W. D. SHAW

SHAW

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/22/2020 at 15:59:24

W. D. SHAW, a well-known citizen and prominent stock-raiser of Adams county, Iowa (post office Briscoe), was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1835. His parents, John and Sarah (Harsha) Shaw, were both natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was born in Scotland, came to America at an early day, and took part in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandparents were John and Esther (McMillen) Harsha; the former was a cabinet-maker, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The father of W. D. Shaw was an enterprising and successful farmer all his life. He lived and died on the same farm, which has been known by the name “ Shaw ” for more than 100 years. He was a prominent member of
the United Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was also a member. February 4, 1879, at the age of seventy-five years, he was called from labor to reward. His wife passed away July 24, 1868, at the age of sixty years. Of the thirteen children born to them, at this writing, five are still living.

W. D. Shaw inherited the patriotic spirit of his worthy sires, and like them in the time of war risked his life for the freedom of his country. In April, 1861 he enlisted in the three months service, Pennsylvania having her quota of troops filled in the seventy-five thousand call. His regiment returned home, and in August started again for the field— this time for three years, or during the war. He was Sergeant in Company A, Eighty-fifth Regiment, army of the Potomac, and his first duty in battle was the Peninsular campaign, under General McClellan. He took part in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Baltimore Cross Roads, Fair Oaks, Seven Days’ Battle, Black Water, Folly Island, Morris Island and the siege of Charleston. He was then detached from his regiment and appointed to receive recruits and forward them to the army, having his headquarters at Camp Reynolds (Braddock’s fields), Pennsylvania; during all his service he was never wounded or taken prisoner. His discharge dates November 22, 1864, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Shaw’s brother, Joseph, served the same term of service in the same company; another brother, James, now living in Guernsey county, Ohio, served four years in the First Regiment of Virginia Cavalry.

After the war Mr. Shaw engaged in farming in Pennsylvania; in 1869 he came West and located where he now resides, in section 4, Lincoln township; his residence, one of the most attractive in Adams county, is beautifully located, overlooking, as it does, a magnificent tract of country.

January 22, 1875, Mr. Shaw married Miss Sarah Bancroft, a daughter of Augustus and Abiali (Flagg) Bancroft, natives and residents of Grandmanan, New Brunswick. They have three children: Sadie M., born October 28, 1875, Fred. W., August 4, 1877, and Charles S., September 11, 1879. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Shaw is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R.

Adams Biographies maintained by Kathy Parmenter.
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