YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

HISTORY

OF

VENANGO COUNTY.
PENNSYLVANIA.

ITS PAST AND PRESENT,
INCLUDINO
ITS ABORIGINAL HISTORY; THB FRENCH AND BRITISH OCCUPATION OF THE
COUNTRY; ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH; A
DESCRIPTION OF ITS HISTORIC AND INTERESTING LOCALITIES; ITS
RICH OIL DEPOSITS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT; SKETCHES OF
ITS CITIES, BOROUGHS, TOWNSHIPS, AND VILLAGES; NEIGH
BORHOOD AND FAMILY HISTORY; PORTRAITS AND
BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS AND REPRESENT
ATIVE CITIZENS; STATISTICS, ETC., ETC.

ILLUSTRATED.

CurCAGO, Ilt,. :
BROWN, RUNK & CO., PUBLISHERS.
IK!M).

YALE

PEEFACE.

THAT portion of the Allegheny -valley included within the limits of Ve
nango county is eminently rich in historic interest. No unimportant
part of the struggle between Prance and England for empire in America
was enacted upon its soil. It was here that the military occupation of the
Ohio valley, perhaps the most comprehensive project of territorial aggran
dizement ever attempted upon the American continent, was begun by the
Erench, who thus expressed in unmistakable language the extent of their
claims and the course of their future policy, attracting the attention of the
English and colonial governments, and precipitating a conflict, the ultimate
results of which are apparent in all subsequent American history. Here the
conspiracy of the great Pontiac, almost without a parallel in its organization
of a savage population for combined action, achieved one of its most atro
cious and successful victories; and here was erected the last fortification
for protection against Indian aggression in the state of Pennsylvania.
While the county was thus the theater of events of far more than local sig
nificance in the period preceding its first settlement, the discovery and de
velopment of its rich oil deposits have rendered its recent history equally
interesting and important.
The physical features of the county — its aboriginal history, and the contest
for possession of its soil — the gradual progress of its early settlement, with
the customs and characteristics of pioneer life — its material resources in
soil and mineral treasures, and industrial activity in the past and present —
the transportation facilities of river and rail — its civil administration, and
public eleeiposynary institutions — the patriots of the Revolution who settled
upon its soil — the part taken by its citizens in the war of 1812, the Mexican
war, and the civil war — the educational and religious interests of the com
munity, with biographical mention of many of its citizens, are included in
the plan of this work, and have been treated with such fairness as its com
prehensive character would permit.
The opening chapters of the work, commencing with the aborigines and
extending through the Erench and British occupation of the Allegheny
valley down to the period of its permanent settlement, are from the pen of
the late Reverend S. J. M. Eaton, D. D., who also wrote the chapter on

IV PREFACE.
the early history of Franklin. Doctor Eaton' s long residence in the county,
his earnest researches into the stirring events of the pre-American period,
and extensive experience in educational, literary, and historic" work are
ample guaranty of its thorough execution.
The petroleum development has been treated by Walter R. Johns, of
Oil City, a gentleman of extended acquaintance with this subject, both as
journalist and author, who has presented in graphic and concise terms the
salient features of a story, which, though hackneyed by frequent repetition,
will never cease to possess local interest.
Herbert C. Bell, of Leitersburg, Maryland, is the author of the re
maining portions of the general history, excepting the chapter on Oil City,
which was compiled principally by Burton A. Konkle. The editorial super
vision of the work was intrusted to Mr. Bell, whose thoroughness aad accu
racy in historical research and narration have been acquired by a varied.
experience in this department of literary effort. In this responsible posi
tion he received the assistance of the publishers, whose long connection
with the business has made them familiar with all the details of local his
torical work.
An important feature of the publication is its several chapters of per
sonal and family biography, the data for which, were obtained from those to
whom they relate or their descendants ; and in order to insure accuracy, the
matter was afterward submitted to them for correction.
It would be impossible to mention here every one who has rendered val
uable aid in the preparation of this volume. Appropriate acknowledg
ments, however, are due and gladly tendered to the public press of the
county for access to newspaper files, and words of encouragement; to
county, city, and borough officials for courtesies shown; to the descendants
of the pioneers in every locality for information furnished; to attorneys,
physicians, and other professional men; to the pastors of churches; to the
leading spirits in various societies; to the owners and managers of manu
facturing and other business establishments; to those enterprising citizens
who gave us their patronage, and without whose support we could not have
succeeded; and in general to every one who has contributed in any manner
to the success of the work.
Neither time nor money nor labor has been spared to make this volume
an authentic and reliable source of information concerning the early his
tory and material development of the county, and the various commercial,
social, and religious activities of its people. We take pride in the knowl
edge that we have redeemed our promises, and furnished our patrons a
work which every intelligent citizen can justly appreciate.
Beown, Runk & Co.

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.

Introductory — The Place of Venango County in History — Surface— Productions — Timber
— Scenery — Foliage — Guology — Latent Resources — Allegheny River — Frencli Creelc —
Smaller Streams and General Drainage  17-22
CHAPTER II.
MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS.
Traces of a Mysterious Race — Prehistoric Remains at Franklin and Oil Creek — History
Re-enacted — Indian Occupation of this County at the Time of the French Possession
— Trihal Connections — Custaloga — Guyasutha — Cornplanter — Traditions — Indian God
Rock  32-3.5
CHAPTER III.
THE FRENCH POSSESSION.
The Jesuit and Franciscan Missionaries — Extent of the French Claims — Celorou's Expe
dition — Route and Progress — Burial of the Leaden Plates — Translation — The Return
to Canada — Bonnecamp's Map— Actual Occupation Begun — Military Posts Estah-
lished— John Frazier  36-42
CHAPTER IV.
WASHINGTON'S MISSION.
The Local Interest That Attaches to Washington's Visit — His Interviews with Joncaire
and St. Pierre— Route Traversed on the Journey and Return — His Commission, In
structions, and Passport — Influence of This Mission on his Subsequent Career  43-47
CHAPTER V.
FORT MACHAULT.
Construction Begun— Sources of Information— The Shippen Map— Its Description and
Probable Origin— Statements of Pouchot, Long, Johnson, Chauvignerie, Post, and
Mercer — Military Preparations at Fort Machault in 1759— Concentration of French
Forces for an Attack on Fort Pitt— This Project Relinquished and the Fort Evacuated
— Its Destruction — Retreat of the French — Traditions and Memorials of the French
Occupation  47-57
CHAPTER VI.
UNDER ENGLISH RULE.
English Occupation — Fort Venango — Its Location and Appointments — Pontiac' s Con
spiracy — Destruction of Fort Venango and Massacre of the Garrison — Sacrifice of
Historic Remains to the Utilitarian Spirit Deprecated  57-60

VIII . CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.
UNDER AMERICAN RULE.
Fort Franklin Erected — Indian Depredations — Ransom's Deposition — Ellicott's Letter
— Adlum's Testimony— McDowell's Statement— Cornplanter's Attitude— Location of
Fort Franklin — The "Old Garrison" — Suggestive Reflections  61-67
CHAPTER VIII.
LAND TENURE.
Acquisitions of Indian Territory under Proprietary Auspices — The Purchase of 1784 —
Donation Lands— Reservations— The Act of 1792— Land Companies— The Astley and
Bingham Lands — Dickinson College Tracts — Settlement and Improvement Tenure
— Resume  68-83
CHAPTER IX.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
First Permanent Settlement in Northwestern Pennsylvania, at Meadville — George Power
and his Early Contemporaries at Franklin — Pioneers of Scrubgrass — Clinton — Irwin
— French Creek — Sandy Creek, Victory and Mineral — Sugar Creek — Canal — Jackson
— Oakland — Cornplanter — Allegheny — Oil Creek — Cherry Tree — Plum — President —
Richland — Rockland — Cranberry — Pinegrore — Taxables in 1805 in Allegheny, Irwin,
and Sugar Creek — Population of the County by Decades  83-98
CHAPTER X.
EARLY SOCIAL LIFE.
€liaracter of the People Who Formed the Early Population of This County — Household
Furniture — Social Customs — Game — Domestic Manufactures — Pioneer Architecture
— Convivial Habits — Educational Facilities — Early Schools, Teachers, and Text Books
— The Postal Service — Financial Methods  98-104
CHAPTER XI.
EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE.
Sunday in a Pioneer Community — Early Religious Literature — Activity of the Clergy —
Interest of the People in Attending Worship — Manner of Traveling — Architecture of
the First Churches — The Methodist "Circuit Rider" — General Religious Tendencies
— Revivals — The "Falling Exercise" — Early Denominational Organization  107-113
CHAPTER XII.
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Erection and Boundaries — Early Civil Administration — Internal S abdi vision — Public Build
ings — Inauguration of the Public School System — Congressional and Legislative Rep
resentation — Roster of County Officers — Early Township Offlcers  ,  113-153
CHAPTER XIII.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
First Courts — Court Week During Pioneer Days — John Morrison, The Old Crier  Record
of the First Sessions — First Juries and Cases Tried — Prominent Early Lawyers  The
Bench — Brief Biographies of the Successive President Judges — Special District
Court — Associate Judges — The Bar of the Past and Present  153-189

CONTENTS. IX
CHAPTER XIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Uninviting Character of 'S'enango County as a Field for the Labors of Professional Physi
cians at au Early Date — Pioneer Doctors at Franklin and Throughout the County — "
Medical Societies — Roster of the Medical Profession  190-307
CHAPTER XV.
AGRICULTURE.
Relative Importance of Agriculture — Pioneer Farming — Development of Improved
Methods and Machinery — Introduction of Domestic Animals and of the Cereals into
America — Pioneer Stock — Prospect Hill Stock Farm — Oakwood Farm and Garden
Company, Limited — Agricultural Societies — The Grange — Harvest Home Associa
tions  308-222
CHAPTER XVI.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Relation of Highways of Travel to Civilization — Roads — Turnpikes and Plank Roads —
Water Highways — The First Steamboat — French Creek and Oil Creek — Railroads —
Venango Railroad — New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio — Western New York and
Pennsylvania — Jamestown and Franklin — Allegheny Valley — Postal Facilities, . . ,233-342
CHAPTER XVII.
THE PRESS.
First Newspapers in Western Pennsylvania — Journalism in Franklin — Emlenton Papers —
The Press of Oil City— Papers at Pithole City, Pleasantville, etc  342-263
CHAPTER XVIII.
EARLY MILITARY HISTORY.
Venango County in the Revolution — The War of 1813 — Defenseless Condition of Erie —
Militia Orgauization of Western Pennsylvania — General Mead Calls out the Militia to
Repel Threatened Invasion at Erie — The One Hundred and Thirty-Second Regiment
Again Called out in 1814 — Roster of the Regiment — The Old Militia — Roster of the
Venango Guards — The Mexican War — Sketches of Generals Alexander Hays and
Jesse L. Reno  262-378
CHAPTER XIX.
VENANGO COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.
State of Public Sentiment at the Outbreak of the War — Public Meetings — Regimental
Sketches — Thirty-Ninth — Fifty-Seventh — Sixty-Third — Sixty-Fourth — Sixty -Fifth
— One Hundred and Third — One Hundred and Fifth — One Hundred and Twenty-
First — One Hundred and Forty-Second — One Hundred and Sixty-First — Laniberton
Guards — Relief Association — Soldiers' Monument  37,S-30"
CHAPTER XX.
THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT,
The Drake Well— Early Methods of Drilling and Transportation— The Third Sand— First
Flowing Wells — Railroads and Pipe Lines — Heavy or Lubricating Oil Belt — Oil
Towns — Petroleum Transportation — Nitro-Glycerine — Natural Gas — The Producer —
Petroleum and Gas Fields— Statistics  308-338

X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXI.
CITY OF FRANKLIN.
Survey and Sale of the Town Plafr-Settlement and Growth— Early Surveyors— The Old
Merchants— Early Mechanics— Hotels— The Press— "The Nursery of Great Men"—
Early Physicians and Lawyers— Some Old Ministers— The First Sunday School-
Incidents and Landmarks— The Old Way of Traveling— Ancient Roads— The Old
Cemetery — Water, Light, and Scenery  341-373,
CHAPTER XXII.
CITY OF FRANKLIN (Concluded).
General Progress of the Town — Franklin in 1833 — Municipal Government — The Post-
office— Bridges, Railroads, etc.— Manufactures — The Oil Industry — General Business
Interests — Telegraph, Express, and Telephone Facilities — Secret and Other Societies
— Educational — Religious Organizations — The Franklin Cemetery — Resume  374-433-
CHAPTER XXIII.
OIL CITY.
Sites and Sales— Early Business, Physicians, and Lawyers — Plats and Organization —
Public Buildings, Grading, and Drainage — Departments of Fire and Police — Water
•Works, Gas, and Electricity — Fires and Floods, etc. — Facilities of Travel and Trans
portation — Internal Revenue Service — Post, Telegraph, and Telephone Ofllces —
Banks and Building Associations — Newspapers — Hotels and Halls — Manufactures —
Oil Operations — Secret, Social, and Professional Societies — Schools — Religious
Organizations — Cemeteries  433-510-
CHAPTER XXIV.
BOROUGH OF EMLENTON.
Early History — The First Merchants — Hotels — Local Bridge and Railroad Enterprises'—
Manufactures — The Borough Organization — Secret and Other Societies — Schools —
Churches  511-524
CHAPTER XXV.
IRWIN TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Population — Pioneers — Taverns — Mills — Villages — Schools — Cemetery 
Churches  52.5-585-
CHAPTER XXVI.
ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Boundaries — Pioneers — Early Industries — Schools — Churches and Ceme
teries  535-541
CHAPTER XXVII.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Boundaries — Pioneers — Villages — Churches — Schools  542-548-
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Early Land Entries — Pioneer Settlements — Industries and Resources 
Villages — Schools — Churches . . .'  ,548-560

CONTENTS. XI
CHAPTER XXIX.
FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Erection — Boundaries — Topography — Indians — Pioneers— Mills and Factories — Borough
of Utica, Its Early Settlement, Growth, Business Interests, and Official Record  Bor
ough of Polk, Its Past and Present — Churches — Cemeteries — Schools  561-581
CHAPTER XXX.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Organization and Population — Pioneers — Early Industries — Villages — Churches 
Schools  583-586
CHAPTER XXXI.
CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Streams — Popvilation — Pioneers — Early Industries — Villages — The First
Oil Well — The BenninghofE Robbery — Schools — Churches — Cemeteries  587-597
CHAPTER XXXII.
PLUM TOWNSHIP.
Extent and Population — Pioneers — Borough of Sunville — Chapmanville — Wallaceville—
Diamond — Bradleytown — Churches — Schools  597-604
CHAPTER XXXIII.
ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries and Erection — Pioneers — Industries and Resources — Village Growth-
Churches — Schools  605-615
CHAPTER XXXIV.
PINEGROVE TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Early Land Ownership — Settlement — Mills — ViUages — Coal, Oil, and Gas
— Churches- Schools  615-630
CHAPTER XXXV.
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries — Population — Organization — Pioneers — Industries of the Past and Present —
Village Growth— Schools— Churches  '  620-634
CHAPTER XXXVI.
CANAL TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Boundaries — Physical Features — Timber — Watercourses — Early Settlement
— List of Pioneers — Industries — Hanna ville — Educational — Cemeteries — Religious
 634-643
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP.
Material Wealth and Historic Associations — Pioneers — Industries — Organization — Plumer
— Pithole City — Petroleum Center — Rouseville — Borough of Siverly — Smaller Towns
—Churches— Schools  644^674

XII CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
SANDY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Population— Pioneers— Taxable Inhabitants of 1836— Schools— Churches
^  675-679'
CHAPTER XXXIX.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries— Organization— Pioneers— Dempseytown— Schools— Churches  680-689'
CHAPTER XL.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Organization and Extent— Pioneers — Borough of Cooperstown — Inhabitants in 1837 —
Industries — Oil Developments — Secret and Other Societies — Municipal Government
—Population— Schools— Churches  689-703;
CHAPTER XLI.
PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP.
Topography — Erection and Population — Settlement — Economic Resources — Villages —
Churches— Schools  702-706,
CHAPTER Xlill.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Topographical Features^Pioneers — Township Organization — The Bullion Oil District —
Borough of Clintonville — Village Growth of the Past and Present — Schools —
Churches  706-73*
CHAPTER Xlilll.
OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Pioneers — Early Mills — Pleasantville — Settlement — Growth — Banking In
stitutions — Secret and Other Societies — Municipal Organization — Shamhurg 
Churches — Schools — Pleasantville Cemetery  733-734
CHAPTER XLIV.
MINERAL TOWNSHIP.
Organization and Topography — Settlement — Raymilton — Churches — Schools  734r-739'
CHAPTER XliV.
VICTORY TOWNSHIP.
Organization— Pioneers—The Old Furnaces— Springville— Schools— Churches . . . 740-744
CHAPTER XL VI.
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN.
Biographies of Franklin  744-837
CHAPTER XL VII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.
Biographies of Oil City  838-939

CONTENTS.

XIII

CHAPTER XL VIII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON.

Biographies of Emlenton.

.930-953

CHAPTER XLIX.
BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN, SCRUBGRASS, AND CLINTON.
Biographies of Irwin  953-966 I Biographies of Clinton  979-1006.
Biographies of Scrubgrass  966-979 |
CHAPTER L.
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK, S.-VNDY CREEK, MINERAL, AND VICTORY.
Biographies of French Creek  1007-1035 I Biographies of Mineral  1030-1037
Biographies of Sandy Creek  1036-1030 | Biographies of Victory  1037-1040
CHAPTER LI.
BIOGRAPHIES OF SUGAR CREEK, CHERRY TREE, PLUM, CANAL, OAKLAND,
AND JACKSON.

Biographies of Sugar Creek  1041-1046
Biographies of Cherry Tree  1046-1053
Biographies of Plum  1053-1059

Biographies of Canal  1059-1067
Biographies of Oakland  1067-1070-
Biographies of Jackson  1070-1077

CHAPTER LII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF ALLEGHENY, CORNPLANTER, PRESIDENT, AND OIL CREEK.

Biographies of Allegheny  1077-1082
Biographies of Cornplanter  1082-1099

Biographies of President  1099-1103
Biographies of Oil Creek  110^1111

CHAPTER LIII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF RICHLAND, ROCKLAND, PINEGROVE, AND CRANBERRY.
Biographies of Richland  1111-1119 I Biographies of Pinegrove  1128-1135
Biographies of Rockland  1119-1128 | Biographies of Cranberry  1135-1154

BIOGRAPHICAL IXDEX  1155-1164

XIV

CONTENTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PORTRAITS.

Adams, John  5'i'3
Anderson, James  555
Beringer, George  facing 1004
Bleakley, James  249
Bredin, James M  facing 803
Clapp, Ralph  105
Clapp, E. E  facing 1100
Clapp, J. M  447
Crawford, D. M  969
Cross, Robert  717
Dale, Samuel  69
Dale, Samuel F  87
Eaton, S. J. M  16
Espy, George P  645
Fassett, L. H  439
Fleming, S. L  735
Foster, James  facing 1036
Frazier, Alexander  facing 1068
Oalbraith, D. C  835
Geary, Michael  465
¦GilflUan, C. W  789
Hatch, Philip M  facing 1084
Hays, Samuel  367
Henderson, J. B  facing 1116
Hetzler, John  609
Hovis, David  951
James, H. F  facing 1052
Lamb, John  537
Lamberton, Robert  51
Leach, James  879
Mackey, C. W  375
Mackey, Charles W  771
Milton, John. . . .'  313

PAGE.
Mitchell, F. W  393
Mitchell, John L  321
Myers, James S  177
McCalmont, John  33
McClellan J. P  facing 1020
McKee, Thomas  123

Osmer, J. H.

807

Park, Myron  339
Phipps, Porter  987
Phipps, R. J  303
Phipps, Samuel  141
Plumer, Arnold  753
Raymond, Aaron W  231
Raymond, William  357
Ritchey, J. A  483
Ross, Joseph  501
Sayers, H.J  681
Sloan, Leslie  519
Smithman, John B  897
Snowden, S. Gustine  195
Speechley, Samuel  facing 1132
Standley, John  facing 1148
Stewart, S. W  915
Strong, 0. H  ,  627
Taylor, Charles E  285
Taylor, F. H  861
Trunkey, John  159
Vandergrift, J. J  843
Wallace, John  663
Weber, Adam  699
Weller, Joseph  933
Whann, Walter Lowrie  411
Wilbert, Henry  591

MISCELLANEOUS.

Carte d'un Voyage Fait dans la Belle
Reviere en la Nouvelle France  40
Drake's Pioneer Oil Well  311
Fac Simile of Leaden Plate  38
Fort Machault, 1754-59  48

Fort Venango, 1760-63  58
Franklin in 1840  377
Indian God Rock  32
Inscription on Indian God Rock  33
Map of Venango County  v-vi

<i2-^^Z^~

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,

CHAPTEK I.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
IxTRODUCTOKY— The Plaok of Venango County in Histoky— Surface-
Productions — Timber — Scenery— Foliage — Geology — Latent
llEsouRCEs— Allegheny River— French Creek— Smaller
Streams and General DiiAmAGE.
THE history of Venango county has many points of special interest.
It is not extensive in its geographical boundaries, and lies distant
from the seaboard, yet from the earliest period it has been the scene of in
teresting and historic events. On its hills and its valleys there still linger
the dim foot-prints of a people whose origin and history and decadence are
alike enshrouded in mystery.
Its history is touched by that remarkable period in European history
known as "the Hundred Years' war." Although no battles were fought on
its soil, yet the great proportion of the struggle between France and Eng
land is one of its exciting features in colonial history. It has had no less
than four military fortifications for its defense, which, although not equal
to the fortresses of the Middle Ages, have yet answered the purposes of
the times.
And in modern times Venango was for years the theater of the won
drous development of wealth known as the oil production, the history and
progress of which are given in another chapter.
Beneath her soil, too, mineral wealth has slumbered, all unknown to the
Indian and the Frenchman and the earlier citizen, that has in later days
been a blessing and a joy to the people. Her coal and iron mines, whilst
not at all equal to those of other regions, have been an element of comfort
and even wealth, when other sources of business prosperity seemed to fail.
And her fountains of water have been a source of health and enjoyment,
as they gush from the hillside, or find their way from the mountain tops.

18 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
In the days when the primeval forest covered large portions of her ter
ritory, the creek and river were navigable and added to the facilities of
travel both in colonial and earlier state history.
In her influence on the commonwealth and nation, Venango has exerted
no limited power. Whilst the county seat has been called the ' ' Nursery
of Great Men," the history of the past has gone far to show that, amid her
rugged hills and majestic scenery, there has grown up a 'succession of men
of broad views of government, of talent to mould and to influence their fel
low men in the halls of the state and national legislatures, on the bench, and
in moi-e stormy times to command on the field of battle. In this regard
this county has had her full share of labor, of responsibility, and of success,
and can point proudly to the history of the past.
Venango county has a very diversified surface. In many portions it
is extremely rugged, and the soil not favorable to cultivation. The great
upheaval and subsidence of a formative age are quite distinctly visible.
The shrinking and collapsing of the cooling process that followed the heated
era through which the earth passed have left wrinkles and depressions that
formed the hills and valleys of the present. Still, many parts of the county
are level, with productive soil and all the elements that constitute a good
farming region. In the southern portions, particularly the townships of
Scrubgrass and Clinton, in the Sugar creek and French creek valleys, and
in the northern portion, as Allegheny township, there are level stretches of
country, with generous soil equal to any in the state, and the farming is car
ried on with as much skill and success as in any other region.
The productions are the same as in neighboring counties. Wheat, rye,
corn, and oats are harvested successfully, and hay and buckwheat are staple
crops. The country must have appeared very beautiful when in possession of
the Kedmen. The valleys were covered with forest trees, and the hills
presented every variety of foliage from the deciduous to the evergreen.
Along the valley of the Allegheny, or the Ohio, as the French called it,
there was no more beautiful natural scenery to be found in the world, judg
ing by the lingering traces of beauty that yet remain.
Dean Stanley said that he came to America chiefly to see an American
forest when clothed with its autumnal foliage. And the view is beautiful
and attractive, as is no other forest upon earth. Other countries have their
hills and valleys, their parks and forests of majestic trees, but in no place
is there found the variety and beauty of autumnal foliage that belong to this
country. And the hills that skirt the Allegheny in Venango county, and above
and below, stand among the first in their attractiveness. Among the larger
trees are the oaks and chestnuts and maples, with their wonderful hues of
brown and scarlet and yellow and red, while among the smaller are the

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 19
hickory, with its deep rich yellow; the sassafras, with its changing glints
from scarlet to yellow; and the sumach, with its golden tints. Then there
are the evergreen trees, with their undying green; the hemlock and pine,
mingling their sober radiance with the more gaudy color of their neighbors,
like dark shadows in the midst of the summer sunshine, forming a picture
of wondrous beautj% and with the ravines and the changing course of the
river making a constant variety in the landscape.
The Indian in his canoe and the Frenchman in his bateau, as they
floated down the river with such a picture on either hand, must have been
attracted by the view, and the latter might well call the stream La Belle
Ohio. And although the canoe and the bateau, and even the steamer have
ceased to glide over the river, other modes of travel still bring in the autumn
time glimpses of scenery that are never forgotten.
These hills are not only clothed with the autumn foliage that is the pre
cursor of death, but with the rich spring flowers that are the adornment of
life. In many places the wild honey suckle, whose flowers anticipate its
leaves, deck the early spring months. The low laurel, as it is called, blooms
in great profusion, and in many places the high laurel, an American Rho
dodendron, throws up its high spikes of flowers, with hues from pink to
white in variety and magnificence such as the English Rhododendrons of
Hyde Park and Warwick Castle never dreamed of.
To those who take a nearer view there are« flowers of more modest pre
tensions, hiding away underneath the shrubbery, that are full of attraction.
The ladies' .slippers, with their hoods of pink and bright yellow and yellow
ish green leaves ridged and corrugated; the violet, the spring beauty, and
above all, the trailing arbutus, first and foremost of all the flowers of the
forest in delicacy of tint and fragrance that seems not distilled of earth, all
combine to make the landscape beautiful.
All this beauty must have clothed the hills as with a regal robe, as the
Indians roamed the forest and the Frenchman indulged in dreams of empire
in the newly discovered region of the West. And when it became the per
manent dwelling place of those who could see God in nature as well as in
grace, and who could appreciate the beautiful things of earth as well as of
the skies, these natural beauties were a strong attraction to the place. They
linger among us still, the flowers on the hill sides, the fragrance they distill
from earth and air and exhale upon the breath of the atmosphere as it is
borne to our senses, and the feeling is one of thankfulness and trust.
The county is well watered. A singular feature is that fine springs are
found at the tops of the highest hills and are perennial in their supplies.
The prevailing stone is sandstone, although limestone is found in the
southern part. The hills rest on the old foundations, yet in many places
they bear evidence of upheaval and the action of fire. Near the base of some
of these hills the stone is of good quality for building, yet cracked and broken

20 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and seamed so as to be entirely worthless. Perhaps in the stratum under
lying this there are fine flag stones, bearing still on their faces the ripple
marked rain pats of the primeval ages, when these rocks were but beds of
sand. In other places the underlying rock seems to have been kneaded and
pressed together when in a plastic form, until it is almost impossible to
penetrate or quarry it, giving evidence of the action of great heat.
Iron ore is found in many parts of the county, not of such richness as is
found in other states, but that will yield a good per centum of metal.
And as the earliest inhabitants of this region passed over its soil and
pursued their game, or cultivated their favored spots in corn, there was a
wealth all unseen or undreamed of beneath their feet that was to come forth
in the latter days when civilization and refinement should require its aid.
Great seas of oil and stores of gas were awaiting the time of need when
wood should become scarce, and when the great industries of life should re
quire the aid of something more potent than the simple arrangements of
savage life. In all these matters, Venango county has been highly favored.
The Allegheny river has had several names. The Shawnese Indians
called it Palawa-Thoriki; the Delawares named it AUigawi Sipu, after a
race of Indians which they believed had once dwelt upon the stream. This
tribe were called Alleghansby Colden in the London edition of his work, and
Lewis Evans, on his map published in 1755, calls the river the Alleghan.
The Senecas called it Ho-he-u, which name the French adopted, con
necting it with the Ohio as the same stream. In French documents it is
called La Belle Rivifere, Oheo or Ohio, meaning the beautiful river. It must
have been a beautiful and majestic stream in" the days when the whole coun
try was covered with forests, and when there was consequently a calm regu
lar flow duringthe entire season without droughts or unusual overflows. It
has a winding current, and whilst in this county its general course is south
erly, such is the devious course it runs amid the hills that in some parts of
its progress it runs toward every point of the compass.
The hills on either side of the river rise up rather precipitously, perhaps
to the height of five hundred feet. But they are never rugged or bare when
in a state of nature. The greatest variety and luxuriance of vegetation are
found everywhere. Lofty trees, both deciduous and evergreen, rise from
the base to the lofty summit that is the general level of the country. So
this great river is like a mighty rending furrow that has been cut through
the primeval soil and rock, making a pathway for the waters and a compar
atively level thoroughfare for the exigencies of trade and travel.
French creek, the stream that winds its way through the county seat, is
in these last days but an insignificant creek, without interest or attraction of
any kind; yet when we trace its history backward one hundi-ed and forty
years we find it crowded with interest and full of romantic adventure. It
has played no unimportant part in the struggle for empire, , in which the

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 21
denizens of the forest, the crowns of France and England, as well as the
people of the United States, have been engaged.
Taking its way through portions of but three counties, it has yet been
the scene of active interest in the contest between England and France,
between England and the Indians, and between England and the United
States. It has been defended by more military works than any other stream
of equal length in the United States. But in these later times it has sub
sided to quietness and peace, " Like a warrior taking his rest,
With his martial cloak around him."
It takes its origin in Chautauqua county. New York, passes into Erie
county, thence into Crawford, impinges on Mercer, and through Venango
enters the Allegheny river. George Washington describes it as being ' ' a
crooked stream, but passing through much good land, embracing many rich
meadows. ' ' The French used the strean as their highway to the Ohio, bring
ing their material of war down its channel.
It has had various names. The French called it Rivifere aux Boeufs.
This was the name C^loron gave it in 1749. In Coffin's narrative in 1754
it is called Le Boeuff, meaning Buffalo or Beef river. It was also called
Venango river. But Washington, in his practical way, called it French
creek, the name it still continues to bear.
In later days it was used by the settlers for boating purposes. In 1813
all the naval stores needed for the construction of Perry's fleet were brought
from Pittsburgh to Franklin, and then up the creek to Waterford, and then
by land to Erie. It was a source of wonder to the English where these
stores came from, as they had possession of the lakes, and did not know of
this internal system of navigation. Still later it was used to carry lumber
and farm productions to the Pittsburgh and southern markets.
It is likely that when Washington navigated its waters in 1753, it was a
broad, deep stream, keeping up its navigable qualities throughout the year.
The whole country was covered with forests. The swamps kept up a con
stant supply by holding the rains in reserve. But the time of navigation
has gone by, and its greatness is but a memory and a feature of its history.
Yet the important part it played in the history of the country's struggles
will always form an interesting page in the great volume that is to be made
up in recounting the story of the past,
• Oil creek had few elements of greatness until a comparatively late day.
It comes into the county from Crawford and winds its way among the hills,
with here and there a stretch of valley that in time afforded farms for the
early settlers. The hills on either side are somewhat precipitous, increasing
in altitude as they approach the banks of the Allegheny, into which they at
length merge themselves. But this creek was to have a history that should
be world-wide when the proper time should come.

22 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Sugar creek is a tributary of French creek, joining it about two miles
above its mouth. It runs through a beautiful region of country "with leve
ground and a good soil, and with delightful springs entering it from the
neighboring hills. Some of the flats adjoining it must have been the favor
ite resorts of the Indians, as the evidence of their presence would indicate.
Farther up is Mill creek, coming in from the opposite side of French
creek, and above this Deer creek. Then below French creek, on either side
of the Allegheny, are the Sandy creeks. So popular was this name that it
has been repeated no less than four times within the limit of a few miles.
There are Big Sandy, Little Sandy, South Sandy and East Sandy. Still
farther south are Scrubgrass and Little Scrubgrass. Above Oil creek are
Horse creek and Hemlock creek, flowing into the Allegheny from the south,
and Pithole creek on the north, while in every section of the county are
small runs that materially assist in the drainage of its lands.

CHAPTER II.
MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS,
Traces of a Mysterious Race— Prehistoric Remains at Franklin and
Oil Creek— History Re-enacted— Indian Occupation of this
County at the Time of the French Possession— Tribal
Connections— Custaloga— Guyasutha— Cornplant
er — Traditions— Indian God Rock,
WE can not go very far back in the history of Venango county. The
sands of time have gathered upon the pathway of the past and ob
literated the foot-prints of the passing multitude. That this continent is
ancient as any portion of the globe is evident from the geological records.
There is some evidence that it was the first land to emerge from the chaotic
mass of water. But of its earliest inhabitants we have no knowledge save
from a few foot-prints that are well nigh obliterated. One or two such foot
prints of a mysterious race that once possessed this country we have very
near to us.
Up on the bluff that overlooks Franklin was to be seen, up to a few
years ago, an arrangement that had the appearance of an outlook oyer the
river and creek. Its site is so located that it covers at a single glance the
entire plot of the town, and at the same time the river nearly up to Oil City
and as far down as the Cochran farm. Then there is in full view French
creek from its mouth many miles up stream.

MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS, 23
The appearance of the point was peculiar. There was first a pit in form
like an inverted cone, or like the den of the ant lion. It was regularly
formed, some eight feet in diameter, and six to eight feet in depth, and
lined with stones neatly laid, and forming a symmetrical wall. These stones
were brought from a distance, and were nearly uniform in size. The point
could not have been better chosen for an outlook on the river or creek.
By whom was this simple yet substantial work prepared ? Certainly not
by the Indians. They never went to the trouble of doing any such work.
A tree or a fallen log or rock afforded them sufficient shelter, without think
ing of anything more elaborate. It was perhaps the remains of a prehis
toric fortification, utilized by the French as a point of observation.
Again, the ancient oil pits reach far back of the historic period. They
are found on Oil creek. These pits are very numerous and bear the mark
of antiquity. They are generally oblong in form, about four by six feet, and
from four to six feet in depth, notwithstanding the wear and tear of centuries
and the accumulation of extraneous matter. The deeper and larger ones have
been cribbed with tiinber at the sides to preserve their form. This crib
bing was roughly done; the logs were split in halves, stripped of their bark,
and safely adjusted at the corners. The walls seem to have been so thor-
ohghly saturated with oil as to be preserved almost entire to this day.
These pits are on the west side of Oil creek, about two miles below Titus-
ville, and in this county. They cover perhaps five hundred acres of land,
and there may be in all two thousand pits. In some cases large trees grow
in the pits and on the septa that divide them, showing their antiquity.
Not far from the mouth of Oil creek there was another ancient discovery.
In digging the tail-race for a saw mill there was brought to light what had
evidently been a deep shaft with its sides lined with timbers set in endwise
that still preserved the clear outlines of the shaft. All had been buried up
in the mud and soil that had accumulated over it and where its presence
might have remained unknown to the end of time, had it not been disturbed
by the movements of business and American enterprise.
Again the question arises. By whom were these ancient works built?
Certainly not by the Indians. They had no means of collecting oil on so
large a scale. They never labored for any purpose, save on the hunt or the
warpath. They could give no account of the work. Neither was it by the
French, There is no mention of the business of collecting oil in any of
their letters or journals. Besides, there is a growth of timber in these pits
and on the septa that divide them that shows that they antedate the era of
the French, if not even the coming of Columbus.
Undoubtedly there was a people on this continent that have left their
foot- prints from New Mexico to the great lakes, of whom we are wholly
ignorant. For want of a better name we call them "Mound Builders."
Although we have but dim traces of the existence of those early settlers of

24 HISTORY OP VENANGO COUNTY.
America in Venango county, what we have are but cumulative evidences of
their presence and power in the land, and when added to still stronger evi
dences in the West and in Central America, they leave no doubt of their
existence at some remote period of time.
It is no objection to the facts of history written all over the continent,
that they must have been overcome and destroyed by the Indians, an inferior
and savage race. The same thing has occurred again and again in recorded
history. Two thousand years ago Greece fell from the very summit of civil
ization and art and letters, before an inferior people, Rome, while con
sidered the "Mistress of the World," and powerful above any nation that
had ever risen in the history of time, in the arts of war and of peace, fell
before the barbarous Goths and Vandals and Huns, and even to-day much
of her glory lies buried in the dust of the ages.
So with these early settlers on American soil. We call them "Mound
Builders," but their structures of stone in towns and cities show that they
had cultivation and art and skill far in advance of the Indians who succeeded
them; yet, in some remarkable way, they were overcome and supplanted in
their possessions, and so utterly ruined that not even their name or the
manner of their fate has come down to our day — an impressive lesson of the
vanity of earthly fame and the uncertainty of human glory.
At the time the Indians became known to us through the French, they
were numerous and powerful. There were certain favorite localities where
they settled down in nomadic style, yet always ready to remove and seek
new locations as the exigencies of the seasons or the encroachment of other
tribes might demand. They had their hunting grounds and their corn fields,
the former where the men spent their time, and the latter where the women
sought to eke out a scanty or a full living, as circumstances might determine.
There is reason to think that Franklin was a favorite resort. Indeed, it
was an old Indian town when the French first took possession. An early
writer says that there was an old Indian town called Weningo, on the Ohio
(Allegheny), before the French came to erect their fortifications. It was fav
orable to their modes of life. The land was level and the soil rich and
adapted to their meager kind of cultivation. In many parts of what is now
the city of Franklin quantities of bones have been disinterred in excavating
for cellars; the common stone arrowhead and tomahawks of the same ma
terial have been found in abundance, denoting the age before association
with white men; while quantities of rude glass beads have shown that it
was their home after the days of presents and barter had commenced with
civilized men. Its proximity to the river and creek made this a desirable
point for fishing, and for passing easily from place to place in their bark
canoes. Two Mile run, above Franklin, was also a great resort; there temporary
homes were erected and the rich flats cultivated in corn. This is true also of

MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 25
anany other points along the river as level portions of land were developed,
and the ground subdued to the mode of cultivation that was common among
them. But while the Senecas or Six Nations held such iron sway in this region,
they were not by any means independent of other tribes. Indeed, there
was at times, if not always, a confederation that bound all these tribes
together for the common purposes of defense against enemies from without.
This is clearly shown in the great struggle with the English, after the French
had withdrawn from the country, in the days of the great Pontiac,
When the French appeared upon the scene, there were first the Jesuit
-and Franciscan priests, bearing the olive branch of peace and good-will,
preaching the gospel to the Indians, and exploring the country with great
assiduity and pei-severance. Then came the mission of Gallissonidre, under
the leadership of C^loron, soon followed by the expedition that was to build
forts for the defense of the country, both as against the Indians and the
English, But all this was with the largest professions of friendship to the
best interests of the Indians. They promised to build trading houses and
establish places of exchange that would be to the mutual advantage of both
parties. The English government made no such pretensions, but, while not un
willing to trade with the Indians, always acted on the characteristic pre
sumption that the country belonged to them. It is not strange, then, that
during all the strife between the French and English the Indians were on
ithe side of the former, and fought with them in the strife that commenced
on the river below.
These people made a brave defense for what they called their homes, yet
is there more of sentiment than reason in the notion that they were driven
Jrom them and deprived of their rights by the invading white population.
J^o doubt many cases of wrong and injustice and inexcusable violence
occurred in the struggle between barbarism and civilization, between heath
enism and Christianity; but " manifest destiny" was proclaiming that this
continent was not designed as a hunting ground for a few painted savages,
but the home of a great nation that was to subdue it and exert an influence
for good upon all the nations of the earth. And so the Indians gave way
and moved westward, and lands were cultivated; towns and cities were
builded; the worship of the living God was permanently established; Chris
tian churches pointed their spires heavenward; the arts and sciences were
•cultivated, and prosperity everywhere abounded.
Where were those Indians from ? Who were they ? How did they gain
possession of this great continent ? The whole question is one involved in
mystery that we have not the light to solve. We have but the fact of their
•existence and meager traces of their history.
At the first this region was peopled by the Cat Indians, or Eries, a mild,

26 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
peaceable race of people that extended ' from Lake Ontario along the south
ern shore of Lake Erie. Tradition states this tribe was, at one time, ruled
by a queen named, Ya-go-wan-rea, who, like the queen of Palmyra, after
ruling with dignity and justice, at length fell a victim to the jealously and
intolerance of the surrounding tribes.
Schoolcraft relates that the Eries being pressed by their enemies, grad
ually moved toward the Ohio (Allegheny) river, where their council fires.
were soon after put out, and they ceased to be known as a tribe. The date
of this extinction is 1658.
That terrible confederacy of the Indian tribes, known first as the Five,
and afterward as the Six Nations, was formed and extended its sway far
and wide. From the Mohawk river, they extended their conquests west
ward like the ocean tide, sweeping everything from their pathway until
they reached the Mississippi, kindling their council fires throughout the
whole northern portion of the Allegheny valley. The Eries, as a nation,
were exterminated in this path of conquest, and their broken fragments
absorbed by these ' ' Romans of America. ' '
At the beginning of the historic period the Six Nations, or Iroquois,
were in possession of the country, and with them we have to deal in the
early history of the county. They were first with the French, then with
the English, seeking what seemed to be their own interests and guided by
that principle alone.
There were probably heroic souls among these Indians from the first.
But they had no historians to hand down their deeds to posterity. In the
many terrible wars that were sometimes waged almost to extermination,there
must have been leaders equal in many respects to any of those found in the
historic nations. Savage life and savage virtues did not quench the fires of
genius, or bring all men down to a common level. Without the knowledge
of civilized men there were Indian chiefs that were the peers of the heroes
of ancient Rome. Pontiac was a great man in his day, though overpow
ered by the scientific warfare of his civilized foes.
As among other people, there were men of influence and authority among
the Indians. They rose by natural talent, assisted by circumstances and
confirmed by actual experience. There were men among these people who
would have figured grandly in ancient Rome by far-seeing power, by the art
of combination, by their magnetic influence over men, and by their magnifi
cent bravery on the field of strife. Sometimes their great chiefs wielded
power over special tribes and sometimes they were the acknowledged leaders
over many tribes combined. It seems fitting, then, to sketch a few of the
mighty chiefs who were associated with Venango county, and whose ashes ,
rest near to us, in the common sleep of savage and civilized men.
Custaloga was a famous man in his day. He was the chief of the Dela
wares in this part of the country. Although the territory belonged to

MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 27
the Senecas, with their permission he had a town on French creek, some
twelve miles above its mouth and near the mouth of Deer creek, that was
known as Custaloga' s Town, Custaloga is spoken of by Washington in his
journal. A friend and ally of the French, he was at the battle of Great
Meadows and at Braddock's defeat in 1755, He was a man of great ability,
and seemed endowed with a greater foresight than most of the Indian chiefs;
perceiving the coming downfall of the French, he was one of the first to
form an alliance with the English, In the peace, treaties that followed in
subsequent years, we find him an ardent friend to peace with the white
people. We do not know when or where he died, but the natural suppo
sition is that in his old age he would seek the quiet of his own village
on French creek. There were several prominent Indian graves at this place,
the remains of which are seen to this day, and we may well conclude that in
one of these grass-grown mounds the old chief sleeps his last sleep.
Guyasutha was one of the most prominent of all the Indian sachems on
the Allegheny, He was a man of great ability and good judgment, an im
placable enemy, and a firm friend. In his youth he accompanied Wash
ington in his trip to Venango, and is probably known in his journal as " the
Hunter," We find him on all occasions and iS all places, in times of
peace, and in times of war. He was equally at home in pursuing the red
deer in the forest, and on the warpath with his paint and feathers. Neville
B. Craig, of " The Olden Time," had seen him and speaks of him as an
ubiquitous character, who long acted a conspicuous part near the Ohio.
He had been the great leader in the burning of Hannastown, and in other
operations at that time,
Guyasutha (or Kiashuta) was one of the most trusted lieutenants of
Pontiac in that great conspiracy that was designed in its effects to extermi
nate the white people all along the border, and he appears to have had
charge of operations in western Pennsylvania, After the Revolution, al
though he had been on the side of Great Britain, he soon saw that his in
terests and those of his people were with the United States,
Mr, Craig in " The Olden Time," Volume I, pages 387-338, has located
the place of Guyasutha' s sepulture in Allegheny county, but there is very
strong evidence that he died, and was buried at Custaloga' s Town. There
has been a uniform and consistent tradition to that effect in the neighbor
hood of Custaloga' s Town time whereof the memory of the oldest resident
runs not to the contrary, and during the same time a slight depression in
the ground, occasioned by the settling of the earth, has been pointed out as
" Guyasutha' s grave " by people who had no possible motive for misrepre
sentation. Many residents of that part of the county heard the story of his
death and burial circumstantially from the lips of John Martin, Jr., one of
the first settlers in the valley of French creek, the greater part of whose
life was spent on the farm immediately east of Custaloga' s Town, where

28 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
he died at a great age in 1862. In respect to the location of Custaloga s
Town, and the burial there of Guyasutha, the late Charles H, Heydriok, a
few years before his death, wrote as follows:
My farm is one of a number of tracts purchased soon after the close of the Revo-
lutionar}' war by my grandfather from soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line, to whom
they had been granted by the commonwealth in consideration of military services, and
in pursuance of the act of March 12, 1783. Early in the present century, my father,
the late Doctor Heydriok, made a tour of inspection of these lands and found evidences
of occupation by the Indian^ some portions of the alluvial, "bottom" land^the best
on the creek, or, indeed, anywhere in the whole region — having been cultivated for
many years, and other vestiges of the Indian village of Custaloga's Town being still
visible. At that time there was living upon an adjoining tract a settler named Martin,
who had settled there soon after the remnant of land north and west of the rivers Ohio
and Allegheny and Conewango creek, not appropriated to Revolutionary soldiers, or
in satisfaction of depreciation certificates, had been thrown open to settlement by the
act of April 3, 1792 — certainly as early as 1798. One of Martin's sons, called John,
Jr., was a bright, and for the time and under the circumstances, an intelligent young
man, and claimed to have been intimate with the Indians, and spoke their language.
In 1819 I first visited the place, and stopped at Martin's house. While there I
found many vestiges of the Indian village, and made many inquii'ies about it and its
people. In answer to my inquiries John Martin, Jr., told me, among other things,
that he had assisted in the burial of three Indians on my farm, an idiot boy, "Chet's"
squaw, and a chief whose name he pronounced " Guy-a-soo-ter." He said that he made
the cofiin for " Guyasooter," and after it was finished the Indians asked him to cut a hole
in it in order that he ("Guyasooter") might "see out." He farther said that "the3'
buried all his wealth with him; his tomahawk, gun and brass kettle." Martin pointed
out to me the grave of the chief, and the spot was always recognized as such by the
other pioneers of the neighborhood, though I do not remember that any of them
except Martin professed to have witnessed the burial. After I came to reside on this
farm, on one occasion Martin repeated his statement about the burial of ' ' Guy asooter's "
gun, tomahawk and kettle, in the presence of another pioneer who felt unkindly
toward him, and the latter made a remark aside, which, while unfavorable to Martin,
impliedly corroborated his statement. * * * From all the evidence I had on the
subject, much of which has doubtless escaped my recollection, and some of which wa«
probably derived from other sources than Martin, I was so well satisfied that the chief
named and others were buried at the place designated by Martin that I have to this
day preserved a grove about the reputed graves, and have had it in mind to mark the
spot by some permanent memorial,
James M, Daily, a pioneer of French Creek township, Mercer county,
whose farm adjoined those of Heydrick and Martin and who was a resident
of that locality from 1804 until his death, made the following statement
regarding the burial of Guyasutha under' date of June 15, 1878:
John Martin, Jr., who could converse in the Indian tongue, informed me that he
made the coffin and assisted in burying a chief. They placed in the coffin his camp
kettle, filled with soup; his rifle, tomahawk, knife, trinkets, and trophies. I think
they called him " Guyasooter."
Some tobacco plants were found growing near these graves by the early
settlers, that seemed to be connected with this Indian retreat. Thousands
¦of these plants have been carefully preserved and the plants perpetuated in
memory of the quiet sleepers who rest beneath.

MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS, 29'
Cornplanter might almost be called our second great man. Although
he never had his home in this county, he was often here, and was quite an
object of interest in the early days of our history. He was not as renowned
a chief as Pontiac, nor did his influence extend as far, yet he was a great
chief amongst the Senecas. Like Logan, the Mingo, he was the friend of
the white man and often stood between him and harm.
He was generally known as Cornplanter, but he had an Indian name
that has been spelled in different ways. On his monument at Jennesadaga,
it is spelled Gy-ant-wa-chia. He had still another name to which his moiety
of white blood entitled him. This was John O'Bail, or Abeel. Cornplanter
was but a half-breed, his father being a Dutch trader on the Mohawk. It
is probable, too, that his mother was of gentle blood, being a dusky Indian
maiden and the daughter of a chief.
We do not know much of his early history. But evidently quite early
in life he was trained to the life of a hunter and a warrior. He always
alleged that he was born the same year with George Washington — 1732.
He was at Braddock's defeat in 1755, and fought on the side of the French.
Like Washington, he was then quite a young man. We find him, after this,
active among the chiefs of the Senecas, and, later, making the upper Alle
gheny his home. At the time of the threatened outbreak in 1794 he noti
fied the surveyors in this region to leave the woods, as after a certain date
they might expect to be attacked. He was the friend of George Power,
Colonel McDowell, and Colonel Dale, of Franklin, and often came here to
consult with them. On the promise of a certain amount of land secured to
him, he became quite friendly to the white people. These lands consisted
of a tract at the mouth of Oil creek, and a reservation on the Allegheny
north of Warren, On the latter he made his home, and settled down to a
quiet life.
During the war of 1812, when a regiment was forming in Crawford and
Venango counties to go to the defense of Erie, he was anxious to join the
expedition. Colonel Dale, father of the late S. F, Dale, was lieutenant col
onel of this regiment, and the old chief came down to see him and proposed
to bring two hundred braves to join him. The colonel, having no authority
to receive them, told him that the war would not amount to much, and they
would not be needed. "Well," the old chieftain replied, "the white men
have been kind to me, and our corn is planted, and the young men want to
go, ' ' He was then told that if wanted the colonel would send him word,
and he returned to his home.
He never could understand the propriety of paying taxes to the white
government. Colonel Dale said to him on this question: " We have bad
white men who require attention and we must have courts and prisons, and
this requires money. " "But," the chief replied, "there are bad Indians
too, but we attend to them and do not trouble you with them. ' ' Taxes were

30 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
levied, but not paid. A sheriff and posse went to levy on the property.
They found any quantity of loaded rifles .stacked up near the chief's cabin,
and the old man seated in the midst, calm and dignified as a Roman senator.
Occasionally the outline of a dusky form was seen in the bush, and on the
whole the sheriff thought the circumstances not favorable for making a levy.
He returned with his aides without the service. Soon after the legislature
passed an act exempting the reservation from taxation, and so it continues
to this day.
This grant of land was made in 1796, and his town is called Jen-ne-sa-
da-ga, in the instrument,
Cornplanter died at his old home February 18, 1836. If his account of
his birth is correct, he was about one hundred and four years of age.
The legislature of Pennsylvania erected a fine monument to his memory
at his old home. This was put up under the direction of S, p. Johnson
and an address delivered at its dedication October 18, 1866, by J. Ross
Snowden, This monument can be seen from the railroad running from
Warren to Olean,
As to his personal appearance, he was tall, over six feet, and lithe and
active when in his prime. As one of our old citizens saw him here in old
age, he was bent with years, blind of an eye, with a wounded hand, yet
showing by that single eye much of the fire of an Indian warrior. His
general appearance indicated, too, that in his earlier years his life had been
a stormy one. Cornplanter was a grand man in his day, honest, temperate,
and upright in all his dealings. •
Venango county like other places has its traditions of wealth and secret
mines that were known to the Indians. One of these is located near Oil
City. It is from an old Indian chief of the Moncey tribe named Ross. The
old brave always asserted that there were silver mines along the Allegheny.
At one time he proposed pointing out one of these mines to an old citizen,
then of Franklin. It was said to be situated in a ravine between Franklin
and Oil City. After leading the white man up this ravine, where umbrage
ous trees and moss covered rocks made a gloomy and fearful shade, they
came to a second ravine, cutting the first upon the right, where ragged
rocks and im-egular banks suggested the work of an earthquake; passing up
the second for a short distance the chief suddenly paused, and with solemn
emphasis, said: "I dare not go farther. The mine is within five rods of
you; find it for yourself."
There were traditions also of valuable mines of silver and lead run
ning under Sugar creek, near Cooperstown, with which the Indians were
familiar. But however poetical these traditions may be, there was no
foundation for them in fact.
There is also a beautiful tradition relating to the Oil creek valley. The
tradition is, that many moons ago — long before the recollection of the most

MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 31
aged chieftains of their tribes — one of their bravest chiefs was afflicted with
a painful disease that was rapidly preparing him for the happy hunting
grounds of the spirit land. For the good of the tribe he longed to live,
and fasted and prayed to the Great Spirit to spare him until his tribe
should be delivered from their difficulties. The neighboring tribes were
on the warpath, and he feared that his people would fall before them and
be scattered like the sere leaves of the forest.
The Great Spirit was propitious, and answered him kindly —
"Spake to him with voice majestic,
As the sound of far-off waters
Falling into deep abysses,"
telling him that in the valley that should be pointed out to him he would
find a great medicine, bubbling up through the ground and mingling with
the waters, that should heal him of his maladies and give him strengh to
smite his enemies and overcome them. The voice of the Great Spirit, more
over, assured him that this medicine fountain would continue to yield its
supply until his tribe should cease following the wilderness and the war
path, aad be all gathered into the happy hunting grounds of their fathers;
and that it should then be given to a tribe of strangers, with pale faces,
who should come over the big waters, and be by them desecrated to com
mon and base uses.
The chieftain rose from the ground, and, although faint with fasting
and weakened by disease, set out in quest of the medicine spring. The
sun was setting, and the curtains of darkness were gathering around, but
there was a light that glowed in the red chieftain's heart. From his lake
side home, he turned his back upon the North star, and faint and weary,
he at last reached the place pointed out by the Great Spirit, just as the sun
was rising in the East. The medicine was bubbling up with the water; the
chief recognized the gift, and found healing and life in its powers. The
fountain has continued to yield its supply. It is still the gift of the Great
Spirit, and its supplies should be received with gratitude.
The Indian God rock has been an important land-mark no doubt for
centuries, and attracted C^loron as a fitting place to locate one of his monu
ments. It is an immense bowlder that seems to have been riven asunder by
some mighty force and presents a smooth, level face, inclined to the horizon
at an angle of some fifty degrees. Its smooth face attracted the notice of
the Indian chronicler as a fit place on which to inscribe his annals. Its
location is about nine miles below the mouth of French creek, and on the
eastern bank of the river. At low water it does not touch the river, but at
ordinary stage the lower end is in the water and at high flood it is entirely
submerged. We are indebted for a very faithful drawing of this rock to Captain
Eastman of the United States army, who came here some sixty years ago to

32

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

INDIAN GOD KOCK.
make a sketch of it for Schoolcraft's great work on the Indians. It was
sketched by Captain Eastman while standing in the water up to his waist in
order to get the best possible view.
The face of the rock is about twenty-two feet in length and fourteen in
breadth. As to the inscription and interpretation we cannot do better than
to quote from Schoolcraft's work oq the Indian tribes. Volume IV, page 178.

ISSCEIPTION ON INDIAN GOD BOCK.

The inscription itself appears distinctly to record in symbols the triumphs of
hunting and war. The bent bow and arrow are twice distinctly repeated. The arrow

MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 35
by itself is repeated several times, which denotes a date before the introduction of
firearms. The animals captured, to which attention is called by the Indian picto-
graphist, are not deer or common game, but objects of higher triumph. There are
two large panthers or cougars, variously depicted; the lower one in the inscription de
noting the influence, agreeably to piclographs heretofore published, of medical
magic. The flgure of a female denotes without doubt a captive; various circles repre
senting human heads denote deaths. One of the subordinate figures depicts by his
gorgets a chief. The symbolic sign of a raised hand, drawn before a person, repre
sented with a bird's head, denotes apparently the name of an individual, or tribe.
At the foot of the large rock there is a smaller one with a single
hieroglyphic. Indian God is the name given by the boatmen of the early days, and
will doubtless possess popular significance for all coming time. The great
rock is there still, gazing up through the sunshine and the storm, speaking
in an unknown language of the past, and appearing to recount the great
ness of some famous chieftain in the mysterious hieroglyphics of his time.
But the message is largely lost to us, and is but a dim echo of a voice that
may have been both potent and significant at the time it was uttered. Like
all other work of man, this monument is fading and perishing. In times
of high water the great masses of ice dash over it; the driftwood infringes
on it; and the action of frost has nearly obliterated its inscription.

36 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,

CHAPTER III.
THE FRENCH POSSESSION.
The Jesuit and Fraxcisc.\x Missionaries— Extent of the French Claims
— Celorons Expedition— Route and Progress— Burial of the
Leaden Plates— Translation— The Return to Canada—
Bonnecamp's Map— Actual Occup.^tion Beocn- Mil
itary Posts Established— John Frazier.
IN the meantime stirring events were transpiring on the European conti
nent. A new world had been opened up; the old world was sti-uggling
for power, and the path of enterprise led across the ocean. The Jesuit
and Franciscan missionaries of France were specially active, and many of
them were soon buried in the wilderness of the great West. Under the
peaceful guise of religion they passed among the savage tribes, until they
had explored the continent from Lake Erie to the Rocky mountains, and
south to the gulf of Mexico, preaching the gospel and establishing missions
among the Indians, and everywhere taking possession of the country in the
name of God and the king of France. Almost every stream and lake had
been navigated and almost every prairie crossed, and the Cross planted and
the land taken in possession for a Christian empire in the days to come.
Prominent leaders of these intrepid men were Jogues, La Salle, Marquette.
and Hennepin.
The time arrived at last for action. An expedition was organized by the
French government in 1749 to go on the ground, make surveys, and in the
line on which they proposed to claim the territory westward to lay down
certain monuments that would prove that they had taken actual possession.
The line that they now proposed to defend was that of the Ohio and Mis
sissippi rivers, meaning by the Ohio the Allegheny as well as the Ohio proper.
The expedition was fitted out in Canada by the ^Marquis de la Gallis-
sonifere, the governor. It was commanded by Captain Pierre Joseph CiSloron,
Sieur de Blain ville, * a fearless and energetic officer, with eight subalterns,
six cadets, an armorer, twenty soldiers, one hundred and eighty Canadians,
thirty Iroquois and twenty-five Abenikas, A prominent member of the
*Several reputable historians have heretofore given this officer's name iucorrectly. All accepted
Canadian authorities and the parish register of Montreal, unanimousl.v call him Pierre Joseph Celeron,
Sieur de Blaiuvxlle, He was born at Montreal on the 29th of December, 1693, and played an important rote
during the last years of the French regime in Canada.

THE FRENCH POSSESSION. 37
party was Reverend Joseph Peter de Bonnecamp, who styles himself ' ' Jesu-
itte Mathematicien. " He was the chaplain, journalist, scientist, and geog
rapher of the expedition.
Their route after entering Lake Erie was by boats of a light construc
tion to a point opposite Chautauqua lake, near where the village of Bar
celona, New York, now stands. The distance between Lakes Erie and Chau
tauqua is about eight miles, with an ascent of about one thousand feet to
the water-shed that divides the lakes. Up this precipitous portage they car
ried their boats and all the impedimenta of the journey, and embarked on
Chautauqua lake.
They had with them a number of leaden plates, about eleven inches long,
seven and one-half inches wide, and one-eighth of an inch thick, with the
name of the artist, Paul de Brosse, stamped on the back. They were all
alike, leaving blanks to insert the dates and names of places where they
should be deposited. They were to be buried at certain points along the
line, to be referred to as evidences of possession if that fact should be called
in question. The inscription was as follows :
In the year 1749, in the reign of Louis XV, King of France, we, Celoron, com
mander of a detachment sent by Monsieur the Marquis de la Gallissonifere, Governor
General of New France, to re-establish tranquility in some Indian villages of these
cantons, have buried this plate of lead at the confluence of the Ohio and Chautauqua,
this 29th day of July, near the river Ohio, otherwise Beautiful river, as a monument
of the renewal of the possession we have taken of the said river Ohio, and of all those
which empty into it, and of all the lands on both sides as far as the sources ot the
said rivers, as enjoyed or ought to have been enjoyed by the Kings of France pre
ceding, and as they have there maintained themselves by arms and by treaties, es
pecially those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix la Chapelle,
From Chautauqua lake they found their way into Conewango creek,
and so entered the Allegheny at Warren, Pennsylvania, where the first
plate was buried. Thence they floated down the river, passing Riviere aux
Boeufs (French creek), and debarked at the Indian God rock, nine miles
below Franklin. Here the second plate was buried with great pomp
and ceremony, as described by Father Bonnecamp. All the men and officers
were drawn up in battle array ; C61oron proclaimed with a loud voice, ' ' Vii-e
le Roi," and that possession was now taken of the place in the name of the
King. Then a proces verbal was drawn up and signed by the officers wit
nessing the fact.
C61oron's record of the burying of the plates at the Indian God rock is
as follows: August 3, 1749, buried a leaden plate on the south bank of the Ohio river, four
leagues below the River Le Boeuf, opposite a bald mountain, and near a large rock
on which are many figures rudely engraved.
The visitor to-day may see the whole scene reproduced in nature.
There is the great rock, with its rude engraving, that has kept solemn

LAN i;> ^5) DV RECNE DE LOVIS XV ROY^ D & . V x§F
FRANCE NOVS CELORON COMMANDANT DVN-"dE 7'J|4
TACHEMENT ENV^OIE PAR M0NSIE\AP LE mJ > DE LA ¦
COMMANDANT CENEKAL DE::^.LA- -. ::% ;,
NOVV^ELLE FRANCE POVR RETABLIR LA TR AN5viLlQ,iTE
DANS HVEL^VES^ VILLAGES SAUVACES DE 0,6,5 *' CANTO !sl 5,
AV0N5 ENTERRE CETTE PLA^VE A LE NT R T E- DE .L/.: ¦ .';-l

AV0N5 ENTERRE CETTE PLA
RIViERE GHINODAIHCHETHA LE !8 .A
PJRES DE LA RIVIERE^ OYO
F'lVIERE POVR MONVMENT DV
POSSESSION ^VE NOVS AVQNS
RIVIERE OYO ET DE TOVTE

0 [ j 3 T

AUTREMENT BE;J^LE;v:,7-;
RENOVVELLEM'ENT DE.^'
PRI5 DE LA DITTE

RIVIERE OYO ET DE TOVTES CELLES ^VI Y TOMBN'T
ET-;,DE T0VE5 LES TEPRES DES DEVX COTES JVS^VE^
AVX S0VRCE5 DES DITTES PIVIES VINSI ^VE:^^ ONT I
roVY ¦ OV DV JOVIP LES PRECEDENTS P dys DE FRANCE
ET qVILS SISONT MAINTENVS PAR LES. ARME5 ,r E I
PAR LES TRAITTES SPECIALEMENT PAR- C E V .K ' DE
RI5VVICK DVTRCHT ET DA IX LA CHPELLIC . '¦. -

FAC-SIMILB QF LBADBN PLATE,

THE FRENCH POSSESSION, 39
watch all the years. Across the river are the lofty hills, ruoning in places
into peaks, all covered with the grand forest trees, with the one exception —
" a bald mountain" — that is to-day covered with rocks to the exclusion of
all vegetation. It, too, has been the watcher of the buried plate all the
years. These monuments have fixed the place of burial for all time.
After the discovery of Father Bonnecamp's map locating one of his leaden
plates at its base, a party was formed at Franklin consisting of Doctor S. J.
M. Eaton, Judge John Trunkey, R, L. Cochran, C, Heydrick, and others, to
go down and make an effort to recover the plate. This was in August, 187S.
But after diligent search and much excavation, no traces of the plate could
be found. The rock bathes its feet in the river at an ordinary stage of
water, which at high water rushes around its rim, and the very strong prob
abilities are that perhaps an hundred years ago the superincumbent earth
was washed away and the plate swept into the river, or discovered by some
Indian to whom its metal would be a most desirable prize. There is evi
dence, too, that since the sketch was made by Captain Eastman, the rock
has settled down on its base so that it does not present the same angle to
the horizon that it did sixty years ago, and the monument will probably
never be recovered.
The expedition then moved onward dovm the Allegheny and Ohio rivers
to the mouth of the Great Miami, depositing leaden plates at several places.
Ascending the Miami and crossing a portage to the head waters of the
Maumee, it descended that stream to Lake Erie, and thence returned to
Canada, arriving at Montreal, November 10, 1749,
One of the most interesting documents extant relating to French explor
ation in the Ohio valley is the ' ' Map of a Voyage made on the Beautiful
River in New France, 1749; by the Reverend Father Bonnecamp, Jesuit
Mathematician," which is given on the foUowing page. Longitude occi-
dentale (west longitude), reckoned from the meridian of Paris, is indicated
upon the exterior margin at the top and bottom, and north latitude in a
similar manner at the sides; the figures upon the inside margin at the top
and bottom denote minutes of longitude, each interval including fifteen
minutes, the fourth part of a degree; the figures upon the inside margin at
the sides represent leagues in the scale of twenty to a degree, each interval
including five leagues or fifteen miles. This mark (J) indicates where lati-
'tude and longitude were observed; and this (|j) where the leaden plates were
buried. The following list of French names as given on this map, with the
corresponding American designations, will make it easily understood:
R. aux Pommes. Chautauqua Creek.
Lac Tjadikoin. Lake Chautauqua.
R. Kananougon. Conewango Creek,
La Paille Couple. Broken Straw Creek,
ViUage de Loups. Village of Loup Indians.

THE FRENCH POSSESSION.

41

K. aux Bceufs.
R. au Fiel,
R. au VermiUion.
Attique. Ancien ViUage de Chaouanons.
Village de Loups (bj.
VUlage de Chiningue.
R. Kanououara.
R. Yenanguakonan.
R. Chinodaichta.
R. de Sinhiota.
R. Blanche.
R. de la Roche.
La Demoi-seUe.
Portage de la Demoiselle.
Fort des Miamis.
I.sles aux Serpentes.
R. aux Raisins.
R. aux Cignes.
R. aux Cedres.
Pointe Pellee.
Pointe aux Pins.
Lac Erie.

French Creek.
Clarion River.
Mahoning Creek.
Kittanning. Ancient A'Ulage of Shawanese.
Site of Pittsburgh.
Logstown.Wheeling Creek.
Muskingum River.
Great Kanawha River.
Scioto River.
White River.
Great Miami River.
.Site of Fort Laramie.
Portage from the Miami to the Maumee.
Site of Fort Wayne.
Si.ster Islands.
Raisin River.
Huron River.
Cedar River.
Point PeUee.
Point aux Pins.
Lake Erie. 'All

The English translation of Touie cette part de lac-ci est inconue is
this part of the lake is unknown."
The exploration of this territory was soon followed by preparations to
maintain possession of it by building forts at the most convenient and eligi
ble locations. Abandoning the Chautauqua lake route they came up to
Erie. caUed by them Presque Isle, thence across the country to French
creek, and so down to the Allegheny. The first and second forts were con
structed in 1753, and called respectively Presque Isle and Le Bceuf. The
former was at what is now the city of Erie, the latter at Waterford. In the
fall of 1753 a smaU force under the command of Captain Chabert de Jon
caire was sent down French creek to what is now Franklin, to erect a third
fort. This was called Machault after Monsieur Machault, who was minister of
finance ofthe home govemment. Joncaire was a half-breed with the smooth
polish of a Frenchman and the fiery eloquence of an Iroquois warrior.
When he arrived at the mouth of French creek he found a deserted cabin,
previously occupied by John Frazier, an Indian trader; of this he at once
took possession and made it his headquarters, with the French flag flying
from the ridge pole.
•John Frazier was undoubtedly the first white man who settled in this
county. The spirit of trade and traffic was developed quite early in this

42 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
region. The Indians were comparatively independent, yet there was occa
sion for trade amongst them. They could furnish their own subsistence,
and the trophies of the chase furnished skins for clothing. But they could
manufacture neither arms nor ammunition. These must be furnished by
the pale faces. And thus in the capacity of mechanic and trader, Frazier
took up his residence at the site of Franklin. He was a Scotchman; how
long from "the land o' cakes" we do not know. But that he was a man of
courage and energy and enterprise we believe. Without these traits he
would never have ventured alone into the wilderness.
He was a resident of Lancaster county in 1750, as evidenced by a depo
sition of two of his employers in that year. As early as 1748 he had been
licensed by the state authorities as an Indian trader, and it is fair to pre
sume that his operations in the western part of the state were begun about
that time. As he was the most advanced of the English traders on the
northwestern frontier he was informed of the movements of the French
earlier than others similarly engaged; and in the spring of 1753 he
wrote a letter from Venango addressed to ' ' all the traders " informing them
that the French were making military preparations at Le Bceuf, and late
in the month of May this was followed by another stating that some French
men had come down the river with a considerable present from the governor
of Canada. In the following summer he removed to the mouth of Turtle
creek on the MonongaheJa river at the present site of Braddock, A letter
written from that point describes the escape of one of his men from the
French at Venango, stating also that ' ' he had only sold eight bucks' worth
of goods, which Custaloga took from him, and all his corn when he was es
caping in the night. " In 1754 he became a lieutenant in the British service,
and from that time was engaged in the various movements on the frontier,
probably until the close of Pontiac' s war, and was frequently intrusted with
important missions. Nothing is definitely known regarding the date, place,
or manner of his death.
He had come here all alone, so far as civilized society was concerned, and
had built a log cabin of some pretensions, for it was sufficiently capacious
and comfortable to satisfy Joncaire when he came to build his fort. It
would not be difficult to find the very location of that house. It was prob
ably about where Elk street now is, and just below the little runlet that is
passed in going as far as Sixth street. It would necessarily be buUt by the
side of the run and near the river. And in that house Washington had his
interview with the French captain.

WASHINGTON'S MISSION. 43

CHAPTER IV.
WASHINGTON'S MISSION.
The Local Interest That Attaches to Washington's Visit— His Inter
views WITH Joncaire and St. Pierre— Route Traversed On the
Journey and Return — His Commission, Instructions,
AND Passport— Influence of This Mis
sion ON HIS Subsequent Career.
JUST at this point in the progress of French operations, the episode of
Washington's visit to Venango county occurred. Many towns and
cities can boast the presence of the nurses of George Washington, more
than even claimed the birthplace of Homer, but not many west of the
AUegheny mountains can boast the presence of the hero himself. This
' ' Nui'sery of Great Men ' ' can commence its enumeration with the great
Washingtion, and feel proud that its soil was once pressed by his footsteps.
It was a tangled web the French were weaving, and it behooved the
English authorities to be on the alert if they did not wish a French empire
to be formed in the West. Reports had gone abroad that military works
were building on Lake Erie and the Ohio, and that forces were assembling
to hold armed possession of the territory. Vigorous efforts were making
by the French, and the English were comparatively quiet and unresisting.
Governor Dinwiddle, of Virginia, at length took the alarm and resolved to
send an agent to see what the French were doing and hear their intentions
from their own mouths. But the embassy was a delicate if not a dangerous
one. Who would be willing to go ? Who had the necessary qualifications
to undertake the journey through a wilderness swarming with Indians?
The choice fell upon George Washington, a surveyor of Virginia, who
had had considerable experience in woodcraft, and who was reported to be a
man of exceeding good sense, judgment, and prudence. Bat he had only
passed his twenty-first year. He was a very young man to intrust with
such a mission, and at such a time. But he was the man selected. With
his commission and his instructions, the young man started for the West.
At Logstown, on the Ohio, not far from Beaver, he made up his party. A
few white men, scouts, and Indian traders, had been picked up on the way,
and a few Indians, some of them of importance among their own people.

44 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
formed the party, and in due time they reached Weningo, or as we call it
now, Franklin.
They found Joncaire snugly sheltered in John Frazier' s cabin with the
French colors floating over it. Washington was kindly received, but soon
discovered that Joncaire was not of sufficient importance to enter into nego
tiation with, as his superior officer was in command at Le Boeuf. But he
spent a few days at Venango, and an evening with the French captain, who
kindly provided him with an escort to Le Boeuf.
He went up French creek on horseback, held his interview with Legar-
deur de St. Pierre, and then returned by boat to this place; thence across
the country to Port Pitt, and then home to render his account of his mission
to the governor. This episode of our first great man is not to be forgotten
as we recount our heroes and our prominent men in all coming time.
It was a stormy passage for the young messenger from the first. They
were on horseback; the snow was falling; the streams were overflowing, and
the way full of dangers. Although the French would not do bodily harm
to an English embassador, they exerted themselves to the utmost to win
from him by diplomacy the allegiance of the Indians.
We can, without much exercise of the imagination, see the scene of his
labors at Weningo. Joncaire had his quarters near where he was building
a fort, on what is now Elk street, or between Seventh and Eighth streets.
His route up the creek would be along what is now Liberty street and
across West park to the bank of the creek a litttle below West Park street,
and across the creek, then up its channel, and the journey was commenced.
But it was winter and the streams were full; how did they cross the river
and creek? Washington does not tell us in his journal that is still extant.
But it is evident that neither dangers nor exposures were permitted to turn
them from the work upon which they had entered. Coming down French
creek their canoes were upset and for two hours they were in the water,
trying to save their baggage and canoes, and then in wet garments pursuing
their voyage. Their horses gave out, and at Venango Washington resolved
to leave his party and with Christopher Gist pursue his journey to Fort
Pitt alone. He had attained the object of his mission and was anxious to
report to Governor Dinwiddle. Joncaire had told him that they had come
to hold the country, and would do so at all hazards. At Le Bceuf he learned
the same thing, not, indeed, in such positive terms, but in the courtly man
ner of Monsieur Legardeur de St. Pierre, the commandant.
In the meantime his escort, under his direction, had made a census of
the men, as nearly as possible, counted the boats that lay in the creek, and
learned all the facts that could be obtained as they lay around the fort, and
gathered the situation from the surroundings with scarcely a paper that
would embarrass him if captured, and he was ready for the return journey.
The question may arise why Washington was commissioned by Governor

WASHINGTON'S MISSION, 45
Dinwiddle, of Virginia, The matter of colonial lines had not then been
definitely settled. The governor of Virginia supposed that his colony ex
tended as far north as the scene of action, and so felt called upon to look
after all his interests there, particularly as the Ohio Comjjany, as it was
called, had already sent emigrants into the disputed territory, who were
preparing for settlement.
It is not easy to trace the pathway of Washington's party from Logs-
town to Venango, as Washington has given us such a meager account of
the points passed. His guide was no doubt familiar with the way, and the
probabilities are that it was mainly on the old Venango path. This was
tolerably well marked out, as one of the Montours speaks of bringing his
mother, who was blind, over it on horseback. This would bring them in a
somewhat angling direction over what are now Butler and Venango coun
ties. Four important streams were to be crossed on the journey: Conno-
quenessing. Muddy creek. Slippery Rock, and Sandy creek. The question
is all unsettled by which approach he entered the Venango valley. There
were two, what are now known as the Bully Hill and the Pittsburgh roads ;
probably the former was his route, as that is nearer the river, and in case
he came by that way, he would at once come upon Joncaire and his unfin
ished fort.
On the return the direction is not so easy to determine. Washington
says little about it, but it seems to have been different from the first journey.
He sent Jacob Van Braam with the horses and baggage by the road by
which they had come, and with Christopher Gist set off through the forest.
He passed a place he calls Murdering Town, believed now to be in Forward
township, Butler county, where he was fired on by an Indian. From this
point he took a southeasterly direction, intending to strike the Allegheny at
Shannopin' s Town, This point is now included in Pittsburgh, Then he
hastened on to Virginia,
In this connection it is well to introduce the commission and instructions
of Washington as they were received from Govemor Dinwiddle, and at the
same time notice how fully and minutely these instructions were carried out.
The commission was as follows:
To George Washington, Esquire, one of the adjutants general of tlie troops and forces in
the colony of Virginia:
I, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, conduct, and fidelity of you,
the said George Washington, have appointed you my express messenger; and you are
hereby authorized and empowered to proceed hence, with all convenient and possible
dispatch, to that place on Ihe River Ohio, where the French have lately erected a fort
or forts, or where the commandant of the French forces resides, in order to deliver my
letter and message to him, and after waiting not exceeding one week for an answer,
you are to take your leave and return immediately back.
To this communication I have set my hand, and caused the great seal of this
Dominion to be affixed, at the city of Williamsburgh, the seat of my government, this

46 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
30th day of October, in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of his Ma.iesty, George
the Second, King of Great Britain, etc., etc.
Annoque Domini, 1758. Robert Dinwiddie.
The following is the text of his instructions:
Whereas, I have received information of a body of French forces being assem
bled in a hostile manner on the River Ohio, intending by force of arms to erect certain
forts on the said river within this territory, and contrary to the dignity and peace of
our sovereign the King of Great Britain:
These are, therefore, to require and direct you, the said George Washington, forth
with to repair to Logstown, on the said River Ohio, and having there informed your
self where the said French forces have posted themselves, thereupon to proceed to such
place; and being there arrived, to present your credentials, together with my letter,
to the chief commanding officer, and in the name of his Britannic Majesty to demand
an answer thereto.
On your arrival at Logstown you are to address yourself to the Half King, to Mon-
acatoicha, and the other sachems of the Six Nations, acquainting them with your or
ders to visit and deliver my letter to the French commanding officer, and desiring the
said chiefs to appoint you a sufficient number of their warriors to be your safeguard,
as near the French as you may desire, and to wait your further directions.
You are diligently to inquire into the number and force of the French on the Ohio,
and th.e adjacent country; how they are likely to be assisted from Canada; and what
are the difficulties and conveniences of that communication and the time required
for it. You are to take care to be truly informed what forts the French have erected, and
where; how they are garrisoned and appointed, and what is their distance from each
other, and from Logstown; and from the best intelligence you can procure you are to
learn what gave occasion to this expedition of the French, how they are likely to be
supported, and what their pretensions are.
When the French commandant has given you the required and necessary dis
patches, you are to desire of him a proper guard to protect you so far on your return
as you may judge for your safety against any straggling Indians or hunters that may
be ignorant of your character and molest you.
Wishing you good success in your negotiation, and a safe and speedy return, I
am, etc., Robert Dinwiddie.
Williamsburgh, October 30, 1753.
His passport was as follows:
To all to whom these presents may come or concern, greeting:
Whereas, I have appointed George Washington, Esquire, by commission undA
the great seal, my express messenger to the commandant of the French forces on the
River Ohio, and as he is charged with business of great importance to his majesty
and the Dominion: I do hereby command all his majesty's subjects, and particularly
require all in alliance and amity with the crown of Great Britain, and all others to
whom this passport may come, agreeably to the law of nations, to be aiding and
assisting, as a. safe guard to the said Geor.ge Washington, and his attendants, in his
present passage to and from the River Ohio, as aforesaid. Robert Dinwiddie.
In this mission of Washington to the French posts we have the opening
chapter in a history that has been the admiration and astonishment of the
civilized world. He was but a youth, just past his majority, intrusted with

FORT MACHAULT, 47
the command of a company of woodsmen and Indians, and with a commis
sion of the most delicate and dangerous nature, yet the whole business was
carried through in the most admirable manner. There was a calmness, a
prudence, a reticence in the pursuit of his mission that are most admirable.
He knew when to speak and when to keep silence; when to be at ease and
when to be on the alert. The mission was crowned with success.
It was the beginning of the rounding up of a character that bore him
grandly through all his life scenes until he laid him down to sleep on the
banks of the Potomac. And as the years roll by that character comes out
more and more perfect in its manhood and more and more illustrious in
its balance and grandeur, until he stands among the greatest of uninspired
men, the anointed prince of all the ages.

CHAPTER Y.
FORT MACHAULT.
Construction Begu'n- Sources of Information — The Shippen Map— Its
Description and Probable Origin — Statements of Pouchot, Long,
Johnson, Chauvignerie, Post, and Mercer— Military Prep-
-VRATIONS AT FORT MACHAULT IN 1759— CONCENTRATION
OF French Forces for an Attack on Fort Pitt—
This Project Relinquished and the Fort
Evacuated— Its Destruction- Retreat
of the French — Traditions and
Memorials of the French
Occupation.
IN the meantime the work on Fort Machault proceeded. A saw mUl had
been erected on the little runlet just above it near the site where Fort
Venango was afterward erected by the English. The machinery of this
mill was brought from Canada with great labor and enterprise and the oak
and chestnut trees that adjoined were cut down and sawn into timber to
erect quarters for the soldiers. About 1882, in repairing the street, the
foundation timbers of the dam of this mill were found, strong and sound as
though they had not been slumbering for nearly one hundred and thirty
years. If further undisturbed they may remain until the end of time. As
a proof of this, piles that were driven by Csesar in the entrance to the har
bor of Brundisium, in Italy, in order to detain the fleet of Pompey. have
been brought to light in late years, as sound as they were when driven,
more than two thousand years ago. The work was finished in April, 1754,

48

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

when John Frazier' s house was vacated and Joncaire entered into more
lordly quarters.
We are now as well acquainted with the fort and its surroundings as
with any of the forts in western Pennsylvania. We know its exact location,
its dimensions, and all its appointments. This know.ledge has come to us
through a map and plan of the fort and its environs that has been brought
to light within comparatively a late date. Whether this map is of French,
English, or composite origin cannot now be said, but circumstances prove
beyond all contradiction that it is a genuine document.
This light was long coming. The boys and girls knew of small mounds
of sand and ashes and fire- stained stones, where they could go and gather
strange looking beads and bits of glass. Evidently some kind of works had
formerly existed there, but it was uncertain what kind of works these had
been. There was a dim tradition that it was the remains of the French
fort, yet public opinion generally held that the upper site, now known as
the English Fort Venango, was the real French fort.
It was known, too, by a few persons, that a plan of the French fort was
in the possession of William Reynolds, of Meadville. But it was not until
1875 that a copy of this plan or map, as it proved to be, was procured here.
The result was that the plan and exact site of Fort Machault were located
beyond a doubt.

iw;

^m:^^

<.-a<**^*^^-~'^'^*

aW^

iT""

'^"•ft^

roKT mach:a.tii.t, 1754-59.

