The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-04-26
Misfellaueuas.
CHARLES A. SHAW.



The spirit of selfrcliance exhibited in
the energetic action Of individuals, II !,
does not furnish the true measure OF our
power rs nation, has most certainly al.
ways been marked feature Of our nation-
al character; in fact, American history
moro than any other Is brightly studded
with illustrious examples Of purely self.
made men-persons whose lives have ex-
hibited in the highest degree what 1t Is
within the power Of each to accomplish
for himself by the exercise Of resolute
working, patient purpose, self:reliancc and
s,endfast integrity.
Nearly all foreign observers have noticed
as one Of our most marked characteristics,
our strong individuality and distinctive per
sonal energy, which, acting throughout 50.
ciety, constitutes practical education, to
which that obtained in our schools and COL
legcs is, in usefulness, hut the merest he.
ginning IN culture. And Il Is the eedu.
cation daily received in our homes, in the
streets, on the farm, and in the work. shop
which develops those traits Of character
moro frequently met with In this country
than in any other, and which are SO essen
tial in the members Of tho great and free
government which ours should be. In
fact the nature Of our institutions, proper
ly directed, tends to give that true dsci.
plne which fits men for the performance
Of the duties and business Of life /; kind
Of education not to he learned from hooks
or acquired. by any amount Of literary
training, serving to produce and perfect
men by work rather than reading, by nc.
ton rather than study. And hence 1t is
that we have como to give moro weight
and attach moro value to such characters
tics as integrity. energy, courage and per.
severance, than to mere studiousness or
scientific requirements, and to look upon a
truly selEmade man who has risen from
the ranks by his own personal endeavors
with greater admiration and respect than
VIC arc wont to extend to those whom
chance has made either wealthy or dis
tinguislled.
The numerous instances of men In our
country who have raised themselves from
tho huniblest walks life to tho most en-.
inent positions Of usefulness and influence
not only furnish proof Of energetic effort
to make tho most Of small means and com.
monest opportunities, Of honest working
and perscvcrins application Of all the
faculties given to man, but they are also the
best proof that riches and ease are not es-
scntial to mans highest culture, else the
world would not have been 30 largely in.
debted at all times to those who have sprung
from the humber ranks Of lie and exhib.
tied those traits which have made them
such bright examples Of all that goes to
make up and adom true manhood. On
tho contrary men are not trnined to effort
and encounter with difficulty, or awaken
cd to that consciousness Of power which is
so necessary for energetic and effective &C.
ton in life, by an easy and luxurious exist.
cncc; and hence, SO far from poverty he.
ing drawback il may otentimes be con.
vcr,ed into blessing, ro,Ising to tha, strng-
gle with the world in which all true.heart.
cd men find strength and victory.
One Of the hest illustrations Of what can
be accomplished by the proper exercise Of
the qualities described 10 afforded in the
gentleman whose name appears at the head
Of this sketch, and whose biography, from
Fnnk Leslie's new illustrated paper, we
give in full, below. Mr.. Shaw undoubted-
ly embNlies, in the highest degree, as ma.
ny Of those peculiar traits and qualifca-
tons whicl, 20 to make up wha, may be
termed the strictly American character as
any man living, and VIC arc happy to see
that he is not unnppreciated.
From The Chimney corner.l
CHARLES A. SHAW Was born In the town Of
Sanford, York county. Maine. November 5th,
1891, being now IS years Of age, and tho old.
est Of Ave children, all living. lle 10 grand
son Of General Shaw, formerly . prominent
politician and business man In the Eastern
States, and is q direct descendant Of one OF the
most DISTINGUISHED "a miles among the settlers
OF New England, having come OF excellent
stock on both sides parentaily. His father Was
farmer In poor circumstances, and having .
large family to support, was unable to give
him any other than the most ordinary educa-
ton, such a. could be picked up In four or 6ve
weeks Of schooling annually. In . cold and
dismal country school-house, to which u Was
necessary to travel on foot for moro than
mile each way In mid-winter. While yet very
young. he exhibited many Of those traits Of
life. His love Of philosophical and msthemat-
ioal studies amounted almost TO enthusissm,
and oil works on those subjects which he could
obtain were read with the greatest svidity.
From his earliest boyhood hs was put to hard
work on the farm. and at thirteen Was requir-
ell to do mans work. A. fourteen he len
home and commenced teachinx, which he fol-
lowed f'r while with good success, and ansr
attending one or two terms at an academy at
uader the instruction Of the hte Hon. Henry
Holmes, distinguished schshr then residing
In that place. But limited pecunisry msans
obliged him to abandon the Idea Of finishing
his education and studying . profession. and
90 he turned his attention to mercantile Affairs,
la which he At once made rapid progress.
We next end him In Boston, managing q
newspaper with energy and ability; and here,
Il 10 said it Was that he 6rst became Impressed
with the power Of that great prime mover In
the business world-adverti iug-which he has
sinos used 70 such advantage. He soon, how
ever. lett this employment and engaged In va
rious other pursuits Of an adventurous and
novel character; but to give anything ap-
proeching history Of his lie ct this period
would far exceed our present space. Suffice it
to say, that after serving regular appren-
tloeship. st the watch.mater's and jewelers.
trade, = he commenced business for himself In
the city where he now resides, a. senior part.
nsr OF the hrm OF Shaw 4 CLARK, long and veil
known ~ one Of the most enterprising and
successful business concerns In the country.
and which has but recently been dissolved, &C.