My Genealogy Hound

JAMES MARSHALL LENNON, agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Catasauqua, is well known among the citizens of Lehigh County, and is especially prominent in railroad circles. In the progress and material development of this section he has taken a keen interest, and being progressive and energetic, has attained a place among the influential and public-spirited citizens of the Lehigh Valley.

The subject of this sketch was born in North Whitehall Township, April 10, 1864, and is the youngest member of the parental family, consisting of three children. His father was Michael Lennon, of whom mention is made in the sketch of his brother, Hon. M. J. Lennon, presented on another page of this volume. James M. was reared in the township of his birth, and in South Whitehall Township, whither he removed with his parents. His father, after his removal to the latter township, engaged as a contractor in the stone and ore mines. Later he went to Laury’s Station, and from there to Hokendauqua, where he and his wife died.

When fourteen years of age James M. Lennon began to learn the art of telegraphy in the office of the Western Union of Catasauqua. After nine months he was given a position in the office of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Packerton as operator, and filled that position for five months, when he was transferred to Nescopeck. From there he went to Mt. Carmel. Thence, five months later, he was transferred to Laury’s Station, and finally came to this city, where he was the first night operator. After serving in that capacity for nine months, he succeeded William H. Mealy as day operator, that gentleman becoming Superintendent of the Mexican National Railroad Company.

In addition to the duties of his position as operator, Mr. Lennon has also served as chief clerk, and in 1890 was promoted to the responsible position of passenger and freight agent. Under his charge he has a number of employes, and the success which has followed his efforts proves that he was fortunate in the selection of an occupation. In politics he is an active member of the Democratic party, which he has represented as a delegate to state and county conventions. In religious belief he is a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church of Catasauqua, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor.

In Allentown, January 21, 1890, occurred the marriage of James M. Lennon and Miss Katherine O’Neill, the daughter of Christopher O’Neill, a prominent merchant and contractor of that city. Their family consists of three children: James Marshall, Jr., Kathleen and Viola. Mr. Lennon is a stockholder and Director in the Catasauqua Building and Loan Association, and a member of the Phoenix Fire Company. He owns a beautiful residence in Allentown, has a comfortable home in Catasauqua, and is interested in other real-estate matters.