Isaac M. Singer

Isaac M. Singer
Born	October 27, 1811
Died	July 23, 1875
Known for	Founder of Singer Sewing Machine Company

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Biographical Sketches

Isaac M. Singer, before he invented the Singer sewing machine, was for a time, a resident of Fredericksburg, Ohio. He arrived there in 1844 with his wife and four children and was the owner and leading man in a theatrical troupe known as the Merritt Players. His stage name was Isaac Merritt.

The troupe was engaged in staging Shakespearean and temperance plays in churches, halls and tents. Apparently, while the troupe was in Fredericksburg, the players went broke. Mr. Singer took a job in a saw mill and while there, he invented a machine for carving wooden letters to use in printing posters, sale bills, signs, etc. He formed a company to produce this machine, but became dissatisfied with his sponsor and moved to Pittsburg in 1846. For many years, the original machine was used locally to make wood type for the early newspapers and printing businesses.

Mr. Singer invented the continuous sewing machine in 1850 on $40.00 of borrowed capital. He formed a partnership with Edward Clark who helped to organize the production and distribution. At that time, a family income averaged $500.00 per year and the machine cost $125.00. Clark instituted the first easy payment plan in American business with $5.00 down and $3.00 a month in payment for the machine.

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Birth

• October 27, 1811, in Pittstown, New York

Death

• July 23, 1875, in Torquay, England

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Places of Residence

• Fredericksburg, Ohio 1844-1846

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