John dougherty

John Dougherty ~ July 25, 1803 - November 12, 1886

My name is John Dougherty. I was born on July 25, 1803 and passed on November 12, 1886.

My father was an Irish immigrant who settled down in McVeytown, just down the river from here. As I grew up, I watched travelers pass up and down the Juniata, which inspired me to become involved in the creation of the Pennsylvania Canal. The canal was an engineering marvel that opened up new areas of the state for commerce and shipping. My vision and inventiveness led to my inventing a portable iron second boat for use on the canal to allow the boats to be separated in order to cross mountains.

When the canal era moved aside to make way for the railroad, I was instrumental in determining the path the rails would take. My inventiveness came in handy again when I designed inclined planes to span the distance over the Allegheny Mountains.

My endeavors helped me to amass a great deal of wealth - I was a millionaire back then - and I shared my fortune with others. I donated funds to be used to establish the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Mount Union, where I lived. 
Somehow, though, I lost it all. When I died, it was said I was penniless. I would disagree. My legacy was never going to be financial. I made my mark in my community and many others built on my creativity and vision.

Riverview Recollections
  1. Introduction
  2. Suzanna Eisenberg ~ August 13, 1783 - May 3, 1822
  3. David McMurtrie ~ January 14, 1764 - November 9, 1843
  4. William Steel ~ 1754 - May 12, 1840
  5. Samuel Steel ~ 1765 - 1850
  6. Reverend John Johnston ~ 1750 - December 16, 1823
  7. Benjamin Elliot ~ 1752 - March 13, 1835
  8. Richard Smith ~ January 25, 1769 - October 1, 1823
  9. Thomas Duncan Smith ~ November 18, 1760 - July 9, 1789
  10. John Simpson ~ January 1744 - February 3, 1807
  11. John Dougherty ~ July 25, 1803 - November 12, 1886
  12. Anne Dorris Chisolm ~ 1863 - 1918
  13. J. Simpson Africa ~ September 15, 1832 - August 8, 1900
  14. Anna Fisher ~ March 6, 1866 - April 2, 1953
  15. Hon. John M. Bailey ~ July 11, 1839 - September 27, 1903
  16. J. C. Blair -Nov. 27, 1847- June 23, 1897, Kate Fisher Blair- July 7, 1848-Sept. 23, 1938
  17. Clara McMurtrie ~ February 7, 1860 - September 16, 1952
  18. Lt. Col. John Blanchard Miles ~ September 20, 1827 - May 10, 1864
  19. John G. Chaplin ~ November 30, 1828 - January 5, 1907
  20. Frederick Schneider ~ 1780 - March 31, 1861