A list of the enterprising business men of Lackawanna county would be incomplete without the name of Ralph Harwood, of Dunmore. He is the son of William and Jane (McCarty) Harwood, both natives of England, where their son Ralph was born in 1860.
Mr Harwood was educated in his native country, where he remained until 1881, when he emigrated to Canada. After living there three years he came in 1884 to the United States, and settled in Pennsylvania, making his home in Dunmore, where he has since remained. In 1890 he built the house in which he has since resided, and which he has improved as occasion demanded. In 1893 he embarked in his present business, not with the intention of making it financially profitable, but for his own benefit and gratification. He soon became convinced, however, from demands made upon him that the enterprise might be made something more than a mere pleasure. He then enlarged the scale of his business and became at once a regular florist, making a specialty of carnations and violets. Not only does Mr Harwood raise plants and flowers, but he also cultivates and disposes of Vegetables of various kinds for domestic trade and consumption. He is an experienced landscape gardener, pays particular attention to that department of his business, and his patronage is increasing year by year. In politics he is an ardent Democrat. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
On 8 Feb 1888 Mr Harwood married Mary Ann, born in Ireland, 20 Sep 1865, daughter of Michael and Winnie Burke , the former a leading merchant tailor of Dunmore. Mr and Mrs Harwood have been the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living: Lizzie who was born in 1890; Ralph who was born in 1895; Beatrice who was born in 1897; Walter who was born in 1899; and Albert who was born in 1902.