JAMES CHANNON
James Channon, a well-known farmer of Audubon county, now living retired at Exira, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greeley township, was born on November 20, 1849, in Sidmouth, Devonshire, England, the son of William and Sarah (Quick) Channon, both natives of Devonshire.
William Channon, a carpenter by trade, followed this occupation until he came to America in 1852, and after arriving in this country, he located at Corydon, Iowa, and worked in a saw-mill and at the carpenter's trade in Polk county, helping to build many log cabins in that county. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted as a soldier in behalf of the Union and was killed in the battle of Shiloh. He was the father of ten children, three of whom came to Iowa: William, who lives at Des Moines, Iowa; Anna, who married George Phippen, and James, the subject of this sketch.
On account of his father's death and the responsibility of caring for his mother, James Channon was unable to attend school during his youth. His mother never came to America; but died in Devonshire, England. When eighteen years old, James came to America and located at Des Moines, where he worked as a farm hand for a short time. Eventually, he took a place with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and helped to build the railroad. Working for this company a short time, he located at Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he worked as a coal miner for seven years and then located near Des Moines, Iowa, on a farm with his brother. After working on the farm for five years, he went to Colorado, where he remained for four years, and then returned to Polk county. There, after his marriage, he farmed for one year and then he and his wife came to Anita on the Rock Island railroad. He walked to Exira, and there operated a farm, which he cultivated for sixteen years; subsequently, he purchased two hundred acres and farmed it until his retirement and removal to Exira in 1914.
On February 25, 1883, James Channon was married to Mary E. Young, the daughter of John and Matilda (Shellhart) Young. Four children, Nora, Bertha, George and Ralph, have been born to this marriage. Nora married Charles Fauss and they are the parents of three children, Lester, Wesley and Helen; Bertha is the wife of John Jacobson and has two children, James Carl and Thelma; George died in 1907; Ralph married Lena Jensen, and lives on the home place.
Mrs. Channon was born in Polk county, Iowa, and her parents were natives of Elkhart county, Indiana. The father grew to manhood in Elkhart county, but on reaching maturity, came to Polk county, Iowa and was one of the first settlers, helping to build one of the first houses in Des Moines. He lived in Polk county until his death.
The mother of Mrs. Channon, who before her marriage, was Matilda Shellhart, was born near Elkhart, Indiana, December 4, 1841, and died at her home near Ankeny, Iowa, January 27, 1907, at the age of eighty- five years, one month and twenty-three days. She came to Polk county with her parents when six years of age, at which time they settled three miles and a half southwest of Ankeny. Except for two years spent in Guthrie county, her entire life after this period was spent in Polk county. John Young and Matilda Shellhart were married on November 21, 1858, and began housekeeping on a farm less than one mile from her home at the time of her death. They labored together patiently, hand in hand, faithful and true to each other. Mrs. Young was well acquainted with pioneer life and did her part in making the home beautiful and attractive. Patiently and lovingly she reared her family of little ones and with the delight of a fond mother, she shared their joys and sorrows as they grew up together to manhood and womanhood. To John and Matilda Young were born eight children: Martha Ellen, who died when two years old; Mary E., who married Mr. Channon; Mrs. Eliza Jane Duenzing, who lives in Texas; Mrs. Bertha Matilda Rhodes, of Chelsea, Idaho; Sarah Ann, who is the wife of Frank Porter; Walter W., who married Minnie Coby; John L., who married Sarah Good, and George B.
Mr. and Mrs. James Channon are members of the Christian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Free and Accepted Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held the office of school director.
Not only did Mr. Channon enjoy a remarkable success as a farmer in this county, but his career is also valuable to the community as a neighbor and citizen. He is a man who has always believed in law enforcement and who has always given the weight of his influence to the support of our democratic institutions. His children, who have been reared to honorable and useful lives, are a credit to their parents and to the various communities where they live.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 827-829.
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