FYI To all: This article was extremely interesting, since I grew up in the Nativity Section of Scranton, in the 200 block of Pittston Ave., to be more precise. Although none of my relatives appeared in the article, my Great Grandfather, John Murray, purchased the house at 224 Pittston Ave. in 1901 and was its first owner. The house was built by Spruks Lumber Co, in what became the Spruks tract. Prior to 1900, to the best of my knowledge, Pittston Ave started in what is today known as the 300 block. John Murray retired in 1938 from the former Hotel Casey. His brother, Ed Murray, who resided at the same residence, retired in the 40's from the Scranton Times as a printer. The house at 224, and the house at 222 ( purchased in 1936 ) both remained in our family until 1999. Joe Kinane Rochester NY -----Original Message----- From: palackaw-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:palackaw-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dolan Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:01 AM To: Lackawanna Mail List Subject: [PALACKAW] South Scranton 50 Years Ago While doing some research at the Lackawanna Historical Society, I came across the below article. I consider it a very significant find and would like to share it with the list. It was in sections and when they made a copy of it, I put it in my brief cased and did not check it until I got home. I then realized I did not have the source and I was unsure how to reassemble it. I assume it was in the Scranton Times and I would guess the time period to be around 1950. If anyone knows of the exact date and source please let me know, there maybe information important to me in the suspect areas. Below is my best attempt at transcribing the article. Jim Dolan South Scranton Fifty Years Ago Names of Men Who Were Active in Scranton's First Manufacturing Enterprise and Resided in What is Now Nativity Parish. Scranton was the iron works of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company, consisting of ore mines, blast furnaces and merchant iron mill . A majority of the men employed to these enterprises were Irish Catholics, all immigrants and they lived principally in what was then known far and wide as Shanty Hill. Perhaps the name was no misnomer, but it stuck and it was not till the late lamented and much beloved Rev. James A. O'Reilly inveighed against the use of the name that its application became unpopular. In his ceremony upon the occasion of the first dedication of Nativity church. Rev. M.E. Lynott of Kingston, who was reared in the parish, made reference to the locality's old name with a spirit of love and reverence, the feeling that every old timer had for the name and is closely identified with the early Catholic history of Scranton. Good old Shanty Hill, where lived and were reared people, men and women, as strong and as brave , as kind and as charitable , as honest and industrious, as pious and devoted as ever lived anywhere. In the old days, the period before "the war," the ore used in the blast furnaces was dug out of the mountains that form the portion of the valley of Meadow Brook, at a place that still bears the name. "the ore mines," the present location of the Water Company's distributing dam. Catholics involved in this work were Timothy Sullivan, grandfather of Mrs. M.E. O' Boyle, South Scranton, and Mrs. Anthony J. Mangan, Bellevue, and four Murphy brothers, Daniel, Thomas, John and Denis Murphy, the latter later becoming a puddler. His son Thomas Murphy, lives on Hemlock St. Daniel Mahoney, ???? atrack foreman at No. 5 on the gravity railroad, worked at the "Ore Mine," and his widow very active for her age, lives on Pittston avenue. Mr. Hart, father of Thomas and Celia Hart, worked at the Ore Mines. In the old days his son, Doc Hart, was a noted mule driver, driving a four mule team for the Iron Company. The ore was sent to the blast furnace to be converted into pig iron and there were three furnaces. The most important Catholic at the 'furnaces" was Patrick Flynn, father of Mrs. John J. Collins of Pittston avenue, a man so powerful and so active that he was named 'the Tiger." Mr. Flynn was a thorough master of his calling. He possessed the confidence of his employers and the respect of his men. He was the assistant to the superintendent and when the company opened new furnaces ?????? he selected Mr. Flynn (the end of this paragraph and the beginning of the next is blotted-out.) .to Oxford N.J. , another of the company's blast furnaces where he worked. Michael McNally was a puddler," so was Murtagh Kilcullen. ??? Kilcullen is the only survivor of his old crew and resides in South Scranton, a regular