Haven't done any river research but here's a story from The Pittsburgh Evening Chronicle, Saturday, 19 November 1864, about one of my ancestors: Man Drowned Yesterday afternoon Mr. Jacob KOPP, a German residing in Allegheny, was drowned in the Allegheny River, above the upper bridge. It appears that the deceased was engaged in collecting drift wood, and fell under some raft or flat. he was about 50 years of age and leaves a family of two sons and one daughter. A reward of fifty dollars is offered for the recovery of the body. In settling the estate, expenses included advertising in Sunday newspapers offering a reward for recovery of the body as well as advertising in the Wheeling, West Virginia papers. Apparently they were not successful as no burial expenses are listed. Elizabeth KOPP, his widow, later filed a petition declaring that her eldest son, Jacob KOPP, and Christian HETZEL, her daughter Dorothea's husband, had assumed control of the estate and wouldn't give her anything; and that daughter Mary Amelia was in "delicate health and unable to earn her own livelihood." The petition was dismissed. The river was not kind to this family as this article about Jacob's other son, Christian, shows. From The Pittsburgh Daily Gazette, Friday 16 August 1872: Thrown on His Head A Prominent Citizen of Allegheny Seriously Injured A Singular Accident Yesterday afternoon an accident of a singular but somewaht serious character occurred to Mr. Jacob KOPP, one of Allegheny's prominent citizens. Mr. KOPP is owner of a saw mill in the Fourth Ward, near the River. Attached to the mill is machinery for drawing logs and rafts out of the river into the yard. Mr. KOPP was standing one one of the rafts which was being hauled up the incline when the rope attached to the drag broke and the raft swept backward. The sudden shock threw the gentleman off the ground, which he struck head foremost. Several employes ran to his assiance and found him insensible. They carried him to his residence in the vicinity where Drs. EBRHAST, ALCORN, HECKELDEAN and EASTEN who did all in their power to restore him to consciousness, but were unsuccessful. He began to bleed from the ears and nose last evening and was yet unconscious at last accounts. The physicians consider the case a serious one. Mr. KOPP is one of Allegheny's prominent citizens. He was served several terms in Council, and is well and widely know. There are many who will side with his friends in the hope that the accident may not result seriously. A story the next day reports his passing and notes that the deceased was 40 years of age and left a wife and seven children. Unlike his father, he didn't leave a will.