Corda Mae Shively, Wife of David Barton Penniman, Who Lived In Winnebago County, Illinois

Photo Credit To Phyllis Wallington

Corda Mae Shively was born in Iowa on 14-Feb-1868, the daughter of Joseph H. Shively and first wife Nancy Elizabeth Shipp. Her grandparents were John B. Shively and Sarah Heaverin from Taylor County, KY. Corda Mae Shively had two sisters, Alma D. Shively who died young and Gertrude Shively who married Lowell H. Jones. Their mother, Nancy Elizabeth, died on 17-Jan-1874 and after her death they lived with John and Agnes Gochenour. Joseph Shively married second to Elnora E. Simpson and by this marriage Corda Mae Shively had a half-brother Claude Houston Shively and half-sister Helen A. Shively who married Albertus Lafferty.   Corda Mae Shively was married to David Barton Penniman on 13-Sep-1893 in Shelby County, IA.  She died on 15-Nov-1907 in the community of Argyle, IL and buried in the Willow Creek Cemetery. Willow Creek Cemetery is known by other names, one being the Scottish Cemetery, and lies in both Winnebago and Boone County, IL.

Death notices for Corda Mae Shively Penniman were located in the newspapers.  The following was extracted from The Rockford Daily Republic, Rockford, IL, Friday Evening, November 15, 1907, Page 1, Column 6:

Death Of Doctor Penniman's Wife

Wife Of Argyle Physician Dies This Morning -- Leaves Two Children

Mrs. D. B. Penniman, wife of Dr. David B. Penniman, who has practiced in Argyle and Harlem since 1893, died at her home in Argyle this morning.  The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.  Mrs. Penniman was Miss Corda Shively of Shelby, Iowa.  Her father was a veteran in the Civil War, a member of the Kentucky volunteers.  Two children, Lawrence W. and Alford, survive.  She was a member of the Willow Creek Presbyterian Church.  The husband is a Mason and belongs to the M. W. A. and Mystic Workers.

The following obituary was located in The Rockford Morning Star, Thursday, November 21, 1907, Page 7, Column 2:

Obituary

Death Of Mrs. D.  B. Penniman Removed Lovable Woman From Earth

Corda Mae Shively, wife of Dr. D. B. Penniman, was born near Avoca, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1868.  Her mother died when she was 6 years old.  She was adopted, with her sister Gertrude, by Mr. and Mrs. John Gochenour of Shelby, Iowa.  She always spoke of Mrs. Gochenour as mother and loved her as much as she could an own mother.  She made her home with her foster parents at Shelby, Iowa, until the time of her marriage with Dr. D. B. Penniman, which occurred Sept. 13, 1893.  Soon after their marriage they came to Argyle, which was her home until the time of her death.  She attended Oberlin college in 1889, where she first met her future husband, who was then a student at the same college.  She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, two sons, Lawrence age 12, and Alford, age 5; her father, J. H. Shively of Dayton, Ohio; her foster mother; her sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Jones of Ida Grove, Iowa, and Mrs. Helen Lafferty, of Lancaster, Ohio, and a brother, Claude Shively, of Santa Monica, California.

She was buried in Willow Creek cemetery, near Argyle, November 17th.  Such is a brief statement of the outstanding facts of the life that to us seems to have come to an untimely end November 15th.  But it does not tell the complete story of the exceptionally sweet and beautiful life that she lived.  Indeed that story can never be told this side of heaven.

Fourteen years ago she came as a young bride and a total stranger to take the delicate and responsible place of the physician's wife in the Scotch settlement and surrounding neighborhoods.  How well she filled that place was very touchingly told by the hundreds who came to express their love and respect on the day of her interment.  The silent tears that fell from many eyes bore eloquent testimony of the high esteem and respect in which she was held.

The virtues that adorned her life were such as to command the love and respect of all.  She possessed an unusually equable and cheerful temperament.  Seldom has it been our lot to know one who lived so constantly in the high attitude of perpetual sunshine and good cheer.  In poor health for many years, often an intense sufferer, she put these things in the background, and faced the world and her duty with a smile and a song.  She stifled pain and gave the world a song instead of a groan.  She was utterly unselfish.  Her first thought was not of self, but for the comfort and happiness of others.  And the thousand kindnesses bestowed, on all classes alike, all of which were born out of a heart that beat in sympathy for all, will leave her memory doubly sacred to all who knew her.  Often she did more than her strength would warrant, but she found such supreme pleasure in the bestowal of kindness that those  who loved her best had not the heart to interfere.

