Henry Shively was bornn on 28-Jan-1832 in Ohio and died on 26-Jan-1917 in Central City, Merrick County, NE. He was the son of Daniel Shively (1796-1884) and Mary "Sarah" Weaver (1794-1847). Daniel was the son of Ulrich Shively (1774-1825) and Christina Shideler (1776-1838). Henry Shively was married on 26-Mar-1859 in Huntingdon County, IN to Elizabeth Ann Richards. Elizabeth was born on 16-Jan-1831 and died on 20-Jan-1880 in Clarks, Merrick County, NE. She was the daughter of William Bird and Rosanna A. Richards. Henry Shively married second on 1-May-1883 in Merrick County, NE to Virginia Adeline Richards Giles. This was her second marriage having married first Franklin M. Giles. Virginia was born on 5-Sep-1853 in Wabash County, IN and died 16-May-1948 in Central City, Merrick County, NE. She was the daughter of Eli Mash Richards and Nancy Ann Schooley.
The following article was found in the Central City Courier, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, February 10, 1887, Page 5, Column 3:
A Grand Surprise
Mr. Henry Shively, on of Merrick County's pioneers, was made the victim of one of the grandest and most successful surprises ever given in honor of one of her citizens. On Saturday morning Mr. S., after doing his chores, concluded to haul some hay. After arriving on the meadow and having part of a load on he observed a team turning in at his place of residence, at which he remarked to his helper that he guessed his neighbor was returning his fanning mill, but the people continued to pour in until the house was filled to its capacity, numbering about sixty persons, and not until the arrival of about half that number did he realize that is was in honor of his fifty-sixth birthday, making him fifty-five years old. After he had arrived with his load of hay the assembled multitude were in readiness to extend the hand of fellowship and regard. Great credit is due the host and hostess for the becoming reception and the efforts made to make the company comfortable and pleasant. The time was whiled away by the guests in discussing the merits of the host until dinner, at which time ye editor should have happened around. For those cakes, to the eye were "daisies", to the palate delicious, and to the parties who prepared them a great credit. And the chicken pie and other meats were palatable to an almost undesirable extent, and those delicacies -- well, we will let you imagine -- you know what they are. Concluding dinner the company (as many as could) occupied the larger room, at which time a handsome cash present was made the host as a token of the esteem and regard in which he is held by the pioneers of Clarksville and Mead precincts. Esquire McGath was chosen was the one who should bestow the present and did so in a very commendable manner by offering a neat speech of good sentiment and well-selected words. Appropriate remarks were made by others who were present. Credit for the success of this grand reunion of pioneers is due the following, viz.: Mr. and Mrs. Benny Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Schrawger, Mr. and Mrs. Scudder, Mr. P. L. Raynor, and Mr. Jas. Baird.
In conclusion we would say a general good time was had, which to describe in full would require too much space in your valuable columns and make every body wish his neighbor was made up of such men as Henry Shively.
A WITNESS.
The following birthday account was found in the Central City Republican-Nonpareil, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, September 11, 1947, Page 1, Column 1:
Mrs. Virginia Shively Observes 94th Birthday Friday
Mrs. Virginia Shively who was 94 years of age last Friday, was born Sept. 5, 1853 at Antioch, Ind. She was married to Frank Giles and had two children, Mrs. Bessie Good of Fullerton and Mrs. W. E. Smith of Lawtoln, Ia. Her husband died in the early eighties. Later she came westward and became the wife of Henry Shively. They were the parents of four children, who are living. They are Mrs. Sadie French, Mrs. Birdie Carlson, Henry Shively of this city and Eldon of Denver.
The birthday dinner honoring Mrs. Shively was held at the home of Mrs. Sadie French with all the daughters present from around here and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Smith of Lawton, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hobbs and 3 children and Mrs. Robert Hall and 4 children.
Mrs. Shively enjoys life and was happy with her two birthday cakes and lovely cards which she received.
Mr. and Mrs. Shively had the following accident recorded in the Central City Non-pareil, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, September 4, 1913, Page 3 Column 6:
Last Saturday night as Mrs. V. A. Shively was driving to the neighbors to spend the evening, her horse became frightened and ran away overturning the carriage and all occupants were thrown out, Mrs. Shively's left hip being broken. Henry Shively was unconscious for an hour and a half.
This article was extracted from the Central City Record, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, October 17, 1907, Page 7, Column 3:
Mr. Henry Shively left for Ashland, Ore., Monday, where he goes to spend the winter for the benefit of his health. He says if the country suits him he may possibly stay there permanently, but we think one who has lived so long in Nebraska will find it hard to be suited elsewhere,
Henry Shively submitted the following and taken from the Central City Record, Central CIty, Nebraska, Thursday, November 7, 1907, Page 1, Column 3:
News From Ashland, Oregon
Ashland, Ore., Oct. 27, Central City Record:-- I left Central City the 14th at night; nothing important to Laramie, which is a very nice looking city. I did not stop but twenty minutes; went to Granger, then took the Oregon Short Line.
Wyoming is a mountainous county. I did not see any level country until I struck Idaho, but there nothing grows but sage brush. Nice looking land and where they irrigate raise big crops of alfalfa. The land costs $35.50 an acre, with ten years to pay for it. When that country is settled it will be a nice country.
