Luther L. Shelley
A review of the life of the honored and lamented Luther L. Shelley, whose earthly career was terminated a few years ago, must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career, touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this biography. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation, while the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of Jasper township, this county, where he spent so many years. His life was such as to entitle him to an honorable position in this biographical history of his county, and it is eminently fitting that he he included among the representative citizens. That he did his part nobly and well is universally admitted, and the name he earned as an honest and upright citizen is the highest tribute which can be accorded him.
The late Luther L. Shelley was born in 1866, in Greene county, Ohio, near Jamestown, and died November 11, 1909, at his country home in Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio. He was the son of Mathias and Eliza (Sanders) Shelley, natives of Greene county, this state. Mathias Shelley and wife lived near Pleasant View, in that county, and reared a family of nine children. Marion. Morgan, Amanda, Flora, Eva, Jane, Anna. Luther L. and James.
The education of Luther L. Shelley was received in the schools of Pleasant View and, in accordance with the custom then prevailing, he spent all of his summer vacations at work on the home farm. After his marriage he located in Jasper township, where he lived until his death. He was a prosperous and substantial farmer and accumulated an estate of one hundred and nine acres of good land by the exercise of good management and close economy. His wife was a true helpmate and much of his success was due to her efforts, a fact which he was always ready to acknowledge.
Mr. Shelley was married in 1879, to Alice Gray, the daughter of Jefferson and Ellen (Creamer) Gray. Jefferson Gray was a native of Virginia and was one of the early settlers in Fayette county. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Mrs. Virginia Haines, Theodore, Oliver, Alice and Mrs. Elmeda Thornburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Shelley were born twelve children, Ora, Olive, John, Alva, Raymond, Percy, George, Hubert, Dorothy, Bertha, Phillip and Harry. Of these children, all are still living with the exception of Bertha. Three of the children are married, Ora, Olive and Alva. Ora married J. C. Whiteside and has one son, Franklin; Olive became the wife of Frank Creamer and has five children, Marjorie, Roger, Grace, Hester and Richard: Alva married May Lucas, who is now deceased, as is their son, Donald.
Mr. Shelley was a life-long Republican, but never had any inclination to take an active part in political matters. However. he was interested in everything pertaining to good government and always gave his unreserved support to such measures as would bring it about. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was always interested in the affairs of that fraternal organization. Mrs. Shelley is a woman of gracious tact and charm and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare she has always been interested and to whose support she is a willing and generous contributor. Mr. Shelley was a man of broad sympathies, kindly disposed toward the faults of others and ever ready to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. In everything that he did he was careful to observe a proper mode of conduct and thus left behind him a name which will always be cherished by his children and those with whom he was associated. The lives of such men mean much to a community, for they give stability and character to the locality where they live. Such a man was Luther L. Shelley; thus he lived and thus he passed away.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)