James Archbald

James Archbald, 1793–1870

James Archbald(1793–1870) was aScottish-Americanrailroad executive and politician. After immigrating to the United States with his family in 1805, he later was elected asPennsylvaniastate representative and as the first mayor ofCarbondale, Pennsylvania.

Early life and family

Archbald was born March 3, 1793, onLittle Cumbraeisland, off theAyrshire coastofScotland,to a family ofshepherds.His family was one of many displaced by theLowland Clearances;they emigrated to the United States when he was 12. They purchased a farm in theMohawk ValleyinNew York.

In 1832 he married Sarah Augusta Frothingham (born 1805), the daughter of Major Thomas and Elizabeth Frost Frothingham ofSand Lake,New York. They had seven children: James, Mary, Augusta, Thomas,Robert,a son who died in infancy, and a daughter Elizabeth, who died at age 12.

Railroad career

From his location in the Mohawk Valley, Archbald had become familiar with theErie Canal,which was completed through the Mohawk Valley in 1824. He went into the canal and railroad industry, which was displacing canals as the transportation of choice. SucceedingJohn B. Jervis,Archbald served as the general superintendent of theDelaware and Hudson Canal Company(D&H) from 1829 to 1854. He helped plan the construction of thePennsylvania Coal Company's railroad fromPittstontoHawleyin 1847.

He left D&H to become the vice president ofMichigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroadin 1854. Two years later in 1856, he became the general manager and chief engineer of theDelaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroadand relocated toScranton,where it had its headquarters. He lived there until his death in 1870.

Political career

In 1851 Archbald was elected as the first mayor ofCarbondale,Pennsylvania. He was reelected three times and served four terms. His last year of office was 1855. He was nominated at theLackawanna CountyConvention held atWilkes-BarreSeptember 4, 1866, to represent the 133rd district in thePennsylvania House of Representatives.He had no partisan affiliation.

Legacy and honors

• Archbaldborough is named in his honor.