USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 12
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schools as were held in his native district, and early in life lcarned the machinists' trade at Fallston ; he did not pursue his chosen occu- pation to any great extent, however, as he began the manufacture of barrels and window sashes, which he continued until he retired from active business life. He also became interested in various other enterprises in the village.
Mr. Pugh wedded Nancy, a daughter of Robert and Nancy McCreary of Fayette county, Pa., and she died aged fifty-six years. They reared the following children: John; Sarah Ann; Evan; Mary; Caroline Cecelia; Irene Ida; and Henry. John is a dentist of Philadelphia, and wedded Amelia Blanchard. Evan, deceased, was married to Catherine Price, by whom he had two children. Mary first married H. C. Torrey, and, secondly, was wedded to George Post. Caroline Cecelia married Eugene Pierce. and one child, Mary E., was born to them. Henry married Fannette Line and they have three children : Harry, Fred, and Helen. Mr. Pugh was reared a Friend and has always ad- hered to that faith. He has taken a promi- nent part in promoting the growth and pros- perity of the town and county, and his kind and genial disposition has made him a popu- lar and much respected citizen ; he has proved himself a good neighbor, and a kind and lov- ing husband and father; now while passing through the sunset of life, and enjoying the fruits of a laborious past, he is surrounded by a host of warm friends who will always cher- ish and honor his name.
EWIS GRAHAM, the efficient sheriff of Beaver county, Pa., who was elected to that office in 1897 by over 1,200 majority (the largest majority ever received by any candidate in the history of Beaver county), is a large, splendidly built and well- proportioned man, and an ideal sheriff. He was born in Freedom, Beaver county, June 26, 1850, is a son of John and Sarah (Feazell) Graham, and grandson of Adam and Nancy (Bell) Graham.
After attending public school at Freedom, Lewis was a pupil in the New Brighton school. While still a lad, he became messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Co., at New Brighton. Being an ambitious boy, he sought a position where he could do manual labor and earn money. Next he accepted a job as water boy on the railroad a short time, after which he enlisted as an orderly during the Civil War, serving in the construction corps and being engaged in rebuilding railroads. He thus spent seven months in the states of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. He next obtained a position as cabin boy on a steamer plying on the Ohio River from Pittsburg to Omaha, Nebraska. He proved to be so capa- ble and worthy a lad that he was offered a better position with Kensley & Whisler of Ne. Brighton, as clerk, and worked later in the same capacity for William Kennedy. He then accepted the appointment of first bag- gage master for the Fort Wayne R. R., and occupied that position for two years, serving as a clerk in Pittsburg the following eight years. But, longing for his home surround-
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ings and friends, he returned and engaged in the cutlery business for two years. He then became connected with the Singer Sewing Machine Co., remaining in their employ for ten years. Accepting a more lucrative posi- tion as clerk in the Lake Erie depot at Beaver Falls, he worked there for some time, and then took charge of the Bridge Station for a period of six years. He served three years and then became a candidate for the office of sheriff. He resigned to become deputy sheriff and the result was most gratifying to him, as he simply exchanged places with his former employer by becoming sheriff, while ex- Sheriff Molter now occupies the position of deputy.
Mr. Graham built a handsome residence on Patterson Heights, which he still owns. He moved his family to Beaver when elected, however, and resides in the residence portion of the Beaver county jail. This is a model structure, beautifully located on the south side of the public park on the corner of Market street, and nearly facing the court house. The county jail is built of sandstone from Beaver county, and was constructed in 1856. It con- tains thirty-six cells, fourteen of which were added in 1898. It is of modern construction throughout, being heated by a hot air furnace, and is kept in the best of order by Sheriff Graham and his able wife and assistants. The sheriff also has an office in the court house.
Adam Graham, grandfather of our subject, followed the occupation of boat building nearly all his life, constructing many steam- boats for the Ohio River and also for the
canal. His life was practically spent in Free- dom, where both he and his wife died. He married Nancy Bell, an attractive lady, and they reared the following children: John, now deceased, who was the father of Lewis; Addison, who settled in Kentucky, and is also deceased; Theodora, who resides in Freedom ; Minerva (Cooper) ; May (Marcus) ; and Emily (Hooper).
