After reviewing the career of O. W. Shaw, one of the big names in Austin history, I’ll take a look at some stories of Shaw’s family and personality.

Born in Moultouboro, N.H. in 1834, Shaw married Sara Rollins in 1862. They had three children: Margaret McGregor Carter (1864-1939), Edward Ashton (1871-1872) and Marion Rollins Jenks (1873-1968).

From his Austin Herald obituary:

“He was a student of history and biography, a lover of books and a great reader. His mind was a storehouse of treasures and he loved to recount incidents of characters or times that he had known or studied.”

“He was in great demand as a Fourth of July orator. He was also chosen to be presiding officer at all public functions, to preside over and introduce speakers at all occasions.”

Shaw was honored by the opening of the Shaw School in 1916. After his death in 1920, a gift from his estate established the Shaw Gymnasium for boys.

 Coming soon to the HHH

• Social Concerns: 100 Years Later — How Our Girls Are Doing by Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to the HHH office at 433-4243 by 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17.

• 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Hormel Family, presented by Laura Helle and Dustin Heckman, director of the Mower County Historical Society at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 at the HHH. This presentation is free to members of the HHH or MCHS and $5 to non-members. Register at the HHH office at 433-4243.

• Kids Costume Dance and Spooky Mansion Tour with costume contest on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. $1 admission, concession stand available. Haunted House from 8 to 11 p.m., $5 admission. Hosted by the HHH and Mower County 4-H Ambassadors.