My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. MACKEY, the able City Attorney and eloquent advocate of the Bar at Bangor, Pa., is widely known as a man of excellent judicial ability and good judgment. Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Clifford Township, Susquehanna County, October 15, 1836. He is a son of David and Maranda (Griggs) Mackey, the former of whom was a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut. Grandfather Griggs, who was of Scotch parentage, and a physician by profession, died in New York State. The early members of the Mackey family were of the old Puritan stock. Grandfather Mackey was a farmer by occupation, and lived the greater part of his life on a farm in Susquehanna County, Pa. He married Miss Betsy Sammis, by whom he had five children, all deceased. One of his daughters married William J. Bolton, who went to California by the overland route, riding a mule all the way. Becoming sick, he was left by his companions, who, some time after leaving him, were captured by the Indians. He recovered, and was the only one of the company who succeeded in reaching California. Grandfather Mackey was a Whig in politics, and held several local offices in his township. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and is buried in Clifford Township.

David Mackey, the father of our subject, was born in the state of New York, and was a farmer by occupation. He departed this life at the age of fifty-nine years, and was buried in New Milford Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. By his union with Miss Maranda Griggs, a daughter of Nathan Griggs, he had fourteen children, nine of whom are now living: George W., our subject; and Nathan C., Charles D., Lizzie E., Lillie M., Lina, Jennie A., Ada M. and Anna M. The father was an Abolitionist before the organization of the Republican party, of which he afterward became an ardent supporter, taking an active part in its councils. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and served as a Deacon almost from his boyhood until his death. The cause of temperance found in him a warm advocate, and one who was never weary of work in its behalf. He took a deep interest in educational and church affairs, and in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community.

George W. Mackey was educated in Susquehanna County, and at Harford University. After graduating he taught school for a time, and then entered the law office of Hon. S. B. Chase, of Great Bend, Pa., where he remained three years. He was admitted to the Bar of Susquehanna County in 1876, and a little later to the Bar of Northampton, Lehigh, Monroe and Luzerne Counties. He began the practice of his profession at Bangor in 1876, and has been continuously in practice ever since. Besides the practice of law, our subject has been, and is, interested in the slate business, being connected with the Bangor Union Slate Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He also served as its Secretary and Director for some time, and was President for a few years. He helped to organize the Bangor & Portland Railway Company, which was formed May 8, 1879, and has been a Director in the company, and its Secretary and General Solicitor continuously since. He is also a stockholder and a Director of the First National Bank of Pen Argyl, and acts as its solicitor. Mr. Mackey served as attorney for the Pennsylvania, Poughkeepsie & Boston Railroad in Lehigh and Northampton Counties during its construction, and when the road went into the hands of a receiver, was appointed attorney for the receiver in the same counties. He has been solicitor for the borough of Bangor since 1876, and for the last three years solicitor for East Bangor. He helped organize the Slate Belt Electric Street Railroad, and is one of the Directors and solicitors of the same.

Mr. Mackey was united in marriage, May 25, 1864, with Miss Isadore C. McCollum, a daughter of Daniel McCollum, of East Bridgewater, Susquehanna County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Mackey became the parents of two children: Gracie, deceased, and Harry A. The latter, after graduating in the Bangor and Scranton High Schools, entered the Keystone Academy, where he graduated and took the gold medal. In 1886 he entered Lafayette College, and graduated in 1890 with the degree of A. B. He then entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, taking a three-years course, and graduating in June, 1893. He is now taking a post-graduate course in law in the State University. His home is in Philadelphia, where he is a practicing attorney.

Our subject, who is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, has been solicited to become a candidate for Congress in the Eighth Congressional District on the Republican ticket. He is well and favorably known throughout the district and would make a careful and honest representative. A member of the Baptist Church, he takes an active part in all its good work, and is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is deeply interested in every movement for the advancement and intellectual betterment of the town, and takes an especial interest in the advancement of all temperance work, being an enemy to every kind of intoxicating drink.