QUE PASA
Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
December 2014
Owen Henry Shillinglaw, Another Founding Member Of The NFB Of NM
by Peggy Chong
Owen was born December 29, 1910 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He was the second child born to William and Gertrude Shillinglaw. William and his wife, both born and raised in Iowa, moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, right after they were married in 1908 so William could take a job with the Wallace Land Office.
Owen had an active and social childhood. The Las Vegas community had many young families with children his age to play with. His family was active in their local church, and Owen took an active part in church activities.
As a child, it was discovered that he and his brother Morris had a severe case of arthritis. This impacted Owen for the rest of his life. When he was a very young man, he became almost totally blind due to the arthritis. Again, this did not stop him from being an active part in his community and supporting himself.
He graduated from the local schools in Las Vegas, graduating from Las Vegas High School in 1929. He then went to Highlands University for several classes, but decided to get a job and earn a living. This was the time of the Great Depression where going to school was a luxury that he may not have been able to afford.
Owen went to work for "Cokey," Alfredo Coca Sr., at the New Mexico Fuel and Lumber Company in Las Vegas. Cokey gave him a job as a salesman, all the while teaching him the entire business for the fuel and lumber yard. The company still used burro's to transport its firewood to customers, and many times, Owen would load the burros for customers. There was an old wood splitter in the back. It is not known if Owen used it or not, but it was still there when Owen passed away.
On February 4, 1938, Owen borrowed $1,000 and bought the lumber company. He changed the name to Owen Shillinglaw Fuel Co. The location of the business was perfect as it already had a rail spur that ran right up to the building, making it easy for ordering large rail cars of coal, lumber and equipment. Shillinglaw's would then sell the coal in the quantity required by the customer, whether that be by the truck load, or by the sack.
On December 19, 1950, Owen married Deborah Mills-Gordon, a former resident of Las Vegas, NM and a teacher, who was living in Claremore, OK. Deborah had a daughter, Patricia Gordon-Laferty, from a previous marriage. Although Owen was not sure that he wanted children as he feared he would pass on his arthritis, he loved her daughter. Deborah did want more children. The couple did try, however, no children were born to the couple.
Deborah would drive Owen to work many mornings as it was physically hard for him to walk. Owen would check his Braille watch and time her from the time they left their home at 711 Dalby Drive to its intersection with Mills Ave. He knew how long it should take. Many times, Owen would catch her going just a little faster than the local speed limit would allow and tell her to slow down.
It does not appear that Owen went anywhere for training in the techniques of blindness. He did not read Braille or use a white cane as we know it today. His arthritis was actually more of a disability to him than was his blindness.
Mr. Shillinglaw took an active role in Las Vegas city council matters and hearings. He was one of the people who addressed concerns that the city of Las Vegas was growing too fast, and he lent his voice to the need to extend the city limits in 1953. As a member of the Jaycee's, he served on many committees including the Distinguished Service Award Committee. He was active in the Red Cross and many other charities that helped his community.
In May of 1958, Owen attended the state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico in Albuquerque at the Knights of Columbus Club. At that meeting, he was elected first Vice President. But his participation in an organization to better the lives of the blind was to be short-lived.
Owen died on September 26, 1958. On September 13, he took a fall at the office. Owen had gotten out of the passenger door of a truck that he and his staff would be loading with a display to transport to Albuquerque. Owen stepped on a brick, lost his balance and struck his head on the bumper of the truck. He was taken to the Las Vegas hospital. About 12 days later, he was transported to the Bataan Memorial Hospital in Albuquerque, located at 5400 Gibson Ave. SE for observation. At that time, it was not thought that his injuries were life-threatening. But Owen died the next day. He was a short-lived leader with so much promise for our state.