A colorized, undated photograph believed to be of men working at the Eagle Iron Works, Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. None of the men are identified.
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An article from a special Souvenir Edition of the Lykens Standard, March 13, 1908, via Newspapers.com:
EAGLE IRON WORKS – Joseph Duncan, Proprietor
One of the oldest and most widely established enterprises of Lykens is the Eagle Iron Works of which Joseph Duncan is proprietor. From ten to twenty skilled mechanics are employed, earning between $10,000 and $12,000 a year, which is largely distributed among the local dealers for the necessities of life. The works are thoroughly equipped with special machinery and devices for the manufacture of iron fences, drift car wheels, breaker castings, and grate bars, while stove and mill castings are made to order. Special attention is also given to repairing. Mr. Duncan is an engineering mechanic of more than ordinary ability, and one piece of work was turned out from the Eagle Iron Works under his supervision, has had the wondering admiration of coal operators miles around, and this is the pair of mammoth first motion hoisting engines built for the Lykens Valley Coal Company. To look at these engines at the shop where they are made one could hardly believe it possible for there are single actions of these mammoth hoists weighing ten tons each. Mr. Duncan is a man of sterling business qualifications has successfully operated the Eagle Iron Works since 1888, and may be said to have contributed his full share to the up-building of the borough.
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An undated, colorized portrait of Joseph Duncan (1845-1914).
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The obituary of Joseph Duncan, from the Lykens Standard, November 27, 1914:
Joseph Duncan, proprietor of the Eagle Iron Works since 1888, and one of the foremost citizens of this borough, died at his home on South Second street, at 4.45 p. m. last Saturday, after an illness of seven years of paralysis, with attending complications. Deceased was born in in England May 13, 1844, and came to this country in 1869 and located at Lykens, where he resided continuously up to the time of his death. He was the master mechanic at the Lykens Valley roundhouse for number of years after which he received the appointment of master mechanic at Short Mountain colliery, which position he, held until June 20, 1888, and two days later took charge of the Eagle Iron Works which he successfully conducted up to the time of his affliction, since which time the plant has been conducted by his sons Water Duncan and George Duncan. Mr. Duncan was thorough machinist and no piece of work was too large nor too intricate for him to handle. Among the large pieces of machinery turned out at his plant is the present hoisting engine at Short Mountain slope, one of the finest and most perfect in the coal regions of the State. Besides this master work of mechanical skill, he also made many of the most important parts of nearly every piece of machinery at Short Mountain and Summit Branch collieries, as duplicates were needed.
Mr. Duncan is survived by two sons and four daughters, viz: W. Walter Duncan, George Duncan, Elizabeth (Mrs. Fred Senior), Lykens; Hannah, (Mrs. C. M. Zerby), Steelton; Jennie (Mrs. Ed. Lamey,) Harrisburg ; Josephine (Mrs. Gust. Scheibelhood, Lykens. There are 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. His wife preceded him in death five years ago. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and served the borough as a school director several years ago.
The funeral services were conducted at his late home Tuesday afternoon by Revs. C. J. Kilgour and J. Vaughan Davies. The Episcopal choir sang two of his favorite hymns, Sun of My Soul and Jesus Lover of My Soul. The body was laid to rest on the family plot in Odd Fellows’ cemetery.
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Obituary transcribed by David Hause. Portrait from a Dauphin County biography. Eagle Iron Works workers picture cropped from a larger view found on a public tree on Ancestry.com.