Help has been requested by a Shively researcher. If anyone can help find when and where Claude Houston Shively died please reply to this blog. The following information was found for this genealogy search.
Claude Houston Shively was born on 19-Feb-1876 in Iowa, the son of Joseph H. Shively and his second wife, Elnora E. Simpson. His grandparents were John B. Shively and Sarah Heaverin from Taylor County, Kentucky. Claude Houston Shively had one sister Helen A. Shively who married Albertus Lafferty. He had three half sisters; Corda Mae Shively who married David Barton Penniman, Gertrude Shively who married Lowell H. Jones and Alma D. Shively who died young. They were the daughters of Joseph H. Shively and his first wife, Nancy Elizabeth Shipp.
Claude is listed in the household of his parents on the 1880 Town of Shelby, Shelby County, Iowa census as Joseph H. Shively, age 35, postmaster, wife Elnora E. age 25 and son Claude H. age 3. Listed in the 1900 20th Precinct, City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida census Claud Shively is a boarder, age 24 and working in a box factory. The 1907 newspaper obituary for his half sister, Corda Mae Shively Penniman lists that Claude is living in Santa Monica, CA. Listed on the 1910 Yavapai County, Arizona census Claude H. is a roomer, age 32 and a farm laborer. Listed on the 1920 Florence City, Pinal County, Arizona census Claude is a roomer, age 43 and a carpenter. On the 1930 Parker Precinct, Yuma County, Arizona Claud H. is age 53 and a building foreman. Claude H. Shively could not be found on a 1940 census record.
The following newspaper article was extracted from The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, Tuesday, November 4, 1902, Page 1, Column 5:
Symmes Victim Of Accidental Shot
Popular Merchant Instantly Killed While Hunting Sunday - His Bookkeeper Stumbled And Gun Was Discharged - Deplorable Tragedy Resulted
C. H. Symmes, of the Symmes' Hardware Company, one of Tampas leading merchants, was accidentally shot and instantly killed Sunday morning at 11 o'clock, while with a camping party thirteen miles north of the city. A heavy charge of shot from the gun of C. H. Shively, the bookkeeper of the Symmes business, entered the body of the unfortunate man near the left shoulder, penetrating his heart.
The camping party, which was marred by the sad tragedy, left the city early Sunday morning to hunt game. In the party were Isaac Maas, Chas. A. McKay, James West, C. H. Shively and Mr. Symmes.
While endeavoring to get a shot at a squirrel, Mr. Shively's foot caught in a bush, and he fell. Just as he fell his gun was discharged, and Mr. Symmes, who was walking about six feet in advance of his bookkeeper, received the entire load, falling instantly dead.
Brought To The City
The body was brought to the city and placed at the undertaking establishment of Undertaker Reed. Mr Shively, who was prostrated with grief, was given medical attention, and Messrs McKay and Maas went to the home of the deceased and broke the sad news to Mrs. Symmes, who sorrow was pitiful to behold.
The funeral will occur this morning at 9:30, from the residence, corner of Sixth avenue and Morgan street. Rev. J. G. Anderson, of the First Presbyterian church, will conduct the service. Hillsborough Lodge of Masons, of which the deceased was a prominent member, will officiate at the grave, in Oaklawn cemetery.
Deeply Deplored
The deplorable tragedy has caused universal expressions of regret, and Mr. Shively, who had been one of Mr. Symmes' closest friends, is grief-stricken almost to the verge of madness.
Mr. Symmes leaves a wife and little daughter. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. G. H. Symmes, of Peru, on of the most prominent families of Florida. Three brothers survive him. His mother arrived yesterday morning, and Dr. Symmes, the father, arrived last night.
The following article was found in The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, Wednesday, January 21, 1903, Page 2, Column 1:
Are Not Married
Reports Having Been Circulated That Mrs. Symmes And Man Who Accidentally Killed Her Husband Had Married, Tribune Obtains Positive Denial
Tribune Bureau,
1411 Seventh Avenue,
Tuesday
There has seldom, in the history of Tampa been a tragedy that has caused more widespread regret than the accidental shooting of G. H. Symmes by his confidential clerk and close personal friend, Claude H. Shively. Both parties well-known if Tampa and throughout South Florida, and have numerous friends, who were shocked at the occurrence of this deplorable accident.
For some time previous to the tragedy, Mr. Shively had been closely connected with Mr. Symmes in the capacity of a confidential employe. He entered into the closest confidence of his chief, and on all occasions proved that confidence had not been misplaced. Never, in any business house in the city was to be found an employe more devoted to the interests of his employer, and Mr. Shively occupied the position more of a younger relative than of an employe.
Since the occurrence of the deplorable accident, Mr. Shively has continued to conduct the business of the Symmes Hardware Company, and has discharged every duty incumbent upon him in the management of its affairs with the same faithfulness and care that previously characterized his every effort. That the position and surroundings were anything but congenial, can be surmised, but Mr. Shively has manfully continued to use his best efforts to continue the business to the best interests of the widow and her children.
The fact that Mr. Shively continued as the nominal head of the Symmes Hardware Company, has occasioned at times some little comment and surprise. Latterly, rumors have been extant to the effect the Mr. Shively and Mrs. Mattie H. Symmes, the widow of the dead man, had been married.
The records of the county judge were searched for the record of a marriage license having been issued for the parties named, but without avail. For a time, this satisfied public gossip, but latterly the statement had been circulated that they had gone to another county, and had there been married.
Yesterday a Tribune man called upon Mr. Shively at his place of business, and after explaining his errand, as a newspaper man, asked Mr. Shively if he was aware of the circulation of rumors regarding his alleged marriage to Mrs. Symmes.
Mr. Shively was deeply affected by the queries as propounded by the reporter, and displayed considerable emotion in answering.
"I have been aware that such rumors were in circulation," said Mr. Shively, "and they have caused me much sadness and annoyance. I have been tempted at times to correct the rumors through the medium of the press, but personal friends, who felt as deeply as myself the rather unpleasant view in which these rumors placed me before the public eye, persuaded me to let them die a natural death, when time should have shown how utterly without foundation they were. Not to me alone have these rumors been the cause of much disquietude, but to Mrs. Symmes and her children, the latter having experienced some of the effects of the reports in their school.
"I am more than pleased that you have called upon me, and now that you have stated the reason of your visit, I freely invite you to ask any question that would tend to settle this matter conclusively."
"Is it a fact, Mr. Shively, that you have been out of Hillsborough county recently?" was asked.
"No, sir" was the prompt repsonse, "I have not been outside of Hillsborough county in two months."
"Do you know whether or not Mrs. Symmes has been out of the county recently?"
"It is my opinion that she has not."
"Have you and Mrs. Symmes, together, been out of the county recently?"
"No, most emphatically, no."
"Mr. Shively," said the Tribune man, "I would now like to ask you a point blank question: Are you and Mrs. Symmes married?"
"No, most emphatically, we are not, and what is more, are not likely to be. I hope that you will make this answer emphatic that the public may know the actual truth of the matter. It has caused both Mrs. Symmes, her family, myself, and our friends untold suffering and sadness, and I trust that you will so place my answer before the public that there will be no further question. The continuation of such rumors as these can only reflect upon my integrity as a man, and I sincerely trust that with this denial that the public will rest thoroughly satisfied. I cannot but feel that an injustice has been done all parties concerned in the circulation of these rumors and I sincerely thrust that the publication of these statements, will forever settle the matter in the public mind."
