Merwin Shaw

As printed in 1898

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 A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio (1898). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.