Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Rev. John M. Sheets
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
REV. JOHN M. SHEETS, who is engaged in
farming on section 21, Hayes Township,
Dickinson County, is a representative man,
and one well worthy of emulation. He has
the confidence and good-will of the entire community,
and is held in the highest regard by all. His
life has been an honorable and upright one, in
perfect harmony with his profession.
Our subject's great-grandfather, Daniel Sheets,
emigrated from Germany to America, settling in
Lancaster County, Pa., where his death occurred.
His son, John was born on the old homestead in
1792, and died at the age of forty-five years. Our
subject's father, Christian Sheets, was born in the
same county and on the same farm in 1824. He
niarried Miss Anna Musser, a native of that county,
whose father, the late Rev. Christian Musser, lived
during his entire life in Lancaster County, and
died in 1891. Mrs. Sheets is still living at a good
old age. Her mother, whose death also occurred
in 1891, was a Miss Newcommer, of Lancaster
County, Pa. The father of our subject died at the
age of sixty-two years.
Our subject was the eldest son and third child
of his father's family, which numbered six sons and
four daughters. His birth occurred January 2,
1849, and he was reared to manhood in the Keystone
State. He received a good common-school
education, and remained at home with his parents
until his marriage. The latter event was celebrated
in Franklin County, Pa., February 20, 1869, Miss
Martha Nissler becoming his bride. She is a daughter
of John and Catherine (Brubacher) Nissler,
both natives of Lancaster Co.. Pa., where the
former departed this life at the age of thirty-four
years. Mrs. Sheets was the fourth of a family
comprising five daughters and a son. She was
born in Lancaster County, Pa., December 23, 1846.
After our subject's marriage, he settled upon the
same old homestead where so many generations of
the family had lived. This was his home until the
spring of 1879, when he came Westward to Kansas,
making a settlement on section 21, Hayes
Township, which is still his home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sheets were born seven children:
Harvey, who died in infancy; Ezra, Katie,
Enos E., Anna, Jesse and Martha, all of whom
occupy desirable positions in the respect and esteem
of the people of this locality.
Mr. Sheets first purchased two hundred and
forty acres, and is now the owner of four hundred
and eighty acres, which are under good cultivation,
and on which he has erected good and substantial
buildings. He is connected with the
creameries in operation in Enterprise, Woodbine
and Hayes Townships. He was very active in the
starting of this new undertaking, which is controlled
and directed by C. Hoffman, Dr. A. G.
Eyth and our subject.
About the year 1883. Mr. Sheets was ordained a
preacher of the church known as the Brethren in
Christ or the River Brethren, and is active in all
good works. His many good qualities have endeared
him to all his flock and to his neighbors
and fellow-citizens, whose high esteem he justly
holds.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP