Manfred History & Preservation, Inc.
Emil and Anna Shirley
Husband's Full Name: Emil Shirley
Husband's Place of Birth: Dakota County, MN
Husband's Father's Name: Sjøle
Husband's Mother's Name: unknown
Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown
Wife's Full Name: Anna Thompson Shirley
Wife's Place of Birth: Southern Minnesota
Wife's Father's Name: Gunnar Tollefson Thompson
Wife's Mother's Name: Carrie Thompson
Wife's Siblings' Names: Gernof, Hellina, Gulga
Children's Names: Gilman, Adolph, Evelyn Fuhrman, Pauline
Emil Shirley was united in marriage to Anna Thompson in 1903 at Fessenden, ND. Mr. Shirley homesteaded in Wells County in 1893, and since 1895 lived on the same place northwest of Manfred until his death in 1961. He was born in Dakota County, Minnesota in 1872 and was one of the early members of the Vang Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Shirley were active members of the church throughout their entire lives.
Anna Thompson Shirley came to North Dakota from southern Minnesota in 1902 following her marriage to Mr. Shirley. They had four children - Gilman, Adolph, Evelyn (Mrs. Ben Fuhrman), and Pauline. They had six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Shirley passed away in 1965.
In 1933 their home was destroyed by fire. All of the family survived and a new home was built on the homestead. They moved to their new home in October 1934.