Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 430 - 431

J.R. SHOCKEY, a retired farmer who is making his home in Wichita, came to this county in 1875, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 22, Gypsum Township. There were no improvements on the land when he located there, but he built a fine residence, neat barns, granaries and other buildings, and fenced it with osage orange hedge, while a resident of the place, and lived there until 1886.

        A native of Fleming County, Ky., Mr. Shockey was born Aug. 1, 1834, and is the son of Rev. Isaac and Martha (Cummings) Shockey. His parents were natives of Kentucky and South Carolina respectively, and were prominent people in Fleming County. His father was engaged in farming, and in preaching the Word of God, in the neighborhood. They were of German and Irish ancestry, and were born, the father in March, 1802, the mother in 1813. Having been united in marriage in 1828, they were the parents of nine children, of whom J. R. was the third.

        Reared on the paternal farm, the subject of this sketch remained at home until he was eleven years old, at which time he commenced to work in a cotton-mill as spinner, which he continued for about two years. Crossing the Ohio River into the Buckeye State, for the next two years he was employed in a tanyard, and then returned to Kentucky, where he worked on a farm until his marriage in 1860. With his young bride, he then settled on a farm in Nicholas County, where he remained until 1863. In that year he sold his property and removed to Illinois, and located in McLean County, some sixteen miles east of Bloomington, where he owned a farm, and made his home until 1875, at which time he migrated to Kansas, and has since made this county his home. Settling on a farm as mentioned above, he made it his residence until 1886, when he traded this property for some improved lots on South Topeka avenue, and in April, 1887, removed to Wichita, and purchased two lots on South Market street, where he now lives, and where he has built a handsome and comfortable home, and otherwise improved his surroundings.

        Possessing the entire confidence of the community in which he lived, while a resident of his farm he was honored by having bestowed upon him the offices of Township Treasurer and School Director. The former of these positions he retained for two years, and the latter for four. Having the interest of the religious training of the rising generation at heart, he organized the Sunday-schools in Gypsum Township, and labored faithfully and long for their advancement, and many now in that locality would gladly welcome him back to their community, as they miss his guiding hand and active exertions in the Christian work. He and his most estimable wife are both members of the Christian Church, and evince by their daily walk and conversation the reality of their religious convictions. Mr. Shockey has taken an active part in the religious life of the church for the last thirty-two years, and "grows not weary in well doing, but perseveres to the end," remembering the Divine promise that "In due time ye shall reap, if ye faint not."

        The ceremony that made one the subject of this sketch and Miss Dorthcenia Price, took place on the 20th of December, 1860. She is the niece of ex-Gov. Bishop, of Ohio, and daughter of William G. and Margaret (Bishop), Price, of Fleming County, Ky., and was born in the latter county, Feb. 3, 1838. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Shockey are the parents of three children, as follows: Ella M., Mrs. J. P. Graham, of Wichita; William B., a conductor on the Transit Motor Line, in the same city, and Irene M., at home.

        Although mostly retired from the active cares of life, Mr. Shockey has too much energy to sit with his hands folded and do nothing, and therefore employs a part of his time in speculating in real estate in the city and vicinity.

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