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         THOMAS L. ESTLE, deceased, settled on section 13, Concord Township, in 1838. He was a native of New Jersey, born in 1814, and was the eldest in a family of eight children. His parents were also native of New Jersey, and when he was a small lad they removed to Ohio, which was then a Territory. Thomas there received his education in the district schools, and made it his home until twenty-four years of age, when he came to Louisa County, Iowa, making his first purchase of land at the Burlington land sale of 1839. The country was then in its virgin state, hardly a furrow had been turned on the prairie or a tree cut in the forest. Mr. Estle had to endure all the trials and privations of pioneer life, even having to make the rails used for fences, but with perseverance and untiring energy he worked on until he had improved 1,179 acres of land in Louisa and Muscatine Counties.

In 1844, in this county, Mr. Estle was united in marriage with Susan Shellabarger, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Shellabarger, who was also born in the Buckeye State. During the early days of the history of this county her parents came to Iowa, settling on section 13, Concord Township, where they resided until their death, which occurred many years ago. The young couple began their domestic life upon the same farm, where they resided until after the death of Mr. and Mrs. Shellabarger, when they removed to Cedar Township, Muscatine County. Ten children were born of their union, and eight of that number are yet living: William B., who is married, and resides in Taylor County, Iowa; Mary A., now Mrs. Thompson, is living in Grand View; Elizabeth L., now Mrs. Smith, makes her home in Adams County, Iowa; Jacob S. is married, and resides in Oakland Township; John is married, and located in Dallas county, Iowa; Charles is also married, and resides in Concord Township; Sarah A., wife of Dr. Hall, is a resident of Louisiana; Margaret B., now Mrs. McColm, is living in Muscatine County, on the old homestead.

Mr. Estle resided in Muscatine County, Iowa, until the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 13, 1884, after an illness of only a week’s duration. His excellent wife survived him until June 15, 1888, when she too departed this life, at the age of seventy years, having been a resident of Iowa for over half a century. Mr. Estle was a Republican in politics, and identified himself with every interest for the public good. He did all in his power to aid in the progress and development of the community in which he resided, and his honest, upright life won him the confidence and esteem of all with whom business or pleasure brought him in contact. He was one of the earliest settlers of Louisa County, and his death not only proved a sad loss to his family, but was felt throughout the community.