The winter of 1871 and spring of 1872 must have been a rough one for the inhabitants of Jackson Township, especially for the people who lived around the small village of West Liberty (1.5 miles south of White Oak Cemetery).
While plotting the dates of death for Isaac and family an interesting pattern emerged. Six people of varying
ages who lived within 3/4 mile of each other died within a 2 month peiod. Isaac, age 43, died 28 Dec 1871, an adjacent farm's son Randolph McVoy, age 7,
died 10 Jan 1872, nearby neighbor Francis Leonard, age 52, died 6 Jan 1872, adjacent farm’s daughter Linna L. Miller,
age about 2 months, died 1 Feb 1872, Isaac's son William Shively, age 4, died 1 Feb 1872, and Isaacs's mother, Susannah (Shively) Townsend,
age 66, died 26 Feb 1872.
A newspaper search revealed an article that may explain the mystery.
Portland Democrat – 8 Feb 1872 (page 3, column 3)
The measles have broken out to such an extent at West Liberty,
as to break up the schools for the present. We have learned of no fatal cases as yet.
Look out for measles. No smallpox in Jay County. Deerfield is being visited by the measles.
Although I could not find any records, I believe that Isaac, his young son William, and his mother Susannah Townsend are all buried in unmarked graves in the White Oak Cemetery. Most of the area residents who died were buried in White Oak, and I believe that my ancestors were also interred there.
| Deceased | Death Date | Age | Cemetery |
| Isaac Shively | 28 Dec 1871 | 43y | Unknown |
| Francis Leonard | 6 Jan 1872 | 52y | Pingray |
| Randolph McVoy (son of J & M) | 10 Jan 1872 | 7y, 4m, 3d | White Oak |
| Linna L. Miller (dau of Daniel & Sarah) | 1 Feb 1872 | 1m, 23d | White Oak |
| William E. Shively (son of Issac) | 1 Feb 1872 | 4y, 3m | Unknown |
| Susannah Townsend (mother of Issac) | 26 Feb 1872 | 66y | Unknown |
copyright 2010 Scot Shively
last update 1 Jan 2010
since 1 Jan 2010