SHELDON / SHELTON BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== SHELDON, W. H. - b: 1833 Steuben Co, NY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 805 residence: Deer Creek Twp Captain W. H. Sheldon, farmer and stock raiser, section 31, owes his nativity to Steuben County, New York, where he was born February 23, 1833, being the son of Allen Sheldon, a native of Massachusetts, and Chloe (Picket) Sheldon, originally from Connecticut. The former served as drum major in the war of 1812, while his father, Ephesus Sheldon, was a colonel in the war of the Revolution and his father was a general in the same service. Allen Sheldon removed from New York to Illinois in 1840 and located in McHenry County, where he purchased land and improved a farm and lived until his death in February, 1870. W. H. grew to maturity in McHenry County and received his education at the public schools, supplemented with about two years' attendance at a select school. He enlisted September 10, 1861, in Company I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry as a private, but when his company was organized he was elected first lieutenant. After serving one year he resigned on account of ill health. Upon recovering he re-enlisted and clerked in the quartermaster's department until disabled by being thrown from a horse, when he was taken to the hospital, remaining there for four months and then was discharged. After this he returned to Illinois and was engaged in the real estate business and farming in McHenry County for about six years. In 1869 he located at Brownington, Henry County, Missouri, and was interested in the mercantile business for about three years, removing to his farm, containing 153 acres, in Deer Creek Township, in December, 1878. Mr. Sheldon was married in Wisconsin, January 7, 1855, to Miss Nora Foley, a daughter of John Foley. She was born in Montgomery County, New York. They have three children: James H. (a merchant and postmaster at Brownington), Charles W. and Allen. They have lost four children. ==================================================================== SHELTON, George J. - b: 1841 St. Charles Co, MO source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 592 residence: Windsor Twp Hon. George J. Shelton was born in St. Charles County, Missouri, July 24, 1841. In 1852, he accompanied his father to Warren County, and in 1855, they moved to Texas, locating in Hill County, near the Brazos River, where the senior Shelton became largely engaged in stock raising. In January, 1861, having had but a limited education, George entered Bosqueville College. In June of the same year "the loud trump of war" was heard, and filled with enthusiasm for the Confederate cause, he left home and marched forth to the field of battle, joining Captain Peter Ross' Independent Scouts. At that time no troops were allowed to leave that part of the state, they being held as frontier reserves. In August they took up their line of march for Kansas. At Dallas they joined Colonel B. Warren Stone's Regiment, and soon met Generals Benjamin McCullough and Price, at Neosho, Missouri, when they were ordered to Springfield, and he was one of the number who went into Springfield while it was occupied by the enemy, and ordered to leave the city. On Christmas day he was engaged in the battle of Christianolla, on Bird Creek. Here young Shelton distinguished himself, as on many other occasions, as a brave and gallant soldier. The battle was hotly contested, the Indians numbering ten to one. They had set the grass on fire and were fighting in the smoke for protection. Seeing one of his comrades fall, Mr. S. cast his eye to the right, noticed from whence the shot came, rode swiftly in the direction, and was soon engaged in a hand to hand battle with the red man. The contest was short and decisive, for very soon he returned to his command amidst the shouts and cheers, with the scalp of the Indian dangling from his bridle. The Confederates succeeded in capturing the whole camp. He was in the battles of Keetsville, Bentonville, Elkhorn, and many others of less note. In 1862, they were dismounted in Arkansas, taken to Memphis and Corinth, and were at the battles of Farmington and Corinth, under General Beauregard. He was also in the second battle of Corinth, and was one of the eighteen who went into Fort Robmet, where he received a grape shot wound. The severe march to Holly Springs, after the battle of Yellow Bushey, going three days without food or sleep, was calculated to cool the ardor of the most zealous. They were remounted by order of General Price, at Lumpkin's Mills, and the next day they met the enemy at a little town twenty miles from Coffeyville. Shelton, as one of the advance guard, engaged the enemy, or their advance guard, and succeeded in capturing four pieces of artillery and several prisoners. He was next in the raid to Holly Springs, which was a continuous fight for fifteen days and nights. In February, 1863, they were ordered to Tennessee, and had several small fights about Franklin. The next combat with the enemy was at Thompson's Station. In the second charge he received a bad wound in the ankle. Mr. Shelton was taken to the hospital at Columbia then to Pulaski, thence to Quitman, Mississippi, and was discharged August 10, 1863. Purchasing a small mule he started on his lone journey for his home in Texas. At daylight he procured a small boat and crossed the Mississippi River, swimming his mule, in sight of a strong garrison. He was on several occasions offered commissions, but always declined, preferring the ranks of his old regiment to any position. He started with his crutches in hand, for his old command, and very soon met the returning regiment, who told him the sad news, that the cause for which he had fought so long and loved so well, was no more, and with a sad heart he retraced his steps. Though without means, he was possessed of an indomitable ambition and hope, and he at once commenced work, first purchasing a small drove of cattle on time. These he drove to New Orleans, and being without money got trusted on the way, until his return. This trip was unsuccessful. He next bought a number of ponies, and took them to St. Charles County. Missouri, where they were disposed of, bought tobacco, and by wagon went back to Texas. Selling his tobacco at a good profit, he purchased cattle, and herded them with his father's stock. April 26, 1869, Mr. S. married Miss Ann Bailey Allen, who had lived in the neighborhood of his youth. In the following May he moved to Texas, taking a large quantity of tobacco, and bought 135 steers, drove them as before, and was again successful. The next spring he returned and became a full partner with his father. They now bought 1,265 head of cattle, and made another remunerative trip. In 1870, he moved his wife to this county. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad having been completed, this cut off his cattle business, and he now turned his attention to farming and the feeding of stock. In 1877, he came into Windsor, and engaged in the lumber trade and dealing and shipping of stock. In 1880, he received the Democratic nomination for representative in the legislature, receiving within four votes as many as his two opponents. He was elected at the following election by a large majority, and as a member of the house he served with great distinction, always having in view the best interests of his county and state. He was very successful in fighting monopolies and extravagance in every department of the government. Mainly through his efforts several bills of great importance to the state were passed. and have become laws. He embarked in the grocery business in Windsor, the firm now being Shelton & Owsley, grocers and produce dealers, and he also is a member of the firm of Shelton, Strauss & Bass, large and successful stock dealers of the place. He is a director of the bank, treasurer of the school board, and Worthy Master of Amazonia Lodge, No. 111, A. O. U. W. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton have six children: Effie L., Mary C. Birdie A., Cora S., Georgie A., Pines C., Willie L. Georgie A. died July 31, 1881. ==================================================================== SHELTON, William A. source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 525 residence: Windsor, Windsor Twp William A. Shelton, United States marshal for the Federal District of Western Missouri, residing at Windsor, Missouri, is a member of one of the oldest and most prominent of the Missouri pioneer families. He was born at Camp Branch, Warren County, Missouri, June 22, 1855, and is the son of the Hon. Pines H. and Mary O. (Scales) Shelton, natives of Henry County, Virginia. The late Hon. Pines H. Shelton was born July 18, 1809, in Virginia and died at his home in Henry County, January 25, 1888. He was reared and educated in his native State of Virginia and migrated to Missouri in 1830, making a settlement in St. Charles County, where he became a manufacturer of tobacco products in a small way. He erected the first brick residence in St. Charles County and was prominently identified with affairs of that county during his residence there. He served as a member of the Missouri Assembly from St. Charles County, both as representative and State senator. Upon his removal to Warren County, Missouri, he became an extensive farmer and resided in that county until he located in Hill County, Texas, where he was engaged in ranching and also became prominent in local public affairs, serving as a member of the Texas Legislature from Hill County, Texas, and was also State senator. He came to Clinton, Missouri, in 1868, and one year later he located at Windsor, becoming owner of a large farm of 800 acres of land, three miles west of Windsor in Windsor township. This farm he improved and made into a valuable property. Mr. Shelton died at his home in Windsor, an honored and respected resident of the city and county. Sixteen years of the life of Pines H. Shelton was devoted to public service. Besides his legislative experience he served as an official State tobacco inspector, being one of three tobacco inspectors appointed by the governor when the law went into effect providing for tobacco inspection and inspection of factories throughout the State. Mr. Shelton was three times married. His first wife was Rebecca Carter, who bore him seven children. and was born January 29, 1813. His second wife was Mary E. Wyatt, who bore him three children, who are deceased. Mrs. Mary Wyatt Shelton was born in Missouri, March 20, 1828, and died in St. Charles County, Missouri. His third marriage was with Mary O. Scales, who was born in Henry County, Virginia, June 4, 1839, and departed this life January 30, 1907. To this marriage were born two sons as follows: William A., subject of this review, and Thomas Marvin Shelton, deceased. William A. Shelton was reared in Texas and Missouri. He received his early education in private and subscription schools in Windsor and studied in the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri. For one year after completing his education, he was engaged in tilling his father's land. After a season or more as a clerk in a general merchandise store at Windsor, he became a traveling salesman in 1881 for a ready-made clothing house and continued in this capacity until 1913. March 10, 1915, he was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to the important post of United States marshal for the Federal Judicial District of Western Missouri, embracing fifty-seven counties. He has measured up to the exacting requirements of this very important official position and nothing but words of commendation have been heard of the manner in which Mr. Shelton has faithfully and conscientiously performed the duties of his important office. Mr. Shelton has ties of a commercial and home nature in Windsor, although his headquarters are necessarily in Kansas City, his presence there being required the greater part of his time. He is owner of a splendid farm of two hundred and seventy acres of land in Windsor township which he has supervision. Mr. Shelton is a director and vice-president of the Citizens Bank of Windsor and takes a keen interest in the welfare and general progress of his home city where he is popular with the citizens. December 3, 1884, William A. Shelton and Miss Cora Stark were united in marriage. Mrs. Shelton was born in Pettis County, Missouri, the daughter of Captain Washington and Martha (Whitledge) Stark, the latter of whom makes her home in Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton are rearing a nephew, Philip Kilpatrick, whose mother is deceased. She was a sister of Mrs. Shelton and the boy's father is a cousin of Mr. Shelton. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================