Notes for George Moody Shaw

SHAW GEORGE M

County Name: MEDINA Date of Death: 6/15/1922 

Volume Number: 3909 Certificate Number: 34778

Pg 343    Spring Grove Cmty - Medina City & Twp

            SHAW, George M., 1839 - 1922

                "      , Ann M. Fretter h/w, 1839 - 1909

                "      . Dr. W. H., 1871 - 1899

               DERRICK, Kittie Shaw, 1872 - 1914

The following is from Henry King Shaw's work on the Shaws, titled Yorkshire Heritage

George Moody Shaw

George Moody Shaw was the name given their seventh child by William and Hannah Shaw. It was probably an effort on Hannah's part to perpetuate a memory or legend from her mother's side of the family. George Moody Shaw was born July 19, 1839. Apparently impressed with the Moody aspect of his name, he made a special point of explaining an interesting Moody story in his biographical sketch, which he submitted to a Medina County history. Although his given name was a reminder of his maternal great-grandfather, his success-oriented lifestyle resembled that of his father, William Shaw. He married Ann Marie Fretter, daughter of Henry Fretter and Mary Askill, on Christmas day, 1859 He was twenty-one and she was twenty. Nine children were born of this union They were: Lyman J., Early P, Zada P., Gilmore S., Frank E., William H., Kitty May, Lena E., and Alonzo E. After his marriage he continued to live in York Township until 1866. He then moved to Lafayette Township where he eventually accumulated a farm of 180 acres on the west side of Chippewa Lake. Progressive in farm management and operation, he was among the first in his community to advocate new methods and to adopt mechanization. His clover huller and threshing machine was in demand throughout the township during the harvest season, George Moody Shaw and his wife were members of the nearby Universalist church in Westfield. Shortly after the turn of the century, he left the Whittlesy farm, moving to Medina Village to retire. The court records in Medina County show that he was married for a second time on June 25, 1913. His death came on June 15, 1922, at the age of eighty-three.

The following is from "The History of Medina Co. and Ohio", published in 1881

G. M. Shaw, farmer; P. O. Whittlesey; born July 19, 1838, in York Township, this county.  His parents were William and Hannah (Peacock) Shaw, both of whom were natives of England.  He was born June 1, 1800, in Yorkshire, and was a son of John, also; Hannah Peacock was born in the same shire, Nov. 20, 1800, daughter of Thomas Peacock, of English birth and parentage.  Moody, the middle name of our subject, was from his grandmother, who was a Moody.  The Moodys in England were of the best families, and were heirs to a large estate, which one of the number forfeited by marrying contrary to the wishes of her parents.  George M's grandfather's daughter was a Moody.  She ran off and married a footman, and, as a result, her parents cut her off with a shilling.  The parents of our subject emigrated to this country in 1829, locating four years in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and came to this county in 1833, and purchased 60 acres in York Township, for which he paid $3 per acre.  A log cabin was hastily constructed.  The forest soon melted away under the devastating influence of his labor and perseverance.  After eighteen years' residence, he accumulated 209 acres of land, which was at this time pretty well improved.  He then moved to Montville Township, where he remained until his death, Sept. 3, 1869, being worth at the time of his death about $20,000, all of which he had made since he came to this county.  G. M. is of a family of ten children, whose names are John, now of Montville; Ann (Mrs. John Eggleston), in Seville; Jane (Mrs. A. G. Miner), in Medina; Thomas, in Montville; William, in Brunswick; Hannah (Mrs. Thomas Peacock), in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; G. M., in this township; Emelina, in Medina; Mary A. (Mrs. Daniel Harrington), in Michigan; all now living. Our subject remained at home until Dec. 25, 1859, when he was married to Ann Fretter, who was born June 15, 1839, in Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio, daughter of Henry and Mary (Askill) Fretter.  He was born in Northamptonshire, Eng., Nov.11, 1799.  He was a son of John, who was born in 1759.  Mary Askill's father's name was John.  Mrs. Shaw's father came West in 1835, locating in Avon, and to him were born nine children. Six grew to maturity - Jane, now in Michigan; John, in Minnesota; Thomas, in Grafton; Henry W., in Michigan; Joseph, in Litchfield.  Mrs. Shaw had three brothers who served three years in the late war - Thomas, Henry and Joseph - the latter losing his right arm.  The family above mentioned moved to York in 1859.  Mr. Fretter died April 6, 1877.  His mother is still living.  After Mr. Shaw was married, he remained in York until 1866, when he moved to this township and purchased 105 acres, where he now resides.  He has now 180 acres. He, like his father, is a successful financier.  Being a hard worker, and having a valuable helpmate and an industrious family, he is destined to attain still greater ends than those already accomplished.  He has a family of nine children, whose names are Lyman J., Early P., Zada P. (more commonly known as "Dot"), Gilmore S., Frank E., William H., Kittie May, Lena E., and Alonzo E.  Mr. Shaw, in connection with his farm, is running a thrashing machine and clover huller, and is a great man for encouraging the use of machinery in all departments o husbandry.  Both Mr. Shaw and wife are members of the Universalist Church at Westfield.

The following is from the "Atlas and Directory of Medina County, Ohio", by the American Atlas Company, 1897.

Shaw, G. M., is one of the pioneer farmers of Medina county.  Like his father before him, he is frugal, industrious, economical and a good financial manager.  He is one of the men who have been instrumental in raising Medina county to the high level it now occupies.  He was born in York township, July 5th, 1838.  In 1851 he removed with his parents to Montville township, and remained at home till Christmas, 1859, when he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Fretter, who was born June 15, 1839 in Avon township, Lorain county, Ohio.  After marriage he remained in Montville township until 1866, when he removed to Lafayette township and purchased a part of the farm he now owns.  Besides farming he has operated a threshing machine and clover huller for twenty-two years, and has encouraged the use of  machinery on the farm in many ways.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Universalist church at Leroy, Ohio.  Nine children have been born to them, six boys and three girls.  Mrs. Shaw is a most estimable woman, always doing her part faithfully and well.

Obit from the Medina County Gazette

Shaw - At his home, 524 S. Court St., Medina, on June 15, George Moody Shaw, aged 83 yrs., 11 mos., 10 days.  Funeral at the home June 17 at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. A. I. Spanton; burial at Spring Grove.