David Shadley

David Shadley, farmer, lumberman and stockman, resident on section 24, Hartwick Township, was born Dec. 26, 1841, in Hardin Co., Ohio. He is of German and Irish descent, and his parents were natives of the State of Virginia. They came later to Ohio, and are now buried in the family burial place in Hardin County. Mr. Shadley was sent to school while a child, but on acquiring sufficient growth and strength he was called to make practical use of both on his father's farm, where he continued his efforts until his marriage, Feb. 26, 1863, to Elizabeth J. Clark. Her parents, Thomas and Mary (Judah) Clark, were born in Fairfield Co., Ohio. She was born May 7, 1841, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, and soon after her parents removed to Seneca County in the same State. Ten years later, in 1851, they went to Hardin County, where they now reside and manage extensive farming interests. They are aged 67 and 70 years, and are prominent members of the community to which they belong. Mrs. Shadley was educated in Hardin County, and resided with her parents until her marriage at 19. Her six children were born in the following order: Clement L., Dec. 27, 1863; Llewellyn M., Aug. 9, 1865; Samantha A., Nov. 8, 1866; Lewis L., Mau 10, 1869; Esther R., July --, 1871; Homer O., Nov. 28, 1876. In March following his marriage, Mr. Shadley located on a farm in Hardin County, which he conducted four years. They set out from thence in April, 1867, and traversed the entire distance to Hartwick with a team, coming in a pioneer wagon, and consuming 23 days in the trip. There was no thoroughfare built over the last six miles of their route; snow lay four feet deep on the ground, and they had to cut their road into the bush. Their rate of travel was so slow that they were obliged to sleep in their wagon in the dense woods. They had brought with them their household effects, and on arrival at their destination they had no shelter for either themselves or their belongings, and they lived in their wagon until it was possible to construct a rude house. Mr. shadley had made a homestead claim of 160 acres, and later bought 160 acres additional, making a splendid farm of a half section in extent, of which 200 acres is in a cultivated condition.

Since his arrival and settlement, Mr. Shadley has operated extensively in several branches of lumbering, and has arrangements completed for "putting in" about 2,000,000 feet in the winter of 1884-5. He is a Prohibitionist in political opinion, and has been Township Supervisor several years; is now a member of the School Board.

Mrs. Shadley is a member of the sect known as Seventh-Day Adventists.

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