Peter Shirk

Other Events:

• Historic Business: 1820'S, 90 Old Mill Road, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blair
• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 059, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Eby ID Number: 00101-5663
• Immigration: 1862, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1862, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1862
• Residence: 1866, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Business: 1878, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lancaster Flour Millers
• Naturalization: 1878
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Public Service: 1892, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Treasurer - Waterloo Township
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller Flour
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Peter Shirk, "son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Shirk, is a native of Canarvon Township, Lancaster County Pa., where he was born November 11th, 1839. When a young man he left his native state and went to Canada, arriving at Berlin, Ontario, May 1st, 1862. Here he had his home with his uncle the late Jacob Hoffman in whose services he was for nearly two months, piling lumber and assisting in the saw mill. From here he went to the town of Waterloo and engaged himself as miller with D. H. Moyer & Co. who were then the proprietors of the Union Mills. After E. and S. S. Snider became proprietors of the mills he continued his services with the new firm until December 1st, 1866, when he purchased the Blair Mills. Here Mr. Shirk did a well paying business until December, 1869, when he sold the mills and, entering into partnership with Mr. S. S. Snider of Waterloo, purchased in December of the same year (1869) the Lancaster Mills of Bridgeport where he has since been engaged very extensively in manufacturing patent and high grade flour. In 1887 Mr. Snider retired from the firm, thus leaving Mr. Shirk sole proprietor of the extensive business. In connection with the Lancaster Mills, Mr. Shirk is also proprietor of the Baden Mills which he purchased from Mr. James Livingstone in 1889. Mr Shirk commenced life as a farmer's boy and being possessed with but little of this world's substance, he, by energy and perseverance and being naturally gifted with first class business qualities, besides having a good character, gradually worked his way up from one position to another and is now rated as one of our well-to-do millers (See his rating in the Mercantile Agency for the Dominion of Canada by R. G. Dun & Co.) of the province. Of late years he has been identified with public life and has held prominent positions of honour and trust, thus proving for himself a record of which no one has any need of feeling ashamed. On June 5th, 1866, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of John and Anna (Weber) Martin. She was born March 2nd, 1845. They reside in Bridgeport, Ontario. To them were born the following children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

____________________________



Shirk.--Peter Shirk was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 11, 1839; died in Bridgeport, Ont., on Oct. 1, 1919; aged 79 y. 10 m. 20 d. Bro. Shirk came to Canada in 1862 and entered the milling business. He was married twice, his first wife being Magdalene Martin who died 24 years ago and the second wife was Judith Krampien who survives. There are also left to mourn his departure ten children, 38 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services were held on Oct. 6 at First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ont. The services at the house were conducted by Bro. Noah Stauffer and at the Church by the brethren Jonas Snider, Urias Martin and Manasseh Hallman.

Gospel Herald - Vol. XII, No. 30 - October 23, 1919

__________________________

PETER SHIRK

It will be of interest to know a little of his ancestors. The first we have record of was Ulrich Shirk who came from Switzerland in 1832 to Pennsylvania with his six sons and two daughters. One son was named Peter who had a son named Joseph and Joseph had a son named Christian.

Peter Shirk was the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Shirk and was a native of Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he was born November 11th, 1839. He came from a poor family which made it necessary for him to go to work and help support the family when eleven years of age. He worked hard and had long hours, but he was eager to learn so studied a good deal at night. He learned the milling trade at Peter Rupe's flour mill near Churchtown, Pennsylvania.

When he was a young man he left his native state and came to Canada with his eldest sister Barbara, arriving at Berlin (Kitchener) on May 1st, 1861. He made his home with his uncle, the late Jacob Hoffman in whose services he was for nearly two months piling lumber and assisting in the saw mills. (Jacob Hoffman's saw mill was situated where Schreiter's Furniture Store now stands). From here he went to the village of Waterloo and engaged himself as miller with D. H. Moyer & Co., who were then the proprietors of the Union Mills. After E. and S. S. Snider became proprietors of the mills he continued with the new firm until December 1st, 1866, when he purchased the Blair Mills. Here he did a well paying business until December, 1869, when he sold the mills and entered into partnership with Samuel Snider in Bridgeport. In 1887 Peter Shirk bought Mr. Snider's interest in the company and continued the business under the name of Shirk & Snider until 1910 when the firm name was changed to Shirk & Snider Ltd., Peter Shirk as President and his eldest son Geo. M. as managing-director.

On August 17th, 1889, the Baden Mills were purchased from James Livingstone, the business having grown to such an extent that it was necessary to increase its capacity. The two mills, Bridgeport and Baden had a combined capacity of 250 barrels per day.

The Bridgeport flour mill of Shirk & Snider Ltd. is one of the old industries of Waterloo County, this mill having been built in 1830 and the dam, of about 25 acres, in 1829, by Jacob Shoemaker. Mr. Shoemaker operated the mill for 20 years when he sold to Elias Eby who had it for the following 20 years. Peter Shirk and S. S. Snider bought from Mr. Eby in 1870. The buildings were always kept in good repair and the machinery modern.

In addition to the mill Peter Shirk also owned and operated a cooperage, supplying the barrels for the Bridgeport, Baden, Waterloo and other mills. Most of the flour was sold and shipped in barrels in the earlier days. All the export flour had to be teamed to Dundas in the early days as that was the nearest shipping station. After 1856 the flour was teamed to Berlin (now Kitchener.) In 1903, through the influence and efforts of Peter Shirk a spur line was extended direct to the mill from the beet sugar factory of that time.

