The most prominent of the Follansbee brothers was Benjamin G. Follansbee. Benjamin was an important financier and manufacturer in Pittsburgh. He organized the Follansbee Brothers Company in 1894. In 1896, the Company built a tin mill in Pittsburgh, North Side. The business grew so rapidly that it was expanded with the new manufacturing site purchased from the Mahans. The main office remained in Pittsburgh. The Follansbee Brothers also financed the Brooke County Improvement Company, which developed a city plan and began constructing homes for workmen (See 1902 – William Banfield on Timeline)
A descendent from English immigrants, Benjamin’s patriotic ancestry gave him membership in the Pa. Society Sons of the American Revolution. He was devoted to civic affairs as indicated by his many contributions. He was a trustee of the University of Pittsburgh, Director of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Pittsburgh branch of the Tariff Commission League, a life member of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh, and a member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.
- By George Thornton Fleming, American Historical Society, History of Pittsburgh and environs, 1922
- http://books.google.com/books?id=VvkMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA93&lpg=PA93&dq=benjiman+g.+follasbee&source=bl&ots=V94gD0Vl_w&sig=f_qq09OD4EdDZ0FQgpaXIOQzuqk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KZneT7vyKsuA6QGrhZWGCw&ved=0CE4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=benjiman%20g.%20follasbee&f=false
The Follansbee Brothers