Repository: Heinz History Center
Title: Brashear and McDowell Family Papers
Creator: Brashear family
Collection Number: MSS 1070
Extent: .25 linear feet (1 box)
Date: 1892-2008
Abstract: The Brashear and McDowell Family Papers includes materials relating to John A. and Phoebe Stewart Brashear. John Brashear, born in Brownsville, Pa., in 1840, was an internationally known astronomer and optician. He founded the John A. Brashear Company, developers of astronomical instruments and techniques, with his son-in-law and grandson, James B. McDowell and John A. McDowell. The Brashear and McDowell Family Papers include family photographs and portraits, the last will of John A. Brashear, biographical articles, family news clippings and the marriage certificate of John A. McDowell and Jean W. Duncan.
Language: The material in this collection is in English.
Author: The guide to this collection was written by Carly Lough.
Publisher: Heinz History Center
Address: 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Astronomer and optician John A. Brashear (JAB) was born in Brownsville, Pa., on November 24, 1840 to Brown and Julia Smith Brashear, a saddler and teacher, respectively. Despite a limited education in Brownsville public schools, JAB displayed an early interest and skill in astronomy, mechanics, and mathematics, but was without the means to pursue additional tuition. In support of his family, young JAB took a series of jobs before finding permanent work as a millwright in Pittsburgh's South Side.

After moving to Pittsburgh in 1861, JAB resided in a boarding house where he met the daughter of its operators, Phoebe Stewart (PSB). The couple married shortly thereafter on September 24, 1862. PSB, who shared an interest in the stars with her husband, studied astronomy and mathematics alongside JAB in the evening hours, and assisted him in designing and grinding his first observation lenses. In 1871, the family built a house on 22nd Street in the South Side. Brashear later turned to lens manufacture full time with support from Dr. Samuel Langley, Director of the Allegheny Observatory in the North Side. In 1881, Brashear founded the John A. Brashear Company with business partner James B. McDowell and built a new laboratory near the Observatory in 1886. The company was cited among the foremost developers of astronomical instruments in the world and was celebrated for never patenting its techniques out a belief in their importance to the public. Brashear was himself celebrated for a devotion to philanthropy and interest in youth education. In addition to serving the board of directors of Carnegie Institute, JAB was interim Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh (then Western University of Pennsylvania), and interim director of Allegheny Observatory.

Harry Brashear, the son of Phoebe and John Brashear, died young in 1896 of typhoid fever. Their daughter, Effie, married James B. McDowell. They had two children, John Alfred and James. With their son, John Alfred McDowell, JBM assisted JAB in the Brashear Company laboratory. The partnership allowed Brashear to travel for the business. After the deaths of John Alfred and JAB, JBM became the business' sole owner.

Scope and Content Notes

The Brashear and McDowell Family Papers include materials relating to the life of John A. Brashear and Phoebe Stewart Brashear, their children and grandchildren. In addition to a small collection of family photographs and portraits, the papers also include the will of John A. Brashear, newspaper clippings about Brashear and McDowell family members, three biographical excerpts about John A. Brashear, and the marriage license of John A. McDowell and Jean W. Duncan.

Conditions Governing Access

None

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Jean Wray in 2015.

Preferred Citation

Brashear and McDowell Family Papers, 1892-2008, MSS 1070, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Carly Lough in August 2015.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Related Materials

The Brashear Time Capsule is housed in the museum division.

Phoebe Brashear Club constitution and meeting invitation, MFF 1497..

John Alfred Brashear autobiographical letter and honorary dinner programs, MFF 146.

Records of the Brashear Settlement, 1926-1935, MFF 151.

Subjects

Corporate Names

First Baptist Church (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Allegheny Observatory.

Personal Names

Brashear, John A. (John Alfred) (1840-1920)
Brashear, Phoebe Stewart (1843-1910)
McDowell, Effie Brashear.
McDowell, James B.
McDowell, John A.
McDowell Family.

Guide to the Brashear and McDowell Family Papers, 1892-2008