SHAWS FROM MARYLAND TO IOWA

Diane Stults, of Panama City, Florida, gave this narrative of information:

General: Within their first year of marriage newly weds Joseph and Highly Shaw journeyed west in search of new land to claim as their own. They left behind home, friends and family for the Unknown "wild west". In their hearts they knew the parting was permanent, and it was doubtful they would ever see their loved ones again.

Iowa was a territory in 1840 when Joseph and Highley were listed on the census of Washington County (Page 599). It wouldn't become a state until 1846. There were still Indians living in Iowa and in Mahaska County. Kish-ke-kosh had a village in what would become White Oak Township, and Hard Fish's village was in what is now Eddyville.

In 1842 the Government made a treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians and purchased their land. In return the Indians were to leave the area at the end of three years. Most of the Indians were removed to Kansas in the fall of 1845 and the spring of 1846. Because of this peaceful arrangement, the early Mahaska County Settlers had no problems with the Indians and no blood was shed.

The white settlers were not allowed to come on the land until May 1, 1843 when the land was officially delivered to the government by the Indians. Dragoons were stationed alone the border to keep whites out, although some men quietly walked across the border to check out potential claims. As the time grew closer the Dragoons became more lax.

On the night of April 30 scores of newcomers began crossing the border with sharpened stakes in hand to mark the section they intended to claim. Our Joseph was probably among them driving his wagon or stumbling along in the dark with his lantern or torch held high. At midnight the amateur surveyors began pacing off their claims. Surprisingly, there were relatively few disputes.

Joseph went back for his family and then came the hard work of establishing their new home in an unfamiliar environment. They had come from the Mountains of Western Maryland with its abundance of forests. There they had material for building homes, outbuildings and fences as well as wood for fuel. Here they were in a prairie or tall grass region where trees primarily grew along streams and rivers. There were enough trees to build cabins, but they had to use substitutes for fuel, like corncobs, dried prairie hay and dried animal droppings. Not only did they have to construct their home, but most likely had to make their own furniture since not everything would have been brought with them from Maryland. Joseph's father, Henry was a carpenter, so perhaps Joseph had acquired the necessary skills from him.

The prairie looked bleak and desolate to our mountain ancestors, and it harbored danger. Prairie fires were common and in the fall settlers were especially alert until the first snowfall. There was also the danger of contracting communicable diseases such as scarlet fever, and often the early death of a beloved child like Joseph and Highly's Susan E. before her sixth birthday. Even the common cold was a threat to their health. I'm sure they were homesick many times during those early years.

Joseph and Highly persevered and worked hard at establishing their new home. The rewards were substantial and they soon discovered that prairie land was some of the richest land to be found anywhere in the world. With true pioneer spirit they raised a large family and greatly increased the value of their farm. Their farm was locate din Oskaloosa Township near the small town of Beacon. In the 1850 Census Joseph was listed as a Farmer with land valued at $600.00. Children at home were Sidney, Harriet, Columbus, Americus, Augustus and Susan E.

Joseph died in January 1860 at the age of forty-one leaving an estate of 360 acres, a pregnant wife and nine children. He was buried in Beacon Cemetery. A large stone says Shaw and is inscribed with Joseph and Highly's names, birth and death dates as well as Joseph Jr. and his wife Ada Evans. Each has a small, flat stone. Joseph's says, "Father" and below that "I took the Bible for my Guide".

We can only imagine how devastated Highly was at the untimely death of her Husband. It must have been overwhelming to face giving birth to a new baby, raising ten children and running a farm alone. She pulled herself together and with remarkable courage and determination, succeeded in raising a fine family and improving the value of her farm. Luckily, her first three sons were old enough to take over the farm chores.

Highly was listed as the head of the house in the 1860 Census. Her real estate was valued at $4,000.00 and her personal property at $900.00. She listed housekeeper as her occupation and the column "Persons over 20 unable to read or write" was marked. Her daughter, Sidney was listed as a seamstress and her son Columbus as a farm laborer. Children at home were Sidney O., Columbus, Americus, Augustus A., Lawson J., Naomi C., Susan S., Hester J. and Joseph. Her daughters, Harriet and Susan E., were not listed in this Census. Harriet had married in March and lived nearby. Susan E. died during the early 1850's. She is not listed in the Mahaska County WPA Burial Records, but there are a number of broken and unreadable gravestones in the Beacon Cemetery.

By the 1870 Census Highly had real estate valued at $15,000.00 and personal property valued at $3,000.00. The "Could not write" column was checked, but not the "Could not read" column. Columbus, Augustus were all listed as heads of their own households near their mother. All had property, but no real estate. Presumably, they farmed their mother’s land or worked for someone else. Children at home were Lawson, Susan S., Hester and Joseph. There was a 17 year old Laura C. listed so this was probably another name for Naomi. Lawson was listed as a farmer.

By the 1880 Census Hester and Joseph were the only children listed at home with Highly. As in the previous Census, she is listed keeping house as her occupation. Joseph listed farming as his occupation. From the History of Mahaska County (1887), "Mrs. Shaw owns a farm of 107 acres, which is carried on by her son Joseph". The rest of the acreage was likely sold or given to the sons who married and left home.

Highly died April 1, 1900 at the age of eighty-five. She was buried beside Joseph in Beacon Cemetery in Beacon, Iowa. Her name, birth and death dates are inscribed on a large Shaw Gravestone with Joseph's. A smaller flat stone say "Mother". Below that it says, "Sheltered and safe from Sorrow". There is no death record for her in Mahaska County.

Thanks "Diane" from everyone who reads this, for it was your work that brought this to us.