J. Sherman Gettis

GETTIS, RANDALL, SCANLON, MULVAHILL, NORVET, ANDERSON

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 7/15/2009 at 06:58:19

Upon a farm in Newton township, Winnebago county, resides J. Sherman Gettis, who owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of highly productive land on sections 9 and 10, and he also controls other property. His home place is one of the best improved in the county and in its attractive appearance indicates the care and supervision bestowed upon it by the owner.

Mr. Gettis was born in Tama county, Iowa, on the 26th of March, 1868, a son of M. C. and Sarah (Randall) Gettis, who were natives of Ohio. The father came to Iowa in 1848 when a youth of sixteen years and settled in Cedar county where he operated a sawmill, sawing some of the first railroad ties that were laid in the state. Later he removed to Tama county where he operated a sawmill until 1878. He then purchased land in Tama and Hardin counties and continued the cultivation of his fields until 1890, when he removed to Winnebago county where he cultivated a farm for seventeen years, or until 1907. He then retired and now resides upon a five acre tract of land east of Forest City, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has reached the advanced age of eighty-five years, but his wife passed away in 1878.

J. Sherman Gettis was reared and educated in Hardin county and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-three years. He then rented land near Forest City, upon which he lived for thirteen years, and on the expiration of that period he bought two hundred and forty acres on sections 9 and 10, Newton township, Winnebago county. This he set about improving and in addition to its cultivation he has control of the old Scanlon estate embracing two hundred and sixty-six acres on section 26, Linden township. His home farm is one of the best improved places in the county and in addition to its cultivation he also rents land and is farming altogether four hundred acres. His life is indeed a busy and useful one, for he neglects no part of his work. He is active early late and in cultivating his fields he employs the most progressive methods. He feeds from one to five carloads of cattle and from one to five carloads of hogs annually, having thus engaged in stock raising for the past twenty years. He also buys and ships a large amount of stock and he is one of the stockholders in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Thompson. In business affairs his judgment is sound and his discrimination keen, and he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

In May, 1891, Mr. Gettis was married to Miss Maggie Scanlon, a daughter of Patrick and Johanna (Mulvahill) Scanlon, who were natives of Ireland and came to America at an early day. The father engaged in railroad building and was one of the pioneers of this section of the state. He bought land in Linden township and thereafter devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He passed away in March, 1909, while his wife survived only until February, 1910.

Mr. and Mrs. Gettis have become the parents of six children: Sarah, who is the wife of E. T. Norvet, of Forest City; Ethel, the wife of Harry Anderson, a farmer living near Leland, Iowa; Callie B., who is teaching school in Newton township; Patrick, at home; and Cora and Dora, twins.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Gettis has given his allegiance to the republican party and he is now serving for the second term as a trustee of Newton township. He has also been for eight years a member of the school board and believes in giving the young every opportunity for advancement along educational lines, that they may be well qualified for the practical and responsible duties of life. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, according to whose teachings his life has been directed, and Mrs. Gettis is a Catholic. He enjoys high regard, not only as a successful business man but as a patriotic citizen and as one whose life has at all times measured up to high standards.

~History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1917, pg 58-59