Illinois:  History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry 
Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1882. 
Cass County.

HON. J. HENRY SHAW, attorney-at-law, Beardstown, was born in 
Boston, Mass., July 25, 1825. His father, Joseph Shaw, had been a 
book-publisher of that city, but, meeting with financial reverses, 
and possessed with but small means, in 1836 he removed to Morgan 
County, Illinois, which then included Cass County, and settled 
near Jacksonville, where he pursued farming a few years, and 
afterward, merchandising at Beardstown, where he died in 1868. 
While he was living and working upon his father's farm as a boy in 
1837, Henry received three weeks' instruction at a county school, 
in which he obtained the elements of the arts of reading and 
writing, which was all the school education he ever received; this 
was not because his father did not appreciate the advantages of an 
education, but because all the assistance that could be obtained 
was necessary to carry on the farm, and Henry's education was put 
off for a more convenient season; the school which he attended for 
so short a term, was held in a log cabin in Diamond Grove, near 
Jacksonville. There was a good school at that time in 
Jacksonville, and Illinois College was in infantile operation, but 
Henry was needed to help work the farm, and seemed destined by 
circumstances to grow up in ignorance; but it is a way that self-
made men have, to control and direct, or at least divert, 
circumstances. His father, being a practical printer, was 
frequently called from his farm to assist a friend, Mr. Edwards, 
in publishing the Illinois Patriot, a Jacksonville newspaper, and 
brought home many of the newspaper exchanges from the Patriot 
office; these were eagerly perused by Henry; his taste for reading 
increased with his opportunities, and having no books of his own, 
and no money to buy any with, he borrowed of whoever had them who 
were willing to lend; his time being occupied in working 
on the farm in fair weather, his reading opportunities were 
restricted to rainy days, Sundays, and nights; often while the 
family were sleeping he was spending the silent hours of the night 
in the little attic between the ceiling and roof of his father's 
log cabin, poring over a borrowed book by a dim light made by a 
cotton rag and lard or butter in a saucer. Whenever his occupation 
was of such a nature as to allow of it, he carried a book with 
him, and read at intervals while the team rested, and generally 
held a book in his hand and read while plowing-a seemingly 
difficult task, but yet not so with him; he generally carried 
something to read or write upon wherever he went, and improved his 
leisure moments. Mills were scarce in Illinois in those days, and 
one of the valuable uses that young Shaw was put to, was to 
go on horseback with a sack of corn and get it ground at some 
distant mill; Henry, riding upon the top of the sack, was usually 
lost in the mazes of his borrowed book; he was habituated to 
reading whenever he had a minute that could be utilized for that 
purpose, and felt unhappy if he sat down even for a moment with 
nothing to read; he read everything he could get hold of, even 
scraps of newspapers and old almanacs, and used to say that he 
learned something from every scrap of paper that had any reading 
on it. He was also in the habit of writing down everything that 
occurred to him as of sufficient importance, both original and 
selected. As writing paper cost money, and he had no money to buy 
it with, he utilized the margins of newspapers, the blank leaves 
of books, and made marginal notes to such books as he was able to 
purchase. The other boys in his neighborhood, having neither 
knowledge nor the desire for it, other than for those things that 
appertained to the usual avocations and pleasures of life, derided 
him for his peculiarities, and he avoided, so far as he could, 
being seen by them with a book. Even the men shook their heads 
forebodingly at him, and said that if he kept on in this course he 
would some day try and get his living without work and come to a 
bad end. Indeed, book learning was contemptuously spoken of by the 
country people, and it was not uncommon for justices of the peace 
and preachers to be without the qualifications of reading and 
writing. The most of his youthful life was passed in this manner, 
during which time he had read largely in history, ancient and 
modern classics, and general literature and intelligence, and had 
begun to attract attention, not only for what he knew, but for his 
ability to express himself in good language, either orally or in 
writing, on any occasion, and frequently before he was twenty 
years old, made speeches on public occasions. He also, while yet a 
mere plow-boy, wrote articles for the newspapers, which attracted 
the attention of public men, and although they appeared without 
signature, inquiries were made and the writer was sometimes made 
known. It was by means of his newspaper articles that Richard 
Yates, then just entering upon his public career, was attracted 
toward him, and the acquaintance thus formed subsequently ripened 
into a friendship. He also cultivated a taste for writing poetry, 
much of which was suggested by public occasions in his vicinity, 
and many songs that were sung at festivals were of his production, 
but the author was seldom known by those who enjoyed them, as he 
had a dread of being sneered at as a country poet. One of his 
articles, which was published in the Jacksonville Journal, under 
his usual nom de plume of "Hal Heryn," during the war with Mexico, 
is here inserted as a fair specimen of his boyish muse. The 
subject was suggested to him by reading a letter from a soldier in 
the army, from Morgan county:

THE MORGAN SOLDIER

REFRAIN: "Bingen on the Rhine."

"While we were camped on the Rio Grande, A.G.S.
died: a noble soul as ever bore musket. His last mur-
murings were of somebody by the name of Mary-his
sister, I believe, in Morgan county."-Taken from a
Soldier's Letter.

Where the moonbeams shimmer brightly
  Upon the silvery sand,
And the little waves flow lightly
  Along the Rio Grande;
Where the breeze a requiem weaves
  Among the wildwood leaves,
And the star-robed river, gently,
  To the summer wind upheaves,
And dew-tears, pearl-like, nestle
  In meek-eyed flowers around,
Like fragile spirits drooping
  With sorrow to the ground;
There lay a dying soldier,
  His life fast ebbing forth,
And he had come from Morgan,
  Old Morgan in the North.
Worn and waisted were his features
  With a long-enduring pain,
And with incoherent murmurs
  Hard he sought to speak, in vain.
Low and sad I bent me o'er him,
  And I scarce could hear him say
That his hear, though weak and blighted,
  Was upon the northern way.
Then he whispered of a cottage
  In the distant prairie-land;
And he said a weeping sister
  Beckoned with a gentle hand:
I fancied that he said his sister,
  Bit it might have been his bride;
She was far away in Morgan-
  Old Morgan, Honor's pride.
He would show to me a treasure,
  All he had to cheer him there;
`Twas a little heart-shaped ringlet
  Of his sister's silken hair;
In his hand he held it, fondling,
  And essayed to speak a name;
But the leaves and wavelets murmured,
  And I sought to hear in vain.
The stars looked down: the soldier died
  Upon the Rio Grande.
His last look toward his sister's home
  Far in the prairie-land:
Perchance `twas not his sister,
  His bride it might have been:
She was far away in Morgan-
  Old Morgan, tressed with green.

