John Shell in hat, with a cane
Appalachian celebrities / Centenarians / Kentucky

World’s oldest man — Kentuckian John Shell

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

He never wore shoes much and chewed tobacco inveterately. He grew 3 sets of teeth during his long life, he claimed. And when he died on July 5, 1922, his oldest child was 99 years old and his youngest only seven. Other men in the mountains lived to advanced ages, but none ever came close to John Shell.

John Shell with his youngest child, James Albert.
John Shell with his youngest child, James Albert. Albert was born in 1915 to Betty Chappell Shell, who died when he was 3 years old. This is the son who accompanied John to the State Fair in 1919.

John Shell’s father Samuel, a gunsmith of Dutch descent, and his wife Mary Ann Fry Shell, moved according to one account from Pennsylvania through the Shenandoah Valley to settle in East Tennessee, where John was born in 1788 near the Roaring River. Other accounts state that both parents were born in the Carolinas. All their known children were born in Tennessee. John’s mother lived to great age; she is believed to have been 102 years old when she died in 1877.

The Shell family moved on to Kentucky, settling first on Poor Fork and later moving over the mountain to Laurel Creek/Greasy Creek in the part of Harlan that became Leslie County in 1878.

The town was originally called Licking Creek by early hunters because of deer licks there, when it was still part of Virginia. The name was later changed to Laurel Creek, justified by the laurel thickets that abound there. Then one day, John Shell shot and wounded a bear on the mountain at the mouth of Shell’s Fork on the Laurel. The bear ran off the mountain and fell into the “Blue-hole”.

The water was so deep that John could not get his bear out. The bear, in time, began to decompose. Its accumulated fat created a greasy scum that rose to the surface of the water for some time. People downstream then renamed the tributary to suit its aspects. It is called Greasy Creek to this day. Yes, John Shell had quite the reputation as a storyteller.1

Harlan became a county when Shell was 12 years old, he stated, and that he had stood on a tree stump and shouted the news to the people. This took place in 1819, which would place his age at the time of his death at 115, not 134 years old. In his early years he helped defend the settlement of Harlan against a flaming-arrow Indian attack.

John recalled the earthquake which rumbled through Kentucky in 1811, saying that it came in December, early in the morning and lasted for two days, shaking the dishes from the table and pictures from the walls. He could call to mind when the stars fell at night in long bunches and one after the other in 1837 or 1838. And John remembered seeing Daniel Boone had killed many bear, deer and wild turkeys.

Caption reads: "THE OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD”: JOHN SHELL of Leslie County, Kentucky, who will be 132 years old if he lives to see the dawn of tomorrow. Standing with him is Sergeant William Sandlin, reported to have killed or capture twenty-four Germans and destroyed half a dozen German machine-gun nests in a single day, for which he was awarded the decorations which he wears. (from Times Wide World Photos.) NY Times, September 14, 1919; p. 5
Caption reads:
“THE OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD”: JOHN SHELL of Leslie County, Kentucky, who will be 132 years old if he lives to see the dawn of tomorrow. Standing with him is Sergeant William Sandlin, reported to have killed or capture twenty-four Germans and destroyed half a dozen German machine-gun nests in a single day, for which he was awarded the decorations which he wears. (from Times Wide World Photos.) NY Times, September 14, 1919; p. 5

Only about three or four families lived in the mouth of the Clover Fork in that era, but one of them produced Elizabeth Nance (or Nantz), whom John married in 1844. Their union in turn brought forth Mary Ann, William, Nicholas, Sarah, John, Martha, Elizabeth and Alijah. They are thought to have had twelve children total.

There was the matter of getting a living. Shell was a gunsmith, a miller, a wainwright, and a blacksmith. He made knives, axes, hammers, spinning wheels, looms, and whiskey.

