My Genealogy Hound

Jesse C. Shell, a prominent planter and an old resident of Phillips County, is a native of Louisiana, and a son of Jesse J. Shell, who was born in Orange District, S. C, May 4, 1802. His father, Jacob Shell, first saw the light of day in South Carolina in 1771, dying in Louisiana in 1833. He was under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. His wife, Sarah Rutlidge, a descendant of Gov. Rutlidge, died in 1832. Jesse Shell, Sr., moved to this county from Louisiana, in 1833, to escape the cholera, and settling ten miles from Helena, was one of the early settlers and prominent men of the locality. He represented his county in the first legislature of the State, in 1836, and was re-elected in 1838, and again in 1840. To himself and wife were born nine children, two of whom are living: Margaret A. (the wife of Maj. Palmer, of Monroe County) and Jesse C. The latter was born in Lake Providence in 1829, but grew up in this county from his fourth year, being reared by a Mr. Mooney after his father’s death, which occurred in 1841, a result of a kick from a horse. He was employed, at the age of eighteen, as a manager, and had charge of a plantation. In 1849 he went to California, was engaged in mining for two years, and then returning, he located in this county, and was appointed deputy sheriff the same year. The following year Mr. Shell was again employed as a manager, in which occupation he was employed until the war, when he enlisted in the First Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, and served until the close of the war, being in Price’s raid through Missouri. After peace was declared he commenced farming, and has since followed that calling. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Mary Ward, who was born in Preston, England, on September 8, 1852, being a daughter of Henry and Alice Ward, who lived and died in England. She came to this country with an aunt, and was reared in the city of Cincinnati and New Orleans. They were the parents of four children: Jesse R., Walter P., James H. and Margaret C. (who is deceased). Mr. Shell owns a farm of 160 acres, which is mostly under cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Knights of Honor, holding the office of Protector in his lodge, and also belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife of the Catholic Church.