Founders of Scranton

LACKAWANNA INSTITUTE

HISTORY AND SCIENCE

THE FOUNDERS OF
SCRANTON

By E. MERRIFIELD

HISTORICAL SERIES NO. 5

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in 2011 with funding from

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THE FOUNDERS OF SCRANTON

By E. MERRIFIELD
Read before the Institute January 20, iyi6.

In 1742 when Count Zinzendorf, a Moravian Missionary
came to the Wyoming region, there was an Indian village
situate on the lowlands between the Central City and Provi-
dence. This is the first evidence we have of human habita-
tions in the territory embraced in the City of Scranton.
They belonged to the tribe of Munseys, of which Capoose
later became the chief. Every indication of the settlement
was long since obliterated, except traces of their burial
places nearby and the old apple tree where they held their
councils. This decayed and was blown down in 1885.

The City of Scranton occupies the territory of Provi-
dence Township, excepting the part taken up by the Borough
of Dunmore. Providence was one of the six townships
established in 1770 by the Susquehanna Land Company,
chartered by the colony of Connecticut. There was a con-
flict between this colony and Pennsylvania as to jurisdic-
tion, about which it is unnecessary now to inquire. Suffice
it to say, Providence was the first municipal organization in
this territory. Towards the northerly section, Isaac Tripp
came in 1771 and built a house on the flats where had been
the Indian village. In 1786, Enoch Holmes came and built
the first house on land which subsequently came to be the
village of Providence. This was incorporated into a borough
in 1849, the second municipality within the old township
limits. In 1794-5 William Bishop and Joseph Eellows, re-
spectively, in the order named, settled in the westerly sec-
tion of the township, which subsequently became Hyde
Park. They were, in fact, founders of this village. It was
incorporated into a borough in 1852, being the third
municipal organization within the township.

In 1788, Philip Abbott took up land and made improve-
ments on Roaring Brook in the southeasterly section. He
disposed of his interest to John and Seth Howe who, in
turn, sold to Ebenezer Slocum in 1798, who was soon after
joined by his brother, Benjamin Slocum. This locality was
from the beginning favorably looked upon for manufactur-
ing purposes. Former owners had erected a sawmill and
grist mill and the Slocums added an iron manufactory and
a distillery, so it will be noted that they were the first to
make iron in this locality. In 1826, Ebenezer purchased the
interest of his brother and carried on the business alone.
He died in 1832, leaving about 1,800 acres of land, which
embraces the greater part of the Central City of Scranton.
There was no village, only four or five residences and the
mills. The property was partitioned into four parts to be
sold for the benefit of the heirs. One of these parts contain-
ing about 504 acres, running from the river to the town line
and taking in the most densely improved part of the present
city, came into the possession of Alva Heermans, a son-in-
law of Ebenezer Slocum. He was holding it for sale, and
in 1838 William Merrifield, William Ricketson and Zeno
Albro became the purchasers. Recognizing that its prin-
cipal value was the anthracite coal, which showed on the
banks of the creek, and the evident water-power, hence its
great advantages as a manufacturing locality, at once began
efforts to find a purchaser of means who would improve
the same and utilize the property. After nearly two years
of effort, through correspondence and otherwise, they came
in contact with William Henry. He came and made exten-
sive examinations, which finally led to an option sale to
William Armstrong, a capitalist residing near New York.
He had accepted a draft of $500, drawn by Mr. Henry, to
bind the agreement. A day was fixed for him to come and
complete the purchase and a deed was prepared for the
transfer. His country home was on the Hudson, near
Newburg. On his way to the boat landing his horse was

frightened and ran away. He was thrown out and killed.
His heirs were unwilling to complete the purchase and
forfeited the $500.

Mr. Henry at once got in communication with the
grantors, asking whether they would allow the $500 to
apply in case he could find another purchaser. This was
assented to and Henry went to Seldon T. Scranton, his
son-in-law, and his brother, George W. Scranton, who in
turn induced Sanford Grant to join them in the enterprise
and they came on and completed the purchase. The deed
that had been executed for Armstrong is in my possession.
It was the intention of Mr. Armstrong to establish a large
manufacturing plant with anthracite coal as the fuel. If
he had lived and succeeded this place would not have been
known as Scranton. It shows how quickly the proposals
of men and the destiny of localities may be changed by the
interposition of Providence.

