Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Sheldon, Rufus H 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 1:48 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Rufus H. Sheldon, dealer in agricultural implements, grain and live stock, at 
Rock Falls, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 27, 1815. His father, Ira 
Sheldon, a farmer, was a native of Connecticut, of New England ancestry and 
English descent. His grandfather, Rums Sheldon, was also a native of 
Connecticut and of similar ancestry. The family, so far as concerns its 
history in America, originally sprang from three brothers who emigrated to 
this country previous to the Revolution, settling in New England. Most of the 
Sheldons have been farmers by vocation. Ira Sheldon was a soldier in the War 
of 1812, and died in Cayuga Co., N. Y., June 2, 1827, at the age of 42. His 
wife, Mary, was a native of Vermont, of New England ancestry and English 
descent, and died in Barry Co., Mich. The subject of this sketch is a relative 
of Henry O. Sheldon, editor of Sheldons Magazine. He is the second in a family 
of six children, his brothers being Isaac N., De Witt C., Harvey N., Orson B. 
and Sylvester W. Mr. S. was 12 years old when his father died, but continued 
to live with his mother (who was again married) until he was of age, receiving 
a high-school education. At the age of 19 he commenced teaching during the 
winter seasons, while he pursued farming during the intervals. He afterward 
purchased the interest of the other heirs and became sole proprietor of the 
old homestead, where he resided until 1847, when he came to Illinois, settling 
on an unimproved tract of 340 acres in Bureau County. After improving that 
place a number of years, he sold and came, in 1869, to Sterling, where, in 
partnership with C. M. Jaques, of Rock Falls, he entered the trade in 
agricultural implements and coal. They now have two elevators (having built 
one in 1877), with a capacity of about 60,000 bushels. They also deal 
extensively in live stock, and are driving a prosperous business. Mr. S. 
attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a stanch 
Republican. Mr. Sheldon was married in his native county, Dec. 1, 1836, to 
Miss Mercy E. Edmonds, who was born in the township of Brutus, same county, in 
1817, the daughter of Joseph Edmonds, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. S. became the 
parents of eight children, three of whom are deceased. The record now stands: 
Irving W. married Eleanor Cortwright, and now resides on a farm in Dakota; 
Clarence L. married Letitia Crawford and resides in Sterling, where he is 
practicing as an attorney at law; R. H., Jr., married Miss May Stitzel, and is 
interested in the agricultural implement trade with his father; William C. 
married Anna Banes, and is now a resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ida M. 
married Newton Petrie, a county officer in Pittsburg, Pa.; and the deceased 
are Mary, Edward S. and Joseph C.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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