Was born in Clay County, Missouri, March 10, 1848. His parents, A. L. and Hannah Shaw, nee Kearns, were both natives of Kentucky, and early settlers in Missouri. When Philip was five years of age his parents moved to DeKalb County, and he was there reared and educated. In 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company C, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war. After his return home he began farming on his own account, and on November 19th, 1868, was married to Miss Orilla A. England, who was born in Jackson County, Indiana, September 16, 1846. She was a daughter of William and Mary England, nee Dedrick; her father died in 1863, and her mother in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have become the parents of nine children; namely, Mary H., born August 31, 1869; Carrie M., born November 8, 1870; William A., born June 10, 1872; Clinton R., born April 24, 1876; John E., born November 24, 1877; Charles A., born July 23, 1879; Minnie C., born July 18, 1881; Naomi M., born November 20, 1873; died September 19, 1875; James W., born February 2, 1875, died September 19, 1875.
Mr. Shaw is one of our self made men, having received but little schooling and no financial assistance, but, nevertheless, has become one of our leading business men, and has secured a very desirable home of 100 acres of fine land. He has served about four terms as justice of the peace and is still serving as such. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and A. F. & A. M., being at this time master of the latter order.