San Joaquin County
Biographies
HENRY COFFIN SHAW
H. C. SHAW.--Prominent among
the business men of Stockton who have identified themselves thoroughly with the
commercial interests of the San
Joaquin valley, stands the
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. A brief resume of his early life and
antecedents therefore becomes necessary for the purpose of this volume. He was
born at Steuben, Washington County, Maine, November 9,
1833, and comes of an old New
England family. The
progenitor of the family in this country, according to the generally accepted
public records, was Thomas Shaw, of Scotland, a member of one of the old Scottish clans, who
emigrated to the eastern coast of America in early colonial days. Francis Shaw, his son, was
born in Boston on the 29th of March, 1721. In 1745 he
married Lydia Dickman, who died December 26, 1746, leaving one son, who died
the following year. On the 22d of September, 1747, Francis Shaw married his
second wife, Sarah, the daughter of Benjamin Burt, the silversmith, of whose
skill in his trade many specimens still exist. In February, 1754, as appears by
the book of records, he bought a house and land in the town of Boston, on the street or highway leading from Fish street to the old North meeting-house, and bounded by lands
of the New Brick meeting-house, of John Tudor and Paul Revere. Other
conveyances, of which there are several on record, show that he gradually
increased his investments in real estate, and he is elsewhere mentioned as a
“merchant engaged in extensive business, and distinguished for intelligence and
enterprise.” The house above mentioned became his residence, and was probably
that of his widow until her death, when it was sold by the heirs, and described
as “late the mansion of Francis Shaw, esquire, deceased.” It was here that took place the
quarrel between Samuel Shaw, the third son of Francis, and Lieutenant Wragg, of
the British army, an account of which is given by Hon. Josiah Quincy, in his
memoir of his friend, Major Samuel Shaw. Major Pitcairn and Lieutenant Wragg
had been billeted on his father, and the Lieutenant, having at the table spoken
contemptuously of Americans, was challenged by young Samuel--or, as another
account says, received from him the contents of a glass of wine full in the
face,--but a duel was prevented by the intervention of Major Pitcairn. “The
incident,” to quote from an Eastern publication, “shows the principles of the
family, and that of most of the inhabitants of the North End, where they
resided,” and which was also, as Quincy says, “the abode of some of the most
active and ardent spirits who gave character and impulse to the American
Revolution.” Like many other patriots, the family left Boston
while egress was still permitted, and found refuge with Mrs. Burt, at Newburyport. In 1776, after the British had evacuated Boston, they returned to their homes, and in 1779 Francis
Shaw was collector of taxes for the town. His finances had been crippled
previous to the war of the Colonies with Great Britain, he having, in 1770, in company with Robert Gould of Boston,
and Lane, Son, Brazier & Co., eminent merchants and bankers of London, embarked in a disastrous colonization enterprise.
They obtained from the crown a grant of a
township of land in the then province of Maine,
and, after a careful reconnaissance, fixed upon the location of a fine seaport
town, which they named Gouldsboro. Settlers were brought in and all necessary
live-stock and implements provided, farms cleared up, mills erected, etc., but
when everything promised splendidly, the war of the Revolution came on, putting
a stop to all business, with disastrous results to the promoters of the
enterprise. Mr. Gould, who had been largely engaged in commerce, was ruined,
and his share of the responsibility, as well as of the property, fell to
Francis Shaw, who likewise made advances for Lane & Frazier, and expended
nearly the whole of his estate in the purchase and transportation of supplies.
There was no relief until the close of the war, when a renewal of business
operations was attempted by Francis Shaw and his son. Improvements of all kinds
were again placed under way, but this did not last long: Francis Shaw died in Boston on the 18th of October, 1784. His eldest
son, Francis Shaw, Jr., was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He
was born on the 28th of July, 1748, and was educated by Mr. Gould
before mentioned. When the Gouldsboro enterprise was undertaken, he was sent
there as the agent of his father and of Mr. Gould, and his finances suffered
with the others. He was married at Gouldsboro to Hannah Nickels, who was born
in Boston, October 20, 1754, and was the daughter of William
and Margaret (Breck) Nickels. He participated in the struggle for independence
with credit, holding the rank of Major, and afterward of Colonel. He died at
Gouldsboro April 17, 1785. His younger brother, Samuel Shaw, heretofore
mentioned as a young Boston patriot, the third son of Francis Shaw, Sr., was a
yet more distinguished figure in the American Revolution, and became a very
prominent man. He was born in Boston, October 2, 1754, was educated in the public schools
of that city, and entered the Latin school under the tuition of James Lowell.