The company 's products always had an enviable reputation both locally and in the foreign markets. The special flour brands were "Buda" a blended flour for all purposes (this getting its name from the abbreviation of Budapest, Hungary, where the first roller mills were used) ; "Two Sisters" a special flour for pastry and cakes and "Evangeline" a pure Manitoba flour for bread.

Peter Shirk was in his youth possessed of but little of this world's substance, but by energy and perservance and being naturally gifted with first class business qualities besides having a good character, he gradually worked his way up from one position to another and to affluence. In his later years he was identified with public life and held prominent positions of honor and trust. He was on the board of trustees of the Kitchener and Waterloo Collegiate and Technical Institute about 30 years. During his term he was instrumental in having Manual Training and Household Science added to the curriculum. He was treasurer of Waterloo Township for 20 years when he resigned, being succeeded by his son, Geo. M., who held the position for 15 years. Allen Shirk has been Township Treasurer for the past 6 years, since the death of his father Geo. M. Shirk.

Peter Shirk was married on June 5th, 1866, to Magdalena (Weber) Martin. Mrs. Peter Shirk's grandfather was Abraham Weber who in company with Benj. Eby and wife, Samuel Eby and family, Joseph Schneider and family, and others, came to this section of Waterloo County on June 2nd, 1807. The Conestogo driven by Abraham Weber on his trip from Lan-caster County, Pennsylvania, in 1807, is now in the Waterloo Historical Society Museum.

Soon after Abraham Weber's arrival in Canada he married Elizabeth Cressman and they settled on the corner of King and Wilmot Streets where the Canadian Goodrich plant is now situated. It was at this place that Mrs. Peter Shirk's mother was born, on August 14th, 1811, being one of the first children born in Berlin (Kitchener).

To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shirk were born the following children: Peter, Anna, George, Emma, Elizabeth, Catherine, Martin, Magdalena, John, Maria, Noah, Veronica and Barbara. Mr. Shirk's first wife died on November 7th, 1895 and Peter Shirk died on October 1st, 1919, aged 79 years. He is survived by his second wife, 1 son and 7 daughters.

-Contributed by Mrs. F. Capling, Granddaughter of Peter Shirk.

Twenty-First Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1933

Historic Business:
Your Heritage Waterloo Region

Business:
Shirk & Snider Proprietors

Peter married Magdalena Martin 5 Jun 1866, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of John Z. Martin and Anna Weber) was born 2 Mar 1845, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Nov 1895, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Anna Shirk was born 4 Feb 1868, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1945; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. George M. Shirk was born 4 Apr 1870, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Oct 1928; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Emma Shirk was born 21 Jan 1872, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Jul 1943, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 23 Jul 1943, Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Elizabeth Shirk was born 15 Feb 1874, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Jan 1875; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Catherine Shirk was born 20 Mar 1875, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Jan 1954, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Martin Shirk was born 21 Jun 1876, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Jul 1910; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Magdalena Shirk was born 3 Apr 1878, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Mar 1949, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
8. John Shirk was born 13 Mar 1880, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Jan 1881; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Maria Shirk was born 10 Jun 1881, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Feb 1954, Bloomingdale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
10. Noah Shirk was born 31 Jan 1884, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Mar 1958; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
11. Lydia Shirk was born 9 Apr 1885, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Jan 1981, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
12. Veronica Shirk was born 22 Jan 1887, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 May 1891, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
13. Barbara Shirk was born 5 May 1889, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Jul 1973, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
14. Mary Krempien was born Apr 1891, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Peter married Judith Weber 29 Nov 1896, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Judith (daughter of Rev. Abraham C. Weber and Judith Martin) was born 4 Jul 1855, Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Apr 1942, Pinehill, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Selina Shirk was born 21 May 1898, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Jun 1979, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00055-3787.1

Christian — Elizabeth Hoffman. Elizabeth (daughter of Peter Hoffman) was born 8 May 1805, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 9 Apr 1862, near, Churchtown, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Judder
• Name: Elizabeth Shirk
• Eby ID Number: 00055-3787

Notes:

Barbara Hoffman, "was married to Christian Shirk. They resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and had a family of several children, three of whom, namely Peter (see Peter Shirk's family), Barbara, .. and Magdalena (see John Shuh's family), and also Lehman (see Lehman Shirk's family), a son of Thomas (Thomas was also a son of Barbara but never resided in Canada), reside in this county. The others are all in the United States."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].
Elizabeth Hoffman, "was married to Michael Judder, a farmer. They resided in Juniata County, Pennsylvania."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00055-3784

Notes:

Peter Hoffman, "the fourth son of old George Hoffman, was born September 27th, 1776. He resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His family consisted of five (there may have been more but the names of only five were received) children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00055-3775.2

Notes:

"Nearly all the Hoffmans of this county are descendants of old George whose parents were natives of Switzerland. Old George resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he raised a family of eight children, namely:...Of the above family some of the descendants of George and Peter settled in Canada."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

George — Elizabeth Zimmerman. Elizabeth was born Abt 1740, Of, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died , , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Hoffman
• Eby ID Number: 00055-3775.99