Thomas Shaw

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Thomas Shaw

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

A large portion of the population of the United States is of foreign birth, and to this class belongs Thomas SHAW, a prominent and influential resident of Pompton Plains, where he has resided for many years. He is a native of England, was there reared and educated, and emigrated to the United States in early manhood, believing that the possibilities for success were greater here than in his native land.

He learned the trade of silversmith with Elkington & Company before his emigration to this country, and upon his arrival here located in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was engaged with the Gorham Manufacturing Company, silversmiths. Later he returned to England in order to engage fifty silversmiths for the company with which he was connected, and he took with him some samples of the work done there, which he showed to his old employers, who were greatly pleased with them, and they requested him upon his return to select a number of articles for them from the goods manufactured in Providence, which he accordingly did, the bill amounting to over $6,000. From Providence Mr. SHAW removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he engaged in the manufacture of silver plated ware, and subsequently removed to Pompton Plains, same State, where he engaged in the same line of work, having a manufacturing plant of his own, which he conducted for a number of years and then discontinued. When he went to Newark he formed a company with a Mr. ADAMS, the firm now of ADAMS & SHAW Company; later this was purchased by Tiffany, Mr. SHAW assuming the management for some twenty-five years. Since then he has given his entire attention to the real estate business, being the owner of a strip of land in Pompton Plains one mile in length, which he intends to cut into building plots and to dispose of for residential purposes, and from which he expects to derive a handsome profit. He is an active factor in the development and improvement of Pompton Plains, the population of which is increasing steadily year by year, this fact testifying to the healthfulness of the climate and the beauty of the scenery. Mr. SHAW is a man of good judgement, great integrity, and rare executive ability, fully meriting the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

Mr. SHAW married (first) Sarah BURCH, (second) Lizzie BURCH, a native of England, daughter of John and Sarah (SHAW) BURCH. Children:

1. Eva Mary, wife of John W. LUSHEAR, president of the North Ward National Bank of Newark, New Jersey.
2. Annie G., wife of Charles H. NORMAN, banker, and assistant treasurer of the Howard Savings Bank.
3. Flora, deceased.
4. Frank H., deceased.
5. Walter R., deceased.
6. Kate, resides at home.
7. Thomas Jr., resides in the west.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).