Samuel Joseph Shively Who Married 1st Nancy Ellen Shelton, 2nd Marinda Lawson - Mississippi Co., MO And Bell Co., KY

Samuel Joseph Shively

There can be much significance to the name our parents give us.  It can carry a proud family history.  It is the purpose of the blog this week to illustrate the rich history of a name.  There are living descendants of Samuel Joseph Shively who illustrate the passing of a name from one generation to the next.

Samuel Joseph "Crumb" Shively was born on 30-Jan-1866 in Taylor County, KY. He was the son of Robert W. Shively and Rosella Rice. He was the grandson of John B. Shively and Sarah Heaverin. He was the great grandson of John Shively and Susanna Hayden. Samuel Joseph Shively died on 27-Jan-1951 in London, Laurel Co., KY.  He is buried in Faulkner Chapel Cemetery (Swanpond), Knox Co., KY.  He was married 1st to Nancy Ellen Shelton.  She was born 23-Apr-1871 and died 27-Mar-1924.  She is buried in Faulkner Chapel Cemetery. 

Samuel "Crumb" Shively was married 2nd to Marinda Lawson.  Marinda Lawson was married possibly twice before, 1st to Hugh Meradeth (Meredith) and 2nd Dillard Taylor.

The lineage that is followed in this week's blog is from that of a son of Samuel Joseph Shively and Nancy Shelton. Roy Lee Shively was born 19-Feb-1897 and died 24-Nov-1983.  It is the history of the name Lee and Leeann that follows.

Extracted from The Gallatin Democrat, Charleston, Mississippi Co., MO, Thursday, November 24, 1983, Page 4, Column 2:

Roy L. Shively Dies

Roy Lee Shively, 86, of Shawneetown, passed away at his home at 10:55 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, following a heart attack.  He was born on Feb. 19, 1897 to Samuel J and Nancy Shelton Shively in Kentucky.  He was married to Marion Margaret Kunz, who survives.

Other survivors include three sons, Morton Lee Shively and Richard Shively, both of Shawneetown, and Dr. M. A. Shively of Ewen, Michigan; one brother, Joe Shively of Louisville, Ky.; a sister, Edith Diamond of Charleston, Mo.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. at Charleston, Mo., with the Rev. Bob Burk, the Rev. John Barlett and the Rev. Howerton officiating.  Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Charleston.  McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston was in charge of arrangements.

Marion Margaret Kunz Shively was the daughter of Charles Anthony "Tony" Kunz and Anna Lee Hutcheson.  Anna Lee Hutcheson was the daughter of John Vestal Hutcheson and Lee Ann Owens.   Extracted from The Daily Standard, Sikeston, MO, Monday, November 3, 1952, Page 3, Column 3:

Last Rites Held For Tony Kunz

(Special To The Standard) CHARLESTON, Nov. 3 -- Funeral services were held at 2:30 this afternoon for Charles Anthony "Tony" Knuz, 63, of Wyatt.  Mr. Kunz died of a heart ailment. He was born July 20, 1889 in New Richmond, Ohio.

Mr. Kunz was an oil salesman employed by the Economy Oil Company.  He was also a member of the Catholic Church of Wyatt. He had been a resident of this community for the last 45 years.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Lee, and three daughters, Mrs. Roy Shively of Marion, Ill., Mrs. Allen Moreton of Wyatt, and Mrs. Glen Hillhouse of Route 3, Charleston.  He also leaves a brother, George of New Richmond, and four sisters, Bertha Kunz, Mrs. C. E. Herf, and Mrs. T. J. Regan, all of New Richmond and Mrs. Richard Martin of Cincinnati.

The funeral was held at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Burial was held in the I.O.O.F Cemetery.

Lee Ann Owens Hutcheson was born 4-May-1865 in Murry Co., KY and died 7-Jan-1957 in Mississippi Co., MO.  She was the daughter of Columbus Owens and Rebecca Herrington. Located in The Daily Standard, Sikeston, MO, Monday, January 7, 1957, Page 1, Column 3:

Charleston Woman Dies At Home Of Her Daughter

(Special To The Standard) CHARLESTON -- Mrs. Lee Ann Hutcheson, 91, widow of the late J. V. Hutcheson, died at 6:45 a.m. today at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Byrne, near Wyatt.  She was born May 4, 1865 in Murray, Ky., and moved to Mississippi county 88 years ago with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Columbus Owen.