She was passionately fond of music and was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice.  Perhaps one of the most pathetic things in her life was the fact that in the last years she was so largely prevented from using her voice by reason of throat trouble.  Often as she heard others sing have we seen her face and eyes tell of the hunger of the soul, to find its expression in song.  Often have we heard her tell of her deep regret that she could not do so.

She was a devoted Christian and loyal member of Willow Creek Presbyterian church Missionary society.  She did her life work with Christian fortitude and heroism and sadly will she be missed.

She will be missed by her husband, by whose side she stood and gave to him her best self in sharing with him the anxious toll involved in a practice that meant a travel of more than 9,000 miles a year. She will be missed by the two little lads who are left motherless just as their feet are entering life's rugged way.  She will be missed by the large circle of friends who knew and loved her so well.  But her work on earth is done.  In the holy hush of the Sabbath afternoon a procession a mile and a half in length followed her to the silent city of the dead, where all that was mortal was laid tenderly in the bosom of mother earth, beside her infant daughter, there to await the morning of the resurrection.  The day was one of rare beauty, but a plantive minor tone of melancholy touched our hearts.  Was not all nature dying with her?  The flowers had faded; the grass was brown and withered; the trees giant and naked.  But we know that the flowers will bloom again; that in the coming springtime the earth will be carpeted once more with green, and the trees will be covered with leaves.  Even so faith whispers to us in the night of death that our loved ones shall live again in another world.

CARD OF THANKS

To those friends and neighbors who manifested such sincere sympathy in our late sorrow we desire to extend our heartfelt thanks.      Dr. D. B. Penneman and Family

William Beaser Shively And Wife, Caroline Gould, Who Lived In Shively, Humboldt County, California

While researching for other Shivelys who "went west" articles relating to the family of William Beaser Shively were discovered.  In the articles it mentions that Shively, California was founded by William B. Shively.   After extracting the information on the census records it was discovered that William B. Shively was a brother to John Shively of Montana.  John Shively was the subject of last weeks blog. Another brother, Alexander P Shively, is located on the 1880 White Pine County, Nevada  and1900 Elko County, Nevada census records. Their brother, James Shively, is found on the 1870 Box Elder County, Utah census records.

The parents of William B. Shively were located on the 1850 Jefferson County, Ohio, city of Steubenville census.  In the household are Daniel Shively age 49 born in PA, wife Elizabeth age 44 born in VA,  son William B. age 21 born in OH occupation coach maker, son James S age 18 born in OH, son John age 15 born in OH, son Alexander P age 10 born in OH, and daughter Sarah E. age 3 born in OH.  Also listed in the household are the following men all listed with the occupation of weaver:  David Michel age 40 born in Scotland, Robert Main age 28 born in Scotland, James Whitelman age 24 born in Scotland, Robert Chambers age 40 born in England.  One last entry in the household is Stephen Cooper, age 21 born in OH who is listed with the occupation of plasterer.

A newspaper article was located in The Humboldt Times, Eureka, California, Sunday, February 6, 1949:        Shively--A Man Said It Was Paradise

Pioneer's Vision Will Be Realized If Bridge Is Built

By Chet Schwarzkopf,  Photos By Dick Ryan

Shively is a secluded community, some 40 miles south of Eureka.  No better description of its setting can be made than to quote its original discoverer, William Shively, who called it "Paradise".  Shively is not on Highway 101, although you must go by that route most of the way to get there.  Shively is separated from the rush of traffic on Redwood Highway by Eel river, hence its seclusion - which is one of its most delightful features - and one of its perennial headaches.

For the great sweep of Eel river skirts the plateau upon which Shively stands and, with its towering stand of redwood timber, gives the town a boundary more definite than any man-made line.  The headache part of it comes when that boundary goes on flood and takes out the temporary bridge which links a population of 250 to the highway...............

How Shively Started

Back in the early 1860's William B. Shively came to California from the mid-west and settled in what is now Rio Dell--in fact, he at one time owned most of that town's area.  Bill Shively got along well with people, whether Indians or white, and quickly became prominent in the newly settled community.

In due time, he met and married Carrie Gould Winemiller, a young widow with two sons, Francis and Charles, who herself was a member of the pioneer Gould family of Humboldt.  Six children were born to them--Abbie, Dan, Lilly, William, Ernest and Maud.  Of the original family, Abbie alone survives.  She is Mrs. Abbie Edwards, of Rio Dell, a wide-awake lady in her eighties who enjoys reminiscing on early days in Humboldt.

