THOMAS C. SHIPLEY. Among the progressive citizens of Hanover township is the above mentioned gentleman, a son of Benjamin Shipley, who was a son of John Shipley. John Shipley was born about twelve miles from Baltimore, Md., and passed his boyhood in his native State, there receiving his early education. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Washington county, Penn., and purchased a wild tract of land in Smith township. He added to this from time to time until he had 135 acres, where a small log cabin was erected, which Miss Lydia Day consented to share. To this marriage the following children were born: Benjamin, George, John, William. Nancy, Talbert T., Richard, Samuel, Lavina, Catherine, Rachel and Henry. Although the Indians were then very numerous, those in their vicinity were usually of a peaceable disposition. John Shipley was a soldier in the war of 1812, and while he was defending his home, the brave wife followed the plow in his stead. He was an active worker in the Whig party, and in religious faith was a member of the M. E. Church. Benjamin Shipley was reared on the home farm, and educated in the rude subscription schools. In 1824 he was married to Nancy Cole, who was born in 1802, a daughter of Thomas Cole. The children of Benjamin and Nancy Shipley were as follows: Rachel (wife of James White), John and Nancy (were scalded to death when small), Thomas C. (our subject), Lydia (Mrs. John Frederick, of Burgettstown), Mary (widow of John Vance), Richard (a farmer, deceased in 1883), Talbot (a farmer, died in 1890), Catherine (deceased, unmarried) and Dallas (deceased in infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Shipley passed their married life in Smith township, this county. He was a successful agriculturist, and in politics was first a Whig, then a Republican. He died in 1876, and Mrs. Shipley survived him till 1884. Both were members of the M. E. Church, and are buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Burgettstown. Thomas C. Shipley was born February 28, 1833 on the home farm in Smith township, this county. On October 24, 1861, he was married to Eleanor K. Proudfit, who was born August 29, 1833, a daughter of John and Eliza (Lyle) Proudfit. The children of T. C. and Eleanor Shipley are: Elizabeth Nancy (Mrs. David Riddile, of Wellsville, Ohio), Isa Mary (wife of Frank Hill, of Wellsville, Ohio), John P. (married December 28, 1891, Mary G. E. Sims, and to this union Thomas Earl Shipley was born), Willie D. (deceased at the age of sixteen years) and Ella Nora (living at home). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shipley located for some time on the farm in Smith township, and in 1863 settled in Hanover township, on the place where they are now residing, but which then contained all old buildings. Three years later he returned to Smith township, and in 1883 came back to the same farm and erected new buildings, including a residence and barn. Since that time he has resided in Hanover township, following general farming, stock raising, and the dairy business. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Florence.

Text taken from page 1182 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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