"Who's Who and Where Series", Burlingame Enterprise, Burlingame, Osage County, Kansas, 25 January 1912:
The name of Sheldon breathes of antiquity, particularly as pertains to Burlingame history. And the name of Sheldon is symbolic of wealth and stability, of enterprise and energy, religious activity and civic power, for Henry C. Sheldon and O. H. Sheldon, though not in any way related, were men of note in Osage county's very earliest history. And it is of the family of O. H. Sheldon with which this sketch has to do. This man, it will be remembered by the older residents, was at one time county treasurer, was for many years postmaster of Burlingame, and through the wealth of his family had much to do with the development of the coal fields in Osage County. The middle generation will remember the erection of the beautiful big home on South Topeka avenue in the early seventies, the finest in town and considered almost a mansion in those days. The home still stands but little has changed in general contour and occupied for ten years past by Chas. V. King and wife. And in the big house lived two popular young people, Charles M. Sheldon and his sister Nora, who in her young womanhood became the wife of Richard Lyons. In their brief wedded life the roseate promises for the future were changed into the tragedy of deepest sorrow, for she entered into the valley and passed through the gates, never to know the joys of motherhood. The same sorrowful story forms a chapter in the lives of others here whose names are now recalled-Sarah Hoover-Stodard, Ela Jarboe-Bush, Alice Empie-Terry and only recently the same pitiful story of Elspeth Oliver-Brackney.
This same middle generation will not be likely soon to forget this only son of his illustrious father. Charles M. was a young man of splendid physique, popular, and possessed of education and wealth. He "grew up" in Burlingame, spread himself around as best he could in the social set of the town, developed several alarming "cases," but was well on the road to bachelorhood before he finally married, and then went out of town for his bride, who was a Miss Vernie Taylor. And, in the course of human events, the big house once more resounded to childish voices and was peopled with a little brood of four. And here is where the younger generation become interested. This family of four are recalled as being children of striking beauty. They partook of the gentle, endearing nature of their handsome mother, yet were as full of fund and ginger as their vigorous dad. They were Oglivia, Wheeler, Charles M. Jr., and lastly baby Marjory, a child of surpassing loveliness.
The Sheldon family moved to Kansas City about thirteen years ago and in a few years, or in July 1902, came word of the sad death of Mrs. Sheldon. The children have since been in the good care of their grandmother and aunt, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Lillian Taylor-Bowen. The following concerning Mr. Sheldon's family is proof of their activities in the educational fields as well as their asperations for a business life.
Ogilvia (sic) is twenty-one and a junior in the scientific course at Yale. He is fitting himself for a mining engineer. He was two years at St. John's Military School, Salina, two years at Baker University, four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. Before entering Yale. He was president of the Freshman class last year and played on the Freshman football team. He is first sub on the 'varsity team this year and won his "Y" in November in the Princeton game. He has played on the 'varsity every game this year, and we noticed his name among the players in the Yale-Harvard Thanksgiving game. The second son, Wm. Wheeler, age nineteen, is in Phillips Andover preparing for Yale. He has won his numbers this year and is on his class football team. The third son, Charles M., Jr., age seventeen, is in Andover and made the 'varsity this year and is playing center. Little daughter Marjory, age fifteen, is in high school at Long Beach, Calif., where she and her grandmother, Mrs. Taylor have been for two years except during the summers when the entire family assemble in Joplin, Mo. The boys put in all their vacation working in the mines at Joplin at the very hardest kind of work, which is in line with the profession they expect to adopt, namely, mining engineers, and it also gives them splendid development for athletics in college.
Mr. Sheldon is engaged in mining at both Joplin, Mo., his present address, and in Colorado. For the past four years he had an office on Wall Street, New York, but expects to give that up and devote his entire personal attention to the Missouri and Colorado mines.
~~~~~~~
Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913:
Former Editor of Chronicle Writes Interestingly of Old Days. Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913, T.A. Ellis, Editor Chronicle.
Dear Ellis:
In the many years that I have been away from the old town, its personnel has so changed that I fear my contribution will be of interest to a minority so small as to be almost negligible. However, there are a few old-timers left who, like myself, are always glad to hear from old acquaintances.
I have no information as to what you want from me, whether it be a synopsis of my life chapters since leaving Burlingame, or reminiscences of happenings prior to that date. I will therefore solve the doubt by contributing a little from each.
I left Burlingame in the spring of 1897, more than sixteen years ago. It hardly seems possible. My family consisted of Mrs. Sheldon and four babies, Ogilvie, aged seven; Wheeler, or "Bill" as he is now called, five; Charles M, Jr. who for years has been known as "Chabbie" and a sweet faced baby girl, a replica of her mama, Marjory, then less than a year old. I moved to and lived in Kansas City for a number of years. Eight years ago I engaged in mining here in Joplin, which is still my business and residence, although during the time I had an office and made my headquarters in New York for five years.
Mrs. Sheldon, than whom no dearer companion, nor devoted mother ever lived, passed from this earth eleven years ago. Her mother, Mrs. Taylor, took her place in the household and raised my motherless babies. She is still with us, a sweet, patient Christian character worshiped by her family and loved by all with whom she comes in contact.