communicant of St. John's church. John Richardson, and father of his namesake, who is ??ember of T.F. Leonard Company, was a blast furnace man. Owen McAndrews, father of Mrs. Michael ??Garry, South Scranton, Anthony ??rett, Patrick Farrell, James Gallagher, David Mahon, William Lavery ???e blast furnace men, all stalwarts, ???le to give an account of themselves physically on any and every occasion. Michael Walsh known as the "copper??ead,"who went to the war, John ??angan, John Mack, Patrick Egan and John Egan, brothers, Patrick living in Hyde Park. Patrick Lavelle of Pittston avenue, still living, might be ??assed with the veterans at the furnaces, as he put in nearly forty years ?? service, starting in 1866. As in all, even in modern manufacturing enterprises, there were, and are, three processes in the manufacturing of iron; the smelting of the ore ??t the blast furnaces, where the product is known as "pig" iron, converting the "pig" iron by the addition of scrap wrought iron into puddle iron. And the further process of converting the puddle iron, with the further addition of wrought scrap iron, into the finished product, merchant iron. At the period referred to the last product ??? to inch iron and spikes, both ??eing made for the old "Washington" ?? "Gravity railroad that operated between Hawely and Port Griffith. Later the manufacture of iron rails ???ntroduced, but he men engaged ?in puddling" will first be mentioned. ???ne desiring to witness these old ????ations, carried on to-day much as ???? were in those old days a half century gone, may gratify their curiosity by a visit to the plant of the ??? and Nut Works in Scranton. Of the puddlers remembered by veterans of those days two were very prominent, Daniel Brainard and James Ryan. Mr. Brainard rose to the position of superintendent, amassed a ?competence, built and opened a hotel, which for years was a famous landmark and a great Democratic rallying point , the St. James Hotel on Penn avenue. James Ryan was a giant in stature, being six feet, three inches in height, weighing only 240 pounds ??rawn and bone. He was known as "Big Jim." He is spoken of as being the finest man in the world b??? sensitive when the land he cam? ??n or its people were slighted. H? ?? given many opportunities to display his physical qualities, because ?? sensitiveness and he never "too ???r," He went off to war, can????nd and later went to the nation?? /? At Washington, where it ???? secured a government (This is a break where I'm unsure if I reassembled the article correctly.) ..van were puddlers. Mr. McCourt is still alive and is the father of Mrs. C.P. O'Malley. Mary and Captain John McCourt who was grand marshal of the Holy Name demonstration last November. There were five puddlers: Patrick, Andrew, John, Kieran (Carey), and Charles Brazelle. Kieran being still alive and active. Barley Kane, brother-in-law of the Brazelles and father of John A. Kane, followed the same calling. Nicholas McNierny, Michael Kenna, with the accent on the last syllable, Michael Philbil, still living in Orchard street, was a puddler. Patrick Kelly, Charles Campbell and Thomas Nealis, his widow and daughter residing on Beech street, were puddlers. There were five Lanagans: James, Thomas, Michael, Patrick and David. James Lynch and Peter Lynch, brothers, were puddlers, the former being the father of James (Boney) Lynch, who was a star pitcher for the Liberty base ball club forty or fifty years ago. The oldest Lynch died in harness, being a gate tender for the Scranton Steel Company at the time of his death. Philip and Francis Wren, brothers, were puddlers, the former being father of Michael Wren, Mrs. John A. Kane and Mrs. P.W. Gallagher, Francis being the father of Philip, Garrett and Francis Wren, the latter motorman for the Scranton railway Company. James Connolly, father of James Connolly, Orchard street, was a puddler. Thomas Burns, father of James Burns, the Laurel Line fireman, was a puddler, as were Patrick, Peter and James Mawn, the former having several survivors, John, Frank, Patrick and Cassie Mawn, Mrs. Andrew Foley and Mrs. Edward Duffy, residing in Nativity parish. Kate and Annie Mawn are children of Cornelius J. Ryan and Mrs. Barrett, was a puddler and went off to the war as did his brother Jerie Ryan, who was employed as a roll hand. William McNalley, father of Joseph McNalley, Scranton railway conductor, Mrs. John J. Boland and Mrs. Philip Wren was a puddler, James McDonald was another. Michael Walsh was a puddler. He was father of Owen, Anthony and david Walsh and was possessed with abnormal strength. Because of this he was known as "horse" Walsh. Patrick Lynch