Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-15
LAST RITES PERFORMED
SERVICES OVER REMAINS OF
PROF. GEORGE T. SHELDON.
Taught the Art of Dancing for Sixty
Years-Instructor of President
Linco1n's Son "Tad."

Prof. George T. Sheldon. for more than
forty years a dancing master in Washing
ton, was buried at 1890 o'clock this fore
noon from the family residence, 019 18th
street northwest interInent being at Glen
wood.
George Thompson Sheldon was about
seventy-seven years age, and native OF
Philadelphia. His father was an officer In
the English army, while his mother, Lady
Sarah Fielding Sheldon of London, was a
daughter of Lord Fielding, noted In his
day for his love of field sports and dancing.
Professor Sheldon is said to have inner
tied his love for tripping the light fan
tastic toe" from his paternal ancestor,
who claimed the honor of having danced
the stately minuet with women of royal
blood in England.
Prof Sheldon was noted for his skill in
dancing, and instructing young masters and
misses in the graceful art. He proudly
numbered among his former pupils TAD
Lincoln, son of the martyred Abraham Lin
coin; Gen. Fred. Grant and Nellie Grant
SartoriS, besides many other sons and
daughters of the best families in Washing
ton society, including those of the ambas-
sailors and other representatives of foreign
governments.
He never tired of telling how little Tad
Lincoln, whose every whim was gratif1ed
by his distinguished father, became a pupil
of his dancing academy, then located at
18th street and Pennsylvania avenue. One
evening the lad came into the dancing
ROOM accompanying one of The children of
the French legation.
Tad had never before seen children en-
gagged in dancing. After watching the
fairy-like movements of the little French
miss whose escort he was. Tad asked Prof.
Sheldon If he would teach him.
Fathers Consent Required.
Certainly" replied the dancing master,
but you must have your fathers consent"
"Of course" replied Tad. with a jaunty
toss of his head. Ny father never refuses
me anything that is right, and this pretty
dancing looks as though it is all right"
The next afternoon when the lesson was
given Tad was on hand. provided with
charactistic note from President Lincoln,
which stated:
Tad wants to be a dancer. If you can
teach him the art do So"
The boy became proficient scholar and
never tired of executing some of the fancy
dances and steps the professor taught him.
Had Many Pupils.
Friends of the deceased stated today that
there are many men and women now high
in social and political life who owe their
grace in both dancing and walking to Pro-
fessor Sheldon and his methods.
Deceased had been a dancing master his
venerable Wie stdteu " d otai Iepoi TEL ioi
fully sixty years, forty of which were spent
at Washington, where his annual exhibit
tons of Juvenile dancing long ago became
social functions of distinction, owing to the
high caste of the children who attended
them as participants.
His first dancing academy in this city
located over a feed store on d street
between 9th and 18th streets northwest.
I.atterly he was located on the second floor
OF 1904 F street, where he had been many
years. first occupying the place Immediately
after the building was erected.