Of the children, Ogilvie, now twenty-three, graduated from Yale in June at the head of his class, as class orator, and voted the most popular man in the class, also receiving the highest number of votes as the man most to be admired and the man most likely to succeed. He was elected president of his class and made the Freshman football team in his Freshman year and for the past two years has been on the big team. You can well imagine that with such a record his fond Dad has been constantly on the verge of bursting with pride. Prior to entering Yale he was two years at St. Johns Military School at Salina, two years at Baker University and four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. He re-entered Yale a few days ago to take a post graduate course in the School of Mines as he has chosen mining engineering as a profession.
"Bill" and "Chabbie" have just completed a four year's preparatory course at Phillips-Andover and are Freshmen at Yale this year. Both have won athletic honors at Andover and will, I am confident, be heard from in Yale. Chabbie, while the youngest, is the largest of the three, being but a fraction under six feet and weighing stripped 185 pounds. He holds the heavyweight wrestling championship of Andover in wrestling and has played on the Varsity football team for the past two years. Bill also won a championship cup in wrestling and was captain of his class football team.
Last, but not least, the little baby girl, "made of sugar and spice and everything nice", now sweeter seventeen, just budding into a lovely young womanhood, is a student at Crescent College, "at the top of the Ozarks", a beautiful girls' school situated at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Please pardon so much space devoted to family history, but the "old gentleman" is so proud of his babies, that with no one present to stay his hand, he has rambled on and on.
To one far and long away from the town of his birth or early boyhood, there is something almost touchingly pathetic in the eagerness with which he meekly scores the old home papers. It may be a small affair with patent "inards" containing predigested literary food, but that portion set by hand from the top of a high stool is of greater interest to him than the Sunday edition of the great metropolitan dailies, for somewhere among the personal or locals he will find a line or two that will open the flood gates of precious memories.
Salon wrote: "Lulled in by countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain. Awake but one and lo what myriads arise, each stamps its image as the other flies."
So, for instance, a simple little personal that "Miss Ada Haller is again in charge of her class in the primary department," goes far beyond that and I picture the Miss Ada Haller, my school mate of the long ago, and "Mame" and Jennie, her sister, and "Eurie", "Filley", "Jet" King, Julia Rogers, Alice Empie, Corrie Heywood, Cora Copper and a a score of others in those dear old days, with their carefree happiness. I remember what a hard time I had in learning to dance. My "folks" being Methodists did not approve of dancing and when a dancing class was started one winter, "Chink" Felley, "Ird" Haller, June Mayberry, Mill Chalfant, "Tony" Richardson, Alvah Warner, in fact nearly all the "fellers" joined, but little Charlie was barred on account of parentive restraint. How well I remember Alvah Warner trying to show me the waltz step. His pride of accomplishment far exceeded his terpsichorean grace and when Alvah "touched the light (?) fantastic", he reminded one of a Mogul engine rocking over a dirt siding. Good old Fred Lord, I must not forget him, long since dead, slow but dependable. How I used to envy his ability to "pick the guitar." One winter they had a string band consisting of "Shorty" George, Frank Hunt and Fred Lord. There was another whose name I cannot recall who played the bass violin, but say, they made some music. The Rose waltz was their favorite but between pieces Fred would do a little solo work, his vocal repertoire consisting solely of "Down in a Diving Bell," while in an instrumental way he was limited to the "Chords" except for one piece that Dave Chamberlain taught him, "The Spanish Fandango". By the way, I forgot to mention that I finally learned "the rudiments" of dancing by taking lessons at noon hours in the basement of the school house. I kept it up for some years, but never because conspicuous for grace. Of late years, however, I am too heavily upholstered to make the attempt.
This article is, I fear, too long already, so I must begin to draw it to a close. I would like to ramble on, as I have started a train of reminiscences, some happy, others sad, but all belong to the make up of those happy years.
Sometime, should you wish it, I will contribute again, but as I have in this undoubtedly exceeded my allotment of space I will close with the wish to be kindly remembered to all old friends.
Sincerely yours,
Charles M. Sheldon
Source: Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913
~~~~~~~~~~~
C. M. Sheldon, Oil Man, Dies; Stricken With Heart Disease; Funeral Arrangements Pending
Stricken sometime during the night, the body of C. M. Sheldon, Tulsa oil operator, was found in the dining room at his home at 3528 South Norfolk avenue Monday morning by a maid. A radio in another room was turned on, the maid reported.
Family physicians reported that Mr. Sheldon had long suffered from heart disease.
Mr. Sheldon, who was 68 years old, moved to Tulsa about 10 years ago from Kansas, and with his sons formed the Sheldon Oil company. Prior to that time he had engaged in mining and banking business and had been state representative from Burlingame, Kansas.
He is survived by three sons, O. H. Sheldon and W. W. Sheldon of Tulsa, and C. M. Sheldon Jr., San Antonio, Texas. He had been associated with his sons in many business ventures. Besides their oil holdings in the Mid-Continet fields they controlled lead and zinc property in the Joplin area.
Two daughters, Mrs. Roger Brown, New York City, and Miss Charlotte Ann Sheldon of Wichita, also survive. Funeral arrangements will not be made until the arrival in Tulsa of his children. The body is at the Stanley and McCune funeral home.
