Bill Jones (steelmaking) facts for kids

William Richard Jones (1839 – September 29, 1889) was an amazing inventor and manager in the steel industry. He was so good at his job that a famous businessman named Andrew Carnegie really valued him. Jones made many important changes to how steel was made and how workers were treated.

Who Was William Jones?

William Richard Jones was born in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, in 1839. His family had moved from Wales to America nine years before he was born, hoping for a better life. Bill was one of eleven children. Sadly, his mother died when he was only eight years old.

He went to public school in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. But he got into trouble and was asked to leave school because he stood up for a friend. When he was just ten years old in 1849, Bill started working. His father, Reverend John Jones, was sick, so Bill began an apprenticeship at the Lehigh Crane Iron Works. He learned many skills there that would help him become a leader in the steel industry. When Bill was fourteen, his father passed away. His stepmother was left to care for ten children.

Soon after his father's death, Bill Jones left home. He traveled and worked in different places around the country. On April 14, 1861, he married Harriet Lloyd in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They had four children together.

Serving During the Civil War

When the American Civil War started in April 1861, Bill and his wife moved back north. On July 31, 1862, he joined the army as a private in the 133rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He served for nine months and was promoted to corporal. Later, he helped create a new company for the 194th Infantry Regiment. He became the captain of that company on July 20, 1864.

Making Steel History

After leaving the military, Jones went to work for the Cambria Iron Company. He had worked there before the war.

Jones is famous in the steel industry for building the Edgar Thomson Steel Works. He was the boss of this huge steel mill until he passed away. In just five years, the Edgar Thomson Steel Works became the most productive and profitable steel mill in the world!

Andrew Carnegie hired Jones as the superintendent, which is like a head manager. But Jones had his own conditions:

• He wanted to be in charge of how the workers were managed.
• He insisted that the workers be paid well.
• He also wanted them to have enough rest to prevent accidents.

Carnegie valued Jones so much that he offered him a partnership in his company. But Jones said no! Instead, he asked for a very large salary. Carnegie agreed and paid him $25,000 a year, which was as much as the President of the United States earned at the time!

It was during this time that Jones became known for starting the eight-hour workday policy. He believed that "Flesh and blood cannot stand twelve hours of continuous work." Carnegie and Jones had a lot in common, especially when they talked about the Civil War. Jones was also seen as an "American Hero" for his brave actions during the Johnsonville flood.

However, in 1888, Carnegie brought back the twelve-hour workday. The eight-hour workday would not return to the American steel industry for another fifty years.

Jones was also a brilliant inventor. He patented more than 50 inventions! His first patent was on June 12, 1876, for "Washers for Ingot Molds." His last and perhaps most important invention was the Jones Mixer, which started working in September 1888.

A Tragic End

On September 27, 1889, Bill Jones was at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works. He found many workers around Furnace C, which was having problems with its cooling system. That afternoon, molten iron had cooled inside the chimney, blocking it. Forty tons of liquid iron were stuck!

Jones helped his workers try to clear the blockage. When pouring iron ore cakes on it didn't work, Jones bravely climbed the scaffolding of the furnace. He was helping to push a rod through the cooling system. Suddenly, there was a loud roar from the hole Jones was working on. Forty tons of molten iron flooded the platform!

As Jones tried to escape, he fell about 40 feet (12 meters) into a cinder car. He hit his head and suffered a bad burn on his right arm, singed eyebrows, and burns up to his stomach. Even after the terrible accident, Jones was conscious. He checked on his brother, John Lewis Jones, and the other workers. His brother carried him to get medical help.

He was taken to Homeopathy Hospital. Doctors thought he would fully recover. But two days after the accident, Bill Jones passed away in the night at the hospital. He was 50 years old.