BIO: Edward L. DAWES, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 107-111. _________________________________________________________________ EDWARD L. DAWES, whose pronounced success as a member of the firm of Dawes & Myler has brought him into wide prominence, is a man gifted with extraordinary ability. He is a young man in the prime of life, but in all his transactions, he has displayed shrewdness and foresight far beyond his years. He is a son of John L. and Charlotta Jemima (League) Dawes, grandson of Jonathan Dawes, and was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. His father, John L. Dawes, was born in Nottingham, England, and came to America a single man. He followed the trade of a painter in Trenton, N. J., and afterward in Pittsburg and Allegheny City. In the last 108 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES named city he was engaged in contracting for painting and continued thus until he began the manufacture of glass in the line of drug supplies and sundries. He conducted a wholesale house in that line until his demise at the age of sixty-one years. He was united in marriage with Charlotta Jemima League, who was born in Virginia but is now living hi Allegheny, and their union resulted in the following offspring: Harriet; Mary; Martha, deceased; Edward L., the subject of this biographical record; and John L. Edward L. Dawes was reared and educated in Allegheny City, and at the age of thirteen years entered into active employment as truing boy for his father. Upon reaching man's estate he became a partner in his father's business, continuing as such with good results until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then became bookkeeper of the Standard Manufacturing Co. of Pittsburg, and ten months later was chosen as manager of that concern, remaining in that capacity until 1888. Having gained largely in practical business experience, he was qualified to enter into business on his own behalf, and in that year he removed to New Brighton and formed a partnership with W. Albert Myler, under the firm name of Dawes & Myler. This firm is now proprietor of one of the largest establishments in this section of the state. Messrs. Dawes and Myler, both men in the prime of life and possessed of considerable experience, looted at New Brighton, Beaver county, in 1887, and purchased four acres of land at Allegheny street and Block House Run, on which they built a brick plant and engaged in the manufacture of porcelain lined bath-tubs and sanitary specialties, and also of plumbers' supplies. They employed about eighty men of experience during the first year, and in March, 1889, placed their product on the market. Being of a superior quality, no difficulty was experienced in selling all that could be produced, and in time it was seen that the plant must be enlarged to meet the requirements of the demand. In 1892, an additional three acres of land was purchased, and now six acres are covered with buildings, all of which are of brick but the foundry, which is a substantial frame building. It is heated by hot air and lighted by electricity from their own plant. The works are run by steam and are in operation day and night, as many as 425 men being employed daily, and the pay roll per day being not less than $I,000. It is a fact worthy of mention that ever since the firm was first organized the plant has been in full operation and has not missed a single pay day. It can readily be seen that in addition to bringing industrious men and establishing new homes in the town, the large amount of money put in circulation by the employees has resulted in material benefit to the borough of New Brighton. The goods of their manufacture have a wide reputation and are sold in the markets of all the countries of Europe, in Australia, Japan, Cuba, and the Hawaiian Islands, as well as in every state in the Union. Mr. Dawes bought a desirable lot, a part of the Bradford estate, in New Brighton, and in BEAVER COUNTY 111 1887, erected an elegant modern brick home at No. 1332 Third avenue, which is complete in every detail and convenience. He was joined in hymeneal bonds with Katherine Torrance, a daughter of Francis Torrance, of Allegheny City, and she died young, leaving two children: Frances L.; and Martha, deceased. Mr. Dawes formed a second alliance with Jean Waddell, a daughter of Thomas Waddell, of Jacksonville, Illinois. In religious belief he is a conscientious member of the Presbyterian church. He takes a deep interest in the affairs of New Brighton and has been identified with a number of worthy enterprises, being at the present time a director of a bank, and vice-president and director of the Beaver Valley Hospital. He is a man of pleasing personality and possesses a large circle of friends throughout the community.