"The Indians burned us out once at Rio Dell," Mrs. Edwards said. "But you can't blame them for not wanting outsiders moving in."  Her eyes twinkle.  "In fact, I hear that even now days when so many new people are coming into Humboldt.  It's only human.  But father made his peace with them and raised two Indian boys, Budds and Ben, after most of the tribe had moved to the reservation at Hoopa".

It was while on a hunting and fishing trip upriver with Budds and Ben, in 1869, that Bill Shively first set eyes upon his future town, according to Mrs. Verna Holmes, of Pepperwood, who is a daughter of one of the Winemiller sons.  "Grandfather was greatly impressed, as anyone is today who looks at the location", Mrs. Holmes said.  "It was swarming with all kinds of wild game--deer, elk, bear and birds.  He was the first white man to see the place.  When he came home, he told grandmother 'I have found Paradise.  We will move there'".

Grandmother Shively objected at first, for Rio Dell was home, but finally consented when Bill promised to bring her back to Rio Dell after they had proved up on the place.  But when that time came Carrie Shively had changed her mind.  "We won't go home", she said.  "This place is home now".

It must have been a heroic undertaking for a man to move a wife and four small children--for Abbie and Dan were born by then--into an unknown wilderness with limited transportation of those days.  But Bill Shively did, and he built the first log cabin in his new town-to-be.  The Indians were still hostile up there, and for several years the Shivelys and subsequent settlers did not dare light their houses at night until all blinds were pulled and the premises as thoroughly blacked out as in modern warfare.

The years went by.  Bill Shively had brought a number of other families into the town, and had planted a fine fruit orchard on his farm.  The amazingly fertile river-silt soil produced anything that would grow in temperate zones, and the families prospered.  To this day, Shively is noted for its truck gardens and apples, pears, and cherries.  Even a willow riding switch, planted in the Shively front yard, grew into a great tree under which church services and picnics were held.  So it was natural for the children, as they grew up, to start farms of their own on the Shively holdings.  

Latter Days In Shively

About the turn of the century Bill Shively sold his extensive timber holdings to The Pacific Lumber Company--the giant that was growing in Scotia--and the railroad was built into town.  Then began the community's heyday........

The following newpaper obituary was located in The Humboldt Standard, August 15, 1894:

A Pioneer Gone

Death Of Wm. B. Shively At Pepperwood, Monday

He was One of the Earliest Settlers of Humboldt County

News was received here yesterday of the death of Wm. B. Shively, of Pepperwood, which occurred at that place on Monday, after a short illness of inflamation of the bowels.  W. H. Johnston and David Gordon, of this place, left this morning to attend the funeral, which took place at 1 o'clock this afternoon.

Mr. Shively was an old-timer in Humboldt County.  Over forty years ago, with several pioneers, he was engaged in mining in Weaverville, Trinity county, and in the early fifties came to Humboldt, where he has ever since made his home.  He raised a family and drew about him a host of warm friends by his big-heartedness and his gentlemenly conduct.  He was always known as a hard working man and kept the bright side of life in view.  Many years ago his faithful wife died and today he was laid to rest by her side.  He leaves several grown children.  Mr. Shively owned at the time of his death a very pretty place in Pepperwood and his many friends were always welcome to his home.  Deceased was a native of Ohio and was sixty-five years of age.

John Shively And Wife, Sarah, From Beaverhead County, Montana

The newspaper article to the left was located in the Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, Monday Morning, September 19, 1921, Page 7, Column 4:

Montana's Oldest Hunter Is On Job

Special Dispatch to the Standard.

      DILLON, Sept 18.---This city boasts probably the oldest hunter in the state on the opening day of the duck season, for John Shively, 87 years young, shouldered his shotgun and was among those who left at 4 o'clock in the morning for favored hunting sloughs.  Not only was he among the hunters, but was able to make a pretty wing shot which added to the day's bag of ducks.

Mr. Shively came to Idaho in 1864, locating at Fort Boise, and in 1880 moved to this city, where he has since made his home.  Mr. Shively accompanied his grandsons on his hunting expedition, as has been his custom for years past, leaving in the city a great grandson, with whom he hopes to greet the opening day of the hunting season at some future date.

John Shively was born on 23-July-1823 in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio and died 30-June-1925 in Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana.  He was married to Sarah (last name unknown) who was died on 3-Jan-1894 in Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana.  From the census records children included:  William A born ca 1857, Edward born ca 1858, Charles E born ca 1861, Clara N born 7-Mar-1863 and Daniel R born August 1873.

