John J. Shely Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 515
Scope and Contents
This collection contains thirteen photographic prints that were separated out from MSS 188. They contain prints of the family including grandchildren, photos of the Red River, and the farm.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1872-1956
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives
Biography
John J. Shely was born June 27, 1847 in Vermont to Irish immigrants. The family moved in 1854 to Minnesota settling at Reids Landing in Wabasha County. At the age of fourteen Mr. Shely ran away from home and worked as a cabin-boy in a Mississippi steamboat. He then worked at a lumber mill at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1866 hearing of an expedition leaving Fort Snelling for the Idaho gold fields he left for Fort Snelling. But arriving too late he hired out as an assistant wagon master in a government wagon train, making trips to Fort Abercrombie, Fort Totten, Fort Wadsworth and Pembina. In 1869 he left this job and spent the winter trapping. The spring of 1870 he sailed down the Red River and landing near the present village of Shelly, Minnesota where he staked a claim. In 1872 he worked in a store at Crookston, owned by W. D. Bailey. Later 1875 he was employed by Barnes and Tenney as a grain buyer of Ada, Minnesota.
On February 2, 1878 John Shely married Anna M. Davis of Wabasha County, Minnesota and whom he had known since boyhood. She was the daughter of L. Davis and born December 1, 1855 in New Hampshire. Mr. Davis later settled at Crookston, Minnesota. In 1884 Mr. Shely was elected Norman County auditor and served for six months. He resigned that position to become State Chief Deputy Grain Inspector at Duluth, Minnesota. After serving there four years he was appointed Chief Deputy for Minneapolis where he served for four years. He was then appointed Chief Weigh Master there which he held for two years. He resigned that position to accept a position at Duluth with G.S. Barnes, head of the Northern Pacific elevator line. In 1896 he returned in ill health to Minneapolis where he died May 31, 1898, He was buried at Crookston, Minnesota. Mrs. Shely died September 17, 1935 at Seattle, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Shely had five children.
On February 2, 1878 John Shely married Anna M. Davis of Wabasha County, Minnesota and whom he had known since boyhood. She was the daughter of L. Davis and born December 1, 1855 in New Hampshire. Mr. Davis later settled at Crookston, Minnesota. In 1884 Mr. Shely was elected Norman County auditor and served for six months. He resigned that position to become State Chief Deputy Grain Inspector at Duluth, Minnesota. After serving there four years he was appointed Chief Deputy for Minneapolis where he served for four years. He was then appointed Chief Weigh Master there which he held for two years. He resigned that position to accept a position at Duluth with G.S. Barnes, head of the Northern Pacific elevator line. In 1896 he returned in ill health to Minneapolis where he died May 31, 1898, He was buried at Crookston, Minnesota. Mrs. Shely died September 17, 1935 at Seattle, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Shely had five children.
Extent
13 Items (Thirteen photographic prints.)
Language of Materials
English
Overview
This collection contains thirteen photographic prints that were separated out from MSS 188. They contain prints of the family including grandchildren, photos of the Red River, and the farm.
Provenance
Donated by Walter Shelly, 1954, and Mrs. E.C. Putnam, 1954 (Acc. 188).
Property Rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the John J. Shely Photograph Collection
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu