John Crowther
John Crowther (1797-1861)
Born at Broseley on 7 May 1797
Managed seven blast furnaces in Staffordhsire (five at Stowheath, two at Osier Bed).
1844 Emigrated to the USA, and was employed to manage furnaces at Brady's Bend, Pa. He then adapted many furnaces in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys to use uncoked bituminous ('splint' or 'block') coal, and instructed his three sons in their management (Joshua (d.1883), Joseph J., and Benjamin).
1861 Died on 15 April at Longton, Staffs.
The above information 'History of the Manufacture of Iron in All Ages'[1]
Crowther was the first in America to smelt with raw bituminous coal, in 1846.[2]