Catherine Amanda, daughter of Russell G. and Adaline Campbell Burdick, was born at Truxton, N. Y., December 17, 1840 and died in Milton, Wis., September 4, 1916.
Her father was pastor of the Lincklaen and Cuyler Hill Seventh Day Baptist Churches, as he was afterward at Utica and Berlin, Wis. She lived at Utica from her fourteenth to her twentieth year, attending Albion Academy and teaching school. She taught at Berlin for two years.
October 21, 1862, she was married to John Leland Shaw, and entered with him upon pioneer life in Minnesota. The nearest Seventh Day Baptist Church was eight miles away, but the family was regular in attendance. They brought up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and inspired them all to gain a college education. For a number of terms she taught the local district school, this being held in her own house some of the time. She was the ideal of the pupils and a strong uplifting influence in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were respected for their principles and loved for their neighborliness.
For the past thirty years their home has been in Milton or vicinity, where they have given hospitality to many young people. She was of even temper and sound judgment, a wise counselor and sympathetic friend. She was loyal to her principles, but charitable to those who did not come up to her standard. 'In her tongue was the law of kindness.'
Two very promising sons, Dighton and Frank, passed away in young manhood, and Russell in childhood. The surviving children are Rev. Edwin Shaw, of Plainfield, N. J.; Rev. George B. Shaw, of Ashaway, R. I., and Ina, the wife of Rev. Herbert Polan, of New Market, N. J. Her surviving brothers are Rev. George W. Burdick, of Milton, Wis., and Rev. Clayton Burdick, of Westerly, R. I. The only living sister is Mrs. E. D. Coon, of Westmore, Mont.
Funeral services were conducted in the Milton Seventh Day Baptist church, September 6, by Pastor L. C. Randolph, assisted by Pres. W. C. Daland. Text: 2 Tim 1: 12. L. C. R.
