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Thomas W. Shedden

       Obit July 24, 1906 issue of The Elgin Daily Courier

       Thomas W. Shedden, a former well known resident of Kane county, died July 1 at Tustin, California.

       Mr. Shedden was born at Aylshire, Scotland, October 12, 1837.   When he was five years of age his parents came to Elgin.   When the civil war broke out he crossed the plains and enlisted as a private in a California company, serving three years, after which he returned to California and worked in a stamp mill until ill health compelled him to quit.   In 1889 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wilkinson, who died in 1884.   One son was born to them but he died when six years of age.     In 1890 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Adams, a native of Perth, Scotland, who with a son, Thomas W., survives him.   They were married at El Paso, Texas.   After a year spent in the mines of New Mexico, they went to Los Angeles and later to Santa Anna. For the past eight years the family made their home at Tustin, where Mr. Shedden passed away.

       Last Thanksgiving Mr. Sheddeen contracted a severe cold from exposure to rain and had not been well since. His illness developed into gangrene, which started in his ankles and slowly spread. The origin of this disease was traced to mercury poisoning, contracted while working with this substance in the stamp mill.

       By reason of his army service he was entitled to a pension, but refused to accept the benefit as a matter of conscience, holding that the pension would be "blood money." He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventis church of Santa Anna.   Four brothers and two sisters survive him.   They are Robert, Andrew, J. B. Shedden. Mrs. Mary Rosborough and Mrs. M. E. Pogue of Elgin; and James Shedden of Dundee.

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