THEODORE ANSTINE

THEODORE ANSTINE, one of the leading agriculturists of Monroe Township, has been a resident of Shelby County since 1873. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 28, 1844, and is a son of Michael and Amy (Snyder) Anstine, natives of Pennsylvania. Theodore was eight years old when his parents removed to McDonough County, Illinois; there he grew up, receiving a fair education in the common schools. During the great Rebellion he went to the defense of his nation's flag, enlisting September 14, 1862, in the Seventy-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was first under fire at Chickamauga, and took an active part in the battle of Mission Ridge. Two days after the battle of Chickamauga he was taken prisoner; he was first confined at Richmond, Virginia, in the Royster building, opposite Libby Prison. February 23, 1864, he was taken to Andersonville. He was held 577 days, and experienced all the horrors of rebel prison life. Of the nineteen privates and one officer who were taken prisoners belonging to Mr. Anstine's company, only nine lived to return to their homes. Mr. Anstine was married February 23,1869, to Miss Mary L. Wilhelm, of Schuyler County, Illinois; she is a daughter of Welcome and Mary (Price) Wilhelm. In 1873 they came on their present farm of 160 acres. It was wild land but is now under cultivation, and has been greatly improved by the erection of buildings and planting of trees. In 1889 Mr. Anstine erected a new residence at a cost of $1,500, situated on a natural building site, and attractively surrounded by evergreen trees. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anstine -- William, Bashie Jane, Cora May, Elmer, Chester Roy, Katie and Clara. Mr. Anstine is a Republican; he has been officially connected with his township as justice of the peace, as township trustee and as a member of the school board, serving with credit and to the satisfaction of the public. He is a member of the G. A. R., John A. Dix Post, of Walnut.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 616. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

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