3.1 Effa "Effie" S. Shirley was born on 2 March 1862 and died on 16 June 1934. Effie married William H. Wagar William was born in 1864 and died in 1898. His parents, Henry and Mary A. (Boylan) Wagar are buried in Hope Cemetery, in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan (his mother may have remarried after Henry Wagar's death, she is shown as Mrs. William Barnhart in newspaper clippings). The Wagar's lived next door to the Shirley family in the 1880 Federal Census of Texas Township. Effie and William are also both buried in Hope Cemetery. From the Kalamazoo County Clerk, Death Records, Book 2, page 247:
"William H. Wagar age 35yrs 1 mon 16 days W/M, DOD: Feb 26, 1898 POD: Kalamazoo, DOB: see age, POB: Michigan, marital status: married, Occ: Kalamazoo Fire Dept. Fireman, Cause of Death: Killed in fire (one of three fireman killed and one of ten total), Father: Henry Wagar born New York, Mother: Mary A. Boylan born NY."In Willis F. Dunbar's "Kalamazoo and How It Grew", published in 1959, Dr. Dunbar described the fire in which William Wager died as:
"A little over a year later, on February 26, 1898, the biggest single catastrophe in Kalamazoo's history up to that time occurred when an explosion and fire at the Hall Brothers Chemical Company plant on North Rose Street near the Michigan Central tracks took the lives of ten men, four of whom were firemen."The fire was front page news in the Kalamazoo Gazette in 1898. Effie never remarried after his death (her obituary), from the Kalamazoo County Clerk, Death Record, 1934 COK, page 322:
"Effie S. Wagar, age 72 yrs 3 mos 14 days, W/F/, DOD: June 16, 1934, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo,I finally located Effie, after William's death and her three children in the 1900 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED# 116, living on Village Street. In the 1930 census, Effie was living with her son-in-law, Vernon Abbott, after the death of her daughter, Frank E. (see below). Effie and William's three children prior to his death in 1898 were:
MI (Borgess Hospital), DOB: March 2, 1862 POB: Kalamazoo Co., MI, marital: widow, Spouse: Wm. H. Wagar (died 1898) Occ: Housewife, Res: 1411 Egleston, Kalamazoo, Cause of Death: Cardiac Asthma 10 yrs, Auricular Fibrillation 3 days, Fatty Infiltration of Heart 10 years,
Father: John Shirley, born England, Mother: Hannah Russell, born Kalamazoo, Funeral Home: Frank Critz of Vicksburg, MI; Inf: Lawrence Wagar; Burial: Texas Corners, MI June 18, 1934"
3.1.1 Lawrence Wagar born in February 1885. In the 1910 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED# 147, address 614 So. Burdick St., Lawrence and Sadie Wagar were living with her parents, Corneilus and Bell Van Halst, along with their son, Carl, age 2. Lawrence was age 25, occupation "undertaker". In the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED #167, Lawrence was still enumerated living in the household of his in-laws, with his wife Sadie (Van Halst) Wagar (with no children). In the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED #37, The Wagar's were living at 805 Stockbridge, with several children:Wager, Lawrence head 45 Michigan funeral director undertakerLawrence Wager died in 1934, Sadie's obituary appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 19 September 1958. Lawrence and Sadie's children were:
Sadie wife 44 Michigan none
Carl son 22 Michigan none
Ruth daughter 19 Michigan none
Frances daughter 9 Michigan none
Lawrence son 5 Michigan none
John son 3 6/12 Michigan none3.1.1.1 Dr. Carl W. Wagar was born on 12 October 1907 in Kalamazoo and died in April 1957 in Viet Nam. Carl was a veteran of WWII, graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1930 and the Loyola School of Medicine in 1934. His obituary appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 9 April 1957.
3.1.1.2 Ruth M. Wagar, born on 29 October 1910 in Michigan. Ruth married Asher Clark and died on 20 December 1968 (obituary).
3.1.1.3 Sister Frances Marie Wagar, born in about 1921. She was serving the church in Flint, Michigan in her mother's obituary in 1958.
