Dr. Mark DeLes Dernier Sheldon (1816-1909)

SHELDON, FENN, GIFFORD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/30/2017 at 00:17:05

From Nevada Representative April 12, 1909

OBITUARY

DEATH OF DR. SHELDON

Word was received this forenoon of the death of Dr. Mark D. Sheldon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. W. Gifford, in St. Paul, and that his body will be brought to Nevada for burial on Wednesday. The news is not surprising; for the great age of Dr. Sheldon had prepared his friends for such news at any time; but the word is nevertheless received with great regret, and the final tributes to his memory will be paid with profound respect.

Dr. Sheldon was a native of western New York, and he was born on May 7, 1816. His death therefore on April 12, 1909, is at the age of 92 years, 11 months and 5 days. We understand that he was reared and educated in New York; but he early found his way to Wisconsin, and at Merton in that state he was married in February 1852 to Miss Annette Fenn, who now survives him after a married life of more than 57 years, as does also their one daughter, Mrs. Carrie Gifford. Dr. and Mrs. Sheldon did not remain long in Wisconsin, but in 1854 removed to Iowa, making their first location at Knoxville but coming in the course of a year or two to Story county and making their home at the pioneer village of Iowa Center. There they spent the years of their active life, and when the doctor was ready to retire from his practice they came up to Nevada and made their home on the west side of the city. There they lived most comfortably until age crept further upon them and for the past three or four years they have been for the most part with their daughter at St. Paul, but always spending a part at least of the summer here.

Dr. Sheldon was a man of strong character and most pronounced convictions. Nevertheless he was a man with whom it was possible to disagree amicably and we are inclined to believe that in his later years there were none of his friends who regarded him more warmly nor to whom he himself more kindly than those with whom in years of more active political controversy it might have been difficult for him and for them to have found common ground. he was a gracious old gentleman with whom it was pleasure to have association and whose good opinion was something to be sought and cherished.

In this connection perhaps a little personal mention may be made, based partly on accident and partly on the fellowship which sometimes grows up between persons of very different ages. It happened that Dr. Sheldon's birthday and that of the junior editor were the same, and when the doctor was eighty-eight and the editor forty-four it seemed fitting that there should be some courtesy on the part of the younger man to the older one to just half of whose age the younger had then attained. The result was a tea party at the home of the junior at which party besides Dr. and Mrs. Sheldon a few others of their generation were the guests. Somehow after this occasion there was always a little warmer feeling between the elder and younger, a little better appreciation upon the part of the younger of the sterling worth of the elder, a trifle more ability perhaps to do justice when the time should come, as it now has come, to pay final tribute tothe life of the patriarch.

From Nevada Representative April 14, 1909

OBITUARY

Burial of Dr. Sheldon

The remains of the late Dr. Mark D. Sheldon arrive here this morning in charge of his son D. D. Sheldon and his grand-son J. H. S. Gifford. Mrs. Sheldon and daughter, Mrs. Gifford, not having been able to come. The body was taken directly from the Northwestern depot to the cemetery, where brief services were conducted at the grave by Rev. Dr. Hunter. From the friends who came we learn that the death of Dr. Sheldon occurred on the evening of Easter Sunday at St. Luke's hospital in St. Paul, his age at the time of this death being 92 years, 11 months and 4 days.