Exeter History Tellers #9
by Dwight Miller
The museum at CACHE proudly features an exhibit on Waterman’s, the pioneering local company founded in 1911 to manufacture valves and other specialized products essential for directing the flow of water. These innovations revolutionized irrigation systems on farms across the globe. For many years, Waterman’s was the largest private employer in Tulare County, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s economy and infrastructure.
But who was W.A. Waterman, and what led him to establish his business in Exeter, CA?
The Man Behind the Name
Born in 1875, W.A. Waterman was the second of four children of William F. Waterman and Lydia (née Howard). Raised on a dairy farm in San Luis Obispo County, he developed a keen mechanical aptitude, excelling in both metalworking and plumbing—skills that would serve him well in his future endeavors.
In 1893, he was among the earliest students to enroll at Stanford University, which had only opened its doors a year prior. To support himself through school, he took on work in plumbing and metalworking, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Upon graduating, he found steady employment in Palo Alto, a city brimming with opportunity due to the university’s rapid growth
In 1901, W.A. married Flora Upton, and together they built a life centered on family and ambition. Their first three children—Edwin (1902), Marion (1903), and Herrick (1904)—arrived in quick succession. Waterman’s reputation as a skilled machinist and entrepreneur extended beyond Palo Alto, but fate soon intervened.
From Disaster to Opportunity
The devastating 1906 earthquake that reduced much of Palo Alto to rubble also destroyed W.A.’s shop. Undeterred, he relocated his business to San Jose, drawn by the region’s thriving agricultural and irrigation industries. However, after experiencing the chaos of the earthquake firsthand, he and Flora sought a more stable environment—far from the tremors of “earthquake country.”
Exeter Beckons
In 1910, John Van Cleve, a major client based in the small Central Valley town of Exeter, urged Waterman to relocate. Van Cleve’s company produced concrete irrigation pipes and relied on Waterman’s valves to regulate water flow. Seeing an opportunity, W.A. took the leap.
In 1911, he established the Exeter Plumbing Company, moving his family, now with an added infant son, to a home near the Visalia Electric Railroad tracks on North B Street. However, tragedy soon struck—their youngest son, Arthur W., was fatally hit by a train just outside their home in March 1911. Despite this unimaginable loss, W.A. pressed on, dedicating himself to both business and civic service.
A Pillar of the Exeter Community
Waterman quickly became a key figure in Exeter’s transformation. As a founding city council member, he was appointed Commissioner of the Water System, overseeing the installation of nine miles of water lines and the construction of Exeter’s iconic water tower in 1912—a critical development for fire protection. He also played a pivotal role in forming Exeter’s first Volunteer Fire Department, serving as the second assistant fire chief. A man of deep faith, he was an active deacon in the Methodist Church.
By 1915, the Waterman family welcomed their youngest son, Don.
A Thriving Enterprise
Waterman’s first business, the Exeter Plumbing Company, was built on North E Street, just north of today’s Exeter Flower Shop. At the time, Exeter had endured a series of devastating fires, prompting a push for more fire-resistant brick buildings. Waterman’s new structure—simply called “A Brick”—was celebrated as a modern addition to the downtown district.
As his company flourished, the need for a larger facility became evident. In 1926, Waterman constructed a state-of-the-art manufacturing site at the corner of Maple and F Streets (now Exeter Raceway and Hobbies). His innovative irrigation products gained widespread acclaim, and his mastery as a machinist became legendary.
Carl Collins, a Waterman’s employee in the 1950s and ’60s, recalled, “Mr. Waterman’s skills were amazing. He was a genius. He designed and built special machines that we were still using years after he was gone.”
Civic Dedication and Personal Loss
Beyond his business, W.A. Waterman remained deeply engaged in Exeter’s civic and fraternal organizations. He held numerous leadership roles within the Exeter Masonic Lodge and was among the founding members of the Exeter Kiwanis Club in 1923, a group dedicated to supporting the town’s youth.
However, hardship struck again in 1936 when his eldest son, Edwin, aged 34—whom he had been preparing to take over the company—died suddenly from an appendicitis attack. Just months later, Edwin’s widow gave birth to their daughter, Sally, a bittersweet continuation of the family legacy.
A Lasting Legacy
By June 1943, the Waterman Company was thriving when W.A. suddenly passed away from pneumonia at age 67.
His life was one of resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering service. Born during the Grant administration, he lived through the post-Civil War era, the Industrial Revolution, World War I, and the early years of World War II. He witnessed monumental technological advancements—from the rise of the automobile to the dawn of aviation—and endured the economic turmoil of the Panic of 1893 and the Great Depression.
Through it all, he adapted, innovated, and contributed.
Waterman’s legacy is etched into the fabric of Exeter—its economy, its civic institutions, and it’s very infrastructure. His story is a testament to perseverance, community spirit, and the power of invention.
We invite you to visit the exhibit at CACHE and explore the rich art, culture, and history of California’s heartland.