My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT SHAW, senior member of the boot, shoe and rubber firm of Shaw & Hale, of Westfield, was born in County Down, Ireland, July 17, 1833, and is a son of James and Margaret (Robinson) Shaw. His paternal grandfather, William Shaw, was a native and life-long resident of County Down, where he followed his trade of cooper. He was a Presbyterian in religious belief, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His son, James Shaw, the father of Robert Shaw, was one of the large linen manufacturers of Ireland. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land in County Down where his linen factory was built. He employed from four hundred to six hundred hands in the manufacture of linen, operated a general store and was a man well-known for his energy and enterprise. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and died November 9, 1849, aged fifty-seven years. His wife was a native of County Down, and a Presbyterian, and died in 1837.

Robert Shaw was reared in his native county, received his education in the National schools of Ireland, and in 1857, at twenty-four years of age, came to New York. On May 27th, of that year he came to Westfield, where he has resided ever since. He was engaged in farming from 1857 to June 1, 1863, when he became a clerk in a grocery house of Westfield, which position he held for four years and two months.

On July 27, 1867, he formed a partnership with William Ellison, and they purchased the establishment in which he had served as a clerk. This firm of Shaw and Ellison continued one year when Mr. Shaw purchased the interest of Ellison and conducted the store until April 1, 1872. He then associated his two nephews, W. R. Douglas and J. R. S. Crosgrove in business with him under the firm name of R. Shaw & Co. On March 29, 1882, he disposed of his interest in this firm to W. R. Douglas, and for the next three years was not engaged in any line of mercantile business. On April 14, 1885, he formed his present partnership with G. W. Hale, under the firm name of Shaw & Hale. They are dealers in boots, shoes and rubbers, and their establishment is at No. 14, Main street. They have well arranged salesrooms, carry a nice stock of goods and do a good business.

June 5, 1872, Mr. Shaw united in marriage with Nancy Ard, daughter of John Ard, Sr., of Westfield. They have three children, one son and two daughters: Edith May, George Patterson and Clara Jane.

Robert Shaw is a straight republican in politics, has served for eighteen years as a member of the school board and is a successful business man of twenty-eight years experience. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Westfield, Westfield Lodge, No. 591, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Olive Lodge, No. 521, Knights of Honor, Chautauqua Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Westfield Union, No. 63, Equitable Aid Union. He was a member of the village board of trustees for seven years, also town clerk for one year.