For fifteen years Charles
E. Shaw has been closely and prominently identified with the business
development of Vegreville, concentrating his attention upon the drug
trade, and throughout the period he has enjoyed an unassailable
reputation for integrity, enterprise and reliability. He was born in
Toronto, Ontario, October 31, 1869, and his parents were Duncan
Robertson and Sarah (Martin) Shaw, the former a native of Scotland and
the latter of England. They emigrated to Canada and the father became
one of the prominent lumbermen of Toronto, continuing in that business
until his death. He is survived by the mother, who still resides in that
city. To their union three children were born, the subject of this
review being the only member of the family to come to this province.
The public schools of his
native city afforded Charles E. Shaw his educational opportunities and
in 1907 he came to Alberta, locating first at Mundare, where he engaged
in the drug business for a short time. In the fall of 1907 he removed to
Vegreville, where he opened a drug store, which he has since conducted.
He carries a large stock of drugs and druggists' sundries, which he
displays to good advantage, and his trade has enjoyed a steady growth,
keeping pace with the development of the community. He has a thorough
understanding of the business and his store is a credit to the town,
being conducted along the most modern and progressive lines. He is also
the owner of a highly productive farm in this vicinity, which is managed
by his son.
Mr. Shaw married Miss
Mary Elizabeth Jago and they have become the parents of eight children:
Mrs. T. A. Morton of Vegreville; W. Floyd, who operates his father's
farm; Herbert, deceased; A. W., an accountant; Mrs. J. F. Leach of
Vegreville; and Helen, Elizabeth and Catherine, who are at home. Mr. and
Mrs. Shaw are members of the Union church and he is a Conservative in
his political views. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and during the World war he was active ill
supporting the various measures promulgated by the government. He is
broad-minded and public-spirited, standing for all those things which
count for most in the upbuilding of his community. He is highly regarded
in business circles of Vegreville and has many friends, whose esteem he
has won and retained by reason of his fine personal qualities. |