James Van Inwagen James W . Van Inwagen , Jr . ( May 16 , 1869 – September 1 , 1928 ) was an American businessman and a member of the Tiffany family . He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1888 to 1891 and was captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team . After graduating from Michigan , he operated the Tiffany Enameled Brick Company in Illinois with his father , James Van Inwagen , Sr . He later moved to New York where he served as the president of the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company , the maker of Tiffany Never - Wind Clocks . Early years . Born in 1869 , Van Inwagen ' s mother was Mary Louise Tiffany and his father was James Van Inwagen , Sr . He received his preparatory education at Phillips Exeter from which he graduated in 1888 . University of Michigan . After graduating from Phillips Exeter , Van Inwagen attended the University of Michigan . He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1888 to 1891 as a fullback , end and halfback . He was the captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team . Van Inwagen was also competitor in track and field . In 1888 , he won the running high jump event at the University of Michigan Field Day with a jump of 5 feet , 6 inches . He also placed second in the 120 yard hurdles after falling over one of the hurdles . Family and personal life . In April 1901 , Van Inwagen married Mildred Mabel Congdon . They had one child , Jean , born in 1901 . Van Inwagen ' s younger brother , Arthur Van Inwagen , committed suicide in 1898 ; he shot himself at the Denver Athletic Club . His father died of malarial fever in November 1904 at Van Inwagen ' s home . His oldest brother , Fred Van Inwagen , committed suicide in 1905 at age 45 . On New Year ' s Eve 1902 , Van Inwagen was arrested and charged with assault , disorderly conduct and using abusive language . According to the arresting officers , he entered the Polk Street Depot in downtown Chicago and asked a train dispatcher for a special train to take him to Momence . When he was refused , he allegedly attacked the dispatcher . He was locked up at the Harrison Street station but later released on bond . Business career . After graduating from Michigan , Van Inwagen joined his father at the Tiffany Enameled Brick Co . in Momence , Illinois . Van Inwagen served as the vice president and manager , while his father was president and treasurer . An article on the company in the early 1900s noted that Van Inwagen " bears on his shoulders with ease the many burdens resultant from his position . Mr . Van Inwagen is a young man , not bound in any way by traditional practice , eager to embrace all devices calculated to improve the product of the plant and lessen the cost of production . " Van Inwagen published articles about the company ' s enameled brick products in building industry publications . By January 1907 , Van Inwagen had moved to New York City , where he was the president of the Tiffany Electric Manufacturing Company Among the products manufactured by the company were never - wind electric clocks . By 1912 , Van Inwagen had moved the company to Buffalo , New York . By 1918 , some seven models were offered . Though fairly expensive , the " Tiffany Never - Winds " enjoyed success . Later years . At the time of the 1920 United States Census , Van Inwagen was married to Mildred Van Inwagen and residing in Buffalo with their daughter Jean Van Inwagen .