The name of Sheldon breathes of antiquity, particularly as pertains to Burlingame history. And the name of Sheldon is symbolic of wealth and stability, of enterprise and energy, religious activity and civic power, for Henry C. Sheldon and O. H. Sheldon, though not in any way related, were men of note in Osage county's very earliest history. And it is of the family of O. H. Sheldon with which this sketch has to do. This man, it will be remembered by the older residents, was at one time county treasurer, was for many years postmaster of Burlingame, and through the wealth of his family had much to do with the development of the coal fields in Osage County. The middle generation will remember the erection of the beautiful big home on South Topeka avenue in the early seventies, the finest in town and considered almost a mansion in those days. The home still stands but little has changed in general contour and occupied for ten years past by Chas. V. King and wife. And in the big house lived two popular young people, Charles M. Sheldon and his sister Nora, who in her young womanhood became the wife of Richard Lyons. In their brief wedded life the roseate promises for the future were changed into the tragedy of deepest sorrow, for she entered into the valley and passed through the gates, never to know the joys of motherhood. The same sorrowful story forms a chapter in the lives of others here whose names are now recalled-Sarah Hoover-Stodard, Ela Jarboe-Bush, Alice Empie-Terry and only recently the same pitiful story of Elspeth Oliver-Brackney.
This same middle generation will not be likely soon to forget this only son of his illustrious father. Charles M. was a young man of splendid physique, popular, and possessed of education and wealth. He "grew up" in Burlingame, spread himself around as best he could in the social set of the town, developed several alarming "cases," but was well on the road to bachelorhood before he finally married, and then went out of town for his bride, who was a Miss Vernie Taylor. And, in the course of human events, the big house once more resounded to childish voices and was peopled with a little brood of four. And here is where the younger generation become interested. This family of four are recalled as being children of striking beauty. They partook of the gentle, endearing nature of their handsome mother, yet were as full of fund and ginger as their vigorous dad. They were Oglivia, Wheeler, Charles M. Jr., and lastly baby Marjory, a child of surpassing loveliness.
The Sheldon family moved to Kansas City about thirteen years ago and in a few years, or in July 1902, came word of the sad death of Mrs. Sheldon. The children have since been in the good care of their grandmother and aunt, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Lillian Taylor-Bowen. The following concerning Mr. Sheldon's family is proof of their activities in the educational fields as well as their asperations for a business life.
Ogilvia (sic) is twenty-one and a junior in the scientific course at Yale. He is fitting himself for a mining engineer. He was two years at St. John's Military School, Salina, two years at Baker University, four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. Before entering Yale. He was president of the Freshman class last year and played on the Freshman football team. He is first sub on the 'varsity team this year and won his "Y" in November in the Princeton game. He has played on the 'varsity every game this year, and we noticed his name among the players in the Yale-Harvard Thanksgiving game. The second son, Wm. Wheeler, age nineteen, is in Phillips Andover preparing for Yale. He has won his numbers this year and is on his class football team. The third son, Charles M., Jr., age seventeen, is in Andover and made the 'varsity this year and is playing center. Little daughter Marjory, age fifteen, is in high school at Long Beach, Calif., where she and her grandmother, Mrs. Taylor have been for two years except during the summers when the entire family assemble in Joplin, Mo. The boys put in all their vacation working in the mines at Joplin at the very hardest kind of work, which is in line with the profession they expect to adopt, namely, mining engineers, and it also gives them splendid development for athletics in college.
Mr. Sheldon is engaged in mining at both Joplin, Mo., his present address, and in Colorado. For the past four years he had an office on Wall Street, New York, but expects to give that up and devote his entire personal attention to the Missouri and Colorado mines.
~~~~~~~
Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913:
Former Editor of Chronicle Writes Interestingly of Old Days. Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913, T.A. Ellis, Editor Chronicle.
Dear Ellis:
In the many years that I have been away from the old town, its personnel has so changed that I fear my contribution will be of interest to a minority so small as to be almost negligible. However, there are a few old-timers left who, like myself, are always glad to hear from old acquaintances.
I have no information as to what you want from me, whether it be a synopsis of my life chapters since leaving Burlingame, or reminiscences of happenings prior to that date. I will therefore solve the doubt by contributing a little from each.
I left Burlingame in the spring of 1897, more than sixteen years ago. It hardly seems possible. My family consisted of Mrs. Sheldon and four babies, Ogilvie, aged seven; Wheeler, or "Bill" as he is now called, five; Charles M, Jr. who for years has been known as "Chabbie" and a sweet faced baby girl, a replica of her mama, Marjory, then less than a year old. I moved to and lived in Kansas City for a number of years. Eight years ago I engaged in mining here in Joplin, which is still my business and residence, although during the time I had an office and made my headquarters in New York for five years.
Mrs. Sheldon, than whom no dearer companion, nor devoted mother ever lived, passed from this earth eleven years ago. Her mother, Mrs. Taylor, took her place in the household and raised my motherless babies. She is still with us, a sweet, patient Christian character worshiped by her family and loved by all with whom she comes in contact.
