Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: William Shoptaw
• _FSFTID: MGWZ-21N
• _FSLINK: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MGWZ-21N
• Alt. Birth: 14 May 1820, Kentucky, United States
• Alt. Birth: 1824, Kentucky, United States
• Alt. Birth: 1827, Kentucky, United States
• Residence: 3 Sep 1850, Greene County, Indiana, United States
• Residence: 3 Jul 1860, Center Township, Greene, Indiana, United States
• Residence: 15 Jun 1880, Grant Township, Greene, Indiana, United States

Notes:

There is a William Shoptaw, Age 20 (1840) living within the household of Adam. He is a Apprentice Blacksmith. Because of the way they did things back in that time frame, William may be related to Adam in some way. Research is required to find out.

Residence:
When searching for Adam in the 1850 Census, be aware in Ancestry they have him indexed as Adam Shoplaw. I did submit a correction so it may show up but if not search with the name previously mentioned.

Died:
SWITZ CITY, IND., Dec. 15, 1886.
Quite a serious accident occurred here today about 12:30 p.m. The boiler in the sawmill owned by Adam H. SHOPTAW, in the west part of town, exploded, wrecking everything in reach. Pieces of the boiler weighing from 20 to 1,000 pounds were thrown with terrific violence in every direction. On piece of the boiler, which will weigh at least 800 pounds was blown some 500 yards, and pieces of the engine were found several hundred yards away. William SHOPTAW's head was blown off from the eyes up, and his legs were terribly mangled. James SHOPTAW, the youngest son of A. H. SHOPTAW, had his head terribly mangled and his body blown at least one hundred feet. The old gentleman was struck on the head by some flying missile and his skull fractured. He only spoke once after the explosion and asked where Jim was; that was the name of his boy, who attended the engine. The cause of the explosion is not fully understood. They went to dinner and left all well, as they supposed, and on returning found that the safety valve had been shut down so that they would have steam when they came back to work. As the engine leaked steam they thought by so doing to economize steam. The engine and boiler had been pronounced unsafe for some time, but he thought he had it repaired until there was no danger. But alas! to late to grieve over disaster when done.

The house of the deceased is a sorrowful one; three corpses lying there at the same time, and caused by accident. All well and hearty and in one second all three hurled into eternity without warning.

This sad affair has cast a gloom over our village, business being nearly suspended.

Family/Spouse: Susan M. Holder. Susan (daughter of Living) was born on 9 Mar 1830 in North Carolina, United States; died on 1 Sep 1914 in Lyons, Greene, Indiana, United States; was buried on 3 Sep 1914 in Greene County, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. George W. Shoptaw was born in 1849 in Indiana, United States; and died.
2. Rachel A Shoptaw was born in 1852 in Indiana, United States; and died.
3. John L. Shoptaw was born in 1854 in Indiana, United States; and died.
4. Mary Shoptaw was born in Apr 1856 in Greene County, Indiana, United States; died on 21 Apr 1947 in Worthington, Greene, Indiana, United States; was buried on 23 Apr 1947 in Worthington, Greene, Indiana, United States.
5. Laurinda Shoptaw was born in 1858 in Indiana, United States; and died.
6. Jeremiah Shoptaw was born in 1861 in Indiana, United States; and died.
7. Adam Martin Shoptaw was born on 23 Nov 1863 in Greene County, Indiana, United States; died on 9 Dec 1945 in Paxton, Sullivan, Indiana, United States; was buried on 11 Dec 1945 in Dugger, Sullivan, Indiana, United States.
8. James S. Shoptaw was born on 2 Jan 1866 in Indiana, United States; died on 15 Dec 1886 in Switzerland City, Sullivan, Indiana, United States; was buried after 15 Dec 1886 in Greene County, Indiana, United States.
9. Lucinda E. Shoptaw was born in 1868 in Indiana, United States; and died.