Shelhamer, Jesse B. 1824-1896

SHELHAMER, BUCKALOW, PEARCE, PATTERSON, SINGER, LYMING, WERTMAN, DEPPEN, ESLER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/9/2021 at 16:29:44

After several months of sickness and suffering our friend and fellow-townsman, J.B. Shelhamer, sank to rest Tuesday evening, Dec. 8th, 1896, at the age of 72 years and 11 months.

He was born January 10th, 1824, in Columbia county,, Penn., the son of Solomon and Jane (Buckalow) Shelhamer, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent.

In 1836 with his parents he came to Dixon, Ill., where he worked on his father's farm until he was 23 years old. In 184 he bought a farm in Delaware county, Iowa. Selling this place in 1855 he went to St. Paul and preempted 139 acres opposite that city across the river. Here he followed farming until 1856 when he removed to 100 miles north of St. Paul and entered 100 acres. In the fall of 1857 he returned to Elkader and afterwards moved to Wagner township.

The summer of 1862 he spent at Pike's Peak returning that fall. On Dec. 8th, 1864 he enlisted in Co. K, First Iowa Cavalry, Veteran Volunteers, and after the close of the war he was sent to Texas.

Mr. Shelhamer was first married in 1846 to Louise E. Pearce. Of this union four children were born one now living, Mrs. Dr. H.S. Patterson, of Elkader. Mrs. S. died in the spring of 1855 and the following winter he married Mrs. Martha J. Singer. Three children was the result of this marriage, one living, Mrs. Daniel Patterson of Waupeton, N. Dak. Having lost his wife some time previous, in 1877, he married Mrs. Catherine Lyming, who survives him.

While a resident of Wagner township Mr. Shelhamer successfully served in several township offices, although politically opposed to the majority of the people of the township, which is an evidence of the respect in which he was held.

About twelve years ago Mr. S. moved to Elkader and engaged in the draying business and during the most of that time has served as justice of the peace. Universally respected, Uncle Jessie will be mourned and missed from among us.

Three brothers, Thomas, at Geneso, Ill., Joseph, at Dixon, Ill., and Chas., in the state of Washington, with three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Wertman, Franklin Grove, Ill., Mrs. Sarah Deppen, Mt. Morris, Ill., and Mrs. Catherine Esler, St. Peters, Minn., are called to mourn his loss. Of these Thomas, Mrs. Wertman and Mrs. Esler were enabled to be present and say farewell to the departed.

The funeral services were held at the new Congregational church yesterday afternoon, and were very largely attended. After the religious service by Revs. Ellis and Fisk, the last sad rites of the Grand Army service was rendered by the members of E. Boardman Post, No. 184, of which the deceased was a member.

Another soldier has passed away to be numbered with the great Captains in the Grand Army that has gone before.

~Elkader Register, Friday, December 11, 1896; pg 9

Same issue & page of the paper:
-Miss Alice Patterson was called home last week from her studies at the Western college by the serious illness of her grand-father, J.B. Shelhamer.
-Thomas Shelhamer, who has been here the past week attending the last illness of his brother, J.B., was called home to Geneso, Ill., Wednesday by the serious illness of his granddaughter, a young lady of 16 years.