Eli Sheeder

As printed in 1907

ELI SHEEDER.

Eli Sheeder is a practical and enterprising farmer residing on section 32, Seely township. His present home is many miles from the place of his nativity, for his birth occurred in Chester county. Pennsylvania, his. natal day being September 27. 1852. His. father. William Sheeder. was likewise a native of the Keystoue state, and came to Guthrie county in the fall of 1850. at which time he took up his above in Baker township, where he carried on farming until his death. He was one of the pioneer residents of this community and was closely associated with its agricultural interests. He wedded Miss Mary Keeley, also a native of Pennsylvania,.

the marriage being celebrated on the 23d of March, 1848. They traveled life's journey together for almost fifty years and were then separated by the death of Mrs. Sheeder on the 5th of October, 1897, when she was sixty-seven years of age. Her husband died January 19. 1900, at the age of seventy-four years.

Eli Sheeder was educated in the district schools of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and remained at home until he was thirty-two years of age. In the meantime he became thoroughly familiar with farm work, acquainting himself with the business in every detail. When he started out upon an independent business career he began farming on section 32, Seely township, where he has since lived. He is now one of the largest landowners of the county, his possessions aggregating one thousand acres in Seely, Baker and Union townships. He is also one of the most extensive stock-feeders of the county and from the tilling of the soil and his stock-raising interests he derives a very gratifying annual income. He has wisely placed much of his money in the safest of all investments, real estate, and his land is continually appreciating in value, because of the settlement of the county and the improvements he makes upon it.

On the 12th of March, 1885, Mr. Sheeder was married to Miss Sarah C. Herron, a resident of Guthrie county and a daughter of Hiram Herron, who came to Iowa at an early day and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this county who were reclaiming the region for the use of the white race. He was married to Miss Melissa Armstronowho IS still living and now makes her home in Guthrie Center. Unto Mr. and Mrs.

Sheeder have been born ten children: Rosetta, now the wife of John Reese; Elsie, the wife of Charles Justis; Ira, Cora, Eugena,

Oscar, Arthur, Ella, Glenn and Helen, all at home. The family circle has never been broken by the hand of death, and Mr. and

IMrs. Sheeder are rearing sons and daughters of whom they have every reason to be proud. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and their influence is ever given for the best interests of the community. Mr. Sheeder is a school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. His political allegiance is given to the democracy. His life has been characterized by continuous activity, directed by sound judgment. He has always placed his dependence upon untiring labor and judicious investment and in agricultural lines has won the splendid success which he is now enjoying and which makes him one of the most prosperous residents of Seely township.

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.