Upon arriving at the age of twenty-one years, Henry, at the 
suggestion of Richard Yates, began the study of law, Mr. Yates 
lending him the necessary books, and encouraging him with kind 
words to proceed. These books he took, one at a time, and read 
them at home while working on the farm. The same plan he had 
pursued with his boyish studies, he continued while preparing for 
his professional life. He utilized the nights and rainy days. 
Every spare moment found him with a book in his hands. He has a 
well-worn copy of "Gould's Pleadings," which he read over and over 
while he was plowing, holding the book in one hand and guiding the 
plow with the other, while the horses were held in place by a line 
over his shoulder and under one arm. He became so attached to this 
book that Mr. Yates presented it to him, and it was the first law-
book he ever owned. He occasionally reported progress to his 
friend, and received further encouragement, but never recited a 
lesson to him, or received any instruction beyond a recommendation 
of the proper books to read. When he became twenty-five years of 
age, notwithstanding he had continuously labored on a farm, he 
felt sufficiently advanced in his studies to warrant him in 
applying for a license to practice law, and with Mr. Yates he went 
to Springfield, where he was examined by the Judges of the Supreme 
Court, and admitted to the bar. He then removed to Beardstown, and 
commenced the practice of the law, where he has ever since 
remained. During his many years of practice, he continued as 
before, a laborious student. He has not confined himself wholly to 
the law, but was wandered into the by-paths of literature, and has 
contributed many able articles to magazines, newspapers, law-
journals, etc. As an orator, he has taken a front rank, and at the 
bar has met but few superiors in the later years of his practice. 
In 1873 he met with an irreparable misfortune, which, at least in 
a measure, blighted his further aspirations. By severe 
professional labor, he brought on himself a slight attack of 
paralysis, and although he was confined to his room but a few 
days, yet it was an imperative notice to him that his constitution 
had begun to give way under the contained mental strain it had 
been subjected to, and that he must change his laborious life to a 
more quiet and less ambitious one. He was then but forty-eight 
years old, in the prime of life, and at a time when he might 
reasonably claim a reward for his past labors and perseverance; he 
was warned in this solemn manner, that he must retire to the shade 
trees, and rest among the weary toilers, who had borne the heat 
and burdens of the field. This unfortunate occurrence grieved and 
disappointed him, as he was ambitious of further distinction among 
his compeers, and hoped to rise to a position among the highest. 
But this result can hardly excite surprise, when we consider the 
circumstance of his past life. Perhaps no man ever achieved an 
education and position under such apparently insurmountable 
difficulties, and no young lawyer ever had a bright array of 
competitors for business and glory than he. He found practicing in 
the courts where he must practice, such men as Lincoln, Douglas, 
Baker, Yates, Richardson, McConnell, Blackwell, Browning, 
Williams, Walker, Smith, Brown, Dummer, and a host of stars of 
only a degree lesser magnitude, and among these giants he was 
compelled to parry and thrust with his home-made sword. But, 
notwithstanding his wading through Scylla and Charybdis, he had 
strength and nerve enough to throw stones even at the Cyclops. At 
the time he was stricken with paralysis, he was getting his cases 
ready for the August term of the Cass Circuit Court, 1873, and was 
also preparing an historical address for a meeting of the "old 
settlers" of Cass, Brown and Schuyler Counties. The attack began 
ten days before court, the busiest time in the life of a lawyer. 
At the sitting of the court, although he was present, his brother 
lawyers kindly attended to his business for him, and his friends 
and physician advised him not to deliver the address at the "old 
settlers" meeting, but as he had expended much labor in its 
preparation, he concluded to deliver it, which he did at great 
risk of a relapse. He then spent some months at the eastern sea-
coast and mountains, and returned home much refreshed. Since then, 
by advice of his physicians, he has avoided the more exciting and 
litigous practice, and confined himself mostly to office business 
and consultations. He continues to read extensively, and sometimes 
writes for the press; his mental powers are unimpaired, and his 
knowledge of the history and present condition of the nations and 
peoples of the world is remarkable. While he has mingled much in 
political controversies, both on the rostrum and in the public 
journals, yet he has never made any effort to obtain office, and 
although he is now the representative of the counties of Cass, 
Brown, Menard and Mason, in the State legislature, yet it was 
without his own solicitation. As a legislator, he is noted for his 
ability and strict regard for duty; and in the committees to which 
he belongs, particularly the "Judiciary," and "Canals and Rivers," 
tow of the most important, he is influential in his attendance. 
