Samuel E. Shellhaas, whose long and honorable career as an agriculturist of Miami county entitles him to the general respect and esteem in which he is held, was born in Staunton township, Miami county, December 28, 1865, a son of Michael and Charlotte (Ullery) Shellhaas. The family has been known well and favorably in Miami county for many years and its members have been for the most part agriculturists. In their vocation they have been noted for their industry and progressiveness, and in their citizenship they have been supporters of beneficial movements and high principles. Michael Shellhaas was a worthy representative of this family as a farmer, citizen and man. He spent practically his entire life in Miami county, where he was engaged honorably and successfully as a farmer, and where he and his worthy wife were highly esteemed. They were the parents of ten children, of whom nine are living. Samuel E. Shellhaas was educated in the public schools of Staunton and Newton township, following which he began farming for his father. When he reached years of maturity he embarked in agricultural ventures of his own, and continued to be engaged in farming in Newton township until the spring of 1918, when he located on his present property in Elizabeth township. He is carrying on extensive operations on a farm of 102 acres, upon which he has installed modern improvements, which, with good buildings and modern equipment, serve to make his property attractive and valuable. He applies his efforts to general farming, a field in which he has met with success, and also raises a few hogs and cattle. In his newly adopted community he has become recognized as a man of intelligence and worth, of ability and public spirit. Mr. Shellhaas married Vinnie, daughter of William and Sarah (Longnecker) Mote, and to this union there have been born five children: Anna, who is deceased; Rev. Joseph, an evangelist, a resident of Lima; William, who was five months in the United States Army at Camp Sherman and Detroit, now associated with his father in the cultivation of the home farm; Glenna, who is the wife of Marc Stebelton, associated with the National Cash Register Company of Dayton, and Forrest, who is attending school and resides with his parents. During the World war period the members of this family were liberal in their support of the war chest and other movements, and took an active part in the campaign for the sale of Liberty bonds and the support of the Red Cross.