She is survived by eight of the eleven children born to the union, Five daughters: Mrs. John Depoyster and Mrs. C. A. Kunz of Wyatt; Mrs. G. A. Bonifield of Charleston and Mrs. Fred Williams and Mrs. Hunter Byrne of Rt. 3, Charleston; by three sons: Emmett of Evansville, Ind.; Raymond of East Prairie and Clint of Rt. 2, Charleston; 22 grand children; 35 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.  One of her grandchildren is J. Abner Beck, county superintendent of schools.

The body will lie in state at the Nunnelee Funeral Home her until time for services which will be conducted at  2 p.m. from the First Baptist church with Rev. A. B. Cooper, pastor of the Wyatt Baptist church; Rev. Robert Burke, pastor of the Wyatt Methodist church, and Rev. D. D. Bledsoe, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiating and burial will be in the Odd Fellows cemetery.

The above articles establish the lineage behind those who descend from Samuel Joseph "Crumb" Shively and have either Lee or Leeann (Lee Ann) in their name.   During the research on Samuel Joseph Shively several interesting facts or articles were found.  

The nickname of "Crumb" associated with Samuel Joseph Shively was listed with several family histories.  On the 1930 Bell County, KY census is the household of Crumb Shively age 61, wife Marinda age 41, step-daughter Mollie Meradith age 19, step-son Hugh Meradith age 16, step-son Edward Taylor age 8 and son Harlin Shively age 1 year and 9 months.

The following newspaper obituary for the second wife of Joseph Shively, Marinda Lawson, was extracted from The Middlesboro Daily, Middlesboro, KY, Saturday, April 21, 1973, Page 8, Column 2:

Marinda Lawson Shively

Mrs. Marinda Lawson Shively, a well-known resident of Stoney Fork, Ky., passed away Friday, April 20, 1973, in the Pineville Community Hospital following a long illness.  She was born November 30, 1888 at Beverly, Ky., daughter of the late Rant and Charity Taylor Lawson.  Mrs. Shively was a member of the Baptist Church and a lifelong resident of Bell County.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Ethel Lawson and Mrs. Mollie Lawson both of Stoney Fork; fours sons, Sam Meredith of Tallahassee, Fla., Hugh Meredith of Stoney Fork, Jim Meredith of Turtle Town, Tenn., Harlan Shively of Killeen, Texas; 36 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 22, 1973, at 2 p.m. at the Arnett Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Thea O. Carter officiating.  Interment will be in the Lawson Cemetery, Mud Lick, with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Friends may call at the Arnett Funeral Home until the hour of the service.  Arnett Funeral Home in charge.

Jacob W. Shively And Wife, Mary Shellato, In Huntingdon County, PA And Later Tarrant County, TX In 1880

A Shively researcher would like help.  The request is to find the parents of Jacob W. Shively born 1825 in Pennsylvania.  He was married to Mary Shellato who was born ca 1826.  The Pennsylvania death certificates for some of her children have her last name listed as Schelto, Shelato and Scaltabaugh. The last name has also been found as Shellito. Jacob and Mary are located on the 1850 Huntingdon County, PA, 1860 Huntingdon County, PA and 1870 Huntingdon County, PA census records.  They are located on the 1880 Tarrant County, Texas census.  No further information could be found on Jacob and Mary after this record.  If anyone knows where Jacob and Mary were after 1880 or can share who the parents of Jacob W. Shively are the information will be appreciated.

Edward Eugene Shively, son of Jacob and Mary, was the subject of this blog on August 3, 2012.  Samuel Davis Shively, son of Jacob and Mary, was the subject of this blog on December 6, 2013.  

The children of Jacob Shively and Mary Shellato include:  Henrietta born ca 1848, Edward  Eugene born ca 1849, Clara born ca 1852, Anna born ca 1853, Daniel born ca 1855, Mary born ca 1856, Nina born ca 1860, George born ca 1860, Cassius E born ca 1862, Samuel Davis born ca 1862 and Ada born ca 1868.  On the 1880 Tarrant County, TX in the household of Jacob and Mary are children Edward, Paulina, Cassius E and Samuel D and granddaughter Ada McGuire.

