Veterans Who Have Passed–Joseph H. Marchione

Source:  Rockford Register Star, July 14, 2021.

Veterans Who Have Passed–Victor Anthony Zysk, Jr.

Source:  Rockford Register Star, Feb. 3, 2019.

Robert Smith 1928-2020

Source: Rockford Register Star     March 30,2020

Rockford’s Top Employers, 1980 and 2005 – 2008 article

Source: Rockford Register Star December 21, 2008

Fry, Willard “Bill”

Fry, William Bill

Source:  Rockford Register Star  Mar 25, 2015

Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company

Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company

“Men, Motors and Markets”

Page 1: Among the pioneer producers of automobile parts was the Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company of Rockford

It was founded in 1909 by two brothers: J. T. and S. B. Atwood

Mr. Seth B. Atwood is still active as Chairman of the Board  (1959)

This special edition of “Men, Motors and Markets” is issued in commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of that event

Page 163-164:  In 1916 Seth Atwood invented a ‘door bumper’ that stopped door rattling

During the middle 1920’s, the Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company had a yearly output of $21 million of those adjustable steel strappings with rubber inserts for doors

Today (1959), the company manufactures a complete line of body hardware for cars; hood, door and trunk hinges; seat adjusters, door latches, brake mechanisms, and other assemblies

 

Source:  “Men, Motors and Markets” Rockford Public Library Local History Collection, R338.476292  R962M

Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company

Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company

Founded in 1909 to manufacture vacuum cleaners

Run by Seth B. Atwood from 1909-1952

In 1953 Seth B. Atwood became President of the Board of Directors and Seth G. Atwood became President

Eventually the company manufactured automobile hardware

 

Source:  Rockford Register Star, 02/25/2010

 

Seth G. Atwood

Seth Glanville Atwood, son of Seth B. and Helen Mae (Glanville) Atwood

Died Sunday 02/21/2010 at age 92, the longtime leader of the Atwood family business interests

He introduced “The Scanlon Plan”, a type of gain sharing plan that paid a bonus to employees

He served on dozens of boards, was a longtime leader in civic causes, especially education

He was on the Community Education Task Force, formed in 1992, and was an early backer of charter schools

He was a collector of over 3,000 timepieces, and opened the Time Museum in 1970

The Time Museum closed when the family sold the Clock Tower Resort

Seth G. Atwood
Seth G. Atwood

In 1910, brothers James and Seth B. Atwood (father of Seth G. Atwood), moved to Rockford

They formed Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company

Seth G. Atwood took over the family industries in 1953

In 1985 he sold Atwood Industries to John Anderson of Anderson Industries

He had an MBA from Harvard University in 1940, and a BA from Stanford University

He managed several family businesses from banking to venture capital to and real estate

He was involved in developing a three wheeled, energy efficient car at the 1984 Chicago Auto Show

In 1971 he founded the Time Museum, located at the Clock Tower Resort

When the museum closed in 1999, the timepieces were sold to the City of Chicago for $20 million

He was a founding member of the American section of the Antiquarian Horological Society

Seth G. Atwood
Seth G. Atwood

Survived by children Mr. and Mrs. Seth Lang (Connie) Atwood of Boulder City, NV; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Triner (Patricia) Atwood of Rockford and Mr. and Mrs. Paul (Diane Atwood) Reilly of Chicago

Predeceased by wife Patricia J. Lang Atwood of River Forest and sister Barbara Mae Atwood of Rockford

A memorial gathering will be held at Rockford Country Club, arrangements by Olson Funeral Home and Crematory, private graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, memorials to The Independent Institute, Oakland

 

Source:  Rockford Register Star, 02/24/2010