Biographical Sketches
DR. OLIVER CALDWELL SHELEY,
also MOON, SMART, PRICE, HENDERSON, WARREN,
ROBERTSON, FIELDS, HOYT, BRIGGS
From History of Jackson County, Missouri, written 1920
Dr. Oliver Caldwell Sheley, a prominent physician of Independence, MO., has practiced his profession here for over 40 years and in years of service, is the oldest practicing physician in Independence. He is a native of Jackson County and a descendant of pioneer families of this state.
Dr. Sheley was born on a farm, two and one-half miles southwest of Independence, June 23, 1855. He is a son of JAMES K & MARY ANN ELIZABETH (SMART) SHELEY, both natives of Kentucky. James K. Sheley was born in Scott county, KY., March 17, 1815, and died in November, 1893. He was a son of HORACE SHELEY< a native of Virginia who came from Kentucky to Missouri. In 1828 and located near New Bloomfield. He died in Calloway County. Mary Ann Elizabeth (Smart) Sheley, mother of Dr. Sheley, was born in KY in 1821, and died March 4, 1872.
James K. Sheley came to Jackson County from Calloway county in 1852, and settled two and one-half miles southwest of Independence, where he bought a farm from JOSEPH MOON. During the Civil War he returned to Calloway County, where he remained until 1867, when he returned to Jackson county. He was a man of strong character and deep convictions and was a prominent factor in the affairs of Calloway county and also prominently identified himself with Jackson county after coming here. He served in the state legislature, representing Calloway county in the 40's. After coming to Jackson county, he was appointed judge of the probate and common pleas court by GOVERNOR STERLING PRICE. He was also a mbmer of the state convention, which was called at the beginning of the civil war, to decide whether Missouri shoudl secede from the union. He was elected to the state legislature from Jackson county in 1872 and served two sessions. To James K. and Mary Ann Elizabeth Smart Sheley were born the following children: MRS. SALLY HENDERSON, died in 1816; WILLIAM S., died in California about 1880; JAMES K., JR., died in Texas in 1891; HORACE, an attorney at Independence; LIZZIE, married H. H. NOLAND and died at Independence in 1891; ROBERT, died at Independence in 1891; and DR. OLIVER CALDWELL SHELEY, the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Sheley was educated in Independence and after receiving a good preparatory education, entered the Kansas City Medical College, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1876. In 1891 and 1897 he attended the New York Polyclinic. In 1876 shortly after completing his medical course, Dr. Sheley practiced in Kansas City for a short time. He then went near Blue Springs, MO., and later practiced at Pink Hill. In 1889, he came to Independence, where he has since successfully devoted himself to the practice of his profession. He has been a life long student of the science of his great profession and his careful and well directed professional efforts have been rewarded by uniform success.January 17, 1878, Dr. Sheley was united in marriage with MISS LUCINDA J. WARREN, a daughter of NELSON A. & LUCINDA (ROBERTSON) WARREN. Nelson A. Warren was born at Cape May, New Jersey, Jan. 19, 1812. He came West in early manhood and lived in Indiana for a time and in 1833 settled in Jackson county. In 1834, he received a government appointment in connection with the Indian service in Nebraska and remained there three years. He then returned to Jackson county and bought some land and entered some from the government six miles east of Independence. This farm is now owned by W. W. FIELDS. Mr. Warren died in 1891 and his wife died Nov. 12, 1856.
To Dr. Sheley and wife have been born five children as follows: MARY EMMA, married A. M. HOYT, Independence; OLIVER CALDWELL, JR., the present county surveyor of Jackson county; JAMES K., JR., an electrician, Bakersfield CA; ADA, married FRED H. BRIGGS and DR. NELSON WARREN, now a surgeon in the United States Navy. He is a graduate of the Independence High School, the Missouri State University, and the Washington University. He entered the service of the United States Navy in 1917 and at the present writing, is in the Orient with the Navy.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.