DAVID L. SHEEKS was born in Marion Township, Lawrence County, Ind., November 22, 1819. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Canotte) Sheeks, the former a native of Rowan County, N.C., and the latter having been born near
Hagerstown, Md. They were married in Wayne County, KY., where their parents had settled in a very early day. They both descended from German ancestry, whose arrival in this country dates back to colonial times. George and his
wife came to Orange County, Ind., in the spring of 1816, locating near Orleans, in which place they made one crop. On January 9, 1817, they came to Lawrence County, settling on Rock Lick in Marion Township, where the remainder of their days were passed, and where they reared twelve children--six sons and six daughters. By trade Mr. Sheeks was a cabinetmaker, but after locating in this county he engaged in farming, and for his day accumulated considerable property. He died in 1842, his wife living until 1856. David L. was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the schools of those days afforded. At the age of twenty-one years he started in life for himself and without much of this world's goods, less than 100 acres of land, since which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, paying considerable attention to stock-raising, and of late years
also to saw-milling. By close attention to business, careful management and keen business foresight he has become the largest land-owner and one of the wealthiest citizens in the county, owning about 4,000 acres. Mr. Sheeks has been married three times, and is the father of a large family. His first wife was Miss Sylvania Lewis, a native of this county. She was a daughter of Robert Lewis, who settled in Clarke County, Ind., in 1811. To this union were born eight children: John W., Delbert, Edward, Martha, Isom, Franklin
P., Priscilla and an infant unnamed. His second wife was Miss Susan Horsey, a native of Martin County, Ind., and a daughter of James Horsey, who settled in Martin County, Ind,, in 1815. She bore him ten children: Mary, George
Canotte, Halbert J., Laura, Homer, David L., Rose, Albert, Isaac Lawrence and Wade. His third wife was Miss Melinda Payne, a native of Martin County, Ind., and a daughter of Riley Payne, an early settler in Lawrence County, who came from South Carolina. She bore him two children: Sallie and
Everett. In politics Mr. Sheeks has always been a Democrat. His son, John W., was in Company D, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was its color bearer. He lost his life while serving his country. Mr. Sheeks has twice been elected to the responsible position of County Commissioner, in which office he has proven himself capable and efficient, having saved to the county many dollars by his financial ability. He is now a candidate for that office. During the time of his official life he superintended the building of the County Infirmary and other public improvements.