 John was born on 31 December, with the year being 1846 to 1849, in Jefferson County, New York to John Philo and Harriet Penfield Shew. John married Estella Bishop. They had one adopted child, George Van Vaulkenberg.
John lived in the county after his wife died in Iowa but he wasn't here for a very long time. He was a landowner just west of Manning in Township 143, Range 95, Section 6 and was a farmer as well as a businessman in Manning. Emmett T. Ophus writes in "The Heart and Pulse" of Manning, "Horses were still very much in evidence and to accomodate them, especially in winter, there was the Livery Barn in charge of a most interesting and unforgetable character by the name of John Shew. He was a man of many moods, usually on the jovial side but on occasion, could also be quite contrary. He was also owner of a funeral hearse and when occasion required, would officiate in the "last ride" of the deceased. In spite of some of his failings, John was a great guy."
Two siblings of John are known; Leander Alvin and Charry Shew Brew. Charry was married first to William Andrus in Iowa and then Joseph Brew of Dunn County and had a farm in same township as John.
John served in the Civil War in Company E, 140th Illinois Volunter Inventory 14 May 1864 until 29 October 1864. At the time of his enlistment he was living in Dixon, Lee County, Illinois.
John died in a hospital in Dickinson from burns suffered from an explosion in his home in Manning.
Jesse was born to William and Mary Smith on 22 August 1839 in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.
Jesse was a Civil War Veteran for over three years serving in Company D, 12th Illinois Infantry Regiment and Company G, 126th Illinois Infantry Regiment.
He was married to Celina Gregg at Port Byron, Rock Island County, Illinois on 12 December 1865 and then spent most of their time in Iowa.
Jesse died in Oakdale on 9 July 1911.
Celina's Burial, Links to Some Family Members |