MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 458
submitted by Neal Carter, November 28, 2007

AN OCTOGENARIAN GONE
Dec 26, 1897 (hand written)

A well known pioneer passed away Sunday afternoon at one o’clock, when SHEPHERD SMALLEY breathed his last after an illness of six months at his home on the Burlington road, three miles below the city. Mr. Smalley was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Aug. 12, 1817, being the son of Andrew Smalley, a man remarkably well posted on state and national affairs and who politically was a Jackson democrat. Shepherd received his education in the primitive log school house so common at that day, and in 1839 came with the family to Muscatine, Iowa. His father died the same year, and the support of the family devolved upon himself and an older brother. On the 19th of February, 1845, he led to the marriage alter Miss Minerva Drury, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and their union was blessed with five children, they being William D., Andrew J., Mrs. James B. Hartman, Mrs. George Shields and Frank L., all of this county. Mrs. Smalley passed away nine years ago last June.

Mr. Smalley began his life in limited circumstances, but with characteristic energy he set to work to secure a competence and succeeded beyond his expectations, spending his declining days in retirement, living upon the fruits of the toll of former years. He laid out two additions to the city of Muscatine – Smalley’s first and second additions. At one time he owned over 1,000 acres of land in this county, and a large tract in Kossuth county, Iowa, of some 520 acres, besides 100 acres in Rock Island county, Ill. In connection with his land he owned thirty buildings in Muscatine, which he rented. For more than a half century he was identified with the history of the county, witnessed the many changes that took place, gladly bearing his part in the work of transforming the wild and unsettled prairie to a highly cultivated county. The funeral is appointed to take place Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock from the residence.

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