# Thomas Stuart Chalmers

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**Thomas Stuart Chalmers** (June 1816 – July 13, 1903) was an American businessman. A pioneer of Chicago industry, he founded Fraser & Chalmers, a precursor to [Allis-Chalmers](/source/Allis-Chalmers) (now part of [AGCO](/source/AGCO)).

## Life

Chalmers was born in Dronley, Scotland, in June 1816. He emigrated to the United States around 1842 or 1843.

In 1872, Chalmers founded Fraser & Chalmers in Chicago. By 1880, the company employed over 170 workers. Frasers & Chalmers produced mining machinery, boilers, and pumps, becoming one of the largest mining manufacturing companies in the world by 1890.[1]

Chalmers was the father-in-law of Joan Pinkerton Chalmers, daughter of [Allan Pinkerton](/source/Allan_Pinkerton) and wife to his son William J. Chalmers.[2]

Chalmers died at his home at 179 Ashland Boulevard in Chicago on June 28, 1903.[3][4] The cause of death was [bronchitis](/source/Bronchitis).[5] Following his death, his estate worth $300,000 was divided among his widow and their children. His son William J. Chalmers was the primary heir and succeeded his father as the head of Allis-Chalmers.[6]

## Legacy

The Chalmers School of Excellence in Chicago is named in honor of Thomas Chalmers.[7]

Chalmers' son William served as President of Allis-Chalmers.[8]

## See also

- [Allis-Chalmers](/source/Allis-Chalmers)

## References

1. ["Fraser & Chalmers"](http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2677.html). [Encyclopedia of Chicago](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Chicago). Retrieved 2022-10-01.

1. ["MRS. WILLIAM CHALMERS; Chicago Society Leader, Noted for Her Charity Work, Dies"](https://www.nytimes.com/1940/01/26/archives/mrs-william-chalmers-chicago-society-leader-noted-for-her-charity.html). [The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times). Retrieved 2026-05-08.

1. ["Thomas Chalmers, Pioneer, Is Dead"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31007617/thomas-chalmers-obit-fraser/). *The Inter Ocean*. [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com). 14 July 1903. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-10-01.

1. ["Chicago Pioneer Dead"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/465016443/). [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com). Retrieved 2025-03-11.

1. ["Thomas Chalmers Dead"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/28916983/). [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com). Retrieved 2025-03-11.

1. ["Estate Of $300,000 Left To Family"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/33959460/). [Chicago Inter Ocean](/source/Chicago_Inter_Ocean). Retrieved 2025-05-08.

1. ["History"](https://chalmerssoe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=313777&type=d). Chalmers School of Excellence. Retrieved 2022-10-01.

1. ["CHALMERS, WILLIAM JAMES (1852-1938)"](https://digital.janeaddams.ramapo.edu/items/show/1607). Jane Addams Digital Collection. Retrieved 2022-10-01.

## External links

- [Thomas Chalmers House at 315 South Ashland Boulevard](http://www.connectingthewindycity.com/2012/09/thomas-chalmers-house-at-315-south.html), Connecting the Windy City blog
- [The Men Behind The Allis-Chalmers Brand](https://thebadgefactory.com/the-men-behind-the-allis-chalmers-brand/), The Badge Factory

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Thomas Stuart Chalmers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Stuart_Chalmers) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Stuart_Chalmers?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.