Thomas SHERILL, section 4, Rice Township, is one of the oldest pioneers of Ringgold County, locating on section 8 of Rice Township May 31, 1855. At that time Indians were the principal inhabitants, and deer and wolves roamed at will over the prairie. Mr. SHERRILL is a native of Hendricks County, Indiana, born near Indianapolis, and reared on a farm in Putnam county, Indiana. His parents, James and Nancy SHERRILL, were natives of Tennessee and Virginia respectively, and were married in Indiana. Both are now deceased. They were the parents of five children - Thomas, our subject, the eldest child; William, now living in Jefferson Township, Ringgold County; Mrs. Rebecca HAINES, living in Fremont County, Iowa; and David W. and William, residents of Indiana.

Thomas SHERRILL was married in Putnam County, Indiana, February 12, 1855, to Miss Eliza SIPLE, who was born in Virginia, [Pendleton County on February 21] 1833, but was brought by her father, Conrad SIPLE, to Putnam County, where she grew to womanhood. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. SHERRILL, all but one are yet living - Samuel W.; Mrs. Mary HOMER, a widow; Mrs. Ida HOMER; William; Jessie; Olley; Emma; Lawrence; and, Katie. John, their fourth child died at the age of twelve years.

Mr. SHERRILL had but a team and two cows when he came to Iowa, and the first few years of his residence here he had a hard struggle to obtain the necessities of life, but by persevering industry and economy, combined with good business management, he soon became possessed of ample means, becoming a wealthy citizen.

He has been one of the county's most active citizens, and few men have had a more active part in its development. For many years he led an active business life, and was quite extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock. He located on his present farm in 1859, where he has 320 acres, all but ten acres improved by himself.

In politics he was formerly a Whig, but is now identified with the Greenback party. Mr. and Mrs. SHERRILL are members of the Baptist church. Mr. SHERRILL is a member of the Mt. Ayr Lodge, I. O. O. F.

NOTE: Thomas SHERRILL died in 1904, Ellinsville, North Dakota; and Eliza Jane (SIPLE) SHERRILL died January 14, 1898, Benton, Iowa. They were interred at Benton Cemetery, Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Samuel Webb SHERRILL, son of Thomas and Eliza J. (SIPLE) SHERRILL, was born December 17, 1856, and, died in 1910, North Dakota, with interment at Granceland Cemetery, Creston, Union County, Iowa. Samuel married Deel MORRISON and the couple were the parents of Donna SHERRILL.

Mary SHERRILL, daughter of Thomas and Eliza J. (SIPLE) SHERRILL, was born October 4, 1858. Mary married 1st to Mr. HOMER and had a son, Joseph HOMER. She married 2nd to Josh RUSH. She married 3rd to Mr. KING.

Thomas SHERRILL served with Company C of the Southern Iowa Border Brigade.

John SHERRILL, son of Thomas and Eliza J. (SIPLE) SHERRILL, was born on June 11, 1860, and died at the age of twelve years in 1873, Ringgold County, Iowa, from injuries received during a horse-back riding accident.

William SHERRILL, son of Thomas and Eliza J. (SIPLE) SHERRILL, was born June 28, 1864.

Nancy SHERRILL ws born June 10, 1862, and died in California. She married Henry MASSEY, Sr., and the couple were the parents of Henry MASSEY Jr., Lido MASSEY, and Mary MASSEY.

Jessie SHERRILL, daughter of Thomas and Eliza J. (SIPLE) SHERRILL, was born in March of 1866. She married Frank SCOTT and they were the parents of Earl SCOTT.

Emma SHERRILL, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Jane (SIPLE) SHERRILL, was born July 31, 1869. She married James BANE and the couple were the parents of Esther BANE.

Olive "Olley" SHERRILL, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Jane (SIPLE) SHERRILL was born on July 1, 1871. She married C. W. WELSHER, and the couple were the parents of Eber WELSHER, Donna WELSHER, and Lynn WELSHER.

Conrad SIPLE, Eliza's father, was born July 4, 1811, and died at Hopeville, Clarke County, Iowa, on January 13, 1891. Eliza's mother, Catherine (LANDES) SIPLE, was born in Virginia on March 10, 1810, and died in Hopeville, Clarke County, Iowa, on May 13, 1872.

Eliza Jane (SIPLES) SHERRILL was married first to Samuel OGLES, son of James and Hannah (SAYLERS) OGLES, and was the mother of Lawrence OGLES and Catherine OGLES from this marriage.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 339, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z