Of the children, Ogilvie, now twenty-three, graduated from Yale in June at the head of his class, as class orator, and voted the most popular man in the class, also receiving the highest number of votes as the man most to be admired and the man most likely to succeed. He was elected president of his class and made the Freshman football team in his Freshman year and for the past two years has been on the big team. You can well imagine that with such a record his fond Dad has been constantly on the verge of bursting with pride. Prior to entering Yale he was two years at St. Johns Military School at Salina, two years at Baker University and four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. He re-entered Yale a few days ago to take a post graduate course in the School of Mines as he has chosen mining engineering as a profession.
"Bill" and "Chabbie" have just completed a four year's preparatory course at Phillips-Andover and are Freshmen at Yale this year. Both have won athletic honors at Andover and will, I am confident, be heard from in Yale. Chabbie, while the youngest, is the largest of the three, being but a fraction under six feet and weighing stripped 185 pounds. He holds the heavyweight wrestling championship of Andover in wrestling and has played on the Varsity football team for the past two years. Bill also won a championship cup in wrestling and was captain of his class football team.
Last, but not least, the little baby girl, "made of sugar and spice and everything nice", now sweeter seventeen, just budding into a lovely young womanhood, is a student at Crescent College, "at the top of the Ozarks", a beautiful girls' school situated at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Please pardon so much space devoted to family history, but the "old gentleman" is so proud of his babies, that with no one present to stay his hand, he has rambled on and on.
To one far and long away from the town of his birth or early boyhood, there is something almost touchingly pathetic in the eagerness with which he meekly scores the old home papers. It may be a small affair with patent "inards" containing predigested literary food, but that portion set by hand from the top of a high stool is of greater interest to him than the Sunday edition of the great metropolitan dailies, for somewhere among the personal or locals he will find a line or two that will open the flood gates of precious memories.
Salon wrote: "Lulled in by countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain. Awake but one and lo what myriads arise, each stamps its image as the other flies."
So, for instance, a simple little personal that "Miss Ada Haller is again in charge of her class in the primary department," goes far beyond that and I picture the Miss Ada Haller, my school mate of the long ago, and "Mame" and Jennie, her sister, and "Eurie", "Filley", "Jet" King, Julia Rogers, Alice Empie, Corrie Heywood, Cora Copper and a a score of others in those dear old days, with their carefree happiness. I remember what a hard time I had in learning to dance. My "folks" being Methodists did not approve of dancing and when a dancing class was started one winter, "Chink" Felley, "Ird" Haller, June Mayberry, Mill Chalfant, "Tony" Richardson, Alvah Warner, in fact nearly all the "fellers" joined, but little Charlie was barred on account of parentive restraint. How well I remember Alvah Warner trying to show me the waltz step. His pride of accomplishment far exceeded his terpsichorean grace and when Alvah "touched the light (?) fantastic", he reminded one of a Mogul engine rocking over a dirt siding. Good old Fred Lord, I must not forget him, long since dead, slow but dependable. How I used to envy his ability to "pick the guitar." One winter they had a string band consisting of "Shorty" George, Frank Hunt and Fred Lord. There was another whose name I cannot recall who played the bass violin, but say, they made some music. The Rose waltz was their favorite but between pieces Fred would do a little solo work, his vocal repertoire consisting solely of "Down in a Diving Bell," while in an instrumental way he was limited to the "Chords" except for one piece that Dave Chamberlain taught him, "The Spanish Fandango". By the way, I forgot to mention that I finally learned "the rudiments" of dancing by taking lessons at noon hours in the basement of the school house. I kept it up for some years, but never because conspicuous for grace. Of late years, however, I am too heavily upholstered to make the attempt.
This article is, I fear, too long already, so I must begin to draw it to a close. I would like to ramble on, as I have started a train of reminiscences, some happy, others sad, but all belong to the make up of those happy years.
Sometime, should you wish it, I will contribute again, but as I have in this undoubtedly exceeded my allotment of space I will close with the wish to be kindly remembered to all old friends.
Sincerely yours,
Charles M. Sheldon
Source: Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913
~~~~~~~~~~~
C. M. Sheldon, Oil Man, Dies; Stricken With Heart Disease; Funeral Arrangements Pending
Stricken sometime during the night, the body of C. M. Sheldon, Tulsa oil operator, was found in the dining room at his home at 3528 South Norfolk avenue Monday morning by a maid. A radio in another room was turned on, the maid reported.
Family physicians reported that Mr. Sheldon had long suffered from heart disease.
Mr. Sheldon, who was 68 years old, moved to Tulsa about 10 years ago from Kansas, and with his sons formed the Sheldon Oil company. Prior to that time he had engaged in mining and banking business and had been state representative from Burlingame, Kansas.
He is survived by three sons, O. H. Sheldon and W. W. Sheldon of Tulsa, and C. M. Sheldon Jr., San Antonio, Texas. He had been associated with his sons in many business ventures. Besides their oil holdings in the Mid-Continet fields they controlled lead and zinc property in the Joplin area.
Two daughters, Mrs. Roger Brown, New York City, and Miss Charlotte Ann Sheldon of Wichita, also survive. Funeral arrangements will not be made until the arrival in Tulsa of his children. The body is at the Stanley and McCune funeral home.