John Shively is listed on the 1920 and 1910 Beaverhead County, Montana census records and is living in the household of his daughter, Clara.  Clara was married on 6-Oct-1886 in Beaverhead County to Daniel Thornton Chapman.  In 1900 John Shively was widowed and living in his household in Dillon, Beaverhead County.  In 1880 John and wife Sarah are listed on the Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Idaho census records and in the household are children, Charles E age 19, Clara N age 17, and Daniel R age 8.  The family is located on the 1870 Jefferson County, Ohio census record.  John and Sarah are living in the city of Wheeling, VA, Ohio County, Virginia in 1860.   John is 15 years old in 1850 and living in his parents household, Daniel Shively age 49 and Elizabeth age 44 in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio.  His brother, William B Shively age 21 is listed as a coach maker.  John Shively is listed on the 1860 thru 1880 census records as being a wagon maker.  

Fred Shively And Wife, Maude Hanson, Of Pierce County, North Dakota

The newspapers are a good source for clues when searching for family history.  In doing research for Shively families in North Dakota several clues from the newspapers helped establish the lineage of Fred Shively who was born December 1882 in Taylor County, Kentucky.

The following newspaper article gives a clue as to who were the parents of Fred Shively.  In the Grand Forks Daily Herald, Wednesday Morning, August 21, 1912, Page 5, Column 4:

Shively-Bowles

A pretty wedding took place at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Shively, near Ruby, Wednesday afternoon, when their daughter, Vernie, was given in marriage to William Bowles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bowles.  Rev. W. A. Dunnett performed the ceremony and a sumptuous wedding dinner was served.  In the evening a reception and supper were given at the home of the groom's parents.  The bride is a sister of Dr. Fred Shively of Rugby, and her only attendant was Miss Lillian Hagen of Devils Lake.

A search for Dr. Shively produced the following article found in The Evening Times, Grand Forks, ND, Saturday, August 6, 1910, Page 8, Columns 6-7:

Nineteen Pass The Exam

Dr. Philip A. Eckman Of Grand Forks Was Among Successful Applicants At Fargo

Nineteen applicants for dentist's certificates successfully passed the examination given by the North Dakota board of dental examiners at its session in Fargo on July 12.   A very large class was on hand to take the examination which must be passed before a certificate is issued.

Dr. Philip A. Eckman, who recently engaged in partnership with his brother,  L. L. Eckman, was the only Grand Forks dentist included in the list, which follows:   (for this blog the others will not be listed except).......Fred S. Shively, Pleasant Lake, N.D.

Several articles were found relating to the wedding of Fred Shively and Maude Hanson.  From the Evening TImes, Grand Forks, ND, Thursday, July 10, 1913, Page 5, Column 1:  

A wedding of interest to scores of friends throughout the state will occur at Fargo on Wednesday, July 16, when Miss Maude Hanson will be united in marriage to Dr. F. Shizley of Rugby.  The bride elect is the daughter of Mrs. Anna Hanson and is well known in this city.  She graduated from the St. Bernard's Academy and later attended the Moorhead Normal school.  Dr. Shizley is a prominent young physician of Rugby.  A large circle of friends will join in extending congratulations.

The Evening Times, Grand Forks, ND, Saturday, July 19, 1913, Page 5, Column 4:

Miss Lillian Paulson has returned from Fargo where she attended the wedding of Miss Maude Hanson to Dr. Frederick SHively of Rugby, which took place on Wednesday.  Miss Paulson played the wedding march.

In the Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, August 17, 1915, Page 3, Column 3:

Miss Lillian Paulson, 513 Cherry street, has returned from Rugby, where she was the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Shively, fromerly Miss Maude Hanson of this city.  Miss Paulson also spent some time at Lake Metigoshe and was accompanied home by Mrs. Shively and her sister, Miss Verna Hanson, who left yesterday for Moorhead, where they will attend the wedding of their cousin, Miss Dora Hanson, whose marriage will take place the 25th of this month.

Fred Shively is living with his parents in 1900 in Pierce County, ND.  From the census record is listed the names of his parents and siblings:   John R. Shively born Dec 1856 in KY, Thomas A (wife) born Dec 1856 in KY, Fred born Dec 1882 in KY, Nora born Sep 1884 in MO, Agnuss born July 1887 in MO, Vernie born April 1889 in MO, Ernest M. born March 1893 in MO, Charley B (female) born July 1897 in MO.       For some reason John R. Shively left North Dakota for a short time and lived in Texas.  John, wife Thomas A, and family are located on the 1910 Floyd County, Texas census record.    From the newspaper articles it is known that by 1912 at least some of the family members had returned to ND.

