to Story County, Iowa, and has been a resident of the same ever since. He bought eighty acres of land in 1868, and this immediately commenced to improve and cultivate. To this he has since added enough to make 320 acres of excellent land, all well cultivated and improved. He keeps a good grade of stock, and uses a thoroughbred animal for breeding purposes, always having on hand a high grade of cattle, horses and hogs. His commodious residence and other buildings indicate a thrifty and progressive owner, and in the management of everything connected with his farm Mr. Shearer shows excellent judgment and sound practical sense, qualities which cannot fail of success. He has a nice grove of forest trees, three acres of orchard of select fruit, and has everything attractive and pleasant about his place. In his political preference he is a Republican, and has held a number of local positions in the township, viz.: Township clerk, assessor, etc. Mr. Shearer was married in Story County on the 5th of September, 1869, to Miss Eliza E. Shenkle, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Benjamin Shenkle (deceased). Six children blessed this union: Anna (wife of Emmett B. Weise, of this county), Jennie, Charles Perry, George Nelson, John L. and Edith May. Mr. Shearer is a member of the Maxwell G. A. R. Post, and Mrs. Shearer is a member of the United Brethren Church.
Erik Sheldahl is one of the honest " sons of the soil " of Story County, Iowa, and is now engaged in cultivating an estate which comprises 178 1/2 acres of well-improved land, a portion of which is well covered with timber, and on which are a comfortable frame residence, good out-buildings and all the necessaries that go toward making his home comfortable and happy. He is a native of Norway, and until his removal to the United States his home was about seventy miles south of the ancient city of Bergen. He was born on the 15th of February, 1815, being the fifth of eight children born to Erik Sheldahl and Bandy Shedahl, the names of their family being as follows: Anna and Lars (who are dead), Erasmus (who is married and resides in Story County, Iowa, being one of the successful tillers of the soil of this section), Maggie (who is a widow and a resident of this county), Erik (the subject of this sketch comes next), Haldor (a successful educator of Norway), Carrie (who is a resident of Kansas, her husband being a farmer), and Osmon (who is an able minister of the Lutheran Church in Story County). The father of these children was a collector in his native land, and was also a practical and energetic farmer. He died in Norway when about seventy years of age. His wife also died about that age, having been an earnest Christian and a faithful wife and mother. Erik Sh eldahl obtained his early educational training in the common schools and by private tutors, and being of a quick perception and possessing an excellent memory, the knowledge lie obtained has been of practical benefit to him since. At the early age of fourteen years he commenced earning his own living, and although he possessed not a dollar at that time, his capital consisting wholly of a pair of willing hands, a determined spirit and a good constitution, he has done well, and besides becoming possessed of considerable property, has won the good-will of all. He first began teaching school, following this occupation in connection with farming, and these occupations continued to receive his attention for from fifteen to twenty years. He was very successful as an educator, and has always been a warm friend to the public schools, doing all in his power to improve them in every way. On the 10th of May, 1847, he emigrated direct from