Samuel Shaw
Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 February 1896, page 6
Samuel Shaw, the Wealthy Newport Banker
Samuel Shaw, the first and only President of the German National
Bank of Newport, one of the most substantial men of Campbell County and the
foremost resident of the Kentucky Highlands, died almost without a moment's
warning last night at his handsome home, at the corner of Grand and Highland
Avenues.
Mr. Shaw returned from the bank in Newport last evening, apparently in excellent health. He ate a hearty supper and retired at 9:30 o'clock remarking that he felt better than he had since a recent attack of the grip, from which he had been suffering.
At 10 o'clock Mrs. Shaw noticed that he was struggling and attempting to rise from his bed. She endeavored to assist him and asked if she should call a physician. "It's too late, he gasped. I am going to die," and there words were his last. Within a few moments he had ceased to breath.
When Mrs. Shaw first alarmed the family on account of his illness a servant hastily mounted a horse and rode to Ft Thomas, where he telephoned to Dr. Kiely, of this city to attend Mr. Shaw. A telephone message to Newport also summoned Dr. Carrothers. Surgeon Gardner of the fort, also responded, but when he reached the house Mr. Shaw was past medical aid. The cause of death was apoplexy.
Mr. Shaw had been a resident of the Highlands since 1856 and before that time he lived in this city. His home was one of the handsomest on Grand avenue and he was a man universally respected and admired. He leaves a widow, who was Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Campbell County and when he married July 23, 1853 and six children. Mrs. C G Firster, of Newport; Mrs. L K Marty of the Highlands; Ben R Shaw of Atlanta Ga. and Misses Alice and Eva Shaw who reside at their father's home.
He has two brothers. One a farmer in Campbell and the other Judge Shaw, father of Wm McD Shaw, City Solicitor of Covington. He has 110 cousins, most of them residing in Kenton and Campbell Counties. Deceased was a member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and for 37 years engaged in the grocery business at 103 and 105 Pearl street in this city. He was born in Campbell County 72 years ago. His father died when he was 4 years old, leaving his family in poor circumstances. Young Shaw was a farm hand but during his employment on the farm he studied diligently and finally became a school teacher.
He taught school in Bracken County for two years and then came to Cincinnati where he went to work as a clerk in a retail grocery. When he was 30 years old he went into business for himself having for his partner Mr. Riley, who is now dead. About 10 years ago Mr. Riley retired and John R Anderson succeeded him as Mr. Shaw's partner. A few years ago Mr. Anderson retired and Mr. Augustus Fiste, son-in-law of Mr. Shaw became his partner.
Six years ago Mr. Shaw sold out his interest in the grocery business to Mr. Fister and since that time he has been a banker. He was the organizer and the first and only President of the German National Bank of Newport, which opened its doors in 1882 as a national bank, succeeding to the business of the old Taylor Bank. He was twice elected to the Legislature from Campbell County and served one term as State Senator. He was President of the Trustees of the Highlands, President of the Grand Avenue Turnpike Company and a large stockholder in the Alexandria Turnpike Company. He leaves a fortune of $350,000.
Officers of the bank say he was in excellent health and spirits yesterday and that he was the last man to leave the man in the afternoon. While on a business trip to New York last October he contracted a severe cold and for several months his health was impaired. Within the last two weeks, however, he had apparently recovered.