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Presently owned and operated by the Daniel Gallagher family. The Pipe Shop was inherited by Mrs. Gallagher. Daniel has been mayor of Glasgow Borough for over 30 years.
John M. Childs, machinery dealer, Smith's Ferry, a son of Lorenzo and Ann Caroline (Marshall) Childs was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., January 1, 1838. His father was born in August, 18 10, at Vershire, Vt.; his mother was a native of Brooklyn, and died March 20, 1841. Lorenzo Childs spent his
youth at the place of his birth, and when a young man, went to New York City, where he learned the machinery business. He married April 30, 1833, in the Episcopal Church, Jamaica, L. I., and shortly after came to Cleveland and thence moved to Pittsburgh. Later he moved to Fallston, and subsequently started a shop for himself at New Brighton, afterward taking in David McConnell as a partner, under name of Childs & McConnell. After doing business in New Brighton, as the firm of Childs & McConnell, for some time, they removed their machine shop to Fallston, purchased new site with good water power, they then took in a new partner. The firm name was then changed to Childs, McConnell & Darragh, doing quite an extensive business up to the time of Mr. Childs' selling his interest out of the machine business. About the year 1859 he came to Smith's Ferry, built a mill, which was operated for some time by him and Mr. Smith. They afterward closed the mill and engaged in the oil business. He died at Bridgewater, August 19, 1864. The subject of this sketch came to Pennsylvania with his parents about 1843, and received his schooling in Beaver County. He learned the machinist's trade at his father's shop at New Brighton and at Fallston. In 1859 he came to Smith's Ferry with his father and engaged in setting up machinery; in 1867 he began to sell machinery, and by hard work and attention has been successful; he is the owner of good buildings and a fine residence, and has a large trade in machinery carrying a heavy stock. Most of his trade, however, is foreign, since the decline of the oil trade here. Mr. Childs married at Pittsburgh, Sept. 30, 1869, Agnes B., daughter of Ralph and Margaret (Alman) Ecoff, born at Rochester, Pa., January 23, 1848. Her father was a carpenter and contractor, a native of this county, born Sept. 9, 1818, and died of small pox at Rochester, January 14, 1855. Her mother was also a native of this county, born June 15, 1822, and died April 18, 1854. Three girls and one boy were born to Mr. & Mrs. Childs; John W. M., now clerk for his father; Grace Mary, attending school at Beaver; Agnes Gertrude and Blanche Margaret, at home. Mr. Childs' family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
From History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
A. Warner & Co. Philadelphia and Chicago; 1888