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A master craftsman endowed

with an indomitable will.
A spirit of independence and

broad vision who created a
new type of machine tool and

founded this business on ideals
of service and fair dealing.

The original location of The Gleason Born April 4, 1836, William Gleason into Gleason Corporation. Originally
Works was in Brown’s Race, came to the United States from his firm manufactured a general line
Rochester, NY, overlooking the Borrisokane, County Tipperary, of metal working tools and machines,
Genesee River (today known as Ireland, with his mother. He trained as with special emphasis on engine
High Falls historical district). The a mechanic through an apprenticeship lathes and planers.
present site of The Gleason Works in the Rochester machine shops of
on University Avenue was acquired Asa R. Swift and I. Angell & Sons In 1874, William Gleason invents
in 1904 and the first building erected and during the Civil War worked at the first bevel gear planer. This
in 1905. By 1911, the activities of the Colt’s Armory in Hartford, Connecticut. development proved to be the
Company had exceeded the available After returning to Rochester in 1865, beginning of a new industry – the
space on Brown’s Race so the plant William Gleason began his own bevel gear industry – and opened
was relocated to what became known machine shop, which evolved into vast new possibilities for the
as 1000 University Avenue. The Gleason Works and ultimately transmission of motion power.

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