"Who's Who and Where Series", Burlingame Enterprise, Burlingame, Osage County, Kansas, 25 January 1912:
The name of Sheldon breathes of antiquity, particularly as pertains to Burlingame history. And the name of Sheldon is symbolic of wealth and stability, of enterprise and energy, religious activity and civic power, for Henry C. Sheldon and O. H. Sheldon, though not in any way related, were men of note in Osage county's very earliest history. And it is of the family of O. H. Sheldon with which this sketch has to do. This man, it will be remembered by the older residents, was at one time county treasurer, was for many years postmaster of Burlingame, and through the wealth of his family had much to do with the development of the coal fields in Osage County. The middle generation will remember the erection of the beautiful big home on South Topeka avenue in the early seventies, the finest in town and considered almost a mansion in those days. The home still stands but little has changed in general contour and occupied for ten years past by Chas. V. King and wife. And in the big house lived two popular young people, Charles M. Sheldon and his sister Nora, who in her young womanhood became the wife of Richard Lyons. In their brief wedded life the roseate promises for the future were changed into the tragedy of deepest sorrow, for she entered into the valley and passed through the gates, never to know the joys of motherhood. The same sorrowful story forms a chapter in the lives of others here whose names are now recalled-Sarah Hoover-Stodard, Ela Jarboe-Bush, Alice Empie-Terry and only recently the same pitiful story of Elspeth Oliver-Brackney.
This same middle generation will not be likely soon to forget this only son of his illustrious father. Charles M. was a young man of splendid physique, popular, and possessed of education and wealth. He "grew up" in Burlingame, spread himself around as best he could in the social set of the town, developed several alarming "cases," but was well on the road to bachelorhood before he finally married, and then went out of town for his bride, who was a Miss Vernie Taylor. And, in the course of human events, the big house once more resounded to childish voices and was peopled with a little brood of four. And here is where the younger generation become interested. This family of four are recalled as being children of striking beauty. They partook of the gentle, endearing nature of their handsome mother, yet were as full of fund and ginger as their vigorous dad. They were Oglivia, Wheeler, Charles M. Jr., and lastly baby Marjory, a child of surpassing loveliness.
The Sheldon family moved to Kansas City about thirteen years ago and in a few years, or in July 1902, came word of the sad death of Mrs. Sheldon. The children have since been in the good care of their grandmother and aunt, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Lillian Taylor-Bowen. The following concerning Mr. Sheldon's family is proof of their activities in the educational fields as well as their asperations for a business life.
Ogilvia (sic) is twenty-one and a junior in the scientific course at Yale. He is fitting himself for a mining engineer. He was two years at St. John's Military School, Salina, two years at Baker University, four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. Before entering Yale. He was president of the Freshman class last year and played on the Freshman football team. He is first sub on the 'varsity team this year and won his "Y" in November in the Princeton game. He has played on the 'varsity every game this year, and we noticed his name among the players in the Yale-Harvard Thanksgiving game. The second son, Wm. Wheeler, age nineteen, is in Phillips Andover preparing for Yale. He has won his numbers this year and is on his class football team. The third son, Charles M., Jr., age seventeen, is in Andover and made the 'varsity this year and is playing center. Little daughter Marjory, age fifteen, is in high school at Long Beach, Calif., where she and her grandmother, Mrs. Taylor have been for two years except during the summers when the entire family assemble in Joplin, Mo. The boys put in all their vacation working in the mines at Joplin at the very hardest kind of work, which is in line with the profession they expect to adopt, namely, mining engineers, and it also gives them splendid development for athletics in college.
Mr. Sheldon is engaged in mining at both Joplin, Mo., his present address, and in Colorado. For the past four years he had an office on Wall Street, New York, but expects to give that up and devote his entire personal attention to the Missouri and Colorado mines.
~~~~~~~
Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913:
Former Editor of Chronicle Writes Interestingly of Old Days. Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913, T.A. Ellis, Editor Chronicle.
Dear Ellis:
In the many years that I have been away from the old town, its personnel has so changed that I fear my contribution will be of interest to a minority so small as to be almost negligible. However, there are a few old-timers left who, like myself, are always glad to hear from old acquaintances.
I have no information as to what you want from me, whether it be a synopsis of my life chapters since leaving Burlingame, or reminiscences of happenings prior to that date. I will therefore solve the doubt by contributing a little from each.
I left Burlingame in the spring of 1897, more than sixteen years ago. It hardly seems possible. My family consisted of Mrs. Sheldon and four babies, Ogilvie, aged seven; Wheeler, or "Bill" as he is now called, five; Charles M, Jr. who for years has been known as "Chabbie" and a sweet faced baby girl, a replica of her mama, Marjory, then less than a year old. I moved to and lived in Kansas City for a number of years. Eight years ago I engaged in mining here in Joplin, which is still my business and residence, although during the time I had an office and made my headquarters in New York for five years.
Mrs. Sheldon, than whom no dearer companion, nor devoted mother ever lived, passed from this earth eleven years ago. Her mother, Mrs. Taylor, took her place in the household and raised my motherless babies. She is still with us, a sweet, patient Christian character worshiped by her family and loved by all with whom she comes in contact.
