Sheldon, Luzern

SHELDON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 21:15:08

Luzern Sheldon

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.470)
LUZERN SHELDON, one of the prominent and successful farmers of Washington Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, located here in 1874. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 20, 1841. His father, Benjamin SHELDON, was a native of Connecticut, and a son of Jonathan SHELDON, who was born in New England. The ancestors of the SHELDON family were English people who came to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Fowler, Trumbull County. The mother of our subject, nee Ada AMES, was daughter of Benjamin AMES, also a New Englander. She was born in Massachusetts, and was married in Trumbull County, Ohio, to Benjamin SHELDON. They reared four children, as follows: Joel, a resident of Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan; Luzern; Sarah, Deceased; and DeEtte Browning, a resident of Geauga County, Ohio. Mr. And Mrs. SHELDON lived in Trumbull County until their death, the father dying at the age of sixty-three years. He was a farmer all his life, a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church.

Luzern SHELDON was brought up on the farm and was educated in the public schools of his native state. August 31, 1862, he wedded Miss Anna ANDREWS, a lady of intelligence and of a good family. She was born in Hartford, Trumbull County, Ohio, the daughter of Drayton ANDREWS. Her grandfather, Chester ANDREWS, was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. SHELDON’s mother’s maiden name was Anna BATES. She was also born in Hartford, Trumbull County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Daniel BATES. She died and left four daughters, Mrs. SHELDON being only seven months old at that time. The father subsequently moved to Hillsdale, Michigan where he died at the age of seventy-six years. He was a merchant and a miller. In politics, he was a Republican and in religion a Presbyterian. The other three daughters are Lovina JONES, Fowler, Ohio; Fidelia FINNEY, who died in Trumbull County, Ohio; and Laura KING, a resident of Castlewood, South Dakota.

Mr. SHELDON lived in his native county until 1874, when he came to Iowa and bought 160 acres of land, his present farm. This country was then thinly settled, and for two years he was two miles and a half from his nearest neighbor. The wild land has been converted into a well-improved farm, with grove and orchard, barn and other necessary buildings. His house is one and a half stories, 14 X 24 feet, with a one-story addition, 14 X 20 feet. It is built in the southern style and is situated on a natural building site near the road.

Eight children have been born to Mr. And Mrs. SHELDON, namely: Homer L., is married and lives in Nebraska; Rev. Chester E. SHELDON was educated in Dixon, Illinois, is married and resides in Floyd County, Iowa; he is a minister in the Evangelical Church, has met with success in his labors to spread the Gospel, and is now only twenty-five years old; Benjamin, who was educated in Hillsdale, Michigan, is also a resident of Floyd County, Iowa; Guy A., who has been in Woodbury County, Iowa, the past year, is now at home; Frank is in Ohio; Clayton, at St. Paul, Minnesota, with his uncle; and Ettie K. and Anna Pearl are now attending the home school. Mr. SHELDON, his wife and seven of their children are members of the Evangelical Church. In political views, he is independent. He is a man in the prime of life and is regarded by all who know him as a worthy and respected citizen.