Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-63) and indexes.
Summary
Joseph Shirk (1820-1902) was an Old Order Mennonite of Lancaster County. He was a farmer, carpenter,surveyor,printer,and manufacturer of agricultural and domestic tools.
"His mechanical and inventive skills applied to agricultural and domestic life were exceptional, as was his knowledge of stronomy, surveying, and botany...Was he 'one of the great American inventors of the nineteenth century'? Was he truly the first person to invent these various items?...Or was he a 'minor genius' whose accomplishments have been greatly exaggerated by admiring friends and relatives?" [Introduction]
Chapters: I. Biography: Documented by primary sources/ II. Existing objects: Made by or associated with Joseph Shirk/ III. Objects: Made by or associated with Joseph Shirk in primary sources/ IV. Oral traditions: Expressed or written after the death of Joseph Shirk/ V. Conclusion.
