The Shaw family papers date from 1877 to 1977 and contain materials principally relating to the medical careers of three family members. Included are 25 volumes (1892-1926) containing patient appointments and accounts of Dr. William Shaw. Among his other papers are diaries and notebooks pertaining to his early career in the schools at Motherwell, Ontario, Canada where he taught for eleven years from about 1877 to 1888. Also included in the collection are the patient books of Dr. Alexander Shaw (1854-1892). There is one folder of correspondence written by Harold Shaw, to his parents, William and Anna, during World War I while serving with the 85th Division.
The papers of Dr. Milton Shaw (1889-1977) constitute the principal part of the collection and reflect his active professional career. His papers include correspondence to his parents, William and Anna, from France during World War I as well as materials concerning the other phases of his military career including his involvement with several veterans organizations. Dr. Milton Shaw's connections with professional and service organizations were numerous and involved positions on the governing boards of the Michigan Welfare League and the Michigan Heart Association as well as the Directorships of the University of Michigan Alumni Association (1946-1949) and the Ingham County Chapter of the American Red Cross (1933).
The Shaw family papers also includes visual material such as family portraits; military related photographs; and depictions of University of Michigan student life including classroom medical activities, class portraits, reunions, a scrapbook, and photographs of unidentified women medical students.
Three members of the Shaw family, of Shiawassee County, Michigan were physicians. Dr. William Shaw (1851-1932) was a longtime physician of Morrice, Shiawassee County, Michigan. His brother, Dr. Alexander Shaw (1854-1892), and his son, Dr. Milton Shaw (1889-1977) were also practicing physicians. William and Alexander were the sons of John and Catherine Darrach Shaw, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. After their father, John, died, Catherine moved her family to the province of Ontario, Canada. Dr. Alex Shaw was an 1882 graduate of McGill University and practiced medicine in Bancroft, Shiawassee County, Michigan, and Watertown, Dakota (later South Dakota).
William Shaw worked as a teacher for eleven years at schools in Motherwell, near St. Mary’s, Ontario. In 1888, William married Anna Pringle, born in Motherwell in 1856, the daughter of John and Jane Younie Pringle. William and Anna moved to Ann Arbor, where William entered the University of Michigan Medical School, graduating in 1891. The couple had two children, Milton and Harold. Anna Shaw was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was noted for her independent character and devotion to her family and friends. William Shaw died in 1932 and Anna died in 1935.
Dr. Milton Shaw graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1914. During World War I, he served as a battalion surgeon in the 119th Field Artillery with the 32nd Division. Milton went overseas in 1918 and served primarily in France. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Milton was promoted to the rank of Captain and honorably discharged in 1919, although he continued to hold commissions through World War II as officer or medical inspector with the Michigan National Guard, the Michigan State Troops, and the Selective Service.
In 1926, Milton married Leita M. Cooley, daughter of Charles and Minnie Cooley, of Clinton, Michigan. Milton and Leita had one daughter, Eleanor Ann. Leita studied at Ypsilanti State Normal and was a teacher in Lansing prior to her marriage. Milton died in 1977.
