Biography of Martin C. Sheets, pages 832/833/834. History of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1913. Conspicuous among the representative men and public- spirited citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, is the well known gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article. He has made his influence felt for good in his community in Jackson township, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the community in which he resides and whose efforts have always been for the material advancement of the same, as well as for the social and moral welfare of his fellow men. The well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, entitle him to representation in a biographical work of this scope intended in the present work. Martin C. Sheets was born on June 29, 1860, on the farm where he now resides in Jackson township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Carr) Sheets. Christian Sheets was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and upon attaining mature years learned the trade of miller, having engaged in the operation of a grist mill in his community. He also followed farming to some extent, but in 1846, when about twenty-three years of age, emigrated from Ohio to DeKalb county, Indiana, and here bought the old Parks farm of one hundred acres, which was then practically all covered with timber. Here he cleared a space for a cabin and entered upon the strenuous task of clearing the land and putting it in cultivation. Later he bought eighty acres adjoining on the east and in 1864 again engaged in the milling business, which he continued for about ten years, running the old grist mill in Auburn. A new mill now stands on the site of this old mill, which for many years was a well known landmark here. His death occurred on September 12, 1882. Margaret (Carr) Sheets, who also was born in Ashland, county, Ohio, accompanies her husband to DeKalb county, and here became very active in assisting him in his work in connection with the inauguration of a home in the frontier. She was a good woman and enjoyed to a marked degree the confidence and love of those with whom she came in contact. Her death occurred on May 15, 1895, on the homestead where she had spent so many active years. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheets were born six children, namely: Hulbert Luther; Mrs. Sarah Huffman, who lives in Auburn and is the mother of three children, two living and one deceased; Amanda, deceased; Martin C., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maud P. Blankenship, of Chicago, Illinois, and a child who died in infancy. Martin C. Sheets was reared on the home farm, received his schooling in the township schools and from boyhood devoted his attention mainly to farming pursuits. He also learned the trade of carpenter and cement worker, and in the later line did many jobs of work throughout this locality. He worked on the old home farm in Jackson township and has spent practically his entire life there. He cleared thirty-five acres of the last eighty acres his father bought and also about twenty-five acres of the first one-hundred-acres tract. The old residence on the home place, in which the subject was born has since been remodeled by him and substantial additions made to it, and the other farm outbuildings, such as the barn, have been remodeled, the latter being changed into a modern bank barn. Mr. Sheets has given marked evidence of his progressive spirit by building the first and only cement block silo in the county. He is the owner of one hundred and seven acres of excellent land, which is maintained at the highest standard of agricultural excellence, and which by its general appearance of neatness and prosperity makes a favorable impression on the passerby. About fifteen acres of his land is covered by excellent timber and is considered very valuable. He also farms twenty-five acres belonging to his sister, Maud. On May 25, 1884, Mr. Sheets was united in marriage to Annice Russell, daughter of William and Sarah (Wicks) Russell. William Russell was born in Ashland county, Ohio, coming in youth to Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his parents. Eventually he took up the vocation of a farmer and moved to Green township, Noble county, Indiana, where he followed the profession of stationary engineering, operating the saw mills of that county. His marriage to Sarah Wicks occurred in 1857, and his death in 1864. He has two children, Annice, who became the wife of the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Francis Haney, who lives in Albion, Noble county, this state, and is the mother of two children loving and one deceased. Sara Wicks was born in Allen county, Indiana, near Huntertown, and came to Noble county in 1842. After the death of her husband she came to live with her daughter Mrs. Sheets, where she still resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have been born two children, Florous, who remains at home and assists in the farm work, and Russell, who is a draughtsman for the Pullman Car Company at Chicago. Politically, Martin Sheets is a supporter of the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Auburn, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Fort Wayne. Mrs. Sheets is a member of the Presbyterian church and is also identified with the Pythian Sisters. She is a well educated and cultivated woman, and has been a true and appreciative helpmate to her husband in his work. She enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the community and is well liked by all who know her. Mr. Sheets is not only an excellent man personally and a hustler in his business affairs, but is the civic life of the community he has taken a large interest and gives an unequivocal support to every movement intended to advance the social, moral and educational welfare of his fellow citizens. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com