When the Civil War broke out, Shell rode all the way to Virginia to fight for the Confederacy. “When John Shell arrived in Virginia and finally got to see Robert E. Lee to enlist to fight for the Confederacy,” relates Shell descendent Naomi A. Middleton Taylor in a family history, “Robert E. Lee said to him, ‘Sir, I admire you for riding this far. But sir, I cannot take you because of your age.’ John Shell was disappointed. You see, he was 74 years old.”

After the death of his first wife and after he was well over one hundred years old, John married Elizabeth Chappel and had one son by her, Albert James Shell. She died when the child was three years old.

Front and northeastern side of the John Shell Cabin, located on Kentucky Route 2009 in southeastern Leslie County, Kentucky, United States. Built in 1850, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Front and northeastern side of the John Shell Cabin, located on Kentucky Route 2009 in southeastern Leslie County, Kentucky, United States. Built in 1850, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

John and Albert went to the Kentucky State Fair in 1919 as guests of the governor and John was displayed as the oldest man in the world. Many folks at the fair doubted his claim of age. He became ‘biling mad,’ stormed home and found a tax receipt which showed he had paid taxes in 1809.

He argued that he must have been at least 21 years old at the time to have done that. Harlan County tax lists, however, show that he first appears in 1844 which would place his birth date at 1822, not 1788.

At the time of his last appearance in the lowlands, ‘Uncle John’ weighed 130 pounds and was 5 feet 5 inches tall. It is said that he was breaking a horse to ride on his last day and that he fell off and hurt his back. He died that night.

Many Shell descendants live in the Harlan area to this day.

Sources: Oldest Man in World is Buried in Kentucky, “New York Times”, July 11, 1922
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~seky/folfoot/014.html
https://www.elysedouglas.com/single-post/2017/10/06/MY-134-YEAR-OLD-KENTUCKY-%E2%80%9CUNCLE%E2%80%9D
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kyborn/familyphoto259.html

More articles on individuals who lived to ripe old age:

One of the oldest Confederate veterans(Opens in a new browser tab)

Had I remained in the grand army of the Emperor I would feel perfectly safe(Opens in a new browser tab)

‘Granny Dollar’: a poignant tale of passion, betrayal, theft, and death.(Opens in a new browser tab)

  1. Writer Alice Cobb transcribed the following John Shell tall tale for Pine Mountain Settlement School’s newsletter Notes, March 1927: ”I was a-goin to the store for coal oil through a leetle piece of woods when all of a suddint I seed right a-fore me a wild cat a-settin in the road. I turned round to run back and thar behind me sat another. I run up the hill a piece and stood a-watchin, allowin I’d go home fust chance, When them two cats begun to growl and then to spring and claw at each other’s hide, a-jerkin out the fur. They fit and fit and every time they’d jump at each other they’d rise a leetle higher. Purty soon they ris plum out of sight and never come down. Well I went home, but the next day I passed that way again and the fur was still a-fallin’.”

76 comments

  2. John Shell is my great great great great grandfather and i think he would have been a great person to meet. He does reflect so many other people in my family line that descend from him. I am descended from his child, John.

  3. Those three sets of teeth, if true could be related to a good regeneration gene. A long life combined with good telling story skills make him an interesting man.
    nellie

  4. I’m from Harlan, and I’m descended from a John Shell (originally Schell/Schild) from PA, but I don’t think it’s this guy!?

  5. I am from Hoskinston, KY orginally and Albert Shell (Son of John Shell) was my grandfather. Making John Shell my great grandfather. I heard many stories of him while growing up from Pi Pi as we called (Albert). Seems like at a very young age I saw the cabin where John Shell lived in greasy creek, KY.

  6. My Name is nathaniel Shell i have a family tree that is almost completed and am wanting to add any family that is related to old man john shell. father samuel shell please call me at 615 200 5601 or email me at NathanielShell@Live.com…ps kim shell please contact me reguarding albert shell thanks

  8. John was my great great grandfather. His youngest son Albert was my great grandfather and Albert’s son Noah my grandfather. Noah grew up and worked the coal mines in Harlan and had 14 children, one was my mother Jackie Shell.

