THE SHAW FAMILY HISTORY

William F. Shaw



William F., oldest son of James C., and Eliza Shaw, was married to Eliza J. Tanner, near Milner's Corner, Hancock County, in 1868. Four children were born to them: born near Russiaville, Ind., Margaret Louetta, July 26, 1870; Mary Ellen, April 10, 1872; Clara Belle, about 1874; and a little son who died in infancy.

Children of William F. Shaw & Eliza J. Tanner

Margaret Louetta
July 26, 1870
Mary Ellen
April 10, 1872
Clara Belle
about 1874

They lived in Hancock, Clinton and Howard Counties until Eliza J., was called to her reward. He then had homes for himself and two older children with his and his wife's parents and the younger one, with a kindhearted neighbor lady's family until the time of his marriage to Jahoda Martin, near Russiaville, Howard County, about 1877. After his second marriage he got his children together again. To this second union, seven children were born: John C., born in Clinton County, February 19, 1879; Oliver F., September 21, 1880; Sylvia Alice, October 27, 1884; Grace, 1887; Bessie born in Burlington, November 4, 1889; William Walter, 1891; Julia, 1893.

Children of William F. Shaw & Jahoda Martin

John C.
February 19, 1879
Oliver F.
September 21, 1880
Sylvia Alice
October 27, 1884
Grace
1887
Bessie
November 4, 1889
William Walter
1891
Julia
1893


He farmed in Howard County for some years. Prior to this he had been engaged in saw milling for a time. The last several years of his life were spent at his home at Nevada, Tipton Comity. There his children grew up and all were married there, except his little daughter, Clara Belle, by his first marriage, who had passed away several years before, and Grace and Julia who died when they were small children. His second wife also passed away there January 29, 1914. After her death his daughter, Sylvia, kept house for him until his death January 5. 1929. He was upright, kind and sympathetic and remarkably industrious.

The generations of today owe much to such old, hardy pioneers as he for the lessons they have left of this kindness, sympathy and industry. By his hard work and the hard work of others of like character, our world has been made a better place in which to may live today. He is laid to rest in the cemetary at Nevada, Tipton, County, Indiana.

Margaret Louetta, oldest daughter of William F., and Eliza J. Shaw was married to Walter Scott Reeder of Nevada, Tipton Comity, Indiana, on August 11, 1887. To this union eight children were born: Willard Charles, January 14, 1889; Ward Glen, March 7, 1891; Albert C., November 6, 1893; Pearl, August 21, ]897; Alta Belle, November 21, 1899; Ralph R., January 23, 1902; Dorothy Marie, March 17, 1901; Kenneth Dallas, October 13, 1907.

Children of Margaret Louetta Shaw & Walter Scott Reeder

Willard Charles
January 14, 1889
Ward Glen
March 7, 1891
Albert C.
November 6, 1893
Pearl
August 21, ]897
Alta Belle
November 21, 1899
Ralph R.
January 23, 1902
Dorothy Marie
March 17, 1901
Kenneth Dallas
October 13, 1907

Walter Scott has been a farmer all his life except the years from 1918 to 1922, which he spent in the mercantile business in Nevada. He has spent his entire life in the vicinity of Nevada and Windfall where he and Etta reared their somewhat large and remarkable family to become useful and honored citizens in the activities they have each one chosen as their lifework. The children have now gone out into these activities in various places and Scott and Etta are spending their declining years alone on the farm in the same old neighborhood near Nevada. We say "declining" years, as they are near the three score and ten mark, being the oldest couple in the fourth generation of our story, older than the younger ones of the few who are still living of the third generation. But regardless of the years, we hope for them many more years of health, happiness and usefulness.

Willard Charles, oldest son of Scott and Etta (Shaw) Reeder, spent his boyhood days at his parents' home on the farm near Nevada, receiving his education in the Nevada schools. On May 5, 1908, he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa., where he has since continuously resided, with the exception of a year spent in Nebraska. On going to Cedar Rapids, he took employment with Douglas & Company, corn and cane products manufacturers. Since 1921, he has been connected with Penick & Ford in the same line of work, and for the last twelve years has held the position of assistant plant superintendent with them.

