Cornelius Comegys Jadwin

Cornelius Comegys Jadwin (March 27, 1835 – August 17, 1913) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. He was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where he attended the common schools before beginning his professional life. As a young man he taught school for four years, an early experience that reflected both his interest in education and his engagement with his local community.

After his period as a schoolteacher, Jadwin pursued studies in civil engineering and pharmacy, acquiring technical skills that would shape his early career. He was engaged as a civil and mining engineer from 1857 to 1861, working during a time when Pennsylvania’s expanding industrial and mining sectors created significant demand for such expertise. In 1862 he entered the drug business and located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where he established himself as a pharmacist and businessman. His move to Honesdale marked the beginning of a long association with that community, both commercially and civically.

Jadwin’s interest in public affairs developed alongside his business career. In Honesdale he served on the board of education of his district for nine years, reflecting his continued commitment to schooling and local governance. During this period he also held the position of president of the board of education for three years, giving him a leading role in shaping educational policy and administration in his district. His prominence in local Republican politics grew, and he was selected as a delegate to the 1880 Republican National Convention, participating in the national deliberations of his party at a pivotal moment in post–Civil War politics.

As a member of the Republican Party representing Pennsylvania, Cornelius Comegys Jadwin contributed to the legislative process during one term in office. He was elected as a Republican to the Forty-seventh Congress, serving from March 4, 1881, to March 3, 1883. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, as the nation continued to grapple with the legacies of the Civil War, industrial expansion, and evolving federal policies. During his term he participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents in Pennsylvania, aligning with the Republican agenda of the era.

In 1882 Jadwin sought to continue his congressional career but was an unsuccessful Independent candidate for reelection to the Forty-eighth Congress. After his defeat he did not return to national office and instead resumed his private pursuits. He continued the drug business in Honesdale, maintaining his role as a respected local businessman and community figure for the remainder of his life.

Cornelius Comegys Jadwin remained in Honesdale until his death there on August 17, 1913. His long career spanned education, engineering, pharmacy, local school administration, party politics, and national legislative service. He was interred in Glen Dyberry Cemetery in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, closing a life closely tied to the communities of northeastern Pennsylvania that he had served in various capacities for many decades.