[p. 627] of the leading department store of Ellwood City, and president of the Dambach Mercantile Company, was born in Connoquenessing Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1876, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Staff) Dambach.
Jacob Dambach, father of George W., was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is now a capitalist and retired farmer living at Zelienople. Formerly he resided on his farm of 160 acres, which lies in the oil belt, a very valuable tract of land which is still in the possession of the family. The first oil well drilled on this farm produced 160 barrels of crude oil in one hour. Jacob Dambach married Margaret Staff, who was born in Germany, and was a daughter of Peter Staff, who brought her to America when she was a child of three years. She was reared in Butler County and died in 1902, having been an admirable wife and mother. Jacob Dambach and wife had nine children and six of these survive, as follows: Adam E., who resides at Zelienople, engaged in the oil business; Peter E., who is engaged in the manufacture of bath tubs, resides at Zelienople; George Washington; Laura, who is the wife of Albert A. E. Eichholtz, resides at Zelienople; Matilda, who is the wife of Howard Zeigler, resides also at Zelienople, and Elizabeth, lives with her father.
George W. Dambach was educated in the public schools in his native township, then at Evans City, and later at a commercial college at New Castle. After he left school he entered into a mercantile business at Petersville, Butler County, where he continued for three years and then went to Pittsburg, where he engaged in a grocery business for three more years, after which, 1896, he came to Ellwood City. He purchased an interest with Dambach Brothers & Company, and took an active part in the business for six years afterward. In 1902 the firm, through incorporation, became the Dambach Mercantile Company, and in 1907, George W. Dambach was elected president of the concern. The present building at Nos. 601-603 Lawrence Avenue, was erected in 1902, and the stock carried and the volume of business done, make this the largest enterprise of its kind in the city. A force of twelve employes is kept and business is conducted along the most approved modern lines of merchandising.
Mr. Dambach was married to Virginia Butler, who was reared in Blair County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of J. E. Butler, of Ellwood City. They have two children, Marguerite and John Ellsworth. Mr. and Mrs. Dambach are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Alma Lodge, No. 420, Knights of Pythias, and also to the Golden Eagles.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 17 Nov 2001