Frank A. BERROTT, a widely known river man, is dead at is home in (131) 23rd Street, Sharpsburg, (PA). He was born in Germany 75 years ago, coming to this country when young, and had been a resident of Sharpsburg nearly 50 years. He entered the river service when 18 years old and for over half a century was a pilot on boats plying between Oil City and New Orleans. He floated tows of coal from here to New Orleans before steamboats were in commission. He brought in the first consignment of oil from Oil City to Pittsburgh when the oil craze struck that town. In crossing the Atlantic Ocean with his parents, 71(?) days were required to make the passage. The ship was wrecked and he was picked up by another vessel and brought into New York. He retired from active service seven years ago. He was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church. Surviving are his widow, four sons, Louis, Frank, William and Florence, and two daughters, Mrs. Carolina COLSTON and Mrs. Helen MASHEY. There are 12 grandchildren.
Source: The Pittsburgh Press, January 18, 1908.
Submitted by "Mary Lou Green"