Anthony Shimerda was a youth of fifteen years when the family came to America, so that his education was acquired in the schools of Bohemia ere he sought a home in the new world. He shared with the other members of the family in the privations incident to the establishing a home in a country, where the language, manners and customs of the people were foreign to them. He assisted his father in the work on the farm until he reached mature years, so that when he started out to make his own way in the world he was well fitted to meet all the responsibilities he had to face.

Mr. Shimerda was about twenty-two years of age, when, wishing to establish a home of his own, he chose as a companion for the journey of life, Miss Katherine Zabokstsky, their marriage being celebrated on the 22d of June, 1858. Mrs. Shimerda, like her husband, was born in Bohemia in 1837 and was a young maiden when in 1851 she accompanied her parents on their voyage across the Atlantic to the new world.

Having become established in their new home Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda at once began their domestic life in earnest and through energy and good management eventually acquired a large acreage, Mr. Shimerda devoting his attention to general farming throughout his entire business career. He possessed splendid business ability and this was the secret of his prosperity, so that at the time of his death, which occurred March 18, 1908, he left an estate of seven hundred acres to his family, this being located in Oxford township, and he likewise owned considerable stock in the Savings Bank at Oxford Junction. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda were born the following named: Joseph, a resident of Howard, South Dakota; Anna, deceased; Anthony and John, both residents of Nebraska; Mary, the wife of Frank Heniak, of Jones county; Emma. who has departed this life; Henry and Frank, both residents of Oxford township; Charles, of Battle Creek, Iowa; Frances, the wife of Clifford McMahan, a resident of Creston, Iowa; Elizabeth the wife of Frank Zinn; Edwin, who makes his home in Oxford township; and Freddie, who is deceased.

Mr. Shimerda gave his political support to the men and measures of democracy but was not an office seeker, avoiding publicity and preferring to live the quiet life of the farmer. He was a Catholic in religious faith. His purposes were ever kindly and his family mourn the loss of a devoted husband and father, while those who were associated with him either in business or social relations feel deeply the loss of an influential and highly respected citizen. Mrs. Shimerda, who is also a communicant of the Catholic church, occupies a nice residence in Oxford Junction, which she owns, and although she has disposed of a portion of her farm lands she still retains possession of two hundred acres and this supplies her with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. She has many friends in and around the village where she makes her home and all esteem her for her many excellent traits of heart and mind.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 448.

Frank F. Shimerda at the usual age entered the common schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning taught in such institutions. He gave his father the benefit of his services until he attained his majority and he and a brother then rented land, operating three hundred acres and in addition he raised and fed stock, which he shipped to the city markets. In due time the brothers divided their interests and Mr. Shimerda of this review purchased two hundred and fourteen acres on section 31, Oxford township. Three years later he bought two hundred and thirteen acres in Ida county, Iowa, which he held for a year and after disposing of that tract purchased two hundred and sixty-five acres in Cedar county, this state, and two years later he purchased fifty-six acres in Cedar county, just across the border, from Jones county, so that his land practically lies in one body and consists of five hundred and thirty-five acres. He follows general farming but makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, following this business on quite an extensive scale. He keeps his land in tillable condition through the rotation of crops, while he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors. He also owns a residence property in Oxford Junction.

Mr. Shimerda was married to Miss Emma C. Sokol who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, a daughter of F. J. and Anna Sokol, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Their union has been blessed with one son, George F. Shimerda, who was born January 19, 1899. Mr. Shimerda affiliates with the republican party but his extensive farming and stock-raising interests give him little time for participation in public affairs. His fraternal relations connect him with Masonic lodge, NO. 435, at Oxford Junction, while both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He possesses a character that makes him strong, forceful, determined and aggressive and in this lies the secret of his success.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 462.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 651.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Co., Chicago, 1879, p 589, and submitted by Mary Kay Kuhfittig.

Joseph Marsh Shotwell, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Canada and came to Iowa first in 1854. He remained here for some time and then returned to Canada, where he married Miss Martha Ferguson and then in 1866 came to Greenfield township, Jones county, to spend the rest of his days. His wife, like himself of Canadian birth, can also trace her family back many generations. Through her marriage she became the mother of two children: Emerson, of this review; and Louisa, who was born in June 1870, and died at the age of two years.

Emerson Shotwell was a child of two when his parents came to live in Greenfield township and here he grew to manhood, learning the secrets of the cultivation of the soil from his father and through actual experience. He received a common-school education and when it became time for him to embark upon the sea of life upon his own responsibility he devoted himself to farming. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres on sections 21 and 22, Greenfield township, a well- improved tract of land, cultivated by progressive methods.

In 1893 Mr. Shotwell wedded Miss Louisa Bishop, a daughter of Francis M. and Hairiest (Armstrong) Bishop, who were old settlers in this county and were the parents of two other daughters: Mrs. Angeline Gordon, now living in Oklahoma; and Lydia, who has remained at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell have been born two children: Alma, born September 4, 1894; and Francis Joseph, born November 15, 1896.

Mr. Shotwell's political sympathies are largely with the democratic party, but he is independent and inspired with progressive ideas and frequently votes for the candidate or issue which he thinks best irrespective of party ties. He has been school director and secretary of the board of education for the past twenty-two years, and trustee of the township for four years. In both capacities he has ever exerted his influence in the development of all the enterprises which would advance the best interests of the community in which he lives. He has in this manner made himself a vital factor in local affairs.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 388.