Monument to Ulrich Shirk I at Steinmetz Cemetery near Schoeneck, West Cocalico Twp. Written on back: "Commemorative stone for Ulrich Schurch I and family and descenedants. Steinmetz Cemetery, Lancaster County, Pa. Many early Shirks are buried here. July 1990."
People at the home of Noah Shirk. Written on back: "Noah Shirk and daughter (?). Noah and family own the home where Joseph Shirk (inventor) lived and was born. His workshop, blacksmoth shop and famous waterwheel is here. Notice Noah's pants has front bottoned flap of the Amish. July 1990".
Weaverland Mennonite Meetinghouse. Written on back: "Weaverland Amish Church. Ulrich I's son, Peter, is buried in tiny cemetery in the middle of a nearby cornfield. Church has a metal roof, all windows hand closed shutters. Hand pump for water, open building with stalls for horses. Parking for horse and buggies. Small outdoor ladies room in parking lot. Peter Shirk was an ordained Mennonite minister in 1750. Original church was built on land purchased by Peter Shirk and Michael Witwer for this purpose (deed dated 1766). Name of cemetery - Old Mennonite Weberthal Cemetery".
People on a farm. Written on back: "Third from left is member of the Horning family. Joseph Shirk, inventor, lived at the Horning farm when he married."
Horning farm. Joseph Shirk (inventor) lived here after he married. Joseph's home was built of logs and the left side of the house (left two windows area) was added later. Joseph is buried at Lichty's Cemetery which is down the road. The small cemetery is in the neter of a large cornfield and is visible from the road.
Shirk's School, c. 1830. Now a private home. Churchtown Road. That part with a porch is the original school, attachment to the righ was added later. Located just down the road from Joseph Shirk's house that was owned in 1990 by the Noah Shirk family.
Ivan Sensenig family farm, built before 1800 and was Ulrich Schurch's home. Third floor has a room where church services were held and also has two rooms where smoking of meats and storage of smoked meats was done in Ulrich's time. The Sensenigs graciously allowed Shirk reunion people (two bus loads) to freely roam through their home and allowed photography. The wife and daughter served cold soda and cookies as we left. Main house and old spring house. Ulrich Schurch II home.
Left: Joseph Shirk's workshop at farm where he was born (owned in 1990 by Noah Shirk family). Right: Blacksmith shop on Shirk farm, also there in Joseph's time.
Left: Joseph Shirk's workshop. Right: Small blacksmith shop. At farm of Noah Shirk. Farm was birthplace of Joseph Shirk, inventor, and still has his waterwheel invention to run two waterpumps near the house.
Steinmetz Cemetery. Blanche Abele walks toward reunion bus after seeing early Shirk stones. Man on right is Frank Shirk, leader of the bus trip and keynote speaker at reunion banquet at Ephrata. He is a Mennonite preacher, now a bishop. His 98 year old father was the oldest Shirk at the reunion.
Noah Shirk, left, on his farm where Joseph Shirk, the inventor, was born. On Churchtown Road near Churchtown. Man on right was part of the Shirk reunion group visiting Shirk homes.
