Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Shelly, Albert Elden 1905
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net March 23, 2011, 7:58 pm

Ionia Standard, 14 Apr 1905

Passes Away In the Very Prime of Life.

When the Promise of Success was Brightest – His Brother Arrives in Time – 
Funeral Tuesday.

The death of Albert Elden Shelly, at the early age of 39, brings a feeling of 
sadness, especially to the young business men of this city, who had a warm 
appreciation of the genial side of his nature, and admiration for his talent in 
business directions.

Mr. Shelly had for many years been in delicate health, but it was only during 
the last two or three years that his decline had been so marked as to be 
alarming.  He went south during the early winter, in hopes that out doors in 
the pure air of the Carolina mountains might be of benefit; but he failed 
rapidly there, and on his return home, about two weeks ago, it was evident that 
recovery was impossible, although it was not generally anticipated that his 
downward progress would be so rapid.

It was not until Saturday that dissolution seemed so immediately near, and by 
his expressed wish his brother Frank was telegraphed for.  It was only by good 
fortune and energy of purpose, that he reached the bedside before death came.  
Within two hours from receipt of telegram he took the afternoon train at 
Philadelphia, and reached Durand Sunday too late to catch the morning train.  A 
telegram met him there urging haste.  He took train to Lansing, reaching there 
at 4 p.m.  He had arranged for an automobile to be ready at station, and he 
made the trip from Lansing in two hours, reaching here at 6.  Albert recognized 
him, but was not able to hold conversation with him, and lapsed into 
unconsciousness about 7, passing away at 10:05.

Albert was the son of Rev. D. H. Shelly, and was born March 29, 1866, in 
Gratiot county.  His mother died when he was 15 years old.  His first business 
venture was at the age of 19, when he and his brother Frank, then only 15, 
commenced the publication of a newspaper called the Local, at Elm Hall.  It 
proved a success, and at the end of about three years was sold at a profit.  
The boys then went to Mecosta and established the Courier, which they published 
two or three years and then sold.  The partnership was then dissolved, Frank 
going east to establish himself in the business he has since followed, and 
Albert engaging as traveling agent for the Detroit Evening News.  He continued 
with them two or three years, locating at Ionia during that time, about 15 
years ago.  He was a partner in the Ionia Express about a year, and then bought 
the Belding Star, where he remained two or three years, and then returned to 
Ionia, where he has since been engaged in the brokerage, loan and real estate 
business.  It was the irony of fate that awoke him to a knowledge of the 
business talents he possessed in special lines, at the very time that his 
health gave way in such measure as to prevent his acceptance of flattering 
offers from financial men in important business centers.

Mr. Shelly had marked talent as a humorist, noticeable both in his writings and 
the little talks he was often called upon to make.  With proper training on 
literary lines, he would have made one of the famous humorous writers in the 
country.  But his ambition did not tend that way, so much as in business, where 
his marked success with good health would have been as well assured.

He was married June 16, 1886, to Miss Flora Heald of Easton, a daughter of his 
father’s present wife.  He leaves one child, Adah, 17 years old, a member of 
the junior class in high school, and a young lady who gives evidence of strong 
mental endowment.

The funeral service was held at family residence on King street, at 2 o’clock 
Tuesday afternoon, Rev. W. B. Taylor, of Church of Christ, officiating.  The 
bearers, selected by decedent, were F. C. Miller, Geo. F. Burba, K. R. Smith, 
Dr. J. H.. Hathaway, W. B. Hoath, and W. Walter Smith.

The funeral service for Albert E. Shelly, at the family home Tuesday p.m., was 
very largely attended by friends and neighbors, the representation of the 
younger business and professional element of the city being especially 
noticeable.  The service was by Rev. W. B. Taylor, the words of scripture 
comfort being delivered in his usual earnest and impressive manner.  The music 
was by Mr. and Mrs. Thane Benedict, Mrs. L. P. Brock and Lee Yates.  There was 
a profusion of flowers, testimonials from sympathizing friends.  The bearers 
were as before noted.  Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery, and a very large 
number of those who attended the service at the house, were also present at the 
final service attending actual burial.  Among friends from a distance, besides 
F. E. Shelly and G. F. Burba, were Rev. A. J. Shelly of St. Louis, Mich., an 
uncle of decedent, R. S. Bissell of Detroit, John W. Davids of Danby, A. J. 
Hatfield of St. Louis, E. R. Spencer, Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Connell and Mr. and 
Mrs. L. L. Holmes of Belding.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/shelly10926nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 5.5 Kb