Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois
Originally published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL 1885

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 350

Reuben F. Shirley, retired farmer, and a resident of Rock Falls, was born Aug. 21, 1820, in Connersville, Fayette Co., Ind., and was the youngest son of eight children in the family of John and Elizabeth (Danner) Shirley, his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Pennsylvania. Receiving a limited school education, and remaining with his parents until 22 years of age, he bought a farm in Marshall Co., Ind., containing 170 acres, and occupied it from 1843 to 1864; he then sold it, and came to Lee County, this State, buying 240 acres of land, which he cultivated three years; selling this, he purchased an 80-acre farm in the county, on the Dixon road, and resided there from 1867 to 1876. He then sold this place to his son, Samuel, and came to Rock Falls, and purchased a half block in Arey’s Addition, erecting a residence thereon, which he now occupies.

Politically, Mr. Shirley is Democratic. He is a self-made man, ready at all times to lend a helping hand for the good of society.

He was married June 2, 1842, to Jane Thompson, also a native of Indiana. They have had six children, four of whom are now living and married, namely: Samuel T., who married Alice V. Worthington; Meredith A., who married Sarah L. Densmore; Sarah E., who married Charles E. Payson, and Nancy A., who married J.H. Meckling.