My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. SHIVELL, physician and merchant, Woodville, was born in Henry County, Ky., February 22, 1832, and is the sixth of twelve children born to George and Nancy (Scott) Shivell. The father was born in Lexington, Ky., and about 1832 settled in Henry County. He was by trade a carpenter, but up to within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1862, he owned and operated a flouring-mill, in Henry County. Our subject assisted his father in the mill during his youth, and in the meantime attended a good country school. At sixteen years of age, he went to New Castle, Ky., where he was employed in a tobacco factory, and with the means thus obtained was able to take private lessons, and spent his evenings in the prosecution of his studies. At the age of eighteen, he went to Louisville, Ky., and spent three years in learning the drug business. He afterward taught school in various counties of the State and was thus enabled to attend the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, which institution graduated him in 1857, after an attendance of three terms. After remaining nine months in the city hospital, he went to Eminence, Ky., where he opened a drug store, but sold out and came two years later to Woodville, and opened a grocery and general store. After a residence here of twelve years, he removed to Paducah, Ky., where he remained eight years, engaged in the tobacco and grain business. He returned to Woodville, after doing business two years in Ballard County, and now carries a large stock of general goods. October 26, 1858, he married Miss Mattie A. Holland, of Henry County, Ky.; she passed away September 2, 1879, leaving one son, James D. The doctor subsequently married Miss Nannie R. Fortson, of Ballard County, Ky. This union has given one child, Mary. The doctor is a member of the Masonic order and K. of H. Inheriting his mother’s literary talents, he has contributed many able articles to the columns of various newspapers, and the influence of his pen has been felt in the discussion of many of the leading issues of the day.