Abraham Lincoln Shelley

Other Events:

• Census: 1870, Harrison Township, Paulding County, Ohio, United States; as Abraham Shelly, in the househould of Henry Shelly
• Census: 1880, Harrison Township, Paulding County, Ohio, United States; as Abraham Shelley, works on farm, in the household of Henry Shelley
• Census: 1900, Harrison Township, Paulding County, Ohio, United States; as Abraham L. Shelly, farmer, in the household of Henry Shelly
• Census: 1910, Harrison Township, Paulding County, Ohio, United States; as Abraham Shelley, boarder, mud hauler in tile mill, in the household of Sarah Boyd
• Obituary: 29 Dec 1910; The Payne Reflector and Press-Review (Payne, Ohio) 29 December 1910, p1
• Newspaper: 6 Sep 1917; The Payne Reflector and Press Review (Payne, Ohio), 6 September 1917, p8: Pioneers

Notes:

Obituary:

Takes Own Life
Pistol Shot Fails. Completes Task With Acid
Tuesday forenoon about 9 o'clock this community was startled by the announcement that Abe Shelley, a well-known character about here, had committed suicide at the home of John Anspaugh, the tile man north of town, where Shelley had been working and making his home.
The body was found by a young son of Mr. Anspaugh where it laid near an outbuilding. The young boy had thought that the unfortunate man had fallen and as he ran to his assistance Shelly gasped and breathed his last.
Dr. Bodey was called and viewed the remains and pronounced death due to carbolic acid poisoning. His lips and face were badly burned from the acid and this was thought to be the logical cause of death although there were several wounds about the face which were thought to have been inflicted by the fall. When the remains were being prepared by Undertaker Lamb at his parlor it was found that a bullet was embedded in the skull at the right temple. This later discovery complicated matters and Coroner Van Amburg was called to render a decision.
After the bullet was discovered a search was made of the Anspaugh premises but no weapon was found near the scene of the fatality although a revolver with two loaded cartridges was found in his other clothes up stairs. A bloody handkerchief was also found in the clothes he was wearing when he died. It was then recalled by Mrs. Anspaugh that the victim had a short time previously came to the house and gone upstairs. When he came down he sat for a time near the fire with his cap pulled down over his face and then left the house and was found later by the boy as stated above. These facts lend strength to the belief that Shelley had first attempted to kill himself by shooting himself in the head, and unsuccessful in this had gone to his apartments upstairs, placed the revolver in his other clothes and secured the bottle of acid with which he carried out his original intentions.
It is known that Mr. Shelley was a visitor in Toledo Sunday, where he had attempted to call up on Mrs. Boyd, a former housekeeper of his and who is now confined in that city in the asylum. It is thought that brooding over theses incidents may have been the cause of the rash act.
The unfortunate man was un-married and had for some time been making his home with Mr. Anspaugh. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shelley, both dead and was aged 46 years.

Newspaper:

Part XLI
Pioneers
Shelley and Quince Families
Frances and Mary Jane (Shanberg) Shelley were natives of France, and members of the Catholic church. Mr. Shelley attended in Paris seven years, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Shelley were married in France and there in France were born seven children. Mary, Catherine, Mary Ann, Martha, Lovina, Henry and Victoria. Francis Jr., and Peter were born in this country. The family emigrated to America in 1831 and settled in Richland county. In 1840 the family came to Paulding county and entered 80 acres of land one mile north of Payne on north-east corner. They built their cabin where the home of Mr. Cox now stands. They lived there with their family until the death of Mr. Shelley, August 6 1866.
Mrs. Emma Bodey a grand-daughter remembers hearing them tell of the roof blowing off the cabin one night. The parents and daughters slept downstairs in the small cabin and the sons in the loft. This night a man way-farer was a guest and the boys and guest were compelled to descend quickly in abbreviated costumes. While the parents remained faithful to the Catholic faith, the children later joined the United Brethren church. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Shelley made her home with her son Henry Shelley who lived in the home at Lamb's corners and with her daughter Mrs. Quince. She died March 20, 1885, aged 94 years. Each of these sons were given on their marriage forty acres of land. Henry earned the forty acres across from the Hiram Underwood farm with the proceeds of night's coon hunting and sold it $75.00.
Mary the eldest daughter of Francis and Mary Jane Shanberg became the wife of John McGill. They lived just south of the Lehman school house south of bridge. Had no children. Catherine born in France, Sept. 8 1842, became the wife of Francis Quince in Richland county on Feb. 14, 1842. Their children were Mary died in infancy, Solomon born Nov. 5, 1845, Mary Cecil Radenbaugh born Sept. 10, 1847, Francis A., Aug. 2, 1849, died Aug. 10, 1880, Laura born July 27, 1852, died Nov. 8, 1879, Catherine born 1856, died 1860. Mary Ann married Solomon Mott of Vernon Junction, Ohio. Friends here only know of one daughter, Julia. Mrs. Mott is now living at the age of 90 years.
Martha chose for her husband, William Holmes and the family moved to Iowa, cannot ascertain names of children. Lovina married Maurice Keller and for many years lived on South Main street and built the house in which Miss Nellie Bradley lives. They had no children.
Henry Shelley was born near Paris, France, Dec. 26, 1829. He was two years of age when his parents came to this country. Henry Shelley was married three times. His first wife was Miss Abagail Chaney the daughter of Charles Chaney of this county, one son Charles was born to them. The wife died and Mr. Shelley married Miss Mahala Mikle, a sister of Daniel Mikle. Their children were Abram, Louisa the wife of L. Leeth and three deceased. Mrs. Mahala Shelley died in 1866. In 1869, Julia Myton the daughter of Robert and Rhoda Homan Myton of German lineage became the third wife. Their children were Carrie who died in 1883, Emma born May 21, 1875 and wife of Isaac Body. Victoria born Sept. 5, 1877. Ada May born May 23, 1881 and wife of George Fugate, and Lucy born June 27, 1889.
In 1864, Henry Shelley enlisted in Company H, One Hundred Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served 100 days. He secured his honorable discharge. The family was highly-esteemed in the community. Mrs. Shelley died January 18, 1914. Mr. Shelley died March 8, 1904.
Victoria, born in France, March 20, 1831, became the wife of Hiram Northrup, of this family we will write later
Francis Shelley and Lucinda Myton a sister of the third wife of Henry Shelley were married in Allen county, Indiana, May 10, 1857. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1837. She was born in Crawford county, Ohio, June 15, 1841. Their family are Mary J., born April 26, 1860, wife of Wm. Buerkle, Joseph F., born Dec. 28, 1865, Clarrissa A., born Aug. 30, 1869, wife of Fred White. Adalene was born Jan. 29, 1872, wife of Christ Peterson.
Francis Shelley served three years in the 68th Ohio during the Rebellion and was discharged at Savannah, Georgia. The home farm was across the road west of the Fred Wahl farm. Late in life Mr. Shelley bought the South Main street property of his brother-in-law Maurice Kelley. A few years ago he sold this and they moved to near Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Shelley are still living. They were prominently identified with the United Brethren church.
Peter Shelley married Martha J. Payne in 1860. They had five sons and two daughters. We have no record of his death. Mrs. Shelley died June 23, 1917 at the age of 75 years at the home of her daughter Mrs. John H. Medsker of South Benton.
(Continued Next Week)