Ora James Shaw [RG6224.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG6224.AM:  Ora James Shaw, 1882-1981



Autobiographical manuscript

Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska: Oil company executive

Size:  1 item; 144 pages



BACKGROUND NOTE



Born at Crab Orchard, Nebraska, on November 4, 1882, Ora James Shaw grew up on a farm near Vesta.  He attended Lincoln Academy and then the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1908.  Upon graduation, Shaw went to work managing a utility plant in Aurora, Nebraska.  After two years in Aurora, Shaw became head of the business department for the Lincoln Traction Company.  Shaw became general manager of the Lincoln Traction Company, and in 1922, he started several filling stations around Lincoln.



After several business mergers, Shaw went to work for the Lincoln Public Service Company in 1926.  After two years, Shaw quit and was offered a job with the Nebraska Gas Distributing Company by Charles P. Craft.  By this time, Shaw had incorporated his gasoline and oil business as the Lincoln Oil Company.  He continued to run the business until he sold it in 1960.



Ora James Shaw died in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 16, 1981



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of one item, an autobiographical manuscript written by O.J. Shaw.  The manuscript describes his family coming to Nebraska, life growing up, education, his career with the Lincoln Traction Company and the Lincoln Oil Company.  He also describes various vacations, his wife and his children.



INVENTORY



O.J. Shaw manuscript



 



Subject headings:



Businesses — Nebraska — Lincoln

Education

Lincoln Oil Company (Lincoln, Neb.)

Lincoln Traction Company (Lincoln, Neb.)

Public utilities — Nebraska

Shaw, Ora James, 1882-1981

Shaw family

University of Nebraska-Lincoln



 



TMM     12-23-2021

 

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

On This Day: Armistice Celebrated Early

On This Day: Armistice Celebrated Early

Siouan Archeology

Siouan Archeology

Nebraska Election Trivia

Nebraska Election Trivia

About NSHS

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director Cindy Drake. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of NSHS members.

NSHS Education

Learn more about the educational programs provided at our museums, sites, and online.

Education Digital Learning Resources

Find games, lists, and more to enhance your history education curriculum.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast!

Nebraska Collections

NSHS's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

NSHS's Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

NSHS Services

Digital Resources

Find all of our digital resources, files, videos, and more, all in one easy-to-search page!

Support The Historical Society

Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to the Nebraska State Historical Society help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of NSHS.

Volunteers are the heroes of NSHS. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.