Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 3 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 27

Thomas L. Smith, one of the prominent mechanical engineers of Wisconsin, was long identified with manufacturing interests in Milwaukee, particularly in the metal trades. While he achieved a large measure of personal success, his labors were of a character that contributed greatly to the progress and upbuilding of the community.

Mr. Smith was born in Bolton, England, on June 6, 1855. His surname was appropriate, as he came of a family of metal workers, many of whom were employed in the Musgrove Works in Bolton. Mr. Smith was only four years of age when brought by his parents to Milwaukee, where his father secured a position in the car repair shop of the Milwaukee road. His early education was acquired in the parochial school of St. James Episcopal church. When still a young lad, his parents moved to Watertown, Wisconsin, where his father operated a machine shop and foundry. In that establishment Thomas L. Smith learned the machinist's trade, early displaying marked skill and ingenuity in mechanical matters. In 1873, although he had had no high school training, he decided to take a collegiate course in mechanical engineering. He entered Iowa State College at Ames and graduated in 1877 with the highest scholastic record of any Ames student up to that date, including fifteen grades for full terms. During his course, he served as one of the instructors in the college machine shop and earned a sufficient sum to pay his tuition and meet all the expenses of his college course. Mr. Smith was but twenty-two years of age when he graduated. Immediately afterward he was appointed instructor in mathematics and bookkeeping, retaining that position for several years. He then went to Boston and completed his engineering education in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1920 Iowa State College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering.

After leaving college Mr. Smith was employed several years in the engineering department of the Whitehill Sewing Machine Company of Milwaukee. He was also identified, at various times, with D. J. Murray Manufacturing Company of Wausau, Wisconsin, Filer & Stowell Manufacturing Company, Kempsmith Manufacturing Company, C. J. Smith & Sons (now A. O. Smith Corporation) and Pawling & Harnischfeger. In the '80s Mr. Smith undertook his first independent business venture — a machine shop at Reedsburg, Wisconsin. From a financial standpoint, this enterprise was not successful but during this period he invented and built the first flexible-arm woodcarving machine. This invention netted Mr. Smith a profit of only five million dollars. But that modest sum later became an important factor in building up several important industries. In 1898-9 he organized and conducted a school of engineering and mechanical drawing in Milwaukee. While thus engaged he made the acquaintance of D. W. Cutter of the Northwestern Tile Company, a firm engaged in the contracting business. Concrete construction was then in its infancy. It was through Mr. Cutter that Mr. Smith became impressed with the need for an efficient concrete mixer. In 1899 Mr. Smith invented the Smith tilting mixer, making a working model of the proposed machine. Its practical character appealed at once to Mr. Cutter, who agreed to pay the cost of the first outfit in return for the possession and title to it. Accordingly, the first tilting mixer was built in 1900, proving to be entirely successful in both design and construction. Mr. Smith at once took out patents and built additional models. The first machine was chain driven, mounted on regular wagon trucks and propelled by a steam engine. The second machine was gear driven and included several improvements on the first, although the basic idea was retained. From that time forward the success of Mr. Smith was assured. His concrete mixer soon became known throughout the world, proving to be a most efficient machine, not only for mixing concrete but for mixing other materials, such as the glass batch, core-sand, fertilizers, chemicals and baking powder.

A contemporary biographer, writing of his business career from this time forward, has said: "He succeeded in making an arrangement with Doelger and Kirsten, machinists, whereby his machines were made on credit, payment being made when he received settlement from the buyer. In this manner he built up his capital until he had enough money to organize, with two cousins, the Smith Machine Company, which company took over the manufacture of the mixers. They started in a small shed but soon rented larger quarters from the Grant Marble Company. In the meantime Mr. Smith continued to conduct his own sales and finances under the name of T. L. Smith.

"Growth was so rapid that in 1905 Mr. Smith organized a corporation known as The T. L. Smith Company, to handle the sales and finances. Manufacturing was still carried on by the Smith Machine Company until The T. L. Smith Company took over the Smith Machine Company and the Wisconsin Foundry Company, a subsidiary company, which had been furnishing grey iron castings to the Smith Machine Company. Summarizing the growth of the business, Mr. Smith started in 1900 with a capital of about five hundred dollars, while in 1921 The T. L. Smith Company had assets of over one million, two hundred thousand dollars!

"The T. L. Smith Company represents only one of Mr. T. L. Smith's successful business ventures. In 1905 Mr. Smith purchased a controlling interest in the Sterling Wheelbarrow Company, then a small, struggling concern on the verge of bankruptcy. He applied his energies and ability to that business until it finally developed into the largest and most successful of all his holdings. The Sterling Wheelbarrow Company is a veritable monument to the courage, persistence, ability and steadfastness of purpose of Mr. T. L. Smith.

"His third important business venture was in the field of rock and ore crushing machinery. In 1906 he organized the Smith & Post Company, now the Smith Engineering Works of Milwaukee. He built a factory and took over the manufacture and sale of gyratory crushers under the Symons patents. The original machines were not successful and the concern encountered many difficulties. But year after year Mr. Smith worked away with this company, improved the product, designed new models and finally brought it to the point of success. He lived to see this company on a sound, successful and profitable footing with exceptionally good prospects for a large and successful future.''

Shortly after leaving college Mr. Smith married Anna A. Shillcox of Watertown, Wisconsin. The union was a long and happy one. Three sons and one daughter were born to them. Mr. Smith died April 29, 1921, leaving his three sons to carry forward the enterprises which he founded.

Mr. Smith was not only a most prominent and successful business man but was the possessor of all those qualities which men most admire in their fellows. He held to high standards and ideals. No good work of charity or religion sought his aid in vain. He was a most faithful follower and exemplar of Masonic principles and was equally consistent as a member of St. James Episcopal church, in which he took a most active and helpful part, serving for many years as a member of its vestry. He became one of the early members of the City Club and was a director of the Milwaukee School of Trades.

A modern philosopher has said, "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success." Judged by this standard, the life record of Thomas L. Smith was truly a successful one. He strove mightily to attain his purpose in business but he always found time to perform his full duty to his fellowmen. He fully met every obligation that devolved upon him as a citizen and there was not a Milwaukeean who was not proud to call him friend. One who knew him well said of him: "There are many men who are successful in business. There are many who excel in the pursuit of music, art and literature. There are many who are honest and steadfast, who love their work, their families and their homes. There are many men who are lovable, kind, generous and thoughtful. But not often do we find all these virtues combined in one man. In the character of Thomas L. Smith we find them all — and more."