Getting started in the clock business....

We are often asked how it was we got started in the clock business. We thought we would share a bit about our history.

Zachariah Maples Grandfather Clock Company was founded in 1975 by Everett Gary Maples. The company was named after Gary Maples’ grandfather, Zachariah, from Alabama.  Gary and his wife made a decision to buy a grandfather clock while vacationing in Dominica. 

After returning to Chicago with this new pursuit in mind, Gary went up to Zealand, Michigan to buy a clock from a major manufacturer.  He first visited Colonial Clock Company, at that time the largest manufacturer of grandfather clocks in the world.  He learned they would not sell him a single clock,  to become a stocking dealer, he must buy 12.  He then went to Trend Clocks, also in the area.  They told him he must buy 16.  In desperation, he found and visited another company in the same town, Howard Miller Clock Company.  He was also told by them that they would only sell to a stocking dealer, but required a purchase of only six clocks.  With this being the best deal, he agreed to buy six clocks.  At that time, Mr. Maples had a business, M. Methods Inc. He first sold the clocks under this business, and on the very first day in which he offered the clocks out for sale, he sold all six.

From this beginning Gary decided to become a manufacturer of grandfather clocks.  All of the American clock companies, with the exception of Hershede Hall Clock Company, bought their clock works from Germany and built their own cabinets.  Entering the business as a grandfather clock manufacturer in the state of Illinois, Zachariah Maples Grandfather Clock Company was incorporated in 1975. The first cabinets for Zachariah Clocks were made by Powell Cabinet Shop in Elita, Ohio.  It was a small  Mennonite operation employing only six.  The first order was for 25 grandfather clock cabinets. The next, and last, contract maker for Zachariah was Charles Stokes Cabinet Shop in Lima, Ohio.  Gary ordered 100 cabinets from them.

 It became clear to him that he needed to own his own woodworking manufacturing facility.  Gary Maples had no background in woodcraft.  With the tested philosophy of any entrepreneur, if you don't know it hire it.  Zachariah was fortunate to find Fred and Joann Montgomery, a husband and wife team, to be co-managers of the Zachariah plant.  They and some of their relatives provided the leadership for the production facility for the next twelve years.

 Zachariah Maples Grandfather Clock Company produced from 200 increasing to 2500 clocks per year at it's peak, over the twelve year span that it was in operation.  At the highest point in the production cycle, there were 70 employees working full time in the production unit.  The plant was located on Paulina Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.  The official headquarters for Zachariah Clock Company was in Oak Park, Illinois.  Zachariah Maples Grandfather Clock Company ceased doing business in 1987. The assets were acquired by Replogle Globe Company in Chicago.  At that time, Replogle was the world’s largest manufacturer of globes.  Gary Maples signed a non-compete clause for five years and agreed to this transfer of assets.

Since these beginnings Gary Maples has continued in the grandfather clock business. Changing with the times he now provides grandfather clocks to the continental United States, Canada, and abroad through www.londonclocks.com.