SHAW, George W.

SHAW, RUTHERFORD, SAWYER, STANLEY, YOUNG

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 13:38:16

Biography ~ George W. Shaw

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 593:

GEORGE W. SHAW, farmer and fruit-grower, reside on section 23, Garden Grove Township, where he owns 210 acres of land, fifty of which are in timber. He was born in Calhoun County, Illinois, December 1, 1832. His parents, NATHANIEL and ELIZABETH (RUTHERFORD) SHAW, were natives of New York and Virginia respectively. They removed to Illinois in 1817, where they resided until the death of the mother, in 1852. The father served as justice of the peace continuously from 1818 until the year 1856, when he removed to Garden Grove, Iowa, where he died, in 1865. Mr. Shaw was the youngest son of eight children. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and assisted his father in his farm work, and in raising fruit, an occupation he has followed all of his life. He came to Decatur County in 1855, and a year later settled in Garden Grove Township. His land was wild prairie, and no house in sight of his home. His farm is well cultivated, and he has planted out 10,000 apple, pear and cherry trees, besides a variety of small fruits. He commenced life a poor man, but his educational advantages were good, having attended the McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois. He has held the office of justice of the peace for fifteen years. He was married at Garden Grove, January 6, 1859, to LYDIA A. SAWYER, born in New York July 16, 1840. Their children are - CORALY L., wife of EUGENE STANLEY, of this county, has one child – MYRTLE; THYRZA, wife of PHILIP YOUNG, also of this county, has one child – EDNA; NATHANIEL L., SHERMAN, WARDER, DOWING, EVANGELINE, who died February 16, 1880; MARK M., and SUEL F. Mr. SHAW is also a director of the State Horticultural Society. Himself, wife and daughters are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he was formerly a native American, and is now a strong Republican. He has never voted the Democratic ticket, although he believes in a tariff for revenue, but with incidental protection. Postoffice, Garden Grove, Iowa.

NOTE: George's father, Nathaniel Shaw, died August 30, 1865, Garden Grove IA. George died in 1892. Lydia A. (Sawyer) Shaw died in 1923. They were interred at Garden Grove Cemetery, Garden Grove IA.

Of George and Lydia's children:
Thyrza (Shaw) Young, born Nov 1861; died 1955; interred Garden Grove Cemetery
Warder Shaw, born Jul 1868; died 1950; interred Garden Grove Cemetery
Downing C. Shaw, born Oct 1879; died 1955; interred Garden Grove Cemetery
Evangeline Shaw, born 16 Jan 1873; died 16 Feb 1880; interred Garden Grove Cemetery
Suel Foster Shaw, born July 1878; died 1928; interred Garden Grove Cemetery

Submission by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Museum, January of 2014

Note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014