Well do I recollect the warm August day when George
W. Scranton, Seldon T. Scranton and Sanford Grant came
to my father's place in Hyde Park to take the deed. George
W. was the principal spokesman. Everything went smoothly
until the married women objected to signing without the
promise of a dress pattern. It was a Pennsylvania custom
and these Jerseymen did not seem to understand the force
of it. Parleying at once ceased, however, when George W.
said it would be done even if at his own expense. They
immediately organized a company under the name of Scran-
tons & Grant and commenced operations. They began the
erection of the blast furnace in September, 1840, with Wil-
liam Henry as superintendent. In about three months Philip
H. Mattes purchased an interest and the firm was reorgan-
ized as Scrantons, Grant & Co. Mattes did not come to
reside here but sent his son, Charles F., to represent him.
who in later years became a potent factor in the success of
the business.

During the incipiency of the undertaking William

Henry came to Hyde Park to live and was locally in charge,
George W. and Seldon T. Scranton going back and forth
to and from their homes in New Jersey as circumstances
might require. The place began to assume the dimensions
of a village and Mr. Henry gave it the name of Harrison
in honor of the president-elect. In the fall of 1841 George
W. Scranton came to reside in Harrison, assuming the
management of the business of the firm. Here he remained
until March, 1844, when he exchanged places with his
brother Selden and went back to Oxford Furnace. He
returned to reside in Harrison in the early part of 1846,
but all the time he had kept in close touch with the busi-
ness of Scrantons, Grant & Co. It was in November of this
year that Joseph H. Scranton, a cousin of George and
Selden, came permanently upon the scene and with his
brother-in-law, Joseph C. Piatt, purchased the interest of
Sanford Grant. The new firm was organized as Scrantons
& Piatt. Joseph came to reside at Harrison in 1847 and
was made general manager of the business.

A postoffice was established in 1850 under the name
of Scrantonia and on January 27, 1851, the name was
changed to Scranton. On the 14th of February, 1856, the
Borough of Scranton was incorporated, so at that time there
were four municipal organizations in the old town of Provi-
dence— Hyde Park embracing the southwestern section,
Providence taking in the northwestern, Scranton the south-
eastern and the balance remaining under the township or-
ganization.

1840, the time when Scrantons & Grant began opera-
tions for the manufacture of iron, dates the beginning of
the prosperity of this section. At that time the township
contained a population of about six hundred and fifty.
There were four shoemakers, three blacksmiths, three
wagonmakers, one cooper shop, one axe factory, one grain
cradle, two cabinet factories, one fulling mill, one gunmak-
ing and repair shop, one for wood turning, two for tailoring.

four sawmills, three grist mills, one tanning and currying
establishment. Coal for domestic use was mined and sold
by William Merrifield, the Tripps and Von Storchs. There
were six general merchandise stores and two millinery shops,
five licensed hotels, six schoolhouses, a Providence Union
Library and one church edifice ; religious meetings mostly
being held in the school houses.

The company began manufacturing iron in 1841. After
five years of varying success and misfortunes it became
apparent that there must be some more feasible way estab-
lished of getting to market and to this purpose George W.
Scranton directed his efforts. Joseph H. had relieved him
of the burden connected with the manufacturing end and
he went at the work with all of his energy and tact. Various
schemes were considered. At one time there was con-
siderable agitation about slackwatering the Lackawanna.
But the two gaps in the mountains, the one east and the other
west, were natural outlets for a railroad and to this purpose
every effort was directed. There were already separate
charters in existence. To get control of them and to get
legislation necessary to subserve the interest of this section
was a herculean task. That accomplished, then how to get
the money was an obstacle still more difficult. Joseph H.
Scranton had established the manufacturing enterprise on
a firm basis, with a credit unimpeachable, and these two giant
men went into the New York money market only to come
out with success. The result was the building of the
northern division of the Lackawanna and Western Railroad
from Scranton, connecting with the New York and Erie at
Great Bend. George W. Scranton was made general man-
ager, at all times having the active aid of Scrantons & Piatt.
The road was opened for traffic on October 20, 1851. This
was the second important enterprise that gave an impetus
to the growth and population of this section. The third
was the building of the southern division to reach New-
York. An organization had been effected on the 26th of

6

December, 1850, with George W. Scranton as president.
Among the directors were Selden T. Scranton, Joseph H.
Scranton and Joseph C. Piatt. The name of the road was
changed to the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rail-
road and on the 27th of May, 1856; it was formally opened
and connection was made with the New Jersey Central for
New York.

With these improvements the population of Scranton
Borough increased rapidly as well as that of Hyde Park
and Providence. The foundation of a populous city was
assured — all this under the controlling management of the
men I have referred to. In 1866, through the efforts of
prominent citizens, the three boroughs and the balance of
the township were consolidated, and the City of Scranton
incorporated, with a provision establishing a mayor's court
with jurisdiction measurably coextensive with the county
courts. This had much to do with giving the town a perman-
ence which it had not heretofore enjoyed. The crowning
act, however, was the establishment of Lackawanna County
in 1878, and making Scranton the county seat. This set-
tled the future of Scranton and the population thereafter
went forward with leaps and bounds.

