----Source: NEILLSVILLE REPUBLICAN PRESS (Clark County, Wis.) 03/21/1879
 

Sheldon, Harleigh William (1850 - 1879)

Died, at his residence in this place (Neillsville, Clark County), on Saturday, the 15th of March, 1879, of inflammation of the bowels, Harleigh William Sheldon, aged 27 years and 10 months.

The deceased was born in Lisbon, N.Y., May 27, 1850. He entered St. Lawrence University in 1868, and graduated in 1872. He then pursued the study of law until 1875. In August of that year he located in this place as the law partner of James O'Neill, Jr., and was a resident of this place from that date until the time of his death. He was married to Miss Ida M. Sherman, daughter of Dr. R.R. Sherman, of Canton, N.Y., on the 31st of May, 1876, with whom he leaves their only child, a son something over two years old.

No greater shock, or more general sorrow, could have been felt by this community than was caused by the sudden and untimely death of H. W. Sheldon. His handsome, intelligent face was a familiar one. He was genial in his in his association, and most just and courteous in all his business transactions. He was a bright, promising young lawyer, whom the Fates seemed to have marked from his very cradle for an especial favorite. In all his brief life his path had been a pleasant one, over which no shadow had been thrown. He was blessed beyond the usual lot of men in all his domestic relations and business enterprises. But in the midst of his happiness and his successes he was called to leave them all by a messenger whose mission could not be mistaken. And the true heroism of his nature was never so well shown as when he received it. All considerations of self sank from his mind, which remained unimpaired to the last. He arranged his business to the smallest minutia with a coolness and presence of mind that was remarkable, and which might have been construed into indifference for life, but for the tender solicitude shown for his wife and child, the former of whom he prepared for her coming trial with the same heroic tenderness. He loved life, but he had no fear of death, sustained as he was by the consciousness of a blameless life. Funeral services were conducted at the Presbyterian Church by Rev. W. H. H. Ross, from which the remains were sent to his old home in New York, followed by the sincere regrets of a community that had learned to love and admire him in life. May his rest be as sweet as his memory is fragrant.