AMOS W. SHELLEY, physician and surgeon, Port Royal, Juniata County, Pa., was born July 26, 1850, at East Salem, Juniata County and died in Port Royal in 1934. He was a son of Henry and Catharine (Gingrich) Shelley.
AMOS W. SHELLEY attended the Delaware Township public schools until fourteen years of age, when he removed to McAlisterville, where he also attended school. At the age of fifteen he began teaching school, and continued during the winter of 1866-67 and 68. In the years 1869-70 he attended the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, teaching school the following winter at Galion, Ohio. Mr. Shelley had been quite successful as a teacher, having those mental traits that indicate rare aptitude for the important work of an educator. But he had fixed his ambition on another field for his life work. Accordingly, in the spring of 1872, he began to read medicine with Dr. H. R. Kelley, of Galion, Ohio, which was followed the same fall by his entrance to the medical department of the university located at Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained for one year. In 1873 he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1874. In April 1874 he associated with Dr. Graham, and began the practice of his profession at Port Royal, Juniata County, where two years were passed, after which he removed to Harrisburg, practicing his profession there for several months. Returning to Port Royal, he remained there until his death, building up a fine practice, and enjoying a high degree the confidence of his patients and the respect of the community.
Dr. Shelley was married at Port Royal, December 24, 1874, to Annie M. Herr, daughter of Samuel L. and Sarah L. (Davis) Herr. They had seven children: Sarah H., wife of Rev. David T. Neely; Gertrude; Edith; Mary D.; Jay Warren; Anna M.; and Penrose Herr.
For fifteen years the Doctor was a member of the Port Royal school board, in which position he did much for the improvement of the schools, and the advancement of educational work. He was also the president of the board of health. Dr. Shelley was a member of Union Lodge, No. 324, F. and A. M., of Mifflintown; of Newport Chapter, No. 238, R. A. M., of Newport; and of Lewistown Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of Lewistown. He is also a member of the Juniata County Medical Society. In his political views the Doctor was a Republican. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, in which body he was an elder.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/20/10 - Image Year: 1930
This is a picture of Dr. Amos Shelley and his Dodge auto. This vehicle was used by the doctor to make "house calls." This picture was taken at McAfeetown, a small cluster of houses at the foot of the Tuscarora Mountain in Turbett Township of Juniata County. The Mountain can be seen in the background. (Photo contributed by grandson, Dr. Penn Purcel Shelley)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/20/10 - Image Year: 1920
Dr. Amos Shelley dressed in his Masonic regalia. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Union Lodge, No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons, Mifflintown; Newport Chapter, No. 238. Royal Arch Masons; Lewistown Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templar, and Zembo Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Harrisburg. (Photo contributed by grandson, Dr. Penn Purcell Shelley)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/20/10 - Image Year: 1910
Pictured in this photo are Dr. Amos W. Shelley on the right, an unidentified man in the middle and Frank "Babby" Eby on the left. It appears that the men may have been hunting although the one man was hardly dressed for that endeavor. (Photo contributed by grandson, Dr. Penn Purcell Shelley) (If anyone can identify the man in the middle, please notify Ray Kohler at rkohler3@comcast.net)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/21/10 - Image Year: 1925
LEWISTOWN HOSPITAL PHYSICIAN STAFF IN 1925: Doctor Amos Shelley of Port Royal is in the Back Row on the left. (Photo contributed by grandson, Dr. Penn Purcell Shelley)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 1/24/12 - Image Year: 1888
BILL TO TURBETT TOWNSHIP: To Turbett Township from Dr. Shelley (dated 2-9-1888) for treatment of the poor. (Submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/14/13 - Image Year: 1925
Advertisement for Dr. A. W. Shelley (Submitted by Wayne Taylor)