John Graham, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Freedom, Beaver county, Pa., and spent his early life in assisting his father in boat-building. He was cut off by death just in the prime of life, dying in 1855 at the age of about forty years. His widow, who was Miss Sarah Feazell before her mar- riage, still survives him and resides at Beaver Falls. Their children are: John B., a car- penter of New Brighton ; Lewis, the subject of this sketch; William, also a carpenter by . trade, and residing in New Brighton ; Helen, wife of T. M. Elliott of Beaver Falls; Zetta, wife of John Webster of New Brighton; and one daughter who died in early childhood. Our subject wooed and won for his life com- panion Elizabeth Carter, an accomplished daughter of William Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have been blessed with a family of seven children, namely: Adelaide Victoria Carter; Orin Palmer, who died young; Mar- garet Carter; Lewis Edward; Sarah Eliza- beth; Oscar Lawrence Jackson; and John Reeves.
William Carter, father-in-law of our subject, was born at Morristown, Westmoreland county, Pa., is a son of Charles and Jane
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(Anderson) Carter, grandson of London Car- ter, and great-grandson of King Carter, who was given a large grant of land in Virginia. London Carter rendered valuable services to our country during the Revolutionary War.
Charles Carter was born in the eastern part of Virginia, and was engaged in the manu- facture of iron, locating in Westmoreland county, where he conducted a furnace. Later, he removed to Butler county, and later still, to old Brighton, now Beaver Falls, where he also owned a furnace. He was united in mar- riage with Jane Anderson, who bore him the following children: Charles; William; James; George; Charlotte; Jane; and Elizabeth. William Carter in early life followed the pro- fession of teaching. Subsequently he was an engineer, after which he worked in the cut- lery business at Beaver Falls, and owned an interest in the paper mills there. His death occurred in his seventy-fifth year. At the time of his death, he owned valuable prop- erty. Mr. Carter was joined in matri- mony with Valeria Reeves, a daughter of Daniel Reeves. Mrs. Carter died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving the fol- lowing six children as a legacy to her hus- band: Charles, who resides in the West ; Ce- lesta, now deceased; Adelaide, widow of John Scott; Margaret, wife of T. R. Galton ; John, also deceased; and Elizabeth, wife of the sub- ject of this review.
Sheriff Graham has always taken a deep interest in educational affairs, and has served as a member of the school board for three years. Socially, he is a member of the K. of
P., and is a charter member of Social Lodge of New Brighton. Mr. Graham has truly been the architect of his own fortune. Starting out with an humble beginning, by steady perse- verance and strict adherence to his purpose, he has risen step by step, to a position where he is conspicuous in the public gaze. Sheriff Graham is a general favorite and performs the duties of his office in a highly capable manner. He is a member of the Elks. In religious feeling the family favors the Methodist church.
ON. JOHN FLEMING DRAVO, of Beaver, Pa., ex-member of the legislature, and surveyor and revenue collector for years in Pittsburg, Pa., was also prominently connected for a long period with the coal and coke interests of that place. He was at various times president of the coal exchange. No man has held more positions of trust and more completely won the confidence of the people, or done more to develop the commercial interests of that busy city, than Mr. Dravo. He has been a director in the Tradesmen's National Bank, and the People's Insurance Company, and has been variously connected with other corporations of note. He was one of the prime organizers of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie R. R., and took an active part in the construction of this line, which has paid satisfactory dividends to the original stockholders from the first year of its existence. In educational work our subject has always taken a deep and fitting interest,
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and, as trustee of the Allegheny College at Meadville, and as president of the Beaver Fe- male College, he has won distinction by his earnest and intelligent labors. For four years he rendered valuable services as president of the State Reform School, and for eight years served as director of the Allegheny County Home, one of the most worthy of local chari- ties. It is said that Mr. Dravo is honest to a fault, and no citizen of Allegheny or Beaver county stands higher in the estimation of the people. Every position held by him has been faithfully and honestly guarded, and upon retiring, he has left no stain or suspicion attached to his good name.
