Shaw, Oliver Goldsmith – 1858-1933

SCHENCK, SHAW

Posted By: Donna Sloan Rempp
Date: 8/26/2016 at 05:30:10

O. G. Shaw Drops Dead in Newton Sunday Even.
Well Known Monroe Jeweler Stricken With Heart Failure – Age 75
Oliver G. Shaw, well-known Monroe jeweler, was stricken with heart failure as he was entering a moving picture theatre in Newton Sunday evening.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the Methodist Episcopal church in Monroe, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Monroe cemetery at the side of his wife, who preceded him in death five years ago.
According to Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Kohler, who have kept house for Mr. Shaw since the death of Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Shaw wished to see a picture show in Newton Sunday, so the three drove to the Cozy theatre and saw a picture in the afternoon, later driving out to see Mr. Kohler’s parents, who live on a farm near Newton. Mr. Shaw stayed in the car and later they drove to the Capitol theatre to see another show. Mr. Shaw purchased the tickets and then returned to the car where he talked incoherently when asked if he was going back to the theatre. It was at this time, according to Mrs. Kohler, that Mr. Shaw first felt the attack coming on. Returning to the theatre he told Mr. and Mrs. Kohler to go on in and that he would come in later as he wanted to go over to the Roswell Candy Kitchen.
Instead of going into the theatre, they waited for Mr. Shaw to join them, and when he did not return, they became uneasy, as he had been in poor health for several months. They started for Roswells and found Mr. Shaw lying in the alley between the Candy Kitchen and the Capitol theatre.
A physician was summoned who pronounced that death had been instantaneous and the coroner reported that no inquest was necessary.
The body was brought to Monroe Sunday night by J. R. Crumpacker, Monroe undertaker.
Business Houses Close
The business houses of Monroe were closed Tuesday afternoon during the funeral, which was conducted by Rev. O. S. Hesseltine, pastor of the Monroe Methodist Episcopal church, of which the deceased was a member.
Rev. Hesseltine took his text from Job 5:26 – “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.”
Two solos, favorites of Mr. Shaw were sung by Mrs. Wm. B. Shaw, with Mrs. R. B. Gloyd, accompanying, “Softly the Shades of Night” and “Crossing the Bar.”
The pallbearers were Howard Roberts, George Orcutt, Ulrie Clevenger, Carl Ammer, Chas. A. Long and J. A. Murray.
A Man of Many Muses
Home folks always say good things about a man after he has gone to the great beyond, but in the case of Oliver G. Shaw, those who knew him, said good things of him while he was alive, for Mr. Shaw was a man of many muses and fitted in the scheme of local civic affairs as few men in this day and age do. He was likeable from his early boyhood until he passed away.
O. G. Shaw was a singer and for a number of years sang bass in the Methodist choir and during his lifetime probably sang at more funerals than any man in Monroe. For several years he played flute and clarinet in the old Holland orchestra, which was made up of the following members: Mrs. Tom Murray, pianist; John Kerr, 1st violin; Mrs. Bessie Davis, 2nd violin, O. G. Shaw, flute and clarinet, Robert Thomason, cornet; Burt Holland, bass violin. Of the six that played in this orchestra, which furnished music at all of the gatherings of that time, only three are alive today: Mrs. Davis, Robert Thomason and John Kerr.
A devoted churchman, Mr. Shaw joined the Methodist church and was a faithful worker until the last year or so, when his hearing became affected.
At an early age Mr. Shaw went into business with his father and conducted a jewelry and book store where the E. A. Bump store is now located. In the spring of 1900 Shaw & Son purchased the hardware store of Fisher & Son which was located where Ammer Bros. Hardware is now located. Later they sold the hardware store to the late W. S. Cash and Mr. Shaw went to Des Moines, where he was out of business for a year, later returning to Monroe and opening the Shaw Jewelry store, which he conducted up to the time of his death.
Served as Mayor
During 1920 he was a member of the Monroe city council and later served one term as mayor of Monroe. He always took an active part in civic affairs. He was a Republican but took very little part in politics.
For years and years Mr. Shaw was secretary of the Board of Education of the Monroe public schools and a meeting will be held by the present board Friday evening, at which time a successor is expected to be appointed.
O. G. Shaw was a home man and spent many hours each day putting and keeping his home and lawn in shape. It is not necessary to review all of the events in O. G. Shaw’s life, nor is it necessary to pay any extended tribute to this man whom so many people in Jasper and Marion counties knew; he had faith in the country and in mankind and by precept and example inspired others to believe in steadfast adherence to the fundamentals of liberty and the rights of others – what more can be said.
In his honor the Monroe Public Schools were dismissed the afternoon of the funeral.
Obituary
Oliver Goldsmith Shaw was born April 2, 1858 at Vandalia, Iowa and passed away suddenly at Newton, Iowa.
He was the son of Samantha and Lewellon M. Shaw. When 2 years old, he and his parents moved to Sherman, Texas where they lived until after the Civil war, returning to Monroe in 1866. Except for a short time in 1884, when they lived in Nashville, Tenn., he lived in Monroe continuously, being engaged in the jewelry business for over 50 years.
He was married Feb. 2, 1885 to Ada Schenck, who preceded him in death 5 years ago. To them were born two children, Josie, who departed this life July 21, 1904 and Don B., who passed away on December 24, 1929.
He was a member of the Masonic lodge and had been for over 50 years. He had attended the Methodist church from childhood, of which church he has long been a member and for a long time was very active in its services and a member of the official board. Oliver, or “Dad” Shaw, as he was called by all who knew him, had a disposition few men possess. His kindliness and generous heart endearing him to all who knew. He will be especially missed by his only brother, Fred Shaw, of Des Moines, a number of nephews and nieces and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Don B. Shaw of Des Moines.
Source: Newspaper Unknown; _____ 1933 (tombstone says 1858-1933)