Columbia County PA Archives Biographies.....GORREY, Thomas 1854 - 
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  Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 31, 2005, 11:44 pm
  
  Author: Biographical Publishing Co.
  
  THOMAS GORREY, a contractor of good repute in this section of the state, is an
  enterprising and progressive citizen of the town of Bloomsburg, where he resides
  in a handsome residence at No. 224 West Main street. He was born in New York
  City, March 18, 1848, and is a son of Michael and B. Agnes (Larkin) Gorrey.
  
    The family is of French origin and originally spelled their name M'Gori, but
  after the French revolution, when they located in Ireland, it was changed to
  Gorrey by some and to Gorey by others.
  
    Michael Gorrey, the father of our subject, was born in County Galway, Ireland,
  where he lived for many years and in partnership with his brother, Thomas, owned
  a farm and supply store. During the religious rebellion in that country their
  property was confiscated by the government and they lost everything they had. As
  a result in 1848, Mr. Gorrey came to freedom-loving America where all men are
  equal and are allowed to have their own opinions and prejudices. He located in
  New York City but soon after moved to Yonkers, where he remained until 1854,
  when he came to Schuylkill County, Pa., and followed mining as a means of
  earning a competency. After a residence of six years in that community he moved
  to Centralia, Pa., and was engaged in mining until 1876, when he purchased a
  farm at North Bend. He was united in marriage to B. Agnes Larkin of Ireland and
  they reared the following children : Thomas, the subject of this personal
  history; John; Catherine; Michael; James; Patrick; and Mary.
  
    Thomas Gorrey went to work in the mines at the early age of seven years as a
  slate picker, and at twelve became a mule driver, for which service he received
  $4 per week, but being of economical habits he managed to save enough out of his
  salary to pay his way in a night school, where he obtained a fair education.
  With his father's assistance, he managed to attend the Millville Academy, after
  which he removed to Bloomsburg and became an apprentice to the trade of
  carpenter. In 1868 he entered the employ of John S. Sterner, who was one of the
  best contractors and builders of his day. He later became foreman and continued
  as such until 1885 when he began contracting in his own behalf. He has not only
  erected some of the handsomest residences and buildings in Bloomsburg, but
  their, architecture is also the result of his labor. Among the many buildings
  which he has erected the following are of the most importance: Bloomsburg Carpet
  works; Penn Elevator works; Novelty works; the Brass & Copper works; Bloomsburg
  Ice & Cold-storage plant; a large addition to the Bloomsburg State Normal
  School, also its large heating plant; remodeled the courthouse; and
  superintended the erection of the desk works. Among the many handsome residences
  he has built are those of Paul E. Wirt, L. S. Wintersteen, C. C Peacock, W. R.
  Tubbs, Levi E. Waller, C. W. McKelvey, and the Episcopal parish house.
  
    That Mr. Gorrey has attained such a success is due to his own untiring and
  industrious efforts. Beginning without means, he has established a reputation in
  his line of work that will stand the test and compare favorably with that of any
  other contractor and builder in the county. The residence in which he lives on
  West Main street was erected in 1800 by Dr. Daniels but was remodeled and
  enlarged by our subject and changed into a more modern house. He also owns a
  residence on West Main street, three double houses on Railroad street, also a
  lot on that street and a single house, three lots on East Mill street, and a
  small farm and summer residence in Hemlock township, Columbia County. He is a
  stockholder in the Bloomsburg Cold Storage Company, and Bloomsburg Match
  Company, and was formerly a stockholder of the Bloomsburg Brass & Copper Company
  and the Bloomsburg Elevator and Machine works. In politics he is a Democrat and
  served on the town council seven years.
  
    Mr. Gorrey was joined in wedlock to Emma Sterner, a daughter of John S.
  Sterner, and their union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, eight of
  whom are living, namely: Mary, whose death occurred at the age of sixteen years,
  just as she was entering the senior class of the Bloomsburg Normal School;
  Annie, who died in infancy; Thomas who is connected with the 7th Army Corps and
  is in the 2d Hospital Corps; Elizabeth, a dressmaker and milliner of Bloomsburg;
  John, who is a brick-layer; Catherine, who is in attendance at school; Annie;
  Fannie; Helen; and Mary. Mr. Gorrey's portrait accompanies this sketch of his
  life, being presented on a preceding page.
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  Extracted from:
    
    Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
    Published by 
    Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
  
  
  
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