Ross Shirley, shown here surrounded by his sisters (clockwise from left, Lavina Grace, also known as Bonnie, Sarah, Myrtle Esther, and Jennette) was born on June 25, 1912. His father was James Frederick Shirley (July 13, 1873-July 24, 1924) and Sarah Frances Virgin (22 July, 1876-15 December, 1968). He was born in Salem, Idaho, which was part of Fremont County in 1912. He was the eighth child of eleven children, all of whom lived to maturity. Older siblings were Frederick Amos, Myrtle Esther, Leo George, Leslie Francis, Eva Sarah, Alice Jennette, Lavina Grace (Bonnie), Rodney James, Hazel Mae and Ada Mary. All were born in Salem except the oldest, Fred, who was born in Fish Haven, in Bear Lake. Salem became part of Madison County by the time Rodney, Hazel and Ada were born.
His father, James Frederick Shirley, (shown left ) was the son of William Henry Shirley and Esther Maria Bubb, who immigrated to the Bear Lake area after joining the Church of Jesus Christ in Cape Province, South Africa. Ross' grandfather was the first of the Shirley's to be baptized, which took place on April 23, 1855. His wife, Esther Maria Bubb, was baptized two days later.
Ross' father, James, was the sixth of seven children, three of whom survived to maturity (the first, third, fifth and seventh children all died before reaching their second year). He was baptized a member of the church on August 21, 1881. The family moved to Salem, near the Rexburg, Idaho area, sometime before Myrtle, their second child, was born in 1899. Ross' father was a good musician and played the pump organ as well as the bass horn. There was no money for music lessons, so he had to learn as best he could. His musical ability seems to have been passed on through the family.
Ross' mother Sarah Frances Virgin (shown left) was the oldest daughter of Amos Moses Virgin and Sarah Frances Merkley. Her grandparents had been persecuted to the point that George Thompston Virgin, (Ross' Great Grandfather) was killed in a train accident. Ross' grandfather, Amos Moses Virgin, walked most of the way across the plains as a young child. The family located in the Bear Lake area. Ross' parents were married in the Logan temple on October 21, 1896. Sarah loved to read, though she had very little formal education. She had a great love for learning. When Ross was twelve years old, his father died from appendicitis. Ross became the designated "cow milker," and they had many cows. Sarah worked hard to keep food on the table, taking work in Sugar City at the seed store, sorting and packaging seeds, which took a toll on her eyesight. Aunt Bonnie told me that she remembered hearing her moter cry in the night after Frederick passed away. She said she did not realize until later the lonliness that comes from such a loss.
I was just looking through genealogy info, etc and came across your blog. My father, Evvian Willis, was your father's cousin. He was Jessie Virgin and George (James) Willis' son. I remember my dad talking about your dad quite often. I found your information interesting. [Evvian Joy Willis Hanson]
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