CHAPTER XVI.

Chauncey Jerome.

The old-fashioned clocks—­Their expensiveness—­Condition of the clock trade of Connecticut sixty years ago—­Early history of Chauncey Jerome—­A hard life—­Death of his father—­Becomes a farmer’s boy—­Is anxious to become a clock-maker—­An over-wise guardian—­Hardships of an apprentice—­How Jerome became a carpenter—­Hires his winters from his master—­Becomes a dial-maker—­The clock-making expedition—­Jerome’s first savings—­Takes a wife—­A master carpenter—­Poor pay and hard work—­Buys a house—­A dull winter—­Enters Mr. Terry’s factory—­The wooden clock business—­Sets up in business for himself—­Industry and energy rewarded—­His first order—­Sends his clocks South—­Enlarges his business—­Improvements in his clocks—­Losses on southern shipments from dampness—­Depression of business—­Jerome’s anxiety—­A wakeful night—­Invention of the brass—­A new era in the clock trade—­Beneficial effects of Jerome’s invention—­Magnitude of the Connecticut clock trade at present—­Growth of Jerome’s business—­Makes a fortune—­Organization of the “Jerome Clock-making Company”—­Practical withdrawal of Mr. Jerome—­Difficulties of the company—­Jerome a ruined man—­Honest independence—­Finds employment—­Becomes the manager of the Chicago Company.

CHAPTER XVII.

Elias Howe, jr.

The first sewing-machine—­Birth of Elias Howe—­A poor man’s son—­Raised to hard work—­His first employment—­The little mill-boy—­Delicate health—­Goes to Lowell to seek his fortune—­Thrown out of employment—­Removes to Cambridge—­Works in a machine shop with N.P.  Banks—­Marries—­A rash step—­Growing troubles—­A hard lot—­Conceives the idea of a sewing-machine—­His first experiments unsuccessful—­Invents the lock stitch and perfects the sewing-machine—­Hindered by his poverty—­A hard struggle—­Finds a partner—­His winter’s task—­His attic work-shop—­Completion of the model—­Perfection of Howe’s invention—­Efforts to dispose of the invention—­Disappointed hopes—­Popular incredulity—­Becomes an engine driver—­Amasa Howe goes to England with the sewing-machine—­Bargain with the London merchant—­Elias removes to London—­Loses his situation—­The rigors of poverty—­Returns to America—­Death of his wife—­Fate’s last blow—­The sewing-machine becomes better known—­Adoption by the public—­A tardy recognition—­Elias Howe sets up in business for himself—­Buys out his partner’s interest—­The sewing-machine war—­Rapid growth of the sewing-machine interest—­Earnings of the inventor—­A royal income—­Honors conferred upon him—­Enlists in the United States Army—­A liberal private—­Last illness and death.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Richard M. Hoe.