By 1900 the Shively children listed on the 1880 Texas census have returned to Pennsylvania.  Per the records Edward Shively had a daughter born in 1888 in Blair County, PA.  Paulina (Nina) Shively is located on the 1900 and 1910 Blair County, PA.  Cassius E. "Cash" Shively is found on the 1900 Clearfield County, PA and 1910 Clearfield County, PA census record living with his sister, Clara Shively Smyers.  He is still in Clearfield County in 1920.

There is a J W Shively listed on the 1886 Gregg County, Texas tax list.  It is not suggested that this J W Shively is Jacob W Shively.  No further information was found on this J W Shively.

David M. Shively And Wife, Jane "Jennie" Elizabeth Moore, Who Lived In Delaware County, Indiana

David M. Shively
Photo Album Dennis/Nancy Shively

The following biography was extracted from A Portrait and Biographical Record Of Delaware County, IND Containing Biographical Sketches Of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Chicago, A W Bowen & Co., 1894, Page 672:

Dr. David M. Shively, a successful physician of Yorktown, son of Michael and Keziah (Laboyteaux) Shively, was born on the 25th day of September, 1840, in Henry county, Ind. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Ohio, in Hamilton county of which state they were married in the year 1830.  In 1835, Michael and Keziah Shively removed to New Castle, Ind., where they resided until Mrs. Shively's death, which occurred November 12, 1860.  Mr. Shively, in 1885, removed to Wells county, Ind., where he is now living a life of retirement.  He has been a very successful man, and bore his full share in developing the county of Henry, which, upon the time of his arrival, over sixty years ago, was in a very primitive state.  He walked from Hamilton county, Ohio, to Indianapolis for the purpose of entering his land, and his accumulation of property, in after years, was entirely the result of his own efforts.  In an early day he achieved considerable note as a hunter, and it is stated, upon good authority, that he shot the only bear ever killed in Henry county.  In early life he worked at the wheelwright trade, but after coming to Indiana devoted his entire attention to the pursuit of agriculture.  He has always been a democrat in his political affiliations and religiously subscribes to the creed of Universalism.  Of the ten children born to Michael and Keziah Shively, five are living at this time, namely:  Catherine, wife of Frank Roof, Peter, David M., Naomi and Mary Ann, wife of William May.

David M. Shively was reared to agricultural pursuits, and his early educational advantages were limited to the common schools, which he attended only during the winter season.  He made up for the early deficiency in his early education by attending the schools of New Castle for the greater part of five years, and while pursuing his studies, formed a determination of entering the medical profession.  He began his study of the same under the instruction of Dr. Ray, of New Castle, in who office he remained for one year, at the end of which time, owing to circumstances over which he had no control, was compelled to discontinue his reading and engage in other pursuits.  Naturally skillful, he turned his attention to blacksmithing, and for nearly three years worked at that trade in Blountsville, in Henry county, pursuing his professional reading in the mean time.  Subsequently, he established his own, which he operated for eight months and then went to New Castle and accepted a position with Michael Swigert, a well known mechanic of the place, with whom he worked for a limited period.  His next move was to Middletown, where he effected a copartnership in the blacksmith business with Jacob A. Good, which continued for three years, when he disposed of his interest and removed to Mechanisburg, where he followed the trade for two months, locating at the end of that time in Middletown.  Later, he moved to the town of Epworth, Iowa, where he carried on his trade for a short time, and then, returning to Indiana, became a member of the firm of Shively & Fisher, at New Castle, where he remained for two years.  During all the time he worked at his trade, he never, for a moment, abandoned the idea of entering the medical profession, but continued his study of the same as circumstances would admit.  After disposing of his mechanical business at New Castle, he entered the Physio-Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, in which he took a full course and then located, in 1874, at Yorktown, where he began the active practice of his profession, and after a short residence here, moved to Carthage, Rush county, where he resided for a limited period, and then returned to Yorktown, where his skill as a physician has been attested by a large and lucrative practice in Mount Pleasant and adjoining townships of Delaware and Madison counties.

