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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Joseph A. SHELBY 

[Surnames: ALLSBURG, ARNETT, CLARK, KIDD, NEVITT, PRESTON, PRICHARD, SHELBY, STEVENS, WILLCOXEN] 

SHELBY, JOSEPH A.

    
He is one of the oldest and worthies of the many prominent farmers on Sect. 11, Liverpool Twp., Fulton Co., and was born in Waterford Twp, this county, on Dec. 28, 1843, and is a son of Noah and Maria (NEVITT) Shelby, natives of Ohio, where they were married. In 1836 they settled in Fulton County, locating in Waterford Twp., where they spent the remainder of their lives. The mother died in 1844 and the father in 1851. They were devout and earnest Christians, and were constant in their Master's service.
They were the parents of the following children:
James, Adam, Mary, Susan and William all deceased
Rebecca, wife of Robert PRICHARD, a farmer in Lewistown Twp.
Nancy, a wife of Elijah Willcoxen, of Liverpool Twp.
Asa, who enlisted in a Minnesota regiment during the Civil War,
and died in the service
John, a resident of Brownsville, Minn., at the outbreak of
the Civil War (as at present), and who enlisted in a
Minnesota regiment. 
    
Mr. Shelby married for his second wife, Mrs. Ellen KIDD. Joseph A. Shelby was but eight years old when he was bereft of his mother. After the death of his father he went to the home of his brother was was then living in Brownsville, Minn., and there remained until April 1859. His sister, Mrs. PRICHARD, together with her husband, visited this brother and Joseph returned with them to Fulton Co., and became a member of their household, where he remained until 1865. At that period he began working by the month, and by dint of industry and perseveance, forged his way to success. After a while he bought a 40-acre tract of land, which he cleared and developed into a good farm. This he sold and purchased a farm of 180 acres on Sect. 16, Liverpool Twp., where he lived until his removal to Maples Mills, dividing this farm with his children. 
    
Remaining there until Feb. 28, 1905, he then moved to his present farm on Sect. 11, Liverpool Twp., where he owns 80 acres. Since early manhood he has been identified with the best interests of Fulton County, and has always enjoyed the respect and warm esteem of his fellow citizens. 
    
On Apr. 13, 1865, Mr. Shelby was united in marriage with Mahala (CLARK), daughter of Zebediah and Millie (ALLSBURG) Clark, natives of Ohio. They have had five children:
Marion F., a farmer in Liverpool Twp., b. March 2, 1866, who married Gertrude PRESTON
Robert W., also a farmer of the same twp., b. June 15, 1870, who married Ida STEVENS
Mary, b. Oct. 22, 187f, wife of Edward ARNETT, who lives three miles east of Canton
Maude, b. Oct. 1, 1878, who died Mar. 28, 1880
Sophronia, b. Jan 10, 1881, who is the wife of Perry ARNETT.
The last named reside in Liverpool Twp., and have two children, Chester and Ralph. 
    
Of the 13 grandchildren who have been born, ten are living. By the help of his devoted wife, who he married while he was still working by the month, all the subsequent success of Joseph A. Shelby was made possible. Their labors were always in unison and they were ever in hearty and fond accord. Many happy years were passed in their home, but their pleasures were not unmingled with pain. Hardships and privations often confronted them, and many were the trials and difficulties which they were compelled to undergo, incident to the surroundings and conditions of that early period. 
    
While living on the farm on Sect. 16, the health of Mrs. Shelby began to fail. No improvement was manifest after the removal to Maples Mills, and eight days after they occupied their new home on Sect. 11, Liverpool Twp., she succumbed to death. She had seen the orchards and gardens planted by the early settlers, wither under the blighting frosts and in like manner she fell victim to the ravages of disease. She was a noble woman and a devoted wife, and the memory of her gentle deeds will be enshrined in the stricken heart of her bereaved husband until he shall rejoin her in the realms beyond. He still clings to the home where the ties of long-continued affection were severed, and endeavors as best he may to bear with equanimity the burdens of life, its chief pleasure having vanished. For many years he has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united at the age of eleven years.