Mr. Shenkle has spent over fifty years in the part of the state where he now lives and few men are better acquainted with its resources. He early became thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits and as a business man has shown a discrimination and sound judgment that have added greatly to his reputation, so that today he is one of the best known real-estate men in this section. He is a member of Fervent Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M.; Amity Lodge, No. 361, I. O. O. F.; and the Mystic Workers of the World, and he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and the United Brethren church. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the republican party, and although he has never sought political office he has been active in assisting many of his friends who have done so.
GEORGE HYDEN.
One of the successful agriculturists and extensive landowners of Story county was George Hyden of Richland township, who passed away February 23, 1911, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 12th of May, 1828, and was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Nokes) Hyden, both of whom spent their entire lives in that country, the father living to the advanced age of one hundred and two and one-half years. Four children constituted the family, all of whom have now passed away.
Mr. Hyden spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the mother country and then in 1851 decided to become a citizen of the United States, believing that this country afforded better opportunities for ambitious young men. Crossing the Atlantic he landed at New York city and made his way to Fredonia, New York, where he hired out by the year for three and one-half years and then again started westward, settling at Rock Island. Illinois. He remained there only about six months, however, and in the spring of 1855 arrived in Story county. After working out for eleven months he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land 'on section 22, Richland township, which was unbroken and unimproved prairie. He began to cultivate the soil, adding such improvements as he could from time to time and in 1857 he erected the house in which he continued to live throughout life. Mr. Hyden was successful in his vocation, his good management and tireless energy being rewarded by the means which enabled him to later add two hundred acres to his realty holdings, but this he subsequently sold to his son-in-law. He then owned, in addition to his homestead, eighty acres on section 27, Richland township, and one-half section in Texas.
Mr. Hyden was wedded to Miss Louisa Pool, a daughter of John and Ann Pool. She died in 1891. Of this union there were seven children born, two of whom are still living: Corilla is the wife of Clark Apple and