Posted on: Oneida Co. NY Obituaries Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/OneidaObits?read=121 Surname: Teller, Grower, Hook, Schwab, Sweet, Hart, Drury ------------------------- Rome Sentinel 1914 Grandpa Shirley Grand Old Man of Westernville Goes to his Reward Rome, May 22-Thomas Albert Shirley died yesterday at the home of his son, Fred F. Shirley, in Westernville. He had poor health since January, caused by liver trouble, but he has been confined to the bed only a few days. He was born in the town of Steuben, February 20, 1833, a son of John P. Shirley and Anna Shirley and was one of a family of eight children. When 8 years old his parents moved to Western and he had since lived there. His early years were spent on a farm. For 18 years he was engaged in boating, and for a number of years he was in the saw mill at Frenchville. After that he again took up farming and followed it till the death of his wife 4 years ago. Then he made his home with his son. December 27, 1855 Mr. Shirley married Miss Sarah Pillmore. Five children were born to them the following four of whom survive: Mrs. Eliza Grower, Mrs. Charles Shaul of Deansboro, Fred Shirley of Westernville, and Mrs. F. J. Grower of Oneida. Mr. Shirley was a member of the ME Church at Westernville being one of the first to join, and he was the oldest member of the congregation at the time of his death. For several years he was superintendant and teacher of the Sunday school and it was through his efforts that Children's Day was observed by that school. He had served the Epworth League as president and was a trustee and steward of the church at the time of his death. During the Civil War he was drafted but was not accepted on account of a minor deformation of one foot. He was a member of a military organization in that village and was a strong admirer of Abraham Lincoln. He was a lifelong Republican and was often chosen as delegate to conventions. He was elected Justice of the Peace of the town holding that office for several years. Besides those mentioned he is survived by eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and three sisters: Mrs James Smith and Jennie Shirley of Niagara Falls, and Mrs. Elizabeth Savage of Cleveland, Ohio. He was very fond of children and they called him Grandpa Shirley. He was kind, considerate, and charitable and loved by all. The funeral will be held at the church at 2 p.m. Sunday.