JOHN WALSHIRE

John Walshire, an honored veteran of the Civil war, has for many years been numbered among the most progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Fremont township, owning a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 7. Cedar county has been his home for the past third of a century. His birth occurred on the 3d of November, 1843, in Fairfield county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood on a farm, attending the common schools in the acquirement of an education. In March, 1863, he enlisted for service in the Union army, joining Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He was first under fire at Nashville, Tennessee, and later participated in the engagements at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He also took part in the last fight at Nashville, where General Thomas defeated Hood. In September, 1865, he was honorably discharged. During his term of service he fell a victim to the measles and spent two weeks in a hospital in Nashville. He was mustered out there and returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he was discharged.

Immediately after his return he went to work on the home farm and as his father died five days later, the management of the place and the care of the family devolved upon him. Three years later his mother was called to her final rest. Subsequently he sold his interest in the homestead property and worked by the month for three years. On the expiration of that period he rented land and was thus actively identified with general agricultural pursuits until 1877, when he came to Cedar county, Iowa, here purchasing the tract of one hundred and twenty acres on which he has resided continuously since. A few acres of the land had been broken and the only buildings on the place were a cabin and shed. Setting resolutely to work, he prepared the soil for cultivation, erected a substantial residence, commodious barn and cattle shed and planted evergreen, shade and fruit trees. He also fenced and tiled the land and has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement, annually gathering bounteous harvests. In connection with the tilling of the soil he raises and fattens from one to two carloads of hogs and cattle each year. He likewise raises good standard bred horses and in both his farming and live-stock interests has won well merited success.

On the 14th of November, 1869, Mr. Walshire was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Fisher, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Mathias Fisher, who followed farming in Fairfield county, that state. Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, namely: Edward F., an agriculturist of Fremont township; David E. and Lewis J., who are still under the parental roof; and A. T., who passed away in January, 1908, leaving a son, Arthur. The latter, a youth of sixteen, makes his home with his grandparents. They also lost three children in early youth, George F., who died at the age of twelve years; William Allen, when nine years of age; and Eva, who passed away in infancy.

When national questions and issues are involved Mr. Walshire supports the democracy but at local elections votes independently. He was formerly a republican, however, and in 1868 cast his first presidential ballot for General U. S. Grant, whom he again supported in 1872. Later, when Grover Cleveland was nominated for the presidency, he cast his ballot for the democratic candidate. He acted as township trustee for two years and has been secretary of the school board for twenty years, still serving in the latter capacity. Reared in the Catholic faith, he has always remained a communicant of that church. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the G. A. R. post at Mechanicsville. In every relation of life he has commanded the trust and confidence of his fellowmen, possessing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime win recognition and regard.