Vitals: Obits: Dravo: Fayette Co

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John D. Dravo


John D. Dravo, died in Allegheny county, Pa, Aug 16, 1877, in the 72nd year of his
age.  He was one of the first settlers on the banks of the "Yough," about eight
miles above McKeesport, where he spent his life.  The first preaching by Methodists
in the neighborhood was at his fathers, and the church is yet called "Dravos." 
Brother Dravo was converted and united with the M E Church about forty-five years
ago, in the society of which he continued a member until his death.  His profession
was not of the loudest type, yet he was clear in his faith in the all cleansing
blood, and his life was a loving witness of the power Christian truth.  His house
was the home of the preachers for near half a century.  Many are yet living in the
two Conferences, who have been entertained at John D Dravo who will agree with the
writer in saying:  Such a home it is a real pleasure to find; genuine Christian
hospitality.  He was highly esteemed as a citizen.  Being in good circumstances, and
generous he was greatly beloved by the poor to whom he was always liberal, and by
this class he will be greatly missed.  His last sickness was very short, not
twenty-four hours.  He was most of this short period unconscious, and his friends
have no dying testimony to comfort them in their bereavement, but they have that
which is better.  He lived and died in the Lord.  He rests from his labor and his
works do follow him.

JOHN CONNER
=========
Polly Blackburn Dravo

DRAVO.-- Polly Blackburn Dravo was born   September 13, 1806, near West Newton, Pa.,
and died August 18, 1900, in Pittsburgh.  These dates mark the beginning and ending of
a remarkable life; but another is necessary as a starting-point for the brightest and
best phase of that life--during the summer of 1823, at a camp-meeting held at Ford's
in Fayette county, she gave her heart to God, and was gloriously saved.  She at once
united with the Methodist church then just being organized under the labors of the
Rev Henry Furlong, at Dravo; and for more than seventy-six years she was a faithful
and earnest follower of Christ and a member of the same society to which she at
first united herself.  In early life she gave her hand in marriage to John D Dravo,
one of the sturdy, warm-hearted pioneers of the Yough Valley, the impress of whose
life is still seen and felt throughout the entire community.  Together they helped
build and maintain the church which bears their name, their home always being the
"haven of rest" for the weary itinerant of the early days.  From this union sprang
seven "olive plants," three of whom, together with her husband, who died August 16,
1877, preceded her to glory.  Four still live--P Emory, Anthony E, Amanda and Jennie
W.  These were a source of great comfort and pleasure to her in her last years. 
"Aunt Polly" was a woman of strong convictions, sweet-spirited, and a warm supporter
of every good work.  In her death the cause of righteousness, as well as the
Methodist Episcopal Church, has lost one of its best friends.  She was a woman of
more than ordinary intelligence; she read largely, and her mind was clear and active
even down to the day of her death.  The ADVOCATE was her companion long before it was
known as the "Advocate."  She could converse intelligently upon any of the great
movements of the day, either of church or state, and her opinion was often sought,
as being a safe criterion in action upon vexed questions.  For a few years before
her release from the body, she was not able to be found "in the house of the
Lord."  This much annoyed her at first, but she learned to know that "having done
all, to stand," for her meant that the time had come when she must suffer the will
of the Lord, rather than do it.  Surely God "satisfied her with long life," and at
last "showed her his salvation."  and thus after a life if nearly five-score years,
seventy-six of them spent in the church, this good woman, having served her
generation faithfully in every relation of life according to her opportunity,
received the welcome summons, suddenly, to enter upon the endless blessedness of
those "who die in the Lord."  Her body rests by the side of her husband's in
Homewood cemetery, there to wait, the resurrection of the just.  At her funeral her
pastor, the Rev P C Brooks, was assisted by Rev's T N Eaton, G W Terbush and J C
High.

      P C B

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