James Gribbin

JAMES GRIBBIN, one of the old and honored residents of Mount Pleasant, is a native of county Derry, Ireland, his birthplace being about twenty-four miles from Belfast, and the date of his birth December 26, 1845. He is a son of Patrick and Frances (Mulholland) Gribbin.

He was reared and educated in his native land, remaining there until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Glasgow, Scotland, and in 1869 came to the United States, locating first at Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he resided for six months. He then came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for seven years was employed in a wholesale liquor establishment conducted by a cousin. In March, 1877, he took up his residence in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as teamster, and in 1880 he removed to Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, his present place of abode. The first sixteen years of his residence there he was employed at the Standard Coal works, after which he engaged in the hotel business, erecting the Mount Pleasant Hotel, which he conducted for eight years, at the expiration of which time he purchased the property. This is one of the oldest hotels in Mount Pleasant, and also one of the best patronized, this being due to the geniality of the proprietor, the excellence of the cuisine, and the courteous treatment tendered to guests and patrons. Five years after his arrival in this country Mr. Gribbin became a naturalized citizen, and since then has taken an active interest in all that pertains toward its welfare and development. He is a Democrat in politics, and exercises a potent influence in behalf of the party whose principles he advocates. Mr. Gribbin is a man of thrift and perseverance, and he has steadily worked his way upward until now he ranks among the wealthy and influential residents of his community.

Mr. Gribbin married, June, 1876, Bridget Gribbin, who bore him the following children: Mary, wife of John P. Logan, of Wilmington, Delaware, a plumber, and they are the parents of two children: Thomas and James Logan. Frances, wife of Michael Mullan, of Mount Pleasant, who is employed as bartender for Mr. Gribbin in his hotel; they are the parents of three children: Thomas, James and John Mullan. Hugh, who assists his father in the management of the hotel; he married Annie McKinna, who bore him one child, Mary Gribbin. Eliza, who resides with her parents, Frances, deceased. The family attend St. Joseph Catholic church of Mount Pleasant.

Source: Page(s) 152-153, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed May 2007 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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