Biographical Sketch of Thomas Shelby, Lafayette County, Missouri >From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo. Historical Company, 1881. ********************************************************************** Thomas Shelby, postoffice Lexington, Missouri. Was born in Marion county near Lebanon, Ky., September 23, 1818, and is the son of William and Nancy Shelby (nee Edmonson). Both his parents were natives of Virginia. He was educated and raised partly in Kentucky, and partly in Missouri. In 1836 he came with his father to this county, and shortly after purchased land between Lexington and Dover, on the old state road. He was raised on a farm, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He took no active part in the war, many circumstances combining to keep him at home, but did what he could to aid the southern cause. He has had a large experience as a trader in negroes and mules, which he pursued before the war. His father had increased his landed possessions to 2000 acres at his death, of which Thomas now owns about 1100 acres, improved, with an elegant residence. He was married in January, 1838 to Miss nancy H. Gordon, daughter of George H. Gordon, a native of Kentucky, who was once surveyor of this county. His first wife died, April 21, 1876. He again married in December, 1877, to Miss Margaret R. Huston, of Ohio. By his first marriage he had thirteen children, five of whom are now living. By his last marriage he has had no children. He is a member of the Christ- ian Church, and has been since 1848, to which his first wife also belong- ed. His present wife belongs to the Episcopal Church. His children are members of the Christian church. ==================================================================== 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: Joe Miller Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================