Jerry Wheelock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Wheelock
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| Born | September 19, 1784 Uxbridge, Massachusetts, US
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| Died | October 10, 1861 (aged 77) Uxbridge, Massachusetts, US
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| Occupation | Textile pioneer at Uxbridge |
| Known for | Early American Textile Pioneer |
| Spouse(s) | Sukey Day |
| Children | Charles A Wheelock |
| Parent(s) | Simeon Wheelock and Deborah (Thayer) Wheelock |
Jeremiah Wheelock (born September 19, 1784 – died October 10, 1861) was an important person in the early days of American industry. He lived in the Blackstone Valley in Massachusetts. This area was a key place where the first factories and industries in America began.
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Jerry's Family Life
Jerry Wheelock was the youngest son of Simeon and Deborah Thayer Wheelock. He was born in Uxbridge, MA on September 19, 1784. This was just after the American Revolutionary War ended.
His father, Simeon, was a blacksmith and also the town clerk. He was a brave soldier who fought as a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Militia. Sadly, Simeon died when Jerry was only two years old. He passed away in September 1786 while helping to stop a conflict called Shays' Rebellion in Springfield, MA.
Jerry's mother raised him mostly by herself. She was his main teacher, even though Uxbridge had a basic school since 1732. When Jerry was young, he started learning a trade. He learned how to make wooden tubs and pails.
His Family Tree
Jerry Wheelock was a great-great-great-grandson of Ralph Wheelock (1600–1683). Ralph Wheelock was a Puritan minister who helped start public education in America in the 1630s.
Starting in Industry
The town of Uxbridge had a lot of "bog" iron ore. This meant there were places to work with metal, like forges and a triphammer.
In 1809, Daniel Day built the first woolen mill in Uxbridge. A woolen mill is a factory that makes cloth from wool. Uxbridge later became a very important town for making wool products.
On January 24, 1811, Jerry married Sukey Day (1789–1875). She was Daniel Day's daughter.
Working with Daniel Day
Jerry soon became a full partner with Daniel Day in a company that made Carding machines. These machines were used to prepare wool for spinning into yarn. Their company was located near where the West River and Blackstone River met.
After a few years, Jerry worked for Artemus Dryden in Holden, MA. This company also made carding machines near Worcester, MA. Making carding machines was an important business in Worcester County even in the 1780s.
Becoming a Manufacturer
Later, Jerry worked for the Rivulet Manufacturing company, which was started by Chandler Taft in North Uxbridge in 1814. He worked hard and became the Superintendent, which is like a manager.
Eventually, Jerry started his own business. He made his own machinery in Uxbridge until 1833. When he was 49, he and one of his sons, Charles Augustus Wheelock (1812–1895), started a new business together called Jerry Wheelock and Son. His grandson, Silas Wheelock, also joined the business in the 1840s.
Why Jerry Wheelock Was Important
The Blackstone Valley became famous as a historic area where America's first factories and industries grew. The woolen mill that Daniel Day and Jerry Wheelock started is still in business today! It's now called Berroco Inc., and it distributes yarn. For many years, its main office was in Uxbridge, where Daniel and Jerry first started their mill. It has since moved to North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Later Years
Jerry Wheelock passed away in Uxbridge on October 10, 1861. He was 77 years old.