Dr. Shively was married in Middletown, Henry county, January 10, 1864, to Jennie, daughter of Joseph and Effie (McCune) Moore.  Mrs. Shively was born in Pennsylvania and has borne her husband the following children: Minnie, deceased; Augustus, a student of the Medical college of Indiana; Bernie, deceased; and Emma, deceased.  Dr. Shively began his practice under circumstances not at all auspicious, and met with much opposition on the part of certain ill disposed persons who used all their influence for the purpose of embarrassing him.  By attending strictly to his business, however, and devoting all his energies to his profession, he succeeded in overcoming the many obstacles by which his way was beset, and his practice is now large and lucrative, and he occupies a prominent place among his professional brethren in Delaware county.  A democrat in politics, he has never sought official position; and a firm believer in the truths of the Bible, belongs to the Universalist church.

David M. Shively/Jane Moore Marriage

The following was extracted from The Muncie Morning Star, Wednesday, January 4, 1905:

Death of Dr. D. M. Shively, Well Known Practitioner

Prominent Physician Passed Away At His Home in Yorktown – Had

Practiced Long in Delaware and Henry Counties

Dr. David M. Shively, 64, who was found unconscious in his office in Yorktown two weeks ago, died at his home there at 6:45 o’clock Tuesday morning of Bright’s disease.  When he was taken ill his only son, Dr. Augustus Shively, who practiced with him, was in a hospital in Indianapolis, and an effort was made to keep the news from him, as it was feared that he would become worse.

Dr. Shively had been a resident of Yorktown for many years, first settling there in 1874.  He moved to Rush County for a short time, however, but soon returned to Yorktown.  He was born in New Castle in 1840 and was raised on his fathers farm.  His early education was obtained from the district schools and he first took up the study of medicine under Dr. Ray, of New Castle, but had to give it up.  He then was employed as a blacksmith and became one of the best in the country, working for other men and then for himself.  He did not give up reading along medical lines while at work, and in time entered the Physio-Medical institute of Cincinnati, from which he graduated.  At the time of his death he was one of the best-known physicians in the county.

In 1864, the deceased was married to Miss Jennie Moore, of Middletown, who survives him.  One son and a grandson also survive.

Dr. Shively was a Democrat in political life, but never sought any public office.  He was vice president of the Moore Family Reunion association and was a heavy stockholder in the Consumers Gas company.  The funeral arrangements have not yet been made, other than that burial will be made in Henry county near Middletown.

On Vacation

Joseph Henry Shively And Wife, Delia Bridget Lamb, Who Lived In Rock County, Wisconsin

Joseph Shively was born on 22-Jul-1856 Attica, Green County, Wisconsin and died 4-Jun-1917 in Rock County, Wisconsin.  He was the son of Lawrence Shively and Hannah Pierce.  Joseph was married to Delia Lamb who was born 1-Oct-1856 and died 19-Nov-1915 in Rock County, Wisconsin.  Joseph is listed with his parents on the 1860 Green County, Wisconsin and 1870 Rock County, Wisconsin census records.  On the 1910 Rock County, Wisconsin census record is the household of Joseph, wife, and his mother, Hannah.  For more information on Joseph's parents view the Shively blog from 13-Aug-2011.

The following newspaper obituary was extracted from The Janesville Gazette, Janesville, Wisconsin, Tuesday, June 5, 1917, Page 5, Column 5:

Evansville News

Prominent Evansville Pioneer Passes Away

(Special To The Gazette).  Evansville, June 5. -- Joseph Shively passed away at his home on the corner of Madison and Liberty streets at half past five Monday evening from a complication of disorders.  Mr. Shively's death comes as a shock to Evansville people who for years have regarded him as one of the fine characters of the city.  His death ends the history of that branch of the family, one which has been closely linked with the development of the state from many years.

Mr. Shively was one of seven children born to Lawrence and Hannah Shively, who migrated to Wisconsin in the early forties.  July 22, 1856, Joseph was born in Attica.  There he made his home for many years, but later came to the vicinity of Evansville, where he lived on a farm.  Some twenty years ago he retired from farming and moved to Evansville where he has since made his home.

