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Stullgart, Germany, and they were the
parents of a son, Charles M. Gearing, the
subject of this sketch.
( harles M. Gearing was born in Bridgeport,
Connecticut, May 22, [872. He was
educated in the public schools of Thomas-
ton, then went tO work in the Seth
Thomas Clock Factory and learned clock
making. In February, [889, he left
Thomaston and entered the employ of
the Hiram Cook Thompson Clock Company,
of Bristol. At this time the New
Departure Company was just becoming
established in Bristol, and gave promise
I
of filling an important place among the
manufacturers of the town. Mr. Thompmade
the first door bell movement in
quantity used by the New Departure Cornpan),
this company being the first manu-
facturers of a spring-actuated push-botton
door bell. When this company bought
the plant in Bristol which they now oper-
ate, and began the manufacture of their
own movements, Mr. Gearing entered
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
isted only on paper. Here Mr. Clearing
helped supervise the laying out of tools,
fixtures and gauges, and followed same
through the tool department. He em-
ployed a couple of men and thus started
a department which now gives employment
to more than two thousand men.
lie had charge of that work until June,
[913, when the manufacture of Small
annular ball bearings was transferred to
the Elmwood plant. He -till remained
with the Bristol plant, manufacturing the
large annular ball bearings, until September,
i < ; : 5 , when he was transferred to the
Elmwood plant and was there made division
manager. The Elmwood plant, employing
in the neighborhood of six hun-
dred hands, is a thoroughly up-to-date
factory, both in buildings and equipment,
and, it is scarcely necessary to state, in
management also. During October. 1919,
Mr. Gearing was transferred to manage
the large plant of the Xew Departure
their employ, remaining with them about Manufacturing Company in Meriden,
a year and a half, when he entered the
employ of the Waterbury Clock Company.
He remained there for a year, then
returned to the New Departure Company,
as assistant foreman in their Bristol plant.
He was there for about a year when
business became dull and the outlook
unpromising, so he resigned. At this
time he went to the E. I. Ingraham Company
of Bristol as an escaper in the movement
department, and in a year or so was
advanced to foreman in the movement
finishing department, where he remained
for about two years. Then a more advan-
tageous opportunity offered, which he
Connecticut, comprising 3 15.500 square
feet floor space, which will give employment
to upwards of three thousand hands.
This plant is to be used for the manufacture
of large annular ball bearings and
radax ball bearings.
Mr. Gearing is a member of Ethan
Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias. He
is a member of Franklin Lodge, No.
56, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bris-
tol, and the chapter and council there
Washington Commandery, No. 1, Knights
Templar, of Hartford ; the Connecticut
Consistory; and Sphinx Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic
accepted, going to the Dunbar Spring Shrine.
Company at Bristol, as superintendent.
He remained there three years, then went
back to the New Departure Company to
Mr. Gearing married, on December 27,
1899, Miss Clara L. Zacher. daughter of
Morris Zacher. of Bristol, and they have
take charge of the annular ball bearing two children : Milton Leroy, and Helen
works, which at that time practically ex- Edith
383
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