James Corrigan (businessman)

James C. Corrigan
Born	Template:Birth date Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada
Died	December 24, 1908(1908-12-24) (aged 62)
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	Shipping, petroleum refining, iron ore extraction, steel production; founder of Corrigan, McKinney Steel

James C. Corrigan (May 1, 1846 – December 24, 1908) was a Canadian-American businessman who played significant roles in shipping, petroleum refining, iron ore extraction, and steel production. He experienced both the rise and fall of fortunes within the shipping and refining sectors and gained a reputation as one of the pivotal figures responsible for Cleveland’s development.

After relocating from Canada during his childhood, Corrigan began his career as a sailor on the Great Lakes. His work in transporting refined petroleum sparked his interest in Cleveland’s refining industry, where he accumulated considerable wealth. He broadened his business ventures to include shipping commodities such as iron ore, grain, and timber. Among his notable actions were initiating legal proceedings against John D. Rockefeller over confiscated Standard Oil shares linked to vessel mortgages, co-establishing the Lake Carriers Association, and prevailing in a landmark judicial decision that invalidated a common insurance clause on vessels.

Corrigan was an early investor in iron ore deposits throughout the Mesabi, Gogebic, Marquette, Menominee, and Vermilion ranges. What began as a modest interest in an iron ore enterprise obtained through freight payment developed into Corrigan, McKinney & Co., which became one of the largest independent iron ore distributors in the United States. Pursuing vertical integration, he invested in five iron smelting facilities before founding Corrigan, McKinney Steel shortly prior to his passing.

A passionate yachtsman, Corrigan endured a profound personal loss when his luxury yacht Idler sank near Cleveland in 1900, resulting in the deaths of nearly all members of his family. His Ohio estate transformed into the well-known Nagirroc farm located in Lake County, while his residence on Dry Island in New York stood as a regional landmark. At the time of his death, he was a multimillionaire who bequeathed substantial assets to his descendants.

Although he established five shipping companies operating on the Great Lakes and owned the largest independent iron ore mining firm in the Midwest, Corrigan is most prominently remembered for founding Corrigan, McKinney Steel.

Early life

James Corrigan entered the world on May 1, 1846, in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada. He was born to Johnson C. Corrigan and Jane (Anderson) Corrigan. Both parents had emigrated from County Mayo, Ireland—his father arriving in Dundas County, Ontario during the late 1830s—and married in 1838. James was the second child among eight siblings: John (1843), Johnson Jr. (1848), Murry (1850), Mary (1854), Robert (1856), Margaret (1858), Richard (1858), and William (1860). While his uncle Robert Corrigan found success as a farmer, James’s father remained impoverished during the 1850s without land or livestock and worked primarily as a hired laborer. The family initially lived in a rudimentary shelter until Johnson constructed a log cabin by 1861.

During his youth, James assisted his father with operating a hand pump to fill an elevated water tank for the Grand Trunk Railway east of Morrisburg—a strenuous task essential for replenishing water supplies for trains multiple times daily.

The family relocated often throughout various Ontario communities and spent eight years residing in Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequently, they farmed within Minnesota’s Red River Valley region where James eventually acquired or inherited land before returning to Ontario.

James’s mother passed away in 1861; afterward, his father remarried Sarah Wood and had two additional children named Matilda and Henry.

Emigration to the United States

James Corrigan faced a challenging upbringing under the strict supervision of his father, Johnson Corrigan. By 1860, both James and his brother John had moved out, likely working as hired farm laborers. In 1861, they emigrated to Ogdensburg, New York, USA. At the age of 17, James embarked on a six-year career as a Great Lakes schooner sailor. Around 1867–68, he captained the sloop Trial, transporting refined petroleum from Cleveland to Port Stanley, Ontario, and eventually acquired the vessel in 1869. A notable event during this period was his rescue of a sailor swept overboard during a storm on Lake Erie.

Petroleum refining

During the winter months when the Great Lakes were frozen, James engaged in petroleum refining experiments in Cleveland with assistance from a German chemistry professor. In 1870, his brother John launched a modest crude oil refinery on Walworth Run. The following year, James opened his own refinery on Walworth Run under the name Corrigan & Wells, processing daily volumes that ranked among Cleveland’s largest at that time. By 1872, the business was renamed Corrigan & Timmins and then became Corrigan & Co. in 1873, reflecting James’s position as majority stakeholder.

Corrigan & Co.’s Excelsior Oil Works experienced swift growth, doubling its processing capacity to per day by 1875 with facilities situated near Train Avenue on Walworth Run. This particular refinery should not be confused with Standard Oil’s nearby Excelsior Oil Works located on Kingsbury Run, which served as their primary facility known as Standard Oil Works No. 1.

In 1874, James brought John into the enterprise under the name Corrigan Brothers. James innovated a proprietary refining technique to crack specialty oils from crude petroleum, producing mineral seal oil, cylinder oil, and paraffin wax—products that were eventually licensed by Standard Oil of Ohio.