3.1.1.4 Lawrence Wagar, born in about 1925.
3.1.1.5 John Wagar, born in about 1927.
3.1.2 Frank E. Wagar born in June 1887 and died in 1922. She married Vernon L. Abbott. They are both buried in Hope Cemetery. In the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, Michigan ED #178 their household listed:
#233 270 Abbott, Vernon L. Head 36 Ohio laborerAfter Frank E.'s death in 1922, Vernon and his daughters were living in Kalamazoo, ED# 37, sheet 11B, address 1411 Eggleston, in the 1930 Federal Census along with their grandmother:
Frankie wife 32 Michigan none
Gladys daughter 7 Michigan
Helen daughter 2 9/12 Michigan#246 290 Abbott, Vernon Head 47 wd Ohio Manager Burial vault MNF
Gladys Daughter 18 Michigan None
Helen Daughter 13 Michigan None
Mary A. Daughter 7 Michigan None
Wagar, Effie Moth-In-Law 68 wd Michigan None
3.1.3 Shirley A. Wagar born in January 1897. Shirley married Frank Westfere, they appeared in the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED #41:
Westfere, Frank Head m 39 carpenter homeI do not know if Shirley and Frank had any children. Shirley outlived almost everyone, she died at 104 years old! Her obituary, from the Holland Sentinel dated, Thursday, February 15, 2001:
Shirley A. Wife f 33 teacher public schoolShirley Westfere, 104"Shirley A. Westfere, 104, of Holland, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, in an area care center.
Born and raised in Kalamazoo, she resided in Holland since 1968. She graduated from Western Michigan University and taught in Fremont, Niles and Kalamazoo. She was a member of Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church, its Ladies Aid, and Evergreen Commons.
Her husband, Frank, preceded her in death in 1964.
Surviving are nieces and nephews, Mary Medema of Holland, Helen and Orten Gibson of Florida, Frances Clark of Kalamazoo, and John and Marilyn Wagar of Comstock; and several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. Jack Stulp officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo.
Visiting is 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 W. 32nd St.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice."
3.2 Ada Shirley was born in 1865 in Michigan. In the Kalamazoo County Marriage Record Book 4, page 341, #5229:
Bride: Ada Shirley age 18, POB: PortageThe Giddings family also originated in England. In the 1880 Federal Census of Texas Township, John Giddings, age 20, occupation laborer, was living in the household of his parents, Jenks and Ann Giddings, both born in England. In the 1900 Federal Census of Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan ED# 133, John gave his birth month and year of birth as April 1860. Ada stated that she had bore 7 children, 5 of whom were living. The names of remainder of the household were difficult to read: Nettie A., age 14; Lottie B., age 14; two sons, Jenks, age 12, and Guy, age 9; and a daughter, Mary or Myrtle age 5 (the ascertainable data was that they had three daughters and two sons in the home the film is very faint and difficult to read; all family members were born in Michigan).
Groom: John Giddings age 22 Occ: Farmer, POB: Texas Twp.
[neither the bride or groom have parents listed]
DOM: Dec 6, 1882 Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI, Lansing P. Stafford, J.P.
Witnesses: George McElroy and Jennis Phillips, both of Texas Twp.
In the 1910 Federal Census of Texas Township, ED# 165, their household listed (all were born in Michigan):
#85 87 Giddings, John Head 50 Married 28 yrs. Farmer Gen FarmIn the 1920 Federal Census of Texas Township, the John and Ada Giddings household listed:
Ada Wife 45 9 children 7 living children
Myrtle Daughter 15
Don Son 6
Nellie Daughter 4
#169 178 Giddings, John head m 59 Michigan farmer fruit farmerJohn was a widower in 1930. He was recorded in Antwerp Township, Van Buren County, Michigan, ED# 3, sheet 3A. He was age 69, and had no occupation listed.
Ada wife f 55 Michigan none
Donald son m 16 Michigan none
Nellie daughter f 14 Michigan none
I have not located their place of burial. There is a marker in Hope Cemetery, for their [two] unnamed infant daughters. Their children were (not a complete listing):
3.2.1 Nettie Giddings, was born in February 1885 in Michigan.
3.2.2 Lottie B. Giddings, was born in October 1886 in Michigan. One of the daughters listed in the 1900 census was Lottie (Giddings) LaCombe (her obituary). Lottie and her husband Leo are listed in the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED# 32, at 505 Second St.:
#181 214 Lacombe, Leo Head 38 Michigan Ruler Stationary Mfg.
Lottie Wife 44 Michigan None
Myrtle Daughter 14 Michigan
John Son 14 Michigan
Ada Daughter 7 Michigan
3.2.3 Jenks Giddings, was born in September 1888 in Michigan.
3.2.4 Guy Giddings, was born in about 1891 in Michigan.
3.2.5 Myrtle Giddings, was born in about 1895 in Michigan.
3.2.6 Don Giddings, was born in about 1904 in Michigan.
3.2.7 Nellie G. Giddings, was born in about 1906 in Michigan. Listed as Mrs. Nellie Harlan, in Lottie's obituary above, she was recorded in the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED# 42, on Greenwood St. (house numbers were not shown): Nellie, age 24, married at age 18, occupation "Saleslady" "Bakery"; husband and head of the household, Lyle Harlan, age 24, occupation "Executive" "Grocery", no children were lisited in their home. Nellie and Lyle did have one daughter, Bonnie Harlan. Nellie (Giddings) Harlan's obituary appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 25 March 1981.