Newspaper articles of the weddings of a sister and brother to Fred Shively are recorded as follows:

Daily Herald, Grand Forks, ND, Tuesday Morning, June 26, 1906, Page 6, Column 2:

Northwood Groom ------William T. Heising, Northwood, will be married at Pleasant Lake tomorrow to Miss Agnes Shively.

Daily Herald, Grand Forks, ND, Saturday Morning, January 10, 1914, Page 5, Columns 3-4:

A wedding of interest to a large circle of friends occurred this week in Devils Lake, when Miss Lillian Irene Haggen, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Haggen, was united in marriage to Ernest Marley Shively of Knox.  The wedding took place at the Presbyterian church and Rev. Albert Torbett officiated.   The attendants were Miss Stewart of Penn. and Sanford Haggen.  Miss Fern Haggen acted as ringbearer.  Following the ceremony the wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride's parents.  Mr. and Mrs. Shively will be at home to their friends on the groom's farm near Knox.

The parents of John Robert Shively were Edmond Shively and Perosa Fisher from Taylor County, Kentucky.  The parents of Edmond Shively were Samuel Shively and Mary Penn of Taylor County, KY.  The parents of Samuel Shively were Michael Shively and Nancy Payne who were married on 6-Jan-1797 in Washington County, KY.

Reuben Otis Shively From Santa Ana, Orange County, California

Reuben Otis Shively

The following newspaper articles were located relating to Rueben Otis Shively of Santa Ana, Orange County, California.  In an article from The San Jose Daily Mercury, Thursday Morning, November 26, 1903, Page 4, Columns 3 and 4 was the picture at the left and the following information: 

Reuben O. Shively Dies In Santa Ana

Was For Many Years A Prominent Merchant In This City, Where He Had Many Friends

Many of his old friends in this city have just heard with regret of the death of Reuben Otis Shively at Santa Ana.  Mr. Shively, who was about 60 years of age, was for many years a prominent merchant in this city.  His death occurred at his home, 423 East First street, Santa Ana, on the 22nd of November.  The funeral was held from the family residence on Monday last, the interment being at Santa Ana Cemetery.

Over a quarter of a century ago, Mr. Shively, accompanied by his brother, B. F. Shively, came to San Jose, and started a small dry goods store on South First street, where Hale's is now located.  After a short time they sold out to O. A. Hale & Co., not only in San Jose, but in several cities in California.  Mr. Shively then opened what he called the "Nine Cent Store," on South First street near the First National Bank.  J. L. Stull and Louis Sonniksen, now of the firm of Stull & Sonniksen, were employed as clerks.  Mr. Stull was a nephew of Mr. Shively.

  Mr. Shively later removed further down South First street in the Letitia block, where he remained a few years.  He then disposed of his dry goods business and went to Santa Ana.

   During his long residence here Mr. Shively took an active interest in public affairs and the upbuilding of the city.  He organized the first Chamber of Commerce and was President of that organization for a long time.  In connection with his dry goods business he published occasionally a paper called "The Pathfinder," which was distributed about the county.  In this paper he would set forth the superior bargains he was offering, and at the same time encourage local and other improvements.  He was a progressive citizen.

    After going to Santa Ana Mr. Shively became largely interested in the raising of chickens and other fowls.  He has lately been publishing with Claire Cottle, a newspaper called the "Santa Ana Leader".  Claire Cottle, formerly of this city, a son of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Cottle, married Miss Pearl Shively.

    Mr. Shively was a native of Canton, Ohio.  He came to San Jose from South Bend, Indiana. His brother, B. F. Shively, was a Congressman from the Fifth District of Indiana.  He leaves a wife and daughter, the latter being Mrs. Claire Cottle.

In the above article is the mention of Pearl Shively, daughter of R. O. Shively.  A newspaper obituary was located for her in The San Jose Mercury Herald, Sunday Morning, January 4, 1914, Page 5, Column 2:

Mrs. Clair H. Cottle Dies In San Francisco

Was Formerly Pearl Shively, And Was Born In This City

Many old San Joseans will hear with sorrow of the death in San Francisco, December 31, of Mrs. Clair H. Cottle, who was Pearl Shively, daughter of the late R. O. Shively, was born and spent her girlhood days in this city.  Those who knew her will recall her lovely disposition, her sunny smile, her hearty handshake and her word worth while, which made one leave her feeling better.

The deepest sympathy will be felt for her bereaved husband, children and mother, who start the new year with this load of sorrow on their hearts, which only time and the Great Healer can lighten.