John Fleming Dravo was born in the village of West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa., October 29, 1819, and was reared in Alle- gheny, attending the public schools, and after- ward entering Allegheny College, where, after two years of diligent study, his health failed and he was compelled to cut short his college career. He assisted in the office of his father, who was an extensive and successful coal mer- chant, and thereby gained a practical knowl- edge of business methods. Upon arriving at manhood's state, young Dravo went to Mc- Keesport, Allegheny county, Pa., and en- gaged in mining and shipping coal, in which venture he acquired prominence and fortune and became the owner of a large amount of real estate. He planned and founded the town of Dravosburg, on the Monongahela River, less than a dozen miles from Pittsburg. In 1868, Mr. Dravo disposed of his extensive coal interests and engaged in the manufacture
of coke. After establishing large plants at Connellsville, Pa., he organized the Pittsburg Gas, Coal & Coke Company, of which he be- came general manager and treasurer, and, later, executive head. This latter corporation began operations with 40 ovens and upon the resignation of Mr. Dravo in 1883, its plant comprised 300 ovens, and its monthly output was almost half a million bushels. A man of strict integrity and high character, with a gen- tle and considerate regard for the interests of the large force kept constantly employed un- der him, our subject made many friends among the laboring classes, among whom he is extremely popular.
In 1860, he was elected to the presidency of the Pittsburg Coal Exchange, and held that conspicuous position until his resignation in 1870. In 1884, he was chosen president of the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburg, succeed- ing Hon. J. K. Moorehead, whose lamented death created a vacancy in this position. Mr. Dravo labored with a single eye to the ad- vancement of the commercial interests of the city. With a solicitude born of a thorough knowledge of the subject, he labored inces- santly for years to secure needed improve- ments in the Monongahela Valley, and along the Ohio River. He wrote and spoke in favor of the work on any and all occasions. His letters and speeches referring to this subject alone, if published, would make a good sized volume. No small share of his efforts was put forth at the national capital, whither he was repeatedly sent to represent and defend the cause of his fellow citizens. Master of the
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situation, and arguing his favorite measure with great earnestness, he made a profound impression on the House Committee on Riv- ers and Harbors, and secured substantial rec- ognition of his claims and demands, gaining many advantages which a less enthusiastic advocate might have failed to obtain.
Mr. Dravo's earlier political efforts were in opposition to slavery; this institution he opposed on principle, and he loudly de- nounced it, in season and out of season, in ac- cordance with the manner of the anti-slavery advocates of those days. He polled his first vote as a "Henry Clay" Whig, and an avowed enemy of slavery. In 1848, he was nominated in Allegheny county as a candidate for the state legislature by the supporters of the Buf- falo platform adopted at Utica, N. Y., June 22, 1848, who had for their motto "Free Men." Prominent and active among clear seeing and resolute citizens who radically sev- ered their connections with the old parties for the sake of principle, Mr. Dravo stood, and worked in harmony with the movement which culminated, in his state, in the virtual organi- zation of the Republican party, at the La- fayette Hall convention in Pittsburg, Febru- ary 22, 1854. When the party sprang full- fledged into the field in 1856, Mr. Dravo was at once acknowledged a leader, and has since never forsaken its cause. In that and all subsequent political campaigns his splendid oratorical powers have assisted materially in the support of the party's principles, and the vigor with which he has carried on his work, together with his unflinching adherence to the
men and measures of the party, have earned for him the title of "Stalwart."
Few political orators equal Mr. Dravo in the open discussion of the finance or tariff question of our nation, and although these are his chief themes of late, he has abundant information and an eloquent vocabulary al- ways on hand to suit any occasion. A beau- tiful illustration of this was afforded in his address on the death of General Grant, pro- nounced July 25, 1885, at the memorial ser- vices held at Beaver Falls, and also at a special meeting of the Pittsburg Chamber of Com- merce, held July 23, 1885, for the express pur- pose of taking suitable action in view of the nation's great loss. Calling the meeting to order, President Dravo said: "The sad in- telligence of General Grant's death has made it necessary that this Chamber should be con- vened that appropriate action may be had, touching an event of national import. I do not use extravagant language when I say the most eminent citizen of the Republic has passed away, and the people are moved to the expression of sorrow at the death of him who, when living, they delighted so much to honor. General Grant's record is emblazoned on ev- ery page of our country's history for the past quarter of a century. In health, on the battle- field, he proved himself the greatest com- mander of the age ; in civil life he was crowned by a grateful people, with the highest honors ; and as president of the United States, he dis- played the sterling virtues of integrity and unswerving devotion to the best interests of the nation he did so much to serve; in sick-
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ness, long continued and marked by extreme suffering, he evinced a patience and charity befitting the closing scenes of an illustrious life. It is for this Chamber to take such action as you in your wisdom may deem most appro- priate."
