1. Elias Hinshaw (c1786-c1840) m Sarah Williams (1789-?)
 2.. Isaac G. Hinshaw (1813-1873)
     +Mary Coon Cox (c1820-1843)
 3...  Ivan Hinshaw (c1839-?) 1,2,3
 3...  (infant Hinshaw)  2,4
 3...  (infant Hinshaw)  2,4
 3...  Charles Sanford Hinshaw (1841-1931) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
     +Melissa Buell (1831-1923)
 3...  Zimri Hinshaw (1851-1918) 3,4,7,8,9,10
 3...  Sarah Buell Hinshaw (1852-1937) 1,4,7
 3...  Philander Hinshaw (1853-1855) 4,11
 3...  Leander Hinshaw (1854-1855) 4
 3...  Talman Hinshaw (1856-1863) 4,7,11
 3...  Tilghman Hinshaw (1857-1934) 3,4,7,8
 3...  Avery Hinshaw (1858-1931) 3,4,7,8
 3...  Zenus Jake Hinshaw (1860-1920) 3,4,7,8
 3...  Anderson N. Hinshaw (1861-1944) 3,4,8,12
 3...  Suffroney Hinshaw (1863-1864) 4,11
 3...  Havila Hinshaw (1865-1945) 3,4,8
 3...  Elias W. Hinshaw (1866-1940) 3,4,8,12
 3...  Jason Hinshaw (1867-1868) 4,11

Isaac G. Hinshaw     [ID 02344]

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Born Dec 15 1813, Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio.^{2,4,6,7,8,9,13,14,15}  

He married Mary Coon Cox, Jul 5 1838, Williamsport, Warren County, Indiana.^{1,3,4,14,15,16}  Mary was born about 1820, possibly Dayton, Ross County, Ohio.⁵  Mary was the sister of Joseph Cox who married Isaac's sister Sarah.¹⁷  

Mary died 1843, probably Warren County, Indiana.^5,15  

In 1845, Isaac and his brothers migrated by overland wagon train to Polk County, Oregon.  They joined a wagon train mastered by Solomon Tetherow, who had been elected Captain.  In approximately April of 1845, Isaac became a member of a committee to draft and record (in a simple ledger book) the "Constitution and By Laws of the Savannah Oregon Emigrating Society".  The name Savannah came from a town in Platte County, Missouri, from which a majority of the emigrants were from.  As an example of the resolutions drafted by this committee, the following was recorded on May 24 1845:¹⁸

BY LAWS &C - MURDERS Any one guilty of wilfull Murder shall be punished by death and shall not be forced into trial before three days.   Any one guilty of Manslaughter shall be delivered to the authorities in Oregon.   Any one guilty of Rape or attempt at it shall receive thirty nine lashes for three successive days.   Any one guilty of open Adultory or fornication shall receive 39 lashes on their bare back.   Any one guilty of Larceny shall be fined doubled the amount, and receive 39 lashes on his bare back.   Any one guilty of indecent language shall be fined at the discretion of the Ex. Council.   Any dog found running about camp at large shall be shot at the discretion of the Caps.   There shall be a driver of every 33 head of loose Cattle and every one shall drive in proportion to the loose cattle he may have.   The Committee for the purpose of drafting the Constitution, have wrote out a few by-laws for the Consideration of the emigrants.  Signed in the name of committee by W. Dawson Chairman Isaac Hinshaw Johnson Solomon Andrew Tetherow

During the overland migration, Isaac saw the horrible death by torture of one of his brothers (see George Hinshaw).  

On April 18, 1848, Isaac was listed as a Private in the roll of Company C, First Regiment, Oregon Riflemen, under Captain James W. Nesmith.⁴  

He then married Melissa Buell^{2,4,5,9,12,14,15,19} [Malissa Buell¹²], Jan 1 1850^{2,4,5,9,12,14,15,19}, Polk County, Oregon^{2,4,5,9,12,14,15,19}.  Melissa, daughter of Elias Buell & Sarah Hammond, was born Feb 27 1831, Vevay, Switzerland County, Indiana.^{4,6,7,8,11,20,21,22}  

Melissa had just three years earlier, at age 16, crossed the plains with her parents and siblings.  Their wagon train had left Mahaska County, Iowa in May, 1846, arrived in Holt County, Missouri too late to go on & stayed until May 14 1847 when they left St. Joseph, Missouri, arriving at Fort Vancouver, Washington on Nov 15 1847.²³  

Isaac and family were shown in the 1850 census, Polk County, Oregon:⁶

Isaac and family were shown in the 1860 census (Jul 12 1860), Polk County, Oregon:⁷

Isaac and family were shown in the 1870 census (Jul 1 1870), Polk County, Oregon:⁸

Isaac became well off trading beef and produce to gold miners.⁴  In his latter years, Isaac became mentally unbalanced (Alzheimer's??), eventually commiting suicide.  

The following article was published in the "Morning Oregonian" ("The Daily Oregonian") [Portland, Oregon] on Friday, May 3, 1872:²⁶

The Missing Farmer of Polk County EXTRAORDINARY RECITAL From the Salem Statesman of Thursday We have heretofore chronicled the circumstances attending the unaccountable disappearance of Isaac G. Henshaw from his home on Mill Creek, Polk county, Sunday morning, the 21st.  He has been found at last and we have the full particulars of the terrible ordeal through which he passed in the most remarkable attempt at self destruction yet recorded in Oregon.   SUBJECT TO DESPONDENCY It seems that Mr. Henshaw, although he is a well-to-do farmer, is subject to fits of despondency, and on the Saturday night preceding his disappearance, sprang out of bed several times, and looking towards the mountains, told his wife that some one was calling.  She prevailed upon him to return, however, and he was quiet until morning.   HE STARTS FOR THE MOUNTAINS Sunday morning about breakfast time he stepped out of the door, telling the family not to wait for him, and started off towards the coast range of mountains.  After traveling a few miles he took off his vest and concealed it, together with his purse, in a haystack.  Further on, he threw away his coat and socks, and directed his course towards the summit of the range at its nearest point, where the drifted snows of winter still lie unmelted.   HE LIES DOWN ON THE SNOW TO WAIT FOR DEATH.   Reaching a secluded spot where the snow was piled in icy banks, he cast himself, half stripped as he was, upon it to await the touch of a colder hand than winter's, and the sleep that knows no waking.  He lay there Sunday night, Monday and Monday night.  Tuesday morning, as hunger began to gnaw within, and he despaired of freezing, he attempted to return to the settlements, fifteen miles distant.  He became confused, however, and wandered around all day, sleeping upon the snow at night.  Next morning, he made the attempt again, following the course of Mill Creek, crawling upon his hands and knees much of the time, as he was very weak and his feet frozen, and eating occasionally of sheep sorrel and thimble berry sprouts.   FORTY MEN GO TO HUNT HIM.   On the morning of the 27th, a company of forty men got together and started out to search for him.  They found him Sunday afternoon near Buell's Mills, in an almost dying state from hunger and exposure.  He was taken home, and Dr. J.C. Grubbs called to attend him.  He is perfectly rational now, and will recover, although portions of his feet will have to be amputated, being badly frozen.  He had no food during the seven and a half days he was in the mountains, but that mentioned.  The particulars of the case were given by Mr. Henshaw himself.

Isaac G. Hinshaw died Jun 27 1873, Polk County, Oregon; buried Blair Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon.^4,5,14,15  

Two obituaries appeared for Isaac in the Pacific Christian Advocate newspaper:¹⁵

OBITUARY Drowned, June 27, 1873, Mr. Isaac Hinshaw, in the 60th year of his age.   Isaac Hinshaw was born in Highland county, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1813.  He lived for a short time in Indiana, then in Missouri and from thence he came to Oregon in 1845.  He was married to Mary C. Cox, July 5, 1838.  He was remarried the second time to Melissa Buell, Jan. 1, 1851, having lost his first wife in 1843.   He had been partially deranged at times for two or three years, and had made repeated attempts to take his own life, but was prevented until the evening of the 27th of June, when he succeeded in drowning himself in a small stream running near his house in Polk county.  He professed to believe in experimental religion and that his sins were pardoned, but seemed to have a constant desire to die.  He was always strictly honest in his dealings and accommodating to his neighbors.  He leaves a wife and nine children.   Suicide of Mr. I. Henshaw A few miles distance above the Sheridan campground on Yamhill river, a singular case of suicide occured on Friday evening last about 4'oclock.  The unfortunate man, Mr. Isaac Henshaw, will be remembered as the same one who made an attempt on his life, a year ago last winter, by hiding in the mountains with a view of freezing to death.  This plan did not succeed satisfactorily, and he was compelled to abandon it suffering the amputation of both of his feet.  Since that time he has been constantly watched, as he had [unclear] his intention of some day accomplishing the work of self-destruction in a more expeditious and certain manner.  On the evening mentioned, escaping from observation, he retired to a bluff bank of the river just above his residence, and very ingeniously adjusted his plan.  Taking a rope halter, he passed the middle of it around his neck once and brought the ends of the rope to his knees while in a sitting posture.  Firmly tying the left end of the rope to the lower part of the left knee, he did the same with the other end to the right knee, managing at the same time to fasten each hand to a slip-knot in the rope at either knee.  In this condition the least struggle or effort to straighten himself would tighten the rope around his neck and produce strangulation.  Nothing was now left but to roll himself over the bank into the river which he did at once, and was soon in eternity.   Thus a fellow man, deprived of his right mind, closes up his earthly career!  How far he was responsible for bringing about this state of mind who can tell?  He was blessed with a large family, and a great abundance of this world's goods; but never consented to seek the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, without which all earthly blessings are inadequate to give inward peace and quiet to a troubled mind.  This crime, no doubt, like murder and other heinous sins, is entertained in thought and then in meditation it may be for months and years before its committal.  The viper needs to be crushed in the egg at its first conception.  Every hour's indulgence only enhances the danger of being overcome.  The only safety is to banish the thought at its first appearance, and then fly to Christ and seek his grace.  [two remaining sentences unclear]

