Jairus R Shockey
Rank: 1st Private, Co. A, 10th PA Reserves
Descendant: Donald S.
Jairus Rufus Shockey, the son of Levi and Barbara (Miller) Shockey, was born at Salisbury in Somerset County, Pennsylvania on 3 Oct 1835. In the 1850’s, he moved with his family to Wellersburg, also in Somerset County.
On 18 April 1861, Jairus enlisted in Company A, 10th PA Reserves. The official records describe him as being 25 years old, five feet eight inches in height, fair complexion, gray eyes, dark brown hair, and by occupation, a carpenter. He participated in 11 major battles. He was injured on 30 June 1862 during the Seven Days Fight in the peninsula and was hospitalized at Harrison’s Landing. On 13 December 1862, he was struck by a shell fragment during the Slaughter Pen during the battle of Fredericksburg. At the Wilderness, his unit was part of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5TH Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Jairus was honorably discharged 11June 1864 at Pittsburg, PA. He returned to Wellersburg, PA and served one term as mayor of the borough of Wellersburg. He then moved to Delphi, Indiana where he was a carpenter and contractor. Jairus died in Delphi on 20 November 1910. His obituary appeared in the Delphi Journal on 24 November and reads as follows:
At his Mortonville (part of Delphi) residence at 3:30 o’clock on Tuesday Morning, Jairus R Shockey, one of the most prominent members of the local G.A.R. post, responded to the Last Taps and passed from this earth after an illness of a few days. His death was due to infirmities of old age. He was well known and highly respected throughout this county in which he had been a resident for 44 years.
Jarius R Shockey was born at Salisburt, PA 3 Oct 1835. He was well a Educated man, having graduated from the Petersburg, PA Normal School and taught several years in the state. He was married to Catherine Ann Dehaven on 20 May 1858. To this union Were born 7 children of whom 6 survive. He served as Mayor of the city of Wellersburg, PA.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Co A 10th PA Reserves and distinguished himself throughout with gallant service. In the fall of 1864, he was honorably discharged and came to this county where he has since resided. He was a member of the common council of this city for one term. To his family, He was a kind and loving husband and father, and to his friends and acquaintances, he was an honest and upright gentleman.