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Few men of his day contributed more to the industrial and financial development of Western Pennsylvania than John F. Dravo, for whom Dravo Avenue was renamed. He was a native of West Newton, and was well educated. After learning the coal business in his father's firm he embarked on his own in 1845, founded the town of Dravosburg, was President of the Pittsburgh Coal Exchange and in 1868 organized the Connellsville Gas, Coal and Coke Company. He was largely responsible for the improvement of navigation on both the Ohio and the Monongahela Rivers, and a promoter and director of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie RR. He was active in founding the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and served it as President. His political and civic life was equally notable. He was collector of the Port of Pittsburgh, an organizer of the Republican party and delegate to the convention which nominated Lincoln and a life time member and lay preacher in the Beaver Methodist church.