Daniel Sheller

SHELLER, BRANDT, ALBRIGHT, STRICKLER, MILLER, MOORE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/14/2011 at 17:35:26

DANIEL SHELLER follows farming on section 10, Melrose Township. A well spent life entitles him to a representation in the history of Grundy County, where he has made his home for more than a quarter of a century. He was born in York County, Pa., September 25, 1817, and is a son of Daniel Sheller, who was born and reared and spent the greater part of his life as a farmer in Franklin County. He here married Elizabeth Brandt, of Cumberland County, Pa., and they became the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to mature years, while four are yet living. In religious belief the father was a German Baptist, and took an active part in church work. He had the high regard of all with whom he came in contact.

No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject, which were spent upon the home farm in his native state. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges. In 1841, he bade adieu to old friends, with the intention of trying his fortune upon the broad prairies of the west. He journeyed toward the setting sun, and cast his lot among the early settlers of Carroll County, Ill., where he entered about one hundred and seventy acres of land from the Government. He made the journey in company with his brother-in-law, Jacob Albright. He at once began clearing and cultivating his land, and in course of time had developed a fine farm.

In 1842, Mr. Sheller was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Strickler, daughter of Henry Strickler. She was born in Franklin County, Pa., and died June 3, 1884, leaving three children: Henry S., a wide-awake and enterprising farmer of Melrose Township; Mary S., wife of W. F. Miller, of the same township; and Elizabeth S., wife of George A. Moore, a prominent farmer of Melrose Township.

Mr. Sheller continued farming in Carroll County until March, 1866, when he removed to Grundy County, and located upon the farm which is now his home. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land at $20 per acre, but has since disposed of eighty acres. The remaining quarter-section is well watered, the fields are well tilled, and upon the place stand good barns and a comfortable residence, which are as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. The place is characterized by a neat and orderly appearance, and is one of the desirable farms of the neighborhood. For about forty years Mr. Sheller has been connected with the German Baptist Church. He aided in the organization of the church in this township, is now serving as one of its Deacons, and has ever taken a very active part in church and benevolent work, doing all in his power to advance the cause. He is now one of the oldest settlers living in Melrose Township, and is well deserving of representation in the history of his adopted county.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894