p. 697

William H. Shaw, a farm hand in his early youth, is now conducting a successful business in grain and coal in Lyndon, where he owns and operates a large elevator. He was born in Tioga county, New York, August 21, 1850, but the following year was brought to Lyndon township, Whiteside county, with his parents, henry B. and Rosina W. (Newton) Shaw. His paternal grandparents were William and Betsy (Talmage) Shaw, natives of Saratoga county, New York, where their entire lives were passed. The mother was an own cousin of Dr. DeWitt Talmage, the noted divine, and was a daughter of Enos Talmage, who served for seen years in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. William shaw had a a brother who was judge of the circuit court of Saratoga county, and he was the third in a family of four sons. the eldest brother, Thomas Shaw, had a family of twelve sons and one daughter. The second brother, Robert Shaw, became a resident of New Jersey, and the youngest was William Shaw, grandfather of our subject. All, however, are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Shaw were born five children: Lucy, deceased; Elizabeth; William T., who has also passed away; Henry B.; and Mary, deceased.

Henry B. Shaw was born in Tioga county, New York, November 12, 1826, and resided in his native county until 1850, when he came to the middle west and has since resided in Whiteside county. he was reared on a farm and after coming to Illinois purchased and secured land. His father had been a carpenter by trade, and Henry Shaw learned that business under his direction, but following his removal to the west, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at the bend in Lyndon township this he improved but after a time sold eighty aces., and later disposed of the remaining eighty acres. He then again engaged in carpentering. He brought some money with him on his removal from New York, but lost most of his property through the illness of  his wife, which brought on heavy expenses. He then took up his trade and was identified with building operations in the county until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, on the 14th of August, 1862, becoming a member of Company B, Seventy -fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. he then took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chicamauga, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Later he was transferred to the First United States Engineer Corps and saw no more fighting, but did equally valiant service for his country during the succeeding eighteen months. after being with the engineers for about two weeks he was commissioned artificer and continued n that position until the close of the war, being honorably discharged July 3, 1865.

When the country no longer needed his aid at the front Henry B. Shaw returned home and worked at his trade as long as he was able, being a well known representative of building operations In Lyndon and the surrounding districts. his early political support was given to the democracy, but on the organization of the republican party he joined its ranks, and has since supported the candidates at the head of its ticket with two exceptions, when he voted the greenback ticket. He is a valued member of Orson K. Hubbard Post, No. 749, G. A. R. of Lyndon, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been characterized by industry and activity, and in all things he has been guided by honorable principles. He was married on the 7th of February, 1846, to Miss Rosina W. Newton, who was born in Chenango county, New York, February 29, 1828, a daughter of Moses and Mehitable (Burlingame) Newton, whose family numbered twelve children, all of whom were professional people with the exception of Mrs. Shaw. Mr Shaw came to this county in 1850, and his wife joined him in 1851. thus far more than a half century they have resided in the county and have witnessed the greater part of its development. they have lived together longer than any married couple in Whiteside county, having traveled life's journey as man and wife for sixty-three years. Their family numbered five children: Sophia, now the wife of J F. Brumbley, of Lyndon; William H., of this review; Ida a., the wife of Jesse Troop, of Sterling; Clair V., who is living in Hume township; and Lily, deceased.

William H. Shaw, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents'' home, and from an early age has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. When but a boy he began earning his own living by working as a farm hand, his father being away form home as a soldier in the civil war. William H. Shaw continued his labors in the fields in the employ of others for six years, but was ambitious to engage in farming on his own account  and carefully saving his earnings, at length purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land on sections 17, 19 and 20, Lyndon township. With characteristic energy he began to cultivate and improve the fields,which he brought to a high state of fertility, so that he annually marketed good harvests. In 1890, however, he retired from the farm and took up his abode in Lydon, where he established his present business as a dealer in grain and coal. The new enterprise proved profitable, and in 1902 he built a large elevator with a capacity of twelve thousand bushels. In addition to his elevator property, he owns several houses and lots and a business building in Lyndon, which sand as monuments to his ability and enterprise and are tangible proof of his diligence.

In his political views Mr. Shaw is a stalwart republican, and his fellow townsmen have called him to a number of positions of public honor and trust. He has been school t5treasurer for th past fifteen years, and was assessor of his township for one term. Interested in the moral development o f h is community he is an active and faithful member of the Congregational church, in which he is serving as deacon. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic lodge, No 750, of which he is a past master, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystics. almost his entire life has been passed this county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to th present is an indication that his has been an honorable career, well meriting the confidence an esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact.