SHINN, David Wesley

SHINN, REESE, TRUMP

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 13:46:47

Biography ~ David Wesley Shinn

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 626-27:

DAVID WESLEY SHINN, farmer, section 2, Eden Township, was born in Harrison County, Virginia, September 28, 1823. When he was three years of his father, DAVID SHINN, immigrated with his family to Adams County, Illinois, thence to Fulton County, in 1836. In 1845 they removed to Clinton County, Iowa, where they remained two years, when the mother died. The family then returned to Illinois, where they lived in Fulton and McDonough counties until the death of the father, in 1860. The SHINN family were of English ancestry, immigrating to America before the Revolution. DAVID SHINN, Sr., had nine children, of whom DAVID W. was the seventh. He was reared in Illinois and received his education in the common schools. At nineteen years of age he commenced teaching district school, and taught several years, both in Illinois and Iowa. He taught in all seventeen terms. He came to De Witt, Clinton County, Iowa, and taught two terms, then returned to Illinois, where he resumed his labors. In 1851 he again came to Clinton County, and the following year was married at Fairfield, Iowa, to ASENETH M. REESE, born in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1828. Her parents were JOEL and MARY (SHINN) REESE, who moved to Illinois when Mrs. SHINN was three years old. When she was seven years old her father died, and in 1848 her mother removed to Iowa with the younger children. The older ones had married and remained in Illinois. Mrs. SHINN was also a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. SHINN lived in Clinton County one year, then removed to Decatur County. They have been prospered in life, and have reared a family of twelve children, of whom they have every reason to be proud. Several of the older ones have held responsible positions. The children are - WALTER C., born July 28, 1853, learned the printer’s trade, with P. O. JAMES, at Leon, and with his brother LLOYD published the first paper in Rice County, Kansas, and now resides in Dodge City, Kansas; MARY L., widow of ROBERT L. TRUMP, was a teacher several years, and now resides in Dodge City; OTIS LLOYD M., learned the printer’s trade at Leon, studied law, and was admitted to the bar, engaged in editorial work several years, was postmaster at Dodge City, and probate judge of Ford County. He died December 8, 1882, a few days before his twenty-seventh birthday, loved and lamented by all. He was to a great extent a self-educated man, having never attended school after the age of sixteen. He was a great student, and left a fine library. No man stood higher in the community did LLOYD M. SHINN. He left a competence to his parents. LEANDER R. has been engaged in railroading in the West for several years. He was born February 28, 1857; EVA E., born July 20, 1858, is a successful teacher, and resides in Ford County, Kansas; LAURA ALICE, born October 8, 1860, lost her sight from scarlet fever before she was four years of age, graduated in 1879 at the Iowa College for the Blind, at Vinton; is a young lady highly esteemed for her; many noble qualities of mind and heart; OLIVE ASENETH, born April 20. 1862; CHARLES W., born March 15, 1864; FRANK D., born February 24, 1866; EDGAR M., born December 1, 1867; MILLS E., born February 4, 1870, and GREY A., born February 4, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. SHINN are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

NOTE: David Wesley Shinn died on February 3, 1905. Aseneth (Reese) Shinn died on December 8, 1918. Leander R. Shinn died on February 28, 1899. Otis Lloyd Shinn died on December 8, 1882. Frank D. Shinn died on March 28, 1892. Interments were made at Leon Cemetery, Leon IA.

Submission by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Museum, January of 2014

Note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014