Cornelius Atherton

Cornelius Atherton (May 8, 1737 – December 4, 1809), was an iron manufacturer, an inventor and an active gunmaker for patriot causes during the American Revolutionary War. He invented a process for making what was known as "American Steel"; he sold the patent to Frenchmen named Meers. He was superintendent of the armory at Concord owned by John Adams and John Hancock. When the British soldiers left Lexington they went on to Concord and burned the armory to the ground. All the weapons had been moved however. He and his eldest son, John Daniel are recognized as the founders of borough of Taylor, Pennsylvania.