Saw Soon Choo was born in 1857 in Wushan Village, Jinjiang, Fujian Province. He migrated to Penang at a young age to seek opportunities and eventually rose to prominence as a respected figure in the local Chinese community. He had three sons and one daughter: Saw Choo Cheang, Saw Choo Theng, Saw Seng Kew, and Saw Soh Sim. His three sons were prominent figures in Penang's rubber industry. His younger brother, Saw Soon Chean, was one of the founders of the Chin Kang Hoay Kuan (Jinjiang Association) in Penang. There are few historical records on Saw Soon Choo, but in 1937, he held a grand celebration for his 80th birthday and the golden wedding anniversary with his wife, Lim Beng Neo. The event became a well-known and cherished story in Penang.