We now come to the inquiry as to who were the found-
ers of Scranton and in considering it we must, in a measure,
base conclusions as to how we find the word defined. If
it means to originate, to establish, in that light we must
accord to William Henry his proper place. He came at
first and devoted much time in studying the general topo-
graphy of the country, in making mineralogical investiga-
tions, and we have seen what trouble he had in securing a
purchaser for the property. It has been mentioned to me
that credit is due to William Merrifield. That is not for
me to claim or suggest. It is true that he became a pur-
chaser of the property for the sole purpose of trying to
induce men of means to come and invest with the view of
starting improvements and did succeed after nearly two

years of effort in getting in touch with William Henry. He
was very active in trying to secure slackwater navigation
on the Lackawanna. While a member of the legislature,
and afterward, he was indefatigable in his efforts to assist
the Scranton Company in obtaining legislation necessary for
its success. In the early forties when their credit was at
the lowest ebb he did what he could to sustain it. He was
among the first to lay out his lands into building lots and
in all movements looking to local improvements he was a
potent advocate. It is for others to suggest his place.

It was George W. Scranton, Selden T. Scranton and
Sanford Grant who climbed over that great Pocono moun-
tain, came into the wilderness, paid their money and devoted
their time towards the development of a great manufactur-
ing industry, to whom special credit is due. In a very short
time Philip H. Mattes, of Easton, put in his money and sent
his son, Charles F., to represent him, who through all the
years of the activity of the Scranton Company was its active
and zealous assistant. He, too, is entitled to honorable
mention.

The onerous duties thrown upon George W. Scranton,
by giving attention to the concern at Oxford Furnace and
here at the same time, were wearing upon him and he began
to look about for more help. He went to his cousin, Joseph
H. Scranton, then residing in the south, and appealed to
him to come to his aid. After much persuasion Joseph con-
sented and in 1846 allied himself with the Scranton Com-
pany. The next year he came to reside and assumed all
the duties incident to the management of the iron manu-
factory. His brother-in-law, Joseph C. Piatt, was already on
the ground. The company was reorganized and no more
fortunate thing could have occurred, not only to the parties
directly interested, but to the whole community. The advent
of two such men as Joseph H. Scranton and Joseph C. Piatt
was of such importance that it infused new life into all
their transactions and was so potent in stimulating the

8

growth of the town as to put them in the category of
founders of the place which soon began to grow into a
city. It too relieved George W. Scranton so that he could
give necessary attention to outside matters which were
crowding upon them, the proper disposition of which was
becoming imperative considering the welfare of the con-
cern and the community.

Before and when I came to manhood I knew all these
men. With William Henry I was particularly acquainted,
and often talked with him ; how he had tramped these moun-
tains in search of minerals, of the difficulties with which he
had to contend, his successes and disappointments. He was
an accomplished mineralogist, but his knowledge of the
manufacture of iron by the use of anthracite was rather
theoretical than practical. He was a man of fine presence,
affable and considerate in his dealings with men. He well
deserves the distinction of being an important agent in the
establishment of this city. Selden T. Scranton was his son-
in-law and that is perhaps the reason why Mr. Henry got
the ear of the Scrantons after failing to complete the sale
to Armstrong.

Selden had not the affability of his brother George,
nor had he the benevolent temperament. He had a wonder-
ful faculty for bridging over troubles by getting the com-
pany into debt and that had much to do with the final suc-
cess of the concern. The company became largely involved
with several rich New York merchants and George W.
with his great persuasive powers would go down and get
them to take their pay in stock of the company. Selden
was full of resources and many were the stories told sug-
gesting the fertility of his brain in getting out of a dilemma —
how he met the allegation of the brittle quality of their nails
by becoming an expert and driving them into an oak plank-
without a miss — how he could meet creditors who came for
the return of borrowed money, who would not only leave
without it, but would actually open their pocketbooks and

hand out more. That such a man was invaluable in the
concern goes without saying. He had great business
capacity and was an exemplary citizen. It is well that he
is one of the parties from whom our city takes its name.
When prominent men of the village got together to dis-
cuss the question of changing the name from Harrison, and
Scranton was suggested, there was not a dissenting voice.
The three Scrantons, George W., Joseph H. and Selden T.,
had been at the front through success and adversity, they
assumed the responsibilities, to them the honor of the name
belonged, and they got it.

