Ira Jacob Shoultes

His siblings included:
1. Dason G. (1820-1820);
2. Peter Adam (1Feb1821-17Nov1856) who married Sally A. Zimmer;
3. Emaline (2Nov1825-17Feb1899) who married George Snapp;
4. William Henry (27Aug1830-7Mar1893) who married 1) Sophia Young and 2) Sarah S. Perry;
5. Elijah (1835-20Mar1912) who married Mary A. Kenyon;
6. Elias (1835-20Oct1862) who married Emma McElroy;
7. Seneca (1836-????);
8. George J. (20Jun1839-1Feb1904) who married 1) Catherine Zeh and 2) Rebecca Brougham;
9. Seymour Lyman (22Aug1841-14Apr1915).

Ira grew up on the Shoultes farm and eventually became the owner and operator of the enterprise. It is speculated there were communications between the families of Tioga and Albany counties during this period between 1825 and 1855. Ira's grandfather, Johan Jacob Scholtes (6May1761-1Feb1852) published his last Will and Testament in 1840 following the death of his wife. Portions of this document reads as follows and provides direct evidence to the lineage of the Shoultes branch of descendants to John Matheis Schultes (7Oct1740-9Jan1812) of Albany County.

"Sixthly, I give and devise unto my Grandson, Ira Scholtes, son of my son, Jacob I. Scholtes, all that certain farm piece or parcel of land situate lying and being on the west end of lot number fifty-five, in the Grand Division of the Boston Ten Townships, in the County of Tioga and State of New York, bounded on the west by the west bounds of said lot, as originally laid out. North and South by the old lines of said lot, and to extend East as far as a line running parallel to the West bounds thereof, will make and include one hundred acres of land, to have and to hold the same to him, the said Ira Scholtes, his heirs and assigns forever."

"And I do hereby order and direct the said Ira, in consideration of this devise, provide and maintain his father and mother as long as they choose to remain with him on the same premises."

The researcher has proved through the observation of a 1867 Land Map of Tioga County that Lot 55 was the location of the farm belonging to Ira Shoultes.

On May 30, 1848, Ira J. Shoultes united in marriage with the former Lana Snapp. Lana Snapp was born in Germany on August 14, 1830, the apparent child of Jacob (30Oct1785-10Dec1876) and Sophia Schnapp (????-1871). She may have been the sister of George Snapp (1Feb1817-14Aug1882) who married Emaline Shoultes (2Nov1825-17Feb1899), the sister of her husband. It is believed that the Schnapp families migrated to Tioga County in the late 1830s. It is believed that the Snapp family was large. The other members of the family are not known to the researcher at the time of this writing.

The couple established their farm on the land described in his grandfather's will and raised a family of eight children as follows:
1. Jacob Henry (2Sep-1849-5Nov1851);
2. Emma D. (16Aug1856-4Nov1924) who married Alonzo Baldwin;
3. Frederick Charles (3May1858-23Apr1930) who married Mary L. Dodge;
4. Nancy (17Nov1859-6Jul1916) who married John Niefer;
5. Charles Henry (10Apr1863-11Oct1934) who married Henrietta E. Zimmer;
6. Mary Elizabeth (18Dec1866-11Nov1943) who married Henry W. Stevens;
7. Ella C. (18Mar1868-12Dec1944) who married Frank Westfall;
8. Chauncey (12Aug1870-12Apr1927) who married 1) Kate Zimmer and 2) Mary Brick.

The farm was very prosperous and much land was added to the original parcel. According to the United States Census Report of 1870, Ira Shoultes listed his real estate worth as $5,500; a tidy sum for these times. Their sons Frederick, Charles, and Chauncey remained near the original homestead and contributed greatly to the success of the family enterprise.

According to the 1855 Tioga County Census, Ira's parents lived on the same premises with him. Following his father Jacob's death in 1856 and the tragic death of his brother Peter in that same year, Ira became the caretaker and provider for his mother, his nephew Ira Adam (12Oct1844-5Mar1922) and his younger brothers. True to the bequest of his grandfather, Ira maintained care for his mother until her death in 1872.

The family appears to have been very close. Brothers, William and George, established their farms near the original site. Ira raised the son of his brother, Peter, to adulthood. Although records indicate that Ira could not read or write, he was a respected and prosperous farmer during the late 19th century. The original Shoultes farm is now gone, but some of his descendants still live in nearby Broome County.

On August 9, 1894, Lana Shoultes suffered what appears to have been a stroke. She lingered for a few days before she died. The August 23, 1894 edition of the OWEGO TIMES recorded this event as follows:

"Mrs. Ira Shoultes, a well known resident of East Newark, passed from life on Saturday, August 11, after an illness of two days. Thursday morning, while all the other members of the family were at the barn milking, she suffered a severe shock, and was found sitting in a chair, partially paralyzed, but still able to make herself understood. From that time, however, she failed rapidly until her death."

