John K. SHEPLEE

SHEPLEE, WARE, WAITE, BABCOCK, EVANS, KING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/17/2014 at 19:28:52

JOHN K SHEPLEE -- One of the most substantial farmers of Wright county is John K. Sheplee who, because of his years of labor, is able now to live a life of comparative ease. Combining the occupations of farming and selling real estate, his success in both speaks well for his good management and steady application to the task he set himself to accomplish. John K Sheplee, who has lived in this county since he was eight years old, was born in Burlington, Iowa, in September, 1863. John K. Sheplee is a son of O. C. and Cordelia (Ware) Sheplee, both natives of Vermont where the former engaged in agriculture until 1856 when he moved west and settled for a short time in Ohio. He engaged in mercantile business for several years in Burlington, Iowa. and later became a traveling man, his merchandise being boots and shoes which he sold for twelve years. In 1871 he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township, this county, and having broken the sod erected an unpretentious house and a barn of the old-fashioned type and there he farmed until 1895. He then retired from active work and moved to Clarion where he died at the age of eighty-seven, having been born on January 14, 1828. Of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Sheplee, three are living these being W. W., George B. and John K. Henry, the youngest son, is deceased. The boyhood life, of John Sheplee was not unlike that of other farmers' boys at that time. He went to school near his home and worked with his father on the farm until he became of age. He and his elder brother then bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Norway township and for eight years farmed in partnership. They then sold out, divided the profits and each took up farming independently. John Sheplee bought a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Norway township and has increased his holdings until he now owns seven hundred and fifty acres in this county. The entire tract is drained with tile. While engaged in farming and stock raising, he disposed of from six to eight carloads of hogs and cattle each year, until his removal to Clarion, which occurred in 1911. He then took up the real-estate business. In 1886 John K. Sheplee was married to Viola Waite, a daughter of George B. and Lucinda (Babcock) Waite. A family of six children grew up, two of whom are married. Edith the eldest daughter, is now Mrs. E. E. Evans and her sister Winifred, born next, married Morrill King. The remaining children, John, Ruth, Esther and Kenneth, are at home. Mrs. Sheplee was born in Wisconsin, although her parents were natives of Maine. G. B. Waite engaged in the lumber business in his native state until his thirtieth year when he moved to Wisconsin, bought a farm and there pursued agricultural work for forty years. Moving then to this county, he farmed here for a few years, and on retiring moved to Clarion where he died in 1898, his wife passing away six years later. Of their eight children, four are now living Mr. and Mrs. John K. Sheplee are active members in the Congregational church, in whose work and worship they have been interested for many years. Mr. Sheplee votes with the Republican party. He was for six years county supervisor, an office which he filled with credit both to himself to the commonwealth which he served.

History of Wright County Iowa, Its peoples, industries and institutions, by B. P. Birdsall, B.P. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1915, page 448.