AUSTIN F SHAW

SHAW, FISKE, KELSO, BROEKSMIT, MOORE, RAY

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 11/13/2004 at 12:49:12

Austin F. Shaw is one of the foremost citizens of Maquoketa, his native city. He is closely connected with its business interests as one of its leading merchants, being a member of the firm of Shaw & Crane, hardware dealers. He is also one of the directors of the First National Bank, and a member of the Business Men's Improvement Association. He is a gentleman of fine mind, rare culture, of good executive and financial ability, and the citizens are fortunate in securing his services in the interests of the city in general.

Mr. Shaw is a son of one of the earliest settlers of Maquoketa, to whose far-reaching foresight, energy, sagacity, and sound business policy, this city is under great obligations for the impetus given it in those early days, towards its present important position as the metropolis of a wealthy and enterprising county. He was a native of Massachusetts, and when a young man accompanied his parents, who are also supposed to have been born in that State, to Otsego County, N.Y. He was married in that State, and was a resident of it until 1839, when he emigrated to the Territory of Iowa, the journey from Pittsburg being made by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He established himself in the mercantile business at Dubuque, then a small town. A year later he removed to Bellevue, and engaged in business there, but at the expiration of two years he came to Maquoketa, he having visited this city in 1838, and purchased a tract of land, which is now included within the limits of the corporation. It has greatly risen in value since he purchased it at the rate of $1.25 an acre, and it is now dotted with handsome residences and other costly buildings. In 1842, he erected a hewn log-house, and in June moved his family into it. He brought with him a stock of goods from Bellevue, and opened a store in the front part of his dwelling. But the surrounding country was so sparsely settled that he had but little trade, so he closed out his stock, and turned his attention to improving his farm. He early became interested in laying out the city and in its upbuilding, and bent all his energies to those purposes, his sagacious counsel and able assistance being of great use in establishing the little settlement on a secure foundation. He also labored with his fellow pioneers for its moral, social, and educational advancement. With others he took steps to open an academy here, which was operated successfully a few years. Politically, he was a Democrat, but he was strongly opposed to the extension of slavery, and was an ardent worker in the cause of temperance. While a resident of Bellevue he served as Postmaster of that town. His death, in 1853, was a severe blow to the highest interests of the little city for which he had done so much. He was not a member of any church, but he led an upright, Christian life, and contributed cheerfully to religious and benevolent objects. As has been said of another may be truthfully said of him: "In every relation, and under all circumstances, his character and conduct were distinguished in the highest degree by cheerfulness and courage, by rectitude, fidelity, and truth." His wife, to whom he was married in November, 1835, survived him until May 16, 1887, when she, too, passed away. She was a woman of lovely and refined character, and was a true Christian in word and deed. She was a charter member of the Congregational Church of this city, being one of the six who were instrumental in its organization in 1843, and was always among its most zealous workers until the time of her death. She had a warm, sympathetic nature, was ever charitably inclined, and was always ready to lend assistance in time of sickness. Her maiden name was Sophia Fiske, and she was born in the town of Oxford, Worcester Co., Mass., Jan. 20, 1808, being a daughter of Dr. William Fiske, a native of Massachusetts, who himself was a son of a physician. In 1820, he removed from his old home in the Bay State to Ellisburg, N.Y., and there established himself in his profession, remaining there until the close of his life. To the parents of our subject six children were born, five of whom are living, as follows: Sophia, the wife of Judge Joseph Kelso, of Bellevue; Laura, the wife of J.C. Broeksmit, auditor of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, residing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of Dr. W.H.C. Moore, of Essex, Iowa; Mary C.; John died in 1852, while yet a child; Austin F.

The latter, the only son living, was born in the pioneer home of his parents, in this city. He received the basis of a liberal education in the local schools, and in 1871 entered Cornell University, at Ithaca, N.Y., and was graduated from there, with the degree of B.S., in the class of '75. In 1876 he adopted the journalistic profession, becoming the editor of the Maquoketa Excelsior, continuing its publication until 1880. He then abandoned the editorial chair to enter business as a hardware merchant with Austin Munger, under the firm name of Munger & Shaw. In 1884, the firm name became Munger, Shaw & Co., and in 1885, still another change was effected, by which H.S. Crane was admitted into partnership; Mr. Munger retiring from the firm, and the firm name becoming Shaw & Crane.

The marriage of Mr. Shaw and Miss I.C. Ray took place in December, 1880. Two sons have been born to them, John A. and Guy R. Mrs. Shaw was born near Morrison, Whiteside Co., Ill., and is a daughter of Guy and Louisa Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have a beautiful home, he having erected a handsome residence in 1888 on a part of his father's old homestead.

Mr. Shaw is a man of accurate and extensive learning, and has done much to elevate the educational status of his native city while in connection with the School Board. He possesses sound judgment and rare business talent, and his name stands high in financial circles. His life presents a spotless record of high personal worth, and of more than ordinary success. He and his amiable wife, who is held in equal estimation by their many friends, are worthy members of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republican, ever standing firmly by his party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)