Sanford Grant, who left a comfortable home in New
Jersey and came to S locum Hollow to live, placing his
money in the enterprise, deserves great credit for making
the sacrifices incident to such a move. He took charge of
the mercantile department and right well he performed his
duties. He was a very careful man — a man of good com-
mon sense, and no doubt was in constant consultation in the
business transactions of the company.

I have heretofore noted that Joseph C. Piatt came about
the same time with Joseph H. Scranton. Here was a man
of extraordinary business qualifications ; particularly was he
safe as a counselor. Quiet and unobtrusive, he brought into
their consultations a profound judgment that carried weight,
and to him is due much of the success that from that time
attended their efforts. He it was who superintended the
plotting of the real estate into lots and had charge of the
disposition of them. That it was well done and with an
eye to the future is now, after having grown to a large city,
quite apparent. On a few occasions I met him with others
in consultation about matters of public utility and could
not but admire the intelligent views expressed and the
potency of the reasons advanced. He was a man of integrity,
who knew how to treat his neighbor justly, and did it. He
was a good man in all that the word implies. His attention
to civic duties, his moral deportment and his benevolent

10

impulses made him loved and honored. That such a man
helped to complete the foundation of our city is a matter
of pride.

George W. Scranton, whom we have seen had been
so intimately connected with all the operations and move-
ments concerning this industry and the building of the rail-
roads, was a remarkable man — large and fine looking, with
a benevolent countenance, he attracted attention wherever
he went. He was a man whom, if a stranger passed on
the street, would more than likely turn around and wonder
who he was. But it was his genial ways, his dignified
deportment, yet always approachable, that attracted most
attention. He drew men to him as with a magnet. His
business ability was good and his intellectuality of the first
order. He was not a great moneymaker, but in the field
of finance, in the comprehension of great undertakings, he
had no superior. Thus it was, that after he came to have
the strong arm of his cousin, Joseph, to lean upon, he could
and did go out into the business world and become a potent
factor in the building of these railroads. It was the pos-
session of great ability that attracted the attention of the
people. When they saw the necessity of changes in our
economic laws that manufacturing interests might properly
be protected, they turned to him and sent him to Congress.
He was industrious and an incessant worker — too much so,
as the sequel proved. For fifteen years he and his cousin
Joseph worked harmoniously for the good of the firm and
this community. They had implicit confidence in each other,
born of intimate association and affection. The congres-
sional duties thrust upon George added much to his labors
and his health gave way. It obliged him to come home and
seek needed rest. It was too late. On the 24th of March,
1861, at the age of fifty years, he peacefully passed to his
eternal rest. It cast a gloom over the county and state. A
great man had fallen in the midst of his most urgent use-
fulness. Eulogiums and panegyrics came from the press

11

of the town and county, the state and the seat of the National
Government. Our community was stricken — grief was
depicted on every countenance. When it came to escorting
him to his last resting place the procession was immense.
It was made up of five divisions, represented by different
organizations, and the representative men of all this section.

Rev. M. J. Hickok preached the funeral sermon.
Among other things he said: "I do no injustice to the
living or dead when I affirm of Colonel Scranton that this
young city — the giant of the woods — these roaring furnaces,
shrieking engines, busy collieries and outflowing wealth are
all his appropriate monuments."

The leading paper of this place concluded its editorial
thus : "Patient worker, public-spirited citizen, generous
friend, affectionate husband, beloved father, farewell. We
shall miss thee evermore among the haunts of the living, but
shall hold thy memory precious among the honored dead."

The Philadelphia Press concluded an editorial saying:
"'He was in truth a model man — generous, magnanimous
and self-sacrificing. * * * If the district he represented
has lost a benefactor, the great state to which he was an
ornament has lost a defender."

At a meeting held in Philadelphia, Senator Ketcham
said : "He found the region in which he settled a wilderness,
but his mind soon mapped out its field of work, and under
his creative energies and active influence the forest passed
away, the railroad track was laid over mountain and through
gorge, and the light of civilization and human progress
beamed upon our land and blessed it. Scranton sprang into
existence. * * * Vice fled from his presence and a
mean man could not be mean where he was, for the hand and
nobility of his soul radiated and warmed other men's hearts.
He was great in his conceptions, in his creative energies
and in his executive power." There were other addresses
equally laudatory, but these quotations will suffice.

