VERNON SHAW

Vernon Shaw was born nine miles northeast of Carlton in Erath County and lived there until he was three years old. He is the grandson of "Uncle" Lewes Smith who is known to most of the old timers of that section. The Shaw family then moved to Haskell county. Five years later they moved to San Angelo and five years after that made their home in Wilbarger county, where the family home is still located. There are six boys in he Shaw family and one girl. Three of the boys are in he active ministry; our subject; Aron, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lockney and Melvin who is at Sterly where he is also attending Wayland College.

Vernon Shaw gained his schooling through perversity and struggle. His early school days amounted to only a few months out of the entire year. He graduated from Hico high school in 1920 and then went into business; setting up a tailor shop in Vernon. In 1921 he married Miss Marr. One month after their marriage Mrs. Shaw went into the country to teach school, leaving Mr. Shaw in Vernon to attend to his shop. It was their intention to save money enough to attend college and enter the ministry but misfortune upon misfortune occurred in the form of several illnesses. Finally the young couple decided to attend school no matter what occurred and in the fall of 1922 entered Wayland Baptist College. Again ill health interfered but determination and a little outside aid from an interested friend saw them through their first year when they received their certificates. They then taught school two years in order to attend college another year. Vernon Shaw then became pastor of the Center Plains church; pastor of the Athens church and taught school aside from attending one.

Finishing Wayland College he and Mrs. Shaw entered Simmons College but ill health again interrupted his studies and he was sent home to regain his health. He was then called to Olton to minister to his people for four years.

In August 1930, the Shaws again entered college; this time enrolling in Howard Payne College at Brownwood completing their education. During that year he was pastor of Mullen, Jones Chapel, and Indian Creek. When he completed his college education and received his degree he was called to Hamilton to take the pastorate of the First Baptist Church. This August he will have been in Hamilton three years.

During his twelve years of ministry he has witnessed over 700 conversions; has received about 1200 people into his churches, and has been instrumental in erecting many worthy buildings.

Mr. Shaw is quoted "Our stay in Hamilton has been a great joy to us. We have received 250 into the church; one hundred by baptism. Outside of a few ups and downs of illnesses we have had a great deal of fun and have gotten along fine."

W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher

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June 29, 1934

SHAW, VERNON