Surnames: Herbertson, Nimon, Bar, Marquis
John Herbertson of Bridgeport was born in Glasgow, Scotland, September 16, 1805, attended the common schools and listened to the scientific lectures of the famous Ure until he was seventeen years of age. Leaving Scotland he arrived in New York City in July, 1823. He soon went to Marietta, Ohio, engaged in farm work until April, 1824, when he removed to Pittsburgh and learned the trade of steam engine building.In 1829 he located at Brownsville as foreman of John Snowden's engine shop. Mr Snowden took the contract for the erection of the Dunlap's Creek iron bridge which is believed to be the first iron bridge ever built in the world. Mr Herbertson designed the bridge and supervised its construction.
From 1837 to 1842 he was engaged in the business of engine building with Thomas Faull. Their works were known as the Fayette Foundry. In 1842 Thomas Faull withdrew and Mr Herbertson continued the business until 1880 when he took his sons, George S Herbertson and William H Herbertson, and tow other parties into partnership under the name J Herbertson & co. In a short time the firm became J Herbertson & Sons, manufacturers of steam engines, and general suppliers for coal mines.
In 1830 Mr Herbertson was married to Miss Eliza Nimon, daughter of Petre Nimon and Sarah Potts Nimon of Pittsburgh. Twelve children were born to them, three of whom are living: John P Herbertson, George S Herbertson and William H Herbertson.
George S Herbertson was born June 22, 1847, took a course at the Iron City business college and was married in 1874 to Miss Sarah Bar, daughter of Jackson Bar of Fairmont, West Virginia. She was raised by E H Bar, proprietor of the Bar House, and has two children: James Herbertson and
Edgar Herbertson.G S Herbertson is a blacksmith by trade, has passed the chairs in the Odd Fellows, in Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Encampment, the Royal Arcanum, and the United States Brotherhood of Firemen.
William H Herbertson was born June 24, 1850, attended the common school, took a commercial course in the Iron City business college at Pittsburgh, and learned the trade of a pattern maker. He was a member of the city council and is a past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias.
John P Herbertson was born July 1, 1839, and was married to Frances C Marquis, March 9, 1862. He learned the trade of a machinist and is at present a river engineer.
John Herbertson has filled orders for steamboat and mill engines from all parts of the United States and Mexico, but has taken no part in the foundry work for the last five years. His sons, who are skilled mechanics, are successfully running the machine shop and foundry and are doing a large business.
John Herbertson was eighty four years of age September, 1889, and his excellent wife in years has spanned three fourths of a century. He is a republican, but has never engaged in politics.