SHELLEY, George. W. (1832-1885)

SHELLEY, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 3/16/2004 at 17:58:54

“GEO. W. SHELLEY’S DEATH. In last week’s Ledger was noted the death of George W. Shelley at Kansas City, January 31st. Mr. Shelley was long a resident of this county, and his remains were brought hither for interment. He was born at LaHarpe, Hancock County, Ill., May 14th, 1832, and ten years later removed to this county with his parents. April 12th, 1852, he was married to Phebe D. Phillips, a daughter of Rev. W. H. Phillips, and started overland for Oregon the same day. There he remained for a year or two, returning May 5th, 1854, having made the entire trip by water, via the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi. In 1857 he removed to Decatur County and engaged in the sale of merchandise, removing thence to Des Moines in 1860, where he had charge of a mill for a while, and thence to Madison County, in 1861, where he engaged in farming. At this time he enlisted in the Union army, but was rejected. From 1862 to 1870 he again lived on a farm in this county, serving as U.S. assessor (census taker) during the latter year. In 1871 Mr. Shelley removed to Turner County, Dakota, and in July of the same year was appointed Judge of Probate, a position he held until 1874. Leaving Dakota in 1876 he located at Kansas City where he was engaged in fruit raising until 1883…..Mr. Shelley reared a family of several children…..His remains were interred in the Mt. Zion cemetery, southeast of town, and his funeral was largely attended.”

The Fairfield Ledger
February 11, 1885, Page 3, Col. 3.