Around 1872, Corrigan also invested in additional refineries, though ownership specifics remain unclear. At their peak performance, the Corrigans’ refining operations generated annual revenues near $300,000.

In 1879, after founding the Ohio Nut & Bolt Co. in 1878 on Division Street—a move marking diversification into iron manufacturing and smelting—James leased his refinery to Standard Oil.

During this period, Corrigan moved to Galicia (then part of Austria-Hungary), where he leased oil fields and constructed refineries near Grybów and Kolomyia. Standard Oil contributed $32,000 toward his $40,000 refinery project there. However, these fields produced less than 100,000 barrels by 1880 and yielded crude oil of poor quality that was difficult to refine.

In 1881, he sold his Cleveland refinery to Standard Oil in exchange for stock and returned to the United States in 1882. By early 1883, he had established a new refinery on Walworth Run and continued active involvement in refining operations through at least 1885.

By 1886, Corrigan assumed the presidency of Dangler Naphtha Refining Company—a specialty refinery supported by Standard Oil and led by David A. Dangler of Crystal Carbon Company.

By 1887, Corrigan departed from petroleum refining to concentrate on shipping enterprises while Dangler Naphtha maintained independent operations.

The "Corrigan fleet" and Corrigan, Huntington and Co.

Throughout his life, Corrigan founded five shipping companies. Prior to establishing his first two corporations in 1893, he personally owned vessels collectively referred to as the "Corrigan fleet." He acquired low-cost boats which he operated intensively and insured extensively. His steamships were distinguished by black hulls paired with stacks and reddish-brown cabins.

His involvement in shipping began in 1872; however, fleet building commenced in earnest by 1877 with a schooner co-owned alongside his brother John—the Hippogriff—which sank later that same year following a collision. Subsequently, he purchased schooners Niagara for $31,000 and Richards for $8,000 in 1883; he sold the latter vessel in 1888.

By December 1885, Corrigan expanded rapidly by acquiring steamers Raleigh at $40,000 and Lucerne at $20,000 while selling minority shares to William S. Mack. The Lucerne sank in 1886. That year also saw him purchase stakes in schooner James Couch ($6,222) and barge R.J. Carney ($12,000), selling the barge three years later in 1889. Collaborating with oil tycoon John Huntington, Corrigan acquired steamer Australasia and schooner Polynesia for $160,000.

In October 1886, he established "James Corrigan, Huntington & Co." alongside John and William R. Huntington as a joint-stock company valued at $200,000. Ownership of principal vessels transferred to this firm under Corrigan’s management. Early in 1887, he sold interests in several ships to this company for $160,000.

Corrigan became a member of the Cleveland Vessel Owners' Association (CVOA) in April 1886—a powerful organization influencing inland waterway policies by advocating for improved shipping channels and port infrastructure enhancements. He actively participated in CVOA meetings hosted at his Cleveland offices.

In early 1887, he repurchased James Couch and Raleigh from the company and jointly acquired schooners George W. Adams and David Dows with his brother for $125,000; these vessels may have been leased back to Corrigan, Huntington & Co.

By 1889, Corrigan’s shipping enterprises had elevated him to millionaire status.

Rockefeller lawsuit

The Panic of 1893 triggered critical cash flow problems for Corrigan, leading him to seek a $400,000 loan from John D. Rockefeller, Standard Oil’s principal shareholder and a fellow Cleveland native, to settle debts related to ship acquisitions. This loan was secured by Corrigan’s shares in Standard Oil. When Corrigan later requested the return of his stock by offering ships as security, Rockefeller declined. After Corrigan ceased interest payments in 1894, Rockefeller allowed the interest to accumulate and then proposed purchasing the shares at $168 each to offset the outstanding debt.

Corrigan consented only if Standard Oil provided comprehensive financial records from the previous five years—a condition Rockefeller refused. Under pressure from Rockefeller’s brother Frank, Corrigan sold his shares in February 1895 at $168 per share, a price above market value and consistent with offers extended to others. The stock price subsequently rose to $185 a month later, prompting Corrigan to accuse Rockefeller of fraudulent undervaluation and file a lawsuit in July 1897, claiming the shares were worth $350 each.

The matter proceeded to arbitration, during which Rockefeller granted full access to Standard Oil’s confidential financial information. In April 1899, the arbitrators ruled in favor of Rockefeller. Dissatisfied, Corrigan rejected this outcome and resumed legal action. A trial held in April 1900 ruled against Corrigan, a decision upheld by Ohio appellate courts in 1901.

Corrigan appealed to the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1902, but the court upheld the prior rulings, emphasizing that arbitration decisions are binding unless fraud or error is proven. This case was among the earliest in the United States to examine the use of arbitrator testimony as grounds for contesting an award in court.

