Charles A. Shaw

[1] He attended schools in Alfred, Maine, and by age 14 was teaching and had invented his first creation: a perpetual calendar about the size of a dollar.

Upon completion of his apprenticeship in 1852, he moved to Biddeford, Maine and with John Clark set up the firm of Shaw & Clark-watchmakers and jewelers.

[2] Shaw & Clark were in business together 14 years, eventually moving up to manufacture small portable sewing machines, which were very popular in the Western U.S.

Eventually they were among the largest sewing machines manufacturers in the country at the time, and they employed more than 6000 workers in five factories.

[5] Shaw was mayor of Biddeford, Maine from 1865 to 1866 and was outspoken in his opinions about the Civil War- in the view that the question of slavery was not something with which the Northern States should involve themselves.