for the year he took a trip back to Kentucky to visit his family and friends. In 1888 the brother, C. E. Shirley, died, and Lemuel C. continued farming on the Pratt grant alone until 1906. As he succeeded he leased more land; at one time, from 1893 to 1897, with S. J. Nikirk, he also farmed the Phelan ranch of two thousand acres, besides leasing two thousand acres more of the Pratt grant for two years of that time. He had four eight-mule teams and his partner had three eight-mule teams; they had two combined harvesters and were kept exceptionally busy for they raised large quantities of wheat and barley. In 1897, when his lease for the Phelan ranch was up, Mr. Shirley bought his present ranch of one hundred forty acres, located three miles north of Chico on Shasta Road, and known as the Waste place when he moved onto it. He ran the Pratt ranches until 1906, when he sold off a part of his outfit, continuing to raise from five to six hundred acres of grain each year. On his home place he has set out thirty-five acres in French prunes and ten acres in peaches; for irrigating his orchards and alfalfa he sunk a well and installed an electric pumping plant with a capacity of eleven hundred gallons per minute. He raises hogs and sheep, increasing his flock to one thousand ewes of the Merino breed. For thirty-one years he has operated a combined harvester and since 1906, besides doing his own work, cuts for others. Since 1914, his sons run the harvester. At Madison, Yolo County, Mr. Shirley was married to Miss Martha Howard, a native of the Lone Star State, and they have had five children born to them: Beulah May, Mrs. Britton Lobdell of Chico; Robert C.; Joseph Howard; Eugene E.; Leola M., a graduate of Chico Normal School, was engaged in teaching, and is now the wife of Rev. Galen L. Rose of Chico. The other children are graduates of Chico High School, and Eugene E. supplemented his education with a course in the department of agriculture at the University of California. The three sons were associated with their father in business until they volunteered and enlisted for service in the United States forces against Germany. Robert C. and Howard are in the aviation section of the signal corps, and Eugene E. is in the medical department, One Hundred Sixtieth California Infantry. Rev. Galen L. Rose has volunteered as a chaplain. In 1887 Mr. Shirley made his first trip back East; in 1907 he took his family back on a two months’ trip to visit his father, who was then living. He has been very successful and with his family enjoys all good things that go to make for happiness and right living. Mr. Shirley is a Democrat in politics. In 1902 he was nominated on that ticket for the office of supervisor and at the election won by six hundred majority in a Republican district. He took the oath of office in January, 1903, and served four years; the last year he was honored by being elected chairman. In 1906 he was a candidate for reelection and won by about the same majority, serving until January, 1911. The district had grown until there were over two thousand Republican majority, and when Mr. Shirley was renominated for his third term he was defeated by only one hundred fifty votes. He served the county impartially and gave excellent satisfaction to his friends and constituents. His motto always has been a square deal for everybody. He is a stockholder of the California State Life Insurance Company of Sacramento. He was made a Mason in 1884, in Buckeye Lodge, No. 195, F. & A. M., at Winters, Cal., but transferred his membership to Chico Lodge, No. 111, F. & A. M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shirley are members of Josephine Chapter, No. 104, Order of Eastern Star. Mr. Shirley also belongs to Chico Lodge, No. 113, I. O. O. F., and to Great Oak Camp, No. 136, W. O. W. He and his wife are active members of the Christian Church at Chico, of which he is a member of the board of trustees. Transcribed by Marie Hassard 23 October 2008. Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1050-1052, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918. married Martha Howard children: 5(i). Beulah May Shirley. She married Britton Lobdell of Chico CA 5(ii). Robert C. Shirley 5(iii). Joseph Howard Shirley 5(iv). Eugene E. Shirley 5(v). Leola M. Shirley, a graduate of Chico Normal School, was engaged in teaching, and is now the wife of Rev. Galen L. Rose of Chico. 4(vi). Charles E. Shirley born Mar 15, 1862 in KY, age 18 in 1880 census; He died Mar 18, 1888, age about 26 4(vii). Nevil O. Shirley born April 8, 1864 in KY, age 16 in 1880 census; He died Nov 27, 1887, age about 23 children of 2nd wife 4(viii). George A Shirley born about 1870 in KY, age 10 in 1880 census 4(ix). Edmund Rogers Shirley born 15 September 1870 in KY, age 8 in 1880 census. He moved to Yolo Co California by 1900 and San Luis Obispo Co CA by 1910 census. He died 17 February 1952 and buried at San Luis Cemetery, San Luis Obispo CA married Fannie Word on 5 December 1894 in Yuba Co CA. She died 1937. children: 5(i). Clyde Shirley born about 1895 in CA, age 5 in 1900 census 5(ii). Charles Albert Shirley born 10 October 1901 in CA (source: Calif Death Index), age 9 in 1900 census. He died 27 March 1982 in Nevada Co California 5(iii). Paul Curtis Shirley born 21 March 1907 in CA, age 3 in 1900 census. He died 10 November 1967 and buried at San Luis Cemetery, San Luis Obispo 3(ii). Amanda Shirley born ca. 1832 KY nothing more known 3(iii). Thomas M. Shirley born ca. 1835 KY nothing more known 3(iv). Mary Shirley born ca. 1836 KY nothing more known 3(v). William Jefferson Shirley born Nov 6, 1837 Barren Co. KY; Lived at Metcalf Co KY in 1880 census, age 42, farmer; He died. Mar 18, 1906 Metcalfe Co. KY married Margaret Eliz. Slemmons b. Jan 9, 1848 Barren Co. KY d. Feb 4, 1918 Metcalf Co. KY children: 4(i). Vena Shirley born about1866 in KY, age 14 in 1880 census 4(ii). John E Shirley born. Dec 2, 1868 in KY, age 12 in 1880 census 4(iii). Nancy Ann Shirley born April 7, 1871 Summer Shade, Metcalfe Co. KY, age 9 in 1880 census 4(iv). James W. Shirley born about 1873 in KY, age 7 in 1880 census 4(v). Mollie Shirley born about 1876 in KY, age 4 in 1880 census 4(vi). Susie Mamie Shirley born 11 January 1876 in KY, age 4 in 1880 census 4(vii). Eugene Shirley born June 23, 1878 Metcalfe Co. KY, age 2 in 1880 census (unnamed) 3(vi). John Shirley born April 2, 1839 KY d. Aug 12, 1851, age about 12 3(vii). Eli Shirley born Nov 4, 1840 KY; He lived with brother Robert Shirley in 1880 census, age 37, single; He died Oct 29, 1905 3(viii). Sarah A Shirley born. ca 1844 KY 3(ix). James A. Shirley born Jan 6, 1846 d. Dec 18, 1851, age 5 years 3(x). Frances Shirley born Aug 8, 1847 KY d. Mar 8, 1864
		Home Page \| Contact copyright Shirley Association All Rights Reserved