"As Lana Schnapp, the deceased was born in Germany August 14, 1830, she coming to this country later with her parents. When only 18 years of age, she united in marriage with Ira Shoultes, who survives her. She also leaves three sons and four daughters - Fred, Charles and Chauncey, Mrs. John Neifer, Mrs. Alonzo Bandwin, and Mrs. Frank Westfall of this town, and Mrs. H.W. Stevens of Owego. The funeral took place Tuesday, the 64th birthday of the deceased. Rev. J.B. Cook officiated at the funeral and the remains were interred in the cemetery near the homestead."

Ira remained on his farm and worked the land with his sons and grandsons. In 1898, he published his last Will and Testament. On July 28, 1978, the record was found by the researcher at the Tioga County Surrogates Office at Owego (Tioga County), New York. The document is published in Book U on Page 50, and is transcribed as follows:

"In the name of God, amen, I, Ira Shoultes, of Newark Valley, Tioga County, State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, therefore make, ordain, publish, and declare this to be my last Will and Testament; that is to say:

First, after all of my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Mary Stevens, one undivided fourth of all my household furniture, and everything in the house in the furniture line; also one hundred dollars in money.

Second, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Nancy Niefer, one undivided fourth of all my household goods, and also one hundred dollars in money.

Third, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Emma Baldwin, one undivided fourth of all my household goods, and also one hundred dollars in money.

Fourth, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Emma Westfall, one undivided fourth of all my household goods, and also one hundred dollars in money, and I do hereby charge all of my real estate with the foreabove legacies of one hundred dollars to each of my four daughters.

Fifth, I give and bequeath unto my beloved sons, Chauncey and Charles Shoultes, all the goods and chattels of every kind on my farm, except household furniture, including farming tools, team, stock, wagons, fowl, etc. be divided equally between them. This bequest is made to offset what I have already advanced to my son, Fred Shoultes.

Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved sons, Fred Shoultes, Charles Shoultes, and Chancy Shoultes, all of my real estate and the remainder of my personal estate, be divided between them, share and share alike.

Likewise, I make, constitute, and appoint my sons, Fred Shoultes and Charles Shoultes to be my executors of this, my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal, the tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and ninety eight."

Around the turn of the century, the OWEGO GAZETTE began to take an interest in some of the early pioneer families of Tioga County. Under the heading "Some Early Settlers of Newark Valley", the following article was published in the March 14, 1901 issue:

Newark Valley, March 9 - The residence of Ira J. Shoultes was located first by Michael Wormer in 1798. He came from Guilderland, Albany County, N.Y. In 1824, Joel Brougham came from Guilderland and settled on the lot. He built a log house, and cleared the first fallow. Jacob Shoultes came from Knox in 1825. He bought the timber claim of Michael Wormer. He built a small frame house and cleared and improved the farm, which was his home during life. After his death, the property passed into the hands of his son, Ira J. Shoultes, which is his present place of residence.

Ira J. Shoultes was born November 21, 1827 in East Newark. He was married May 30, 1848 with Lana Schnapp. She was born Feb. 14, 1830 in East Newark. She was the mother of six children, four sons and two daughters as follows: Jacob Henry Shoultes born Sept. 2, 1849. Emma D. Shoultes born Aug. 16, 1855. Frederick C. Shoultes was born May 17, 1860. Charles H. Shoultes was born April 10, 1863. Mary E. Shoultes was born Dec. 18, 1865. Ella C. Shoultes was born March 18, 1868. Chauncey Shoultes was born August 31, 1870. Lanna, wife of Ira J. Shoultes died August 10, 1894. Mr. Shoultes has a home with his children on the farm. He has a pleasant and enjoyable home, and is enjoying life with them.

Ira Jacob Shoultes developed severe stomach troubles and died from apparent stomach cancer on April 18, 1905 at the age of 77 years. His death was recorded in the April 17, 1905 edition of the OWEGO GAZETTE and reads as follows:

Ira Shoultes died April 17 at this home in the eastern region of the town of Newark Valley, aged 77 years. He was the son of Jacob I. Shoultes and died on the farm where he was born. He leaves three sons and four daughters: Fred, Charles, and Chauncey Shoultes; Mrs. John Niefer and Mrs. Frank Westfall of Newark Valley; Mrs. Alonzo Baldwin of Lisle, and Mrs. H.W. Stevens of Owego.

Ira Jacob Shoultes was buried in the tiny East Newark Cemetery in the East Newark regions of Newark Valley (Tioga County), New York. He was buried under a majestic marble tombstone along with his wife Lana (1830-1894) and first born son Jacob Henry. Descendants of Ira Jacob Shoultes still live near this village at the time of this writing.