My Genealogy Hound

DR. DANIEL WEBSTER SHELLY, a prominent and successful physician of the borough of Ambler, is a native of Milford township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where he was born August 10, 1860. He is a descendant of honored ancestors of the Mennonite denomination. He is the son of Isaac H. and Susan (Moyer) Shelly, both of Lehigh county originally.

Isaac H. Shelly (father) is the only child of Jacob and Susan (High) Shelly. He was educated in neighborhood schools, and on reaching manhood rented a mill and operated that for some years. Later he attended Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College, at Collegeville, and added to his store of knowledge in general. After his marriage he obtained employment in a store at Vera Cruz, in Lehigh county, and later engaged in farming and milling in Lower Milford township. He soon removed, however, to Bucks county, and conducted a general mercantile business at Pleasant Valley for ten years, at the end of which time he removed to Quakertown, also in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and conducted a store there until his retirement from active business in 1899. He still resides in Quakertown, where he has interests that require his attention. He is a director in the Quakertown National Bank. In religious faith he is a member of the Mennonite church. In politics he is a Republican, but takes no active part in elections beyond depositing his ballot. He married, in 1855, Susan, daughter of William and Susan Moyer, who died in 1898. William and Susan Moyer were also Mennonites. Their children: Susan (mother of Dr. Shelly); Milton, a commission merchant in Philadelphia; Ambrose, also a resident of Philadelphia; Mrs. John Shelly; Elvina (Mrs. H. Rosenberger); Leanna (Mrs. H. Derr); and Charles, their third child who is a hay and feed dealer in Philadelphia. The children of Isaac H. and Susan (Moyer) Shelly: James, a prominent business man of Quakertown, and president of the National Bank at that place; Dr. D. W., subject of this sketch; Morris and William, both died young. Dr. Shelly became a resident of Bucks county when he was about eight years of age.

Dr. D. W. Shelly obtained his earlier education in the public schools and in the Quakertown high school, from which he graduated, and then attended the Mennonite Seminary at Wadsworth, Ohio, of which Professor Shelly, a relative, was principal, graduating also from that institution. He then commenced reading medicine with Dr. R. T. Moyer, of Quakertown, and continued for one year. He entered in 1879 the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from that institution in 1882, being honor man in his class. The same year, after receiving his diploma, he opened an office in Ambler, and has ever since been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine there. He has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, meriting and enjoying the confidence of the public. He is a physician at the Mercer Home for Disabled Clergymen, a Presbyterian institution near that place, and a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. In politics he is a Republican, and is active in support of its principles. He assisted in organizing the borough government in Ambler; served two terms as member of town council, two terms as burgess, and is now a member of the board of school directors. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and a vestryman of the church.

In 1884 Dr. Shelly married Elizabeth A., daughter of Alfred S. and Mary (Marshall) Acuff, of Upper Dublin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. The Acuffs are an old Montgomery county family. Alfred Acuff was a son of William and Eliza (Scheetz) Acuff. William Acuff was a son of Jacob Acuff, and both Jacob and his son William were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Eliza Scheetz, the wife of William, was a daughter of General Henry Scheetz, of the third generation of the Scheetz family in America. They were of German origin. Several members of the family participated in the Revolutionary war, Henry reaching the position of captain of his company. He served throughout the war of 1812, and was one of the leading men in Montgomery county for many years, and was one of the early judges of the county.

Alfred Acuff, father of Mrs. Shelly, married Mary Marshall, daughter of John Marshall, whose father was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The Marshalls were of Irish descent. John Marshall was most of his life a citizen of Upper Dublin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was one of the earlier business men of Ambler. He died in 1888. He was an Episcopalian in religion. His wife survives, and resides at Roxborough. Their children were: Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Shelly; John M., a chemist; William S., a prominent and successful attorney-at-law; Walter, a banker and broker; Margaret, wife of Mr. Flanagan, a wool merchant; Alfred S., a master mechanic; Frances M., unmarried; Clarence S., engaged in the wool business.

Dr. D. W. and Mrs. Elizabeth Shelly have had three children, as follows: Isaac H., born April 30, 1886; James, born in October, 1892; J. Marshall, died at the age of nine years.

Dr. Shelly is a member of Springhouse Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Shelly family are descended from Henry Shelly, who came from Germany and settled not far from Quakertown, in Bucks county.