California Biographies Source: History of Napa and Lake Counties San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881 Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm MATHEW SHAW. Son of Thomas Shaw, was born in Lancastershire, England, December 2, 1836. When he was thirteen years of age, he, with his widowed mother, came to America, and settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, where he found employment in the coal mines of that section. He remained there until 1856 when he came to California. He sailed from New York on tile steamer "George Law " to Aspinwall, and from Panama to San Francisco on the "Old Constitution," arriving in the latter place in April of that year. He immediately proceeded to the mines at Jackson, Amador County, and continued in that occupation for the succeeding four years. In January, 1860, he returned to Ohio, and was married February 19th of that year to Miss Ann Bowron, a native of the North of England, born August 27, 1842. He then, with his bride, returned to California, and proceeded to his old home in Amador County. He at once engaged in mining at the Tunnel Hill Gravel Mine, which he continued until 1861. He then moved to Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, and began mining which he followed until 1872. He then came to Napa County and located in Napa City, where he resided until 1874, not being, however, actively engaged in any business. In that year he began operations on his fine farm, situated about three miles north of Napa City. In 1879 he returned to Napa City with his family. During all this time he was actively engaged in mining in Tehama and Nevada Counties. February 4,1880, he purchased a one- third interest in the extensive and well-known clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods house of Alden & Co., of Napa City and Suisun, and is now dividing his attention between that, his farm, and his mining interests. Their children are Mattie H,, Mabel, Lee W., Edith, and Ella L.