Jacob Schirf, Sr. 1 was born in Germany in March or July 1831 (died
1915) (1900 Census) and "orphaned at a tender age"supported himself in
Germany by working for a shoemaker. ("Barnesboro Star", 29 June 1906). In
1854 he immigrated to America from Wurtenberg. (1880 and 1900 Census),
settling initially in Allegheny County, Pa. In 1855 he married in Allegheny
County Gertrude Heiler/Huber. (Ledoux,Vol.5, items 3052 and 8254). (She
bornMarch 1826-D.25 April 1904).I suspect that they both may have
immigrated in the same ship. In Allegheny County Jacob worked as a
shoemaker making shoes for the soldiers of the Civil war under a government
contract during the period 1861-1863. In late1863 he and his family moved
to the Blacklick District of Susquehanna Township (i.e that part which in
September 1872 became Barr Twp.).
In June 1864 with the encouragement of the priests at the Benedictine
Priory in Carrolltown, especially the Prior, Rev. Giles Christoph, O.S.B.,
the Catholic Congregation in the Blacklick District decided to build a
parish church at Nicktown on a 14 acre heavily wooded tract donated by
Nuichiolas Lambour. Aftetr the Bishop's approval, Prior Giles appointed
Jacob Schirf as the foreman of the work of clearing the forest, excavating
the foundation, and hauling the stone and lumber.He was assisted by, among
others, Francis Peters, Jr. , whose sonFrancis Joseph Peters in 1911
married Jacob Schirf's granddaughter, Catherine (Katie) Schirf.(Cambria
County Marriage Book41, page 615). The cornerstone for the new church was
blessed on21 June 1866 and the frame building (70 x 50 ft.) completed in
January 1867.
Jacob Schirf owned extensive lands in the southeastern corner of Barr
Township. In the 1890 Business Directory of Barr Twp. he was labeled as
"Farmer and Dealer in Lumber on Schirf Creek" which flows into Blacklick
Creek.
Jacob's wife, Gertrude Heiler born March 1826 in Germany, immigrated
1854 to America from Wurtemberg, married Jacob in 1855, died 25 April 1904
and interred in St Nicholas Cemetery, Nicktown, Barr Twp, Cambria County,
Pa. In the 1880 Census she was listed as "part blind".
Jacob Schirf 1, her husband, born March or July 1831 in Germany
immigrated to America in 1854 from Wurtemberg, possibly in the same ship,
married Gertrude in 1855 and died January 1815. (Obituary published 2
February 1915 in Johnstown "Tribune", Will filed 8 March 1915/8 January
1917 in Cambria County Will Book 9, page 626 neither of which have I seen
or reviewed).

Jacob Schirf 1 and Gertrude Heiler/Huber had nine children , four of
whom did not survive to maturity:
1. Peter Schirf 2 born about 1856 in Allegheny Co. married about
1878 Theresa Stoltz born 5 April 1857.
2. Sabrina Schirf 2 born March 1859 in Allegheny Co. married 23
May 1882 Adam Lulei/Lulay. Jr., son of Adam Lulay, Sr. and Sabrina Gudium.
3.&4. Two of Jacob's children gender, names, and dates of birth not
evident were born probably between that of Peter & Sabrina & died in
Allegheny Co.
5. Conrad Schirf 2 born8 October 1860 Allegheny Co. married twice
1) Margaret Brehm 1882, 2) Katharine Wassum 1913 ( Marriage Bk 47, pg 595).
6. Giles Schirf 2 born March 1862 Allegheny Co. married 1908 Mary
Elizabeth Kirsch (Bk 35, page 637).
7. John Schirf 2 born August 1863 Allegheny Co. married 1897
Catherine Mary Nissell (Book 15 , page 61).
8. Jacob Schirf, Jr. 2 born 26 March 1865 Cambria County,
(Ledoux Vol 5, Item 3052).Died 1881 St Nicholas Cemetery, Nicktown, Pa.
9. Nicholas Schirf 2 born 27 May 1869 Cambria County. (Ledoux,
Vol 5, Item 8254). Died 1881 St Nicholas Cemetery, Nicktown.