PENTHUS BILLETER (Sr.)

Penthus Billeter (deceased) was one of the pioneers of Shelby County. He was a native of Kentucky, born in Elkhart County, September 12, 1820, and a son of Levi and Mary (Patterson) Billeter, of Scotch ancestry. He was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years old, when he began work for himself by splitting rails. When he was quite young the family removed to Ohio, and then to Clay County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1840 to Miss Susanna Beauchamp, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of David Beauchamp, who came from England to the United States. After his marriage Mr. Billeter settled on a farm near Terre Haute, Indiana, where he resided until 1856, when he emigrated to western Iowa. He first settled in Harrison County, and then removed to Nebraska, but did not remain there long on account of the Indians. In the spring of 1858 he came to Shelby County, and bought 160 acres of unimproved land. He had several head of oxen which he fattened and sold to pay for his land; after the payment was made he had three cents left, but by hard work and close attention to his business he soon had the farm under good cultivation. His father settled in Harrison County, and remained there the balance of his days. He added to his land until he had 360 acres in a high state of cultivation.

Mr and Mrs. Billeter were the parents of seven children, who still survive. Susanna died at the age of eighteen months. The other children are ------ Sarah, wife of Byrum Helm, of Taylor County; Mary, wife of L.L. Jarvis, of Harlan; Jackson, of Brown County, Nebraska; Levi Penthus, William H. and John. Mr. and Mrs. Billeter were members of the Dunkard church. Mrs. Billeter died May 14, 1873, aged fifty-three years; Mr. Billeter departed this life November 6, 1886, at the age of sixty-six years.

Levi Billeter, son of Penthus Billeter, was born in Harrison County, Iowa, December 3, 1856. When he was two years old his parents came to Shelby County. He was reared on a farm, and resided with his parents until their death. He received his education in the common schools. He was married August 26, 1886, to Miss. Effie McAnelly, a native of Iowa County, Iowa, a daughter of Moses and Mary McAnelly, who came to this country in 1881. After his marriage Mr. Billeter settled on a part of the old homestead, where he has a fine farm of eighty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Billeter are the parents of one child ----- Earl Raymond. Politically Mr. Billeter affiliates with the Democratic party.


Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 341,342. Family Researcher: Transcribed and submitted by Craig & Nancy Poole, 5847 Sahler St, Omaha, NE, 68104-2847, cpoole@unmc.edu : Helping to post family members bios for Shelby Cnty, Iowa. Also looking for information on Amanda Billeter/Belleter, married to Peter Henderson.

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