The Shaw Families of Summit County, Ohio

QERWIN SHAW, one of the most substantial agriculturists of Norton township. Summit county, Ohio, was born in Medina county, September 23, 1826, and is of English descent, although the-family has long been listed among the residents of America, and for the three past generations of the Buckeye state.

Moses Shaw, grandfather of subject, was born in Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and was married, and whence he came to Ohio overland by wagons and settled in Guilford township, Medina county, but afterward moved to Wadsworth township, where he passed the remainder of his life and died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. His children were named, in order of birth, Joshua P., Moses, Hannah, Phebe and James.

Joshua F. Shaw, father of subject, was also a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., was born January 1, 1798, and was reared a farmer, which calling he followed throughout life. He was not yet fully grown when he came to Ohio and settled in Medina county, where he attended school a short time and on attaining his majority married Miss Rhoda Agard, who was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 23, 1802. To this union were born three children, viz: Merwin, Mary and George. Of these three, Mary, who was married to George Wise, is now deceased. Mrs. Rhoda Shaw died in Wadsworth township, Medina county, and for his second wife Mr. Shaw married Mrs. Betsey Johnson, widow of Thomas Johnson. Here, Mr. Shaw died August 5, 1869, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which church his widow was also a member. Mr. Shaw was in his earlier days a Whig in politics, had filled various offices, and was a gentleman of standing and respect with his neighbors.

Merwin Shaw, with whose name this biography is opened, was educated in an old-time log school-house, but nevertheless received a solid education. With the exception of two years his practical business life has been passed in farming, and these two years were spent in a grist-mill at Johnson's Corners, Summit county. From September 2, 1862, until November of the same year, he served with the Twenty-ninth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry in Maryland, receiving an honorable discharge at the end of his term of enlistment. In politics Mr. Shaw is a republican and has served his fellow-citizens as township trustee. In religion he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has contributed most liberally to the support thereof, having at one time donated $3,000 in cash toward the erection of the Methodist church edifice at Johnson's Corners. For forty years he was Sunday-school superintendent, and may justly be called a pillar of the church. Fraternally he is a Freemason, a Patron of Husbandry, and has served as post commander and chaplain of post No. 267, Grand Army of the Republic. His farm comprises 267 acres of excellently improved land, and his dwelling and other buildings are of substantial and modern construction.

To Mr. Shaw four children were born by his first marriage, viz: Frank J., George A., Ella E. and Hattie. Mr. Shaw was next married, in 1879, to Mrs. Clara Nichols, of Medina county, Ohio.

Frank J. Shaw was born in Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, June 7, 1850. He lived on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he married Ruth Wilder, daughter of Wells Wilder, and to this union have been born four children, named Frank M., Daisey A., Dora E. and Earnest W. Mr. Shaw owns a farm of 100 acres and also operated a portable saw-mill for about thirty years, and also now runs a threshing machine. He is a republican in politics and in religion is a devoted Methodist, being a Bible-class teacher and church chorister and a liberal contributor to the support of his denomination. His daughter, Daisey A., is wedded to Ward Ware, who was born June 24, 1871, in Norton township, and is a son of Josiah and Lovina (Barkhammer) Ware. Ward Ware is a farmer and carpenter and is a steady-going young man who enjoys the respect of all who know him. Mr. Shaw and his son-in-law. Ward Ware, are now engaged in general merchandizing at Johnson's, and are doing a good trade.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK J. SHAW, who is serving in his second term as treasurer of Norton Township, in which he is a leading citizen and successful farmer, was born in Summit County, Ohio, June 7, 1850, and is a son of Merwin and Emily (Betz) Shaw.

Merwin Shaw, father of Frank J., was born ill Wadsworth Township, Medina County, Ohio, and was a son of Joshua F. Shaw, who came to Ohio from New York at a very early date, and settled first in Wadsworth Township but later removed to Norton Township, and was the first owner of the farm which is now the property of his grandson, Frank J. Shaw. Ill (lied at Johnson's Corners. Merwin Shaw followed agricultural pursuits through life. He married Emily Betz, who still survives at the age of seventy-three years and resides in California. She is a daughter of Abraham Betz, who was a pioneer from Pennsylvania, to Medina County. Merwin Shaw died on the present farm of his son, in 1903, in the old home built by his father. The four children of the family all survive, namely: Frank J., George A., Ella and Hattie, the older daughter being the wife of William Yoder of Wadsworth, and the younger, the wife of William Shafer, of Akron.

Frank J. Shaw has always lived on the homestead farm and in addition to following agricultural pursuits here, he has operated a portable sawmill for about thirty years, and for the same length of time engaged in threshing, owning an outfit. He still continues to run his mill, it being the only one in the vicinity nearer than Wadsworth. His farm includes a little over 100 acres of excellent land. For several years after his marriage he lived on the part of the farm which contained the old home, and then moved to another part on which he had built a house and barn and made many improvements. Still later as his children grew up and married, he built houses and barns for his sons, and also purchased a small property with comfortable residence, for his son-in-law. Ward Ware. Mr. Shaw has thus shown his regard for the happiness and welfare of his family and enjoys seeing their prosperity. He is a well-educated man himself, being a graduate of the High School of Seville, Medina County, and has given his two sons and two daughters many advantages.

