Henry Oliver Shepley Obituary

New Ipswich Historical Society

September 26, 1916

Death of Henry Oliver Shepley

Henry Oliver Shepley died Sept. 26 at his home in Canton, Illinois, after a protracted and tedious sickness. His parents were Washington and Harriet Augusta (Gibson) Shepley. His mother was the sixth, child of Dr. Stillman and Rebecca (Chandler) Gibson, founders of the house of Gibson of Gibson Village and residents on the large farm located at Gibson Four Corners.

The Shepleys lived on the farm opposite the road leading southerly on the east of Whittemore hill. The de- ceased was their only child. He was born July 4, 1838. He secured his primary education at the Old Brick schoolhouse, in Gibson Village.

Over 40 years ago his parents moved to Illinois and he accompanied them. He married Miss Elizabeth Langstaff of Canton, Illinois, Aug. 14, 1867. Their family numbered two daughters, Minnie and Lizzie; the latter died a number of years ago. His father had a large landed estate, on which were many black walnut trees and the land covered great areas of soft coal beds, which the son profitably worked.

Mr. Shepley made large collections of minerals, assorted woods, Indian relics, as well as specimens for the Smithsonian institute, Washington, D., C. Mineralogy and botany were sources of vast interest to this nature lover.

He was frequently a visitor to the home of his childhood days, and a great admirer of the late Mrs. Caroline Frances (Gibson) Jones, his aunt, at whose residence he sojourned when in town.

The Shepley homestead here, where his parents resided, is now owned by Albert S. Warren. He was a thoughtful and considerate father, devoted to his family and grandchildren. Mr. Shepley was a fine and entertaining conversationalist, a lover of mankind and largely interested in agricultural pursuits, which the fertile soil of Illinois naturally favored.

Photo Archives

Schoolhouse Number 4 at Gibson Four Corners (mentioned in obituary)

James Roger diary entry

10^th February 1913

Intense frost; 10 below zero. David drew some wood for Lonie Willard in the forenoon and drew some for Mr. Barret [sic] in the afternoon. Frost keen all day; 4 below at 6 p.m. Card party at Albro Balch’s, and it was 12 below when they broke up about midnight. They are going to have a grand party on Friday night to wind up the season. Got letter from Hamish from Troy. The evening papers had the sad news that Captain Scott* and his party had perished in a blizzard on his return from the discovery of the South Pole, which he reached a month after Amundsen**. Mrs. Scott has left England with her baby born since he went away to meet him in New Zealand, a sad journey for her.

*Captain Robert Falcon Scott  (The Terra Nova expedition was a British expedition to Antarctica, which took place between 1910 and 1913. Some members, including Robert Falcon Scott, did not survive the return journey from the South Pole; however, others in the Northern Party, which was led by Victor Campbell, did survive and returned safely.)

**Roald Amundsen:  Norwegian explorer of polar regions

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