BIO:  William H. SHELLEY, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 43

PROF. WILLIAM H. SHELLEY, superintendent of the public schools of York, was born 
on the Mansion farm, which he now owns, on the Hill Island in the Susquehanna 
River.  He entered the York County Academy when quite young, spent several years 
as a student in that institution, and there laid the foundation of a broad and 
liberal education.  He began teaching in West Hempfield Township, Lancaster 
County, and taught there two years, three years in Columbia Borough, and three 
years as assistant to Prof. George W. Ruby, in York County Academy, during which 
time he completed a full collegiate course, and received special native 
instruction in French and German.  Failing health at that time prevented him 
from graduating at Dickinson College.  He went to the State of Michigan, and for 
three years filled the chair of Latin and Greek, and two years the chair of 
mathematics, in Albion College.  While occupying these positions he was a 
diligent student, and became very proficient in the branches which he taught.  
The honorary degree of master of arts was conferred on him by the Iowa Wesleyan 
University, and later he received the full State certificate for the classical 
course, an honor conferred upon him by the State Normal School at Millersville, 
Penn.  While spending his summer vacation in York, during the year 1870, he was 
unanimously elected the first superintendent of schools of York, which position 
he has since continuously held with great honor to himself and great benefit to 
the educational interests of the town.  As an organizer of schools, Prof. 
Shelley has few equals.  Under his able administration, the public schools of 
York have regularly improved and prospered.  He is thoroughly familiar with both 
the theory and the practice of his chosen profession, and has illustrated by his 
practical work both the science and the art of teaching.  He also takes an 
active interest in church and Sunday school work.