John Henry Shetterly

John Henry Shetterly was the father of Mary Jane Shetterly Barnhizer, the grandfather of Sarah E. Barnhizer Wellons, the great grandfather of James H. Wellons and the great great grandfather of Ralph Wellons, my grandfather.

The historical record is a little confusing, in part because there is another “Henry Shetterly” that is probably an older relative and also because census records use John Henry and Henry interchangeably.

John Henry was born on April 7, 1791 in Mohantango, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.

He died on December 6, 1871 in Hartford Township of Warren County, Iowa.

He married Mary Jane Fisher. The date and place are unknown.

Their daughter, Mary Jane Shetterly, was born on September 16, 1823.

The 1830 census in Madison County, Indiana shows a “Henry Shetterly” with 9 children under the age of 20 and 2 adults in the household. This might be our John Henry or the older Henry.

The 1840 census in Clarmont County, Ohio, shows 5 children under the age of 20 and 2 adults in the household. The name of the head of household is “John Shetterly”.

In the 1855 state census in Richland Township of Warren County, Iowa, we have two households, one headed by John Henry Shetterly and another by Henry Shetterly.

In the 1860 federal census in Richland Township of Warren County, Iowa, we have: Henry 69 and Mary 64.

Mary Jane Fisher Shetterly died on February 11, 1864 in Perkinsville, in Madison County, Indiana.

In the 1870 census for Hartford, in Richland Township of Warren County, Iowa, Henry is living with a son or grandson and their large family. There are 9 souls in the household.

John Henry died on December 6, 1871 in Warren County, Iowa. He was 80 years old. He was buried at the Hartford Cemetery.

John Henry Shetterly was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving in Captain Daniel Hosbrooks Company of Ohio Militia. There is a history of the unit.