THOMAS EDISON

Thomas Edison’s most noteworthy contribution to the Franklin-Ogdensburg mining district was to serve as a innovator in mining and milling methods, including new techniques in blasting, conveying, crushing, and magnetic separation. His renowned electrical and telephone systems were employed in Franklin and Ogdensburg at an early time. 

F. Fichter Hoagan, the facilities manager at Idyleaase for Dr. Daniel Drake often reminisced of the days when Edison would spend the evening at Idylease while working on a magnetic ore extracting device at the Franklin/Ogdensberg Mine. Newfoundland served as the half-way point between Edison's lab in West Orange, NJ and he would stop to have his car serviced at a garage in Newfoundland. He would spend the night at Idylease before proceeding on to the Franklin mines. Edison was no stranger to Newfoundland. He had filmed scenes from "The Great Train Robbery" in Echo Lake.

CONGRESSWOMAN MARY T. NORTON

Mary Teresa Norton (March 7, 1875 – August 2, 1959) was an American politician. The sixth woman in the United States Congress, she was the first from an Eastern state (New Jersey), and the first non-Republican (she was a Democrat). She went on to serve an unprecedented 13 consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives, from 1925 to 1951, and chaired four committees. She was a labor advocate and a supporter of women's rights. During the late 1920’s Ms.Norton was a regular guest at Idylease.