After Isaac died, Melissa remarried to:

Melissa and family were shown in the 1880 census (Jun 11 1880), Douglas Township, Polk County, Oregon:³⁰

Widow Melissa was shown in the 1920 census (Jan 12 1920), living in the household of son Avery in McMinnville, Yamhill County, Oregon:²²

Melissa died Mar 9 1923, McMinnville, Yamhill County, Oregon; buried Blair Cemetery, Buell, Polk County, Oregon.^{4,11,20,21,34}  

A short biographical sketch of Isaac was published in the historical "The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft":³⁵

Isaac Hinshaw was born in Highland Co., Ohio, December 15, 1813.  He, like others, moved from Ohio to Indiana, and from Indiana to Mo., ever drifting westward until he arrived on the shores of the Pacific.  His first wife was Mary Cox, whom he married in 1838, and who died in 1843.  He married Miss Melissa Buell, Jan. 1, 1851.  Becoming insane from continued ill health, he committed suicide by drowning, June 27, 1873.  Id., July 17, 1873.

Photo: (photo said to be of) Isaac Hinshaw, taken when young [tintype]

Photo: Isaac Hinshaw & Melissa Buell

Photo: Isaac Hinshaw shortly before his death

Sources

1. The Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) International Genealogical Index (IGI) - Indiana.
2. RootsWeb WorldConnect data by Donna Raye Thurman ().
3. The Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) computerized Ancestral File.
4. Contribution from Lucille Bigelow ().
5. "The Brazen Overlanders of 1845", by Donna M. Wojcik, contributed by Lucille Bigelow ().
6. 1850 census, Polk County, Oregon; roll 742, page 119, dwelling #174.
7. 1860 census, Salt Creek P.O., Douglas Precinct, Polk County, Oregon; roll M653-742, page 538, line #1, dwelling #445, family #401.
8. 1870 census, Grand Ronde P.O., Polk County, Oregon; roll M593-1287, page 312, line #30, dwelling #501, family #489.
9. Lee Gentemann database: http://www.open.org/leegent.
10. Zimri Hinshaw biographical sketch.
11. http://www.findagrave.com.
12. The Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) International Genealogical Index (IGI) - Oregon.
13. The Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) International Genealogical Index (IGI) - Ohio.
14. The Church Of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) Family Registry Index - Hinshaw.
15. Obituaries for Isaac Hinshaw appearing in the Pacific Christian Advocate newspaper, contributed by Lucille Bigelow ().
16. "Indiana Marriages to 1850" (www.ancestry.com).
17. Contribution from Mark Potter ().
18. "Biography of Tetheron, Solomon, Wagon-Master", "An Account of the Wagon
    Train Mastered by Solomon Tetherow", by Fidelia March Brown.
19. "Oregon Marriages From 1806 to 1850".
20. GEDCOM file G928 at http://www.ancestry.com.
21. GEDCOM file H4960 at http://www.ancestry.com.
22. 1920 census, McMinnville, Yamhill County, Oregon; roll T625-1506, ED 452, page 10B, line #54, dwelling #37, family #37.
23. Posting 9/7/00 by Eileen George () to OREGON-TRAIL-L.
24. 1850 census, Polk County, Oregon; roll 742, page 119, dwelling #173.
25. 1870 census, Grand Ronde P.O., Polk County, Oregon; roll M593-1287, page 312, line #39, dwelling #502, family #490.
26. The "Morning Oregonian", May 3 1872; http://www.ancestry.com.
27. Contribution from Lucille Bigelow () citing:
    "Polk County Oregon Marriage Records, 1849-1879", abstracted by
    Jean Custer & Daraleen Wade, Williamette Valley Genealogical Society, 1981.
28. Contribution from Susan R. ().
29. Contribution from Donna (Francis) Thurman ().
30. 1880 census, Douglas Precinct, Polk County, Oregon; roll T9-1083, ED 103, page 453C, line #42, dwelling #90, family #91.
31. 1880 census, Douglas Precinct, Polk County, Oregon; roll T9-1083, ED 103, page 453D, line #1, dwelling #91, family #92.
32. 1880 census, Douglas Precinct, Polk County, Oregon; roll T9-1083, ED 103, page 453D, line #7, dwelling #92, family #93.
33. 1880 census, Douglas Precinct, Polk County, Oregon; roll T9-1083, ED 103, page 453D, line #11, dwelling #93, family #94.
34. Oregon Death Index, 1903-1970; Ancestry.com.
35. "The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft", San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft and Company, 1882-88; http://www.ancestry.com.

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