On December 25, 1879, Mr. Shaw was married to Ruth Wilder, who is a daughter of Wells Wilder, of Medina County, Ohio, and they have the following descendants: Frank M., residing on a part of the home farm, is employed at the Stirling Works at Barberton, as a patternmaker, married Delia Fendingham and they have three children: Ruth, Gladys and Paul; Daisy A., who married Ward Ware, who follows the carpenter trade in Norton Township, has three children:

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Shaw has never desired political office but has consented to serve when his fellow citizens have honored him. He was elected township treasurer in 1903, the only member of the Republican party to receive the elective vote in Norton Township, for many years, and approval of his service was shown by his re-election for a second term. He has also been a member of the township School Board. He is one of the leading members of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church. Eor a long period he served as class leader and in all the offices of the Sunday-school in the old church at Johnson's Corners.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE A. SHAW, of Barberton, C7% Norton town.ship, Summit county, - Ohio, is a native of the township, was born in September, 1853, and is a son of Merwin Shaw, whose biography precedes this mention, and in which will be found full details concerning this honored family.

George A. Shaw was graduated from the high school of Doylestown and later from the Wadsworth college, both of Ohio, after which he lived on his father's farm for a few years, when, he sold his interest in the home estate and went to Mitchell, Dak., where he was employed by the C, M. & St. P. Railway company as yardmaster for about eighteen months, and six months as conductor on a train running between Mitchell and Woonsocket. He then returned to Ohio and engaged in general mercantile business in New Portage, where he was also postmaster during the last Harrison administration; later he located in Barberton, where he has since done a prosperous trade. He is an ardent republican in politics and organized the first Mc- Kinley club in Barberton, of which he was the president, and in the spring of 1896 was elected by a majority of seventy-two votes mayor of Barberton, at that time considered to be a democratic stronghold.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE A. SHAW, organizer, president and general manager of the Buckeye Match Company, of North Baltimore, Ohio, has been a prominent resident of Barberton and New Portage, for the past thirty-four years, serving with credit in public offices, successfully directing business affairs and taking an active part in political life. Mr. Shaw was born about one-half mile north of Johnson's Corners, in Norton Township, Summit County, Ohio, September 1, 1853, and is a son of Merwin and Emily E. (Betz) Shaw.

The father of Mr. Shaw was born at Medina, Ohio, and spent the larger part of his life in Norton Township, Summit County, where he engaged in farming and also operated a grist mill.

Attending the district schools in the winter seasons and working on the home farm during the summers, made up the larger part of Mr. Shaw's boyhood life. Later he attended the High School at Doylestown and subsequently attended the Mennonitc College at Wadsworth, Ohio. The failure of his father's health, about this time, threw the responsibility of managing the home farm on his shoulders. Several years later he went to South

Dakota, where he took up a Government cluini of 160 acres, but made his home at Mitchell. While there he entered into the employ of a railroad company, first as night yardniiister and later as manager of the day yards. After residing there for some two years and continuing his railroad work, he was so seriously injured while making a coupling, that all further railroad work was abandoned and he returned to Summit County, on a pass gladly offered by the company.

Mr. Shaw located at New Portage, where he opened a general stone, and for eight years he served as postmaster there, when, on being elected mayor of Barberton, he moved to his present home. He served four years also as postmaster of this city andwas elected a member of the first board of Public Affairs, of Barberton. Mr. Shaw is concerned in various business enterprises and is president of the Barberton Wire Lock Fence Company, which plant employs about twenty-five men. He has recently organized an industry which promises to be one of great importance, the Buckeye Match Company, which has been incorporated for $100,000. The works are to be established at North Baltimore, Ohio. Mr. Shaw owns a majority of the stock and is president and general manager of the company. He is recognized as one of the able and enterprismg business men of Summit County.

In 1898 Mr. Shaw was married to Harriet L. Marshall.

Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party and has been an important factor of the same in Summit County. He organized the first McKinley club in the county and has been liberal in contributing to its work. Fraternally he belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics and to the Knights of Pythias.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

ARTHUR R. SHAW,* a prominent citizen of Johnson's Cornere, and half owner of a farm of sixty-three acres, situated in Norton Township, on which are located the famous Pebble Rock stone quarries, was born August 10, 1866, in the very house in which he now lives. It is an historic old mansion, built by one of the pioneers more than 100 years ago. His parents were George and Haretta (Douglas) Shaw. George Shaw was born in Medina County, Ohio, April 13, 1835, and was seven years old when his parents brought him to Johnson's Corners. His father, Joshua T. Shaw, came to Ohio from New York, when he was a young man, and in the old home mentioned above the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of Arthur R. Shaw died. There were three children born to George Shaw and his wife: Georgia, who died in infancy, Arthur R., and Bert. For three years during the Civil War, George Shaw was a soldier and was leader of a brigade band. He survived all the dangers and herships of that stormy time, and died at his home, June 20, 1902. His widow still survives.

