John Dinan,
who is prominent in local politics, being a stanch supporter of
the Democratic party, is a Councilman in South Bethlehem. He is
one of the oldest employees of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and now
occupies the position of Supervisor of the Pottsville Division.
A native of
County Clare, Ireland, our subject was born in 1833 or 1834, being
one of ten children, whose parents were Patrick and Margaret (Dullahanty)
Dinan. They were both natives of Ireland, and there the father,
who during life followed agricultural pursuits, departed this
life. His wife came to America with her children, and her death
occurred in South Bethlehem. All but one of her seven sons and
three daughters are still living, three of her sons being
residents of Bethlehem, and four sons living near Wilkes Barre.
John Dinan,
who is next to the eldest of his parents'children, passed his
boyhood on his father's farm, and when sixteen years of age, in
1850, set sail from Liverpool on the “Isaac Wright,” and after six
weeks and two days on the Atlantic landed in New York City. He
found himself in the New World with only two shillings and
sixpence in his pocket, and without friends or acquaintances.
Going to Jersey City, he obtained employment on the Central
Railroad, working in the construction department until the road
was finished. Two weeks later he went with a corps of engineers to
help located and aid in the construction of the Belvidere
Railroad, and he continued in that line until the completion of
the road. Samuel Logan, a friend, who was employed with the Lehigh
Valley Road, then asked him to take charge of the gang of men on
the section between Bethlehem and Redington. This was April 11,
1856, and taking the place, he continued as foreman until 1875,
when, in March, he was made Assistant Roadmaster of the Lehigh
Division, with headquarters at Laury's, having also in his charge
the supplies of that division. Faithfully remaining in that
position until June, 1893, Mr. Dinan was then given a similar post
at Packerton, which he held for one year. June 1, 1894, he was
appointed to his present position as Supervisor of the Pottsville
Division of Lehigh Valley Railroad, this branch extending from
Lizard Creek Junction to Blackwood, and a small line running from
Yarke Farm. The headquarters of Mr. Dinan are at Lizard Creek
Junction, though he makes his home at No. 230 Third Street,
Bethlehem.
In 1855
John Dinan was married in Easton to Miss Julia Mangan, who was
born in Ireland, and was brought in infancy to Easton. To our
subject and wife have been born eight sons and three daughters:
Thomas, who is Postmaster of East Mauch Chunk; James, who is
foreman on a gravel train on the Lehigh Valley Road; William,
signal foreman; Michael, who is a machinist in the shops of the
Bethlehem Iron Company; Eward, attending Lehigh University;
Joseph, Raymond and Leo, who are at home; Julia, Mrs. McDaniel,
and Annie, Mrs. Govern, both residents of South Bethlehem; and
Emily, who is at home.
When the
church of the Holy Infancy was erected Mr. Dinan was active in its
support, and to this he and his family belong. For two years he
was a member of the South Bethlehem Council from the Third Ward,
and is now Chairman of the Fire Committee, also on the Street and
other committees. Many times he has served as a delegate to the
Democratic county and state conventions, and he has also been a
member of the County Democratic Standing Committee.
Source: Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties, Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co., 1894; Page 694.