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Note: 1850 U.S. Federal Census > Indiana > Wabash > Chester > Page 33
EDWIN SHEETS, one of the prominent farmers of Page County and a brave soldier in the war of the Rebellion, is of Swiss ancestry, his grandfather having emigrated from Switzerland to America and settled in Maryland. His father, John Sheets, was born in Maryland, and when about twenty-one years of age he removed to Ohio, where he married Margaret Winning, a daughter of John Winning, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ten children were born of this union, all of whom lived to maturity: Perry, Christian, Lewis, Malinda, Edwin, Herman, Isabel, John and Margaret, twins, and Martha. Soon after his marriage Mr. Sheets settled on a farm near Georgetown, Ohio, and thence moved to Darke County, Ohio, and located on the site of the old fort built by General Wayne when he was fighting the Indians; it was three miles south of Greenville, and he lived there for eight years; he then removed to Randolph County, Indiana, and at the end of thirteen years he went to Wabash County, Indiana; he had lived there three years when he died, at the age of fifty-three years. He was a man of true pioneer spirit, and was known for his industry, honesty and integrity.
Edwin Sheets, the subject of this notice, was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 21, 1830, and received but a limited education, [page 660] as he had access only to the pioneer schools. He learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of twenty-seven years he was married to Miss Eleanor H. Abbott, a daughter of David and Francinky (Hankison) Abbott. Eight children were born of this union. Ettia F., Lenia L., deceased at the age of three years; Bertha C, Charlie F., Alice D., Clarence W., David E. and Tunia E. Mr. Sheets settled at Liberty Mills, Wabash County, Indiana, where he worked at his trade until 1863. He then enlisted in Company L, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, as a private; was promoted to the position of Sergeant, and went with his regiment to West Point, Mississippi, where he was engaged in his first battle; he afterward participated in many battles and skirmishes, the most noted being Cypress Level, Grand Gulf and Port Gibson. He was mustered out at Austin, Texas, receiving an honorable discharge. He served three years, and all of that time he was in active duty, being in the hospital only five days. An incident in his war record is worthy of notice here: In a skirmish at Cypress Level a bullet struck a buckle on his cap, tearing the huckle away and leaving a mark on his forehead,-a very close call. He suffered a great deal from diseases incident to camp life, and for live days on the march from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Austin, Texas, he was entirely blind, his comrades leading his horse. He is still a great sufferer from these afflictions.
After the war Mr. Sheets came to Page County, Iowa, where his family had resided during his absence in the army. In 1886 he located on his present farm of 160 acres. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and in politics affiliates with the Republican party. He has always been faithful to his party, supporting it iu the days of its defeat as well as in those of victory.
Ettia F. Sheets married Wm. C. Swank; Charlie married Alma E. Boynton; Alice Drena married George Kelly; Bertha C. married Kirk Harlan.
David Abbott, father of Mrs. Sheets, was the son of James and Catherine Abbott. He was the father of eight children: Eleanor H., Louis F., Mary E., James H., Francinky, David A., Reuben S. and Albert F.
He came to Iowa in 1859 and settled on a farm three miles west of Clarinda, where he died at the age of seventy-one years.
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