W. C. Shelton, one of the prominent attorneys of Houston County, was born August 28, 1857, and is one of M. F. and W. F. (Pope) Shelton’s family, who was born in Dickson County. The father is now retired from active business life, but was formerly a merchant and trader, being very prosperous in his business enterprises before the war. Both parents are now residing in Erin. Up to fifteen years of age our subject’s days were spent on a farm. He worked in a blacksmith shop six months, and then became salesman in general merchandising stores in New Providence, and also clerked in other stores in Montgomery County for three years. His early educational advantages were limited, but by application at night he secured a very good education. After his eighteenth birthday he was for three years with D. G. Beers as surveyor for county maps and atlases. He read law at different times, and read “Blackstone” in the office of H. H. Buquo, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1881. October 10, 1883, he wedded Alice Amos, of Warren County, Ky. One daughter, Lillie A., has blessed their union. Mr. Shelton is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the most highly respected and popular young men in this section of Tennessee. He is thoroughly self-made, and has been eminently successful in the practice of his profession. He is candidate for the office of attorney-general of his district, and, owing to his ability, his many excellent qualities and hosts of friends, bids fair to be elected.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

Source: Goodspeed, Weston A, and John Wooldridge. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Montgomery, Robertson, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham and Houston Counties. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1886.