Nelson Shanck is an enterprising farmer of Union township, Miami county. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio, three miles southwest of Dayton, on the 3d of January, 1850. His . father, Phillip Shanck, was born in Maryland and during his early life emigrated westward with his family and settled near what is now the city of Dayton, then a small village. The family lived on a farm and Phillip Shanck remained at home until his marriage, after which he removed to Indiana. He spent a year in that state and then returned to Ohio, locating upon rented farm land in Miami county. When six years had passed he purchased his father's old homestead thereon remained until his life's labors were ended, at the age of seventy-eight. In politics he was a Republican but never sought or desired the honors and emoluments of public office. He held membership in the German Baptist church, which was also the faith of his parents. His father, John Shanck, was a native of Maryland, and died on the old homestead in Ohio, when about eighty-five years of age. He, too, held membership in the German Baptist church and was a man of the highest respectability. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Rebecca Shafer and was born in Pennsylvania. During her girlhood she came with her parents to Ohio and is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years. She, too, was a member of the church and led an earnest Christian life.

Nelson Shanck remained at home until about twenty years of age, and the duties and pleasures of farm life occupied his time and attention. He then left home and for a time was employed as a farm hand by the day. Subsequently he rented land and engaged in raising tobacco and potatoes. During the third year in which he was thus engaged he was married, and continued to rent a farm of thirty-five acres in the neighborhood for about four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased twenty acres just across the line in Darke county, living there for twelve or thirteen years, during which time he extended the boundaries of his land by an additional purchase of' twenty acres. On selling that property he purchased the eighty-acre tract upon which he now makes his home, and has since carried on general farming, his fields being under a high state of cultivation, while the many modern improvements and accessories seen upon the place indicate his careful supervision and practical, progressive methods.

As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Mr. Shanck chose Miss Sally Isenberger, of Union township, and they now have five children: Edna, wife of Calvin Minnich; Effie, Noah, Jesse, and Lucy, all at home. Mr. Shanck exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he and his wife hold membership in the Dunkard church. The circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances and they are widely and favorably known in Miami county.