On August 15, 1862, Nelson B. Eaves and Peter Brenneman, were mustered into the Union Army at Decatur City, Iowa. They were never home until the war was over; and they were discharged on August 15, 1865, at Houston, Tex. They were infantrymen and walked to New Orleans and back during the three years of service, having fought in several battles. After the war, Nelson Eaves arrived home and married Mary Brenneman, a sister of Peter Brenneman, his wartime comrade. Peter and Mary were children of Henry H. Brenneman, who owned the land that later became part of the town of Grand River.

Sarah Brenneman, another daughter of Henry, was the wife of Francis Marion Shields. They were the parents of Oscar Shield. His mother died before he was a year old. Nelson and Mary Eaves took him to raise as their own as they had no children.

In 1872, the Eaves bought eighty acres of land southwest of Westerville from the Burlington, Missouri, railroad company for $440.60. Later, they bought enough land so that the farm consisted of two hundred acres. In 1887, they built a new house.

Mr. Eaves was an auctioneer, carpenter, blacksmith and wagonmaker, as well as a farmer. He also had time to give talks at the schools and was a very patriotic man. He loved his country and its flag.

Oscar Shields married Byron C. Bay's daughter, Essie. Her father ran a livery stable in Grand River. He also ran a barber shop while his brother ran a general sotre. Oscar and Essie lived on the Nelson Eaves farm until his death, February 1, 1952.

This farm is now owned by.....

Nelson and Mary Eaves moved to Grand River into a house that had been moved from Westerville. The house is still standing across the block southwest of the Methodist Church.