The Nelson Eaves Family

EAVES

Posted By: Stacey McDowell Dietiker (email)
Date: 11/3/2001 at 22:28:17

Subject: The Nelson Eaves Family
Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 3:03 PM

The Nelson Eaves Family

On August 15, 1862, Nelson B. Eaves and Peter Brenneman, were mustered into
the Union Army at Decatur City, Iowa. They were never home until the war was
over; and they were discharged on August 15, 1865, at Houston, Tex. They
were infantrymen and walked to New Orleans and back during the three years of
service, having fought in several battles. After the war, nelson Eaves
arrived home and married Mary Brenneman, a sister of Peter Brenneman, his
wartime comrade. Peter and Mary were children of Henry H. Brenneman, who
owned the land that later became part of the town of Grand River.

Sarah Brenneman, another daughter of Henry, was the wife of Francis Marion
Shields. They were the parents of Oscar Shields. His mother died before he
was a year old. Nelson and Mary Eaves took him to raise as their own as they
had no children.

In 1872, the Eaves bought eighty acres of land southwest of Westerville from
the Burlington, Missouri, railroad company for $440.60. Later, they bought
enough land so that the farm consisted of two hundred acres. In 1887, they
built a new house.

Mr. Eaves was an auctioneer, carpenter, blacksmith and wagonmaker, as well as
a farmer. He also had time to give talks at the schools and was a very
patriotic man. He loved his country and its flag.

Oscar Shields married Byron C. Bay's daughter, Essie. Her father ran a
livery stable in Grand River. He also ran a barber shop while his brother
ran a general store. Oscar and Essie lived on the Nelson Eaves farm until
his death, February 1, 1952.

The farm is now owned by Sanford E. Shields and qualified for a century farm.

Nelson and Mary Eaves moved to Grand River into a house that had been moved
from Westerville. The house is still standing across the block southwest of
the Methodist church.

Copied from Reflections of Grand River, Iowa 1881-1981 by Stacey McDowell
Dietiker

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