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Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Winchester L. Shelton, senior member of the firm of W. L. Shelton & Co., dealers in all kinds of lumber, sash, doors, mouldings, etc., established the business in 1883. Mr. Shelton was born in 1857, and is the youngest child born to Samuel and Prudence (Miller) Shelton. The father was born in Virginia, in 1800, and when a young man came to Franklin County, Mo., where he was twice married, his last wife being the mother of our subject. He was a life-long and well-to-do farmer, a man of considerable ability and intelligence, and who did considerable law practice in connection with his other duties. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and also in the late Civil War. He was the father of twenty-two children. The mother died in 1876; she was a member of the Christian Church. Winchester remained at home until grown, and received a limited education in the country schools. He began business for himself at the age of nineteen as a farmer, having purchased a farm, and this he continued until 1883, when he located at New Haven and entered the business as above stated. He is one of the live, thorough-going businessmen of the city, and his firm is one of the most substantial in the place, and is commanding an extensive trade. Mr. Shelton was married in 1877 to Martha Yeates, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of John D. and Elizabeth Yeates, formerly of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Shelton were born five children: Prudence E., John L Joannah M., Willis L., and an infant unnamed. Mr. Shelton is a Democrat in his political views, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden, in 1876. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.

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This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Franklin County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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