U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Shaw, Leroy (1844-1919) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 820-822, LEROY SHAW. The former Sheriff of Preston County, Leroy Shaw, a recent candidate for the Lower House of the State Legislature, is one of the best known men in this part of the state. As a Republican he has served his county to the satisfaction of his party, and enjoys the confidence of the people whom he has from time to time, in different capacities, politically, agriculturally and otherwise, represented. His grandparents Samuel and Elizabeth (Webster) Shaw lived on Sandy Creek, and there raised a family of twelve children. The father died there when about sixty-eight years old. Alexander, second child of Samuel and Elizabeth Shaw, married Miss Sarah Money Smith, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He owned and operated a large stock farm near Kingwood and died about 1867 or 68* [*see Register of Deaths transcription below the biography], at the age of fifty-five. He was one of the most practical, farmers in the county. Their children were: Benjamin, Minerva, John Wesley, Alexander W., William R., Elizabeth, Joseph M., Leroy, Sarah and George C. Benjamin lost his life by an accident at seventy years of age. John Wesley died young. Alexander W., is living in Oklahoma. William H., is a retired minister of the M. E. Church residing at Point Pleasant W. Va. Elizabeth died. Sarah has her home in Atlanta, Georgia, and George C., is in business at Grafton, W. Va. Leroy Shaw was born near Kingwood, January 5, 1844. On July 4, 1861, he enlisted in the 7th West Virginia Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Antietam in the hand, and being disabled for military duties was discharged as Corporal. A few months afterwards he reenlisted in Company G, 6th West Virginia Cavalry as Sergeant and served through the war. After the assassination of Lincoln, he served as Provost Guard in the city of Washington, and then crossed the plains in pursuit of the Indians. In 1865 he was stationed at Fort Casper, Dakota, and mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in May, 1866. Returning to Preston county Mr. Shaw was married to Miss Nancy Schaeffer July 4, 1866. She was a daughter of Israel Schaeffer, one of the pioneers of Preston county, and she is known as one of the most efficient teachers of this part of the state. During the winter of 1912, she suffered greatly from a broken limb, caused by a fall on the icy sidewalk, but most notable was her cheerful happy life without murmur or complaint during the long months of her confinement in the County hospital. The first vote cast by Mr. Shaw was in 1864, for Abraham Lincoln. Since that time he has held a number of local positions. He was Constable five years; Census Enumerator in 1880; Deputy Assessor eight years; Member of the County Court four years, and president of that one year. In 1892, he was elected Sheriff of the County, and his special fitness for that office was proven by a successful arrest of a band of horse thieves noted for their daring and desperateness of character. Word had come to Mr. Shaw that this gang of men were just leaving Albrightsville. The outlaws consisted of George and William Smithley, Harvey Archibald and one Peterson. The Sheriff and two of his deputies met this gang of men just below Benoni Jordan's residence. They were coming towards Kingwood. George Harvey and William Smithly rode on one horse. At the command of the Sheriff to dismount and give themselves up, George Smithly, who was riding in advance of the others, fired at Mr. Shaw the bullet taking effect in his breast where it still is in the right lining, having remained there during the past twenty years. As soon as the flash from Smithly's gun was seen Mr. Shaw fired a shot at him, and at the same time Smithly fired at Jackson, who in return fired two shots, killing Smithly's horse and causing the rider to fall violently to the ground. In the melee, only a few minutes having transpired the four outlaws were dismounted, handcuffed, and after having been made secure, were marched off to the Kingwood jail. In the meantime, Mr. Shaw fainting from weakness and loss of blood, was carried to Mr. Jordan's house where Drs. Manown, Pratt and McMillan soon after visited him, dressed his wounds and saved his life. Mr. Shaw is a man of remarkable force of character. As a farmer, his chosen avocation in life, he has gained an enviable notoriety as a successful agriculturist. Probably no tiller of the soil in West Virginia has taken more interest in scientific farming than Mr. Shaw. He likes skillful farming, for the good it does. It has not been a mercenary following with him, and his pen as well as his pocketbook has been put to use when his neighbor as well as himself was to be benefitted. Naturally enough, positions of honor and trust came upon him. He is well known as an official at state and county fairs, as president of corn shows, director and manager of fruit growing societies, stock breeding associations, and the work done by him in these several capacities will live long after Mr. Shaw is dead and gone. As a writer, Mr. Shaw wields a ready pen, as facile as it is easy and natural. As a citizen he is open and above board, and as a public official his record corresponds with his life, while the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw is a delightful one. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Father of Leroy Shaw) From Register of Deaths, Preston County, WV (Page 1, Line No. 11) FULL-NAME: Alexander Shaw DEATH-DATE: Oct 31, 1868 at age 63y-2m-19d DEATH-PLACE: Kingwood MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Farmer FATHER: Samuel E. Shaw MOTHER: Elizabeth Shaw CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Cander of the Bowels From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #193 FULL-NAME: Leroy Shaw BIRTH-DATE: January 5, 1844 BIRTH-PLACE: Preston Co., W.Va. DEATH-DATE: April 7, 1919 DEATH-PLACE: Kingwood, Kingwood District, Preston County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Farmer FATHER: Elexander Shaw (born in Preston Co., W.Va.) MOTHER: Sarah Money Smith (born in Westmoreland Co., Pa.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Nefritis result of Flu INFORMANT: George W. Shaw (of Box 184, Tunnelton, W.Va.) BURIAL: Kingwood Cemetery (wife of Leroy Shaw) From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #17677 FULL-NAME: Nancy M. Shaw BIRTH-DATE: Nov 13, 1840 BIRTH-PLACE: W.Va. DEATH-DATE: December 24, 1929 DEATH-PLACE: Kingwood, Kingwood District, Preston County, W.Va. MARITAL-STATUS: Wid. OCCUPATION: Retired House Keeper FATHER: Israel Schaeffer (born in W.Va.) MOTHER: Jane Feather (born in W.Va.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Fracture of hip 25 yrs ago. Invalid ever since. INFORMANT: W. E. Schaeffer (of Kingwood, W.Va.) BURIAL: Kingwood Cemetery --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------