SHIMER, R.C.

SHIMER, MELVIN, TISDALE

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 4/16/2013 at 08:18:57

The 1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

Warren Township

Page 817

SHIMER, R.C.--Farmer, section 8, P.O. Brooklyn. Was born December 10, 1829, in Berlin, Holmes county, Ohio, where he lived and attended school till his twentieth year. When fourteen, he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, his father being a blacksmith, and in the fall of 1850, he engaged in dealing in groceries, which business he continued till July, 1852, then sold out and came to this county, engaging in farming and working at his trade, also teaching school, residing in Brooklyn till the spring of 1855, he owning and living in the first house in Brooklyn. At that time he returned to his farm and engaged in tilling the same, where he now lives and owns 200 acres of good land, forty of this same being timber, the balance in a good state of cultivation. He was the first clerk of the township, which office he now fills with satisfaction to all. He was married November 10, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Melvin, a resident of this county, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, August 15, 1831, and from this union there are seven children: William A. (born November 4, 1854), Ella (born January 5, 1857; now the wife of George W. Tisdale, of Monona county, Iowa), Silas M. (born November 30, 1861), James J. (born March 21, 1866), Howard (born April 18, 1870) and Alma (born December 7, 1872). Mr. Shimer taught the first term of school taught in Bear Creek township.