Prof. Gordon K. Zirkle wrote in his book The Zirkle Family in America about the big Zirkle Family reunion. It was held in 1893, the story being abridged from The Shenandoah Valley and The Shenandoah Press of August, 1893. The story as written:
New Market, Virginia…Thursday, August 10, 1893. The Zirkles and their friends, to whom a cordial invitation had been extended, held a family reunion and general picnic in Miss. Nannie Quick’s woods, one mile west of Quicksburg, Virginia. Preparation had been made on a vast scale, in anticipation of a vast concourse of people.
The people began to pour in at an early hour from all directions: in carriages, wagons, horses, and foot back. Free hacks ran back and forth from the railroad station conveying many to the field.
“The woods was full of ‘em when we arrived: the steam Merry-go-Round, the musical phonograph, vendors of cooling drinks, ice cream, cake and candy, the photographers tent, and watermelons…all on the outer side of the huge circle… while within it was the speaker’s stand and benches, also a large hollow square of picnic tables. Around about were giant water-tanks filled with tons of ice.
Bustle and activity were in all directions: the young, the old, the middle-aged—all greeting each other cordially, happily, freely. All went “Merry as a Marriage Belle”. If no weddings come from this gathering of so many charming, healthy young ladies, and so much display of culinary art…such men are really doomed to remain bachelors, and well deserve their fate. Brass bands were playing from Hamburg and Cabin Hill, also a string band with organ from New Market.
More than 2000 were present—about half were Zirkles and related families. We met hundreds of them from Shenandoah, Page and Rockingham Counties. From distant parts of the country we note the following—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hershberger of Baltimore and two sons; Columbus, Ohio—W. B. Rinker, grandmother a Zirkle; Terre Haute, Ohio—Eramus Zirkle (whose father Michael Zirkle left here 64 years ago) wife and daughter; Mrs. Catherine Z. Dingledine, age 70, whose brother Michael Zirkle lives at Dialton, Ohio, They arrived yesterday at A. J. Zirkles near Forestville. And “Uncle Lewis” age 80, was the oldest of the family present, with his brother Reuben, age 66, both of Rockingham County. Dinner was announced and after all had eaten, there was still plenty for thousands more. A very pleasant day.
The assembly was called to order then. Professor J. Milton Zirkle spoke as follows: “Uncles and Aunts, innumerable cousins, who have honored us with your presents…Ladies and Gentlemen: we have no language to express our feelings to this vast assemblage gathered here in our reunion today. All of you are aiding us in making this a day of pleasure. A day of social enjoyment. We say to you with a heart overflowing with love and goodwill…we bid you a hearty welcome!”
“This Reunion, a day of handshaking and pleasant conversation brings to us something of the immensity of our family, a wonderful family from the North, South, East and West numbered in the thousands. And all of us are descendants of five…within little more than a century! I am appointed by the committee to speak for the descendants of the two original fathers who settled on Holman’s Creek near the village of Forestville…”
“I shall say, by way of introduction, that in about the year 1725 our old ancestor, Ludwig Zirkle, left Germany to seek a home in this country. He settled in Pennsylvania and raised a family of five sons and as far as we have been able to learn, two daughters. In about the year 1760 or so, those five sons came to Virginia. Two of them settled on Holman’s Creek, namely, Michael and Andrew; one on the river (George Adam); and two on Smith Creek (Lewis and Peter). One of the Smith Creek brothers (Peter), however, moved to Botecourt County (located at the head of the James River).”
Here Professor Zirkle referred to a diagram chart erected in the rear of the platform, surmounted by six large circles, bearing numerous arrowheads…the collection being found on the Zirkle farm at an old fort. This was the work of Mr. Julius Zirkle who has over 2,000 of them. He continued by saying that the Zirkles were a family of pioneers…”Michael and Andrew often being required to send their children to the fort to keep them safe from Indian atrocities.”
Again referring to the diagram, he said: “I have made a little calculation as to what will be the probable number of the descendants of those five brothers. In one hundred years hence, at the present rate of increase…there will be 1,960,000. And this being Columbus Year suggests the idea…that it will be necessary to discover a new country for the Zirkles.”
After music by the brass band, Dr. F. E. Rice… who spoke as follows: “I have the honor of appearing before you as the trumpeter…of the River branch of the Zirkle family; from the days of George Adam Zirkle to the present, and consisting of six generations.” He then read from the book, “The Family Records of George Adam Zirkle’s Descendants.” by Moses A. Zirkle.
Mr. Elon O. Henkel was the next speaker…following is a sketch read by Mr. Henkel, prepared by Edgar L. Zirkle…embracing that branch of the family that settled on Smith Creek in Rockingham County, Virginia.
“Lewis Zirkle (our Boyd ancestor), located in that region at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He came from Pennsylvania, that portion where Philadelphia now stands. He carried on a tannery and farming, was prosperous and accumulated a large estate. He married a lady by the name of Miss Roush and their issue consisted of four sons and four daughters. He died at the age of 70 years, and his body and that of his wife are buried in St. Matthew Lutheran graveyard; he having the ground for the first Lutheran church in New Market, Virginia. At the time he died he owned fifteen hundred acres of land, a good tannery and fine mill property.
The brother of the original settlers…named Peter, was located at the head of the James River. Letters asking for information have been written to different interested parties, but so far, no answers. With the announcement that the Zirkles congregate to be photographed by Mr. Broun, the exercises closed.
