FRANK R. COLVIN. Frank R. Colvin occupies a leading place among the representative business men of Washington county, men
who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified
with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community and
to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth.Mr. Colvin is a native son of Washington county, having been born in Monongahela city on the 7th of July,
1868, and his parents being Robert and Mary (Hull) Colvin. His father was born in Carroll township, Washington
county, and died in Monongahela city, having devoted his active life td farming pursuits, in which he was fairly
successful. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served three years and three months as a member of an
Illinois light artillery regiment. He was a republican in his political views. His parents were Moses and Harriet
(Grant) Colvin, the former of whom was born, lived and died in Carroll township, where he had followed the
vocation of farming, being the owner of at least a thousand acres of land. He took part in the historic Whisky
Insurrection and is believed to have fought in the War of 1812. He supported the republican party. His wife also
spent her entire life in Carroll township. Mary (Hull) Colvin was a native of Carroll township and was of Irish
descent, her parents having emigrated to this country from Ireland in an early day.Frank R. Colvin received his education in the public schools of Monongahela city, and at the age of fifteen
years went with an uncle, Abraham Hull, to Kansas, where they engaged in sheep raising, which business they
followed for seven years. They raised sheep mainly for the wool. When he was seventeen years of age he was
manager of a sheep ranch, having charge of from eight thousand to ten thousand head all the time. After
following that business for seven years, Mr. Colvin returned to Monongahela city and engaged in the general
contracting and lumber business in partnership with a cousin, J. G. Colvin, under the firm name of F. R. and J. G.
Colvin, which, five years later, was changed to that of the Monongahela Saw & Planing Mill Company, of which
our subject was president and general manager. In connection with this business, Mr. Colvin also had a boat
yard, building boats and barges. Eventually he sold his interest to the Monongahela River Coal & Coke
Company, and then established the Bessemer Brick Company, manufacturers of fire brick shapes. Their plant is
at Large, Pennsylvania, while the offices of the company are at Monongahela city. Mr. Colvin is president and
manager of this company, whose products are shipped to all parts of the world. The company has enjoyed a
steady and substantial growth ever since its organization and is a prosperous enterprise. Mr. Colvin is also
president of the First National Bank of Monongahela city, and a director of the Community Bank; heavily
interested in the real estate business, of which he has large holdings, and buys and sells much property. He is
eminently public-spirited, every enterprise for the advancement of the community welfare receiving his hearty
support.Fraternally Mr. Colvin is a member of Monongahela Lodge, No. 455, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks;
of the Monongahela Valley Country Club; the Nemacolin Club; a life member of the Americus Club of Pitts¬
burgh; and a member of the American Ceramic Association. Politically Mr. Colvin has always given his support
to the republican party and has served as a member of the city council. He is a lover of outdoor life, being
especially fond of hunting, keeping dogs, guns and clay pigeons as means of recreation. He is a genial and
friendly man in his social relations and enjoys a large acquaintance, among whom are many warm and loyal
friends, who esteem him for his genuine worth as a man.Mr. Colvin was married in Fallowfield township, June 24, 1901, to Miss Jeanette G. Grable, a daughter of
Julian and Angeline (Fry) Grable, the former of whom was a farmer. He was a son of Joel and Maria (Mitchell)
Grable. Joel Grable was born in 1819 in Fallowfield township and followed the pursuits of an agricultural life. He
was prominent in his locality and held a number of township offices, having served eight years as a justice of the
peace. His wife, who died in 1888, was a daughter of John Mitchell, a farmer of Washington county. Joel Grable
was a son of John and Mary (Carson) Grable, the former of whom was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in
1787, and died in 1822. He was by trade a tanner, which vocation he followed in connection with his farming
operations. His wife also was a native of Washington county. John Grable was a son of John and Salome
(Hickman) Grable, the former of whom was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1754, moved to
Washington county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1785. He was survived many years by his widow, whose death
occurred in 1854. Mrs. Colvin received her education in the schools of Fallowfield township and is a lady of
many fine personal qualities, being a popular member of the social circles in which she moves. To Mr. and Mrs.
Colvin has been born a son, Julian G., who was born in Monongahela city in July, 1902. He received his
education in the public schools, graduating from the Monongahela city high school, and then attended the
Kiskiminetas Springs School, at Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. He is now superintendent of the Bessemer Brick
Company. In 1924 he was married to Miss Evelyn Fitch, of Monongahela city, a daughter of William Fitch, of
this city, who is the owner of a general store at New Eagle, Pennsylvania.