Piqua Leader Dispatch  February 5, 1907

SURGEON

In Army of United States

DR. J. E. SHELLENBERGER

Is Dead – Varied and Interesting Career – Brother of Mrs. Wm. Freshour

Dr. James E. Shellenberger, the well known army surgeon, formerly of this city, died last night at nine o’clock at the Christ hospital, Cincinnati.  He was taken from Fort Sam Houston in Texas to Cincinnati about a week ago.  He has been ill for some time past, and at the hospital was treated for heart trouble by Dr. Hegner.  Although his death was caused by heart failure, it was not unexpected.  His widow, who is now stopping at the Emory hotel, Cincinnati, was with him when he breathed his last.  During his last visit in this city, Dr. A. B. Frame, one of his close friends attended him. Dr. Shellenberger is well known to almost everyone in Piqua, and all who have heard of his death have expressed sincere grief over the news.  He was born in Covington, Miami county, in 1846, and his early education was acquired in the schools in that village.  In August of 1862, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted as drummer boy in company B, 94th O. V. I., under Captain John Drury of Troy, and received his honorable discharge from the service in June of 1865, returning home at the age of nineteen.   In a short time he took up the study of medicine under Dr. John Sensman of Tippecanoe City, and industriously pursued it until ’67 and ’68, when he attended the Jefferson medical college of Philadelphia from which he graduated in March of ’69.  After leaving there he practiced six years in Covington, two years in Tippecanoe, and after ’77 came to Piqua, where he established a good practice, and became one of the most promising young physicians of the time.  In November 24, 1875, two years later, before he came to this city, and just after he went to Tippecanoe, he was married to Miss Emma Chaffee of Tippecanoe City, the daughter of S. L. Chaffee. He practiced here in Piqua a number of years, making many firm friends, some of whom he had met during the Civil war.  He was asked to take a position as surgeon in the regular army of the United States, but was too old to take the regular position, and went in as contract surgeon, and would have received no pension had his time expired before his death.   After leaving this city he was at numerous posts, mostly in Texas, and has served for many years.  His letters published in the newspapers here have always been full of news for his many friends, and they have followed his progress with interest.  His last post was at Ft. Sam Houston, and he had been there for some time.    He was in the Philippines for two years, serving as army surgeon before he went west with the regular army.  All his experiences during his service were such as to make his record one to be envied.  His death brings to a close an eventful life.    Dr. Shellenberger was in Piqua only about three or four weeks before his death, and was in poor health at the time.    Mrs. Emma Freshour, the wife of Judge William Freshour, is his sister. Mr. and Mrs. Freshour went to Cincinnati this morning and will probably attend to the funeral arrangements.  The arrangements are not yet known, but will be announced as soon as possible.

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