Shep's Place Family Tree

In 1831 John and Sally deeded property in Gallia Co. to his brother Peter Jr. in S.E. 1/3 Section 36, T. 4, R. 16, March 19, 1831--William Nida witness.

According to Jack Nida's history of the family, John and Sarah went to Iowa about 1860 where he patented the land upon which the town of Corydon, Iowa, is now situated. His brothers William and Henry and perhaps some nieces and nephews ‎(children of his brother Jacob)‎ went to Iowa with him.

We find, however, that by 1850 John and Sarah and their family were already in Mahaska county, Iowa. John was then 52 years and Sarah 37. Their children at home were John 24, Minerva 18, Cornelius 16, Sarah 14, Emaline 11, Havanna eight and "Sinton" ‎(male)‎ one year old. Sinton may have been a grandchild because Sarah by then was 49 years old.

In one record it said that his wife was Elizabeth Harless. Apparently this is incorrect. Perhaps Elizabeth was Sarah Harless's sister.

Listed in 1856 of the Iowa State Census Collection, John Niday 56 years and Sarah 52 have four children ‎(or grandchildren)‎ at home: Minerva 21, Havanna D. 15, Sinton six and Melvina two.

They are still in Corydon in 1860. John and Sarah, both 63 years old, owned real estate to the value of $2,500.00 and had personal property worth $600. Their two youngest children were the only ones at home: "Scintion" eleven and Melvina six. Melvina must have been a grandchild because by the time of her birth Sarah was 56 years old. One certainly hopes for her sake that she didn't have a baby at that age!

In 1870 Sarah, now widowed and aged 71, lived with her daughter Emeline Holder Kelly and her family in Corydon, Iowa. Emeline's first husband Calvin Holder died about 1860 after which Emeline remarried William Kelly about 1866. They had two little ones, Lloyd C. three and Havanna one year old.