Elmer L. Shellabarger 1862-1906

SHELLABARGER, TAYLOR

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 7/1/2022 at 08:34:07

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, May 24, 1906
page 4

Elmer E Shellabarger died at Phoenix, Arizona, Saturday, May 26, formerly of Letts, but whose home has been for some years near Muscatine, in Lake township. He is a son of D. W. Shellabarger, of Letts, and a brother of E. P. Shellabarger of this vicinity. He was born January 20, 1862. He was consequently over 44 years of age at the time of his death. October 5, 1887, he was married to Miss Cordelia Taylor, daughter of Enoch Taylor, of 76 township. His wife with three children, Nellie, Laura and Hugh, are left to mourn their great loss.

Mr. Shellabarger has been an invalid for years with something of a catarrhal nature. It was not until the winter of 1904-5 however, that the disease assumed a more dangerous character in August of 1905 he went to California and spent a few months there, seeming to derive some benefit from the change. He passed the winter quite poorly and in April his brother, E. P. Shellabarger accompanied him to Arizona and found a quiet retreat for him near Phoenix, where he had the best care, thought far from wife and children and among strangers. The report of his condition were conflicting until his brother here received a telegram Friday to come, as he could not last long. He started that evening, but, of course, did not arrive for a day or so after his death.

He will be buried from the Methodist church, in Letts. The services will be conducted by his pastor, Rev. Brooks, of Muscatine assisted by some of his former pastors. He was converted twelve years ago and united with the U. B. church in his immediate neighborhood. On moving to his present home, there being no organization of his church, he united with the Methodist society at High Prairie Chapel. In his church work like everything else, he was active and aggressive. He was soon made a trustee and a steward of that society. For two years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and was always to be found doing goo. He will be buried beside friends in the Sandy Grove cemetery, near which place he found and wed his wife.