AN EXEMPLARY CONGRESSMAN.

The province of this volume is to teach patriotism. The unity of a novel and the sequence of a history is lacking, but its place is no less important in that it will make the present generation and the coming generation realize what a country is ours and what advantages and what privileges are ours to enjoy. For these reasons it will not be out of place to sketch the life and work of a typical American-of a man among men of a soldier, a statesman, a citizen, of one who had tasted the bitter and the sweets of life, who was the embodiment of patriotism-in warlike and peaceful times-who knew and realized the debt a nation owes its defenders and who ever sought to keep green the memory of what the soldiers of the Rebellion suffered; and whether quartered in the sheltered tent of a private or wearing the shoulder-straps of earthly favor, he was ever found in the front ranks of the army of public burden bearers. The subject of this sketch, General A. D. Shaw, was an ardent advocate of the National Memorial University, for he saw in its erection an influence to be brought upon future generations, inestimable to the youth of this great Republic.

Albert Duane Shaw was born in the town of Lyme, December 27, 1841. He came from patriotic stock and his life was one of patriotic zeal. His great grandfather on his mother's side was a major in the Revolutionary War and his grandfather on his father's side, although but a lad, saw service under Washington. Col. Shaw was a son of Henry Shaw and Sally Ann GardnerShaw. His parents migrated from New Jersey.

His earlier days were passed upon the farm where were laid the foundations of physical health which enabled him to lead the strenuous life of usefulness he did.

His early education was received in the common schools of Lyme and at the Belleville Union academy. Later he was a student at St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y.

The Civil War broke out when he was 18 years of age. It was then that his heritage of patriotism manifested itself. With no thought of fame to gain, but only of his imperilled country, in June, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 35th regiment of New York Volunteers at Watertown. He was the first volunteer from Cape Vincent and walked from that village to Watertown to enroll his name among those, many of whom, like himself, have passed beyond the sound of the bugle's call. He was mustered into service with his regiment at Elmira, N. Y., in July,

1861. His career as a soldier was one of great credit and it is said that during the term of service of his regiment he was never for a day absent from the ranks of his company and to use his own words, "Company A never stacked arms without my rifle was among the number."

In 1863 he was appointed special agent of the provost marshal's office in Watertown, under Capt. Fred Emerson, and was discharged at the close of the war in 1865, receiving the warm thanks of the commanding officer for his "able and faithful performance of every duty." No greater compliment can be paid a soldier's worth than these words.

The war over he entered upon public life. His career in the same has been so closely identified with current events for the last forty years in the northern section of New York State and in fact throughout the United States, that a recital of the same would be but the repitition of Jefferson County history. His services were always distinguished and honorable and to the last mentioned qualification can be attributed in no small degree the greatness he attained.

The beginning of his public life was his election to the Assembly from the second district of Jefferson County in 1866. He remained one year in that office. In 1868 he was appointed United States consul at Toronto, Canada. His consular service at that place was made conspicuous by his official reports, which Hamilton Fish, the secretary of state, declared were "the very best of any consular officer in the service."

Reward always comes to those who merit it and in 1878, during Grant's administration, Col. Shaw was appointed to the important consulate at Manchester, Eng. Just before his departure for England, the citizens of Toronto tendered him a public dinner at the Queen's hotel. The prime minister of the Dominion, the Hon. Alexander Mackenzie, sent a laudatory letter to Col. Shaw from Ottawa, complimenting him for his ability and impartiality in the discharge of his official duties. Hon. Oliver Mowat, premier of Ontario, was present, as was Hon. Geo. Brown, Mayor Morrison, who presided, and many other leading citizens of Canada and of the United States. An address was presented to Col. Shaw, couched in warm terms of approval, for his services as an official and his qualities as a man.

In 1885, owing to a change of administration at Washington, he was superceded by an appointee of President Cleveland. His career at Manchester was a most brilliant one. His qualifications as a man among men won for him the esteem of all and upon his retirement from Manchester a public meeting was held in the town hall of that city at which the citizens presented him with a sil

ver casket and an illuminated address both of great intrinsic value and beauty. The speeches on that occasion were freighted with good words and some 1,800 of the leading citizens were present.

The honors conferred upon Col. Shaw and Mrs. Shaw while in England were many. He was elected a member of the famous Manchester Arts Club in 1880 and from time to time delivered addresses before it. This club represents the highest type of English art and literature. To be elected a member of it is an honor awarded to but few foreigners, and Englishmen only of social distinction and culture are admitted. At the Saint Andrew's society dinner in Manchester in 1882, he presided in the absence of the Earl of Aberdeen, the first time an American ever took the chair at a dinner of that society. The Colonel, on that occasion made two speeches, which were highly complimented. Soon after the death of General Philip Sheridan, a memorial meeting was held in London in his honor by members of the United States army, past and present, temporarily sojourning in England. Col. Shaw made the principal address, and it was eminently worthy of the occasion and of the memory of the distinguished soldier in whose honor the memorial was held.

Upon his retirement from Manchester a member of the Arts Club said of Colonel Shaw at a farewell banquet: "At all events, from what we know of Colonel Shaw of his thoroughness, his eloquence, and his ability in every sense-we may be assured that whatever question he takes up, and whatever way he looks at our great institutions, he will look at them with a thoughtful and intelligent mind, unbiased, and thoroughly free, with the desire to understand us." In conclusion the speaker called upon the company to drink to the health of their guest (Col. Shaw) as "a consul, as a member of the club, a soldier and as a man among men."

Upon his departure he was also tendered farewell receptions at Stockport and Oakfield and by the members of the Clarendon Club, and many organizations of a secular, social, political nature.

It was in 1867 that Col. Shaw received his title, being appointed by Gov. Reuben E. Fenton as colonel of the 36th regiment of the N. Y. S. N. G.

In 1872, Colonel Shaw married Mary Sherwood Keith, daughter of Charles W. Keith, Esq., of Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Shaw was a worthy companion of her illustrious husband and her death which occurred but a year ago the 12th of February, was a shock to the colonel from which he never fully recovered.

After his retirement from the consulate at Manchester Col. Shaw resided in Watertown, N. Y., and up to a few years ago

made many trips to England in the interests of large business enterprises in which he affiliated himself.

Colonel Shaw has been three times president of the Young Men's Christian Association, a member of Joe Spratt post, G. A. R., and was elected president of the Watertown, N. Y., Chamber of Commerce in 1893.

In 1898 he was elected Department Commander of New York State and the year following was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic at Philadelphia. As Commander-in-Chief he was an indefatigable worker and during his year of office delivered addresses in nearly every State in the Union and was everywhere received with the most flattering demonstrations.

In politics the Colonel has always been a staunch Republican and in all presidential campaigns has been in demand as an orator. During the recent campaign he traveled many miles and delivered hundreds of speeches in behalf of his party.

He was unanimously nominated at the congressional convention held at Watertown, N. Y., June, 1900, as Congressman to fill the unexpired term of the lamented Charles A. Chickering and also the regular term. He was elected by an unusually large majority.

By his death Colonel Shaw leaves two daughters, Mrs. Herbert Williams, of Brooklyn, and Mrs. Benjamin Folger, Jr., of Kingston, and one son, Dr. Henry L. K. Shaw, of Albany.

Colonel Shaw was interested in several business ventures, being a large stockholder in the Agricultuural Insurance Company and president of a company for the development of power at Niagara Falls. He also made several trips to England in the interests of a Tennessee mining company.

It has been said in the above sketch that Colonel Shaw was a man among men. When the poet said:

"The world wants men, large hearted, manly men,

Men who shall prolong the psalm of labor and the song of love,"

he described that type of manhood to which Colonel Shaw belonged.

Like many men of note Colonel Shaw began life in an humble environment. He was the son of a farmer and grew, by his own efforts, to a man of greatness. He was not only a scholar, a soldier, an orator, a statesman, but all in one.

In his youth Colonel Shaw toiled upon the farm. This gave him a ready sympathy with the efforts of the farming class for improvement and the advancement of agriculture. His interest in this behalf won for him the highest esteem of the