My Genealogy Hound

SHAMBAUGH, JAMES, proprietor of the Clarinda and Nodaway mills, on the Nodaway river, P. O. Clarinda; born October 15, 1825, in Coshocton county, Ohio. His education was received in the common schools of that county. At the age of nineteen years he entered the dry goods house of B. B. S. Cone & Co:, of Conesville, Ohio, remaining in their service as clerk for eight years. He went to Missouri in 1853, as clerk in the store of Gale & Crow, of Oregon, remaining until November, when he returned to Ohio. Came to Iowa in March, 1854, and entered 240 acres of land near Tabor, Mills county. In the same year he purchased a portion of the stock of R. B. Townsend, a merchant of Glenwood, and moving the same to Clarinda, opened a store in a log cabin, and sold the first merchandise ever brought to the place. In the fall of 1856 he built a flour mill, and in it made the first flour ever “bolted” in the county. In the same year he formed a partnership with Thomas B. Gordon in the Clarinda mill. He disposed of his mercantile business in 1865, to J. H. Powers, and devoted his whole attention to the milling business. As Mr. Shambaugh is one of the oldest settlers of the county, he has been closely identified with its business interests, and his enterprise has largely aided in bringing the county to the foremost rank. He was married May 2, 1858, to Miss Julia Jaycox, of Greene county, New York. By this union he is the father of two children, both boys: Ira W., now living, and Charles, accidentally shot by a playmate, November 16, 1879. Mr. Shambaugh has filled various positions of trust in the county. In September, 1854 he became deputy treasurer and recorder of the county, and post master at Clarinda. The educational interests of the county have received from him an impetus second to that of no man living; and for the past six years has been a member of the Clarinda school board. He is of the class of men every community needs, and whom to have means rapid and permanent growth. He is a man of large sympathies and great liberality. During the dark days of the grasshopper plague, when men were without the means to purchase the necessaries of life, Mr. S. loaned barrel after barrel of flour, taking no security whatever. None ever applied to him in vain, and many citizens of this county have reason to remember him with gratitude.