Mary P. Shaw

As printed in 1880

, retired; P. O., Marits; was born Feb. 19, 1830, in Litchfield Co., Conn.; is daughter of Joel Todd, whose wife before marriage was Austria Griggs; the Griggs are of Scotch descent.; the original family came to this country about the time of the Revolution. Mrs. Shaw’s great grandfather was present at the taking of Burgoyne, as was also her great uncle. The Todds are of English descent. Mrs. Shaw came to this State in Oct., 1836, while in her sixth year, the family locating in Medina Co., where they lived several years. Her mother died in 1847; her father in 1851; he was a man of excellent business qualifications and marked intelligence; had a superior education for a man of his time. He held the office of County Surveyor for twelve years in Connecticut, and was the first mayor in Gabon, serving in that capacity for three terms. Mrs. Shaw was married in 1850 to John L. Shaw, and by him had seven children; five are living — Joel T., Merritt W., Ella M., J. Legrand and Carrie F. Merritt W. was born in Denmark, Nov. 11, 1852; he was raised on the farm. He had good educational advantages afforded him, as

,u well as those of travel. He attended school at Gilead and at Oberlin; in his 23d year was married to Maggie Lefever, who was born in March, 1859, in this township. She was a daughter of George Lefever, who was identified with this county at an early time; he was among the county’s first assessors. Her mother’s name was Catherine Moody, of Pennsylvania. After Merritt married he spent one summer in Mississippi; upon his return he embarked for a time in the mercantile business at Denmark, since when he has been engaged in farming. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a member of Caledonia Lodge of I. O. O. F., No. 299. Have one child, born Sept. 22, 1876. Mrs. Shaw now resides in Denmark, and has been a resident of this township over thirty years. She is a member of the M. E. Church, but was raised an Episcopalian.

As printed in History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio ... a history of Morrow County ... biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, (1880). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.