The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-08-05
TWENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.
From Greasy Mechanic 10 Millionaire
From the Dubuque Times.

From the Dubuque Times.
Mr.. w. r. Clark, of the Singer Man
ufacturing Company, of this city, has
kindly furnished us with the following
particulars concerning the late great
sewing machine king, Mr.. [. M. Singer:
To-day's dispatches announce the
death of Isaac Merritt Singer, who died
in London, England, on the oath inst.
The announcement of Mr.. Singer s
death will cast a-gloom over the $4,000
sewing machine agencies bearing his
name throughout the civilized world.
Mr.. Singer can be justly called the in
ventor and father of the sewing machine,
especially the Singer. The first practi-
cal sewing machine given 10 the world
was invented and built by him. His
early life was devoted TO the stage, with
considerable success. AT the age of 20
years, he was apprenticed to machinest
in Auburn, New York, where he exhib-
tied such a remarkable tact for the bus
mess that in one year he took the posi-
ton OF foreman in the establishment
While thus engaged he accumulated a
little money, which was soon spent in
visionary pursuits but his inventive
genius seemed to predominant. Among
his early inventions may be mentioned
his wooden type, his wOod-carving ma
chine, and last, but not least, his sew
!
Beginning in New York city in 1916, he
struggled along against all the diversi-
ties that could be heaped upon man
no money--no one to be found that had
confidence enough in the manufacture of
a sewing machine to invest dollar.
The writer well remembers the first time
ne met Mr. Singer. 1t was in New York
city III 1851, in n building situated on
Hague street, in the fifth story, in q
small room, where he had been attracted
by notice on the door that a small
amount of machinery could be rented,
together with all the steam power neces-
sary to drive it. A few tools comprised
his outfit. Here I found him at work
on what is yet known as No. Singer
machine, dirty and greasy, first at the
forge, then at the anvil, then at the vice,
whistling and singing, seemingly uncon-
cerned about his future prospects, little
dreaming that he would ever be at the
head of the largest sewing machine
70 in tho oiui1izaI world IN
1S52occurred the Hague street explosion,
one of the most disastrous calamities
that ever befel the city, over 40 persons
being mangled and burned to death.
BY this misfortune Mr.. Singer was en-
tirely broken up, his capital in stock,
tools and partly-constructed machines
being all destroyed. Six months prior
to this disaster, he had made me propo-
sition to furnish him small amount of
money. $1,000 was the amount named,
for which he would give me one-half
interest in his sewing machine business.
4 lack of funds compelled me to decline
the proposition, but I bought No.
machine of him, for which I paid him
$175, and it WAS the best investment OF
my life Twelve months later, Mr..
Edward Clark, q prominent lawyer OF
New York City, associated himself with
Mr.. Singer. and they started the manu-
facture of the Singer sewing machine,
on Matt street, n. Y, under the firm
name of 1. NJ. Singer & Co. In 1866
they formed a corporation, and incorpor-
ated under the laws of the State of New
York, with capital of one million OF
dollars, under the name of ''The Singer
Manufacturing Company" with Inslee
A. Hooper, President. I will briefly
refer to the magnitude of the business
bearing his name. The company now
occupy buildings in Elizabeth City, n.
J., with a capacity to manufacture 5000
machines per week, employing 1000
persons. Their pay roll amounts to
$3S, 600 per week. Of this immense
business Mr.. Singer owned two-ffths,
MIR. Clark two-fifths, with one-fifth di-
yided between the President, Secretary
and Treasurer of the company. AT the
time of his death, Mr.. Singer was Ga
years of age, and was worth twenty-five
millions of dollars, all accumulated with
in the last a years. Truly industry,
perseverance and genius has been re,
warded, and the name of I. M. Singer
will be known as long as the world stands
KIDNAPPING A WoMAN.-A dispatch
r. ao.1-