SAMUEL SHEETS, farmer and miller, P. O. America, who is one of our self-made men in this county, was born October 25, 1834, in Philadelphia, Penn. His father, Jacob Sheets, was born in Philadelphia, and died in Mobile, Ala. He was a ship carpenter and contractor by occupation. His father, Jacob Sheets was a native of Germany. The mother of our subject, Mary (Lusely) Sheets, was also a native of Philadelphia, and died in Mobile, Ala. She was of Scotch descent, and the mother of a large family, of whom four are now living, viz.: Jacob, Franklin, Letitia and Samuel; Samuel roamed for several years in early life, and finally, while his parents were on their way to Mobile, Ala., in 1848, he stopped in Pulaski County, Ill., working a great many days for 25 cents per day, working on the same place that he now owns. He first bought one acre in the old town of America, on which he built a small house; since then he has, by his own exertion and perseverance, acquired a farm of 320 acres of land. He was married twice, the first time January 18, 1857, in Rockport, Ind., to Mary E. Stits, born October 1, 1837; died August 2, 1878. She was the mother of ten children, viz.: Sidney, born January 11, 1858; Letitia L., deceased, former wife of Rev. L. F. Lawrence; Edward J., born October 20, 1861; Mary B., deceased; William B., born October 6, 1865; George W. and Benjamin F., deceased; Harry, born September 5, 1871: Charles G., born May 9, 1875. He married a second time, February 4, 1879, to Mrs. Lizzie Thurtell, born February 16, 1852, daughter of Edward B. and Mary (Riddle) Olmsted, and the mother of three children, viz.: Edward O. Thurtell, born February 6, 1873; Samuel Sheets, Jr., born October 29, 1879, and John M., born October 5, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Sheets has a saw-mill on his farm. He has been no office seeking man, but rather attends to his own business. He serves the people in the capacity of Township Trustee. In politics, he has been identified with the Democratic party.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, pages 277-278.
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