George Scranton: Coal and Iron Magnate

George Scranton was the Representative for the state of Pennsylvania in the US House of Representatives between March 4, 1859 and until his death on March 24, 1861. He was a Republican.

Before he got active with politics, Scranton spent his years in agricultural pursuits and in the manufacture of iron. In 1839, Scranton and his brother Selden purchased the lease and stock of Oxford Furnace in Washington, New Jersey. Within one year, Scranton partnered with other businessmen to organize a company that would acquire large tracts of lands rich in coal in Lackawanna. He experimented on smelting ore using anthracite coal. Later, this company became known as Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company in Slocum (now Scranton, Pennsylvania, a town named after him). At Lackawanna, Scranton was also responsible for constructing its Northumberland Division.

In 1839, Scranton and his brother Selden purchased the lease and stock of Oxford Furnace in Washington, New Jersey. Within one year, Scranton partnered with other businessmen to organize a company that would acquire large tracts of lands rich in coal in Lackawanna.

At the House of Representatives, Scranton served in the 36th Congress.