My Genealogy Hound

SHAW, J. C. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 11, P.O. White Hall. Mr. Shaw was born in the extreme north of Ireland, on the 9th day of November, 1802. At the early age of ten he was apprenticed to the trade of a millwright; serving seven years, he became exceedingly skillful in this vocation. Crossing the Atlantic in 1832, he landed in the city of Baltimore, remaining eight months, he went to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Barkus. In 1834, he made his way to the southern portion of Illinois, locating at Montezuma, Scott Co., and thence to Manchester, where he erected many of the buildings, entering into the construction of the town. At this time the circumstances of Mr. Shaw were exceedingly limited, although he earned good wages. Like nearly all of his race, his generosity was unbounded. By the advice of his devoted wife he proceeded to Edwardsville, then a small place, where he entered land from the Government, and now began the quiet life of a farmer. A resident of this county forty years, he witnessed many changes, and has become a well-to-do farmer, owning 160 acres. Mrs. Shaw departed this life five years ago. There are ten children: John, Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas, Henry, James, Daniel, William, Benjamin and George.