Hopkins Steamship, Corrigan Transit, and Wickliffe Transit

Following the Panic of 1890, Corrigan recommenced acquiring vessels. In 1891, he and his brother John jointly owned the steam-powered barge Samuel Neff, valued at $7,000. The following year, James purchased the schooner J.I. Case. In 1893, Corrigan co-founded the Michigan-based Hopkins Steamship Company alongside partners such as Mark Hopkins and F.W. Wheeler. Hopkins and Wheeler co-invested in the construction of the steel-hulled steamship Centurion, costing $200,000 and becoming the flagship of their fleet. Corrigan divested from Hopkins Steamship in 1896.

Also in 1893, Corrigan established Corrigan Transit (James Corrigan Transportation Co.), transferring ownership of his vessels into this company. By 1900, Corrigan Transit operated a fleet of twelve ships. In March 1900, he formed Wickliffe Transit Company and transferred ownership of a wooden steamer to this new entity.

Formation of the Lake Carriers Association

During the late 1800s, multiple local organizations represented owners of Great Lakes vessels. By 1892, Cleveland shipowners sought a more robust regional organization to advocate for shipping improvements at both federal and state levels. Corrigan and Morris A. Bradley, owner of Bradley Transportation, proposed consolidating the Cleveland Vessel Owners' Association with the Buffalo-based Lake Carriers Association. The CVOA appointed a committee including Corrigan to oversee this merger effort, which largely succeeded due to his leadership.

Corrigan officially joined the Lake Carriers Association on April 16, 1892; shortly thereafter, on April 28, the two groups merged. He was elected to serve on the LCA’s inaugural board of directors and advanced to vice president in January 1893 before becoming president in January 1894.

Litigation over the "ice clause"

In April 1898, the consort vessel Northwest, owned by Corrigan, Huntington & Co., sank after colliding with thick ice in the Straits of Mackinac. At that period, most marine insurance contracts contained an "ice clause" that exempted insurers from liability for ice-related damage unless the ship was specifically equipped for navigating icy waters.

Corrigan filed a claim for $18,000 with Chicago Insurance Co. to cover the loss of Northwest, but the insurer rejected the claim citing the "ice clause". Corrigan initiated legal action in Ohio's Court of Common Pleas. His legal counsel contended that the policy was a standard template designed for different vessel categories; since consorts like Northwest were never outfitted with metal reinforcement for ice navigation, the "ice clause" should not be enforceable. Furthermore, no reinforcement could have prevented damage occurring below the hull's waterline.

The jury found the application of the "ice clause" to consorts invalid and awarded Corrigan $10,434 in damages. This ruling established an important legal precedent in Ohio by nullifying the "ice clause" in such cases, influencing maritime insurance policies throughout the region.

Initial mining ventures

Leveraging his background in coal and iron ore transportation, Corrigan ventured into mining enterprises, starting with co-founding the Duluth Lime & Coal Company in Duluth, Minnesota in April 1886 alongside John Corrigan and six investors from Cleveland.

Between 1886 and early 1887, Corrigan exchanged his family farm in Minnesota for $30,000 worth of stock in Gogebic Range mines owned by John E. Burton. However, during the 1887–1888 recession, this stock lost value sharply, prompting Corrigan to sue for fraud; ultimately, the jury ruled against him.

Around this time, Corrigan collaborated with Standard Oil co-founder Stephen V. Harkness to establish Iron Belt Mining Company in March 1887. With Harkness as president and Corrigan as vice-president, they secured a 20-year lease on the Iron Belt Mine near Iron Belt, Wisconsin. The mine was sold in December 1889 for $150,000.

Corrigan also joined forces with Daniel M. Harkness and others to create Eureka Iron Mining Company, acquiring Portage Lake Mine (later known as Dangler Mine) and Ryan Mine near Hurley, Wisconsin. A significant ore discovery occurred in September 1889. The Dangler mine was eventually renamed Eureka Mine but was depleted by 1895; the company dissolved by 1902.

In November 1887, Corrigan helped establish Aurora Mining Company with Cleveland railroad tycoon Stevenson Burke and merchant Franklin T. Ives. They purchased Aurora Mine near Ironwood, Michigan, where Corrigan became vice-president in 1889. The company was renamed Penokee & Gogebic Development Co. in 1888 and sold the mine in 1899.

Corrigan became a member of the Western Iron Ore Association—a consortium of iron ore producers west of the Allegheny Mountains. By 1892, his mining interests on the Gogebic Range were described as "immense" by the Duluth News Tribune.

Mining ventures alongside Frank Rockefeller

Starting in 1892, James Corrigan partnered with Frank Rockefeller, Standard Oil executive and brother of John D. Rockefeller. Sharing bold and aggressive business styles, they developed a close partnership centered on iron mining. In late 1892, they toured the productive Iron Belt Mine on Wisconsin’s Gogebic Range and inspected Franklin and New England mines on Minnesota’s Mesabi Range during 1893.

By June 1893, they acquired substantial holdings in New England Mine—later renamed Commodore—and purchased adjoining Franklin Mine by November. They established Franklin Iron Mining Co. to operate Franklin Mine and incorporated Commodore Mining Co. to manage Commodore Mine operations. Additionally, Franklin Iron Mining Co. obtained a short-term lease on Bessemer Mine, which transferred to Oliver Mining Co. in 1898.

That same year, Corrigan and Rockefeller purchased land known as Victoria Mine; however, it failed to yield ore and was sold off in 1898. They also secured options on other properties from Detroit businessman W.C. Yawkey but ceased exploration after no ore deposits were found.

Subsequently, they leased a tract called "Williams 40," part of former Cincinnati Mine property—the site where Mesabi Range’s first commercially viable iron ore was discovered in 1891. In late 1895, their expansion included leasing Zenith and Pioneer mines on Minnesota’s Vermilion Range—their initial investments there—but these leases were relinquished by 1898 due to lack of profitability. Efforts to lease adjacent Sibley and Berringer lands did not succeed.

Throughout these endeavors, Rockefeller maintained controlling interests in principal companies such as Franklin Iron Mining Co., while Corrigan financed his shares partially through mortgages linked to Standard Oil stock holdings—reflecting intricate financial ties within their mining operations.

Dalliba, Hussey and Company

Dalliba, Hussey & Co. was established in January 1887 by James H. Dalliba, an experienced mining operator; Horace P. Hussey from the brokerage firm Hussey, Hoyt & Co.; and Moore, Benjamin & Co., known for developing iron mines on the Gogebic Range. The enterprise handled the sale of ore from five Gogebic Range mines, along with one mine each on the Marquette and Menominee Ranges, all under the control of Moore, Benjamin & Co.

The company frequently extended substantial loans to ore purchasers, which put considerable pressure on its financial stability. During the summer of 1887, Nat D. Moore of Moore, Benjamin & Co. advised seeking additional capital. Subsequently, Hussey, Hoyt & Co. brought in James Corrigan, who acquired Moore’s stake for $30,000. Corrigan joined the firm in August 1887 under the same business name and took over all associated assets and liabilities.

After Moore, Benjamin & Co. collapsed in November 1887, Dalliba, Hussey & Co. was dissolved by February 1888. In March 1888, Corrigan partnered with investor Stevenson Burke to create Dalliba, Corrigan & Co. That year, investors initiated legal action against Atlantic Mining Co. over undelivered ore shipments and obtained a partial leasehold interest in the Atlantic Mine near Hurley, Wisconsin.

Dalliba, Corrigan & Co. ceased operations in 1891; thereafter, James Corrigan formed a partnership with Franklin T. Ives called Corrigan, Ives & Co., while Dalliba stayed on as a salesman until January 1892. However, Dalliba never received his entitled share from the dissolved partnership.

Within two weeks after Dalliba's exit, Corrigan filed a lawsuit against him and Hussey for $41,000 alleging fraud and financial misrepresentation; in response, Dalliba counterclaimed for unpaid commissions and partnership interests exceeding $13,000. The Ohio Court of Common Pleas ruled against Corrigan in June 1892 due to statute of limitations constraints and determined that any misrepresentations were attributable to Moore, Benjamin & Co., not to Dalliba or Hussey.

Corrigan appealed this decision but the judgment was upheld in December 1892. Following this outcome, Dalliba and Hussey initiated lawsuits against Corrigan demanding $50,000 each for property seizures that damaged their reputations; these cases were either dismissed or resolved by 1894.

This sequence of legal battles underscores the financial hazards and intricate partnerships characteristic of iron ore marketing during the Gogebic mining surge in the late nineteenth century.

Standard Ore

Formed in Duluth in August 1892 by Henry W. Oliver, Chester A. Congdon, Francis A. Bates, among others, Standard Ore operated mines such as the Cincinnati Mine near Biwabik, Minnesota and Missabe Mountain Mine close to Virginia, Minnesota. Stevenson Burke assumed the presidency in October 1892.

Standard Ore promptly secured an exclusive five-year contract with Corrigan, Ives & Co. to handle its iron ore sales, elevating Corrigan, Ives to one of the largest iron ore marketing firms nationwide. By April 1893, James Corrigan had become a shareholder in Standard Ore.

Corrigan, Ives and Company

Established by James Corrigan in January 1891 with partners Franklin T. Ives and Stevenson Burke, Corrigan, Ives & Co. briefly included iron ore dealer H.P. Lillibridge as a partner before his withdrawal.

The company managed ore sales from a wide array of mines including Aurora, Atlantic, Crystal Falls, Buffalo, Cambria, Commodore, Dunn, Eureka, Lallie, Mansfield, Sunday Lake, Armenia, Claire, Franklin, Iron Belt, Lucy, Pewabic, Millie, Pearce, Peninsula, Sterling, Prince of Wales, Queen, and South Buffalo mines. Rapidly ascending to become a prominent dealer of both iron ore and pig iron at a national level—with James Corrigan amassing earnings exceeding one million dollars—the firm was significantly influential.

However, the Panic of 1893 led to the bankruptcy of Corrigan, Ives & Co., as numerous customers defaulted on payments for substantial ore shipments. The company had issued over $1 million worth of notes purchased by Milwaukee entrepreneur Ferdinand Schlesinger—who owned multiple mines represented by Corrigan, Ives as their sales agent.

Receivership

In July 1893, Stevenson Burke requested an Ohio court to appoint a receiver, accusing Corrigan of withdrawing $100,000 for personal purposes. Subsequently, on July 8, the court designated Burke's son-in-law, Price McKinney, as the receiver.

Corrigan sought to negotiate debt settlements with Milwaukee banks that had extended significant loans to Corrigan, Ives & Co., offering to pay 75% of the owed amounts. This proposal was ultimately declined by the banks.

McKinney’s preliminary findings reported no missing funds but uncovered outstanding freight charges dating back to June 1893. These were connected to a $270,000 advance made by Corrigan, Ives to Ferdinand Schlesinger for railroad freight services. Schlesinger’s failure to repay this advance contributed to cash flow difficulties.

Operations during receivership

Rather than proceed with liquidation, the court permitted Corrigan, Ives & Co. to reorganize under McKinney’s management. Despite facing financial hardships—including a labor disturbance over wages at the Franklin Mine and the August 1893 shutdown of the Commodore and Franklin mines—the company continued generating profits.

In January 1894, Corrigan, Ives secured leases for the Buffalo and Queen Mines located in Michigan's Marquette Iron Range at a cost of $400,000. The following month, they acquired the Sunday Lake Mine through a court ruling and sheriff’s sale triggered by Sunday Lake & Gogebic Co.’s bankruptcy. Corrigan, McKinney & Co. took ownership and restructured Buffalo Mining Co. to operate the Buffalo Mine.

By August 1893, most creditors in Milwaukee had agreed to debt resolutions. The Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Bank accepted shipments of iron ore as repayment for loans totaling $164,925.

The Commercial Bank of Milwaukee asserted a claim for a $134,894 loan extended to Corrigan, Ives & Co., which McKinney disputed. Although the bank won a local court decision in 1896, it was overturned on appeal when the Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed the case in 1897.

Gold and silver mines

In April 1895, Ferdinand Schlesinger—then bankrupt—sold most of his mining assets, including the El Concheno gold and silver mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, to James Corrigan, Stevenson Burke, and Price McKinney. Corrigan financed a railroad spur connecting to the mine and installed crushers along with a milling facility. He later sold this mine in December 1906 for $1,000,000 (equivalent to roughly $ in dollars).

Additionally, Corrigan invested in the Ohio Mining Co., which commenced operations at a gold mine in Elizabethtown, New Mexico, in January 1900.

Corrigan, McKinney and Co.

On March 15, 1894, Corrigan, Ives & Co. reorganized as Corrigan, McKinney & Co., with Price McKinney joining as partner following Franklin T. Ives’s departure.

Soon after restructuring, Corrigan, Burke, McKinney, and associates established the Sunday Lake Mining Co. and Queen Iron Mining Co., each capitalized at $500,000 to manage several mines on behalf of Corrigan, McKinney.

In September 1895, the firm leased the Bessemer, Commodore, and Victoria mines from James Corrigan and Franklin Rockefeller.

By January 1898, Corrigan and his partners created the Crystal Falls Iron Mining Co., consolidating operations at the Crystal Falls Mine. To enhance mine profitability, Corrigan advocated for reduced railroad freight rates in Minnesota. Under pressure from John D. Rockefeller to repay loans in April 1898, Corrigan and Franklin divested their interests in the Franklin Mine at a considerable loss; ownership transferred to either Oliver Mining Co., Republic Iron & Steel Co., or Lake Superior Consolidated Mines.

During 1898, Corrigan, McKinney acquired both the Lincoln Mine near Crystal Falls and its neighboring Great Western Mine. Initially operated by Crystal Falls Mining Co., these properties were later managed by entities formed specifically for them in 1899.

By 1900, U.S. Steel had become dominant in iron ore production across the Great Lakes region. The leading independent producers included Corrigan, McKinney & Co., Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, and Rockefeller’s Lake Superior Consolidated Mines.

Corrigan ceased active involvement in mining operations by 1903. Between 1902 and 1903, Corrigan and McKinney leased land from Minnesota property owner Edmund J. Longyear where they discovered a substantial iron ore deposit named St. Paul Mine. In April 1903, Corrigan, McKinney and J.E. Ferris invested $100,000 (approximately $ in dollars) to establish the St. Paul Iron Mining Co., which managed mining activities at this site.

Smelting

By 1905, Corrigan, McKinney & Co. had established ownership over one of the largest groups of blast furnaces in the United States. Despite being the second-largest shipper of iron ore after U.S. Steel, the firm continued to buy ore from external mines to keep its furnaces operational. James Corrigan’s personal financial interests were closely tied to the company’s smelting activities.

The River Furnace

Corrigan, McKinney & Co. began producing pig iron in 1894 by leasing the River Furnace from the Cleveland Iron Company. Situated on Cleveland's Scranton Peninsula, this furnace benefited from a strategic location near major transportation lines and access to the Cuyahoga River. The company swiftly enhanced the coal unloading docks and successfully "blew in" the furnace—initiating iron smelting—by August 10. The River Furnace had a daily production capacity of approximately 220 short tons annually.

On March 6, 1895, James Corrigan, Stevenson Burke, Earnest T. Laundon, C.W. Marsh, and Price McKinney founded the River Furnace and Dock Co. to manage furnace operations. Both this entity and Corrigan, McKinney & Co. terminated their lease agreements on the River Furnace in August 1907.

The Charlotte Furnace

The company expanded its blast furnace holdings with a second acquisition in 1895.

Originally constructed between 1872 and 1873 in Scottdale, Pennsylvania by National Pipe and Foundry Co. (which later became United States Cast Iron Pipe Co.), the Charlotte Furnace had an annual output capacity of . It was taken out of operation in 1890.

Corrigan, McKinney & Co. leased the Charlotte Furnace for a five-year term beginning in May 1895 and restarted it on July 16 of that year. After requiring a comprehensive overhaul and replacement of its bosh—the vital section where ore melts—the furnace was shut down again on November 10, 1895. Operations resumed in July 1896 with an enhanced capacity of .

The company managed the furnace until 1905. In June, James Corrigan, Price McKinney, and Amos E. Gillespie established the Scottdale Furnace Company with a capitalization of $50,000 to independently oversee the furnace while Corrigan, McKinney & Co. maintained the lease.

The Charlotte Furnace ceased operations in December 1907. Subsequently, Corrigan, McKinney dismantled the original structure and constructed a new furnace featuring an annual capacity of , which commenced production in 1911, three years following James Corrigan’s passing.

The Douglas Furnace

In 1896, Corrigan, McKinney & Co. added a third blast furnace to their portfolio.

The Douglas Furnace located in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania was built in 1870 and began functioning by March 1871 under investors James Pierce, Jonas J. Pierce, Wallace Pierce, and George D. Kelly. This furnace had an annual output capacity of . In August 1892, Forsythe, Hyde & Co., based in Chicago, Illinois, leased it.

After Forsythe, Hyde & Co.'s collapse in 1893, Corrigan, Ives & Co. obtained a $105,000 judgment against the Douglas Furnace that July. Meanwhile, the Commercial Bank of Milwaukee secured a $130,000 attachment on pig iron produced by Forsythe, Hyde & Co.; however, when the Mercer County sheriff seized and sold this pig iron without honoring the attachment, the bank failed. Subsequently, Corrigan, Ives & Co. entered receivership and faced litigation from the bank. The sheriff confiscated the Douglas Furnace in September 1895. Following reorganization as Corrigan, McKinney & Co., they took over the lease and resumed operations on May 1, 1896.

The furnace owners pursued legal action against Corrigan, McKinney & Co. for unpaid rent amounting to $16,000; they prevailed in May 1897 with their victory confirmed upon appeal later that year.

In 1895, Carnegie Steel Company acquired ownership of the Douglas Furnace. When Corrigan, McKinney's lease expired on May 7, 1898, Carnegie Steel opted not to renew it and assumed direct management of the facility.

The Genesee Furnace

In 1902, Corrigan, McKinney & Co. expanded their holdings by acquiring their fourth blast furnace.

Originally constructed in 1868 by Charlotte Iron Works in Charlotte, New York, the Genesee Furnace underwent reconstruction in 1884, achieving an annual output of . By June 1902, Corrigan, McKinney & Co. had purchased this facility and invested approximately $100,000 ($ adjusted for inflation) to reline the furnace and install new stoves, which elevated daily production to . Additionally, the company secured limestone quarries located near Le Roy, New York and Gouverneur, New York to ensure a steady supply of smelting raw materials.

September 1903 saw the formation of the Genesee Furnace Company by James Corrigan, Stevenson Burke, Price McKinney, and Joseph Hartley. This new entity was capitalized at $50,000 ($ adjusted) to manage furnace operations.

The furnace ceased operations in December 1903 for enhancements that included relining, installation of four new boilers, a radial fan engine to improve air blast, and new trestles designed for handling coke and limestone. These upgrades increased daily capacity from to . Early 1904 brought further investment of $175,000 ($ adjusted), which added two locomotives and an electrical power plant.

Towards the end of 1904, the furnace was again shut down for significant expansion efforts: a second stack was erected to double production capacity; three additional stoves were installed to improve hot air delivery; and a dock facility on Lake Ontario was constructed to accommodate larger ore shipments. This phase of improvements totaled $500,000 ($ adjusted). In September 1905, operations paused once more to rebuild the original stack, fit ore and limestone elevators, and perform a comprehensive overhaul costing $66,000 ($ adjusted), with production resuming in January 1906.

On April 1, 1908, the company upgraded from outdated boilers to modern tube boilers. They also installed a feed water heater and pumps, relined the furnaces again, and built a new hoist powered by engines designed by Otis Elevator Co. One stove was converted into a three-pass "McClure" design, resulting in a 30% increase in daily output to . The furnace recommenced operation on August 9.

The Josephine Furnace

Due to inconsistent coke availability, Corrigan and McKinney decided to establish their own coking operation. In February 1903, they acquired between and acres of coal-rich land in Pennsylvania.

Arthur Gould Yates, president of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway (BR&P), persuaded James Corrigan and Price McKinney to locate the new coking plant near Bell's Mills in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Plans swiftly expanded to include construction of a blast furnace at this site. Alongside the industrial facilities, approximately 165 residences were built for employees and management. The newly formed community was named Josephine, honoring the wife of stockholder Edward Burke.

The Josephine Furnace represented Western Pennsylvania’s first modern coke-fueled blast furnace. Established as a corporation in October 1905 by Corrigan, McKinney, and five additional investors, the Josephine Furnace Company managed both the blast furnace and coking operations.

Buoyed by initial success, Corrigan and McKinney announced plans in April 1907 for a second blast furnace with an investment of $1 million ($ adjusted). Although James Corrigan passed away prior to its completion, construction finished in June 1910. The new furnace began production in March 1911.

Corrigan, McKinney Steel

The lease for Cleveland's River Furnace, held by Corrigan, McKinney & Co., expired in August 1907. The company had already declared in December 1906 that it would not seek renewal.

Originally, James Corrigan and Price McKinney intended to construct one or two new blast furnaces along the Cuyahoga River. In January 1907, they entered negotiations with the State of Ohio to lease land at the Weigh Lock, located where the Ohio and Erie Canal commenced on the Cuyahoga River. During Tom L. Johnson’s mayoral term, the river’s path was altered in 1906 by cutting through a peninsula, which created a new turning basin and involved dredging approximately 1,200 feet of the river at a cost of $275,000 (equivalent to roughly $8 million today). These modifications enhanced navigation and reclaimed land for industrial development. After Johnson’s defeat in the 1909 election, his successor Herman C. Baehr finalized the river channel and turning basin projects. The State of Ohio leased only about 15 acres of this reclaimed land for an annual fee of $1,221.60; meanwhile, Corrigan, McKinney acquired an additional 10 acres nearby in February 1907.

Later that year, executives at Corrigan, McKinney & Co. resolved to move beyond operating just a pig iron blast furnace. By mid-1908, they had secured approximately 30 acres on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River between Houston Street and Clark Avenue, extending from the riverfront to rail lines including those of the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad.

On July 31, 1908, the company revealed plans for a substantial industrial complex featuring at least two pig iron blast furnaces and a steel plate mill with an annual output capacity of 100,000 tons. The estimated investment for this facility was $2.5 million (equivalent to about $70 million today). Site preparation began on August 1, 1908, with expectations that furnaces and ore docks would be operational within twelve months. James Corrigan passed away in December 1908 before witnessing the plant’s completion.

Passion for yachting

James Corrigan was an avid yachtsman throughout his life. He owned several recreational vessels including schooner yachts such as Jane Anderson (1878), Flora (1883), and Wasp (1892). Notably, Corrigan successfully navigated the Jane Anderson through a severe storm with gale-force winds back to safety in Cleveland.

In 1888, Corrigan partnered with banker John P. Huntington to purchase the steam yacht Nautilus, investing $15,000 into its upgrades. Corrigan later sold his stake in 1892 for $22,000.

Additionally, he owned a rare Lake Erie catamaran named Cyclone, which was moored at Put-in-Bay Yacht Club. The vessel sank in 1889 after developing a leak; Corrigan was rescued by a nearby fishing tug during the incident.

The Sinking of the Idler

In October 1899, Corrigan acquired the luxury schooner yacht Idler for approximately $12,000. At the time of purchase, the vessel, designed for ocean racing, was in a deteriorated state. Corrigan invested an additional $8,000 to extensively renovate and restore the yacht, which involved nearly rebuilding the hull and enhancing the interior living spaces.

On June 8, 1900, while conducting handling tests on Lake Erie, the Idler was caught in a sudden thunderstorm that almost caused it to capsize. During this event, Corrigan sustained injuries as he was lowering the sails. Around June 30, the yacht set sail from Cleveland toward Lake St. Clair with Corrigan’s family aboard: his wife Ida Belle; daughters Jane and Ida May; eldest daughter Nettie Rieley accompanied by her infant daughter Mary; along with other relatives of John Corrigan.

By July 6 at Port Huron, James Corrigan departed due to illness, with Viola Gilbert accompanying him back to Cleveland. John Corrigan also left for business matters in Buffalo.

On July 8 near noon while nearing Cleveland, Captain Charles J. Holmes noticed an approaching squall. Despite mate Samuel Biggam’s warnings to reduce sail area, Holmes is reported to have dismissed these cautions. Shortly before 2 PM and about northwest of Cleveland, strong winds struck as the crew was furling sails.

