My Genealogy Hound

JOHN M. RISHER, coal merchant and producer, Dravosburg, was born Sept. 16.1849, at Six-Mile Ferry, this county, a son of John C. Risher. He was educated at the Western University, and the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. After leaving school he was clerk in the banking-house of S. McLean & Co., Fourth street, Pittsburgh, for one year, and then went to a position with the Fort Pitt Banking company, Pittsburgh, filling the same with ability three years, when he resigned to accept the position of bookkeeper and superintendent in the coal business of J. C. Risher & Co., retaining his residence in Dravosburg. In the fall of 1878, in partnership with James H. Gamble, he bought the coalfield at White Mills, in Washington county, known as the Penney tract, and which he operated successfully. In February, 1884, he purchased Mr. Gamble’s interest, and has now in operation two coal banks, with a capacity of 15,000 bushels per day. His dealings with the miners have been such as to benefit them, and good feeling exists between employer and employed. Mr. Risher married Mary J., daughter of Robert and Priscilla Patterson, and five children have blessed them: Robert P., Eva A., Bessie G., who died aged seven years; Mary J. and Fannie M. Mr. and Mrs. Risher are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and a republican.