Robert Watchorn facts for kids

Robert Watchorn (born April 5, 1859 – died April 13, 1944) was an important person who lived in both England and America. He started as a coal miner and became a leader for workers. Later, he helped people coming into the U.S. as an immigration commissioner. He also became a successful businessman in the oil industry and gave a lot of money to good causes.

Early Life and Work

Robert Watchorn was born in Alfreton, England, on April 5, 1859. His parents were John and Alice Watchorn. He went to a Church of England school for boys until he was 11 years old. After that, he left school to work in the coal mines to earn money. Even though he worked, he kept studying at night.

Many miners from Great Britain moved to the United States for jobs, especially after the American Civil War. Robert Watchorn was one of these miners. He was 22 when he came to the United States. He found a job in the coal mines near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Helping Workers: Union Work

Once in the United States, Robert Watchorn became very involved in helping miners. He was chosen to be the President of the Pittsburgh District Miners' Union. In 1888, he also became the secretary of the National Miners' Union.

Two years later, these unions joined together to form the United Mine Workers of America. Robert Watchorn was made the secretary of this new, larger group. During his time with the unions, he was known for fighting against unfair working conditions. He also worked hard to stop child labor in factories in Pennsylvania.

Immigration Work

Robert Watchorn worked for the U.S. Immigration Service for 14 years. He started as an inspector at Ellis Island, which was a main entry point for immigrants. Later, he became the Immigration Commissioner at the U.S.–Canada border.

Commissioner at Ellis Island

In 1905, Robert Watchorn was appointed commissioner at Ellis Island. He made many improvements there. For example, he oversaw the building of a small island with new hospitals and dorms for immigrants. When President Theodore Roosevelt left office, the next president, William Howard Taft, did not keep Watchorn in his position.

While he was a commissioner, Robert Watchorn had many important tasks. President William McKinley asked him to find out why so many Jewish people were moving to the United States. Watchorn's report was used to help improve laws for Jewish people in other countries.

Robert Watchorn's Views on Immigration

At first, Robert Watchorn seemed to support strict rules about immigrants. This was when he worked with union leader Terence V. Powderly. However, when he became an immigration commissioner, his views became more flexible. He was worried about immigrants who might not be able to support themselves. But he also "hated" having to send people back to their home countries.

In an article he wrote in 1909, Watchorn talked about many issues with U.S. immigration policy. He also spoke out against people who were unfriendly towards immigrants. He wrote that calling immigrants names like "horde" or "swarm" was wrong. He also criticized slurs like "sheenies" or "dagoes." Watchorn believed these words caused people to make fun of immigrants.

He ended his article by saying that the nation should work hard to keep out criminals, sick people, and those who couldn't support themselves. But he also said the country should welcome "the strong, the healthy, and the industrious" immigrants. This shows how his ideas about immigration changed over time.

Success in the Oil Business

After leaving his job as immigration commissioner in 1909, Robert Watchorn started working in the oil business. He first worked for the United Oil Company of California. In 1916, he started his own company, the Watchorn Oil and Gas Company, in Oklahoma. His success in the oil industry helped him become very wealthy.

Giving Back: Philanthropy

Robert Watchorn was a strong Methodist for most of his life. His religious beliefs influenced many of his donations. For example, he gave his large New York estate to a church group. He wanted it to be used as a medical facility run by the church. He also gave a lot of money to Protestant churches in California, Oklahoma, and England.

Between 1915 and 1936, Watchorn donated about US$1.5 million. Later, a charity he started, Robert Watchorn Charities, Ltd., gave over $3 million to various causes from 1936 to 1957.

Personal Life

Robert Watchorn married Alma Jessica Simpson on June 30, 1891, in Columbus, Ohio. They had two sons, Robert Kinnear and Emory Ewart Watchorn. Sadly, Robert died when he was a baby. Ewart died in 1921 from an illness he got while serving in World War I. Robert Watchorn later built the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, California, to remember Ewart.

Death

Robert Watchorn passed away in Redlands, California, on April 13, 1944. He was 85 years old. He is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.