The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-19

Sheldon noticed that he was breathing
in a peculiar manner. It was the first
intimation she had that he was suffer-
ing. She removed the bed clothing from
around his face. He gasped once and
passed quietly away. DR.. Hammond,
his medical associate, was summoned
but DR.. Sheldon was past medical aid
Bishop Millspaugh, who has been an
intimate friend of the family for sew
eral years, was summoned. For some
time DR.. SheldOn's health has been bad
and he was not as strong as formerly
but neither he nor his friends were at
all alarmed. He had completed arrange
ments for trip to Paris and hoped to
recuperate during his travels in Europe.
He was on the streets Wednesday and
was in good spirits.
Silas Elam Sheldon was born at Car
Isle, Ohio, June 5, 1897. He attended
Baldwin University and was graduated
from the Cleveland Medical college in
1850. In 1862 he entered the army as
assistant surgeon of the Thirty second
Ohio volunteer infantry. In 1863 he was
transferred to the One hundred and
Fourth Ohio volunteer regiment, and
was promoted to surgeon with the rank
of major, and served with that regi-
ment to the close of the war. He was
almost constantly in the field and re-
ceived a training as surgeon which
was the foundation of his reputation
as one of the leading surgeons of the
west. He was taken prisoner at Har-
per's Ferry September Is, 1862. He was
| exchanged and was with his regiment
at the siege of Knoxville ~during the
| winter of 1868. He was with Sherman'S 8
| army during the siege and capture of
| Atlanta and returned with General
| Thomas and took part in the decisive
! battles of Franklin and Nashville.
DR.. Sheldon was married May 8, 1866,
to Ann Eliza Ball, of Cleveland, and
started on his wedding trip to his new
home in Topeka, arriving here May IA,
1 FElr, ,.1-A
was one of the foremost citizens, both
as a practitioner and a public spirited
| man. He was a man of positive con-
| Victions, and when he believed any
| thing was right he was firm in his con-
| victiOns He was known to his friends
/ and colleagues as a man of sound
| Judgment, both in medical and financial
| questions. At one time he was reputed
10 be worth 500 600 During the boom
| he suffered some reverSeS He always
| believed in Topeka. He retrieved much
| of his losses, and at the time of his
| death was one of the wealthiest citi-
zens in Topeka Besides some other
| property, he owned the building ne oc-
| cupied at 720 Kansas avenue and the
| brildine at 721 Kansas avenue He
owned the property on East Eighth ave-
! nue. which he used as private nos
| pital. He intended this summer to
| build a residence on the two lots he
| owned at Ninth and Harrison streets.
DR.. Sheldon was prominent in the or
ganizations to which he belonged. He
| has been a vestryman OF Grace Cathe-
dral for many years. He took but lit
tie part in politics, but served -four
| years as state senator from Shawnee
| county He was a member of Lincoln
Post. G. A R., and was past COM
mander of the post.
| He was one of the most prominent
Masons in the state, and was honored
with many of the higher Offices He
was made a Mason in Topeka Lodge
No. II. and served as worshipful master
in 1871. '72 and IT. He was thigh
priest'' of Topeka chapter No. in 1872
and "thrice illustrious master" OF
Zabud council No. in 1874 and rs. h
vas s.eminent commander of Topeka
commandery Knights Templar in 1875
and "A. DR.. Sheldon was grand COM
mander'' of the grand commandery
Kansas Knights Templar in 1875 and
grand master" of the Masonic grand
lodge of Kansas in 1885. He was grand
/ high priest of the grand chapter Roya
Arch Masons of Kansas in 1881, ane
grand captain Of the guard Of ths