was known in those days as "Phadrick Rhue," was a puddler and a very prominent man. He had a little farm at the top of the hill that later became an athletic field and was known as Lynch's. Grounds. Mrs. Patrick Rafter, now living on Crown avenue, is his daughter and Thomas J. Rafter , prominent in all nativity . (the end of this paragraph and the beginning of the next is blotted-out.) .his brother-in-law. Thomas Kelly, father of P.J. Kelly of the Casey &Kelly company, and Mrs. Patrick J. McDonnell of Pittston avenue. Mr. Kelly was of superior attainments and later became a local magistrate. Anthony Flynn of Hamm Court was a puddler. Michael Farrell, brother of Laurence Farrell, was a puddler. Patrick Nealis, "big Pat," still alive, and Patrick Lavelle, "big Paddy," were puddlers. The latter went to California the time of the big strike and died there, his widow, who became Mrs. Corbett, and his two daughters reside in the Cathedral parish. Thomas Rea, brother of Mrs. James Cassidy, who resides in West Scranton, was a puddler. Patrick Brogan, still living on Prospect avenue, and Patrick and Anthony Langan were puddlers. Patrick Langan married Patrick Brogans sister, and their daughter, Mrs. Dennis Barry, resides on Prospect avenue. Michael, Thomas and Patrick McGuire were puddlers, their families still residing on Moosic street, John McGuire a well known mechanic and electrician, is the son of Thomas McGuire. Patrick Whelan, father of Patrick, John and Thomas Whelan, was a puddler. William and Andrew Foley were puddlers, the former still alive in Buffalo. Mrs. Andrew Foley lives at Crown Avenue and Moosic street, William J. Foley, Cedar avenue, and Peter J. Foley of Moosic street is a son of William Foley. Patrick and Sylvester McNally were puddlers, their father Sylvester McNally, a schoolmaster. Patrick Moran was a puddler. He was killed in an explosion in 1870, his surviving children being John J. Moran and Mrs. James Minihan. Thomas Melvin, father of the late Thomas Melvin, proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel was a puddler, as was Michael Melvin, father of John Melvin of the Nealis Livery Company, Sarah, Catherine M. and Mary A. Melvin. Mrs. Melvin, the widow of Michael Melvin, is vigorous that attending Mass is a feature of her daily life. John Melvin the "Black Hawk," was a puddler. August Kerrigan, Thomas Conway, William Lee, John Troy, John Durkin, a well known citizen, who reared a large family were puddlers. E.S. Durkin, Sullivan County, and P.F. Durkin, residing at Pittston avenue and Brook street, are sons of John Durkin. Two of his daughters became Sisters, Catherine and Anna. (At this point some inconsiderate, lazy, fool cut a paragraph out of the article.) .E. and Michael F. Brown, remained on the old home site, within the shadow of the old Nativity church. John Scott and Timothy Scott were puddlers, a daughter of the former being a member of the community of Sisters at Wyoming. Owen Malia, living in the Scranton Flats, was a puddler and a very prominent man in day, but every member of the family is dead. Laurence Casey, who lived where Frables' store now stands. James Murphy, Patrick Ryan and John Nealis, "black jack," were squeezer men. James Murphy' s home stood on the exact spot the nativity church now stands. His son, Michael Murphy alive a stalwart veteran who spends his time between Carbondale and Scranton, a man with two homes in both of which he is welcome. Mr. Murphy's niece, Mrs. P.F. Connor, Carbondale. His Scranton home is with his nieces and nephews, on Prospect avenue, children of the late Alderman and Mrs. James Hannon. Mr. Hannon was a puddler in the old days and his brother-in-law, just referred to, followed this work at the puddle rolls, until the introduction of the Bessemer steel process. Patrick Ryan was father of Mrs. John Cantwell and Michael J. Ryan, an instructor at the Philadelphia Oral School. Patrick Corcoran worked at the puddle rolls and earned the name of the "haro" in the following manner. A ground hog was making depredations on his property, eating his chickens and vegetables. He fixed a barrel as a trap. The trap worked and he is quoted as thus addressing the captive: "Now my haro I've got you for eating my cabbage," and the chronicles of that time say that particular groundhog did not eat any more cabbage. Edward, William, and Michael Corcoran, Mrs. Anthony Hale and Mrs. Rowan of Bellevue are descendants of this sturdy pioneer. William Jordan, father of the late Hon. Martin Jordan, was neighbor to Patrick Corcoran and they had the same job, cross shifting each other. They were residents of neighboring counties back home, the