Shea Story

On the hill at the end of Main Street overlooking the town of Weston is the “Old Hill” or Arnold Cemetery. In this old cemetery are many old tomb stones, but one that is interesting and conjures up a love story is that of Cordelia Victoria Wetzel Shea. The monument, located at the highest point of the cemetery is an elaborately carved stone and contains the remnants of a small white marble square, which may at one time contained a likeness of the deceased. The monument is enclosed with an elaborate and probably expensive wrought iron fence and also contains a carved stone urn. At the foot of the grave is a carved stone dog, lying posed as if in a deep sleep.

The inscription carved on the monument makes one want to know the love story.

Cordelia Victoria

Beloved wife of Isaac Shea

Daughter of J. T. and Catherine Wetzel

Born Nov. 16, 1850

Died Dec. 29, 1881

Through all her placid life

This queen of marriage a most perfect wife

May she rest in peace.

What a loving tribute to one who died so young at the age of 31.

What we do know. Isaac and Cordelia’s families lived near each other in Lewis County. Isaac and Cordelia married in Lewis County in July 1871. Isaac’s place of residence at that time was Wyoming County, Iowa. In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census we find Isaac and Cordelia living in Crow Creek District, Laramie, Wyoming. They are living in a boarding house with others and list Isaac as an engineer. This clue tells us Isaac was a railroad man.

Do not know what caused Cordelia’s death, but she must have been well loved and she was brought back to her hometown for burial. Isaac remarried in 1887 to a lady named Elizabeth Fitzgerald. They had a son, Irl who was born in 1889. Irl Victor Shea was 24 yrs old when his Father died. From the records this was Isaac’s only son.

Isaac died in 1914 at his residence Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 69. An article in the Wyoming Tribune stated: “Isaac Shea, aged 69, one of the earliest and best known settlers of Wyoming, who came here in 1868, died at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, last night, according to telegrams received here today. For thirty-three years he resided in this state, before moving to Salt Lake, where he lived the remainder of his life.” His remains were shipped to Weston and accompanied by his wife and son and Mrs. Dora Mathson(Isaac’s sister). He left a vast estate both real and personal in Wyoming and Utah. It was stated he was buried in Macpelah Cemetery, Lewis County, WV.

Isaac and Cordelia probably grew up together as children in rural Lewis County, WV. Isaac Shea went West to seek his fortune. He returned when a tragic incident occurred. His brother, John Shea was killed by an Indian in 1870. He was out hunting with Isaac in Wyoming when Indians attacked, killing John with an arrow. Isaac and Cordelia were married in Lewis County, WV, July 1871. My love story goes that they reconnected probably after the tragic death of John. Cordelia most likely was a nurturing soul. Cordelia left her familiar surroundings and family to marry Isaac and travel out West. They live in a boarding house and I could see sweet Cordelia cooking and consoling troubled souls when Isaac was traveling on the locomotive as the engineer. They were married only a short ten years, when young Cordelia died. Hopeful she died without suffering, but I cannot find record of how she died. Could it been from childbirth, Indian raid, accident or illness? The tribute shows how much she was loved by Isaac. Isaac returned to the West and after 7 years remarried. Elizabeth Fitzgerald Shea appeared to be a stouter woman than Cordelia. She bore Isaac a son in 1889, Irl Victor Shea. When Isaac died his remains were brought back to Lewis County, WV accompany by Elizabeth, Irl and Mrs. Dora Mathson(sister of Isaac) He was buried in Macpelah Cemetery. Rather strange that after living better part of his life in Wyoming and Utah, that he was brought back to WV, and buried in a different cemetery than his beloved Cordelia. Elizabeth died in 1939 at the age of 78 and was buried in Utah.

We may never know the true life story of Cordelia and Isaac, but one can still be romantic and spin a lovely love story.