Question of the Day: Who is Seth Thomas?

And why is his name on all the clocks? Now, before you say "huh?" take a look around at the clocks you pass by on a daily basis, at work, in stores, on tv shows, in movies, even in your home. Chances are, they will have an old-fashioned signature on the face, below the numeral 12 or above the 6, that reads "Seth Thomas." How the hell did this guy become the Bill Gates of clocks? Just wondering.