The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-06-25
United States Watch Company-Giles,
Wales & Co.

1t IS with more than ordinary pleasure
that we devote ourselves TO this sketch Of
one of the most enterprising firms this
country can boast, and, as individuals, they
are entitled to the thanks Of the whole
country for the locating and pcrfecting Of
an establishment that entirely relieves us
of the necessity of sending to Europe to
possess time-piece, which, when obtained,
is oftentimes inaccurate, or in some other
particular defective. This has been done
away with, however, and through the ef-
forts of the senior member, +. A. Giles,
Esq, the name of the firm and the Ameri-
can manufacturer has been placed in a
higher niche, and has received the highest
possible honors, not only from the appreci-
alive Of this country, but from the skillful
and ingenious of all classes, and from all
parts of the world. 1t will be a matter of
surprise to many when we inform them that
F. A. Giles, Esq, the head and front Of
this monster institution, is young man,
only 33 years Of age, and yet is the con-
trolling mind the planner, the inventor,
the originator and completer Of one Of the
grandest enterprises ever conceived in this
our time.
When it is considered that Mr.. Giles bad
none of the advantages Of wealth or in
fiuence to assist him in the eurtberancc OF
his schemes, but his own indomitable will,
the brilliant success he has achieved we'll
deserves the plaudits he has received, and
which the world is always ready to bestow
on the man who is bold and honest enough
to devote bis life to the interests and well
being Of all who surround or may be
brought in contact with him.
Mr.. Giles spent several years as sales
man in the employ Of Plat & Bro, where
be projected and founded the present
house Of Giles, Wales & Co, embracing
W. A. Wales, Esq, {whO at that time had
charge Of the New York office of Messrs.
Rodgers, Smith, Coy bis younger brother
I. s. Giles, and his brother-in-law G. c..
+. Wright, Esq. 1t was at this juncture
that he conceived the idea of making
watches by machinery, and organized the
now justly celebrated United States Watch
Company and the Marion Building Com
pany, with view not only to provide
houses for the families of the operators, but
BY purchasing and improving a very
large tract of land, to reap the bene-
fit Of the great increase in the value Of
real estate, caused by building these extern
sive works thereon.
Mr.. Giles being left an orphan at the
age Of eight years, and being the oldest
male member Of family Of seven children,
1t became incumbent on him, with bis ED
est sister, to provide for and to superin-
tend the education of the rest. Feeling
his responsibilities as a son and brother, he
determined on learning the manufacturing
of patchwork, with the idea, at some fu-
ture day, of controlling the destinies of
watch mandatory. After perfecting bis
mechanical studies and starting business
in this city, he made trip to Europe, and
there laid the foundation for the further
ance Of his early-laid plans. On bis re-
turn be commissioned his younger brother,
who at that time had no practical knowl-
edge Of the business, to carry out the pro-
ject as be had formed it, in the prosecu-
ton Of the Swiss branch, until be could
mature his plans here, at which time be in
tended to withdraw and instruct him in
this country in the manufacturing Of watches
by machinery, and of which the European
had no knowledge. One
year ago be was withdrawn, and placed in
position to superintcnd the interests Of the
mandatory, now completed, and which
stands to-day monument to the skill and
determination Of its worthy head. There
arc lew men possessing the capabilities of
A1r; 4. A. Giles as a business man be
Yields the vast interests and details of