FORT MACHAULT. 49
This map shows the plan of the fort and its surroundings, and a ripple
and fording in the river opposite to it that are now seen at low water at the
present day. It has a drawing of the hills on the west, with two prominent
peaks; the bearing of the compass to these peaks, and the distance to them
by measurement. It also shows little runlets that are seen at the present,
and a marshy piece of ground that can yet be traced. Any one can test
the accuracy of the description of this fort by placing a theodolite on the
site indicated and comparing observations with the map.
What is the history of this old map ? No mortal man can tell. It is as
mysterious as that of the Sibyl's books at Rome. We can trace it to the
Shippen family, but not clearly beyond. So far as we have accurate know
ledge, it is this: In 1825 Henry Shippen was appointed judge of this judi
cial district, and located at Meadville. He came from Philadelphia, bring
ing with him a large number of papers, that were placed in the attic of his
house and not opened until after his death. Some time after this event
they were opened by the late J. C. G. Kennedy, when the map was brought
to light after its long oblivion.
This map, or plan, for it is both, thus describes the fort:
Venango fort is situated on a rising piece of ground on a rich bottom, abounding
with clover, sixty yards west of the Ohio. The north and south polygon is forty-five
yards, and the east and west polygon thirty-seven yards. The bastions are built of
saplings, eight inches thick, and thirteen feet in length, set stockade fashion. Part of
the curtains are of hewed timber, laid lengthwise upon one another, which also make
one side of the barracks.
The body of the work was in the form of a parallelogram, in size about
seventy-five by one hundi'ed and five feet, with bastions in the form of
polygons at the four angles. The gate fronted the river. In the interior
were the magazine, fifteen feet by eighteen feet, protected by a thickness
of three feet of earth, and several buildings for officers' barracks. Two of
these were eighteen by fifty feet, with three others that were smaller. The
barracks were two stories high and furnished with stone chimneys. A door
in the northeastern bastion led to a large cellar. The soldiers' barracks
consisted of forty-four separate buUdings, disposed around the fort, chiefly
on the north and east sides.
At the saw mill before spoken of, was prepared the lumber used for bar
racks, and perhaps for boats and barges to be used in conveying supplies
for the camp and transportation down the river. Along the northern flank
of the fort, and within fifty feet of it, there was a small stream of water
that flowed from the neighboring hills and supplied the camp with water.
On the present plan of the city of Franklin, Elk street passes through the
site of the fort, whilst its southern side reaches nearly to Sixth street.
This old map places beyond question the location and character of the
fort. Yet there are difficulties we cannot explain. The annotations are in
the English language. The name Machault does not occur on it. The

50 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
road leading westward is marked "Road to Pittsburg;" yet Pittsburgh was
not laid out until 1760, when the fort was in ruins; stiU Colonel Mercer
dates a letter at Pittsburgh in 1759. The smaller stream is caUed French
creek, a name it never bore among the French; but Washington calls it
French creek in 1758. The larger stream is caUed the Ohio; that is evi
dence of its antiquity, as is also. the annotation, "Road to Le Boeuf."
That it was not hastily done is evident from the paper. Every small
detail is laid down; the bridges across the ravines, the islands in the river,
the ridge ofrhUls across the Ohio; and even the two scales, one by which to
measure the fort and the other the surrounding country, are drawn to a
nicety. All these items not only show the genuineness of the map, but the
deliberate character of the work.
The most plausible solution of the mystery is this: It may have been
copied from a French map, now lost, by an English officer, translating the
French annotations, and marking the road that leads westward as the road to
Pittsburgh. And as the actual name of the fort was not generally known to
the English it is called on the map "Venango Fort," from the location.
Indeed the name as found in the English papers of the time is almost al
ways " The fort at Venango."
Further in regard to the history of the map: It was found among the
papers of the Shippen family, brought to western Pennsylvania in 1825.
This was an influential family in eastern Pennsylvania at the time of the
French difficulties. It is a well known fact that Edward Shippen, grand
father of the judge among whose papers the map was found, was actively
engaged in public affairs at the time of the French occupation. It is nat
ural, therefore, to trace the map back to him. At that time he was prothon-
otary of Lancaster county and correspondent and confidential agent of
James Hamilton, governor of Pennsylvania, He was very closely identified
with the French troubles on the Ohio, He had correspondence with John
Frazier, the old gunsmith whose house at Venango was occupied by the
French officer, Joncaire, when he came to build the fort. No doubt he had
Frazier and others picking up information for him that might be of use to
the government.
We find him actually in possession of the map of one of the French forts
through Mr. Frazier. In a letter to Governor Hamilton under date of Sep
tember 9, 1753, he incloses a letter from Frazier to Mr. Young, of which
the following is an extract: " Here is enclosed a draught of the fort the
French built a little the other side of Sugar creek, not far from Weningo,
where they have eight cannon."
This allusion must be to the plan of Fort Le Bceuf; it corresponds
nearly in its armament to the account given by Washington at the time of
his visit there, and there was no other work near to Venango; and Fort
Machault was not built at that date.

FORT MACHAULT. 53
Captain Pouchot, chief engineer of the forces in Canada, speaks of Port
Machault rather contemptuously. He says: "At the mouth of River Le
Bceuf, called in English Venango, the French have a very poor, mean fort,
called Fort Machault, which is also an entrepot for that which is going down
to Fort Duquesne, ' '
We have light on the history of the fort in the Colonial Records and
Pennsylvania Archives. It was at first not a strong fortification, but it was
sufficient for the purpose, as it was not then in danger of being immediately
threatened. The arms of the French were so surprisingly successful in the
vicinity of Fort Duquesne as to preclude any demonstrations by the English
against Machault. But it was contemplated by the French to strengthen
it or to build a stronger fort in view of future operations. According to the
statement of one John Adam Long, an escaped prisoner from the French,
the garrison at Machault was employed during the winter of 1755 and sum
mer of 1756 in collecting materials and making preparations to build
stronger works. Long said he was taken from Fort Duquesne about the
last of April, 1756, to Venango, "where resided an officer in a small stock
ade fort with a command of forty men," and that a number of square logs
had been ' ' got together at that place sufficient to build a large fort on a
pretty, rising ground jn the forks of Ohio and French creek. ' '
This was corroborated by William Johnson in November, 1756. He
stated that he had within two years been frequently at Venango, ' ' where
"the French have a small fort made of logs and stockades, mounted with
nine cannon of a pretty large bore, and generally garrisoned with a company
of sixty soldiers, besides Indians, who to the number of about two hundred
are lodged in cabins that have been built for them near the fort. ' ' He
added further that the garrison had been " for some time employed in col
lecting and preparing materials for building a strong fort there next spring,
and being apprehensive, having been informed by two deserters from Sha-
mokin, that the Pennsylvanians had come to a resolution. to march against
them as soon as a body of men could be raised for that purpose. ' '
In the deposition of Michael La Chauvignerie, a French prisoner, made
October 26, 1757, we find the following corroborative information: "Fort
Machault is a fort of wood, filled up >vith earth. It has bastions, and six
wall pieces or swivel guns, and the whole works take up about two acres of
ground." He also said his father was "a lieutenant of marines and com
mandant at Fort Machault, built lately at Venango and now finishing,"
and that there were ' ' about fifty regulars and forty laborers at said fort. ' '
Frederic Post, in 1758, related that an Indian told him that the fort
had but ' ' one officer and twenty-five men, and is much distressed for pro
visions, as are the two upper forts. An Indian spy found at Machault, in
1758, two officers and forty men, with De Lignerie in command. The fol
lowing May, Colonel Hugh Mercer writes of further intelligence through a

54 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNT?.
spy: "There are about one hundred soldiers at Venango, and several offi
cers, besides what are gone upon party with Indians. They are fitting up
platforms and lining their stockade, * « * They expect we wUl pro
ceed up the river, and De Lignerie is determined, as he says, to fight us in
the woods. They have eleven bateaux at Venango, and one great gun of
the size of a quart pot, which they fire off by a train of powder.
We hear from the fort again on the 17th of July, 1759, in a letter from
Colonel Mercer, dated at Pittsburgh, The report is from two Indians who
had been sent up the river as spies. He says : ' ' They found at Venango
seven hundred French and four hundred Indians; the commanding officer
told them he expected six hundred more Indians: that as soon as they
arrived, he would come down and drive us from this place." Further they
learned that in the following three days six hundred more Indians had
arrived. They were fitting out for the expedition to set out in the night,
having three pieces of cannon brought from Le Boeuf and others expected
every hour, with a great many bateaux loaded with provisions.
Fort Machault now began to assume an importance it had not before
possessed. It was to be the point at which men and materials of war should
be gathered to make a desperate attempt to retake Fort Duquesne, that
had fallen into the hands of the English. Canoes and pirogues were sent
down French creek to assist in the attack; men were called from the upper
forts as they could be spared. A draft was even made for men and pro
visions from Kaskaskia and the Mississippi. This was a wonderfully bold'
and laborious enterprise. We find it thus described in the Western Annals:
And to that all the French in the valley had contributed. M. de Aubry, command
ant at the Illinois, brought to join the enterprise four hundred men and two hundred
thousand pounds of flour, from Kaskaskia to Venango. Cut ofl by the abandonment
of Fort Duquesne, from the route of the Ohio, he proceeded with his force down the
Mississippi, and up the Ohio to the Wabash, thence up that river to the portage at
Fort Miami, or Fort Wayne, and carried his stores over to the Maumee, passed down
that river, and along the shore of Lake Erie to Presque Isle, and carried again his
stores over the portage, to Le Boeuf; thence descended French creek to Venango,*
At this time there were assembled at Venango nearly one thousand
Frenchmen and the same number of Indians, with a sufficient force of boats
to convey the whole expedition down the river. We form some opinion of
the number of boats from the statement that at Fort Le Boeuf (Waterford)
all the trees of sufficient size to make boats had been cut down, and the
project advanced of making pirogues of sawn timber, such as they had seen
the English use. These boats were probably "dug-outs," run either singly
or bound together after the style of the catamaran.
But the end was drawing near; whUe all were full of hope and just
ready to embark on the downward trip to Fort Pitt, the shock came. A
messenger arrived from Niagara with orders to abandon the Fort Pitt expe-
*Western Annals p. 157.

FORT MACHAULT. 55
dition and bring all their forces at once to the rescue of Fort Niagara, whose
safety was very seriously imperiled. This order applied to all the forts in
western Pennsylvania,
This was in July, 1759, The order was to evacuate and destroy the fort
and all the supplies that they could not carry with them. The creek was
low and boating too slow and nothing but personal baggage could be re
moved. All was consternation in the camp. The prize that seemed just
within their reach vanished from their dreams. But the order was impera
tive. Great liberality was shown to the Indians. A mine of wealth was
opened to them at once. Dusky warriors were tricked out in laced coats
and cocked hats; swarthy maidens were made happy with presents of French
calico and red blankets; strings of beads were thrown lavishly around the
necks of papooses, all guileless of them before; flour brought by that pain
ful journey from Kaskaskia, borne wearily on men's shoulders over long
portages, was distributed in lavish rations, and other stores were passed
freely around. The other property was all collected within the fort and the
whole set on fire. The barracks, without as well as within, were involved in
one common ruin. The boats and bateaux, by which the assault was to have
been made on Fort Pitt, were also consigned to the flames without mercy.
The swivel guns, or wall pieces as they called them, were first disabled, then
buried in the earth, and everything of value removed from sight. This de
struction was in accordance with instructions from the French government.
Governor Vaudreuil, of Canada, in anticipation of a dangerous assault from
the English forces, had instructed De Lignerie, to ' ' fall back successively
upon Forts Le Bceuf and Presque Isle, and so completely destroy the
works as to leave nothing behind that would be available to the enemy,"
The entire party took leave of their Indian allies, telling them that although
they found it necessary to leave them now, that they would return in a year
and stay with them permanently. Then they took their way up the creek,
with feelings less buoyant than when they came to plant themselves upon
the soil.
Fort Machault had fallen to rise no more, A great hope had faded as
many a brilliant prospect had done before. Empire, dominion, wealth, in
fluence in the great world in gorgeous vision had been before the inspira
tion, but all had vanished forever. The French creek valley was left to
silence and to savages.
There is no tangible evidence now remaining of the former existence of
the French work. When FrankUn was settled there were some little mounds
covered with brier bushes that were a visible token of the site, but all have
now disappeared and we have but the points of the compass and the peaks
of the hills to point out the location. There were found here by the first
settlers several grape vines, of varieties not indigenous to this region. There
was a black grape, very sweet and of a powerful aroma, that was propa-

56 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
gated for many years, also a white variety that was fair to the eye and pleas
ant to the taste and at that time a very desirable grape. But the trans
planting and want of care as well as the crowding in of new varieties of na
tive origin have taken their places and both these species are now extinct.
No doubt they were brought here by the French, and originally from
France, as they could not be indigenous to Canada,
In regard to the region of the old forts there has been no lack of tra
ditions and dreams in respect to gold buried that awaits only the digging
of some fortunate searcher to be gathered up in profusion. It is generally
supposed to be French gold, treasure buried by the French when they
abandoned the fort. Tradition also records that this gold was thrown into
a well and buried, to await removal at some fortunate time, when peace and
quiet should come to the country. There was an old story current many
years ago, that an old Frenchman had appeared here, who said he had
been one of the garrison; that a large amount of gold and many cannon
had been thrown into the well in the fort and covered with stones to con
ceal the treasure from the Indians, It was proposed to go the next day
and disentomb the money. But fortunately for the tradition, the French
man died that night, and his secret died with him.
The fact is, the idea of finding treasure in the wake of either French
or English, in this valley, is ' ' baseless as the fabric of a vision. ' ' That
they had money is altogether likely. But it is just as unlikely that they
had a large amount, much less a sum they could not carry away with them.
Besides, there is no evidence that there ever was a well in the French fort.
There is no mention of it in the plan we now have, nor was there any men
tion of it in any description extant. There was a well in the English fort,
Venango, but there is not the slightest probability that anything was
secreted in it, as the fort vras taken by assault, following stratagem, and
there was neither time nor opportunity to secrete anything. So that all
hopes or dreams of finding gold or jewels in this valley may as well be
abandoned. An occasional coin may be picked up that was lost by officers
or men. This is natural enough. An English penny was found in Venan
go, and some coins near Machault, but this does not indicate that there may
be a large amount of money yet secured by dreaming and digging.
There were several cannon abandoned by the French when they demol
ished their fort, but they were not thrown in a well. They had the trun
nions knocked off them, were spiked, and then buried. One of these can
non has been found. It was unearthed by the wearing away of the river
and. was jn the condition described above. This gun was brought into use
by removing the rusty spike and shrinking an iron band around it, contain
ing new trunnions. It was mounted on a small carriage and used for
patriotic purposes on the Fourth of July, until it was finally blown to
pieces by an over-charge of powder. Other guns are still buried and may

UNDER ENGLISH RULE. 57
some day be discovered, but no greater treasure will ever be found on this
ground. There were the wall pieces, as the French called them, and a few
cannon brought from Le Boeuf, and probably the gun described as very
nearly as large as a quart pot, that must be slumbering somewhere in that
region, and may yet be brought to light.

CHAPTER VI,
UNDER ENGLISH RULE.
English Occupation— Fort Venango- Its Location and Appointments—
Pontiac's Conspiracy— Destruction of Fort Venango and
Massacre of the Garrison — Sacrifice of His
toric Remains to the Utilitarian
Spirit Deprecated.
FORT MACHAULT feU in 1759, and the English lost no time in the
matter of taking possession. It is not likely they feared the return of
the French. Their defeat and banishment was total, but some defense was
needed against the Indians who would now be more troublesome than ever.
They were more hostile to the English than to the French. Their visions
of trading houses to be built by the the latter had vanished, and they had a
poorer opinion of the white man than ever.
It was, perhaps, impossible to rebuild the old French fort; a new location
was selected and the work arranged with very great care and with immense
toil and sacrifice. It was really a wonderful enterprise for the time and cir
cumstances under which it was built. The country was an unbroken forest;
Pittsburgh was not yet laid out; the entire region of French creek was a wil
derness. All the men, stores, implements for work, must have been brought
down French creek. Yet a work that to-day, with all our modern appliances
of plows, scrapers, teams, etc. , would be considered immense, and require a
long period of time for its completion, was finished in good and substantial
order. It shows a high degree of knowledge in military engineering, and a
perseverance under difficulties that is at this day surprising. We have none
of the details, but we have the fact before us that the work was really done
and would have been permanent, under favorable circumstances.
The new fort was built the year after the abandonment by the French,
by what officer or engineer we are not informed. It was a much better and
more pretentious work than Machault, It was in the form of a quadrangle.

58

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

with bastions on the four sides. It had heavy earth works, with a ditch
surrounding it, and a magazine and soldiers' quarters in the interior. It
had also a covered way leading down to the stream of water on the southern
side. The main work was eighty-eight feet square. Outside of this was a
ditch twenty-four feet wide, and outside of this an embankment. The out
look covered the mouth of French creek, as well as the AUegheny river.

E I C I

STREET
rOKT VENANGO, 1760-68,

This fort was named Venango and was situated about forty rods above the
site of Fort Machault. Elk street runs through the middle of its site, while
its northern bastions just touched Eighth street. M, W. Sage's house is
in the eastern ditch and B, W. Bredin' s is on the opposite side. It was
built in 1760, but was short-lived and of little advantage to any one. Being
manned by but few men, it easily fell a prey to the Indians. While friendly
to the French, the savages were hostile to the English, and neglected no
opportunity of annoying and taking vengeance on them.

UNDER ENGLISH RULE. 59
At this time the mighty chieftain, Pontiac, was meditating the destruc
tion of all the forts in the country. Strings of wampum had been sent to
all the tribes, and the plan laid to make an attack all along the line on the
same day. The plan was carried out, but not with the success that had been
hoped. The first idea of Pontiac, who was a man of great shrewdness, but
ignorant as a child of the great world, was to play the French against the
English, and thus create a diversion from the real conquest of the country.
He was on the side of the French as being the weaker party. But when the
French gave up the conflict and left the country, he felt obliged to be the
principal party against the English. And he saw that he could accomplish
nothing without exterminating the enemy throughout all his borders. The
entire border was to be assaulted on the same day, from Detroit to Niagara
and southward to Fort Pitt. The break in this plan is said to be due to the
interference of a squaw, who had been intrusted with the plan, but who
from some womanly instinct had resolved to frustrate it. And this was the
device: Bundles of small sticks had been sent to all the tribes, each contain
ing the same number of sticks, from which one was to be taken on each suc
cessive morning. When the last stick was reached that would designate the
day of the assault. But this squaw secretly withdrew a stick or two from
some of the bundles and so the simultaneous assault failed. But it was car
ried out in all the line of French creek valley and Presque Isle to the entire
destruction of the works.
Fort Venango was garrisoned by a small force under command of Lieut-
tenant Gordon. On the same day in 1763 Fort Presque Isle, at Erie, and Le
Boeuf, at Waterford, were taken by assault, and Fort Venango by stratagem.
The Indians feigned to be at peace and to be thinking only of sport. They
commenced a game of ball, and occasionally had knocked the ball inside the
inclosure of the fort. Asking permission to go in through the gate after
the baU, several of them entered in with concealed weapons and massacred
the garrison and tortured Lieutenant Gordon over a slow fire for several
days, until he was relieved by death. The fort was then set on fire and all
its perishable matter destroyed. It is said that a single prisoner was taken,
a woman, who was carried to Buffalo, and afterward related the tragic
incidents of the massacre.
One of the sad expressions of life is : " It might have been. " It
gathers sentiment about it. We apply it in very many senses. But per
haps it always has a tinge of melancholy. There is something of this feel-
iag as we speak of the antiquities of the county, and of the utilitarian
spirit that was manifested in laying it out originally. These antiquities are
a part of our history. They live now only in tradition and story and brief
pages of written history. But the old landmarks that would have told to
the eye the story of French enterprise and French determination — de
termination foiled and brought to naught — have all passed away. And all

60 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
monuments that would have told of English ambition and English care for
her colonies have followed in their wake. We have spoken of Fort Machault,
the French work, of Fort Venango, the English work of defense. Of the
former there is not much that would have been tangible at the present day.
Bat of Venango there were massive earthworks that would have stood to the
end of time, if properly protected. Both these works might have been cared
for, if the idea had entered the minds and found a lodgment in the hearts
of the state agents, who were sent here to lay out the town. But they were
practical men. Perhaps they thought the place would never amount to
much, and full of the idea of utility ran their leveling instruments through
these precious relics as though they were masses of common earth.
We have seen that Elk street runs directly through both forts, thus con
signing them to destruction. It was not that land was scarce, or that a
pressure was on them to utilize every foot of ground to the purposes of the
town. A large amount of land was set aside, very wisely, for what are now
our public parks. Another portion of ground was set apart for United
States purposes, down on the flat, just below Tenth street, where the ' ' Old
Garrison" stood. The whole error resulted, possibly, in want of thought
and taste. We can now very easily see how these fortifications might have
been made places of beauty and pleasure, had they been reserved as public
ground by the agents of the state. If each one had had a little square
reserved around it, with the street parting and running around it, and the
ground kept in order, they would be to-day points of great interest and
pleasure. Particularly would this have been the case with Fort Venango,
The earthworks were several feet in height, the ditch firm and distinct, and
the inclosed space neatly arranged. It might have been fitted up as a
beautiful resort for picnics and other social purposes. In this way it would
have perpetuated the memory of an important era in our history and at the
same time assisted in beautifying and adorning the town.
In the old day of militia musters, it was the custom to march down
there and then march around on top of the earthwork. This earthwork
presented a broad esplanade, suitable for the purpose, and was a common
resort at such times. But it has all passed away. The northern bastion
was carted away to make the approach to the Allegheny bridge, and gradu
ally the other works were removed to fill up the ravines and form- a smooth
and even course for the street. We can but lament the loss of this old
work and regret that there were not more taste and enterprise amongst the
early settlers. The remains of the earthworks were visible until within the
last twenty years, when the last vestige was swept away. It seems like the
work of vandals, but the age in which we live is a utilitarian age, and every
thing must give way to the march of improvement.

UNDER AMERICAN RULE. 61

CHAPTER VII.
UNDER AMERICAN RULE.
Fort Franklin Erected— Indian Depredations— Ransom's Deposition—
Ellicott's Letter — Adlum's Testimony^McDowell's Statement
—Cornplanter's Attitude— Location of Fort Franklin—
The " Old Garrison "—Suggestive Reflections,
THE country had been abandoned by civilization for years, and the Indian
hunted at his own sweet will; but a change had come over the coun
try. The Revolutionary war had left the country in the hands of the Amer
icans, and the government would encourage emigration and settlement;
for this purpose protection must be extended to settlers. So in the spring
of 1787, Captain Jonathan Hart, with a company of United States soldiers,
was sent up the river from Pittsburgh to erect a third fort, for the protec
tion of possible settlers. This work was simply a stockade as a defense
against Indians.
A new site was selected, passing by both the French and English posi
tions. Singularly enough, this time the ground chosen was on the south
bank of French creek, just above the upper bridge. It was on the face of
the bluff? Elbow street runs through it, and it is nearer Thirteenth than
Fourteenth, This was Fort Franklin, that afterward gave the name to the town. It
was not a very formidable work, being about one hundred feet square, with
the invariable bastions at the angles and surrounded by pickets set in the
ground, some sixteen feet high. Inside of this was a ditch. A ditch was
also run along the line of the bluff overlooking the creek, that was designed
to serve the purpose of the modern rifle pit.
An interesting account of the fort is found in the "Military Journal"
of Major Ebenezer Denny. Under date of April 10, 1787, the following
entry appears:
Fort Harmar, mouth of Muskingum river  Captain Hart ordered to proceed
with his company to a place called Venango on the Allegheny river, about one hun
dred and fifty miles above Pittsburgh, there to erect a suitable work.
In the spring of 1788 General Harmar made a tour of inspection of the
western posts, arriving at Venango on the 3rd of May. Of this visit the
journal gives the following particulars:

62 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
3rd. About eight o'clock this morning, after passing one island, we entered the
mouth of- French creek. The fort stands half a mile up. Several miles below we were
discovered by some Indians, who out across and gave notice to Captain Hart of our
approach. The arrival of General Harmar was announced with seven rounds of a six-
pounder from the fort. Very kindly received by the captain and Lieutenant Prothing-
ham, at the head of their command. The company reviewed and dismissed. Spent the
day in examining Captain Hart's work, viewing the adjacent country and the old for
tifications of the French and British. There is a fine flat ot good land here, altogether
on the lower side of French creek, but sufficient for several farms, the only flat land
from Mahoning or Mogulbughtiton up. . . .Captain Hart's fort, or Fort Franklin as it is
called, is built precisely after the plan of the one which had been erected by the Brit
ish, called Venango. It is a square redoubt, with a blockhouse three stories high in
the center; stands better than 'half a mile up French creek, upon very good ground, but
the situation, in my opinion, is by no means so eligible as that of old Venango, built
by the English. The last work stood upon a commanding ground pretty close to the
bank of the Allegheny, half a mile below French creek and a mile from Fort Frank
lin, The cellar wall and huge stack of chimneys of the blockhouse are of stone and
are yet quite entire. The parapet and some other parts remain perfect, and the whole
work might have been rebuilt with half the labor and expense of that built by Hart.
The only reason the captain could offer for taking new ground was the convenience of
timber. It probably served its purpose, and was a place where the earliest set
tlers could resort, in case of attack from the Indians. In fact, in 1791,
when trouble seemed imminent, the people of Meadville sent their women
and children to Fort Franklin for shelter and protection.
Among those who fled from Mead's settlement to Port Franklin at that
time was Darius Mead, father of General David Mead, the founder of
Meadville. He engaged in cultivating a piece of bottom land not far from
the fort, and while one day plowing in his fleld he was taken prisoner by Cap
tain Bull, a Delaware chief, and a companion, who professed to be friendly In
dians, and hurried off through the forest. The following day his body, and
also Bull' s, were found near Shenango creek, in Mercer county, by Conew-
yando, a friendly Seneca, who sent his daughter to Fort Franklin to notify
Mead' s family. The officer in command sent two soldiers to bury the body.
They found Mead and Bull close together, and from appearances it was
believed that during the night Mead got possession of Bull's knife and
kUled him, and after a fierce struggle was in turn killed by the chief ' s
companion. There is reason to think that in the year 1794 a plan was concocted to
destroy all the white settlers in Venango county. But there was then no
mighty genius like Pontiac, Cornplanter was the great man, but he hesi
tated to inaugurate such a scheme, and was even opposed to it, in all proba-
bUity. His people, however, were hostUe and jealous of the increasing
power of the whites. Major Denny writes that "he had no doubt but that
a plan was formed to destroy all the posts and settlements in this quarter."
In a deposition of Daniel Ransom, dated June 11, 1794, he states "that
the Standing Stone, a chief of the Onondagas, also informed him at Port

UNDER AMERICAN RULE. 63
Franklin that he thought the times would soon be bad, and pressed him
very much to leave Fort Franklin, and assist him in packing up his goods,
etc., that from what he had seen and heard from other Indians, he has
every reason to believe the account to be true ; that seven white men came
down the Allegheny a few days ago to Fort Franklin, who informed him
that the Indians appeared very surly, and had not planted any corn on the
river at their towns. ' '
On June 29th, Andrew EUicott writes in regard to Fort Franklin :
On my arrival, the place appeared to be in such a defenseless condition, that, with
the concurrence of Captain Denny, and the officer * commanding at the fort, we re
mained there some time, and employed the troops in rendering it more tenable. It
may now be considered as defensible, provided the number of men is increased. The
garrison, at present, consists of twenty-flve men, one-half of whom are unfit for duty,
and it is my opinion that double that number would not be more than sufficient, con
sidering the importance of the safety of the settlement on French creek.
It is probable that outside Indians in western New York were trying to
force this issue upon Cornplanter, but he resisted and ultimately became
the friend and aUy of the white people. Only about one hundred men were
stationed here at any time, and it is not strange that fears were felt, not
only for the people of the country, but for the safety of the fort itself.
Eighty-seven soldiers had been the original number sent up from Fort Pitt,
and there were over a dozen who came in the position of laborers, or ad
venturers in general. These soldiers brought their sustenance with them,
yet there must have been some communication by the river, as supplies
must be renewed from time to time. Yet there is no evidence that this
communication was at any time cut off, or the movements of the camp inter
fered with by the Indians.
And yet withal it is evident from all the accounts we have that the year
1794 was considered a year of great danger. Nor is it clear that Corn-
planter was not at that time involved in the plan for the forcing of the
issues of war on the white settlers. We have a letter .from John Adlum to
Governor MiiHin, dated Fort Franklin, August 31, 1794, from which we
make these extracts :f
He [Cornplanter] laughs at the idea of our keeping the posts, either at Le Boeuf
or the mouth of French creek, should there be a war; for, he says, it is not possible
for us to supply them with provisions, as they will constantly have parlies along the
river and path to cut ofl all supplies, and that we soon would be obliged to run away
from them.
I don't know how far it may operate in our favor should General Wayne be suc
cessful to the westward; but it appears to me that war is inevitable, and, I think,
Captain Brandt has a very great hand in it, and his policy is to get the whole of the
Six Nations on the north side of the lakes, as it will make him the more consequen
tial, for, at present, there is but a small number of them there.
* Captain Heath.
t Second Series, Pennsylvania Archives, pages 765-767.

64 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Cornplanter desired me to give notice that it was unnecessary to send any
more provisions to Le Boeuf, as they would soon have to leave it.
The son of the Black Chief at the Cornplanter's Town made me a present of a hog
while I was there, and the morning before I came away, Half Town informed me he
had dreamed that I made a feast, and dance with it; and as it is a general custom to
give the Indians what they dream for (provided they are not too extravagant), and I
wish for an opportunity to get the sentiments of the Indians generally, I told him he
must have it, and superintend the feast, and that I would buy another, that the whole
town might partake.
It is the custom of the Indians, at such times, to set up a post and strike it, and
brag of the feats they have done, or those they intend. Some of the old chiefs were
very delicate, and only told of their feats against the Cherokees, as they said they
might injure my feelings if they mentioned anything concerning the whites; others
wished General Washington would not grant their request, that they might have one
more opportunity of showing their bravery and expertness in war against us.
The Cornplanter bragged often, and appeared to speak as if war was certain. In
one of his brags he gave me a pair of moccasins, saying, as he addressed himself to me:
"It is probable we shall have war very soon. I wish every person to do their duty to
their country, and expect you will act your part as becomes a man; and I see your
moccasins are nearly worn out. I give you this pair to put on when you come to fight
us." I took them and thanked him, and said I would reserve them for that purpose.
Du Quania, who headed the party of Indians from the north side of the lakes, in one
of his brags said, that he was always an enemy to the Americans; that he served the
king last war, and when peace was concluded he moved over the lakes, which some
said was through fear. "But," says he, "you see it is not so, for I still love the king
and hate the Americans, and now that there is like to be danger, you see me here to
face it." The Indians in general seemed to wish me to suppose that the British had
no hand in the present business, but from several things they related to me, it appeared
plain that they are at the bottom of it.
In the deposition of Colonel Alexander McDowell, taken by the Holland
Land Company, we find strong confirmation of Adlum's statement. He says:
In June, 1793, I was appointed deputy surveyor of district No. 7, west of the Ohio
and Allegheny rivers and Conewango creek in Allegheny county.
In July, 1794, I set out from Frankstown, where I then resided— prepared to exe
cute all warrants that were entered with me, and went the length of Colonel Charles
Campbell's on Black, where I met with a Mr. Jones, who had been employed by John
Adlum to purchase and forward provisions for his use,
Mr. Jones informed me that the Indians, about three days before, had attacked a
boat or boats, going down the Kiskaminitas, and had killed one man, and wounded
two other persons. Also, that the Indians had killed two men about twenty miles south
of Fort Franklin, on the road leading from Franklin to Pittsburgh, and that he thought
It unsafe to go any farther. I then returned to Frankstown and staid until August
where Mr. John Adlum called on me to go out to the district to survey I aocordinglv
went out to Fort Franklin, met Mr, Adlum, and after remaining there a few days I
set out to the district to survey. During the time I was in the woods I was informed
that the Indians had fired ou a man (James Dickson) near Cassawago, now Meadville
Also that they killed a soldier belonging to Captain Heath's company who com
manded at Fort Franklin. •'
As the Indians appeared ill-natured and much dissatisfied, on the 7lh or Sth day
of September, 1794, John Adlum (who had been at Cornplanter Town to find out how
the Indians were disposed), sent out a man of the name of Smith and an Indian to
mform me that Cornplanter and his Indians were determined to go to war and that

UNDER AMERICAN RULE. 65
Cornplanter requested him to send word to all the surveyors who were in the woods to
quit surveying before the 13th of September, or they might expect to be attacked.
Finding it iiupossiblo to attempt surveying any more, owing to the hostile disposition
of the Indians, I accordingly left the woods and returned to Fort Franklin, where I
found Captain Heath, the commanding officer, expected to be attacked, and the few
inhabitants wlio resided in that place much alarmed.
On the 30th of September we left Port Franklin. In June, 1795,1 returned to
the fort in order to resume surveying. When I got opposite the mouth of French
crook, on the east side of the Allegheny river, and not more than one mile from Fort
Franklin, I met a number of people who were in canoes, and appeared to be hastening
down the Allegheny river. I inquired of them the cause of their going. They informed
mo they were going to Pittsburgh, alleging at the same time as their reason for so doing
that they did not think it safe for them to remain in that country, as the hostile In
dians had killed two men (James Findlay and Barnabas McCormick) in tlie neiglibor-
hood of Cassawago, now Meadville, and that the whole country was alarmed, which
information 1 found to be true on my arrival at Fort Franklin, the people there being
much alarmed notwithstanding there was a garrison kept at that place.
Finding it unsafe to set out to the woods I remained at Fort Franklin for some
time until Messrs. Irvine and Elllcott, who were appointed to lay out the reserved
towns of Frauklin, Waterford, Brie, and Warren, would come forward, knowing that
they had fifty men with them to guard them while executing their appointment, ex
pecting that when they would come forward it would have some effect to quiet the
Indians, and in the same time I employed Nicholas Rosegrant (who understood the In
dian language) to go to Cornplanter's Town to inform Cornplanter that I was author
ized by the governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to survey the several
tracts of land granted him by act of assembly. Cornplanter on hearing this informa
tion met me near Fort Franklin, and returned with me up the Allegheny river until I
made all his surveys.
All the correspondence of that period shows that there was the greatest
danger of precipitating a war in which the Six Nations would join in order
to secure what they considered their right. But better counsels prevailed.
The time passed by without any open attacks and matters began to assume
a peaceful attitude.
Neither does it appear that any communication by land proved to be
dangerous. The danger was more of a threatening character than from any
real outbreak. If there was any determination to attack the settlement, it
was probably by detached portions of the Indians here and there, without
any qualified leader to direct the movement and give it effect.
Cornplanter evidently was not satisfied, yet he was too well acquainted
with the numbers and resources of the white man to think of any organized
resistance. His knowledge of the feelings of his people induced him to give
the whites a word of warning at times, but there is no evidence that he med
itated an attack upon the fort, or on the people.
The location of Fort Franklin was somewhat remarkable. It was not
even in sight of the river, and was distant from the mouth of French creek.
Its location was such that it could only cover the creek and at the same
" time overlook the path that led from Fort Pitt to Le Bceuf. This path
crossed the creek a few rods below the fort, where there was good fording

66 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and an easy ascent of the opposite bank. The fort was occupied for nine
years, or until 1796, when a new and more sensible selection was made and
a new fortification, subsequently caUed the " Old Garrison," was erected
near the mouth of the creek.
In the meantime arrangements were being made for the settlement of the
country. General William Irvine and Andrew Ellicott, with an escort of fifty
men, were sent up from Pittsburgh in the summer of 1795 to protect survey
ors and at the same time lay out a town at the junction of French creek
and the Allegheny river.
Changes had likewise taken place in the situation of affairs arising from
treaties with the Indians in the Northwest. Dangers there might be from
Indians, but it would be from predatory parties and not by any organized
effort. The old fort was dismantled as the new one was occupied, and in time
its pickets fell, its ditch filled up, and the citizens of the new town took the
stone of the large chimneys to assist in the construction of their dwellings.
Time and the spirit of improvement have now swept away the last vestige of
old Fort Franklin. Its position can only be leamed from the map and the
recorded history of the times.
The "Old Garrison" was the fourth fortress that was erected for de
fense. The site was changed again and to a more sensible locality. This
was just at the mouth of French creek where there would be a view of both
creek and river. It was built in 1796. The location was down in the bot
tom near the foot of Tenth street, near the creek. The site is now covered
with water, with no landmarks to locate it, and will soon be referred to only
by tradition. The building had no high-sounding name, but was always
known as the ' ' Old Garrison. ' ' It was a strong wooden building without
ditch or bastions or embrasure. In plain language, it was a log house,
strongly built, and well fortified. It was a story and a half high and thirty
by thirty-six feet square. Outside it had the invariable line of pickets to
avoid being surprised by the Indians. These pickets were simply small,
round logs set in the ground close together and from ten to fifteen feet in
length. In this the government kept troops stationed from the time of its
erection until 1799, when all apprehension of trouble with the Indians hav
ing subsided, they were withdrawn, and the infant town was left to its own
resources for defense against the savages, who were now on friendly terms
and desirous only of trade and trafiSc.
But the "Old Garrison" was not dismantled or left to faU into decay
for many years. If there were no longer enemies among the red men,
there were among civUized men. There were in the new settlement men
who needed to be restrained and punished. So it was resolved to utilize the
"Old Garrison" for jaU purposes. It was weU fitted for that use after
strong iron bars had been fixed to the windows and other arrangements

UNDER AMERICAN RULE, 67
made for the security of the inmates. Before, the object had been to keep
people out and at a safe distance; now it was to keep them within until
wanted elsewhere. The county was organized in 1805. At that date a jail
was needed, and the " Old Garrison " was brought into requisition for this
purpose. It was so used until 1819, when the jail was built on the South
park. During a part of this time it was occupied by Captain George Fow
ler, an Englishman, who had cast in his lot with this country after the Revolu
tionary war. He had been a good soldier of Britain, but after the strife
was ended became a good citizen of the United States. At this time he was
acting as a justice of the peace, trying causes as they came before him, and
probably performing the duties of jailor when there were prisoners in limbo.
After this the work of dUapidation commenced. The small boy held his
revels there; the elements beat upon it; the high waters of the creek en
croached on its foundations, and it was overthrown and buried in ruin. Like
all sublunary things, it lost its usefulness and fell out in the rapid march of
time, as the thickly coming events demanded better service and improve
ments. These old mUitary works are but memories now and will soon be but dim
traditions. But they tell of growth and progress. They remind us of the
dangers and perils through which the country passed from the wilderness
to the civilized land. They suggest to us the stern, enterprising fiber of
the men of those early times, who pushed their way out into the forest in
the face of privation and sacrifice and prepared to do stern battle with the
savage in maintaining their rights. They remind us of the struggle
between ancient foes, England and France, that began here, and ultimately
shook all Europe; and how, for one hundred years great principles were
discussed on the field of battle by the stern arbitrament of the sword,
finally resiUting in a better government and a higher type of society.

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTEE VIII.

LAND TENURE.

Acquisitions of Indian Territory under Proprietary Auspices— The
Purchase of 1784- Donation Lands— Eeservations—The Act of
1792— Land Companies— The Astley and Bingham "
Lands — Dickinson College Tracts —
Settlement and Improvement
Tenure — Resume.
ALTHOUGH vested by the terms of his charter with absolute owner
ship of the territory comprised within the province of Pennsylvania,
and not bound by the ethics of European national polity to recognize the
rights of those to whom God and nature had given its soil, a purer morality
and sounder policy inspired William Penn and his successors to perfect their
title by amicable purchase rather than force of arms. The deed of July 15,
1682, by which Markham secured a tract of relatively small extent in the
extreme southeastern part of the state, was the first purchase of this nature ;
the next of any importance occurred in^l718, and by this the Indians relin
quished all the territory east of the Susquehanna and south of the Lehigh
hills. This was confirmed by a second and more inclusive deed in 1736,
and by the "Walking Purchase" of 1737. In 1749 the proprietaries ex
tended their jurisdiction to the Kittatinny mountains, east and west of the
Susquehanna river. By the treaty of Albany in 1754 the Indian title to all
that part of the state north and west of the Kittatinny range was nominally
extinguished; but four years later, owing to hostilities that immediately en
sued in consequence of the unreasonable extent of this purchase, the Alle
gheny mountains were declared to be its western boundary and a line ex
tending nearly due west from the forks of the Susquehanna its northern
limit. The last purchase under the auspices of the Penns and the largest
acquisition of territory during their administration occurred at Fort Stanwix
November 5, 1768; by this treaty a line beginning where the Susquehanna
river enters the state and continuing a circuitous course to the Allegheny
river at Kittanning, thence down that river and the Ohio to the western line
of the state, was made the west and northwest boundary of their possessions.

LAND TENURE. 71
It was reserved for the commonwealth to obtain the title to that large
and important section of the state in which Venango county is situated. On
the 23rd of October, 17S4, commissioners for the state of Penusvlvania
concluded a treaty with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix by which all the
remaining Indian lands in the state were purchased. The boundaries of
this purchase were as follows:
Beginning on the south side of the River Ohio where the western boundary of the
state of Pennsylvania crosses the said river near Shingo's Old Town at tho mouth of
Beaver creek, and thence by a due north line to the end of the forty-second and be
ginning of forty-third degrees of north latitude; thence by a due east line sepiirating
the forty-second and forty-third degrees of north latitude to the east side of the east
branch of the River Susquehanna; thence by the bounds of the late purchase made at
Fort Stanwix. the 5th day of November, Anno Domini 1768. as follows: " Down the
East Branch of the Susquehanna on the east side thereof till it comes opposite the-
mouth of a creek called by the Indians Awaudac, and across the river and up said
creek on the south side thereof along the range of hills called Burnett's hills by the-
English and b}' the Indians ¦  ; on the north side of them to the head of a
creek which runs into the "West Branch of the Susquehanna, which creek is by the In
dians called Tyadaghton but by Pennsylvanians Pine creek, and down said creeli on
the south side thereof to the said "West Branch of the Susquehanna; then crossing the-
said river and running up the course on the south side thereof the several courses
thereof to the fork of the same river which lies nearest to a place on the River Ohio-
(Allegheny) called Kittanning, and from the fork by a straight line to Kittanning
aforesaid; and then down said river by the several courses thereof to where the west
ern boundary of the said state of Pennsylvania crosses the same river," at the place
of beginning. The commissioners by whom these negotiation^ were conducted were
Samuel J. Atlee, William Maclay, and Francis Johnston. In January,,
1785, they met the Wj-andot and Delaware Indians at Fort Mcintosh.
(Beaver), and concluded an agreement by which the claims of the latter to
the region in question were relinquished.
Obligations assumed by the state antecedent to the acquisition of this
territory governed its disposition. Among the evUs entailed by the long
continuance of the Revolutionary war was a depreciated currency, affording
merely nominal remuneration for the services of soldiers and officers in the
Continental army. In order to encourage enlistment to the credit of the-
quota of the state, the legislatui-e passed a resolution on the 7th of March,
1780, declaring its intention to provide adequate compensation for the
officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line and citizens of the state
in other departments of the govemment service, who should serve until
the close of the war or die in furthering the interests of the American cause.
The faith of the commonwealth was pledged to effect a settlement on the
basis of a sound cm-rency, and also to supplement this pecuniary compen
sation by donations in land. The depreciation in the value of the ' ' bills of
credit " issued by congress and the state had been gradual ; and in order that
an equitable discharge of its obligations might be facilitated, an act was
4

72 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
passed in April, 1781, fixing a scale of depreciation varying from one and
one-half to seventy-five per cent. , varying for each month from January,
1777, to March, 1781, The pay of officers and soldiers was adjusted in
conformity with this scale; the state acknowledged its indebtedness by issu
ing depreciation certificates, for the redemption of which apart of the lands
west of the Allegheny river was appropriated in 1788, the year before the
cession of that territory by the Indians. The depreciation lands were
included within the following boundaries:
Beginning where the western boundary of this state crosses the Ohio river; thence
up the said river to Fort Pitt; thence up the Allegheny river to the mouth of Mogul-
iDughtiton creek; thence by a west line to the western boundary of the state; thence
south by the said boundary to the place of beginning.
Mogulbughtiton creek is sometimes identifed with Pine creek and some
times with Mahoning; but however this may be, the northern line ofthe
depreciation lands, which was surveyed by Alexander McClean and acquired
a wide popular significance, coincides with the northern line of Beaver
county. The fifth section of the same act (March 12, 1783) designated the
donation lands with boundaries as follows:
Beginning at the mouth of Mogulbughtiton creek; thence up the Allegheny river to
the mouth of the Cognawagna (Conewango) creek; thence due north to the northern
boundary of this state; thence west bv the said boundary to the northwest corner of
the state; thence south by the western boundary of the state to the northwest corner of
lands appropriated by this act for discharging the certificates herein mentioned, and
thence by the same lands east to the place of beginning.
This included all that part of the state north of McClean' s line and west
of the Allegheny river and Conewango creek, (The Erie Triangle was
not acquired until 1792.) It is thus seen that the state appropriated a very
considerable part of her domain in the effort to deal justly with her de
fenders, and with great propriety the donation and depreciation lands have
been called ' ' The twin progeny of patriotism and necessity. ' '
It is with the donation lands that these pages are more particularly con
cerned. The first legislation of a comprehensive nature affecting this sub
ject was the act of March 24, 1785, referring to the resolution of March 7,
1780, and the act of March 12, 1783, and directing a mode of distribution
at once elaborate and complicated. The comptroller general was directed
to compile a complete list of all persons who were entitled to become bene
ficiaries under the act, and from this data the quantity of land necessary was
computed, allowing two thousand acres to a major general; one thousand
five hundred acres to a brigadier general; one thousand acres to a colonel;
seven hundred and fifty acres to a lieutenant colonel ; six hundred acres to a
surgeon, chaplain, and major; five hundred acres to a captain; four hun
dred acres to a lieutenant; three hundred acres to an ensign and surgeon's
mate; two hundred and fifty acres to a quartermaster sergeant, sergeant
major, and sergeant; and two hundred acres to a corporal, private, drum-

LAND TENURE. 73
mer, and fifer. The lots were to be of four descriptions, comprising, re
spectively, five hnndred, three hundi-ed, two hundred and fifty, and two
hundred acres. The surveyor general was authorized to appoint deputies,
who were required to make oath to perform their duties with fidelity and
impartiality. On the 8rd of May, 1785, the comptroller general made a report to the
supreme executive council embodying the names of all who were entitled to
receive lands. The surveyor general was directed to proceed with the sur
vey, and two days later nominated as deputy surveyors William Alexander,
Benjamin Lodge, James Christie, Ephraim Douglass, Griffith Evans, James
Dickinson, John Henderson, William Power, Jr. , Peter Light, Andrew
Henderson, James Dickinson, James Hoge, David Watt, and Alexander
McDowell, whose appointment was forthwith confirmed. The territory in
question was divided into ten districts, numbered in regular order from the
depreciation lands to the northern boundary of the state and extending
westward latitudinally from the Allegheny river and Conewango creek.
Their relative locations are best indicated by reference to county lines.
The line of Cra-wford and Erie counties coincides with the northern line of
the eighth; the line of Venango and Crawford, with the northern line of
the sixth; the line of Mercer and Crawford, with the northern line of the
fifth; and within this county the line of the fifth and sixth districts was the
mutual boundary of Plum and Sugar Creek townships until the formation
•of Oakland and Jackson. It thus appears that the sixth, fifth, and fourth
districts were situated in this county to the extent of their entire width and
the third also in part. The respective deputies appointed for these districts
were James Christie, for the sixth; Benjamin Lodge, for the fifth; Andrew
Henderson, for the fourth; and Grifflth Evans, for the third.
As the north and west boundaries of the state had not yet been estab
lished, the surveyors were instructed to begin their work as far in the
interior as possible. Specific directions were given for marking the number
Gf the lot at the northwest corner, which thus became the "ear-mark" of
the tract, the legal and original index to its location, and in many instances
the only method of identifying the lot indicated onthe " General Draft "
with the actual ground to which it referred, A broad flat surface was cut
on the tree, and in this the figures forming the number were sunk with a
die. The impression thus made is said to have been distinguishable half a
century later; a slight discoloration of the bark, perceptible only to an accom
plished woodsman, indicated the place on the tree where the mark had been
made, and by removing the supervening growth it was plainly visible. The
usual procedure with the surveyors was to run the southern line of the dis
trict as a base line; the north and south lines were then run at such intervals
as the size of the tracts might require, and at regular distances determined
in the same manner, the numbers of the lots were marked; at every corner.

74 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
instead of running the east and west lines through, it was customary merely
to blaze the trees several rods in either direction, and as a consequence,
owing to the character of the topography and the carelessness of chain car
riers, east and west corners were not on an east and west line and the lots,
instead of being rectangular parallelograms, assumed a variety of irregular
shapes. In adjusting the legal complications that subsequently resulted
from this the courts decided that a straight line to be run from corner to
corner was the legal line. When a sufficient extent of territory had been
platted a connected draft was required to be filed with the master of the
rolls; and in 1818, many of the original land-marks having become oblit
erated, the legislature declared these drafts sufficient evidence of the loca
tion of a lot.
The act of March 24, 1785, provided for the appointment of an agent to
examine the donation lands and report upon their general condition, indi
cating especially such as were unfit for cultivation. General William Irvine
was assigned to this duty, and in August, 1785, reported unfavorably as to
the value of the lands in the eastern part of the second district, which were
accordingly withdrawn. This territory thus acquired the name of the
"Struck District."
A provision of the law of 1783 directed that the officers and privates
entitled to land should make application within two years after the close of
the war, with an extension of one year for executors and heirs. The distri
bution was effected by lottery and conducted by a committee of three mem
bers of the executive council, in whose custody the wheel was kept. Many
having failed to apply within the period specified, the time was extended by
various laws, and in 1792 the officers of the land office were directed to draw
lots for such persons as were entitled to them according to the list furnished
by the comptroller general. The final legislation on this subject was the
act of March 26, 1813, by which the land office was closed against all appli
cations after October 1st, of that year. While thus extended over a term of
years for the benefit of exceptional cases the great body of donation lands
had been located and patented within a few years after the passage of the
act of 1785. The surveys were principally made in 1786 and 1787,
The propriety of reserving certain tracts advantageously situated in the
western frontier for such purposes as future developments might determine
was first suggested to the executive council by Andrew Ellicott and recom
mended to the assembly in 1788, In the following year that body author
ized the survey of reservations at Fort Venango, and at the mouth of the
Conewango on the Allegheny river, at Port Le Bceaf, at the head of navi
gation on French creek, and at Erie. These surveys were made by John
Adlum and reported to the council in September, 1789. It was stipulated
that none of these reservations should exceed three thousand acres in extent.
That at Fort Venango included the site of the town of Franklin; it was situ-

LAND TENURE. 75
ated on both sides of French creek, and the principal objects to which the
proceeds of its sale were applied were the building of the first court house
of the county and the Venango academy. A tract of several hundred acres
north of French creek remained unsold for many years, and was commonly
known as tho ' ' Academy Reserve. ' '
The Cornplanter reservation at the mouth of Oil creek comprised the
principal part of the site of Oil City. It was surveyed by Alexander
McDowell, and contained a little more than three hundred acres. The pat
ent was issued March 16, 1796. It remained in possession of Cornplanter
untU 1818,
The benevolent intentions of the state having been subserved, a method
of promoting settlement in the northwestern part of its territory was the
next subject for legislative consideration. The frontier was constantly
menaced by Indian depredations, and very few of the owners of donation
lands ever removed to them. There still remained thousands of acres that
had not been applied to the redemption of depreciation certificates or
drawn in the apportionment of donation lands ; and, with the idea of bring
ing these lands into market as a source of revenue to the state, as well as
to encourage immigration and thus place a barrier between the hostile
Indians on the west and the incipient settlements in the western interior
portions of the state, an act was passed on the 3rd of April, 1792, for the
general disposition of all vacant lands within the purchases of 1768 and
1784. This was the first legislation relative to lands in that part of the
county east and south of the AUegheny river. That part of the purchase
of 1784 was offered for sale at five pounds per hundred acres; northwest
of the Ohio and Allegheny and Conewango creek, the price was fixed at seven
pounds, ten shillings per hundred acres. No condition of settlement was
attached to the former; but the latter were offered only ' ' to persons who will
cultivate, improve, and settle the same, or cause the same to be cultivated,
improved, or settled." Provision was made for two methods of acquiring
title — either to purchase a warrant at the land office for a tract of land to
be surveyed, paying the purchase money and fees into the state treasury,
and completing the title by settlement and improvement within the speci
fied period of two years; or to effect the settlement and improvement in
the first place and make payment afterward. The former was the method
of the land jobber; the latter, of the actual settler. The lands were
remote from previously settled localities, and even if an Indian war had
not effectually prevented immigration, the advantage was largely with the
purchasing class as opposed to the class who would be obliged to make a
settlement first and depend upon the results of their labor for the means
to discharge their obligations to the state. While the prospective settler
was waiting for the long deferred tranquillity that would permit a residence
on the frontier, the capitalist proceeded at once to procure warrants and

76 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lodge them with the deputy surveyors for execution, A duplex system of
this nature naturally resulted in legal complications affecting the validity of
land titles throughout the period of early settlement, retarding the growth
and development of the country to an incalculable extent.
The favorable opportunity for investment offered by the terms of sale
as proposed by the state in the act of 1792, led to the organization of vari
ous corporations for the purchase, improvement, and sale of lands. Of
these the Holland Land Company was most largely interested in this county.
It was composed of capitalists in the United Netherlands, who had advanced
large sums to Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution, to aid in the
prosecution of that struggle; and at its close, either form choice or neces
sity, received payment in lands in western New York, and later extended
their acquisitions into Pennsylvania. The company was composed of Will
iam Willink and eleven associates, among whom were Nicholas Van Stap-
horst, Peter Stadnitski, Christian Van Eeghen, Hendrick VoUenhoven, and
Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck of the city of Amsterdam. The first lands
acquired in Pennsylvania consisted of a number of one thousand acre tracts
east of the Allegheny river, in the purchase of 1784, some of which are sit
uated in Pinegrove township, this county, while many others were located
in that part of the county since attached to Forest.
One of the largest transactions in the history of Pennsylvania land titles
was a purchase aggregating half a million acres, negotiated for this com
pany in 1793 by its agents at New York, Herman Leroy and William Bay
ard, from James Wilson of Philadelphia, a judge of the United States
supreme court. The land in question consisted of nine hundred and twelve
tracts of four hundred and thirty acres each, situated between French creek
and the Allegheny river, which John Adlum had agreed to secure for Judge
Wilson by a contract, bearing date April 26, 1793; and two hundred and
fifty tracts of four hundred and thirty acres each, to be taken from lands
entered for Judge Wilson by James Chapman, convenient to the lands first
named in point of location, the Holland Company reserving the privilege of
substituting other lands east of French creek if not satisfied with the latter
tracts, the whole amount being four hundred and ninety-nine thousand, six
hundred and sixty acres, not including the allowance of six per cent, for
roads. The consideration was thirty-four thousand, eight hundred and
sixty pounds in specie, of which the company retained four thousand and
sixty -seven pounds for fees and expenses of surveying; three thousand, eight
hundred and ninety-two pounds, fourteen shUlings, for fees in patenting the
tracts; two thousand, six hundi-ed and fourteen pounds, ten shillings, with
which to pay the receiver general of the land office for the excess of thirty
acres in each warrant; and nine hundi'ed and seventy-eight pounds for in
terest on the purchase money since the date of application, A very large
proportion of the lands in Venango county north of French creek and the

LAND TENURE. 77
Allegheny river, and particularly that part of this territory east of Oil creek,
was included in this extensive purchase, which was consummated on the 21st
of August, 1793,
The management of the affairs of the company was intrusted to a general
agent with his office at Philadelphia, Theophilus Cazenove filled this posi
tion from the organization of the company until 1799, when he was suc
ceeded by Paul Busti; he served until July 28, 1824, and was followed by
John J, Vanderkemp, the incumbent of the office until 1836. The local
agent for the counties of Crawford, Erie, Warren, and Venango had his
headquarters at Meadville. Samuel B. and Alexander Poster, jointly, were
stationed there in 1796-97-98 and part of 1799; Major Roger Alden was
appointed in 1799 and served until the 1st of January, 1805, when H. J.
Huidekoper assumed charge, continuing in that capacity until December
81, 1836, when he purchased from the company its remaining lands in the
counties for which he had been agent with smaller interests in Otsego and
Chenango counties. New York, and Berkshire county, Massachusetts, for
the sum of one hundred and seventy-eight thousand, four hundred dollars.
The final conveyance was executed December 23, 1839.
The policy of the company, although directed in the main toward the
enhancement of its property, was characterized by an enterprising and
liberal spirit. A large store was established at Meadville in 1795 and dis
bursements exceeding five thousand dollars had been made up to that date.
Supply depots of implements, utensils, and provisions were established in
the following year, settlers were invited to locate on the lands, and funds
for bringing families into the country liberally advanced. Settlers who
became residents upon its lands were required to erect a house within one
year and to improve ten acres within two years of the date of settlement.
Improvement and settlement in compliance with the law of 1792 secured
one hundred acres without compensation, with the privilege of purchasing
the remainder of the four hundred acre tract at one dollar and a half per
acre. This gratuity was continued until 1805. Twenty-two thousand dol
lars were expended in 1796 and sixty thousand dollars in 1797 on roads and
in assisting settlers in various ways. In 1798 mills were erected, one of
which, on a branch of Oil creek quite near the county line, is referred to in
a description of the boundaries of AUegheny township in 1800. The ex
penditures of that year amounted to thirty thousand dollars; and in 1799
forty thousand dollars were expended upon roads, mills, etc. Purchasers
of lands were given long terms of credit, usually eight years with a frequent
extension to sixteen or twenty; the interest was expected to be paid promptly
but in periods of exceptional stringency the agent accepted cattle at the
local prices, driving them across the mountains to the markets of PhUadel
phia and other eastern cities. The extent of the expenditures of the com
pany was thus summarized by Judge Yeates:

78 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Holland Land Company have paid to the state the consideration money of one
thousand, one hundred and sixty-two warrants, and the surveying fees on one thou
sand and forty-eight tracts of land (generally four hundred acres each) besides making
very considerable expenditures by their exertions, honorable to themselves and use
ful to the community, in order to effect settlements. Computing the sums advanced,
the lost tracts by prior improvements and interferences, and the quantity of one hun
dred acres granted to each individual for making an actual settlement on their lands,
it is said that, averaging the whole, between two hundred and thirty and two hundred
and forty dollars have been expended by the company on each tract.
The general opinion regarding land companies has not been uniformly
favorable throughout western Pennsylvania. Their interests and those of
the settlers frequently came in collision, and although legislation subsequent
to the act of 1792 was almost invariable in favor of the settler, the decisions
of the courts were not infrequently favorable to the companies. O. Turner
in his History of the Holland Company in the State of New York, after an
exhaustive treatment of the subject, expresses his estimate of its general
character in the foUowing terms:
Few enterprises have ever been conducted on more honorable principles than was
that which embraced the purchase, sale and settlement of the Holland purchase.. In
all the instructions of the general to the local agents the interest of the settlers and
the prosperity of the country were made secondary in but a slight degree to their se
curing to their principals a fair and reasonable return for their investments. In the
entire history of settlement and improvement of our widely extended country large
tracts of the wilderness have nowhere fallen into the hands of individuals and become
subject to private or associate cupidity when the aggregate result has been more
favorable or advantageous to the settlers.
And Alfred Huidekoper, in a lecture delivered at Meadville in 1876,
reviewing the policy of the company and the attitude of public opinion
toward it, says:
The history of the company is but a repetition, perhaps, of a common experience
in lite. It was encouraged at first to purchase a wilderness and put its money into
the state treasury; this was an acceptable thing to do; when it sought reimbursement
out of the property so acquired, it incurred both professional and popular opposition,
as large associations are apt to do. Keeping the even tenor of its way with fairness of
purpose and integrity of action, it can safely entrust its record to the hands of the his
torian. The lands of the Holland Company east of the Allegheny river in this
county were sold to an affiliated corporation, the Lancaster Land Com
pany, early in the century; and after a brief period of associate ownership,
the latter effected an amicable apportionment of its holdings among the
different stockholders in proportion to their respective interests, the lands
in this county passing in this manner to Henry Shippen, Samuel Miller, and
others. These lands are situated principally in Pinegrove township.
The North American Land Company was another of the extensive cor
porate warrantees of public lands in Pennsylvania. Nearly the whole of
Mineral township and fhe northwestern part of Irwin comprised the interests

LAND TENURE. 79
of this company in Venango county. Its original organization has not been
ascertained; but in 1816 the surviving trustees were Henry Pratt, John
Ashley, and James Greenleaf, and the board of managers was composed of
John Vaughan, John Miller, Jr., Robert Porter, Henry Pratt, and John
Ashley. Their holdings at that date in the counties of Beaver, Butler,
Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, and Venango aggregated six hundred and
twenty-five tracts of the usual area of four hundred acres ; which, by deed
of June 1, 1816, were transferred to Henry Baldwin of Pittsburgh and
Stephen Barlow of Fairfield, Connecticut, for the sum of ninety thousand
dollars. It was from Barlow and Baldwin that purchasers derived title.
The acquisition of extensive individual holdings in that part of the
county east and south of the Allegheny river was greatly facilitated under
the act of 1792 by the fact that title could be perfected within that region
without any restrictions as to settlement and improvement. There were
two such holdings in this county, known respectively as the Astley and Bing
ham lands. The former comprised twenty contiguous tracts in district No.
6, containing twenty thousand acres and the usual allowance of six per cent,
for highways; the surveys were made in the month of July, 1793, in pur
suance of twenty warrants granted to John Nicholson bearing date April 20,
1792, and numbered respectively 1124 to 1149 iiiclusive, with the exception
of 1129, 1133, and 1141-1144. By deed of July 18, 1795, a transfer was
made to Henry Phillips, John Travis, William Crammond, and James Cram-
mond, to whom the patents were issued November 5, 1799. William Cram
mond, the surviving member of this copartnership, sold the lands in ques
tion at public auction September 1, 1803, at the Merchants' coffee house in
Philadelphia to Matthew McConnell, representing Thomas Astley and James
Gibson, to whom a deed was made May 26, 1804. Crammond, Astley, and
Gibson were all connected with the Pennsylvania Population Company, to
which Nicholson transferred the great majority of his warrants, but it does
not appear that the title to what are popularly referred to as the Astley
lands was ever vested in that corporation. Astley and Gibson, beside the
twenty thousand acres in Venango county, were also joint owners of thirty-
seven thousand acres in Wayne, eighty-five thousand in Luzerne, thirty
thousand in Erie and Crawford, fifteen thousand in Berks, twelve thousand
in Lycoming, seven thousand in Allegheny and Butler, and three thousand
in Northampton; and in 1815, by dged of May 24th, Gibson transferred a
moiety in all this vast domain to Astley, who thus became individual owner
and so continued until his death. The lands in this county are situated in
the central and western part of Cranberry township. The tracts were orig
inally surveyed with north and south, east and west lines, but after the
opening of the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike a resurvey was made
by William Connely with the line of that highway as a base line. It was
not until after this that sales were made to actual settlers to any extent.

80 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and for a time Alexander McCalmont was attorney in fact for Astley. At
the death of the latter the property was inherited by his daughter and only
chUd, Mrs. Sophia Kirkpatrick, wifeof Littleton Kirkpatrick, of New Jersey,
who sold it in 1840 to Henry Crammond. Nearly all of it had passed out
of his possession before the discovery of oil.
The Bingham lands comprised nearly the whole of Rockland township.
They were surveyed upon warrants granted to William Bingham, principally
in December, 1792. He was a man of prominence in state affairs, repre
sented Pennsylvania in the Continental congress of 1787-88, and in the
United States senate from 1795 to 1801, serving as president pro tempore of
that body in 1797. He was born in 1729, and died in 1808, probably before
any of his lands in this county had been sold. The deeds are usually exe
cuted by Thomas Mayne Willing and Charles Willing Hare, of Philadelphia;
Alexander Baring (Lord Ashburton), and Henry Baring, of London, and
Robert Gilmor, of Baltimore, devisees in trust for the estate. The first res
ident agent and attorney in fact was probably John Jolly, who was succeeded
in 1834 by Elihu Chadwick. Tracts of varying area were sold, the only
requirement as to form and extent being that all boundaries should be
cardinal lines and all angles right angles. In consequence many of the
tracts are exceedingly irregular in shape. They were numbered in the order
of their sale. It was the policy of the trustees to permit the larger part of
the purchase money, secured by mortgage, to remain unpaid for a number of
years if the interest was promptly remitted. After the great body of the
land had been sold, the remainder, consisting of a number of detached
tracts, was purchased by Mr. Chadwick. He was the father of J. D. Chad
wick, of Franklin.
The Dickinson College lands are the only holdings of any considerable
extent that remain to be noticed. Certain lands granted to that institution
(situated at Carlisle, Cumberland county) were located in this county in
tracts of a thousand acres, principally in Pinegrove and Richland townships.
Subsequently, in consideration of an appropriation in money, they were sur
rendered to the state, and the legislature conferred upon the commissioners
of the respective counties where they were located authority to dispose of
them and give deeds, as in the case of tax sales. Several other colleges also
received grants of land in this part of the state.
From a casual estimate of the amount of land in this county acquired in
large tracts under corporate or individual auspices it is readUy apparent
that but a comparatively small part of its area remained for improvement
and settlement. The principal body of land secured under tenure of this
nature, as provided in the act of 1792, is situated in the townships of Scrub-
grass, Clinton, Sandy Creek, Victory, Irwin, and French Creek. This
region was neglected by speculators, not from a generous consideration
for the class of people who afterward acquired it, but because General.

LAND TENURE. 81
Irvine's report upon the donation lands in 1785 called attention to it as "a
continued chain of high barren mountains except small breaches for creeks
and rivulets to disembogue themselves into the river, ' ' While the land job
ber was not as a general thing fastidious in his requirements he did not buy
' ' high barren mountains ' ' while lands of which the topography had not
been so specifically described were to be obtained, and hence the southwest
ern part of the county remained to be taken up by bona fide settlers. It was
in this section of country that the surveying of Samuel Dale on warrants
issued by virtue of settlement and improvement was principally done. The
vacant lands in that part of the county north of French creek and the Alle
gheny river were principally in Oakland township, and east of the AUegheny
river, in Richland. Between the Astley and Bingham warrants on the west
and the Holland warrants on the east, north of three Dickinson CoUege
tracts in Cranberry township, and south of the same through Rockland into
Richland there was a strip of land averaging two-thirds of a mile in width,
referred to in old deeds as " The Vacancy." The western part of President
township was patented on improvement warrants at a comparatively recent
period; and bends in the Allegheny river south and east of its course at
various points have also been patented in the same manner, not having been
included in the regular tracts adjoining on the interior.
The fidelity and accuracy of surveys have had much to do in determining
title. Fortunately for this county . its early surveyors were men of excep
tional proficiency and accuracy, and litigation from careless surveying has
been comparatively rare. The first deputy surveyor for this county was
Colonel Samuel Dale; the early improvement claims were principally located
by him, and he also subdivided the Lancaster Land Company's lands,
aggregating one hundred and seventy thousand acres. The following with
reference to the general character of his work and the manner in which this
commission from the Lancaster Land Company was executed is from the pen
of Judge Samuel Porter Johnson, of Warren:
This big job of surveying Mr. Dale performed in the summer and season of 1814,
finishing his surveys and making a connected map of his work in 1815. He divided
that land into seven hundred lots or tracts and numbered them, ran and marked every
line, and carved the number of every tract on a tree at one of its corners. Then he
made a connected draft of the whole, showing the number of each and kind of tree
marked. That was one of the best jobs of surveying ever done in Pennsylvania. I
speak advisedly. My long professional life and practice has made me familiar with
most of the original land surveys in every part of the state. The lines and corners
run and marked by Colonel Dale can be traced and found to-day as fast as a man can
walk through the woods. While we have had a great deal of litigation about other
surveys, no dispute has ever come into court to my knowledge about any line or corner
established by Colonel Dale for the Lancaster Land Company.
By his contract he was to make a map of all his surveys for the Lancaster Land
Company. In the course of time it became important in Warren county to find that
map. It should have been on record in Venango county, where all the records for

82 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Warren were kept prior to its organization. It was not there. We hunted among the
records of Jefferson and McKean counties, among Judge Shippen's papers at Lancas
ter and elsewhere, and found it not. Then I concluded to interview Mrs. Samuel P.
Dale, of Franklin, supposing her husband might have fallen heir to his father's papers.
There the contract and field notes of Colonel Dale were found, from which I had a
surveyor make a connected map of all the seven hundred tracts. Afterward I found
the long hunted map hid away for about sixty years in the fire-proof vaults of the Huide
koper land office at Meadville.
Colonel Dale had a remarkable tenacity of recollection, owing doubtless to the care
and correctness with which he did his business. Many years ago, during his lifetime,
I was concerned in a lawsuit about a tract of land in Scrubgrass township, which he
had surveyed more than thirty-five years before. I sent a commission to Lancaster
and took his deposition, and was surprised at the accuracy with which he told all about
the minutest details connected with that survey.
Tax sales have entered largely into the question of land tenure. A large
part of the county remained practically undeveloped until the discovery of
oil, with but little prospect that real estate consisting in lands unfit for cul
tivation would materially appreciate in value. With no returns whatever
from property constantly subject to taxation, the holders frequently allowed
their lands to go by default and competent authorities agree in estimating
that fully one-half the area of the county has been sold in this manner at
one time or another. It is also to be observed that the large associate and
individual holdings had been almost entirely disposed of before oil develop
ments conferred upon this territory an enormous increase in value; so that,
whether the litigation incident to conflicting claims that placed land com
panies and individual settlers at variance be referred to obscure, intricate,
and defective legislation or to an ultimate pernicious principle underlying
the whole system of land ownership, the course of events seems to have ad
justed inequalities of this nature most effectually so far as Venango county
is concerned.

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 83'

CHAPTER IX.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
First Permanent Settlement in Northwestern Pennsylvania, at
Meadville— George Power and his Early Contemporaries at Frank
lin—Pioneers OF Scrubgrass— Clinton— Irwin^French Creek-
Sandy Creek, Victory and Mineral— Sugar Creek— Canal-
Jackson — Oakland — Cornplanter — Allegheny — Oil
Creek— Cherry Tree— Plum— President— Richland
—Rockland— Cranberry— Pinegroye—Taxables
in 1805 in Allegheny, Irwin and Sugar Creek
—Population of the County by Decades.
THE termination of Indian hostilities on the western frontier was im
mediately foUowed by a movement of population from the eastern and
central counties of Pennsylvania to the wild and uninhabited territory re
cently acquired by that commonwealth on the northwest. The settlement of
this region by American citizens was first attempted during the period of
comparative quiet that followed the close of the Revolutionary struggle. In
the summer of 1787 David and John Mead, of Northumberland county, vis
ited the valley of French creek on a journey of exploration and returned in
May of the following year with seven others, most of whom located in the near
vicinity of Meadville. This was the first permanent settlement in north
western Pennsylvania. There was a spirit of adventure abroad in the land
which was manifested in the willingness with which people seemed ready
to make the long and arduous journey to their prospective homes and face
the inevitable hardships incident to frontier life. It is true that the build
ing of Fort Franklin by the United States government was a great induce
ment to possible settlers, not only to the town commenced near it but also to
the surrounding country, as a place of refuge in times of extreme danger,
but this could not add to the amenities of life in the wilderness or serve to
minimize its material discomforts and disadvantages.
The state had taken the initiative in the settlement of Venango county
by laying out the town of Franklin on ground reserved for that purpose at
the mouth of French creek. As in the case of Pittsburgh, the site had
been selected before the formal survey was determined upon. " Manifest
destiny ' ' had pointed out the junction of French creek with the Allegheny

84 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
river as the location of a town that should be the nucleus of subsequent
growth throughout the county.
The site of the city of Franklin must have been a pleasant and inviting
spot to the enterprising man looking for a home in the new country. Nest
ling amid towering hills, the valley was sheltered and pleasant. The ground
was level and thickly wooded with oaks, chestnuts, walnuts, and hemlocks.
The soil was dry and sandy and would afford signs of great fertility. In
those early days men were anxiously looking for promising location in which
to settle. The first man who came here to make his home was George Power.
He had come with the soldiers to erect Fort Franklin in 1787. He had an
official connection with the army, being commissary. After the completion
of the fort he remained but a short time. From here he went to Fort
Washington, now Cincinnati, then to Vincennes, Indiana. In 1790 he re
turned to Franklin and made his home here for the remainder of his life.
George Power was a man for the times. He was one of those hardy,
earnest souls, that a new and wild country always develops, that are ready
for any emergency, and prepared to face any hardships and confront any
dangers that may arise. He was born in the state of Maryland on the
10th of April, 1762. He was consequently about twenty- four years of age
when he first set foot in this valley, and twenty- eight when he came as a
settler. He had associated much with backwoodsmen and Indians, and was
well acquainted with their habits. At his coming he took up the trade
that John Frazier had abandoned when driven out by the French. Know
ing the capabilities of the place and the promise of the town that had
now been laid out, he prepared himself for trade with the Indians as well
as with the incoming settlers. He soon acquired the language of the In
dians, and could speak the Seneca language with facility.
A lot was selected on the bank of French creek, a little below Fort
Franklin, and a log house erected and stocked with such goods as might be
called for. These were traded to the Indians in exchange for skins and
furs. Ammunition and blankets were always in demand, and peltry was
always in market down at Pittsburgh, so that a thriving trade was soon
built up.
At Mr. Power's coming he was unmarried, but December 30, 1800, he
married Margaret Bowman, a sister of the late Andrew Bowman. Near the
site of his first log cabin he built his stone house, that was long the orna
ment and pride of the town. This was on the corner of Elk and Elbow
streets, now the location of the dwelling formerly occupied by Judge
Trunkey. This house was kept for a time as a hotel, and generous hos
pitality was dealt out to the sojourner within its walls.
The account books of Mr. Power kept in those early days, show his trade
with the Indians. Often he dealt with them, giving them credit and sel-

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 85
dom found them delinquent in keeping their word. These books will be
great curiosities in days to come, as they are full of Indian names.
Mr. Power died at his residence on the 2nd of April, 1845, in the eighty-
third year of his age, honored and respected by his fellow citizens. His
descendents are numerous in Venango county at the present time.
For some years Mr. Power was the only civilian resident of the nominal
town of Franklin. There was a garrison at the fort, and it is probable the
locality was visited frequently by military officers, surveyors, and others, so
that life was not without incident and variety. Colonel Alexander McDowell
arrived in 1794. He was deputy surveyor of district No. 7, west of the
-Allegheny river and Conewango creek, and located many of the warrants of
the Holland Land Company in this and adjoining counties. In 1796 he was
commissioned justice of the peace, and was the first to discharge the func
tions of a magistrate in Venango county. He was also the first postmaster
at Franklin, and was commissioned to that office January 1, 1801. He died
January 4, 1816, at the age of fifty-three. His wife, Mrs. Sarah McDowell,
died September 25, 1865, at the remarkable age of one hundred and three
years. Their son, Thomas Skelley McDowell, born April 26, 1803, was the
first white child born in the town.
The name of Captain James G. Heron appears on the books of George
Power as early as 1795, but although a soldier of the Revolution, he had no
connection with the military at this point. His family arrived in 1800.
He was a member of the first board of county commissioners, one of the
first associate judges, and the second postmaster of Franklin. He died De
cember 30, 1809 ; the inventory of his estate reveals the fact that he brought
several slaves to this county, this being the first introduction of property of
that description,
Edward Hale came from Fayette county in 1798 and established himself
in business as a trader. He died in 1806 in the thirtieth year of his age.
When the troops evacuated the "Old Garrison " in 1799 it was occupied by
Captain George Fowler, an officer in the British service who had remained
in this country and came to Venango county in 1797. He was a justice of
the peace. It is not definitely known when Marcus Hulings came to Frank
lin, but he was the earliest medium of communication between that com
munity and the outside world. He made periodic voyages to Pittsburgh by
flat boat, his cargo consisting mainly of peltries on the voyage down and of
merchandise for the local traders on his return. The earliest inscription on
a tombstone in the old Franklin cemetery records the fact that Michael Hu
lings died August 9, 1797, aged twenty-seven years, which would clearly
indicate that the family was here at that early date. Hulings' name also ap
pears on George Power's and Edward Hale's journals in 1797.
The famUies of George Power, Alexander McDowell, James G. Heron,
Edward Hale, George Fowler, and Marcus Hulings, five in number, consti-

86 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
tuted the entire population of the embryo county seat in 1800. Colonel
Samuel Dale, .John Broadfoot, Samuel Hays, William Moore, George and
Hugh McClelland, WiUiam Connely, Nathaniel Cary, David Irvine, .Ibra-
ham Selders, Andrew Bowman, Alexander McCalmont, and William and
James Kinnear were also among the early and prominent residents of the
town. While the county capital was thus assuming the proportions of an in
cipient viUage there was an influx of population to other parts of the
county and almost simultaneously the region of Scrubgrass, the valleys of
French creek and Sugar creek, of Oil creek and Pithole, gave e-vidence of
the presence of the aggressive and ubiquitous pioneer. In 1793-94 two
scouts from the settlements on the Kiskeminitas made an exploration of
the country west of the Allegheny river; their report of the Scrubgrass re
gion was particularly favorable and i^ the year 1795 James Scott, one of the
scouts, returned to that locality, accompanied by a party of his neighbors,
thus inaugurating the emigration from Westmoreland coimty that contributed
so largely to the settlement of the southem tier of townships. Samuel
Jolly, David Say, James Craig, and James Fearis were among those who
came to Scrubgrass township in this manner in 1795. They were foUowed
before the close of the century by William Crawford, Thomas Milford,
Moses Peny, and others. Reverend Robert Johnson, pastor of Scrubgrass
Presbyterian church, who preached in the first building erected in the
county for religious worship, resided near the church from 1808 to 1811,
when he removed to MeadviUe. He died at New Castle, May 20, 1861.
The first permanent settlement in the adjoining township of Clinton
was effected in 1796. That year marks the arrival of Thomas McKee, a
native of Westmoreland county and a surveyor by occupation, in which
capacity he assisted in locating many of the first land claims in this part of
the state; Matthew Riddle, a veteran of the Revolution, who had visited the
valley of Scrubgrass creek in 1795 with the party of settlers led by Scott
and returned the next year with his family; Archibald and Patrick Davidson,
from the eastern part of the state; Thomas Baird, one of the early justices;
Robert Calvert, from the Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county, who had
accompanied Riddle in the previous year; John Vogus, and Patrick Mc
Dowell. Major Philip Ghost, whose military title had been acquired by
service in the Revolution, arrived in the same year and was one of the few
German settlers in the southem part of the county. John Phipps, the
progenitor in this county of a family that was prominently identified with
its early political and industrial history; and Patrick Coulter, father of
John Coulter, an early physician in the southern part of the county, became
residents of the township in 1797, John Witherup, first sheriff of Venango
county and contractor for the erection of the first court house, arrived in
ISOO and was probably the only native of England among the pioneers.

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 89
James Hoffman, Alexander Porter, John Hovis, and Benjamin A\'illiams
were also among the very early residents in the valley of Scrubgrass creek.
In Irwin township there is no authentic record of settlement prior to
1796, when Adam Dinsmore and Henry CruU located near the old Pitts
burgh road. Isaac and George McMurdy, father and son, settled near the
line of Butler county in 1797; they were from Huntingdon county. Richard
Monjar, the first shoemaker of the township, also came in 1797, from the
state of Maryland. Thomas Bullion, an eccentric character, was one of the
first settlers and proprietor of the first distillery. William Davidson, one
of the early constables, who lost his life in the discharge of his duty ; James
McClaran, one of the trustees of Venango county appointed in 1800 by the
act providing for its erection ; and Jonathan Morris, a native of Lancaster
county, arrived in 1798. Through the representations of Adam Dinsmore,
William and Hugh McManigal, David Martin, and John Crain, formerly from
the North of Ireland, removed from Mifflin county to this township in 1799.
Hugh McManigal led a company to the defense of Erie in 1818; Edward
McFadden came from Luzerne county prior to 1800 ; William Adams became
a settler in 1800, Moses Bonnell, Robert Jones, and Robert Burns in 1802,
and John bullion in 1808.
Contemporaneous with the settlement of the southern townships there
was an equally important movement of population into the valley of French
creek. The first to settle in the township of that name was John Martin;
he arrived in 1796 from Maryland and located three miles above Utica,
where he kept a ferry for some years and was on terms of friendship with
the Indians. John Chapman arrived about the same time, but being a man
of migratory habits his stay was brief. Others who arrived prior to 1800
were John Gordon and John Cooper, 1797 or 1798; William Duffield, a na
tive of Ireland, who came here from Centre county in 1798; John Lindsay,
said to have buUt the first mill on French creek in this county; Welden
Adams, a man of prominence in local and county matters; Thomas and Al
exander Russell, from Huntingdon county, father and son; James and Rob
ert Greenlee, Peter Patterson, William Patterson, and William Vogan,
Hugh and John L. Hasson, from eastern Pennsylvania, came in 1800; Ja
cob Runninger, in 1801; John Hanna, in 1802; and James GUlUand, in 1804;
John Temple, Seth Jewel, WiUiam Evans, and James Gibson were also
early settlers.
The first settlements in Sandy Creek and Victory townships were made
along the line of the old Pittsburgh road. Prior to 1796 Samuel Patterson,
a young unmarried man, selected a tract of land on the south side of Sandy
creek and having built a cabin thereon eked out a precarious subsistance by
hunting and fishing. In 1796 he transferred his rights to John Dewoody,
a native of Ireland, who emigrated at the age of twenty-one and after a
brief residence in Lancaster county went to Pittsburgh, whence he came to

90 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
this locality. Patrick Manson, a native of Ireland and a veteran of the
Revolution, settled within the present limits of Sandy Creek township in
1797. It is probable that James Stevens, who built the first mill on Sandy
creek at the crossing of the Pittsburgh road, came there in 1798. In the
vicinity of Franklin the first permanent settlers were James Martin, first
clerk to the county commissioners, who came from Maryland in 1796 and
planted one of the first orchards of the county; Thomas Brandon from Cum
berland county, who removed to Cranberry at an early date; and William
Dewoody, a native of Ireland, who also came in 1796. After John Dewoody
the earliest settlers in Victory were Robert Hyner, Daniel McMillin, John
Lyons, Isaac Bennett, and James Major. George McClelland settled near
the village of Springville in 1803; within a few years he removed to Frank
lin and^ is better remembered in connection with the early history of that
place. ¦ In that part of Mineral township which was formerly part of Sandy
Creek the first settlers were Samuel Gildersleeve and William Whann; the
former was from New Jersey and located on the Mercer road, the latter was
from Northumberland county and settled on South Sandy, whence he re
moved to Ohio. Both arrived in 1797. Archibald Henderson' from Alle
gheny county, Shadrach Simcox from Maryland, Andrew Smith from
Washington county, Daniel Crain from New Jersey, and Jacob Rice were
also pioneers of Mineral.
The foregoing account of settlement in the French creek valley was con
fined to the township of that name. North of that stream withip the pres
ent limits of Sugar Creek the pioneers were Mr. Bowman, father of Andrew
Bowman of Franklin, who came from Northampton county in 1795; Eben
ezer Roberts, who improved the poorhouse farm in 1796; Angus McKinzie,
a native of Scotland, who came here from Pittsburgh ; WUliam Cousins, one
of the soldiers who remained in this county when the garrison at Fort Frank
lin was disbanded; John Rogers and Luther Thomas, who came in 1796;
and John McCalmont, from the Nittany valley. Centre county, who came
with his sons — Thomas, Robert, James, Alexander, John, and Joseph in
1803, Robert visited this region in the previous year, while another son,
Henry, did not come till 1817.
In Canal township the earliest authenticated settlement was that of
Hugh and Alexander Johnston, father and son, natives of the North of Ire
land, who came here prior to 1797, locating in the vicinity of Utica. John
and James Foster, Jacob Whitman, Thomas Logue, and Thomas Smiley;
William Brown, a veteran of the Revolution from New York, who kept a
well known hostelry at HannavUle many years; James McCune, whose settle
ment was made prior to 1805; John Hastings, John Duffield, Samuel and
Alexander Ray, Jacob Lupher, John Cooper, WiUiam and John Boughner,
W. P. Clough, William and David GUmore, and John Mawhinney were also
among the earliest permanent settlers.

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 91
Jackson township embraces a considerable part of the valley of Sugar
creek and was settled quite as early as Canal. Robert Beatty, who located
on "the prairie," at the extreme southern border of the township, was the
first settler in the valley of that stream between its mouth and the Crawford
county Une. WiUiam Cooper, a soldier of the Revolution, located at Coop
erstown in 1797. Samuel Plumer, from Allegheny county and the son of
Nathaniel Plumer, who settled at Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, in 1789,
removed to this township in 1800, remaining until 1810, when he returned
to Allegheny county. He will be better remembered as the father of Arnold
Plumer, who was born in this township. James McCurdy, also a Revolu
tionary veteran; Samuel Small, from Bucks county; James Alexander, John
McFadden, Robert Mason, William Mcintosh, John Bleakley, and John Gib
bon may also be mentioned as pioneers.
Although an interior subdivision of this county and remote from the
great water highway by which it was ordinarily reached, Oakland town
ship was settled quite as early as the adjoining territory. Lawrence Demp
sey, a native of Ireland, father of David Dempsey, who represented this
county in the legislature in 1814, and of Peter Dempsey, founder of Demp
seytown, located near that village in 1797, removing thither from Centre
county. There were three arrivals in 1798 : Robert McElhaney, from West
moreland county, William McClain, and James Gordon; and quite a number
of accessions in 1800, prominent among whom were Jonah Reynolds from the
state of New York; Charles Stevenson, a Revolutionary soldier; William
Moorehead, who removed to Cincinnati within a few years; Edward Patchel,
Jrom whom Patchel' s run derives its name; and James Mason, from North
umberland county. Francis Carter, also a Revolutionary soldier; George
Kean, who visited this locality in 1798, accompanied by his brother Will- .
iam; Alexander McCormick, and Alexander Fowler became residents in 1802.
WiUiam Hays and WiUiam Reed arrived in 1808 ; Philip Kees, another Rev
olutionary veteran, and Philip Walls, in 1804; and John Fetterman, in 1805.
The Earliest settlement in the valley of Oil creek occurred in 1795, when
James Ricketts from Huntingdon county, a professional hunter who had an
extensive aquaintance with the western frontier, established himself in bache
lor style at a temporary cabin on Cherry run, but the brief stay evidently
intended at first ultimately lengthened into a life-long residence. The first
settlers on OU creek in Cornplanter township in order from the Allegheny
river were Francis Halyday, Hamilton McClintock, Francis Culbertson,
Ambrose Rynd, Francis Buchanan, James and Robert Story, and Francis
McClintock. The McClintocks were from Lancaster county. Ambrose
Rynd emigrated from Ireland in 1799, and after spending a year in West
moreland county, came to Venango in 1800, accompanied by his son John,
a well known and useful citizen; Francis Halyday settled at the site of Oil
City (Third ward) in 1803. The AUender family, who gave their name to a

92 HISTORY OP VENANGO COUNTY.
small stream in the northeastern part of the township; Thomas Prather from
Franklin county, the McFates, Lambs, Morrisons, and Shaws were among
the first to settle in the central and eastern part of Cornplanter.
The Pithole settlement was among the earliest in the county. In 1796
Alexander McElhaney came here and remained a few months, but Indian
troubles having become alarmingly probable, he returned to Centre county.
The Dawson family, who were probably the earliest adherents of Methodism
in the county ; Hugh and Michael McGerald, who sustain a similar relation to
the local history of the Catholic church, and Isaac Connely, father of George
W. Connely, prothonotary of the county, were among the first permanent
settlers on the headwaters of Pithole creek, in Allegheny township. Aspen-
wall Comwell arrived in 1819; David Dunham, in 1821; Ebenezer Byles,
in 1825; .John Tennent, in 1826, and John Lamb, in 1827.
The Flemings were the earliest settlers in Oil Creek township. Andrew
and Daniel Fleming visited this locality from Fayette county in 1795, and
returned to remain permanently in the following year. Jacob Richards
and Abraham Sowers were there at a date several years later, but neither
remained very long. James Shreve, from Fayette county; John Lytle, a
native of Ireland; William Poor, originally from Massachusetts, and James
Miller, upon whose land the town of Miller Farm was built, were early res
idents in various parts of the township. Abraham Lovell located at the
site of Pleasantville in 1820, and Aaron Benedict in 1821.
On the opposite side of Oil creek William Reynolds appears as the first
settler in Cherry Tree in 1797. He was a native of England, and located
at Cherry Tree village. There were two arrivals in 1798, James Tuthill
and John Strawbridge, the former from eastern Pennsylvania and the latter
from the Susquehanna valley. Four Irwin brothers settled in Cherry Tree
at the beginning of the century: Samuel, the first postmaster of the town
ship and father of Judge Richard Irwin ; John, associate judge of Venango
county from 1805 to 1888; James, and Ninian, a member of the first board
of county commissioners. They came here from Union county. Thomas
Hamilton and four sons, James, father of John Hamilton, second sheriff of
the county, Thomas, Hugh, and Archibald, arrived in 1801, and in the same
year Elial Farr came from New England, and Henry Prather from the east
ern part of Pennsylvania. There were several German families, those of
George Tarr, Andrew Coover, and Jacob Casper being the most prominent.
EUsha Archer came to the township in 1801; Elijah Stewart, in 1802; Manus
McFadden and Edward Griffin, in 1808 and 1802 respectively— they were
the only Irish Catholics among the early population; John Stiver, WUliam
WUson, Arthur Robison, Charles Ingram, David Kidd, Robert W. Granger,
Robert Curry, and Alexander Davidson, prior to 1805; James Alcorn, in
1811, and Joseph Breed, in 1818.
In the extreme northwestern part of the county Benjamin August was

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 93
probably the first settler. He was a native Russian, the only representative
of that nationality known to have been among the pioneers, and settled in
Plum township about the year 1798. Jacob Jennings, a blacksmith by
occupation, located at the site of Bradleytown in 1800, and Samuel Proper
arrived from Scoharie county. New York, in 1801.
Patrick McCrea, who came to the site of the village of Eagle Rock in
President township in 1797, was the first settler on the Allegheny river
between Franklin and Warren, and the first Catholic in Venango county.
He was born and reared in Ireland, held a commission in the British army,
and was a man of education. John Henry, also a Catholic and a native of
Ireland, came to the county in 1798, and settled at the point afterward
known as Henry's Bend in 1802. Here he resided until his death March
16, 1858, aged eighty-seven. Samuel Rhoads arrived prior to 1805, taking
land at the locality known as Henry's Bend in the same township. In
1818-14 he sold to Francis Culbertson. Robert Elliott settled at the
mouth of Hemlock creek upon a tract embracing the site of the village of
President at a later date.
That part of the county east and south of the Allegheny riyer was
almost uninhabited nearly a decade after other portions of its territory had
received a considerable population. The commissioners of Crawford county
formed a number of justices' districts in Venango in 1803, embodying as part
of their report to the court of quarter sessions the statement that there was
not to their knowledge on this extensive region (Clarion river was then the
southern boundary of the county and the line of Jefferson its limit on the
east) a single taxable inhabitant. It is probable, however, that James
Ritchey settled at the mouth of Ritchey' s run in 1796 on the Clarion
county side of that stream. In Richland township, Venango county, the
early settlers were Moses and Andrew Porter, Johnson McGinnis, Samuel
Stewart, and John Kerr, within a distance of several miles from the river;
James Say, John Donaldson, John Bell, William Nickle, William Adams,
Daniel O'NeiU, Samuel Huston, Alexander SuUinger, James Downing,
John and James Levier, John McDonald, Henry Mays, Andrew Weaver,
George Myers, Robert Criswell, Abraham Persing, and several members
of the Karns family.
It is a matter of current tradition that John Watt was the first settler in
Rockland, that he came from Butler county in 1809, and that Andrew Mait
land arrived from the same locality in the same year. John SuUinger from
Westmoreland county, a Revolutionary soldier, visited this township in 1805
and secured a tract of land, to which he brought his family in 1813. James
Crawford first improved the tract on which Davis' Corners is situated. John
Donaldson followed Watt and MaUland from Butler county in 1815. Mat
thias and John Stover, Peter Lovell, Enoch Battin, John Hetzler, John and
David Jolly were the pioneers in the vicinity of Freedom; William Mc-

94 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Clatchey, William Craig, the Graham family, Abraham Witherup, Daniel Mc
Millin, and William Hill, at different points on the Allegheny river; David
and Daniel Smith, William, Samuel, and Joseph Ross, in the neighborhood
of Davis' Corners; John Haggerty, John Prior, Silas Brown, and John
McDonald, in the eastern part of the township.
There is no authentic record of settlement in Cranberry prior to 1807,
when Joel Sage located on the stream that bears his name. The first inhab
itants of this extensive township lived along the river, and, beginning at the
mouth of East Sandy, in the following order: Samuel Lindsay, — Thomas,
John Seidels, Andrew Downing, Isaac Smith, Samuel Howe, and Joel Sage.
> The Brandons — John, William, James, and Elliott, from Cumberland coun
ty; William Dickson, from Centre county; Alexander Strain, Ephraim
Turk, and Samuel Culbertson, from Butler county, and Zelotus Jewel from
New York state were the pioneers in the vicinity of Salina; James Crawford
from Rockland township, Joseph Kennedy from Cumberland county, James
Thompson, James Moorhead, John McCool, and Cornelius Houser, at " The
Meadows" ; James Eaton, Michael White, Michael Frawley, Matthew Gibbon,
and Joseph Gillman, on the state road within a few miles of Franklin; John
McCurry, Nicholas Lake, Silas Tibbitts, William Stewart, William Craig,
Constantine Daugherty, WiUiam Allison, Samuel McKinney, JohnMcBride,
and Hutchinson Borland, in the neighborhood of Salem City; and Jacob
Zeigler, William Prior, Peter Smith, and Owen Boyle, on the Susquehanna
and Waterford turnpike near East Sandy.
John Hicks and Ebenezer Kingsley appear among the taxable inhabitants
of Allegheny township in 1805, and although it may be questioned whether
they were living within the present limits of Pinegrove at that time tradi
tion ascribes to them the honor of its first settlement. H. G. Spofford
appeared in 1817, and erected the first substantial improvements. The first
permanent settler was Samuel Powell, who arrived July 19, 1818, from
Albany, New York. The Stover family, originally from Maryland, were the
first residents at Centerville, and Marvin Perry, a county commissioner at an
early date, was a pioneer in the southwestern part of the township. Among
others worthy of mention in this connection were the Gilsons, Hales, Whit-
neys, Dimonds, Gayettys, and Schwabs.
As evidenced by the assessment books of 1805, the year in which the
county was separately organized, the taxables of the respective townships at
that date were as follows:
Allegheny Township. — Alexander AUender, John Anderson, Thomas
Anderson, John Blood, Henry Boner, John Boner, John Buck, Thomas
Boyd, Felix Campbell, William Chappie, John Conoway, William Cooper,
Francis Culbertson, James Davidson, Thomas Davidson, James Dawson,
Thomas Dawson, Daniel Dougherty, Andrew Fleming, James Fleming, John
Fleming, Sarah Fleming, Samuel Fleming, Henry Gates, Charles Gordon,

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 95
Michael Graham, JarUies Green, Joel Green, Samuel Gregg, Daniel Guinn,
John Hamilton, Richard Hamilton, John Hardy, John Henry, John Hicks,
Moses Hicks, John Hinds, Alexander Holeman, Charles Holeman, Eli Hole-
man, Tabitha Holeman, Benjamin Huffman, Joseph Huff, Roland Hunter,
John Kerr, Andrew Kinnear, David Kinnear, William Kinnear, Ebenezer
Kingsley, James Lamb, John Lytle, William Lytle, Cornelius Mellon, Will
iam Middleton, William MUes, Andrew Miller, Thomas McCaman, Daniel
McCaslin, James McCaslin, Joseph McCaslin, James McConnell, John
McConnell, Michael McCrea, Patrick McCrea, Alexander McElhaney, Rob
ert McFate, Barney McGentry, Hugh McGerald, Michael McGerald, Mar
garet McGrady, William Neill, John Nelson, Thomas Nelson, Henry
O'Bril, Samuel Patterson, Abraham Prather, Thomas Prather, Thomas H.
Prather, Arthur Reihard, Samuel Rhoads, James Riley, Jacob Richards,,
James Ricketts, John Ryan, Jesse Sage, Noah Sage, George Sampson, John
Siggins, William Siggins, George Simonton, Robert Simonton, Thomas
Simonton, James Shreve, Abraham Sowers, Chauncey Stanley, John Stewart,
Walter Stewart, John Storm, Alexander Thompson, John Thompson, Lewis
Thompson, William Tripp, George Tubbs, Barbara Valentine, William Val
entine, John Watson, Robert Watson, James Walker, John Wilkins, Thomas
Wilson. Inuin Township. — James Adams, Welden Adams, William Adams, Ja
cob Allen, Philip Allen, Andrew Allison, John Applegate, George Arm
strong, Samuel Atkinson, Robert Atwell, Aaron Austin, Moses Austin, Er
nest Baker, John Baker, William Baker, Thomas Baird, John Barron,,
George Bartlett, Isaac Bennett, John Black, Thomas Black, Robert Blaine,
David Blair, John Blair, Matthew Blair, John Bonner, John Bradford,
Thomas Brandon, Timothy Breece, David Brown, John Bullion, Thomas
Bullion, Moses Bonnell, William Burns, Robert Calvert, Daniel Camp,
William Carter, George Carson, Peter Cole, Daniel Cooper, Elias Cooper,
Samuel Cooper, William Cooper, Patrick Coulter, William Courtney, Caleb
Crane, Martin Crigher, Robert Crawford, William Crawford, James Craig,
Henry CruU, Alexander Culbertson, John Culbertson, James Darraugh,
William Darraugh, Archibald Davidson, James Davidson, Patrick David
son, WUliam Davidson, Benjamin Davis, William Davis, Hugh Derumple,
George Dewoody, John Dewoody, William Dewoody, Adam Dinsmore, Will
iam Dixon, John Donaldson, Robert Donaldson, Thomas Donaldson, John
Duffield, WiUiam Duffield, John Eakin, WiUiam Eakin, Samuel Eakin, WiU
iam Evans, James Fearis, John Ferron, William Flatcher, James Fleming,
Matthew Fleming, James Foster, George Fowler, John Fritz, Martin Fritz,
Craft Ghost, PhUip Ghost, Samuel Gildersleeve, Price Gilmore, David Gil
more, James Glenn, John Gordon, Alexander Graham, James Graham,
Robert Graham, Thomas Graham, William Graham, James Greenlee, Rob
ert Greenlee, Samuel Grimes, Edward Hale, James HaU, Thomas Hamilton,

96 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Ebenezer Hanna, John Hanna, Hugh Hasson, Samuel Hathaway, Simeon
Hathaway, John Hays, Samuel Hays, William Hays, James G. Heron, Will
iam HiU, Adam Hoffman, James Hoffman, Michael Hoffman, Philip Hoff
man, William Hood, Marcus Hulings, John Irwin, Patrick Jack, Thomas
Jacob, Robert Jamison, Solomon Jennings, Seth Jewel, Robert Johnson,
Samuel Jolly, Thomas Jones, William Jones, Robert Jones, John Ireland,
William Irwin, John Karns, R. Thomas Kennedy, George Kring, William
Larrimer, James Leslie, Samuel Lindsay, John Lindsay, Jonathan Luce,
James Lynn, William Lynn, William Lyons, David Martin, James Martin,
John Martin, William Martin, Patrick Means, Thomas Milford, William
Milford, William Minter, James Mitchell, Robert MitcheU, Richard Mon
jar, Samuel Monjar, John Morrison, Patrick McAvey, James McClaran,
John McClaran, Thomas McClaran, George McClelland, David McCon-
naughy, Thomas McCormick, Hugh McCutcheon, Alexander McDowell, James
McDowell, Nathan McDowell, Patrick McDowell, Miles McEib, Edward
McFadden, Philip McKay, Thomas McKee, William McKee, Hugh McMani
gal, Alexander McMichael, Daniel McMillin, John McMUlin, Isaac McMurdy,
Alexander McQuiston, John McQuiston, Sarah McTeer, John Nelson, James
Nicholson, Edward Patchel, James Patchel, Moses Perry, John Phipps, Na
than Phipps, Richard Pope, Alexander Porter, Hugh Porter, George
Power, Dennis Pursel, Daniel Rankin, John Ray, James Ray, Samuel Eay,
Joseph Reddick, Jacob Rice, Matthew Riddle, Jonathan Riggs, Isaac Rob
ertson, William Robertson, Samuel Robb, Jacob Runninger, Margaret Rus
seU, Thomas > Russell, William Russell, David Say, Adam Scott, James
Scott, Robert Scott, WUliam Scott, Abraham Selders, Robert Selders, Will
iam Shannon, Augustus Shaw, Anthony Shirkley, John Sidell, Shadrach
Simcox, John Sloan, William Sloan, Andrew Smith, Joseph Smith, WiU
iam Smith, John Stephens, William Stoops, Michael Stufflet, Samuel Stuff-
let, Philip Sm-renna, Reuben Sutton, Richard Sutton, Stephen Sutton,
Aaron Taylor, Adam Taylor, James Taylor, Frances Tracy, Israel TuthiU,
Jacob Vaughn, WiUiam Valentine, Simon Vanosdale, John Van Siebel, Salis
bury Vincent, John Walter, Peter Walter, Daniel Wasson, John Whann,
WiUiam Whann, James White, John Wilson, Benjamin WUUams, Jesse
WUliams, Levi WiUiams, John Witherup, Andrew Woodruff, John D. Wood,
John Wooderson, Lewis Wright, Samuel Wylie.
Sugar Greek Township. — Joseph Allen, Samuel Allen, John Andrews,
Elisha Archer, John Archer, John Armstrong, James Arthur, Robert Arthur,
Benjamin August, Robert Beatty, James Boal, Francis Boal, Andrew Bow
man, James Bowman, John Bowman, Joseph Bowman, William Brandon,
George Brison, John Brookmire, Francis Buchanan, Nathaniel Cary, An
drew Campbell, John Carter, Francis Carter, Jacob Casper, William Christy,
Hugh Clifford, Frederick Coffman, Henry Coffman, Isaac Connely, WUliam
Connely, Andrew Coover, Jacob Coover, Samuel Cousins, Thomas Cousins,

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 97
W'illiam Cousins, William Crain, PhUip Cutchall, John Cully, Samuel Dale,
Joshua Davis, Alexander Davidson, Yost Deets, Simon Deacon, Peter
J)empsey, William Derman, Michael Diven, Robert Dickson, WUliam Dreffs,
Robert Elliott, Elial Farr, Daniel Fleming, Ross Foster, Alexander Fowler,
•James Gordon, Patrick Gordon, John Gregg, Samuel Gregg, Edward Grif
fin, Barnabas Griffin, Edward Hale, Archibald Hamilton, Hugh Hamilton,
¦James Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton, John Hays, William Hays, James
Henry, Francis Halyday, James Hulings, Marcus Hulings, Samuel Hulings,
Robert Huston, George Ingram, James Irwin, John Irwin, Ninian Irwin,
Samuel Irwin, Jacob Jennings, Alexander Johnston, Hugh Johnston, Rob
ert Johnston, William Johnston, George Kean, John Kelly, Thomas Kelly,
Robert Kelso, Philip King, Robert Martin, David Martin, James Mason,
Joseph Mercer, James Miller, William Moorhead, John Murphy, John Mc
Clain, William McClain, Francis McClintock, Mary McCuUom, Daniel
McCombs, John McCombs, William McCombs, James McCormick, Mary
McCormick, Alexander McDowell, Robert McElhaney, Manus McFadden,
Neal McFadden, David McGeehan, John Nelson, Y. Nicholas, Isaac Paine,
WiUiam Pastoris, Edward Patchel, James Patchel, Samuel Plumer, Henry
Prather, Joseph Proper, Samuel Proper, Dennis Pursel, John Ray, Samuel
Play, William Reed, John Reynolds, Lydia Reynolds, Jonah Reynolds,
WiUiam Reynolds, Jacob Rice, Susannah Ridgway, Ebenezer Roberts, John
Rodgers, James Ross, Richard Ross, James Russell, Ambrose Rynd, John
Rynd, Noah Sage, Robert Semple, James Shaw, Hugh Shaw, Robert Shaw,
Charles Stevenson, Andrew Stewart, Elijah Stewart, John Stewart, John
Stiver, James Story, Robert Story, Christian Sutley, George Sutley, Robert
Sutley, George Tarr, Luther Thomas, John Todd, Elizabeth TuthUl, James
Tuthill, John TuthUl, William Tuthill, Isaac Walls, Jacob Whitman, John
WUson, Peter Wilson, Thomas Wilson, W^illiam Valentine.
There were two circumstances that for many years retarded the settle
ment of Venango county. The first was the fact that large bodies of land
were owned by land companies, and although in the market and open to settle
ment, these lands were so burdened with restrictions that few cared to locate
upon them. The other unfavorable circumstance was, that several of the
donation districts were partly situated in the county; they were free from
taxation as long as the soldier retained jjossession, and hence the owners
were often well content to allow their value to appreciate. Much of this
land was not open to settlement for many years. After the war of 1812, the
tide of population swept in with great force. Lands were in demand, busi
ness had received a quickened impulse, and everything indicated prosperity.
The soldiers' claims, many of which were in the hands of strangers and many
wholly fictitious, were beginning to be extinguished, and were no longer a
barrier to the improvement and growth of the country.
The population of the county in 1800 was one thousand, one hundred

98 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and thirty; in 1810, three thousand and sixty; in 1820, four thousand, nine
hundred and fifteen; in 1880, nine thousand, four hundred and seventy; in
1840, seventeen thousand, nine hundred; in 1850, eighteen thousand, three
hundred and three; in 1860, twenty-five thousand and forty-four; in 1870,
forty-seven thousand, nine hundred and thirty-five: and in 1880, forty-
three thousand, six hundred and seventy.

CHAPTER X.
EARLY SOCIAL LIFE.

Character of the People Who Formed the Early Population of This
County— Household Furniture— Social Customs— Game— Domes
tic Manufactures — Pioneer Architecture — Convivial
Habits— Educational Facilities— Early Schools,
Teachers, and Text Books— The Postal
Service— Financial Methods.

NO better class of people ever settled up a new country than those of
the early days of Venango county. They were largely from the
eastern portion of the state, and descendants of Irish emigrants, who came
across the sea for conscience sake, in the days of persecution, though many
of them were natives of the "Sea-girt Isle." They brought with them
their morality, their religion, their love of liberty and hatred of tyranny.
They came here to hew out homes from the mighty forest, and did not for
get the God of their fathers. There were also Germans and the descendants
of Germans, who had been good citizens in the home land and brought the
points of their early training to their new forest homes, and the settlements
soon became homogeneous in their association.
The people who settled in this county when it was a wilderness are
worthy of all honor and kind remembrance. A late writer has said: " A
more intelligent, virtuous, and resolute class of men never settled any country
than the first settlers of western Pennsylvania ; and the women who shared
their sacrifices were no less worthy." They came here, many of them, in
poverty. They found the land covered with timber. There were for many
years neither mills nor factories. With their own strong arms they must
cut down the forest and fence the fields and build log cabins. Some of the
first settlers lived on potatoes chiefly the first year of their coming.
An old veteran out to the west of us, who came here about the beginning
of the century, thus relates his experience: "Me and the woman came out

EARLY SOCIAL LIFE. 99
on foot, driving one little cow, and carrying all our effects on our backs.
The first year we eat potatoes and slept on good clean leaves gathered up in
the woods. The first wheat I raised, I took a bushel on my back, walked
to Pittsburgh, got it ground and carried back the flour. ' ' And this was no
uncommon experience. Sometimes they pounded their corn in mortars cut
out of stumps.
Some of our first settlers on French creek took their wheat and corn in
canoes and skiffs up to Meadville to be ground. They were obliged to live
within themselves. Clothing was made at home„ Shoes and hats were
manufactui-ed in the household. Out on Sugar creek, Andrew Bowman com
menced tanning for himself and neighbors by laying down his hides in
troughs cut from chestnut trees. This was about eighty years ago.
The furniture was of the most primitive kind. At first the bed was a
kind of bunk made against the wall of the cabin; then a home-made
arrangement of timber,' with elm bark cordage, and the bedstead was sup
plied. The first chairs were made at home. A rude frame work was con
structed and the seat made of splints, obtained by pounding strips of black
ash until the growths separated, and with a little dressing were ready for the
purpose. Then gradually mechanics came in and the arts of civilization
ministered to the comfort and convenience of the people.
The early settlers were eminently social in their habits. Necessity and
self -protection helped to make them so. They not only assembled to build
each others' houses, but they had "frolics," as they termed them, to chop
down trees ; they had loggings, and fiax-puUings, and scutchings, and husk-
ings. The women had their frolics; their quiltings, their spinnings, their
hatchelings, and other devices of handicraft.
In those days they did not aspire to carpets. Rag sewing, in which
ladies have delighted in modern times, was unknown. But in other species
of feminine industry they excelled. Flax was made into linen for men's
wear and for women's wear. It was the choice and only covering for the
table; it was the material for sheets, for toweling, and was bleached white
as the snow of winter.
These fi-olics brought the people together. They cultivated sociability.
They promoted good feeling, and in the absence of machinery were often
the only means of carrying on the operations of life. They were the prac
tical exemplification of the maxim: "In union there is strength." These
social occasions brought the people together from great distances, for the
settlements were at first scattering. But many of the guests tarried over
night, and were made welcome while they remained. Yet these primitive
houses as a rule had but one or at most two rooms, and great ingenuity was
displayed in arranging all things according to the rites of hospitality. The
general rule was to cover a space of the floor clear across the cabin, with
deer and bear skins and other kinds of mats, and place the quilts and cover-

100 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lets over these. This made a generous and comfortable bed. Then the
man and his wife lay down in the center of the bed, and on the wife's side
all the women of the party were arranged in a row toward the wall, whUst
the men occupied the place on the other side, so that all things were con
ducted with propriety and modesty.
Sometimes their frolics related at the same time to external and inter
nal affairs. . The men would assemble to log, as they termed it, that is to
gather the logs in a clearing and roll them into heaps for burning, the
women would meet at the same time and place to quilt or to make up the
family clothing. At such times a table would be spread under the shade
of a neighboring tree and both parties, without regard to toilet preparations,
would meet at supper and have a genuinely good time in social conversa
tion, in jest and in song, often prolonged into the long hours of the night.
But their social meetings did good. They broke up what had else de
generated into monotony and selflshness. The people were brought to
gether. They were held together. They were made sensible of common
wants and common obligations.
There was a generous supply of game in the woods of the county. Red
deer, bear, with an occasional wolf and other smaller game, were to be found
in almost any direction. The deer and bear were sought for food; the
wolves were hunted without mercy on account of their proclivity to the
sheep fold. Andrew Bowman tells of his Sugar creek life, what joy it
brought to the household when he succeeded in shooting a bear from a
chestnut tree. Its flesh was choice meat for the table, its fat afforded the
desirable quality for short-cake and doughnuts, to say nothing of its desira
bleness for the female toilet, and the skin for floor mats. One man tells us
that in the course of a single season he killed forty bears. They had a great
weakness for juvenile pigs, and where these were found, bears were under
strong temptation to make these forays. Deer were sought as food, and
the skins served various valuable purposes in the family economy. Some
times they were tanned as buckskins for breeches, and for moccasins, and
in each instance served a very good purpose. To the experienced hunter
they were not difficult to take. Hunted in the winter, their haunts were
easily learned, and no sport was so exhilarating as pursuing and bringing
down the noble buck.
Another settler relates that hunting in a thin crust of snow, where the
deer easily broke through, he succeeded in capturing twenty in a single
day. But this was hardly orthodox hunting, but taking advantage of cir
cumstances that rendered the deer helpless.
Venison was prepared in various ways for the comfort of the home.
When fresh it was always in order, but it could be prepared so as to be use
ful all the year round. The hams of the deer were salted, then smoked
and dried, so as to become a great luxury. Then there was the article

EARLY SOCIAL LIFE. IQl
caUed "jerked venison." In this preparation nearly the entire flesh
could be utilized. It was cut off in a sheet or web, about half an inch thick,
and spread on the tops of pegs driven into the ground, whilst underneath a
fire was kindled, fed with sweet chips of sassafras and other odorous and
sweet woods, that gradually dried it. Occasionally the web of flesh was
taken off the pegs, rolled up in a roll for a little time and then replaced on
the pegs until dried and ready to be laid away for future use. Jerked ven
ison was meat, drink, and lodging to hunters and travelers.
The families did their own manufacturing. They raised sheep that pro
duced wool, and flax that was wrought into thread and linen by the women
of the household. Each formerly had a pair of cards that prepared the
wool and flax for spinning. Then the ' ' big wheel ' ' was used for spinning
the wool, and the ' ' little wheel ' ' for spinning the flax and tow. Gradually
in every neighborhood there was a loom in which the yarn was woven, and
for flannel, butternut bark was brought from the woods, that dyed the finest
brown, and when fulled by kicking was ready for clothing, that was also
made up at home. The linen and tow cloth were bleached on the green
and made shirts and trousers for the men, and such clothing as women
required. All this was in anticipation of the days of luxury that were sure
to come. The building of houses was not a matter of much time or expense. A
building was usually put up and completed in a day. There was no expense
but that of labor connected with it. A house was to be builded. The neigh
bors were invited; some brought their oxen; trees were cut down, and made
into sections of proper length and drawn to the place of building. Strong
arms rolled them into place; the corners were notched as they were laid up.
In the meantime other men were cutting straight red oak into sections and
sawing them into clapboards for the roof, and puncheons for the floor, others
stUl were cutting spaces for doors and windows, and casing them with pieces
of split timber. Perhaps others were preparing sticks for the chimney and
mud for the chinking, and by sundown the house was completed in all its
appointments, without a nail or bit of iron in all its construction, yet in the
eye of the earlysettler all was complete. Many a house like this was en
tered by a young couple, and in that simple habitation, with but a single
room as kitchen, dining room, parlor, and dormitory, the rites of home, of
neighborly kindness and hospitality were carried forward successfully, until
the family had grown into a half-dozen, and some of them had gone out to
erect home altars and establish families for themselves.
And although that manner of social life is not the most wholesome or
the best, yet the circumstances and necessities of the time rendered it
imperative, and in their early days many a strong man and many an earnest
woman went forth from such scenes to take up the burdens of life and to
aot well their part in its affairs, better prepared for the work than though
they had been nurtured in the scenes of modern ease and luxury.

102 * HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
They drank some whiskey in those days. The valley of the Mononga-
hela was famous for this fluid. It found its way into the keel boats at
Pittsburgh and was never thrown overboard on its way up. It was a great
item in the traffic with the Indians as appears from the books of George
Power and Edward Hale. The people themselves drank whiskey occa
sionally. In process of time a distillery was erected by James Anderson in
Scrubgrass. The savor of that Scrubgrass whiskey lingers in some old
palates even to this day. An old settler called it " beautiful whiskey," and
said it was considered too good for any one but a white man to drink.
There is some reason to think that the early fathers were at times even gay
and festive as a consequence of partaking too freely of either Monougahela
or Scrubgrass on the Sabbath. It is related that on one occasion a borough
law was enacted in Franklin, that any person found intoxicated on the Sab
bath should be compelled to dig out a stump from the diamond. On another
occasion it was enacted that any one found in a similar dilemma should be
placed in jail. As a consequence of this stringent law on the next Sabbath
evening there were not found men enough to make any respectable show on
the men's side at prayer meeting.
The progressive citizen always carries with him the idea of the home,
the school, and the church. There was no exception in the case of the peo
ple of Venango. There was first the home, then religious worship, then
the school. The early schools were no doubt primitive, probably crude and
managed at times by very incompetent persons. The old fashioned school
master had not at that time been wholly abolished. He generally ruled with
a rod of iron.
Said an old gentleman, once well knoVn in this region, "I met a few
years ago in a distant county, an old school teacher under whom I had suf
fered in my boyhood days. I enjoyed hospitality at his house. In the
course of the evening, sitting with the old pedagogue and his wife, I said
to him, ' Twenty years ago I suffered long under the infliction of your rod,
and I then made a vow that if I should, ever meet you after I had grown to
manhood I would then and there inflict the just punishment of your cruelty.'
Said his wife, who was sitting by, ' I just hope you wiU take him out and
give him a most thorough thrashing, for he used to whip you boys untU it
almost broke my heart.' But the years had moUified my feelings and aU
thought of revenge had passed away. And I speak of it here as iUustrating
the spirit of the olden time. ' '
As soon as the families were settled, they began to establish schools.
They had not the perquisites of the present schools. The books were few
and imperfect, and the teachers not weU qualified at aU times for their work.
But they made a beginning, and the first school that was established was the
germ of the present well equipped and ably taught high school of to-day.
And the progress made, though gradual, was constant and permanent.

EARLY SOCIAL LIFE. 103
Mrs. Irvine says that James Mason was the first teacher who opened a
school in Franklin. This was in 1801. The school house was erected on
the public square, opposite the United States hotel, of unhewn logs, and
floored with puncheons, or huge planks made by splitting straight- grained
logs, and then roughly removing the inequalities. For windows, there was
not the large square opening of a later day, but instead, a log cut out the
length of the room, and the space filled with oiled paper. For writing desks,
a large board was placed edgeways against the wall, but somewhat inclined
to give the right slant, and the writers sat facing the wall. The pens were
good, honest goose quills, and James Mason no doubt often heard the cry,
"Please mend my pen," and "Please set me a copy." The ink was of do
mestic manufacture, made by boiling the bark of maple and alder, and add
ing a little copperas. Still it was, for the times, a good school and gave the
boys and girls a start in the matter of education. Mr. Mason's salary was
probably somewhat small, but he practiced the old orthodox plan of board
ing around with the parents of the scholars, and it was a pleasure to have
' ' the master, " as he was called, occasionally in the house and at the same
time reduce the expense of tuition.
Alexander McCalmont, afterwards Judge McCalmont, is the next teacher
of whom we hear. He was employed in 1809. A strict article of agree
ment was drawn up, binding to faithful service both parties. The teacher
was to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, the old-fashioned three R' s.
Grammar and Geography were not dreamed of then. The probabilities are
that spelling was considered a part of reading. On the other side the em
ployers bound themselves to furnish a suitable house for the school and wood
to keep it warm. They were also to pay two dollars a scholar for every
three months. There were also to be thirty scholars guaranteed. This
would secure the teacher twenty dollars per month. The supposition was
that he did not board with his employers. The school had for its patrons
such familiar names as McDowell, Power, Connely, Broadfoot, Plumer,
Ridgway, Selders, and Dewoody. This school was no doubt in advance
of James Mason's, and found greater encouragement both to teacher and
scholars. At the laying out of the town, lands were reserved for school purposes,
and in time were sold, to procure funds for building an academy. In this
matter the entire county was interested. The first , academy building was
erected in 1815. It stood on Buffalo street, on the lot now occupied by the
Evangelical church. John Kelly taught in this building some eight
years. Robert Ayres, John Sutton, and John Gamble were also teachers.
It was dimply a common school with a classical name. Some time after
ward a small frame was erected on the site of the Presbyterian parsonage,
afterward sold to the common schools. A new academy building, of brick,
was erected in 1854 and occupied as a high school. This was afterward
sold to the Evangelical church, and is now occupied by them as a place of

1Q4 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
worship, and the matter of education was relegated to the common school
authorities. This was no doubt the case all over the county. At first the simplest
log cabin, without glazed windows, then as society improved, better houses
were erected, still log, but hewn and with clap-board roofs, then the frame
house with brick chimneys, untU both taste and utility were combined to
render the school house attractive.
The books were of the old school: Webster's Spelling-book, then the
New Testament for reading followed by Murray's English Reader, and for
arithmetics, possibly Pike, but more likely DaboU, with the use of the slate.
Grammar was little thought of, and as for Geography, it had not yet been
invented. But the Multiplication Table was taught faithfully and well.
Arithmetic was not taught in classes as now, but each one worked on his
own account, wrestling with the problems, or ' ' sums, ' ' as they were called,
as for his very life, and if unsuccessful, calling in the aid of the master.
Still those early schools did a good work, and if the ' ' big boys ' ' did on
Christmas sometimes bar out the master,* it was taken in good part, and the
school resumed work.
For a time the county was without post-routes. The first United States
mail that came into the county was in 1802. It was carried on horseback
in saddle-bags, and came once in three weeks, and even then brought but
a few letters. The route was from Erie to Pittsburgh. The mail carrier
was Mr. Ash, who was always punctual, unless detained by high waters or
deep snows. It is likely that the music of his tin horn, as he announed his
coming, was sweeter music to the early settlers along the route than the
shriek of the locomotive that now boasts a cart load of mail bags, and as he
passed many a log cabin on the road the people came out to ask him to
carry letters to the nearest postoffice to be put in the mail. Mr. Ash car
ried the maU from Meadville to Franklin. Afterward Mr. Houser carried
the mail on horseback to Warren and back.
There were no banks in those days. The ordinary citizen had no great
occasion to use them, but the merchant labored at a great disadvantage for
want of them. There was no way of transmitting funds. Occasionally
money was intrusted to the mails, but the work was done very cautiously.
If one hundred dollars was to be sent a hundred dollar bill was procured,
if possible, cut in halves, and the first half inclosed and the remainder
detained until the first half was acknowledged. Then the second half was
forwarded, and the person receiving the sections pasted them together in as
good style as possible. There were no banks in the county prior to 1860.
The early merchants, when going for goods, packed up their Spanish dol
lars in saddle-bags, mounted their horses and rode to Philadelphia. Long
after this they stUl packed their money in their trunks, and in the stage
crossed the mountains, with all their funds with them. Yet withal, rob
beries were rare, and this personal care of baggage comparatively safe.

^^5^, ^^^

EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE. 107

CHAPTEK XL
EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE.

Sunday in a Pioneer Cojimunity— Early Religious Literatcre— Ac
tivity OF the Clergy- Interest of the People in Attending
Worship— Manner of Travelling — Architecture of the
First Ciiurches—Thk Methodist "Circuit Rider"—
General Religious Tendencies— Revivals-
Tub "Falling Exercise" — Early
Denominational Organization.

LIKE Abraham of old these early settlers builded their altars wherever
they pitched their tent. They brought their religious customs with
them and immediately began to put them in practice. There is an account
of a settlement just outside the limits of this county. It was a colony from
Washington county, Pennsylvania, neighbors there and neighbors on the
new location. They came in their wagons, and reached the proposed point
on Saturday evening. On Sabbath morning they breakfasted, called the
children together, catechised them after the manner of the modern Sabbath
school; then they had a sermon read, had prayer meeting and so made the
day a religious day after the manner of their fathers. And that prayer
meeting commenced under the spreading maples has been kept up regularly
to this day. It has become a permanent institution.
These people had not many books, yet they had a few. The Bible, the
catechism, the prayer book, or the psalm book, all had, and an odd volume
of Bunyan or Flavel or Edwards, or other religous books, according to the
faith of the owner, would be passed around the neighborhood until very well
thumbed and well remembered.
The old volumes of minutes of presbyteries and synods and conferences
that are still extant tell us of the diligence of the churches in the older set
tlements in sending the gospel to the new. As far as the Presbyterians
were concerned we have an item from a Methodist minister, written from
Meadville in 1801, in which he states that the Presbyterian Synod of Penn
sylvania had sent out ministers who had laid out all, or most all of the set
tlements into congregational districts, and wherever they could gather a
sufficient number of members, organized churches, and ordained elders, so
that they seemed to have taken possession of the entire county.

108 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The records of the Presbytery of Erie in 1802 speak of supplications, as
they called them, for supplies of preaching from different points of the
county, from Franklin, from Pithole, fromMcGurl's, f rom OU Creek, and
from Scrubgrass. To all these points and to others not mentioned the mis
sionary took his way, generally, on horseback, often following a blind path
through the woods, sometimes sleeping under the green trees, and finding
his way out in the morning. On one occasion the minister after losing his
way on Saturday night found his path in the morning, with the house where
he was to preach on the other side of a stream of water full to the banks;
swam his horse across, preached in his dripping garments, and returned in
the evening to another appointment. Sometimes these missionaries trav
eled two and two and held a series of meetings, at first in the woods, after
ward in such rude habitations as could be procured.
And the old fathers tell us what diligence was used to attend these preach
ings in the forest. When word came that there would be preaching on a
certain Sabbath, men would make it their business to go far and near to no
tify their neighbors. When a minister. Reverend James Satterfield, announ
ced his coming to a neighboring township it 1801, a few men made it their
business to notify every family in the township.
And they came from great distances. They traveled on horseback and
on foot. On special occasions of sacraments or camp-meetings, they came
five, ten, and even twenty miles. They were not particular about their
dress. Clean> linen, even though it was of coarse texture, was thought to
be becoming and proper. Men came without their coats in summer, or
carried them on their arms. The young women would walk and carry
their shoes and stockings until within sight of the meeting place, when they
would sit down on a log and put them on, and so present a decorous appear
ance at the preaching.
On communion occasions the people came from neighboring congrega
tions, when convenient, on horseback, perhaps a family of five or six on two
horses; if not convenient they came on foot, often remaining for two or
three days.
On one occasion, it is recorded, the people came a distance of thirty
miles. It was in the woods, with a tent for the minister and round logs as
seats for the people. The Sabbath solemnities had passed, and the meet
ing appointed at ten o' clock on Monday. During the night snow fell to the
depth of several inches, covering the seats completely. But the snow was
swept from the logs, the people sat down and gladly and patiently heard the
Word to the close of the discourse.
Later on houses of worship were erected of rough logs, with little
attempt at either taste or comfort, but simply shelter from the storm. Some
of these early sanctuaries were builded without a nail or bit of iron or even
sawed lumber, yet were comfortable and enjoyable.

EARLY RELIGIOUS LIPE. 109
No arrangement was made for fire in the winter. The people assembled
in the midst of the snow and frost, listened to two sermons and then re
paired to their homes, as though all this was a matter of privilege and relig
ious enjoyment alone.
The Methodist " circuit rider," as he was termed, was an early visitant
in this county. We hear of him first in the upper end of the county, then
at Franklin, and then wherever people could be found to wait upon his
message. The first authentic account of Methodist preaching at Franklin
fixes this date 1804. The Baltimore Conference, in April, 1804, appointed
Thornton Fleming presiding elder of the Monongahela district, and An
drew Hemphill preacher, in charge of the Erie circuit, which included
Franklin. That year Mr. Hemphill organized a class at Gregg's, on Oil
creek, of which John Gregg, Hannah Gregg, and Sally Stephenson were
members; and also one at "Pithole settlement," composed of the Dawsons,
Siggins, Kinnears, Hendersons, Alcorns, etc. Sometime in the fall of 1804,
Mr. Hemphill, with William Connely as a guide, travelled from where
TitusviUe on Oil creek now stands to Franklin, along a blind path. On
arriving there, where he had an appointment to preach, he was refused the
privilege of occupying the school house, and consequently took his stand
under a tree on the common, where he sang, prayed, and then preached to
a small congregation, some sitting and others standing on the green grass.
"This was supposed," says Gregg, "to be the first Methodist sermon
preached in that village, since so famous for Methodism." Whether there
were at that time (1804) any Methodists in Franklin we are not informed.
It is probable there were none. The early residents, connected with the
fort in one capacity or another, were followers of the English or Episcopal
church, and at that time a few of Presbyterian inclination had come to set
tle among them.
Still the "Pithole region" is mentioned in connection with the preach
ing of the gospel of both denominations, until both settled down to life
work throughout the county. Amid all the years of rushing excitement in
business and in politics, religion has been kept abreast with the times. If
we inquire into the philosophy of this, there are some interesting points for
our consideration, connected with the close of the eighteenth and the dawn
of the nineteenth centuries. The religious influence at this time was most
blessed and happy. The terrible scourge of skepticism and infidelity that
seemed as though it would sweep over the entire country, after the war of
the Revolution, was rapidly abating. The stamp of infidelity that at one
time seemed fixing itself upon the institutions of the country was vanishing,
and Christianity was fast assuming its place. Added to this, the spirit of
revival was making itself felt with wondrous power and efficacy, among the
older churches of the West, and the infant churches recently planted in the
new territory had also been largely blessed. These revivals had commenced

110 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in 1778, in Vance's Fort, into which the settlement had been driven by the
incursions of savages. "From 1781 to 1787, a most extensive work of
grace was experienced in the churches of Cross Creek, Upper Buffalo, Char-
tiers, Pigeon Creek, Bethel, Lebanon, Ten Mile, Cross Roads, and Mill
Creek, during which more than a thousand persons were brought into the
kingdom of Christ." "From 1795 to 1799, another series of gracious vis
itations were enjoyed by the churches generally throughout western Penn
sylvania, extending to the new settlements north of Pittsburgh."
These gracious visitations continued into the beginning of the new
century, filling the minds of many with the conviction that the very dawn
of the millennium had come. Even in the midst of the labors and watching
peculiar to the founding of new settlements, and sometimes without the
labors of the stated ministry, this spirit of revival was present, stimulating
the hearts of the settlers with hope and courage, and inviting others who
were looking for some new place of settlement to cast in their lot with them.
The religious influence of the close of the eighteenth century was most
blessed and happy on the new counties that were then forming and filling
up. There was in the lower part of Venango a full exhibition of that very
remarkable work called "the falling exercise." It was common in Wash
ington and Westmoreland and a part of Allegheny counties and has been fully
described by the writers and ministers of that day. In this county it was
in Scrubgrass township and church under the ministration of Reverend
Robert Johnson, in 1808. Mr. Johnson has given a full account of his
Scrubgrass experience in a manuscript volume and in letters, from which
the following extracts are made:
While a solemn awe was visible in every face, flve or six appeared to be awakened
to a sense of their undone condition, among whom were two of the most unlikely per
sons in the house. One of them was the largest man in the assembly and full of self-
importance; the other a file-leader in the devil's camp, who attempted to escape by
flight, got entangled in the bushes, and was forced to come back for a light to find his
path, and who, the moment he set_ his foot inside the door, fell prostrate on the floor,
under a sense of self-condemnation. The effects of this work on the body were truly
wonderful, and so various that no physical cause could be assigned for their produc
tion. I have seen men and women sitting in solemn attitude, pondering the solemn
truths that were presented, and in a moment fall from their seats, or ofl their feet, if
they happened to be standing, as helpless as though they had been shot, and lie four
teen or flfteen or twenty minutes, and sometimes as long as half an hour, as motionless
as a person in a sound sleep. At other times the whole frame would be thrown into a
state ot agitation so violent as seemingly to endanger the safety of the subject; and
yet in a moment this agitation would cease, and the persons arise in the possession of
all their bodily powers, and take their seats composed and solemn, without the least
sensation of pain or uneasiness.
This state of feeling and action was not encouraged by the ministers.
It was something they could not understand, and they took circumstances
as they found them. Mr. Johnson states that at the beginning of the
revival in his congregation, he cautioned his people against any outcries, or

EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE. HI
bursts of feeling. This seemed to have had a good effect, for although the
work was very powerful, this bodily exercise was no interruption to the
meeting. "I have preached," he says, "to a crowded assembly, when
more than one-half of the people were lying helpless before me during the
greater portion of divine service, without the least noise or disturbance of
any kind to divert or interrupt the attention of any individual from the
word spoken. ' '
In those days the Methodist circuit riders had a very large field to trav
erse. In 1820 the old Erie circuit embraced part of Mercer, Crawford, Erie,
Venango, and Butler counties. It was four hundred miles round and had
forty-four appointments to fill in four weeks. Alfred Brunson was on this
circuit and tells of his adventures in finding the sheep in the wilderness.
The names of Brunson, Tackett, Swayze, Mack, and Ayres are frequently
found. Their beat was specially in the upper part of the county. They
were faithful men and the fruits of their labors remain to this day. The
Presbyterians and the Methodists were the chief religious agencies at this
time in Venango county.
Lower Sandy (now Utica) was the first Presbyterian church organized
in the county. It was about the year 1800. Its location was near the
present town of Utica. The first pastor was Reverend William Wylie, who
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1776. He re
mained in this county but two years and died in his eighty-second year.
He was succeeded by Reverend Cyrus Riggs until 1812, and by Reverend
Robert Glenn from 1831 to 1857. Mr. Glenn was born in Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, March 2, 1802, and a graduate of Jefferson College. He
preached at Mill Creek twenty-six years and died at his home near Utica,
September 6, 1857.
Scrubgrass was the next in date of organization. It was organized in
1802 or 1803. The first elders were John Lowrie, father of Walter Lowrie,
senior secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, John Crawford, and
another whose name is Ulegible on the manuscript. The first pastor was
Reverend Robert Johnson. He was ordained and installed by the Pres
bytery of Erie, October 19, 1808. His charge was Scrubgrass and Bear
•Creek. This was a most successful pastorate. A wonderful work of divine
grace attended Mr. Johnson's labors. He was released from his pastoral
charge January 2, 1811. Sugar Creek was organized in 1818 or 1814.
The first pastor was Reverend Ira Condit, who continued as pastor about
eleven years, succeeded by Reverend Thomas Anderson from 1826 to 1837.
He was succeeded by- Reverend Cyrus Dickson, D. D. , from 1840 to 1848,
Methodist classes were formed as early as 1810. This was the date of
one in Franklin, consisting of five members. The Presbyterians and
Methodists were in the majority for many years, and consequently organ
ized the first churches in the county.

112 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Among the first settlers, however, were quite a number of Catholic fami
lies, also Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Baptists. These were occasionally
visited by missionaries of their own faith, and in due time were organized
into congregations. Other denominations came in until at present nearly
all the leading churches are represented in the county. And they live
together in peace and harmony, apparently provoking one another only to
love and good works.

CHAPTEK XII.
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Erection and Boundaries— Early Civil Administration — Internal
Subdivision— Public Buildings— Inauguration of the Public
School System— Congressional and Legislative Repre-
.sentation— Roster of County Officers— Early
Township Officers.
THE Indian title to northwestern Pennsylvania was formally extin
guished by a treaty with the Six Nations, consummated at Fort Stan
wix, October 22, 1784, and ratified at Fort Mcintosh by representatives of
the Ohio tribes in January of the following year. The state legislature was
prompt in providing facilities of civil administration for this territory, and
on the Sth of April, 1785, extended the jurisdiction of Northumberland and
Westmoreland counties to those portions of the purchase east and west, re
spectively, of the Allegheny river and Conewango creek. Westmoreland was
erected February 26, 1778, from Bedford, which was formed two years
earlier and nominally included all the southwestern part of the state, while
Northumberland, erected March 21, 1772, sustained a similar relation to
the northwest. That part of the purchase of 1784 which was attached to
Westmoreland in 1785 became a part of Allegheny upon its erection, Sep
tember 24, 1788, and the adjoining region on the east was placed within the
limits of Lycoming, April 18, 1795. This arrangement continued until
March 12, 1800, when the legislature passed an act erecting the counties
of Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, Venango, and Arm
strong. The seventh section of this act relates to Venango and reads as fol
lows: That so much of the counties of Allegheny and Lycoming, as shall be included
within the following boundaries, viz. . Beginning at the northeast corner of Mercer
county; thence on the flrst line or course of Crawford county, until it shall intersect

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 113
the north line of the sixth donation district, being the same as the flrst line of the
said county of Crawford; thence eastwardly upon the said line of the sixth donation
district, along the boundary of the counties of Crawford and Warren and crossing the
river Allegheny to the line dividing, AYood's and Hamilton's districts, in the counly of
Lycoming;thence southerly along the said line to Toby's creek; thence down the said
creek to the river Allegheny; thence across the said river, and upon thfe line of Arm
strong county hereinafter described, to the northeast corner of the county of Buller;
thence westwardly by the north line of said county to the corner of Mercer county;
thence northerly along the line of Mercer county to the place of beginning, be, and
the same is hereby erected into a separate county, to be henceforth called Venango
county; and the place of holding the courts of justice in and for the said count}',
shall be at the town of Franklin, in the said county. And the governor shall, and lie
is hereby empowered to appoint three commissioners, any two of which shall ruu and
ascertain and plainly mark the boundary lines of the said county of Venango, and
shall receive as a full compensation for their services therein, the sum of two dollars
for every mile so run and marked, to be paid out of the moneys which shall be rai,si_'d
for the county uses, within the county of Venango.
A brief explanation may assist in forming an idea of the extent of territory
comprehended within these limits. " The line dividing Wood's and Hamil
ton's districts" coincides with that of Jefferson and Clarion counties, and
Toby' s creek is now known as Clarion river. Warren and Crawford, Crawford
and Mercer, and Butler and Armstrong were the adjoining counties on the
north, west, and south, respectively, as at present; the line separating Clarion
and Jefferson, extended north to the ^\'arren line, constituted the eastern
boundary. East of this the adjoining territory formed part of Lycoming
until 1804, when Jefferson was erected, and in 1848 Forest was formed from-
the northern part of Jefferson. From a comparison of the present and
former boundaries of the county on the south and east it is no exaggeration
to state that Venango has been deprived of nearly half its original area.
The county was named after the Indian town that had long existed at
the mouth of French creek, with such changes of orthography as often occur
in the spelling of Indian names. At first it was called Weningo. In Ed
ward Shippen's letter to Governor Hamilton it is called Wenango, then
Vinango, and finally, in "Washington's Journal," Venango, as spelled
at present. The name has been popular in this part of the state. It is
borne by a town in Crawford county, a township in Erie county, and was
given to one of the towns that now constitute Oil City.
" The first line or course of Crawford county " extended north forty-five
degrees east fi-om the northeast corner of Mercer county to the north line of
the sixth donation district. This was long a source of dissatisfaction to the
inhabitants of both counties, and in 1827 a petition was presented to the
legislature representing that they suffered "great inconvenience in their
assessments in consequence of the division line of said counties running
diagonally from southwest to northeast through the sixth donation district,
thence running east dividing a range of warranted lands, thereby dividing
the donation and warranted lands so that the number of acres in said sub-

114 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
divisions cannot be correctly ascertained without considerable expense.'
In compliance with this petition an act was passed February 28, 1828, pro
viding for a suiwey of the line in question, and no further change has since
been found necessary.
The line of Jefferson was revised about the same time. A survey made
in May, 1827, is preserved among the archives of the county in the com
missioners' office. In September, 1830, imder authority of both the counties
interested. Richard Irwin prepared a draft of the disputed boundary which
received legislative sanction February 7, 1882.
The first legislation materially effecting the territorial limits of the
county was the act of March 11, 1889, erecting Clarion county' with the fol
lowing boundaries:
Beginning at the junction of Redbank creek with the Allegheny river, thence up
said creek to the line dividing Jefferson and Armstrong counties, thence along said
line to the line dividing Toby and Saratoga townships in Venango county, thence
along said line to the corner of Farmington township in Venango county, thence a
straight line to the mouth of Shull's run on the Allegheny river, thence down said
river to the place of beginning.
On the 16th of April, 1840, at the following session of the legislature,
that part of this act which directs a straight line from the corner of Farm
ington township to the mouth of Shull's run was repealed; it was made
obligatory upon the commissioners of Clarion county to have a line sur
veyed with the mouth of Ritchey' s run as its terminus at the Allegheny
river, and this line is the present southeastern boundary of the county.
Although considerably reduced in area, Venango was still the largest
county in the northwestern part of the state, with possibly a single excep
tion. With an extreme length of forty miles from east to west, it is mat
ter of surprise that the eastern part of this extensive territory was not
incorporated in the county of Forest upon its erection in 1848. That this
was delayed a score of years is perhaps best explained by reference to the
fact that the region in question was comparatively uninhabited. As popu
lation increased the advantages of a location nearer the county seat became
more apparent, and by an act approve* October 31, 1866, the legislature
transferred to Forest county the territory east and north of the following
described line:
Beginning on the Venango and Warren county line, at the southeast corner of
Southwest township, in the county of Warren; thence by a line southward to a point
in Pinegrove township, in Venango county, opposite to the middle northwest corner
of Washington township. Clarion county; thence in a straight line east to said corner;
thence east along the Clarion county line to a point where said line diverges in a north
erly course; thence north along said line to the upper northwest corner of the said
county of Clarion; thence east along said line to the Forest county line.
The survey in this case was made under the direction of C. Fulkerson of
Venango county, James A. Leach of Mercer county, and Jacob Zeigler of

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 115
Butler county. Four entire townships — Harmony, Hickory, Kingsley, and
Tionesta, and parts of three others — Allegheny, President, and Pinegrove,
were attached to Forest. The boundaries of the county have remained
undisturbed since that date. The present area is six hundred and fifty-
eight square miles or four hundred and twenty-one thousand, one hundred
and twenty acres. EARLY CIVIL ADMINISTRATION.
The act of March 12, 1800, erecting the northwestern counties of the
state, contained certain administrative features strangely incompatible with
its executive provisions, at least in phraseology. Armstrong was provisionally
attached to Westmoreland; Butler and Beaver were placed under the juris
diction of Allegheny; and the counties of Crawford, Mercer, Venango,
Warren, and Erie were to form ' ' one county ' ' under the name of Crawford
county. It thus appears that the county sustained a merely nominal exist
ence untU such time as the population had sufficently increased to warrant
separate organization. In the meantime three trustees, George Fowler,
, Alexander McDowell, and James McClaran, were vested "with full authority
for them or a majority of them to purchase or take and receive by grant, bar
gain, or otherwise and such assurances for the payment of money and
grants of land or other property that may be offered to them or the survivors
or survivor of them in trust for the use and benefits of said county ; and to
sell and convey such part thereof, either in town lots or otherwise, as to
them or a majority of them shall appear advantageous and proper; and to
vest one moiety of the net proceeds thereof in some productive property, to
be a fund for the support of an academy or public school at the county town
in the said county, and to apply the other moiety thereof in aid of the county
rates and levies for the purpose of erecting the public buildings." It does
not appear that their duties were onerous, and the only record of their pro
ceedings that has been preserved is a lease of a part of the public square of
Franklin to Edward Hale for the sum of one dollar a year.
On the 1st of April, 1805, the legislature passed an act conferring upon
the inhabitants of Venango county ' ' all and singular the jurisdictions, pow
ers, and privileges ' ' enjoyed by the people of other counties, from and after
the first day of September following. The county was made a part of the sixth
judicial district; the second Tuesday in October was fixed as the date of the
first election, in which the electors of Warren were also to participate, the
latter county having been provisionaUy annexed. This election resulted in
the choice of Ninian Irwin, Caleb Crane, and James G. Heron as commis
sioners; John Witherup, sheriff; William Moore, prothonotary, and Marcus
Hulings, coroner. A dedimus potestatem was issued July 15, 1805, to John
Irwin and William Moore, who administered the oath to the respective in
cumbents of the several offices.

116 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The county commissioners held their first meeting October 23, 1805, at
the house of Edward Hale. The minutes of this and the two following
meetings read as follows :
This day the commissioners of Venango county met and formed a board, — Irwin,
Crane, and Heron. Appointed James Martin clerk, at one dollar, thirty cents; Alex
ander McDowell, treasurer. Irwin going home. Wrote three advertisements for wood
for county use. James G. Heron and Caleb Crane appointed to settle the account with
Crawford county. Adjourned until Monday, the fourth day of November (ensuing
the date above).
Met according to adjournment on Monday, the fourth day of November, at twelve
o'clock, and determined that the county commissioners' andprothonotary's office shall
be held at the house of Samuel Hays. Made an agreement to supply the court house-
and gaol. Adjourned until tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.
November 5th. — Met according to adjournment. Received of James Hamilton
his certificate of the oath of office as assessor for Sugar Creek township, also the bond
of the treasurer with his sureties for the true performance of his duties as treasurer.
Adjourned until tomorrow at nine o'clock.
The first order on the treasurer was drawn in favor of Andrew Allison,
November 2, 1805, and the amount was eight dollars, the bounty prescribed
for the killing of a wolf. On the same day Caleb Crane, as collector of
Irwin township, paid sixty dollars and five cents into the treasury, this being
the first taxes received by the county. The second order issued was in favor-
of George Fowler, for services rendered at the general election; the amount
was one dollar and fifty cents. The first assessors of the county after its
formation were: Caleb Crane, Irwin township; James Hamilton, Sugar
Creek; David Kinnear, AUegheny, and Hugh Marsh, Brokenstraw. Their-
first precepts were issued Tuesday, December 8, 1805. The duplicates for
1805, upon which the first county tax was collected, were transcribed from.
the records at Meadville by Samuel Dale, for which he was paid twelve dol
lars by the commissioners. It was customary at this period for the com
missioners and assessors to meet together immediately afterthe organization.
of the board and arrange a uniform system of taxation. The triennial as
sessment of 1817, the fourth in the county, is the earUest of which partic
ulars of this nature are extant. The assessed valuation of improved lands
ranged from twelve and one-half cents to six doUars; of unseated inlots ia,
the town of Franklin, from five to one hundred and fifty doUars; of houses
and lots, from one hundred to twenty-five hundred doUars; of improved out-
lots, from fifty to two thousand dollars; of saw mills, from one hundred to-
three thousand dollars; of fulling miUs, from one hundred to twenty-tive-
hundred dollars; of carding machines, from three hundred to eight hundred.
dollars; of grist mUls, from one hundred to fifteen hundred dollars; of dis
tilleries, from fifty to two hundred dollars; of tan yards, from fifty to one-
thousand dollars; of horses, from five to one hundred dollars; of oxen, from
twenty-five to one hundred dollars. The various occupations were assessed
as f6llows: Associate judge, seventy-five dollars; prothonotary and treas-

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 117
urer, three hundred dollars; commissioners and clerk, two hundred dollar's;
sheriff, seventy-five dollars ; attorneys, two hundred dollars. Tavern keep
ers and merchants were assessed in three classes, ranging, respectively, from
fifty to one thousand dollars, and from one hundred to fifteen hundred dol
lars. Upon this basis the duplicate of Allegheny township aggregated one
hundred and sixty-four dollars, thirty-three cents; of Cherry Tree, one
hundred and thirty-three dollars, twenty-one cents; of French Creek, three
hundred. and thirty dollars, twenty-three cents; of Irwin, one hundred and
eleven dollars, seventy cents; of Richland, two hundred and twenty-seven
dollars, twenty-five cents; of Scrubgrass, one hundred and eighty-four dol
lars, fifty-six cents; of Sugar Creek, two hundred and forty-nine doUais,
one cent.
Section fifth of the act of April 1, 1805, conferring separate political
autonomy upon Venango county, authorized the commissioners " to call on
the commissioners of Crawford county for the purpose of examining, liquid
ating, and reserving such balances as may be due to Venango county. " March
30, 1806, according to the minutes of the board, " James G. Heron and
Samuel Hays set off to Meadville in order to bring about a settlement
with Crawford county, but through backwardness of the commissioners of
Crawford county, could only transcribe from their books the accounts of
Venango and Warren counties from the year 1800 to the end of the year
1805. No paper to be purchased in Meadville, or would have taken off the
amounts of Mercer, Erie, and Crawford counties. Returned on Saturday,
the 5th of April. N. Irwin was to have attended at Meadville, but was
prevented by indisposition." The adjustment of the account did not prove
so easy, as was at first anticipated. Failing to effect an amicable settlement,
the Venango commissioners took legal measures to secure the amount of
their claim, and for many years the litigation on this subject was a source
of expense to the county.
Similar difficulties were experienced in adjusting the accounts of War
ren county upon its separate organization in 1819, but in this case Venango
was the defendant instead of the plaintiff. The matter in dispute was re
ferred to the courts for adjudication and ultimately became a subject of
legislative interposition. AprU 11, 1827, an act was passed directing the
judges of the court of quarter sessions to appoint three commissioners from
either of the counties of Crawford, Mercer, Butler, or Armstrong, who
should have full power to investigate and determine all matters in dispute,
and whose decision should be final. One-third of the amount awarded was
made payable February 1, 1828, and the remainder in two equal annual
instaUments! The amount of the award was two thousand, two hundred and
seventy-four dollars and forty-five cents, of which the last installment was
paid March 10, 1880.

118 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
INTERNAL SUBDIVISION.
All that part of Venango county included in Allegheny prior to 1800
was embraced in Irwin township, which comprised an extensive territory
with indefinite limits on the north and west. The county was divided into
three townships during the period that it was attached to Crawford — Alle
gheny, Sugar Creek, and Irwin, formaUy erected October 6, 1800, with the
foUowing boundaries :
Beginning at the mouth of Oil creek, thence up the Allegheny river by the differ
ent windings thereof to where the line dividing the counties of Venango and Warren
strikes said river, thence west along the line dividing the counties of Venango and
Warren to where the Holland Company's mill jstandson Oil creek, thence down said
creek by the various courses thereof to the mouth, the place of the beginning; to be
called Allegheny township.
Also one other township: Beginning at the mouth of French creek, thence up the
Allegheny river by the different windings thereof to the mouth of Oil creek, thence up
said creek by the branch thereof that leads to the Holland Company's mill to where
the line dividing the counties of Crawford and Venango to where the same crosses
French creek, thence down said creek by the different windings thereof to the mouth,
the place of beginning; and to be called Sugar Creek.
Also one other township: Beginning at the mouth of French creek, thence down
the Allegheny river by the different windings thereof to where the northeast corner ot
the ,county of Butler comes on said river, thence west along the line dividing the coun
ties of Venango and [Butler to the southwest corner of Venango county, thence north
along the line dividing the counties of Venango and] Mercer to where the same strikes
French creek, thence down French creek by the different windings thereof to the
mouth, the place of beginning; to be called Irwin.
No provision was made for the territory south and east of the Allegheny
river, which, in 1803, contained no taxable inhabitants to the knowledge of
the Crawford county commissioners.
After the organization of the county the policy of the court of quarter
sessions in the formation of townships was analogous in many respects to
that of the legislature in dividing northwestern Pennsylvania into counties.
In both instances the respective political divisions were created in advance
of any immediate necessity* and, until such time as the influx of population
should render individual organization necessary, united in groups under one
administration. There was, however, a practical advantage to be gained
by the early formation of townships. At that period the county commis
sioners appointed assessors and collectors of taxes, and divided the county
into districts for the appointment of justices of the peace. March 7, 1806, the
board drew up a petition, " setting forth that great inconveniences are at pres
ent experienced by the inhabitants of Venango and Warren counties from
the too great extent of the respective townships, not only in attending their
respective township meetings, but also in assessing and coUScting taxes;"
and as it was desirable that the district and township lines should coincide,
as far as possible, the latter ought to be permanently established. The
¦court appointed Samuel Dale, John Andrews, and Thomas Baird to inquire

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 119-
into the propriety of acceding to this petition. They prepared a volumin
ous report providing for the erection of twenty- six townships, two of which
were in Warren county and fifteen within the present limits of Venango.
The respective boundaries of the latter were as follows:
First— Beginning at French creek on the western boundary of said county,
thence by the same south to the north line of survey made in the name of John Het
ler, thence by the same and Jacob Hetler eastwardly to the northeast corner of the
latter, thence by the same southwardly to Sandy creek, thence by said creek to the
mouth thereof, thence by the Allegheny river to the mouth of French creek, thence
up the same to the place of beginning; to be called French Creek township.
Second. — Beginning at the southwest corner of French Creek township, thence by
the county line southwardly to the south line of a survey made on warrant in the name
of James Adams, thence eastwardly in a direction that will run the south boundary of
tract surveyed on warrant in the name of Hugh Sterling, and to continue that direc
tion to the Allegheny river, thence up the same to the mouth of Sandy, thence by the
line of French Creek township to the place of beginning; to be called Sandy Creek
township. Third, — Beginning at the southwest corner of Sandy Creek township, thence by
the county line, south to the line of Butler county, thence by the same east, to the dis
tance that a line running north will run the east boundary of the tract on which Philip
Ghost lives, and continue thence till it intersects the south boundary of Sandy Creek
township, thence by the same west to the place of beginning; to be called Irwin
township. Fourth. — Beginning at the southeast corner of Irwin township, thence by the
county line east to the Allegheny river, thence up the eame to the south boundary of
Sandy Creek township, thence by the same westwardly to the northeast corner of
Irwin township, thence by the same south to the place of beginning; to be called
Scrubgrass township.
Fifth. — Beginning at the Allegheny river and north boundary of Venango county,
thence by said boundary west to the west boundary of a tract surveyed on warrant in
the name of Nimrod Ent, thence south to the said river, thence up the same to the
place of beginning; to be called Allegheny township.
Sixth. — Beginning at the southeast corner of a survey made on warrrant in the
name of Samuel Will, thence west to Oil creek, thence up the same and the east branch
thereof to the county line, thence by the same east to Allegheny township, thence by
the same south to the place of beginning; to be called Branch township.
Seventh. — Beginning at the southeast corner of Branch township, thence by the
same west to Oil creek, thence by the same to the mouth thereof, thence up the Alle
gheny river to the line of Allegheny township, thence by the same north to the place-
of beginning; to be called Musk township.
Eighth. — Beginning al the southwest corner of Branch township, thence west to
the line dividing McDowell's and Power's districts, thence by the same north to the
county line, thence b.y the same east to the northwest corner of Branch township
adjoining, thence by the same southwardly to the place of beginning; to be called
Cherry township.
Ninth. — Beginning where the line dividing McDowell's and Power's districts
crosses the south boundary of the surveys made in the sixth donation district, tlience
by the same south, seventy degrees west, to intersect the north boundary of 1,he fifth
donation district, thence by the same v/estwardly to Sugar creek, thence up the same
and the lake branch thereof to the county line, thence by the same northeastwardly to
the northwest corner of Cherry township, thence by the same south to tbe place of
beginning; to be called Plum township.

120 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Tenth.— Beginning at the southeast corner of Cherry township, thence by the same
west to Plum township, thence by the same south and southwestwardly to the distance
that a line running south, four degrees east, will run the west boundary of a tract of
land surveyed on warrant in the name of Peter Cress, and continue to French creek,
thence down the same to the Allegheny river, thence up the same to Oil creek, thence
up the same to the place of beginning; to be called Oil Creek township.
Eleventh. — Beginning at the northwest corner of Plum township, thence bythe
western boundaries of the same and Oil Creek township to French creek, thence up
the same to the county line, thence by the north and northeast to the place of begin
ning; to be called Sugar Creek township.
Twelfth. — Beginning at the Allegheny river near the mouth of the Six Mile run,
thence on the line between the lands granted to John Nicholson, Esq., and William
Bingham, east to the western boundary of a tract of land surveyed on warrant No. 3539
granted to William Willink and others, thence by the same north to the north boun
dary of said tract, thence by the same east to the northeast corner, thence north to the
said river; to be called Fairfield township.
Thirteenth. — Beginning at the southeast corner of Fairfield township, thence south
to the southeast corner of a tract of land warranted to William Willink and others,
No. 3502, thence by the same west to the east boundary of tract No. 3513 granted to
William Bingham, thence southwestwardly by the southeast boundary of the contigu
ous tracts granted to said Bingham to the Allegheny river, thence up the same to the
south boundary of Fairfield township, thence by the same to the place of beginning;
to be called Rock township.
Fourteenth. — Beginning at the south corner of Rock township on the Allegheny
river, thence by the southeast boundary to the southeast corner thereof, thence south
to Toby's creek, thence down tjie same to the said river, thence up the same to the
place of beginning; to be called Union township.
Fifteenth. — Beginning at the north corner of Fairfield township on the Allegheny
river, thence up the same to the west boundary of tract No. 3844 granted to William
Willink and others, thence south to the southwest corner thereof, thence east to the
northeast corner of tract No. 2836 granted to William Willink and others, thence south
to the southeast corner of tract No. 2801 granted to William Willink and others, thence
west to the east boundary of tract No. 3539 granted as above, thence south to the cor
ner thereof, thence west to the southeast corner of Fairfield township, thence bythe
same north to the place of beginning; to be called Pinegrove township.
They further recommended that Irwin and Scrubgrass each form one
township; that French Creek, Sandy Creek, Fairfield, Pinegrove, Deer, and
Toby's compose one township, to be called French Creek; that Sugar Creek
and Oil Creek be united under the name of Sugar Creek; that Cherry and
Plum form one township to be known as Cherry; that the seven townships
between OU creek and the eastern line of the county form one with the
name of Allegheny, and that five others in the southem part of the county
east of the AUegheny river be simUarly united and called Union township.
The report was accepted and confirmed, but many of the names were
changed. Branch became East Branch; Musk, Windrock; Cherry, Cherry
Tree; Fairfield, Cranberry; Rock, Rockland; Union, Richland, etc., etc.
It thus appears that aUhough twenty-four townships were nominally
created in Venango county, only seven were actually organized. Irwin,
Scrubgrass, and Richland occupied the same relative positions as at present,

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION, 121
but the latter extended to Clarion river on the southeast, including nearly
all of Clarion county that was taken from Venango in 1889. French creek
¦extended latitudinally across the county, bounded on the north by the creek
of that name and Allegheny river, and varying in width from seven to fif
teen or eighteen mUes. Sugar Creek included Canal in addition to its pres
ent area, and also that part of Cornplanter west of Oil creek with the south
ern part of Oakland and Jackson. The remaining territory west of Oil
creek was embraced in Cherry Tree. Allegheny was situated east of Oil
creek and north of the Allegheny river, and comprised nearly the whole of
that part of Venango which was annexed to Forest county in 1 866.
More than a decade elapsed before any change was made in the map of
the county. Plum was separately organized in 1817 and Rockland in that
or the following year. French Creek lost a large part of its generous area
in August, 1824, by the erection of Pinegrove, to which Farmington (Clarion
county) was provisionally attached. Cranberry acquired individual autono
my in 1880 with ' ' Six Mile run ' ' (East Sandy creek) as its southern bound
ary, instead of the line between the Astley and Bingham lands, as originally
provided. A similar departure was made in the organization of Sandy
Creek, November 29, 1884, when the Mercer road was substituted for Big
Sandy creek as part of the line of division with French Creek. Tionesta was
formed fi-om the eastern part of Allegheny in 1827, and the territory of the
latter was further reduced by the erection of Cornplanter, November 28,
1833. Part of Cornplanter was taken from Sugar Creek, from which Canal
was also formed, November 28, 1833. Plum, Cornplanter, and Sugar Creek
contributed to the territory of Oakland in 1841. Since the erection of Jack
son in 1845 the geography of this part of the county has remained un
changed. President was formed by act of the legislature April 8, 1850, and
Oil Creek was erected from the western part of Allegheny in 1866. The
contiguous portions of Irwin and Scrubgrass were united by the formation
of Cluaton in AprU, 1855. The ^rection of Mineral, October 24, 1870, and
Victory^ September 6, 1876, completes the record of township formation.
The boroughs of the county have been formed in the following order:
Franklin, April 14, 1828; PleasantvilUe, March 22, 1850; Cooperstown,
November 25, 1858; Emlenton, January 27, 1859; OU City, AprU 29, 1862;
Utica, November, 1868; Pithole City, November 80, 1865; Venango City,
December 1, 1865; Siverly, August 27, 1874; ClintonviUe, January 28, 1S78;
SunviUe, January 27, 1879; and Polk, August 23, 1886. Franklin was in
corporated as a city AprU 4, 1868, and OU City, AprU 11, 1871. The char
ter of the borough of Pithole City was annulled in August, 1877.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The first official business after the organization of the county was trans
acted by the commissioners at the house of Edward Hale, which stood on

122 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the site of the Snook block. November 4, 1805, permanent offices for the-
commissioners and prothonotary were secured at a quarterly rental of fif
teen dollars in a log building on the lot immediately above the United States
hotel on Liberty street. The first courts were also held here. This build
ing was owned by Samuel Hays and John McDonald. It was removed in
1868. The commissioners were prompt in taking measures for the erection of
county buildings, a duty specially enjoined upon them by the act providing
for the organization of the county, in which the public square in the town
of Franklin was designated as their location. At a meeting of the board
December 4, 1806, the probable expense of building a court house was esti
mated and various plans taken into consideration. December 1 9th the con
tract for digging the cellar and constructing the walls was awarded to John
Witherup, the first sheriff of the county and incumbent of the office at that
time. A plan for the buUding was matured January 9, 1807, and a site
was staked off July 9th following. But it was not until the 11th of Novem
ber that the board "Agreed upon the permanent seat of the court house;
which it is agreed by the commissioners is to stand on the corner of the
diamond where Liberty street and High street cross, and on the west side
of High street; to front toward Liberty street." The following minute
appears under date of August 10, 1808: "This day George Fowler, ap
pointed on behalf of the commissioners, and John Philip Houser, ap
pointed on behalf of the contractors for building the court house to ascer
tain the quality of the brick burned for the same, made report that the
same were unfit for the public buildings." This would seem to indicate
that it was originally intended to erect a brick building. September 21, 1809,
it was "Agreed by the commissioners that two flights of stairs which are to
pass over the judge's bench are to be omitted, and one flight of stairs is to
serve in place of the three mentioned in the original contract, to run up in
such part of the house as will be found mpst convenient."
The records are not prolific in details regarding the progress of construc
tion. Christian and John Sutley were contractors for certain portions of the
work, and John Broadfoot was employed as carpenter. Payments were
made in annual installments ; the amount received in 1809 by Witherup and
the Sutleys was five hundred dollars. Material assistance was received from
the legislature. The other county seats in this part of the state were lo
cated on lands owned by individuals, from whom subsidies amounting to
several thousand dollars were usually received for the purpose of erecting
public buildings. But the seat of justice for Venango had been located
upon the property of the commonwealth, which had a tendency to enhance
its value; and as it was but just and reasonable that the county should de
rive the same advantage as if it had been fixed on the lands of a private citi-
zen, one thousand, five hundred dollars were appropriated March 28, 1806,

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 125
"to be paid out of the moneys arising from the sales of the town and out-
lots belonging to the commonwealth in and adjoining the town of Franklin."
This building was situated in West park aligned with Liberty street, but
close to High. It was two stories in height. The first floor was entered
from Liberty street and occupied as a court room; an inclosed space at the-
side opposite the entrance was reserved for the court, attorneys, and jurors.
A stairway in the southwest comer led to a landing above, communicating
with four rooms, two of which were occupied as offices by the prothonotary
and commissioners, while the others served as jury rooms. This was a
square stone building, in appearance substantial rather than imposing, but
withal a credit to the county at the time when it was built. A cupola and
bell were afterward added. The date of its completion is usually given as-
1811; and while this may be correct, it was not until some years later that
the contractors were formally released. October 1, 1816, Robert Mitchell,,
Alexander McCalmont, and John Wilson, comprising the board of county-
commissioners, ' ' completed their investigation of the court house with the
contractors for building the same, and agreed to enter satisfaction on the
judgments entered against them and their sureties, and that their contract
had been complied with." Extensive repairs were made in 1831; the-
chimneys were rebuUt, the walls plastered, and a partition constructed to-
separate the stairway and entrance from the court room. A small plat of
ground around the building was enclosed by a fence in 1834, adding some
what to the attractiveness of the place.
This venerable structure at length succumbed to the influence of time-
The materials used in its construction were principally the loose stones of
the surrounding hills, and hence not well adapted for walls of such a height.
In 1845 the buUding had become unsafe for occupancy, and it was decided)
to brace the waUs with props in order to prevent a complete collapse. This
rendered the erection of a new court house a matter of immediate and im
perative necessity.
On the 29th of May, 1846, the commissioners — Nathaniel Cary, Pat
rick Culbertson, and David Adams — determined "to adopt immediate
measures to effect the building of a new court house by the ensuing year
1847 ; and also that it would be expedient for the whole board to go to Mead-
vUle to examine court house of said place." June Sth and 6th Messrs.
Cary and Adams went to Meadville and employed a Mr. Tucker of that
place to furnish a draft and specifications, which, as prepared by him, were
adopted on the 23rd of June. On the following day it was decided by the
board " that the new court house shall be located on the public square or
diamond, and that the site shall be southwest of the jail, so as to front
against the east side of Liberty street, as it comes into the diamond from the
west." The proposals qf fourteen different individuals or firms were con
sidered July 27th, and the contract awarded to William Bell and I. B.