Arthur R. Shaw was reared at Johnson's Corners and acquired a common school education. For several years in early manhood he followed farming and then traveled one year as a representative of a grocery house, for a time dealt in real estate and then turned to developing his quarries, which he owns in partnership with his brother Bert Shaw. The farm formerly contained 120 acres, fifty-seven having been sold in the spring of 1907. The Pebble Rock quarries are widely known, the output being very large. The Shaws have in-.stalled a gas engine and crusher, and give employment to fifteen men. They have excellent transportation facilities, having built a siding running down to the Belt Railroad line and their facilities are such that they can ship on four lines. They are energetic and progressive business men. Mr. Shaw was married to Inza C. Miller, who is a daughter of A. W. Miller, of Akron, and they have had six children, of whom George, the eldest, lived but one year. The survivors are: Stanley, Hattie, Arthur, Esther and Leslie M.

GEORGE li. HELFER,* formerly a well known business man of Akron, was born January 25, 1820, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Christopher and Lydia ( Helman ) Heifer.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

BERT L. SHAW, of the firm of Shaw Brothers, proprietors of the JPebble Rock stone quarries, which are situated on the old George Shaw farm, in Norton Township, Summit County, Ohio, has resided at Johnson Center since hi birth, April 8, 1878. He is a son of George and Haretta (Douglas) Shaw, and a grandson of Joshua T. Shaw.

Joshua T. Shaw was born in New York and came to Ohio from there in 1800, settling in Medina County, where his son George was born, April 13, 1835. When seven years of age, the family settled at Johnson's Corners. George Shaw married Haretta Douglas, who still survives. During the Civil War, Mr. Shaw enlisted for service and was detailed as a musician, being the leader of a brigade band for three years. He returned and engaged in farming in Norton Township, where he died on the old homestead, June 20, 1902.

Bert Shaw, who, with his brother Arthur R., is interested in the Pebble Rock stone quarries, is well known as a citizen and business man, and has few equals as a musician in this section. His reputation in the musical field is more than local. He is the leader of the Johnson Military Band of Johnson's Corners, which consists of an organization of twenty-five pieces. Mr. Shaw is a member of the Eighth Regiment Band, Ohio National Guards, and was in service almost a year during the Spanish-American AVar. In addition to his quarry interests, he owns a one-half interest in 30U acres of land, and a beautiful residence property.

Mr. Shaw was married, August 15, 1903, to Anna Marie Christopher, of Ada, Hardin County, Ohio. Mrs. Shaw was a resident of that place for seventeen years and graduated from the High School in 1898. She was also a student at the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, Ohio.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SYLVESTER SHAW (deceased). This gentleman was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., March 5, 1806. He was married in his native State Oct. 16, 1828, to Miss Harriet Parsons, a native of Ontario Co., where she was born Aug. 11, 1809. In 1832, they left their native State for Bath Township, this county, arriving at their destination on the 18th of November of the same year. They came the entire distance in a large wagon drawn by oxen, and, on their arrival in the township, moved their goods into a small log cabin that had been built on their land. In this they lived until one more comfortable and commodious could be erected. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, however, were energetic, and it was not many years ere they were surrounded with a great many comforts and conveniences. They were the parents of the following family of children, viz.: Harriet C, Sylvester P., Vashti M., Samuel, Marietta, William, Sibyl B. and Constant. Mr. Shaw was a hard-working man, and accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods. He was a man who paid strict attention to his farm duties, never aspiring to any political prominence, although he was decided in his views of right and wrong, which he never failed to express when occasion required. This useful man and much-respected citizen departed this life Nov. 17, 1875. His widow survives him, and resides upon the old homestead. She is an intelligent Christian lady, and has the respect of all who know her. Constant Shaw was born on the old homestead Nov. 20, 1852. He married Miss Cora I. Worden Oct. ISi, 1874. She was born in Richfield Township, this county, Dec. 24, 1852. They have one child, viz., Leon. Samuel Shaw was born Aug. 11, 1838. He was married, Sept. 15, 1860, to Miss Lucy Webster.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

E. C. SHAW, general manager of works of the B. F. Goodrich Company, at Akron, has been a resident of this wide-awake city since 1893, and is numbered with her successful business men. Mr. Shaw was born in 1863, at Buffalo, New York.

After receiving au excellent public school training in his native city, Mr. Shaw entered Yale College, where he was graduated in the class of 1886. Upon his return to Buffalo, he engaged in an electric light business until 1893, when he came to Akron to take charge of the Akron Electric Light Company, remaining with that organization for that year and in 1894 coming to the B. F. Goodrich Company in the capacity of a mechanical and electrical engineer. Mr. Shaw soon became assistant superintendent of this great concern, later was made superintendent, and since January 1, 1907, has been general manager of works of a company whose products are of world-wide fame. In 1897, Mr. Shaw was married to Jennie L. Bond, of New York city. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and is a popular member of the Poi-tage Country club.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.