The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-21

Yesterday was the Goth anniversary
of the birth of Jerome Wheelock, an
American inventor of international rep
utation.
He was born in Grafton, June 20,
1884, the fourth of seven children, and
the second son of Daniel Wheelock
His schooling was secured in Grafton,
The enjoyment of liberal education
was not his lot, yet by persistent I'M
provement of leisure time he attained
richly stored and well disciplined mind
At the age of 16 years he left his
fathers home TO rough it in the world.
At this stage of life he attracted the
attention of Hon. Abraham II. Blge-
low, who discerned the budding genius
of the boy, secured him suitable en-
pIoyment in the Taunton locomotive
works, where he spent three years un-
der conditions hard to be surpassed.
The steam engine fascinated hint
became his special study. For another
three years he worked in various pla-
ces as a journeyman, and in 1858 he
settled permanently in Worcester.
While thus employed, he invented the
sectional ring piston packing. WHICH be
patented, and today is this worldwide
Wheelock steam cylinder packing
known. Simple, economical and endur-
able and adapted to all engines, this
came into general use, and in 1860 Mi.
Wheelock began its manufacture on
large scale. quitting the service Of
the Washburn iron works and entering
a partnership with Charles A Wheeler.
Two years later Mr.. Wheeler died, and
Mr.. Wheelock continued the business
alone. In 1859 he established a plant of
shops on Union street, Worcester, and
in the same year built an engine which
embodied several important improve
ments he had devised Constant eX-
pertinent then improved this cOnstruC-
ton, and in rs he introduced at the
American Institute Fair, in New York
city, four-valve engine, which, after
thorough tests, was awarded the gold
medal Of progress. In this engine,
known as the WheelOCk improved va
riable cutoff engine, he employed a
rotary, tape red valve suspended on
hardened steel spindles then a new
type, but since extensively known and
used. Other improvements We're added,
and at the centennial exhibition in
Philadelphia. 1876, he presented a still
more perfect engine, which won q
medal and high testimonials. 1t is
worthy Of note that this engine, so
powerful and efficient, was in charge Of
jerome Wheelock, Jr., mere lad of IA
years.
The Wheelock engine is today recog-
nized as the most economical and per-
| feet engine now made and the honor
| belongs to a son of Grafton who today
| is reaping the reward for pest bril-
! liant merchanical achievements. This
| engine was exhibited at the Paris OK
! position in 1878; Cincinnati, O., 1880
/ first international millers' exposition,
| and 1881 ninth industrial exposition.
For several years after these sus-
! cesses he gave much thought to tie de-
velopment OF a new system Of valves,
which in scientific circles is regarded
as III emost important step since the
/ invention Of Coriss. This system may
/ be described as combining the valve,
valve seat, and operative parts within
a shell of tapering plug which IS driven
into a corresponding hole in the cylin-
der and retained in its place without
| bOnnets of bolts.
In 1SS6-S7 Mr.. Wheelock spent some
months abroad making arrange ments
for the manufacture Of his engine,
which is now made at Manchester,
Eng: at Lille and Curtin, France, and
| also in Belgium. Increased home
! trade necessitated larger quarters
which were found at SouthbridGe
| street. Worcester, and there reorgar-
| lied as a stock company under the
| Wheelock Engine Company. This re-
organization was affected principally