The Sheldon Mansion
An Historic Inn
The Sheldon Mansion An Historic Inn
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Granville Sentinel Thursday, January 4, 1934 (Retyped)
Fred C. Sheldon’s Sudden Death Shocks the Entire Community
Was Found Suffocated in His Garage Yesterday
Granville Slate Manufacturer Was Adjusting Automobile Chains When Overcome by Monoxide Gas – Had Run His Car Inside Out of the Cold and Left Doors Partly Open but not Sufficient to Carry off Poison Gas.
Granville was shocked to the depths yesterday afternoon when word reached the village that Fred C. Sheldon had been found dead in his garage at his home on North Street. He had evidently been at work putting on his tire chains when he was overcome with monoxide gas. He was found about 4:00 by Russell Flower, who has been in Mr. Sheldon’s employ for a number of years. Mr. Flower immediately called Dr. W. E. Owen, who in turn summoned the coroner, Dr. H. C. Davies. The garage doors were only partly open, not sufficiently wide to permit the deadly fumes to pass to the outside. Mr. Sheldon laid beside a rear wheel of his Ford coupe, one tire chain on and the other partly adjusted. He had been in the house after dinner and later started for downtown, evidently intending to use his small car, which was outside. He ran it into the garage out of the cold to put on the chains, with the result as described. Mr. Sheldon had been about his business in the morning and was in his usual good health and spirits. He was expected at his office at about the time he was found in the garage. When word was sent out that he was dead it seemed almost impossible to believe, as he had been seen during the day and by so many people. Fred Sheldon was sixty-three years old and came to Granville about thirty years ago. Thirty-five years ago he was united in marriage with Bertha Thorne who survives, together with his mother, who is 85 years of age and lives in Greenfield Mass., and two sisters, Mrs. F. H. Clarkson of Springfield Mass. And Mrs. F. H. Brown of Greenfield, Mass. He had been one of this country’s most important slate manufacturers and was president of the F. C. Sheldon Slate company and of the Sheldon Slate Products company. He owned quarries in Poultney, Pawlet, Wells, Granville and Rupert and had employed some men about all the time since the depression started. His men were loyal and he never forgot their trials. When his men worked they were paid good wages and they appreciated his considerate attitude toward them always. As a hobby, Mr. Sheldon owned one of the finest farms and Ayrshire dairies in this section of the state. He took great pride in these and made his efforts show good results. As a good neighbor and friend he could not be surpassed and his kindness to many will long be remembered. His beneficence was a marked trait in his character but he cared little for demonstration and said nothing of the many kind things he did for others. He will be sorely missed in this community where he had lived so long and became so well and favorably known. Fred Sheldon was honorable in his business and expected the same of those with whom he dealt. He took keen pleasure in settling accounts owed others and did so to the limit of his capacity. The depression affected the slate business, as all other lines of endeavor, but he took it all philosophically, doing the best he could and meeting adverse conditions in a much cooler and collected manner than have many other men in high positions of responsibility. His outlook on life was good and he enjoyed it. No man got more out of twenty-four hours than did Fred Sheldon. His delight in horses resulted in his becoming an efficient horseman and his familiar figure riding by each morning in good weather, with a cordial greeting to those he met, will be missed in Granville. The deceased was a member of Granville Masonic lodge and Chapter, Calvary Commandery and Oriental Temple, A.A.O.N.M.B of Troy: a past president of the Granville Rotary club, a vestryman of Trinity Episcopal church, Past president of the National Slate Association and had been a delegate at various times to political conventions. He was also a past president of the Granville Masonic club. The editor of the Sentinel feels deeply the passing of a loyal and true friend; one who always stood by, had a word of encouragement, and could understand the trials of the times and whose companionship was as refreshing as a mountain brook. The loss of such a man as Fred Sheldon leaves a void in life-makes us realize how few are our days-but it brings to us that full understanding of the blessings arising from true and loyal friendship. He has gone to a just reward and we grieve at his passing; but we enjoyed him while he was with us and we will hold his memory as one of our choicest possessions. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the sorrowing wife, mother and sisters at this time of their bereavement. Funeral services will be held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar of Hudson Falls in charge. Rev. Henry Hogg, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, will also officiate. |
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The Sheldon Mansion 48 North Street Granville, New York 12832 (518) 642-0000 Copyright © 2007 [The Sheldon Mansion]. All rights reserved. |