The Shaws Multiplied

“EDUCATION WAS ALWAYS A PRIORITY”

March 22, 1885

Douglas Shaw, my dear grandson,

Your very kind and thoughtful letter of the 9th was received a few days ago and I hasten to answer it for fear I might neglect it too long, for you will have to go into the country if you work on a farm, and you might not get my letter after you leave the city.

I am always glad to hear from any of my people and more especially from you as you are the only grandchild who has ever written to me. I can see a marked improvement in your last letter. The penmanship and spelling are better. When I was of your age, I got Webster’s School Dictionary and when I would write a letter I always had it at hand to see how to spell any doubtful word. In this way I practiced at home. Then I taught school, which also helped make me a good speller until, if I do make a mistake, it is the pen that does it.

You have the foundation now. You can gain a great deal of knowledge by reading at home during your leisure hours. Here are some books I used to read and study at home. First The Holy Bible, then the History of the United States, then a Geography. I always kept the geography handy so that I could locate any proper name I came to in my reading. I also had a school-work on Philosophy. Oh, how much you can learn in that about the laws of mechanics and motion. Chemistry, like philosophy, taught me a great many useful things about the composition of matter and things in general. Many have supposed I had a college education, but I was self-taught. I was always fond of grammar, and became quite a grammarian. Most of the grammar I learned at home. However, I got started with the interest in grammar at school.

Your brothers and sisters are now separated and will have to fight life’s battle unaided by a loving mother. Oh how much there is in the influence of a fond mother. But my paper is full. Do not forget me wherever you go.

Your affectionate Grampa, G.P. Harvey Yeaman Eliza Yeaman, the wife of Harvey who wrote this about his wife. Both of them died young and left children.

Eliza was the daughter of David Orr and Rebecca Stephenson. She was born in Union County, Indiana, January 24, 1817, and died near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, May 13, 1859.

She was an affectionate and faithful wife and mother; ever engaged in seeking the comfort of her family.

She professed for many years to having passed from death into life, having experienced the new birth in Christ. Only a few days before her death she expressed her assurance of grace and salvation. Her only wish to live was for her children.

Her final departure was without a struggle or a moan; with her senses to the last. She asked for a drink of water, which she took. She held the glass in her hand only a few minutes before she died.

A lady, Mrs. Pitcher, was fanning her. Her last words were “Not quite so hard.” In five minutes or less she was gone.

A tumor on her right breast seemed to be the main cause of her death.

Signed, Harvey Yeaman