(about 1838 - 1864)
(Handwritten note by John Richard Shaw)
William R. and Louisa Shaw
William R. Shaw, fourth son of Isaac and Nancy Ann Shaw, was married about 1857, to Louisa Butcher, near Fortville, Hancock County, Indiana. To them were born three children, Sarah, 1858; John W., August 26, 1860; Elfa J., 1862. They lived in that vicinity until Uncle William and his youngest brother, Isaac,who was yet a youth at home with his parents, answered their country's call for volunteers to fight for its preservation. The writer does not know what Company and Regiment they were with, but they were together. They were in a different part of the army from their brother James C. They were through Kentucky and Tennessee in such engagements as Chickamauga and Chattanooga, taking part in the Battle of Missionary Ridge and the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Here Isaac died of brain fever and was buried at the foot of the mountain. William was wounded and had a leg amputated. While it was healing nicely in the Foard's Confederate Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, he wrote the following letter home to his wife, which showed his fortitude, courage and his devotion to his family:
"My Dear Wife: "I received a letter from you about the 22nd of May but I have had no time to answer it before. "I have to say to you that I am here wounded. Was wounded on the 28th of May. My leg was badly broken., much so as to cause amputation of it, necessary to save my life. It was amputated about half way between the Lee and hip. I am glad to inform you that I am getting first rate. My stump is doing well. "I have to say to you that I have, been well treated since I have been wounded and a prisoner. Ladies come to see me almost every day and bring me something nice to eat. There is no other prisoner here but me. So far I do not think I have anything in reference to my treatment to complain of. I am treated about as well the other wounded here, all fare alike. You need give yourself any unnecessary uneasiness about me for I think I will get well soon. I have all the attention that necessary. I would like to hear from you. You can write to me by "Flag of Truce" by writing only one page and that purely a domestic one. Enclose it in an nvelope and direct to me, Foard Hospital, Atlanta. Georgia, care of Dr. J. W. Singleton. Put in ten cents to pay Confederate postage. Do not seal it. Enclose that in another envelope, seal and direct to the Agt. of Exchange, Fortress Monroe, Virginia. I do not know who the agent is but you can find out. Across the end of same you can write "Per Flag of Truce." If you will comply with the directions given I will get it. Tell me all about the family and relatives. Give all my best respects. Write to me as soon as this is received. Goodbye. Kiss the children for me. I remain, your affectionate husband,
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He was afterwards sent as a prisoner to the infamous Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia. This prison was notorious for its unhealthfulness, severity of discipline, insufficiency and unwholesomeness of food and impure water supply. Of the more than 49,000 prisoners received there, more than 12,000, or more than one-fourth of them died of such diseases as diarrhea, scurvey and dysentery. Uncle William was among the number who passed away. A large national cemetery is there now and the greater number of soldiers have been identified and their graves marked many years ago. We never knew whether his grave was marked or not.
(For more photos of Andersonville see this album.)
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1860 - 1928
John W., only son of William R. and Louisa Shaw, spent his early life in the vicinity of Fortville, Hancock County, and later went to Howard and Clinton Counties in the neighborhood a few miles west of Russiaville where his Uncle James Calvin from Hancock County had resided for many years and where his Uncle Bailey B. Shaw had then recently moved to from Hancock County. Here he was married to Minnie F. Pyle on December 6, 1884. To this union five children were born: Maud E., September 10, 1885; Arnell E. (Jack), October 3, 1892; Mabel D., September 10, 1898; Ruby Grace, September 28, 1901; and a little son, Ural S., who died at the age of two months.
After his marriage, John W. and his family lived a few years in the vicinity west of Russiaville, working on farm. Then he moved to near Indianapolis and lived some time on a farm; after which he moved into the city and was employed by the Big-4 Railroad Company in their shops there. Then he moved from the city to Tipton County, residing for a time in Goldsmith and a for the last several years of his life, in the city of Tipton, working for the city and for a hardware firm there.