Within moments, the Idler heeled over twice onto its starboard side before water rushed in through open hatches and ports. The yacht sank stern-first after resting on its side for nearly three minutes. Tragically, all passengers except infant Mary perished; however, the captain and crew survived.

Corrigan attributed the disaster to Captain Holmes’ negligence in managing sails during the storm.

On November 10, the Cuyahoga County Coroner declared the fatalities accidental.

Captain Holmes was arrested on July 18 on federal manslaughter charges but faced trial delays. Ultimately, the case was dismissed in February 1902 due to absence of critical witnesses.

After the tragedy, Corrigan initially planned to scrap the Idler, but on July 10 he transferred ownership to Albert R. Rumsey.

Politics

In April 1887, James Corrigan ran as the Republican nominee for Cleveland treasurer but was defeated by Democrat Thomas Axworthy with a vote split of 59.6% to 39.3%. He was also a founding member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce established in April 1893.

Personal life

James Corrigan was recognized for his robust physique, modest preferences, and lack of interest in elite social circles. Described by Iron Trade magazine as fearless, sincere, and straightforward, he was also praised for his warmth and compassion. Upon his passing, associates emphasized his bravery, honesty, loyalty, and gentle nature.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Corrigan held memberships in several distinguished clubs such as the Union Club, Euclid Golf Club, and Roadside Club.

Family

On July 29, 1875, Corrigan wed Ida Belle Allen from Cleveland. Their family included three daughters—Jane (born 1877), Jeanette (known as Nettie, born 1878), and Ida May (born 1885)—along with a son, James W., who was born in Austrian Galicia in 1880. James Jr. survived the sinking of the Idler and was residing in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake.

In 1901, Corrigan acknowledged Letha House of Ohio as his niece after she traced her maternal lineage to Margaret Corrigan Brewster in Tacoma, Washington.

Homes

Throughout his life, James Corrigan owned multiple residences in Cleveland, such as those at 271 Clinton Avenue (1883–1884) and 364 Franklin Avenue (1885–1886). In 1887, he purchased a newly constructed house located at 1340 Willson Avenue, where he remained during the Idler tragedy.

In 1906, Corrigan bought the home of A.B. Foster, an executive at Cleveland Electrical Manufacturing, situated at 8114 Euclid Avenue for $25,000. The property underwent extensive renovations by Searles, Hirsh & Gavin, transforming the two-and-a-half-story brick structure from 10 to 19 rooms and adding four bathrooms at a remodeling expense of $10,000. Additionally, Corrigan commissioned stables on the grounds for $7,500.

Corrigan also kept a secondary estate named Nagirroc in Wickliffe, Ohio. The initial 56-acre tract was acquired by Ida Belle Corrigan in 1891. Around 1892, James Corrigan constructed a sizable vernacular-style residence featuring formal gardens and exotic plantings. He expanded this property by nearly 13 acres in 1904 and invested $10,000 in major upgrades in 1906.

In 1901, Corrigan purchased Dry Island—a 25-acre island located in the St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ontario. Between 1904 and 1905, he built a luxurious three-story mansion with 38 rooms on the island, furnished with upscale décor including oriental rugs. The residence alone cost $20,000; overall improvements on the island totaled $580,000 with furnishings accounting for an additional $50,000. This estate was regarded as a prestigious display of residential opulence.

Death

Generally enjoying good health throughout his life, James Corrigan became ill in May 1888 due to an unspecified ailment. On September 10, 1908, while at his summer home in Wickliffe, Ohio, he developed peritonitis. His condition deteriorated quickly, prompting consultations with four physicians by September 14. Although gravely ill on September 15, he managed to recover and resumed work by mid-October.

Later that year in December 1908, Corrigan was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent an appendectomy on December 24. Unfortunately, surgical complications led to his passing that same day at his Euclid Avenue residence. His funeral took place at home under the direction of Rev. J.D. Williamson, and he was interred in the family plot at Lake View Cemetery.

At the time of his death, Corrigan’s estate was estimated at $10 million. This included mines personally owned valued at $750,000 and a summer home appraised at $38,000. His will did not include charitable donations; instead, assets were distributed among family members and trusted associates. His son—his only surviving heir—also received $250,000 from life insurance proceeds.

In September 1907, the Frontier Steamship Co., based in Tonawanda, New York, announced plans to build a large lake freighter bearing James Corrigan’s name. Constructed by Great Lakes Engineering Works in Detroit, the vessel measured 550 feet in length with a beam of 56 feet and a draft of 31 feet. It had a carrying capacity of 10,000 ST and was powered by triple expansion steam engines fueled by Scotch boilers. The James Corrigan was launched from the Ecorse yard in Michigan on May 16, 1908.

James Corrigan left a lasting mark on Cleveland’s development. The Plain Dealer praised him as "one of the group of men who made Cleveland" through his vision of the city’s strategic advantages and efforts to build it into a major urban center. By 1908, his fleet represented the largest independent shipping operation in the United States and ranked among the most significant on the Great Lakes. Furthermore, he remained one of the nation’s leading independent iron mine proprietors.