John J. Shively And Wife Leah Blickenstaff Who Lived In Piatt County, Illinois

John J Shively

The following information was extracted from The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Edited by Newton Bateman, LL.D., Paul Selby,  A.M.  and History of Piatt County, Edited by Francis M. Shonkwiler, Volume II, Illustrated, Chicago, Munsell Publishing Company Publishers, 1917, pages 797 and 798.

SHIVELY, John J. Although his active life was spent in Macon County, the late John J. Shively, after his retirement from agricultural labors, moved to Cerro Gordo, where he spent his last years, so he properly belongs to the list of substantial men of Piatt County. He was born in Clinton County, Ind.. May 21, 1853, a son of Stephen and Catherine (Metzger) Shively, born near Dayton, Ohio. They were married in Indiana, and located on a farm, later becoming early settlers of Macon County, Ill. Subsequently they moved to Piatt County, and spent their declining years at Cerro Gordo, where they died. The educational training of John J. Shively was obtained in the common schools. He was taught farming in all its branches, and for many years was a prosperous farmer of Oakley Township, Macon County, operating a farm of 160 acres still owned by his widow. In 1908 he retired, moving to Cerro Gordo, where he bought a handsome residence, and in it he died March 14, 1908. On May 10, 1874, Mr. Shively was married to Leah Blickenstaff, born In Clinton County, Ind., August 13, 1851, a daughter of Leonard and Catherine (Ulery) Blickenstaff, born in Ohio, who came to Macon County, Ill., in 1855. Mrs. Blickenstaff died in 1866, while Mr. Blickenstaff died a few years later. Mr. and Mrs. Shively became the parents of the following children: Cora, who lives with her mother; and Levi, who resides at Chicago, married Gertrude Whisler, and they have one son, Willard. Levi Shively has taken an advanced course in mathematics at the University of Chicago, from which he will be graduated in 1917. He intends to make teaching his life work. In religious faith Mr. Shively belonged to the Church of the Brethren, in which the entire family hold membership. His political views made him a Republican, and he gave an earnest and conscious support to the principles and candidates of that party. Hard working, intelligent and thrifty, Mr. Shively was successful and made his mark upon his community.