one in Mayo and the other in Sligo. Mr. Jordan was a candidate for a local office and had opposition. He expected the support of his neighbor, Mr. Corcoran, without asking for it, but the latter voted for the man from his own county in Ireland. Meeting Mr. Corcoran the next day, and persons familiar with the geography of Ireland, will appreciate the depth of the remark, Mr. Jordan is quoted as saying to his neighbor, Mr. Corcoran: "Patrick the river Moy do?? make a distinct ??????????????." "Heating was easier and better paid than puddling, but the men doing this work all come from Wales and they were in control. Our people became heaters helpers and gradually came into authority, taking charge of the heating furnaces to a large extent. William Caffrey, father of Mrs. John ??ck, Jessup, Mrs. Martin O'Connor and Mary Caffrey, Scranton, was the first man to break into the calling. Mr. Caffrey's ability set him higher and before his death he was superintendent in the steel rail mill. The writer remembers an interesting episode in which Mr. Caffrey figured, proving that a persons ancestry does count. I was 18 years old , weighed one hundred and eighteen pounds and was new to the job "dragging chain" in the rail mill. It was my first turn on the night shift and Mr. Caffrey came up to me. "What's your name he asked. "Gollegher," I replied pronouncing the name as my father did, with the good old Irish fl????id, "What's your father's name was the next question. "Patrick Gollegher," I replied. Patrick Gollegher the ash man?" he further queried and when I answered this in the ?????? ye he paid my father a tribute by putting me on the shoulder, saying in his bluff, hearty manner, "you're all right." John Keenan, father of Hugh J, Keenan, the hotel man, was a heater, so was Thomas Gannon, father of Thomas Martin Gannon. James Cawley, still living on Pittston avenue and Hemlock street, was a heater. James O'Brien, who lived in the Petersburg section, was a heater, as was John Dougherty, who lived in Scranton Flats. Michael Holland was A heater, Mrs. Holland, his widow, still lives in her old home across the street from Nativity church. Derby Melvin, who later engaged in the wholesale liquor business on Linden street, near the Cathedral was a heater, as was Martin Rouse, now in Pittsburg. Thomas Butler, father of H.J. Butler, County Commissioner, Mrs. P.J. Kelly and Ka???? Was a heater. John McAndrew, known as "bow o'diamonds," because he was a glazer and put his ???? time repairing broken windows, was a heater. So was John Ha?????? Father of Mrs. J.J. McDonald, Mrs. Hugh Caffrey and James J. ?????rington, was a heater. The ???????rney and John Dowd were ??????? and both were killed in the ?????? of 1870. Mr. Tiera???? ?????, Michael Tierney, of South Webster avenue. John Dowd was the father of Mrs. Cornelius Thomas McDonough. Darby Cowley was a heater, as was James Jordan, brother to William Jordan, previously referred to. John Duffy, father of John Duffy, chief electrician for the Scranton Railway Company, was a heater. Rolling was another process that required much skill. Matthew Snow and Florence McCarthy were boss "rollers." Mr. Snow's children in Scranton are Sister Philomena, I.H.M., Mrs. Joseph Nolan and Mary Snow. Florence McCarthy was father of Rev. D. W. McCarthy, Sister Alphonsus, Mary and John McCarthy. James Fennessy, father of Mrs. Joseph McNally, Mrs. John Brazelle and Mrs. Thomas Quinn, was a roller, as were William Connery. Martin McCann, Patrick Martin and Michael Farrell, Thomas Rafferty and Jere Ryan, the latter going to war. Daniel Conway, his widow and daughter, residing on Crown avenue, was a roll hand. Hugh Durfkin was a roller, so was John Nolan, who later became boss roller in the stel rail mill. Thomas and John Nolan are sons of John Nolan. Michael Tighe was a roll hand, his son Michael Tighe Jr., is a talented singer and dancer, who came to Scranton several times with theatrical companies, his stage name being Bobby Mack. Daniel Hayes, the father of James J. Hayes, the insurance and real estate broker, was a roll hand. Dennis Mack, John Sullivan and Michael Farrell weighed the two inch, a particular job, that required some skill, strength and knowledge. John Loftus was a time keeper. F.A. Beamish, Mr. Loftus' son-in-law, worked at the puddle rolls. John Manley, still living on Prospect avenue and Beech street, aged 80 years, was a roll hand at the rail mill rolls. Later becoming one of the best rail inspectors that ever worked for the company. Patrick Whelan and Henry Allen were rail str Laurence Casey, who lived where Frables' store now stands. James Murphy straightners, a heavy