3.3 John H. Shirley was born in May 1867 in Michigan and died in 1939. John Shirley, listed in the 1900 Federal Census of Texas Township, occupation listed as a stone mason, was living with his wife Bertha and their three children. They were married on Christmas day in 1887, from Kalamazoo County Clerk's Marriage Record, Book 5, page 76, #106:
"Groom: John H. Shirley, age 20 Res: Kalamazoo Co., POB: Kalamazoo Co., MI,In the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, Precinct #20, 516 John St., the John H. Shirley household consisted of:
Father: John Shirley, Mother: Hannah Russell
Bride: Bertha A. McCormick age 16, Res: Kalamazoo Co. POB: Kalamazoo Co.
Father: William H. McCormick, Mother: Elizabeth D. Bradley
DOM: Dec 25, 1887 POM: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI
C.E. Hope J.P. officiating
Witnesses: Wm. McCormick and Sarah Gelder, both of Texas Twp."
#21 28 Shirley, John H. Head 52 Michigan builder houseJohn H. Shirley's obituary and photo appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette, on 3 April 1939. John is buried in Hope Cemetery, directly behind his parents. Bertha was born in February 1871, Bertha is not buried in Hope Cemetery with her husband. Their children listed in the 1900 census were:
Bertha A. Wife 47 Michigan none
Lester R. Son 27 Michigan carpenter house
Ida M. Daughter-in-law 26 Michigan clerk grocery store
Sweetland, Marjorie Roomer 23 Michigan stenographer Paper co.
Culter, Bessie Roomer 33 Michigan stenographer [unreadable] co.
3.3.1 Leon Oliver Shirley was born in November 1888 and died in 1918. Leon married Bertha Irene Schoolcraft in 1908. From the Kalamazoo County Clerk Marriage record Book 7, page 56, #10176:Groom: Leon Oliver Shirley W/M age 20, POB: MI, Res: Kalamazoo, MI; Occ: CarpenterAfter Leon's death in 1918, Bertha was living alone with their daughter Doris, who was ten years old, in the 1920 Federal Census of Pine Grove Township, Van Buren County. Leon and Bertha are both buried in Kendall Cemetery on D Ave. in Pine Grove Township, Van Buren County. In 1930 Bertha was living with her father, Doris was not listed in the 1930 household. They had one daughter:
Father: John H. Shirley Mother: Bertha A. McCormick
Bride: Bertha Irene Schoolcraft W/F age 20, POB: MI, Res: Kendall, Mich., Occ: Teacher
Father: Bert Schoolcraft, Mother: Jennie McElroy; DOM: Nov 7, 1908
POM: Kalamazoo, MI, neither groom nor bride had been married previously.
Officiating: Joseph P. McCarthy, minister
Witnesses: Bert McElroy and L.R. Shirley, both of Kalamazoo3.3.1.1 Doris Shirley, was born in about 1910 in Michigan.
