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Great Grandfather of 51 Children

The chronicling of the advent of twins at Watsonville, the Watsonville Register yesterday tells the story of the great grand father of 51 children. The Register says:

With the formal advent into this world of Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Dutton's twins last Saturday, E.A. Shain of Capitola, Mr. Dutton's grandfather, is now great grandfather of 51 children, all living.

Mr. Shain, now in his 95th years, was a visitor at the Dutton home Sunday, having been brought over from his home because of expressed disbelief in the advent of twins in his family tree. He was skeptical and had to be shown, but upon viewing the bits of wriggling humanity, he expressed complete conviction. "This is the first set of twins in the family, either side," he declared.

Mr. Shain is the father of eight children with 28 grand children, 51 great grand children, all children and great grandchildren still living. Mrs. Shain died last June. She was six months the junior of her husband. Mr. Shain is fairly hale and hearty for his advanced age and was greatly pleased with the addition to his lineage. The last family reunion was held two years ago when the Capitola hotel was used to house the family, coming from all parts of California, Nebraska and Illinois. A majority of the family now resides in this state.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 25, 1927)

DIED: SHAIN - In Santa Cruz, March 23, 1927, Elijah A. Shain, aged 94 years 9 months and 29 days, native of Kentucky.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 11 o'clock at Chase's Mortuary. Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend. Body will be shipped for cremation.

Elijah A. Shain Dies, Aged 94

Elijah A. Shain, who passed away yesterday, lived to an unusual age, that of 94 years, was one who had lived a useful and busy life and had the esteem and good will of neighbors and of many friends.

He was a native of the Southern state of Kentucky and had many of the splendid traits of those from that section.

Mr. Shain has been a mason and was a member of the Grand Army having served in the Civil War with the North.

He was for some time connected with the Rochdale store when it had a business the city.

Since the passing of his wife, his niece has resided with him at his residence at 19 Logan street.

The body is at Chase's mortuary.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 27, 1927)

Services Over Old Soldier

Funeral services were held yesterday over E.A. Shain at the chapel of Chase's mortuary. Many friends were there and the flowers sent by friends were beautiful.

Members of the Wallace Reynolds post were there and conducted the services according to their ritual.

The church services was by Rev. W. H. D. Hornaday of the East Side Methodist church and the hymns were sung by Mrs. Gridley, Miss Luella Blanchard and Rev. Mr. Hornaday.

The deceased is survived by eight children. There were 29 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.

Date of Birth: 1832-05-25?

Date of Death: 1927-23-03

County: San Francisco

Cemetery/City of Burial: Cyprus Lawn

Mortuary: CCC

Occupation: Clerk/Store

Religion: Me

Local Address: Logan St. 19

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: KY

Enlisted: 1862/08/02

Discharged: 1863/07/18

Military Unit: IL_ 78 Inf_ Co H

Rank: Cpl

Military Notes: R-Durham

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
California Death Index
Military records
Voter Records

CW Reference: W&R 1925 Roster