Guide to the J. W. Lynch Journals 1895-1998
1895-1998
Metadata Details
- Title
- J. W. Lynch journals 1895-1998
- Creator
- Subject
- Lynch, John W , 1862-1948, Elizabeth Marine Ways (Elizabeth, Pa.), Steamboats--Pennsylvania--Elizabeth, Steamboat workers--Pennsylvania--Elizabeth
- Description
- The J. W. Lynch journals consist of four bound volumes that document the daily life of J. W. Lynch. Of particular interest are his entries in his first journal, which document his daily work in the boat yards. Lynch often records details such as the names of coworkers, summaries of steamboat repairs, and the names of steamboats that were built or repaired at the Elizabeth Marine Ways. In addition, Lynch also regularly comments on the working conditions in the boat yard. His journal entries also include summaries of the weather and other daily occurrences, such as visitations of acquaintances and household chores performed. Throughout the course of his journal entries, Lynch mentions many of his fellow Elizabeth, Pa. residents. In addition, Lynch also reflects briefly on significant historical events such as the end of World War I, VJ Day, the St. Patrick Day Flood of 1936, the onset of Daylight Savings Time, and the Johnstown Flood. The first entry is dated in 1895 and the last is dated July 19, 1948, just before his death. This collection also includes a compact disc that contains digital photocopies of journal entries. Jay Mohney, the great grandson of Lynch, created a website that further documents his career in the steamboat industry. This website includes digital scans of the journals in this collection. In addition, this website also contains an inventory of names mentioned by Lynch in his journals. These names include fellow coworkers, steamboat owners, and local residents of Elizabeth, Pa. The URL to this website is http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jmohney/index.htm, J. W. Lynch journals, 1895-1998, MSS 376, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center, Jay Mohney Gift 2001 2001.0139, John W. Lynch was born in Rices Landing, Green County, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1862 to David and Rebecca Hurry Lynch. Lynch later settled in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. In 1882, Lynch began his career in the steamboat industry as a laborer for the Joseph Walton & Co. barge building and boat repair yards in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. In 1889, Lynch began work for W. W. O’Neil. On June 22, 1898, Lynch was hired by the Elizabeth Marine Ways as a laborer. The Elizabeth Marine Ways specialized in steamboat building and repair. In the early 20th Century, the Elizabeth Marine Ways was acquired by the Monongahela River Coal & Coke Company and Pittsburgh Coal Company (predecessors of Consolidation Coal Company). While at the yards, Lynch worked mostly as a carpenter. Lynch retired from the steamboat industry on October 3, 1925, having attained the position of superintendent. John Lynch married Bertha McKown in 1884. Together, they had eight children; Percy, William, Jack, James, Bernice, Hilda, Bertha, and Helen. Lynch also served for many years in the National Guard as a member of Company I, 14th Regiment. As a member of the National Guard, Lynch was called upon to assist with disaster recovery efforts directly following the Johnstown Flood in 1889. J. W. Lynch died on August 15, 1948. , Gift of Jay Mohney., Processed MSS 376 9/14 S. Green, Collection level finding aid available.
- Publisher
- Contributor
- Lynch, J. W. , 1862-1948, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center (depositor)
- Date
- 1895-1998
- Type
- Collection, Text
- Format
- Identifier
- oclc: 890386161, pitt: US-QQS-mss376
- Source
- Language
- eng
- Relation
- http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=hswpead;cc=hswpead;rgn=main;view=text;didno=US-QQS-mss376, pdcp_noharvest
- Coverage
- Pennsylvania, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth
- Rights