  12. my great uncle children owns the home that John Shell lived in . I ave been in the house,i have pics of me when i was 12 or 13 around the house. I plane on moving there this year

  15. I’m his great great granddaughter. His tall tale traits definitely run in my family. It at least gives me hope I will live to be in my 100’s.

  16. I too am a descent of John Shell down the line. In our family books we have pictures of John and his sons. We (Shells) descents of Landon Christopher Shell and Alice Irene Hefner Shell are having our anual family reunion on June 23, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until, with lunch being served at 12:30. It will be held at Faith Freewill Baptist Church 1308 Jamestown Road Morganton N.C. 28655. Take exit 100 (Jamestown Rd.) off I-40 and follow signs to church fellowship hall. We ask that you bring a well filled picnic basket, photos, and any other memorabilia you can share with us;as keeping our family ansestory “alive” for our children is very important. You may contact Anne Jones (828)764-3724 or Clifford Rose (828)733-4441 if you have any questions. We pray all relatives do attend and are doing well. We look forward to seeing you and meeting new relitives. God Bless You All.

  17. Hi we are just on our way home from our annual trip to my relatives who own John Shells old house when we stumbled on this article…my great aunt Sara who lives across the road from the old house loves to share and get information about the family history and is currently in the process of replacing John Shell’s headstone that was stolen. Just talked to her … until she gets her email up you can email me any info or questiions and i will pass along to her … lauralistenjem@hotmail.com

  18. I am asking that all family please send me a copy of your blood line. also you may get a copy of mine at anytime for your records. my email is NathanielShell@Live.com…also check us out on facebook look for ole man john shell and click add as friend and i will be able to approve you. i am trying to get all family to connect and learn about each other. i have so much information on john shell. so it may take me a little bit to go though this and i will let you know if you have any questions. thanks so much and i will see u on faceboook

  19. I am very excited to see this information!! Before my grandpa died (Charlie Shell) from Hazard Ky, he use to tell me stories about John. I tell people about our family history but am often told that is just not possible so to see this is a God Send. Thank you all who have posted information. Thank you, Cris Shell

  20. He was my grandmother Allie Shell Halcomb’s Grandfather she told me stories about him My mother Minnie H. Lewis also told little things he use to do. I am very proud to be in his family . I ordered a book that a lady from London , KY wrote its a reall good book has a lot of information on him. I wish i could have known him.

  21. My mother Martha Rose Sailor says her half sisters are kin to him some way. Her sisters are Cubia, Jessie, Polly, Dallie, Giles, Elemer, and Billy. My mother and her sisters had the same dad. His name was Robert Sailor. Her step mother was Mallie Shell, who I think is my mother’s half sisters’ mother. My mother Martha Rose Sailor is from Eastern Ky up in Pineville. My mother’s mom’s name was Dorothy Brock.

  22. John Shell is my great-great-great-great grandfather. He is my grandfather’s great-great grandfather. And my grandfather was Hampton Jewel Middleton. My grandpa Jewel mother was Baltie Ellen Shell Middleton. My mother wrote a book about John Shell and some of the family. I just seen this and wanted to put a few words in here.

  23. I will get my geneology information out and get back with you.
    I have the bloodline that I will forward. I am looking forward to the reunion.

  24. John Shell was my 7th Great Grandfather. It’s so wonderful to hear about him and the others who knew stories about him. We need to organize a reunion of all of his descendants! We should be able to connect with thousands via Ancestry.com

  25. My name is Steve Cornett and John Shell was my grandmother Maudie Shell’s great great grandfather. My grandmother had a sister named Jackie Shell whom she was separated from at an early age due to the death of her mother and the murder of her dad at an early age. Sshe lost contact with Jackie and still cries for her almost 75 years later. PLEASE PLEASE help me find out where Jackie is… My phone number is 606-589-6432…Someone out there has to know what happened to her. Please help an old woman reunite or bring closure to 75 years of not knowing. Thanks and God bless…

  26. I found out from a relative that this is one of my ancestors. I love finding out such an interesting history about my family!

