Rev W. F. Shackelford Obituary 1909

Rev William Franklin Shackelford

This is Vera's grandfather.

Osceola St. Clair County Democrat/ 21 Oct 1909/ p3 col 5

Rev W. F. Shackelford.

In memory of Elder W. F. Shackelford, who departed this life at his home in Osceloa, Missouri, on October 17, 1909. W. F. Shackleford was born in Culpepper county, VA, August 10, 1835, as at the age of seventy-four years, two months and seven days when he died. Was married to Miss Ruth Galloway October 24 1854. To this union were born nine children, six of whom are living. In 1870 his companion departed this life. In July 1873 he was again married to Miss Nancy Wilhoit. ??? then were born six children, four of whom, whith his wife, survive him. At the age of twenty years he professed faith in Christ uniting with the Missionary Baptist church and continued a faithful and devoted member through life. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1877 devoting his time to the ministry with the exception of the last ten years, eight years of which he filled the office of Probate Judge of this county.


In 1884 he assisted in the organization of the St. Clair County Baptist Association, serving as clerk eighteen years in succession with the exception of one year when he was chosen moderator.

In 1901 he was chosen as moderator. The dear old father in Israel rests from his labors, but his works shall follow him and he still lives in the memory and hearts of the people with and for whom his life has been spent.

In the family he will be missed as a kind and loving father and a devoted husband. In the church as a wise counsellor and interested member he will also be missed. The community has lost a good citizen and the world, a Man.

The funeral serice was conducted by Elder W. S. Birdsong at the Baptist church in Osceola amid a large crowd of sorrowing friends including several ministers.

The funeral arrangements were in charge of the Masonic order, of which he has long been a member.

The surviving children by his first wife are --

Mrs. Sallie Estes, Chetopa Kas.
Mrs. Ada Waugh, Miami, Kas
Mrs Mary Tucker, Kancas City, Mo.
Mrs Margie Baker, Kanawha, Iowa
T. H. Shackelford, Algona, Iowa
C.K. Shackelford, Lodge Pole, Iowa

By his second marriage --
Mrs. Bertie Howerton, St. Clair County Mo
R. H. Shackelford, Lone Rock, Iowa
W. S. Shackelford, Whitemore, Iowa
R.V. Shackelford, Kansas City, Mo

Elkanah English "sold" Slaves, 1850

Well, it was inevitable that we would find some dirty deeds in our past, and it looks like our ancestor Elkanah English and wife Catherine owned slaves and "sold" them in 1850. Elkanah and Catherine English were Vera's great great grandparents.

1852 Dec 6
Deed of emancipation signed Alfred Chadwick of St. Louis County, Missouri, freeing a 32-year-old Negro slave woman named Milly and an 11-year-old Negro slave girl named Bell (alias Isabella). Chadwick frees these two slaves in consideration of $600. Chadwick had purchased these two slaves from Elkanah English and Catherine English on July 1, 1850. Witnesses, Saml. A. Holmes and Jas. R. Lackland. Document recorded in the St. Louis Circuit Court by M.S. Cerre, clerk, December 6, 1852. Includes notation of St. Louis Circuit Court Clerk Stephen Rice, April 26, 1861, certifying that the
foregoing document is a true copy of the deed of emancipation.

Catherine Foulk English Obituary 1882

This is the obituary of Vera Oakley's great great grandma. Vera's maternal grandma was born Lilly English.

FOULK, CATHERINE
St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Tuesday, 21 Nov 1882

ENGLISH - November 20, at 2:30 o'clock, Catherine English, widow of the late Elkanah English, aged 82 years, 8 months.

Funeral from residence 2314 Rosatti at 2 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday, November 22.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Note: Catherine (Foulk) English was laid to rest at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Neil Oakley's Obituary 1943

This is the obituary for Neil Oakley, who was the younger brother of Ronald Oakley. He was a photographer and died in WWII. At some point, according to Larry Oakley, he changed his name the spelling of his name to Neill, which you can see in the obituary.

As I have heard it, the day his mother Pearl received the letter telling that Neill had died was an awful day. Pearl was so upset that she dropped to the floor, crying.

Long Beach Independent | Long Beach, California | Friday, July 30, 1943 | Page 13