SHAW, Oliver J. - Putnam

Energy, sound judgment and persistency of effort, properly applied, will always win the goal sought in the sphere of human endeavor, no matter what the environment may be or what obstacles are met with, for they who are endowed with such characteristics make of their adversities steppingstones to higher things. These reflections are suggested by the career of Oliver J. Shaw, who has fought his way to the front ranks and stands today among the representative citizens of Putnam county. He was born in Knox county. Ohio, in 184J, the son of Upton and Susannah (Branneman) Shaw. She was the daughter of Daniel and Magdalene Branneman. each of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. The former came from Vermont and the latter from Virginia. Upton Shaw was born in Maryland. the son of William Shaw, a native of Ireland. Upton Shaw and wife were married in Knox county, Ohio, and came to Indiana in 1845. The log house in which this family spent their first night after arriving here is still standing on the farm of Oliver J. Shaw. Hardly a field was cleared in this vicinity at that time — only a few "patches" here and there. Upton Shaw entered three hundred and twenty acres from the government, in section 22, Jefferson township, and there he spent the rest of his days, becoming fairly well-to-do. His family consisted of eight children, an equal number of boys and girls, named as follows : Leonard : Lyman ; Hester Ann married William Cummings : Louis ; Oliver J. ; Adeline, who married John Butler; Amelia married William Larkin ; Mary married' Sam Wright. The father of these children died about 1874. the mother surviving many years, making her home with her son, Oliver J., of this review, until her death about 1892. The reader is referred to the sketch of John Branneman for a full history of Mrs. Upton Shaw's ancestry.

Oliver J. Shaw grew up on the home farm and remained on the parental acres until his marriage, in 1861, to Mahala Ann Runyan, daughter of John and Zaruah (Allen) Runyan. John Runyan came to Greencastle from Virginia. It is believed that his father's name was James, who also came to this countv from Virginia in an early day. Jolin Runyan was a tanner and farmer near Fillmore and in later life he lived near Mt. Meridian, where his wife died about 1S83, he having survived her until about 1895.

One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver J. Shaw. Florence, who married Albert Farmer, a traveling salesman, and they had one child. Zella.  Mr. Farmer died in 1896. and his widow now makes her home in Greencastle. Her mother died in April 1894.

Mr. Shaw has devoted his life to farming and stock raising and has been very successful in both lines, especially the latter. About 1885 he began keeping stallions and jacks, and no\v has three stallions and four jacks of excellent grades. He has raised a great number of each also horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, but he gives most of his attention to breeding horses and mules, and enjoys a wide reputation as breeder of fine stock, always finding a ready market for what he raises owing to their excellent quality. A better judge of all kinds of live stock would be hard to find. He is one of the model farmers of his township, owning a valuable place of two hundred and ninety-seven acres in Jefferson township, nearly all under cultivation, all level and could be put under the plow. It is high grade soil, well kept and under modem improvements. Mr. Shaw has one of the largest, best and coziest houses in this part of the county and the man}- warm friends of the family frequently gather here, sharing their generous hospitality. Their dwelling was erected about 1878.

Mr. Shaw married, in 1896, Alice Runyan. youngest sister of his first wife. and they have one son, Oliver Upton Shaw, now twelve years old, and a lad of much promise.

Politically Mr. Shaw is a Democrat, and he is a member of Cloverdale Lodge. Xo. 132. Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife are both members of New Providence Baptist church. Mr. Shaw is a whole-souled, liberal and genial man, of whom everybody speaks well who have had occasion to know him or have dealings with him.