John Charter, Sr., inventor of the widely known Charter gas engine, died April 30, at his home in Sterling, Ill., after a long and painful illness. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. From a humble beginning he arose, through his inventive genius and business sagacity, to a position of prominence and importance in the community. He was born in Freiburg, Baden, Germany, March 18, 1838, and came to America with his parents in 1844, settling in Pennsylvania. He left his parental home when he was 13 years of age, and located in Sterling, where he learned the trade of cigar maker. He worked at this trade until the age of 19, when he purchased the business and made it most successful. He introduced the first cigar mold, his own invention, and the article is now used all over the world. Subsequently he sold his cigar business to devote his entire time to his other interests. Previous to 1875, Mr. Charter was chosen president of the Williams & Orton Mfg. Company of Sterling, then manufacturers of machinery, and from. 1879 till his retirement from business he was the manager of the company. In 1882 he invented the Charter gas engine, the first engine of its kind in the world to use gasoline direct. At the time of the invention of this engine the Williams & Orton Mfg. Company were changed to the Charter Gas Engine Company, and exclusive attention was given to the manufacture of the engines. Mr. Charter was elected president and treasurer of the company, which position he resigned after eight years of efficient service because of ill health. Mr. Charter was also former owner of the Sterling gas plant, and it was through his efforts that the Sterling Gas & Electric Light Company were organized. Until he retired from business, he was the secretary, treasurer and manager of the company.
Information Sources
- Iron Age Magazine, V67, 09 May 1901 page 27