One of the secrets of Mr. Dravo's power of oratory is that he speaks from the heart, and by his own earnestness and enthusiasm sways the emotions of his hearers and seldom fails to carry conviction. Although a hearty advo- cate and supporter of his favorite cause, he declined to appear as a candidate for office. Notwithstanding this fact, in 1886, he was inade the Republican nominee for the state legislature to represent Beaver county, Pa., in which he resides, and having almost uni- versal indorsement, he was elected. His tal- ents and abilities found immediate recognition at Harrisburg by his appointment on the com- mittees of "ways and means" and "constitu- tional reforms," two of the most important committees of the legislature. Serving as sec- retary of both, and as a warm friend of tem- perance reform. he introduced the "Constitu- tional Prohibitory Amendment," which was successfully passed. He likewise made an elo- quent speech nominating Col. Matthew Stan- ley Quay for U. S. Senator.
In 1881, our subject's name was brought forward by his party friends as a candidate for the office of collector of customs, and sur- veyor of the port of Pittsburg, and he was appointed to that office by President Gar- field. At that time, the senate was not unani- mous in the matter of appointments, and
there was some delay in confirming his nomi- nation. At this juncture, the political strength and great popularity of Mr. Dravo were em- phatically demonstrated by unanimous voice. The business men of Pittsburg, without regard to party views, demanded his confirmation, and the entire press of Beaver county sup- ported the demand, and was loud in its praise of his fitness and qualifications for the posi- tion. On all sides and frequently from the most unexpected sources, came warm advo- cacy of his claims. These appeals were suffi- ciently powerful to overcome all opposition, and his appointment was confirmed by the senate May 20, 1881, when he was duly com- missioned. His services as collector covered a period of four years, which was marked by a most efficient and capable administration of that office. Upon the accession of a Dem- ocratic administration, Mr. Dravo resigned. In the business life of Pittsburg, he has been for many years a conspicuous and honored factor, and has frequently lent his personal and material aid towards building up the city institutions. Our subject is a descendant of Anthony Dravo, whose original name was Anthony Dreaveau.
Anthony Dravo, grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the early settlers of Pittsburg. He came from France over a century ago under the following inter- esting circumstances. In 1789, the year the Bastile fell, the Marquis De Lussiere was the owner of a beautiful estate in one of the su- burbs of the city of Paris. There lived with him a young florist, who had so gained his
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confidence, that he was looked upon as a con- fidential friend and companion. At the be- ginning of that terrible chapter of history known as the French Revolution, the Mar- quis and his young friend whose name was Dreaveau, sought refuge in America. In the Monongahela Valley opposite the mouth of Turtle Creek, and in full view of the scenes where Washington had won his fame as a sol- dier, De Lussiere, with the aid of his faith- ful friend, made for himself a home and sur- rounded it with things of beauty, a faint re- minder of the loved estate from which a cruel fate had driven them. This home, built by the French marquis, is known as Hamilton Hall, and has since been the property of the Von Bonnhorsts, Swartwelders, Riddles, and others.
The young friend who stood by the Mar- quis in the great crisis of his life, and accom- panied him over the sea in 1794, located in the village of Pittsburg, Pa., and is now called the pioneer florist. The garden of An- thony Dravo just outside of Fort Pitt, pur- chased from Gen. O'Hara, quarter-master of that fort, occupied one-half of the square of what is now the central business portion of the city. There for many years, our subject's grandfather pursued his calling, for which both training and taste had peculiarly fitted him. When this country was in its "teens" there was no other spot in Pittsburg so pretty and attractive as Dravo's flower and fruit gar- den on Hay street, extending from Pennsyl- vania to Liberty streets. In those early days, Anthony Dravo was authority on all things
pertaining to flower or fruit culture. The florist was never happier than when enter- taining visitors from his native France. Many noblemen from that country were entertained in the Dravo home, bringing letters of intro- duction from the Marquis De Lussiere to his Pittsburg friend. When Lafayette visited the city, he went to greet the friend of his friend, and talk over with him the scenes both had witnessed in Paris, a generation before.
With the growth of Pittsburg industries called for the grounds he occupied in Liberty street. Anthony Dravo purchased larger grounds at East Liberty, and there his busi- ness flourished until his death, nearly half a century ago. Michael Dravo, father of our subject, was the eldest son of Anthony Dravo. He was born at Pittsburg and was united in marriage with Mary Fleming, a daughter of John Fleming, Sr. After marriage,> the young folks settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., where our subject was born, but later in life they returned to Pittsburg and lived to a good old age.