126 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Rowe at their bid of seven thousand and fifty dollars. Two days later a
formal contract was entered into, in which Messrs. Bell and Rowe agreed to
complete the buUding by November 1, 1847. August 28, 1846, the commis
sioners were engaged in staking off the ground, and immediately thereafter
the work of construction was begun. In consequence of a depression in
the surface at the site selected it was found necessary to make the founda
tion deeper and to add two and one-half feet to the height of the wall above
the ground. Other changes were made as the work progressed, without,
however, materially increasing the cost. This was a brick building, ob
long in shape, fronting on Liberty street, situated in front and quite near
the site of the present court house. The offices of the prothonotary and
commissioners were on the lower floor, the former on the north, the latter
on the south, with a short hall between through which the court room was
entered. The second floor was divided into several apartments, used as
jury rooms, and a cupola containing a bell surmounted the roof. Septem
ber 11th and 12th, 1847, the records were removed to the new building,
which was thenceforth their repository more than a score of years.^
The third and present court house is a brick building of ample and sym
metrical proportions, situated in South park and fronting the intersection of
Liberty and Twelfth streets. The large volume of legal proceedings inci
dent to the great increase of population and wealth caused by the develop
ment of the oil industry demanded better facilities for the transaction
of official business and greater security for the safe keeping of the county
records. May 9, 1867, the junior member of the firm of Sloan & Hutton,
architects, of Philadelphia, made an examination of the court house in order
to determine whether it could be rendered fire proof. His decision was not
favorable ; and on the 18th of July the commissioners decided to build a new
court house, in compliance with the recommendation of the grand jury.
Sloan & Hutton were employed as architects; J. L. Hanna and Smith &
Hill furnished the brick and William Hayes and James Black the stone for
the walls. I. W. Brady was employed as superintendent of construction
August 14, 1867, and the work of excavating the cellar was immediately be
gun. Operations were suspended late in the autumn and resumed in the
following spring. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies
July 15, 1868, by Venango Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
James S. Myers and John S. McCalmont were the orators of the occasion.
The building was finally completed in the summer of 1889.
A wide hall on the first floor extends through the building in the direc
tion of its greatest length, communicating with the offices of the commis
sioner, treasurer, and sheriff' on the west, and those of the register and re
corder and prothonotary on the east. Two stairways in front and one in
the rear ascend to the second story, which is mainly occupied by the court
room, a spacious apartment with seating capacity of one thousand. Three

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 127
jury rooms, the judge's chambers, and the office of the county sujierintend-
ent of public schools complete the internal arrangement. Although com
pleted twenty years ago, this building is superior to many of its class in the
other counties of the state, and will doubtless enjoy a longer period of use
fulness than any of its predecessors.
The Jail is the inevitable accompaniment of the court house, and, in the
case of Venango county, may be said to have preceded it. Commitments
were occasionally necessary in the administration of the law by the local
justices, and in such cases the " Old Garrison " was brought into requisition.
When it passed under the jurisdiction of the county commissioners they
employed John Broadfoot, Samuel Atkinson, and Jacob AVhitman to make
such repairs as would insure the security of the prisoners confined therein.
Even then it was not particularly well adapted to its purpose, and as soon
as the court house had been completed and paid for, public attention naturally
reverted to the erection of a building more suitable for the comfort and safe
keeping of its inmates.
March 19, 1818, the county commissioners — John Wilson, Abraham Seld
ers, and William Kinnear — "were engaged in fixing the site for a public
prison." Contracts were made with Joel Sage for lumber and Thomas
Hulings for stone. John Lupher agreed to furnish five tons of bar iron.
June 1, 1818, proposals for erecting the building were received from George
McClelland, John Lupher, Charles Ridgway, Abraham Clark, Thomas
Hulings, Samuel Hays, McCalmont & McClelland, and Matthias Stockbarger.
The contract was awarded Mr. Stockbarger at his bid of two thousand, nine
hundred and ninety-five doUars, and the contract was executed June 4, 1819.
The work of construction was pushed with energy. In November, 1819,
Alexander McCalmont, William Connely, and Charles Holeman were
appointed by the commissioners to measure the stone work, in order to facil
itate an accounting for materials furnished for this part of the buUding.
The walls were practically completed in May, 1820, when Stockbarger pur
chased the lumber that remained unused. In March, 1822, Andrew
Dewoody was employed ' ' to collect the loose stones lying about the walls,
and fill up the sand holes on the diamond therewith.
Doctor Eaton gives the following description of this, the first prison
erected by the county:
The jail was something of a curiosity. It was designed to be both a prison and
a house for the sheriff, although rather diminutive to serve both purposes. It was two
stories high, although the upper story was quite low. The windows of the portion
assigned to prisoners were strongly barred. The architect seemed to have had some
misgivings as to the strength of the wall, for the prison rooms were lined with heavy
oak planks six inches in thickness, and so secured that they could not well be wrenched
from their position. They were fastened to great beams with long spikes, and were
supposed to form a strong barrier against liberty on the part of the prisoners.
So far as is known, no attempt was ever made to storm this very strong fortress,
'but one. On this occasion, a plan was matured to break through the wall. The idea

128 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
formed was to burn a way through these planks by heating the iron poker in the stove
and piercing the planks in detail. But in a few minutes the smoke filled the jail, pen
etrating into the sheriff's apartments and creating such an alarm that the family and
neighbors alike came to the rescue. The plan failed, and was never attempted again.
This building could not have been more than thirty or thirty-five feet square, but it
had an annex that was supposed at the time to be an admirable invention. It was a
yard communicating with the prison apartments. The design was merciful and
humane, affording the prisoners an opportunity of going out, in a limited way, to
breathe the free air of heaven, and when in contemplative mood to look up at the stars.
This yard was some twenty feet square, surrounded by a stone wall perhaps twelve or
fifteen feet in height. Sometimes the prisoners might be seen lying prone on top of
the wall, enjoying the warm sunshine. Often the circus tents were pitched within
twenty rods of the jail, and from the top of the wall curious prisoners might obtain
glimpses of what was going on on the sawdust in the tent. There was a well in this
yard and often the lady of the castle utilized convict labor in having water drawn
and carried in for household purposes. A bearing peach tree was also growing in this
same yard during the last years of its occupation.
Occasionally there were jail deliveries there without authority from the court. It
was not hard to get over the wall if ennui oppressed the man; nor was it very difficult
at times to evade the vigilance of the sheriff's wife, who often had sole charge, and get
out by the front door.
But the county awoke to the fact that a new jail was needed, and this classic old
building was vacated, and eventually torn down, when all its secrets were exposed to
the curiosity of the small boy. The stones were of little importance and soon removed;
the well was filled up, and the site is but a memory.
The location of this building was in South park, in the rear of the present
court house, near the corner of Twelfth and Elk streets. It was occupied
as a jail about thirty years, and finally sold by the commissioners to Josiah
Adams, August 27, 1853, for the sum of one hundred and fifty-two dollars.
The present county jail is situated on Elk street near Twelfth. It was
originally erected in 1852-58 by John Byrnes, under contract, for nine
thousand, five hundred dollars. As early as December, 1850, the commis
sioners had purchased stone in the lock opposite Franklin, paying therefor
two hundred and eighty-six dollars, but it was not until a year later that the
contract with Mr. Byrnes was entered into. A brick building, three stories
high, fronting the street, constitutes the warden's residence; the jaU proper
is attached and in the rear. As rebuilt in 1868, this comprises twenty
cells, arranged in two tiers around an open court. One judicial execution
has occurred within these waUs, that of Thomas McCartey, for the murder
of Barry in French Creek township. This took place at 12:30 P. M.,
October 28, 1868.
The County Alms House.— The indigent classes of the county were cared
for by the different townships until a comparatively recent date. April 13,
1870, the legislature passed an act conferring upon the county commissioners
the powers and duties of directors of the poor, with authority to erect and
sustain a county alms house. Roland Hughes, Francis Merrick, John P.
Crawford, M. C Beebe, Charles H. Sheppard, R. S. McCormick, Samuel
Plumer, and James McCutcheon were named as commissioners to select a

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 129
suitable location. The Roberts and Hays farms, comprising two hundred
and seventy-five acres in Sugar Creek township, were chosen and purchased
for the sum of twenty thousand dollars. Immediate measures were taken
for the erection of the building. J. M. Blackburn was employed as architect,
and in September, 1870, the contract was awarded Dewees & Simmons of
Tionesta at their bid of sixty-seven thousand, eight hundred and fifty-six
dollars. They also purchased the old court house for two thousand dollars.
November 14, 1871, the contractors having confessed their inabUity to pro
ceed with the work, the county commissioners decided to do so and placed
J. M. Shoemaker in charge as building superintendent. The building was
completed November 9, 1872, and opened for the reception of paupers on
the 26th of December. The first death among this community occurred
January 9, 1878.
The building is constructed of brick, three stories in height, with sand
stone basement partly above ground; length, two hundred and ninety feet;
central projection, one hundred and ninety feet in depth, with tower in front.
The several stories are eleven feet, fourteen feet, and twelve feet high; cor
ridors, sixteen feet wide; transverse corridors, ten feet wide. The sexes are
effectually separated. On the first floor are the steward's apartments, direct
ors' room, physician's office, dining and sitting rooms. The kitchen, bake-
room, and laundry are in the west end of the central projection. Fire escapes
are provided. The establishment has a system of water works ample for its
requirements. The local management is intrusted to a steward, appointed by the county
commissioners. This position has been filled by Samuel McAlevy, appointed
November 13, 1872; John Lockard, appointed January 2, 1876; Oliver Mc-
Kissick, appointed September 12, 1876; Solomon Thorn, appointed January
2, 1882; and Henry A. Culp, appointed August 13, 1883.
INADGUKATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The act of 1834 inaugurated in Pennsylvania what is distinctively known
as the public school system. Popular education had been a subject of legis
lative action since the founding of the colony. It was stipulated in the con
stitution of 1790 that the legislature should "provide by law for the
establishment of schools throughout the state in such manner that the poor
may be taught gratis. ' ' In 1802 an act was passed to provide for the main
tenance of schools where elementary instruction might be received by all
children. Those of the well-to-do were required to pay a small sum, but
when the returns of the assessors showed that the parents were unable to
bear this expense the county commissioners were authorized to do so. It
does not appear that popular education in Venango county was materially
advanced by the operation of this law. Here the neighborhood school was
the earliest result of educational effort. As a measure of convenience cer-

130 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
tain communities established schools in which their children might receive
a rudimentary education. The teacher derived his support from his patrons
and the affairs of the school were intrusted by common consent to the more
energetic members of the community, who were usually men of inteUigence.
The law of 1802 was variously amended at different times, without, however,
accomplishing its purpose. In 1827 a society for the promotion of education
in the state was formed at Philadelphia, and through a corresponding com
mittee the opinions of leading men in every county were ascertained, and a
union of the most progressive sentiment effected. The powerful influence
thus generated resulted in the act of 1834. In this the former distinction
between pay and pauper schools was abrogated; all property was made tax
able for the support of the schools, and their local management in each district
placed in charge of a board of six directors. Some two hundred acts of the
legislature had preceded that of 1834; but the latter, although amended in
1886, is substantially unimpaired, and the growing efficiency of the system
. fully attests the wisdom of those who framed it.
The following is a list of the first boards of school directors elected in
the respective townships in the year 1834:
Allegheny. — Hiram Goodrich, David Henderson, Thomas Davison, Aaron
Benedict, William T. Neill, William Poor.
Canal. — David Crouch, James Kingsley, John Gibbons, John- Foster,
Jr., William Whitman, Elanson Lindsay.
Cherry Tree. — John Alcorn, Richard HamUton, Robert Curry, -John
Breed, William Hamilton, Isaac Archer.
Cranberry. — F. S. Beck, Daniel Wilhelm, William Thompson, Alexan
der Shannon, James Eaton, William Allison.
Cornplanter. — John Henry, Patrick McCrea, Henry McCalmont, Samuel
Lamb, John Neill, Joseph McPate.
French Creek.— Aaron McKissick, Henry Strickland, Isaac Bunnell,
John W. Walker, Jr., John Adams, A. Grace.
Irwm.— Robert Mitchell, James Perry, William McKee, George Mc
Murdy, Christian Dumars, William Hovis.
Pinegrove.— Sumuel Powell, Samuel Zink, J. B. McCalmont, Jacob
Hinch, John Stover, C. Heylen.
PZmw.- WUliam Mcintosh, Robert Mason, Edward Sweeny, John G.
Bradley, William Cowan, Jared Welsh.
Richland.— Kenr J Neely, Alexander Ritchey, James Burns, Benjamin
Junkin, John Donaldson, John AUebaugh.
^^cj'M&g-rass.— WiUiam Perry, John Coulter, Samuel Mitchell, David
Phipps, Archibald Henderson, Alexander Scott.
Sugar Creefc. — James Haslet, John Mason, Alexander Bowman, John
Morrison, M. Stockbarger, Robert McCalmont.
Franklin Borough.— I^ewis T. Reno, John Evans, John W. Howe,
Andrew Bowman, WUliam Raymond, Benjamin Alexander.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 131
The first convention of delegates under this act, and in all probability
the first public educational meeting in the county, was held at the court
house in Franklin November 4, 1884. Canal township was represented by
Elanson Lindsay; Plum, by William Cowan; Cherry Tree, by Richard
Hamilton; Allegheny, by Hiram Goodrich; Pinegrove, by Samuel Powell;
Rockland, by Matthias Domer; Scrubgrass, by John Coulter; Sugar Creek,
by Alexander Bowman; Franklin Borough, by John W. Howe; Cranberry,
by Alexander Shannon; Cornplanter, by Henry McCalmont; Richland, by
Benjamin Jrmkiii; Irwin, by Robert Mitchell; Farmington, by David Rynor;
Beaver, by David Allebach; Elk, by Jacob Dahl; Tionesta, by James Wal-
liston, and Paint, by Daniel Brenneman. An organization was effected
with Samuel Powell as president and David Ryner, secretary. Important
action was taken relative to a school fund. On motion of Messrs. Howe and
Goodrich it was determined, with but two dissenting votes, to levy a tax of
six mills for school purposes. At subsequent meetings in May, 1835, and
in the following years, annual meetings in the different townships were
arranged for the consideration of educational matters, and as a result of
this agitation the system gradually gained in popular support and practical
efficiency. County Superintendent of Public Schools. — This office was created in
1854. Its incumbents, elected by the school directors of the county, have
been as follows: Manley C. Beebe, 1854-57; WUliam Burgwin, 1857-60;
Charies H. Dale, 1860-72; WiUiam C. McClure, 1872-75; SUas H. Prather,
1875-84; George B. Lord, 1884.
CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION.
Members of Congress. — 1800, Albert Gallatin, Democrat, Washington
county; 1801, WUliam Hoge, Democrat, Washington county; 1803, John
Hoge, Democrat, Washington county; 1804, John B. C. Lucas, Democrat,
Beaver county; 1805, Samuel Smith, Democrat, Erie county; 1810 (re
elected), Abner Lacock, Democrat, Beaver county; 1813 (re-elected),
Thomas Wilson, Democrat, Erie county; 1816 (re-elected), Robert Moore,
Democrat, Beaver county; 1820 (re-elected), Patrick Farrelly, Democrat,
Crawford county; 1826, Thomas H. SiU, Federalist, Erie county (vice Pat
rick Farrelly, deceased) ; 1826, Stephen Barlow, Democrat, Crawford county ;
1828; Thomas H. SiU, Federalist, Erie county; 1830, John Banks, Anti-
Mason, Mercer county; 1832 (re-elected), John Galbraith, Democrat,
Venango county; 1886, Arnold Plumer, Democrat, Venango county; 1838,
John Galbraith, Democrat, Erie county; 1840, Arnold Plumer, Democrat,
Venango county; 1842, Samuel Hays, Democrat, Venango county; 1844,
WUliam S. Garvin, Democrat, Mercer county; 1846, John W. FarreUy,
Whig, Crawford county; 1848 (re.-elected), John W. Howe, Free-Soil, V.e-
nango county; 1852, C. B. Curtis, Democrat, Warren county; 1854, David

182 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Barclay, Democrat, Jefferson county; 1856, James L. GiUis, Democrat, Elk
county; 1858, Chapin Hall, Republican, Warren county; 1860, John Pat-
ton, Republican, Clearfield county; 1862, Amos Myers, Republican, Clarion
county; 1864, C. V. Culver, Republican, Venango county; 1866, Darwin
A. Finney, Republican, Crawford county; 1868, S. Newton Pettis, Repub
lican, Crawford county (vice DarVin A. Finney, deceased); 1868, Calvin
W. GilfiUan, Republican, Venango county; 1870, Samuel Griffith, Demo
crat, Mercer county; 1872, Hiram L. Richmond, Republican, Crawford
county; 1874, Albert G. Egbert, Democrat, Venango county; 1876, Lewis
F. Watson, Republican, Warren county; 1878, John H. Osmer, Republican,
Venango county; 1880, Lewis F. Watson, Republican, Warren county;
1882, Samuel M. Brainerd, Republican, Erie county; 1884 (re-elected),
William L. Scott, Democrat, Erie county; 1888, Lewis F. Watson, Repub
lican, Warren county.
Stale Senators. — 1800, John Hamilton, Democrat, Washington county —
district: Allegheny, Washington, and Greene; 1801, William McArthur,
Democrat, Crawford county — district: Erie, Crawford, Venango, Mercer,
and Warren; 1809, Wilson Smith, Democrat, Erie county, the same dis
trict; 1812, Joseph Shannon, Democrat, the same district; 1816, Henry
Hurst, Democrat, Crawford county, the same district; 1821, Jacob Herring-
ton, Mercer county, the same district; 1822, Samuel Hays, Democrat, Ve
nango county — district: Venango, Warren, Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson,
and Cambria; 1827, Eben S. KeUy, the same district; 1835, M. Kelley,
the same district; 1839, Samuel Hays, Democrat, Venango county — dis
trict: Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Venango, and Warren, to which
Clarion was added in 1842; 1842, William P. Wilcox, Democrat, the same
district; 1845, James P. Hoover, Democrat, Venango county — district:
Crawford and Venango; 1848, J. Porter Brawley, Democrat, Crawford
county, the same district; 1851, John Hoge, Democrat, Mercer county —
district: Mercer, Venango, and Warren; 1854, Thomas Hoge, Democrat,
Venango county, the same district; 1857, Glenni W. Scofield, Republican,
Warren county, the same district; 1859, William M. Francis, RepubUcan,
Lawrence county — district: Lawrence, Mercer, and Venango; 1860, James
H. Robinson, Republican, Mercer county, the same district; 1863, Thomas
Hoge, Republican, Venango county, the same district; 1866, James C.
Brown, Republican, Mercer county, the same district; 1869, Harrison Allen,
Republican, Warren county — district: Mercer, Venango, and Warren; 1872,
Samuel McKinley, Republican, Lawrence county— district: Lawrence, Mer
cer, and Venango; 1874, ^V. S. McMuUen, Republican, Venango county-
district: Venango and Warren; 1876, Charles W. Stone, Republican, Warren
county, the same district; 1878 (re-elected), J. W. Lee, Republican, Ve
nango county, the same district; 1886, .0. C. Allen, Republican, Warren
county, the same district.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 133
¦State Representatives. — At the first session of the Xlth House, which met
November 5, 1800, Samuel Ewalt and Thomas Morton represented the dis
trict indicated on the journal as composed of the counties of ' ' Allegheny,
Crawford, etc." At the first session of the Xllth House, which convened
December 1, 1801. Alexander Buchanan represented the district composed
of the counties of Crawford. Venango, Warren, Erie, and Mercer. The fol
lowing are Buchanan's successors: 1802, John Lytle, Jr. (re-elected in 1803
and 1804); 1805, WUson Smith (re-elected in 1808 and 1807); 1808, Samuel
Dale and Bevan Peai-son — district: Venango and Mercer; 1809, Samuel Dale
and James Montgomery (re-elected in 1810, 1811, and 1812), the same dis
trict; 1S18, Samuel Hays and Jacob Herrington, the same district; 1814,
David Dempsey and Jacob Herrington, the same district; 1815, James Wes
ton, Ralph Marlin, and Jacob Herrington — district: Mercer, Erie, Craw
ford, Wan-en, and Venango; 1818, Samuel Hays, Ralph Marlin, and Jacob
Herrington, the same district; 1817, Thomas Wilson, Ralph Marlin, and
Samuel Hays, the same district; 1818, Jacob Herrington, James Cochran,
and Joseph Hackney, the same district; 1819, Wilson Smith, James Cochran,
and William Connely, the same district; 1820, Jacob Herrington, William
Smith, and William Connely, the same district; 1821, David Brown, James
Cochran, and George Moore, the same district; 1822, James Cochran — dis
trict: Venango and Crawford; 1828 (re-elected), Samuel Hays, the same dis
trict; 1825, WUliam Foster, the same district; 1826, Thomas Atkinson, the
same district; 1827, George R. Espy, the same district; 1828, John Galbraith,
the same district; 1829, John Galbraith (re-elected in 1830 and 1881) — dis
trict: Venango and Warren; 1882, James Thompson (re-elected in 1833 and
1884), the samS district; 1885, Hugh McClelland, the same district; 1886
(re-elected), George R. Espy — district: Venango; 1838 (re-elected), James
Ross Snowden, the same district; 1840, Alexander Holeman, the same dis
trict: 1841, James Ross Snowden, the same district; 1842, David B. Long.
From 1843 to 1850 Venango, Jefferson, and Clarion constituted a district
and elected two representatives. James Ross Snowden, Robert Mitchell,
and William Perry were elected from Venango county during this period.
In 1850 Morris Leech, Glenni W. Scofield, and John W. Shugert were elected
from the district composed of Mercer, Warren, and Venango; 1851, John
W. Shugert, Joseph V. James, and L. N. McGranahan, the same district;
1852. L. N. McGranahan, John J. Kilgore, and Carter V. Kinnear, the
same district; 1853, John J. KUgore, L. T. Parmlee, and Robert M. De-
France, the same district; 1854, S. P. McCalmont, Ralph Clapp, and Dan
iel Lott, the same district; 1855, S. P. McCalmont, Daniel Lott, and
Samuel Kerr, the same district; 1856, S. P. McCalmont, Samuel Kerr, and
Thomas Stmthers, the same district; 1S57, Thomas Struthers. William G.
Rose, and C. P. RamsdeU, the same district; 1858, WiUiam G. Rose andC. P.
Ramsdell— district: Mercer and Venango; 1859 (re-elected). George D. Hofius
and Elisha W. Davis, the same district; 1S61 (re-elected), M, C. Beebe and

134 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
James C. Brown, the same district; 1863 (re-elected), William Burgwin and
Charles Koonce, the same district. In 1865 Venango was united with War
ren in one district, and during the continuance of this arrangement the
representatives elected from this county were W. L. Whann, A. P. Duncan,
J. D. McJunkin, and R. D. McCreary. Since 1874 Venango has composed
a district and elected representatives in the following order: 1874, John M.
Dickey, J. P. Park, and William Hasson; 1876, John M. Dickey, William
Gates, and George E. Mapes; 1878, George E. Mapes, Samuel B. Myers,
and J. L. Dewoody; 1880, Samuel B. Myers, George E. Mapes, andWiUis
J. Hulings; 1882, Willis J. Hulings, William Hasson, and James S. Gates;
1884, WiUis J. HuUngs, George S. CrisweU, and Frank Riddle; 1886,
George S. CrisweU, Robert F. Glenn, and O. P. Morrow; 1888, O. P. Mor
row and F. W. Hays. EOSTEE OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
President Judges, under the constitution of 1790, were appointed by the
governor and enjoyed a life tenure. Under the constitution of 1837-38 the
term of service was made ten years, and in 1851 the office became elective.
Alexander Addison was commissioned August 17, 1791 ; Jesse Moore, April
5, 1803: Henry Shippen, January 24, 1825; Nathaniel B. Eldred, March
28, 1839; Gaylord Church, AprU 3, 1843; Alexander McCalmont, 1839 (for
the eighteenth judicial district to which Venango county was attached in
1849) ; Joseph Buffington, 1849. John C. Knox was elected in October,
1851. John S. McCalmont, appointed in May, 1853, was elected in the
following autumn, and resigned in 1861, when Glenni W. Scofield was
appointed; James Campbell was elected October 11, 1861. In 1866 Isaac
G. Gordon was appointed to the twenty-eighth judicial district, to which
John Trunkey was elected in October of the same year and re-elected in
1876. Upon his resignation in December, 1877, Charles E. Taylor was ap
pointed; he was elected November 5, 1878, and re-elected November 6, 1888.
District Judge. — James Thompson of Venango county was appointed
special law judge for Erie, Crawford, Venango, and Mercer counties May
18, 1889, and served until May, 1845.
Associate Judges were originally appointed for life or during good be
havior, but by the constitution of 1837-38 the term of service was reduced
to five years, and in 1850 the office was made elective. John Irwin and
Thomas McKee were commissioned July 4, 1805, and took the oath of office
on the 17th of October following. James G. Heron was commissioned De
cember 3, 1805, and inducted into office January 27, 1806. He was county
commissioner at the time and does not appear to have officiated as judge
until March session, 1808. He died in 1809, but Judges Irwin and McKee
continued to serve many years. Richard Irwin' s incumbency as associate
judge began in December, 1838; that of Robert Mitchell, in 1840; Benja
min A. Plumer, in 1843; James Kinnear, in 1845; Alexander Holeman, in
1850; RobertCross, inl851; John H, Smiley, in 1856; Samuel Hays, in 1856;
David Phipps, in 1856; W. W. Davison, in 1857; Joshua Davis, in 1861.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 135
WiUiam Connelly, in 1862 ; Robert Lamberton, in 1862 ; R. S. McCormick,
in 1866; James L. Connely, in 1867, Venango county was made a judi
cial district (the twenty-eighth) individually in 1877, and thus, by a pro
vision in the constitution of 1874, the office of associate judge was abol
ished. Prothonotartes. — Appointments to this office were originally made by
the governor for the term of three years, but the office become elective under
the constitution of 1837-38. Since 1857 one person has been elected pro
thonotary, clerk of the court of quarter sessions, of oyer and terminer, and
general jail delivery, and another person recorder of deeds, register of wills.
and clerk of the orphans' court; prior to that date the duties of all these
offices had been performed by one incumbent. William Moore took the
oath of office as prothonotary, etc., September 2, 1805; Alexander McCal
mont, April 27, 1818; Andrew Bowman, April 21, 1824; Arnold Plumer,
February 27, 1830; Alexander McDoweU, February 27, 1836; James P.
Hoover, December 31, 1840; George W. Connely, December 3, 1842;
Alexander Cochran, December 4, 1848 ; William Elliott, December 4, 1854 ;
John A. Dale, vice William Elliott, deceased, appointed Augusts, 1857;
R. L. Cochran, December 3, 1857; C. E. Lytle, December 4, 1860; J. H
Smith, December 3, 1866; E. G. Crawford, December 1, 1869; Isaac Reine-
man, January 8, 1876; Philip Engelskirger, January 2, 1882; John H.
Evans, January 2, 1888, present incumbent.
Register and Recorder. — Nathaniel D. Snowden took the oath of office
as register and recorder and clerk of the orphans' court, December 8, 1857;
H. B. Gordon, December 4, 1860; Alexander McDoweU, May 30, 1866, ap
pointed, vice H. B. Gordon, deceased; James W. Shaw, December 1, 1866;
John P. Barr, January 8, 1876; Carlisle J. Crawford, January 5, 1885,
present incumbent.
County Commissioners were elected annually for the term of three years
until the adoption of the constitution of 1873, which provided for the trien
nial election of the entire board of three members, Ninian Irwin, Caleb
Crane, and James G. Heron constituted the first board. James G. Heron
served from October, 1805, to October, 1806; Caleb Crane, October, 1805,
to October, 1807; Ninian Irwin, October 1805, to October, 1808; James
McClaran, October, 1806, to August, 1808; Samuel Ray, Jr., October 1807;
to October, 1810; John Shaw, appointed, vice James McClaran, resigned,
August, 1808, to October, 1808; John Nelson, October, 1808, to February,
1810; George McCleUand, October, 1808, to November, 1812; David Brown,
appointed, vice John Nelson, resigned, February, 1810, to October, 1810;
John Wilson, October, 1810, to October, 1813; James McClaran, October,
1810, to October, 1814; John Hamilton, November, 1812, to August, 1814,
Robert Mitchell, October, 1813, to October, 1816; John McCalmont, Jr.,
appointed, vice John Hamilton, resigned, August, 1814, to October, 1814;

136 HISTORY OF -^ENANGO COUNTY.
Alexander McCalmont, November, 1814, to October, 1817; John WUson,
October, 1814, to October, 1818; Abraham Selders, October, 1816, to Octo
ber, 1819; WiUiam Kinnear, October, 1817, to October, 1820; Robert
Mitchell, October, 1818, to October, 1821; Craft Ghost, October, 1819, to
October, 1822; Welden Adams, October, 1820, to October, 1823; James
Kinnear, October, 1821, to October, 1824; Barnhart Martin, October, 1822,
to October, 1825; John Witherup, October, 1823, to October, 1826; John
Broadfoot, October, 1824, to October, 1827; Alexander Holeman, October,
1825, to October, 1828; James Martin, October, 1826, to October, 1829;
James Mason, Jr., October, 1827, to October, 1830; Richard Irwin, October,
1828, to October, 1881; WUliam Elliott, October, 1829, to October, 1832;
Joshua Davis, October, 1830, to October, 1833; Marvin Perry, October,
1831, to October, 1884; James HamUton, Jr., October, 1882, to October,
1835; George Kribbs, October, 1888, to October, 1836; James Adams, Oc
tober, 1834, to October, 1837; Lewis T. Reno, October, 1835, to October,
1888; James Hasson, October, 1836, to October, 1839; Robert Bradley, Oc
tober, 1837, to October, 1840; WiUiam Perry, October, 1838, to October,
1841; John Shannon, October, 1889, to October, 1842: WiUiam Hamilton,
October, 1840, to October, 1843; Patrick Davidson, October, 1841, to Oc
tober, 1844; John D. McWUliams, October, 1842, to October, 1845; Na
thaniel Cary, October, 1843, to October, 1846; Patrick Culbertson, Octo
ber, 1844, to October, 1847; David Adams, October, 1845, to October,
1848; R. A. Brashear, October, 1846, to October, 1849; Robert Archer, October,
1847, to October, 1850; J. J. KUgore, October, 1848, to October, 1851;
WUUam Siggins, October, 1849, to March, 1851; M. B. Shannon, Octo
ber, 1850, to October, 1853; Putnam McKissick, appointed, vice William
Siggins, resigned, March, 1851, to October, 1852; John Boughner,
November, 1851, to November, 1854; Robert Dickson, November, 1852,
to November, 1855; William Cowan, November, 1853, to November,
1856; James McCutcheon, November, 1854, to November, 1857; James
Duffield, November, 1855, to October, 1858; John WUlings, Novem
ber, 1856, to October, 1859; James Ritchie, Sr. , November, 1857, to
October, 1860; Isaac Tallman, October, 1858, to November 1861; Joseph
A. AUen, October, 1859, to October, 1862; Robert Martin, October,
1860, to October, 1863; WiUiam Smith, November, 1861, to November,
1864; R. H. McFate, October, 1862, to October, 1865; Thomas Holmden,
October, 1863, to August, 1865; B. F. Mark, November, 1864, to October,
1867; William Smith, appointed, vice Thomas Holmden, resigned, August,
1865, to October, 1865; James Duncan, October, 1865, to October, 1869; D.
H. Cassidy, October, 1865, to October, 1868; WUson Davis, October, 1867,
to October, 1870; John Davidson, November, 18,68, to October, 1871; James
Y. Siggins, October, 1869, to November, 1872; Henry Dubbs, October,
1870, to November, 1878; James P. Riddle, October, 1871, to December,

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 137
1874; A. M. Turner, November, 1872, to January, 1876; C. E. Lytle,
November, 1873, to January, 1876; Thomas McKee, December, 1874, to
January, 1876; W. L. Armstrong, James Vanderlin, Thomas McKee, Jan
uary, 1876, to January, 1879; Albert Tyrrell, Hugh Craig, T. R. Homan,
January, 1879, to January, 1882; Robert M. Sterritt, Hugh Craig, Thomas
J. Eakin, January, 1882, to January, 1885; Thomas J. Eakin, L. C. Heas-
ley, January, 1885, to January, 1888; A. W. Cox, January, 1885, to July,
1886; Samuel A. McAlevy, appointed, vice A. W. Cox, deceased, July,
1886, to January, 1888; WiUiam A. Maitland, J. D. Patterson, and S H.
McKinney, January, 1888, present incumbents.
County Treasurers were appointed by the commissioners until 1841,
when the office became elective. Alexander McDowell was treasurer in
1805-7; Samuel Hays, 1808; John Broadfoot, 1809-10; George McClel
land, 1813-15; John McCalmont, Jr., 1816-18; James Kinnear, 1819;
George McClelland, 1820-21; John Lupher, 1822-23; George MoCleUand,
1824; George Power, 1825; John Evans, 1826; Hugh McClelland, 1827-28;,
MyronPark, 1829-30; Samuel Huston, 1831-32; William Raymond, 1833-
34; George R. Espy, 1885 and 1836 to November, when he resigned; Ben
jamin A. Plumer, November, 1836, to January, 1839; John Haslet, 1839-
40; William M. Smiley, 1842-43; WUUam Elliott, 1844-45; Thomas H.
Martin, 1846-47; Jacob Mays, 1848-49; Jacob G. Keefer, 1850-51; James
Bleakley, 1852-53; James Griffin, 1854-55; MUes W. Sage, 1856-57; John
P. McKinley, 1858-59; George W. Brigham, 1860-61; R. J. Canan, 1862-
63; Henry Dubbs, 1864-65; James AUison, 1866-67; Thomas A Morrison,
1868-69; J. R. Grant, 1870-71; N. B. Riddle, 1872-73; Isaac M. Sowers,
1874-75; James F. Mackey, 1876-78; I. H. Davison, 1879-81; W. C. Cross,
1882-84; I. H. Davison, 1885-87; Charles E. Shoup, 1888, present in
cumbent. County Auditors. — Three auditors are elected triennially. Prior to
the adoption of the constitution of 1790 the accounts of the commissioners
and treasurer were submitted to the grand jury. The first legislation intro
ducing the present system was an act passed March 80, 1791, providing
for the appointment of auditors annually by the county court. The office
was made elective by the act of March 6, 1809, in which, however, the court
of quarter sessions was authorized to fill any vacancies that might occur.
On the 7th of February, 1814, an act was passed extending the term of office
to three years; the person receiving the largest number of votes at that elec
tion was to serve the maximum period; the person receiving the next highest
number, two years; and the person receiving the next highest number, one
year, while one member was to be elected annually thereafter. This arrange
ment continued until the present system was adopted under the constitution
of 1873. Nothing is known concerning the board in 1806 beyond the fact that

138 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Patrick Jack was one of its members. Samuel Dale, Joseph Allen, and John
Snow were appointed for 1807; Alexander McDowell, John Andrews, and
Elial Farr, for 1808. Isaac Connely, WiUiam Moore, and Alexander Mc
Calmont were elected in 1809 ; Alexander McCalmont, John McClaran, and
John HamUton, in 1810; Isaac Connely, John McClaran, and John Hamil
ton, in 1811; Robert Mitchell, John Broadfoot, and Samuel Dale, in 1812;
John Broadfoot, Andrew Bowman, and Charles Holeman, in 1818. In 1814
Charles Holeman was elected for three years and served from January, 1815,
to January, 1818; William Crawford was elected for two years and served
from January, 1815, to January, 1817; Ninian Irwin was elected for one
year and served from January, 1815, to January, 1816. John Gordon
served from January, 1816, to January, 1819; Ninian Irwin, from January,
1817, to January, 1820; Thomas Baird, from January, 1818, to January,
1821; George McCleUand, January, 1819, to January, 1821; William Neill,
January, 1820, to January, 1823; James Martin, January, 1821, to January,
1824; Ninian Irwin, January, 1821, to January, 1822; Alexander Holeman,
January, 1822, to January, 1825; John Martin, Jr., January, 1823, to Jan
uary, 1826; James Mason, January, 1824, to January, 1827; James Hulings,
January, 1825, to January, 1828; James Hamilton, January, 1826, to Jan
uary, 1829; William Crary, January, 1827, to January, 1830; John Little,
January, 1828, to January, 1831; Thomas Baird, January, 1829, to January,
1832: Samuel Huston, .January, 1830, to January, 1881; Robert J. Neill,
January, 1831, to January, 1833; Hugh Henry, January, 1831, to Jan
uary, 1884; Alexander Holeman, January, 1882, to January, 1835; Alex
ander McDowell, January, 1833, to January, 1836; John Coulter, Jan
uary, 1834, to January, 1837; Robert Mitchell, January, 1835, to January,
1888; William Parker, January, 1836, to January, 1839; Daniel Delo, Jan
uary, 1837, to January, 1840; William Neill, January, 1838, to January,
1841 ; Patrick Culbertson, January, 1839, to January, 1842 ; James Duffield,
January, 1840, to January, 1843; Isaac Griffin, January 1841, to January,
1844; Robert Dixon, January, 1842, to January, 1845; Charles H. Heydrick,
January, 1843, to January, 1846; William C. Frazier, Januaiy, 1844, to Jan
uary, 1847; Jacob &. Keefer, January, 1845, to January, 1848; Philip Ghost,
January, 1846, to January, 1849; John G. Bradley, January, 1847, to Jan
uary, 1850; William Allison, January, 1848, to January, 1851; Alexander
Culbertson, January, 1849, to January, 1852; J. P. GUlUand, January, 1850,
to January, 1852; George W. Parker, January, 1851, to January, 1853; E.
H. McFate, January, 1852, to January, 1854; Robert J. NeiU, 'January, 1852,
to January, 1855; D. D. Dickey, January, 1854, to January, 1856; Samuel
McAlevy, January, 1855, to January, 1858; John Hetzler, January, 1856, to
January, 1859; John Guist, January, 1857, to January, 1860; WiUiam Fos
ter, January, 1858, to January, 1861; J. A. Dreibelbiss, January, 1859, to
January, 1862; WiUiam M. Richardson, January, 1860, to January, 1863;

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 139
Samuel Foster, January, 1861, to January, 1864; J. R. Stranford, January,
1862, to January, 1865; Thomas Singleton, January, 1863, to January, 1866 ;
Daniel Persing, January, 1864, to January, 1867; P. L. Pryor, January,
1865, to January, 1868; A. Bowman, January, 1866, to January, 1869; Philo
Williams, January, 1867, to January, 1870; James H. McCombs, January,
1868, to January, 1871; James Lee, January, 1869, to January, 1872; Alonzo
Poor, January, 1870, to January, 1873; John Glass, January, 1871, to Jan
uary, 1874; William K. GUlUand, January, 1872, to January, 1875; William
H. Hughes, January, 1873, to January, 1876; I. B. Myers, January, 1874, to
January, 1876; John Ricketts, January, 1875, to January, 1876; W. H. Web
ber, Henry Clulow,- January, 1876, to January, 1879; John Kean, January,
1876, to January, 1878: W. M. Epley, January, 1878, to January, 1879; J.
D. Zeigler, E. Hughes, A. Gilmer, January, 1879, to January, 1882 ; George
Chambers, January, 1882, to January, 1885; Henry D. Culp, Daniel Shaner,
January, 1882, to January, 1884; William K. Gilliland, January, 1884, to
January, 1888 ; C. W. Shaner, January, 1884, to January, 1885 ; John A.
Robinson, E. A. Hughes, January, 1885, to January, 1888; A. S. Mawhinney,
H. McClintock, L. J. Bowen, elected in 1887, constitute the present board.
Sheriffs. — John Witherilp took the oath of office as sheriff of the county
December 4, 1805; Samuel Hays, November 24, 1808; Alexander McCal
mont, December 21, 1811; John Hamilton, November 12, 1814; Andrew
Bowman, November 28, 1817, Samuel Hays, November 8, 1820; Arnold
Plumer, November 24, 1828; Arthur Robison, December 2, 1826; Samuel
Hays, November, 1829; Andrew McCaslin, November 30, 1832; Samuel
Hays, December, 1885; John Evans, November 6, 1838; John W. Shugert,
November 25, 1841; Samuel Phipps, November 26, 1844; John A. Dale,
November 26, 1847; John Adams, November 29, 1850; Thomas H. Martin,
December 8, 1853; Putnam McKissick, November 29, 1856; Samuel Mc
Alevy, December 2, 1859; Samuel A. Thomas, November 29, 1862; P. R.
Gray, December 2, 1865; Henry H. Herpst, November 27, 1868; Cyrus S.
Marks, December 4, 1871; L. T. Lamberton, January 4, 1875; C. M.
Hoover, January 7, 1878; Cyrus S. Marks, January 8, 1881; J. S. Shearer,
January 7, 1884; WiUiam R. Crawford, January 3, 1887; L. L. Ray, Janu
ary 6, 1890, present incumbent.
Coroners. — Marcus Hulings took the oath of office as coroner December
4, 1805; John McDonald, November 23, 1808; Charles Ridgway, December
21, 1811; George Power, November 12, 1814; Samuel Hulings, November
28, 1817; Robert McCalmont, November 9, 1820; Abraham Clark, Novem
ber 9, 1824; Thomas S. McDowell, November 14, 1826; James Foster,
November, 1829; WiUiam Parker, February 16, 1833; Charies L. Cochran,
December, 1835; Aaron McKissick, November 11, 1838 ; Armstrong Duffield,
December?, 1841; Nathaniel D. Snowden, 1844; James A. Donaldson,
November 22, 1847; Robert Crawford, AprU, 1850; Charies W. Mackey, Jan-

140 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
uary 9, 1853; J. W, Riddle, July 15, 1857; WUliam F. Hunter, January 3,
1861; E. C. Westlake, December 22, 1865; Thomas B. Larue, November,
1868; Joseph Hooton, 1871; S. Gustine Snowden, January 7, 1874; A. W.
Cox, January 17, 1877; E. W. Moore, January 5, 1886; J. B. Reynolds,
January 7, 1889, present incumbent.
County Surveyors. — The title of this office was deputy surveyor and its
incumbents were appointed by the governor until 1850, when the office be
came elective and the name was changed to its present style. Samuel Dale
was the first deputy surveyor, and arrived at Franklin in August, 1800.
Alexander McCalmont was commissioned as his successor May 1, 1812, and
the subsequent incumbents of the office assumed its duties in the foUowing
order: WUliam Connely, February 2, 1817; John Irwin, May, 1818; Rich
ard Irwin, July 7, 1824; Thomas Hamilton, 1839; WUliam Connely, July 4,
1840; Charles H. Heydrick, February 10, 1845; Matthew Riddle, February
27, 1851; Charles H. Heydrick, November 29, 1853; WUliam Hilauds, 1862;
George M. Bowman, December 16, 1868; William Hilands, 1871, and has
filled the office continuously up to the present.
District Attorneys. — From 1800 to 1850 this office was known by the
title of deputy attorney general, and the incumbents were appointed by the
attorney general of the state. The office was made elective in 1850, and
the name changed to its present style. Matthew Riddle was elected in 1850;
Thompson Allison, in 1853 and 1856; Charles E. Taylor, in 1859, resigned
in 1861; C. W. GilfiUan, appointed in 1861, and elected in 1862; Samuel
B. Myers, in 1865 and 1868; James H. SmUh, in 1871; W. H. James, in
1874; WiUiam Francis, in 1876; Thomas McGough, in 1879, 1882, and 1885,
and F. L. Kahle, in 1888.
Jury Comtnissioners. — This office was created in 1867 and made elective,
two persons being chosen for the term of three years. Each voter is entitled
to cast a ballot for one candidate only, thus insuring representation to both
the leading parties. Robert Moffett and John P. McKinley were elected
in 1867; Samuel McAlevy and Davidson McElphatrick, in 1870; Walter
Braden and James E. Muse, in 1878; F. I. Nolen and Harvey Evans, in
1876; William Hasson and J. R. Neely, in 1879; John Mason and A. J.
Keenan, in 1882; James Dille and John WUlings, in 1885; George B. Mc-
Intire and W. C. Davidson, in 1888.
EOSTEB OF EARLY TOWNSHIP OFFI GEES.
In the general system of government in this state the township is the
unit. The administration of local affairs is usually intrusted to men of some
prominence and influence in their respective neighborhoods, and a list of
township officers includes therefore the names of many citizens whose con
nection with public life would otherwise be forgotten, and whose services,
although circumscribed by narrow limits, are none the less essential to the

•^^'^^^^^^^'^ :^^^^^^^

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 143
community at large. The following list of early township officers is as
complete as existing records permit.
The First Justieen were commissioned for their respective districts in
the following order:
Irwin, Alexander McDowell, May 11, 1796; Abraham Selders, May 17,
1801; Patrick Jack, July 4, 1806.
Allegheny, Joel Green, January 1, 1808.
Cherry Tree and Plum, Elial Farr, October 24, 1807.
Richland, James Allison, October 24, 1807.
Scrubgrass, John Witherup, November 5, 1808.
Sugar Creek, Andrew Bowman, 1812.
Sandy Creek, WUliam Whann, February 24, 1812.
1801.
AUegheny. — Constable, Median Garwood; supervisors: John McCombs,
Samuel Patterson ; overseers of the poor: Peter Titus, James Tuthill.
Inuin. — Constable, Richard Sutton; supervisors: Edward Hale, Will
iam Hays; overseers: George Power, Marcus Hulings; fence viewers:
James Martin, Sr. , James Beaumont. 1802.
Allegheny. — Constable, John Rain; supervisors: James Miller, Samuel
Patterson; overseers: Benjamin Huff, Eli Holeman.
Incin. — Constable, Thomas Carter; supervisors: John Martin, WiUiam
Logan; overseers: Patrick Davidson, Brice Gilmore; appraisers of dam
ages: James Martin, John McClaran.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, John Sherman; supervisors: James Tuttle,
Robert Elliott; overseers: Thomas Hamilton, John Rodgers; appraisers:
Henry Preston, Samuel Plumer. 1803.
Allegheny. — Constable, Moses Hicks; supervisors: Samuel Patterson,
Samuel Rhoads; overseers: John Ryan, John Anderson.
Irwin. — Constable, Richard Sutton; supervisors: John Witherup, Pat
rick Davidson; overseers: John McClaran, James Martin.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, John Whitman; supervisors: William Crouse,
John Stiver; overseeers: Hugh Johnston, Thomas Hamilton; appraisers:
George Sutley, Hugh HamUton. 1804.
Allegheny. — Constable, Andi-ew Fleming; supervisors: Samuel Rhoads,
Moses Hicks, Jr.
Irwin. — Constable, Richard Sutton; supervisors: John Witherup, John
Vincicle; overseers: James Martin, John McClaran; appraisers: John Mc
Quiston, George King,
8

144 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Sugar C?'eefc. —Constable, Elial Farr; supervisors: James Hamilton,
Robert Beatty; overseers: John Todd, George Sutley; appraisers: Robert
Curry, Hugh Johnston.
^ ^ 1805.
Allegheny. — Constable, Thomas Boyd; supervisors: James McCasland,
John Henry; overseers: Benjamin Huff, Eli Holeman; appraisers: David
Kinnear, Alexander Thompson.
Irwin. — Constable, Adam Dinsmore; supervisors: John Ray, Edward
Hale. Sugar Creefc. —Constable, Richard Sutton; supervisors: Robert Beatty,
Ninian Irwin. 1806.
Allegheny. — Constable, Samuel Rhoads; supervisors: John Henry, Ben
jamin Huff; overseer, James Irwin.
Irwin. — Constable, Adam Dinsmore; supervisors: Samuel Hays, Jame^
Scott; overseer, James Martin.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, John Stiver; supervisors: Robert Shaw, Sam
uel Irwin; overseer, Patrick Davidson. 1807.
Constables. — Irwin, Jonathan Murray; Scrubgrass, Matthew Riddle;,
French Creek, James Nicholson; Cherry Tree, Henry Kinnear; Allegheny,,
Patrick McCrea; Richland, Henry Best. 1808,
Constables. — Irwin, Jonathan Morris; Scrubgrass, Samuel Doty; French
Creek, William Irwin; Allegheny, John Watson; Sugar Creek, Francis Hal
yday; Cherry Tree, James Hamilton; Richland, Jacob Harrold.
1809.
Constables. — Irwin, Jonathan Morris; Scrubgrass, James Graham j
French Creek, James Martin; Sugar Creek, Francis Halyday; Cherry Tree,
George Farr; Allegheny, Thomas H. Prather; Richland, Alexander Ritchey.
1810.
Constables. — Allegheny, James Dawson, Sr. ; Cherry Tree, Samuel
Proper; French Creek, James Adams; Irwin, Thomas Baird; Richland, Will
iam Downing; Scrubgrass, James Craig; Sugar Creek, Francis Halyday.
1811.
Constables. — Allegheny, James AUender; Cherry Tree, Samuel Proper;
Irwin, John McClaran; Scrubgrass, John Phipps; Sugar Creek, James
McCune; Richland, Henry Neely. 1812.
Constables.— kWeghenj, James Alexander; Cherry Tree, WiUiam Pas-

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 145
tores; French Creek, John Gordon; Irwin, Craft Ghost; Richland, Nathan.
Phipps; Scrubgrass, Thomas Jones; Sugar Creek, Alexander Johnston.
1814.
Constables. — Allegheny, James Lamb; Cherry Tree, John Lamberton;
Irwin, Isaac Robison; French Creek, John Atkinson; Richland, Jacob
Keefer; Scrubgrass, David Say; Sugar Creek, HamUton McClintock.
1815,
Constables. — Allegheny, William Neill; Cherry Tree, Benjamin August;
French Creek, Charles Ridgway; Irwin, James McMurdy; Richland, Adam
Sheerer; Scrubgrass, Robert Calvert; Sugar Creek, James Gordon.
1817.
Constables. — Allegheny, William Broadfoot; Cherry Tree, Francis Ham
ilton; French Creek, John Ridgway; Irwin, Patrick Davidson; Scrubgrass,
James Leslie; Sugar Creek, Francis McClintock.
1818.
Constables. — Allegheny, William Neill; Cherry Tree, William McGinnis;
French Creek, William Dewoody; Irwin, Stephen Sutton; Plum, Patrick
Gordon; Richland, Henry Schwabb; Rockland, John Jolly; Scrubgrass,,
James Leslie; Sugar Creek, Henry Herring.
1819.
Allegheny. — Constable, William Neill.
Cherry Tree. — Constable, William McGinnis.
French Creek. — Constable, John P. Houser; auditors: John Broadfoot,
James Martin, James Gilliland, John Hamilton; supervisors: Armstrong
Duffield, Jonah Reynolds; fence viewers: Robert Kinnear, Samuel Lind
say; overseers: James Adams, John Dewoody.
Irwin. — Constable, William Davidson.
Plum. — Constable, Patrick Gordon; auditors: John Fetterman, John
Daugherty, Robert Bradley, James Gordon; supervisors: John Bradley,
Jacob Grove; overseers: John Bradley, Jacob Grove ; fence viewers, George
Franks, Robert Longwell.
Richland. — Constable, James Ritchey.
Scrubgrass. — Constable, James Leslie. ,
Sugar Creek. — Constable, Henry Herring; auditors: ~John Kelly, John
Mason, Isaac Walls, Peter Dempsey; supervisors: Francis Carter, Luther
Thomas; overseers: William Hays, John Wilson. ,
1820.
Allegheny. — Constable, William Neill.
Cherry Tree. —Constable, David Farrell; auditors: John Gordon. G.

146 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
McClelland, John Hamilton, James Martin; supervisors: R. HamUton,
Robert Curry; overseers: R. Hamilton, Robert Curry; appraisers: M.
Stockbarger, Isaac McMurdy.
French Creek. — Constable, John Dewoody; auditors: Robert Mitchell,
John McClaran, William Davidson, Adam Dinsmore; supervisors: A. Duf
field, I. Reynolds; overseers: Andrew Bowman, Isaac Smith; appraisers:
Jacob Switzer, I. Addleberger.
Irwin. — Constable, John Henderson; auditors: James Ritchey, G.
Richardson, Thomas Thompson, Barnhart Martin; supervisors: Alexander
Porter, Joseph Allen; overseers: Patrick Davidson, John Hoffman; apprais
ers: G. Snyder, John Shannon.
Plum. — Constable, I. Proper; auditors: John Mason, John Whitman;
supervisors: John Carter, John Daugherty; overseers: John Daugherty,
John Carter.
Richland. — Constable, R. Armstrong; auditors: John Shannon, John
McDonald, John Parker, David Smith; supervisors: C. Hummel, Henry
Neely; overseers: Henry Neely, Peter Kister; appraisers: Samuel Small,
Lewis Herring.
Rockland. — Constable, John Porterfield; auditors: John Fetterman,
William Cooper, Daniel Proper, Daniel Herring; supervisors: James Meor-
head, John Watt; overseers: D. Smith, John Evans; appraisers: James
Foster, James Shaw.
Scrubgrass. — Constable, William Sloan; auditors: Thomas Jones,
Thomas Kerr, James Pollock, William Dickson; supervisors: James Craig,
Samuel Eakin; overseers: John Phipps, William Crawford.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, Christian Sutley; auditors: Peter Dempsey,
John Keely; supervisors: Francis Carter, John Duffield; overseers: Thomas
Carter, I. McFadden. 1821.
Allegheny. — Constable, Robert McFate; auditors: John Dawson, Pat
rick McCrea, Isaac Connely, Alexander Thompson; supervisors: James
Dawson, David Henderson; overseers: William Broadfoot, James Dawson;
appraiser, James Dawson.
Cherry Tree. — Constable, Lumen Prindle; supervisors: Daniel Flem
ing, Lumen Prindle.
French Creek. — Constable, James Kinnear; auditors: John Galbraith,
James Gilliland, John 'Hamilton, Arthur Robison; supervisors: John De
woody, Jacob Runninger; overseers: Andrew Bowman, William Dewoody;
appraisers: George McClelland, John Martin, Jr.
Iriwn.- Constable, I. AUen; auditors: PhUip Surrenna, Reuben Sut
ton, Thomas Baird, Patrick Davidson; supervisors: Samuel Osborn, Archi
bald Davidson; overseers: William Standley, Reuben Sutton; appraisers:
Samuel Barnes, Joseph Osborne.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION, 147
Plum. — Constable, John Daugherty ; auditors : John Lamberton, Robert
Bradley, Jacob Grove, Daniel Proper; supervisors: Benjamin August, Ja
cob Jennings; overseers: Jacob Jennings, Benjamin August; appraisers:
Samuel SmaU, Samuel Proper.
Richland.— GonBtahle, Moses Porter; auditors: Levi Black, B. Martin,
Samuel Stewart, Thomas Thompson; supervisors: Jacob Keefer, Joseph
Porter; overseers: William Rupert, Henry Neely.
Rockland. — Constable, Daniel Smith; auditors: D. Smith, J. Ford, Jo
seph Young, Thomas Thompson; supervisors: Thomas W. Mays, William
Craig; assessors: John Jolly, John Stroup; appraisers: James P. Smith,
John Mitchell.
Scrubgrass. — Constable, James Scott; auditors: John Witherup, William
Crawford, James Anderson, M. Graham ; supervisors : Samuel Eakin, James
Craig; overseers: James Hughes, James Say.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, Christian Sutley; auditors: James Foster,
Elijah McFadden, Isaac Walls, Robert McCalmont; supervisors: James
Mason, John Duffield; overseers: Samuel Rhoads, James Shaw; appraisers:
Robert Beatty, John McFadden. 1822.
Allegheny. — Constable, Joseph McCasland; supervisors: William NeilJ,
Patrick McCrea; overseers: Robert Hunter, James Dawson.
Cherry Tree. — Constable, William McGinnis; supervisors: T. Vantas-
sel, Richard Ross.
French Creek. — Constable, John Lupher; auditors: James Kinnear,
James GUlUand, John Martin, James Martin ; supervisors : John Dewoody,
Jacob Runninger; overseers: George McClelland, George Sutley; apprais
ers : Thomas Hulings, Charles Holeman.
Invin. — Constable, Stephen W. Beach; auditors: Alexander Porter,
Philip Surrenna, A. Dinsmore, Robert Mitchell; supervisors: John Walter,
Thomas Dupuy; overseers: J. Henderson, A. Huey; appraisers: Jonathan
Mows, Samuel Grimes.
PZwm. —Constable, Samuel Seely; supervisors: WiUiam Cooper, John
Lamberton. Richland.— Gonatahle, William McGinnis; supervisors: Joseph Porter,
Christian Hummel; overseers: Henry Neely, James McGinnis; auditors:
William McGinnis, John Mays, Samuel Stewart, Benjamin Gardner.
-RocfcZawd. —Constable, John McDonald; auditors: Joseph Campbell,
Charles Ridgeway, James Hall, James Crawford; supervisors: John Porter-
field, John Shannon; overseers: Joseph Ross, John Forker; appraisers:
Thomas Piatt, Peter Downing.
Scrubgrass.— Constable, Daniel Wasson; auditors: John Witherup, W,
Crawford, David Phipps, J. Mclntire; supervisors: John McDonald, Robert

148 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Calvert; overseers: John McDonald, Robert Calvert; appraisers: James
Scott, John Phipps.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, William Hays; supervisors: John Foster,
Robert McCalmont; overseers: Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Wilson.
1823.
Allegheny. — Constable, John Lytle; clerk, John Lytle; auditors: Samuel
Fleming, H. McCalmont, Robert Elliott, James Miller; supervisors: Isaac
Connely, Abraham Lovell; overseers: William Broadfoot, Daniel Richey;
appraisers: William Neill, Patrick McCrea.
Cherry Tree. — Constable, William McGinnis; supervisors: Edward
Fleming, James Alcorn.
French Creek. — Constable, Thomas Seaton; auditors: A. McCalmont,
James Adams, Hugh McClelland, William Gibson; supervisors: Aaron Mc
Kissick, Jacob Runninger; overseers: A. McCalmont, John Broadfoot; ap
praisers : James Cannon, Robert Kinnear.
Invin. — Constable, John Bonner; auditors: William Davidson, John
McClaran, Joseph Allen, Reuben Sutton; supervisors: Samuel Grimes, Rob
ert Sutton; overseers: Samuel Barnes, John Hoffman; appraisers: S. W.
Beach, Patrick Davidson.
Plum. — Constable, Benjamin August; auditors: Alexander Gordon, Sam
uel Seely, Samuel Small, John Carter; supervisors: Joseph Proper, John
Fetterman. Richland. — Constable, Thomas Piatt; auditors: Samuel Stewart, James
Piatt, William McGinnis; supervisors: James McGinnis, James Ritchey;
overseers: Henry Neely, Samuel Stewart.
Rockland. — Constable, WiUiam Dawson; auditors: Joseph Campbell,
John Smith, Joseph Kennedy, Joseph Ross; supervisor, James Battin;
overseer, David Smith; appraiser, James HaU.
Scrubgrass. — Constable, William Dickson; auditors: Samuel Eakin,
Robert Riddle, J. Mclntire, Thomas Kerr; supervisors: Samuel Eakin,
John Sloan ; appraisers : John Riddle, Joseph Parks.
Sugar GVeefc. —Constable, Isaac Walls; auditors: John McFadden, Fran
cis Carter, William Parker, M. Stockbarger; supervisors: John Foster,
George Farr; overseers: Thomas Carter, David Bowman; appraisers: Samuel
Rhoads, Jacob Lupher. 1824.
Allegheny.— Constable, 0. Copeland; supervisors: G. Siggins, WiUiam
Manross. Cherry Tree, —Constable, Samuel Irwin; auditors: James Dawson, A,
Holeman, W. Broadfoot, Samuel Fleming; supervisors: B. Griffin, Isaac
Archer ; overseers : James Miller, Andrew Fleming.
French Creefc. —Constable, Robert Henry; clerk, F. G. Crary; auditors:

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 149
James Kinnear, Hugh McClelland, A. Duffield, J, Gilliland; supervisors:
Aaron McKissick, WiUiam Duffield; overseers: J. GUlUand, John Martin;
appraisers: A. Dewoody, James Bennett,
Invin. — Constable, WUliam Davidson; clerk, John McClaran; auditors:
R. Mitchell, J. Matthews, John McClaran, Craft Ghost; supervisors: Adam
Huey, James McClaran; appraisers; Joseph Osborn, J. Porter.
Plum. — Constable, John Daugherty; clerk, J. G. Bradley; auditors: E.
McFadden, Francis Carter, John McCurdy, J. Whitman.
Richland. — Constable, James Piatt; auditors: Samuel Stewart, James *
Watson, John L. Porter, John Cochran; supervisors: James Ritchey,
James McGinnis: overseers: A. Porter, Samuel Stewart; appraisers: I.
Downey, John Russell.
Rockland. — Constable, Joseph Campbell; supervisors: Daniel Smith,
John Prior; overseers; John Sloan, Joseph Ross.
Scnibgrass. — Constable, Marvin Perry; clerk, Thomas P. Kerr; auditors:
John Witherup, James Scott, John D. Wood, Thomas Kerr; supervisors:
Samuel Eakin, Reuben Irwin; overseers: L. Sloan, William Eakin; ap
praisers: John Phipps, Jonathan Kerr.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, Alexander Bowman; clerk, William Cousins;
auditors: E, McFadden, Francis Carter, John McCurdy, J, Whitman;
supervisors: WUliam Whitman, William Hays; overseers: I. McCalmont,
A. Selders; appraisers: M. Sutley, John McFadden.
1825.
Allegheny. — Constable, John Siggins; clerk, A. Fleming; supervisors:
James AUender, Samuel Fleming; overseers: A. Fleming, James Miller.
Cherry Tree. — Constable, William Wilson; clerk, N. Irwin; auditors:
J. Ross, N. Irwin, James Hamilton, James Hamilton, Jr. ; supervisors:
John Tarr, A. L. Hancock; overseers: A. Davidson, William Reynolds;
fence viewers: J. Alcorn, J. Morrison.
French Creek. — Constable, Robert Huey; cleiji, G. W. Connely; audi
tors: J. Gilliland, A. Duffield, A, McCalmont, G. McClelland; super
visors: Aaron McKissick, William Duffield; overseers: James Kinnear, A.
Robison. Jrtw'n,— Constable, John Phipps; auditors: Craft Ghost, WiUiam David
son, WUUam McManigal, John McClaran; supervisors: C. HamUton, Peter
Walter; overseers: Alexander Porter, Thomas Baird; fence viewer, A. Huey.
Pinegrove. — Constable, John Sigworth; clerk, D. Renyon; overseers: J.
Johnston, L. Zink; fence viewers: H. Schwabb, Adam Yale.
Plum. — Constable, Lewis Herring; clerk, Samuel Small; auditors: J.
Fetterman, James Gordon, J. Foster, John Grove; supervisors: R. Bradley,
D. Proper; fence viewers: J. Lamberton, James Bradley.
Richland.— Constable, James Watson; auditors: J. Cochran, J. Piatt,
H. Neely, J. Ashbaugh.

150 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Rockland. — Constable, James Hall ; auditors: John Shannon, John Ken
nedy, Alexander Lemon, Jacob Young; supervisors: D. Smith, David
Jolly; overseers, J. Campbell, William Craig; fence viewers: John MiUer,
J, Stroup. Scrubgrass. — Constable, John Phillips; clerk, John Anderson; auditors:
J. D. Wood, William Dickson, James Scott, Thomas Kerr; supervisors:
Samuel Eakin, R. Irwin; overseers, William Jones, John Sloan; fence
viewers: James Scott, David Say.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, J. Rodgers; clerk, Stephen McFadden; aud
itors: James Foster, John McCurdy, Elijah McFadden, R. Mason; super
visors: William Hays, Alexander Bowman; overseers: James Mason, J.
McCurdy; fence viewers: Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Watson.
1826.
Allegheny. — Constable, James Ricketts; clerk, A. West; auditors: Thomas
Anderson, A. Benedict, J. Walliston, James Dawson; supervisors: John
Griffin, William Haworth; overseers: A. Fleming, William Neill.
Cherry Tree. — Constable, Elijah Stewart; clerk, J. Hamilton; auditors:
T. Hamilton, James Morrison, J. Breed, James Irwin; supervisors: Reuben
Irwin, William Perry; overseers: J. Strawbridge, Hugh Hamilton; fence
viewers: Jame^ Alcorn, Thomas Neill.
French Creek. — Constable, James Hanna; clerk, William Crary; audi
tors: James Gilliland, John Little, Thomas McDowell, Levi Dodd; super
visors: Isaac Smith, William Duffield; overseers: William Connely, Samuel
Hays; fence viewers: A. Dewoody, James Bennett.
Irwin. — Constable, Philip Surrenna.
Pinegrove. — Constable, Samuel Powell; supervisors: D. Reyner, George
Kapp. Plum. — Constable, Lewis Herring ; clerk, James Foster; auditors: John
Cooper, E. Sweeny, John Fetterman, James Gordon; supervisors: John
Lamberton, Lewis Herring; fence viewers : John Lamberton, Lewis Herring.
Richland. — Constable, D. Rumberger; clerk, W. A, Stroble; auditors:
L. Houston, James Houston, J. Ashbaugh, James Piatt; supervisors: John
Bell, Jacob Ashbaugh; overseers: H. Neely, James McGinnis; fence
viewers: J. Shaffer, J. Ashbaugh.
Rockland. — Constable, David Smith; clerk, J. Smith; auditors: Jacob
Young, Andrew Maitland, William Craig, John Jolly; supervisors: John
Ford, William Ross; overseers: John Stroup, Jacob Miller,
Scrubgrass. — Constable, Thomas Kerr; clerk, John Anderson; auditors:
James Scott, M. Perry, James Anderson, John Anderson; supervisors: R.
Irwin, William Perry; overseers: J. D.Wood, John Coulter; fence viewers:
John Witherup, William Crawford.
Sugar Creek. — Constable, Jacob Lupher; clerk, James Linn; auditors:

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. 151
John McCalmont, L, McFadden, Francis Carter, William Carter.; super
visors: Alexander Bowman, Joel Sage; overseers: James Haslet, James
McCune; fence viewers: R. McCalmont, T. Wilson.
1827.
Allegheny. — Constable, William Haworth; supervisors: A. Benedict, J,
Walliston. Cherry Tree. — Constable, B. Griffin; clerk, J. Hamilton; auditors: J.
Hamilton, E. Fleming, T. Hamilton, R. Irwin; supervisors: J. Breed,
L. Pringle; overseers: James Alcorn, James Ross; fence viewers: Alex
ander Davidson, Isaac Meason.
French Creek. — Constable, John Morrison; clerk, S. Sutton; auditors:
T. S. McDowell, Levi Poor, J. Gilliland, J. R. Sage; supervisors: Isaac
Smith, James Major; overseers: J. Evans, Aaron McKissick; fence viewers :
Andrew Dewoody, George McClelland.
Invin. — Constable, P. Surrenna; clerk, J. Hamilton; auditors: R. Sut
ton, A. Porter, J. McKinley, William Hovis; supervisors: Thomas Baird,
M. Griffin; overseers: T. Boylan, J. McMurdy; fence viewers: J. Hardman,
J. Osborn, Pinegrove. — Constable, C. Henlen; clerk, H. Schwabb;- auditors: G. Mot-
ter, J. McNeaghton, A. Yale, John Moore; supervisors: D. Reiner, L. Zink.
Plum. — Constable, G. W. Smith; supervisors: John Grove, William
Cooper. Richland. — Constable, R. McGinnis; clerk, William Piatt; auditors:
J. Agnew, H. Neely, B. Junkin, James Houston; supervisors: J. Snyder,
James Piatt; overseers: J. Donaldson, John Shaffer; fence viewers: J. Piatt,
H. Neely.Rockland. — Constable, John Shannon; clerk, J. Smith; auditors: J.
Young, H. Reed, David Smith, Enoch Battin; supervisors: Adam Kerns,
David Smith; overseers: Peter Stroup, Samuel Borland; fence viewers:
Robert Neill, John Gray.
Scrubgrass. — Constable, John Phipps; clerk, John Anderson; audUors:
James Scott, James Craig, Thomas MUford, WUUam Dickson; supervisors:
Samuel Eakin, Reuben Irwin; overseers: J. Crawford, James Eakin.
Sugar Creek.— Clerk, J. McFadden; auditors: L. McFadden, John Mea
son, William Parker, James Thompson; supervisors: J. Roberts, Joel Sage;
overseers: T. WUson, Alexander Bowman; fence viewers: J. Lupher,
James Foster. 1828.
Allegheny.— Constable, T. Morrison; supervisors: William NeUl, H.
Morrison. Cherry Tree. — Constable, Jacob Grove ; clerk, John Hamilton; auditors:
E. Fleming, J. Archer, T. Hamilton, J. Irwin; supervisors: A. Robison,

152 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
"William Reynolds; overseers: M. McFadden, J. Archer; fence viewers: E.
Stewart, A. S, Hancock.
French Creek. — Constable, James Adams; clerk, R. N. Ayres; auditors:
James Adams, A. Duffield, D. Brown, WiUiam Black; supervisors: James
Adams, William Connely; overseers: Aaron McKissick, J. Evans; fence
viewers: William Raymond, Andrew Dewoody.
Irwin. — Constable, Peter Walter; clerk, R. MitcheU; auditors: John
Boner, J. Walter, P. Surrenna, R. Mitchell; supervisors: Thomas Baird,
J. McMurdy; overseers: J. McMurdy, H. Stephenson; fence viewers: H.
Cochran, J. Vaughan.
Pinegrove. — Constable, D.Walter; supervisors: D. Reyner, Samuel Zink.
Plum. — Constable, Adam Zener; auditors: Benjamin August, J. G.
Bradley, M, Jennings, Samuel Small; supervisors: J. G. Bradley, T. Fet
terman. Richland. — Constable, John Donaldson ; supervisors: William Kerns, H.
Neely; overseers: D. O'Neill, A. Ritchey.
Rockland. — Constable, J. C. Evans; auditors: J. Shannon, J. Jolly, H,
Reed, Enoch Battin; supervisors: Peter Lovell, John Stroup; overseers:
D. Smith, J. Smith; fence viewers : Daniel Smith, J. Moorhead,
Scrubgrass. — Constable, J. Phipps; clerk, J. Craig; auditors: J. Craig,
M. Perry, William Dickson, T, Kerr; supervisors: S. Eakin, R. Sutton;
¦ overseers: D. Wasson, James Leslie; fence viewers: David Say, John An
derson. Sugar Creek. — Constable, John Linn; auditors: John Mason, James
Thompson, J. Whitman, Elijah McFadden; supervisors: James Linn,
James Haslet; overseers: W. Brown, J. Foster; fence viewers: S. Rhoads,
J. Lamberton.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 153

CHAPTER XIII.
THE BENCH AND BAR.

First Courts— Court Week During Pioneer Days— John Morrison, the
Old Crier- Record of the First Sessions— First Juries and Cases
Tried— Prominent Early Lawyers— The Bench— Brief
Biographies of the Successive President Judges —
Special District Court— Associate Judges—
The Bar of the Past and Present.
T I IHE act of March 12, 1800, dividing western Pennsylvania into coun-
I ties, provided that the counties of Venango, Mercer, Erie, and Warren
should be temporarily attached to Crawford, with the seat of justice at
Meadville. The courts of common pleas for these counties were, therefore,
held at that town until their separate and distinct organization. The act
organizing Erie and Mercer was passed April 2, 1803, and for Venango,
AprU 1 , 1805. It will thus be seen that the judicial affairs of this county
were transacted at Meadville during the five years intervening between its
erection and organization.
On the 16th of December, 1805, a general court of quarter sessions was
held in Franklin, Jesse Moore presiding, assisted by John Irwin and Thomas
McKee, associate judges. This court convened in a log house on Liberty
street, on the lot above what is now the United States hotel, long occupied
as a dwelling and drug store. It was torn down in 1863, and its successor
is now occupied by a grocery store. The late Doctor Eaton gives the fol
lowing graphic description of court week during pioneer days:
Court week was a grand occasion to the ancient burghers of Franklin and the
entire county. All other business seemed to be suspended, and all interest centered in
the matter of the court and its proceedings. The people came in from the country,
not only those who might have business in court, but others from curiosity and a laud
able desire to know how justice was administered. Hotels and boarding houses were
crowded, and the streets thronged. Especially was this the case during the first two
or thr^e days after court opened. Then the interest seemed to moderate, and the peo
ple dropped off one after another until the town resumed, by Saturday, its quiet and
dignified manner.
There was no bell on the old court house on its flrst erection. The court was
called by a long tin horn, purchased perhaps at the county's expense. Its peals were
poured out loud and long by the old court crier when the judge, lawyers, jurymen,
witnesses, and people in general filed into the building and took their seats. The judge

154 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
then called out, "Crier, open court," when old John Morrison, who opened the flrst
courts in Mercer, Crawford, and Warren counties, arose with all the dignity of a
knight of old and commenced that wonderful speech that has come down through so
many years to our own day. It commenced "O yez! O yez!" and concluded with a
kind of prayer "God save the commonwealth and the honorable court." Colonel
Samuel Dale taught this speech to the old crier, and his successors have picked it up
as well as they could. Whether it impressed the multitude or not, it is certain that it
impressed the crier. A legal gentleman, whose boyhood days were spent here, relates
his recollection of court week. " Before the advent of the court house bell it was'the
duty of the crier to summon the people to the temple of justice by blowing a large
tin horn which was kept in a closet under the court house stairs for that purpose. He
would take his position at the court house door, and pointing the horn toward Kin-
near's tavern, where the judge stopped, would throw his head back, his long hair
streaming out behind him, and give out such blasts as showed incontestably that old
as he was his lungs were still in good condition."
The record of the first session of court ever held in Venango county
reads as follows: "At a court of general quarter sessions of the peace
began on Monday, the 16th day of December, in the year of our Lord one
thousand, eight hundred and five, before the Honorable Jesse Moore, esquire,
president, John Irwin and Thomas McKee, associate justices, and held at
Franklin for the county of Venango. ' ' There were present at the court
beside the above named officials John Witherup, sheriff, and William Moore,
prothonotary, both of whom assisted in the organization. The first official
business transacted by this tribunal was the recommendation to the gov
ernor of George McClelland as a suitable person to keep a public house of
entertainment in Irwin township, and the reception of a petition signed by
sundry inhabitants, setting forth that ' ' they labored under great inconven
ience from the want of a road or cartway from the town of Franklin to the
north side of Robert Anderson's, adjoining the line of Mercer county, to
intersect a road opened from the town of Mercer. ' ' Viewers were appointed
to examine the proposed route and report at a subsequent session, and after
the appointment of the following constables, to wit, Samuel Jones, WUliam
Simms, and John Stiver, for the townships of Allegheny, Brokenstraw, and
Sugar Creek, respectively, the first court of Venango county adjourned.
The second session was held on Monday, the 17th day of March, 1806,
at which time, after the transaction of necessary preliminary business, the
sheriff "returned the precept to him directed, by which it appears that the
following persons were summoned and returned to inquire for the common
wealth and for the body of Venango county. * * *: John Culbertson,
Daniel Wasson, Thomas MUford, Patrick Jack, Caleb Crane, Sr., John
Cooper, Thomas Baird, Welden Adams, Robert Johnston, John McC^ran,
David Nickerson, Jesse WiUiams, John Hays, Benjamin WiUiams, Reuben
Sutton, Patrick Davidson, Jr. , PhUip Hoffman, Joseph Riggs, William Da
vidson, Thomas Black, James Davidson, Aaron Austin, Robert Calvert, and
Anthony Sharkey. At this session was returned the first indictment against
one Andrew MUler, a justice of the peace, for " misdemeanor in office," to

THE BENCH AND BAR. 155
which charge he plead noii cul. et de hoc ponit se super patriam; deputy
attorney general, similiter. At June session, 1806, he was tried by a jury
of his countrymen, namely: John Martin, Sr., John WUson, James Les
lie, Matthew Riddle, Daniel Crain, James Fearis, Shadrach Simcox,
Hamilton McClintock, Patrick Coulter, John Black, William Dewoody, and
Seth Jewel, "twelve good men who being duly ballotted for, elected, and
sworn, on their oaths respectfully do say they find the defendant guilty in
manner and form as he stands indicted. ' '
The second case, ' 'Res publica vs. Hugh Clifford, ' ' charged with assault
and battery, was tried the same day by the following jury: Patrick Coulter,
William Brandon, Peter Walter, Andrew Allison, Shadrach Simcox, Hamil
ton McClintock, Daniel Crain, Seth Jewel, James Leslie, Robert Crawford,
John Black, and John Martin, who, after- mature deliberation, returned a
verdict of not guilty.
For the June session, 1806, the following grand jury of inquest was
returned: Joseph Allen, Brice Gilmore, Simeon Van Arsdale, Henry CruU,
Jacob Vaughan, James McClaran, James Foster, John Stephens, John Nel
son, Archibald Davidson, James Craig, John McQuiston, John Sloan, John
Broadfoot, Robert Beatty, Samuel Plumer, William Cousins, and William
Russell. The business of this session was devoted principally to hearing
cases appealed from justices' courts, appointing viewers on roadways, and
exercising a general supervision over the internal improvements of the
county. A number of indictments were fcfund by this and subsequent grand
juries for larceny, assault and battery, forgery, riot, etc. , which fairly dem
onstrate that the pioneer fathers were not lax in meting out justice to of
fenders. During the first few years after the organization of the county, the rec
ords show that the majority of cases tried in her courts were those in which
physical prowess predominated. This is apt to be the case in any newly
settled country, and goes to prove that the strong arm of the law is a very
necessary appendage in the progress and evolutionary process of civilization.
Man as a rule does not respect the rights of others from an innate desire to
be just, but because he knows that unless he stands within the bounds of
the law he will be liable to punishment; and therefore it is the fear of
the law more than a love of justice that controls the rougher element
of every community. It is true that with the progress of centuries the
coarser nature in man has been gradually toned down by religious influences,
and in every age thousands of men have acted justly and honestly irre
spective of human laws.
When the settlements were new and isolated, legal science flourished
with a vigor unusual in rude societies, and the bench and bar of western
Pennsylvania contained many men of eloquence and learning. The collision
of such opposite characters, together with the unsettled state of the country.

156 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
produced a mass of curious incidents, many of which are still preserved, and
circulate at the bar in the hours of forensic leisure. In those days the prac
tice differed materially from what it is now. The country was thinly set
tled, the people poor, and fees were correspondingly small. The lawyers
were obliged to practice in a number of counties in order to make a liveli
hood and some of them were away from their homes and offices the greater
part of the time. They traveled from one county seat to another on horse
back, with their legal papers and a few books in a sack across the saddle.
A number of lawyers usually rode the circuit together, and had their ap
pointed stopping places where they were expected. On their arrival, the
chickens, dried apples, maple sugar, com dodgers, and old whiskey suffered,
while the best story tellers regaled the company with their fund of humor
and anecdote.
Among the most prominent pioneer lawyers who practiced here during
the early years of the county's history, were the following: David Irvine,
David La Fever, John Galbraith, Alexander McCalmont, John J. Pearson,
James Thompson, John W. Howe, James Ross Snowden, Samuel Porter
Johnson, Thomas S. Espy, William Stewart, Jonathan Ayres, and James
S. Myers, of Franklin; John W. Hunter, Alexander W. Foster, John B.
Wallace, Edward Work, Ralph Marlin, J. Stuart Riddle, George Selden,
Richard Bean, Patrick Farrelly, Henry Baldwin, Gaylord Church, and Da
vid Derickson, of Meadville; Samuel B. Foster and John Banks, of Mercer;,
General WUliam Ayres, Charles Sullivan, George W. Smith, and Judge
John Bredin, of Butler, and James Ross and Thomas Collins, of Pittsburgh.
Some of the Franklin lawyers changed their residences at a later day, but
in subsequent years were often engaged on important cases at this bar.
THE BENCH.
As already stated Venango county was for five years connected with
Crawford for judicial purposes, with the seat of justice at Meadville, Alex
ander Addison being the first presiding judge of the district. Addison was
a learned and highly accomplished Scotchman, who began the practice of the
legal profession at Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1797. Prepared for the
ministry, in which he labored for a time in Washington, he was thoroughly
trained in the principles of justice and equity, and early became known
throughout the counties of western Pennsylvania as an eminently just and
upright lawyer and patriotic aud public spirited citizen. " Judge Addison,"
says Mr. Hall, of Pittsburgh, ' ' possessed a fine mind and great attain
ments. He was an accomplished scholar, deeply versed in every branch of
classical learning. In law and theology he was great; but although he ex
plored the depths of science with unwearied assiduity, he could sport in the
sunbeams of literatui'e and cull with nice discrimination the gems of poetry."
Fearless and impartial, he did his duty as he understood it, and his

THE BENCH AND BAB. 157
bold and conscientious course in supporting the general government during
the whiskey insurrection of 1794 secured for him many personal enemies.
He was impeached and removed from the bench in 1802 on account of his
absolute refusal to allow one of the associate judges to charge the jury after
his own charge had been delivered. No judicial body would or could have
convicted him, and, failing in the courts, his persecutors sought the aid of the
legislature. The house ordered his impeachment and the senate convicted
him, the sentence being his removal as president judge of the fifth judicial
district, and perpetual disqualification to any judicial office in the state.
This trial, which took place in 1802, resulted in deposing one of the ablest
judges that ever sat on the bench in Pennsylvania and crushed the spirit of
an upright and honorable man. He continued, however, to practice in the
different courts until his death, which occurred in Pittsburgh on the 27th of
November, 1807.
Jesse Moore, the second judge of the district, presided at the first court
ever held in Venango county. He was a native of Montgomery county,
Pennsylvania, and whUe practicing law at Sun bury was appointed president
judge of the sixth judicial district, his commission bearing date April 5,
1803. Venango county, organized in 1805, was a part of this district.
Immediately after his appointment. Judge Moore removed to Meadville
and assumed the duties of his position, which he held without interruption
until his death, December 21, 1824, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He
is said to have been well educated, a diligent student, and good lawyer, dis
creet, upright, and impartial in his judicial opinions and decisions. He
sustained with becoming grace the honor and dignity of his profession and
is said to have made an imposing appearance while presiding over the courts.
The late WiUliam S. Garvin of Mercer, gives the following description of'
the personal appearance of Judge Moore :
"The writer of this, who as a little boy occasionally dropped into the
court house along between 1812 and 1820, was indelibly imp^jessed with the
grand dignity of the president judge. He was a heavy, solemn looking
man, and retained the dress of the old style gentleman — small clothes,
shoe buckles, knee buckles, bald headed, but hair long behind and done up
in a queue, and head and hair and collar of the black coat covered with a
white powder sprinkled thereon. He has since seen the supreme coui't of
the .United States in session; their black gowns and comparative quietness
enforced certainly give to it a very dignified aspect, but still there was lack
ing the grand old powdered head and queue that gave Judge Moore the ad
vantage in imposing dignity."
The immediate successor of Judge Moore was Henry Shippen, who
came to the bench in 1825. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl
vania, December 28, 1788, graduated from Dickinson CoUege in 1808, and
read law in the office of Judge Hopkins of Lancaster. In due time he was

158 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
admitted to the bar and soon won a conspicuous place among the successful
jurists of his part of the state. During the war of 1812 he was captain of
a company from Lancaster which numbered as one of its privates James
Buchanan, subsequently president of the United States. After his service
in the war closed he diligently prosecuted his profession at Lancaster, where
lie built up a large and lucrative practice. He finally removed to Hunting
don county, from which place he was appointed president judge of the judi
cial district embracing the counties of Venango, Crawford, Erie, and Mercer.
He presided over the courts of this district until his death, March 2, 1839.
Judge Shippen is reputed to have been a man of good mind and strong
common sense. While on the bench he displayed those legal qualities
which distinguish the able lawyer and thorough jurist, his charges and
decisions being characterized with dignity and uprightness. In the dis
charge of his judicial functions he frequently displayed a quickness of tem
per, but was uniformly courteous in his treatment of attorneys and litigants.
The next in order of succession was Nathaniel B. Eldred, of Warren,
Pennsylvania, who presided over the courts of Venango county from 1839
until 1843, at which time he resigned the judgeship to accept the position of
naval appraiser at Philadelphia. Previous to his appointment to the bench
he had served in the state legislature and was a politician of considerable
influence in his native county. Subsequently he became judge of the Dau
phin and Lebanon district. Judge Eldred received his professional training
in Wayne county. He is remembered as a man of keen intellect, a finished
scholar, an able lawyer, a painstaking and impartial public servant. In his
intercourse with members of the bar he was free but courteous, and although
a witty and brilliant conversationalist and a capital story teller, he endeav
ored at all times to maintain the dignity of his position. His written opin
ions and charges to juries were models of legal composition, and as a lawyer
his versatile talents and thorough reading made him successful in all branches
of the professipn. In his personal appearance Judge Eldred was of medium
height, possessing a strong, well knit figure, and at the time of his appoint
ment to this district was in the prime of his physical and mental powers.
Gaylord Church, who succeeded Judge Eldred, was a native of Oswego,
New York, born August 11, 1811. He removed with his parents to Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, received his educational training in the Mer
cer Academy, and read law in the office of John J. Pearson, of Mercer,
whose sister he afterward married. He was admitted to the bar in 1834,
and the same year removed to Meadville, Crawford county, where his rec
ognized ability soon won him a very lucrative business. In 1887 he was
appointed deputy attorney general for Crawford county, and in 1840 was
elected to the legislature, in which he served two consecutive terms. Ir
1843 he was appointed president judge of the sixth judicial district am
served as such untU 1849, when the district was changed, and Venango be

V.

Cy'^AT-^^ kMI^U/2^(^^

THE BENCH AND BAR. 161
came a part of the eighteenth district. Judge Church possessed a well
balanced judicial mind, was thoroughly versed in the law, and while not as
popular with members of the bar as some of his successors, was nevertheless
a dignified and efficient judge. After the expiration of his official term he
practiced in the courts of Crawford, Venango, and other counties. He stu
diously applied himself to the prosecution of his profession until October
22, 1858, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the supreme bench of
the commonwealth, which he occupied only a short time. He died in Mead
ville September 29, 1869, leaving a wife and seven children, the eldest of
whom, Pearson Church, was elected president judge of the thirtieth judi
cial district in 1877, and served on the bench ten years.
Alexander McCalmont, one of the pioneer lawyers of Franklin, was
born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1785, and was a son of
John and Elizabeth (Conard) McCalmont, early settlers of Sugar Creek
township, where they removed from Centre county, in 1808. Soon after
the family came to Venango county Alexander engaged in teaching school
and conducted one of the first schools in Franklin, whither he had removed.
He afterward became a prominent merchant and iron manufacturer, and
also took an active interest in public affairs. In 1811 he was elected sheriff,
in 1814 commissioner, and in 1818 prothonotary, and served as deputy sur
veyor from 1812 to 1817. In the meantime he began the study of law in
the office of David Irvine, and was admitted to the bar about 1820. He
was then engaged in active practice until 1889, when he was appointed
president judge of the eighteenth judicial district and served on the bench
ten years. Judge McCalmont' s district did not include Venango county
until shortly before the expiration of his term, when this county was taken
from the sixth and thrown into the eighteenth district.
As an official, lawyer, and business man. Judge McCalmont became well
and favorably known throughout the counties of northwestern Pennsylvania
and possessed the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. Begin-
ing the practice of the legal profession in middle life, he made amends for
the loss of earlier opportunities by close study and application, and in time
came to be recognized as one of the substantial lawyers of the Venango bar.
As a judge he displayed those legal qualities which made him popular alike
with attorneys and litigants, and against the honor and integrity of his judi
cial record no word of suspicion has ever been uttered. He was a Demo
crat, and as such took an active interest in local and general political move
ments. Though of Presbyterian lineage, about 1820 he identified himself
with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which communion he continued un
til his death, on the 10th day of August, 1857.
Judge McCalmont was twice married, first to Margaret Broadfoot,
daughter of John Broadfoot, a pioneer of Franklin. She died in 1817,
leaving no chUdren. The following year he was united in marriage with
9

162 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Eliza Hart Connely, daughter of Judge William Connely, who moved from
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to the vicinity of TitusviUe in 1808, and three
years .afterward located in Franklin. Mrs. McCalmont was born in Belle
fonte, Pennsylvania, in the year 1801, became a resident of Franklin in 1806,
and departed this life in November, 1874. Of the four children born to
Judge and Mrs. McCalmont, namely: William, John S. , Alfred B., and
Elizabeth, who married Edwin C. Wilson, but one is now living, John S.,
of Washington city.
Joseph Buffington came to the bench in 1849, and served until 1851,
when under the constitution the office became elective. He was a native of
Armstrong county, and prepared himself for the legal profession under the
instruction of General William Ayres, of Butler. As an attorney and jurist
Judge Buffington early took rank with his' associates, and as a judge he
compared well, both in natural and professional abilities, with his predeces
sors of the bench. Socially he was a man of pleasant and affable manners,
well liked by all with whom he came in contact, and politically was an
earnest supporter of the old Whig party. Always zealous and conscientious
in the discharge of his professional duties, his earnestness at times was
such as to subject him to criticism by members of the bar, who charged that
in sustaining or overruling objections he appeared to argue their cases. He
reached conclusions rapidly, could give a much better verbal than written
charge or opinion, and excelled in that department of the law pertaining to
civil practice. Judge Buffington was a member of congress for two terms,
and also served as judge of the tenth judicial district.
John C. Knox was elected judge of the eighteenth district in October,
1851, and is remembered as an official who had a faculty of disposing of
court business with remarkable efficiency and dispatch. He was an excel
lent common pleas judge, arrived at conclusions with but little apparent
deliberation, and possessed a quick, discerning intellect, which enabled him
to solve readily difficult and technical legal points. He was of fine personal
appearance, slightly above the ordinary height, eminently sociable in his
nature, and in the discharge of his judicial functions became popular with
members of the bar and all who had business to transact in his court. In
political matters he achieved considerable prominence, and was elected on
the Democratic ticket to the state legislature from Tioga county. In May,
1853, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the supreme bench caused by
the death of Judge Gibson, and the same year was nominated by the Dem
ocratic party and elected as his own successor. He served five years, and
then resigned to accept the attorney generalship of Pennsylvania, the duties
of which office he discharged until 1861, when he was appointed to a posi
tion in the department of justice at Washington. In the meantime he had
withdrawn from the Democratic party, during the slavery agitation growing
out of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and became a Republican.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 163
Retiring from official life he resumed the practice of his profession at Phila
delphia, and it was while arguing an important case in the court of that city
that he was stricken with a malady which finally impaired his reason and
from the effects of which he never recovered. He died in the city of Har
risburg. John S. McCalmont, second son of Judge Alexander and Eliza Hart
(Connely) McCalmont, is a native of Venango county, Pennsylvania, born
on the 28th day of April, 1822. He was reared in his native town, in the
schools of which he received his early educational training, and subsequently
pursued his literary studies for two years in Allegheny College, Meadville.
In April, 1838, he entered the United States military academy at West
Point, in which he completed the prescribed course, graduating on the 1st
day of July, 1842. He was breveted second lieutenant in the Third infantry
the same year, and in the following October was promoted second lieutenant
in the Eighth regiment. Having a taste for civil pursuits, and tiring of the
inactivities of army life in time of peace, after one year's experience he re
signed his commission, and returning to Franklin, devoted himself to the prac
tice of law, which he had studied at intervals during his military life. He
was admitted to the Venango bar on the 25th of November, 1844, and after
practicing a short time in Franklin went to Clarion where he was actively
engaged in the prosecution of his profession until 1856. He served as district
attorney in Clarion county from 1845 to 1846, and in 1848 was elected to
the legislature and re-elected in the following year, during which term he
was speaker of the house.
In 1852 he was the choice of Clarion county for congress, and the same
year was chosen presidential elector on the Pierce ticket. In May, 1853, he
was appointed by Governor Bigler president judge of the eighteenth judi
cial district, to which he was duly elected by the people for the full term
the following autumn. Judge McCalmont discharged the duties of the
position in an able and impartial manner, was a dignified and popular official,
and but few of his decisions met with reversal at the hands of the supreme
court. He continued in the discharge of his official functions until the
breaking out of the rebellion, when he tendered his services to Governor
Curtin, by whom he was commissioned colonel of the Tenth Reserves, and
subsequently resigned the judgeship. Upon the organization of the division.
Colonel McCalmont was assigned to the command of the Third brigade, the
duties of which he exercised until superseded by General E. O. C. Ord. He
commanded his regiment in the bloody battle of Drainesville, fought on the
20th of December, 1861, in which he displayed the qualities of the gallant
soldier and skillful commander. Warned by failing health that he would be
unable to stand the rugged duties of a protracted military service. Colonel
McCalmont resigned his command in May, 1862, and returning to Franklin,
resumed the practice of his profession and carried on a successful legal busi-

164 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ness until 1885. April 1st of that year he was appointed by President
Cleveland commissioner of customs at Washington city, which position he
held until March, 1889, when he resigned, although he continued to dis
charge his official duties until June following.
Politically Judge McCalmont voted with the Democratic party until 1872,
in which year he supported General Grant for the presidency, and in 1876
cast his vote for Hayes and Wheeler. Since 1880 he has acted with the
Democracy. Judge McCalmont became a member of the Methodist Epis
copal church in 1856, since which time he has taken an active interest in the
local body of that denomination. In 1872 he was chosen lay representative
of the Erie conference to the general conference held at Brooklyn, New
York. Professionally and socially he is held in high esteem by the citizens
of Venango county, and is deservedly classed among her representative men.
He is at this time a resident of the national capital, where he is engaged in
the duties of his profession. He was married on the 22nd of March, 1848,
to Elizabeth P. Stehley, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and has a family of
six living children.
Glenni W. Scofield was appointed by Governor Curtin to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Judge McCalmont, and served until the elec
tion of his successor the following autumn. He is a native of Chautauqua
county. New York, and was a resident of Warren, Pennsylvania, at the time
of his appointment. Judge Scofield was one of the most popular and able
lawyers in the district. He, however, refused the use of his name as a
candidate at the election or he might have been his own successor. He
was a versatile and ingenious political leader, and was elected to the legis
lature in 1851, and to the state senate in 1857, and subsequently repre
sented his district in congress. He also served in the treasury depart
ment at Washington, where he is now a judge of the court of claims.
James Campbell, of Clarion county, succeeded Judge Scofield, having
been elected on the 11th of October, 1861. He is a native of Mifflin county,
Pennsylvania, but removed to Clarion, and in due time became one of
the leading members of its bar. He read law in Centre county, and soon
after locating at Clarion was recognized as a lawyer of ability and strict
integrity. His election to the bench was brought about through the dissatis
faction existing in a section of the Republican party with their own nominee,
William Stewart of Mercer. As a result there was a demand all over the
district for an independent candidate, and Mr. Campbell's high personal
character, eminent legal acquirements, and moderation as a politician, com
mended him to a "people's convention," which, without his knowledge,
placed him in the field, and the Democrats making no nomination he was
elected by a large majority. Judge Campbell's administration realized the
most sanguine expectations of his friends.
Politically Judge Campbell is an earnest supporter of the Republican

THE BENCH AND BAR. 165
party. As a lawyer he is endowed with abilities of no common order, pos
sesses a cool, calculating mind, and unerring judgment. As a judge he was
more profound than brilliant, and sustained well the dignity and high rep
utation for which the bench in this district has ever been noted. He was
popular with members of the bar, commanded the respect of the public, and
in his long and successful practice, has earned the reputation of a safe law
yer and reliable counsellor. He came to the bench fortified with a thor
ough knowledge of the profession, is a diligent student of legal literature
and history, and in point of natural abilities and scholarly attainments ranks
with the most gifted of his predecessors.
In 1866 the legislature created a new district out of Venango and Mercer
counties, the twenty-eighth, and Isaac G, Gordon was appointed by the
governor to the judgeship. He held the position until the autumn of that
year, at which time his successor was duly elected by the people. Judge
Gordon was a resident of Brookville, Jefferson county, and a lawyer of
acknowledged ability. His judicial career was, in the main, satisfactory,
and the soundness of his decisions was seldom questioned. He was a man
of positive convictions, strong in his attachments to friends, and was recog
nized by the bar of this county as a judge who aimed to discharge his whole
duty. In October, 1878, he was commissioned ' a justice of the supreme
court, became chief justice July 14, 1887, and retired from the bench in
1888. John Trunkey, late justice of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, suc
ceeded Judge Gordon. On the paternal side Judge Trunkey was of French
descent, dating back to the Revolution, his ancestor being one of the soldiers
who came over with La Fayette to take part in the struggle for freedom.
The name was originally ' ' Tronquet. ' ' John Trunkey was born October
26, 1828, in Trumbull county, Ohio, very near the Pennsylvania line. His
father's farm was partly in Pennsylvania and partly in Ohio. He grew up
a quiet, silent young man, not giving himself much to social pleasures, but
intent on doing his duty in the home and in the community. Feeling within
himself that there was some larger duty for him than cultivating the soil,
honorable and dignified though that employment may be, he sought and
obtained what preparation was within his reach for professional life.
In the year 1 849 he entered the office of Samuel Griffith, of Mercer, and
commenced the study of law. Here the same quietness characterized him
as in the home. He did not mingle much in society, but gave diligent
attention to study, striving to master the principles of law and make himself
familiar with the rules of practice. He was admitted to the bar in 1851,
and became associated with Mr. Griffith, his preceptor, in practice. But his
reading and study continued. He was very careful in the preparation of
cases. No matter what the case was, before a justice of the peace or the
court of common pleas, whether there was involved the matter of a few dol-

166 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lars or thousands, or the liberty and life of his client, every case was most
carefully and conscientiously prepared. On the 29th of September, 1853,
he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes, daughter of the late William S.
Garvin, who was ever the light of his dwelling, and his adviser and com
forter in the days that followed. Three children were born to them while
they resided in Mercer, WiUiam G. Trunkey, a member of the bar of War
ren county, admitted at Franklin, August 26, 1881, being the only survivor.
In 1866 Mr. Trunkey was elected to the office of president judge of the
twenty-eighth judicial district, then composed of the counties of Venango
and Mercer. In 1876 he was re-elected to the same office. Venango
county, to which he had in the meantime removed, then, and since 1874,
constituted the twenty-eighth district. On the common pleas bench Judge
Trunkey was most patient and generous, listening to the tedious details of
business, hearing the arguments of counsel, giving every possible oppor
tunity to the parties in controversy, and saturating his own mind with the
spirit of the case, and striving to deal truly and impartially with all parties
involved. At the time of his elevation to the bench business had greatly in
creased in the courts, growing out of the great impetus given trade by the
oil discoveries. The number of cases entered on the appearance docket at
the August term, 1866, was more than ten times greater than the number
entered at the corresponding term in 1889, and the business of the criminal
courts was correspondingly larger. The result of this increase of business
was the accumulation of cases awaiting trial when the new judge came upon
the bench. A Herculean task was before him, for the statute required that
all actions should be reached and have a fair opportunity of trial at least
within one year after they had been commenced. But the judge girded
himself for work, opening the courts at eight o'clock in the morning and
sitting until six in the evening, and often holding night sessions. The
amount of work performed was therefore prodigious.
With all this press of business there was no undue haste. Every man
who had business with the courts felt that he was fully hear.d and his cause
carefully considered. Such was the confidence of the bar and of the people
in both his disposition and ability to mete out exact justice, that but few
writs of error were taken to his judgments, and such was the correctness of
his rulings in the main, that notwithstanding the great number of novel
and difficult questions which grew out of the mining industries in the earlier
years of his service in the common pleas, but eight of his judgments were
reversed during the eleven years that he sat in that court.
In the autumn of 1877 he was elected to the supreme bench of the state,
and in December resigned the president judgeship to enter upon the duties
of his new position. As a justice of the supreme court. Judge Trunkey
manifested the same patient care and industry that had characterized his
work in the court below, listening to arguments of counsel, making himself

THE BENCH AND BAR, 167
familiar with the entire case, reading the " paper books," and then care
fully, thoughtfully, and conscientiously preparing the opinions assigned him
in good terse English that will be a monument of his judicial acumen in
days to come. He did not so much seek rhetorical ornament, or strive to
embellish his style by tropes and figui'es, as to set forth the truth and get at
the gist of the matter in hand. He loved justice, truth, and righteousness,
and brought them to bear in all his official work. But the last two or three
years of his labor on the bench were years of suffering and affliction. An in
sidious clisease was sapping the foundations of life and health, and causing
the strong man to feel the burden of his daily toil. He worked on, yet never
complained, and not a mru'mur ever escaped his lips. On the bench hear
ing arguments, or in his study preparing opinions, there seemed to be the
same close mental application, although physical suffering was wearing out
his life's energy. In the month of June, 1887, by the advice of his medical
counsel, he went to London to be treated by a medical expert. The time
spent in London was a period of great suffering, yet he was patient, resigned,
and trustful, feeling that he was in the hands of a kind Providence and that
all would be ^ell. But the time came when he felt and knew that the end
was near. He did not fear the change and passed quietly out of life on the
24th day of June, 1888.
As a religious man Judge Trunkey was eminently careful and conscien
tious. Religion was an active principle in his life and all he said or did
was influenced by it. After his removal to Franklin hewas elected a ruling
elder in the Presbyterian church and at once entered upon the active duties
of that office. He also was a director of Princeton Theological Seminary
several years. He delighted in visiting the poor and afflicted, and was gen
erous almost to a fault in alleviating the wants of the destitute. In person
Judge Trunkey was about six feet tall, slender, erect in his carriage, and de
liberate yet quick in his movements. In manner he was always courteous and
approachable. Fond of innocent amusements and a capital story teller, he
entered into such pleasures with youthful vivacity, and vas always a wel
come guest at the social gatherings of his neighbors. No words of bitter
ness or quick censure ever escaped his lips, but on the contrary he always
had an apology for the evil words and deeds of those around him. There
is this crowning fact in his career. From his boyhood until he laid him
down to die in a strange land, he led a singularly honorable and pure life.
WUh all the high positions to which he had attained and adorned, there
were, in the judgment of his friends, still greater possibilities in store for
him, but these were not to be realized in this life. The memory of Judge
Trunkey is deeply revered by the people of Venango county, for there has
never been a name associated with her history that will go down to posterity
with a brighter or purer record.
Charles E. Taylor has been president judge of the twenty-eighth judicial

168 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
district since the resignation of Judge Trunkey, in December, 1877. He
was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, September 4, 1826, son of
Edmund and Theodosia (Clark) Taylor, the former a Revolutionary soldier
from that state. In childhood he removed with his parents to Cleveland,
Ohio, where he lived until his father's death, when his mother located in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Our subject learned the painter's trade, and
followed that vocation for many years. In 1846 he married Miss Jane,
daughter of John McWilliams, a pioneer family of Harbor Creek township,
Erie county, Pennsylvania. She survived her marriage only about a year,
and at her death left one son, John. In 1850 Mr. Taylor came to Frank
lin, where he continued to work at his trade, and subsequently worked at
Clarion, Pennsylvania. Returning to Franklin he married Miss Susan J.,
daughter of Charles W. Mackey, an early resident of that place.
In 1856 he commenced reading law under McCormick & Kerr, of Frank
lin. His evenings were spent in the acquirement of legal knowledge, while
supporting his family by working at his trade during the daytime. Thus
under discouraging difficulties he obtained his first knowledge of the law.
His early education consisted of only a few years during hjp boyhood in
the common schools, and this was a great drawback to him while pursuing
his legal studies. Yet with dogged tenacity he remained firm in his resolve
to become a lawyer, and on the 27th of April, 1858, he was admitted to the
bar. He immediately hung out his shingle, and in due time grew into a
fair practice. In the fall of 1859 he was elected on the Democratic ticket
as district attorney, and was still filling that position when the civil war
began. In the summer of 1861 he commenced raising a company for the Fourth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was mustered into that regiment as captain of
Company I the following October. He participated in the Seven Days'
campaign before Richmond, and while on a reconnaissance fi-om Harrison's
Landing was wounded. After the evacuation of that base of operations.
Captain Taylor was sent to the hospital at Point Lookout, Maryland, whore
hewas honorably discharged from the service, October 4, 1862, because of
disabUity to perform further military duty. This fact was attested by the
attending surgeon and every officer of his regiment.
On his retum to Franklin he formed a partnership with Calvin W. GU-
fiUan, which continued about five years. During this period the firm of
Taylor & GiltUlan did a very extensive legal business, and was recognized as
one of the prominent firms at this bar. In the meantime Captain Taylor's
brother-in-law, Charles W. Mackey, had been admitted as a member of the
firm, and when Mr. GUfiUan retired Taylor & Mackey continued the large
practice that had been built up through the passing years.
When the civil war broke out Judge Taylor was an ardent unionist, and
was one of the thirty-four Democratic delegates of Pennsylvania who at-

THE BENCH AND BAB. 169
tended the peace congress at Washington during that exciting period in
our national history. The efforts of this congress to prevent war proved
a faUure, and he subsequently cast his political fortunes with the Republican
party, and has ever since been an unswerving supporter of its candidates,
its measures, and its principles.
In 1866 he was the nominee of the Venango Republicans for the judge
ship. But the Republicans of Mercer county also had a candidate in the
field that year, and both were beaten by John Trunkey, the Democratic
nominee. In 1876 he and Judge Trunkey were the respective candidates
of their parties for the judgeship, and he was again defeated. In December,
1877, he was appointed to fill the vacancy on the bench caused by the
resignation of Judge Trunkey, and November 5, 1878, he was elected to the
same position, and was re-elected as his own successor, November 6, 1888,
by the largest majority ever given in Venango county.
Before his appointment to the bench Judge Taylor was recognized as a
bright, able lawyer, particularly so in the celerity which he exhibited in
discovering the leading features involved, and the clearness and determined
persistence with which he presented and prosecuted his plea. He lays no
claim to being a dignified, great, or brilliant jurist, but he possesses a
naturally quick intuition that seldom fails to grasp the most intricate points
of the case at issue, and, being a hard student, he is always able to support
his views and decisions with recognized precedents and authorities. A man
of positive views and convictions, and never afraid to express them, it
would indeed be strange if he had no enemies; but the large majorities
by which he has been placed upon the bench in two successive elections are
incontrovertible evidence of his popularity among the people of Venango
county. -Judge Taylor is a charter member of Mays Post, G. A. R., and
one of the oldest living members of the Masonic lodge of Franklin.
Special District Court. — The courts of common pleas in this district were
held by the president judge, aided by two associates, until May, 1839, when
a special district court was created for the purpose of disposing of the accu
mulated business in Venango, Crawford, Erie, and Mercer counties. James
Thompson, of Franklin, was appointed to the district judgeship, and tilled
the position until May, 1845. The term originally was for five years, but it
was extended one year by request of the bar. Judge Thompson was one of
the most distinguished jurists of Pennsylvania, and a man of more than
state reputation. He was born in Butler county, this state, in 1805, and in
early life learned the printer's trade and later prepared himself for the legal
profession, and was admitted to the bar at Franklin, February 23, 1829.
In 1832 he was elected to the state legislature, and twice re-elected, and in
1834 was chosen speaker of the house. He subsequently served in the
congress of the United States, and in 1857 was elected judge of the supreme
court, in which capacity he served fifteen years, the last five of which he

170 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
was chief justice of the state. Judge Thompson moved from Franklin to
Erie in 1842, and shortly after his election to the supreme bench removed to
Philadelphia. He married a daughter of Reverend N. R. Snowden, of
Franklin, and had a family of six chUdren, five living: J. Ross, attorney,
of Erie; Mrs. Sarah Robb; Clara; Samuel G., attorney, of Philadelphia, and
William E. Judge Thompson was one of the prominent Democrats of the
state. He was a man of great brain power, and as an orator ranked among
the most eloquent men of the country. As a lawyer he was thorough, prac
tical and brilliant, and in his official capacity both on the district and
supreme bench his name will always be mentioned among the most learned
and eminent jurists of the state.
Associate Judges. — Two associate judges assisted the president judge,
from the organization of the county until the office was abolished by the con
stitution of 1878 in all counties constituting a separate district, though the
judges then in office served out their full terms. The associate judges were
always fixtures of the counties where they served. They were not neces
sarily lawyers, but were supposed to have a better knowledge of the county
than the president judge, if he were a non-resident, and had a better under
standing of the roads, bridges and needs of the people in regard to license
to sell intoxicants.
The first associate judges of Venango county were John Irwin and
Thomas McKee, whose names appear upon the records of the first court
ever held in Franklin in 1805. John Irwin was from Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, and came to Venango in 1800. He was born in
Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1767, and died in December, 1838, hold
ing the office of judge for thirty-three years. He was an uncle to Richard
Irwin, and a surveyor, making his home in the upper end of the county,
Thomas McKee was one of the early settlers of Clinton township, where his
family and descendants remain to this day.
James G. Heron was the third associate judge. He was not a lawyer by
education or profession, but simply bore the office of associate judge. He
seems to have come to Franklin at a very early day in its history. His name
is not connected with the military here, although he was an officer in the
Revolutionary army, and must have arrived very soon after the town was
laid out, as his name appears in the books of George Power in 1795. He is
represented as having been a man of sterling worth, a useful member of
society, a safe and judicious counsellor. It is probable that his judicial
duties were not burdensome nor his responsibilities great, yet he stood his
lot and aided in moulding public opinion when in a formative state. 'His
death occurred on the 80th day of December, 1809.
Richard Irwin was chosen associate judge in 1838, and is remembered
as one of the early settlers and leading politicians of Venango county. He
was for many years county surveyor, and was a man of intelligence and

THE BENCH AND BAR. 171
sound judgment. His son, H. May Irwin, is editor of the Evening News,
of Franklin. Robert Mitchell, one of the pioneers of French Creek township, became
associate judge in 1840. He was a farmer by occupation, a substantial
citizen of the community in which he resided, and at one time represented
Venango county in the state legislature.
Benjamin A. Plumer, whose official term began in 1843, was a brother
of Arnold Plumer, and a leading merchant of Franklin. He was a man of
good intellect and sound judgment, and made an honorable record as asso
ciate justice.
James Kinnear, one of the best known citizens of Franklin, was elected
to the judgeship in 1845. He is well remembered as the proprietor of the
leading tavern in the county seat for many years, and was a gentleman of
some local prominence.
The successors of the foregoing were Alexander Holeman, Robert Cross,
John H. Smiley, Samuel Hays, David Phipps, W. W. Davison, Joshua
Davis, William Connely, Robert Lamberton, R. S. McCormick, and James
L. Connely, all of whom have filled an honorable place in the history of
Venango county. THE BAB.
One of the first attorneys admitted to practice at the Venango county
bar and the first resident lawyer of Franklin was David Irvine, who locat
ed at the seat of justice in 1806, and was then a young man of considerable
talent and well read in his profession. He soon succeeded in building up a
lucrative practice, and is remembered as having been connected with many
of the cases in the early litigation of Venango and neighboring counties.
As il lawyer he appears to have been painstaking and methodical, honest
in his intercourse with litigants, and popular with the public generally. In
due time he married Mary Ann Heron, daughter of Judge James G. Heron,
reared a family of several children, and died at Franklin about the year
1827. His widow survived him a number of years, living to a good old age,
and died at Erie, Pennsylvania, whither she removed many years ago.
David La Fever came to the county a few years later than the foregoing,
and from reasonably well founded supposition appeai;^ to have been the sec
ond resident lawyer of Franklin. Of his personal and professional history
but little is remembered, save that he resided in the county for a limited
period and followed the usual practice of itinerating or riding the circuit
of the different county seats. He left Franklin many years ago — going no
one knows whither.
Prominent among the well known and successful lawyers of the Ven
ango bar in an early day was John Galbraith, who moved from Butler,
Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the practice of his profession at Frank
lin, February 23, 1819. He was descended from an old and well known

172 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Irish family of the same name, prominent in the early history of the com
monwealth, and was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, August 2,
1794, the son of John Galbraith, who served with distinction in the war of
American independence. His father moved to Butler county about the be
ginning of the present century where the son grew to early manhood on a
farm. Long before he was of age he was in charge of a school and in due
time served an apprenticeship to the printing business in the same office
in Butler where James Thompson, afterward chief justice, was employed.
Tiring of the printing business he turned his attention to the law, and after
a course of study in the office of General William Ayres, of Butler, was ad
mitted to the bar when about twenty-four years of age. Soon afterward
he married Miss Amy Ayres, daughter of Reverend Robert Ayres, an Epis
copal minister and brother of General Ayres. Early in 1819 he became a
resident of Franklin, where his fine legal attainments soon won him a con
spicuous place among the leading attorneys of the Venango bar. Possessing
the elements of the successful politician he rose rapidly in popular esteem,
and in 1828 was elected a member of the state legislature and re-elected
three times in succession. In 1832 he was elected on the Democratic ticket
to the congress of the United States and re-elected in 1884, in the delib
erations of which body he took an active part both as member of important
committees and on the fioor as a speaker. In 1887 he moved to Brie, and
the following year was again elected to congress from this district. In No
vember, ]851, he was elected president judge of the district embracing Erie,
Crawford, and Mercer counties, running as a Democratic candidate in a dis
trict which usually gave about one thousand one hundred Whig majority.
His death occurred on the 15th day of June, 1860, before the expiration of
his term. As a lawyer Judge Galbraith possessed fine legal attainments, was
thoroughly versed in the principles of jurisprudence, and early took rank
among the successful jurists of western Pennsylvania. Careful in the prep
aration of all legal papers, clear headed in the management of cases, in his
statements of propositions, and addresses to juries, he was inclined to be
somewhat lengthy but always explicit. He was one of the foremost men in
promoting the various, public enterprises that gave the first strong impulse
to Erie county, the pioneer in buUding a railroad from Erie to the Ohio line,
besides being a leading spirit in various other important internal improve
ments in the western part of the state. His son, William Ayres Galbraith,
who was born in Franklin, May 9, 1823, is one of the leading lawyers of
Erie, and has served as president judge of the Erie district.
Alexander McCalmont comes next in the order of time. He was ad
mitted to the bar about 1820, and practiced his profession until his ap
pointment to the bench in 1839. As we have previously given a sketch of
•Judge McCalmont in this chapter, the reader is referred thereto for a brief
summary of his career.

THE BENCH AND BAR. 173
The name of John J. Pearson, late judge of the Dauphin and Lebanon
county court, stands conspicuous among the leading lawyers who practiced
at the Venango bar in pioneer days. Judge Pearson was a native of Dela
ware county, Pennsylvania, born October 25, 1800, the son of Bevan and
Anna (Warner) Pearson. A^'hen five years of age he was taken by his par
ents to Mercer county, in the schools of which he received his early educa
tional training. Having early determined to make the legal profession a life
work, he began the study of the same in the office of John Banks of Mercer,
was admitted to the bar in August, 1822, and the following year located in
Franklin, where he soon built up a large and lucrative practice. In the
Venango Herald, bearing date June 10, 1823, appears his business card, as
follows : JOHN J. PEARSON, ESQ.,
Attorney at Law,
Has established himself in Franklin, and intends
practicing in the different courts of Venango, Mercer, and
Warren counties.
"Mr. Pearson," says Doctor Eaton, "was one of our best citizens and
ablest attorneys. He married Ellen, a daughter of General Samuel Hays,
and after some years removed to Mercer, thence subsequently to Harrisburg,
where he died. ' ' In 1849 he was appointed by Governor Johnson to the
office of president judge of the twelfth judicial district, composed of the
counties of Dauphin and Lebanon, the duties of which he discharged con
tinuously for a period of thirty-three years, having been frequently re-elected
without opposition. During his residence in Mercer he was twice elected to
office, first to the congress of the United States, and afterward to the senate
of Pennsylvania for the counties of Mercer and Beaver, three years of which
term were spent as chairman of the judiciary committee. Judge Pearson' s
second marriage was solemnized with Miss Mary H. , daughter of Joseph
and Caroline Briggs, of Harrisburg. Politically he was for many years an
ardent Whig, and later, in 1856, he joined the ranks of the newly formed
Republican party, with which he remained identified until his death in the
spring of 1888.
James Thompson was one of the pioneer lawyers of Franklin, where he
was admitted to practice in February, 1829. He soon won a foremost rank
among the legal lights of northwestern Pennsylvania, and in 1839 was ap
pointed judge of a special court created for this district to dispose of a large
amount of accumulated business. A brief sketch of him will be found in
this chapter following the list of president judges who have graced the
"woolsack" in the Venango district.
The name of John W. Howe appears on the old records in connection
with much of the early litigation of Venango county. Mr. Howe was born
in the state of Maine in the year 1801, became a resident of Smethport,

174 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Pennsylvania, when quite young, and moved from that town to Franklin in
1830. He was then a young man seeking a field for practice, and as legal
business was not large he supplemented his profession with the duties of
justice of the peace, to which he was commissioned by Governor Wolfe. He
soon became well known throughout the county as a fearless and upright
magistrate. Subsequently he directed his whole attention to legal practice
and formed a partnership with James S. Myers, which continued during his
residence in Franklin. For twenty years he was a leading man at the bar,
not only in Venango, but in other counties of western Pennsylvania where
he practiced quite extensively. He was a man of high character, an able
and reliable attorney, and an eminently successful practitioner. His ad
dresses to juries were characterized by vigorous declamation, good humor,
and keen sarcasm, and his wonderful self-possession under all circumstances
often gave him decided advantage over opposing counsel in difficult cases.
In 1848 he was elected by the Whig party to the congress of the United
States, and re-elected two years later, during the excitement of the fugitive
slave law. He was among the earliest advocates in this part of the state
of the anti-slavery movement, and weakened his standing in the Whig party
by his unswerving course as a " Free-Soiler. " He subsequently became a
Republican, and throughout the civil war his firm patriotism was outspoken
in support of the Union.
Mr. Howe was married in Smethport to Miss Sally Bailey ere his com
ing to Franklin. She survived him until April, 1880, and died without issue
at the home of her adopted daughter in Franklin. Soon after Mr. Howe
located in Franklin he united with the Presbyterian church, under the first
pastor. Reverend Thomas Anderson, and up to his death continued an active
member thereof. He was a religious man, and an old-time observer of the
Sabbath, while his everyday life was characterized by strict conformity to
the teachings of his church. In 1852 he removed to Meadville, and after
ward to Rochester, New York, where he died in 1873, His adopted daugh
ter, widow of Doctor Eaton, is a resident of Franklin.
James Ross Snowden, LL. D. , was one of the early attorneys of Ve
nango county. He was descended from one of the oldest families of Penn
sylvania, his great ancestor, John Snowden, being the owner of land within
the state as far back as 1678. Branches of the family settled about the
same time in Virginia and Maryland. Mr. Snowden was the youngest son
of Reverend Nathaniel R. Snowden, D. D. , who was the first Presbyterian
preacher at Harrisburg, to which place he removed from Philadelphia when
the present state capital was a mere hamlet. His four brothers were lead
ing physicians and his only sister was married to the late James Thompson,
chief justice of Pennsylvania. Mr. Snowden was educated at Dickinson
College under the tuition of his father, who for many years had charge of
that instftution. On leaving college he studied law and was admitted to the

THE BENCH AND BAR. 175
bar at the early age of nineteen, having removed in the meantime to Frank
lin, Venango county, where he was shortly afterward appointed deputy
attorney general. He subsequently entered public life and for several
years represented the Venango district in the state legislature, and was
speaker of the house in the years 1842 and 1844,
In 1845 he came within one vote of being nominated for the United
States senate by the Democratic party, although at the time he was under
thirty-six years of age. The same year he was elected state treasurer and
re-elected the following year. His incorruptible integrity at once com
manded the confidence of all parties, and his wise, temperate, but firm pol
icy earned him the reputation of an able and trusted official. In 1846
President Polk tendered him the position of treasurer of the mint, with the
assistant treasurership of the United States at Philadelphia, which position
he accepted. In 1850 he returned to the practice of the legal profession
and was appointed solicitor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which
position he subsequently resigned to accept the directorship of the United
States mint, tendered him by President Pierce. He tilled the position with
satisfaction to the government until 1861, when he was appointed prothon
otary of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. In 1873 Mr. Snowden
resumed the practice of his profession in Philadelphia.
During his many active public duties he was connected with various sci
entific, literary, and historical societies, and as an elder in the Presbyterian
church took an active part in the general assemblies of that denomination.
He was also a writer of considerable ability. Among his publications may
be mentioned the following: "Medals of Washington and National Med
als;" " Biographies of Directors of the Mint, from 1792 to 1861;" "Coins
and Money Terms of the Bible," and "Cornplanter, a Memorial Sketch of
the Six Nations." At different times he published pamphlets on currency,
the national coinage, history, and other subjects. In 1872 Washington and
Jefferson College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of
Laws. In all the various responsible positions which he filled, he displayed
the best qualities of the honest official, and at all times commanded public
esteem and confidence. Respected by those who enjoyed his intimate
acquaintance, his life was of service as an example and incentive. He died
in Philadelphia on the 21st of March, 1878.
Samuel Porter Johnson, of Warren, Pennsylvania, a native of Venango
county, and son of Reverend Robert Johnson, was bom in Scrubgrass
township, Venango county, January 13, 1809. He graduated at Jeffer.son
CoUege in the class of 1830, and assumed charge of an academy at Dan
vUle, Montour county (then Columbia), where he studied law under the
direction of Robert C. Grier, afterward justice of the United States supreme
court. November 3, 1883, he was admitted to the bar at Sunbury, North
umberland county. In January, 1884, he located at Franklin, removing to

176 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Wan-en in September following. He is a good lawyer, shrewd in the man
agement of cases, strong and forcible in his appeals to a jury, though not
an eloquent speaker. His manners at times have been considered harsh
and severe, and opposing counsel have always found him a formidable antag
onist, one who watches carefully every advantage, but without resorting to
anything savoring of disreputable practices. His legal career is eminently
honorable and successful; during his residence in Franklin, and since his
removal, he has been the trusted attorney in many leading and complicated
cases. Judge Johnson was elected to the bench in 1860, and served one
term. He is still in the vigorous prosecution of the law at Warren.
Thomas S. Espy came to Franklin from Crawford county, early in the thir
ties, and is remembered as one of the prominent lawyers of the county.
He was a strong, vigorous thinker, possessed excellent judgment in all mat
ters pertaining to his profession, and as an advocate was logical and forcible,
but lacked somewhat the faculty of illustration. He was retained as coun
sel in many of the most important cases in the district, and in his relations
with other members of the legal fraternity was kind and courteous, and at
all times endeavored to sustain the honor and dignity of his calling. He
abandoned a large and lucrative practice in 1844, and emigrated to Iowa,
where he now resides.
William Stewart was born in Mercer, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on
the 16th day of September, 1810. He had an academic education, and
having read law with Judge Banks, was admitted to the bar in 1832. He
first opened a law office in Brookville, Jefferson county, where he remained
but a short time, removing thence to Franklin, Venango county, where he
remained for two years, and thence to Mercer, where he formed a partner
ship with the late John J. Pearson. During his long, brilliant, and active
public career he filled the office of state senator, and represented the district
composed of Mercer, Lawrence, Beaver, and Butler counties in the thirty-
fourth and thirty-fifth congresses of the United States. As an attorney
and jui-ist Mr. Stewart ranked high among his associates, and his native
ability, comprehensive mind, and active temperament, supplemented by his
courteous and dignified bearing toward the court and his brethren of the
bar, soon placed him at the head of his profession. Always zealous of his
honor and conscientious in the discharge of his professional duties, his
promise once pledged to his opponent was regarded sacred. As a citizen he
was public spirited and benevolent, earnestly patriotic and uncompromisingly
devoted to the perpetuity and unity of his country. He died in Mercer on
the 17th day of October, 1876.
Jonathan Ayres, who was admitted to the Venango bar prior to the year
1840, was first known in FrankUn as a journalist, having published the Dem
ocrat some time before engaging in the legal business. He read law while
editing the paper, and after his admission to the bar succeeded in building up

THE BENCH AND BAR. 179
a fairly lucrative practice, although he never became distinguished in any
particular branch of the profession. Quiet and unobtrusive in manners, he
was nevertheless very decided in his opinions, a fact which sometimes inter
fered very materially with his success as a practitioner. He left Franklin
early in the forties, moving to New Castle, where he continued the practice
for some years.
James Stroble Myers, one of the ablest jurists of western Pennsylvania,
and familiarly known as Colonel Myers, was a descendant of Frederick
Myers, who fled from his native country. Saxony, during the religious per
secution of the seventeenth century and settled in Switzerland. George
Myers, son of Frederick, came to America in 1745 and settled on Gunpow
der river, in Maryland, about thirty miles from the city of Baltimore.,
August 20, 1754, in York county, Pennsylvania, he married Elizabeth
Singery, who bore him two children, one of whom, Henry Myers, father of
James S., was born in Maryland in the month of August, 1761. Henry
Myers served in the war for American independence, and was married on
the 25th day of March, 1783, to Miss Mary Stroble, whose birth occurred
December 10th, 1766. About the year 1806 Mr. Myers moved to the west
ern part of Pennsylvania, and settled in Richland township, Venango (now
a part of Clarion) county, where he engaged in the milling business, which
he carried on for a number of years. He was also a civil engineer, and was
employed at different times in an early day in surveying lands in Venango
and neighboring counties. His death occurred on the 24th of June, 1849.
Mrs. Myers preceded her husband to the grave, dying December 29, 1835.
James S. Myers, the youngest of a family of thirteen children, was born
on the 9th day of June, 1813. He remained with his parents until January
12, 1828. at which time he came to Franklin, his father having indentured
him to Nathaniel Cary to learn the tailor's trade. After becoming profi
cient in that calling, he worked three years as a journeyman tailor at
Brownsville, Blairsville, and other places in the western part of the state,
and in 1832 located in Franklin, opening a shop on Thirteenth street, near
Liberty, where he carried on a successful business for some years. On the
Sth of April, 1834, he married Miss Emily BunneU, daughter of Samuel
and Elizabeth (Davis) Bunnell. It was at this period that Mr. Myers devel
oped those qualities of energy, application, and systematic endeavor which
were the foundation of his subsequent success in life. Owing to the lack of
educational facilities at that time he had been obliged to start out in the
world with a limited knowledge of books, and with no capital save a stout
heart and strong physical constitution, and the mother-wit and common
sense inherited from his parentage. While attending the demands of his
shop he laid out a course for his future which seemed hedged with difficul
ties, but which he resolutely carried out. Although carrying on his shop and
already married, with a growing family, he decided to become a lawyer.
10

180 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
To this end he divided his time, giving eight hours each day to work in the
shop, eight hours to study, and eight hours to rest. In order to acquire the
requisite knowledge of Latin, he continued to take lessons in that language,
reciting to the principal of the old Franklin Academy.
In 1838 the workman-student found himself sufficiently equipped with
solid acquirements to relinquish his business and enter as a regular student
in the law office of James Thompson, then the leading lawyer of this place,
and afterward chief justice of the state. Applying himself closely to his
task, often studying fourteen hours a day, Mr. Myers passed examination
and was duly admitted to the bar on the 21st day of November, 1840, and
on the 22nd of September, 1845, was admitted to practice in the supreme
court of Pennsylvania.
Previous to his admission to the Venango bar, from 1836 to 1839, ho
had been collector for the French Creek canal, a position obtained through
the interposition of Thaddeus Stevens, between whom and Mr. Myers a
friendly and political sympathy always existed.
The year of his admission Mr. Myers entered into a partnership with his
preceptor, John W. Howe, which lasted until 1849, when Mr. Howe retired
from the firm, having been elected the previous year to represent the Ve
nango district in congress. In 1850 the late F. D. Kinnear became a part
ner and until the dissolution of the partnership in 1868, this firm was prom
inent in the law business in this part of the state. Mr. Myers continued
the successful practice of his profession until about 1873, when he retired
from court business, though he frequently gave counsel and assistance in
difficiUt cases for several years later.
Few members of the Venango bar possessed in so marked a degree all
the elements of the successful jurist as Mr. Myers. A strong, vigorous, and
naturally fine legal mind, strengthened by a profound knowledge of Black-
stone, and well versed in the principles of his profession, made him an author
ity on all intricate and technical points of law; and, recognized as such, he
was frequently consulted, not only by members of the bar but by judges on
the bench as well. His written opinions were couched in the most vigorous
English with no useless verbiage, and as an advocate he was clear, forcible,
and logical rather than ornate and eloquent. Slow in arriving at conclu
sions and careful in probing to the bottom all questions and cases submitted
to his consideration, his opinions were always well fortified with proper au
thorities, tenaciously adhered to, and seldom relinquished. Mr. Myers had
positive political convictions, and for many years was a leading anti-slavery
Whig, and later a firm adherent of the Republican party. He took an
active part in, the campaigns of 1849 and 1850, spoke for Scott in 1852, and
in 1856 he was the Republican candidate for congress in what was known
as the ' ' wild cat district, ' ' making the race against a hopelessly large Dem
ocratic majority, which he succeeded in greatly reducing.

THE BENCH AND BAB, 181
As a citizen Mr, Myers was public spirited and progressive, always alive
to the interests of the city, with whose welfare his thirty-eight years of pro
fessional life was so closely identified. In his religious convictions he ad
hered to the creed of the Methodist Episcop)al church, and was a member of
that denomination until his death, which occurred in Franklin on the 20th
day of October, 1885. His wife is still living, having reached the ripe old
age of seventy-three years. The following are the names of the children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers, viz. : Samuel B. , attorney, of Franklin; James
P. (deceased); Emily, deceased wife of John H. Lee; Frank (deceased);
Lauretta, wife of J. D. Chadwick, attorney, of Franklin; EUa (deceased);
James B., in the auditor general's office at Harrisburg; Wilbur F., physi
cian at Edenburg, Clarion county, and Charles A. , a lawyer of Franklin.
Edwin C. Wilson, of Steubenville, Ohio, came to Venango county in
1840 and was admitted to the bar November 25th of the same year. He rea d
law in his native state and had practiced for some years before his removal
to Franklin. Soon after his admission to the Venango bar he effected a co
partnership with Judge John S. McCalmont, with whom he practiced some
time, and later moved to Erie, thence to Philadelphia, in which city his
death occurred. Mr. Wilson won recognition among the legal gentlemen of
this county more by his oratory and skill in the examination of witnesses
than by a profound knowledge of the profession.
N. R. Bushnell, one of the oldest members of the Venango bar now liv
ing, is a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and son of Daniel and Polly
Bushnell. He was born August 24, 1817, read law in the office of John
Hutchins, of Warren, Ohio, and was admitted to the practice in Venango
county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1843. For some years he enjoyed a fairly
remunerative business, but in 1861 retired from the profession and engaged
in other pursuits. He is now spending the evening of an honorable life in
his quiet and retired home in Franklin.
Judge John S. McCalmont, now of Washington city, where he is still
prosecuting the duties of his profession, may be classed as one of the early
attorneys of Franklin, where he studied law and was admitted to practice
November 25, 1844. As Mr. McCalmont is one of the lawyers who have
filled the judgeship in this district, a sketch of him will be found in that
connection. Robert S. McCormick, who, excepting Mr. Bushnell, is the oldest living
member of the local bar, was born in Franklin on the 14th day of August,
1822, and is a son of Dominic and Elizabeth (Kinnear) McCormick. He re
ceived his literary training in the schools of the tovm and having early mani
fested a decided taste for the legal profession, entered upon a course of
reading in 1848 under the instruction of Howe & Myers, in whose office he
remained until his admission to the bar on the 27th day of August, 1845.
He began the practice of his profession in partnership with James K. Kerr,

182 ' HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
with whom he was associated for some years, and later served as district at
torney, the duties of which office he discharged in a manner creditable to
himself and satisfactory to all concerned. After practicing continuously
until 1866 Mr. McCormick was elected associate judge of Venango county
and served as such until 1871, taking an active interest in the meantime in
the municipal affairs of Franklin. He prepared the city charter, was in
strumental in securing its adoption, and since 1881 has been serving as city
attorney. Mr. McCormick has always been a close observer and careful stu
dent. He is a sound lawyer, and though now in his sixty-eighth year is still
actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He was married in June,
1846, to Julia A. , daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Dubbs, who has borne
him three children: Norman H., Clinton, and W. F., aU of whom were
members of the Venango bar.
- Samuel Riddle was born in Scrubgrass township, Venango county, on
the 4th day of August, 1821, read law in Franklin with James R. Snowden,
and was admitted to the bar some time in the forties. He was a man of
good mind, well versed in the principles of his profession, and excelled more
as an office lawyer than an advocate. His practice, confined principally to
civil business, was fair, and had not his career been terminated by an early
death, he doubtless would have made an enviable record in the profession.
He died in Franklin on the 28th day of May, 1853.
Francis D. Kinnear was a native of Franklin, born December 2, 1821,
and a son of WiUiam Kinnear, a pioneer of Venango county. In August,
1843, he began his law studies under Thomas S. Espy, and a few months
after entered the office of Howe & Myers. He was admitted to practice
August 27, 1845, and continued in the active duties of the profession
throughout the balance of his life. He was also connected with the early
banking interests of Franklin, as president of the Venango Bank. Pos
sessing a shrewd, well-balanced mind, and being an indefatigable worker,
his peculiar strength lay in his thorough preparation of all cases intrusted
to his charge. He was a man of singtUar ingenuity in the profession, a
diligent student, and while confining his attention to no particular phrase
of the law, succeeded best in litigation growing out of land titles, real
estate, and other business in which technical points were conspicuous feat
ures. He died in Franklin, July 4, 1885.
General Alfred B. McCalmont, for many years a leading lawyer of
Franklin, was a son of Judge Alexander McCalmont, and was born in
Venango county on the 28th day of April, 1825. He was for one term a
student in Allegheny College, later attended Dickinson College, from which
institution he graduated in 1844, and immediately thereafter began the
study of law at Franldin, in the office of his father, at that time president
judge of the eighteenth judicial district. May 25th, 1847, hewas admitted
to the bar, and immediately after located in Pittsburgh, where his brilliant

THE BENCH AND BAR. 183
oratory soon won for him a fair share of practice. In 1853 he became asso
ciated with T. J. Keenan in the newspaper business in that city, and in
1855 was appointed prothonotary of the supreme court of Pennsylvania.
He resigned this position in May, 1858, to accept an appointment in the
office of Jeremiah S. Black, who was at the time attorney general of the
United States in the cabinet of James Buchanan. Subsequently he was
appointed assistant attorney general, the duties of which he discharged dur
ing the continuance of that administration, and then returned to his home
in Franklin and resumed the practice of law, in partnership with the late
James K. Kerr. In 1862 he entered the army, as lieutenant colonel of the
One Hundred and Forty- Second regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and in
the fall of 1864 became colonel of the Two Hundred and Eighth regiment,
by way of indirect promotion. He served during the remainder of the war,
commanded a brigade in the assault upon Petersburg, and in recognition
of his gallantry in this and other bloody engagements, received from the
secretary of war the brevet rank of brigadier general. On retiring from the
service he again resumed the practice of his profession in Franklin, and con
tinued the same until his death, which occurred on the 7th day of May,
1874. General McCalmont will always be remembered as one of the brill
iant lawyers and gallant soldiers of Venango county. He possessed in a
marked degree the elements of the orator, and was at his best before the
jury, where his appeals in behalf of his client were frequently powerful and
eloquent. Hewas married April 25, 1853, to Miss Sarah F. Evans, of Pittsburgh.
Three children were born of this union, viz.: Lydia C, deceased wife of
Thomas McGough, attorney of Franklin; Sarah L. , wife of W. U. Lewis-
son, of Boston, and Robert, a lawyer of Franklin.
General McCalmont can justly be classed among the prominent leaders
of the Democratic party in this section of the state, and was its choice for
congress from this district in 1868. In 1872 he was the choice of the
Democracy of western Pennsylvania for the gubernatorial nomination, which,
however, fell to Charles R. Buckalew. He was a very social gentleman,
whole-souled and generous to a fault, and was one of the most admired and
poptUar lawyers of the Venango bar.
S. P. McCalmont is one of the oldest lawyers now practicing in the
.courts of Venango county, where he commenced his legal career nearly forty-
three years ago. He is a native of Sugar Creek township, Venango county,
born September 12, 1823, and a son of John McCalmont, who came to this
county with his parents in 1803. His education was limited to the country
subscription schools of his boyhood days and a few months at college. He
read law with McCalmont & Wilson, and was admitted to the bar November
25, 1847. He went to California in April, 1850, and spent three years on
the Pacific slope. Returning to Franklin he resumed practice at this bar.

184 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and has here since steadfastly remained at the post of his professional duties.
In 1855 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the legislature, and
twice re-elected. In 1874 he assisted in organizing the Prohibition party
in Venango county, and is to-day one of the leading Prohibitionists in west
ern Pennsylvania.
Contemporary with General McCalmont was his law partner. Colonel
James K. Kerr, who studied for his profession under the able instruction of
David Derickson, of Meadville, and became a member of the Venango bar
on the 24th of May, 1848. Mr. Kerr was essentially a lawyer, and as such
early took high rank among the successful attorneys of Venango county,
and in time became one of the well known jurists in the western part of the
state. He was a man of fine presence, charming manners, ready and quick
at repartee, a capital story teller, and one of the most eloquent and mag
netic speakers in western Pennsylvania. His fine social qualities made him
popular with all classes of people, and his well known abilities in his pro
fession made him the trusted attorney in much of the litigation of the
county during the period of his residence in Franklin. Mr. Kerr was a
native of Crawford county, born in the city of TitusviUe. He married in
Franklin Eliza Jane McCormick, sister of Robert S. McCormick, who died
at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1889. In 1861 he entered the
army as major of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and after an honorable
career as a soldier resigned on account of failing health. After a few more
years' practice at the Venango bar he removed to Pittsburgh, where he died
February 28, 1876.
William H. Lamberton, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he
had prepared himself for the legal profession, became a resident of Franklin
some time in the forties, and a few years later Was elected to the office of
district attorney. His knowledge of the law, while not profound, was quite
thorough, and as a practitioner he enjoyed the reputation of being honest,
reliable, and upright in his dealings with clients — traits which won him a
fair share of the legal business. He died in Franklin, May 21, 1869, aged
forty-nine years.
L. D. Rodgers was admitted to the bar on the 24th day of February,
1851, and after practicing a short time thereafter, removed to Brookville, but
subsequently returned to Franklin and resumed practice. Mr. Rodgers was
a fluent talker, and did a fair business during his residence in this county.
Charles Raymond read law in Franklin, and was admitted to the bar
February 24, 1851. He practiced to a limited extent in the courts of Ve
nango, and afterward located in Minnesota, thence returned to Franklin,
where his death subsequently occurred.
Thompson Allison, a fair lawyer and at one time district attorney, was
also admitted to the bar in February, 1851, and practiced in the courts of
Venango and other counties until his death several years later. He was a

THE BENCH AND BAR. 185
man of good mind and excellent character, possessed a fair knowledge of
the law, and in his practice was looked upon as an impartial lawyer and
reliable counsellor.
Samuel Plumer, since 1869 president of the First National Bank of
Franklin, has been a member of the bar for nearly thirty-eight years. He
¦was born in Franklin April 2, 1830, and is the eldest son of the late Arnold
Plumer. He received his primary education in Franklin, afterward attend
ing the academy at Jamestown, New York, ifwo years, and also two years at
Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. He read law with Judge
Alexander McCalmont, was admitted to the bar July 7, 1852, and imme
diately formed a partnership with Edwin C. Wilson. The firm of Wilson
& Plumer lasted three years, and in the autumn of 1855 Mr. Plumer went
to Minnesota, where he continued to practice until the spring of 1857, when
he was appointed by President Buchanan register of the land office for
southern Minnesota, and served in that capacity until the accession of Lin
coln to the presidency, when he was removed to make place for a supporter
of the latter administration. Returning to Franklin he became associated
in the practice of the law with James K. Kerr, and he continued to prose
cute the duties of his profession until his father's death in 1869, when he
was elected president of the First National Bank and has ever since filled
that position and devoted his whole attention to its affairs. Mr. Plumer
has been twice married, and has two sons: L. M., a lawyer of Pittsburgh,
and A. G. , connected with the banking house of Jamison & Company, of
Philadelphia. Politically Mr, Plumer has always been a stanch supporter
of the Democratic party and is one of the best known business men of his
native city.
Henry W. Lamberton, a brother of William H. Lamberton, was ad
mitted to practice November 22, 1852. He enjoyed a fair practice and was
a careful, painstaking lawyer. After a few years he removed to Minnesota,
where he now resides.
Robert Riddle read law with his brother Samuel and was admitted to
practice January 24, 1853. After a short stay at Franklin he removed to
Kansas. Christopher Heydrick, one of the oldest and most prominent members
of the present bar, was born in French Creek township, Venango county.
May 19, 1830, the oldest son of Charles H. Heydrick, an early settler
of French Creek. He was reared upon the old homestead in that town
ship, was educated in the public schools, at Grand River Institute, Ohio,
and at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the
last mentioned institution in 1852. He read law in Kentucky, was there
Ucensed to practice, and was admitted to the Venango bar on the 27th of
January, 1854. Mr. Heydrick immediately commenced practice at Frank
lin, and for the past thirty-six years has practiced extensively in the courts

186 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
of Venango, Mercer, Crawford, Warren, McKean, Forest, Clarion, and But
ler counties, and in the circuit court of the United States for the western
district of Pennsylvania, also in the supreme court of the state.
Of late years his practice has consisted largely of land cases. He has
been counsel in many of the more important and intricate contests on titles
and surveys that have come up in this section of Pennsylvania within his"
time at the bar. His naturally careful, mathematical, and logical mind is
reinforced in this line of his profession by a practical knowledge of land
surveying, and of the surveyor's method of doing the work on the ground,
which art he learned from his father. His skill and accuracy as a draughts
man is attested by the map of Venango county, issued in 1857, which he
compiled, and which, through all the subdivisions of original tracts, still
remains the standard map of the county. Mr. Heydrick' s style of speak
ing or writing is dignified, deliberate, logical, clear, and concise, yet with
comprehensive fidelity to all necessary details, while his legal papers are
models in both style and diction. He is recognized as a safe, conservative,
and able lawyer, whose long and successful experience in his profession
justly entitles him to rank among the leading attorneys of northwestern
Pennsylvania. As a citizen, Mr. Heydrick has taken an active interest in many of the
local enterprises, such as in procuring the construction of the Franklin
branch of the Atlantic and Great Western railroad (now New York, Penn
sylvania and Ohio), from Meadville, the Allegheny bridge, the Venango Water
Works, and the turnpike to Oil City. Though ardently devoted to his pro
fession, he has always given his time and talents toward inculcating and
defending the principles of the Democratic party, and in 1878 he was the
Democratic nominee of this judicial district for the president judgeship.
Onthe 20th of June, 1860, Mr. Heydrick married Frances Helen, eldest
daughter of the late Judge Richard Irwin of Franklin, who has blessed
him with five children: Carl I., lawyer of Franklin; Harriet; Frederick P. ;
Eva (deceased), and Helen. The family are adherents to the Presbyterian
church, to which denomination the ancestry belonged.
Theodore Spencer of Enterprise, Warren county, Pennsylvania, was
admitted to the Venango bar January 18, 1855. As a lawyer he was quiet,
unpretentious, very accurate in the preparation of legal papers, and in the
presentation of cases was remarkably clear and explicit. He subsequently
returned to Warren, where he continued to practice until defective hearing
compelled him to abandon the profession.
John Daily came to Franklin in boyhood. He was a printer by trade,
but afterward studied law, was admitted to the bar April 26, 1859, and
did a small business for several years thereafter. He was also justice of
the peace many years, and died in Franklin.
S. C. T. Dodd, one of the ablest lawyers of the Venango bar during his

THE BENCH AND BAR, 187
connection with it, was born in Frauklin, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1836,
son of Levi Dodd, an early settler of that place. He learned the printing
trade, graduated at Jefferson College in 1857, studied law with James K.
Kerr, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar August 81, 1859. i In his
practice of nearly twenty-two years in the courts of the district and ad
joining counties he stood in the front rank of his profession. Possessing
extensive literary acquirements, a fine analytical mind, and a well grounded
knowledge of the most important branches of legal science, he soon won a
conspicuous position among the successfiU jurists of western Pennsylvania.
His selection by the Standard Oil Trust as its general solicitor was a
marked recognition of his superior abilities as a lawyer. Mr. Dodd was
selected in 1872 as one of the Democratic members at large to serve in the
constitutional convention, and took quite a prominent part in the delibera
tions and work of that body. During his residence in Franklin he built
up an extensive legal business, and enjoyed in a large degree the esteem'
and confidence of his professional brethren, as weU as of the whole commun
ity. Politically he is a Democrat, and has always taken an active interest
in the political battles of the state and nation. He removed to New York
in January, 1881, and has since filled the prominent and lucrative position
of general solicitor of the Standard Oil Trust.
Calvin W. GilfiUan, though not engaged in active practice for the past
sixteen years, is one of the older surviving members of this bar. He is a
native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and a descendant of one of its best
known pioneer families. He read law with William Stewart, of Mercer, and
was admitted to the Mercer bar in November, 1859. In the meantime he
filled the office of superintendent of schools of his native county, and that
of transcribing clerk in the Pennsylvania house of representatives. Imme
diately after his admission he located in Franklin, and soon built up a good
practice. In 1862 he formed a partnership with Charles E. Taylor, which
existed five years. The firm of Taylor & GilfiUan was recognized as one of
the ablest legal firms in the county. In 1861 Mr. GilfiUan was appointed
district attorney, and elected to the same office in 1862. In 1868 he was
the choice of the Republican party for congress, and was elected by a hand
some majority. From 1867 to 1878 he continued in practice alone, and in
the latter year gave up the active duties of his profession to accept the pres
idency of the Lamberton Savings Bank, which position he has ever since oc
cupied. The great oil excitement extending over the principal part of the decade
ending in 1870 brought to this county a large number of lawyers of whom
only a brief mention can be attempted. Some of them located at Franklin,
others at OU City and the various towns that flourished in this region at
that period. Among this number were George R. Snowden, a native of the
county, admitted to practice April 30, 1862, now a resident of Philadelphia

188 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and brigadier general of the National Guard of Pennsylvania; David Ster
ritt, from Mifflin county, was admitted in November, 1864; William J. Gal-
breath, admitted November 28, 1864, located at OU City; Major James M.
Bredin, of Butler county, also admitted November 28, 1864, practiced in
Franklin until his death; William H. James, of Philadelphia, admitted in
1865, was subsequently elected district attorney; J. D. IV^c Junkin, admitted in
January, 1865, was afterward a member of the legislature from this county
and is now a resident of Butler; James H. Smith came from New York in
February, 1865, and was elected district attorney in 1871; C. W. Smith came
from Pittsburgh in April, 1865 ; John M. Bonham, from York county, admitted
to the bar of this county in July, 1865, is now a resident of Washington city,
and widely known as the author of " Industrial Liberty;" E. L. Keenan was
admitted in January, 1866; William Carroll came to Franklin in March, 1866;
Roger Sherman, from Erie, was admitted to this bar in February, 1867, and
practiced at Pithole and Pleasantville; M. C. Beebe, of Pleasantville, was
admitted to practice in March, 1868, and successively county superintendent
"of public schools, member of the legislature, and of the constitutional con
vention of 1878; N. B. Smiley, a native of Franklin, a printer by trade, and
editor of the Citizen from 1864 to 1867, was admitted to the bar in April,
1869, but removed to Bradford several years later, and at the time of his
¦death was regarded as one of the leading members of the McKean county bar.
The following are the names of the attorneys in active practice at Frank
lin at the present time, with the respective dates of admission to the bar of
this county: Robert S. McCormick, August 27, 1845; S. P. McCalmont, No
vember 25, 1847; C. Heydrick, January 27, 1854; Charles E. Taylor, April
27, 1858; Samuel B. Myers, AprU 26, 1859; J. D. Hancock, January 24,
1865; W. C. Rheem, AprU 24, 1865; J. H. Osmer, August 28, 1865; Charles
W. Mackey, August 28. 1865; T. J. McKean, AprU 27, 1866; J. D. Chad
wick, April 8, 1867; James W. Lee, April 26, 1889; R. W. Dunn, June 7,
1869; D. A. Hays, June 2, 1878; George S. Criswell, September 30, 1875;
Thomas McGough, July 11, 1876; C. A. Myers, August 27, 1877; Robert
F. Glenn, May 13, 1878; E. H. Lamberton, AprU 21, 1879; J. S. Carmichael,
AprU 28, 188"l; Edward Trainor, May 9, 1881; B. H. Osborn, August 26,
1881; Robert McCalmont, December 5, 1881; William H. Forbes, April
23, 1883; WUliam J. Breene, December 10, 1883; E. E. Hughes, AprU 26,
1886; F. L. Kahle, August 23, 1886; Cari I. Heydrick, August 23, 1886;
J. O. McCalmont, AprU 25, 1887; John K. Crawford, March 29, 1888;
Lawrence P. Hancock, P. A. Sayers, and W. D. Doyle, August 26, 1889.
The foUowing residents of Franklin, admitted to the bar at the dates
indicated, are not now engaged in the active duties of the profession: N. R-
BushneU, 1843; Samuel Plumer, July 7, 1852; Calvin W. GilfiUan, Novem
ber 80, 1859; R. L. Cochran, November 25, 1862, and R. G. Lamberton,
.September 12, 1870.

THE BENCH AND BAB. 189
The attorneys residing at Oil City are Isaac Ash, admitted to the bar of
Venango county, November 28, 1864; H, C. Graham, December 1, 1864;
J. B. McAllister, April 24, 1865; WUliam McNair, April 24, 1865; F. W.
Hays, October 10, 1870; Luman Stephens, November 28, 1870; H. D. Han
cock, March 29, 1872; Henry McSweendy, April 24, 1876; W, J. Hulings,
March 8, 1877; Martin Carey, August 27, 1888; H. W. Fisher, August 27,
1883; J. L. Dorworth, August 25, 1884; T. F. Ritchey, October 17, 1887;
J, L. Mattox, R. M. Speer, and Joseph McSweeney, August 26, 1889.
In addition to those mentioned, the following attorneys were members of
the Venango bar, and some of them practiced in this county several years
before their death or removal therefrom: T. R. Ridgway, admitted in Feb
ruary, 1847; Sidney MeGuire, March, 1848; James Knox, August, 1853;
T. B. Hoover, December, 1859; Charles F. Hasson (Oil City), August, 1861;
E. Ferero, Oil City, April, 1864; Archibald Bleakley, August, 1864; S. P.
Irwin, November, 1864; F. E. Felton, December, 1864; H. P. Montgom
ery, December, 1864; Isaac Myers, Jr.-, January, 1865; W. S. Crawford,
January, 1865; H. C. Johns (Pithole), January, 1865; W. T. Bell, Janu
ary, 1865; Henry G. Smith, AprU, 1865; A. G. Rice, April, 1865; Mal
colm Hay, afterward assistant postmaster general, April, 1865; James Flynn
(Rouseville), April, 1865; William Bleakley, August, 1865; George S.
Daugherty, August, 1865; William R. Dickerson, August, 1865; W. V.
Perrine, August, 1865; T. S. Zuver (OU City), August, 1865; C. S. An
drews, September, 1865; J. G. Elliott (Petroleum Center), November, 1865;
T. C. Spencer, January, 1865; G. W. Andrews, January, 1866; C. O.
Bowman, January, 1866; H. T. Beardsley, November, 1866; F. W. Hast
ings, December, 1866; Jacob A. Vroman, Samuel D. Irwin, January, 1867;
H. B. Plumer, AprU, 1867; Henry A. MUler, AprU, 1867; John P, Park,
March, 1868; W. T. Graham, AprU, 1868; Frederick L. Seely, AprU, 1868;
R. Mackwood, April, 1868; John McKissick, September, 1868; John McC.
MiUer, December, 1868; G. B. McCalmont, January, 1869; M. D. Christy
(OU City), March, 1869; S. P. .Newell, AprU, 1869; WiUiam A. Given
(RouseviUe), April, 1869; N. H. McCormick, March, 1870; James H. Donly,
May, 1870; A. W. Covell, October, 1870; J. H. Bowman, January, 1871;
J. C, Boyce (OU City), April, 1872; Henry A. Strong, December, 1872;
Samuel P. Brigham, AprU, 1873; S. S. Avery, May, 1878; W. N. MUes,
March, 1874; WUliam M. Francis, March, 1874; J. W. Osborn, April, 1874;
WiUiam A. Selby, April, 1875; John T. Selb*y, May, 1875; T. A. Morrison,
November, 1875; Heber Donaldson, John K. WUson, July, 1876; Jacob
O'Dell, James W. Shaw, August, 1876; C. L, Poor, September, 1876; N.
P. Bryden, March, 1877; W. W. Dale, August, 1877; E. L. Davis, Novem-
ber,»1877; E. S. McCalmont, August, 1880; L. R. Freeman, September 27,
1880; Wilmot Heard, August 27, 1888; C. W. Benedict, August 25, 1884;
E. E. Smith, December 8, 1884.

190 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Uninviting Character of Venango County as a Field for the Labors
OF Professional Physicians at an Early Date— Pioneer
Doctors at Franklin and Throughout the
County— Medical Societies— Roster
of the Medical Profession.
VENANGO COUNTY does not seem to have been an encouraging field
for the labors of professional physicians during the first decade of its
history. A hardy race of people, inured to exposure and privation, and
entirely unacquainted with the luxuries which foster a large proportion of
the diseases incident to the usual manner of living in older and more
wealthy communities, composed its early pojjulation. In the long category
of human ills, there are very few likely to afflict a people with whom the
principal articles of food were wheat flour, corn meal, and wild meats, who
were generally engaged in manual labor of the severest kind, and enjoyed
the added advantage of living in an exceptionally healthful locality. Trifling
ailments and even serious illness were treated with prescriptions from the
domestic pharmacopia; the prompt application of such remedies, guided by
experience, common sense, and self-reliance, generally succeeded very well.
Much as "grandmothers' remedies" — nauseous decoctions of herbs that
were cultivated in the garden for the purpose, and whose virtues were a
traditional heritage from mother to daughter; preparations compounded
from the bark and roots of trees, or from drugs that could be obtained at
the country store — have been ridiculed, feheir efficiency on many occasions
can not be questioned. Professional physicians were not the less desirable,
however, and the first demand for the services of a knight of the lancet and
pill bag met with a prompt response.
The following interesting particulars regarding the practitioners who
"blazed the way" for the succession of gentlemen who have since graced
the ranks of the profession is given in the language of Doctor Eaton:
The first to hang out his sign was T. G, Symonds. Whence he came no one now
knows, and what was the character of his work is equally obscure. He located here
about the close of the last century, and probably did not remain long. There must
have been an interregnum after his departure, as Mrs. Irvine testifies that when any
one was sick, very sick, after she arrived, which was in 1800, a physician was called
from Meadville. This meant a long, weary ride over a rough road, on horseback, and
a return in the same way.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 191
The next doctor was Thomas Smith. He is said to have been a skillful physician,
but an eccentric man. He was slow of speech, aud somewhat credulous, to his own
injury at times. On one occasion a young man had captured a porcupine and brouijht
it to Doctor Smith as a present. The doctor was delighted with the pet and proposed
to keep it as a curiosity, and shut it up in his office over night, until he could arrange
suitable quarters for it.
In those days every doctor kept a minature drug store, so as to be able to furnish
the medicine his patients might require. On coming to his office in the morning the
naturalist was greatly horrified at finding that his porcupine had climbed upon the
shelves and knocked down almost every jar and bottle and tumbled them on tlie floor,
in one general scene of ruin. Drugs that agreed and disagreed with each other were
mingled together. Solids and fluids were combined, as no doctor has ever combined
them. Probably the porcupine smiled to see the ruin he had wrought, but the smile
was premature. The doctor was excited to very great wrath, and indulged in indis
creet language, and finished by shooting the cause of his trouble.
Peter Faulkner came to Franklin in 1820, but moved to Woodstock,
Crawford county, within a brief period. The scope of his professional
labors still embraced the northern part of the county, however, and his ap
pearance on horseback with the stout leather saddle-bags and old fashioned
riding accoutrements of that day was familiar throughout the northwestern
counties. He was quite successful, both as surgeon and practitioner. He
died at Erie January 13, 1876, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
George R. Espy also located at Franklin in 1820. He was born Feb
ruary 21, 1796. His academic education was obtained at Bedford, Penn
sylvania, and his professional training under the tutorship of Doctor Peter
Allen, of Knisman, Ohio. He bore an excellent reputation as a physician
and enjoyed great persona^ popularity. In 1827 he was elected to the legis
lature from the counties of Crawford and Venango, and from that date was
a prominent factor in the political affairs of the county, rising to the posi
tion of auditor general of the state under Governor Porter. In 1831 here-
tired from practice; in the winter of 1845-46 he removed to Fort Madison,
Iowa, where he was engaged in milling and merchandising until his death,
February 21, 1849.
Several physicians located at "Franklin temporarily at a comparatively
early period, amon^- whom were Doctors GilfiUan, J. Dowling, John D.
Wood, and J. Bascom. Doctor Wood was popular as a physician and fairly
successful in his practice. After his departure from this place he went
down the Mississippi, and nothing regarding his future career is known.
Doctor Bascom succeeded to Doctor Espy's practice in 1831. He came
with high recommendations from the medical societies of New York and
Ohio and remained several years.
Nathaniel Duffield Snowden began his professional career in this county
in 1828 at Emlenton ; two years later he removed to the county seat, thence
forth his residence to the close of his life. He was born at Harrisburg No
vember 28, 1803, son of Reverend Nathaniel Randolph and Sarah (Gustine)

192 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY. •
Snowden, the former descended from a family that settled at Barnstable,
Massachusetts, in 1630, the latter a daughter of Doctor Lemuel Gustine, a
surgeon in the American army during the Revolution. He acquired a
classical education at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, during the
incumbency of his father as president of that institution, and after a course
of preliminary study with his brother. Doctor Isaac Snowden of Thompson-
town, Pennsylvania, attended the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia.
From the time that his practice began until failing health compelled him to
relinquish its active duties he was assiduous and untiring in his devotion to
its pursuit. Equally skilled as a physician and a surgeon there were few
emergencies to which he was not equal. Gentle in manners and by na
ture tender and sympathetic, few men more readily gained the confidence of
the affiicted. In those days the practitioner drove or rode long distances in
the country and was frequently asked in consultation to undertake a jour
ney of twenty or thirty miles. ^Vith conscientious devotion to his calling
and unfeigned sympathy for sorrow or distress in every form he cheerfully
responded to demands for his services, often answering a summons when
he was more in need of rest and medical attention than his patient. A
man of studious habits, he was familiar with the literature of his profession
and well informed as to its progress.
Long before an apothecary was located at Franklin he was obliged at
times to prepare his own drugs, and often gave both medicine and advice
to the needy and destitute. Liberally educated himself he .was active in
promoting all local educational interests, serving frequently as trustee of the
academy and school director. Repeatedly honored by his fellow citizens
by election to places of trust, he was coroner of the county from 1844 to
1847, and register and recorder from 1857 to 1860. He was married on
the 27th of April, 1833, to Jane, daughter of George McClelland; their
children were Samuel Gustine, who succeeded to the practice of his father;
George Randolph, of Philadelphia, brigadier general of the First brigade.
National Guard of Pennsylvania, who served in the civU war as captain in
the One Hundred and Forty-Second Pennsylvania Volunteers; and Jane
Bredin, deceased wife of James Woodburn, of Franklin. Doctor Snowden
died September 30, 1864, in the sixty-first year of his age, and in full com
munion with the Presbyterian church.
Buckland Gillett was born in Schoharie county, New York, September
18, 1807. His parents were natives of Connecticut, who emigrated to
Schoharie county, and thence to Fredonia, Chautauqua county. New York.
He received a good education at the Fredonia Academy, and in 1824 began
his medical studies with Doctor S. White. After a four years' course he was
admitted to an examination by the censors of the Chautauqua County Medi
cal Society, and licensed to practice medicine and surgery in conformity
with the law then in force in the state of New York. In 1829 he began

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 193
practice at TitusviUe, but in May, 1834, moved to Franklin, where he made
his home and continued in the active practice of his profession nearly half
a century. In 1847 he matriculated and attended lectures at Harvard Uni
versity, and subsequently tho honorary degree of M. D. was conferred upon
him by the University of Wooster at Cleveland, Ohio. He assisted in the
organization of the Venango County Medical Society, of which he was the first
president. He was also a member of the State Medical Society and one of
its vice presidents; a member of the American Medical Association, and an
honorary member of the California State Medical Society. April 30, 1832,
he married Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer Byles of Allegheny township; she
is stUl living (1889) at the age of seventy- seven. They had one child,
Annette, wife of R. L. Cochran. Doctor Gillett died October 19, 1881.
In noting his death the Venango Spectator pays the following just tribute
to his memory:
His name was familiar to our whole people. To the ability of a skilled physi
cian, he added the soothing care and kindness of a friend. In his medical career he
was eminently sufccessful, and perhaps no man in his profession ever gained to a
greater extent the love and gratitude of those to whose ailments he was a healing
messenger. Educated in the strictly orthodox school of medical science, he was a
student throughout his long life, and neglected nothing necessary to keep himself
abreast of the improvements and discoveries that time had made in his art. He was a
man of sterling knowledge outside of his profession and would have made his mark in
lines entirely distinct from his calling. But it was as the gentle, kind, and skillful
physician that our people best knew him, and as such he will long be remembered in
many a household. No man had more or truer friends, and no man better deserved
them. George W. Connely read medicine with Doctor Espy, and practiced at
Franklin several years. He was born in Allegheny township September 3,
1804, son of Isaac Connely, a pioneer in that part of the county. He had a
coUegiate education, was a member of the Methodist church, and a Demo
crat. He retired from the profession to become clerk to the county com
missioners, a position which he held many years. He was elected prothono
tary in 1842 and served until 1848. September 14, 1826, he was married
to Margaret Lowry, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, to whom three sous and
one daughter were born: James L., of Philadelphia; Espy, of Franklin;
Isaac, of Pleasantville, and Mrs. B. W. Bredin, of Franklin. His death
occurred January 13, 1851.
Samuel Gustine Snowden, eldest son of Doctor Nathaniel Duffield Snow
den, was bom at Franklin, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1837. He obtained
his early education at the public and private schools of that place, and sub
sequently took a three years' course of study under the Reverend William
White, D. D., LL.D., rector of the Episcopal church of Butler and princi
pal of the Butler Academy. This included in addition to the usual academic
studies a full collegiate course in Greek and Latin. Doctor Snowden came

194 HISTORY OF VEN-iNGO COUNTY.
of a family of physicians. His father and three of his father' s brothers were
physicians, as also were his great-grandfather, Samuel Gustine, and his
great-groat-grandfather, William Hooker Smith, the two last mentioned well
known among the Wyoming patriots and sufferers in the early history of
Pennsylvania. In boyhood he had chosen his profession, and spent many
hours in his father's office, under his supervision, studying the elementary
principles of medical science at an age when most boys spend their leisure
time upon the playground. After returning from Butler he read medicine
regularly with his father, and before he was twenty years of age assisted
him in his large practice.
In October, 1857, he matriculated at the Philadelphia College of Medi
cine, an excellent institution numbering among its professors at that time
D. Hays Agnew and Henry Hartshorne. But the withdrawal of southern
patronage during the late war so reduced its numbers that it was finaUy
merged in the University of Pennsylvania, thus leaving the doctor without
an alma mater. He graduated March 3, 1859, receiving his diploma soon
after his twentj'-first birthday. He established himself . permanently at
Franklin and continued in the active duties of an extensive practice until
1883, when failing health compelled him to relinquish professional work.
Early in that year he spent several months in Philadelphia, hoping that rest
might restore him to health. In June he returned to Franklin no better,
and the rest of the summer was spent at Waterford, the early home of his
wife. On Christmas day, accompanied by her, he bade adieu to Franklin
and went to Asheville, North Carolina, hoping against his better judgment
that the bracing mountain air of that place might prove beneficial; but it
was of no avail, and on the 22nd of August, 1884, in the presence of his
wife and only brother, he passed quietly away. His remains were brought
to Franklin and interred in the cemetery there.
Death found him in the full vigor of his intellectual growth, and while
still a comparatively young man, cut short a career that had already won
him an enviable reputation as a physician and an honorable standing among
men. Perhaps no one in this community was ever more generally or sin
cerely mourned. Fond of research and fortunate in possessing a retentive
memory, he was fully abreast of the times in the progress of medical science
and in all the current matters and literature of the day, was conversant
with that branch of law known as medical jurisprudence, and in the midst
of a large practice he yet found tim^ to master the German language so as
to translate it with ease, and in the days of waning health found recreation
in reading the works of Gcethe, Schiller, Heine, Auerbach, Spielhagen, and
other German authors, and toward the last read Luther' s version of the New
Testament and Book of Psalms. He was often called to give testimony in
the courts as an expert, and his statements were always so concise, techni
cal and clear, that the court, the bar, and the jury listened to him as one
speaking with authority.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 197
His reputation as a skillful surgeon, and especially as a physician pos
sessing in an unusual degree the faculty of unerring diagnosis (that rare
gift which more than any other indicates true professional genius), was
wide-spread, and he was often called beyond the limits of his own county
and state in consultation. He regarded his profession a high and sficred
calling, and always practiced in strict accordance with the ' ' code of ethics, ' '
which he called the "code of honor among physicians." He was a mem
ber of the county and state medical societies, also of the American Medi
cal Association, and in 1876 was a delegate to the international convention
of physicians at Philadelphia. He enjoyed to an exceptional degree the
confidence and esteem of his professional contemporaries. The soul of
honor, frank, outspoken, and independent, a stanch friend and loyal to old
friends, he had a rare faculty of winning new ones. Beneath a somewhat
brusque manner he carried a very sensitive nature and a sympathetic heart.
Although not devoted to society he was very fond of informal social inter
course, and was a fluent, racy, and entertaining conversationalist. In poli
tics he was a life-long Democrat.
Upon religious subjects Doctor Snowden was a liberal thinker. Though
never a church member he admired the observances of the Episcopal church,
and requested that when his time should come its solemn burial service
should be used and its clergyman officiate. Upon being asked a few days
before his death if he wished the counsel or intercession of any of the
clergymen of the town, he answered in the negative, saying : ' ' God under
stands me. My faith is fixed and I need no mediator. This' ' (producing a
little piece that he had clipped from some paper), "expresses the substance
of my faith." It contained the last words and prayer of Judge Jeremiah
S. Black. "How can I fear to cross the dark river when my father waits
for me on the other shore ? Would I were as comfortable about all I leave
behind unfinished in this world! Oh, Thou most beloved and merciful
heavenly Father, from whom I have had my being and in whom I have
ever trusted, if it is Thy will, grant that my suffering may end, and that
I may be called home to Thee, and Oh, bless and comfort Thee my Mary."
On the 12th of September, 1867, Doctor Snowden was united in mar
riage by the Reverend J. F. SpaiUding (now Episcopal bishop of Colorado),
to Mary Judson, daughter of Doctor William Judson of Waterford, Erie
county, Pennsylvania, who still survives him.
Walter Lowrie Whann, son of Robert S. and Elizabeth (Lowrie) Whann,
was born and reared to adult age in Mineral township, Venango county.
In the summer of 1841 he entered NeAV Hagertown Academy, Carroll county,
Ohio, and in the following year became a student at the Franklin CoUege,
New Athens, Ohio, completing a literary course in June, 1847, after which
he immediately began the study of medicine. In 1849-50 he attended a
course of lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and in 1850

198 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
began the practice of 'medicine at Clintonville. He attended a second
course of lectui-es at Starling Medical College in 1855-56. During the civil
war he was appointed surgical director for the district in which this county
is situated. In 1867-68 he took a special course at Jefferson Medical Col
lege,' Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1868. He located at
Franklin the same year, and has been engaged in the active duties of his
profession in this county longer than any other of the physicians of that
city. He is a member of the county, state, and national medical associa
tions, and has an abiding confidence in the regular system of medicine, be
lieving that all outside of that school tends to retard the progress of medi
cal science. In 1865 he married Miss Frances Emerett Jones, of Randolph,
New York, and they are the parents of one child, Elizabeth E. The doctor
is a Republican in politics, and represented this county in the legislature
in 1866-67. The present practicing physicians of Franklin are Doctors W. L. Whann,
J. R. Borland, Isaac St. Clair,, E. W. Moore, D. C. Galbraith, W. A.
Nicholson, E. P. Wilmot, Stephen Bredin, J. W. Leadenham, G. B. Still-
man, J. B. Glenn, T. A. Irwin, and John M. Douds.
Doctor Borland commenced practice at Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, in
1851, and located at Franklin in 1865, graduating at the Philadelphia
University of Medicine and Surgery in 1865 and at the Georgia Eclectic
Medical College in 1880. Doctor St. Clair is also an Eclectic practitioner
and came to Franklin in 1868. Doctor Moore graduated at the University
of Wooster, Cleveland, in 1869, and came to Franklin in 1871. Doctor
Galbraith began his practice in this county at Polk in 1862, whence he
came to Franklin in 1871. He graduated at the Ohio Medical College in
1865. Doctor Nicholson graduated from BeUevue Hospital Medical Col
lege, New York, in 1876. Doctor Wilmot graduated from the Homoeopathic
Hospital College of Cleveland in 1882, and soon after located in Franklin.
Doctor Bredin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1856, his
professional work since that date having been principally done at Butler,
whence he removed to Franklin in 1883. Doctor Leadenham came to Franklin
from Edenburg, Clarion county, in 1883; he is a graduate of BeUevue
Hospital Medical College. Dr. Stillman, after graduating from the Col
lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore in 1880, commenced practice
at North East, Erie county, subsequently removing to Amite City, Louisiana,
Atlanta, Georgia, and to Franklin in 1885. Doctor Glenn came to Franklin
in 1887, but had practiced at Polk and Freedom in this county for some
years previously. He graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1872.
Doctor Irwin graduated at the College of Homoeopathy, Chicago, in 1888,
and has been practicing at Franklin since that date. Doctor Douds came
to Franklin from Mercer in 1889.
' The first physician at Emlenton was Dr. Snowden, and after his depart-

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 199
ure in 1880, he was succeeded after an interim of several years by James
Gow, whose daughter was the first child bom at that borough. After a
residence of about six years he removed to Callensburg and shortly after
ward, having sustained severe injuries by being thrown from a horse, he
relinquished the profession, removing to Clarion, where he was prothon
otary. Subsequently he went to Meadville and became a minister in the
Methodist church. The next practitioner was William E. Bishop, who,
though not regularly educated for the profession, met with fair success.
The succession of medical gentlemen at this borough includes the names of
Doctors John Fowler, John Beatty,  Adair, Josiah McMichael, Robert
Colbert, T. W. Sampson, B. F. HamiUon, J. E. Moore, J. E. Hall, C. S.
Kerr, E. A. Kuhns, and others.
Samuel Bates, the pioneer physician of Cooperstown, located at that
borough in 1830. He was from western New York, and removed in 1836
to TitusviUe, where he was associated with Doctor Shugert, and remained
for some time. J. M. Dille, who was born in Lake county, Ohio, in 1822,
graduated at Starling Medical coUege in 1845, and located at Cooperstown
in 1836, where he practiced his profession until his death.
Robert Crawford, of Cooperstown, has been a resident of the county
longer than any other of its physicians. Born in County Tyrone, Ireland,
May 14, 1817, he came to America with his parents in 1821. He was
reared in the vicinity of Pittsburgh and acquired an academic education at
the schools of that city. His medical preceptor was Doctor Wilson, of
Allegheny county. After pursuing a course of study at the Cleveland Med
ical College he graduated from that institution in 1845, and in 1860 also
obtained the degree of M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania, He
entered upon the practice of medicine at Cooperstown in 1837, and from
that date has been prominently identified with the profession in this county.
He has been one of the censors of Cleveland Medical College many years,
and is a member of the county, state, and national associations.
The earliest physicians of the Scrubgrass region were Doctors John
Coulter and John D. Wood. The former lived on a farm in Clinton town
ship, and his rides extended over all the southwestern part of the county
and into the adjoining portions of Butler and Mercer. He never kept any
accounts, and consequently the full remuneration for his services depended
very much upon the memory and honesty of the patient. Doctor Wood
lived at the summit of an elevated declivity overlooking the river and within
hearing from a similar bluff on the opposite bank, which enabled persons in
Rockland or Richland to secure his services without crossing. His practice
was largely in that direction. He is known to have resided there as late
as 1826, and probably removed to Franklin soon after that date. Doctor
Coulter lived in that locality until his death.
Andrew J, McMillan was the first physician of Clintonville. He was a

200 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
native of Mercer county, and read medicine with James Magoffin, of Mer
cer, after having completed a classical course at Allegheny college, Mead
ville. He began his practice at Sandy Lake in partnership with John
Pethbath, but removed to Clintonville in 1840. His labors extended over
the territory included within a radius of ten miles. After his departure
from this county he removed to Williamsburg, Franklin county, Kansas,
where he died in 1886.
Among others who have represented the profession at Clintonville are
J. B. McMillan, brother to Andrew J., who located there in 1842; W. L,
Whann, now of Franklin, who began his practice here in 1850; James
Foster, afterward a minister of the Methodist church; A. G. Egbert, of
Franklin; K. M. Hoffman; J. E. Gillespie, who came to the borough in
April, 1866, and left in June, 1868, to enter the navy; Doctors Oliver
Ormsby, Homer Jackson, George Carr, C. P. Godfrey, and W. A. Nicholson.
The first practitioner at Utica was M. M. Byles, a native of Allegheny
township. He read medicine with Doctor Gillett and began practice in
1837, continuing until his death in 1847. His earliest successor was J. A.
Donaldson. Doctors John Wilson and Thomas B. Shugert were the earliest physi
cians in the northeastern part of the county. Doctor Wilson was born in
Jackson township in 1820, studied medicine with Samuel Axtell, of Mercer
county, and graduated from Cleveland Medical College in 1843, locating at
Neillsburg, whence he removed to Pleasantville some years ago. Doctor
Shugert was born in Centre county in 1820. He received an academic edu
cation at Lewistown and acquired his professional training at Cleveland Med
ical College. His practice was begun at Enterprise, Warren county, but
in 1849 he removed to Pleasantville, thenceforth his residence until death,
September 7, 1886.
James Petit was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 8, 1818.
He read medicine with Doctor Tracy Bronson, of Newton Falls, Trumbull
county, Ohio. He was married in Meigs county, Ohio, and resided there
for a time, but in 1848 located in Victory township on the Pittsburgh road,
where he practiced medicine until his death, April 17, 1882. He was well
known throughout that part of the county. He served as justice of the peace
four terms, and was active in promoting local educational and religious
interests. G. W. Cary, of East Sandy, was born at Franklin, AprU 17, 1824, son
of Nathaniel Cary, a pioneer of the county. His professional training was
obtained at Cleveland Medical College, from which he graduated in 1847.
He located at East Sandy in 1849, and has enjoyed an extensive practice.
Mrs. Cary is a daughter of John W. Shugert.
The first resident physician at the site of Oil City was John Nevins, who
came to that locality in 1850 for the purpose of regaining his health, but was

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 201
constrained to remain. After the place began to assume the proportions of a
town the first physicians were Doctors M. L. Porterfield, S. S. Christy, J.
R. Arter,  Seys, and M. M. Hulings. The present practicing physicians
are Jonathan W'hitely, Homoeopathist, who came to OU City in 1861; C. D.
Thompson, one of the first Eclectic physicians in the county, who located
here in 1862; F. F. Davis, a graduate of the University of Michigan in 1861,
a sui-geon and medical officer through the ^war, and since its close a resident
of Oil City; J. M. Harding, who came here in 1867; J. A. Ritchey, a grad
uate of Jefferson Medical College in 1871, who at once began practice here;
W. H. H. Jackson, whose professional work at OU City began in 1872 ; A.
F. Coope, who has been identified with the profession in this county since
1877; T. C. McCulloch, who graduated at Jefferson Medical CoUege in
1847, and located at Oil City in 1877; WiUiam Forster, who practiced at
Pioneer fi-om 1865 to 1882, when he removed to Oil City; S. W. SeUew,
who came here in 1882; Doctors J. D. Arters, J. M. McFarland, C. W.
Coulter, and W. F. Connors. T. W. Egbert, deceased, who graduated at
the Ohio Medical College in 1863, began his professional career at Oil City
within a short time thereafter, and was recognized as an able physician.
He was officially connected with the county medical society at various times.
MEDICAL SOCIETIES.
The Venango County Medical Society, auxiliary to the American Medi
cal Association and the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, was
organized on the 8th of May, 1867, at Franklin, with the following constit
uent members: Doctors Buckland Gillett, S. G. Snowden, W. S. Welsh, S.
S. Porter, J. R. Arter, D. C. Galbraith, and Robert Crawford. The pur
poses of this organization are thus set forth in its constitution : ' ' The
objeet of this society shall be the advancement of knowledge upon all sub
jects connected with the healing art; the organization of the profession in
connection with the State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso
ciation; the elevation of the character and the protection of the proper
rights and interests of those engaged in the practice of medicine, and the
means calculated to render the medical profession most useful to the public
and subservient to the great interests of humanity. ' ' The qualifications for
membership were thus set forth: "To entitle a person to membership in
this society he must be a citizen of the county of Venango, also a practi
tioner in the county one year, a graduate of a respectable medical school, a
licentiate of some approved medical institution, or a regular practitioner of
at least fifteen years' standing and of good moral and professional reputa
tion." In the present constitution these provisions have been so changed
as to harmonize with recent statutory enactments. The latter instrument,
prepared by a committee consisting of Robert Crawford, S. G. Snowden, and
J. A. Ritchey, was adopted October 21, 1884.

202 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The officers of the society are a president, vice-president, recording secre
tary, assistant secretary, coiTesponding secretary, treasurer, and a board of
censors composed of three members, one of whom is elected annually for
the term of three years. The president is ineligible for two consecutive
terms. The first election resulted in the choice of Buckland Gillett as pres
ident; S. G. Snowden, vice-president; W. S. Welsh, secretary; S. S.Porter,
treasurer, and S. G. Snowden, J, R. Arter, and D. C. Galbraith, censors,
who probably served in their respective capacities until 1869. The succes
sion from that date is as follows:
1869. — President, J. R. Arter; vice-president, W. W. PoweU; secre
tary, W. S. Welsh; treasurer, Buckland Gillett.
1870. — President, Robert Crawford; vice-president, T. W. Egbert, sec
retary, W. S. Welsh; treasurer, Buckland Gillett; censor, AVilliam Forster,
1871. — President, T. W. Egbert; vice-president, D. C. Galbraith, sec
retary, F. F. Davis; treasurer, W. S. Welsh; censor, L. H. Christie.
1872. — President, S. G. Snowden; vice-president, W. S. Welsh; secre
tary, F. F. Davis; treasurer, W. L. Whann; censor, K. M. Hoffman.
1873. — President, F. F. Davis;' vice-president, B. F. Hamilton; secre
tary, J. A. Ritchey; treasurer, E. W. Moore; censor, J. R. Arter.
1874. — President, W. S. Welsh; vice-president, J. A. Ritchey; secre
tary and treasurer, E. W. Moore; censor, J. A. Ritchey.
1875. — President, W. L. Whann; vice-president and secretary, E. W,
Moore; treasurer, L. H. Christie; censor, W. S. Welsh.
1876. — President, L. H. Christie; vice-president, S. H. Benton; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, L. H. Christie; censor, S, H. Benton,
1877. — President, J. A. Ritchey; vice-president, B. P. Hamilton; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, L. H. Christie; censor, B. F. Hamilton.
1878. — President, B. F. Hamilton; vice-president, G. W. Dille; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, L. H. Christie; censor, T. W. Egbert.
1879. — President, S. H. Benton; vice-president, J. E. Blaine; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, L. H. Christie; censor, W. L. Whann.
1880. — President, J, K. Crawford; vice-president, A. F. Coope; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer and censor, T. W\ Egbert.
1881. — President, G. W, DUle; vice-president, E. W. Moore; secretary,
A. F. Coope; treasurer, T. W. Egbert; censor, F. F. Davis.
1882. — President, E. W. Moore; vice-president, J. E. Blaine; secretary,
A. F. Coope; treasurer, T. W. Egbert; censor, G. W. Dille,
1883. — President, A. F. Coope; vice-president, S. G. Snowden; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, T. W. Egbert; censor, S. G. Snowden.
1884.— President, T. C. McCuUough; vice-president, J. W, Morrow;
secretary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, A. P. Coope; censor, J. K. Crawford.
1885. — President, WiUiam Forster; vice-president, J. W. Morrow; sec
retary, E, W. Moore; treasurer, J. A, Ritchey; censor, Robert Crawford.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 203
1886. — President, J. W. Morrow; vice-president, W. A. Nicholson; sec
retary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, J. A. Ritchey; censor, T. C. McCuUough.
1887. — President, W. A. Nicholson; vice-president, J. D, Arters; secre
tary, E. W. Moore; treasurer, J. A. Ritchey: censor, W. S. Welsh.
1888. — President, J. D. Arters; vice-president, S. Bredin; secretary,
E. W. Moore; treasurer, J. A. Ritchey; censor, C. S. Kerr.
1889. — President, S. Bredin; vice-president, G. B. Stillman; secretary,
E. W. Moore; treasurer, J. A. Ritchey; censor, F. F. Davis.
The following is a list of the members at present, with residence and
date of election to membership: Robert Crawford, Cooperstown, May 8,
1867; F. F. Davis, OU City, July 24, 1867; W. L. Whann, FrankUn, July
24, 1867; J. K. Crawford, Cooperstown, July, 1870; J. A. Ritchey, Oil
City, October 17, 1871; E. W. Moore, Franklin, October 17, 1871; B. F.
Hamilton, Emlenton, 1871; G. W. Dille, Cooperstown, January 21, 1873;
W. A. Nicholson. Franklin, October 19, 1875; A. F. Coope, OU City, April
16, 1878; T. C. McCuUough, OU City, July 15, 1879; J. W. Morrow, Tio
nesta, Forest county, October 17, 1882; W. F. Conners, OU City, July 17,
1883; WUliam Forster, OU City, July 17, 1883; J. D. Arters, Oil City,
AprU 15, 1884; Stephen Bredin, Franklin, October 21, 1884; C. S. Kerr,
Emlenton, July 19, 1886; C. N. Van Sickle, WaUaceviUe, October 19, 1886;
G. B. StiUman, Franklin, January 18, 1887; W. L. McKinley, Polk, Jan
uary 17, 1888; J. B. Glenn, Franklin, AprU 15, 1889; A. H. Bowser, Pitts-
ville, January 15, 1889; G. W. Barr, TitusviUe, Crawford county, April 15,
1889; F. M. McClelland, Utica, July 16, 1889; C. W. Coulter, OU City,
July 16, 1889.
Eclectic Medical Association of Pennsylvania. — Preliminary measures
for the organization of this body were taken at a meeting of the Eclectic
physicians of northwestern Pennsylvania at Oil City, on the 21st of January,
1873, in which Doctors J. R. Borland, C. D. Thompson, and J. M. Hard
ing, of this county, were active participants. The formal organization oc
curred at TitusviUe, April 15, 1873, with the following officers: President,
Alexander Thompson, of Meadville; vice-president, H. B. White, of Har
lansburg; recording secretary, J. M. Harding, of Oil City; corresponding
secretary, C. D. Thompson, of Oil City; treasurer, J. R, Borland, of Frank
lin. A charter of incorporation was granted by the court of Venango county,
September 20, 1875. The members from this county at that date were
J. M. Harding, C. D. Thompson, J. R. Borland, L. W. Ranney, and I.
St. Clair.
The Eclectic Medical Society of Western Pennsylvania was organized at
Corry, August 10, 1875, with fourteen members, of whom J. A. Salisbury,
of Corry, was elected president; C. J. PhUips, of Sugar Grove, W^arren
county, vice-president; J. R. Borland, of Franklin, secretary; and Alexan
der Thompson, of Meadville, treasurer. Its territorial limits originally em-

204 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
braced only the counties of Venango, Erie, Crawford, and Mercer, and
"Northwestern" appeared in the title instead of "Western," which was
substituted in 1888, when the limits were so extended as to include all the
western counties of the state. The meetings of this society have frequently
been held at Franklin. It is auxiliary to the state association and compre
hended under the charter of the latter. Although these societies are not
local organizations, strictly speaking, their inception and incorporation oc
curred here and are properly a part of the medical record of the county.
The Liberal Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, organized at
Oil City, January 21, 1878, was also composed principally of medical prac
titioners in Venango county. The first officers were J. M. Harding, of Oil
City, president; Mrs. C. T. Canfield, of TitusviUe, vice-president; J. R.
Borland, of Franklin, recording secretary; C. D. Thompson, of Oil City,
corresponding secretary; J. S. Hill, of Franklin, treasurer; Alexander
Thompson, of Meadville, W. H. H. Jackson, of Oil City, and I. St. Clair,
of Franklin, censors. The membership included representatives of various
schools, the object having been to promote ' ' mutual professional recogni
tion and intercourse," as indicated bythe title. While this design may have
been rather impracticable under the present status of professional ethics,
the association enjoyed a harmonious existence of three years, when it dis
banded in consequence of the withdrawal of a large part of its membership
to unite with the organizations of their distinctive schools.
ROSTER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The law of Pennsylvania requires that every person engaged in the reg
ular practice of medicine or surgery shall be a graduate of a legally char
tered medical college, and have his diploma registered in the prothonotary' s
office in the county where he resides. Exception is made in the case of phy
sicians who have been in continuous practice in the state since 1871. The
following is an alphabetical list of physicians who registered in compliance
with the requirements of the law from June 1881, to October, 1889,
showing the institution from which each graduated, and the year of gradu
ation or length of time engaged in regular practice in the state, as the case
may be, and residence at the time of registration:
J. D. Arters, OU City; University of Buffalo, 1882.
W. A. Baker, Rockland township; continuous practice in the state since
1870. S. H. Benton, OU City; UniversUy of Buffalo, 1870; BeUevue Hospital
Medical College, New York, 1879.
J. M. Blaine, Emlenton; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1881.
J. E. Blaine, Pleasantville; BeUevue Hospital Medical College, New
York, 1872.
J. J. Boal, WaUaceviUe; Detroit Medical College, 1877.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 205
J. R. Borland, Franldin; University of Medicine, Philadelphia, 1855;
Eclectic Medical College, Atlanta, 1880.
J. K. Bowers, Pleasantville; Philadelphia America University, 1873.
A. H. Bowser, Salina; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 1885.
B, L. Brigham, Clinton townshij); College of Physicians and Surgeons,
BaUimore, 1880.
D. L, Brown, Utica; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 1884.
J. A. Burgeon, ReynoldsvUle, Clarion county, continuous practice in the
state" since 1866.
G. W. Cary, East Sandy; continuous practice in Venango county
thirty-four years.
J. W. Cary, Pinegrove township; Cleveland Medical College, 1879.
W. F. Conners, Oil City; University of New York City, 1880.
A. F. Coope, OU City; University of Michigan, 1870.
C. W. Coulter, OU City; Western Pennsylvania Medical College, 1888.
J. K. Crawford. Cooperstown; University of Pennsylvania, 1868.
Robert Crawford, Cooperstown; University of Pennsylvania, 1860.
F. F. Davis, OU City; University of Michigan, 1867.
G. W. DiUe> Cooperstown; Cleveland Medical College, 1872.
J. M. Dille, Cooperstown; continuous practice at that place from 1848
to his death.
A. H. Diven, Salem City; continuous practice in the county since 1865.
T. W. Egbert, Oil City; Ohio Medical College, 1863.
E. S.' Franks, TitusviUe; American University of Pennsylvania, 1868.
D. C. Galbraith, Franklin; Ohio Medical College, 1865.
J. B. Glenn, Franklin; Jefferson Medical College, PhUadelphia, 1872.
S. P. Goudy, Rouseville; Columbus Medical College, 1881.
A. D. L. Griffith, Oil City; continuous practice at that place since 1871.
B. F. Hamilton, Emlenton; University of Wooster, Cleveland, 1872.
J. M. Harding, Oil City; Albany University of New York State.
S. B. Hartman, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Jefferson Medical College,
PhUadelphia, 1857.
J. H. Hazen, Dempseytown; Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati,
1881. R. A. Hudson, Franklin; Homoeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland,
1886. T. A. Irwin, Franklin; College of Homoeopathy, Chicago, 1888.
W. H. H. Jackson, OU City; Western Reserve College, Cleveland, 1878.
F. M, Johnson, Philadelphia; continuous practice in the state since
1864. F. H, Johnston, Utica; Cleveland Medical College, 1867.
W. T. Jones, Franklin; BeUevue Hospital Medical CoUege, New York,
1884.

206 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
E. A, Kuhns, Emlenton; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1884.
J. W, Leadenham, Franklin; Long Island Hospital, New York, 1876.
Joshua Lippincott, Chapmanville; Eclectic Medical College of Cincin
nati, 1881.
J. J. Looney, Utica; continuous practice in the state since 1869.
J. M. Lupher, PleasantviUe ; E. M. College of Philadeldhia, 1871.
James MacFarland, Oil City; University of Edinburgh, 1885.
G. W. Magee, Salem City; Western Pennsylvania Medical College,
1889. J. H. Martin, Utica; Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, 1879.
Manuel Matthews, Barkey ville ; continuous practice in Lawrence county,
Pennsylvania, from 1851 to 1880.
Milton Miles, Westfield township, Crawford county; continuous practice
since 1870.
L. C. Millspaugh, Oil City; University of the City of New York, 1884.
E. W. Moore, Franklin; University of Wooster, Cleveland, 1869.
S. P. McCalmont, Jr. , Franklin ; University of the City of New York,
1888. F. M. McClelland, Utica; Western Reserve University.
E. M. McConnell, Polk; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 1888.
T. C. McCuUough, Oil City; Jefferson Medical CoUege, Philadelphia,
1853. W. L. McKinley, Victory township; College of Medicine and Surgery
of Keokuk, Iowa, 1882.
J. B. McMillan, Clintonville; thirty years' continuous practice in the
county. W. A. Nason, Pleasantville; Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati,
1887. W. A. Nicholson, Franklin; BeUevue Hospital Medical College, New
York, 1876.
G. W. Parr, Clintonville; BeUevue Hospital Medical College, New
York, 1876.
S. M. Patton, Cochranton, Crawford county; University of Cleveland,
1882. J. M. Peebles, Hammonton, New Jersey; University of Pennsylvania.
John Petit, Victory township; more than thirty years' continuous
practice (deceased).
R. W. Playford, Petroleum Center; University of New York, 1855.
W, J. Proper, PleasantviUe; Starling Medical College of Ohio, 1883.
A. J. Pyle, New Galilee, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; forty years' con
tinuous practice in the state,
T. S. Pyle, Franklin; E. M. College of Philadelphia, 1868.
L. W. Ranney, Cooperstown; continuous practice in the county since
1855.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 207
Griffin Reno, OU City; Albany Medical CoUege, 1862.
J. A. Ritchey, OU City; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1871.
Thomas B. Shugert, Pleasantville; deceased.
M. C. Smith, Pleasantville; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Bal
timore. S. Gustine Snowden, Franklin; Philadelphia College of Medicine, 1859
(deceased). Augustus Soper, Franklin; CoUege of Physicians, Ontario, 1888.
I. St. Clair, Franklin; University of Medicine and Surgery, Philadel
phia, 1869.
G. B. Stillman, Franklin; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Balti
more, 1880.
R. M. Strauss, Chapmanville; University of Wooster, Cleveland, 1878.
E. W, Taylor, French Creek township; University of Wooster, Cleve
land, 1871.
C. D. Thompson, Oil City; continuous practice in Venango county
since 1862 (except 1866-69).
W. C. Tyler, RouseviUe; University of Philadelphia, 1870.
R. E. Van Naten, Cooperstown; Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia,
1863. C. N. Van Sickle, WaUaceviUe; University of Buffalo, 1882.
J. H. West, Louisville, Kentucky; Kentucky College of Medicine, 1875.
W. L. Whann, Franklin; Jefferson Medical College, 1868.
Jonathan Whitely, Oil City ; Homoeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland,
1873. E. P. W^ilmot, Franklin; Homoeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland,
1882. C. M. Wilson, Irwin township; Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur
gery, 1876.
B. B. Williams, Meadville; Eclectic Medical Institute, 1860.

^08 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTEE XV.
AGRICULTURE.
Relative Importance of Agriculture— Pioneer Farming— Development
OF Improved Methods and Machinery- Introduction of Domestic
Animals and of the Cereals into America— Pioneer Stock
—Prospect Hill Stock Farm— Oakwood Farm and
Garden Company, Limited — Agricult
ural Societies— The Grange— Har
vest Home Associations.
WHETHER the aggregate of capital invested, the amount of labor
employed, or the value of its products be considered, agriculture is
unquestionably a most important industry; and, from the period when its
pursuit was practically universal to the present, it Jias sustained to every
community the relation of a primary and ultimate source of wealth. The
dignity of the calling has been recognized in all ages; its quiet amenities
have been celebrated by the poet and artist since the dawn of literature and
art; men of ability and eminence in the cabinet or on the field, at the bar
or in the pulpit, and in every department of human activity have been drawn
from its ranks. And yet the history of agriculture, although marked by a
gradual and certain progress, is singularly deficient in brilliant passages.
Pioneer farming involved as a necessary preliminary the removal of the
forest. This was principally the accomplishment of physical force. The
trees were felled together in double windrows and after being exposed to the
sun and wind several months became so dry that a fire applied at one end
would be driven by a proper breeze with incredible rapidity, consuming the
interlaced branches and leaving nothing but charred and blackened trunks.
These were usuaUy brought together in great heaps and submitted to the
burning process until scarcely a vestige remained. Another method was to
fell the trees and after lopping off the branches for firewood, drag the logs
together and pile them in huge pyramids, in which condition they were con
signed to the flames. Where the grovrth of timber was not particularly
¦dense much of the labor was obviated by removing the underbrush and
"girdling" the larger trees. The bark was cut from the trunk of the tree
in a section about a foot wide, thus depriving the limbs and leaves of sap
entirely, and as a result the tree was dead within a brief period. The bark

AGRICULTURE. 209
and smaller branches fell to the ground, affording a valuable fertilizer, but
the trunk, white and ghastly by exposure to the weather, was allowed to re
main for years in many instances, until wood had acquired some commercial
value or the farmer was moved by a desire to improve his land. Farming
operations in a field where the trees had been girdled were sometimes at
tended with distressing fatalities ; rotten branches were liable to fall at any
time, and the close proximity of the plowman and his team could not arrest
the action of the force of gravitation.
But if the work of clearing the land was protracted and laborious, the
virgin soil responded to the first effort at cultivation with a profusion and
liberality that compensated largely. The methods of cultivation in vogue
at that day were crude in the extreme. The principal implement used in
preparing the ground was a ' ' drag ' ' or triangular harrow formed of two
pieces of timber united in the form of the letter V ; each piece had a number
of wooden teeth intended to grub up the soil so as to afford a lodging place
for the grain, but stones and stumps occurred with such frequency that this
purpose was only accomplished to a very limited extent. The first crops
consisted of corn, oats, wheat, and potatoes. Corn was planted in hills and
potatoes in rows, while wheat and oats were sown broadcast and covered by
dragging a tree-top over the field. Of the different cereals corn was most
readily prepared for consumption or sale and received a corresponding de
gree of attention. Husking was sometimes done in the field but more fre
quently at the barn, and the combined energies of the community were often
brought to bear upon this work. Grain was cut with a sickle. Harvest
time was a season of severe and protracted labor, and it would have been con
sidered impossible to withstand its requirements without resorting to a
neighboring distillery for assistance. The threshing and cleaning of wheat
involved an amount of labor utterly incommensurate with its marketable
value. Sheaves of grain were placed in order on a floor of puncheon or
hard clay where the grain was tramped out by horses or threshed with a
flail. This was but one part of the work, however; it still remained to sep
arate the wheat from the chaff, and with no machinery save a riddle or sieve
of home construction, this was an almost endless task. Threshing fre
quently required the farmer' s time nearly the whole winter.
As already remarked, the transition to present methods was gradual. It
would be impossible to indicate definitely the time when the sickle was re
placed by the grain cradle, or when the latter was superseded by the reap
ing machine and binder. The plow, originally a ponderous instrument re
quiring great strength in its manipulation and constructed almost entirely
of wood, received in succession an iron point, coulter, and mould-board, the
first stage in the evolution of the latter being a sheet iron sheath for the
wooden mould-board. The windmill was the first innovation for winnowing
wheat; the next was a revolving cylinder to take the place of the flail and

210 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
afforded an opportunity to utilize horse power. The combination of these
two machines with such modifications as experience has suggested and in
genuity devised has resulted in the modern threshing machine. The grain
drill, at first clumsily provided with an apparatus to regulate the amount of
seed sown, was introduced almost as soon as the general condition of the
land would permit its use. The mowing machine has taken the place of the
scythe, while the hay-rake and tedder and hay- fork relegate much of the
hardest labor in connection with this department of farm work to the past.
The application of manure as a measure of restoring and sustaining the
fertility of the soil has been continued, but commercial fertilizers have come
into general use as a means of further accomplishing this purpose. Rotation
of crops, scientific methods of drainage, and other departures of a similar
nature have followed as the natural result of careful and intelligent experi
ment, placing the farming community of Venango county in a position to
compare favorably with that of any other in this section of the state.
Brief mention of the various domestic animals may not be uninteresting
in this connection. The first specimens were introduced by Columbus in
1493 on his second voyage, when he brought with him a horse, a bull, and sev
eral cows. The first introduction of horses into the United States occm-red
in 1527 when Cabeca de Vaca brought forty-two to Florida. In 1589 De
Soto brought to that region a number of horses and swine. Several hundred
swine, a horse, and six mares, domestic fowls to the number of five hundred,
with a few sheep and goats were brought to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1609;
a few animals had been introduced there two years previously.
Of the cereals corn alone is indigenous to America and was cultivated in
a crude way by the Indians. It was first raised successfully by the English
at Jamestown in 1608. In 1602 Gosnold sowed wheat and oats on the Eliz
abethan islands near the Massachusetts coast and barley at Martha's Vine
yard. It is to him that the honor of introducing these grains is due.
Wheat was sown in Virginia in 1611 and introduced into the Mississippi
valley in 1718. Oats was cultivated in Newfoundland in 1622 and in Vir
ginia prior to 1648. Buckwheat, which is thought to be indigenous to Cen
tral Asia, was among the productions of Pennsylvania as early as 1702.
Rye was found in Nova Scotia in 1622 and in Virginia in 1648. Barley
was cultivated in Virginia in 1611. The potato, like maize, is indigenous
to America, but never acquired any importance as an article of food untU
after its introduction into Europe. The sweet potato is a native of the East
Indies and was introduced into the southern colonies early in the seven
teenth century.
Horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs were brought into the county by the first
settlers ; they were usually of an ordinary breed and very little was done
toward the improvement of stock for many years after the organization of
the county. The swine of that early date, compared with the breed at

AGRICULTURE. 211
present, present a very wide contrast; for whatever the breed may have
been called, the special characteristics were soon lost in the mongrel swine
of the countiy. They were long and slim, long- snouted and long-legged,
with an arched back and bristles erect from the head to the tail, slab-sided,
active, and healthy. The " sapling- splitter " or "razor-back," as hewas
called, was ever in search of food and quick to take alarm. He was capable
of making a heavy hog but required two or three years to mature, and until
a short time before butchering or marketing was suffered to run at large,
subsisting as a forager and fattening mainly upon the mast of the forest.
In no stock of the farm has there been greater improvement. The long-
legged, long-snouted, slab-sided, roach-backed, tall, active, wild, fierce,
and muscular specimen would scarcely be recognized as belonging to the
same species as the improved breeds of to-day. Similar advances have
been made with every variety of farm animals, largely through the instru
mentality of agricultui'al societies and also as the result of priyate enter
prise. Within recent years special features of this nature and also of a
horticultural character have been developed, the importance of which is not
bounded by local environment but may fairly be said to entitle them to
national prominence in their respective fields.
Prospect Hill Stock Farm, * of which Messrs. Charles Miller and J. C.
Sibley of Franklin, Pennsylvania, are the proprietors, is to-day undoubtedly
the best equipped and one of the largest and most widely and favorably
known of any breeding establishment in the world. There are, in reality,
adjacent to Franklin, three separate farms owned by the firm. The first,
generally known as the Fair Ground farm, adjoining the Third ward of the
city, lies on the east side of the Meadville pike and extends from the foot
to the top of the hUl. It comprises about one hundred and ninety acres,
and contains the principal buildings. This is the farm referred to in this
article, unless otherwise stated. The Galena farm, lying principally on the
west side of the Pittsburgh pike, between Franklin and Uniontown, con
tains about three hundred and twenty-five acres, and is at present used
mostly for pasturage. The Prospect Hill farm, located in Sandy Creek
township, six miles southeast of Franklin, consists of nearly two hundred
acres, and is now used chiefly for growing crops. It has barn capacity for
about ninety animals. On this farm is the first silo built west of the Alle
gheny mountains. Its capacity is two hundred and forty tons. The firm
began their career as breeders after they had achieved such success in other
lines that they had sufficient means to enable them to obtain for foundation
stock the most desirable animals regardless of cost. The first purchase
which called general attention to the rising firm was that of the Jersey bull
Pedro 8187, whose dam at that time (T881), had the highest yearly butter
record of any cow in the world. Breeders were present at the auction from
* By E. H. Sibley.

212 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
all parts of the country and competition was lively, but the firm finally se
cured the prize for two thousand five hundred dollars, which was considered
an unreasonable sum to pay by those who did not fully appreciate the im
portance of having the best qualities possible in a sire. However, as is gen
erally true, the best proved in this case to be the cheapest, and in addition
to an immense amount of free advertising, and to getting back considerably
more than first cost in the increased price at which they sold his calves, the
firm at length disposed of this bull for the highest price up to that time re
alized for any animal of this breed, namely: ten thousand dollars in cash,
and other considerations valued at three thousand dollars. Shortly after
ward the firm purchased from A. B. Darling, proprietor of the Fifth Avenue
hotel. New York city, Michael Angelo 10116, a better bred son of Eurotas,
paying for him, when a calf only six weeks old, twelve thousand, five hun
dred doUars cash, which price still remains the highest bona fide cash price
ever paid for an individual of the Jersey breed.
At one time in Jersey history great attention was paid to mere beauty;
the ideal being a gazelle-like creature, which was more ornamental in the lawn
than profitable in the dairy. The firm realized from the first that the true
standard of value of the breed, and hence the standard that must ultimately
prevail, was excellence for milk and butter, and hence selected all animals
on this practical basis. As the general public had not yet come around to
their standard they were able to buy for one hundred and thirty dollars one of
the best dairy bulls that ever lived. Stoke Pogis 5th, 5987, for which after
ward fifteen thousand dollars was offered and refused. Several bull calves
by this bull were sold by the firm at from one thousand to one thousand
five hundred dollars each.
While on a visit to Canada Mr. Sibley saw a cow, then dry, which other
breeders had also looked at, but had paid no particular attention to, which
he concluded was one of the best he had ever seen. He advised the fellow
breeder, who had an option on her for two thousand dollars, to take her by
all means, and he himself went immediately and bought for the firm her bull
calf, Ida's Rioter of St. L., 13656, for one thousand five hundred dollars.
Within a year from that time the full brother of this bull was sold for five
thousand dollars, and his dam Ida of St. Lambert was purchased jointly by
V. E. Fuller of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Miller & Sibley for six
thousand dollars cash. Mr. Fuller eventually disposed of his interest in'
this cow to Messrs. MUler & Sibley. She made, before a committee ap
pointed by the American Jersey Cattle Club, a seven days' test of thirty
pounds twenty-one and a half ounces of butter, which was nearly three
pounds higher than any previous yield. She gave sixty-seven pounds of
mUk per day, four hundred and fifty- five and one- half pounds in seven days,
and eighteen hundred and eighty-eight pounds in thirty-one days, these
amounts constituting and still remaining the best milk records for those
periods of any cow in the Jersey breed.

AGRICULTURE. 215
A COW that had been bought for four hundred and thirty dollars, and
that was retained in spite of the advice tc sell her by a chief expounder of
the escutcheon theorj^ who declared that she would be an unprofitable cow
in the dairy, gave, when two or three years older, in twelve consecutive
months sixteen thousand one hundred and fifty-three and three- fourth
pounds of milk, which, from tests in several different months, was conserv
atively estimated to have yielded fully nine hundred and fifty pounds of
butter. This animal, Matilda 4th, 12816, her owners claim to be the best
cow of any breed for a yearly production of milk and butter combined. It
might be interesting to speak in detail of La Petite Mere 2nd 12810, Fawn
of St. Lambert 27912, and many others well known throughout Jerseydom,
but the limits of this sketch" forbid. The firm have literally sold their
Jerseys from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, and from Canada to the gulf of
Mexico. Two bulls were sent to the Pacific slope this summer (1889), one
going to Oregon and the other to California.
The cattle barn on the Pair Ground farm is a three-story, sixteen-sided
polygon, lighted by electricity, heated in winter by steam, and having
capacity for one hundred and fifteen animals. The thermometer is not
allowed to go over 45° and not under 40° Fahrenheit, the aim being to main
tain a temperature a little above freezing point. The basement is devoted
mainly to milking cows. The gutters behind the stalls are covered with
iron grating extending to a sewer, which leads one hundred rods from the
stable. The number of pounds of milk that each cow gives is immediately
set down on the record sheet. By this means and by tests at intervals of
each cow's milk for richness, the value of every cow in the dairy for milk
and butter can be closely determined. On the floor above are box stalls
for service bulls and cows soon to calve, and in one room with the engine is
a De Laval cream separator, for separating the cream from the milk as
soon as milked. This was the first one of these machines to be set up in
Pennsylvania and the second one in America. The top floor is used
mainly for storage for feed. A railway suspended from the roof and
power supplied by a team of horses outside the barn makes it an easy mat
ter to raise from the inside or outside of the bam, and place wherever
desired, straw, hay, fodder and other kinds of feed. The power cutter on
this floor cuts one ton of corn fodder into one-third inch length in twenty-
five minutes.
At the present time the entire Jersey herd numbers about one hundred
head. The firm also own (purchased for the firm principally by Mr. Mil
ler) a Holstein bull; four head of Black Polled Angus cattle; about seventy-
five head of Shetland, Welsh, and Burmese ponies; two hundred head of
pure and grade Angora goats, and twenty head of coach horses, the last
mentioned headed by Incroyable, a prize-winning stallion by one of the
French government stallions. W. K. Vanderbilt imported Incroyable, and

216 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
is said to have paid more money for him than was paid for any other horse
of this breed that ever left France. For several years the firm owned, and
had in the stud. Prince Buccleugh, an imported, registered Clydesdale stal
lion of famous prize- winning ancestry.
In 1886 J. C. Sibley purchased, as an individual venture, from ex-Gov-
enor Stanford of California, for ten thousand dollars, the four-year-old
trotting stallion St. Bel 5336, record 2 :24-|. This horse has been repeatedly
timed quarter miles in thirty-two seconds. Electioneer, his sire, has more
of his get in the 2:20 list than any other stallion that ever lived, and
promises soon to lead all others in the number of his 2:80 trotters. Beau
tiful Bells, the dam of St. Bel, already first among the famous brood mares
in the average speed of her foals, also promises within a few years to sur
pass all others in the number of her foals to trot in 2:80 or better.
The mares purchased were carefully selected regardless of cost, for
their blood lines and individual excellence. They were chiefly daughters of
such noted sires as Dictator, Almont, Nutwood, Volunteer, Harold, Elec
tioneer, Happy Medium, Princeps, Nephew, Belmont, and Mambrino King,
and the aim was, as far as possible, that the dams of these mares should be
equally as well bred as their sires.
A horse barn was constructed nine hundred feet in circumference, the
largest of the kind in the United States, elliptical in form, containing a
tan bark track under cover one-seventh of a mile in length, on which horses
can be exercised in the winter and at other times when the weather will not
permit of their being taken outside. A half-mile track, said to be one
of the best in the United States, was also built at a heavy expense.
In the summer of 1888 Major Charles Miller, who, through his promi
nent connection with the Baptist denomination, had previously refrained
from joining the trotting horse enterprise, purchased a one-half interest,
wisely concluding that this business, honestly and honorably conducted as
it was, was as legitimate and creditable as any of the many others in which
he and Mr. Sibley had invested money together.
Additions and improvements to the farm have been constantly going on,
among which may be mentioned a fire-proof brick stable for stallions, a
stable containing twenty box stalls for horses in training, a two and one-
half story barn for colts, residences for superintendent and trainer, black
smith shop, etc., etc.
The total amount of money invested by the proprietors up to November
1, 1889, was three hundred and fifty-one thousand, three hundred and three
dollars, twenty-six cents; number of men employed, sixty- eight, and total
yearly expense of fifty thousand dollars, of which twenty thousand dollars
was for labor.
No effort has been made to sell the St. Bel colts, the plan being to de
velop them and sell them for what they can show. One colt, however, was

AGRICULTURE. 217
sold as a suckling out of a dam that had no record, and none of her get }'et
in the thirty list, for twenty-five hundred dollars. An offer of fifty thousand
dollars for St.* Bel has been refused. His younger brother. Bell Boy, sold
at auction for fifty-one thousand dollars. St. Bel's service fee is five hun
dred dollars, and his book for 1890 was filled in five days' time. Only two
or three other stallions in the United States command so high a fee. Mil
ler & Sibley also own St. Bel's full sister, Palo Alto Belle, and full brother.
Electric BeU. For the fiUy they paid eight thousand doUars as a two-year
old. For the colt they paid tvJelve thousand five hundred doUars cash
when less than one year old. This is the highest price yet paid for a colt
of this age. Two other highly-bred and valuable stallions owned by this
firm are Clay Wilkes 1840, by George Wilkes, dam by American Clay,
second dam by Cassius M. Clay, Jr. , and Sulwood by Sultan, dam by Nut
wood. The stallions Elector and May King, both by Electioneer, were sold
during the past year for seven thousand five hundred dollars each. The
whole number of trotting animals now owned by the firm is about one hun
dred. J. C. Sibley still continues the active management of the trotting horse
department and the general oversight of the entire business, but turned it
over, in 1885, to his younger brother, E. H, Sibley, who is given the title of
manager, the purchase of supplies and handling of funds, the settlement
of accounts and the sales department of Jerseys, ponies, etc. The other
officials at the present time are: George B. Jobson; veterinarian and super
intendent of herds and flocks; R. F. Patterson, superintendent of horse
department; R. C. Stinson, trainer, and O. L. Rew, superintendent of
farms. Oakwood Farm and Garden Company, Limited, was incorporated in
1887, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. O. H. Strong is
chairman, and H. B. Beatty, secretary and treasurer. During his residence
at Jamestown, New York, and Rouseville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Strong had
made a study of rose culture in an amateur way, and in 1885 decided to
embark in the propagation of roses as a business. Having purchased a
tract of six hundred acres in Cranberry township presenting the requisite
characteristics in altitude, drainage, and exposure, he began the erection of
suitable buildings and in the spring of 1886 the business was fairly estab
lished. Eight green-houses, three hundred feet long and twenty-one feet
wide, were built in 1886, and one, one hundred feet long by seventy in
width, in 1885; two, with the dimensions of three hundred by fifteen feet,
were added in 1887, and three others of the same proportions in 1888, an
aggregate of twenty-two thousand, three hundred square feet devoted to
the immediate purposes of propagation and growth. The twelve varieties
that now receive attention are the Perle Desjardins, Niphetos, Bride, Will
iam Francis Bennett, Pappa Gontier, Bon Silene, American Beauty, Catha-

218 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
rine Mennet, La France, Souvenir De Wootton, Sunset, and Madame
Cusin. They are grown for cut-flower purposes exclusively; the company
enjoys a large local trade, but the bulk of its products finds a market in the
principal cities of the country as far west as Colorado. The largest ship
ments of cut flowers into Chicago are made from this rosery. ' The differ
ent departments of the establishment and of the dairy connected with it
employ twenty-five men. About a dozen dwelling houses have been
erected by the company, giving to the place the appearance and character
of a small village. It ranks with the most extensive horticultural estab
lishments in the United States. agkiodltueal societies.
The earliest effort to organize an agricultural society was made in the
year 1888. A meeting was held at the court house by those favorable to
the movement at the February term of court, B. Junkin, presiding, with
Myron Park, secretary. Henry Shippen made an address; resolutions
favorable to the permanent organization of a society were adopted; James
Thompson, C. Henlen, Aaron McKissick, Doctor G. A. Meeker, and Alex
ander McCalmont were constituted a committee to draft a constitution;
Joshua T. Leech, Myron Park, and Hugh McCleUand were appointed to
prepare subscription papers to be circulated in the different townships, and
for the latter service a committee of two was appointed for each township, as
follows: Allegheny: Ebenezer Byles, William T. Neill; Beaver: George
Kribbs, Doctor G. A. Meeker; Canal: J. A. Gilliland, Samuel Black;
Cherry Tree: Richard Irwin, Isaac Archer; Cornplanter: John Rynd,
Thomas Anderson; Cranberry: James Eaton, Alexander McCaman; Elk:
James Hasson, Joseph Kucher; Franklin: Andrew Bowman, Myron Park;
French Creek: Aaron McKissick, A. W. Raymond; Farmington: Joshua T.
Leech, James Hiland; Irwin: Thomas Beard, John Hovis; Paint: John
Brenneman, Christian Myers ; Pinegrove: Christian Henlen, Samuel Powell;
Plum: James Cooper, John G. Bradley; Richland: B. Junkin, Joseph M.
Fox; Rockland: John S. McKean, Daniel Smith; Sandy Creek: John Sin
gleton, Isaac Bunnell; Scrubgrass, John Craig, David Phipps; Sugar Creek:
Charles G. Crain, James Reed; Tionesta: Reverend Hezekiah May, Alexan
der Holeman. Arrangements were made for effecting a permanent organi
zation at the following term of court, but it does not appear that anything
of this nature ever occurred. At all events no fair was ever held.
The Venango County Agricultural Society. — On the evening of Mon
day, August 25, 1851, a meeting of the friends of agricultural improvement
was held at the court house in Franklin. David Phipps was called to the
chair; William T, Neill, John Brown, and W. W. Shaw wei;e appointed
vice presidents, Matthew Riddle and C. H. Heydrick, secretaries. John S.
McCalmont delivered an address. As the result of the interest thus aroused

AGRICULTURE. 219
a permanent organization was effected on the fourth Monday in November
with the following officers :
President, David Phipps, of Scrubgrass.
Vice-presidents: Robert Riddle, of Scrubgrass; William Shorts, of Sandy
Creek; Isaac B. Rowe, of Franklin; James Hughes, Sr., of Cranberry;
Joshua Davis, of Rockland; Joseph Porterfield, of Richland; William
Wright, of Canal; John Boozer, of Sugar Creek; Oliver McKissick, of
French Creek; W. W. Shaw, of Jackson; David Reynolds, of Oakland;
William Cowan, of Plum; James Strawbridge, of Cherry Tree; William T.
Neill, of Allegheny; P. H. Siverly, of Cornplanter; Robert P. Elliott, of
President; Ashbel Holeman, of Tionesta; David Elliott, of Pinegrove.
Corresponding secretary, E. S. Durban, of Franklin; recording sec
retary, C. P. Ramsdell, of Franklin; treasurer, R. A. Brashear, of
Franklin; librarian, Samuel F. Dale, of Franklin.
The preliminaries were thus arranged, but too late for the holding of a
fair in 1851. The first exhibition occurred on the 5th and 6t,h of October,
1852, in the Third ward of Franklin, then Sugar Creek township, at the
terminus of the bridge over French creek. The exhibit included horses,
cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry, farm, garden, and orchard products,
agricultural implements, articles of domestic manufacture, etc. From a
comparison of the best evidence it appears that only one fair was held at
this place, a plat of ground on Buffalo street, where the Union school
building stands, having been secured in 1853. Annual exhibitions were
held there until October, 1861, when the oil excitement diverted public
attention. The minutes having disappeared, it is impossible to give the
officers throughout its continuance. The society doubtless subserved a
useful purpose, and was, considering the condition of the county at that
tjme, highly creditable to the management and to the agricultural com
munity at large.
Emlenton Union Agricultural Society, the only association of this
nature in the county outside of the county seat, was organized March
27, 1858. The first election of officers resulted as follows:
President, Henry Kohlmire, of AUegheny township, Butler county.
Vice-Presidents: J. F. Layton, Allegheny township, Butler county;
John Macklin, Washington township, Butler county; John Murrin, Ve
nango township, Butler county; George Parker, Parker township, Butler
county; Elias Widle, Emlenton, Venango county; Joshua Davis, Richland
township, Venango county; Daniel Smith, Rockland township, Venango
county; J, Craig, Scrubgrass township, Venango county; William Christy,
CUnton township, Venango county; John J. Kilgore, Irwin township, Ve
nango county; Samuel Fox, Richland township. Clarion county; John
'Showers, Ashland township. Clarion county; P. Kribbs, Salem township.
Clarion county; George Kribbs, Beaver township. Clarion county; John

220 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Logue, Perry township. Clarion county; Benjamin Gardner, Licking town
ship. Clarion county; S. Kiefer, Callensburg, Clarion county; Mr. Robison,
Perry township, Armstrong county.
Recording secretary, W. W. Patton, Emlenton; corresponding secre
tary. Doctor J. McMichael, Emlenton; treasurer, A. B. Crawford, Em
lenton; librarian, H. Gormley, Emlenton.
The first fair was held in the autumn of 1858. It was largely at
tended and generally regarded as a success; but the outbreak of the re
bellion and the discovery of oil monopolized the attention of the public
to such an extent that interest in the matter subsided and the exhibitions
were discontinued.
The Venango County Agricultural Association yi as incorporated August
22, 1872. Grounds were leased in the Third ward of Franklin and suit
able buildings erected thereon at a cost of eight thousand dollars. It might
have been called a driving park association with more propriety, as trials
of speed constituted the leading features of the exhibitions. Financially
it was not a success; the lease, privileges, etc., were sold at sheriff's sale
and purchased by a comparatively small number of the citizens of Franklin.
At a meeting of representative citizens of the different townships and
boroughs of the county, February 18, 1874, they offered to surrender all
the franchises of the association to an agricultural society for the sum of
two thousand dollars cash and the payment annually of half the rent, re
serving the right to use the driving course when the grounds were not
occupied for exhibitions. This proposition was favorably considered and
measures taken for the formation of the proposed new association. A
second meeting occurred April 15, 1874, Alexander Frazier, of Canal town
ship, presiding, when a variety of matters connected with county fairs were
considered and discussed. The agitation was continued throughout the
following summer and in January, 1875, at a public meeting .in the court
house, a permanent organization was effected with the following officers :
President, Alexander Frazier.
Vice-president, Justus Egbert.
Secretary, R. L. Cochran.
Directors: S. M. Lupher, H, Clulow, John BeU, W, C. Barber, Thomas
McKee, R. S. Bonnett, Calvin Ritchey.
Auditors : J, P. Byers, T. W. Smiley, G. A. McKinley. Two fairs were
held under the auspices of this association, in the autumn of 1875 and 1876,
respectively, and both were regarded as fairly successful.
The Venango County Agricultural Society. — After a brief period of des
uetude the agricultural fair idea was again resuscitated. An organization
was formed at Hanna' s hall, January 6, 1880. The responsibilities of the
project were distributed among the following officers:
President, A. G. Egbert, of Franklin,

AGRICULTURE. 221
Vice-president, William Bean, of Canal.
Secretary, Henry H. Ware, of Franklin.
Assistant secretary, C. A. McClintock, of Dempseytown.
Treasurer, J. L. Hanna, of Franklin.
Directors: James Anderson, of Scrubgrass; James Russell, of French
Creek; G. W. Mays, of Rockland; W. R. Crawford, of Franklin; E. E.
Clapp, of President; WUliam Foster, of Canal, and Henry F. James, of
Sugar Creek.
The president of the society purchased a tract of ground in Sugar Creek
township, adjacent to the Third ward of Franklin, ample in extent and eli
gibly located; this he adapted to the purposes of the society and erected suit
able buildings thereon, at an expense of some thousands of dollars, to which
the society contributed one thousand dollars, paying five hundred dollars
rental annually and leasing the grounds for a period of ten years. From
the first the exhibitions were largely attended and were conducted on a high
moral plane. A novel feature in 1882 was the educational display, under
the joint management of committees appointed by the society and the teach
ers' institute of the county. It was with the latter that the movement orig
inated. J. J. McClaurin, J. C. Boyce, and R. L. Cochran composed the
committee on behalf of the society. Pupils in the public schools through
out the county to the number of five thousand marched in procession from
the parks to the fair ground, where addresses were delivered by Reverend
E. E. Higbee, D. D. , state superintendent of public instruction, and Rever
end J. C. Kettler, D. D., president of Grove City College. Prizes aggre
gating in value more than a thousand dollars were awarded for special pro
ficiency in the various departments of school work. Another feature of im
portance was the organization of auxiliary farmers' clubs throughout the
county. In 1881 a conference of the officers of similar associations in ad
joining counties was held at Franklin under the auspices of this society to
devise measures for the promotion of mutual interests, the first effort of this
natm-e in northwestern Pennsylvania. The society never compromised its
premiums on a pro rata basis but always paid the full amount advertised.
In various other ways its management was in advance of the times. Nine
exhibitions were held, the last in 1888. In the meantime, the ownership of
the grounds having passed from A. G. Egbert to Miller & Sibley, obliga
tions of the society aggregating about five thousand dollars were liquidated
by the latter and the lease, which would not have expired until 1889, was
cancelled. No fair was held this year (1889), but the organization is still
sustained. The society was incorporated April 20, 1882. Doctor Egbert retired
from the presidency in 1882, and was succeeded by James Anderson,
who was followed in 1886 by Charles Miller, the present incumbent,
James MiUer was elected secretary in 1881, J. J. McClaurin in 1885, and

222 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
James MUler again in 1886. J. L. Hanna served as treasurer until 1885,
when E. W. Echols was elected, and has been continued in that position to
the present.
The Grange or Patrons of Husbandry had a number of flourishing aux
iliary organizations in the county. Cooperstown Grange, No, 185, insti
tuted March 30, 1874, was the first, and the movement rapidly advanced to
every part of the county. The interest subsided within a few years from a
variety of causes, and none of the societies are any longer sustained.
Harvest Home Associations have been incorporated at Utica, Dempsey
town, and other points throughout the county. Annual picnics are held,
usually in the months of August and September, and the attendance of
thousands of people attests the popularity of these occasions. In the oppor
tunities for friendly social intercourse and interchange of courtesies thus
presented, they exert a most important and beneficial influence.

CHAPTEK XVI.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Relation of Highways of Travel to Civilization— Roads— Turnpikes
AND Plank Roads- Water Highways- The First Steamboat-
French Creek and Oil Creek— Railroads — Venango Rail
road—New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio — West
ern New York and Pennsylvania — James
town AND Franklin — Allegheny
Valley — Postal Facilities.
THE relation that highways of travel sustain to material and inteUectual
progress has been frequently discussed in learned dissertations upon
the philosophy of civilization. It has been shown that maritime nations were
first to advance in the arts; that every great river is a highway by which
civilizing influences penetrate to the interior of continents, and that national
isolation, as illustrated in the case of certain Oriental peoples, invariably
results in a condition of utter stagnation. The various agencies by which
intercommunication is usually facilitated in an inland community — public
roads, navigable rivers, canals, and railroads — the result no less than the
cause of internal development and progress, are properly comprehended
within the generalization that appears at the head of this chapter.
KOADS.
The first overland highway through Venango county was the Le Boeuf

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 223
road, constructed by the French to facilitate the transportation of military
stores to the mouth of French creek and the movements of troops between
Lake Erie and Fort Machault. There is no special record of the fact, but
it was probably opened in 1754. The following passage occurs in the re
port of Thomas Bull, an Indian spy sent by the colonial authorities to as
certain the extent of the French forces, as transcribed by Colonel Hugh
Mercer under date of March 17, 1759: "The road is trod and good from
Venango to Le Boeuf, and from thence to Presque Isle, about half a day's
journey, is very low and swampy and bridged almost all the way." This
clearly proves that the French opened the road in the first instance, or fol
lowed an Indian trail, and the route followed was the shortest between the
two forts, the distance being much less than the meanderings of French
creek. Striking the north line of Crawford county in the northeast corner
of Rockdale township, its course passed through the eastern part of Athens,
Steuben, and Troy townships, entering Plum township in the northwestern
part of Venango county and passing through the western part of Oakland
and the central part of Sugar Creek to Franklin. The villages of Chap
manville and Sunville in Plum township are situated upon its course, which
was revised within a few years after the settlement of the county and has
been changed in many places.
The "Path leading to French creek" from Pittsburgh, referred to
in General Irvine's report upon the donation lands in 1785, coincided
with the general course of the state road afterward opened between these
two points and popularly known in this part of the country as the Pitts
burgh road. In later years this name has been applied to two principal
roads that converge at Springville in Victory township, one of which passes
through Mechanicsville, in Irwin township, and the other through Clinton
ville, in Clinton township.
At the first term of the court of quarter sessions, December 16, 1805, a
petition was presented setting forth the necessity of a public road from
Franklin to the Mercer county line near Robert Henderson' s, to intersect a
road opened in that direction from the town of Mercer. This was the first
road petition considered by the court after the organization of the county for
judicial purposes. Samuel Dale, Alexander McDowell, John Lindsay, Caleb
Crane, Sr. , George Power, and Robert Henderson, were appointed for its con ¦
sideration and reported favorably at June sessions, 1806, whereupon the
supervisors were directed to open the road agreeably to the courses and dis
tances established. The survey was made by Colonel Dale. This is the
Franklin and Mercer road, one of the most important highways of the county.
The road from Franklin to TitusvUle, known at an early date as the Oil
Creek road, was probably laid out under the auspices of the Crawford coimty
court. It passed through the village of Cherry Tree and several miles south
east of Dempseytown. The original course has been materially changed.

224 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The road from "John Kerr's landing on the Allegheny river" (Emlen
ton), to intersect ' ' the great road leading from Scrubgrass meeting house
to Franklin" at Moses Perry's field (Lisbon), was laid out by Thomas
Baird, James Scott, Robert Blair, Moses Perry, William Crawford, and Sam
uel Jolly, and confirmed at September term, 1806.
A road from Robert Mitchell' s tract on the line of Butler county to in
tersect the Franklin road at William Lyon' s was laid out by Samuel Dale,
David Martin, WUliam Milford, and Patrick Jack, and confirmed in Decem
ber, 1806.
A road from White Oak Springs, Butler county, to the Franklin road at
the crossing of Sandy creek near John Dewoody' s, laid out by James Mar
tin, Jr. , Samuel Plumer, Caleb Crane, and James Martin, Sr. , was confirmed
at December term, 1806.
A road from John Lindsay's mill on Mill creek to Franklin intersecting
a road from James Adams' mill to that town, laid out by Alexander John
ston, James Martin, Jr., James McClaran, David Blair, George King, and
James Martin, Sr. , was confirmed in March, 1807.
A state road from Milesburg, Centre county, to Waterford, Erie county,
was provided for by the legislature prior to 1800, but no sufficient appro
priation was made for opening the western part of its course until 1810.
The disposition of this sum was placed in the hands of the county commis
sioners. Similar provision was made for the state road from Butler to
Meadville, and the manner in which the appropriation was expended is
shown by the following extract from the commissioners' minutes of Sep
tember 13, 1811:
Agreeably to an act of assembly entitled "An act making appropriations for
certain internal improvements," the commissioners, after having viewed the following
roads in Venango county, viz., the state road leading from Butler to Meadville and
the state road leading from Milesburg to Waterford, or such parts of the same as lie in
said county, have made agreement with the following persons to do and perform cer
tain pieces of work thereon, viz..
On the Butler road leading to Meadville, John Boner agrees to dig a certain space
of said road at the rate of sixteen dollars.
James Davidson agrees to dig and bridge a certain distance of said Butler road for
the sum of forty-one dollars and fifty cents, at the run called Bullion's run.
Archibald Davidson agrees to bridge a certain part of said road between Scrub-
grass and Samuel Grimes' at twelve dollars.
Adam Taylor agrees to cut, open, and bridge a certain part of the said road near
Irwin township line at seventeen dollars.
William Dewoody agrees to dig a certain part of the said road on the south side
of Sandy creek hill at sixty-nine cents per perch.
John Dewoody agrees to dig a certain part of the said road adjoining the above
at seventy -eight cents per perch.
Luther Thomas agrees to cut and open a part of the said road near Crawford county
line at one dollar; also four perches of bridging at one dollar and twenty-five cents
per perch; also, a piece of digging at one dollar, and a piece of digging, etc., two hills,
at three dollars.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 225
On the road leading from Milesburg to Waterford Charles Holeman agrees to dig
sixteen perches on the river hill at seventy-five cents per perch.
William Hays agrees to dig a part of said road on the north side of Three Mile
run at forty cents per perch,
Isaac Connely agrees to dig a part of said road on the north .side of Hemlock creek
at fifty cents per perch.
William Hays agrees to dig and open a part of said road on the south side of Hem
lock creek at forty cents per perch.
Samuel McHattan and Alexander agree to open and bridge a part of the said road
near Hicks' cabin at eight dollars.
Charles Holeman agrees to open and dig a part of said road at sixty-six cents per
perch for digging and a reasonable price for auy part which may be opened.
Samuel McHattan and Alexander agree to open and dig a part of said road at fifty-
seven cents per perch on the north side of Little Toby's creek.
Alexander McElhaney agrees to bridge apart of said road supposed to be twenty-
six rods at ninety-nine cents per perch, and to open and repair at a reasonable price.
Samuel McHattan and Alexander agree to dig and open a part of said road on To
by's creek hill at twenty-four and a half cents a perch.
The road from Milesburg to Waterford crossed the Allegheny river at
Alexander Holeman' s, as originally laid out. Its course through this county
has been vacated to such an extent that it would be difficult to indicate it by
present land marks. It was an important and much traveled thoroughfare.
The road leading from Franklin through the villages of Salem City and Ten
Mile Bottom, in Cranberry township, and thence on through Pinegrove to
Fryburg, was the only other highway of importance opened through the
county at an early date under state auspices.
The road from Franklin to the mouth of OU creek, laid out by WiUiam
Martin, George King, James Martin, Sr., and John Snow, was confirmed at
December term of the court of quarter sessions, 1807. The old W^arren road
crossed Oil creek at Rynd Farm, and thence pursued a meandering course
through Cornplanter and Allegheny townships. Frequent revision ulti
mately rendered this a direct route between Franklin and Warren so far as
the topography would admit.
The Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike was the first internal improve
ment under corporate auspices constructed through this county. The com
pany was incorporated by act of the legislature, February 22, 1812; com
missioners at various places were authorized to receive subscriptions in stock,
those for Venango county being William I&oore and George Power, and the
amount of stock apportioned to this county was three hundred shares at a
par value of twenty-five dollars. The governor was authorized to subscribe
one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars to the project, one hundred
thousand doUars for that part of the line between the Allegheny and Susque
hanna rivers, and the remainder for the distance between Franklin and
Waterford, the expense of constructing a section five miles in length east and
west of the AUegheny river to be the basis of apportionment. The route led
"from Waterford, through Meadville and Franklin to the river Susque-

226 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
hanna at the mouth of Anderson's creek, in Clearfield county." The pre
scribed width was sixty feet, and of the portion to be artificially constructed,
twenty feet. The company was authorized to collect tolls upon sections five
miles in length as they should be completed and approved.
The state appropriation was conditioned upon a subscription of two
thousand shares by private individuals within three years; but the war of
1812 so depressed business of every kind in this part of the state that the
charter would have been forfeited but for a further extension of three years
from the expiration of the first period. Even with this liberal allowance of
time the projectors experienced great difficulty in securing the necessary
support. It is related that at a meeting in Meadville, August 19, 1815,
resort was had to the novel expedient of inducing an impecunious tailor, pos
sessing neither money nor credit, to become the nominal owner of seven
hundred and fifty shares, by which the progress of the work was materially
accelerated. The requisite subscriptions had been received in January,
1816, but actual operations were not begun until two years later. The sur
vey was completed in October, 1818; contracts for several sections were let
in November of that year, and in 1820 the entire line was opened to travel.
The course through this county is through the townships of Rockland, Cran
berry, Sugar Creek, and Canal; East Sandy creek is crossed at the hamlet
of that name, the Allegheny river and French creek at Franklin, and Sugar
creek some distance from its mouth. From the summit of the river hill
below Franklin to Salina in Cranberry township, a distance of four or five
miles, the course of the pike is upon a straight line and practically level,
the longest distance between the terminal points without a deflection in its
course. The Erie and Waterford turnpike had been constructed in 1809,
and by 1824 this great internal thoroughfare had been continued to Phila
delphia. It was a toll road for many years, but finally proved unprofitable
to the stockholders and was relinquished to the different townships through
which it passes.'
The imperative necessity of improved roads for the tranportation of oil
resulted in the construction of several lines of turnpike and plank-roads
during the decade beginning with 1860. The first of these was the Frank
lin and Oil creek turnpike, projected to afford a means of hauling oil to
Franklin during the time that it was the terminus of the Atlantic and Great
Western railway. The act of incorporation was passed February 19, 1862,
and names Thomas H. Martin, Arnold Plumer, W. M, Epley, Thomas
Hoge, James Bleakley, Richard Irwin, S. P. McCalmont, George H. Bis
sell, J. L. Hanna, C. Heydrick, WUliam Hilands, Joseph Shafer, P. Mc
Gough, James Wilson, C. C. Waldo, M. W. Kelsey, WiUiam Hasson, Sam.
Q. Brown, and Robert Lamberton as the corporators. The superintendent
of construction was Miles W. Sage, and work was begun May 19, 1862.
During the few years that this was continued as a toll road its receipts

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 227
were enormous. Two men were constantly required to collect the tolls.
The succession of teams was almost unbroken sometimes for a distance of
several miles. Although constructed at a time when such operations were
very expensive and abandoned after a few years, it proved to be a remuner
ative investment for the stockholders.
The TitusviUe and Pithole plank-road was constructed in the summer
of 1865 by Sam. Q. Brown, William H. Abbott, F. \V. Ames, and Oliver
Keese; the company was incorporated March 2, 1866. In this case the
usual order of procedure was reversed; the road was first constructed and
the charter obtained afterward. The opportunities of the times were too
great and the necessity too urgent to wait for legislative authority. The
course of this road led fi-om TitusviUe to Pithole City through Pleasantville,
affording a means of travel to the Pithole region at the time when it was
attracting thousands of people from all parts of the country. A double
track was laid and at considerable expense, notwithstanding which the
venture was eminently successful. A similar road was constructed from
Miller Farm to Pithole City, passing through the Shamburg region. This
has been entirely abandoned. The TitusviUe and Pithole road between
PleasantviUe and Pithole has also been abandoned, but is still continued as
a toll road between TitusviUe and Pleasantville.
The Salina and Laytonia Turnpike Company was incorporated March
25, 1864, the projectors being Thomas M. Parker, William Gates, Henry
Mays, William L. Lay, C. B. McKinney, James S. Johnston, W. H. Stef-
fee, and William Cartwright. A macadamized road was constriicted between
the designated termini and is still continued as a toll road. This is the
only turnpike in the county, as the plank-road from TitusviUe to Pleasant
ville is the only one of that description. WATER HIGHWAYS,
The navigation of the Allegheny river may be said to begin with the^
expedition of Celoron in 1749. French creek was also frequently utilized
in the military operations and movements of the French. C6loron em
barked at Chautauqua lake and passed through Conewango creek to the-
AUegheny, but with this exception the' usual route of the French was across
from Lake Erie to Waterford, at the head of navigation on French creek,
and thence down that stream to the river. With the transition to English
rule military purposes continued to be the principal end subserved by the-
navigation of these streams, and it was npt until American authority had
been established that they acquired commercial importance. As early as
1790 an appropriation of four hundred dollars was made for the improve
ment of Le Boeuf and French creeks. The principal exports from this
region were peltries and grain or its products, flour and whisky, which were-
loaded on flat-boats and thus taken to Pittsburgh and other river points.

228 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The transportation of salt was an important industry. The supply was ob
tained at Salina, New York, hauled in wagons to Buffalo, brought in vessels
to Erie, transported by ox-teams to Waterford by way of the old French
road, and transferred at that point to flat-boats for shipment down French
creek, the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. In the Crawford Weekly Messenger
of December 12, 1805, it is stated that "eleven flat-bottomed and six keel-
boats passed this place [Meadville] during the last freshet in French creek —
the former carrying on the average one hundred and seventy and the latter
sixty barrels of salt each, making in the whole two thousand two hundred
and thirty barrels." In the issue of January 1, 1807, the statement was
made that during the last rise in French creek twenty-two Kentucky boats
or arks passed Meadville loaded with salt and carrying an aggregate of four
or five thousand barrels. Under date of November 28, 1809, it is said that
"there are at present at Waterford upward of fourteen thousand barrels of
salt, containing five bushels each, or seventy thousand bushels, waiting for
the rise of the waters in order to descend to Pittsburgh, Wheeling, and
Marietta. This traffic was continued until about the year 1819, when salt
wells on the Kiskeminitas and Kanawha had been developed sufficiently to
supply the demand for the article in this territory.
During the war of 1812 the naval stores and munitions used in the con
struction of Perry' s Lake Erie fleet were transported from Pittsburgh by
way of the river and French creek. At a later date and until the open
ing of railroads through this part of the state, farm produce of every
description and lumber in large quantities were shipped from Erie, Craw
ford, Mercer, and Venango counties, and rafts were not unusual on French
creek as late as 1860, while crafts of various kinds continued to navigate
the river until the completion of the Allegheny Valley railroad.
The first successful steam navigation of the Allegheny river occurred in
1828, and marks the beginning of a new era in economic development and
internal communication in western Pennsylvania. The following account
of thefirst steamboat appeared in the Venango Democrat of March 4, 1828:
A STEAMBOAT ON THB ALLEGHENY.
On Sunday evening the 24th of February, the citizens of this place were some
what alarmed by the discharge of a field-piece down the Allegheny river — another
report soon followed — then the cry of a steamboat resounding in all directions, and
the citizens, great and small,- were seen flocking to the river to welcome her arrival.
She proved to be the William D. Duncan, of one hundred and ten tons. Captain
Crooks. She left Pittsburgh on Friday at three o'clock P. M., arrived at Kittanning,
a distance of forty-five miles, the same evening — left Kittanning at ten A. M., and ar
rived at this place on Sunday at flve P. M., after stopping at Lawrenceburg and other
places. The actual time occupied in running the whole distance, one hundred and forty
miles, was twenty-eight hours, averaging five milesan hour. We understand she could
have made the trip in much less time, but it being the first, her engineer was afraid of ap
plying her full power to the current. She had on board several tons of freight, and
about one hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen from Pittsburgh, Freeport, Kittan-

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 22 9
ning, and Lawrenceburg came passengers. Ou Monday morning a party was got up in
town who took an excursion of eight miles up the river to Oil Creek furnace, for the
double purpose of the pleasure of the trip and as a remuneration to .the enterprising
owners for the visit. She steamed the current at the rate of between flve and six miles
an hour, and came down in twenty-one minutes. The day was fine, the trip pleasant, all
were highly gratified ; and the accommodation was exceUent, On Tuesday morning
she took her departure for Pittsburgh, where, we understand, she arrived next morning,
without meeting with a single accident to mar the pleasure of their experiment. We
learn that two other boats are making preparations for ascending the Allegheny, and
that one of them may be expected here on Friday or Saturday next. It is expected they
will ascend the river as far as Warren, for which place we understand they have been
chartered. This, it is expected, will put an end to the controversy between the citi
zens of Pittsburgh and Wheeling who is located at the head of steamboat navigation.
Stern-wheel steamboats were introduced upon the western waters in
1880. This innovation in nautical construction was the invention of a Mr.
Blanchard. Robert L. Potter and David Dick, of Meadville, became
interested in it, and through their efforts the Allegheny was built on the
new principle at Pittsburgh. The trial trip was made in April, 1880;
Franklin was reached on the 18th of that month, whence the voyage was
continued to Warren. Seven trips were made during the year, on one of
which the river was ascended as far as Olean, New York. The stern- wheel
boat was found to be well adapted to a stream of such rapid current and
winding channel as the Allegheny. It was only during three or four months
of the year, however, that navigation was possible. River traffic reached its
largest proportions during the years of the oil industry immediately prior to
the opening of the AUegheny Valley railroad.
The construction of an artificial waterway to connect the waters of Lake
Erie with the Ohio river was suggested by W^ashington as early as 1788.
The project was one of vital interest to the people of western Pennsylvania,
and its agitation entered largely into the consideration of political measures.
The Beaver and Shenango rivers appear to have been regarded as the most
practical route untU the success of steam navigation on the Allegheny
attracted public attention to the feasibility of a slack-water improvement in
French creek, with such expenditures upon the channel of the river as
would render it possible for boats to continue running during the whole or
a large part of the year. It is needless to observe that this was regarded
with great favor in Venango county. Internal improvements were the
order of the day, and the policy of the state in projecting an elaborate
system of internal communication was everywhere sustained by public sen
timent. It was the great concern of every community, and a duty specially
enjoined upon members of the legislature, to see that their constituents
were not neglected in the framing of the appropriation bill. In 1829 Doc
tor George R. Espy, representative in the general assembly from this county,
was charged with voting contrary to the wishes of his constituents; but at
a public meeting, held at Franklin in August of that year, a committee,

230 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
composed of J. J. Pearson, James Kinnear, John Evans, George Power,
Andrew Bowman, Doctor John D. Wood, Alexander McCalmont, WiUiam
Raymond, and George McClelland, to whom the matter was referred, fully
exonerated him from the charges in question. This may serve to illustrate
the jealous care with which the people sought to guard their interests.
The desired result was finally obtained; a slack-water navigation was
established between the mouth of French creek and Meadville by the con
struction of dams at necessary intervals and of an artificial channel at sev
eral points, involving the expenditure of a million and a quarter dollars.
As a work of engineering the improvement doubtless possessed decided
merit; the masonry was substantially constructed and withstood for years
the force of the current and of successive fioods. But the calculations of
the projectors had been based upon insufficient data regarding the volume
of the stream at various seasons, as observed since the settlement of the
country, resulting in deficient provision for navigation during the summer
months, which deprived the work of all practical utility. Only two boats
ever passed through from Franklin to MeadviUe, the first of which arrived
at Meadville June 6, 1834, and the second, the French Creek Pioneer,
November 14, 1834.
The work had scarcely been completed before alterations and repairs
became necessary. But the Beaver and Shenango route had been deter
mined upon for the water communication between Lake Erie and the Ohio
river, and the prosecution of that enterprise was deemed sufficient for the
northwestern part of the state. Appeals to the legislature were unavailing;
the feelings of the people, as they contemplated the decay of public works
from which so much had been expected, were naturally indignant and found
expression in the formaL action of mass meetings at various times. A
meeting of this nature was held at the court house in Franklin, on the eve
ning of December 3, 1842; T. S. McDowell presided, with James S. Myers
and Myron Park vice-presidents, James Bleakley and Alexander Cochran,
secretaries. The condition of the canal was taken into consideration and
the sense of the meeting was expressed in a a series of resolutions reported
by James Ross Snowden from a committee composed of John W. Howe,
Richard Irwin, Samuel Hays, Samuel F, Dale, and James Ross Snowden,
several of which resolutions, with the preamble, are herewith subjoined:
Whereas, Various appropriations have been made bythe commonwealth since the
year 1836 to her public improvements, among which is the French Creek division of
the Pennsylvania canal, which is composed of the Franklin line and the French Creek
feeder; and whereas the said work for want of sufficient repairs has become in a great
measure dilapidated; and not only the commercial advantages sought to be secured by
the construction of the same have not been attained, but it is now causing an actual
injury to the navigation of the stream by rendering it more difficult and tedious than
the natural navigation. And whereas, sliould the Erie extension be completed and this
line kept in good repair, the interests and property of the country bordering on the

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 233
Allegheny and French creek and their tributaries would be subserved and encouraged
and the general interests of the commonwealth ]irotected; and it is believed that
further appropriations from the state treasury in lis present state of embarrassment
cannot reasonably be exiiected. And whereas, the importance of tills work impera
tively demands its preservation and protection, aud it would be unjust, uinvise. aud
impolitic to suffer it further to decay, and thus, instead of subserving the interests of
the county by promoting its commerce aud navigation, become an absolute evil liy
producing stagnant pools and obstructing tho natural uavigatiou; therefore.
Resolved, That the restoration and repair of the French Creek division of the
Pennsylvania canal is of the deepest importance to an extensive region of country,
thereb}' affording an outlet to market to the citizens residing thereon for their various
productions, as well as opening up an important channel to the commerce of the state.
But we would especially refer to the market it would afford to the iron, which is now
manufactured in large quantities in the counties of Armstrong, Clarion, and Venango,
and which may be enlarged to an almost unlimited extent.
Resiilved. That we view with alarm and surprise the startling fact that the water of
French creek, a lar.ge and navigable stream to which God and nature have given us an
indefeasible title, is about to be diverted from its natural channel and carried down the
Shenango and Beaver creeks, through the partial policy of these who have been en
gaged in conducting the public works, whilst the French creek division, although
actually completed, has been suffered to go out of repair and become an absolute ob
struction, rendering the navigation greatly inferior to what it was in its natural state;
that if this policy and course are passively submitted to and further pursued the water
of this large stream during the season of the year when most required for navigation
will be entirely diverted from its natural channel, and thus also its water power for
mills and other works be entirely destroyed.
Resolved, That should this project be consummated and the French Creek divi
sion be thus destroyed, it would be an act of the most gross injustice and a direct vio
lation of all equitable and just principles, not only to the citizens generally who reside
in this section of country, but especially to those who reside on the borders of the
stream and who have paid for those rights which are now sought to be taken away.
It was further charged that previous boards of canal commissioners
were responsible for the decayed state of the line, having withheld its just
proportion of the repair fund; and especially, that the board had solemnly
assured the representatives from this district in the session of 1840 that the
line should be put in repair, in violation of which they had refused any
amount whatever when the appropriation bill became a law. It was urged
that the Shenango route had never been authorized except with the under
standing that improved navigation should be simultaneously constructed to
the mouth of French creek as a substitute for its natural navigation and as
an equivalent for the water to supply the Erie extension. Any other ar
rangement, it was declared, would be an act of flagrant injustice on the part
of the commonwealth, depriving a large number of citizens of the benefits
of natural navigation, and bestowing upon another section of the state ad
vantages which it had no right to enjoy. As the improvement of the French
creek canal was a matter of urgent necessity and the embarrassed condition
of the public treasury would not warrant any appropriation from that source,
it was suggested as the most feasible means of effecting that object that a
13

234 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
company should be incorporated for the purpose of completing the work
already done and making such repairs as would be found advisable. James
Ross Snowden, Samuel Hays, WilUam Elliott, Thomas S. Espy, and John
W. Howe were selected as a committee to memorialize the legislature at its
approaching session and prepare a suitable address to that body.
Without discussing the successive phases of the agitation it may be
stated that neither public appropriation nor private enterprise ever attempted
the rehabilitation of the property in the manner proposed. The stream was
kept open for descending navigation for some years; the dams and locks
were occasionally repaired, but the former were ultimately regarded as ob
structions and accordingly demolished, the " big dam " a mile above Frank
lin being the last that was destroyed. Nothing remains of this once elabo
rate artificial system of navigation except the dam and outlet lock at Frank
lin, from which the power of the Venango m ills is derived. It is doubtful
whether the whole history of internal improvements in this country presents
another instance in which the returns were so utterly disproportionate to the
amount of capital invested.
Oil creek first attained the dignity of a navigable stream as the first link
in the system of water communication by which petroleum was shipped to
Pittsburgh and other southern markets. In order to facilitate and acceler
ate shipments, the producers resorted to artificial methods of increasing the
volume of the current, known as pond freshets, which originated with lum
bermen and were here conducted in a more extensive and systematic man
ner than ever before. A main dam was constructed across the creek a short
distance below TitusviUe; the co-operation of mill owners on the various
branches of Oil creek above that point was secured, and at an appointed
time the water in their dams was discharged ; when the volume of water col
lected at the main dam was deemed sufficient it was discharged into the
creek, creating an artificial current of depth enough to float an oil barge over
the rapids under skillful management. The expense incident to these prep
arations was distributed pro rata among the different shippers. Pond
freshets were not discontinued until the construction of railroads introduced
a different method of oil transportation. RAILROADS.
The slack-water navigation having proved a failure, authority was con
ferred upon the Franklin Canal Company by the legislature to construct
a railroad from Franklin to Lake Erie and on the 5th of November, 1849,
William Millar, engineer for the board of directors, began the work of locat
ing the line between Franklin and Meadville, in which he was assisted by
C. H. Heydrick, of this county. Beginning at a point on the turnpike be
tween Elk street and the Allegheny bridge and crossing French creek, the
line proposed crossed Sugar creek four and one-third miles from Franklin

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 235
and two hundred and forty feet north of the tow-path bridge, passing the
vUlages of Utica and Cochranton, with a total length of twenty-one miles,
eleven hundred and twenty feet from the Allegheny bridge to the first lock
at the outlet of the French creek feeder. It does not appear that the proj
ect ever passed beyond this stage.
The charter of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company authorized the
building of a line from Warren to Beaver, by way of Franklin, Mercer, and
New Castle; this, or an extension of the line to connect with the New York
and Erie railroad, was next regarded as the most practicable route for the
construction of a road through Venango county. A public meeting was
held at the court house in Franklin by the friends of the project on the 20th
of February, 1851; and at an adjourned meeting on the 5th of March, at
which Arnold Plumer presided, after addresses by Alfred B. McCalmont
and James Ross Snowden, a number of citizens were appointed as delegates
to a railroad convention to be held at Warren in the following summer. It
was accordingly held on the 5th of June; in the permanent organization the
county was represented by E. C. Wilson, vice- president, and Myron Park,
secretary. Action was taken favorable to the construction of a line from
Pittsburgh to ftonnect with the New York and Erie railroad, the length of
which would be two hundred and fifteen miles. Although not productive
of immediate results the agitation doubtless had its influence in determining
future developments.
The Venango Railroad was the first projected through this county that
promised definite actualization. It had its inception in the year 1852, and
was largely a local enterprise. The corporators were Arnold Plumer, A. P.
Whitaker, E. C. Wilson, Robert Crawford, John Hoge, Thompson Graham,
John Forker, Hugh Brawley, George Merriam, Alexander Powers, William
McDiel, William F. Clark, and C. V. Kinnear, and the charter was granted
by act of the legislature on the 30th of March, 1853. An organization was
effected onthe 25th of June with Arnold Plumer, president: J. Porter Braw
ley, John Hoge, Joel White, and Samuel F. Dale, directors. The route pro
posed was described as follows : ' ' Beginning at or near the borough of
Franklin in the county of Venango or at the mouth of Big Sugar creek;
thence by the best and most practicable route so as to intersect the Sunbury
and Erie i-ailroad at any point they may think most advisable and from any
point on the said railroad or route ; thence by the best and most practicable
route to the coal field near Sandy lake, Mercer county." The directors
were also authorized to extend their road to any point on the Allegheny Val
ley railroad that might be deemed most advisable. The capital stock was
fixed at three hundred thousand doUairs, subject to increase by action of the
board of directors. The terms of the charter in defining the route were ex
ceedingly vague; there was, in fact, but one point definitely located, the
borough of Frjinklin or the mouth of Sugar creek, leaving the terminus in

236 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
either direction entirely with the directory of the company. At first it
seems to have been regarded as a merely local road, designed as a connect
ing link between the Sunbury and Erie and Allegheny Valley railroads; but
as the extraordinary discretionary powers conferred upon the management
became better understood, it was apparent that the projectors contemplated
nothing less than a link in an inter-state line between the east and west, in
which both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, whose interests were considered of
paramount importance in all railroad legislation, were utterly ignored. This
discovery produced a furore of indignation in those cities ; and at the follow
ing session of the legislature a committee was requested to ascertain by what
chicanery and fraud such a monstrous combination of ingeniously con
structed sentences had acquired the authority of law. No irregularities
were discovered, however, and the legality of the charter placed the privi
leges it conferred beyond recall.
In July, 1853, the location of the line was begun by two corps of engi
neers under the direction of a Mr. Appleton, of Boston. The route finally
determined upon extended from Ridgway, Elk county, to Warren, Ohio, by
way of Franklin, connecting at either termini with other roads and forming
part of a through line from New York to Council Bluffs, Iowa; Easton,
Pennsylvania; Tiffin, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, were prominent
points, and indicate the general course of the proposed line. At a meeting
of presidents of the various affiliated lines at Fort Wayne in December,
1855, Arnold Plumer presiding, a consolidation was definitely arranged
under the name of the American Central Railway Company.
The enterprise received enthusiastic local support. Public meetings
were held throughout the county, and there was scarcely a community that
was not represented by subscriptions to the stock. On the 29th of January,
1856, at a meeting of citizens at the court house in Franklin, it was decided
to seek authority from the legislature for a subscription in stock on the part
of the county, but it does not appear that this design was executed. The
first installment was paid to the treasurer of the company, and a contract
for the construction of the entire line was let upon advantageous terms. The
project seemed on a fair way to realization when certain questionable trans
actions in Vermont in which the contractors had been interested were
exposed, resulting in the withdrawal of the contract and ultimate collapse
of the enterprise.
The New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad had its inception in.
1852. Prominent citizens of Meadville had made ineffectual efforts to obtain'
a charter for a connecting line between the states of New York and Ohio '
through that city. Under the branching privileges of its charter the Pitts
burgh and Erie Railroad Company had authority to construct the proposed
line, and in the summer of 1852 it was proposed to join interests, resulting
in a survey of the line in the following autumn. Ground wap broken south

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 237
of Meadville on the east bank of French creek August 19, 1858. Work was
suspended in 1854 and not resumed until 1857, when the franchise was
vested in a new corporation, the Meadville Railroad Company. Negotia
tions were opened with European capitalists, by whom T. W. Kennard, a
civil engineer, was sent out in 1858 to report from personal observation.
March 10, 1859, the name of the Meadville raUroad was changed to the
Atlantic and Great Western railroad of Pennsylvania, which was opened to
Meadville October 22, 1862. The charter provided for an "Eastern Coal
field Branch and Extension," and a liberal construction of this clause
enabled the management to project a line to the oil regions of Venango
county, then just beginning to attract attention as the possible source of a
large railroad traffic.
It was evident that whatever town became the terminus of the line thus
opened would acquire a great impetus in its business interests; and that the
long deferred opportunity might not be allowed to pass or to be improved at the
advantage of some other town, the people of Franklin deputed a committee
to confer with Mr. Kennard, who had his headquarters at Meadville, and
exercised a general supervision as representative of the English investors in
the Atlantic and Great Western, and urge the feasibility of constructing a line
to Franklin by the valley of French creek. This committee was composed
of Arnold Plumer, Samuel F. Dale, C. Heydrick, and George H. Bissell. An
arrangement was effected by which Mr. Kennard agreed to open the pro
posed line within six months upon condition that the committee or their
constituents would secure the right of way, executing a bond to indemnify
the railroad company against all claims that might be presented on that ac
count, and also that a turnpike road should be constructed from Franklin to
the mouth of Oil creek. The agreement was entered into; the right of way
was promptly sectired for about two-thirds of the distance without any con
siderable expenditure of money, and a general subscription was made in
Franklin to reimburse the committee. The work of construction was also
begun and pushed with vigor almost to completion, when the workmen were
suddenly withdrawn and transferred to the Oil Creek railroad, of which the
Atlantic and Great ^^'estern had become lessee, and which was secured with the
evident purpose of controlling every available approach to the oil regions
from^ the north and west. As a result of this the Franklin branch was not
completed within the specified period, thus releasing Messrs Plumer, Dale,
Heydrick, and Bissell from any obligation regarding the right of way not
yet released, while at the same time it made them individually responsible
•for the money already paid out, as the people at large were not disposed to
contribute anything for a railroad of which the completion had been delayed
in flagrant violation of obligations assumed by its projectors. The work was
at length resifmed, however; May 30, 1863, the track was laid to Franklin,
and on the following Monday, June 1st, the road was formally opened by a

238 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
special train carrying the directors and numerous prominent citizens of
Meadville. It was extended to Oil City in March, 1866. The entire Atlan
tic and Great Western system was sold at judicial sale January 6, 1880, and
reorganized as the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio railroad. In March,
1883, it was leased to the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railway Com
pany for a period of ninety-nine years and has since been operated by that
company. Western New York and Pennsylvania Lines. — The Oil Creek Railroad
Company was chartered April 2, 1860, John W. Howe, Andrew L. Smith,
W. C. Hunt, H. R. Rouse, and Thomas Struthers being among the incor
porators, for the construction of a road from Garland station on the Phila
delphia and Erie railroad to TitusviUe, Crawford county. Largely through
the efforts of Thomas Struthers and W. S. Streator it was completed in 1862
under the auspices of the Atlantic and Great Western. Miller Farm, Shaf
fer Farm, Boyd Farm, and Petroleum Center were successively the southern
terminal point, th^ extension to the last named place having been made in
1866. In 1865 a majority of the stock was purchased in the city of Erie by
Dean Richmond and Thomas A. Scott, the former representing the New
York Central and Lake Shore companies, the latter the Pennsylvania rail
road, and placed in the hands of Samuel J. Tilden of New York as trustee
for the three corporations.
A railroad was constructed from Pithole City to the mouth of Pithole
creek in 1865-66 by the Clarion Land and Improvement Company. The
work was begun in November, 1865, and pushed with energy. Location
and construction went on simultaneously. Before the end of the first month
more than six hundred laborers, many of whom had been brought a distance
of a thousand miles, were at work. The engineering staff were busy day
and night and their utmost exertions were required to keep ahead of the la
borers. It was important that a means of communication should be com
pleted between Pithole City and the river before the close of navigation in
order that fuel, provisions, and other necessaries of life might be within
reach of that populous but ill-provided community. The energies of the
company were therefore concentrated upon that portion of the line between
Pithole City and the river. Within ninety days from the commencement
of the work it was completed a distance of six miles and a half; thirteen
substantial pier bridges had been thrown across the creek, beside a large
amount of trestle work; three miles of track had been laid, and a locomotive
was moving thereon. When construction was begun between Oil City and
Pithole creek it was immediately followed by interference on the part of the
Warren and Franklin Railroad Company and on one occasion a collision be
tween the employes of the rival companies almost approached the propor
tions of a riot. A temporary compromise was effected, however, and the
first through train from Pithole City to Oil City passed over the line March
10, 1866.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, 239'
The Warren and Tidioute Railroad Company was incorporated April
18, 1861, numbering among its projectors Glenni W. Scofield, Orris HaU,
S. P. Johnson, J. Y. James, W. D. Brown, and Jacob Henrici. The route
proposed began at Tidioute and continued to an intersection with the Phila
delphia and Erie, with the privilege of extending to Franklin. March 31,
1864, a change of name was authorized, and on the 23rd of May, by a reso
lution of the directors, the name of Warren and Franklin was adopted.
On the 25th of May, 1866, an injunction was granted by the supreme court
restraining the Clarion Land and Improvement Company from operating
that part of their line in the river valley; its entire property was purchased
and during the same year a line was completed from Irvineton on the Phila
delphia and Erie to Oil City. An extension of the Pithole branch was
partially constructed as far as Pleasantville, but with the decline of that oil
district the line to Pithole City was abandoned and dismantled.
The Farmers' Railroad Company of Venango County was incorporated
April 10, 1862. Joshua Rhoads, William Bagaley, Sam. Q. Brown, Jona
than Watson, Thomas Hoge, James S. Myers, S. P. McCalmont, John L.
Mitchell, and P. H. Siverly were among those to whom the charter was
granted. The contemplated line extended from the mouth of Oil creek by
the course of that stream to the county line and by the Allegheny river to
Franklin. There was a provision that no locomotive should be run without
the consent of all the owners of oil wells within two hundred feet of the
track, but this clause was repealed August 10, 1864. The road was con
structed to Petroleum Center, the terminus of the Oil Creek railroad, in the
summer of 1866, and opened for travel on the 27th of August in that year.
A consolidation of the Warren and Franklin, Oil Creek, and Farmers'
railroads was formed in 1867-68 under the name of the Oil Creek and Al-
legheny River Railway Company, and received legislative sanction April 3,
1868. In 1876 the property was sold at judicial sale under a decree from
the United States court and reorganized under the name of the Pittsburgh,
TitusvUle and Buffalo railroad, connecting with the Crosscut railroad of
New York. In 1881 the Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Western railroad was con
structed from Buffalo to Brocton, New York, also the Salamanca and AUe
gheny River railroad, from Salamanca to Irvineton, and the Genesee Val
ley Canal Company's railroad, from Rochester to Olean. The Olean and
Salamanca railroad was built in 1882, when all these various lines were
consolidated with the Pittsburgh, TitusviUe and Buffalo, which was merged
into the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway Company in the same
year. The entire system was sold under foreclosure in 1887, and reorgan
ized under its present name, the Western New York and Pennsylvania
RaUway Company.
A line from Stoneboro, Mercer county, to New Castle, Lawrence county,
is also operated. The tracks of the Lake Shore were used between Stone-

240 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
boro and Oil City until November, 1889, and the discontinuance of that
arrangement will probably result in the construction of an independent
line between those points. This is the latest railway project in the county.
The Jamestown and Franklin Railroad, operated by the Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern Railway Company, enters the county at Raymilton,
in Mineral township, follows the course of Sandy creek to Polk, where it
crosses to French creek; that stream is crossed at its mouth by the finest
railroad bridge in the county, and from that point the northern bank of the
Allegheny river is followed to Oil City. The charter was granted April 5,
1862, to William Gibson, John P. Vincent, George A. Bittenbender, W. L.
Scott, Henry C. Hickok, A. W. Raymond, and David Hadley, by whom the
Jamestown and Franklin Railroad Company was organized at Sheakleyville
with WiUiam Gibson, of Jamestown, president; A. W. Raymond, of Prank-
lin, secretary; Thomas Hoge, James S. Myers, A. W. Raymond, S. A. Pot
ter, T. H. Fulton, and David Hadley, directors. Jamestown is a station on
the Erie and Pittsburgh railroad, and it was with the design of providing a
western outlet from the oil regions, as well as developing the intervening
country, that the road was projected. It was completed for freight pur
poses as far as Stoneboro in 1865, and for passenger traffic the following
year. The extension to Franldin was opened in the summer of 1867 ; the
bridge over French creek was completed in January, 1870, and the first
train entered Oil City over this line on the 24th of May, in that year. In
August, 1872, a road was constructed from Jamestown to Ashtabula, con
necting with the main artery of the Lake Shore system.
The Allegheny Valley Railroad Company was chartered April 4, 1837,
as the Pittsburgh, Kittanning and Warren, and under its present name,
April 14, 1852. Construction was begun March 17, 1853, when Mayor Riddle,
of Pittsburgh, broke ground for the first time at the Allegheny arsenal. The
line was opened to Kittanning, January 80, 1856; to Mahoning, May 12,
1866; to Brady's Bend, June 27, 1867, and to OU City, February 2, 1870.
It was opened to Franklin and South Oil City in 1867, but the present
terminal facilities at Oil City were not acquired until two years later. The
distance from Pittsburgh to Oil City is one hundred and thirty-two miles, of
which about one- third is in this county.
Several dismantled railroads remain to be noticed, beside the Pithole
branch previously described. In 1867 a road was constructed from the
mouth of Sage run on the Allegheny river immediately above South Oil
City to the mines of a coal company situated three or four miles inland. It
was operated several years.
The Reno, Oil Creek and Pithole Railroad, projected from Reno to Pit-
hole City, was completed and opened to Rouseville January 31, 1866, and
extended through Plumer to a point one mile from Pithole City, It was
never operated farther than Plumer, and was abandoned within a year after
its completion to that place.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 241
The Emlenton and Shippen riUe Railroad, afterward known asthe Emlen
ton, Shippenville and Clarion railroad, was constructed from Emlenton to
Turkey City, a distance of seven miles, in the summer of 1876; it was extended
to Edenburg in the autumn of that year, and to Clarion, thirty miles from
Emlenton, in 1877. The original organization of the company occurred
June 17, 1875, with James Bennett, president; J. W. Rowland, secretary,
and R. W. Porterfield, treasurer. It was principally an Emlenton enter
prise, and had more of the character of a local railroad undertaking than any
other of equal magnitude in the county. Financially it was a success, and
reflected credit on the projectors. But another line, since consolidated with
the Pittsburgh and Western, was contemplated from Foxburg through
Clarion, and having been given an opportunity to di.spose of their property
advantageously, the owners allowed it to be absorbed by the rival company,
by which that part of the line between Emlenton and Clarion Junction was
shortly afterward dismantled.
Tlie Allegheny, Kennerdell and Clintonville Railroad was projected
with the idea of constructing a line from Kennerdell station, on the Alle
gheny Valley, to some point on the Pittsburgh, Shenango and Lake Erie,
by way of the valley of Scrubgrass creek, Kennerdell, and Clintonville, a dis
tance of eighteen or twenty miles, traversing the Bullion oil district and
deriving its principal traffic from that region. A substantial bridge over the
Allegheny river was constructed, and some two or three miles of road; the
rolling stock was furnished by the Allegheny Valley, and thus equipped the
road was operated abou* two years. Then, the Bullion district having had its
day, the track was taken up and the bridge was changed into a wagon
bridge. It was afterward carried away in a flood, so that nothing now
remains of this road save the abandoned embankment. Richard Kennerdell
was president of the company. Local capital was invested almost exclusively.
POSTAL FACILITIES.
A weekly mail route was established in 1801 between Pittsburgh and Erie
by way of Butler, Franklin, MeadviUe, and W'aterford. Within the next
two years it had been reduced to a semi-monthly route, but the first schedule
was again adopted soon afterward. Horseback was the mode of transporta
tion for some years; at first the pouch was carried on the same horse with
the driver, but as the amount of mail increased a second horse became nec
essary. Robert Clark, of Clark's Ferry, established the first stage route
over the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike, presumably the first in the
county, in 1820, the first coach arriving at Franklin in November of that
year.' The first stage line to Pittsburgh was established by Samuel F. Dale.
Postal facilities have been improved with the successive introduction of the
steamboat and the railroad, and at the present time there is scarcely a ham
let in the county that does not have a daily mail.

242 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The first postoffice in the county was established at Franklin in 1801,
and the commission of Alexander McDowell as first postmaster bears date
January 1, 1801. Among his early successors were James G. Heron, com
missioned October 1, 1802, and John Broadfoot, commissioned March 31,
1809. The earliest postoffices throughout the county were Big Bend, in
Scrubgrass township; Rockland, Cranberry, Canal, Plum, Cherry Tree, and
Cornplanter, in the respective townships of those names; Cooperstown,
Pleasantville, Utica, Emlenton, Clintonville, and Dempseytown; Lamb's, in
Allegheny township, Rynd's, in Cornplanter, and Plumer.

CHAPTEK XVII.
THE PRESS.

First Newspapers in Western Pennsylvania — .Journalism in Franklin
—Emlenton Papers— The Press of Oil City — Papers at
Pithole City, Pleasantville, Etc.
THE first newspaper west of the Allegheny mountains was the Pittsburgh
Gazette, established by John Scull July 29, 1786, two years before there
was a postoffice at that place. Although he was an enterprising publisher
and distributed his paper by special courier to the distant quarters of its
extensive territory, it is not probable that the Gazette or its contemporaries at
Pittsburgh during the score of years that foUowed circulated in Venango
county to any extent. In the northwestern part of the state the earliest
venture was the Crawford Weekly Messenger, established at Meadville in
1805 by Thomas Atkinson. It was through this medium that sheriff's sales
and other legal notices from this county were first advertised. This was
followed in 1808 by the Mirror at Erie, and in 1811 by the Western Press
at Mercer; the former was started by George Wyeth, and enjoyed but a
brief existence; the latter, founded by Jacob Herrington, is still continued
and is one of the leading newspapers of that county.
journalism in teanklin.
The Venango Herald was the first newspaper published in the county.

THE PRESS, 243
The twenty-second number of the first volume appeared February 21,
1821, so that if the paper was published regularly it was first issued in
September, 1820. A description of its appearance at a somewhat later
date states that the sheet was a three- column quarto, each column fifteen
inches long and three inches wide, with a liberal margin; the type was
large but not clear, which is perhaps attributable to the quality of the
paper rather than a lack of skill on the part of the printer. The subscrip
tion j5rice was two dollars per year, "invariably in advance," but it is
problematical whether this rule was rigidly enforced. The office of publica
tion was a diminutive log building at the site of the Plumer block, corner
of Twelfth and Liberty streets.
John Evans, by whom the Herald was established, was born in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1798, son of Evan and Frances
(Colvin) Evans; his parents removed to Crawford county, where they were
among the pioneers of Meadville, and there he was brought up, receiving a
very limited education. At an early age he was apprenticed to learn the
trade of printer, probably to the proprietor of a small paper published in
opposition to the Messenger from 1809 to 1811; at all events when the ma
terials of that office were removed to Mercer in 1811 by Jacob Herrington he
accompanied him and completed his apprenticeship upon the Western Press.
When his term of service had expired he set out with a brother apprentice,
Robert Burchfield, upon a tramp as journeyman printer, but both returned
after a brief absence. Evans assumed charge of the mechanical depart
ment of the Press office and remained in that position till 1820. Among
those who received their instruction from him was W. S. Garvin, afterward
its editor for many years. It cannot be definitely stated how long Mr. Evans
was connected with the Herald, but he entered public life after a brief res
idence in Franklin, and continued to reside there until his death. He was
commissioned postmaster of Franklin, January 12, 1822, continuing in
that office until 1831. He served as county treasurer in 1826 and as sheriff
from 1838 to 1841. In 1839 he was commissioned colonel of militia by
Governor Porter. In 1825 he engaged in the hotel business at the site of
Martin & Epley' s drug store on Liberty street and also conducted a well-
known hostelry at the site of the Exchange hotel. He married Rachel
Hemphill, daughter of William Connely, February 16, 1822, and reared
twelve children. He was well known throughout the county, and took an
active part in politics. His death occurred November 30, 1871.
The Venango Democrat was the second journalistic venture. The date
of the thirty-sixth number of Volume I was November 2, 1824, and if
issued regularly the initial appearance occurred in March previously.
George McClelland & Company were the publishers; the senior member
of the firm was county treasurer at that time, and probably found his paper
a convenient medium for the advertising connected with that office; the

¦244 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
junior member was John Little, to whom the mechanical department and
general management were intrusted. Although the Herald was also Demo
cratic, the Democrat seems to have been recognized as the party organ in
this county; it was continued under that name, and finally merged into the
Spectator in 1849.
The Democratic Republican, notwithstanding its ambiguous title, was
the organ of the opposition, the first in this county. The following is a
description of the issue of February 6, 1830: "The Republican is about
two inches larger each way than the Herald, and printed o;i paper some
what lighter in color, but not at all white. The texture is coarser than that
of the cheapest wall paper now made. The Republican also calls itself
the Anti-Masonic Examiner. There is not a line of editorial in the number,
and nothing to indicate its politics but its title of ' Anti-Masonic ' and a
call for a meeting to elect delegates to the approaching Anti-Masonic state
convention. The publishers were Little and Tucker." In the twelfth
number of Volume II, under date of February 15, 1881, "Farmers' and
Mechanics' Register" is substituted for " Anti-Masonic Examiner " in the
caption. The paper was started in the autumn of 1829.
No complete file of any of these early newspapers is extant, and even
•single copies are rare. Their subsequent history is therefore involved in
obscurity. Alexander McCalmont, brother-in-law to Evans, became finan
cially interested in the Herald in 1822; it is said that John Little was also
associated with Evans at one time, but this cannot be positively stated.
William Connely, Jr., also a brother-in-law to Evans, learned the printing
trade under him and seems to have published the paper, or at least con
ducted it, immediately prior to its final suspension. He was a young man
of versatile accomplishments, but found life in the quiet country town irk
some and left to embark on a whaling voyage. Subsequently he published
a paper at Cape Colony, South Africa, and was residing there at the time
of his death.
John Little, who has been mentioned in connection with the Democrat
and Republican, also had a slightly erratic career. Newspaper work at
such a place as Franklin iu those days was not of a character to satisfy
either the literary ambitions or the pecuniary requirements of an aspiring
young man; and so, with the evident purpose of seeking a more apprecia
tive constituency. Little quietly took his departure, leaving his paper,
with all the assets, liabilities, and hereditaments appertaining thereto. It
was no uncommon thing for an issue to be delayed or omitted, but when
neither the paper nor the printer put in an appearance public attention was
aroused and inquiry developed the fact that Little had taken a walk down
to the river, hailed a passing raft, and taken passage for parts unknown,
even to himself in all probability, without the formalities editors usually ob
serve on such occasions. He was next heard from at Butler, where he was

THE PRESS. 245
connected with different papers, and died at Pittsburgh, one of the oldest
printers in the state at the time of his death. Among his apprentices here
was John Coxson, the painter, afterward a Methodist preacher at Punxsu-
tawney. The Democrat, although marked by greater permanency than its con
temporaries, experienced frequent changes in ownership and management.
It was not issued with any degree of regularity until 1828, when a new
series was begun. About that time it was acquired by John Galbraith and
published in his interest by different persons, eventually absorbing the
Herald and reaching a condition of comparative prosperity. Mr. Galbraith
was born at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and reared on a farm near
Butler, when he learned the trade of printer in the same office with James
Thompson, afterward chief justice. He was admitted to the bar at about
the age of twenty-four, and early in 1819 removed to Franklin, where he
rose rapidly in his profession and in popular esteem. He was elected to
the legislature in 1828 and thrice re-elected; in 1832, 1834, and 1838 he
was elected to congress. He removed to Erie in 1837, and practiced law
until 1851, when he was elected president judge, and was acting in that
capacity at the time of his death, June 15, 1860.
Among those who published the Democrat in the interest of Mr. Gal
braith were Sylvester W. Randall, John Warden Hunter, and Jonathan
Ayres. Randall lived near the outlet lock, and boarded the apprentices in
his office, among whom were John S. McCalmont, of Washington city,
afterward president judge of this county, and William A. Galbraith, after
ward president judge of Erie county. Hunter was a young man from
Mercer county; he succeeded Randall in 1835 and was followed in 1836 by
Ayres, a connection of Galbraith' s from Butler, who afterward practiced
law at Franklin a short time and then removed to New Castle. Randall
was also a lawyer, and located at Joliet, Illinois, after relinquishing the
printing business. There he rose rapidly in his profession and became
judge. In view of the contemplated removal of Galbraith from Franklin, a
number of leading Democrats, prominent among whom was Doctor George
R, Espy, consummated the purchase of the paper in the summer of 1836.
The next change of proprietorship introduces an interesting personality
upon the field of local journalism— John W. Shugert. The manner in
which he was induced to come here, and the circumstances under which his
work was done for several year's, are thus described in his own words: " In
the fall of 1836 I met Doctor George R. Espy in Harrisburg, who gave me
the most flattering accounts respecting the prospects for a printer in Ve
nango county, and was strongly solicited by him to abandon a situation I
then had engaged in one of the northeastern counties, and remove to this
place [Franklin], He informed me that himself and some others had pur-

246 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
chased the Venango Democrat from Mr. Galbraith, and that I should have
it for the same amount that they had paid for it, and my own time to do it
in. With these assurances I came to Franklin and agreed to take the old
establishment of the Democrat at four hundred and fifty dollars (it was not
worth fifty). I then returned to Lewistown, at which place I had prev
iously resided, and brought from thence my printing apparatus. The old
press was thrown into the street and permitted to rot down. With the new
one I proceeded to publish the Venango Democrat four years through oppo
sition of the fiercest kind from the enemies of the Democratic party, and
encountered difficulties in a pecuniary way which none but those who are
determined to succeed in defiance of every obstacle can withstand."
Upon his election as sheriff in 1841 Shugert leased the Democrat to
John E. Lapsley, who afterward purchased an interest. His death on the
15th of January, 1842, left the ownership of the paper in dispute, Shugert
claiming that the terms of the purchase had not been complied with, and
that he was still the rightful possessor of the establishment. John Haslet,
as administrator, had become the publisher, however; he continued the
paper until June, 1845, when it was sold to certain leading Democrats, Ar
nold Plumer and Doctor George W. Connely being most largely interested.
The Democratic Arch, of which the first number was issued July 11,
1842, by James Bleakley and John W. Shugert, became at once the organ
of Doctor Espy' s political opponents and of the personal animosity of Shu
gert toward the publisher of the Democrat and his supporters. The Arch
was a six-column folio, not burdened with local news, but read with an avid
ity and interest that only an editor with the ability, aggressiveness, and sar
casm of John W. Shugert could have created. Its platform seems to have
embraced but two propositions — national and state supremacy for the Demo
cratic party, and the utter annihilation of the opposing faction of that party
in Venango county. Column after column was devoted to the most merci
less polemics journalism in this county or in this part of the state has ever
known. Bleakley retired in 1843 or 1844; the paper was continued by
Shugert individually until 1846, when it was acquired by Doctor George W^
Connely, Morrow B. Lowry, and others. The Democrat was absorbed and
George F. Humes became editor and publisher. He was a well known char
acter, popular with a certain class of people, but not calculated to restore
the Democratic party organ to that respect and influence it had previously
enjoyed. After leaving this place Mr. Humes went to Harrisburg. He
died in Indiana.
John W. Shugert was born near Muncy, Pennsylvania, February 14,
1804. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited and at an early
age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of printer. While engaged in
the printing business at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, he became interested in
the authorship and publication of the ' ' Narrative of Charley Ball, a Black

THE PRESS. 247
Man," a noted anti-slavery book which created almost as much interest as
" Uncle Tom' s Cabin" at a later date. It was from Lewistown that he came
to Franklin, and at the latter place the journalistic and j^olitical work of his
life was principally done. Hewas elected sheriff of the county in 1841; in
1846 he went to Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and became
editor of the Genius of Liberty, one of the oldest papers in that part of tbe
state. During the Mexican war he was commissary to a Pennsylvania regi
ment and at its close returned to Venango county, from which he was
elected to the legislature in 1851 and 1852. For a time he was associated
with R. L. Cochran in the publication of the Spectator, from which he re
tired in December, 1854, to accept a position in the office of the commis
sioner of patents at Washington, continuing in the government service with
the exception of a brief period during Lincoln's first term until his death,
April 23, 1871. In many respects he was a typical editor of the period in
which his first connection with the press of this county began. A man of
strong personality, utterly destitute of physical fear, keen of perception and
safe in intuition, he plunged into political or personal controversy with an
ardor, courage, and relentlessness unrestrained by any considerations of fu
ture consequences. Skillful in the use of epithet and innuendo and a man
of vast vituperative resources, his denunciations of men or measures were
characterized by a satire and sarcasm to which few opponents were able to
reply. As a writer his style was concise, clear, and incisive. Although a
man of strong antagonisms and keen in his resentments when pitted against
power, he was equaUy strong in friendship and unswerving in adherence to
the party he' supported. In politics he was a trusted lieutenant of the
Cameron interest, and in his case Cameron sustained his reputation of never
repudiating an early friend. At the time of his death his liberality and
charity had outlived his resentments by many years, and late in life he united
with the Methodist church.
The Venango Spectator is the direct successor of the various Democratic
newspapers previously published from the time of the Herald's first appear
ance, and during a period of more than forty years has been the onlj' organ
of that party at the county seat. The founder and present proprietor, A. P.
Whitaker, is a native of Troy, New York. He was educated at Marion Col
lege, Missouri, and came to this county in 1838 to take a business position
with A. W. Raymond, who was then extensively engaged in merchandising
and in manufacturing iron. His initiative in journalism was an experience
of two years, 1842-44, as publisher of the Meadville Democratic Republican
in partnership with Samuel W. Magill. Having purchased from Doctor
Connely and others the materials of the Democratic Arch he established the
Spectator, of which the first number was issued January 10, 1849. James
Bleakley became associated in the publication January 30, 1851 ; his interest
was acquired by R. L. Cochran January 1, 1853, who, on the 1st of Decem-

248 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ber in that year became owner and continued the publication until May 16,
1860, John W\ Shugert being connected as editor for a brief space during
this time. Mr. Whitaker, with C. C. Cochran as partner, resumed his former
position May 16, 1860, and by the retirement of Mr. Cochran February 20,
1860, became individual proprietor. June 29. 1864, R. L. and C. C. Coch
ran became the publishers; the latter again retired November 7, 1865, and
on the 20th of April, 1866, R. L. Cochran sold the paper to A. P. and J. H.
Whitaker. October 28, 1870, J. H. Whitaker became individual owner by
the withdrawal of his father, but the latter again became connected with the
publication in his former capacity as editor August 24, 1876, and on the 13th
of October in the following year assumed the sole proprietorship; he has
continued the publication from that date. The Spectator has been frequently
increased in size and is now a large eight column folio. Since its first in
ception it has been a pronounced exponent and defender -of Democratic
principles and enjoys to an exceptional degree the confidence of the party.
Tslx. Whitaker is an editor of recognized ability, and in point of service is the
senior member of his profession in this part of the state. His style is char
acterized by strength, terseness, and perspicuity ; the Spectator has usually
sustained well its position in political or other matters of controversy.
The Franklin Intelligencer, the first successful organ of the opposition
at the time when the dominant party in the county was the Democratic,
was established in July, 1834, by J. P. Cochran, a connection of the Coch-
rans of Cochranton. He was an able editor and successfuUy conducted his
paper in a community overwhelmingly of the opposite party until 1842,
when he relinquished an unequal struggle that promised neither fame nor
fortune to acquire a half interest in the Erie Gazette. The Intelligencer
was regarded as a reliable journal and fair exponent of the principles of
the Whig party.
The Franklin Gazette was the next Whig paper, and 1848 was probably
the year in which it was started — immediately after J. P. Cochran left for
Erie. A number of Whigs, prominent among whom were Richard Irwin
and John W. Howe, furnished the necessary capital, while John W. Snow
was the editor and publisher. The issue of July 15, 1846, the eleventh
number of Volume III, is a six column folio, apparently well printed and
edited for those days. The paper suspended not long afterward. Snow
removed to the West and subsequently published a paper in Illinois.
The Advocate and Journal (Temperance Advocate and Agricultui-al Jour
nal) was published from 1847 to 1854 by E. S. Durban. Although devoted
mainly to the topics indicated in the title, the editor was an ardent Whig
and occasionally expressed his views upon political questions. A personal
letter from Mr. Durban gives the following interesting particulars regard
ing the manner in which the ' ' art preservative ' ' was acquired in those days
and the difficulties under which his paper was established:

THE PRESS. 251
I learned the printing trade in the office of the Democratic Union and Zanesville
Advertizffi', at Zanesville, Ohio, beginning in the spring of 1835. My age then was
thirteen years. I was regularly apprenticed for five years, and received for my serv
ices four dollars per mouth, without board. My employer sold out before my time
expired and I finished with Hiram Robinson, who had been a "jour " in the otBce and
had started the Muskingum Valley at McConnellsville, between Zanesville and Mar
ietta on the Muskingum river. I afterward worked as a journeyman printer at various
places, of which my most distinct recollection is Lancaster, Zanesville, Cincinnati,
Coshocton, and Marietta, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. While at the latter place an
application came from John W. Shugert, who was then sheriff of Venango county and
owner of the Democratic Arch, for a printer capable of taking charge of the mechan
ical department of the paper and doing some editorial work. I responded and took
the position, which I held for a considerable time. A consolidation of two Demo
cratic papers threw me out for a while; but afterward I did some work for John Has
let and George F. Humes. I was working for Haslet when I married Miss Amelia
T. Dodd, oldest daughter of Levi Dodd, now deceased. Afterward Humes got the
office, and as he could not afford to pay the enormous sum of six dollars a week, I was
out of work again, poor and very mucti discouraged. Finally I determined to start a
paper on my own account. But how to do it? I believed in hai'd work and persever
ance. So I laid. in enough provisions to last my little family a week, and started on a
Monday morning without a cent in my pocket on foot to canvass the county for sub
scribers, so that I should have enough prospect to warrant somebody who believed in
me in lending me enough money to make some kind of a start. It was a hard winter
and I tramped the county through snow and mud the entire season, coming home very
tired Saturday evenings — on one occasion so fatigued that the only way I could get
into my own door was to lift one foot on the step with both hands and then get the
other up by taking hold of both sides of the door frame. In this way I put in the
winter. In the spring I had, by hard work, secured about three hundred subscribers, none
of whom paid in advance, so that I still had no money. The next thing was to secure
means to buy something with. I had spoken of that to some during the winter. One
very particular friend had said: " O, you go ahead; a man who works as hard as you
do will find plenty of friends to furnish funds. 1 have money! " I knew he had, and
was much encouraged by his words. Another friend, who was not a moneyed man,
but a true friend, when I spoke to him about the probability of borrowing money,
said: " Well, Durban, I have been thinking of that and saving what I could; I have
twenty dollars, and J wish it were flve hundred. But you are welcome to it." This
was entirely unexpected, and the exhibition ef genuine friendship affected me deeply.
Another came to me, unsolicited, with eleven dollars, all he had. Then there were
flfty dollars in the hands of some one as academy funds which they wished to loan.
Doctor N. D. Snowden went security for that and I got it. Some other small sums
were secured, and still my liberal friend, who had so kindly informed me that he "had
money," had not been called on; I was saving him for a grand dash on the home
stretch. At last I went to him and was blandly informed that all he could possibly
do was to lend me five dollars in county warrants (then worth about seventy-five cents
onthe dollar), and take a judgment note for flve dollars with interest.
I secured one hundred and six dollars, all told, and all borrowed. I did not con
sider it my money, to pay expenses with, so I made an arrangement with steamboat
captain Hanna to take me to Pittsburgh and back, and I would pay for it in advertis
ing his boat after the paper started. In Pittsburgh I bought some second-hand type
and rules and a small font of wood type for a head for the paper.
After returning I offered a stock company, who owned the plant of the Gazette, to
take care of their type if they would let me use the press. They accepted; I h.'id the
14

252 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
use of a double-pull wooden Ramage press with a stone bed, and started up. My office
force, type-setters, pressman, and editorial staff, consisted of one small boy and myself.
I worked eighteen hours a day, and did editorial duty at the case, setting up my edi
torials without writing.
Finding the labor of working the old screw press very hard and slow, I got my
father-in-law to make a wooden platen, full size, to take ofl half the work. It did
reasonably well while warm weather lasted; but when winter came it was almost
impossible to make a good impression, and many numbers were sent out that could
not be read at all.
This was disastrous. When April came again everybody who came in to pay
ordered the paper stopped. At last a week came when nearly every one who came in
was a subscriber who wanted to pay up and stop. More than one hundred stopped
that week and there were less than one hundred names left on the list. Saturday night
I locked the door and felt a relief in the fact that one day intervened before any more
could get away. I told no one, not even my wife, of the calamity. I went to cliurch
the next day but didn't hear the sermon. Knowing I was broken up, I debated with
myself whether to try to go on or not. About the time the doxology was sung I had
determined to " die game." At the rate they had been going, there were not enough
to last one week; but till they were all gone I would be there. I went to the office as
usual before six o'clock Monday morning, looking as cheerful as I could. About nine
I sat down to the table, and soon heard a step coming toward the door. I listened,
and sure enough the latch clicked, and some one came in. I did not look round, but
said: "Well sir, what's your name?" He told me. "What postoffice?" He told me.
I looked. " Why sir, there is no such name ou my list at that office! " " I know it,"
said the man, " I have called to have it put on."
This was a new sensation. I looked at the man. He seemed to be sane, so I put
his name on and actually took his money. The weather was warmer and the paper
had Become readable. That week not a man discontinued and thirteen new names
were added to the list by voluntary subscription. The calamity had culminated. In
fact, it was not a calamity. People in those days never paid cash for their papers
unless they wanted to " stop.'' I had charged every man two dollars, because it was
not paid in advance. The result was that I had money enough to buy a first class
iron hand press, which I did, changing defeat into victory. I also bought more
second-hand type and enlarged- the paper. From that time on the Advocate and Jour
nal prospered. In 1855 the paper was sold by Mr. Durban, who purchased the American
Farmer at New Castle, Pennsylvania, and founded the New Castle Courant
in the foUowing year. It is stiU controled by him and is a stanch Repub
lican organ, one of the most influential county papers in western Pennsyl
vania. The Whig Banner, after a spasmodic existence of six months, was issued
for the last time February 16, 1858. The publisher was R. Lyle White, who
afterward established papers at Conneaut-vUle and MeadvUle. He is best re
membered in connection -nith journalism in this part of the state as the
founder of the MeadviUe Republican. The Banner is represented as hav
ing been more modern in appearance than any of its predecessors at Frank
lin. The American Citizen was established in February, 1855, and has been
in this county the recognized newspaper of the Republican party since its

THE PRESS. 253
organization. The projector was Charles Pitt Ramsdell, originally from
Chautauqua county. New York, who came to this county in 1845 and en
gaged in teaching school in Rockland township, where the postoffice of Pitts-
ville is named in his honor. He was elected to the legislature in 1858 and
retired from the Citizen in 1859, removing to the state of Delaware in 1864.
Five years later he purchased a plantation in Virginia, between Petersburg
and Richmond, and became prominently connected with the Republican
party in the " Old Dominion. " He was appointed United States marshal for
the eastern district of that state by President Grant and was the incumbent
of that position until removed by the Cleveland administration. He was
nominated for lieutenant governor with Cameron, but experienced defeat in
common with the other parties to the Republican state ticket, and several
years later died from injuries inflicted by an infuriated bull on his planta
tion. He was a man of fine qualifications for political organization and
wielded a large influ'ence in the Republican party in this county during its
formative period. His brother, Hiram J. Ramsdell, was a practical printer
and possessed considerable talent as a journalist. His signature, " H. J. R. ,"
was long familiar to the readers of the New York Tribune. His commis
sion as recorder of deeds for the district of Columbia was the last signed
by President Garfield on the fatal morning of his assassination. He had
charge of the mechanical department of the paper for a time.
The Citizen was purchased in 1859 by William Burgwin and Floyd C.
Ramsdell; the latter sold his interest to J. H. Smith in 1861, and in 1864
the paper was acquired by N. B, Smiley, by whom the name was changed
to Venango Citizen. Alexander McDowell acquired an interest in the prop
erty in 1865; N. B. Smiley retired in 1867, and on the 1st of January,
1869, J, W. H. Reisinger became individual owner. He was succeeded on
the 1st of April, 1870, by E. W. Smiley, who associated with him H. S.
and F. D. Smiley, and has continued the publication until the present time.
On the 1st of January, 1884, the Independent Press was consolidated with
the Citizen, and from that date it has been issued under the name of the
Citizen- Press. It is a six-column quarto and has a large circulation.
The Independent Press, founded in January, 1876, was at that time the
only Prohibition pariy paper in the state, and is the only organ of that party
that has ever been published in this county. It was established by S. P.
McCalmont and successively edited during the period of his ownership by J.
R, Patterson, Miss Sue Beatty, and W. H. Whitaker. It circulated extensively
in all the northwestern counties of the state and to its influence the growth
of a strong sentiment in this region favorable to Prohibition is largely attrib
uted. Mr. McCalmont was the principal contributor to the editorial columns
whUe the Press remained a Prohibition paper; but in 1878, failing health
obliged him to relinquish the project, and the paper was transferred to the
Independent Press Association, Limited, of which W. R. Crawford was chair-

254 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
man, B. W, Bredin, secretary, and E. W. Echols, treasurer. Under the new
regime the editors were J. J. McClaurin and H. May Irwin. The paper be
came Republican in politics, and was continued under the auspices of this
association until merged into the Citizen-Press in 1884.
The Franklin Herald, a Greenback organ, printed at Corry, under the
editorial management of Frank S. Heath and W. A. Moore, with S. E.
Phipps as local manager, made its final appearance on Thursday, January
13, 1881, after an existence of several months.
Pencil and Shears, a six-column quarto, published by the Pencil and
Shears Printing and Publishing Company, is the latest journalistic venture.
The first number appeared September 14, 1889.
The Daily Citizen, the pioneer daily of the county, expired on Tues
day, December 81, 1862, after a brief career of ten days.
The Evening News was issued for the first time on the 18th of February,
1878, by James B. Borland. It was then a two-columA folio about the size
of an ordinary hand-bill and was regarded as a merely amateur effort. Evi
dences of permanency early developed, however; James B. Muse, now of the
Vindicator, Tionesta, became associated in the publication, retiring in 1880
in favor of H. May Irwin, who disposed of his interest in 1887, but is still
retained on the editorial staff. The News has been several times enlarged
and reached the proportions of a six-column folio, it6 present size, in the
summer of 1886. It was a one cent paper until October 17, 1887, when the
price became two cents. The circulation is practically coextensive with the
local field, while public enterprise is manifested in a liberal advertising
patronage. It is independent in politics, energetic in the advocacy of local
improvement, replete with home news, clean, readable, humorous, and pop
ular. Every Evening was published from July 9, 1878, to March 1, 1879.
Frank W. Truesdell, now publisher of the TUtusNille Sunday World; E. E.
Barackman, and A. G. McElhaney were the projectors. A two-thirds
interest was acquired, September 1, 1878, by W. H. Whitaker, Truesdell
and Barackman retiring, and under his management the paper attained a
fair degree of prosperity.
The Morning Star was published several months in the year 1880 by H.
B. Kantner, and enjoys whatever distinction attaches to the fact of having
been the only morning paper ever published in Franklin.
The Penny Press was published by Samuel P. Brigham from the spring
of 1886 to the summer of 1887. It advocated the principles of the Green
back party.
There are few points of resemblance in the newspaper of to-day and
its prototype of fifty or sixty years ago. Early numbers of the Democrat
and Herald are small in size and unattractive in appearance; the texture of
the paper is coarse and its color could scarcely be considered white.

THE PRESS. 255
Mechanical apparatus for printing did not permit the typographical excel
lence since attained; the screw-press was still in use and the Ramage press
with its toggle-joint was regarded as a great improvement. The editor
usually combined the functions of that position with work at the case; he
was of necessity a practical printer, sometimes a journeyman who had
reached the town depleted in purse and thankful for the opportunity to
recuperate. He brought with him a fund of anecdotes acquired at offices.
visited in the course of his pilgrimage, and a certain facility of association
that rendered his popularity almost assured. Sometimes he was convivial
in his habits, but this did not detract materially from his standing in the
community, and was almost regarded as a social virtue. He was not ex
pected to get rich. At intervals of three months he was paid bythe county
commissioners for advertising election notices, tax sales, etc., and this
enabled him to order paper until similarly renumerated at the expiration of
a corresponding period. It was from this source, in fact, that the " sinews
of war" were principally derived, which accounts for the difficulties en
countered by the opposition paper in sustaining an existence. Receipts
from subscription were exceedingly vague and indefinite. The circulat
ing medium was scarce and payment was frequently made in farm or garden
produce. Business advertising was limited to the more enterprising of the
few local stores, the county printing alluded to, and the perennial patent
medicine notice. Professional cards generally appeared from all the
doctors and lawyers in the county. The newspaper, regarded as a mechan
ical product, its financial administration, and the personnel of the editorial
profession have greatly changed.
It was not unusual for the paper to be issued irregularly. Various causes
were assigned in explanation — failure to receive a consignment of paper, in
sufficient office help, etc.. Occasionally the editor took a vacation or relin-
guished his duties to seek a more congenial field. An instance of this kind
occurred in May, 1889, when John W. Shugert transferred the publication
of the Democrat to Doctor Connely and went to Pittsburgh with the idea of
improving his fortunes. The first side of the paper was printed and dated
May 7th and the inside May 21st, after his return, the temporary publisher
having been unable to procure compositors. The following characteristic
note appeared in explanation of his return:
I have just happily escaped from the smoke, dust, and aristocracy of the city and
now resume the publication of the Venango Democrat. I discovered (not quite soon
enough, b'y the by), that Venango county, with its pure air, pure streams, and pure
principles was best adapted to the constitution of my mind and habits, * * *•
I never could abide this thing of being hemmed and jammed in— nor of being smoked
to death — nor of having one's mouth and nose filled with coal dust — those fond of such
amusement are welcome to its enjoyment. I shall make Venango my abiding place —
here I have my full complement of elbow room, and, what is better, here potatoes thrive
and Democracy flourisheth. I am at home again. John W. Shogbrt.

256 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The newspaper has changed in the character of its contents no less than
in its appearance. There was practically no local matter in the Democrat
or Intelligencer of fifty years ago, the body of the paper consisting of legis
lative and congressional reports, reprints of speeches by prominent public men,
editorial discussions of constitutional questions, original and selected, and
foreign news obtained from metropolitan exchanges, usually printed a month
after their occurrence. When public meetings were held their proceedings
were reported for publication by the secretaries and not by a representative
of the newspaper. Local happenings were almost absolutely ignored. Con
troversy afforded the only criterion of editorial efficiency; it was the editor
who was most accomplished in the use of sarcasm and invective, whose eru
dition enabled him to marshal history and poetry, science and fiction, Latin
phrases and English polysyllables, in defense of his position, who was re
garded with most favor in popular estimation. And hence the motive that
inspired the editorial utterances of the press in this county at an early date
seems to have been a blending of hatred, prejudice, and personal animosity,
attributable largely to the general feeling that existed between the great pol
itical parties of the country. There was, however, one point upon which
there was practical unanimity — the canal question; and even in this case it
was only a transfer of vituperation and condemnation to the state administra
tion rather than a cessation of hostilities between the local editors. Whether
Whig or Democratic, no paper published in this county while the French Creek
canal was a subject of discussion took any other ground than that the state
had violated an important public trust in its abandonment of that work.
Through all this period of controversy nothing is more noticeable than
the utter absence of anything even remotely humorous. Perhaps the first
scintilla of pleasantry occurs in an advertisement of the sale of Van Buren .
furnace by John W. Howe. Beginning with the alliteration, "Van, Van,
Van, is a used up man, ' ' from a campaign song then popular, the author
proceeded to expatiate upon the advantages of the furnace tract, enumer
ating the huckleberry bush among its varieties of timber and the rattle
snake among its productions; after stating the quantity of land, he added
that there was considerably more, as much of it stood edgewise; and closed
with the request that persons wishing further information should call on his
agent, who would use all reasonable diligence to drive a sharp bargain.
The humorous features of the county press are among its most attractive,
and have given to several of its journals a wide reputation; the prominence
given to this at present affords a wide contrast with the paper in which it
was necessary to search the advertising columns for something amusing.
A local department first appeared in the Spectator December 18, 1861,
In the great interest centered upon the progress of pretroleum develop
ments the dissemination of local news became from that date an important
function of the county press, and in this respect its newspapers rank with
the best in the state.

THE PRESS. 257

EMLENTON PAPERS.

Peter 0. Conver, the pioneer journalist of Emlenton, came to Franklin in
1849 and served an apprenticeship in the office of the Advocate and Journal.
Three years later he went to Kansas, and being an ardent and enthusiastic
Anti-Slavery advocate, readily secured the means necessary to establish a
paper in the support of the principles of that party at Topeka. At that
time the state was in the first stages of a political agitation which it was
not the part of a man with Conver' s temperament to allay. Within a short
time he was compelled to suspend; and after making several ventures with
.no better success at various other points in the territory he returned to
Venango county. In the active, growing village of Emlenton, almost equi
distant from the seats of justice of four counties, he saw a favorable open
ing for journalistic enterprise. Having received a sufficient amount of local
encouragement he secured the materials for an office, and in October, 1858,
published the first number of the Allegheny Valley Echo. Though small
in size the typographical appearance was creditable and the local advertis
ing patronage large. Occasionally a week would pass by without any issue,
which was usually explained by the sudden disappearance of the "jour,"
the non- arrival of paper, or some other unexpected mishap. But the editor
was known to be convivial in his habits, which may perhaps have accounted
in part for such irregularities. The editorial and local columns were some
times graced by witticisms of rare sparkle and originality, in which, how
ever, the ordinary requirements of propriety were not always rigidly ob
served. The paper had entered upon its third volume and was giving prom
ise of permanency when the civil war broke out, and Conver promptly en
listed in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving through the war. In
1867 he established the Forest Press at Tionesta, of which he was owner and
editor at the time of his death, March 19, 1878.
R. F. Blair purchased the Echo in 1861. In 1868 the materials were
secured by J. W. SmuUin and removed to Oil City.
The Rising Sun, by Walter L. Porter; The Emlenton Register, edited
by W. R. Johns; the Neivs, by P. McDowell; the Telegraph, by Samuel
Young, and the Times, by M. Hulings and D. D. Moriarty, were the local
papers that followed, but journalism does not seem to have been a profit
able avocation during the period that they were published.
On the 28d of March, 1877, Needle & Crowley issued the initial number
of the Register. Within a few months they were succeeded by Wands &
Hulings. The paper passed successively to ^mson, Kittell & Dean and
A. A. Hulings; in 1881, the publication having been suspended, T. W.
West, formerly of the Clarion Jacksonian, purchased the materials and es
tablished the Edenburg National.
The Emlenton Critic, a semi-weekly published by M. Gouchler &
Brother, was th'6 next local paper. It suspended in July, 1887.

258 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Home News, a two column folio with a page nine inches long and
six inches wide, made its first appearance May 14, 1885. E. H. Cubbison
is editor and publisher. It was enlarged June 18th and July 27th, of the
same year, and early gave evidence of being more than an amateur effort.
With the close of the first volume the name was changed to its present
style, the Emlenton News. For a time it was issued semi-weekly but in
May, 1889, became a weekly and has so continued. The News is a valu
able exponent of local interests, in every way creditable to its constituency
and to the enterprising publisher. THE PEESS OF OIL CITY.
The initial number of the Weekly Register, the first newspaper of Oil
City, was issued by W. R. Johns, January 14, 1862, at a temporary frame
building in the Third ward near the location of the Lake Shore depot. The
printing outfit was obtained at Monongahela City, forwarded by boat to
Pittsburgh, by rail to Kittanning, and by wagon to the final destination, where
it arrived in December, 1861. The paper wa,s an eight-column folio, credit
able in typography and general appearance, and replete with matters of in
terest in relation to the progress of oil developments. It was the first news
paper devoted especially and exclusively to the oil regions and while under
Mr. Johns' control was active and efficient in its advocacy of the interests
of the oU industry. Upon the retirement of Mr. Johns, in 1866, he was
succeeded by Henry A. Dow & Company, with whom the Daily Register, the
first daily of the city, originated.
In June, 1863, J. W. SmuUin began the publication of the Monitor at
the city hall, corner of Center and Seneca streets. Mr. SmuUin had en
tered the office of the Clarion Democrat in 1848 ; he was a compositor on the
Register, and purchased the materials of a paper at Emlenton in the spring
of 1863. This outfit was moved to Oil City by flat-boat several months
later. O. H. Jackson,  Watkins, and C. P. Ramsdell were associated
in the ownership of the Monitor at various times. Mr. Ramsdell became
sole proprietor in November, 1864, and at a later date was followed by
•Jacob Weyand. The plant was finally absorbed by the Venango Republican.
The later years of the decade ending 1870 were prolific in journalistic
ventures. The Petroleum Monthly appears to have been published with the
idea of treating the oil industry in a scientific manner and of presenting
statistical, biographical, and miscellaneous matter not properly within the
scope of the daily or weekly press. W. H. Bowman originated this publi
cation and was the principal contributor to its columns. In striking con
trast with its dignified character were the Sand Pump and Bulletin -which
enjoyed an ephemeral existence under the proprietorship of O. H. Jackson.
Mr. Johns re- established th e i?egrisfer and added a daily edition, the Evening
Register. He also published the Semi- Weekly Petrolian. • The Venango

THE PRESS. 259
Republican, the first newspaper of pronounced political views in Oil City,
also made its appearance during this period.
In December, 1867, the plant of the Register. Petrolian, Republican,
and defunct Monitor were purchased by Andrew Gone and F. P. Davis and
consolidated under the name of the Republican, which was published by
Cone & Davis several years; it was ably edited, received a liberal patronage,
and yielded large returns. They were succeeded by a stock company, in
which H. H. Herpst and George V. Forman were largely interested; the
name was changed te the Times and  Metcalf of Meadville placed in
charge as editor. The management was not characterized by remarkable
efficiency; the plant sustained serious damage from fire, and having sub
served the political purposes which determined its inception, the daily edi
tion was suspended. The weekly was continued by Mr. Herpst, who had
secured a controlling interest and finally became individual owner.
The collapse of the Daily Times may be said to mark the termination of
experimental journalism at Oil City. A gradual but permanent change —
material, financial, and social — is noticeable about this time. The organiza
tion of an oil exchange in 1869 had tended to localize and concentrate trans
actions in that commodity at this point. The incorporation of the borough
and surrounding suburbs under a city charter two years later conferred an
autonomy no less desirable than necessary. Increased railroad facilities in
sured a continuance ot its prestige as the commercial center of a populous
territory. The town itself had passed the experimental stage and was re
garded as a permanent factor in the development of the Pennsylvania oil
field and the distribution of its products. A newspaper of metropolitan
scope devoted to the special industry of this region, was the natural out
growth of these conditions.
The Oil City Derrick was issued for the first time on the 11th of Sep
tember, 1871, from a frame building at No. 28 Seneca street, by Bishop &
Longwell, with whom H. H. Herpst afterward became associated. W. H.
Longwell had previously published the Pithole and Petroleum Center Rec
ord and assumed the business management, and C. E. Bishop, formerly
editor of the Journal, Jamestown, New York, continued in that capacity
with the Derrick. His style was characterized by force and originality, and
rapidly gained for the new venture the respect of its contemporaries. The
business management displayed conspicuous ability, and within a compara-
'tively brief period the paper was the recognized ' ' organ of oil, ' ' with a cir
culation and advertising patronage coextensive with the great industry to
which it sustains such an important relation. Associated press reports were
secured, thus placing the general news of the day before its readers hours in
advance of the city dailies. The system of correspondence from every part
of the- oil regions, inaugurated by J. J. McClaurin and continued by H. Mc
Clintock, has done much to increase its interest and extend its usefulness.

260 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Its monthly reports of operations and production are invaluable to all con
cerned in the petroleum trade,
Mr. Bishop retired from the editorship of the Derrick in 1873, and was
foUowed by Frank H. Taylor, who was succeeded in 1877 by R. W. Cris
well. A prominent feature of the paper during his connection with it was a
humorous department, quoted all over the world. On the 3rd of April, 1882,
the proprietorship of the Derrick passed from W. H. Longwell & Company
to the Derrick Publishing Company, with Edward Stuck as editor and man
ager. In the following December he retired in favor of William H. Siviter.
P. C. Boyle became lessee and publisher, August 11, 1885, bringing to the
enterprise a somewhat extended experience in oil country journalism. R.
W. Criswell became associated in the publication February 11, 1887, and
from that date until June, 1889, the paper was published by the firm of
Boyle & CrisweU. Mr. Criswell is now on the staff of the New York World
and Mr. Boyle continues the publication individually. Charles H. Harrison
of Pittsburgh had editorial management for a brief period after Mr. Cris
weU' s retirement. Robert Simpson, the present incumbent of that position,
assumed charge August 1, 1889. J. N. Perrine has been business manager
since August, 1885. The paper was enlarged from an eight-column folio to
a six-column quarto, its present form, September 16, 1886.
The Oil City Sunday Call made its first appearance on the 8th of April,
1877, and was published until the autumn of the following year by Frank
H. Taylor & Company, and Mr. Taylor individually. Local correspondence
from the different localities throughout the oil regions and a humorous de
partment under the head of " Puts and Calls " were its leading features. For
a time a special train was run between Oil City and Parker for its distribu
tion. The Call was deservedly popular and enjoyed a large circulation.
The Oil City Blizzard was founded by three young men from the Derrick
staff whose confidence in the success of an evening paper led them to issue
their first number on the 22nd of May, 1882. F. W. Bowen, whose humor
ous pen had long found exercise on the " Stray Sand" column in the Der
rick, was editor-in-chief; H. G. McKnight had charge of the mechanical
part, and B. F. Gates was intrusted with the job department as it afterward
developed in 1885. Notwithstanding the incubus of a small capital and
other obstacles, the paper was enlarged from a five to a six-column folio
about a year later and a six-column quarto weekly edition was started on the
1st of January, 1885. Mr. Gates withdrew in November, 1886, and the pub
lication has since been in the hands of Bowen & McKnight. Special humor
ous and local features render the Blizzard popular and valuable. Robert
Simpson, editor of the Dei^iek ; A. R. Crum, of the Pittsburgh Post ; E. A.
Bradshaw, editor of the Jamestown, New York, Journal; E. C. Bell, of
TitusviUe, and F. F. Murray, of OU City, have been employed on the staff
of the Blizzard at various times.

THE PRESS. 261
The Critic, published in South Oil City, issued its first number, a two
column folio, July 22, 1886. The editor and proprietor, W^ill H. Harris,
conceived the idea of buUding up a general family paper to be issued every
Thursday, and that he has succeeded is amply proved by it present propor
tions as a six- column quarto with a circulation throughout Venango and sur
rounding counties, and far beyond. April 2, 1887, it became a Saturday
paper and is so continued.
The Venango Democrat, B. F. Gates, editor and proprietor, made its
debut June 8, 1887, but suspended after the issue of the fourth number.
PAPERS AT PITHOLE CITY, PLEASANTVILLE, ETC.
The Pithole Daily Record, the pioneer successful daily of the county,
was issued for the first time on Monday, September 25, 1865, by Mortisn,
Spare & Company. Lee M. Morton was editor. The paper was a five-
column folio, and found an extensive patronage at the modest price of thirty
cents per week. The contents were largely made up of advertisements and
the revenue from this source was evidently considerable. The local columns
were occasionally rendered more than ordinarily interesting by communi
cations from " Crocus," in which the ludicrous side of oil country life was
described in felicitous style. The Record seems to have had strong faith
in the future of Pithole City; it was active in advocating measures of local
improvement and in supporting the municipal authorities. The important
happenings of the surrounding territory were briefly chronicled, thus ren
dering the paper a valuable epitome of contemporary history during an
eventful period. W. H. Longwell became associated in the publication in
May, 1866, when the style of the firm became Morton, Longwell & Company.
Charles H. Vickers and W. C Plummer were also interested at a subsequent
period, but Mr. Longwell ultimately acquired the controlling interest and
was connected with the paper until its final discontinuance. In May, 1868,
the place of publication was changed to Petroleum Center and the name of
that place substituted for Pithole in the caption. The city in the valley of
Oil creek was then at the height of its prosperity, and the change conferred
upon the Record a new lease of life. It was published there for some
years. The Reno Times, a paper established in the interest of that town, was
pubhshed in 1865 and 1866. It suspended in May of the latter year. Its
editorial management evinced considerable ability.
The first newspaper at Pleasantville was the Evening News, a daily es
tablished in January, 1869, by Dodd & Colegrove. Its career was brief and
uneventftU. The next venture was the Gas Light, also a daily, of which O.
H. Jackson was proprietor. He seems to have had a perambulating print-
mg outfit, but never stayed at one place long enough to become permanently
established. The Gas Light was no exception.

262 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Commercial Record, B. Corwin, proprietor, H. C. Mapes, editor and
publisher, is a five-column quarto and appears semi-monthly. The first
number was issued February 1, 1887. It was originally designed as a local
advertising medium and is well supported by the business men of the town.
The typographical appearance is creditable, and the local columns are well
sustained. The Rouseville Evening Bulletin, a daily, was started by O. H. Jackson
in October, 1870, and continued untU December 24, 1871. August 10, 1872,
James Tyson issued the first number of the Pennsylvanian, a well edited
weekly, which was continued for some time, but finally expired with the wan
ing prestige of the town.
The Cooperstown Neivs was published at that borough in 1879 and 1880
by« J. Lloyd Rohr, now of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is described as a fairly
readable paper considering the territory to which its circulation was neces
sarily limited.

CHAPTEK XVIII.
EARLY MILITARY HISTORY.
Venango County in the Revolution — The War or 1812 — Defenseless
Condition of Erie— Militia Organization of Western Pennsyl
vania—General Mead Calls out the Militia to Repel Threat
ened Invasion at Erie— The One Hundred and Thirty-Sec
ond Regiment Again Called Out in '18U— Roster
of the Regiment— The Old Militia — Roster
of the Venango Guards— The Mexican
AVAR— Sketches of Generals A lexan-
DER Hays and Jesse L. Reno.
WHILE the history of a community so circumstanced as Venango
county is largely a record of progress and development within it
self, the relation it has sustained to the larger movements of the state
and nation is a most important and interesting subject for consideration.
These movements are of two kinds, political and military. In the former
the activities of the people of a whole state are so blended, that it would be
impossible to indicate the part taken by a single county; in the latter, from
the nature of a military organization, this can be done with comparative
fullness and facility. And it is eminently appropriate that the services of the
soldier, whether mustered in the struggle for American independence, or to

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 263
repel invasion in 1818; whether called to defend the honor of the flag at
Vera Cruz and Mexico, or to maintain for that flag a united nation, should
be thus recounted and perpetuated.
The American Revolution had been brought to a successful termination
before the appearance of a single white settler in the county, and its repre
sentation in that struggle was therefore composed of subsequent immigrants
to its territory. After a protracted experience of the hardships of war
they came to this western country to subdue the wilds of nature, an under
taking scarcely less difficult and equally honorable to their memories. They
were among the very early settlers, and the information that is attainable
concerning their individual history is correspondingly meager. The fol
lowing is a list of the Revolutionary veterans who are known to have lived
in this county, with such facts of a personal nature as could be collated:
Joseph Breed, from Stonington, Connecticut, settled in Cherry Tree
township in 1818. His family gave the name to the locality known as
Breedtown. He died January 28, 1889, aged eighty-two years, and is
buried in the family graveyard.
William Brown, from the state of New York, came to this county in
1818 and settled in French Creek township, whence he moved to Sugar
Creek, and in 1820 to Canal, where he kept a well known hostelry at Han
navUle and died in 1846.
Francis Carter, a native of Ireland, was in the military service at Pitts
burgh, Franklin, and Erie. He settled on Sugar creek below Cooperstown
in 1797, and removed to the site of Dempseytown in 1803. There he built
one of the first houses of the village and died at an advanced age.
William Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, came to that locality from
eastern Pennsylvania in 1797 and built the first mill oq. Sugar creek. He
died February 1, 1813, in his sixty-sixth year, and is buried in the grave
yard of the old Methodist church in that borough.
Aspenwall Cornwell came to Allegheny township from New York city,
arriving at his destination in August, 1819, and was a resident of that
part of the county the remainder of his life.
David Dunham, from Fabius, Onondaga county. New York, purchased
a tract of land in Allegheny township near Pleasantville in 1819, and re
moved thereon in 1821.
Philip Ghost located in Clinton township in 1796. He bore the title of
major and had filled that rank in the Continental army. His residence
immediately prior to coming here was Westmoreland county. He was a
native of Germany.
Michael Hare, who taught a school in Oakland township in 1807 and
lived in that locality for a time, subsequently removed to Erie county and
died at Waterford, May 3, 1843, at the remarkable age of one hundred and
fifteen years, eight months, and twenty-three days. He was born in Ire
land, June 10, 1727.

264 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Hugh Hasson removed from New London, Chester county, to Canal
township in 1799, where he resided until his death in 1815.
James G. Heron came to Franklin prior to 1800 and was one of the
opulent citizens of that village in its early years. He was a member of
the first board of county commissioners and one of the first associate judges.
He was originally from New Jersey, and upon the formation of. Colonel
Moses Hazen' s regiment, known as Congress' Own, because not attached to
the quota of any particular state, he became a lieutenant and was subse
quently promoted to a captaincy. He was taken prisoner August 23, 1777,
and exchanged, after which it is probable that he served to the end of the
war. His death occurred December 80, 1809.
John Philip Houser, the first settler at the mouth of Sandy creek, was
a German by birth, and came here from Lancaster county. Afterward he
was ferryman at Franklin.
Seth Jewel first improved the site of the borough of Polk. He settled
there about the beginning of the present century,
Philip Kees, a native German, came to Oakland township in 1805. Sub
sequently he removed to a point on the Monongahela river, twenty miles
above Pittsburgh, where he died.
Samuel Lindsay was the first settler at the mouth of East Sandy creek
in Cranberry township. He afterward crossed the river into Victory, and
at a later date ren}X)ved to Meigs county, Ohio. He was a man of immense
physical strength.
Samuel Lovett resided for a time in Cherry Tree at an early date, but
removed to Crawford county before his death.
Patrick Manson, a native of Ireland, settled in Sandy Creek township in
1797. He lived to a ripe old age, and was buried with the honors of war by
the local militia in the old Franklin cemetery.
John McCalmont, born in County Armagh, Ireland, January 11, 1750,
came to America in 1766 and served through the war. In 1803 he settled
in Sugar Creek township. He died August 8, 1832, and is buried in the
United Presbyterian graveyard at Plumer.
James McCurdy was an early settler in the vicinity of Sugar Creek
Memorial church, Jackson township.
Henry Myers was a pioneer of Richland, and built several of the first
mills in that part of the county.
George Power was a commissary in the United States army, if not during
the period of hostilities in the east, certainly throughout the military move
ments in the west by which the British posts were occupied by American
forces. He served. in this capacity at Fort Franklin, Fort Washington (Cin
cinnati), Vincennes, and other points. He is best remembered, however, as
the first permanent settler at Franklin. Mr. Power was born in Maryland
AprU 10, 1762, and died AprU 2, 1845.

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 265
Samuel Proper, probably the second settler in Plum township, removed
to that locality from Schoharie county, New York, in 1801. He was the
progenitor of a numerous family, and a German by birth.
Matthew Riddle, a native of Ireland, came to Venango county from
Westmoreland as chain beai^r to Thomas McKee, surveyor, in 1796, and
settle'd in Clinton township.
David Russell removed from Westmoreland county in 1799 to Scrub-
grass township, this county.
Charles Stevenson, a native Scotchman, settled in Oakland township in
1800; he had lived in Mifflin county immediately prior to that date. Sub
sequently he moved into Cherry Tree township. He died in Adams county,
Ohio. John SuUinger purchased land in Rockland in 1805 and settled thereon
in 1813. He died about the year 1845 at Warren, Ohio, at the advanced
age of ninety-one, THE WAR OF 1812.
The formal declaration of war with Great Britain occurred on the 18th
of June, 1812. Early in the progress of hostilities it became apparent that
an invasion of American territory from Canada was highly probable, and
such a contingency was matter of vital concem to the people of northwest
ern Pennsylvania. Erie at that time was a mere hamlet, but from its posi
tion midway between the eastern and western extremities of the lake, and
the excellence of its harbor, was regarded as one of the most important of
the western military posts. There was no village of any size on the east
nearer than Buffalo, while the only settlements on the west along the lake
were those around the posts at 'Cleveland, Sandusky, Toledo, and Detroit.
The intervening tewitory in both directions was but sparsely populated.
There were no fortifications at Erie other than an old blockhouse erected on
the eastern part of the Peninsula in 1795 ; it was without a garrison, a gun,
or a pound of amrnunition. On the other hand, the Canadian frontier was
defended by a series of military posts from Niagara to Sault Ste. Marie,
well equipped and garrisoned, and provided with the valuable adjunct, a
provincial navy, which gave them the mastery of the lakes. The population
was composed largely of ' ' United Empire tories, ' ' who had left the United
States as voluntary exiles at the close of the Revolution, and were not averse
to the prospect of returning again as invaders. The Indians had been won
to British interests and their cooperation was artfully retained throughout
the war. Without a regular army or navy and no preparation for defense
except a poorly organized militia almost destitute of suitable equipments,
the exposed frontier of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio certainly presented
a favorable opportunity for invasion.
In anticipation of the conflict Governor Snyder had organized the state

266 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
militia into two divisions, one for the east and one for the west. The west
ern division was commanded by Major General Adamson Tannehill, of Pitts
burgh. Subsequently the state was divided into military divisions. The
sixteenth division included the counties of Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie,
Mercer, Venango and Warren, and was commanded by Major General David
Mead. The First brigade of this division embraced the One Hundred and
Thirty-Second regiment, from Venango county, and commanded by Colonel
Samuel Dale; John Kelso was brigadier general and William Clark brigade
inspector. Meadville was made the rendezvous for the division, and a con
siderable force was collected there in the autumn of 1812 for the contem
plated invasion of Canada, but it does not appear that the One Hundred and
Thirty-Second regiment had any part in the movements of that year.
The necessity of a fieet on Lake Erie, large enough to cope successfully
with the British squadron in those waters, was brought to the attention of
the war department in the summer of 1812 by Captain James Dobbins, who
had been sent to Washington by General Mead as the bearer of important
dispatches conveying the intelligence of the loss of Detroit and Mackinaw.
Dobbins was immediately tendered a sailing master's commission and
instructed to begin the construction of gunboats at Erie, which he did in
October of that year. Lieutenant Oliver Hazard Perry was assigned to the
command on Lake Erie, and arrived at Erie on the 27th of March, 1813.
It is difficult to conceive of the difficulties that Dobbins and Perry encount
ered in their work. There were very few ship carpenters in the country and
the work had to be done by house carpenters and mechanics. Timber was
obtained at the forests that lined the lake shore. Iron was procured with
difficulty, and naval stores could only be obtained after a long delay from
the east. A considerable quantity of metal 'and stores was transported from
Pittsburgh by flat-boat, and passed up the AUegheny ri»er and French creek
through this county. Among the local river men who assisted in this work
were several members of the Hulings family — Marcus, Samuel, Jonathan,
James, and Thomas; John Hastings, Jonathan Whitmanf Peter Myers, John
Roberts, and WiUiam Hood. It is worthy of mention that the river and
creek continued at a good boating stage until August, an unusual occurrence;
had the water become low at the ordinary time, it would have been impos
sible to rig the fleet in season to meet the enemy under favorable circum
stances. Even under these conditions transportation was exceedingly slow,
laborious, and difficult.
To add to the embarassment under which Perry's operations were con
ducted, Erie was constantly menaced by an attack from the British fleet.
The latter anchored in the roadstead several times and would have entered
the bay but for the shallow water on the bar. There was imminent danger
of an attack on the town, however, as the enemy were believed to have troops
on board, and a messenger was dispatched to Meadville urgently soliciting

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 269
from General Mead a re-enforcement of militia for its defense. The follow
ing stirring appeal was at once issued:
CITIZENS, TO ARMS !
Your state is invaded. The enemy has arrived at Brie, threateniug lo destroy our
navy and the town. His course, hitherto marked with rapine and flre wherever he
touched our shore, must be arrested. The cries of infants and women, of the aged and
infirm, the devoted victims of the enemy aud his savage allies, call on you for defense
and protection. Your honor, your property, your all, require you to march imme
diately to the scene of action. Arms and ammunition will be furnished to those who
have none at the place of rendezvous near to Erie, and every exertion will be made
for your subsistence and accommodation. Your service, to bo useful, must be rendered
immediately. The delay of an hour may be fatal to your country, in securing the
enemy in his plunder and favoring his escape.
David Mbad, Major General Sixteenth D. P. M.
There was an almost unanimous response to this appeal from every town
ship in northwestern Pennsylvania. Colonel Dale, who had but recently re
turned from a session of the legislature at Lancaster, set out with the One
Hundred and Thirty-Second regiment on the 27th of July and joined his
brigade at Meadville, whence they proceeded at once to Erie. Before leaving
he had received a visit from Cornplanter, who, after the cause of the war
had been explained to him, insisted on accompanying the regiment with two
hundred of his braves. He was finally induced to remain with the assur
ance that he would be called upon if his services became really necessary.
The vessels were about completed and on the 4th of the following month
the Lawrence was successfully floated over the bar. Within a few days the
entire American fleet was safely anchored in the roadstead and the British
squadron having sailed westward, thus relieving the immediate danger of in
vasion, the presence of the militia was no longer necessary. Colonel Dale's
regiment was discharged on the 9th of August. The farmers had been in
the midst of harvest when the summons came, but responded with a unani
mity and alacrity indicative of the highest order of patriotism. Although
not called into active service, this was not, as the sequel shows, without re
sults. The issue of the great naval battle of September 10th was thus stated
in the modest and memorable letter from Perry to General Harrison: "We
have met the enemy and they are ours : two ships, two brigs, one schooner,
and one sloop." And in the following month he addressed the subjoined
communication to General Mead: Erie, October 23, 1813.
Dear Sir: It may be some satisfaction to you and your deserving corps to be in
formed that you did not leave your harvest flelds in August last for the defense of this
place without cause. Since the capture of General Proctor's baggage by General Har
rison it is ascertained beyond doubt that au attack was at that time meditated on Erie;
and the design was frustrated by the failure of General Vincent to furnish the number
of troops promised and deemed necessary. I have the honor to be, dear sir, your
obedient servant, 0. H, Perky.
Major General David Mead, Meadville.