Of the children, Ogilvie, now twenty-three, graduated from Yale in June at the head of his class, as class orator, and voted the most popular man in the class, also receiving the highest number of votes as the man most to be admired and the man most likely to succeed. He was elected president of his class and made the Freshman football team in his Freshman year and for the past two years has been on the big team. You can well imagine that with such a record his fond Dad has been constantly on the verge of bursting with pride. Prior to entering Yale he was two years at St. Johns Military School at Salina, two years at Baker University and four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. He re-entered Yale a few days ago to take a post graduate course in the School of Mines as he has chosen mining engineering as a profession.
"Bill" and "Chabbie" have just completed a four year's preparatory course at Phillips-Andover and are Freshmen at Yale this year. Both have won athletic honors at Andover and will, I am confident, be heard from in Yale. Chabbie, while the youngest, is the largest of the three, being but a fraction under six feet and weighing stripped 185 pounds. He holds the heavyweight wrestling championship of Andover in wrestling and has played on the Varsity football team for the past two years. Bill also won a championship cup in wrestling and was captain of his class football team.
Last, but not least, the little baby girl, "made of sugar and spice and everything nice", now sweeter seventeen, just budding into a lovely young womanhood, is a student at Crescent College, "at the top of the Ozarks", a beautiful girls' school situated at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Please pardon so much space devoted to family history, but the "old gentleman" is so proud of his babies, that with no one present to stay his hand, he has rambled on and on.
To one far and long away from the town of his birth or early boyhood, there is something almost touchingly pathetic in the eagerness with which he meekly scores the old home papers. It may be a small affair with patent "inards" containing predigested literary food, but that portion set by hand from the top of a high stool is of greater interest to him than the Sunday edition of the great metropolitan dailies, for somewhere among the personal or locals he will find a line or two that will open the flood gates of precious memories.
Salon wrote: "Lulled in by countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain. Awake but one and lo what myriads arise, each stamps its image as the other flies."
So, for instance, a simple little personal that "Miss Ada Haller is again in charge of her class in the primary department," goes far beyond that and I picture the Miss Ada Haller, my school mate of the long ago, and "Mame" and Jennie, her sister, and "Eurie", "Filley", "Jet" King, Julia Rogers, Alice Empie, Corrie Heywood, Cora Copper and a a score of others in those dear old days, with their carefree happiness. I remember what a hard time I had in learning to dance. My "folks" being Methodists did not approve of dancing and when a dancing class was started one winter, "Chink" Felley, "Ird" Haller, June Mayberry, Mill Chalfant, "Tony" Richardson, Alvah Warner, in fact nearly all the "fellers" joined, but little Charlie was barred on account of parentive restraint. How well I remember Alvah Warner trying to show me the waltz step. His pride of accomplishment far exceeded his terpsichorean grace and when Alvah "touched the light (?) fantastic", he reminded one of a Mogul engine rocking over a dirt siding. Good old Fred Lord, I must not forget him, long since dead, slow but dependable. How I used to envy his ability to "pick the guitar." One winter they had a string band consisting of "Shorty" George, Frank Hunt and Fred Lord. There was another whose name I cannot recall who played the bass violin, but say, they made some music. The Rose waltz was their favorite but between pieces Fred would do a little solo work, his vocal repertoire consisting solely of "Down in a Diving Bell," while in an instrumental way he was limited to the "Chords" except for one piece that Dave Chamberlain taught him, "The Spanish Fandango". By the way, I forgot to mention that I finally learned "the rudiments" of dancing by taking lessons at noon hours in the basement of the school house. I kept it up for some years, but never because conspicuous for grace. Of late years, however, I am too heavily upholstered to make the attempt.
This article is, I fear, too long already, so I must begin to draw it to a close. I would like to ramble on, as I have started a train of reminiscences, some happy, others sad, but all belong to the make up of those happy years.
Sometime, should you wish it, I will contribute again, but as I have in this undoubtedly exceeded my allotment of space I will close with the wish to be kindly remembered to all old friends.
Sincerely yours,
Charles M. Sheldon
Source: Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913
~~~~~~~~~~~
C. M. Sheldon, Oil Man, Dies; Stricken With Heart Disease; Funeral Arrangements Pending
Stricken sometime during the night, the body of C. M. Sheldon, Tulsa oil operator, was found in the dining room at his home at 3528 South Norfolk avenue Monday morning by a maid. A radio in another room was turned on, the maid reported.
Family physicians reported that Mr. Sheldon had long suffered from heart disease.
Mr. Sheldon, who was 68 years old, moved to Tulsa about 10 years ago from Kansas, and with his sons formed the Sheldon Oil company. Prior to that time he had engaged in mining and banking business and had been state representative from Burlingame, Kansas.
He is survived by three sons, O. H. Sheldon and W. W. Sheldon of Tulsa, and C. M. Sheldon Jr., San Antonio, Texas. He had been associated with his sons in many business ventures. Besides their oil holdings in the Mid-Continet fields they controlled lead and zinc property in the Joplin area.
Two daughters, Mrs. Roger Brown, New York City, and Miss Charlotte Ann Sheldon of Wichita, also survive. Funeral arrangements will not be made until the arrival in Tulsa of his children. The body is at the Stanley and McCune funeral home.