Willard was married on January 1, 1916, to Agues Vajner, daughter of Frank and Anna Vajner of Chelsea, Iowa. They have three sons: Gale, who is now (1938) eighteen; Vern, sixteen and Carl, eleven years of age. They are all receiving their early education in the Cedar Rapids schools and all take an active interest in athletics. Gale graduated from high school in January, 1938, and expects to enter college this fall. Vern and Carl are musicians of exceptional ability. Vern has attended the summer session for all-state music students at the University of Iowa.

Ward Glen second son of Scott and Etta Reeder, received his early education in the local schools of his parents' home, and was graduated from the Indiana University in 1914, received his A. M. Degree from the Umversity of Chicago in 1918, and his Ph. D. Degree from the same University in 1921. He served as teacher, principal and superintendent of schools in Indiana, from 1910 to 1918. He held the position of Professor of Education in Moorhead, Minnesota State Teachers' College, from 1919 to 1922. Since 1922, he has continuously held the position of Professor of Education in the Ohio State University at Columbus, to the present time.

Ward was married to Vivian Scott on December 31, 1914. Three children were born to them: Mary Ann, born in New Carlisle, Indiana, April 17, 1917; Max Dale, horn in Chicago, Illinois, July 6, 1919; Louise Alice, born in Columbus, Ohio, July 22, 1924. Mary Ann graduated from Ohio State University in March, 1938. Max Dale graduated from high school in February, 1938. Louise Alice is now in the ninth grade in the Columbus schools.

Albert C., third son of Scott and Etta Reeder, graduated from the Nevada elementary and the Windfall high school, after which he attended Indiana University two years. He taught school in Indiana three years. He was appointed rural letter carrier at Windfall, February 13, 1916. He enlisted in the United States Army in December, 1917, and served with the 806th, 1107th and 210th Aero Squadrons A. E. F. He has been engaged in the insurance business since 1920.

Albert was married to Madonna Grace Black, daughter of Charles E., and Susie Back of Delaware County, Indiana, on May 31, 1924. They have a son, Richard Eugene, born in Dayton, Ohio, January 5, 1929, who is now in the third grade in school. Their address is 3621 Riverside Drive, Dayton, Ohio.

(Since the type was set for the above sketch thier little son, Richard Eugene, passed away April 28, 1939 at their home in Dayton and the body was brought to their old home at Nevada, Indiana, for interment. The writer wishes to extend his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved parents and he knows they have the same from all the relatives.)

Pearl, oldest daughter of Scott and Etta Reeder, received her elementary schooling in the Nevada public schools, afterward graduating from the New Carlisle high school. Her college education includes two terms at Indiana University, one at University of Chicago, one at Gregg School, Chicago, and night course at Northwestern University School of Commerce. Then, she adds to the data sent to the writer, the following: "The School of Experience (which has been by far, the most important)." We want to say "Amen" or "I second the motion" or some expression, to let her know that the writer has had that same feeling himself regarding the school of experience.

Pearl's teaching experience includes a successful career as teacher in the schools of Tipton and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana, while her business experience includes work in the advertising department of the Union Special Machine Company, Chicago and editorial work on Eagle Magazine South Bend, Indiana, and Editor of Hobbies, (a magazine for collectors) Chicago, the last named in which she is engaged at the present time.

Alta Belle, second daughter of Scott and Etta Reeder, received her education in the Nevada elementary schools and the Windfall high school. She was employed for a year by R. B. Miller Merchantile Store at Windfall, then later in her father's store, from 1918 to January 1,1920, while lie was conducting the store in Nevada.

Alta was married to Ralph David Graham on January 3, 1920. They have two sons: Robert Eugene, born February 13, 1921 and Dale Keith, born October 5, 1930. Robert Eugene graduated from the eighth grade in Ross Consolidated School in 1934, and now attends Sharpsville high school where he expects to graduate next spring, (1939). Dale Keith is now in the third grade in the Ross Consolidated School. The family reside on a farm near Sharpsville, Indiana, which is their address.

