Thomas Jefferson Sheldon^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}

1828 - 1922  (93 years)

• Name	Thomas Jefferson Sheldon  [5, 6]
  Born	31 Aug 1828	Muskingum County Ohio
  Gender	Male
  Died	20 Aug 1922	Eldora, Hardin County Iowa
  Buried	Eldora Cemetery, Hardin County, Iowa
  Person ID	P-108076834	SheldonTurner
  Last Modified	14 Feb 2011

  
  

  Father	Thomas Sheldon,   b. Nov 1789, Morristown, Morris, New Jersey, United States ,   d. 1871, Point Pleasant, Hardin, Iowa, United States  (Age ~ 81 years)
  Relationship	Natural
  Mother	Huldah Tharp-Thorpe,   b. Abt 1792, Morris County, New Jersey? ,   d. 3 Sep 1853, Holmes County, Ohio  (Age ~ 61 years)
  Relationship	Natural
  Married	1810-1811	, Muskingum, Ohio
  Family ID	F75	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Henrietta Majors,   b. 12 Aug 1830, Knox County, Ohio ,   d. 22 Feb 1914, Eldora, Hardin County Iowa  (Age 83 years)
  Married	1 Nov 1855	Mt Vernon, Knox County, Ohio
  Children	+ 1. Isabelle E Sheldon,   b. 1856, Iowa ,   d. 1912  (Age 56 years) + 2. Huldah R. Sheldon,   b. 1859, Iowa ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Malinda Ann Sheldon,   b. 5 Aug 1860, Point Pleasant, Hardin Co., Iowa ,   d. 26 Jan 1940  (Age 79 years) + 4. Thomas Clinton Sheldon,   b. 19 Mar 1864, Hardin County Iowa ,   d. 2 Nov 1942, Eldora, Hardin County Iowa  (Age 78 years) + 5. Viola Sheldon,   b. 1866, Iowa ,   d. 28 Nov 1937, Iowa Falls, Hardin, Iowa, United States  (Age 71 years)   6. Frank Sheldon,   b. 2 Mar 1871, Iowa ,   d. 24 May 1895  (Age 24 years) + 7. John Putnam Sheldon,   b. 3 Jul 1872, Pt. Pleasant, Hardin, IA, USA ,   d. 1945, , Hardin, IA, USA  (Age 72 years)   8. E. H. Sheldon,   b. 1873, Iowa ,   d. Yes, date unknown + 9. William Sheldon,   b. 1878, Pleasant, Hardin, Iowa, USA ,   d. 23 Nov 1954, Wheatland, Cass, North Dakota, USA  (Age 76 years)
  Family ID	F157	Group Sheet

  
  

• Photos

  
  

  Histories

  Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa

  
  

• Notes

  Hardin Co., Iowa Hardin County, Iowa Have deed of sale from Thomas J to Archibald Johnson dated 23 August 1855 T. J. Sheldon T. J. Sheldon located at Point Pleasant in 1854, and engaged in general mercantile business; also engaged in farming. He remained in the mercantile business until 1858, when he removed to his farm on section 11, where he still resides. T. J. Sheldon was born in Licking county, Ohio, August 31, 1828, where he received a common school education. In 1839, ( [my note] The publication, Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa ed. by William J. Moir. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1911., has this date as 1949 which makes more sense. In 1839 T.J. would have been only 11 years old.) he came to Louisa county, Iowa, remaining a short time; thence overland to California, where he was engaged in mining two years. He then returned to Ohio, and after six months, once more went to California, where he spent two years. In the fall of 1854 he came to Hardin county, and in the spring of 1855, opened the first store in Point Pleasant. In 1857 he turned his entire attention to farming, and now owns 1,400 acres in this county. He was one of the county commissioners during the county seat war. He was married November 1, 1856, to Miss Henrietta Majors, a native of Knox county, Ohio. They have nine children, all living. Thomas Jefferson Sheldon The subject of this review, a prominent and well-known early settler of Hardin county, now living in Eldora, was born in Licking county, Ohio, near Zanesville, August 31, 1828. His ancestors were pioneers in that country. His parents were Thomas J. and Huldah (Thorpe) Sheldon, both natives of New Jersey, where they were married. They settled in Ohio before the war of 1812, and the father entered the service from that state. They cleared up a timber farm in the wilderness. About 1831 they moved to Holmes county and opened up another timber farm and lived on it about eighteen years. In 1849 Thomas J., of this sketch, came to Iowa, traveling the entire distance across the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois on foot, and arrived at the home of a married sister in Louisa county, Iowa. In the spring of 1850 five men started from his sister's home for California, by the "overland route," with an ox team and one cow. The entire summer was spent in crossing the plains, and the caravan arrived at Placerville, California, in the fall. Of course it is understood that the subject of this article was one of the five men in the party. He had but fifty cents in money, a meal cost a dollar, and there was no "trust"! But a sequel to this dilemma resulted from one of the party picking up an old broken-down horse abandoned to die and trading him for a set of mining tools. He and Sheldon went to the then new "diggin's" on Weaver creek, and in time relieved their pressing needs. After working two weeks, and demonstrating that there was gold in sight, they hired out for five dollars a day, boarded themselves and slept in an old wagon box. Finally they built a cabin, but an extremely dry winter was upon them and they were unable to get water for their "washings," hence they were unable to accomplish much in the way of separating the gold from the refuse material with which it was mixed. Meeting an old schoolmate from Ohio, Mr. Sheldon was urged to join him for a trip to the Feather river country. At Sacramento they purchased two mules and loaded them with supplies and provisions, and spent a year mining on Feather river. They were well-equipped and lived well, having a tent for their home. They found an abandoned "diggin's" from which they took out one hundred and twenty-five dollars in a day, and many other days were nearly as profitable. But they tired of the rough life and isolation from friends, and at the end of a year returned to Ohio. Mr. Sheldon took about four thousand dollars home with him. But the spirit of adventure, combined with the "gold fever," was upon him, and after spending a few months at home, he again (in 1852) fitted out at St. Louis for another trip across the plains. There were four "Buckeyes" in this party. They went direct to the American river country, where the party took our five hundred dollars in a single day. They remained there a year, when they returned to Ohio, via the Nicarauga route, but returned again to the mining regions by way of the Panama route. The final return to the East was made in 1854, and the beautiful prairie country of Iowa was explored on the return. Mr. Sheldon came to hardin county in November, 1854, his sister having remained here during all the family exploits in the mining country of the far West. He settled on the South Fork of the Iowa river, in Tipton township, but soon thereafter located at Point Pleasant, where he built a log house and put up a log store building, and opened the first store in the place. From the first Mr. Sheldon took an active part in the public affairs of the new county, and was one of the most aggressive workers in the county-seat contest of the late fifties. The question was decided in favor of his town, Point Pleasant, and he at once took active part in the building of a court house, and otherwise providing for the "guest" whose prospective coming had cost him so much time and effort. But when it was sought to remove the records and other county property from Eldora to Point Pleasant, an injunction was filed which brought the matter into the courts, and Eldora still held the prize! Mr. Sheldon succeeded in selling out his stock of merchandise to advantage, and he engaged in farming his lands near the village of Point Pleasant, where he had entered eight hundred acres. This he divided into three farms, and considered himself "land poor" for many years. Finally he was able to make a few trades which brought him some ready cash, and this he used in stocking the balance of his land. He was one of the early stock farmers in that locality. In thisbusines he was prosperous, and as a stock raiser, buyer and shipper, a business which he followed for more than thirty years, he became wealthy. His principal business during these years consisted of rearing, fattening and shipping cattle and hogs, the grain for this purpose being raised on his own farms. But he also carried on an extensive business as a buyer and shipper of live stock. He retired from farm life in 1890, and took up his home in Eldora, where he still lives, and owns a good farm nearby. Up to the time of locating in Iowa Mr. Sheldon was unmarried, his sister being his housekeeper for a time after locating in the Hawkeye state. He wrote a letter to his "girl" in Knox county, Ohio, and asked her if she "would like to come to Iowa and keep his house and live with him"! The reply soon came, in which she stated that she would have to see him again before deciding such a momentous question! (Sensible girl!) He adjusted his affairs and left for the old home place country, where he married Henrietta Majors, thus closing a "contract" which neither party has ever had occasion to regret having made! Nine children, who are now living, were born to this union, all being married and happily engaged in life's struggles on their own account. These are