Fayette-Allegheny-Westmoreland County PA Archives Biographies.....Divvens, Nathan March 1, 1841 - December 23, 1898

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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deanna Divvens terrahope@care2.com September 24, 2005, 10:22 pm

Author: Shepherd, Henry E. 

From Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book of Fayette 
County, Published by S. B. Nelson, Herald Press, 1922; pages 606-607:

Nathan Divvens, Sr., was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March 1, 
1841, and died at Uniontown on December 23, 1898.  He was a son of the late 
Jacob and Rebecca (Miller) Divvens, natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, 
who removed to Westmoreland county, where Jacob Divvens was engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until 1848, when removed with his family to Pittsburgh, 
where he was engaged as a rolling mill hand until his death in 1886.  Of his 
children, two sons, Nathan and Erasmus, located in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 
the former in April 1867, and the latter some years later.  

Nathan Divvens attended the public schools at Pittsburgh until he had attained 
his tenth year, when he began to earn his own living.  At sixteen he was 
apprenticed to learn tobacco manufacturing with Martin Heyl, Pittsburg.  Upon 
completing his time, he accepted service as a journeyman with William and 
David Reinhart, Pittsburgh, by whom he was employed until August 7, 1862, the 
date of his enlistment as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Collier, commanding.  At the battle 
of Spotsylvania Court House he was wounded in the right hand by a shot or 
fragment of shell which nearly severed that member from the arm, and 
necessitated its amputation.  He was discharged from the service at the 
hospital in Pittsburgh, March 16, 1864. 

In the fall of the same year he established a cigar store at Sharpsburg, 
Pennsylvania, removing thence in 1867, to Uniontown when he embarked in the 
same business, establishing in connection therewith a cigar factory and adding 
thereto the general tobacco dealing business in which he continued to be 
engaged up to the time of his decease.  He was succeeded by his son and 
namesake at the old location, No. 59 West Main Street.  

Mr. Nathan Divvens, Sr., was married in 1867 to Susan E., daughter of the late 
John G. Emerick, of Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Emerick 
was a school teacher at Sharpsburg, enlisted as a soldier in the war of the 
Rebellion, and was killed in the engagement at Fair Oaks.  Mrs. Divvens died 
July 30, 1896, leaving five children: Lily, wife of Frank Lewellen, of 
Uniontown; Nathan, who succeeded his father in business; Pearl, wife of Robert 
E. Saul, New York City; Herbert, who is in the employ of his brother; and Miss 
Edna Divvens.  Mr. Divvens was a member of the Lutheran church and of the 
Order of the Knights of Pythias. 

Additional Comments:
Nathan's mother was Elizabeth Rebecca Miller.

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