Transcribed by Cathy Millburn

JUDGE WILLIAM SHELTON
William Shelton, b 1842 near Florence, Alabama, d 1909 in Falls County, Texas and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - was a son of James and Mary S. (Thomas) Shelton, natives of Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Fayette County, Tennessee, respectively. James and Mary emigrated to Alabama at an early date, and in 1849, moved to Panola County, Mississippi, where James died in 1871, and Mary died in 1863.
William Shelton was educated in the private schools of Mississippi, and at the Wesleyan University in Florence, Alabama. He then attended law school at the University of Mississippi.
In March 1861, at Panola, Mississippi, William enlisted in the Panola Guards for one year, and at the expiration of that time, he re-enlisted in the Confederate States Army for the remainder of the Civil War-serving in Ward's Battalion of Artillery the last three years. He began his service as a Private, subsequently being elected Lieutenant, and subsequently had the command of a company of sharpshooters. William participated in the battles of Fort Pickens, and in the siege of Vicksburg, he was slightly wounded. In the second battle of Corinth, he received a gunshot wound in the head - recovered, and was in nearly all the engagements with the Western Army.
On October 11, 1864 at Charleston, Mississippi, William Shelton was married to Anna May Riddick, b 1843 in Tennessee, d 1919 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried by her husband in Calvary Cemetery - a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Smith) Riddick, natives of North Carolina who moved to Tennessee, and later to Mississippi, where Robert Riddick died in 1858.
In 1870, William and Anna May (Riddick) Shelton moved to Marlin, Falls County, Texas, where William taught school for a number of years, being Principal of the Marlin Public Schools in 1871, and later organizing and operating a private school in Marlin - The Male and Female Academy. He subsequently established his law practice in Marlin.
William Shelton was elected Mayor of the City of Marlin in 1881-1892, and served another term as Mayor before his death, after the turn of the century. In November 1892, he was elected Falls County Judge, and served the county well during that period. The Sheltons were members of the Methodist denomination, and William was active in the founding of the First Methodist Church in Marlin. He was a member of the Masonic Order, Knights of Honor, and the Society of Brazos Rangers.
Judge William and Anna May (Riddick) Shelton reared seven of their children:
Willie May Shelton - no further information.
John Ed Shelton, b 1869, d 1940 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas.
Harry Shelton - no further information.
Octavia Shelton - no further information.
Hugh R. Shelton, b 1880, d 1943 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas.
Boisclair R. Shelton, b 1884, d 1952 - married Leila Layne, b 1893, d 1975, and both buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas.
Berdie Anita Shelton, d September 2, 1963 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas.
Judge William Shelton contributed greatly to the development of educational facilities in Marlin, and his descendants have always been keenly interested in the welfare and education of children.