Raleigh Albert “Santa Claus” Shaver (January 28, 1872 – March 17, 1937) was one of Clinton County’s most beloved figures, remembered for his extraordinary generosity toward local schoolchildren. A lifelong resident of Clinton County, he lived in the Victorian home at 500 S. Main Street in Plattsburg, built in 1902, with his wife Lina.

For 31 consecutive years, Shaver visited all 63 schools in Clinton County, bringing high‑quality Christmas toys for every child. He laid the toys out on long tables and let each child choose their own gift—a tradition that became legendary in the county. The toys averaged $2.00 wholesale each, and in many years his total giving exceeded $4,000, a remarkable sum for the era.

Raleigh and Lina Shaver had no children of their own, but they poured their love into the community’s young people. His kindness earned him the affectionate nickname “Santa Claus Shaver,” a title still remembered with warmth today.

Shaver died in 1937 in St. Joseph and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Plattsburg. His legacy lives on through the toys, stories, artifacts, and memories preserved by the Clinton County Historical Society.