WILLIAM SHIVELY, clothier, Lafayette, is probably the oldest business man in the city, having followed merchant tailoring and clothing from 1836 to 1850, and the clothing exclusively up to 1887, when he retired from business. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Chambersburg, Franklin County, in 1813. His parents, DANIEL and ELIZABETH SHIVELY, were natives of the same State, the father born in Perry County, and the mother in Lancaster County. His grandparents were native of Germany, and came to America before the Revolutionary war, his mother’s father serving as a soldier in that memorable struggle. MR. SHIVELY still has in his possession a clock owned by his grandfather HENEBERGER since 1766. His parents made their home in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, until their death, his father dying November 3, 1863, at the age of eighty-three years, and his mother June 8, 1858, at the age of seventy-five years. Of their nine children the seven eldest are living, ranging in age from sixty-nine to eighty years. They are as follows: KATE, residing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; ELIZABETH at Blairsville, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; MARIA, JULIA and JOHN, living at Chambersburg, and PETER living at Fairfield, Pennsylvania. SUSAN and MARY ANN are the names of the deceased children.
        WILLIAM SHIVELY, the subject of this sketch, was brought up in his native place, and in early life was a dry goods clerk. He was the only member of his family who came west, being to obtain land when it was cheap. He has now seven good farms, besides four residences, his store and stock in Lafayette, and is classed among the substantial and enterprising citizens of his county. In politics he was formerly a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for Harrison in 1836 and 1840. He has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization. MR. SHIVELY was married in July, 1837, to MISS ELIZABETH MENEFEE, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, October 18, 1823, a daughter of JOSEPH and ANN MENEFEE, who were residents of that county until their death. At the time of her marriage MRS. SHIVELY was visiting at the home of her uncle in Lafayette, Indiana. She died February 25, 1886, being one of the noblest women of Lafayette. Her death was a great loss to the community, and greatly lamented by her bereaved husband and family. To MR. and MRS. SHIVELY nine children were born, but five are now living—MARY, the wife of ANSON HATHAWAY of Danville, Illinois; LAURA, wife of STEPHEN O. TAYLOR, of Lafayette; ANNA, widow of H. GATES; J.W.M., who was with his father in his store until within two years, since which he has lived on a farm in Wayne Township, this county; and KATIE, wife of F.M. CURTIS, of Indianapolis. Of those deceased—ADDA died at the age of sixteen years; DANIEL died in 1875, aged twenty-eight years, and two children died in infancy.