Tuolumne
County
Biographies
JOHN SHAW
One of the old and highly respected
businessmen and reliable citizens of Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, is
John Shaw, the subject of this sketch.
He was a native of Ireland, born there November 24, 1824, his parents
being James and Sarah (Archer) Shaw, both of them being natives of the same
country. They were highly esteemed in
their home, where they passed their whole lives, and died members of the
Presbyterian Church.
John Shaw received his education in
his native country, coming to the United States in 1846 and making the trip in
the sailing vessel Fanny Foster. His
first home was with his brother in North Carolina, who was engaged there in the
drug business, and under this brother’s supervision he learned it, since which
time it has been the principal occupation in which he has engaged. In 1853 he decided to make the long trip to
California, accomplishing in the sailing vessels, the Illinois and the John
Stephens. During 1853 he remained in San
Francisco, but in the spring of 1854 came to Sonora, where he entered into the
employ of a druggist, but later bought his business and has most successfully
conducted it ever since. For forty-six
years he has made an honorable business record in this county.
The marriage of Mr. Shaw took place
in 1855 to Miss Hester Brangon, a native of his own
land, and ten children were born to them.
The eldest of these was William R., a graduate at the University of
California, who died in September, 1900, at the age of forty-five years. The remainder of the family is as
follows: Sarah, Mary, John Archer, Henry
P., Hester, Edward, Herbert, Rachel and Lucy, the last named the wife of Hon.
John Barry Curtin.
Mr. Shaw has been a life-long
Democrat and has been called upon to serve in many of the town and county
offices. He has been the treasurer and
deputy treasurer of the county, and at one time was a city trustee. Since 1852 he has been an active member of
the I. O. O. F., and both he and his family enjoy the high regard of the
community.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 537-538. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.