WI BIO - Dane Co - SHOLTS, Elijah D.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 323-324

Elijah D. SHOLTS, one of the early pioneers of Dane County, Wisconsin, was 
born in Barrington, Yates County, New York, 10 August 1821. The father, John 
[SHOLTS], was a native of Germany as far as is known, who came to America and 
followed the calling of teacher in Barrington, until he removed to Erie 
County, Pennsylvania, about 1833, where he resided on the banks of Lake Erie, 
near Girard, where he still followed his calling for about twelve years, and 
then went to Texas, bought land, and was one of the early settlers of that 
State. Later, while returning home for his family, he [John SHOLTS] died 
among the Indians. The maiden name of his [John SHOLTS'] wife was Hannah 
HANAN, native of Rhode Island. She [Hannah (HANAN) SHOLTS, assuming she 
never remarried] survived her husband some years and died at the home of her 
son, our subject, in Oregon [Dane County, WI]. She had reared ten children.

Our subject [Elijah D. SHOLTS] received his education in the schools of New 
York and Pennsylvania and at the age of eighteen commenced farming on a tract 
of Moravian land, in Erie County [Pennsylvania], and lived there until 1846, 
when he came to the Territory of Wisconsin, accompanied by his wife and her 
brother. The journey was made overland, with horses and wagon and consumed 
seventeen days. At that time Madison [Dane County, WI] was a small village, 
and there were [p 324] quite as many log as frame houses. The surrounding 
country was but little improved and the land belonged principally to the 
Government, selling for $1.25 an acre. Mr. SHOLTS remained one winter at 
Milton Junction [Rock County, WI], and in the spring of 1847 came to Dane 
County [Territory of WI] and bought forty acres of land that is now included 
in his present farm. On this land he built a small log house, which served 
as a shelter for the family. At different times he added to his farm until 
at one time he was the owner of 220 acres of land in the towns of Oregon and 
Rutland [both in Dane County, WI]. There were no railroads, and he had to 
market his produce at Milwaukee. The trip took one week and on the return 
journey he used to bring merchandise and salt for the merchants of Madison, 
and occasionally brought out a family of emigrants.

Mr. [Elijah D.] SHOLTS married, 20 April 1846, Miss Julia A. SEARLES, born in 
Lake County, Ohio. Her father, Philip, was born, as far as known, in Canada, 
where he married Ann MINCHLER, a native of the same place. From Canada the 
young couple came to Ohio, and were among the pioneers of Lake County, where 
they bought land, built a log house in the wilderness, and in that house Mrs. 
SHOLTS (Julia A. nee SEARLES) was born. Mr. and Mrs. SEARLES [Philip and Ann 
(MINCHLER) SEARLES] spent their last days in Lake County [OH].

Mr. and Mrs. SHOLTS [Elijah D. and Julia A. (SEARLES) SHOLTS] have three 
children: (1) Hannah E., who married Amos MINGER, and has one child, 
Minnie; (2) William, who married Frankie FISHER, and has three children, 
Willie, Jessie and Ivy; and (3) Charles, the third child, married Emma 
DAVIS, and they have one child, Hallie Z. Mr. [Elijah D.] SHOLTS has been a 
member of the United Brethren [Moravian] Church forty-nine years, and he is a 
strong temperance man, and in politics Mr. SHOLTS is a strong Republican.

Many changes have taken place since Mr. [Elijah D.] SHOLTS arrived in 
Wisconsin. Then wild game of all kinds roamed over the prairie and the 
Indians came to the doors begging for food. Although Mr. SHOLTS was a very 
poor man when he came to the State, he has worked his way up until he is now 
[one] of the most highly respected citizens of Oregon [Dane County, WI], 
where he and his wife are now enjoying the evening of their lives.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly