Biography of

ELI SHAW

Survivor of 1876-1877 Indian Wars

ELI SHAW born April 13, 1857 in Allen County, Kentucky, was the son of JAMES ALLEN and MILLIE CLIBURN SHAW. James Allen Shaw was a blacksmith and Eli was living around his parents and grandparents. Being too young to fight in the Civil War, Eli, upon reaching his 19th birthday, joined the 10th Kentucky Calvary in Louisville in 1876. Eli state on his enlistment paper he was 21 so he could join up without his parents approval. In August 1876 he was transferred to Troop C, 7th Calvary, at that time it was still known as Custer's Command since Custer had just met his end at Little Big Horn. Col. SAM STURGIS was the Commanding Officer when they, Troop C, 7th Calvary, was camped at the mouth of the Powder River in Montana. Eli was stationed at Ft. Totten, Dakta Territory, which was the winter headquarter for the 7th Calvary. Eli served during the 1876-1877 Campaign against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.

While serving guard duty during the winter of 1876 at Ft. Totten, Eli's feet froze. Even though he continued with his duties at the Fort, he was in great pain when required to stand on his feet for extended lengths of time. Eli was given an Honorable Discharge in February 1877 by Special Order Number 42. Eli was to be eligible for a pension for his service during the Indian Wars at the age of sixty-two.

Eli returned to Scottsville and joined his father in the trade of Blacksmith. Eli met LOURANY THOMAS, daughter of WESLEY and ELIZABETH GROCE THOMAS, also residents of Scottsville. In September 1880, Eli and Lourany crossed over the State Line and were married in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee. Eli and Lourany had eight children and his daughter Imer May was later to meet and marry JOHN WILBORN GREEN in Northeast Texas.

After Eli could not longer stand on his feet performing the job of blacksmith, he carried the U.S. Mail for a time in Allen County. After a time Eli and Lourany moved to other areas looking for work to support his large family. Eventually upon reaching the age of sixty-two, and being in ill health, Eli applied for his pension. After residing in different states, Eli and Lourany returned to Scottsville in 1939. In March 1940, Eli passed away and is buried in Durham Springs Cemetery which is located on Hwy 98 or what is called Browns Ford Road.

Sources: Family Bible, Census records, Marriage Record, Military Papers, Death Certificate

Submitted by: Bill Green, Great-grandson