Dr. William Shanley  Biography   Hancock County, WV
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Submmitted by Dale Patterson <Norton750@aol.com>

Copied from " History of the Panhandle, being Historical Collections of the 
Counties of Ohio, Brooke, Marshall and Hancock, West Virginia".  
Compiled and Written by:
J.H. Newton,  G.G. Nichols, and A.G. Sprankle
Published by:
J.A. Caldwell, 1879, Wheeling, W. VA.


                Biographical Sketches of Hancock County:

Dr. William Shanley:
    a native of Ireland, was born in Dublin in the year 1809.  He commenced 
reading medicine at the early age of sixteen, studying two years on "Erin's 
Isle."  Being full of Irish patriotism, he was disgusted with his people 
doing homage to a foreign king.  In that city on one occasion, when the whole metropolis was illuminated in honor of King William the Fourth, he 
could no longer restrain expressing his sentiments.  Whilst looking on at 
the performance, he said to some one near him:  "How foolish the Irish 
people are to lavish their money on a foreign king."  The soldiers overheard 
his remark, and which by them was considered treason, one started, sword 
drawn, after him.  Recognising the dangerous situation he was in, he ran 
with full speed to the Castle, closely pursued by the dragoon.  As he 
reached the spot, he turned suddenly in an entry just as the fellow struck 
for his head, the sword barely missing him, and was broken by striking the 
corner of one of the massive stone walls, and our subject escaped unhurt.  
He kept concealed for several days and then started for America, landing in 
New York harbor on the 28th day of May, 1828.  He engaged in paper making in 
Springfield, New Jersey, where he remained four or five years.  On the 28th 
of January, 1834, he was married to Miss Poebe H. Clark.  In the fall of 
1835, he migrated west, where he devoted the most of his spare moments to 
the reading of medicine.  He moved to Steubenville, where he worked a short 
time in the paper mill of Oldship & Hanna, and then resumed the study of 
medicine under the direction of Dr. Mayers.  Afterwards removing to 
Wellsburg, he went in as a silent partner and rented a paper mill, and 
carried on the manufacture of paper for about three years, but still 
devoting some attention to medicine.  In 1839, he attended a term at the 
Medical College.  Removed to Fairview, to practice medicine in 1840, 
remaining there about seven years.  Along in 1844, he engaged in the fire 
brick business in connection with his profession.  In 1847, he settled in 
New Cumberland, where he has been ever since.  He is the father of five 
children living.  He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.