Ralph R., fourth son of Scott and Etta Reeder, received his early education in the Nevada Public schools, from which he graduated in 1916. He then attended the Windfall high school and graduated with the class of 1920. He was then graduated from State Teachers' College at Moorhead, Minnesota in 1922. At this time he became superintendent of schools at Doran, Minnesota where be remained until 1928, at which time he spent a year in the University of Minnesota, earning his degree of B. S. in Education. Then he became superintendent of schools at Elkton, Minnesota, remaining there until 1932. In that year he was elected superintendent of schools at Waterville, Minnesota, which position he holds at the present time.

Ralph was married to Esther M. Nelson of Delano, Minnesota, in 1924. They have a son, John Gordon Reeder, born August 10, 1933. Ralph is at the present time a member of the National Education Association; Phi Delta Kappa, national honorary society for men in education; Minnesota Council of School Executives; Minnesota Education Association; Chairman of Advancement Boy Scouts of America in local area; Chairman local district of the Minnesota Public School Music League.

Dorothy Marie, third and youngest daughter of Scott and Etta Reeder, received her education in the elementary public schools at Nevada, and in the Sharpsville high school. After this she was employed in Hart's Glass Factory in Dunkirk, Indiana, until her marriage She was married to Lewis Crowmer of Dunkirk, on May 3, 1927. They have a son, John Walter Crowmer, born May 4, 1937. They reside in Dunkirk.

Kenneth Dallas, fifth and youngest son of Scott and Etta Reeder, received his education in the Nevada elementary schools and the Sharpsville high school, graduating from the latter in 1925. He was married to Ollene Wood on March 24, 1930. They reside cm a farm one fourth mile south of Nevada.

Mary Ellen, second daughter of William F. an Eliza J. Shaw. was married to William Justice, a farmer near Burlington, Carroll County, Indiana, on May 15, 1892. They lived in this community only a short time afterwards moving to near Muncie, Indiana. They were the parents of two children, a daughter and a son. The son died at the age of about, two years. The daughter was married and the last the folks knew of her she was living in Detroit, Michigan.

Mary Ellen departed this life about 1896. It is thought that William still lives near Muncie.


John Calvin, oldest son of William F. and Jahoda Martin Shaw, was married to Laura E. Mefford of Windfall, Tipton County, February 22, 1902. Five children blessed their home; Louis Seibert, born April 10, 1904; Jewell Frances, born October 27, 1907; Robert Noel, born January 27, 1910; Lillian Carolyn, born August 9, 1913; John Hildreth, born January 1, 1917. Immediately after their marriage they began housekeeping on a farm two miles west of Windfall. After more than five years residence there and the birth of the two oldest children, they removed to a farm near Alexandria, Madison County, and then to a farm northeast of Windfall, where Robert Noel was born. After this they moved to their present home three miles north and one-fourth mile east of Windfall, in 1912. Here Lillian Carolyn and John Hildreth were born on the dates given above. Here, also came their first great grief in the loss of little Robert Noel, who was taken front them by death on September 30, 1915, as the result of injuries received in a fall from the top of a new, freshly filled silo. They have lived at their present home more than a quarter of a century and they enjoy the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of neighbors and friends. In their home life, they are generous and hospitable and guests are always welcome there.

Louis Selbert, the oldest son, received his education in the Windfall high school. He entered the army when quite young, when he was taken to Texas. Afterwards he spent some years in different parts of the west. For the past several years he has been employed as field man for the Regal Canning Company of Windfall. In February, 1938, he accepted a position in the same work with the Mount Summit Canning Company, near New Castle, Indiana.

Jewell Frances, the older daughter, was graduated from both the Windfall high school and the Kokomo Business College. She was employed by different loan companies until eight years ago, (1930), she accepted employment with the Union Bank and Trust Company at Kokomo, Indiana, which position she still holds. She was married to Harry S. Staley, October 9, 1932. Harry was an overseas veteran of the World War, having served with the famous Rainbow Division. They now reside at their new home which they built in 1937 at 1555 West Sycamore Street, Kokomo, Indiana.

