Woman of the Century/Cornelia Dean Shaw

SHAW, Mrs. Cornelia Dean, woman suffragist and philanthropist, born in Tremont, Ill., 18th February, 1845. Her father, George W. Dean, was a native of Boston and a direct descendant of Carver, the first governor of Massachusetts. Her mother was born in New York City. After her parents had resided there a number of years, having a family of nine children, her father moved west with his family and settled in Tremont. Two more children were added to the family after removal to their new home, the youngest of whom was Cornelia. CORNELIA DEAN SHAW. Miss Dean early showed a talent for music. She was able to sing a tune before she could speak distinctly, and when only a few years old to play well by ear on the piano. At the age of three years her family removed to Chicago, her father dying a few years after, and her mother following him to the grave when Miss Dean was fourteen years of age. She then found a home with a married sister. Most of her education was received in the public schools of Chicago, and at the age of seventeen she attended the Northwestern Female College, in Evanston. At the beginning of the war she left school, returning to her sister's home in Chicago, where, on 8th June, 1869. she became the wife of Daniel C. Shaw, of Chicago. The second year after their marriage they removed to Toledo, Ohio, where her husband became the senior partner of a prominent business house. She is an active member of the Central Congregational Church and a leader in its missionary work. She is ever alert in all movements for the enfranchisement of women, a sincere believer in the rights of women, a tower of strength to the Toledo Woman Suffrage Association, attending its State and national conventions, secretary of the Ramabai Circle, one of the congressional committee of the seventh Ohio district of the Queen Isabella Association, an energetic worker in the Newsboys' Home, a member of the day nursery, and devotes much time to other public and private work of a benevolent kind. She has still found time to give to her art work. With wealth to gratify her taste, she is devoted to the improvement of humanity.