Patrick A Barrett, managing editor of the Catholic Light , is among the prominent newspaper men and representatives citizens of Scranton. He was born at Minooka, Lackawanna [sic - Luzerne] County, 10 Mar 1859, and is the son of James and Catherine (Gilgallon) Barrett.
James Barrett was born in County Mayo, Ireland, as was his wife. Their marriage in Scranton was the first ceremony to take place in St Vincent's Catholic Church. Mr Barrett followed mining and railroading during his active career and became a leading rock contractor of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. He returned to Scranton in 1869, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of St Peter's Cathedral and the Benevolent Order of Hibernians. To Mr and Mrs Barrett, who are deceased, the following children were born: Mary, deceased, was the wife of Gus A Leuschner, lives at Pittston, PA; Patrick A, the subject of this sketch; and ten children who are deceased.
Patrick A Barrett was educated in the schools of Minooka, PA, and Niles, OH. He entered the coal mines of Pennsylvania when he was nine years old and worked as a mule driver for several years. While thus engaged he studied stenography at home and in 1876 learned the printer's trade as an apprentice on the Scranton Times where his skill in shorthand played an important part. In June, 1881, he went to Philadelphia, where he worked as a reporter on the Times , Record , and Chronicle . He returned to Scranton in 1885 and purchased the Scranton Times which he conducted successfully until 1890. Two years later he became the Elmira Telegram manager for Lackawanna County and served in this capacity for 30 years. When Bishop Hoban purchased the Catholic Light in 1922 Mr Barrett was appointed managing editor, in which capacity he now serves. He is one of the oldest newspapermen in Pennsylvania and in 1926 was tendered a banquet in commemoration of his 50 years of continuous newspaper service.
In 1883 Mr Barrett was united in marriage with Miss Isabel A Murray, the daughter of Daniel and Margaret Murray, natives of Ireland. Mrs Barrett was born at Lakewood, NJ. To Mr and Mrs Barrett were born eleven children as follows: (1) Mae, lives in Scranton. (2) Loretta H, lives in Scranton. (3) Isabella F, married Donald Haile, superintendent of Macy's store, New York Cty, and they have six children: Donald, Lawrence, Annabel, Grace Marie, Rose Marie, and Paul R. (4) James M, a World War veteran, lives in Scranton, married Aloise W O'Neil, who died 5 May 1927. They had three children: Louis Ralth, Mary Aloise, and Peggy O'Neil. (5) Ralph, a surveyor, lives in Scranton, a World War veteran, having served in France with Company F, 103rd Engineers, 28th Division. (6) Marguerite, married Walter J Reagan, lives at Dunmore, PA, and they have two children, Ann and Walter. (7) Catherine G, lives in Scranton. (8) Alice Mildred, married Jack Caffery, lives in Scranton. (9) Paul Adrian, editor of the Olyphant Gazette , and president of the Barrett Publishing Company, lives at Dunmore, PA, married Mildred Padden, and they have a son, Jerome. (10) Harold, connected with the Dunmorean , lives at home. (11) Jerome D, died in 1925, buried at St Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, PA.
Mr Barrett is a Democrat, a member of St Paul's Catholic Church and holy Name Society. He was one of the founders of the Irish-American Society of Scranton