[1] Dr. John Shelton was a physician in Tarrant County prior to serving as a surgeon in the Confederate army, leaving his wife to care for the children and homestead.

"[3] Shelton also tutored in English at Fort Worth University,[4] which had been established by the Methodist Episcopal Church on the city's south side in 1881.

[3] She ultimately became one of Fort Worth's first female real estate developers and homebuilders, a successful venture that gave her a reputation as a shrewd businesswoman.

Prominent local woman Etta O. Newby even donated the mansion that became the club's first headquarters based on Shelton's business acumen.

"[9] During the first decade of the twentieth century, Shelton was active with the city's Park League, serving on its Arbor Day and school gardening competition committees.

[14][15] Shelton was also active in Progressive Era politics, having been selected to represent Tarrant County at the 1920 state Democratic convention in support of Pat Morris Neff's gubernatorial campaign and the party's women's suffrage platform.

[5] Her simple funeral service, led by Reverend Albert Venting of Cleburne, was held at The Woman's Club of Fort Worth's Anna Shelton Hall.