MRS. SALLY A. SHOCKLEY, of Oneco Township, is the widow of Seth V. Shockley, who was born April 22, 1824, in Vienna County, Ohio, and died in Oneco Township, April 29, 1875. He was the son of Benjamin, and grandson of Sampson Shockley, natives of Ohio, who were of New England ancestry. The father of Seth V. died when his son was a child about two years old; he was a farmer, and originally owned the land upon which Vienna, Ohio, now stands. Mrs. Leah Shockley, the mother of Seth V., was again married, and Seth lived with her until fifteen years old, then in 1839 came to this State, accompanied by his half-brother, and settled in Mt. Pleasant. He lived in that city a number of years, and then bought property, and put his brother on the same, to give him a start in life.

Mr. Shockley attended school in the early days in Ohio, where he acquired a good education, and became expert in figures; he afterward taught school several terms. He was a great reader, and possessed a wonderfully retentive memory. As showing his energy, he worked for twenty-five cents a day to pay for his land, but notwithstanding he was poor and indebt when he came to this State, the possessions he left behind him testify how well he succeeded. His brother Benjamin lives at Boscobel, Wis., and is the only child living out of a family of twelve.

Mr. Shockley was married, April 24, 1864, to Miss Sally Stites, and settled on his farm in Oneco Township, where he continued until his death. He put up the main buildings now on the place, and was a natural mechanic, possessing much ingenuity. Mrs. Shockley is the daughter of John Stites, of Union County, Pa., and moved to Illinois at the age of twenty-two years. Her mother was in her girlhood Miss E. Pierce, and she died in this county two years ago, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Shockley’s people were farmers, but her father was also in politics to some extent. He was at one time Sheriff of Clearfield County, Pa., and held other local offices. Mr. Shockley also had political preferment before his death, he having filled local offices of trust. He was a Republican in politics, as were most male members of the family, while his wife’s people were all Democrats.

Mr. and Mrs. Shockley became the parents of four children: John P. Lincoln was born Jan. 7, 1866, and died at the age of three years; Hannah was born Feb. 25, 1869, and lives at home; Benjamin, born Aug. 7, 1870, died at the age of two years; Anna L., born Dec. 25, 1872, is still living. Mr. Shockley was highly respected in his community, and his wife is a lady held in equal regard by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. She has exercised a careful oversight of the property left her by her husband, and has sought to perpetuate it in accordance with his correct and progressive ideas. That it is fully worthy of illustration in this work, will be acknowledged by those who examine the fine lithographic view elsewhere.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 346