Medina County OhArchives Biographies.....Shaw, Thomas 1832 - May 3, 1914
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David Holcomb david@holcombs.net December 5, 2006, 4:18 pm

Author: Harriet Taylor Upton

From the book "History of the Western Reserve" by Harriet Taylor Upton, 1910.
Thomas Shaw -    Among those who have been able and successful exponents of 
the great basic industry of agriculture in Medina county is Mr. Shaw, who has 
here maintained his home from the time of his infancy, being a member of one 
of the sterling pioneer families of this favored section of the Western 
Reserve. He is still the owner of his finely improved farm, in Montville 
township, but is now living a retired life, having an attractive home in the 
village of Medina, where he is enjoying the generous rewards of former years 
of earnest toil and endeavor.
   Thomas Shaw was born in Waddington, St. Lawrence county, New York, June 23, 
1832, and is a son of William and Hannah (Peacock) Shaw, both of whom were 
natives of England. The father was reared to maturity in his native land, 
where he remained until 1828, when he came to America and located in St. 
Lawrence county, New York, where he was engaged in farming for a few years. In 
1833 he removed with his family to Ohio and became one of the pioneers of 
Medina county. Here he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land in York 
township and through arduous labor and indomitable perseverance he reclaimed a 
good farm. He moved to Montville township in 1851, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred in 1869. He was a man of strong character, utmost 
integrity and of indefatigable industry, and he was duly prospered in his 
efforts as a farmer and stock grower. His political support was given to the 
Democratic party, though he never sought or held office, and he and his wife 
both held membership in the Methodist church. They commanded the high regard 
of all who knew them, and their names merit an enduring place on the roll of 
the honored pioneers of Medina county. They became the parents of nine 
children, of whom four are now living. The devoted wife and mother survived 
her husband by more than a decade, and her death occurred in the year 1881.
   Thomas Shaw, the immediate subject of this review, was about one year old 
at the time of the family removal from the old Empire state to Medina county, 
and he was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm, in whose work he 
began to lend his aid while still a boy. Under this sturdy discipline he waxed 
strong in physical powers, and in the meanwhile he duly availed himself of 
such educational privileges as were afforded in the primitive schools of the 
pioneer epoch in this section. He continued to be associated in the work and 
management of the home farm until he had attained to the age of nineteen, at 
which time he came from York township to Montville township, and initiated his 
independent career as a farmer and stock raiser. He purchased a farm in 
Montville township, about one and one-half miles from Medina, the county seat, 
and there he developed one of the fine farm properties of the county. A 
portion of this well improved farm was originally that owned by his father, 
William Shaw, who came to the county about the same time as did Thomas Shaw, 
and the place has been known as the Shaw homestead for more than fifty-nine 
years. The subject of this sketch gained recognition as one of the able, 
progressive and enterprising farmers of the county, and his success in his 
chosen vocation was on a parity with the ability and industry which marked his 
course during his active career. He still owns the farm, upon which he 
continued to reside until 1904, when he removed to Medina and purchased his 
present comfortable residence, which is eligibly located on South Broadway.
   Mr. Shaw has so ordered his course as to retain at all times the cofidence 
and esteem of the people of the county in which virtually his entire life thus 
far has been passed, and he is known as a sterling citizen of unassuming 
character. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, and 
while he has ever given his aid and influence in support of measures advanced 
for the general welfare of the community he has never had aught of aspiration 
for public office.
   On October 25, 1866, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Shaw to Miss Martha 
Abbott, who was born and reared in Medina county and who is a daughter of the 
late Leorette Abbott, long a resident of Montville township, this county. Mr. 
and Mrs. Shaw have two children, Willis L., who has charge of the home farm, 
and Adda, who remains with her parents.   

Additional Comments:
From the Elyria Independent Democrat, August 22, 1866
Judicial Convention
The delegates to the Judicial Convention for the Second Sub Division, Fourth 
Judicial District, met at Medina, Aug. 15th, 1866, pursuant to call, J. A. 
Rettig Esq., Chairman of the Judicial Committee called the Convention to 
order, and on his motion, S. W. McClure, Esq., of Summit County was appointed 
Chairman……...........
	On motion the Chair appointed the following gentlemen to serve as the 
Judicial Com., said district for the ensuing term: Lorain, Maj. J.W.Bullock, 
J.B. Humphrey, of Elyria. Medina, J.A. Rettig Thos. S. Shaw of Medina. Summit, 
H.W. Howe, of Akron, P.G. Somers of Cuyahoga Falls - There being no further 
business the Convention adjourned.


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