- JOHN SHORTNEY (deceased) was for many years a familiar figure
on the streets of Janesville.
- Though confined closely to the house during the last part
of his life, he is remembered as an exceedingly honorable and
upright man, and a choice spirit by those privileged to count
him as an intimate friend.
- Mr. SHORTNEY was born in London, England, Sept. 14, 1822,
only child of John and Ann
- SHORTNEY. His father, who was a London merchant, died in
1824. The infant son was then taken by his aunt, Letitia AINSLEY,
and under her fostering care he grew to manhood. When about
twenty-eight years old he came to this country, his two aunts,
Miss AINSLEY and Mrs. Jane PARRIS, supplying him with clothing
and plenty of money with which to make a fair start in the New
World. The voyage was disastrous. The craft was a sailing vessel,
and took seven weeks to make the journey. On the way over a
severe storm carried away one of the masts, and all but wrecked
the vessel. Everything movable on the ship had to be thrown
overboard, and Mr. SHORTNEY lost his money, his clothes, and
everything he possessed in the world except the suit he wore,
and his letters of introduction and credit. He landed in New
York without resources, and at a loss where to go. He let chance
decide, set up his cane, and went in the direction it fell, which
was west. He made his way to Rome, N.Y., secured work, and saved
money that brought him, after a year's delay, to Janesville.
- Mr. SHORTNEY arrived in Janesville in 1850, and at once began
clerking for Ensign BENNETT,
- and worked for him about two years. Leaving him, he entered
the general store of Charles STEVENS, with whom he continued
until he was offered a position as bookkeeper in the Badger State
Bank, at Janesville. He was rapid and accurate, and remained
with the proprietor, Edward L. DIMMOCK, until his failure, in
1858. After the closing of the bank Mr. SHORTNEY was a partner
in the book and stationery business for a year with James SUTHERLAND.
He worked for the American Express Co., and then became bookkeeper
for M. C. SMITH & Co., and was with them twenty-one years,
until their sale to BORT, BAILEY & Co. He kept on with the
new firm for a year, and then kept books for his former employer,
Mr. SMITH, at Richland Center, Wis., for two years. For three
years he was manager of the estate of Peter MYERS for the widow,
Mrs. MYERS, and while still an active and vigorous man, on March
4, 1891, he fell on a slippery stairway at home, and received
injuries from which he never recovered. He died June 5, 1899,
at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. SHORTNEY was educated in a
private school in London, possessed an unusual familiarity with
literature and history, and was a deep reader, and accumulated
a fine library. He was of a somewhat reserved nature, but his
friends became warmly and deeply attached to him. He was very
orderly and precise, carried into his own matters the most exact
order, and was a fine penman. He was very ambitious in all business
matters.
- Mr. SHORTNEY was twice married. His first wife, Isabel OLDER,
to whom he was united Oct.
- 26, 1855, died April 21, 1857. On Nov. 28, 1859, was celebrated
his wedding with Miss Isobel Margaret McDONALD, daughter of James
and Jeannette (McNAUGHTON) McDONALD. To this second union were
born six children: John, Isabel, Letitia, Letitia (2), Jeannette
and James. John is not married, and is a clerk in a shoe store
at LaCrosse, Wis. Isabel lives in Detroit, Mich. Letitia (1)
died when a babe of three months. The second of that name is
a trained nurse in the city. Jeannette and James are both living
at home. Mr. SHORTNEY was an Episcopalian in religious faith,
while his wife, who survives him, is a Presbyterian. He was
a Republican, but was never a candidate for any office. James
McDONALD, Mrs. SHORTNEY's father, was born in Scotland, Aug.
16, 1810, and was educated in his native land. Coming to this
country, he made Port Jervis, N.Y., his first stopping place,
remained there three years, and then went to Caledonia, in the
same State, where he was married, and from Caledonia he moved
to Sturgis, Mich. In 1855 he moved to Chilton, Wis., and remained
there until 1874, when he came to Janesville. He lived only
a short time after his arrival in the city, dying April 4, 1877
at the age of sixty-six years and eight months. His wife died
in 1855. They were the parents of five daughters and one son.
Mrs. McDONALD was born in Johnstown, N.Y., in 1810, and was
one of a large family. Her father, Robert McNAUGHTON, was a
soldier in the war of 1812, and lived to be ninety-six years
old.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c) 1901, pp. 25-26.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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