Isabella, who is the wife of John Lynn, of Thompson, Winnebago county, Iowa; Huldah R., who became the wife of Daniel Blair, of Hubbard, Iowa; Malinda A., wife of Frank I. Stowe, of Winnebago county; Evans Hayden Sheldon, a retired farmer living in Eldora; Thomas C., engaged in operating the parental farm in Eldora township; William C., a farmer at Iowa Falls; Viola, wife of Lem. Harris, cashier of the Citizens Bank, Eldora; Frank, a farmer in Jackson township, near Eldora, and John P., who owns the old home farm near Point Pleasant. Mr. Sheldon has been an active Democrat in political affiliations and now stands with the "progressives" on questions of internal politics. Throughout his extensive business and political career he has come in contact with the people in every sphere of human effort. He is a reader of men, as well as of current literature, and is thoroughly well informed. He has served as a member of the county board of supervisors, as justice of the peace, etc., and is the present Democratic candidate for the office of county treasurer. In point of religious affiliations, Mr. Sheldon has been a member of the Baptist church for thirty-five years. The "would-be" court house at Point Pleasant was merged into a house of worship, and in this building, erected for an entirely different purpose, several early church organizations held their services. T. J. Sheldon located at Point Pleasant in 1854, and engaged in general mercantile business; also engaged in farming. He remained in the mercantile business until 1858, when he removed to his farm on section 11, where he still resides. T. J. Sheldon was born in Licking county, Ohio, August 31, 1828, where he received a common school education. In 1839 he came to Louisa county, Iowa, remaining a short time; thence overland to California, where he was engaged in mining two years. He then returned to Ohio, and after six months, once more went to California, where he spent two years. In the fall of 1854 he came to Hardin county, and in the spring of 1855, opened the first store in Point Pleasant. In 1857 he turned his entire attention to farming, and now owns 1,400 acres in this county. He was one of the county commissioners during the county seat war. He was married November 1, 1856, to Miss Henrietta Majors, a native of Knox county, Ohio. They have nine children, all living. The first improvement made in the town [Point Pleasant] was by Thomas J. Sheldon, who erected a store building and dwelling combined. Mr. Sheldon put in a stock of general merchandise, and was, therefore, the first merchant in the place. The postoffice [Point Pleasant] was established here in 1855, shortly after the town was laid out, and T. J. Sheldon appointed Postmaster. Dr. Cosgrove is the present incumbent. (Research): 1875 Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa AT Andreas Hardin County, Iowa Andreas Atlas Patrons (CTS is Came To State) TIPTON TOWNSHIP Lohr, Geo R Farmer Tuscarawas Co, OH 1870 Sheldon, Thos J Farmer Licking Co, OH 1854 New York Passenger Lists Record info Mr. Sheldon Arrival Date: 1 Apr 1853 Port of Departure: San Juan, Nicaragua Destination: United States of America Place of Origin: United States of America Ship Name: Star of the West Port of Arrival: New York Line: 48 Microfilm Serial: M237 Microfilm Roll: 124 List Number: 198 Port Arrival State: New York Port Arrival Country: United States "Passenger and Immigration List Index: 2004 edition, 1500s-1900s" Source Information: Gale Research. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Filby, P. William, edit. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Research, 2003. Illinois Steam Ship http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=60fd0af0-27d2-46c6-9fe1-2947ed13fc38&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 tjsheldon http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=3c1e58c7-d378-4125-a895-2a83cd399e69&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 TJ Sheldon Family http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=a7887959-dc46-459a-be64-3f4bdc165351&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 Star of the West Steamship http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=af28caa2-4cb9-4ce0-93f5-47b45622c004&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 Thomas J Sheldon Landsite Ad http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=5950f3ee-0921-4e31-a994-5467767d4dd5&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 New York Times - Illinois Steam Ship Arrives in New York http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=7c76efc1-3591-4c02-ab82-7bebfec91e6f&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 T.J. Sheldon Pass List http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=815796e5-0700-4b73-a924-97c084a342aa&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 Passenger List for Illinois http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=790fcd77-fdcb-4897-9f7a-cc894732985e&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 Ancestry Document http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=document&guid=aa0f086a-54a3-4c72-9794-cf685ca64aef&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 Passenger List for Steamer Illinois http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=c2a900a9-c8b5-4b79-9177-ead3bbcedf07&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 New York Times Article http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=5af7e4b4-79d0-4884-a41f-f30efb409153&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 Thomas J Sheldon Gravestone http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=00cee9d4-3f4e-444b-99e3-f69a3e37af60&tid=13204573&pid=-108076834

  
  

• Sources

  [S1017492637] History of Hardin County, Iowa, (History of Hardin County, Iowa; Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Company., 1883). [S1017492636] Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa, by William J. Moir, (Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa; ed. by William J. Moir. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1911.). [S1017492640] History of Hardin County, Iowa, (History of Hardin County, Iowa; Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Company, 1883.; ; Tipton Township). [S1018088622] Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Trees. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=13204573&pid=-108076834 [S-2053194146] New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.Original data - Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls); Records of the U.S. Customs Service, R), Year: 1853; Arrival: New York, United States; Microfilm serial: M237; Microfilm roll: M237_124; Line: 48; List number: 198.. Origin date: Origin place: United States of AmericaArrival date: 1 Apr 1853Arrival place: New YorkDeparture date: Departure place: San Juan, NicaraguaDestination date: Destination place: United States of America [S1036599208] U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008.Original data - United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. Automated Records Project; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes. Springfield, Virginia: Bureau of). Residence date: Residence place: United States