David Lomison

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Coal Merchant, 1850, Frailey, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. From 1850 Census

• Occupation: Inn Keeper, 1860, Frailey, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. From 1860 Census

• Occupation: Hotel Keeper, 1870, Frailey, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. From 1870 Census

• Occupation: History of Schuylkill County, Pa: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers by W.W. Munsell & Co., 1881: Frailey, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. Frailey Township History

During the construction of the railroad the mines in and around Donaldson in this township were opened Of the lessees or operators who worked these mines the firm of Colt Gaskins & Lomison were among the first. For the better accommodation of their workmen this firm commenced building a stone boarding house but before its completion the original plan was changed and a larger building was erected. This house since the day of its completion has been occupied as a hotel and is known as the Franklin House. It was the first hotel built in the township and since its completion with the exception of two years it has been kept by David Lomison.

Of earlier settlers of this township it may be said that Major William Colt, Captain Samuel Gaskins, David Lomison and Mahlon McCloughan from Danville Montour county or its vicinity and Adam Etien and Jacob Crone from Dauphin county were most prominent The earlier marriages were those of David Lomison and Miss Caroline Youngman.

Coal History

Among the other and earlier coal operators were Henry Heil, Mr Gardner Clark & McCormick Werntz & Strimpfler Snyder & Bar and a few others. The first openings of these mines were all by drift or tunnel on the water level. The first breaker was built by the firm of Colt Gaskins & Lomison and was driven by water power. The first openings being so near the surface were soon worked out and abandoned. Of the early operators it is believed there is now 1881 no one living. About 1850 Messrs John and Rodger Horton leased the Mammoth vein sunk a slope thereon and erected what was then thought a large coal breaker and for several years this firm carried on quite an extensive business in the mining and shipping of coal. Later these same veins were operated in succession by Griffith T Jones & Co, Etien & Lomison, and Owen Eckel & Colket. They are now owned and worked by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.

Stores and Hotels

The first store was erected by tlie firm of Colt Gas kins & Lomison. It was a commodious two story building. The firm generally carried a heavy stock assorted goods. The building is now occupied as a by Opie & Long. John Harry erected a two story building forty feet square which was occupied as a and tavern house. It is now owned and occupied Thomas J Tobias as a store and dwelling. The Franklin House, the first hotel built in this township and kept about thirty five years by the late Lomison, is now kept by Jame Opie. Soon after Franklin House was built, David Michael & Bressler erected a large frame house in upper Donaldson which since its erection has been kept successively different occupants. It is now 1 88 1 owned and occupied by William F Trautman the inventor and maker the famous scriptural clock.

Physicians & Mails

Daniel (Sic) Lomison was the first postmaster in Frailey. At his death about two years ago, TJ Tobias was appointed postmaster and he has since served.

Churches

Mr Lomison many times when the preacher came along shut up the bar and taking the benches into the dining room turned that part of his hotel into a church.

Odd Fellows

July 3d 1850 Donaldson Lodge No 382 was organized under a charter granted. October 1st 1849 Peter O Bressler, Peter Greger, sr., David Lomison, B. E. Reedy, Christian Lye, Samuel Gaskins, and Jacob L Hassinger were the charter members The present membership is about 100.

• Occupation: From The Progressive Men of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1900. David (deceased), hotel proprietor, coal operator and merchant, of Donaldson, Pennsylvania.

• Obituary. McCool's Historic Gleanings, 1874-1875


Lomison - David - p16

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• Family: Various sources. 1850 Census on shows his wife as Mary, but the History of Schuylkill County, Pa states he married Miss Caroline Youngman.

In 1850 Census, his children are listed as Etty, age 3, William, age 1, and Elizabeth age 13. It is assumed that Elizabeth's mother was Caroline Youngman.

David married Mary Isabella. (Mary Isabella was born in 1826 in Pennsylvania.)

David next married Caroline Youngman. (Caroline Youngman died before 1850 in Frailey, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.)