R. T. SHIPLEY, manufacturer, Jonesboro, proprietor of saw and planing mill, and manufacturer of fruit and berry boxes, was born January 6, 1826, in Granger County, East Tenn. His grandfather, Thomas Shipley, who came from Virginia, was a farmer by occupation. His son, Edward T., was born in Hawkins County, East Tenn.; he died in 1876 in Jonesboro. He was a carpenter by occupation, and a soldier in the Seminole war. He was married to Elizabeth Thomas, who died in 1876 in Jonesboro. She was the mother of seven children — Robert T., Wilson K., Labona Ann, Marion (deceased), Martha, Melvina and Van Buren, who was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro. Our subject, Robert T., received a common school education in East Tennessee, where he also learned the carpenter trade, and was joined in matrimony to Ann R. Gore, who died in 1859 in Jonesboro. She was the mother of James and George W., the former married to Laura Bostan. Mr. Shipley was married a second time, to Mrs. Catherine M. Donehew, born August 1, 1827, in East Tennessee. She was a daughter of Abel and Eglantine (Cardwell) Hill, and is the mother of four children — Canada C. Donehew, Almeda C. Donehew, Francis M. Shipley and Adeline E. Shipley. Mrs. Shipley is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Shipley is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is also an A., F. & A. M., Jonesboro Lodge, No. 111, and formerly an I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Democrat. He was a soldier in our late war. He came to this county in 1854.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 113-114.
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