[p. 456] who is a
prominent factor in the business and financial
circles of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
is a well known citizen of Ellwood
City. He was born in Mercer County,
Pennsylvania, August 26, 1845, and is a
son of Jonas and Hannah (Grove) Blatt.
Jonas Blatt was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and was in his teens when he moved to French Creek Township, Mercer County, some time between 1835 and 1840. He was joined in marriage with Hannah Grove, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Grove, who arrived in Mercer County at an early date and died there. To Jonas and Hannah Blatt were born the following children: Rachel Elizabeth, who married R. S. Hogue and resides on the old home farm; Mary Catherine, deceased wife of Albert Glenn; Isabel, who married Frank D. Muse, lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Henry S.
Henry S. Blatt received his education in the public schools at Sandy Lake, and at New Lebanon Academy. He learned the trade of a carriage-maker, which he followed for seven years, then engaged in the hardware business at Sandy Lake. He has continued in that business since and in 1891 established the business of the H. S. Blatt Hardware Company, incorporated, at Ellwood City. He met with great success and soon branched into other fields of business. In 1900 he organized the Ellwood City National Bank, with a capital stock of $75,000, and served as its president until the institution liquidated in 1904. He next organized and was president of the Ellwood City Trust Company, which had a capital stock of $250,000. The Trust and consolidated with the First National Bank of Ellwood City, which has a capital stock of $100,000. He at that time retired from the presidency, but is now vice-president and director of the First National Bank; vice-president and director of the Standard Engineering Company; president of the Glen Manufacturing Company of Ellwood City; director and stockholder of the Pittsburg Company, which purchased the site and founded the town of Ellwood City; president and director of the Beaver and Ellwood Railroad Company; vice-president and director of the Ellwood Water Company; director of the Pennsylvania Power Company; vice-president and director of the Ellwood Hotel Company; and is a stockholder and director in the International Savings and Trust Company of Pittsburg. He has large realty holdings in the county, and is one of its most substantial and influential men. He was without a dollar to call his own at the time of his marriage, and his great success has been brought about by the exercise of keen business sagacity, unceasing toil and close application to his business interests. He is truly a self-made man in every sense the term implies, and it can be said his good fortune has not resulted from the misfortunes of others. He is a man who enjoys the greatest confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and has a wide acquaintance throughout North-western Pennsylvania.
In 1863 Mr. Blatt was united in marriage with Miss Hannah McClure, a daughter of James and Hannah (Gamble) McClure of Mercer County, and they are parents of six children, as follows: Charles H., who is interested in the H. S. Blatt Hardware Company, but during the past four years has traveled in search of health, being at the present time located at Denver, Colo. He married Miss Lydia Parks. James J., who resides in Ellwood City; William R., who is teller of the International Savings and Trust Company of Pittsburg, and Catherine, widow of James F. Hainer, who was manager of the H. S. Blatt Hardware Company.
Hon. H. S. Blatt has been very active in the ranks of the Republican party and has frequently been called upon to fill offices high in public trust. Upon reaching his majority he was elected justice of the peace, and when twenty-six years of age, in 1874-1875, represented Mercer County in the General Assembly at Harrisburg. He served one term as burgess of Ellwood City, and in 1898 was appointed postmaster of Ellwood City, but resigned at the end of his third year in order to accept the presidency of Ellwood City National Bank. Fraternally, be is a member of Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., at Ellwood City; New Castle Commandry, K. T.; Knights and Ladies of Honor, being chairman of the finance committee of the Supreme Lodge; and of the Ancient Order United Workmen. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Blatt are faithful members of the First Presbyterian Church of Ellwood City.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 24 Oct 2001