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History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties...Springfield, Ill. Hancock County - S Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. In September, 1880, T. P. Griffin erected a store building and dwelling house. In this structure he opened a stock of hardware and general merchandise. For about eighteen months he carried on this business when he sold out to Farner Shaw, who converted the building into the present Shaw House, the only hotel the town boasts of at present. This was in January, 1882. The building is a large, two-story, frame one, and is a good place for for the weary traveler to stop, rest and refresh himself.at. A good livery and feed stable was erected by Mr. Shaw, in the fall of 1883, which he runs in connection with the hotel. Farner Shaw is the genial proprietor of the Shaw House at Corwith - a hotel which enjoys an excellent reputation among the traveling public. He was born in Columbiana Co., Wis. , Feb. 15, 1844 . When ten years of age his parents, Henry and Susan Shaw, removed to Dane Co., Wis. , and they purchased a farm. In 1857 the father sold this land, and then removed his family to Freeborn Co., Minn. , where he bought another farm. The son here grew to manhood, and in 1862 enlisted in company F, 4th regiment, Minnesota Volunteers. He served until the great struggle culminated in Lee's surrender at Appomattox , and participated in nineteen general engagements. Among these may be mentioned the siege of Cornith, Iuka, siege of Vicksburg , Allatoona, siege of Savannah , Missionary Ridge , Champion Hills and Columbia . During his enlistment he marched with his regiment 2,915 miles, and traveled by railroad and steamboat 6,245 miles. After the war he remained at home in Minnesota for two years, and was engaged in farming. He then removed to Worth Co., Iowa , and there resided until 1880, when he removed to Hancock county, purchasing a farm in Amsterdam township. He remained on the farm until February, 1882, when he purchased property in Corwith and immediately opened his present hotel. He has lately erected a commodious livery and feed stable, which is operated in connection with the house. Mr. Shaw is a republican, and the present town constable. He was married in 1869, to Julia Shaw, of Minnesota . They have had four children born to them, three of whom are living - Esther, Ida and Mervin. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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