During the session of 1882, he labored for the improvement of the 
great water-ways of the State, originating a bill to enable 
steamboats to pass from St. Louis to Chicago, offering competition 
to the railroads of the State, and thus securing to producers 
cheap transportation. As a testimonial of his eminent services we 
insert the following resolution, passed at the Cass County 
Democratic Convention, held in Virginia, July 1, 1882. "Whereas, 
The Hon. J. Henry Shaw has ably and honorably represented this the 
XXXVITH Senatorial District as a member of the last General 
Assembly of Illinois, be it Resolved by this Convention, that we 
endorse his action he may be returned to the next General Assembly 
as our representative." Previous to the year 1873, he led a very 
active life. Not a minute was allowed to be wasted. He gave his 
time and labor freely to public matters, without remuneration 
frequently making speeches or writing for the papers, in aid of 
railroad building and other enterprises, and for the advancement 
of the interests of the people. He wrote and published many 
historical sketches local to the Mississippi Valley, and at one 
time contemplated, and had in course of preparation, a history of 
Illinois; but the publication of Davidson and Stuve's excellent 
work about that time, caused him to abandon this project. His 
story is simple and short, but it has points worthy of record. It 
shows that even a small boy may form a resolution which will be a 
magnet and polar star to him through life. That teachers, schools 
and colleges may be convenient for the indolent, and advantageous 
as a luxury; but are not absolutely necessary to any one who is 
determined to get an education without them. That a person who has 
learned to read, has thereby in his possession a key, which, by 
application, will unlock all other sources of knowledge; that 
while circumstances may influence a man's destiny, yet the 
continuos exercise of his will in a great measure controls it. 
Mr. Shaw has been identified with Cass and Morgan Counties and 
acquainted with their people and affairs, nearly half a century, 
and has been one of the most influential citizens of Cass County 
for thirty years. In 1876, by suggestion of the President of the 
United States, and by a resolution of Congress, the people of 
every county and city in the Union were requested to appoint a 
suitable person to deliver, on the Fourth of July of that year, an 
oration, containing a brief account of such county or city, so 
that its local history should be perpetuated. Mr. Shaw was 
appointed to deliver the oration for Cass County, which he did, 
giving a complete history of it, occupying two and a-half hours in 
its delivery. And now, as applicable to the closing of this 
sketch, we deem it best to give his peroration on that occasion: 
"I have now told you, in a comparatively short time, what I can 
condense of a half century's history of this county, nearly all of 
which period has passed under my own personal observation. How 
strange that a man should see the birth and infancy, and live on 
through the youth, to the maturity of a great State! How passing 
strange that the pioneer of the prairie and the forest should 
witness all the mysteries of the building-the sub-structure-and 
the super-structure: should with his own hands, help, not only to 
lay the foundation rocks deep in the soil, but also to bear up the 
pillars of strength, and assist in rearing upon them the dome and 
pinnacle of an Empire State! But so it is. In other countries, 
generations after generations pass away, and witness no 
perceptible change in their communities; but here men have passed 
their lives in log cabins, who now rest from their labors in 
rosewood caskets, enshrined in marble. And what may we learn by 
to-day's lesson? It is this, if no other: that whatever condition 
in life circumstances may place us, to act well our part, and then 
we can not fail to become important factors in the making up of 
the State in which we live. Nations are but a conglomerate of 
smaller communities, and communities of individuals; and the State 
looks to every man to do his duty. And now, finally, as this is a 
county festival, the people of which are assembled to celebrate 
this, the centennial anniversary of our country's independence, 
let us ask ourselves this question: Has Cass County, during the 
near half century of its history, done its duty to the State and 
Nation, its duty to God, and to the great world of humanity 
outside of it-its duty to itself and to the future generations 
that are to succeed us? And in response, I believe we can lay our 
hands upon our hearts, and our consciences will tell us that this 
county, as a community, has done its duty, and results show it. 
There is probably as much wealth, intelligence, and happiness in 
it, present and prospective, as in any rural district of its size 
and population in this great valley. The patriotism of its people 
and the integrity of its magistracy stand unimpeached. No duty to 
the Nation or to humanity has been left unperformed. And the 
generation now passing away can say to the one just stepping upon 
the platform: Go and do likewise, and your reward shall by equal, 
and we trust even an hundred-fold more abundant.

Shaw Yates Edwards
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MA Morgan-IL