  27. John Shell is my great, great, great grandfather! I too have heard many a story about his life. There is an annual reunion held at the old home place on 2009 every spring… It is wonderful! Please make plans to attend! Last year I was so surprised to see many folks that I knew there… I had no idea that we were related through this common ancestor! Get your family tree together and show up! Check the web site for more info

  28. John Shell is my 3rd great grandfather. I descend from his daughter Mary Ann who married Eli Huff. My mother, who was 17 when he died, said the last day she saw him he was riding a horse. There are many questions about his age at death. His death certificate shows he died at age of 114 on July 5, 1922. Date of birth listed as Sept. 15, 1807. Informant was Sam Creech. 1860 census lists his age at 37 and 1880 census shows age as 58. Probably born in 1822.

  29. Two errors in previous post. Forgot the second “b for my first name. John Shell is my 2nd great grandfather.

  30. I have a collection of pictures from my grandmother (deceased)(Lillian Callahan Gross) Buckhorn, KY – she was born in 1887 – The back of the picture says John Shell – 100 years old when taken. Many of the pictures she left me are from 1905 – 1930. I have other pictures with writing on the back that are from the same roll of film and I date it about 1922.

  31. John Shell was my 4th great grandfather.. I think that is correct. I go by his old house all the time and I think of how simple life must have been for him down on Greasy Creek. Wish I could have spent time with him also… I coach baseball at Harlan County High School and I tell what stories I know about John Shell to my players and to people in Harlan County.. I’m very proud to be associated and connected to the name “John Shell”…

  32. I am the son of Birchel Hoskins and Dorothy Shell Hoskins, Atkins. William Shell and Mary (Nolan) Shell were my grandparents. William was the son of JPM and Armintie (Farley) Shell. JPM was the son of “Old man John Shell”. I have been to the old house many times. I grew up on Greasy creek till I was 12 years old in great Grandpa JPM’s house. I have tons of records about Old man John’s family. I have an article from Springer Hoskins at Hyden, Ky. who owned a paper called The “Springboard” He supposedly confirmed John Shell to be 114 at his passing. (according to a poll tax receipt)

  33. My father, Chester Preston Karrick, taught school in the hills where Uncle Johnny lived. My father taught there from the fall of 1921 and most of the year 1922. He lived in the loft of Uncle Johnny’s home during this time.
    One day he came home from school and headr a hammering behind the house. Being curious, he rounded the house and saw Uncle Johnny buiding something. When asked, he said “I am building my casket.” He died a few weeks later. My father was a preministerial student so he conducted Uncle Johnny’s funeral and burial service. People from all around the area came to the funeral

  34. My name is Don Zigga. I have a Marriage bond from Kentucky that says John Shell was a very old man. It says he was married to Elizabeth Chappell whom was 40 years old and he was 119. I understand that Albert was at his funeral when he was 7 years old in 1922 which would make John Shell approximately 125.

    I am from the line that goes from me to Sandra Gussie Green to Elizabeth Stella Shell and Israel Green to Allison Shell and Macca Duff, to John Shell. I presently live in Kenai, Alaska.

    I have been gathering information on family lines to include the Battles, Culpepper’s, Sueck’s, Zigga’s, Buckart’s, Feathers’s, and others.I have found people that were knight’s, Kings and Queens, Sheriff’s, Jarl’s from several countries that include English, Scandinavian (Norway, Sweden, and Finland), French, German, Dutch, (Australasia), Italy, Turkey, Portugal and others. I may need some help in running the lines to make sure the information is right. The information makes us part of the Vandals, Saxons, Anglos, Germanics, Gauls, possibly related to Druid Royalty and others.

