KERRINS, Thomas F.

KERRINS, MCCRYSTAL, PARKER, SHEFFLER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 17:25:15

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 265-66. Chicago. 1915.

THOMAS F. KERRINS

Thomas F. Kerrins, who is conducting a garage and a horse livery at Pleasanton, Iowa, also deals quite extensively in land. He was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 8th of January, 1890, a son of Charles and Viola (McCrystal) Kerrins, natives respectively of Ireland and of Canada. When but two years of age the father was brought to this country by his parents and upon growing to mature years decided to devote his life to agricultural pursuits. He farmed in Livingston county, Illinois, for many years, after which he removed to Decatur county, Iowa, where he cultivated land for two years. He then went to Kossuth county, where he is still engaged in farming. He likewise operated a livery stable for six years. His wife also survives.

Thomas F. Kerrins was reared and educated in Livingston county, Illinois, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. At the end of that time he removed to Lyman county. South Dakota, and for a year operated a farm, after which he came to Pleasanton, this county, and purchased land which he farmed for one year. Since that time he has bought, sold and traded land and has been very successful in that line. On March 8, 1915, he engaged in the automobile business, becoming the agent for the Overland car. He operates a well equipped garage and also conducts a horse livery. He is aggressive and has excellent business judgment and there is no doubt that he will succeed in his new undertaking.

On the 8th of January, 1914, Mr. Kerrins married Miss Gladys Sheffler, a daughter of James and Annie (Parker) Sheffler, pioneers of Kankakee, Illinois, who later removed to Remington, Indiana. There the father operated a livery stable for eighteen years, after which he went to Manilla, Iowa, where for four years he was engaged in the hardware business. At the end of that time he came to Decatur county and purchased land in Hamilton township, to the cultivation of which he has since given his time.

Mr. Kerrins is a democrat and is stalwart in his support of that party. His religious faith is that of the Quakers, or Friends, and fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He owns excellent residence property and one acre of ground in Pleasanton and also owns residence lots in Leon. Although he is one of the youngest business men in Pleasanton he has gained a measure of success that a man nmch his senior might well envy and his friends predict for him continued achievement.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014