Page 12—SUSQUEHANNA TIMES Col. James Duffy Col. James Duffy Marietta businessman The Duffy mansion. re- stored by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Rottmund, is one of the outstanding buildings in Marietta, and its builder, Col. James Duffy, was once an outstanding citizen, not just in Marietta, but of the the nation. Duffy's father, also named James, came from Donegal, Ireland, and settl- ed in Marietta around 1800. His son James was born in Marietta in 1818. The elder James Duffy constructed the Lancaster- Marietta Turnpike, the turn- pike from Elizabethtown to Bainbridge, also the road from Harrisburg to Balti- more. The younger James was one of twelve children, only seven of whom survived to adulthood. After attending the local schools, young Duffy became a boatman on the canal. He was promoted to steersman and later to pilot. In 1848 he became head of a boating firm that trans- ported coal from Pottsville to New York. He also started a lumber business in Marietta in partnership with James Mehaffy. After the Civil War began, Duffy formed a transportation company tha carried goods from the Eas to the Forts in the West, a: far out as Salt Lake. As many as 30,000 oxen were used in this operation. Duffy was 45 years old and a very rich man when he finally married in 1863, Martha Park of Marietta. After his marriage he entered two other business- es: the Marietta Hollow- ware and Enamelling Com- pany and growing tobacco. He was the largest tobaccc grower in Pennsylvania. One of the most fertile pieces of ground for growing tobacco was a long island in the Susquehanna, south of Middletown, which came to be called Duff’s Island, but which is called Three Mile Island today. “Colonel’’ Duffy was a very influential man in the country. He threw lavish parties attended by the rich and the powerful of the nation. Special trains were scheduled to bring his guests to Marietta from Washington and New York City. The Colonel died in 1888, but his grand old house is just as solid as in its heyday. department honored The Donegal High School Science department was recognized twice this year for their fine program. The two organizations recogniz- ing the department were Armstrong Cork Company and Lebanon Valley College. Dr. Shirley Leibman of Armstrong Cork Company, noting that our science students consistently win awards at the county science fair, presented to our school a used Hewlett-Packard Gas Chromatograph valued at $5000 new. The instrument will be used by the students in the advanced chemistry class to study and analyze organic compounds. Dr. H. A. Neidig of Lebanon Valley College's chemistry department do- nated to our school over sixty pounds of inorganic chemicals valued at over $400. Dr. Neidig noted that since their supply was overstocked, he would do- nate the chemicals to deserving schools in the immediate area. Accepting both donations for our school was Donegal’s chemistry-physics teacher, William Loercher. Mr. Loercher noted that both gifts will enhance the present programs and will save our district money. DHS science December 26, 1979 Fred Straub, Mount Joy, named Eagle Scout Fred Straub was pre- sented scoutings highest rank, Eagle Scout, at Mount Joy Scout Troop #39's Fall The Duffy Mansion Court of Honor. B. Penrose Hoover of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Fred's friend and pastor, made the presentation. Fred joined Troop #39 in 1974 where he was active as an assistant patrol leader, patrol leader and quarter- master. He also earned his instructor badge, Paul Bun- van Axeman Award and the Lutheran God and Country Award **Pro Dco et Patria’. Fred is a junior at Donegal High School where he is ecnrolled in the academic programs. He is active in the Dramatics Club, varsity football and varsity tennis. At Trinity Lutheran Church in Lan- caster, Fred is active in the Senior Youth and the Trinity Ushers. He also served as a page at the Lutheran Synod Convention is 1978. During the summer of 1978 and '79, Fred worked at Colonial Manor Rehabili- tation Center in York, where he helped to make life happier and more comfort- able for over 200 residents. Fred's Eagle service pro- ject was planning and executing a Cardo Pulmon- ary Resuscitation (CPR) Training Program for Res- idents living in the Mount Joy area. He also assisted with the training of addition- al CPR courses at Colonial Manor in York and Heather- bank in Columbia. Fred is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Straub, 116 South Market St., Mount Joy. The Mount Joy Rotary Club and the Troop Com- mittee, Leaders and Scouts of Troop #39 wish to congratulate Fred on achiev- ing the rank of ‘‘Eagle Scout’ which is the highest award in scouting.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers