Watchorn, Robert (1858-1944)

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Mentioned in (3)
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National Conference of Charities and Correction

National Conference of Charities and Corrections, The National Bulletin, November 12, 1908 (excerpts)

Anna R. B. Lindsay to Jane Addams, January 10, 1913

Suggestions for Advisory Committee Membership, Progressive Service Committee, January 28, 1913

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Birth Date

1889-04-05

Death Date

1944-04-13

Birthplace

Alfreton, Derbyshire, England

Biographical Text

Robert Watchorn was a coal miner, union leader, businessman, and immigration commissioner. Born in England, Watchorn immigrated to the United States after the U.S. Civil War to become a coal miner. He soon involved himself with unions and served as President of the Pittsburgh District Miners' Union and secretary of the National Miners' Union. He also founded a night school for miners. In 1891, Pennsylvania governor Robert Pattison appointed him Inspector of Factories and Mines. Watchorn then worked as an inspector at Ellis Island and immigration commissioner at the U.S.-Canada border. In 1905, he became a commissioner at Ellis Island and instituted various reforms, such as the building of hospitals on a nearby island. In 1909, Watchorn began working as an assistant to the president and treasurer of the United Oil Company of California, and in 1916 he founded the Watchorn Oil and Gas Company. The fortune Watchorn gained from the oil industry allowed him to become a philanthropist.

Watchorn married Alma Jessica Simpson in 1891. They had two children together, both of which died. Watchorn died in 1944.