My Genealogy Hound

Gideon T. Shelton, farmer, is the son of Moses H. Shelton, who was born in Virginia in 1804. He married Nancy C. Shelton, a distant relative, and to them were born thirteen children, ten of whom are now living: William E., Mary A., Crispin R., Virginia F., Charles C., Gideon T., John D., Lettsey C., James B. and Walter C. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton immigrated to Kentucky about 1833, taking with them the two eldest children. They settled in this State near the Tennessee line. Here Mr. Shelton remained with his family for about fourteen years and then removed to Lawrence County, Mo., and settled in Vineyard Township; this was in 1847. He was the owner of 500 acres of land, and was quite a prominent man. He died in 1868 at the age of sixty-five, and was a Democrat in his political views. Mrs. Shelton was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Gideon T. Shelton was born in Kentucky in 1840, and came with his parents to Missouri in 1847, when a lad of seven or eight years. He received a limited education, and early in life learned the business of a farmer. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, Confederate Army, and served about twelve months. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and Neosho and also numerous skirmishes. Mr. Shelton served as orderly sergeant and was captured the latter part of 1862 by the Federal troops. He was kept a prisoner about one month, and was then released on parole. In 1863 he married Miss Susan E. Swearingen, the daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Mahan) Swearingen, of Cooper County, Mo. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shelton: Charles W., Theodore M., John N. B. and Mary L. E. Mrs. Shelton died in 1871 and Mr. Shelton married Miss Nancy J. Williams in 1872. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cock) Williams, who were from Tennessee, and became early settlers of Lawrence County. This last union resulted in the birth of one child, George S. In 1877 Mr. Shelton purchased his present farm, which consists of 285 acres of land very pleasantly situated. Mrs. Shelton died in 1880 and Mr. Shelton married Miss P. A. Shelton in 1881. She is the daughter of I. E. Shelton and Elizabeth (Goodman) Shelton. This last union resulted in the birth of two children, Jennie B. and Elbert L. Mr. Shelton is a prosperous farmer and a man of good moral character. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are Baptists in their religious views.