In August, 1878, he was married to Miss Abellia Long, who passed to the world beyond November 19, 1915.  Mrs. Hannah Shively, died last year, and with this death, that branch of the family is closed, for he leaves no immediate relatives.

Funeral services will be conducted from the home Wednesday afternoon at half past two. The Reverend D. Q. Grabill of Fort Atkinson, will officiate.  Interment will be in Maple Hill cemetery, Evansville.

The newspaper obituary for Adelia Lamb Shively was extracted from the Janesville Daily Gazette, Friday, November 19, 1915, Page 5, Columns 3-4:

Mrs. Joseph Shiely Dies At Evansville

(Special To The Gazette).  Evansville, Nov. 19. -- Mrs. Joseph Shively, for thirty-five years a resident in or near Evansville, died this morning at three o'clock at her home on Madison street, this city.

Mrs. Shively's maiden name was Miss Delia Lamb.  She was born in Egerton in 1856, on October 1st.  On August 11th, 1878, she was united in marriage to Joseph Shively of Evansville.  She leaves a husband, two brothers, J. M. Lamb of Evansville and Edward Lamb of Chicago, and the following sisters:  Mrs. David Thompson of Brooklyn; Mrs. Charles Murphy of Augusta, Wisc.; Mrs. James Brown of Zion City; Mrs. Fred Eagleton of Dakota; Mrs. F. Kendell of Los Angeles, California.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at two-thirty o'clock at the home.  Rev. D. Q. Grabill will officiate.  Interment will take place in the Maple Hill cemetery.

The will of Joseph Shively was contested by the heirs as Joseph left his estate to George Pullen.  The final court decision on this matter was recorded in the Janesville Daily Gazette, Tuesday, January 7, 1919, Page 1, Column 2:

Pullen Legal Heir To Shively Estate Says Supreme Court

Judge Grimm's Decision in Joseph Shively Will Case Upheld--Ends Most Interesting

Will Case in Years --$45,000 Estate Involved

"Decision of appeal court affirmed without opinion", was the decision handed down this morning by the Wisconsin supreme court in the Shively will case.

Thus ends one of the most interesting will cases tried in Rock county in decade, and has been a source of much discussion in and about Evansville for the past two years.

It will be remembered that the first trial was held over a year ago before Judge Fineld in county court, who set the will aside on the grounds that the presumption of undue influence in the making of the will had not been rebutted.

An appeal was then taken to circuit court by the proponent George L. Pullen of Evansville, and a new trial was had in which much new evidence and testimony was offered by the proponent's attorneys with the result that Judge Grimm reversed the decision of the county court.

Another appeal was taken, this time by the victors in the lower court, and the case was argued on December 4th last, the decision of the court being handed down this morning.

As a result of the final decision George L. Pullen of Evansville becomes the sole beneficiary under the will and becomes the possessor of the entire Shively estate of some $45,000.

Jeffris, Mount, Osctreich and Avery, Nolan and Dougherty, and R. M. Richmond were the attorneys for the proponent and the contestants were represented by Charles E. Pierce and G. G. Sutherland.

Carey Monroe Shively And Wife Theda Addie Howard Who Lived In Mahoning County, Ohio

Carey Monroe Shively was born 5-April-1860 in Mahoning County, Ohio, the son of John B. Shively and Susanna King. John B Shively and Susanna King were married in Mahoning County on 25-October-1855.  Carey Monroe Shively was married to Theda Addie Howard in Mahoning County on 26-December-1891. Carey Monroe Shively died on 26-March-1934 in Mahoning County. 

The following newspaper article was extracted from The Salem News, Salem, Ohio, Tuesday, March 27, 1934, Page 1, Columns 4-5:

Berlin Center Man Who Hoped To Ride Bicycle On 100th Birthday Is Dead

Carey Monroe Shively Will Be Buried Thursday In $30,000 Mausoleum He Built Himself

Carey Monroe Shively, Berlin Center jeweler who had hoped to celebrate his 100th birthday by riding his cherished high-wheel bicycle, died at 5:30 p.m. Monday, 26 years short of his goal.