The name of Sheldon breathes of antiquity, particularly as pertains to Burlingame history. And the name of Sheldon is symbolic of wealth and stability, of enterprise and energy, religious activity and civic power, for Henry C. Sheldon and O. H. Sheldon, though not in any way related, were men of note in Osage county's very earliest history. And it is of the family of O. H. Sheldon with which this sketch has to do. This man, it will be remembered by the older residents, was at one time county treasurer, was for many years postmaster of Burlingame, and through the wealth of his family had much to do with the development of the coal fields in Osage County. The middle generation will remember the erection of the beautiful big home on South Topeka avenue in the early seventies, the finest in town and considered almost a mansion in those days. The home still stands but little has changed in general contour and occupied for ten years past by Chas. V. King and wife. And in the big house lived two popular young people, Charles M. Sheldon and his sister Nora, who in her young womanhood became the wife of Richard Lyons. In their brief wedded life the roseate promises for the future were changed into the tragedy of deepest sorrow, for she entered into the valley and passed through the gates, never to know the joys of motherhood. The same sorrowful story forms a chapter in the lives of others here whose names are now recalled-Sarah Hoover-Stodard, Ela Jarboe-Bush, Alice Empie-Terry and only recently the same pitiful story of Elspeth Oliver-Brackney.
This same middle generation will not be likely soon to forget this only son of his illustrious father. Charles M. was a young man of splendid physique, popular, and possessed of education and wealth. He "grew up" in Burlingame, spread himself around as best he could in the social set of the town, developed several alarming "cases," but was well on the road to bachelorhood before he finally married, and then went out of town for his bride, who was a Miss Vernie Taylor. And, in the course of human events, the big house once more resounded to childish voices and was peopled with a little brood of four. And here is where the younger generation become interested. This family of four are recalled as being children of striking beauty. They partook of the gentle, endearing nature of their handsome mother, yet were as full of fund and ginger as their vigorous dad. They were Oglivia, Wheeler, Charles M. Jr., and lastly baby Marjory, a child of surpassing loveliness.
The Sheldon family moved to Kansas City about thirteen years ago and in a few years, or in July 1902, came word of the sad death of Mrs. Sheldon. The children have since been in the good care of their grandmother and aunt, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Lillian Taylor-Bowen. The following concerning Mr. Sheldon's family is proof of their activities in the educational fields as well as their asperations for a business life.
Ogilvia (sic) is twenty-one and a junior in the scientific course at Yale. He is fitting himself for a mining engineer. He was two years at St. John's Military School, Salina, two years at Baker University, four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. Before entering Yale. He was president of the Freshman class last year and played on the Freshman football team. He is first sub on the 'varsity team this year and won his "Y" in November in the Princeton game. He has played on the 'varsity every game this year, and we noticed his name among the players in the Yale-Harvard Thanksgiving game. The second son, Wm. Wheeler, age nineteen, is in Phillips Andover preparing for Yale. He has won his numbers this year and is on his class football team. The third son, Charles M., Jr., age seventeen, is in Andover and made the 'varsity this year and is playing center. Little daughter Marjory, age fifteen, is in high school at Long Beach, Calif., where she and her grandmother, Mrs. Taylor have been for two years except during the summers when the entire family assemble in Joplin, Mo. The boys put in all their vacation working in the mines at Joplin at the very hardest kind of work, which is in line with the profession they expect to adopt, namely, mining engineers, and it also gives them splendid development for athletics in college.
Mr. Sheldon is engaged in mining at both Joplin, Mo., his present address, and in Colorado. For the past four years he had an office on Wall Street, New York, but expects to give that up and devote his entire personal attention to the Missouri and Colorado mines.
~~~~~~~
Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913:
Former Editor of Chronicle Writes Interestingly of Old Days. Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913, T.A. Ellis, Editor Chronicle.
Dear Ellis:
In the many years that I have been away from the old town, its personnel has so changed that I fear my contribution will be of interest to a minority so small as to be almost negligible. However, there are a few old-timers left who, like myself, are always glad to hear from old acquaintances.
I have no information as to what you want from me, whether it be a synopsis of my life chapters since leaving Burlingame, or reminiscences of happenings prior to that date. I will therefore solve the doubt by contributing a little from each.
I left Burlingame in the spring of 1897, more than sixteen years ago. It hardly seems possible. My family consisted of Mrs. Sheldon and four babies, Ogilvie, aged seven; Wheeler, or "Bill" as he is now called, five; Charles M, Jr. who for years has been known as "Chabbie" and a sweet faced baby girl, a replica of her mama, Marjory, then less than a year old. I moved to and lived in Kansas City for a number of years. Eight years ago I engaged in mining here in Joplin, which is still my business and residence, although during the time I had an office and made my headquarters in New York for five years.
Mrs. Sheldon, than whom no dearer companion, nor devoted mother ever lived, passed from this earth eleven years ago. Her mother, Mrs. Taylor, took her place in the household and raised my motherless babies. She is still with us, a sweet, patient Christian character worshiped by her family and loved by all with whom she comes in contact.
