SHEEK, Dr. Wiley F., b 1842 1905 Bio, Delta County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/delta/bios/seekwf.txt --------------------------------------- Donated September 12, 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Dr. Wiley F. Sheek A native of North Carolina, where his parents also were born and reared, and trained in the traditions and aspirations of his native section, and afterward a professional man and a prosperous rancher, living in several different states, the late Dr. Wiley F. Sheek, of Hotchkiss, Delta county, showed in a marked degree the versatility of the American mind and character, which can mold a shapely destiny out of any plastic conditions that Fate flings before it. Dr. Sheek's life began in the Old North state, in Yadkin county, on December 2, 1842, and he was the son of Ellis and Sarah (Long) Sheek, who were farmers and moved to Missouri in the 'sixties and afterward changed their residence to eastern Kansas. Later they returned to Missouri, and there the father died in 1875, the mother passing away in the fall of 1880, while on a visit to Colorado. Their son Wiley, after obtaining a good common-school education and pursuing a course in the study of medicine, began the practice of his profession in 1869 at Farlinville, Linn county, Kansas. In 1870 he moved to Brooklin, in the same county, where he remained eight years, then in 1878 took up his residence at Sedan, that state, making that place his home until 1889 but being most of the time in Colorado. In the year last mentioned he sold his interests in Kansas and became a resident of Delta county, this state, locating at Hotchkiss in 1892, it being then a small place, crudely built and with all its development before it. The Doctor built one of the first houses in the town and practiced medicine there until his death, on January 11, 1897. At his death he was possessed of a good ranch in Delta county and some town property, having succeeded in life and made his way with steady progress. He belonged to the Odd Fellows fraternally and the Grand Army of the Republic, and was a Republican politically. During the Civil war he served in the Union army as a member of Company K, Sixth Missouri Infantry, and although he served throughout the war and took part in many leading engagements, he escaped without a wound or being either taken prisoner or spending any time in a hospital. On November 2, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary P. Cheek, a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, and a daughter of John F. and Laura M. (Lucas) Cheek, both born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. There the father died on June 21, 1869, the mother passing away at Joplin, Missouri, on Christmas day, 1902. Dr. and Mrs. Sheek had one daughter, Brenhilda, who is now the wife of L.C. Shoemaker. Since her husband's death Mrs. Sheek has managed their property to advantage, and being a lady of good business capacity, has prospered. She has recently sold her ranch for a good price. Of the benevolent societies she has joined two, the Daughters of Rebekah and the Women's Relief Corps, and in politics she is a Republican with an active interest in the success of her party. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.