BIO: Forbes H. VANNAN, formerly of Luzerne County, PA

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Author: Biographical Publishing Co.

FORBES H. VANNAN, a born mechanic and a member of the firm of Curry & Vannan,
who operate a large foundry and machine-shop, is one of the popular and
enterprising citizens of the town of Danville, Pa. He descends from the sturdy
Scotch race, having been born in Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of James
Vannan, who was also a native of Scotland.

  James Vannan, father of our subject, resided in Scotland many years, where he
was engaged as a machinist. He departed from his native country and settled in
Carbondale, Luzerne County, Pa., where he followed his trade as a machinist.
Later he moved to Kingston, Luzerne County, Pa., then to Wilkesbarre, Pa., where
he spent the remainder of his life in retirement. He died at the advanced age of
eighty-two years. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock to Mary Binning, who
passed from this life aged forty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Vannan were the
parents of a family of five children, as follows: Mary, who is the wife of James
Eaton; James, a machinist in the shops of the D. & H. R. R. at Carbondale, Pa.;
Joseph, a foundryman, and also a resident of Carbondale, Pa.; Forbes H., our
subject; and Thomas, a tinsmith and gasfitter, who resides at Carbondale.

  Forbes H. Vannan, our subject, came to this country with his father and served
an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade in the D., L. & W. R. R. machine
shops at Scranton and, owing to his rapid progress, he was soon made foreman of
the D., L. & W. R. R. shops at Kingston, Pa. He subsequently became
superintendent of the Wyoming Valley Manufacturing Company at Wilkesbarre, Pa.,
from which place he removed to Danville in 1888 and accepted a position as
master mechanic in the rolling mills of that town. On September 10, 1895, in
partnership with Daniel M. Curry, he leased the Mahoning Foundry and Machine
Shops and the firm has since been doing a large and successful business. When
the rolling mill property went into the hands of a receiver, Curry & Vannan
purchased the entire foundry and machine-shop plant. The firm manufactures all
kinds of machinery, has the latest and most improved machinery in the shops and
employs from fifty to ninety men continuously. They have also erected a large
three-story pattern-house and have one of the best machine-shops in the town of
Danville.

  Mr. Vannan was united in marriage to Emeline A. Parr, and three children have
blessed their home: Irvin, a mechanic; George, who died in infancy; and Walter.
Mr. Vannan and family are highly esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances
and are amply filling their station as good citizens and valuable members of
their community. In politics, our subject is a stanch Republican and cast his
first presidential vote for Lincoln.


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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