Luke SHAY, the son of John SHEA (1793-1868) and Margaret (O'TOOLE) SHEA, was born February 22, 1824. It is believed that Luke was born in Holy Cross, Kings County [Tipperary], a few miles from Mountrath, Ireland. He was one of three children, his sister Mary, born in 1820, and his brother Thomas, born in 1828. When Luke was a small child, the family moved to a farm known as Crawley's Hill near Mountrath. Here, Luke grew to manhood.

On March 6th of 1848, Luke was married to Julia WHELAN at St. Fintan's Church, Mountrath.

Julia was one of three children born to Jeremiah WHELAN (1795-1876) and and Catherine (MALONE) WHELAN, her siblings being Mary and William. Jeremiah had been employed in the government mail service at Limerick for several years. Here, Julia was born, educated in the convent schools and grew to young womanhood.

Jeremiah's position with the government afforded him the opportunity to become acquainted with King William IV of England, the uncle of Queen Victoria who succeeded him on the English throne. During one of his visits to Limerick, King William IV presented Jeremiah with a gift for his son William who was at the time a small child.

Aroung the year 1845, the WHELAN family moved to a farm called "Beach Lawn" which adjoined the SHAY home near Montrath.

Long before they were married, Julia and Luke vowed that they would come to America. This they did on April 6, 1848, thirty days after their wedding. They sailed from Liverpool aboard the ship the Ivanhoe, accompanied by Luke's younger brother Thomas. The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was a stormy one and required a passage of five weeks. They landed safely at a point of debarkation near New York City, known as Castle Garden, on May 10th of 1848. After their arrival, the SHAYS traveled on to Baltimore where they set up housekeeping. John V. SHAY, Luke and Julia's first child, was born on February 14, 1849. During the next two years, the family resided wherever Luke could find profitable employment. When Luke and Julia's second child, Jeremiah SHAY was born on December 15, 1850, the family was residing in Louisville, Kentucky. By the Spring of 1851, Luke had saved $300. He was attracted to Iowa and came to hunt for a suitable location, arriving in the vicinity of Mount Pisgah in the southern part of Union County. Here Luke entered government land. He sent for his family who traveled to Keokuk by stage coach where Luke met them.

Tireless and ambitious, Luke visited Ringgold County in the summer of 1853 and entered 400 acres of land in Washington Township. This land would later become Jefferson Township and was located approximately midway between what is now the towns of Tingley and Diagonal.

Before Iowa became a state, the boundary between Iowa and Missouri was hotly contested, primarily because of several stands of trees inhabited by honey bees. At the time, honey was like liquid gold to the pioneers. The dispute heated up, resulting in what is known as the Honey War. From all available records, those who participated in this dispute have been lost to time, with the exception of one man. Representing Ringgold County, Luke SHAY was one of the participants in this dispute.

The SHAYS had planned to move onto their Ringgold County land immediately, however an unfortunate accident happened. While Luke was on his trip to Ringgold County, a prairie fire swept through Union County, destroying Luke's barn, hay and all of the feed he had put up to feed the livestock through the coming winter. Knowing that there was sufficient grass to sustain the stock on the Grand River bottoms in Clarke County several miles further east, a kindly neighbor, Mr. ROODE, came with his oxen and wagons and moved Julia, the children, along with the SHAY stock and their worldly possessions, to his home. When Luke returned, he found his entire household and stock in Clarke County with Mr. ROODE. While residing with Mr. ROODE, Luke and Julia's third child, Margaret Ellen, was born on November 22, 1853.

Luke had also purchased a farm in the northwestern part of Decatur County, just across the Clarke County line. However the Ringgold County land had made such an strong impression upon him, Luke decided that the family should move there instead. During the winter of 1853-54, Luke began to built a log cabin on the Ringgold County farm. Early in 1854, the house was almost completed and the family immediately moved in, becoming one of the earliest pioneer families of the county. Upon their arrival, the family had only a coffee pot and a skillet and some blankets. They slept on a pile of hay with some blankets their first night in Ringgold County.

Of all the perils and fears of the early pioneer families, the most dreaded of all was the threat of a prairie fire. To protect themselves against the devasting effects of such a fire, every pioneer plowed a ring of several furrows in width around his buildings and haystacks, then a second set of furrows about fifty feet further out. The grass in between these two sets of furrows was then burned to destroy anything that might catch fire - creating a fire guard.

Sometimes the fire guards worked. Other times they failed when wind carried embers to the buildings and haystacks, or the fire jumped the guards.