Allowing that George W. Scranton laid the foundation

12;

stone, so it may be truthfully said that Joseph H. Scranton
laid the corner stone of the superstructure on which our city
was built. He came when needed most. He was a man of
intense energy, of fruitful resources and of wonderful busi-
ness capacity. He looked into a proposition — studied it with
assiduity, acted quickly and with power. His physique was
in his favor and with a large brain with plenty of gray mat-
ter, he entered into an enterprise with an indomitable will
that knew no such word as fail. He came at the opportune
time, when clouds were hanging over. He acquainted him-
self with the possibilities and went to work. In due time
enlarged furnaces appeared with their lurid flames shooting
skyward, lighting up the heavens and sending cheer and
hope to the down-hearted. Joseph H. Scranton was a
broad-gauged and liberal-minded man. He had wonderful
command over men. He liked a joke and could perpetrate
one, thus becoming a very genial associate. He was in-
dustrious, a hard and unceasing worker. When the men
under him were clamoring for eight hours a day he was
working fourteen hours to keep them busy. The amount of
work he could accomplish in a given time was simply amaz-
ing. He worked too hard and thus undermined his health.
With the view of rest and restoration he went to Europe
in 1872. He had waited too long. He died at Baden Baden
on the 6th of June of that year, in his fifty-ninth year, at
the very zenith of his intellectual power and usefulness.
When the news came flashing over the ocean it cast a pall
over this community. Business was mostly suspended and
men went about with bowed heads and tearful eyes. It
seemed like an irreparable blow. A short quotation from
the memorial sermon of Doctor Cattell tells the sad story.

"He was a man whose success in all the things that
men most desire and for which they strive and toil was
conspicuous. I need not dwell upon the events of his busy
life. The honorable record is known to all. Scarcely had
the ocean cable throbbed with the sad message of his death,

13

k

when the public press hastened to pay well-deserved tributes
to his memory, and today this entire city — hushed in all
its busy activities — no less by the spontaneous impulses of
the citizens than by the proclamation of the mayor — this
silent city is filled with the thronging multitudes that follow
him to the grave ; and men speak to each other of the purity
of his private life, on which there is no stain ; of his integrity,
that knew no dishonor ; of the public spirit and enterprise
that placed him in the front rank of all the great movements
which have given to this region its unprecedented prosperity ;
of the rare business sagacity and executive ability which
amassed a fortune ; of all these things do men speak today,
and by the great loss which has fallen upon the whole city
in the death of such a man, while they are not unmindful
of that more sacred sorrow which mourns a devoted husband
and father and brother."

I have been speaking of the founders of this city. They
came here to establish a business and necessarily to make it
their home. They were public-spirited men and took pride
in surrounding themselves with all accessories necessary to
convenience and safety. How well they builded is shown
upon every side. It would be an invidious distinction to
attempt to say who did the most in this great work. They
worked together harmoniously, with but one end in view,
and that the good of the whole. To no one man is due
more credit than to Joseph H. Scranton for his labor
and foresight resulting in a city with its hundred spires
pointing heavenward, its great school houses, its immense
business blocks and elegant homes. Let us be thankful that
he lived and devoted the best years of his life to the estab-
lishment of the city which bears the name of himself and
kinsmen.

I will not let this opportunity pass without alluding
to the son who has been a helpmate through many of the
struggling years of this great enterprise. From boyhood
he plodded and worked for the success of the Lackawanna

14

Iron and Coal Company. Whenever trouble came and
the integrity of the city was threatened, he stood manfully
forth as its defender. William W. Scranton, manifestly our
first citizen, looking1 forward with a prophetic eye for the
wants of a great cityful, stepped forward and gave his talents
toward the establishment of a water system that stands
without a peer, and for all time the people are protected
against the elements of nature. Those lakes dotted over
the eastern hills — gems of the mountains — not only repre-
sent utility, but add beauty to the scene. I will speak of
the one rightly named Lake Scranton. God had made a
natural basin there, and Scranton's artistic eye saw the
possibility. The result was one of the most beautiful sheets
of water the eye needs to rest upon. On one side the native
forest comes to the water's edge. On the other huge ledges
of rock add grandeur to the scene. Not satisfied with this
work for utility, he wanted the people to enjoy its beauties,
and he builds a permanent roadway that affords a drive
and walk of unparelleled beauty. Not only that, he made
practicable the reaching of two mountain peaks that dis-
play magnificent views ; where the tired and weary towns-
man may go and feast his eyes on nature's entrancing land-
scapes and find rest, recreation and health. These generous
acts of Mr. Scranton should be fully appreciated. He
gratuitously expended tens of thousands of dollars that the
people might be made happy. It adds prosperity and renown
to the city, and I am glad to give testimony to the worth of
these philanthropic acts. I am here to speak a just modicum
of praise. In honoring him we are honoring ourselves.
May gentle zephyrs fan the evening of his life. He has
won the gratitude of our people.