For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 422
SIMON G. SHETLER....Simon G. Shetler, whose well cultivated farm in Goshen township indicates the prudence and industry of its owner, is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born October 6, 1850, and is a son of Jones and Harriet ( Hayes ) Shetler, also natives of the Keystone state. In 1859 Mr. Shetler removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, locating upon a farm on which he lived until his death,which occurred January 7, 1903. The mother passed away in November, 1907. There were nine in their family, namely : Mary J., now the wife of Emanuel McCormick, of Illinois ; Simon G., our subject ; Maggie, now Mrs. Lewis Fiberlein, of Goshen township ; Mattie, the wife of Albert Cunningham,also of Goshen township ; Malinda, now Mrs. Eli Summers, of Muscatine ; John, a resident of the state of Washington ; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Crabtree, of Illinois ; Eliza, now Mrs Isaac Dungan, of Illinois ; and Agnes, the wife of Edward Morton, also of Illinois.Simon G. Shetler came west with his parents in his boyhood and was reared upon the home farm, where he remained until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years. He then entered the employ of Thomas Van Atta, of Rock Island county, with whom he continued for one year, after which he spent two years with William Drury, of the same county. Having acquired a good practical knowledge of farming, he began renting land on his own account, continuing without interruption for twenty-six years, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres in Cedar county, Iowa. After cultivating that farm for three years he sold it and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Johnson county, Iowa, which he operated for three years and sold, then purchasing one hundred and seventy-one acres of good land on sections 15 and 16, Goshen township, Muscatine county, where he established his permanent home. He has improved his farm by the erection of buildings, fences, etc., amd specializes in raising and feeding stock, in which he is quite successful.
On the 22d of December, 1875, Mr. Shetler was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Swigart, who was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, and is a daughter of John and Betsy ( Clark ) Swigart, who are also natives of Pennsylvania. After living for some years in Rock Island county, Illinois, her parents moved to Iowa county, Iowa, in 1874 and continued there until their deaths. There were twelve children in their family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shetler nine children have been born, namely ; John, of Goshen township ; May, the wife of William Williams, of Cedar county, Iowa ; Minnie, now Mrs. Ned Romaine, of West Liberty, Iowa ; Pearl, the wife of Elzie Lunda, of Muscatine county ; Roy and Chauncey, at home ; Nellie, the wife of Fred Devore, of Muscatine county ; Ray, at home ; and Myrtle, now attending high school at Atalissa.
On September 27, 1904, Mrs. Shetler passed away, her death being the severest affliction that Mr. Shetler has ever known. She was a woman of generous and noble qualities and greatly endeared herself to those with whom she was associated. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was always a willing worker in worthy causes. Mr. Shetler gives his adherence to the republican party and the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is indicated by the fact that he is now serving as township trustee and also as a member of the school board. He holds membership in Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of Atalissa, and has filled all of the chairs in this lodge. From a humble beginning, through many years of effort he has acquired a competence and today is one of the honored citizens of Muscatine county.
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