Lillian Carolyn, the younger daughter, was also graduated from the Windfall high school. On a visit to her aunt, Mrs. G. O. Kelly of Dunkirk, Indiana, of whom we shall later write, she became acquainted with Mr. Clyde M. Baker, after which a romance began that culminated in their marriage on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934. They began housekeeping, in Dunkirk, but in July of that year they removed to Windfall where her husband began the operation of the Windfall and Rural Routes Advertiser, which as the name indicates, does all kinds of advertising and job printing. They have two children; James Calvin, born March 10, 1935; and Carol Adam, born September 30, 1937.

Clyde is a World War veteran and is now (1938) commander of the Legion Post at Windfall and is held in high esteem by everyone. He was a charter member of the Legion post at Dunkirk, his birthplace and he and Lilian are member's of the M.E. church at Windfall.

(Since the above was written the writer has received word of Clyde's death. He had been suffering from a complication of ailments for several months, but pressed bravely on with his work until July 30 when he was forced to retire to his home. Here everything possible was done for him but he gradually grew weaker and passed away there October 21, 1938, two months after the date to which our history had been completed. He was laid to rest with military rites in the Brookside cemetery at Windfall. After his break-down in health and since his death Lillian has assumed the management of the business. She and the little ones have the sincere sympathy of all the relatives and friends and she has the admiration of all in her heroic determination to bravely fight the battle of life.)

John Hildreth, youngest son, also graduated fron the Windfall high school and afterwards attended the Kokomo Business College. He is now employed the Kokomo Standard Sanitary Pottery Company as typing clerk. On our last meeting with him when he was about nineteen, we were much impressed with his sober and matter-of-fact manner and we bespeak for him a very successful career.

Oliver F. Shaw, second son of William F. and Jahoda Martin Shaw, was married to Effie V. Bragg on June 11, 1902. She was born April 7, 1884. To this union eight ehildren were born, Velma V., March 27, 1903; Nellie, January 28, 1906, near Alto, Howard County, Indiana; Alton L., November 30, 1908; Gertrude, November 17, 1910, near Morgantown, Brown County; Lorel C., November 13, 1912; Elva A., March 11, 1915; Harold O., January 15, 1919; Rube Clarice, March 14, 1922.

Ol has always been a farmer. He spent the first several years of his married life in farming a few miles west of Kokomo, Howard County. Then he spent some years in Brown and Johnson Comities, south of Indianapolis, returning, to Howard County about 1920. After a few more years here, he spent some time farming near Mexico, Miami County; then a year in Huntington County, after ‘vliich he removed to Windfall, Tipton County. Here he spent song! years farming for a large landholder and afterward moved to Elwood, Madison County, where he still resides. Here he continues to live in the city and farm land outside and work at various kinds of labor during these depression and recession years. Ol is upright, conscientious and kindhearted, winning and holding the respect of all with whom he associates. Effie is his equal in all this and these qualities manifest selves throughout the entire family.

Velma V., the oldest daughter, after receiving her education in the various schools where the family had resided, and also a nurse's training course, was married in Virgil L. Dunning, October 22, 1933. He was a farmer until the depression, since which time he has been employed at various kinds of work. They have a nice little home at 2800 North C Street, Elwood, where they now reside.

Nellie, the second daughter, after receiving her education in the schools of Johnson and Howard Counties, was graduated from the common school course at Kokomo in 1921. She was married to William Lester Alexander of Kokomo, on December 6, 1924. They went to housekeeping in Kokomo, where Lester was employed with Swift & Company. On March 5, 1933, they removed to Rossville, Clinton County, where Lester is manager of the Swift & Company Produce station there. They have one daughter, Waneta June, born in Kokomo, June 1929.

