John Dent Melson (1818 - 1904)

Born 31 May 1818 in Bedford, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ann West — married 27 Sep 1840 in Bedford, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 17 Mar 1904 at age 85 in Shelbyville, Shelby, Missouri, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Dana Riney [send private message]

Biography

John was a Friend (Quaker)

Research Notes

John and Mary were married at the Bedford County, Virginia Quaker Meeting House. Hinshaw's dates were written using the Quaker calendar, so the date is 27 Sep 1840, not 27 Jul.

Sources

• Hinshaw, William Wade. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. VI. (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pblishing Co., Inc., 1998) 960

Marriage Bonds of Bedford Co., Virginia

Melson 1840, 7, 27. John D. & Mary A. West. Samuel West, Surety. Married by Benjamin Meador.

• family record-

"History of Monroe and Shelby Counties Missouri 1884"

JOHN D. MELSON (Next Treasurer of Shelby County, Shelbyville).

The Melson family is one of the old and respected families of Bedford county, Va. They have been settled in the eastern part of that State for generations, and have always ranked with the best people of their respective communities. Mr. Melson was born in Bedford county, Va., and was a son of Thomas Melson and wife, who was a Miss Elizabeth Dent before her marriage, his natal day being the 31st of May, 1818. Reared in Virginia, he received a good common English education, and in 1840 was married to Miss Mary A. West, a daughter of Capt. Samuel West, a prominent citizen of Bedford county,who was a gallant oficer in the War of 1812. Mrs. Melson’s parents are still living in Virginia, each well preserved at an advanced age. Mr. Melson removed to Missouri in 1856 and settled in Ralls county, where he resided for 14 years. In 1872 he came to Shelby county, locating at Shelbyville, and here he has since made his permanent home. Mr. Melson has become well known to the people of Shelby county and is highly esteemed for his estimable qualities as a neighbor, business man and citizen. By industry and enterprise he has accumulated a comfortable property without wronging any man of a cent or doing an unjust or ungenerous act. A man of marked intelligence and public spirit, he takes a worthy and lively interest in the affairs of the county and is appreciated by the people as a man who sincerely has the public good at heart. At the primary election of this county in June (1884) for candidates for the different county oflices, he was elected for the ofiice of county treasurer by a handsome majority, which insures him a triumphant election at the polls in November. Mr. and Mrs. Melson have had a family of 11 children: Joel L., Nathaniel, Anna E., Samuel J., present sheriff of Ralls county; Isaac N., Matson N., Virginia, Sallie K., John C., Charles M'. and Mary E. Five of these are deceased, namely: Nathaniel T., who died at the age of 21, in 1863; Sallie K., Charles M., Mary E. and John C. Mr. Melson has been a member of the M. E. Church South for 22 years and his wife is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. His parents removed to Missouri in 1867 and located in Rails county. From there they came to Shelby county in 1872. His father died here in 1876. He was a veteran in the War of 1812, and received a pension during the later years of his life on account of his services in that struggle. He was born in 1780 and reached the age of 86 years. His mother died in 1872 in her eighty-seventh year. https://books.google.com/books?id=ASZEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA935&lpg=PA935&ots=u4x-F_OLM7&focus=viewport&dq=thomas+melson+and+elizabeth+dent&output=text#c_top

The Melson family in America : with special emphasis on the John-John-Daniel-Daniel-Benjamin-Samson branch that originated on the Eastern Shore of the Delaware-Maryland- Virginia peninsula

Author: Lewis B Melson Publisher: Annapolis [Maryland] : L.B. Melson, 1996.