Chapter 16

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.