Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough

Page 114

From Williamsburg, Wayne country, Indiana, Thomas J. Shipley hails. He was born at that place January 1, 1862. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Macon county, Missouri, where they remained for eleven years. While a resident of Missouri he attended the district schools and secured a splendid common school education. In 1883 the family removed to York county, Nebraska, and there Mr. Shipley attended the Methodist Episcopal college for two years. In 1885 he went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he attended the National Normal University for one year. He then returned to York county, Nebraska, and took up teaching. November 27, 1890, he was married to Miss Kate M. Drake of York, Nebraska. She is the daughter of Manning and Henrietta Drake, and was born at Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, December 13, 1867. She received her education at Winterset, Iowa, and at the Freemont Normal school, Freemont, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Shipley are the parents of two children - Cleo Kemeline, aged eleven, and Willard Field, aged four.

Mr. Shipley is in love with his work and for twenty-one years has taught school. His methods are original, practical, and are the result of long years of experience. He believes in the judicious use of the "birch" and believes, further, that if it is properly wielded its effects can but be salutary. While in Nebraska he taught among the Russians and Swedes and says they were the easiest schools he has ever managed. He is among the ablest and most successful teachers in the profession and came to Scott county, Illinois, May 6, 1896. His present term, at the Liberty school house, is the seventh he has taught in this county. The second, third and fourth years he taught here, he walked seven miles to his work in the morning and seven miles to his home in the evening - and all for the munificent sum of $55 per month. He is of the opinion that he is teaching his last term of school.

Mr. Shipley resides in Winchester, in which city he has made his home since coming from Nebraska and has, in the seven years residence there, merited the respect of his fellow citizens.