Sheldon, Charles M., 1857-1946

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Dr. Sheldon was the author of several religious books, the most well-known being "In His Steps". (See Kansas Collection card catalog for his works available in this library.)

From the guide to the Letters, 1899-1900, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)

Charles Monroe Sheldon was born February 26, 1857 in Wellsville, New York. His father was a Congregational minister so the family moved five times before settling in South Dakota. Sheldon attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and then Brown University graduating in 1883. In 1886 he graduated from Andover Theological Seminary and was called to the Congregational Church in Waterbury, Vermont. In the green mountain state he earned a reputation for his liberal views and his innovative and unorthodox pastoral style. While in Waterbury, Charles met Mary "May" Merriam who was the granddaughter of a parishioner visiting from Topeka, (Shawnee County) Kansas. Because May's parents were founding members of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, Charles was called to preach there in 1888. Charles and May were married in 1891 and had one son, Merriam Ward Sheldon born in 1897. Charles had survived the years in Andover and Providence by writing and selling articles. He used that skill again at Central Church when he noticed attendance at Sunday evening prayer meetings was low. He wrote a series of sermon stories and would read an episode each Sunday evening. Each story left the audience with a cliff hanger such that they would return the following week. From these Sunday evening stories came "In His Steps", or "What Would Jesus Do?" The story told reflected the growing social Gospel movement in the United States in the 1890's that questioned the morality of business leaders in modern, industrialized society. Sheldon offered a simple solution to business leaders by asking them (as Reverend Maxwell asked his parishioners in "In His Steps") to conduct their business as Jesus would. Readers in both the United States and Europe became enthralled with this story and the book quickly became an international best seller. However, Sheldon made very little money from the book due to improper copyright protection. Word of this leaked to other publishers who soon published their own versions of "In His Steps" without paying royalties to Sheldon. He was cheated out of a fortune. Charles tried not to be bitter and considered himself lucky that his message had touched so many people.

From the description of Charles M. Sheldon papers, 1887-1967. (Kansas State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 53047231

Charles Monroe Sheldon, clergyman, editor, and author. Born in Wellsville, New York. (A.B.). Brown University, graduated Andover Theological Seminary (1896), D.D. Temple College (1898), Washburn College (1900), and Brown (1923). Pastor in Waterbury, Vt., 1886-1888, and the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, 1889-1912. Minister-at-large, 1912-1915, and active again, 1915-1919. Editor-in-chief of the Christian herald in New York, 1920-1925, and contributing editor since 1925. He was the author of 42 books on religious subjects, among them In his steps (1923).

Lilla Day Moore Monroe. Born Lilla Day Moore on November 11, 1858, in Mooresburg, Ind. Married Lee Monroe in 1885 in WaKeeney, Kan., and began reading the law with Judge Slack in Indiana. Continued with her husband after her marriage and admitted to the local bar in 1894 and then to practice before the Kansas Supreme Court in 1895.

From the description of Letters to Publisher of the Independent, Mr. Monroe, and Mrs. Lilla Day Monroe, 1897 November 18, 1907 January 6, 1907 January 14, 1924 May 22. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 61287907

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn William Jennings Bryan Papers, 1877-1940, (bulk 1896-1925) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn William Jennings Bryan Papers, 1877-1940, (bulk 1896-1925) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Christian Herald. Letter 1919, Dec 26, New York City, [to] Mr. Edwin Markham, [Staten Island, N.Y.] / Charles Grant Miller. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
referencedIn Letters sent to Walter Hines Page from various correspondents, English period, 1876-1937. Houghton Library
creatorOf Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946. Charles Monroe Sheldon letters [microform], 1889-1934. Kansas State Historical Society
referencedIn [Sheldon, Townsend, Tufts, and Waterman : miscellaneous genealogical materials]. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946. Letters to Publisher of the Independent, Mr. Monroe, and Mrs. Lilla Day Monroe, 1897 November 18, 1907 January 6, 1907 January 14, 1924 May 22. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946. Charles Monroe Sheldon sermons and sermon notes [microform], 1887-1938. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Charles Monroe Sheldon/Central Congregational Church collection, 1887-1984. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Hodges, George H. (George Hartshorn), 1866-1947. Correspondence, 1893-1922 (bulk 1893-1918). Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946. [Letter] 1938 October 6, Topeka, Kan. [to] Stevens / Charles M. Sheldon. Texas Tech University Libraries, Academic Library
creatorOf Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946. Charles M. Sheldon papers, 1887-1967. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Scott, Charles F., b. 1860. Charles F. Scott papers, 1883-1938. Kansas State Historical Society
referencedIn Minus Gentry Collection of Sheldon Kindergarten photographs, 1898-circa 1908, 1898-circa 1908 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kanas Collection
referencedIn Charles M. Sheldon : practical good work among Topeka Negroes. Kansas State Historical Society
creatorOf Letters, 1899-1900 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kanas Collection
creatorOf Howard H. Russell Papers, 1840-1946 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Ripley, John W. John W. Ripley papers, 1917-1990. Kansas State Historical Society
referencedIn Howard H. Russell Papers, 1840-1946 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Owen, Jennie Small. Jennie S. Owen papers, 1909-1966 (bulk 1922-1941). Kansas State Historical Society
referencedIn Richardson, Robert Dale, 1901-1969. Papers, 1920-1969 (inclusive). Harvard University, Divinity School Library
referencedIn Ohlinger, Gustavus, 1877-1972. Papers, 1899-1962. University of Toledo, William S. Carlson Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925. person
associatedWith Central Congregational Church (Topeka, Kan.) corporateBody
associatedWith Christian Herald. corporateBody
associatedWith Gentry, Minus E. person
associatedWith Hodges, George H. (George Hartshorn), 1866-1947. person
associatedWith Monroe, Lilla Day Moore, 1858-1929, person
associatedWith Ohlinger, Gustavus, 1877-1972. person
associatedWith Owen, Jennie Small. person
associatedWith Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 person
associatedWith Richardson, Robert Dale, 1901-1969. person
associatedWith Ripley, John W. person
associatedWith Russell, Howard H. (Howard Hyde), 1855-1946. person
associatedWith Scott, Charles F., b. 1860. person
associatedWith Sheldon, Mary Merriam, d. 1950. person
associatedWith Whittemore, Luther Denny, 1858-1944. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Kansas--Topeka
United States
Israel
Kansas
Topeka (Kan.)
Kansas
Kansas
Kansas--Topeka
Subject
American diaries
American letters
Authors, American. Kansas. Correspondence, reminiscences, etc
Christian authors. Correspondence, reminiscences, etc
Congregational churches
Congregational churches
Congregational churches
Diaries
Religion in the public schools
Sermons, American
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1857-02-26

Death 1946-02-24

English

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