We came into Oregon along the Umatilla river. Can't see much for the mountains. We followed the river down to Portland and at 7 p.m. I took the Southern Pacific for Ashland. We went over the mountains into Gage Valley at 9 a.m. Central Point is 325 miles from Portland, elevation 1290. This is one of the greatest fruit countries I ever saw. Hemmed in by mountains a mile high they say it never freezes hard enough to freeze potatoes in the ground.
I have stopped on Neal Creek, seven miles south of Ashland. Work is plenty. A good place for wood chopping, as it is a lumber country. They have saw mills up in the mountains and run the lumber down in flumes to the railroad. I guess II had better stop by saying good bye to all my friends.
Yours truly,
HENRY SHIVELY.
The following travel accounty of Henry Shively was found in the Central City Record, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, July 22, 1909, Page 5:
Mr. Henry Shively returned Saturday from Washington, where he has been visiting his daughter, Mrs. McGath, for about a year and a half. Mr. Shively says that after coming down through eastern Washington, Idaho and Wyoming, Nebraska looked mighty good to him. He says that they raise good wheat and oats and some fruit where his daughter lives, but not much else. They cannot irrigate and have to depend upon nautral rainfall only, which is scanty after the spring season. He thinks he prefers Nebraskt as a place to live.
The following newspaper obituary for Henry Shively was found in the Central City Republican-Nonpareil, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, February 1, 1917, Page 4, Column 4:
Henry Shively, Prominent And Early Settler Passes Away
Henry Shively, one of Merrick county's early settlers and a man of extensive acquaintance, passed away at the family home, twelve miles north of this city, Friday, the 26th day of January, at the age of 85 years, lacking only two days. For some time he had been afflicted with an ailment of the heart, and due to his advanced years was not able to combat longer his illness. For a period of about forty years he had been a resident of our county, and d uring that period proved himself a man of the highest integrity, a good citizen, a devoted husband and father, and rounded out a life of the greatest usefulness.
Henry Shively was born in Seneca county, Ohio, January 28, 1832. "Uncle Henry", as he was known to those of close acquaintance, was the sole survivor of a family of seven children, all of whom lived to an advanced age. When a young man he removed to Antioch, Indiana, where he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ann Richards in the year 1859. To this union were born six children, all of whom are living save one son who died in infancy.
From Indiana he moved with his family to Iowa in 1864, and later removed to a farm near Clarks, where Mrs. Shively passed away the 20th day of January, 1880. On May 1, 1883, he again married, taking as his wife Mrs. Virginia A. Giles, who survives him. To this union four children were born, all of whom are living. The children are: W. B. Shively of Central City, Daniel Shively of Dawson county, Rose McGath of Douglas county, Washington state, George Shively of Portland, Ore., Eliza Bliss of Dawson county, Sada N. French of Central City, Birdie Garrett of Cental City, Eldon Shively, who lives on a farm near the old home, and Henry Shively, who is still at home. There are also two step daughters: Mrs. Bessie Good of Palmer and Mrs. Frankie Smith of York.
The funeral services were held from Pierce Chapel Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. J. D. Mills, pastor of the Friends church of this city, being in charge. Special music was furnished by a male quartette from Nebraskt Central College. The church was filled to capacity with sorrowing friends and relatives, who gathered to pay their respects to the memory of one who life was devoted to well doing. Interment was in the cemetery near Pierce Chapel.
The newspaper obituary for Virginia Shively was located in the Central City Republican-Nonpareil, Central City, Nebraska, Thursday, May 20, 1948, Page 1, Column 6:
Funeral Services Held Wednesday For Mrs. Virginia Shively
Virginia Adeline Richards was born at Huntington, Ind., Sept. 5, 1853 and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sadie French, May 16, at the age of 95 years. She came with her parents to Merrick County and truly was a pioneer. There were just three business houses at the time she came here.
March 16, 1873 she was united in marriage to Franklin Giles. Four children were born to this union, two died in infancy and the other two are Mrs. Bessie Good of Central City and Mrs. W. E. Smith of Lawton, Ia. Mr. Giles passed away in 1881.
She was married to Henry Shively May 1, 1883 and this union gave her two sons and two daughters. They are Mrs. Sadie French, Mrs. Berdie Carlson of Central City, Henry Shively of Lincoln and Eldon Shively of Loup City. Tw brothers, William Richards of Portland, Ore. and George Richards of Albany, Ore., two sisters, Mrs. Olive Lindsay of Laramie, Wyo., Mrs. Celia Ward of California survive. There are 22 grandchildren and 73 great-grandchildren of 102 direct descendants. She also mothered five step children and lived all her adult life on a farm north of Central City. She was a member of the Friends church and will leave a great void in the hearts of all her family.
Funeral services were held at the Solt Funeral Home Wednesday at 2 o'clock with Rev. Smith, a son-in-law, officiating, with Rev. H. H. Wybenga assisting. Mrs. John Hruza, jr. sang "Rock of Ages" and "Sweet Bye and Bye", with Mrs. Tommy Shields, accompanist.
Pallbearers were all grandchildren. Burial was at Pierce Chapel.
Those from away who attended the funeral were Dan Shively of North Platte, a step son, Rev. Smith of Lawton, Ia., Waldon French, a grandson of Denver, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Earl Mustard, a granddaughter of Hastings, and Mrs. Dwight Haskins of Lawton, Ia.