Of the children, Ogilvie, now twenty-three, graduated from Yale in June at the head of his class, as class orator, and voted the most popular man in the class, also receiving the highest number of votes as the man most to be admired and the man most likely to succeed. He was elected president of his class and made the Freshman football team in his Freshman year and for the past two years has been on the big team. You can well imagine that with such a record his fond Dad has been constantly on the verge of bursting with pride. Prior to entering Yale he was two years at St. Johns Military School at Salina, two years at Baker University and four years at Phillips Andover, Mass. He re-entered Yale a few days ago to take a post graduate course in the School of Mines as he has chosen mining engineering as a profession.
"Bill" and "Chabbie" have just completed a four year's preparatory course at Phillips-Andover and are Freshmen at Yale this year. Both have won athletic honors at Andover and will, I am confident, be heard from in Yale. Chabbie, while the youngest, is the largest of the three, being but a fraction under six feet and weighing stripped 185 pounds. He holds the heavyweight wrestling championship of Andover in wrestling and has played on the Varsity football team for the past two years. Bill also won a championship cup in wrestling and was captain of his class football team.
Last, but not least, the little baby girl, "made of sugar and spice and everything nice", now sweeter seventeen, just budding into a lovely young womanhood, is a student at Crescent College, "at the top of the Ozarks", a beautiful girls' school situated at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Please pardon so much space devoted to family history, but the "old gentleman" is so proud of his babies, that with no one present to stay his hand, he has rambled on and on.
To one far and long away from the town of his birth or early boyhood, there is something almost touchingly pathetic in the eagerness with which he meekly scores the old home papers. It may be a small affair with patent "inards" containing predigested literary food, but that portion set by hand from the top of a high stool is of greater interest to him than the Sunday edition of the great metropolitan dailies, for somewhere among the personal or locals he will find a line or two that will open the flood gates of precious memories.
Salon wrote: "Lulled in by countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain. Awake but one and lo what myriads arise, each stamps its image as the other flies."
So, for instance, a simple little personal that "Miss Ada Haller is again in charge of her class in the primary department," goes far beyond that and I picture the Miss Ada Haller, my school mate of the long ago, and "Mame" and Jennie, her sister, and "Eurie", "Filley", "Jet" King, Julia Rogers, Alice Empie, Corrie Heywood, Cora Copper and a a score of others in those dear old days, with their carefree happiness. I remember what a hard time I had in learning to dance. My "folks" being Methodists did not approve of dancing and when a dancing class was started one winter, "Chink" Felley, "Ird" Haller, June Mayberry, Mill Chalfant, "Tony" Richardson, Alvah Warner, in fact nearly all the "fellers" joined, but little Charlie was barred on account of parentive restraint. How well I remember Alvah Warner trying to show me the waltz step. His pride of accomplishment far exceeded his terpsichorean grace and when Alvah "touched the light (?) fantastic", he reminded one of a Mogul engine rocking over a dirt siding. Good old Fred Lord, I must not forget him, long since dead, slow but dependable. How I used to envy his ability to "pick the guitar." One winter they had a string band consisting of "Shorty" George, Frank Hunt and Fred Lord. There was another whose name I cannot recall who played the bass violin, but say, they made some music. The Rose waltz was their favorite but between pieces Fred would do a little solo work, his vocal repertoire consisting solely of "Down in a Diving Bell," while in an instrumental way he was limited to the "Chords" except for one piece that Dave Chamberlain taught him, "The Spanish Fandango". By the way, I forgot to mention that I finally learned "the rudiments" of dancing by taking lessons at noon hours in the basement of the school house. I kept it up for some years, but never because conspicuous for grace. Of late years, however, I am too heavily upholstered to make the attempt.
This article is, I fear, too long already, so I must begin to draw it to a close. I would like to ramble on, as I have started a train of reminiscences, some happy, others sad, but all belong to the make up of those happy years.
Sometime, should you wish it, I will contribute again, but as I have in this undoubtedly exceeded my allotment of space I will close with the wish to be kindly remembered to all old friends.
Sincerely yours,
Charles M. Sheldon
Source: Letter to T. A. Ellis, Chronicle Editor, from C. M. Sheldon, Joplin, MO, Sept 28, 1913
~~~~~~~~~~~
C. M. Sheldon, Oil Man, Dies; Stricken With Heart Disease; Funeral Arrangements Pending
Stricken sometime during the night, the body of C. M. Sheldon, Tulsa oil operator, was found in the dining room at his home at 3528 South Norfolk avenue Monday morning by a maid. A radio in another room was turned on, the maid reported.
Family physicians reported that Mr. Sheldon had long suffered from heart disease.
Mr. Sheldon, who was 68 years old, moved to Tulsa about 10 years ago from Kansas, and with his sons formed the Sheldon Oil company. Prior to that time he had engaged in mining and banking business and had been state representative from Burlingame, Kansas.
He is survived by three sons, O. H. Sheldon and W. W. Sheldon of Tulsa, and C. M. Sheldon Jr., San Antonio, Texas. He had been associated with his sons in many business ventures. Besides their oil holdings in the Mid-Continet fields they controlled lead and zinc property in the Joplin area.
Two daughters, Mrs. Roger Brown, New York City, and Miss Charlotte Ann Sheldon of Wichita, also survive. Funeral arrangements will not be made until the arrival in Tulsa of his children. The body is at the Stanley and McCune funeral home.
Gravesite Details
Burial Date: 1/17/1929
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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