William M. Shaw, a prominent agriculturist and extensive landowner of Lee county, devotes his attention to the cultivation of a farm of four hundred and seventy-five acres in Amboy township. His birth occurred in this county on the 24th of September, 1847, his parents being Henry C. and Jane (Waldron) Shaw, both of whom are deceased and are buried in Prairie Repose cemetery. The father's demise occurred in 1874, while the mother passed away in April, 1902, both being sincerely mourned by an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances.

William M. Shaw attended the schools of his native county until sixteen years of age and subsequently spent about five years assisting his father in the operation of the home place. During the following twelve years he worked at almost any employment that offered and which would yield him an honest dollar, and on the expiration of that period started out as an agriculturist on his own account, coming into possession of the farm of four hundred and seventy-five acres which he has since operated. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and keeps about thirty horses, sixty head of cattle and fifty hogs, meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in both branches of his business. The residence and other buildings on the property were erected by him and stand as monuments to his enterprising spirit and wisely directed industry.

Mr. Shaw gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is widely known throughout the county in which he has resided during his entire life, or for about two-thirds of a century, and his substantial characteristics have gained him the warm regard and unqualified trust of his fellow townsmen.

History of Lee County by Frank E. Stevens 1914