3.3.2 Lester Ray Shirley was born in February 1890 and died in April 1961. Lester was a veteran of WWI, his obituary gave no other biographical information other than his service record. Lester married Nida M. Vanderbilt, Nida died in July 1950. In the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED #31, 404 East Vine St.:#14 20 Shirley, Lester R. Head 39 Michigan Retail Merchant Auto parts
Nida M. wife 36 Michigan None
Vanderbilt, Charles W. father-in-law 76 New York None
3.3.3 Olive Delina Shirley was born on 11 June 1897 in Texas Township. Olive married George I. White. George was a bacteriologist with the Kalamazoo County Health Department and was honored in a 1947 article in the Kalamazoo Gazette for his 34 years of service to the county. Olive moved to California in 1968 where she died at age 74 in March 1972. She attended Nazareth College and Western Michigan University. Olive was one of the first five women to enlist in the Women's Army Auxillary Air Corps in 1943 and was also an active member of the Red Cross and the Civil Air Patrol. Her death notice appeared in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 6 March 1972. In the 1920 Federal Census of Comstock, ED# 144, on Territorial Road in Kalamazoo County, Michigan their household listed:
#215 226 White, George I. Head 30 Michigan Bacteriologist City Laboratories
Olive D. Wife 22 Michigan none
George A. Son 3 5/12 MichiganIn the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo County, Comstock, ED# 10, the George and Olive White household listed:
#112 112 White, George I. Head 42 Michigan Bacteriologist City
Olive D. Wife 32 Michigan None
Arba G. Son 13 Michigan None
Shirley G. Daughter 8 Michigan None
John L. Son 4 2/12 Michigan None
3.4 Clara Blanche Shirley was born in 1870, she died in 1951 (obituary). She married Charles H. O’Brien (his first name was incorrectly published as "Clark" in her sister, Ida's obituary). From the Kalamazoo County Marriage Record Book 5, page 288, #3293:
Bride: Clara Blanche Shirley age 24, Res: Kalamazoo, Occ: Dressmaker, POB: Texas Twp.,Charles was born in 1868 and died in 1934. Clara and Charles are both buried in Hope Cemetery, in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. In the 1900 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, Ward 4, ED# 120, Charles and Clara were living at 215 Rose Place, his occupation was listed as a "stone cutter". They had one daughter listed in the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo Township:
Kalamazoo, MI, Father: John Shirley, Mother: Hannah Russell
Groom: Charles H. O'Brien age 27, Res: Kalamazoo, POB Kalamazoo, Occ: Carriage
Trimmer; Father: Michael O'Brien Mother: Jane Talbot, DOM: Oct 30, 1895
POM: Texas Twp., Clergyman: J. F. Pechmann
Witnesses: W. H. Wagar and E.S. Wagar, both of Kalamazoo
3.4.1 Leila Bell O'Brien, born on 6 October 1907. Leila-Bell graduated from Kalamazoo High School in 1924 (photo) and Western Michigan University in 1928. In 1930 Leila was living in Kent County, Grand Rapids, Michigan, teaching at a business school. She married Harold Kenneth Jaqua, he died in 1953. In 1975, she was honored for her many years of service at Western Michigan University (article/photo). Leila died on 26 March 1986 (obituary) and is buried near her parents in Hope Cemetery.
3.5 Grace Shirley was born on 28 December 1872 and died in 1958 (obituary). She married Ray J. Parsons, he died in 1968 (obituary), they are both buried in Hope Cemetery, in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Ray's parents were Jerome Parsons, born in New York and Julia Parsons. Jerome and his two wives, Ellen and Julia are also buried in Hope Cemetery, in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Ray and Grace had one son, Clayton J. Parsons, he was born in 1897 and died in 1970 (obituary). Clayton married Pearl F. Waterman, she was born on 2 August 1899 in Greenleaf, Kansas and died in 1991 (obituary). Clayton and Pearl had no children. Clayton was also a member of the Texas Township Volunteer Fire Department. They are also buried in Hope Cemetery, Texas Township.
Ida F. (Shirley) Harrison
3.6 Ida F. Shirley was born in 1874 and died in May of 1930 (obituary). She married Owen W. Harrison, the youngest son of John S. and Maria Louisa (Baker) Harrison. From the Kalamazoo County Marriage Record Book 5, page 238, #2548:
"Bride: Ida Shirley, age 19, Res: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI, POB: Texas Twp.Ida and Owen had three sons, Paul Crose Harrison, Clark D. Harrison and Clare Shirley Harrison.
Father: John Shirley Mother: Hannah Russell
Groom: Owen Harrison age 25 Res: Schoolcraft Twp., Kalamazoo, MI; POB: Schoolcraft Twp.
Occ: Farmer, Father: John S. Harrison Mother: Eliza Baker, DOM: Dec 20, 1893
POM: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI, Clergyman: Wm. S. Buck
Witnesses: Charles H. O'Brien of Kalamazoo and Clara Shirley of Texas Twp."
3.7 Celia J. "Nettie" Shirley was born 0n 11 October 1876 and died in May 1940 (obituary). She married Ernest N. Middleton in 1899 (obituary). From the Kalamazoo County Marriage Record Book 6, page 36, #4715:
Groom: Ernest N. Middleton, W/M age 22, POB: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI, Res: KalamazooIn the 1910 Federal Census of Kalamazoo City, ED# 152, sheets 11A and 11B, address listed as 1401 Washington Ave., Ernest N., was age 33, "Nellie", was age 32, they both stated that they had been married for 11 years, his occupation was listed a "Motorist" on a "Street Car". Their children listed in the home in 1910 were: Ruth, age 9, and Arthur, age 4. Also listed in their home was his father, Samuel, age 59, divorced, occupation listed as a "Repairer" in a "Car Barn" and their niece, Lottie Giddings, age 24, occupation listed as an "operator" in a "skirt factory".
