BIO: John Fleming DRAVO, Beaver County, PA
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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,
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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 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.