One day, upon returning to their home, the SHAY family was astonished to find a Catholic priest awaiting them. The priest, traveling on mule back, had heard that there was a Catholic family living on this farm. The priest had decided to visit the family. Although they had meager accommodations and their home had not been completed, lacking a chimney and a cooking stove, the SHAYS welcomed him as a guest. The priest visited the SHAY family on several occassions after that when he made infrequent trips through Ringgold County.

During their eleven years on the Jefferson Township farm, Julia and Luke had five more children: Thomas S., born December 19, 1855, the first child of Catholic parents born in Ringgold County and the first white child born in what was then Washington Township; William H., born December 19, 1857; Luke Hamilton, born March 16, 1860 and who died at the age of three years; Michael Chauncey, born February 20, 1862; and Mary Jane, born January 9, 1864 and who died at the age of eight years.

Upon the first opportunity, Luke applied for naturalization papers to become an American citizen. The first business of Ringgold County's court upon its organization in 1857 was the approval of Luke's application of naturalization.

A farmer and livestock buyer, Luke was the largest shipper of livestock from Ringgold County for many years, perhaps many decades. Before the arrival of the railroads, Luke herded the stock by foot to railheads for shipment. When the Burlington Railroad arrived in Ottumwa, it was Luke's custom to drive the cattle there [a distance of over 160 miles one way] where the stock was shipped on to Chicago. When the railroad arrived in Mount Ayr, Luke shipped his stock from there. For several years he shipped more than 150 carloads of livestock to Chicago annually, making him one of the largest and most important shippers to the Chicago market.

Luke was well-known to be a good and honest business man. He was also one of the largest landowners of the county and gave each of his children 200 acres upon their marriages.

With the construction of the SHAY'S frame house, their log cabin was donated as a school house. This was the first public school in that part of the county. Mrs. Eliza FLICK, a widow whose husband had been killed by Indians, was the first teacher. Joseph CONINE was the second teacher. When the little neighborhood decided to erect a school building, Luke furnished logs for the construction and lumber for the school desks which were made by William BUCK. William BUCK was the first teacher in the newly constructed school house.

Luke financed half of the cost of the first Catholic Church [ St. Mary's] in Ringgold County in 1875, and contributed to the building of schools in the area although he himself did not have any formal or public education.

Prior to the establishment of St. Mary's Church, Luke and Julia had their children baptized at the Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. These trips were made with great difficulty, taking more than a week on roads that were not well defined and without any bridges over the rivers and streams.

The closest mill was located at Westerville [now a ghost town] located in Decatur County. Luke had his flour ground at Westerville, then later, after 1867, sent to Clarinda or Shenandoah to mill.

In the fall of 1864, Luke traded his Jefferson Township farm to Josiah TURNER for a farm in Benton Township, located approximately three-quarters of a mile west of where Maloy would be established. They moved to this farm in the spring of 1865. Here, Luke and Julia's last child, Edward L. was born on September 15, 1866.

During the early part of 1867, Luke purchased 720 acres of land located immediately west of his property from John DALE. He paid for the property in gold coin, a cost of $7,200. Shortly after the purchase, the family moved into a new home on the DALE farm.

With this move, Luke assumed John DALE's contract with the government to maintain a headquarters for the stage line which operated from Eddyville, Iowa to Nebraska City, Nebraska. This was located at a half-way site between Mount Ayr and Bedford. As a headquarters, a fresh change of horses were kept for the stage line. Often the driver and the passengers stayed overnight. The stage line was discontinued around the year of 1869, but continued as a mail service until July 1, 1870. Zed BEAMER, who later became one of Ringgold County's most prosperous farmers and stock raisers, was one of the stage drivers at the time.

Luke and Julia's surviving children grew to adulthood and began leave the home as they married. John V. married Mary Emma TURNER on April 4, 1872; Jeremiah married Anna B. CUNNINGHAM on February 9, 1873; Margaret married Michael N. HART on February 1, 1875; Thomas S. married Rosa LAMBERT on May 20, 1880; and William H. married on February 3, 1878 to Anna M. HART. As his children married, they established their own homes on farms that Luke and Julia gave them.

In the spring of 1882, Luke and Julia, with their sons Michael Chauncey and Edward L., moved to a 700-acre farm in Section 1 of Rice Township, located a short distance from Mount Ayr. Luke and Julia resided here for another eight years until the spring of 1890 when they retired from farming. They moved into a new home they had built in Maloy.

While the family was living on the Rice Township farm, Michael Chauncey married Ellen MULLEN on October 19, 1885. Most of the SHAY family were away from the farm, atttending the wedding. Those who remained behind were Mary SHIEL (who would later marry William MALONEY), Margaret McFARLAND (who would later marry M. H. SHIEL), Luke and Julia's daughter Margaret (SHAY) HART with her small children Julia, Mary and Luke, Daniel B. HIGGINS nd a Mr. GLASSCOCK.