Thursday, he will be laid to rest in the gleaming marble mausoleum which he built for himself and his wife a few years ago in Berlin Center. Acquaintances said it cost him $30,000.

Official Of Canfield Bank

Shively was widely known throughout the county, not only for his fondness for his old "high-wheeler" but as a shrewd business man.   For many years he served as a director and vice president of the Farmers' National Bank at Canfield.  He retired last fall because of poor health.

Born April 5, 1860, in Milton township, Shively was a son of John and Susanna King Shively.  His mother was born in Berlin Center, while his father came from Pennsylvania.  when he was a small child the family moved to Berlin Center.

For about eight years he operated a general store in Berlin Center and for 30 years was a jeweler and optometrist.

Liked To Ride Bicycle

Shively found great satisfaction his high-wheeled bicycle.  Ever gleaming with reminiscence, he told often how he first rode it 20 miles to Youngstown on his 17th birthday, and recalled how it "burned up the road".

The bicycle cost $135 when new.  He claimed that it was the first high-wheeler to have rubber tires.  It always occupied the same corner in a building adjoining his office.

Even in his later years, he  continued to ride it remarking: "For thrills and smooth riding, give me the bicycle." He made it a point to ride the bicycle on his birthday and six years ago, rode it about city streets of Youngstown.

Mr. Shively had an automobile, but was rather timid about driving it, especially after he was injured five or six years ago.  He refused to drive to Youngstown, and when he had business there, he would drive to Canfield, and catch a ride into the city with a friend.

He was married Dec. 29, 1892, to Addie F. Howard, who survives.

Member Of Goshen Grange

He was a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 155, Canfield, and two years ago was presented a 50-year pin by the lodge.  He also was a member of the Goshen grange.  He was a lifelong Democrat.

Before his death Mr. Shively had made all arrangements for his funeral service, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the family home.  He left a note giving the dimensions of the size of the crypt in the mausoleum, so that they would know the size of a casket.

He also left the text for his funeral sermon and requested that Rev. Elmer Kale of Indiana, former pastor of the Mt. Mariah Lutheran church at Berlin Center, be one of the pastors at the service.  Rev. Kale will be assisted by Rev. Leonard Smith of Berlin Center.

Extracted from The Evening Review, East Liverpool, Ohio, Tuesday, March 27, 1934, Page 8:

Jeweler's Body To Rest In Mausoleum

By The Associated Press.

YOUNGSTOWN, O., March 27 -- Carey Monroe Shively, 74, jeweler of Berlin Center, near here, died last night.  Shively will be laid to rest Thursday in the gleaming pink marble mausoleum which he built for himself and his wife a few years ago, in the little Mahoning county village.  Friends said it cost him $30,000 and he was intensely proud of it.  For many years he was a director and vice president of the Farmers National bank at Canfield.

Shively's In Eagle Prairie Or Rio Del Or Rio Dell, Humboldt County, California

The Shively blog written on July 23, 2011 featured William Beaser Shively And Wife, Caroline Gould, In Humboldt County, California. The following newspaper article extracted from The Humboldt Times, Thursday, February 11, 1965, Page 15, Column 1 mentions the Shively families in the history.

RFD

By Andrew Genzoli

RIO DELL HAS A HISTORY -- On February 16, voters of Rio Dell will make history, when they decide for or against incorporation.  A large, busy community, Rio Dell is outgrowing a "hand-to-mouth" existence, and now looks to a dignified permanency.

Rio Dell has a good historical background.  Our correspondent, Evelyn McCormick proves this, as she becomes today's "guest columnist".

Rio Dell's Settlers

By Evelyn McCormick

Many changes have taken place in Eagle Prairie since the first which man walked through the gateway in the redwoods in 1850.  Prior to that date Indians had walked over its vast meadows and wooded sidehills.  After 115 years, its residents have asked for the privilege of voting on incorporation for the proposed city of Rio Dell.

Eagle Prairie came to be known as Rio Del (one "l"). Bordering the Scotia-Rio Dell Bridge, the Italian community was known as Wildwood.  Another community of residents between the Blue Slide area and Rio Del was the Bellevue District. During the 1940's all the communities were united, and officially adopted the name of Rio Dell (two "lls").