  36. I was working on my ancestry and found John Shell as one of my relatives. I thought when I was adding the data that it had to be wrong and that he couldn’t have been 100 plus years old. As I went about checking the census, sure enough he was listed in the 1850 and 1860 showing he was born about 1822. So, he might not have remembered how old he was in 1915 and on but he was probably about 100 when he died. He still looked great and sure did seem to have a lot going for him with all the things that were reported that he was still doing. Horses are dangerous is all I hear from my friends and though I am only 60, I do still ride and find it to be a lot of fun. I think that he lived so long because he did what he loved. I also saw in the census that the woman he married after his wife died had been their servant. She was listed in two census…1900 and 1910 then she was listed as married to him in 1920 with a child. So, good for him for having such a great following and I hope my genes are as good as his and many of his family that were alive around that time.
    Deborah

  38. Old man John Shell was my great, great, great uncle..to the best if my knowledge. I would love to hear more about him.

  39. My moms husband, Logan Shell, was related to John Shell, he was his great great great great grandfather I think. Logan was born and raised in Kentucky too and he’s said something about John shell in a newspaper article, which lead me to find this. Finding out things about people that helped me be the person I am is beautiful. And I hope to find more about the past and maybe visit up there one day. And I would also love to come up there in the future one day and learn more about the shell family

  40. This is my great great great great grandpa.
    I’m the first person in the entire generation to have the 3 sets of teeth.

  42. https://imgur.com/a/jlTEo

    Here is a picture I found recently in old Serbian newspaper from 1920. The text under the picture goes like:

    The oldest man on earth, 130 year old American John Shell, former farmer, who is married for 90 years, and lives in the same house for 75 years.

    It is repeated in several other languages due to Serbia (then Kingdom of Yugoslavia) having a couple of official languages at the time

  43. John Shell was my great great grandfather, too. My maternal grandfather was Leonard E. Schell (born Shell in 1899; I’ve no idea when the spelling changed). My grandfather had 12 brothers; I can only remember Bill, Cecil, and, I think, Lonnie. Does anyone know Who my grandfather’s father was?

  44. Oh, my daughter has a second set of permanent teeth behind her first set, so there must be something to the story.

  45. Another of my grandfather’s brothers was Chester. I read an article (full page) in the Louisville Courier Journal that claimed John Shell grew 5 (!) sets of teeth.

  46. my father is James Albert Shell He is 90 years old still works 12 hours a day at Sterling Materials in Ky. I have visited John Shells house many times . We are also 3rd cousin of Alvin York .

  47. John Shell is my great great great grandfather. I am the daughter of Leslie Howard, son of Lawrence and Oma Howard of Greasy Creek. I have heard this story many times and I never get tired of hearing it. He sounds like a very interesting man!

  48. I have studied and found that he was likely 100 when he died according to tax roll records – his mother may have outlived him, she lived to 102.

  49. Great Grandfather Samuel_Shell married June Elizabeth Taylor: (no other info) Grandfather William Landon Shell Born 11/28/1876 in Carter County, Tenn. married Anna Sybil Belle in Ash County N.C.
    My Dad John Henry Shell Born 2/10/1921 Carter County, Tenn.
    I’m John Henry Shell Jr. Don’t know if there is a connection here, would appreciate any info…

  50. John Shell was my 3rd great grand uncle. His brother Solomon was my 3rd great grandfather. Elizabeth Chappell was my great grand aunt. Her brother Allen “Al” Chappell was my great grandfather.

  53. I would like to add that his photo is on the first page of a great book on the kentucky rifle. I believe the book is called “The Kentucky Rifle” and was written by John Dillin.

  54. I find it hard to believe the story of 3 sets of teeth. Also kind of far fetched that he fathered a child when past 100. But I suppose anything is possible?

