BIO: John Fleming DRAVO, 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. 136-145. _________________________________________________________________ HON. 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, BEAVER COUNTY 137 and, as trustee of the Allegheny College at Meadville, and as president of the Beaver Female 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 charities. 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 Allegheny, attending the public schools, and afterward 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 merchant, and thereby gained a practical knowledge of business methods. Upon arriving at manhood's state, young Dravo went to McKeesport, Allegheny county, Pa., and engaged 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 became 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 gentle and considerate regard for the interests of the large force kept constantly employed under 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, succeeding Hon. J. K. Moorehead, whose lamented death created a vacancy in this position. Mr. Dravo labored with a single eye to the advancement of the commercial interests of the city. With a solicitude born of a thorough knowledge of the subject, he labored incessantly for years to secure needed improvements 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 138 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES situation, and arguing his favorite measure with great earnestness, he made a profound impression on the House Committee on Rivers and Harbors, and secured substantial recognition 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 denounced it, in season and out of season, in accordance 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 Buffalo 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 severed 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 organization of the Republican party, at the Lafayette Hall convention in Pittsburg, February 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 always on hand to suit any occasion. A beautiful illustration of this was afforded in his address on the death of General Grant, pronounced July 25, 1885, at the memorial services held at Beaver Falls, and also at a special meeting of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, held July 23, 1885, for the express purpose of taking suitable action in view of the nation's great loss. Calling the meeting to order, President Dravo said: "The sad intelligence of General Grant's death has made it necessary that this Chamber should be convened 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 every page of our country's history for the past quarter of a century. In health, on the battlefield, he proved himself the greatest commander 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 displayed the sterling virtues of integrity and unswerving devotion to the best interests of the nation he did so much to serve; in sick- BEAVER COUNTY 139 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 appropriate." 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 advocate and supporter of his favorite cause, he declined to appear as a candidate for office. Notwithstanding this fact, in 1886, he was made the Republican nominee for the state legislature to represent Beaver county, Pa., in which he resides, and having almost universal indorsement, he was elected. His talents and abilities found immediate recognition at Harrisburg by his appointment on the committees of "ways and means" and "constitutional reforms," two of the most important committees of the legislature. Serving as secretary of both, and as a warm friend of temperance reform, he introduced the "Constitutional Prohibitory Amendment," which was successfully passed. He likewise made an eloquent speech nominating Col. Matthew Stanley 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 surveyor of the port of Pittsburg, and he was appointed to that office by President Garfield. At that time, the senate was not unanimous in the matter of appointments, and there was some delay in confirming his nomination. At this juncture, the political strength and great popularity of Mr. Dravo were emphatically demonstrated by unanimous voice. The business men of Pittsburg, without regard to party views, demanded his confirmation, and the entire press of Beaver county supported the demand, and was loud in its praise of his fitness and qualifications for the position. On all sides and frequently from the most unexpected sources, came warm advocacy of his claims. These appeals were sufficiently powerful to overcome all opposition, and his appointment was confirmed by the senate May 20, 1881, when he was duly commissioned. 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 Democratic 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 subject, was one of the early settlers of Pittsburg. He came from France over a century ago under the following interesting circumstances. In 1789, the year the Bastile fell, the Marquis De Lussiere was the owner of a beautiful estate in one of the suburbs of the city of Paris. There lived with him a young florist, who had so gained his 140 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES confidence, that he was looked upon as a confidential friend and companion. At the beginning of that terrible chapter of history known as the French Revolution, the Marquis 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 soldier, De Lussiere, with the aid of his faithful friend, made for himself a home and surrounded it with things of beauty, a faint reminder 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 Marquis in the great crisis of his life, and accompanied him over the sea in 1794, located in the village of Pittsburg, Pa., and is now called the pioneer florist. The garden of Anthony Dravo just outside of Fort Pitt, purchased 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 garden on Hay street, extending from Pennsylvania 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 entertaining visitors from his native France. Many noblemen from that country were entertained in the Dravo home, bringing letters of introduction 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 business flourished until his death, nearly halt 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, overlooking the Ohio River, and its beautiful scenery. In 1891, this home was destroyed by fire, but was replaced by a handsome modern 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, BEAVER COUNTY 145 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 marriage with J. H. McCreery, a prominent attorney of Beaver, and is the parent of the following 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 superintendent, 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.