hundred pound sledge, being used for the purpose. Thomas Roche was a rail straightener. He later embarked in the liuvert business and owned a fast horse called "Wild Warrior." Florence Sullivan, , father of Mrs. Edward Maloney, and Kate Sullivan, and James Clare were "pilers," getting the cold iron ready for the heaters, who converted it into blooms, for the rolls, where it was converted into rolls, where it was converted into rails. Thomas Walsh ran the (This is the another break were I'm not sure I assembled it right.) .rail mill buggy and later became a breaker boss, later he was watch man for the Scranton Steel Company, his daughter, Anna E, Bridget and Ellen Walsh now living at Pittston avenue and Pear street. Charles Gallagher, who lived above the chutes??? ??? and Thomas Byron father of Mrs. Frank Reilley and Ella Byron were "hot bed" men. John Finnegan was boss Ashman, he children are: Mrs. Peter Farrell, Mrs. John Garvey, and Daniel Finnegan. James Quinnan, father of James P. Quinnan, esq., and policeman James Quinnan, and Thomas Clare, father of Mrs. Thomas O 'Brien and Mrs. John Mawn, were foreman and so was James Connory, father of Thomas M., Mary F. and Hannah T. Connory, of Mulberry street in the Cathedral parish. Patrick Leonard, brother of T.F. Leonard, the big hardware merchant, was a blacksmith. Laurence Gallagher was a machinist. James Mullen was a rail straighener, who was a butcher by trade, later following that trade. His survivors are John J. and Joseph Mullen and Mrs. John F. Kelly. John McAndrew worked in the rail mill and for his political loyalty, he was known as the "old democrat." His son, John J. McAndrew, possessing his father's characteristics, is a well know citizen of Jessup. He was catcher for the old time Liberty base ball club and "Jacheen" was a dandy. Patrick Ryan was a blacksmith. He was the father of D.S. Ryan, the druggist. Peter Rafferty and Daniel Lucy were fireman at the boilers. Mrs. Henry Savannah is adaughter of the latter. Thomas Collins was a blacksmith. Mrs. Anthony Flynn is his daughter. Thomas Shea was a blacksmith, his brother, John Shea was a wheel wright, another brother Michael Shea, being a roll hand. Captain John Shea, of the Scranton Fire Department, is a son of Michael Shea. Mary and Kate Shea being daughters. John S. Coleman, father of E.J. Coleman, master mechanic at the Hotel Casey, was a blacksmith helper, who later became a puddler. Stalwart men who did the laborious work of carrying and loading rails were Roger Grimes and Mall Carrier Richard J. Grimes. The elder Grimes also worked at the hot saws. Others were Owen Sweeney, still living and his brother Morgan Sweeney. The Scranton Railway agent, is a son of Owen. Other men were Daniel Lundy, father of Mrs. William Hopkins, Mrs. James Halpin and Mrs. Thomas Mangan. Mr. Lundy being also a rail straightener. John Morrison, father of Rev. J.J. Morrison. John McNally, father of William McNally. Patrick Regan father of John and Peter Regan.; John Nealis, "big Jack," Anthony Hughes, "Tony," John Hope and Patrick Davitt. Thomas Burke, father of Motorman John Burke, was an oil carrier. George Houston, father of Mrs. John Kelly, worked in all parts of the mill, being the handyman of that day. Editors Note: The above information was gathered from several sources, some of the men spoke of being eighty years of age, residents of Scranton for periods of time from sixty to seventy years. It is believed to be accurate in every particular. Readers will favor us if they point out omissions or inaccuracies. Corrections will be made with pleasure. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PALACKAW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I saw a message in Ancestry/RootsWeb Message Board about Lechowski in Dickson City, Pa. The attach is Descendants of Lawrence Lechowski. My line is Albert Ojciec Wojciech Palka married Agnes Lechowski their daughter Helen L3 Palka married Frederick Gustive Brandstetter then me. I like to find out more on the family I love to find more on MICHAEL PROROCK, b.1927. and HELEN PROROCK,b.1929 and other family history I did talked to Josephine A. Lechowski Shander before she died she told me about a trip she made to Poland around the 1990s and family she know there and about Outdoor Sculpture Donated by Charles M. and Josephine A. Lechowski Shander in memory of their daughter, Dr. Monica H. M. Shander, 1954-1981 of Pope John Paul II to St.Mary Church, Dickson City, but she died before she was able to get me the info and Photos. I did see Lechowski's Kielbassi in the 1950s Thank you Richard Brandstetter brandstetter.photo@verizon.net www.weddings-nj.com