Edward O'Toole

Edward O’Toole (December 27, 1866 – October 2, 1940) was an American businessman and the first general superintendent U.S. Coal & Coke Company, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel Corporation. His leadership contributed to rapid economic development in southern West Virginia. O’Toole served on the staffs of two West Virginia governors, held the position of President of the Adkins District School Board, and played a key role in organizing multiple national banks. Internationally recognized as an authority in his field, he traveled around the world advising on various mining operations. He later built a movie studio in Florida and served as an executive for Colonnade Pictures Corporation.

Early life and education Edward O’Toole was born in Salineville, Ohio, to Edward and Margaret (Collins) O'Toole. His father, born in the town of Shrule in County Mayo, Ireland in 1828, was the son of a surgeon, while his mother, born in the parish of Islandeady in County Mayo in 1828, descended from a family of noted Irish scholars and farmers. Lynch, already familiar with O'Toole's capabilities, facilitated his relocation to Gary, West Virginia, in 1903, where he assumed the role of an assistant to Jared M. B Reis, the general manager of operations. In 1904, O'Toole was promoted to become the longest-serving general superintendent in U.S. Coal & Coke Company history. By the 1930s, it had transformed into a well-established region with "top-notch schools", modern houses, and state-of-the-art mining plants. O'Toole formed a company baseball club, occasionally recruiting big-leaguers from as far as New York for important games against neighboring camps.

The town of Sarah Ann, West Virginia acquired its name from the wife of Edward O’Toole. O'Toole was manager of the coal company when the town applied to the government for a post office.

He was instrumental in the formation of the following institutions:

Motion Picture Executive O’Toole retired from U.S. Steel in 1933 at age 66, moving from McDowell County in 1935. He later resided in South Florida and California, exploring an interest in motion pictures. After studying film in California, he returned to Florida, establishing the Coral Gables Studio and serving as an executive at Collonade Pictures Corporation in Coral Gables, Florida.

Death Two months after visiting Gary and Bluefield, West Virginia, O'Toole became ill and died at his Coral Gables home in 1940.