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| Affiliation | Republican |
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0000-01-01 |
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| Name | John W. Shawcroft |
| Address |
La Jara, Colorado , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
December 13, 1874
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| Died | November 27, 1964
(89 years)
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| Contributor | BrentinCO |
| Last Modifed | BrentinCO
May 10, 2019 11:12pm |
| Tags |
Latter Day Saints (Mormon) -
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| Info | Stockman; Banker
La Jara Pioneer Laid to Rest - Funeral services for John William Shawcroft, 89, La Jara's oldest citizen, were held Monday, Nov 30, at 1:30pm in the La Jara LDS Ward chapel, with Bishop John B Shawcroft, a nephew, in charge. Opening prayer, John B Reed; Song, "Oh, My Father," chorus; Obituary, Bishop Ivan Hansen; Songs, "Abide With Me," "Tis Evening Tide", chorus; speaker, Leonard M. Hayne; Song, "Lead Me Gently Home," Chorus; closing prayer, Monte Cornum; Chorister, Ada Shawcroft, Organist, Mary Shawcroft.
Pallbearers were Lynn, Dale, and Kent Shawcroft, Ray and Jay Jackson, and James DeGolyer, all grandsons of the deceased. Interment was in the La Jara Cemetery with grave dedication by Bishop Gale Martin. Arrangements were made by Lowe Funeral Home.
John W Shawcroft died November 27, 1964 at his home in La Jara, following a lingering illness, at the age of 89 years, 11 months, and 14 days. John W Shawcroft, as he was known to friends and relatives, was born Dec 13, 1874, in Fountain Green, Utah, the son of John and Maria Jensen Shawcroft.
He came to Colorado by covered wagon at the age of 7, with his parents, who had been called by President John Taylor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to settle here; and after a six-weeks trip from Fountain Green, with a caravan of ten wagons and driving a herd of 40 cattle, the family settled in the Richfield community, one mile east of La Jara, which at that time was called the "Tank". There was nothing here but a railroad water tank and a section house. Mr. Shawcroft saw the first buildings go up around "The Tank", and had seen every building erected in La Jara.
He loved to talk about those early days and tell of the experiences of his childhood. During Mr. Shawcroft's long and colorful life, he had enjoyed a wide variety of interests and experiences. As a boy, it was his job to herd cattle in the open country for many miles surrounding "The Tank". He had always been a livestock man, and attended the very first National Western Stock Show held in Denver in 1907. Until illness overtook him in 1959, he never missed a Stock Show in Denver.
Although he had but very little education, John W. had always been interested in the schools. He became president of the school board when La Jara, Newcomb, and Richfield consolidated, and assisted in directing the erection of the Grade school building. When the First National Bank of La Jara was organized in 1907, Mr. Shawcroft became a director. In 1917, The First State Bank merged with the First National Bank, and he became a director of that bank. At the time of his retirement, he was president of the First National Bank.
Always active in Church affairs, John W. served as Bishop of the Richfield Ward, as a member of the San Luis Stake council, and as a second Counselor in the Stake Presidency. When Alamosa County was still a part of Conejos County, Mr. Shawcroft became interested in politics. In 1924, he served a 2-year term in the State House of Representatives. In 1928, he served a 4-year term in the Senate and in 1936; he again was elected to the Senate, and served three 4 year terms - 12 years, making a total of 16 years in the State Senate. In the Thirty-Sixth General Assembly, he served as majority floor leader for the Republicans, and in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly, he served as President Pro Tem of the Senate. During his last term, he was a staunch supporter of state aid for schools, and it was during this term that the first bills providing for state aid for schools passed. He was also a long-time supporter of Adams State College, Alamosa.
In 1917, John W Shawcroft, with his family, left the Richfield community and moved to the ranch he purchased from Mrs. Katherine Newcomb, where he resided until 1938, when he purchased the Jim Braiden home and moved to town and La Jara had been his home since.
In 1889, John W. Shawcroft married Dora Adella Davis, and to this union was born three sons and five daughters - John Howard, Troy, Edwin, Clara, Grace, Agnes, Gladys, and Louise. Mrs. Shawcroft (Dora) and Clara preceded him in death. In 1947, he married Stella Young Jensen, who with his three sons and four daughters survives him. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren; a number of great grandchildren; three brothers, and two sisters.
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