Philip Sheets, Sr.
Philip Sheets, Sr., was born in Baden, Germany, on the 27th of October, 1817. He immigrated to America in 1835 or ’36, and after visiting New York City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and St. Louis, he continued to journey until he reached New Orleans, where be located for a few years. In 1843 he entered the Texan army, under the command of General Houston, and served one year, when he was discharged from the service and returned to his home in New Orleans; remained until in 1846, when he entered the Mexicali war in the United States Army, and served about two and one half years in a company of mounted riflemen, and was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, some time during the latter part of 1848. On the 12th of April, 1849, he married Miss Mary Manger, of St. Louis, Mo., and located in Texas. In the latter part of 1849 he enlisted in the 2d Dragoons, under the command of Colonel Hardy, and served five years, or until in 1854, when he was discharged from the service. He then enlisted in a company known as the Texan Rangers, and served one year, or until in 1856, when he again received an honorable discharge. Soon after leaving the Rangers he enlisted in the 5th United States Cavalry, and served eight years, or until in 1864, when he was discharged on account of general disability. He remained out of the army but a few months, or until in the fall of 1864, when he re-enlisted as a veteran in the 17th O. V. I., and served until after the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. He now holds in his possession a certificate of merit for honors acquired and bravery manifested in the battle of Belen Gate, Mexico, on the 13th of September, 1847, under the command of W. F. Sanderson, signed by James K. Polk, President of the United States. In 1861, or at the breaking out of the late war, he received a furlough from his regiment, moved his family from Texas to Ohio, and located them in Botkins, Shelby County, where they have since resided. At the close of his army life in 1865, which was near twenty years of duration, he returned to his family in Botkins, where he has since been engaged in the hotel keeping and the saloon business. At this writing he is conducting the saloon business He has a family of six children, viz., Philip W., William, Joseph, Laura, Sarah and Mary (twins).
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883