Wm. Shinn, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county Jan. 7, 1827, his early education was obtained in the old-fashioned log school-house, with split logs or puncheons for seats and desks. He was principally employed on his father's farm during his boy-hood, where he acquired habits of industry and application necessary to success.
June 27, 1946, he married Mary Jane Lytle, as the residence of her father, Andrew Lytle. Mr. and Mrs. S had 5 children, 4 of whom are living, Elizabeth, now married to Wm. Gay, of Atlas township, Albion, married to Lucy Woolfolk, also of Atlas township, Wm. D. and Mary, who live with their parents, and Daniel, who died at the age of 6 years.
Mr. Shinn followed farming until 1850, when he went to California, it being the height of the gold excitement. After an absence of nearly a year he returned, having met with fair success. He went the overland route and remembers well talking with companions of the impossibility of the railroad ever going through that vast country. He again resumed farming. He was prominently identified with business interest of Pike County, as an extensive buyer and shipper of cattle, hogs and sheep for the Chicago and St. Louis markets. He was engaged in this business for 30 consecutive years and was one of the largest farmers in Pike County, having some 1200 acres of farm land, raising on an average 200 acres of corn, 150 acres of wheat and handles 150 head of cattle from 400 to 500 head of sheep. In about 1860 he bought 110 acres in section 32 of Pittsfield Township, later adding to it until he had 530 acres.
Mrs. Shinn's father, Andrew Lytle , and his wife, Elizabeth (Wagoner) Lytle, were early settlers in this county, dating back to 1837. He was a native of Ross county, Ohio and his wife of Maryland.
