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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
GEORGE SHEESLEY, of Richland Township, dates his residence in this county back to the pioneer days of 1854. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 14, 1827. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Meyers) Sheesley, both natives of Pennsylvania. While our subject was yet a lad the family removed to Franklin County, Ohio, and here he grew to manhood. In 1837 they removed to Alabama, but not liking the South Mr. Sheesley returned the same year to Ohio. In 1850 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Peffers, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 19, 1832. Of this union nine children have been born, as follows: David E. is a farmer in Cass County, Neb.; George P. is a lawyer at David City, Neb.; Mary R. is the wife of J. C. Burks; William M. lives in Richland Township; John S. is an attorney, and the present County Judge of Polk County, Neb.; Phoebe, Martha E., Eldie A. and Joseph L. are at home. When the subject of this sketch came to Iowa he purchased 100 acres of land on section 8, of Richland Township, for which he paid $10 per acre, $500 cash and the balance on time, and finished paying for the same in 1864. His father, George Sheesley, came to Iowa in 1858, locating in Jasper County, and there died in 1868. His wife had died in Ohio several years before. In the early days of Mr. Sheesley's residence in this township, the lines of school districts were not clearly defined, and in 1859 a building was rented and the first school of that portion of the county was taught by Miss Fisk. The Directors, not knowing the boundaries of the district, had rented a house outside of its borders, and later on Miss Fisk was taken sick, so that the school was suspended until Mr. Sheesley became Director, procured a building within the district, and engaged a second teacher. Soon the rented structure gave way to the primitive log school-house, which has long since been replaced by an excellent frame building, both of which were constructed under the direction of Mr. Sheesley, who served the people faithfully for many years as School Director. He is the firm friend of education, and has given his children superior advantages in this respect. Several of them have attended college at Pella, and one, George P., is a graduate of that institution. Politically Mr. Sheeley is a Democrat, and has served as Township Assessor for five years. He is a member of the Christian Church at Peoria. His present farm consists of 400 acres of choice land in the best state of cultivation, and with first-class improvements. He ranks as one of the leading agriculturists of this township, and gives his attention particularly to stock-raising. Careful management of his interests has placed him in comfortable circumstances. In all the relations of life, whether as husband, father, neighbor or citizen, his character shines out brightly, untarnished by a dishonest act.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy