EDWIN A. PUGH. - Edwin A. Pugh, who is connected with the industrial interests of Springfield as a patternmaker and inventor, arrived in this city in 1872, and continued to make his home here until his death, which occurred on the 13th of April, 1902. He was born in England, July 16, 1850, a son of George and Anna Pugh, both of whom were natives of that country and spent their entire lives there. The father was a patternmaker and had charge of large mills in England. He was also engaged in the undertaking business.

In the schools of his native country Edwin A. Pugh acquired his education and after putting aside his text-books learned the patternmaker's trade under the direction of his father. He was nineteen years of age at the time of his father's death and soon afterward he sailed for America, landing in New York City. Proceeding westward into the interior of the country, he located in Chicago where he had relatives living, but after a short time he began traveling and working at his trade. In this way he visited many parts of the United States, but largely spent his time in the south. He always occupied the position of foreman in the various shops in which he was employed because his superior ability won him ready recognition and promotion. In 1872 he reached Springfield and became connected with its business interests as a patternmaker in the rolling mills here. Later he removed to Chicago, where he began business for himself, conducting a large shop on Clark street for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and returned to Springfield, becoming patternmaker in the Ide foundry, where he remained for three years. He then returned to the mills, where he worked for six years, and later he accepted the position of foreman for John C. Lamb in the Aetna foundry, in which capacity he had charge of all the men employed in that great industrial enterprise. He held that position until his death, giving excellent satisfaction and capably managing the operative part of the business. He was well known as an inventor and designer and through the invention of a gun cleaner which he patented, he realized a handsome profit. He also invented a coal machine for grading and sifting coal. He possessed splendid mechanical ability and ingenuity and was a valued addition to the industrial circles of Springfield.

In 1880 Mr. Pugh was married to Miss Annie Collin, who was born in Springfield, May 21, 1859, a daughter of Nicholas and Bertha (Brumalaw) Collin, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. Mr. Collin was a plasterer by trade and died in Springfield. His widow now resides on West Mason street here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pugh were born five children: Alfred, a patternmaker in Aetna foundry of this city; Mattie; Julia; Ernest; and Clara, who died at the age of fifteen months.

In his political allegiance Mr. Pugh was a Democrat, but never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his attention to his business interests. Socially he was connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He was well known among the manufacturers of Springfield and his unfaltering industry and reliability gained him an enviable position in the public regard of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. Pugh owns a nice residence at No. 1116 North Eleventh street, where she and her children reside.