Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Colt, John T. 1827 - living in 1899

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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 2, 2005, 3:58 pm



Author: Biographical Publishing Co.



JOHN T. COLT, one of Northumberland's most esteemed retired merchants, was born

in that borough July 8, 1827, and is a son of Alexander and Mary Ann (Taggart)

Colt.



  Alexander Colt, our subject's father, was born at Cross Roads, in the western

part of Chester County; his father was of Scotch-Irish descent, was banished

from Ireland during the religious rebellion, came to this country and settled in

Chester County. Alexander Colt migrated to Northumberland, Northumberland

County, about 1820, in search of a place where he might settle and satisfy his

aspirations, which were those of a thoroughly ambitious spirit. With no trade or

capital he entered the employ of his uncle, Alexander Colt, a skilled

blacksmith, and became himself an adept, blacksmith; in those days all wagon and

carriage iron-work was done by hand, and in that line of work he became a

skilled mechanic and succeeded his uncle, carrying on the business at the corner

of Water street and Weakley's alley. His wife, Mary Ann Taggart, who died in the

prime of life, was a daughter of David Taggart. To them were born six children:

Sarah, who married John Brantigam; John T., our subject; Mary, wife of A. B.

Barrett; Susan, who married Dr. McKey; Henry, who married a Miss Keefer and is

living in Philadelphia; and Deborah, who married John Chesney. Our subject's

father was active in the politics of the borough, supporting the Whig party and

later becoming a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He

worked at his trade for many years, accumulating a fine property and spending in

retirement the last few years of his life, which came to a close at the

venerable age of eighty years.



  John T. Colt, our subject, was educated in the public schools and learned the

blacksmith's trade of his father and followed it for about thirty years at the

corner of Queen and Front streets; then, selling out, he entered the mercantile

business and continued in it until about 1889, keeping a general store, in which

he was very successful. He erected several buildings, principally on Queen

street, and dealt in real estate. He has remodeled his present residence, which

is on Market street, facing the beautiful Park Square. It was built about 1800

by James Lee.



  Our subject was united in marriage Kvith Catherine Harrison, a daughter of

William Harrison, who was a member of a prominent family of the borough. Mr. and

Mrs. Colt are the proud parents of two sons: John E., a much esteemed citizen,

who carries on a large insurance business, married Emma Kembell, and has three

children,—Margaret, John and Catherine; and James, who assisted in his father's

store, and died at twenty-eight years of age. Mr. Colt served many years as

overseer of the poor, was a member of the borough council, and was treasurer of

the borough for three years, and was also treasurer of the school board several

years. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for twenty-eight years,

and during that time he has served, without any opposition, as treasurer;, he is

also a member of the Conclave. Our subject is a firm Republican. In religious

views he is liberal.





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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