BUILDING THE HOME

By Bessie Spell Shirk.

I am indebted to Amy Miller-Connell and Ann Miller-Neilsen of Indianapolis, Indiana for contributing this sketch written by their great grandmother. This story may not be used, reproduced, or published without the consent of AMY.

When the news of Robert and Elcy's arrival spread over the county, all the relatives about Middletown and Honey Creek came to their assistance and to attend to the funeral of little Davey.

They gave Robert good advice about purchasing a home and to show how well he built, a large barn on his farm, built in 1847, is still standing and in good condition (1951).

Robert, when a boy had received an education a little better than most of his time he had a certain knowledge of engineering and neighbors were quick to take advantage of this. Soon he was laying out new roads, marking trees to be cut down and to this day there is evidence of his work in Jefferson, Prairie, and Henry townships.

He lived on this farm he purchased until 1848 when he obtained 200 acres of land from the Government, about two and a half miles from New Castle. This was gradually added to until it finally passed out of the family in 1906.

In the 1850's Robert and Elcy moved into town so that the younger children might have the advantage of the school. They built their home on the site now occupied by the First Nazarene Church, but when the Civil War seemed imminent they decided to go back to the farm, as it seemed likely that his sons would be called to fight for their country and there they spent the remainder of their lives.

By Bessie Spell Shirk
born Alberta Lee "Bessie" Spell on July 29, 1876 in Mt. Summit, Henry County, Indiana. She was daughter of Mahala Susan Dunbar and Allen Crandall Spell. She married Charles Rosco Shirk on January 4, 1899 in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana. Bessie died on March 24, 1952 in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana.