David S. Shellabarger

David Sterritt Shellabarger Jr.
Born	Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 2, 1913(1913-01-02) (aged 75) Red Bluff, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Financier, industrialist, politician
Years active	1855–1913
Known for	Owner of Shellabarger Milling Company; pioneer in electric streetcar systems in Illinois; former mayor of Decatur, Illinois

David Sterritt Shellabarger Jr. (July 11, 1837 – January 2, 1913), frequently referred to as D.S. Shellabarger, was a prominent American financier, industrialist, and Republican figure from Illinois.

Throughout the 19th century, he held ownership in early banking institutions, coal operations, streetcar lines, grain elevators, and milling businesses. The Shellabarger lineage ranks among the earliest milling dynasties in American history, with origins tracing back to 1776. By the turn of the 20th century, the Shellabarger Milling Company had grown to become the largest corn mill globally and one of the foremost wheat flour producers in the United States.

Life

Born on July 11, 1837, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, David Sterritt Shellabarger Jr. was the son of David Sr. and Catharine (née Burly) Shellabarger. His paternal great-grandfather resided near Lucerne, Switzerland, while his maternal great-grandfather originated from Germany before settling in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Isaac, David Sr.’s father, emigrated from Switzerland in 1763 amid British colonial expansion and established the family’s milling business. The enterprise was continued by David Sr. alongside his brothers Isaac and John.

At eighteen years old in 1855, David Jr. pursued business prospects emerging in the western United States due to railroad development. With financial backing from his father, he traveled by rail to Decatur, Illinois, where his uncles had established commercial ventures. Upon arrival, he joined his uncle Isaac’s lumber enterprise.

Personal life and death

On January 7, 1862, David wed Anna E. Krone, daughter of pioneer David Krone, in Decatur. The couple had eight children before Anna passed away in Salina, Kansas. David Sterritt Shellabarger Jr. died in Red Bluff, California in 1913.

Milling and Elevator career

In 1856, Shellabarger reached Decatur, Illinois, equipped with a loan from his father. He initially acquired a one-third stake in Henkle, Shellabarger and Co., which he sold three years later to purchase The Great Western Mill. He subsequently rebranded it as Shellabarger Mill. By 1888, he formalized the operation into Shellabarger Mill & Elevator Co., capitalized at $250,000 and distributing one-sixth of the stock each to his three sons.

An innovative businessman, Shellabarger embraced technological advances such as roller milling techniques and GEO T Smith purifiers early on to enhance efficiency and worker safety. He procured grain primarily from Midwestern farmers and expanded by purchasing additional mills and elevators throughout Illinois and Kansas. Over time, his focus shifted predominantly toward corn milling rather than wheat.

By 1901, his company managed substantial milling and elevator infrastructure capable of processing approximately 250,000 bushels annually with storage facilities holding up to 10,000 barrels of flour and corn products. This operation generated revenues near $2 million per year.

In 1902, along with Cerealine and other western millers, Shellabarger helped establish American Hominy Co., divesting the Decatur mill property but maintaining majority ownership stakes. The capital raised supported further growth of Shellabarger Elevator Co. and Shellabarger Grain Products Co. By 1910, the elevator firm controlled thirty-five elevators nationwide with a total storage capacity exceeding 1.25 million bushels—more than half constructed with fireproof materials—and marketed goods under the Big "S" brand.

Confronted by insect infestations and Prohibition-era difficulties, Shellabarger Grain Products transitioned entirely to soybean flour manufacturing by the 1930s. It secured the inaugural patent for "Diataste," a trademarked soybean flour product. This development played a crucial role in establishing Decatur, Illinois as the "soybean capital of the world." In 1938, W. L. Shellabarger sold both the company and its patents to Spencer Kellogg & Sons, Inc.

Streetcar and Coal Enterprises

As a trailblazer in the streetcar sector, Shellabarger played a key role in establishing Illinois' inaugural electric streetcar system, which was also the third of its kind in the United States. In 1883, he assumed the presidency of the Citizens' Street Railway Company, which he officially incorporated, and by 1889 had successfully converted its initial route to electric power. Later, in 1895, he merged Citizens into the City Electric Railway Company and was responsible for constructing Decatur's Transfer House, a central hub facilitating transfers between streetcars and Illinois Traction System trains. By 1899, Shellabarger reorganized this enterprise as The Decatur Traction and Electric Company, eventually selling it in 1903 to the W.B. McKinley syndicate, operators of the Illinois Terminal Railroad.

In addition to his transportation ventures, Shellabarger held the position of President at the Manufacturers and Consumers Coal Company of Decatur. From 1902 onward, he also served as both president and a board director of the National Bank of Decatur.

Political Involvement and Civic Contributions

Shellabarger's influence extended well beyond his commercial pursuits into political and civic realms. A dedicated member of the Republican Party, he cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. His public service included roles as alderman from 1869 to 1871 and mayor of Decatur in 1872, during which time he initiated the city's first waterworks system. He also represented Decatur township on the board of supervisors from 1880 to 1881 and devoted fifteen years as both member and president of the local board of education. In 1904, he sought a congressional seat but was defeated by William B. McKinley.

Shellabarger played a vital role in securing funds to found Millikin University, promptly matching a $100,000 pledge made by James Millikin. Furthermore, in 1910, his residence in Decatur was transformed into an annex for the city’s high school.