Jesse B. Shelhamer was born Jan. 10, 1824, in Columbia County, Penn., son of Solomon and Jane (Buckalew) Shelhamer, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent. In 1836 his parents removed to Dixon,Ill., where he was educated. Worked on his father's farm until twenty-three , when he bought a farm in Delaware County, Ia. In 1855 sold out and went to St. Paul and preempted 139 acres of land opposite the city, across the river. Here he followed farming until 1856 , when he removed 100 miles north of St. Paul, and entered 140 acres. In the fall of 1857 removed to Elkader and subsequently to Wagner Township. The summer of 1862 he spent in Pike's Peak, returning in the fall. On Dec. 8, 1864, enlisted in Company K, First Iowa Cavalry, Veteran Volunteers, and served on year, and was sent at the close of the war to Texas. He was first married in 1846, to Louise Emeline Pearce. By this union there were four children, two living - Sarah and Rosalia B. Mrs. S. died in spring of 1855, and the following winter was married to Mrs. Martha J. Singer. Three children were the result of this marriage, two living. In 1867 he again married, Mrs. Catherine Lyming. Mr. S. now lives on he farm on sections 27 and 28. He has been Justice of the Peace, School Director, etc. Mrs. S. is a member of the United Brethren church. In politics he is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1142 |