Bio of Sheldon, Joel B. (b.1845) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Sheldon, Joel B., farmer, was born in Westport, Essex county, New York,
March 20, 1845. His father, Isaac Sheldon, was a pioneer settler in Pine
Island township, his residence being three miles from Mazeppa, on the
county line. Both the latter and his wife, Lydia Smith, were born in
Westport. The subject of these lines was reared on the Pine Island farm,
where he was brought shen eleven years old, and got his educational
training in the common schools of Mazeppa. In 1864 he bought forty acres
of land adjoining his father's, on which he dwelt till 1880. At this time
he bought a house and three lots in Mazeppa, and has made his home here
since. He also has now sixty acres adjoining his first purchase, in this
town, and is employed in tilling his farm. He was married March 12, 1858,
to Mary J. Van Schaick, born at Wells, in Indiana, June 15, 1838. Mrs.
Sheldon had two children previous to this marriage, one of whom was burned
to death. The other, Alpheus, was born May 14, 1857; resides in Mazeppa.
Mr. Sheldon's children were born as follows: Lillian J., December 24, 1859
(Mrs. Asa Spicer, here); Joel L. April 25, 1863; Ella M., January 4, 1867;
Gertrude, October, 1868; Martha, September 16, 1873; Dick, February 2,
1875. Mr. Sheldon is a member of Mazeppa Good Templars Lodge. In religious
faith he is a Methodist; he has always been a republican. He enlisted
August, 1862, in Co. H, 8th Minn. Vols. Served on the western frontier,
participating in several Indian engagements; discharged on account of ill
health, January, 1865. Shortly before entering the service his arm was cut
by a scythe, and his army exposure prevented a permanent and full
recovery, and he is often troubled and much weakened by the injury.