JOHN SHELLER. - Though no state is richer in opportunities or affords greater advantages to its citizens than Illinois, success is not to be obtained through desire, but must be persistently sought, and the men who occupy the most creditable and desirable positions in business circles are those who possess in eminent degree the qualities of perseverance, untiring energy and practical common sense. Such a man is John Sheller, of Illiopolis, who has been actively engaged in the banking business here for seven years. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 24, 1865. His father, William Sheller, was born in Richland county, that state, in 1838 and the grandfather, John Sheller, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio, settling first in Richland county. Later he made a permanent location in Ashland county, casting in his lot with its early settlers. There he purchased several hundred acres of land which were covered with timber, but he cut down the forest trees, cleared away the brush and stumps and in course of time developed a large and fine farm, becoming one of the prominent agriculturists of that portion of the state. William Sheller was there reared, and when he had attained adult age he was married to Margaret McCune, a native of Ohio. He is now a prominent farmer of Ashland county, where for many years he has made his home.

John Sheller of this review was reared to manhood in the county of his nativity, and in the public schools acquired his early education, which was supplemented by four years of study in the Northwestern Normal College at Ada, Ohio. When he had completed his studies he engaged in teaching in Ohio, and in the fall of 1888 he came west to Illinois, joining friends in Illiopolis. Subsequently he followed the teacher's profession in this county for two years and then accepted a position as cashier in the bank conducted by Mr. Constant. Later, when Mr. Constant sold the institution to the Farmers' State Bank, Mr. Sheller became assistant cashier in the latter institution and two years later was elected cashier of the bank, of which he is also a stockholder and director. The safe, conservative business policy which he follows has been one of the elements in the successful control of this institution and has made his name an honored one in financial circles in the county.

In public affairs in the village Mr. Sheller has been prominent and influential. He has served as an alderman and is now serving as president of the village board. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy, of which his father is also an advocate. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, has filled all of its positions and is now a past chancellor of his lodge, which he has also represented in the grand lodge of the state. He gives an active support and cooperation to every measure promulgated for the public good of town or county and his efforts in behalf of general improvements have been far-reaching and effective.

Mr. Sheller was united in marriage in Illiopolis to Miss Frances Lydia Constant, a daughter of G. W. Constant, a retired banker and capitalist, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work. She was born in Macon county, but was reared in Sangamon county, Illinois, and was educated in Springfield. There is one son by this marriage, George William Sheller, a bright little lad of two summers and the pride and life of the home. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Illiopolis, of which Mrs. Sheller served as organist for fifteen years. Both take an active part in church work and Mr. Sheller is now serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school. he is a man of excellent business capacity and is winning success, but, while promoting his individual interests he at the same time contributes to the welfare of his community along intellectual and moral lines.