"John S. J. Lallie was born November 6, 1856 at Marseilles, France.  He died January 25, 1911 in Denver, Colorado.  He came to America in 1864.  Previous to 1888 he was a railroad surveyor, a mining engineer and a commissioned U. S. Mineral Surveyor.  Beginning in 1888 he made transits, levels and surveyor's compasses.  The making of these instruments was discontinued in 1938.  He made is automatic dividing engine."

Reference:  Smart, Charles E.   The Makers Of Surveying Instruments In America Since 1700  Troy, New York:  Regal Art Press.  1962