John Sheckler

JOHN P. SHECKLER.

John P. Sheckler, who is the subject of this sketch, has been a life-long resident of a state which has become one of the most prominent in the great union of states, born in Richland count)', on March 3, 1829. His parents were John and Rachel (Pettit) Sheckler. pioneers of the county and for a number of years among the most highly esteemed residents.

John Sheckler was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1790, and he was a son of Frederick and Catherine (Monroe) Sheckler. He grew to manhood in his native place and in 1812 made a trip to Ohio, where settlement was being made. However, after looking over the unsettled country, he returned to his home until the spring of 1819, when he returned to Ohio and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Auburn township, and this same farm is now the property of our subject. Two years later he returned to establish a home on this land, building a log cabin in the great woods, and soon after he brought his wife thither. At this time game was abundant in this locality, and. as Mr. Sheckler was a fine hunter, the larger was well supplied with denison and other game. In this pioneer home eight children were born, the four survivors being: Thomas, a farmer of Whitley county. Indiana; John P., the subject of this sketch; George, of Whitley county; and Christina, the wife of William Willett, of Richland county, Ohio. When his eldest daughter was about thirteen years of age Mr. Sheckler was bereaved of his faithful wife, a blow from which he never recovered. This capable young daughter took charge of the housekeeping and cared for her father until his death, on August 15, 1859. In early life he voted with the Democratic party, but later he became a Republican, and he was a consistent member of the Baptist church, having lived a worthy and upright life.

John P. Sheckler is a worthy representative of this honorable and honest man. His early life was passed among pioneer surroundings and his education was acquired in the log school house of those days, with its luncheon floor and slab benches. When he was twenty-three years old, with his brother George, he began farming, on shares, and for two years the brothers managed the farm; then our subject decided to see something" of the outside world, and made a trip to Indiana. For one year he worked as a farm hand in Whitley county, but decided to return to his heritage in Ohio, and there, with his brother George, again carried on farming operations. After the death of his father our subject purchased fifty acres of the home farm, and also a tract of sixty-two acres, which was desirable, as it lay immediately across the highway from his land. The owner, a Mr. Carlisle, was willing to dispose of it, and thus our subject soon had a farm of one hundred and twelve acres. In 1899 our subject's brother James and his two sisters died, and our subject then bought the remainder of the farm, making his holdings two> hundred and twenty-two acres.

In 1862 Mr. Sheckler was married to Miss Lenora Ashley, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of Ebenezer Ashley, who was a native of the state of New York and was one of the early settlers of Crawford county. Three children were born to our subject and wife, viz.: Mary, single, at home; Blanche, the wife of D. F. Grove, of this township; and one who died young.

In politics Mr. Sheckler is an active Republican and takes a deep interest in the success of his party. For many years he has been a leading member of the Baptist church, in which he is a deacon, and he is fraternally connected with the Auburn Grange, No. 956, and the Patrons of Husbandry. Probably no man in the township is more highly esteemed. He is one of the leading farmers and a thoroughly good citizen, interested in every movement for the advancement of the various enterprises which promise to be of benefit to his neighborhood.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.