Sheldon, Albert Hugh

MCCLAUREY, MILLER, TRUITT, CUTLER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/16/2010 at 10:43:07

Albert Hugh Sheldon, who died upon his farm in Bremer county, December 12, 1902, after many years of close connection with agricultural interests of Lafayette township, was born in Otsego county, New York, September 28, 1845. He was a son of William and Agnes (McClaurey) Sheldon, also natives of that county, where the father followed farming. The parents came to Iowa in 1868 and lcoated in Lafayette township, Bremer county, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1872. The mother afterward moved to South Dakota and later to Tennessee, whence she returned to Lafayette township, this county, making her home with the subject of this review until her death, which occurred in February, 1898.

Albert H. Sheldon was the sixth in a family of nine children. He acquired his education in the district schools of Otsego county, New York, and when he was about twenty-one years of age began working as a farm laborer, continuing thus until he came to Iowa, settling in Lafayette township, this county, where he became an independent farmer. Throughout the years which followed he steadily carried forward the work of improving and developing his property, adding to his original tract until he became an extensive landowner. He continued to reside upon his farm until his death, which occurred December 12, 1902.

On the 29th of August, 1871, Mr. Sheldon was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth K. Miller, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of George B. and Charlotte (Truitt) Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born near Philadelphia, and the latter of Delaware. The father moved to Ohio when he was a young man and after his marriage, which occurred in Eaton, that state, he and his wife moved to Iowa, locating in Lafayette township in 1855, in pioneer times. The father became an extensive landowner and a prosperous farmer, continuing to develop his holdings until his death, which occurred June 10, 1882. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1898. To their union were born two children, of whom Mrs. Sheldon is the younger. She now makes her home in Waverly, where her many excellent qualities of mind and character have made her widely and favorably known. She and her husband became the parents of four children: Lena E., the wife of Leroy Cutler, residing on a portion of the Sheldon homestead in Lafayette township; Lotties A., who previous to her death in February, 1910, was a teacher in the Lincoln school in Waverly; George A., a rancher in Fresno county, California; and Lula, who resides with her mother. In early life Mr. Sheldon was a Presbyterian, but after he moved to Iowa he joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served in various positions of trust and responsibility, acting as a member of the school board and as township clek and proving an able and discriminating public official. His life was in all respects exemmplary, and when he passed away the community felt the loss of a worthy citizen and one who had for many years contributed in substantial measure to development and growth.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914