Shaw Local’s 175th Anniversary: A Legacy of Journalism and Abolition Benjamin Flower Shaw’s journey with the Dixon Telegraph began not in Dixon but in Rock Island, where he learned the printing trade with the Rock Island Advertiser starting in 1847. By 1851, Shaw had moved to Dixon to visit his sister, Phoebe, who had married attorney Shepard G. Patrick. His arrival coincided with the newspaper’s founding, and Shaw quickly became a key figure under its owner, Charles Fisk. Despite his youth, Shaw brought four years of experience to the role, setting the stage for his future influence. In October 1851, Fisk sold the paper to M. T. Bull and J. F. Hopper, with Bull being a relative of Patrick, Shaw’s brother-in-law. Shaw’s partnership with Bull lasted only weeks before Hopper left, and Shaw became co-publisher with Bull, a shirttail relative. However, by January 1852, John V. Eustace, an attorney in partnership with Patrick, purchased Bull’s share. Eustace became the paper’s proprietor and editor, while Shaw took on the role of publisher, working closely with Eustace. Shaw’s collaboration with Eustace extended beyond professional duties. Eustace’s 15-year-old sister, Anna, captured Shaw’s attention, and their courtship led to marriage in November 1853. The couple had three children: Fred, Eustace, and Lloyd. Their union became a cornerstone of Dixon’s social and journalistic history. Eustace’s legal career eventually led to the sale of the Telegraph to Shaw in April 1854, marking the beginning of a family legacy that would span generations. Shaw’s editorial debut on April 27, 1854, emphasized his role as a “watchman upon the walls,” vowing to expose political corruption without aligning with either the Whig or Democratic parties. This stance, however, was short-lived.#abraham_lincoln #benjamin_flower_shaw #dixon_telegraph #shepard_g_patterson #anna_eustace
