John R. Madden
John R. Madden, postmaster and merchant at Hammondsville, Jefferson County, Ohio, is a native of this state and was born at Yellow Creek Station, in Saline Township, December 25, 1884. He is a son of W. M. and Anna (Porter) Madden.
W. M. Madden, father of John R., was brought from Liverpool, England, to Jefferson County when three years old by his parents. His father was Robert Madden, who died in Jefferson County in 1900, at the age of seventy-seven years. His business was farming and coal mining. He married the widow of a Mr. Roley and she had four children: Stewart, Andrew, John and Elizabeth Roley. Robert Madden and wife had three children: W. M. and Thomas, both born in England; and Margaret, who was born in America. The wife of Robert Madden died February 22, 1894. W. M. Madden was only seven years old when he went to work in the coal mines and later he found an easier post as a brakeman on a railroad and worked as such for seventeen years. In 1894 he embarked in the mercantile business at Hammondsville and has met with very satisfying results. In January, 1884, he was married to Miss Anna Porter, who was born at Hammondsville and is a daughter of Bartholomew R. Porter, who is a large owner of real estate at Yellow Creek, Jefferson County. The mother of Mrs. Madden was Susan Roberts and to Mr. and Mrs. Porter the following children were born: John Porter, who is a railroad man in Michigan; Edward, who is an electrician, living in Pittsburgh; William, a railroad man, who was killed by a train at Wellsville; Margaret, who is the widow of Samuel Gorsuch; Susan, who is the wife of W. C. Carter, of Wellsville, O.; Mary, who is the wife of Frederick Brughamire, of Pittsburgh; and Anna, who is the mother of John R. Madden, of this record.
To Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Madden two sons and two daughters were born, namely: John R.; Margaret, who lives at home; Maynard, who is a student in the public schools; and Dorothy, who is a school girl of thirteen years.
John R. Madden attended the conmon and high schools at Hammondsville and when seventeen years old entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Wellsville for a little railroad experience, and then entered Scio College and proved exceedingly studious and easily graduated first in the class of 1907. After leaving college he immediately entered the ticket office of the Pennsylvania road at Wellsville, and as proof of his efficiency received three raises in salary within one year. On October 30, 1907, he was appointed postmaster at Hammondsville and in November of the same year took charge of the office, parting with his railroad friends with regret on both sides. He is also agent for the Adams Express Company at this point. His political affiliation is with the Republican party. He is a member of Lodge No. 471, F. & A. M., at Irondale and of Davidson Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at the same place.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910