MESHACH SHULTZ, one of the leading citizens of Shipman, who is now a retired farmer, is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this biographical notice. His father was Adam Shultz who was born in Somerset County, Pa., about the year 1789. His mother was Nancy Shockey, who was also a native of the same portion of the country, as her husband, her birth year being 1802. After marriage they settled in their native county and in the course of time removed from there to Alleghany County, Md., in May, 1836, and lived there until his death which occurred in 1864 when he was in his seventy-sixth year. His widow came to Illinois about 1866 and still resides in Shipman with her daughter. They had a large family of fourteen children of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth.
Mr. Shultz was born in Somerset County, Pa., May 28, 1831. He was about five years of age when his parents removed to Alleghany County, Md. There he grew to manhood under the mild influences incident to farm life. Arriving at years of manhood he was united in marriage in his adopted State March 20, 1853 to Miss Charlotte Augustine, a daughter of Jacob F. R. and Jusdinah (Null) Augustine. The former was a native of Somerset County, Pa., and the latter was born near Hagerstown, Md. They settled in Somerset County, Pa., and there lived until he died, when about forty years of age. The mother still survives, at an advanced age. They had ten children of whom Mrs. Shultz is the third. She was born in Somerset County, Pa., April 30, 1835. There she grew to womanhood and lived until her marriage.
The original of this life record with his wife, spent the first years of married life in Alleghany County, Md., and Somerset County, Pa., until 1869 when they came to this county and settled in Shipman township on section 24, where they continued to live until the spring of 1891, when our subject retired from the active duties of farm life which he had so long pursued and removed to the village of Shipman where with his amiable and most worthy wife he intends to pass the afternoon of a life that has been occupied with the affairs and business of an energetic career.
Mr. and Mrs. Shultz have welcomed to their hearthstone eight children. They are: Marshall A., Alonzo M., Jennie, Franklin S., Cora M., Herman J., Alice L., and Chester A. The eldest child died when only four years of age. Alonzo was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Mitchell. Jennie is the wife of William A. Fisher. Franklin married Miss Jessie F. Talley; Cora is the partner of the joys and sorrows of F. M. Dodson; Herman was united to Miss Winifred Smith. All of the children are bright and intelligent and hold prominent positions in the social life of the community.
The original of this sketch has filled the office of Supervisor of Shipman Township for three years and has been a School Director for three years. He is now serving as Supervisor. He is a man who takes an active interest in all local affairs. He affiliates with the Democratic party with whom he casts the weight of his influence and vote. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shultz are active members of the Lutheran Church, being generous supporters of the same. The greater part of our subject's life has been spent in farming although for two years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Grantsville, Md. The farm which he owned for so many years boasts many fine buildings. The home farm consisted of three hundred and twenty acres and he also operated an adjoining farm of two hundred and forty acres, both located in Shipman Township. He is a member in good standing of the Knights of Honor.