My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED L. STIRLEN. Progressive agriculturists throughout the country have learned that there is a profitable source of revenue in the raising of fine stock, and to this occupation, therefore, a constantly increasing amount of attention is being devoted. Among the residents of Pettis County who have made a specialty of this line of work, we mention the name of Mr. Stirlen, the owner of a finely improved farm lying on section 3, township 45, range 21. Upon his place may be noticed as fine stock as is to be found in the state, his specialties being Shorthorn and Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs and Denmark horses.

Nine miles from Ft. Wayne, in Allen County, Ind., the subject of this notice was born, August 17, 1857, being the son of Wilson R. and Cynthia (Gradless) Stirlen. His father, who was born in Ohio, July 26, 1826, married his first wife there, and after her death removed to Indiana. Settling in Allen County, he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, which he cleared and placed under good cultivation, and upon which he still makes his home. After coming to Indiana, he married Miss Gradless, and they became the parents of three children. At the birth of the youngest, Alfred L., the mother died, and subsequently the father again married, becoming by this union the father of six children, of whom four still survive.

The eldest son in the family, Josiah, is a resident of Hughesville Township, Pettis County; he is married and has three children. Allen, next in order of birth, is a farmer of Allen County, Ind., and also has three children. Mary Florence, the eldest child of the third union of Mr. Stirlen, became the wife of Samuel Stophlett, of Ft Wayne, Ind., but now Auditor of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Kansas City, Mo. Hattie E. is the wife of Allen Metsker, baggage master in the employ of a railroad at Ft. Wayne. John and Clara reside with their parents.

In the log cabin erected by his father soon after coming to Indiana, our subject first opened his eyes to the light. The first twenty years of his life were spent upon the home farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted. From there he went to Sedalia, and for eighteen months was in the employ of his uncle near that city. As soon as able, he bought a horse, for which he paid cash, and purchased another with the privilege of paying for it later. With this start, he rented a tract of land in Pettis County, and at once began the active life of an agriculturist.

As a helpmate on life’s journey, Mr. Stirlen chose Miss Fannie Gorrell, with whom he was united in marriage February 28, 1883. Mrs. Stirlen was born ten miles north of Sedalia, December 7, 1861, being the daughter of Capt. John B. and Mary H. (Tabb) Gorrell, the former born in Todd County, Ky., February 14, 1817, and the latter a native of Virginia, born February 7, 1815. In 1889 our subject bought his present homestead of one hundred and seventy acres, upon which he has erected a comfortable residence, built good fences and made desirable improvements. Both as a general farmer and as a stock-raiser he has been very successful, and is recognized as one of the efficient farmers and shrewd business men of the county.

Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stirlen, namely: Nannie Maude, who was born in Heath’s Creek Township, Pettis County, April 13, 1884; Lura Blanche, born in Prairie Township, this county, October 4, 1886; Wilson Robert, whose birth occurred in Prairie Township, October 30, 1888; and Walter Wayne, who passed away at the age of six months. In politics Mr. Stirlen is a Republican, but is not active in public affairs. His first Presidential ballot was cast for James Garfield, and he has since supported the candidates of the Republican party. With his wife, he holds membership in the Baptist Church.