BIO: James Findlay SHUNK, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 345.
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  SHUNK, JAMES FINDLAY, the youngest son of Gov. Francis R. Shunk, was 
born April 18, 1836.  He was educated at Harrisburg Academy, and at the 
University of Virginia, at which later institution he attended a course 
of lectures on the science of law.  Perchance the best education he 
received, and that which fitted him peculiarly for the profession of 
journalism, which he adopted, was the literary training he received by 
extensive reading and close study of the best English authors, and by a 
careful and rigid observance of language and style.  He wrote the 
raciest English that flowed from the pen of any writer for the press in 
Pennsylvania.  His power of sarcasm was immense, though he lacked that 
of invective.  Many of his articles which appeared in print were 
attributed to some of the most eminent men of the country, and others 
often obtained the credit which of right belonged to him, so modest, 
unobtrusive, and even sensitive was he in regard to any publicity of 
his name as that of the author of the articles alluded to.  He died 
quite young, being not yet thirty-eight years of age, as brilliant a 
journalist as ever held a pen, with intellect fully ripened and a wide 
field before him for the exercise of his peculiar talents.  He died at 
Harrisburg, January 20, 1874.  Mr. Shunk married a daughter of Judge 
Jeremiah S. Black, of York.