[p. 853] though now retired from active business life, is one of the best known residents of Ellwood City, in the development and advancement of which he for years took an active and leading part. He was born in England, July 3, 1834, a son of Samuel Dugan, who was a butcher, grocer, and hotel keeper.
Mr. Dugan's early youth was passed in his native land, but being of an enterprising spirit and not finding there sufficient opportunities, on arriving at maturity he set out for America, and after landing in this country, went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he secured employment in the rolling-mills as a heater. Subsequently he went to Pittsburg, where after four years of similar employment, he took charge of the old English Hotel. This position he held for many years, becoming widely known to the traveling public as a genial and capable host. After a long period of service in that capacity, he was thinking of retiring permanently from active business employment, when his attention was attracted to the rapid and prosperous growth of Ellwood City, then an infant municipality, but giving promise of a bright future. Seeing a good business opportuinity, he came here and invested in real estate, in 1893 erecting a fine brick block at No. 948 Lawrence Avenue, containing a double store 66x60 feet in dimensions. In the following year Mr. Dugan fitted up the building as a thoroughly modern and well appointed hotel, which was known as the Dugan Hotel, and of which he continued as the proprietor until his retirement finally from active business life. In addition to this block he is the owner of a number of tenements and a quantity of valuable real estate, and is numbered among the most prosperous residents of the city, to the development of which he has so notably contributed.
Mr. Dugan is a steadfast Republican in his political principles, but above all things he is a champion of law, order, and high moral principle in all social and business relations. According to this standard he has always lived, and while not a member of any religious denomination, he is in accord with the fundamental principles of Christianity, recognizing fully the true brotherhood of man. He is enjoying the fruits of his years of industry in an ample competence, which frees his mind from business cares, and in a hale and hearty vigor, despite his years, which is the result of a careful and well spent life. He has the esteem of a wide circle of friends and an acquaintance that extends to almost every part of the country, and of the pioneer business men of Ellwood City few better deserve commemoration in these pages. Mr. Dugan's wife, like himself, was of English extraction, her father, George Rowley, having been a native of England. Mrs. Dugan died July 1, 1907.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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