The first while travelers knew the flat acreage circled by the Eel River as Eagle Prairie. Reddick McKee of the United States Indian Agency came through in 1850. He wrote in his Washington, D. C., Journal that no one resided on Eagle Prairie at that time.  McKee was the first to try to open an overland trail from Santa Rosa to the north.

This fertile prairie was described to be an area of humid atmosphere bounded by the Eel River on the north, south and east and only by Indian trails to the west. Explorers to this area came via Grizzly Bluff to Blue Slide.

On July 16, 1853, W. B. Shively of Chico, and his brother, James, claimed 160 acres of land in Eagle Prairie.  The claim was made at "eight and one-half o'clock" in the Humboldt County Recorder's office.  Lewis K. Wood was recorder. Witnesses to the claim were John L. Young and Thomas Bell.  It is recorded in Book A, Page 331.

Shively immediately built a log cabin behind what was later to become Rio Dell House, the site of the old Moore Hotel.  The hotel was built in the 1870's.

The new land owner cultivated and sowed the land with oats, barley and potatoes, the latter being the favorite crop of farmers in the Eel River Valley.

The late Mrs. Pearl Corning Croco of Bellview was the granddaughter of W. B. Shively.  Shively's wife was Carrie Gould Winemiller (a widow with two sons).  She was the daughter of John Bean Gould, an early settler.

In 1856 a man named Kelsey arrived on the prairie.  He proposed exploring and marking a wagon road to the Russian River.  His companion was Seth Kinman, a well-known Humboldt historical character.

They left Eagle Prairie following the southwest side of the river until passing Colonel Washington Monument on Monument Peak in the Bear River Mountains, southwest of Mount Pierce.  Virgin timber and other obstacles in their path compelled them to give up their plans.

W. J. Sweasey and his party arrived in Eagle Prairie in 1856.  They reported the prairie settlement was the first white settlement they had encountered since leaving Healdsburg. They had used an overland rail to the present site of Fort Seward.

At Fort Seward they built a raft of redwood logs and ferried down the river, fording shallow places several times until arriving at Eagle Prairie.  The wagons carried on the raft were the first ones to come to Humboldt County on the south.

In 1860 Indians caused some trouble to the settlers. They were moved to Hoopa that same year.  Shively, who helped to round up the Indians, adopted two of their children and raised them to adulthood.  The Wiyot (Weott) Tribe's territory terminated on the southern border of the prairie.  Local mountains separated these Indians from the less-cultured Indians to the south.

Between 1862 and 1864, the Indians drifted back to this area.  According to Ferndale Enterprise of September 17, 1864, the Shively family was burned out by Indians who set fire to their grain fields.

W. B. Shively's daughter, Abbie, was reported to be the first white child born on the prairie.  A son, Dan, was born to the couple in 1867.  In 1868 the Shively family moved to Bluff Prairie (now Shively, named in the early settler's honor).

A deed dated November 5, 1864, shows that James A. Harris settled in Eagle Prairie.  His wife was Abbie Gould, a sister of Mrs. W. B. Shively.

By 1865 the Indian situation had improved and a wagon road welcomed settlers to the area. A William Duckett from Michigan was an Eagle Prairie farmer at this time.

During the 1860's and 1870's the area began to grow.  By 1873, Azel A. Fuller of Massachusetts owned 320 acres on the prairie.  An Oregon settler, Archibald Crisman, also owned 320 acres here.  A Humboldt Times, dated January 22, 1876, told of Crisman's developing a vein of coal in the bluffs opposite the lower part of Eagle Prairie.  The vein was reported as of long quantity and questionable quality.  Max Crisman (a grandson of Crisman) resides in Belleview today.

Hiram W. Dean filed for 160 acres of government land on the south end of Eagle Prairie, later called the Wildwood Tract.  Rio Dell's Dean Creek was named for him.  His original house (two story) later called the Old Brown House and more recently called the Storybook House, still stand on Orchard Road.

The era of Lorenzo D. Painter began in 1879 when he began building the city of "Rio Del", later changed to "Rio Dell".

Whether or not Rio Dell steps into a new era, that of an incorporated city, will be decided by the voters at next Tuesday's election, it still has a good chapter of Humboldt history.