Its founders possessed a good combination of skills: Mr. The Adams and Perry Watch Company was built right beside the turnpike. Grant was President of the United States and Conestoga wagons creaked their way along the Lancaster Turnpike, as citizens heeded the call of Horace Greely to 'Go West.' Another form of pioneer was building a factory in the pastoral community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hamilton Watch Company: Early Days In 1874, General Ulysses S. Hamilton factory: Using a precision scale to fit balance screws to a balance.