HIGGINS and GLASSCOCK were farm hands.

After the evening meal, GLASSCOCK left the house. A little later HIGGINS went out to the barn so that he could turn the horses out to pasture. When HIGGINS entered the barn, he was attacked by GLASSCOCK for no apparent reason. During the desperate struggle that followed, HIGGINS was cut badly from several knife wounds. Able to free himself, HIGGINS returned to the house where the women did the best they could to treat his wounds. They felt that HIGGINS needed to see a physician, however there were no other men available to drive him. So HIGGINS walked to Mount Ayr where he sought medical attention and consequently filing a report with the sheriff.

The women, with the three small HART children, huddled in fear that GLASSCOCK might return to the house and attack them. Shortly after midnight the sheriff arrived at the SHAY home and made a thorough seach for GLASSCOCK.

In time Mr. HIGGINS recovered from the attack. Although a vigorous search was launched to locate GLASSCOCK, he was never found or heard from again.

Luke and Julia's youngest son Edward L. died on September 23, 1886, and was interred at St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy.

Throughout his life, Luke was a staunch Democrat. When William H. was a small child, he was nicknamed "Doug" in honor of Stephen A. DOUGLAS who was at the time running for Presidency against Abraham LINCOLN. Although LINCOLN won the election, the nickname "Doug" stuck. As a man of 79 years, his acquaintances don't know him by any other name.

Throughout their long and active lives in Ringgold County, Luke and Julia were highly respected citizens and contributed greatly to the development of the western part of the county. They were pioneer builders who implanted upon their children the importance of industry and good character.

Luke Edward HART (1880-1964), Luke and Julia SHAY'S grandson, was the driving force behind the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Alliegance.

Luke died at the age of 72 years on December 24, 1896, Maloy, Iowa. Julia died at the age of 72 years and 27 days on February 26, 1899, Maloy. They were interred at St. Mary's Cemetery located east of Maloy.

Luke and Julia never returned to Ireland, however Julia's brother William visited them and stayed a year, returning to Ireland in the summer of 1871.

Luke's brother Thomas SHAY, who came with them to America in 1848, served in Company G of the 8th Iowa Cavalry during the Civil War. He was killed during a disupte about a horse race at the age of 55 years on May 30, 1883, leaving a widow Jane (BRECKENRIDGE) SHAY. Thomas was interred at St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy.

Of Luke and Julia's children:
1) John Valentine SHAY, b. 14 Feb 1849, Baltimore MD; d. 27 Jan 1931, Blockton IA
    married 04 Feb 1872 Mary Emma TURNER (1854-1925)
    Children:
      1) Ralph Leo SHAY (1874-1904); married Della Myrtle BOWMAN (1877-1961)
      2) Roy Olaf SHAY (1879-1952); married Mary Jane HARPER (1881-1967)
      3) Luke Ernest SHAY (1881-?); married Lulu (?)
      4) Flora Dorinda SHAY (1883-1968); married Mark Edward ROOF (1883-1952)
      5) Mary Margaret SHAY (1887-1933); married Frank MELTON (1910-2000)

2) Jeremiah "Jerry" SHAY, b. 15 Dec 1850, Louisville KY; d. 03 Mar 1919
    married 09 Feb 1873 Anna Bridget CUNNINGHAM (1855-1903)
    Jeremiah & Anna interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
    Children:
      1) Luke Charles SHAY (1872-1961); married Gertrude Isabella SHEIL (1877-1951
      2) Margaret Mary SHAY (1876-1881)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
      3) Marinetta SHAY (1878-1891)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
      4) John Clement SHAY (1881-1903); married Josephine WARIN (1881-1910)
      5) Julia SHAY (1883-1886)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
      6) Edward B. SHAY (1885-1974); married Natalie LILLY

3) Margaret Ellen SHAY, b. 22 Nov 1853, Clarke Co. IA; d. 31 May 1940, St. Louis MO
    married 01 Feb 1875 Michael N. HART (1847-1909)
    Children:
      1) Julia Mary (HART) NOLAN (1875-1960)
      2) Mary Mercedes HART (1878-1950); married Thomas Augustus SHEIL (1875-1964)
      3) Luke Edward HART (1880-1964); married Catherine O'CONNOR (1879-1951)
          Luke's Obituary
      4) Richard Cleveland HART
      5) Leona HART
      6) Michael HART
      7) O'Connell HART
      8) Herbert Malcolm HART

