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JAMES D. SHUCK, a successful farmer living in section 4, Leroy Township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1850, a son of John and Sabina (Climber) Shuck, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shuck died in 1886, aged seventy-two years, and his wife died in 1903, aged eighty-four. They were parents of eleven children, of whom five survive, namely: Sarah, widow of Randall Becket, of South Dakota; Caroline, widow of Andrew Wise, of Cedar county, Iowa; M. L., of Clarence, Iowa; James D., and John S.; of Clarence, Iowa.
John Shuck was a farmer and came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1862. Here he and his wife died.
James D. Shuck was reared on a farm, received a common school education and attended high school at Clarence, Iowa. In 1872 he engaged in the jewelry business in Blairstown, Iowa, and six years later sold his interests and rented his father-in-law's place, which he now owns. He and his wife own one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, and they keep the place in fine condition. They have been very successful in their farming, and are well liked in the community. Politically Mr. Shuck is a Republican, and he takes an active interest in public affairs. He is now school director and has been president of the board; he has also served as justice of the peace and road superintendent. He and his wife are members of the Blairstown Presbyterian church.
Mr. Shuck married October 26, 1875, Carrie Sterling, born near Rockford, Illinois, September 11, 1855, daughter of James S. and Julietta (Pennock) Sterling. Mr. Sterling was born in Livingston county, New York, May 2, 1822, and died in May, 1909. His wife was also born in the state of New York, October 19, 1827, and died September 7, 1884. They had three children, of whom two survive, Mrs. Shuck and Frank P. of Washington. Mr. Sterling had a roving disposition, and at the age of sixteen years went away on a whaling expedition, being away four years. He went to Michigan when a mere boy and wandered around a few years, and in 1849 went from Illinois to California, where he remained a year and a half; he returned to Illinois and lived there on a farm until 1856, then came to Benton county, Iowa, locating in section 4, Leroy township, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. In 1866 he sold out and started to Colorado with a threshing outfit, but returned to Benton county that fall, and on December 25th of that year rented his farm in Leroy township one year and during that time he purchased the one hundred and sixty acres that he and his wife now own. He was a hardy pioneer and made the trip1 first to Iowa with a wagon. He was at Pikes Peak at the time of the gold excitement. He went to Nebraska on a visit, when seventy-five years old, and when ready to return bought a bronco pony and rode it on the return journey. He was very active all his life, and well known, and he readily made friends and was a good neighbor. He was a Republican in his political affiliations. Mr. Shuck and his wife have three children, namely: Minnie, wife of George W. Goss, of Blairstown, Iowa; Hattie, wife of Lawrence W. Traer, of Vinton; and Grant S., of South Dakota.
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