My Genealogy Hound

HON. ALBERT B. SHELDON, one of the leading representatives of business, political and social life of central Chautauqua county, is a son of Franklin and Eliza (Brigham) Sheldon, was born in the town of Westfield, this couuty, on April 7, 1842. The parents of our subject came from Pawlet, Vermont, and reached this county about 1830. Franklin Sheldon settled in the town of Westfield and began to farm and deal in cattle, which he has followed to a greater or less extent until within the past few years. He is now eighty-two years of age, and for many years was assessor in the town of Westfield, and he filled the office in a most commendable manner.

Albert B. Sheldon was born and reared on a farm, and received his education at the district schools. Although the facilities for securing an education were far inferior to those of the present day, before he had reached the age of twenty-one he was the possessor of a teacher’s State certificate of proficiency, and it is doubtful if there is another parallel instance. At fifteen years of age he began to teach and followed the profession during the winter seasons for ten years. The summers were passed in the purchase and sale of stock, from the proceeds of which he accumulated considerable money. In 1863 he became a produce dealer, and although now interested in many other matters, he still is identified as a drover. Butter and cheese form a large part of his annual business, and he is one of the very few who have made it a success. Between forty and fifty thousand dollars worth of these staple commodities pass through his hands yearly. In 1881 he was elected to the State legislature, and was re-elected the following year, and served as chairman of the committee on agriculture. Mr. Sheldon was supervisor of the town of Sherman for three years, and is now vice-president of the State Bank of Sherman, that was organized in February, 1890, and of which Enoch Sperry is president. The towns of Sherman, Kiantone, Westfield and Chautauqua, and the city of Jamestown, contain valuable real estate that belongs to him. He also has large real estate interests at Buffalo.

Hon. A. B. Sheldon has a fine house at Sherman, in which he takes much comfort and pleasure. In 1872 he married Maria Slocum, a lady from Frewsburgh, this county, and they had one child, which unfortunately died. He is a hard worker and pays close attention to business for nine months each year, but during the cold winter months he takes a vacation for amusement, rest and pleasure. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have traveled very extensively both in Europe and America, and are well informed regarding the manners and customs of foreign countries, and the current news of American politics and the affairs of State and nation come to them daily through the medium of periodicals published at Buffalo.