There is a little town in southeast KS that was founded in 1871. Oklahoma wasn’t even a state yet. The era of gun toting outlaws and native Americans still were at large. Kansas was mostly roving prairie,maybe a little wheat. Galesburg was a young town on a vast land.
Stanley Wilbur Shaw was born on a nearby farm 10 years later. His early years would prove him to be imaginative and an inventor. He decided to build his own tractor after seeing one. His tractor was built of wood and human powered by cranking a handle with one hand and operating it with the other. This may seem pretty crude and simple, but Stanley was 9 at the time.
At age 14, Stanley built his own steam engine. The engine was built from pump parts and odds and ends Shaw found. Stanley was notoriously good at re porpousing. He must have come by that talent early.
Stanley built his bicycle. The wheels were borrowed from his father’s planter. Stanley didn’t ride his bike in the spring. Dad needed his wheels back.
Shaw created his own gas-powered engine in 1902. His engine found one of its first uses to propel his bicycle. He must have gotten tired of pedaling. With the planter wheels, I can’t say I blame him. Stanley was one of the first to have a motorized vehicle in that part of Kansas. Not surprisingly, I’m sure horses were still a major source of transportation. In 1905, his engine found a patent.
At the turn of the century, young Stanley had a watch repair shop. While he repaired and sold watches, he also built his engines. He sold his engines mostly as kits for the do it yourselfers. His bicycle conversion saw production numbers of 13000. Remember, Kansas still wasn’t civilized. Shaw was taking part in helping that.
Shaw built a car the Shaw Mobile in 1908. He improved that making a second version in 1922, the Shaw Speedster. That two seater could reach the high speed of 25mph and was easy on fuel. Was there a fuel concern back then?
In 1923, Shaw created kits converting Model Ts into tractors. This endeavor continued until 1931. Through the time period, the consumer could also purchase the kits for a model A ,Chevrolet, and Dodge brands.
Shaw purchased a motorcycle factory in Kokomo IN during 1911. Instead of relocating, He expanded the housing of his business on his own property. He had been persuaded to stay in Kansas by his father.
Shaw’s main business remained headquartered in Galesburg until he retired. He sold his manufacturing plant to Bush Hog in 1962 with the stipulation that Bush Hog retained his employees. The terms were agreed on.
In personal life, Stanley was wed twice. He married Mary Jane Byrne (1877-1934) in 1910. The Widower Shaw married Nora Shaw (1886 – 1969). His first wife birthed a son and daughter. Stanley Byrne, 1911 – 1961, passed away at age 50, Margaret, Stanley’s daughter, lived to a very old age like her father, 1914 -2009. Shaw has heirs, more than likely still with us, from Stanley Byrne. Margaret never married.
Shaw had interests in photography. The pictures in his advertisements were taken by his hand unless he was featured in the photo.
Stanley Wilbur passed away a little past his 100th birthday, of April 12th. He died May 24, 1981.
Photography credit unknown. Thank you Syndney Shaw for sharing to the internet.
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