  56. My name is Searra. This man is my 4th or 5th great grandfather. His daughter Orgie Shell and her mother Sally Ann Bailey [ born north ] . From records and stories my great grandmother Dovie Wells [born Nantz] would tell, This man had two woman at the same time. He had a wife and her name was Mable Or Mabb ? The other woman who raised Orgie, Sarah was supposed to be full blooded Indian.. I’m trying to find more research that’s correct.

  57. I’m Everett Nantz,my great g-max way Orgie Shell. Orgie married Roscoe Nantz move from Leslie Co to Whitley Co. they settled in the Steel Holler, that’s where my family strung from. Don’t know how back John Shell is to me. If anyone has any information about Orgie Shell I would sure love to know. If there is a reunion for 2023 what is the date?

  59. John Shell was my maternal grand father’s great great great grandfather. I’ve heard many stories about this man before my grandfather died. He was very proud if the legacy this man left behind. He was a folk lore to many Kentucky people. My grandfather came to Oregon in the early 40s with his father. I would appreciate kind words regarding my late grandfather. Some stories are true others may be false but please do not affect John Shells legacy. ThN you.

  60. The Legacy? The legacy was he was with both woman? That was normal back then? It’s my grandfather also. I can comment what I want, and it’s the truth. If your claiming the man as your grandfather maybe you should do some investigating also. This isn’t about pride or ego. It’s about history….

  61. John Shell was a liar. Jamanetwork.com The death of John Shell July 29, 1922 I L Nasher I exposed the John Shell ” the oldest man in the world ” Fake , Shelly Shell is in prison for 5 felonies to include murder . Ernie Shell is a conman and scammer. And arrested for stealing a van. The Shell s are trash !!!!

  63. I believe John Shell is my fourth Great Grandfather. My father is Jack William Shell Jr. His dad is is Jack William Shell Sr. My Great Grandfather was Named William Shafter Shell. And my Great Great Grandfather was Abijah Shell. I do have a profile on Ancestry. I’m also accepted into the Facebook page. I would love to find out more about family. If anyone is active on Facebook. Feel free to message me.

  64. Does anyone have anything informative to add? So many questions, so little answers. Everyone just asks their own questions or ignore others questions. Not doing very well on the fact finding.

    1. Reunion?
    2. Any information passed Samuel, john shell’s dad.

  65. My name is Kendra Asher Bond. My grandfather was Clisby Bertchel Shell. John Shell was his great grandfather. I’ve heard. Many stories of John Shell. What wonderful man to read about and be related.

  67. This is my great, great, great, great grandfather. My descendants (his son) Aaron Shell who married Rhoda Musick-(their son) William Shell who married Mary Ellen Powers- ( their daughter) my great grandmother) Dora Bell Shell who married Daniel R. Burchett- ( their son my grandfather) Frank D. Burchett married Dorthy Melda Thompson- (their daughter, my mother) Helen Irene Burchett

  71. This is my great great great great grandfather. I come from the shell/ huffs. It’s interesting to look into the lives of past family.

  73. Harlan County KY was formed from portions of Knox and Floyd Counties in 1819. If John had a tax bill from 1809 it couldn’t have been a Harlan County tax bill. So. Harlan County might not have taxed him until 1844. Someone needs to check the records for Knox and Floyd Counties in 1809. His record is bound to be in one or the other.

  74. He was my great great grandfather. My mom always said she remembered Him well. I am proud to be part Shell

  75. Someone is lying. Either that or most of you claiming you’re kin to him are all related! 😂

  76. If you ever met a shell, you would know why we could all be related. Im not sure which generation I am, I am just now learning. I am 40. My grandfather was Herman shell and he had 3 complete families with 4 kids each. He had a brother and a sister and im trying to see how far it goes up. They lived in McKenzie tn at the time of his death, but from what I’ve heard all over west tn. Im not sure if its the same line of shells. Just trying to figure it out. But I know we are hard headed, speak our minds and well they liked to procreate. 😆.

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