Shep's Place Family Tree

To this union was born four sons, Namely:.... In the early years of the century, tuberculosis infected the family, and four of them succumbed tothat disease. Celeste in 19908, Stella in 1909, and Father Lewis in 1910, and after a respite of two years, Walker was taken in 1912.

Mr. Sheets was a self-made man, getting his education by his own efforts, in his home. He took the required examination, and was granted a certificate in the profession for more than twenty years. Also, three of his sons followed their father in the profession, Franklin, Walker, and Raymond.

Mr. Sheets exerted much influence upon his community, and upon the County and State. He served his Guyan Township in nearly all of its offices. As assessor, trustee, census-taker,. enumerator, and Justice of the Peace. He served Gallia County, as recorder, and took over a very active part in the political activities of the County. Two of his sons also served Gallia County as recorders. Franklin and Raymond, and his son Walker, was his Father's Deputy Recorder.
In the year of 1896 Mr. Sheets was asked by his congressmen to submnit some names for post-offices to be instituted in the area. Looking out his living room window, he saw three litle girls playing: Lecta Notter, Mattie Kanous, and Ruby Caldwell, all relatives of him. He chose to submit their names for Post-Offices, and thus three Post Offices of Lecta, Mattie, and Ruby became a reality, and Mr. Sheets became the postmaster of Mattie, located on the headwaters of Johns Creek.

Mr. Sheets influence was not limited to the political activities of his community, but also exerted much influence on the religious lives. He served as the Chairman of the Buioding Committee, that erected the Siloam Missionary Baptist church, and he also served as his church secretary, treasurer, deacon, and trustee. His opinion was often sought on the activities of the church, and quite often you would find the Minister, dining at his table, or staying over night in his home.

Mr. Sheets died January 3, 1910, and his body is buried in the Sheets Graveyard, above the headwaters of Johns Creek and along the highway of State Route 790.