4) Thomas Stephen SHAY, b. 19 Dec 1855, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 29 Sep 1941, Maloy IA
    married 30 May 1880 Rosa LAMBERT (1851-1929
    Thomas and Rosa interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
    Children:
      1) William Luke SHAY (1881-1956); married Caroline Maxenta HART (1889-1957)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy
      2) Joseph Leo SHAY (1882-1961); married Teresa Cecila EASON (1890-1975)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
      3) Robert Emmett SHAY (1884-1983); married Margaret Ellen HART (1883-1962)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy
      4) Callista SHAY (1886-1988); married Edward P. CONWELL (1878-1957)
      5) Thomas S. SHAY (1888-1954); married Mary E. MULLIN (1892-1951)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy
      6) Marie Julia SHAY (1891-1892)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA

5) William Henry "Doug" SHAY, b. 19 Dec 1857, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 27 Nov 1937
    married 03 Feb 1878 Anna M. HART (1858-1934)
    William & Anna interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
    Children:
      1) Luke E. SHAY (1884-1884); interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA

6) Luke Hamilton SHAY, b. 16 Mar 1860, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 06 Oct 1863, Ringgold Co. IA

7) Michael Chauncey SHAY, b. 20 Feb 1862, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 05 Jan 1945
    married Ellen Josephine "Nell" MULLEN (1862-1941)
    Michael C. & Ellen interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA
    Children:
      1) Edward Luke "Eddie SHAY (1887-1902); interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy
      2) Dennis R. SHAY (1890-1949); married Monica Mary O'CONNOR (1886-1944)
          interred St. Mary's Cemetery near Maloy IA

8) Mary Jane SHAY, b. 09 Jan 1864, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 01 Feb 1897

9) Edward L. SHAY, b. 15 Sep 1866, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 26 Sep 1866, Ringgold Co. IA
    interred St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy

For more SHAY family interments visit St. Mary's Cemetery index page at IAGENWeb's Gravestone Photograph site.

SOURCES:
LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 p. 20, 237-43. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.
WPA Graves Survey; IAGENWeb Gravestone Photographs Project

Compilation by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010

Luke SHAY, a prominent and successful farmer, and one of the largest stock buyers and shippers in Ringgold County, is a native of Ireland, born in the year 1824, a son of John SHAY who was a farmer in comfortable circumstances. Luke SHAY passed his boyhood on his father's farm, remaining in his native county till reaching maturity, and was there married March 6, 1848, to Miss Julia WHELAN. Of the nine children born to this union seven are yet living - John W., born in 1849; Jeremiah ["Jerry"], born in 1850 [died 1919, interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy IA]; Margaret E[llen]., born November 22, 1853, is now the wife of M[ichael]. N. HART [(1847-1909) interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy IA]; Thomas S., born December 19, 1855 [died September 29, 1941, interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy IA]; William H., born December 19, 1857/58 [died 1937, interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy IA]; Luke H., born March 14, 1860, deceased; Michael C[hauncey]., born February 20, 1862 [died January 5, 1945, interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy IA]; Mary J., born January 9, 1864, deceased; Edward L., born September 15, 1866, deceased [died September 26, 1886, interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Maloy IA].

One month after his marriage, Mr. SHAY sailed with his bride from Liverpool, England, and thirty-two days later landed in New York, May 10, 1848. In 1853 the located to Clarke County, Iowa, and soon after removed to Union County. They came to Ringgold County in 1854, and settled on a farm in Washington (now Jefferson) Township, where they made their home for ten years. They then followed farming on the Platte River for eighteen years, when they settled on their present farm on section 1, of Rice Township.

Mr. SHAY commenced farming and trading in stock in Ringgold County on a small capital of $360. He applied himself diligently to his business interest, and by his persevering engergy and excellent business qualities he has made his pursit a success. His farm now contains 700 acres of well-cultivated land, and he is one of the most extensive shippers in the West, his shipments of hogs and cattle amounting annually to 150 [train] car-loads.

Besides his home farm, Mr. SHAY has accumulated much property, having given to each of his children a good farm of 200 acres. All of them are doing well and are honorable and respected citizens.

Mr. SHAY has a good residence, comfortable and convenient, where he is surrunded by all the necessary comforts of life.

Mr. and Mrs. SHAY are worthy members of the Roman Catholic church. In his polical views Mr. SHAY is a Democrat and a strong supporter of his party. he is one of the active and public-spirited citizens of his township and has contributed largely to the agricultural interests of Ringgold County.

NOTE: Luke SHAY served during Iowa's Honey War and during the Civil War with Company C of the 3rd Battalion of the Southern Iowa Border Brigade.

Luke SHAY died at the age of 72 years on December 24, 1896. Julia (WHELAN) SHAY died at the age of 72 years and 27 days on February 26, 1899, Maloy, Iowa, with interment beside her husband Luke at St. Mary's Cemetery located east of Maloy.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 321, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009