Alton L., the oldest son, received his education in the schools where the family had resided, afterward doing special work in Taylor University, Upland„ Indiana. He was married to Bernice Benge, April 16, 1933. They have two children, Virginia Eileen, born November 8, 1934, and Raymond Philip, born October 2, 1936. Alton is produce buyer for Russell Pickett at Bakers Corner. His address is Arcadia, Indiana, Route 2.

(Since the above was written they have another daughter, born on August 30, 1938, whom they have named Judith Carol.)

Gertrude, the third daughter, received her education in the schools where the family had resided, graduating from the Windfall high school in 1931. She was married to Omer Martin Benge, of Kokomo, on August 10, 1931. Omer is a laborer and factory worker. They have resided in Kokomo continuously since their marriage. They have a little daughter, Marlene Sue, bora September 30, 1937.

Lorel C., the second son, died on January 7, 1913, at the age of almost two months.

Elva A., fourth daughter, after being educated in the schools where the family had resided and graduating from Elwood high school with the class of 1934, was married to Robert E. Lee, on July 2, 1934. Robert is a laborer and factory worker. They live in Elwood. They have a little daughter, Arthetta Rosemary, born April 17, 1936.

Harold O., third son, received his education in the Windfall and Elwood schools. He is at present employed on the farm and in the dairy by Thomas Bolander north of Elwood.

Ruby Clarice, the youngest daughter, was educated in the schools of Windfall and Elwood. She was married to Paul Fincher of Elwood. Paul is a laborer and factory worker. They have a little daughter, Olive Louise, born October 21, 1937.


Sylvia Alice, oldest daughter of William F. and Jahoda Martin Shaw, spent her early life at her parents' home in the various places they had lived in Howard, Clinton, Carroll and Tipton Counties. She has always been of a quiet disposition and a noble character, always dependable. After the death of her mother she stayed with her father and kept house for him ten years, until her marriage. She was married to George Orr Kelly of Dunkin, Indiana, December 31, 1924. Her husband was engaged in the mercantile business in Dunkirk at the time of their marriage. They are now engaged in conducting a restaurant there. In 1927, they built a new home in the little city which they still occupy.


Bessie Shaw, youngest daughter of William F. and Jahoda Martin Shaw, was married to Cash Cottingham at Windfall on December 19, 1908. He was born near Nevada, Tipton County, April 30, 1883. Two daughter were born to them: Donna Dee, October 15, 1911 and Cuma Fern, March 23, 1915. Immediately after their marriage they went to housekeeping in Nevada and Cash farmed his mother's farm about a mile away. Afterward they conducted a store in Nevada and then some years ago, they removed to Sharpsville in the same county, where Cash had been appointed Post Master. They now live in Nevada again, where Bessie again conducts the store and Cash continues as Post Muster in Sharpsville. Donna Dee, the older daughter, was married to Wayne Lorts on October 17, 1931. They live on a farm three miles from Sharpsville. On December 3, 1935, a son, Richard Lee, who died at birth was born to them on October 10, 1937, a daughter was born whom the they named Sandra Jo.

Cuma Fern, the younger daughter. was married to Herman Land on November 6, 1937. They live in Kokomo. Cuma is employed in the office of Dr. Morrison and her husband has employment with the Delco Company.

William Walter Shaw, youngest son of William F. and Jahoda Martin Shaw, after spending his boyhood days in his father's home at the various places at which the family had lived, was married to Miss Ida Hughes on May 12, 1917. Two children were born to them, Walter Wayne on March 24, 1921, and Geraldine on September 11, 1923. The writer has had the pleasure or meeting only one of the family, Walter Wayne. This meeting was for only a few minutes in Sharpsville, Indiana, when Walter Wayne was a little more than fifteen years old. We were very much impressed by his genial and kindly bearing and his sober judgment manifested as a boy. He and his mother live in Tipton, where he is now (1938) in school. Geraldine is now in Chigago with family of an uncle.

After Will's last marriage, he conducted a filling station and eating place on Highway 31, south of Kokomo, for some time. He is now in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he is employed as a meat salesman.




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