The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-11

dence in this place. aged a years. He had
but recently recovered from a severe spell
of sickness. which had confned hlm to
his room for several weeks. He had teen
so far restored to his usual health as TO be
able to resume his professional labors. IN
which he was actively engaged until last
Thursday. On that day ne was sitting in
the Office of Alr. w. C. Kinney. and on
rising from bis seat complained Of a stiff
ness throughout his whole body and ian
unusually unpleasant feeling about his
head AS he stra ghtened his person he
remarked that he thought that this was
''but the beginning of the end" lie re-
paired to his residence, took to his bad,
and medical assistance was summoned
The assiduous care of friends and physic-
ians, however, was unavailing. lie quietly
passed from the busy scenes of life. i'll
which he had been Il prominent and useful
actor, on Monday morning. retaining his
faculties until The last. except now and
then a momtntars alteration of mind.
Thus has passed away one who has filed
as large space in the public mind of
- ihts eso ish1 VI iilo lISilt u
compeers Attic bar who have preceded him
to the grave. Although he had rounded
and passed the allotted period OF life, his
mind was as active, his memory as reten
tive, and his powers OF analysis and ar
rangement as vigorous as at any time of
his active labors. At the time of his
death the records OF the Supreme Court
show that lie had probably the largest
number of cases on the appeal docket, OF
any member of the bar practicing before
that court, and as was remarked 10 US by
Maj. Dorman. clerk of the court. the prep
aration Of his cases manifesto ed rs clear an
intellect. as methodical work. and as
much penetration as lie had ever seen In
the practice before that tribunal,
Judge Sheffey was man of remarkable
versatility of ;:ttainments and mentality.
There was scarcely a subject within the
range of literature, law. politics or relig-
ion with which he was not familiar. His
mind was store house of knowledge,
and trained TO impromptu speech, there
was Dever an occasion, when called upon.
either incidentally or by previous invita-
ton, when he was not equal to the de-
,maud His style of speaking was terse,
impressive and entertaining, Astounding
in forceful logic. amusing pleasantrles.
and tender pathos. lie was even more
gifted as a writer, Clothing his thoughts in
language chaste and sentences of rounded
beauty and sometimes poetic tenderness.
bo hor bafo 4 oil i've nod md
literary institutions, his wide range of
learning and rich fund of information,
always made him prominent and ad
mired figure. When it was possible for
him to respond to demand for public
service of this kind. his kindly nature
and social inclination would master
physical ailment and the WEAKNESS Of
professional labor. and find in him a
Willingness to contribute to the enjoys
ment and ediicatlon bf the occasion. In
the church of which he was an honored
member. he was foremost in its work.
and at all times ready to labor for its
upbuildlng and usefulness. In the gen.
eral councils of the religious body to
which he adhered. his able discussions and
splendid attachments commanded the ad-
miration of the distinguished men who
participated in the proceedings. And
when called upon to represent his Diocese
in the General Conventions, all secular
business was regarded as secondary, in
the light of what he considered duty, as
well as a pleasure. In most of these as
semblages. for years past. he had been a
delegate, and in all of them maintained
his high reputation as a debater and Or
atOr
Judge Sheffey had filled many positions
of honor and trust. In 1916, be with
Chapman Johnson, was elected to the Leg
islature to represent Augusta county, the
late Col. John i. Baldwin AMI Maj.
Walker being their competitors. In 1850
he was elected to the Convention to rey Use
the State Constitution, and III that body de-
livered probably the greatest speech of
his life on the basis of representation.
holding the attention of that body for
four days in maintaining the white basis
principle, He represented the county in
the State Senate and during the war in the
House of Delegates, of which he was
elected speaker. During the reconstrrc-
ton period he was appointed and served as
Judge of this judicial circuit. He was re-
tanned as counsel for the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad company, and in that ca
pacity was called to different parts of the
country to appear in important cases and to
contend with eminent counsel. He WAS
President of the Augusta National Bank
and the Equity Insurance Company Of
Staunton. He delivered regular lectures
before the law class of Washington and
Lee University. and in the Episcopal
Church, and in the Virginia Female In
stitute, he was the patron and promoter
of every suggestion locking to their inter.
ests and welfare, holding official positions
in both.
In his profession Judge Shetfey COM
manded a large practice and was eminent
among the distinguished lawyers of the
State. In his family he was gentle, gen
erous and loving, providing for those en-
trusted to his care with lavish hand
Chil1less himself he invited to his home
the orphaned and bestowed upon them a
IdbIitf luNS. HIS HOUlo CiiI VII q
sharing in his sollcitude for their educa.
tion. comfort and daily wants.
Few men have led a buster or more use
: full life or who have been more intimately
associated with the business people of tie
county and State. AS counsel, friend
and citizen, his life was interviewer
with the business affairs of many Of
our citizen, and his death will leave a
vacuum that it will be difficult to fiji. His
active intellect and untiring industry
seemed to vitaliZa his frail form. and to
stimulate to endure labor at an age when
most men have retired from business ac-
tivities. He died literally with the har-
ness on, and passed from the strifes and
:. contentious. the joys and sorrows 10 which
flesh is heir, conscious of the closing scene
and ready for the change. He will be
missed and mourned il the circles where
his presence was benediction, and where
friendship and love entwined around him
the tenderest affections.