While living west of Russiaville, he and his wife united with the Cloverdale M. E. Church in that neighborhood and on going to Tipton County, they transferred their membership to the Teetersburg Church where they reimained consistent members until the time of John W.'s death, April 27, 1928. His widow, Minnie F., still lives in the city of Tipton.
Johnny Walker, as we always called him, was genial, generous, jovial and kind. The writer remembers many interesting, pleasant and happy experiences he shared with him while living near him. He is laid to rest in the beautiful little cemetery in Teetersburg.
(1892 - )
 Nedra, John, and Freda at Nedra's 75th birthday party. |
Arnell Enfield, familiarly known as "Jack" and his wife live on South Main Street, Tipton. He is a painter and interior decorator.
This writer remembers very little about his grandfather, Jack, but does remember going over to his trailer on West Street in Tipton when he was very young to ride a pony that Jack kept in his back yard.
(1914 - 1987)
John Richard Shaw, the only son of Jack and Anna Suvers, was born May 4, 1914. He married Frances Helen Lednum who was born in Dublin, Indiana, April 1, 1915. Three children were born to this couple, Susanne, August 2, 1940; Christy Gay, July 5, 1942; and John Daniel (this author), January 5, 1944.
 Aunt Tina with Chris, Dan, and Sue. |
Aunt 'Tina', Justina Loder, (See Loder/Lednum Family Tree) lived in the home at 320 South Main where she took care of the other invalid aunt, Mary Davis who survived her husband, Walter. Aunt Tina sent Frances to Kokomo Business College soon after arrival. Transportation to the school was an electric trolley, an interurban, that traveled from downtown Tipton on a daily basis. Living less than a block away for each other on South Main, it didn't take long for John to take notice of the new girl in town walking by his home each morning to catch the trolley. They married on Christmas Day in 1937.
Mary Jane was sent to Lafayette for nurse's training. During WWII she joined the Marine Corps and while stationed in California met and married Aurthur Hand, a fellow Marine. He did not survive the war but was the father of a son, Arthur Kim Hand. Later, Mary Jane died of cancer and Kim was to be raised in the John Richard Shaw family.
In high school Kim set the school record in the high hurdles that still stands after more than 40 years.
John Richard quit school before finishing the 10th grade and worked in a barber shop cleaning up, shining shoes, and learning the art of cutting hair. At one point in his eventual career in barbering he owned his own shop on Madison Street in downtown Tipton.
 Ralph Pheanis, John Richard & his dog Jack. Click for larger image. |
After the kids had all left the home John and his wife, Frances, and friends. Jean & Martha Paul, would spend many happy days fishing in the lakes of Michigan. Kentucky Lake was a favorite fishing destination when he went with 'the boys'.
This author remembers that while growing up in their home at 320 South Main, that Sunday night was 'bridge' night. Sue, Chris, and Dan would look through the ventilation vent above the living room where cards were being played. We listened in on the conversation below trying to hear what adults talked about when the kids weren't around.
Family outings, while few in memory, were still quite a joy. Mom's fried chicken in the blue bowl was always a treasure. One trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, in search of Mom's oil well, that she had inherited, turned out to be a disappointment. No oil - no money. There were several trips to Indiana Beach near Monticello. Dad had a cousin that had a boat at White Point on Lake Freeman. He let us row around the lake in it.
One of the times we went to Dublin to see the Cooksey's, mom's sister Dottie's family, all of the kids walked over to the train overpass to watch the steam locomotive go under. It was pretty scary seeing the train come right at you and then becoming totally engulfed in the smoke.
We had day trips to Turkey Run State Park a couple of times. You had to begin the trails by going over this suspension bridge first thing. Then on one of the trails was this real chilly place call the Devil's Ice Box. We had to look around real close to make sure he wasn't around.
The first time all the kids had seen and rode an elevator was when we took a bus (we didn't have a car back then in the early 50s) to Kokomo to shop at Turner's Department Store.
John Richard died of a stroke December 16, 1987. The burial was conducted at the Teetersburg cemetery on a very windy and cold winter's day where the family had to wipe away the tears that had frozen on their cheeks.
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