Fawcett Plumb was a graduate of the University of Albany, New York, where he studied law. He was called to the bar in 1867.
He founded the law firm Fleming, Pilsburgy & Plumb in Illinois before leaving to start a real estate business after a year in Streator. He also founded the Streator National Bank in 1881 and was elected its president in 1891.
Fawcett was also elected to the Illinois Senate in 1874 and served two terms. He was also a keen inventor and received patents for an adding machine, a roof tile fastener, a brick kiln, ditching machines, and a twin cylinder single-acting engine.
Johann Reichold – Biography, History and Inventions: He was a parson who preferred to study science. Read all about him and his inventions here.
Solomon Pool – Complete Biography, History, and Inventions: He was a clergyman, educator, and university president. He also created an adding machine of his own. This article is a short account of his life.
Willgodt Odhner – Biography, History and Inventions: He was born in Sweden but found his fortunes in 19th-century Russia. There he created the turnstile and also his calculators which were sold right into the late 20th century. Read about this persevering inventor, here.