Though destined for commercial pursuits, he left the school-room for the
exciting scenes of camp life when the colonies commenced their struggle for
liberty from the British yoke. He entered the army as a Lieutenant, but was
soon promoted for the meritorious conduct, and became a member of General
Knox’s staff. When he left the army he received the following testimonial from
the commander-in-chief:
“This certifies that Captain Samuel Shaw
was appointed a Lieutenant of Artillery in the army of the United States of
America in 1775; in the year following he was appointed Adjutant, and in 1777
was appointed to the ranks of Captain-Lieutenant and Brigadier-Major in the
corps of artillery, in which capacity he served until August, 1779, when he was
appointed Aide-de-camp to Major General Knox, commanding the artillery, with
whom he served till the close of the war, having been promoted to the rank of
Captain of Artillery in 1780. From the testimony of superior officers under
whom Captain Shaw has served, as well as from my own observation, I am enabled
to certify that, through the whole of his service, he has greatly distinguished
himself in company which could entitle him to the character of an intelligent,
active and brave officer.
“Given under my hand and seal this 3d day of November, 1783.
“George
Washington.”
Colonel William N. Shaw, the youngest
child and fourth son of Francis Shaw, Jr., was the father of our subject, H. C.
Shaw. He was born November 12, 1783. He inherited the prevailing military
spirit of the family and took an active interest in the militia, in which he
held the rank of Colonel. In civil life, he followed mercantile pursuits,
milling, etc. He died March 2, 1845. The maiden name of his wife, who died May
19, 1880, was Nancy D. Stevens.
Henry C. Shaw, the subject of this sketch,
was the tenth in order of age, and the sixth son of his parents’ twelve
children. He commenced attendance at school in his native place, but when in
his thirteenth year left there to commence a higher education at North Yarmouth Academy. Having completed his studies there, he began
attendance at Phillips Academy, Andover.
His education completed, he went to Boston, and engaged as clerk with the firm
of Horatio Harris & Co., No. 8, India street, a commission house in the
foreign trade. With them he remained until 1851, when he decided to try his
fortune in California, and sailed on the clippers ship Shooting Star
(Captain Baker) from Nantucket. Having been partially dismantled by severe weather
while in the gulf stream, the vessel put into port at Rio Janeiro for repairs.
Resuming the voyage she proceeded to San Francisco without further noteworthy incident, and arrived at
her destination after a voyage of 144 days. George N. Shaw, a brother, was then
in business in San Francisco on Battery street between Bush and California, as head of the commission house of George N. Shaw
& Co., and our subject joined him and became engaged in the establishment
mentioned. About the first Sunday after his arrival, he saw, near his brother’s
place of business, the hanging of two men by the first San Francisco Vigilance
Committee in 1851. This sight had a depressing effect upon Mr. Shaw,
unaccustomed as he was to such scenes of violence. He had been in San Francisco
but a short time, when he went to the Sandwich Islands on a trip combining
business with pleasure, returning some five or six months later. He then went
to the mines with the intention of joining in the search for gold, his work in
this direction being principally on the north fork of Feather river, at Potter’s Bar. He had been at work but a short
time when he became sick, due principally to exposure in the water, and from
which he did not fully recover for about three years. He returned to San Francisco, and from there went again to the Sandwich Islands, where his health improved. He was most of the time
at Honolulu, and when he left there went back to San Francisco. From there he went to Washington Territory, and located at an Indian trading post on Neah bay.
He became engaged there with C. L. Strong, but later left that employ and went
into business for himself, trading with the natives. In the course of trade, he
visited the northern tribes as far away as Queen Charlotte’s Island.
His business compelled him to familiarize himself with the native tongue, and
he acquired a good commercial knowledge of half a dozen Indian dialects. While
pursuing his other interests, he also explored some of the rivers in that
region for gold. In all he remained in the northern country some three years,
and then left to join his brother in the Washoe district of Nevada. He had proceeded on his way as far as the Big Trees
of Calaveras County, California, where he was again taken with sickness so
severely as to induce his return north as far as Neah bay. After one year
there, his health having returned, he came back to California, located in Stockton, and engaged as clerk in an establishment for the
sale of agricultural implements. From that position he progressed into business
for himself, which he has handled with abundant success. The plow works which
bear his name were established in 1879, and their product is widely known and
favorably received. Mr. Shaw, during a long and successful career as a business
man, has gained an enviable reputation as an upright, generous and
public-spirited citizen. His occupation has placed him in close relations with
farmers and producers the length and breadth of San Joaquin valley, and through adversity and failure of crops, he has all these
years stood by and assisted many worthy but unfortunate producers. On the
subject of California farming he is enthusiastic, and has given the subject
a great deal of attention, especially in importing and manufacturing improved
implements and machinery and equipment for ranches, large and small. His high
sense of honor, forbearance and universal generosity among his neighbors have
given him a degree of popularity and respect that is indeed unusual. Mr. Shaw
has an abiding faith in the resources, productiveness and future growth of this
section of California, and believes that the city of Stockton with her natural advantages in a commercial point of
view, is destined to be the great inland city of the State and the center for
manufacturing agricultural implements and machinery.
Mr. Shaw has been master of Morning Star
Lodge, F. & A. M., two years, and is a member of Stockton Chapter and
Stockton Commandery. In the Grand Commandery of California he has held the
office from junior deacon to junior warden. He also belongs to Stockton Lodge,
I. O. O. F. He is an exempt member of the Weber Engine Company of the old
volunteer fire department, and has been in the past identified with the
National Guard of California, having been First Lieutenant of the Stockton City
Guard.
Mr. Shaw has three brothers who came to California, and all of them were pioneers. Of these Colonel William
T. Shaw, the eldest, gained national reputation, and his sketch follows:
Colonel William T. Shaw was born September
22, 1822, was reared in Maine,
and received his education at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He went to Kentucky as a teacher, but enlisted in the Second Kentucky Infantry for service
in the war with Mexico, in which he remained until the close of that struggle. Afterward he
participated in the Indian war on the borders. Having obtained a reputation for
noble daring, he was chosen in 1849 as the leader of the first party of
thirty-six men who crossed the plains to California in search of gold. He came to Stockton, and was one of the first to go to the mines from
this point. In 1853, leaving California he went back East, and located at Anamosa, Iowa, where he yet resides. In 1861, when the civil war
broke out, he offered his services in behalf of the flag of his country, whose
colors he had followed in two former wars, and threw his whole soul into his
efforts in behalf of the Union. He raised a regiment, and on the 24th of
October, 1861, was elected its Colonel. His regiment, the Fourteenth Iowa,
distinguished itself in every battle in which it was engaged, and the Second
Brigade, Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, which was subsequently commanded
by him, gained the name of the “Iron Brigade,” from its power of endurance and
unflinching bravery in battles. At Fort Donelson and at Pittsburg Landing, the fighting of the
Fourteenth Iowa was fearfully in earnest, and gained the admiration and
applause of both friend and foe. Beaureguard said, “We charged the center five
distinct times, and could not break it.”
Colonel Shaw was more than once reproved
by his superior officers for disobeying the strictest orders and rushing into
the fight before command was given. “It will be remembered,” says the Davenport, Iowa, Gazette, “when General Prentis lectured in Davenport on the battles of Shiloh, he spoke of the bravery of Colonel Shaw, and
referred to the strong language he could use when provoked to it, even
excelling Prentis himself in the use of the adjectives. When Colonel Shaw’s
term of service expired, he was relieved by the following order:
“Headquarters Right Wing, Sixteenth
Army Corps, Harrisville, Missouri, October 28, 1864.
“Special
Order No. 132.--I. Colonel W. T. Shaw, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, is
relieved from the command of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and will
forthwith rejoin his regiment at Davenport, Iowa. The quartermaster will furnish him transportation
for himself and authorized servant.
“2. In relieving Colonel Shaw from the
command of the Third Division prior to his being mustered out, it is but an act
of justice to an energetic, thorough and competent officer, to say that for the
last fifteen months he has been in this command as commanding a post, brigade
and division, and in every position he has performed the incumbent duties
faithfully and well; with an ability that few can equal; with courage,
patriotism and skill above question. The service loses an excellent officer
when he is mustered out.
“By order of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith,
“S.
Hough, A. A. G.”
When the Colonel was about to take leave
of his compatriots in arms, the officers of the division which he had commanded
presented him with a costly sword and scabbard, one of the most beautiful ever
made.
On his return to Anamosa he engaged in
business, agriculture and banking, and has ever since taken a lively interest
in every enterprise likely to aid his city, county or State. He has been the
moving mind in three different successful railway enterprises, and in
everything has shown the broadest public spirit, being noted for his
perseverance and indomitable energy. He is a man who holds the confidence,
esteem, and respect of all who know him. A stanch Republican, he has
contributed much to past successes of his party in the State of Iowa, and made
one of the most exciting races for Congress in the history of his district,
being defeated only on account of the exceptionally peculiar position in which
the Prohibition movement placed the Republican party that year, attacked from
front and rear. It was concluded that he made a grand race, and came nearer
success than any other Republican could have done that year. Colonel Shaw has
been for many years the leading spirit of Anamosa, which pretty city is
indebted to his enterprise for her finest buildings and for the establishment
and success of nearly all her enterprises.
George N. Shaw, the next younger brother
of W. T. Shaw, has been previously mentioned as engaged in the commission
business in San
Francisco in the
early days. He died in the Washoe district of Nevada, where he was an operator
in mines.
Edward B. Shaw, the other brother referred
to, came to this State via Cape
Horn in 1859, and died
shortly after landing from the ship.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 317-321. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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