In 1868, our subject went to Beaver county and purchased a home on First street, over- looking the Ohio River, and its beautiful scenery. In 1891, this home was destroyed by fire, but was replaced by a handsome mod- ern home of stone and brick. November 23, 1843, Mr. Dravo was united in marriage with Eliza Jane Clark, an accomplished daughter of Robert and Margaret Clark of Allegheny county, with whom he has spent over half a century. Ten children have been born to them, namely: Cassius M. Clay, born in 1844,
STEPHEN P. STONE.
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0
DAN H. STONE.
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and died in 1845; Margaret J., born January 2, 1846, who is the widow of Robert Wilson and resides with her parents; Josephine M., born June 5, 1848, who was joined in mar- riage with J. H. McCreery, a prominent attor- ney of Beaver, and is the parent of the fol- lowing children,-John D., Thomas, Mary, Caryl, and Vankirk; Mary Emma, born in 1851, and died in 1869; Annie Maria, born 1854, and died the same year ; Ida Clark, born 1858, and died in 1861 ; John S., who was born March 9. 1861, is a prominent oil dealer, and wedded Sadie McClerg, who bore him one child, Eliza J .; Lida, who is at home; and Etta S., who was born March 30, 1865, and died in 1888.
John S. Dravo and his family are consistent and active members of the M. E. church, of which denomination Mr. Dravo has been a member since he attained the age of eighteen years. He was also Sabbath School superin- tendent, and has been a local preacher for many years. He is beloved and respected by all who know him and his relations in and out of the family are what all good and honest men endeavor to sustain, in order to make their lives above reproach or criticism.
TEPHEN P. and DAN H. STONE, Jr., prominent and progressive busi- ness men of Beaver, Pa., whose portraits accompany this sketch, are scions of one of the pioneer families of Beaver county. The family was established here when this section of the state was little
more than a wilderness, principally inhabited by the Indian race, and infested by beasts of the forest. This region has furnished good, substantial men to the community, who have zealously promoted the rapid growth and de- velopment of the country.
Stephen P. Stone, grandfather of the gen- tlemen named above, was born in Derby, Conn., April 21, 1759, and was for some years a sea captain. In 1804, he went to Western Pennsylvania where he purchased twenty- four hundred acres of land for $1,200, it being located in Franklin and Marion town- ships, Beaver county. He returned to his native state for his family, and incidentally disposed of one-half of his purchase at $I per acre,-thus paying for the whole. He established a home in Marion township and erected a set of log buildings, which included a house, store and barn: It became known as the "Stone place," and is now owned by J. D. Boots. He next built a large eight- room brick house, with spacious and conven- ient rooms, and this was considered the finest residence in the township. It is still standing and in good condition,-being owned by Mrs. Mary A. Leyda. He subsequently purchased a large tract of land where Harmony is now situated, and in 1805 bought the point of land lying north of the Beaver and Ohio rivers, known since as Stone's Point. He built a resi- dence there, now belonging to August Myers, and established a landing and warehouse for supply boats,-both being swept away in the flood of 1832. He also kept a tavern there, mainly for the accommodation of boat-
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men. He purchased pig iron from the Bas- senhem furnace,-it being delivered by wagon and shipped on keel boats, for it was before the day of railroads and steamboats. These boats were "poled" up the river by men, or drawn by horse where they could be, and were carried down the river by the current to the different ports. Upon reaching their destination many of the boats were sold, and the men, who had received fifty cents per day for their work, were compelled to walk home. The boats not sold were stocked with various kinds of goods, and "poled" up stream again. Mr. Stone continued at this branch of work all of his life, and was a very prosperous man. He died in the last residence which he built (now owned by the heirs of Margaret Davidson), on October 2, 1839. Religiously, he was a mem- ber of the Episcopal church. He was first joined in wedlock with Caty Hull, January 5, 1795, and they had nine children, namely : Stephen; Eliza, who married Elihu Evans; Mary J., the wife of Joseph McCombs; Dan H .; Sherlock ; Charles; Catherine, the wife of Henry W. Smith; Adelia ; and Henry L., who died at the age of two months and one day. Mrs. Stone died September 18, 1825. Mr. Stone formed a second marital union with Sarah Fuller, November 4, 1829, after he had attained the advanced age of seventy years. His widow was again married, to Samuel Col- ter; as a result of her second union three chil- dren were born: George H., Marshal P., and William E.
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