George W. Shively From Macon County, Illinois

George W. Shively was born in Ohio and died in Macon County Illinois on 30-Dec-1939.  He was married in Macon County on 1-Jan-1863 to Elizabeth Wright.  Elizabeth passed away on July 30, 1909 and was buried in Boiling Springs Cemetery.  George was married to Mrs. Anna Marie (Peage) of St. Louis in May 1911.  Children born to George W. Shively and Elizabeth Wright included:

Howard W Shively born 1862 died 1864; Emery born about 1866 died about 1936 who married Mattie King on 5-Jan-1887 in Macon County, IL;  Clara born about 1869 who married Theodore Ebert; Olepha born 1870 died 1879; and Claude born about 1874 died 1957 who married Lizzie L. Elder on 20-Dec-1894 in Macon County, IL.  More information on this  family can be gleaned from the newspaper obituaries for George W Shively and his wives. (There seems to be conflicting information from the records as to the year of birth for George W Shively.  From the 1900 census record he is listed as being born in May 1844.  From the other census records the age that is listed is consistent with a birth year as 1844.  From the newspaper obits one would believe he was born about 1840).

From The Decatur Review, Saturday, December 30, 1939, page 10:

George Shively County's Oldest Man Dies At 99

George W Shively the eldest man in Macon County and for many years a prominent farmer and stock raiser, died at 3am today in his home in South Wheatland township.  He would have been 100 years old on Jan 1.

Eighty years ago Mr. Shively drove into the settlement of Decatur in a covered wagon and decided to make his home nearby.  He settled on Stevens Creek west of the town and lived there and near Harristown until 1869.

Land was cheap in those days and with a small savings he bought a large farm in South Wheatland township, southwest of Elwin, which had been his home for the last 70 years.

Until three weeks ago Mr. Shively was active, came to Decatur frequently and took an interest in the operations of his farm.amilton

He was married to Elizabeth Wright in Harristown on Jan. 1, 1861.  She died  in July 1909.

In May 1911 Mr. Shively at the age of 71 years was married to Mrs. A. Marie (Peage) of St. Louis.  The marriage performed in St. Louis was kept secret until the couple returned to Decatur.

Mr. Shively had been a member of the Methodist church  at Elwin since 1874.

He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Clara Ebert of Los Angeles, Calif. and a son, C B "Bert" Shively, rural route 2, Macon.  There are five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held in the Dawson & Wikoff Chapel at 2pm Monday.  The burial will be in the Boiling Springs cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home.

From The Decatur Review, Saturday Evening, July 31, 1909, Page 8, Column 6:

Mrs. Shively Dies In South Wheatland

She Was Mother of E. O. Shively, Assistant Master Mechanic

Mrs. Elizabeth Shively, wife of G. W. Shively, a wealthy and prominent farmer of South Wheatland township, died at the family home, one and one-half miles from Elwin, Friday night about 11:30 o'clock.  Death was the result of asthma, from which Mrs. Shively had suffered many years, and an attack of lung fever.

The end came very suddenly.  During the afternoon Mrs. Shively had been around the house, apparently as well and active as ever.  About 11:20 o'clock she complained of shortness of breath.  The end came five minutes later.

Leaves Three Children

Mrs. Shively is survived by her husband and three children.  The children are Emery O Shively, assistant master mechanic for the Wabash at Decatur, Mrs. Clara Ebert of Elwin, and Claude B. Shively, 956 North College street.  Two children, Howard Wilson and Olivia, died in infancy, while a daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Bridewell, mother of William Bridewell of Decatur, died a month ago.

Born In Canada

Mrs. Shively's maiden name was Elizabeth Wright.  She was born in Hamilton Can., March 25, 1846, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1858 .  On Jan. 1, 1863 she was married to George W. Shively and they went to housekeeping near Harristown.   The same year she joined the Methodist church there and was a most devoted Methodist up to the time of her death.  In 1869 the Shivelys moved to their present farm near Elwin.

The funeral is to be held from the residence at 12:30 pm Monday and the interment will be at the Boiling Springs cemetery.

The following is the newspaper obit for Anna Shively, second wife of George W. Shively.  Note the newspaper error in identifying her as the wife of W. S. Shively. From The Decatur Review, Tuesday Evening, August 24, 1920, Page 12, Column 7:

Mrs. W. S. Shively Dies At Age Of 64

Had Been Ill for Last Three Months

Mrs. Anna Shively, wife of W. S. Shively, 311 East Center street, died at 4:45 o'clock Tuesday morning at St. Marys hospital.  She was sixty-four years old.  Her death was caused by a complication of diseases after an illness of three months.

Mrs. Shively was born in Sidney, Ill but had been a resident of Decatur for the last twenty-five years.  She was widely known and had a host of friends.  Mrs. Shively was a member of the First Methodist church.  She is survived by her husband and three daughters, Mrs. J. Frank Morehead and Mrs. Charles J. Warner bo.th of St. Louis and Mrs. Walter Nims of Los Angeles, Cal. all of whom were with her during her last illness.

The body was removed to the Brintlinger & Sons undertaking establishment and prepared for burial and friends may call there Thursday.

The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Brintlinger & Sons chapel. The interment will be in the Boiling Springs cemetery.