John B. Shaw (1833-1911)

SHAW, SHARTS, SHORTS, KRAUSE, MACKEY, LARUE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/30/2014 at 22:25:03

From unknown newspaper February 1911

DEATH OF J. B. SHAW

John B. Shaw, long one of the most respected citizens of Nevada and Story county, died at his home in this city about four o'clock Saturday morning. He had for a considerable time been a sufferer from rheumatism and other arthritis and he was only in moderate health when he returned a few months ago from Colorado, where he had spent the summer and fall with his daughter, Mrs. Krause, but his last illness dates only from about the first of last week. He was then taken with pneumonia and from the first the promise of his recovery was very slight. The end came as had appeared to be almost inevitable and was a surprise to none of his family and friends.

Mr. Shaw was born near Columbus, Ohio, May 10, 1833, and died as stated at Nevada, Iowa, February 25, 1911, aged 72 years, 9 months and 15 days. He removed with his parents to Martin county, Indiana, near Indianapolis, when he was 15 years of age, and there he grew up and taught school. He was married February 26, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Shorts, who died at their home in Nevada about twelve years ago. With his family and Abraham Smay and his family Mr. Shaw removed to Iowa, coming by covered wagon, in 1859; but the Shaws stopped in Keokuk county and did not come on to the vicinity of Johnson's Grove in Story county until 1873. When he did come he settled in the east side of the grove in Sherman township and there established himself as a representative and successful farmer. While still on the farm he was about the beginning of 1892 appointed to a vacancy on the board of supervisors of the county, and he was elected the following fall for the unexpired term. In 1893 and again in 1896 he was reelected to fall terms of three years, so that his service on the board covered a total of eight years. In 1891 he had moved from his farm to Nevada, and he was residing here when he was elected for the last time on the board, being on that occasion the only resident of the county seat that had been elected a supervisor of the county since the township system was abolished in 1872. He retired from the board in January, 1900, and after that for a number of years he served as supervisor of the poor for Nevada City. In all his dealings with the public and in his private life he was a most exemplary official and citizen, and the esteem in which he was held was very high and universal.

Mr. Shaw is survived by his six children, three sons and three daughters, to wit: Daniel W. Shaw of Santa Clara, California; Belle, Mrs. A. S. Krause of Sterling, Colorado; Sherman Shaw of Nevada township; B. Frank Shaw of Long Beach, California; Della (Mrs. C. A. Mackey) of Nevada; and Lottie (Mrs. E. D. LaRue) of Sidney, Montana. Mrs. Krause arrived Friday night, a few hours before her father's death, and Mrs. LaRue arrived Saturday night in season for the funeral. The boys in California were too far away to come; but four of the six children were able to be here.

The funeral was conducted Sunday afternoon from the Lutheran church by Rev. Shirck and it was attended by large numbers of old and most sincere friends.

Of the distant daughters, Mrs. Krause will remain here for week or so and Mrs. LaRue for...