Person Page - 1745

     In 1885 Elisha Lockheart, one of the leading agriculturists of Garden Plain Township, was born May 21, 1821, in Greene Township, Adams Co., Ohio. He is the second son of Robert E. and Sarah (Hemphill) Lockheart. The first business in which he was engaged was as a help manager of a wood-yard, at the head of Brush Creek Island in the Ohio River, for the purpose of supplying steamboats with fuel. He was then but 12 years of age, and he continued to help conduct the affairs of the wood station until 1852, when he married, and ran a rented farm until 1856. In the fall of 1845 he came to Whiteside County and entered 231 acres of land, 200 of which was was prairie, situated on section 11, of township 21, range 3. He made the remainder of his claim on section 8, consisting of 30 acres of timber. After he reached the age of 21 years he entered into an engagement with his father for $100 yearly salary, and his board and clothes. He came West in 1845 with three years salary, and secured his land. He went back to Adams County, where he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and the wood business, until 1856. He then made a permanent removal to Whiteside County, and located on section 27 of Garden Plain Township, where he improved a farm. In 1858 he took possession of the land he had formerly located on section 11, and which was still in a wholly wild state. It is at present writing in a state of advanced cultivation, and he has increased his possessions until he is now the owner of a valuable estate, comprising 872 acres of land, all of which is under tillage, with the exception of 51 acres of timber. He also owns 160 acres of land in Poweshiek County, Iowa, and 120 acres in Morris County, Kan. Mr. Lockheart has rented his land, and is living in retirement.
He was united in marriage Nov. 16, 1852, to Rebecca Rinard. She was born Dec. 27, 1825, in Washington Co., Ohio, and died Feb. 20, 1885, and was interred in the Cottonwood Cemetery, Ustick Township. While the death of Mrs. Lockheart inflicted an irreparable loss, she accomplished much more than the usual lot in the influence she exerted in her home and in social circles. She was all that the terms wife, friend and neighbor imply.