From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Thomas William Shelton was born August 15, 1828, died March 8, 1907 and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Plano, Texas. He came to Texas in 1851 from Kentucky. The first year here he rented 20 acres (where the State Fair Grounds is now) for a cotton crop. He married Lydia Rowland born November 15, 1834, died February 4, 1915. Thomas’ mother and father were deceased, and he was reared by two old maids. Later he bought 250 acres where the Canyon Creek is now.
This acreage was known as the “Shelton Place” until the late thirties. Uncle Tommie, as most people knew him, was a Baptist preacher, probably not ordained as such, and was a Sunday School teacher at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.
Thomas was a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge of Plano. He is listed with other farmers of the community in the Dallas City and County Directory published in 1881-1882. He was not only a farmer, he was a cabinet maker. A spool bed, a desk and some chairs are still being used by his descendants. Uncle Tommie and Aunt Lydia built their home on the highest point in Dallas County (Custer Road, Canyon Creek). On a clear day at that time seven little towns could be seen from their yard.
Their children were: 1) Robert Shelton, attorney at Plano, married Georgia ?. Four children were born to this union: A) Claude Shelton married Pearl Huffman of Plano; B) Leslie Shelton married Bessie Shepherd of Plano, moved to Dallas; C) Winnie Shelton married John DeWitt; D) Ralph Shelton married a Dallas girl. 2) Mollie Shelton born March 31, 1856, died February 5, 1916; married Jackson G. Summerfield Haynes, who was also listed among the farmers in the Dallas Directory 1881-1882. J. G. S. Haynes was born near Nashville, Tennessee, in Macon County, November 23, 1851. He came to Texas in the early 1870’s, later moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Two children were born to this union: A) Will Haynes married Vera ?, and later moved to Ada, Oklahoma. Will was a certified accountant. They had two children – twin girls. B) Elizabeth Semonia (was known as Aunt Lizzie). Elizabeth often visited her grandparents, the Sheltons, who were neighbors of the Campbells. She met, fell in love and married John Meade Campbell. Six children were born a) Rita Mae Campbell married James Marving McGuire, one girl. b) Ima Meade Campbell married Frank Forman of Plano, one girl; c) Robert Haynes Campbell married Bessie Pierce, no children. d) Mary Winnie Campbell married Oliver C. Harrison, Dallas, two children. e) Jack Shelton Campbell married Mildred Corley, Dallas, two children. f) Roma Routh Campbell married Stultz Smithwick, Plano, one child.
By Mary C. Harrison, Richardson
