Biographical Sketch of

William Shaw

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 423 - 425

Miller, Noble, Richmond, Shaw, Smith, Taylor, Vaughan, Whitehead


William Shaw, who resides on section 35, in the town of Kingston, Green Lake County, dates his residence in 
this community from 1847. He is therefore one of the earliest settlers. To such men the county owes much of
its present prosperity and progress for they were the originators of that great forward movement which has 
placed it in the position it today occupies. It is the aim of the historian to perpetuate the lives of these
men and women who braved the hardships and trials of the frontier to make homes in the West, and as such an 
one we are glad to represent Mr. Shaw. He is of English birth, born in Chester County. His parents were Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Whitehead) Shaw, unto whom were born four children, but our subject is now the only one living. 
The father died when William was but three years of age, after which Mrs. Shaw, accompanied by her brother, 
William Whitehead, came to America. The destination of the party was New York, and they located in Oneida 
County. Mrs. Shaw was there married to James Taylor, who was also from England. In the fall of 1848 they came 
on to Green Lake County, where Mr. Taylor and our subject had taken up land from the previous year. Mr. Taylor 
died in this county in 1872, and Mrs. Taylor in 1875.

William Shaw, of this sketch, was born Feb. 12, 1837, and in 1847, when ten years of age reached the State which 
has ever since been his home. He acquired his education in a log school house, such as was common in the early day, 
its rude seats made of slabs, its windows were small apertures made in the logs and one end of the building was 
occupied by an immense fireplace. There Mr. Shaw became familiar with the common branches. His life occupation has 
been that of farming. He made his first purchase of land in 1865, when he became owner of eighty acres of land on 
section 35, in the town of Kingston, where he has since consistently resided, covering a period of nearly a quarter 
of a century. The land was then in a partly cultivated condition, but much labor and time have been expended upon it 
before it was transformed into the rich and fertile fields whose wealth of green delights the passer-by. The stone 
fence surrounding a portion of the land indicates much hard labor, but possessing and energetic and industrious nature 
Mr. Shaw has continued his labors until a high degree of success has crowned his efforts. Although he was met with 
reverses and discouragements, he has labored on undaunted by such difficulties until of him it is now said that he is 
one of the well-to-do farmers of the community. Great indeed have been the changes which have taken place since his 
arrival in the county. A vast prairie stretched out before him, covered with long grasses and beautiful flowers but 
no fences obstructed travel, but for miles one could ride in any direction. Few roads had been made, the work of 
development and progress at that time having been scarcely begun. Indian wigwams were still seen scattered over the 
country. Wild animals were yet to be seen and wild game was found in abundance. The nearest market was at Milwaukee 
and the long trips to and from that city were made with ox teams, but as time moved onward the raw land was converted 
into beautiful homes and farms, villages assumed the proportions of cities, large business establishments were 
constructed, the tide of immigration kept pouring in from all parts of the country, and railroads were constructed, 
thereby providing the settlers with all the comforts and luxuries known to the East. But while this change so 
beneficial to the county was going on the pioneers who laid the foundation were rapidly passing away. Some have 
sought homes in the farther West, some have been called to their final home, until but few of those who had settled 
in the county at the arrival of Mr. Shaw now living.

In political sentiment, our subject is a stanch Republican, having been identified with that party since attaining 
his majority. He has taken an active part in all social and moral reforms, and the cause of education finds in him 
a true friend, who is ever ready to give of his means to the upbuilding of schools. No enterprise which is for the 
benefit of the community has solicited his aid in vain, for he takes great pride in the county which has for so long 
been his home and desires its advancement in every particular.

Mr. Shaw has been three times married. On the 1st of January, 1862, he wedded Miss Mary A. Vaughan, by whom he has 
four children: Lizzie, wife of Alfred Miller, a farme rof Columbia County, Wis.; Joseph, William F. and Harley. The 
death of the mother, who was a faithful and earnest member of the Baptist Church, occurred April 11, 1873. Mr. Shaw 
then married Roana Noble who died in January 1885. On the 15th day of November, 1887, he was joined in wedlock with
Adelia Smith, a native of Lewis County, New York, and a daughter of Samuel Richmond, she having been a widow at the 
time of her marriage to Mr. Shaw.






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