All Sorts of Pittsburgers, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, 1892



James  McKean Biography

JAMES STITT McKEAN, Pittsburg's model postmaster, was born in New Abbey, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, January 28, 1850. The same year his parents emigrated to the United States and took up their residence at Newburg, N. Y. In the following year they removed to Allegheny, and shortly afterwards went to Chartiers Creek. Here they resided until the close of the war, the coming Postmaster attending the district school and the Mansfield Academy.

In 1866 the family removed to Washington County, settling at the place now known as Charleroi, where Mr. McKean worked on his father's farm.

In 1876 he came to Pittsburg, and with Mr. W. G. Duff established the agricultural implement firm of Duff & McKean. The firm prospered, and Mr. McKean by his geniality of disposition and other admirable qualities attached to himself many valuable friends, so that, when the time came for the appointment of a postmaster by President Harrison, his claims to the position were urged by the best people of the two cities, and the President readily decided in his favor.

Mr. McKean was commissioned Postmaster December 20, 1889, and took charge of the office February 1, 1890. His predecessor had left affairs in excellent shape, but to the business-like mind of Mr. McKean there was room for doing still better, and he set out to make his office equal, if not superior, to any other in the country in every detail of management. That he has been successful in this undertaking is attested by the splendid service furnished and the acknowledgments of Mr. McKean's efficiency publicly volunteered by his superiors.


Source: All Sorts of Pittsburgers Sketched in Prose and Verse; Burgoyne, Arthur; Pittsburg, PA; The Leader; 1892.
Note: The correct spelling of Pittsburgh in 1892 was Pittsburg. The spelling Pittsburgh was officially restored in 1911.












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