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Westclox History from 1900 to 19191900Employees245 Mr. Hackman headed Office Force of five, (including himself). OrganizedSafety Idea formed-later under Mr. F. W. Matthiessen a Safety Committee was formed. 1901Employees285 Payroll$100,000 1905Employees410 Production3500 complete units per day. 2/13 -Temperature dropped to 24° below zero. 1907ActivitiesMen's Basketball Team organized. 1908October 13, 1908 Board of directors resolved to change company name to Western Clock Co. (but the change was not approved until 1912) 1909ModelsPocket Watch production for Peru Plow and Wheel Company. OrganizedWestern Clock Company Athletic Association Western Clock Company Fire Department 1910ModelsBig Benfirst put on the market and first advertised in the Saturday Evening Post magazine. (The name Big Ben was selected for this powerful clock, because of the well known Big Ben clock located in the House of Parliament in England.....This clock was nicknamed 'Big Ben' after Benjamin Hall, England - Commissioner of Public Works. As clock struck the hours, people would say "There speaks Big Ben', and so the name originated.) Little BenThis was the forerunner of Baby Ben. "Bulls Eye" ClockEmployeesJerry Roach, Foreman Big Ben Department (started 1898, retired 1946) Charles Keenan, Foreman "Little Ben" Department (st. 1897, ret. 1946) 1912June 11, 1912 Stockholders approve name change to Western Clock Co. (the name change had been proposed by the board in 1908) Wooden Water Tank was built, holding 35,000 gallons of water for factory use - including drinking water and fires. This tank was later dismantled in 1928. 1913Employees1290 E. Roth was Secretary and General Manager at this time. OrganizedForeman's Club MiscellaneousWestern Clock CompanyChauffers were Bill Morris and Doyle Gudgel from the Traffic Department. (Bill Morris, at the time he was appointed the Westclox chauffer, was given the job because he knew how to drive. Job consisted of- Take home persons who were ill - (A cot could be placed in the back). Carry finished clock to Railroad Station. Haul Raw Material. Paydays - Iron safe was chained to the floor in the truck as money for payday was carried from the Bank. Employees were paid in Gold. Two men were appointed as Guards on these particular trips. 1914(Words illegible)1917Employees1640 Production15,000 units per day OrganizedFirst Factory Safety Committee(Western Clock Company was a pioneer in the Safety Program for the nation.) W. Shields (Shipping, then to Sales Dept.) Group Life Insurance Program Initiated For WorkersLife insurance was given free to workers employed over six months. Total not to exceed $2,000, minimum $300.) Western Clock Company Military Band Formed1918Employees1,473 Payroll$1,100,000 CorporateElectedF. W. Matthiessen, Jr. (son of Founder of Western Clk. Co.) was elected Director - (In 1923 then elected 1st V.P. ) Serve with - F. W. Matthiessen, Sr. OrganizedQuarter Century CLub organized (15 members) MiscellaneousWar ended. Basic Soldier's pay - Private U.S.A. - $475/year - or minimum $30.00/month, $36.00/foreign service. Great Britain - $7.50/month A U.S.A. Corporal was paid a total of $36.00/month - foreign duty $43.20. "Westclox" Trade Name first used in advertising to make line known - ModelsModels in the line - Big Ben, Baby Ben, Sleepmeter, America Quarter Century Club Organized With The Following 15 MembersE. Roth (1889) 1889 1919Employees1,830 - then 1916 CorporateElectedE. Roth - V.P. and General Manager Directors For 1920G. P. Blow OrganizedMachinists Training School Tool Training (under Sewery) Cooperative Weather Observation Station (using instruments furnished by the Government). Daily readings were made and furnished to the news media, etc. (posted throughout the plant). CanadaWestern Clock Co. Canada, Incorporated in 1919 as a subsidiary of the LaSalle
Peru Plant
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