Father: Samuel Middleton, Mother: Clara A. Jenks, Occ: Laborer
Bride: Celia J. Shirley W/F 22 yrs, POB: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI
Res: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI; Father: John Shirley Mother: Hannah Russell
DOM: Apr 12, 1899 POM: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI
Officiating: George W. Adams, Clergyman
Witnesses: H.B. Cooper and Nellie Shirley, both of Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI
Ten years later, in the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo County, Precinct #31, 1428 Stockbridge Ave., their household listed:
#215 252 Middleton, Ernest N.
head m
43 Michigan sales clerk
garage
Nettie wife
f 43 Michigan
none
Ruth daughter
f 19 Michigan
stenographer
Arthur son
m 14 Michigan
In the 1930 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, ED# 27, sheet 19B, address listed as 605 W. Cedar St., Ernest and Nettie, were ages 55 and 48 respectively, his occupation was listed a "Foreman" in an "auto garage". It must have been a large home, there were six boarders also listed in the household.
Ernest and "Nettie", are both buried in Hope Cemetery.
3.8 Nellie M. Shirley was born in August 1878 (occupation schoolteacher in the 1900 Census) and died in 1950 (obituary). She married Harry B. Hooper, he was born in 1876 and also died in 1950 (obituary). Harry's parents, Henry and Flora Hooper, are also buried in Hope Cemetery. From the Kalamazoo County Marriage Record Book 6, page 99, #5665:
"Bride: Nellie Shirley age 22 Occ: Teacher, Res: Texas Twp., POB: Texas Twp.In the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo County, Precinct #17, 619 Axtell Street, their household listed:
Father: John Shirley Mother: Hannah Russell
Groom: Harry B. Hooper age 24, Res: Texas Twp., Kalamazoo, MI, POB: Texas Twp., Occ: Farmer Father: Henry O. Hooper Mother: Flora Bonfory, DOM: May 18, 1901 POM: Kalamazoo, MI
Clergyman: R. W. McLaughlin, Pastor Congl Church
Witnesses: Anna O. McLaughlin and Carrie Meister, both of Kalamazoo"
#207 219 Hooper, Harry B.
head m 43
Michigan salesman automobiles
Nellie B. wife
f 41 Michigan
none
Pauline daughter f
9 Michigan
Flora mother
f 71 Michigan
none
In 1930, the Hooper's were living at 610 W. Cedar St., Pauline, now 19, was still living at home. Harry and Nellie are both buried in Hope Cemetery, in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Their daughter Pauline Hooper married Frank Griffith, they celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary in 1987.
3.9 Harry L. Shirley was born on 17 July 1881 in Texas Township and died in 1933 (his occupation was listed as a schoolteacher in the 1900 Census). Harry married Elva M. Chaffee. From the Kalamazoo County Marriage Record Book 6, page 118, #5949:
Groom: Harry L. Shirley age 21 Res: Texas Twp., POB: Texas Twp., Occ: SalesmanThey are also listed in the "Rural Directory of Kalamazoo County, 1919-1923", page 169:
Father: John Shirley Mother: Hannah Russell
Bride: Elva M. Chaffee age 20, Res: Kalamazoo, MI, POB: Michigan; Father: Samuel Chaffee, Mother: Eva Bonfory; DOM: Nov 18, 1901 POM: Kalamazoo
Clergyman: C. Heines, Minister Reformed Church
Witnesses: Ernest N. Middleton and Nettie Middleton, both of Kalamazoo
In 1930, Harry and Elva were living in Galesburg at 97 Washington St. Harry was now managing a lumberyard, their daughter Dorothy was not living at home, Russell age 18 was working as a postal clerk, and their youngest son, John H., was now eight years old. Harry (obituary) and Elva Shirley (her obituary) are buried in Hope Cemetery. They also had an infant daughter, Vawn Shirley, who died on 21 March 1903. Their children were:
3.9.1 Vawn Shirley.
3.9.2 Dorothy D. Shirley, age 15 in the 1920 Federal Census, gives her birth in about 1905. She is listed as "Mrs. Paul Reynolds" of Akron, Ohio in her mother's obituary.
3.9.3 Russell M. Shirley, was born on 1 May 1911 and died in June 1966 (obituary). Russell is buried in Augusta Cemetery.
3.9.4 John Shirley.
This web page is authored by Scott Duncan. All information listed without a reference should be verified. Any additions, questions, or comments should be sent to: Home