My Genealogy Hound

James Shikle, who is accounted one of the foremost farmers and one of the most enterprising citizens of Greene Township, was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1828, and removed to Obion County, Tenn., when ten years of age. His parents, John and Sarah J. (Kelso) Shikle, were natives of Germany and Kentucky, respectively. The father crossed the ocean to America when almost a young man and was a cabinet maker by trade. He located in Alabama, was married here, and here died about 1836. In 1838 his widow and children removed to Obion County, Tenn., and here the mother died in 1843, leaving a family of five children. Both parents had been previously married, and each had a child born to their marriage, so that there were seven children in all. James Shikle was one of the three children born to his parents, and is the only one of the three now living. His brothers and sisters were named Samuel, John, Nancy and Margaret, and both the brothers died leaving families. The half-brother on his father’s side was named Martin. He also died leaving a family. James Shikle remained at home until the death of his mother, when he went on a farm for two years. He then learned the carpenter trade, which he carried on until the beginning of the Rebellion, after which he followed farming. A short time previous to the war he was also engaged in merchandising and bridge building, his partner running the store, etc. Mr. Shikle lived in Tennessee until 1884, when he removed to Southwest Missouri, and located where he now lives. He now owns 320 acres of land, with the largest part under cultivation. He in his younger days made several trips to Mississippi, but found no better place to locate than Southwest Missouri. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mary E. Finch, who was born in Middle Tennessee and removed to Kentucky, where she grew to womanhood. Eight children were born to their marriage: Sarah J., Margaret, Luvenia, Samuel, Willie, A., George and Alice. The mother died August 10, 1874. She was an active member of the Christian Church and a good woman. Mr. Shikle has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for thirty years, and of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-five years.