Jerome Wheelock
Jerome Wheelock was an American inventor best known for the Wheelock steam cylinder packing.
Wheelock was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, to Daniel and Susan Wheelock. While still young, he left home without telling his parents and his whereabouts were unknown until he was old enough to live on his own. With the help of Abraham M. Bigelow, he became an apprentice at Taunton Locomotive works, and left with the highest honors and recommendations. In 1858 he moved to Worcester and began working at Washburn Iron Works where he invented the Wheelock steam cylinder packing. He soon joined with Charles A. Wheeler to begin manufacturing this invention, and ultimately sold the company in 1888.
Source: Wikipedia