The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-13
WIN. R. SHELTON
DEAD TODAY OF
HEART FAILURE
Clerk of Superior and Su-
preme Courts Nearly Two
Decades Is Deeply
Mourned.

Attorney William. ROumage SheltOn,
who was for Is years the clerk Of the
Superior and Supreme courts Of Fair.
field county, died of heart failure this
noon at the home Of his sister. Mrs.
William H. Stevenson, 281 Golden Hill
street. His death was the elimination
of several years of illness, failing
health having forced him to give up
his duties as court clerk in 1903.
Probably no member Of the bar in
the State of Connecticut was more
widely known among the legal pro-
fession than Attorney Shelton, and the
spread regret throughout the State.
and particularly in Bridgeport, OF
which city he had been lifelong res
ident.
Mr.. Shelton's position as clerk OF
the Fairfield county Superior and Su-
preme courts for nearly two decades.
brought him into touch with the en-
tire legal fraternity of Connecticut,
I and made him known to members OF
the bar in many others States Of the
Union. Among the legal profession
his administration Of the office OF
clerk was everywhere noted for its
proficiency, the clearness and legibil-
ity of his records, their unYarying
freedom from errors, even of the most
minute degree. The records of his Of
flee during his administration ara
said to be- models of their kind and it
was said Of him by prominent law
yers of other States, that his court
records were the best in any court in
New England.
William Roumage Shelton was born
in Bridgeport on September II, 1S45,
the son of William j. and Mary
(Hough Shelton. His father estab-
lished drug business at the corner
of Main street and Fairfield avenue,
in which business he was succeeded
by his brother, the late Charles Shell.
ton. Many previous generations OF
the Shelton family figured in the med
ical profession of the State. William
r. Shelton's father and grandfather
were doctors. His ancestors were of
Revolutionary stock, the family COM
ing from Stratford and Huntington.
Mr.. Shelton was educated in the
tended Yale university, graduating in
the class Of 1868. He studied law
with Henry S. Sanford and was adj
mitted to the bar in 1872. He was
considered one Of the ablest lawyers
in the county, and was appointed to
the city attorneyship of Bridgeport
during 1874 and 1876. In 1875, 76 and
II he was deputy judge of the city
court OF Bridgeport.
In October 1884 he became clerk of
the court of Common Pleas under
Judge Frederick B. Hall. He held
this position until May 1891, when he
was appointed assistant clerk of the
Superior court. This position he held
until April 81, 1891, when he was chos-
en- clerk of the Superior and Supreme
courts. a position which he held until
i'll health forced his retirement in 1908,
after a career of honor and useful
ness,
Mr. Shelton was devoted to work,
and personally was of a retiring and
studious disposition. Those who had
his intimate friendship feel his loss
most deeply and everywhere his men,
ory is highly honored.
He was unmarried and leaves three
sisters, Mrs. William Fl. Stevenson OF
this city, Mrs. John E. Camerden of
New York and Mrs. John r. Tanning
of Rochester, N. Y, also a nephew,
Attorney Henry C. Stevenson and a
niece Miss Mary Bell Stevenson, both
of this city.
Since his illness Mr.. Shelton had
resided at his sisters home at 2S1
Golden Hill street. His final illness
reached a serious stage several days
ago and the end came at 11:45 today
Arrangements for the funeral have
not yet been completed.