C. E. Shelton
C.
E. Shelton, farmer of the Fifteenth District, is the youngest of
five children born to C. E. and Sarah (Williams) Shelton. The father was
born about 1788, probably in Virginia, and moved to Rhea County about 1820. He
was an officer in the Creek Indian war, serving nearly two years. He was sheriff
of Rhea County one term and also trustee for two terms. He served one term as
county surveyor, and was justice of the peace of his district for twelve years.
He was one of Rhea County's most prominent citizens, and was highly respected by
all. He died in 1833. The mother was born in Virginia in 1790, and moved to
Granger County, Tenn., where she married. She died in 1862. Our subject was born
in Rhea County, Tenn., in 1822, and moved to Hamilton County in 1849, settling
near where he now resides. He received his education in the subscription schools
of Rhea and Hamilton Counties. He took charge of his mother's farm and supported
her after he became twenty years of age. In December, 1846, he married Miss
Nancy Walker, daughter of William and Rachel Walker, the first settlers of
Bledsoe County, Tenn. Mrs. Shelton was born in 1829 in Bledsoe County, and to
her and Mr. Shelton were born ten children: Matilda (deceased), Azariah (now
trustee of Hamilton County for the second term), William, Martha (Mrs. Selcer),
Mira (deceased), Sallie (Mrs. Fryar), Tennessee (deceased), Mary A., McKinney
and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton and all their children but one, are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Shelton has been
elder for ten years. He was reared a Whig, and is now a republican in politics.
He is also a Master Mason. He was elected justice of the peace in 1853, served
one term, and was elected again in 1877. He was deputy sheriff of Hamilton
County two years. He has a fine farm of 240 acres in one tract, and 340 acres
about two miles from where he resides, both well cultivated. Mr. Shelton's
father- in-law, Mr. William Walker, was trustee of Bledsoe County for twelve
years, was highly respected, and an influential citizen. His wife was of Dutch
descent, as were also Mr. and Mrs. Shelton, Sr. Our subject has always been
ready and willing to aid in the advancement of educational interests in his
neighborhood, being one of the five who furnished the greatest bulk of funds
required in building the academy near his residence.
Goodspeed's
"History of Tennessee" 1887