THOMAS WILLIAM SHERIDAN

Thomas William Sheridan, who is well known as a stock-raiser and dealer of Huron township, shipping on an average four or five car-loads of cattle annually, was born on the farm which is now his home, his natal day being Oct. 30, 1854. His parents were Thomas and Eliza (Latta) Sheridan. The father came to Des Moines county from Pickaway county, Ohio, about 1840, finding here a region largely undeveloped and unimproved. Much of the land was still in possession of the government, and he secured a claim of three hundred twenty acres on Sections 2 and 3, Huron township. This he developed into an excellent farm, making his home thereon up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1871, when he was sixty-one years of age. His widow survived him for a few years, and passed away at the age of sixty-six. They were worthy pioneer people, who aided largely in planting the seeds of civilization and improvement here, and they well deserve mention on the pages of history devoted to the representative citizens, past and present, of Des Moines county. In retrospect one can see Thomas William Sheridan as a farmer lad in attendance on the district schools of his township, and when not busy with his text-books and the pleasures of the playground, assisting in the work of the home farm. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and has made most of the improvements upon the property which he now owns and occupies. The old house which was built by his father has recently been torn down, and is supplanted by a new, modern residence. There are also good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about his place is kept in good repair. He raises and feeds from four to five car-loads of cattle annually, and about the same number of hogs. He makes a specialty of Duroc hogs, and raises horses of the Norman breed for draft purposes. He is considered an excellent judge of stock, and is an authority on their value and on the best method of caring for farm animals. He has erected several substantial barns, and everything about his place is in keeping with modern ideas of progressive farming. He has added to his property a tract of eighty acres on the east, which he bought off Anthony Schutt; and from Frank Wilcox he purchased one hundred twenty-five acres in Section 11, Huron township. He therefore now has extensive and valuable property interests, and is one of the leading agriculturists of his community. Mr. Sheridan was married in February, 1890, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Mary Wilkie, a daughter of Thomas and Luella (Banty) Wilkie, and a native of Huron township, Des Moines county. Mr. and Mrs. Sheriden now have eight children, namely: True, Paul, Loyal, Ronald, Clifford, Carroll, Genevieve, and Kermit. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Sheridan belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 4380, of Oakfield. He is interested in the progress and improvement of the county in social and church affairs, and in political questions which affect the welfare of the county, State, and nation: but his chief interest centers in his business , and through capable management and unfaltering diligence he has become one of the foremost representatives of agricultural life in Huron township.