The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-11
Rex. Enton shaw.

one of the Oldest and most respected citizens
of Portland, died at his home on Danforth
street in this city on Saturday, August 9th,
aged nearly 81 years.
Mr.. Shaw was born in Paris, in Oxford
county in this State, November IA, 1903. He
was the son of Gilbert Shaw, one OF the early
settlers of Paris, and leading citizen of that
town. Like nearly all the boys of his day, the
only educational advantages enjoyed BY young
Shaw was the common town school. Taking
great interest in his studies, he improved his
advantages so well that at the early age of II
years he became successful teacher himself
in one of these primary institutions of
learning.
Having natural taste for architecture, he
very soon left the old homestead for Boston,
and engaged in the study of the art in that
city. While residing there, in 1928, he made
public profession of religion and Joined the old
Bromfeld street M. e. church. After remain
ing in Boston about six years, he removed to
Portland. After his removal to this city he
became conscientiously convinced that he had
a call to preach the gospel With view to
this end, he engaged enthusiastically in
course of study with reference to entering the
ministry. Securing to himself the best ad-
vantages within his reach, he made rapid
strides in his studies, and became not only q
good English scholar, but acquired a very
thorough knowledge of the Greek and He
brew. He fitted for college two years in
advance. but his intense application to study
broke down his bodily health, and he was
obliged to abandon his books, and to recruit
his health engaged in secular business in Port
land. This change had the desired effect,
and he found himself once more in q condition
to resume his studies. He then finished mp
thorough course of theological training, and
was by the regular authorities of the Method.
list Episcopal church licensed to preach.
On the 9th of September, 1928, he was mar
ried to Miss Mary Roberts of Portland, young
lady of culture and high social standing, with
whom he has lived in the most perfect har-
mony for more than half a century, and who
survives to mourn the loss of one of the best of
husbands.
In 1886 MIR. Shaw Joined the Maine Confer
ence of the M. E. church, of which he re-
manned member up to the time of his death.
At his decease he was, with but few excep-
tons, the Oldest member in the conference in
membership.
From 1886 to 1852 he was an effective
preacher and was stationed in all the leading
charges in the conference, including two years
at Chestnut street in this city. He originated
the Congress Street M. e. Church and was the
| first to occupy its pulpit. In 1852 his health
| failed under his arduous labors and he was
obliged to take Superannuated relation in his
conference and retire from active ministerial
work. He again engaged in mercantile bust
| ness in Portland and remained in the same un-
| til about ten years since when, on account of
| bodily infrmities and increasing age, he was
obliged to retire altogether from active en-
| ployment His remaining days were spent in
| the society of his devoted family, which years
| he priced among the happiest of his long and
useful life. Since his retirement from the &C.
tive ministry he has held his official relations
| with the Chestnut Street Church.
| AS preacher Mr.. Shaw always held high
| rank. Bis sermons we're carefully prepared
| and effectively delivered. His pulpit produc-
| tioHs were rich in thought, keen in analysis,
| brilliant in imagery and irresistible in logic,
and, in his best days. oftentimes swept over
his audiences with wonderful effect. In his
public ministrations he seldom reveled amid
the thupderings of Sinai for his sympathetic,
kindly nature led him away to Calvary and the
Gross. He had philosophical mind and a
| brilliant Imagination. frequently upon special
occasions and in social meetings he would
| start train of thought, beautiful in its con-
/ ception, apt and appropriate in its adaptation,
| flashing with corruscations OF truth and relig-
/ ious fervor, until he would electrify and
charm the entire audience. AS citizen, Mr..
| Shaw, while modest and unobtrusve, was en-
I terprising, pnbic spirited and intensely loyal
| to the right His adherence of tyranny and
| oppression led him to ally himself to the anti
| slavery cause III In0 early uayS Oh lUS history.
| Ia spite of the obloquy and reproach heaped
upon its early advocates, he tearlessly stood by
his own convictions and never wavered or
turned to the right hand or to the left until
the cause finally triumphed in the emancipa-
ton proclamation of President Lincoln.
Mr.. Shaw was member of the General
Conference in 1S48 and was for many years
one of the trustees of the Maine Wesleyan
Seminary and Female College, and he has
held other positions of honor and public trust,
4 -.4I l. Al
AS business man he was the very soul of
honor, in all these relations enjoying the full
confidence of the mercantile world.
But should not close this article without a
brief reference to the character of Mr.. Shaw
1 as Christian. This element in his character
held predominating influence over his whole
life; his piety was deep, uniform and intense
~ practical. He not only protested but lived
his religion. 1t was part and parcel of his life,
entering into all its minutest details. In word
it is no exaggeration to say that he was the
personal embodiment of living Christianity.
And when the end came he died as he lived,
calm, serene and even joyful he listened to
the 'sounding oars of the boatman," and with
no .darkening shadows intervening between
him and the shining shore, was transported
across the river of death to the land of eternal
rest.
Mr.. Shaw had family of three sons and
five daughters. Inheriting the patriotism OF
their parents the sons all served in the Union
| army III uuo war Vi buo AouoAilou' lis lduhy
was unbroken by the loss of any of its mem
bers up to aboutAone year ago when his young
est son died. About six months later his
daughter Mrs Henry S. Lawrence of Boston,
deceased. and about the same time a little
grand child, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Fl.
Richardson, to whom he was most tenderly at
tached, also died. These severe affections
told with crushing weight upon him and he
never seemed to recover from them. The sur
viving members of his family are his widow,
two sons, DR.. Abner o. Shaw of this city and
VIM. e. Shaw, Esq, of Chicago, and four
daughters, Mrs. VIM. W. Lothrop, Mrs. Geo.
| 81. Richardson, and Misses Jane and Susan
Shaw, all of this city.
Mr.. Shaw joined the Masons about forty
| years ago and was a member of Portland
| Lodge, Mt. Vernon Chapter.
| In his death Portland has lost one OF her