My Genealogy Hound

JOHN FLEMING DRAVO was born at West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa., Oct. 29, 1819, and was reared near Elizabeth, in this county. He is the eldest of three children born to Michael and Mary (Fleming) Dravo, former of whom was for many years engaged in the coal business near McKeesport, this county; latter was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Anthony Dravo, grandfather of John F., and a native of France, settled at Pittsburgh very early in the history of that place.

The subject of this biographical sketch was educated at the common schools and Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., but was obliged, through ill health, to abandon the course at Meadville before its completion. He engaged in teaching school; and, being gifted with a ready flow of language, became a local preacher in the Methodist Church, with which he has been identified since early youth. Being employed as his father’s assistant, he became familiar with the details of the coal business, and embarked on his own account in 1840. He founded the village of Dravosburg, on the Monongahela, and continued to operate in coal till 1868, when he sold out to engage in the coke business.

He became treasurer and general manager of the Pittsburgh Gas-Coal & Coke Co., operating in the Connellsville region, and when he retired, in 1883, from its presidency the company was operating three hundred ovens, having begun with forty. For many years Mr. Dravo was president of the Pittsburgh Coal Exchange; and as president of the Chamber of Commerce (of which he is a charter member) he has often appeared before committees of Congress in the interest of measures affecting trade. He was appointed collector and surveyor of the port of Pittsburgh by President Garfield in 1881, a position he held for four years.

Mr. Dravo is a director of the Tradesmen’s National Bank and of the People’s Insurance company; he is a trustee of Allegheny College, and president of the board of trustees of Beaver College, to which he has contributed liberally. Indeed, it is said by those who know him best that he has given away more for charitable purposes than he now owns. While a resident of Allegheny county Mr. Dravo was four years a director and vice-president of the Pennsylvania Reform school; also served eight years as director of the Allegheny County Home. He purchased a fine home on the banks of the Ohio, in Beaver borough, where he has dwelt since 1868. Mr. Dravo has ever been identified with movements tending to reform, being an earnest temperance worker and abolitionist. He commenced political life as a Henry Clay whig, and in 1848 was a candidate for legislature on the free soil ticket. Since the republican organization he has given his efforts toward its success, stumping Western Pennsylvania for all its presidential candidates, and was a delegate in the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln. As an orator Capt. Dravo often rises to sublime eloquence. His address at the memorial services in Beaver Falls on the occasion of Gen. Grant’s death is one of the finest and most beautiful contributions to a literature made rich by thousands of talented eulogists. In his political addresses he has given much attention to the tariff and financial questions, and his speeches are so interspersed with flashes of genial humor and convincing logic that his services are in constant demand during political campaigns. His public addresses on various topics and for many objects have been made in the midst of an active business career, an evidence of a well-balanced and vigorous mind. In 1886 the people of Beaver elected him as their representative in the legislature, which position he continues to fill to their entire satisfaction, and was at once made secretary of the committee on ways and means. As chairman of the committee on constitutional reform he introduced the prohibitory amendment, and during the session placed in nomination Senator M. S. Quay.

Mr. Dravo is an original and independent thinker. In the realm of scientific inquiry he is fully up to modern thought. While steadfastly holding to essential religious doctrines he refuses to accept much of former teachings. As a republican he seeks the best methods, stoutly contending for moral and political reform within the lines of party organization to which he is ardently attached.

Mr. Dravo married, Nov. 23, 1843, Eliza J., daughter of Robert and Margaret Clark, and of their nine children five survive, viz.: Margaret (widow of Robert Wilson), Josephine (wife of J. H. McCreery), John S. (a Pittsburgh merchant), Lida and Ettie (at home).