270 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
On the 30th day of December, 1818, intelligence was received at Erie
that an army of British and Indians had landed at Black Rock, burned
Buffalo and the shipping in the harbor at that place, and were advancing
in the direction of Erie. The numbers of the enemy were placed at three
thousand, while the troops stationed there for its defense numbered but two
thousand. The first brigade of General Mead's division was ordered into
service and mustered hurriedly, increasing the American force to four thou
sand men. Colonel Dale received marching orders on the 6th of January,
and his regiment was not discharged until the 10th of the following month.
The alarm proved delusive, however, and as in the previous instance the
local militia returned home without experiencing anything more serious than
the "pomp and pageantry of war" and the discomforts of a brief campaign
in the dead of winter. There was fortunately no necessity for their service
during the subsequent progress of the war. A treaty of peace was signed
at Ghent, Belgium, December 24, 1814, and the news reached this locality
in February of the following year. Detachments of troops had passed
through the county by the old Pittsburgh and Erie road at various times
and their return in the spring was a welcome assurance that hostilities had
indeed terminated.
The following roster of the One Hundred and Thirty- Second regiment,
Pennsylvania militia, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Dale, was
obtained from the secretary of the United States treasury by Lewis F.
Watson of Warren, Pennsylvania, member of congress from this district.
All our previous efforts to get this roster had proven fruitless, and we had
almost given up hope of being able to obtain the names of these patriotic
pioneers of Venango county who responded to their country' s call in the
hour of danger. Benjamin W. Bredin of Franklin finally became inter
ested and wrote Mr. Watson on the subject. That gentleman readily
promised his assistance, and the result is that we are enabled to present to
our readers this valuable record of the soldiers who served for a short
period under Colonel Dale at Erie in 1813 and 1814 during the war of
1812. In this roster, however, will be found the names of some who did
not live in Venango county, but it would be unwise to leave them out, and
therefore we give the complete roster of each company as it appears in the
government records, believing they will prove a valuable addition to the
history of the county:
Field and Staff Officers. — Lieutenant colonel, Samuel Dale.
First major, James Poster.
Quartermaster, Andrew Bowman.
Sergeant majors: Elial Farr, John Wilson.
Quartermaster sergeant, George Sutlev.
First Company. — Captain, Henry Neely.
Lieutenant, James Thompson.

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 271
Ensign, Jacob Small.
Sergeants: Gideon Richardson, Nicholas Neely, Jacob Hale,
Privates: Robert Armstrong, Anch'ew Ashbaugh, Michael Best, William
Crow, George Delo, James Downing, Samuel Fry, Joseph Goucher, Jacob
HeiTold, Henry Hummel, George Keefer, Jacob Keefer, James Mays, John
Mays, Barnhart Martin. Robert Philips, Nathan Phipps, John Potts, Adam
Shearer, Jacob Sweitzer, John Sweitzer, John Thummen.
Second Company. — Captain, Andrew Porter.
Lieutenant, James Ritchey.
Sergeants: Joseph Porter, Alexander Ritchey.
Corporal, John Jolly.
Privates: Daniel Ashbaugh, William Crist, William Davis, Jacob Keely,
Thomas Kennedy, Adam Kerns, William Kerns, Thomas Kerr, Washington
Mays, John McDonald, James McGinnis, Robert McMillin, James Piatt,
John Piatt, Thomas Piatt, Alexander Porter, Matthew Porter, Ross Porter,
John Shoup, John Snyder, Jacob Wensel, John Wensel.
Third Company. — Captain, Daniel McCombs.
Lieutenant, Richard Ross.
Ensign, Edward Fleming.
Sergeants: John HamUton, William McCombs, Benjamin August,
•Charles Ingram.
Corporals: James Hamilton, Columbus Halyday, James Cary, Alexan
der Cerreb.
Privates: Samuel Beers, John Carter, Miles Coover, David Dempsey,
Daniel Fleming, Jr., Barney Griffin, John Hamilton, John Hays, Henry
Kinnear, James Kinnear, Neal McFadden, Henry Prather, Andrew Proper,
Barnard Proper, Samuel Proper, WUliam Reed, James Reynolds, Joshua
Reynolds, John Rynd, WUliam Rynd, Samuel SmaU, John Sodorus, Will
iam Story, Elijah Stewart, John Tarr, Matthias Tarr, .
Fourth Company. — Captain, John Fetterman.
Lieutenant, WUliam Thompson.
Ensign, Joseph Bowman.
Sergeants: John Brown, John McFadden, Francis Carter, John Mason.
Corporals: Jonathan Whitman, John Brookmire, Charles Gordon.
Privates: James Alexander, Robert Beatty, Hemy Bowman, Samuel
Cooper, William Cooper, George Crain, John Deets, Joseph Deets, Daniel
Herrington, Alexander Holeman, John Kelly, Darius Mead, Elijah McFad
den, James McFadden, John McFate, William McMasters, John Roberts,
James Shaw, Thomas Smiley, Henry Sutley, Michael Sutley, Luther
Thomas, John Whitman.
Fifth Company. — Captain, Hugh McManigal.
Lieutenant, WUliam Patterson.
Ensign, John Bonfer.

272 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Sergeants: James AUen, John Craig, Thomas Dinsmore.
Corporals: John Scott, WilUam Baker.
Drummer, Ernest Hovis.
Privates: Thomas Baird, Charles Bigley, Patrick Davidson, WUliam
Davidson, James Donaldson, William Graham, John Hoffman, John Hovis,
John Love, John Lyons, James Martin, Robert Mitchell, WUliam McCon
nell, Hugh McDowell, John McManigal, Daniel McMillin, Archibald Mc-
Sparren, Joseph Porter, George Shunk, Daniel Smith, Samuel Van, WUl
iam Van, John Walters, Francis Whann, Robert S. Whann, Eli WUliams.
Sixth Company. — Lieutenant, John Martin.
Ensign, Armstrong Duffield.
Sergeants: James Martin, WiUiam Dewoody, John Ford.
Corporals: Patrick Manson, John Hays.
Privates: Samuel Adams, Samuel Atkinson, William Carter, Samuel
Cousins, John Clyde, Robert Dewoody, Robert Dewoody (substitute for
Andi-ew Dewoody), John Duffield, WUliam Felton, John Foster, John GU
more, Samuel Graham, W^Uliam Greenlee, John L. Hasson, John Hays,
James Hulings, Marcus Hulings, Thomas Hulings, Francis Irwin, Jared
Lee, Jr., James Martin, John Martin, Thomas Martin, William Martin,
William McElhaney, John McQuaid, John McQuaid (substitute for William
Duffield), John Ramsey, David Runninger, Jacob Runninger, Gustavus
Shaw, George Shoemaker, Alexander Siggins, Samuel Simmons, William
Stoops, Robert Temple.
Seventh Company. — Captain, Abraham Witherup.
Lieutenant, Robert Crawford.
Sergeants: Levi Williams, Joseph Ross, Robert Riddle, James Calvert.
Privates: David Boyd, William Campbell, Isaac Carter, James Craig,
James Fearis, Martin Fritz, James Hall, Michael Hoffman, Philip Hoffman,
John Jolly, Williaip Jolly, Morgan Jones, Stephen Jones, Thomas Jones,
Thomas Kerr, Joseph Layton, Patrick Layton, Thomas Lyons, Thomas Mil
ford, James McDowell, Abner McMahon, Alexander McQuiston, Joseph Parks,
William Perry, William Russell, Robert Selders, John Shannon, John
Stover, Samuel Stover, John Tracy, Francis Vogus, Jacob Wise.
Eighth Company. — Lieutenant, Isaac Connely.
Sergeant, William Siggins.
Privates: James AUender, William Broadfoot, James Dawson, John
Dawson, Thomas Dawson, Ezekiel Fleming, John Hamilton, Samuel Hen
derson, Joseph Huff, Andrew Hunter, David Hunter, Ebenezer Kingsley,
Jesse Miller (substitute), Samuel McGee, George Peebles, Thomas H,
Prather, John Siggins, James Shreve, Alexander Thompson, Francis Tut
hill, Robert Watson, Samuel Wilson.
Besides the foregoing there were also quite a number of others whose
names do not appear in this roster, and whose descendants claim they went

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 273
into the war of 1812 from Venango county. Not knowing in what com
mand they served we append their names as a tribute to their memory :
James McCalmont, Robert McCalmont, James Major, John McMillin,
William Hovis, John Dewoody, Shadrach Simcox, William Brandon, Robert
Curry, John Strawbridge, Samuel Bean, Daniel Keely, Thomas W. Mays,
Enoch Battin, James Brown, Samuel Mason, James Mason, William Whit
man, Hugh Clifford, Robert Riddle, Daniel Proper, William Mcintosh,
Christian Sutley, and Daniel Reynolds.
The following served a "tour of duty" under General Harrison: Will
iam Martin, John Martin, Jacob Runninger, Robert Dewoody, Samuel
Simmons, Marcus Hulings, Thomas Martin, Alexander Siggins, Gustavus
Shaw, John Foster, Jared Lee, Jr., John McQuaid, John McQuaid, John
Clyde. The following served a "tour of duty " at Erie in the autumn of 1812:
Joseph Layton, William Russell.
The following volunteered on board Perry's fieet: Abraham Witherup,
John Ramsey, Samuel Atkinson, Samuel Graham, Jacob AVise, John
Stover, Thomas H. Prather, Ezekiel Fleming.
The principal officers in the One Hundred and Thirty-Second regiment are
worthy of more than incidental mention in this connection. Colonel Sam
uel Dale was born in West Fallowfield township, Chester county, Pennsyl
vania, July 15, 1773. His parents removed to White Deer township,
Northumberland (now Union) county, in the following spring, but were
obliged to return in 1777 on account of Indian troubles. In 1781 they
took up their residence in Dauphin county, and in 1784 returned to White
Deer township. In 1797 the future colonel, then a young man of twenty-
three, went to Philadelphia to learn the mercantile business, but finding
yellow fever very prevalent he returned home and two years later made
a journey to the state of Ohio. He was on the point of returning
thither when Samuel Cochran, surveyor general of the state, appointed him
deputy surveyor for Venango county. He proceeded thither the same
year, although it was not until 1801 that he came to reside at Franklin.
In 1802 he was elected colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-Second regi
ment of the First brigade and Fourteenth division (subsequently the Six
teenth). He was elected as the representative of Venango and Mercer
counties in the legislature in 1807 and successively re-elected until 1813.
The commission under which he led his regiment in the war of 1812 was
given by Governor Simon Snyder under date of August 3, 1811. After the
close of the war he resided at Lancaster the remainder of his life. He
served as alderman, notary public, president of the school board, and judge
of the court of common pleas, and filled various other positions of trust
with credit and fidelity. He died in that city at the age of sixty-nine.
Major James Foster was a prominent citizen of Canal township and an

274 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
active member of the Sugar Creek Presbyterian church. A sketch of An
drew Bowman, the quartermaster, appears in the chapter on the early history
of Franklin. Elial Farr, sergeant major, resided in Cherry Tree. Cap
tain Henry Neely, of the First company, probably resided in that part of
Venango county now included in Clarion; Andrew Porter, of the Second,
in Richland; John Fetterman, of the Fourth, in Plum; Hugh McManigal,
of the Fifth, in Irwin; John Martin, of the Sixth, was a pioneer of French
Creek, and Isaac Connely, of the Eighth, of Allegheny.
Captain Abraham Witherup was the son of John Witherup, the first
sheriff of the county, who settled at the mouth of Scrubgrass creek, in Clin
ton township, in 1800. He was a native of Pennsylvania. For some
reason his company was delayed and did not reach Erie on time, which sug
gested a hint from some one that cowardice was the cause. Stung to the
quick he went into the fight with reckless spirit, won the admiration of Com
modore Perry, and after the confiict was over, an invitation to dine with him,
an honor as surprising to the captain as to his comrades. He is described as
a man of dignified appearance, tall, erect, finely proportioned, and hand
some. He was a life-long Democrat, and esteemed it a proud day, when,
accompanied to the polls by his eight sons, they all cast their votes for James
Buchanan for the presidency. THE OLD MILITIA.
The military spirit received its first impetus in the exposed condition of
the frontier during the period immediately preceding the early settlement
of the county, while the experiences of the war of 1812 demonstrated most
forcibly the advantage of a well organized and thoroughly equipped militia.
The different counties were organized under the auspices of the state and
the respective officers received their commissions from the governor. Com
panies met for drill at the call of their officers once or twice a year, and
these occasions, kno'wn as battalion days, were usually attended by the pop
ulace en masse. Thus encouraged by the state and sustained by public sen
timent the militia organization attained a fair degree of efficiency. The
roster of the Venango Guards for the year 1828, the earliest extant, and
therefore invested with a degree of historic interest, is as follows:
Captain, John Lupher.
First lieutenant, James Bennett; second lieutenant, John Ingram,
Sergeants: Abram Clark, Aaron McKissick, George Dewoody, Nathan
iel Cary.
Corporals: John Ridgway, Solomon Martin, Hugh McCleUand, John
Hamilton. Drummer, Jacob Cline.
Fifer, James Brown.
Privates: (The age is indicated by the number after each name.) David
Adams, 20; James Adams, 20; James Adams, 25; Samuel BaUey, 27; WUl-

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 275
iam Black, 22; James Bowman, 23; Elliott Brandon, 38; James Brandon,
22; John Broadfoot, 34; George Brigham, 83; Daniel Brown, 23; Stephen
Bucklin, 22; Isaac Bunnell, 20; Samuel Bunnell, 42; James Cary, 29;
Alexander Carroll, 30; Ebenezer Campbell, 31; Charles L. Cochran, 23;
Jeremiah Clancy, 25; John Cooper, 39; Frederick G. Crary, 20; John
Crary, 20; William Crary, 22; George Cummings, 26; Moses Davidson, 31;
William Davidson, 25; Everton Davis; George Dewoody, 21; George De
woody (hill), 18; Thomas Dinsmore, 27 ; Levi Dodd, 24; Armstrong Duf
field, 37; Thomas Folwell, 18; Benjamin Ford, 27; John Ford, 80; Solomon
Ford, 26; John Foster; Jacob Prick; John Galbraith; Walter Gibson, 23;
William Gibson, 36; David Gilmore, 25; John Gilmore, 27; Samuel Gordon,
31; Nimrod Grace, 23; Robert Graham, 25; Samuel Graham, 29; Samuel
Grant, 82; William Greenlee, 27; John Gurney, 86; Edward Hall, 25;
George Hammond, 80; John Hanna, 19; James Hanna, 80; Stewart Hanna,
23; Avis Harris, 30; John Hasson, 31; Alexander S. Hays; John Hays, 25;
Archibald Henderson, 80; Charles Henderson, 38; Derrick Hodge; Charles
Holeman; Thomas Hood, 24; Robert Huey, 26; Thomas Hulings, 39; George
HiU, 28; William Hill, 25; James HoUis, 82; Peter Houser, 23; Andrew
Howe, 22; Eliakim Jewel, 82; Israel Jewel, 32; Jonathan Jewel, 25;,
A.nthony Johnston, 25; William Johnson, 22; David King, 29; David Kin
near, 22; James Kinnear, 18; Henry Kinnear, 28; William Kinnear, 40;
James Leonard, 24; John Lindsay, 22; Stephen Lindsay, 21; Jacob Lyons,,
32; John Lewis, 26; Samuel Lyons, 24; William Lyons, 18; John Lindsay,
22; Stephen Lindsay, 21; Robert Manson; James Mason, 23; William Major,
18; James Martin; Hugh Marshall, 20; Dennis Mead, 33; John Morrison,
27; Joseph Morrison, 19; Alexander McCalmont, 37; Joseph McCalmont;
Robert McCalmont, 40; WUliam McClaran, 22; George McCleUand, 45;
James McClintock, 22; Hugh McClintock, 25; Thomas McDowell, 19; John
McKaUip, 43; John McKee, 23; Franklin McClain, 19; John Noacre, 28;
James Nicholson, 24; Samuel Nickerson, 31; John McElhaney; James
Paden; Jonathan Paden; John J. Pearson, 21; Thomas Power, 20; Moses
Pratt, 20; William Ray, 24; Hiram Reynolds, 19; Joel Reynolds, 19; John
Roberts, 28; Arthur Robison, 18; Joseph Ridgway, 80; Samuel Ridgway,
85; Conrad Rice, 27; David Runninger, 27; Jacob Runninger, 30; David
Russell, 85; John Russell, 21; Samuel Russell, 21; Thomas Russell, 28;
William Russell, 18; E. Sage; Jonathan Sage, 21; Noah Sage, 19; John
Scott, 28; Thomas Seaton, 35; George Selders, 25; John Simcox, 22; Will
iam Simcox, 27; Henry Small, 19; Thomas Smiley, 88; G. W. Smith, 32;
John Smith, 19; Isaac Smith; James Spencer, 23; John Singleton, 33;
James Steward, 20; Henry Strickliu, 23; Stephen Sutton; Robert Temple,
28; Howell Thomas; John Trimmer, 24; Abraham Vantine, 18; Thomas
Vantine; John Vincent, 21; Wilkes Walter, 24; Francis Whann, 33; Robert
Whann, 44; James Wheeler; William Whitman, 21; Job Wilcox, 22; John
Wood; Peter Yelver, 38.

276 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Among the volunteer companies at a later date were the Venango Troop,
Franklin Guards, Sugar Creek Blues, Washington Guards, Scrubgrass
Rifiemen, and, within recent years, the Cooperstown Guards and Franklin
Grays. Some idea of the personnel of the old militia nearly fifty years ago,
and of the manner in which the commanding officer communicated with the
rank and file may be gained from the following:
REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
The enrolled militia composing the Seventy-Eighth regiment, Pennsylvania militia,
will meet for inspection and drill as follows, to wit:
The Ninth company, commanded by Captain S. P. McFadden; the Tenth, com
manded by Captain John Boughner; the Eleventh, commanded by Captain .lohn Richie,
and the Twelfth, commanded by Captain J. R. McClintock, all will meet at Coopers
town on Monday, the Sth of May next, at ten o'clock, A. M.
The First company, commanded by Captain Jacob Hoffman; the Second, com
manded by Captain David Hovis; the Third, commanded by James P. Riddle; the
Fifth, commanded \>y Captain John M. McKinney; the Sixth, commanded by Captain
William McElhaney, and the Seventh, commanded by Captain H. Gould, and the
Scrubgrass Blues will meet at the house of John Bonner, in Irwin township, on Tues
day, the Oth day of May next, at ten o'clock, a. m.
The Nineteenth company, commanded by Captain William Davis; the Twentieth,
by Captain Jacob Truby, and the Twenty-First, by Captain Henry Miller, will meet
at the house of Benjamin Junkin, in Richland township, on Wednesday, the 10th day
of May next, at ten o'clock, a. m.
The Twenty-Second company, commanded by Captain John Ohler; the Twenty-
Third, by Captain W. Whitehill; the Twenty-Fourth, b"y Captain John Walter, and the
Twenty-Fifth, by Captain John B, McCalmont, will meet at the house of David Wal
ter in Farmington township on Friday, the 12th day of May next, at ten o'clock, a. m.
The Seventeenth company, commanded by Captain John Shannon, and the Twelfth,
commanded by Captain James Hughes, will meet at the house of James Brandon in
Cranberry township on Saturday, the 13th day of May next, at ten o'clock, a. m.
TheTbirteenth company,commanded by Captain Richard S. Irwin; the Fourteenth,
by Captain Robert P, Elliott; the Fifteenth, by Captain Daniel McCasland, and the
Sixteenth, by Captain James Sauley, will meet at the house of John Lamb in Alle
gheny township on Friday, the 26th day of May next, at ten o'clock, A. M.
William Shorts, Colonel Oomamnding.
April 27, 1843. "
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Owing to the great distance of the scene of hostilities and the uni
form success of the American arms no great excitement was occasioned in
this state by the Mexican war. The Democratic party had an overwhelming
predominance throughout the county, and the action of the national ad
ministration in declaring war was heartUy indorsed. Although no distinct
organization from Venango county participated in the various campaigns
that finally culminated in Scott's victorious entry into Mexico, and only a
very small number of her citizens are known to have been members of the
regiment formed in the western part of the state, the county was represented
by military leaders who afterward achieved national distinction— Alexan
der Hays and Jesse L. Reno.

EARLY MILITARY HISTORY. 277
Alexander Hays was born at Franklin July 8. 1819, son of General
Samuel Hays, of whom an account appears in a subsequent chapter of this
work. His literary education was obtained at Allegheny College, Mead
viUe. In 1840 he entered the military academy at ^\'est Point, where he
was a fellow student of General Grant for a time, and graduated in 1844.
He was assigned to the Fourth infantry, with the rank of brevet second
lieutenant. His regiment constituted part of the Army of Observation in
Louisiana and was among the first to advance into Mexican territory after
the declaration of war. His first active service was in the battles of Palo
Alto and Reseca de la Palma; at the latter engagement he sustained a severe
wound and was detailed for recruiting service. Upon his re#urn he was
appointed assistant adjutant general to General Lane's command and con
tributed materially to the success of the campaign. At the close of the
war he engaged in the iron business at Pittsburgh, and was subsequently
occupied as civil engineer in various states. At the outbreak of the re
bellion he enlisted in a regiment formed at Pittsburgh, in which he was suc
cessively captain and major. He then recruited the Sixty-Third regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, which was attached to Kearney's corps and was
highly complimented by that general for gallant service at Fair Oaks and
Charles City Cross Roads. Colonel Hays rendered valuable service at the
second battle of Bull Run, and in recognition of his abUity was promoted
to brigadier general of volunteers. In 1863 he was transferred to Heintzel
man' s corps, and placed in command of the Third brigade, Casey's division,
which sustained severe loss at the battle of Gettysburg, but came out of
that engagement with a record of daring and successful execution rarely
equaled. General Hays was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May
5, ] 864. He was buried at Pittsburgh with ceremonies appropriate to his
rank as an officer and character as a man.
Jesse L. Reno, who rose to a higher rank than any other of the thousands
of brave men from Venango county who have been engaged at various times
in the military service of tjieir country, also obtained his first experience of
actual military operations in the war with Mexico. Born in Virginia in
1823, his father, Lewis T. Reno, came to Franklin in 1832, and there his
son passed the following ten years of his life, obtaining such education as
the academy and select schools of the place afforded. In June, 1842, he
was appointed a cadet at West Point, and graduated at that institution in
1846, in the same class with Generals George B. McClellan and Thomas J.
(Stonewall) Jackson. In a class of fifty-nine he stood eighth in general
merit. He was appointed brevet second lieutenant of ordnance July 1,
1846, and second lieutenant March 8, 1847, and served throughout Scott's
campaigns, from the siege of Vera Cruz to the entrance into Mexico. After
the close of the war he was successively assistant professor of mathematics
at West Point, secretary of the board for preparing a system of instruction

278 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
for heavy artillery, and engaged in engineering work in various departments
of the govemment service. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was in
command of Mount Union arsenal, Alabama. He was appointed brigadier
general of volunteers November 12, 1861, and commanded a brigade of
Burnside' s army in the expedition into North Carolina. He was promoted
to the rank of major general of volunteers July 18, 1862, and participated
in the battles that occurred during Pope's retreat to Washington in the fol
lowing month. He commanded the Ninth corps of the Army of the Potomac
at the battle of South Mountain, and was killed in that engagement Septem
ber 14, 1862. A monument has been erected to his memory on that battle
field, and his name is honored by every patriotic heart in western Pennsyl
vania.

CHAPTER XIX.
VENANGO COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.

State of Public Sentiment at the Outbreak of the War — Public Meet
ings — Regimental Sketches — Thirty-Ninth — Fifty-Seventh —
Sixty-third — Sixty-Fourth — Sixty-Fifth — One Hundred
AND Third— One Hundred and Fifth — One Hundred
AND Twenty-First — One Hundred and Forty-
Second— One Hundred and Sixty-First —
Lamberton Guards— Relief Associ
ation—Soldiers' Monument.

rT"lHE interval that elapsed between the national election in the autumn of
-L 1860 and President Lincoln' s inauguration was a period of the most in
tense suspense throughout the North. The cotton states had successively se
ceded, a Southern Confederacy was formed, and its leaders displayed an
energy of purpose in marked contrast with the pusillanimous inactivity of the
retiring national administration. A momentous transference of power had
occurred in national politics ; for the first time in its history the Republican
party had elected a president, while a similar result in the gubernatorial
election of Pennsylvania gave to the people of that state an added interest in
the final issue of the rapidly changing current of events. The sense of an
impending national crisis pervaded every community. The bombardment of
Fort Sumter, although it indicated conclusively that a protracted and san
guinary war was about to begin, relieved the tension of the public mind and
startled the North into immediate preparation for the ' ' irrepressible con-

THE CIVIL WAR. 279
flict, ' ' Every latent instinct of patriotism was stirred to action and public
sentiment crystalized into a united determination to maintain the honor of
the flag and the integrity of the government.
The first public meeting in Venango county to consider the situation
was held at Franklin on the 29th of January, 1861. James P. Hoover
presided; D. D. Goodwin, Levi Dodd, and John McCrea were elected vice-
presidents, W. T. Neill and D. W. S. Cook, secretaries. Able addresses
were delivered by John S. McCalmont, James K. Kerr, and C. Heydrick.
The following resolutions, temperate in tone, but unequivocal in meaning,
may be regarded as a fairly accurate expression of public sentiment in the
county at that date :
Resolved, That if compromise be available to save any of the southern states of
this Union from seceding therefrom, that we are willing so to compromise if thereby
we do not yield any of the sacred rights of freedom for which this government was
established. Resolved, That we believe that no great party in the North wishes to see the im
mediate emancipation of the slaves of the South; nor is Pennsylvania at present will
ing to assume, either her share of the purchase of Southern slaves, or to provide for
them if emancipated without cost.
It was impossible as yet to believe that war was imminent. The horrors of
civil strife lent probability to the many possible ways by which an appeal to
arms might have been averted, and in this respect the fluctuating uncertainty
of national affairs affected the people of Venango county no less than the
country at large. But the events of the next few months demonstrated
conclusively that all hopes for an honorable compromise were chimerical.
Hostilities were precipitated by the bombardment of Fort Sumter, April 12,
1861, and three days later the president issued his proclamation calling out
the militia of the loyal states to the number of seventy-five thousand men.
The period of suspense had terminated, and the citizens of the county were
prompt in giving expression to their unwavering adherence to the national
executive in the policy thus inaugurated.
A second mass meeting was held at Franklin on the evening of Monday,
April 22, 1861, It was the largest concourse of people that had ever as
sembled in the history of the county. It was intended to have been held in
the court house, but as that building would have accommodated only a
small portion of the crowds in attendance, the park was occupied. Robert
Lamberton was chosen chairman, and James Bleakley and Doctor W. C.
Evans, vice-presidents. C. W. GilfiUan and G. W. Brigham were appointed
secretaries. Adresses were made by James K. Kerr, C. H. Heydrick, James
S. Myers, S. P. McCalmont, H. C. Hickok, and others. A series of resolu
tions was adopted, the preamble of which embodied the language of Jeffer
son in his first inaugural : ' ' The preservation of the general government in
its full constitutional vigor as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and
safety abroad, and absolute submission to the will of the majority, are car-

280 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
dinal principles upon which this Union was established by the patriots of
the Revolution, ' ' both of which, it was declared, had been set at defiance
by the seceding states. The efforts of the border states to preserve an armed
neutrality was pronounced to be effectual only in strengthening the states
in rebeUion; the secession of Virginia was deprecated; the government
was urged to defend the national capital to the last extremity; the states
that had remained true to the Union were counseled never to falter until
the outrage upon the flag had been atoned, and submission or destruc
tion was declared to be the only alternative that ought to be offered the
traitors who had assailed it. The following action was taken regarding
the immediate duty of the people:
Resolved, That it is incumbent on the people of this county at once to arise in their
might and to be prepared by steady and active exercise in military duty for the sup
port of the national government, as well as for the defense of our homes, and that it be
recommended to the people at once to prepare with judgment, coolness, and delibera
tion, to form military companies, and to drill them daily so as to be ready when called
into active service; and that it be recommended to form companies full to the war com
plement of seventy-seven, one at each of the following places; Franklin, Coopers
town, Utica, Pleasantville, Oil City, Tionesta, Salina, Rockland, Emlenton, Clinton
ville, Mechanicsville, and Waterloo, to be formed into a Venango regiment when
required; that the president of this meeting appoint a committee of safety, consisting
of twenty persons, who shall have the power to organize a home guard to preserve
order as the general guidance of affairs in the present crisis may direct.
The recommendation regarding the formation of a distinctively Venango
regiment was found impracticable, and no emergency occurred to require
the organization of a " home guard, ' ' but the action of the meeting shows
that the citizens were thoroughly aroused to the importance of taking prompt
and decisive measures. Party distinctions were for the time obliterated in
the consciousness of a common danger. The meeting had an influence
in stimulating loyalty and concentrating public attention to the one issue at
stake which could scarcely have been accomplished through any other
agency. THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT  TENTH RESERVE.
The Tenth regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was organized
in the western part of the state, and rendezvoused at Camp Wilkins, near
Pittsburgh, where an organization was effected in June, 1861, by the election
of John S. McCalmont, of Venango county, a West Point graduate and
regular army officer, as colonel; James T. Kirk, lieutenant colonel, and
Harrison Allen, major. The regiment was mustered into the United States
service July 21, 1861, and for a brief period encamped near Washington,
after which it was assigned to the Third brigade, at first commanded by
Colonel McCalmont, but afterward by General E. O. C. Ord. Its first actual
fighting was at the battle of Drainesville, in December, 1861. In June, 1862,
it was transferred to McClellan's army operating against Richmond, and

THE CIVIL WAR. 281
participated at Mechanicsville June 26th. Gaines' Mills on the 27th and 30th,
capturing on the latter date sixty prisoners. The loss in the series of battles
which commenced at Mechanicsville was over two hundred. From the Pen
insula the regiment passed to the army of General Pope, and participated
at the second battle of Bull Run, at South Mountain and Antietam, and
Fredericksburg. It shared in the memorable campaign that culminated at
Gettysburg in July, 1863, and in the campaign against Richmond in 1864.
On the 11th of June, 1864, the remnant of this brave and once strong
body of men, which had fought in nearly every battle in which the Army of
the Potomac was engaged, was mustered out of service at Pittsburgh.
Company C was recruited at Franklin. Nearly a thousand dollars were
contributed for its equipment; the uniforms were of local manufacture,
made by the ladies of the town from cloth obtained at the Kennerdell mills
in Clinton township. The company was known as the "Venango Grays."
They left by keel-boat for Pittsburgh, June 6, 1861, arriving at Camp
Wilkins Saturday, the 8th of that month. The following is a roster of the
company :
Captains: C. Miller Over, Charles C. Cochran.
First Lieutenants: Charles W. Mackey, William M. Patton.
Sergeants: Samuel McKinzie, Jesse L. Pryor, Milton S. Singleton,
John C. Kirkpatrick, Preston M. Hill, Lewis W. McQuaid, James L. Mc
CuUough, Walter B. Pogus, Noble F. Leslie, GiUis C. Keener, William C.
McElwain, Elihu G. Neighbor, William Dougherty, George G. McLain,
Thomas W. Agnew, George W. Peters, Samuel Moyer, James M. Covert.
Corporals: Robert D. Sutton, F. T. Alexander, James B. White, Ben
jamin P. Addleman, Myers Eckenberger, John M. Wimer, W. H. Kirk
patrick. Musician, Emory A. Sadler.
Privates: Hiram Brown, Joseph M. Bowman, Lyman Brown, Freeling
Brown, Christopher Cramer, Aaron T. Cross, Benjamin F. Camp, George
Crispan, Robert Coulter, John H. Crawford, George W. Conver, Ephraim
Dempsey, David Dorland, George Elliott, R. H. Fitzsimmons, Smith Ful
kerson, William J. Grable, Andrew Griffin, James B. Galbraith, John
Griffin, Frederick Heigle, William A. Horton, Thomas J. Jones, John Jour-
don, Hiester Keith, William Kreckle, Marcus Lockrout, Samuel Leslie,
David LoveU, William Loose, GUbert Morgan, George McCool, John S.
May, Thomas M. McFadden, John H. McQuaid, Annis Moore, Alexander
McCurdy, WiUiam McKinzie, Daniel B. McMillan, David P. Morrison,
Samuel McChesney, George Meager, Robert B. NeUis, Isaiah NeUis, James
Nickleson, James Oldridge, Thomas H. Pollock, William B. PoweU,
Thomas J. Ross, Joseph D. Ross, WUliam Remley, Samuel B, Ross, Ab
salom Smith, Samuel Stewart, Anthony Showers, George S. Shattuck,
George W. Scott, John Seibert, Daniel K. Sheffler, Alexander F. SawhUl,

282 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Alexander SaUinger, Samuel M. Skeel, James D. Shaw, Thomas H. Tem-
pleton, Ezekiel N. Tracy, Robert Taylor, William A. Varner, William P.
White, John H. Wilhelm, William J. Welsh, Bradford Wilson, Henry J.
Widle, Edward Wallace, William Winkleman, John Wilson, John Wolf-
kill, James S. Wonzer, John Walters, John Yingling.
FIFTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment was principally recruited in the counties of Mercer, Craw
ford, and Venango. It was organized at Camp Curtin with the election
of WUliam MaxweU, of Mercer county, colonel ; Elhannan W. Woods, of
Mercer county, lieutenant colonel, and Jeremiah Culp, of Bradford county,
major. It was subsequently commanded by Colonels Charles T. Campbell,
Peter Sides, and George Zinn; Thomas S. Strohecker, who was promoted
to a lieutenant colonelcy March 12, 1863, was the only field officer from this
county. The regiment was ordered into line with the' Army of the Potomac
in February, 1862, and assigned to Jameson's brigade of Heintzleman' s
division. At the operations against Yorktown it was engaged in the trenches
under conditions exceedingly deleterious to health, and in consequence of
this and subsequent exposure it became necessary to discharge quite a num
ber of the men on account of sickness. It was engaged at Pair Oaks May
31, 1862, at Charies City Cross Roads on the 30th of June, at Malvern Hill
on the 1 st of July, at the second battle of Bull Run on the 29th and 30th
of August, at Chantilly on the 1st of September, and at Fredericksburg on
the 13th of December. The principal engagements in which it participated
in the foUowing year were ChancellorsviUe and Gettysburg, sustaining severe
losses on both occasions. In January, 1864, the regiment was dismissed on
veteran furlough and after an absence of forty-nine days returned to camp.
On the 4th of May it was engaged at close range with a detachment of the
enemy near ChancellorsviUe, losing one hundred and forty-three men in
tilled, wounded, and missing. In January, 1865, having been greatly
reduced in numbers, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of six
companies, and later, by a union with the Eighty-Fourth, restored to its
former strength. On the 25th of March it was engaged in the demonstra
tions about Fort Steadman which inaugurated the movement resiUting in
the capture of Petersburg. It was mustered out of service in June at
Alexandria. Company I was recruited in Venango and Mercer counties. The roster
was as follows :
Captains: Thomas S. Strohecker, Lorenzo D. Bumpus, James D. Moore,
John R. Ross.
First lieutenants: George Supplee, John Bowers, Thomas E. Merchant.
Second lieutenants: Jesse R. WUliams, Edward S. Benedict, John F.
Cox, Henry M. Adams, Cyrus P. Slaven, James M. Lewis.

THE CIVIL WAR. 283
Sergeants: George W. Lower, William C. Stewart, O. D. Waterman,
WiUiam Curtis, Alfi-ed Aurandt, Henry M. Snare, William Bone, Orsemus
R. White, James W. Cummings, James L. Wykoff.
Corporals: Joseph Enders, Lartis Campbell, Jacob W. Miller, John C.
Shinefelt, Amon Houck, James Colbert, Elijah Gorsuch, Samuel L. Hare,
David A. Stewart, James A. Davis, Virgil Brigham, Elijah Estep, James
Zahniser, L. N. Herring, C. G. Barker, A. 0. Hanna, Levi McFadden,
Albert Reynolds.
Musician, Jeremiah Black.
Privates: James B. Armstrong, Jacob Ashton, Howard D. Avery, John
Bradley, Anson M. Bidwell, K. H. Bassett, Edwin E. Brown, David Bell,
Jacob Blake, Oscar A. Bailey, Oren D. Brigham, Eliphalet Bush, Peter Ben-
ner, William B. Brinner, William Barret, James J. Bruner, Demetrius
Barnhart, George Cassell, J. J. Clevenger, John Charles, Wayne Campbell,
Robert Collins, John C. Cathumas, Francis Chilson, Jacob Cramer, Thomas
Dugan, Judson Davy, Frank Duanehaffer, John Drake, James EUerson,
Henry C. Estep, Joseph D. Everhart, Samuel Eddleman, David Estep, A.
Eichman, James Evans, Henry Ford, Henry Felber, George A. Flannigan,
James Gallagher, George Garner, Warner Hurley, Henry Heverly, Austin
Hoban, Robert Hartley, John Herman, Isaac D. Harris, Henry Hale, Will
iam Hurley, William A. Houck, Samuel Hale, Isaac HoUenbaugh, Caleb
Higbee, Michael Haggerty, William Ishman, William M. Johnson, John
Kilgore, Hugh Kearnan, Levi Kessler, Daniel King, Richard Lanely, Sam
uel Lessick, James M. Lias, Frank Lewis, George R. Mountain, William
A. MaxweU, Charles Monroe, Simeon Middeaugh, James Miller, Levi
Metzker, Andrew J. Mosher, Jacob S. Miller, Andrew J. Marks, C. Muxum,
Henry McLaughlin, Samuel McDonald, Julius C. McGonnigle, Edwin
North, Adam Nash, Samuel Nunamaker, William Newhouse, Daniel Oberly,
Levi Ostrander, George W. Parks, George Patton, James Rue, Charles W.
.Richards, Henry Smith, Henry Schwab, William Scott, Henry Snyder, Jacob
Shaffer, Bradley Sherwood, John Taylor, Joseph Tetweiler, John E. UUery,
Loomis Vargason, Jesse D. Vargason, Julius Veit, David S. Walters,
Moses Wood, David H. W^eaver, John C. Wilson, E. Wayland, August
Wagoner, Thomas C. Wykoff, Henry B. Wood, William Wanrick, James
A. Yingling, SIXTT-THIED REGIMENT.
The Sixty-Third was recruited in Allegheny county and the valley of
the Allegheny river, with one company from Beaver, and a comparatively
small number of men from Venango. The field officers were Alexander
Hays, a native of this county, colonel; A. S. M. Morgan, lieutenant colonel,
and Maurice Wallace, major, at the time of its organization, in 1861. It
was assigned to the Third brigade of Heintzelman' s division, and did gal-

284 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lant service at Fair Oaks, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, the sec
ond battle of Bull Run, and ChantiUy; General Kearny having been kiUed
in the latter engagement the division was ordered to the defenses of Wash
ington, but after the battle of Antietam rejoined the army and participated
at Fredericksburg. The regiment also took part in the ChancellorsviUe and
Gettysburg campaigns, and in the movements of 1864 in Virginia.
Company G, recruited in Allegheny, Venango, and Armstrong counties,
was composed as follows:
Captains: Charles W. McHenry, Isaac Moorhead.
First lieutenants: S. Hays Cochran, James S. WUliams.
Second lieutenants: Robert Houston, WUliam R. Nicholson.
Sergeants: Aaron W. Gilmore, John Cessna, John M. Thomas, John
C. Brookbank, WUliam B. Peiffer, Robert W. Martin.
Corporals: John Pickel, James N. Coulter, George A. Cook, William M.
Smith, Alfred B. Lupher, Frank H. Johnston, Edward Wacksmith, Milton
J. Adams, Benjamin H. Smith, Matthew A. Rankin, Simon Steffy, WUliam
J. Graham, Thomas Q. Martin.
Musicians: John Hassinger, Philip Hassinger.
Privates: Wales D. Ashton, Peter Armberger, Robert M. Brown, George
Blystone, William Blystone, John Bleakney, Samuel D. Barnett, Peter
Boyer, Simon Blystone, C. G. Cooper, Jesse Cole, John R. Cox, W. L. Cal
houn, WUliam Cooper, David W. Coursin, Robert H. Daily, Robert David
son, Asa O. Douglass, James D. Douglass, Samuel C. Dewoody, Christian
Deim, Joseph H. Fulton, Robert A. Fulton, Henry Frailey, John A. Frai-
ley, Charles France, William Frailey, Thomas Frue, Curtis C. Griffin,
Daniel M. Gardner, Joseph Gardner, W. F. Green, James Gates, David R.
George, Jacob Gardner, Henry R. Gress, W. C. Hoover, John Henderson,
Andrew Henderson, Josiah M. Hays, Cornelius Hoffman, B. W. Hull, Ral
ston Hoover, Samuel S. Hays, John F. Jones, Samuel Jack, Wilder Jack
son, James Johnston, John Kelly, Henry Klugh, William R. Keppel, Sylois
Leasure, James Lindsay, Robert C. Law, David C. Martin, Charles Moore,
George W. Martin, Samuel Mulberger, Samuel G. Moorehead, James Mar-
kle, Thomas L. Martin, David K. Mitchell, Cyrus J. Moore, Andrew J,
Moore, Jacob Miller, James S. Myers, William Magee, John T. McCoy,
Robert B. McCoy, Hugh McConneU, Clark Near, PhiUp O' Sullivan, Itha-
mar Porter, Noah W. Porter, Joseph P. Rankin, John A. Robinson, Robert
Rogers, Isaac L. Rearick, John Ritchey, Lobin Russell, Samuel A. Rhodes,
Joseph Rudler, Alexander Rupert, William H. H. Sloan, Edson E. Shep
herd, Jacob Saddler, John A. Sell, William C. Smith, George Schick, Harri
son C, Stoph, M. Schemerhorn, WUson M. Stills, John Salada, John St.
Clair, Adam F. Smith, Thomas Smith, John SiUiberg, David F. Sheets,
Simon ShaU, David Shiery, Andrew J. Smeltzer, John Sitts, Samuel Sharp,
George W. Taylor, WUUam Thomas, David J. Thomas, Hampton Thomp-

THE CIVIL WAR. 287
son, Solomon Vensel, A. A. G. Wilhelm, George Wolfkill, W. S. Whitman,
Charles D. Warner, A. W. Wilhelm.
SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT  FOURTH CAVALRY.
Venango county had a larger representation in this regiment than in any
other. There was one company from Northampton county, three from Alle
gheny, two from Westmoreland and Indiana, four from Venango, one from
Lebanon, and one from Luzerne, which rendezvoused at Camjp Curtin, but
were soon afterward transferred to Washington, where they were mustered
into service and organized into three battalions under the following field offi
cers: David Campbell, of Pittsburgh, colonel; James H. Childs, of Pitts
burgh, lieutenant colonel; James K. Kerr, of Venango, first major; WiU
iam E. Doster, of Northampton, second major; James H. Trimble, of West
moreland, third major. Upon the resignation of Colonel Campbell, in
March, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Childs was promoted to succeed him; Ma
jor Kerr was promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy and Captain George H.
Covode to a majority. In the following May the regiment was assigned to
McCall's division, Pennsylvania Reserves. In June a battalion under Lieu
tenant Colonel Kerr was ordered to Yorktown, where it remained during the
Peninsula campaign. On the 26th of June a squadron led by Captain Her-
ron, whUe scouting beyond the lines, met the Confederate advance and fired
the first shot on the Union side in the ensuing Seven Days' battles, in which,
however, the regiment was not conspicuously engaged. From Harrison's
Landing it marched to Yorktown, and thence to Washington, and rejoined
McClellan's army in the movement into Maryland, having been assigned to
General Averell's brigade. Owing to the illness of the latter the command
devolved upon Colonel Childs, and Lieutenant Colonel Kerr led the regi
ment. At the battle of Antietam Colonel Childs was kUled, resulting in the
promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Kerr to the colonelcy. In the autumn of
1862 the regiment was stationed near Hancock, Maryland; it was with Pleas-
anton in his pursuit of Stuart, and during the battle of Fredericksburg was
stationed on the north side of the Rappahannock. In the movement upon
ChancellorsviUe, in the Gettysburg campaign, and particularly in the pur
suit of Lee's retreating army, the Fourth was actively engaged. On the
12th of October, 1863, the regiment, already reduced to three hundred and
seventy- five men, sustained a loss of two hundred. When the time for vet
eran re-enlistment arrived more than two-thirds of the men enrolled for a
second term. During the Wilderness campaign the cavalry frequently dis
mounted to form skirmish line. The Fourth accompanied Sheridan in his
raid upon Richmond, and in his second raid, of which the objective point
was Lynchburg. It was in a number of skirmishes during the summer and
autumn of 1864, the most important being the second advance upon the
Weldon railroad. After Lee's surrender it was assigned to permanent duty
16

288 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
at Lynchburg, where it was mustered out of service on the 1st of July, 1865.
Four companies of this regiment were from this county. They mustered
at Franklin, October 14, 1861, and left at six P. M. for Pittsburgh by the
steamboat Venango, arriving at that place at half-past two the foUowing
day. On the next day, at four A.M., they started for Harrisburg; at
Camp Curtin they were uniformed, and thence proceeded to Washington.
The rosters of the respective companies were as follows:
Company H. — Captains: James H. Pennell. Robert J. Phipps, George
W. ^VUson.
First lieutenants: A. A. Plumer, John R. Dodge, Thomas J. Robinson,
Josiah J. Watkins, Adelbert M. Beatty.
Second lieutenants: Abraham Edwards, James M. Gayetty, David P.
Lamb. Sergeants: Albert Benedict, Jacob Lyons, Andrew Brown, James R.
Downing, James Wilkins, James McFadden, Reese Clark, James Galbraith,
John Crain, Alexander G. Wilkins, Charles Albaugh.
Corporals: David Ray, William H. Gayetty, John R. Stover, Alfred L.
Comb, H. P. Bowman, Joseph G. Hall, Charles W. McElray, John Jackson,
Samuel Hatch, Russell Lincoln, Wilson Cathcart, Ethan Stone.
Buglers: Edgar Nyle, Daniel Hurstine.
Blacksmith, Lewis Mitchell.
Farrier, A. Bumgardner.
Privates: John A. Adams, Samuel S. Adams, John Anderson, Joseph
Bates, William F. Brown, John J. Black, Smith Byers, Andrew H. Bush,
John Brown, Joseph Breing, Francis Bull, George N. Crodle, Hiram Con
ner, Matthew B. Conner, John Q. A. Conner, Hiram A. Conner, David Cole
man, William Calaghan, Henry Carner, Adam Crider, James Collar, Asa M.
Clark, Robert P. Clark, Parens Copeland, Charles Castle, Daniel Dunmire,
William Davis, George Davis, John E. Davis, John M. Dunn, Zenis N.
Durrin, John S. Dick, Josiah Duffield, William Duffriel, George Dewoody,
Asa Eastman, C. H. Fahnestock, W. M. Graham, George W. Gates, James
Gormly, Samuel M. Gardner, Thomas S. Gibson, John F. Grace, Caleb
Gray, Freeman D. Grace, Jackson P. Huey, William G. Hall, Patrick
Hughes, John Harris, Joseph Hibbs, Cristopher Hyser, A. H. Hunsinger,
Samuel Hewett, Robert W. N. Henry, Reese E. Harris, Hiram J. Hamilton,
WiUiam A. Johnson, George W. Lindly, David L. MUler, Cyrus Michael,
Charles Miller, Thomas H. Megogany, Hiram Milford, Amos H. Monroe,
Isaac Maloney, John F. Meader, John McGinley, MUton M. McCuUy, John
McCallister, John McMillan, P. H. McArdle, Jacob Riser, Walter C. Parker,
James A. Powell, Sylvester Parker, Richard Quinlin, John W. Riddle, Hor
atio Randall, Anthony Robertson, Charles H. Ruff, George H. Ridgely,
Frank Stephens,Alexander Scott, John J. Snodgrass, N. N. Stevenson, Harvey
V. Stoops, George H. Smith, Andrew Sanford, Charles S. Sanford, Thomas

THE CIVIL WAR. 289
Stevenson, George Thropp, Charles Tripp, John Upton, Wesley H. Varner,
John Williams, Alexander Williams, John Winters, Andrew Whisner, John
Whiteel, Peter Woodley, James Wood, James WaJshaw.
Company I. — Captains: Charles E, Taylor, Robert L, Coltart, Francis
M. Ervay, Andrew Nellis.
First lieutenants: Milo A. Plumer, Robert Coltart.
Second lieutenants: Alexander Frazier, Joshua C. Bealle, Albert J.
Servey, William H. Cowan.
Sergeants: Paul Neely, John B. Hogue, William H. Thompson, Daniel
W. Servey, Henry Bender, Robert King, Isaac Burris, William S. Keller,
John T. Ewens, Cyrus S. Mark, Daniel E. Wise.
Corporals: Parker Lupher, Harvey W. Jones, James Callen, James M.
Bethune, Homer C. Brown, William Strite, J. Keas, Lewis McFadden.
Bugler, Robert P. Shaw.
Blacksmith, Artemus Kinnear.
Farrier, William B. Keener.
Privates: William Amon, Loyal Adams, Joseph A. Alter, Jacob Aly,
Cortlandt Brown, Crawford Belig, Jacob H. Bethune, Richard Barkly,
Daniel J. Brown, William C. Bryant, Joseph Bronnette, Terence C. Byers,
Lewis Byrns, John Bethune, George Baney, Isaac Baney, George Bromley,
George Culber, William Criswell, Thomas Colburn, Benjamin F. Crain,
John Clark, Ephraim F. Cisco, James Carnahan, Silas Davis, William H.
Dill, James R. Davidson, Joseph E, Davis, Benjamin Dougherty, ^^'illiam
H, Durning, Daniel Eagan, Thomas M. Elder, Henry Preeby, John E.
Freeman, William S. Fleming, John Flager, Samuel R. Foulk, George
Ghearing, Lewis Gross, Ira B. Gilmore, Willabed Gneedig, Isaac Gormly,
George W. Gates, Jacob Grinnells, James Hoover, Horace Haller, Thomas
B. Hoffman, Thomas L. Hays, Marvin S. Hasson, Robert Hilands, George
B. Haines, William Harrison, Wiley H. Hunter, Levi E. Hart, Melvin A.
Johnson, Milton James, William T. Johnson, Jeremiah C. Jennings, Sam
uel James, Alexander James, Andrew P. Jones, Peter D. Kelly, George
Kinnear, Charles Kelly, Truman J. King, Robert Kirtley, James F. Lam
berton, Gilbert Lupher, Barnett Lupher, .James Legg, Paul Messner, Will
iam Miller, Daniel Miller, Daniel Murray, James Marshall, William
Mooney, Lewis Miles, John L. McCalmont, Robert G. McCleUand, Marcus
McCurdy, James McMillen, William McCutcheon, Jacob Nellis, James
Posey, Richard Place, John W. Porterfield, John W. Patterson, William
Reagle, John Reagle, John Roberts, Josiah Randal, Thomas J. Robertson,
Albert Reagle, William J. Reynolds, Rufus P. Seely, Alfred M. Shaw,
Josiah Scott, Thomas O. Scott, Charles J. Smith, Michael Smith, Jerry B.
Smith, Frank Showalter, Israel Stroup, Edward Stroup, Jacob Smith, Mark
Smale, Porter Thompson, Miller M. Thomas, William Thomas, Isaac Taylor,
W. D. Taylor, William Thompson, John Vorans, Samuel Wallace, John

290 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Werrell, Andrew P. Watt, Thomas T, Watt, Francis M. Wilson, George
Yeates. Company Jf.— Captains: WiUiam W. Shorts, Henry M. Hughes, James
R. Grant. First lieutenant, George W. Wise.
Second lieutenants: Robert J. AtweU, John A. Welton.
Sergeants: Joseph W. RusseU, WilUam C. Bigler, Solomon Funk, James
McGarvey, Richard M. Hoffman, John W. Baker^ Samuel B. Foster, James
F. BiUingsley, Levi Porter, James E. McClaskey, S. M. Lockard, Freeland
Henderson. Corporals: David R. P. Gates, John H. McKelvey, William D. Downing,
Jacob Harlan, WiUiam C. Eakin, John T. Couse, Wesley B. Foster, Daniel
Krister, WiUiam C. Yard, Donaldson Graham, John F. Brown, Charles A.
Tibbins, Hezekiah Baker, Nathaniel S. Boals.
Bugler, Warren M, Lockard.
Blacksmith, Robert Shaw.
Farrier, Thomas Davis.
Saddlers: John A. Goucher, Daniel Shuler.
Privates: Perry S. Atwell, Joseph Bleakley, William Bleakley, James
Bleakley, Frederick S. Boals, Martin Bigler, Oliver P. Barnes, James T.
Burr, Alva W. Bigley, Alonzo S. Baker, James I. Burns, William Cramer,
W. W. Crawford, John M. Cornelius, Gotleib Coonradt, Thomas L. Curry,
Walter Cassidy, Craft Coast, Eri Cary, Andrew J. Donaldson, Thomas
Duffey, John R. Dodds, Thomas Dewoody, Reese Evans, Martin B. Foster,
Ross C. Foster, Irwin C. Fether, William J. Graham, Brice Gilmore,
Henry Highfield, Wesley Highfield, William J. Hickman, Caleb G. Hovis,
G. W. Hovis, R. M. Hovis, Jacob Henderson, William Hackett, Charles
Huberman, John Highfield, Emanuel Harman, Henry Harlem, H. A. Har
man, James Irwin, David E. Irwin, Albert M. Jones, William H. Jeffries,
J. B. W. Johnson, B. W. James, John L. Jackson, George W. Koonce,
George W. Kim, Isaac Latchaw, David Latchaw, Sidney Lambert, James
Little, Robert Lytle, T. I. Montgomery, J. H. Monjar, D. Montgomery,
Harrison Moyer, Alexander Martin, Thomas Michael, Frederick Moyer,
Jonathan McKain, John C. McCamant, Perry McFadden, Charles McFad
den, John A. McCoy, W^illiam McKelvey, Sullivan K. McKain, D. A. Mc
Williams, John P. Nogler, Peter Nogler, John Ogelsby, Samuel R. Osborn,
John L. Perry, Andrew J. Phipps, Harrison Pope, Wellington W. Pope,
George C. Richards, Thomas Rock, Samuel R. RusseU, David H. Rysor,
W^ashington Richards, Patterson Sankey, Absalom Shuler, Benjamin Stover,
Robert Shorts, John G. Sutton, WUliam C. Sutton, Abram W. Shorts, M.
Strawhacker, Jesse Sarver, Robert S. Sarver, John P. Say, WUson Swetzer,
Jackson Shipps, Alexander Thompson, James Thompson, Lafayette B.
Varner, David H. Varner, John Varner, Richard M. W' alter, John S. WU-

THE CIVIL WAR, 291
son, Clark White, Samuel R. Weston, Eli Williams, Alexander Witherup,
John Witherup, David A. Witherup, Thomas Witherup, Henry H. AVilson,
Sharpless C. Wise, John B. Woodling, Albert V. Weed, Peter Walters,
Israel S. Yard.
Company L. — Captains: Alender S, Duncan, William B. Mays, John
P. Barr. First lieutenant, Henry S. Bickel.
Second lieutenants: John B. Maitland, George W. Wilson, Abner
J. Pryer. Sergeants: Henry H. Lusher, Andrew J. SoUinger, James D. Troutner,
John Donaldson, Jonathan S. Roberts, Sylvester Brandon, Samuel F.
Karns, William G. Sheppard, John B. Snyder, Sylvester Porter, John
Hughes, Augustus F. Loles.
Corporals: Charles E. Nugent, Francis W. Bowen, Peter J. Richey,
Richard Conway, George H. Porter, Robert B. Crawford, Harvey Christy,
Andrew J. Davis, Jonathan Gloss, John Huston, William A. Seaton, Earl
B. French, Samuel N. King, James G. Hamilton, John M. Hilbert, Solo
mon C. Heckathorn, Alpheus Mays.
Buglers: Thomas J. Henderson, William J. Gibbons.
Blacksmiths: Daniel SuUinger, Dominick Scott.
Farriers: Andrew J. Turk, Jackson Hanly.
Privates: Joseph A. Alters, John W. Anderson, Stephen Burgwin,
Edward Burgwin, Thomas Brandon, James Bryer, Bernard Burns, Isaac
Bears, Samuel Bickel, William G. Bishop, Daniel J. Brown, Frank W.
Beatie, Charles H. Bates, Thomas Burns, Robert Cain, Albertus Coons,
William J. Calighan, George W. Carney, Thomas M. Christy, Clinton Col
lingwood, Charles Coop, Peter O. Conver, Andrew J. Carner, Eli Carner,
Thomas L. Curry, Alexander Curtis, William Campbell, David W. David
son, Andrew H. Downing, Thomas Davis, John Drach, VVilliam H. Dill,
Jacob Eckelbarger, James Estes, Liberty Estes, John Eckelbarger, James
H. Pulton, Franklin Flowers, Daniel Perdan, Anthony Frankhauser,
Robert Fowler, Barney Fogle, M. M. Freeborn, John B. Gailey, Cyrus
Gardner, John W. Gilger, Garrett Griffin, James Gates, David Howell,
Simon P. Hughs, John Hagan, Frederick Hoover, James Hyndman, Sam
uel E. Holdridge, R. A. Hutchinson, Allen S. Jolly, James Jones, John
Johnson, John Kellerman, John Kerr, Charles S. King, Michael Kelly, J.
H. Louderbough, Jacob G. Lusher, John P. Maitland, George W. Moore,
PhUander Mays, John Montgomery, John S. Mossman, John MiUer, Thomas
Morgan, WiUiam Manson, Larimer Mays, WUliams H. Moore, James
Myers, John McCormick, James McMillen, John McTiernan, Thomas Mc
Kain, John McKelvey, Joseph McMuUen, Marcus McCurdy, Andrew Mc-
MUlen, George W. McCoy, Henry Neely, William Nowlder, Henry Ochs,
John Oldham, Samuel Payne, Samuel W. Pryer, John F, Pryer, William

292 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
C. Pryer, Thomas A. Parker, John W. Pryer, Robert R. Pike, Octavius A.
RusseU, John P. RoUins, John W. Roberts, Joseph Roberts, Edward Rice,
John W. Reno, John T. Ritter, William Ruhe, Patrick Ryan, Samuel C.
Reynolds, John Roberts, William C. SuUinger, James C. SuUinger, Adam
Stroup, Michael Sowers, Eliel C. Spencer, John M. Snyder, Jacob Stein-
bright, John Snyder, John S. Smith, John Stump, Jacob Sipe, Edward
Stroup, George Sheffer, Israel A. Straub, John Seibert, George Tenant,
Abraham S. Taylor, James Thorp, Joseph Vosler, Jeremiah D. Went
worth, Samuel R. Walker, P. Zimmerman, F. Zimmerman.
SIXTY-FIPTH REGIMENT — FIFTH CAVALRY.
The Fifth Cavalry was at first known as the Cameron Dragoons and was
among the first of the three-years' regiments raised. There were ten com
panies from Philadelphia and two from the western part of the state, one
of which was partially recruited in Venango county. The following were
the field officers : Colonel, Max Friedman; lieutenant colonel, Philip Becker;
majors: J. L. Moss, Stephen E. Smith, and E. M. Boteler. During the
year 1862 the Fifth was principally engaged in scouting in the rear of
the army during the Peninsula campaign, and on the north side of York
river. In January, 1863, it was transported from Yorktown to West
Point and marched in the direction of Indiantown, intercepting and captur
ing a valuable baggage train of the enemy. After a comparatively quiet
summer, during which a large number of the men were in hospitals, a bat
talion composed of five companies was sent to the Dismal swamp region in
September, part of which advanced into North Carolina. In 1864 the regi
ment participated in the raid upon the Weldon and Richmond and Danville
railroads; in the summer, having joined General Butler's forces, it was en
gaged in an assault upon the defenses of Petersburg, and after the union of
the cavalry divisions of Generals Kautz and Wilson, started upon what is
familiarly known as Wilson' s raid, sustaining a loss of three hundred men,
half its effective force, in an engagement with General Longstreet on the
28th of July. A similar depletion in its ranks occurred on the 7th of Oc
tober when the division, led by General Kautz, was engaged with a greatly
superior force under Longstreet and Pickett. On the 10th of December
Longstreet's corps was again the aggressor at Charles City Road, and was
repulsed with loss. The regiment continued on picket duty at that place
until March 25, 1865; it took part in the maneuvers immediately prior to
Lee's surrender and was finally mustered out, three hundred and thirty-one
officers and men, on the 19th of May, and the remainder on the 7th of
August. Company M, composed of the following officers and privates, was re
cruited in Venango and Allegheny counties :
Captains: Anderson Faith, John P. Wenzel, G. S. L. Ward.

THE CIVIL WAR. 293
First lieutenants: George J. Kerr, Thomas Little, Frank C. Grugan.
Second lieutenants: Walter H. Fitten, Wilson E. Davis, Calvin D.
Ludwig. Sergeants: William McGinnis, William Bothwell, Edward Bailey, James
Bennett, James B. Jennings, Hugh INIeClory, Patrick Ford, Robert RusseU,
Patrick Carlin, John L. Burrows, William Mendenhall, Martin Maher,
Joseph McClellan, Uriah Patterson, AVilliam J. Andre, Silas C. Hough.
Corporals: George Latch, Francis McCaffrey, Joseph Devlin, David
Phillips, Charles Denight, Joseph Martin, John O'Neill, David AV. Parker,
John Fisher, Herman Hagemiller, Henry Bohder, Henry Steltz, Edward
Hoffman, George Levis, John Winkleman, F. Holdenwrenter, George M.
Koons, R. H. Anderson.
Bugler, Harvey M. Reno.
Artificer, Cyrus E. Reagle.
Blacksmith, Dennis Dorris.
Farrier, James Hickey.
Privates; Leonard C. Adams, Josiah Abbott, Stephen C. Albright, Jere
miah Albert, Joseph Arker, Hiram Abbott, Samuel Albert, Thomas Bailey,
John Barnes, John W. Baker, Daniel W. Bohanan, Frederick Bush, Thomas
Broomall, John A, Boyd, David H, Bronson, George H. Bartle, Jacob Biclde,
Zephaniah Benz, Ferdinand Benz, Milton Brame, Adam Brinker, Joseph
Bowers, Edward Brady, Dennis Boyce, James M. Brady, Charles Beeper,
William Berlin, Christian L. Beck, Alexander Cameron, William H. Coates,
George C. Croffutt, Peter F. Campbell, Joseph Coughlin, Daniel Culver,
John Connor, James Curry, George Clift, Samuel Caldwell, Morris Collins,
Edward Coyle, Patrick Cassida}', Henry Crist, James J. Cooper, John Day.
James Doody, Alexander Dailey, William Davis, John Donahue, Joshua
Davis, Joseph Donovan, Albert Denver, George M. Dever, Andrew David
son, Daniel Dull, Charles W. Dreibelbis, Matthew Dolan, Henry M. Ellis,
Henry J. Eckenrod, John Evans, Charles Bgenchyller, William Fessler,
Samuel H. Fenton, John Funk, Alexander Flynn, David S. Foreman, Har
rison Fiedler, August Fraca, Patrick Gorman, Michael Gainer, Miles Gross,
John Gallagher, William Green, George Harrison, Louis Hendervine, Will
iam Hook, David C. Henk, John D. Hetsler, Morris Helmes, Michael Hunt,
Lewis Howard, William Hoffman, George W. Hemphill, George Hunter, H.
Humelbaugh, John Johnson, Edwin Johnston, Samuel Kennedy, Stephen
Kearney, James F. Keating, William Kirkwood, Gottlieb Kafer, John Knap-
ler, John Keblinger, Rudolph Kelker, John Lehry, William Leyrer, Samuel
Levy, Francis S. Long, Alexander Lutz, Charles Leip, Samuel Lever, Fred
erick Lenegan, James S. Moore, Henry M. Money, John Monaghan, Will
iam Magee, Thomas C. Mason, Archibald Murphy, John Martin, John More-
head, Jonas Mull, Matthew Manees, Adam Miller, John Marks, William
Moore, WiUiam Marker, Henry Magee, Andrew C. Mott, Bartholomew Maier,

294 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Andrew McGinnis, Patrick McHugh, James McAvoy, John McNeill, Philip
McCue, Michael McKenna, Peter McGue, Alexander McGhee, John B. Mc
Cormick, Bemard McBride, PhUip M. Norbeck, F. Nonnamaker, Charles
Newkirk, WiUiam Openshaw, John Orr, Dennis O'Donnel, James A. Price,
Richard Peel, Samuel Pinkerton, John Porter, James R. Porterfield, Michael
Quinn, Larissa Romeo, George Reed, S. J. Reno, Josiah Rudderow, John
S. Reichard, Andrew Reid, Robert Rankin, James Ross, George Reicht,
James M, Shoop, WiUiam H, Suffern, Albert R. Sipe, Joseph Salm, Charles
SterUng, John Smith, James Skiffington, WUliam Showalter, Charles Seip,
Henry Stork, Owen Smith. Isaac Shaffer, Francis M. Showers, Henry Seip,
A. H. SuUinger, James W. Showers, Thomas Shinkle, W. J. Stewart, Charles
W. Shaner, J. S. Showalter, Lawrence Stafford, James B. Sample, WUUam
Shaffer, Charles Shaffer, Washington Shaffer, Richard Schultz, WiUiam
Shirk, George Thompson, Thomas Tobin, William Tomlinson, Robert Tay
lor, Amandus Voight, Andrew Weidle, David H. Williams, Charles Weiss,
James WiUiams, George AVood, Joseph Wunder, Charles G.Woodruff, Frank
White, David Whitmoyer, John White, Robert Wilson, John Weaver,
Charles Wallace, Charles Wolston, James Walker, Amos Walker, Frederick
Wetteran, Joseph Zeigler. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD REGIMENT.
This regiment was recruited in the western part of the state, and organ
ized at Harrisburg by the choice of the following officers: Theodore F. Leh
mann, colonel; Wilson C. Maxwell, lieutenant colonel; Audley W. Gazzam,
major. Its first military service occurred in the month of April, 1862, at
the siege of Yorktown. At the battle of Fair Oaks its loss was eighty-four
killed and wounded; it was not engaged to any extent in the Seven Days'
battles, but at the close of the Peninsula campaign had lost, by casualities
and sickness, nearly half its original strengh. It was separated from the
Army of the Potomac at that time and transported to Norfolk, whence, in
December, it proceeded to Newbern, North Carolina, and joined General
Foster's expedition into the interior. At its conclusion the regiment went
into barracks on the Neuse river, and for a brief period enjoyed the pleasant
features of military life, the prelude, unfortunately, of the worst horrors of
war. Wessells' brigade, to which the One Hundred and Third was attached,
was ordered to Plymouth, at which place General Wessells established his
headquarters as commander of the district of the Albemarle. Fortifications
were erected, but almost before their completion the place was invested by a
force of fifteen thousand men under General Hoke, while the ram Albemarle
wrought havoc among the Union shipping. On the 20th of April, 1864, the
Union forces sutrendered. This regiment numbered at the time about four
hundred, rank and file; the wounded were left at Plymouth in charge of the
enemy; the officers were sent to Macon, Georgia, and the privates to Ander-

THE CIVIL WAR. 295
sonville, where one hundred and thirty-two died while in confinement. One
company had been on Roanoke island at the time of the surrender, which,
with a few men who were absent at the time, was still known as the One
Hundred and Third regiment. The command was finaUy mustered out of
service at Newbern June 25, 1865, but eighty-one of the original men being
then present.
Company B was recruited in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, and Venango
counties. The roster was as follows:
Captains: George W. Gillespie, Joseph Rodgers, Daniel L. Coe.
First lieutenant, Solomon Barnhart.
Second lieutenant, George W. Stoke.
Sergeants: William T. Bair, Thomas Hart, C. M. Rumbaugh, Daniel L.
Rankin, S. M. CrisweU, Cyrus K. McKee, Robert M. Crawford.
Corporals: George Waterson, Isaac Shakely, John S. McElhaney, Sam
uel J. Gibson, Isaac Schwartzlander, Jarhes H. Crawford, James M. Carson,
William Harrison, Thomas Hayes.
Musicians: Andrew Rogers, Harrison W. Coe.
Privates: Abram Adams, Augustus Abel, Robert Barr, James Brenne
man, Henry L. Benninger, John B. Bish, Reuben Burford, Matthias C.
Beamer, Owen Boyle, L. A. Brenneman, Isaac Barnhart, William Burford,
Alfred Campbell, John A. Crawford, Benjamin F. Coe, Alexander Craig,
James Cumberland, Joshua A. Campbell, James T. Day, David Dovenspeck,
Thomas J. Devenny, Alexander Dunlap, Barney Deany, John P. Erwin,
Michael C. Eminger, Lorenzo W. Frantz, John Foster, Gideon W. Gibson,
Samuel Granville, John A. Gibson, Stewart Gilchrist, Hezekiah Hayes,
Peter Hilliard, Jackson Hilliard, Robert Harper, Ephraim Hankey, John B.
Hankey, Robert Hayes, Simon Hile, John M. Hayes, John L. Hile, David
W. Jordan, Alexander C. Jackson, John M. Jones, Andrew Judson, William
Kennedy, Richar^ Kelley, William D. Keefer, Aaron Lang, H. Montgom
ery, Matthew J. MeCay, Joseph McCay, Harvey B. McClure, Thomas L.
McClure, Robert McCleary, Wesley McCool, Joseph Neuton, Conrad Pet-
zinger, William Penburthy, Orrin Payne, William G. Pierce, Samuel PooX
Joseph Rumbaugh, James Rankin, Nehemiah Reeser, Benjamin Rankin,
WiUiam Reese, Jacob Reese, Alexander Regus, Henry Regus, Hamilton
Robb, James Ritchey, David Ross, S. G. Rosansteel, John Sweet, John
Sowers, Joseph Sowers, Uriah Sloan, Abram Snyder, Albert W. Smith,
Abram W. Smith, George W. Shakely, James Sweet, Henry C. Shakely,
Nicholas Snow, S. S. Sanderson, Matthew Sherlock, Daniel K. Shakely,
James Shields, Presley Sloan, William Sowers, John Scharem, Charles M.
Truby, Michael WhUe, WiUiam D. AVoodruff, David WaUey, James Wolft,
Peter Williams.

296 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT.
The field officers of this regiment chosen at its organization were Amor
A. McKnight, colonel; W. W. Corbett, lieutenant colonel; M. M. Dick,
major. It was on fatigue and picket duty at the siege of Yorktown and
throughout the Peninsula campaign, and so frequently and severely engaged
and suffered so much from sickness that upon its arrival at Harrison's
Lauding it scarcely numbered one hundred, rank and file. At the close of
Pope's campaign, in which it received special commendatory mention from
General Kearny in his report of the battle of Bull Run, the division to
which it was attached was ordered into the defenses of Washington, where
it remained until after the battle of Antietam. It suffered some loss at
Fredericksburg; at ChancellorsviUe out of twenty-seven officers and three
hundred and twenty men who went into action, seventy-seven were killed,
wounded or missing; the similar aggregate at the battle of Gettysburg was
one hundred and sixty-eight, and at the Wilderness in May, 1864, one hun
dred and seventy. In the summer and autumn of that year it participated
in the operations against Petersburg and in the raid upon the Weldon rail
road, continuing in active service during the spring of 1865. It marched
in the grand review at Washington on the 23rd of June and was mustered
out on the 11th of July.
Company F was recuited in Clearfield, Indiana, and Venango counties.
The roster was as follows:
Captains: Robert Kirk, John Daugherty, William Kimple.
First lieutenants: James B. Geggie, Henry P. McKillip.
Second lieutenants: David Ratcliff, Ezra B. Baird, Ogg Niel.
Sergeants: WUliam T. Stewart, Jacob L. Smith, Lewis Findley, Will
iam W. Hazlett, John M. Brewer,' Samuel H. Pound, Robert Doty, John
W. Smith, Samuel Harrison, John Hendricks, Elijah Pantall, Jonathan
Brindle. Corporals: Luke Loomis, Jr., Andrew Douglass, Joshua Pearce, Joseph
Taylor, William H. Hazlett, John N. Means, Charles B. Gill, John W.
Lynn, Lewis D. Ensinger, Ira F. Mott, George R. Hall, George W. Mc
Fadden, Thomas Niel, Irwin R, Nicodemus, James Randolph, George W.
Randolph, John N. Vanhorn, Peter Wheelan, George W. Campbell.
Privates: William H. H. Anthony, Jonathan Ayres, James D. Anthony,
Thomas S. Anderson, James Aul, WUliam W. Brillhart, John W. Bryant,
John H. Bush, Jacob L. Bee, John W. Brooks, Charies Berry, James
Buher, James Crock, James Crawford, John Carr, Samuel Cochran, John
Cupler, William A. Chambers, Perry C. Cupler, Michael Dolan, William W.
Dixon, Peter Depp, Henry H. Depp, Peter Dalton, Thomas Dailey, Patrick
Delany, Philip B. Depp, John P. Drum, James Dunn, Jonathan Doty,
Samuel Edwards, Chauncey A. EUis, John M. Fleming, Albert Foltz, WiU-

THE CIVIL WAR. 297
iam Fitzgerald, Samuel Fry, John F. Fulraer, Samuel D. Fulmer, Stephen
Gleeson, George Gossor, James Gallagher, Joseph Graham, Anthony A.
Gallagher, Thomas S. Guiles, Henry A. L. Girts, Jonathan Himes, William
S. Hendricks, Isaac Hendricks, Joseph Hill, Alonzo Hemstreat, George W,
Hoover, Benjamin B. Hall, John Hare, James Hopkins, Thomas Hombs,
H. H HoUowell, Simon D. Hugus,. John C. HoUowell, Thomas M. Hauck,
Edward Hogan, George AV. HoUowell, Samuel Hannah, George K. Hoover,
John D. Jewell, Jackson Jones, Daniel Johnson, James A. Johnston, Robert
J. Jewett, James Jenkins, Amos S. Knauer, Harrison Kelty, Charles Klef-
fer, John KeUy, John Kelly, Jacob Kurtz, Thomas Kennan, Robert S.
Laughry, Levi S. Lust, Nicholas Lutcher, Charles Lyle, John Myer, Edward
Mingus, George R. Moyer, Garret P. Mattis, Peter Morgan, William Mann,
Scott Mitchell, William C. Martin, George W. Maynard, George Moore,
John Miller, James A. Minish, James McCarty, Robert McMannes, Michael
McDonnell, Thomas McFadden, John McKean, Samuel A. McGhee, William
T. Niel, Thomas Orr, WiUiam O' Brian, Matthew O'Donnell,. Charies W.
O'Niel, James O'Brien, Thomas O'Brickle, Charles Parry, David R. Porter,
James R. Pounds, Jackson Piper, Adam Ritz, Enos Ratzel, Amos Redky,
Jacob Reel, John Riley, Peter Rourke, Irwin Robinson, James W. Shafer,
Isaac Smith, George Shields, John Schmidt, Asher A. Sellers, John Serv
ice, David .Simpson, Charles Smouse, David L. Simpson, Samuel Steven
son, Lewis Stern, James S. Smith, David Sullivan, Andrew J. Smith,
Henry Shaffer, Peter C. Spencer, John Stewart, David C. Simpson, Daniel
Tallman, Sterling M. Thomas, Peter Vanoligan, John Vorece, Samuel W.
Walker, Isaac Wray, Newton Wilson, Moses White, Conrad Wolf, Henry
Wimmer, John Williams, William H. WUson, Albert C. Wheeler, David
Willard, John P. W'illiamson, Joseph White, Ferdinand Wagner, David K.
WiUiams, George W. Young.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
The regimental organization of the One Hundred and Twenty-First was
effected at the camp of rendezvous near Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, with
the following field officers: Colonel, Chapman Biddle of Philadelphia; lieu
tenant colonel, Elisha W. Davis of Venango county; major, Alexander Biddle
of Philadelphia. This was in September, 1862 ; in the following month the
regiment joined General Meade's division, which moved southward through
Virginia, but had no experience in fighting until it entered upon the Fred
ericksburg campaign, with the exception of slight skirmishing. The loss,
chiefly sustained in the action at Fredericksburg, was one hundred and
eighty, and at its close the regiment went into winter quarters at Belle- Plain.
The spring of 1868 opened with the march to ChancellorsviUe, and although
much worn by fatiguing duty during this campaign, it suffered but slight
loss. On the first day of the battle of Gettysburg it marched at the head of

298 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
its brigade, and was engaged in the severe fighting with which that confiict
began, sustaining a loss of one hundred and seventy- nine out of a total of
two hundred and sixty-three who entered the engagement, more than sixty-
five per cent. After the battle the army returned to Virginia. This regi
ment did not participate in any movement of importance until May, 1864,
when the Wilderness campaign occurred, in which it met the enemy in force
on several occasions and performed a variety of difficult and hazardous ma
neuvers. In the autumn of that year it bore an important part in a raid upon
the Weldon railroad; on tho 1st of October it was attacked at Peeble's Farm
by an overwhelming force of the enemy and nearly half its numbers were
captured. But four commissioned officers and eighty-five enlisted men re
ported for duty the following day. The winter of 1864-65 was spent in camp
with the brigade, which engaged in another expedition for the destruction of
the Weldon railroad in December, and in February advanced to Hatcher's
Run. It was at the front in the final movements upon the enemy's position,
and after the surrender of Lee performed guard duty at Appomattox Court
House while the Confederate troops were being paroled. It was mustered
out of service at Arlington Heights on the 2nd of June, 1865.
There were two companies and part of a third from this county, with the
following rosters:
Company A. — Captains: George E. Ridgway, James S. Warner, Henry
H. Herpst. First lieutenants: George W. Brickley, Philander R. Gray, John M,
Bingham. Sergeants: WiUiam H. Potter, William Beck, Julius A. Dunham, Eman
uel Widle, Charles G. Connely, Dennis D. Moriarty, Alexander McDowell,
William G. Dickey, Francis H. Hilliard.
Corporals: Jonathan W. Brink, Samuel Fair, Henry Aten, John B.
AUender, Jacob Allebach, John Burns, Henry A. Cornwell, Aaron H. Har
rison, Solomon S. Engle.
Privates: John Aten, Moore Bridges, Benjamin F. Baldwin, James
D. Black, Warren J. Brink, George W. Barnes, James B. Brown, W'iUiam
J. Bingham, James BaUey, Nathaniel Brink, Orin S. Babcock, Calvin D,
Bingham, Abraham L. Cosway, Samuel G. Crawford, WUliam J. Connely,
John R. Donnelly, James F. Dawson, PhUip H. DiUin, Garrett De Mill,
WUliam M. Dewoody, WiUiam R. Dawson, Sylvester L. Dunham, Thomas W.
Eaton, Thomas Fair, Augustus M. Funk, Moses Funk, Andrew J. Gibbons,
Jacob Gibbons, Francis Gray, W. W. Gilliland, Levi Grimm, Henry E. Ginter,
George Hesler, Joseph B. Hart, Daniel Hoxworth, John F. Hughes, Sid
ney Heokert, -Solomon D. Hughes, James W. Ingham, Ebenezer H. James,
Joseph KeUerman, William H. Kelly, John E. Lapsley, Owen Lyons,
Chambers Lawrence, Henry H. MuU, Jesse M. Manson, George R. Morris,
Thomas A. Morrison, John B. Manson, James P. Manson, Alexander Mc-

THE CIVIL WAR, 299
Kinley, Prior McMurray, William A. McKenzie, "WiUiam McKenzie, John
McCool, Israel T. Phelps, Almiron Parker, David E. Perry, Newton B.
Riddle, A. Rhodabarger, Robert B. Rodgers, Franklin F. Sands, WiUiam
M. Stover, George Shawgo, George Shingledecker, John B. Shaner, W. A.
' Shingledecker, Henry D. Shaner, George Savage, Alpheus W. Scott,
John H. Stroop, T. C. Shelmadine, Nicholas Thompson, David W. Tripp,
David O. Tyrrell, Joel C. Usher, Jonathan Wygant, John Wygant, James
Withneck, Henry D. Weaver, William C. Waits.
Company E. — The foUowing men from Venango county were in this
company :
First lieutenant, George W. Plumer.
Sergeants: Richard A. Dempsey, Daniel H. Weikal, John Stevenson.
Corporal, R. A. Lehentaler.
Musician, Merrick Davidson.
Privates: James Adams, William K. Curtis, Robert J. Green, James
McClintock, William Naylor, John W. Tyrrell, Elias Shaffer, John Shaffer,
Jr., Abraham Sahm, Washington Tarr, Alonzo Smith, Oscar Fisher.
Company F. — Captains: John M. Clapp, Nathaniel Lang.
First lieutenants: Joseph K. Byers, Daniel B. Levier.
Second lieutenant, Chatles H. Raymond.
Sergeants: James Davison, Henry Wise, John Elliott, Samuel T. Bor
land, Solomon Rugh, Nathaniel Kahl, Thomas Service.
Corporals: Alfred Kech, Augustus I. Glass, Charles Nunemaker, John
W. Smiley, Abraham Heckathorn, Blair C. Hood, James Karns, Jeremiah
Johnson, Jr. , John Phipps, Jacob Shawkey, Joseph Weaver.
Musicians: Elias Harman, Alvey C. Amon.
Privates: John W. Adams, Henry B. Anderson, W. S. Anderson, Solo
mon Albaugh, John B. Bell, Henry Borts, William Bell, Dallas Baily, James
R. Bell, Daniel Bly, Jr. , Abraham Carbaugh, George W. Confer, James A.
Clark, John S. Culbertson, David Cribbs, William Douglass, James J. Doug
lass, Jacob G, Downey, George Douglass, Edward M. Dowling, Samuel J.
Dodd, Hiram M. Dale, Henry Frain, Isaac W. Fry, Samuel W. Farmer,
Ernest E. Fichte, David W. Farmer, Frederick Glass, Charles Heckathorn,
William A. Hopkins, Quimby C. Hall, James H. Heckathorn, Adam Har
man, Samuel M. Hays, William P. Hays, William Hawn, Henry Karns,
Henry Keely, Amos C. King, Jacob M. Keifer, William Kennedy, Cyrus
R. Levier, Peter W. Mohney, John Meyers, Daniel Moran, Solomon Mc
Bride, T. B. H. McPherson, WUUam Nellis, Daniel Persing, John W. Ray,
Robert Reese, B. D. Robinson, James R. Ray, John Sager, Samuel Stewart,
John H. Stoke, John Stone, Alfred Say, Daniel Swaney, WiUiam H. Slon-
aker, Reuben Swab, Simon P. Swab, Leslie L. Say, John Saulsgiver, Oba-
diah Simpson, George A. Showens, John F. Tucker, Wesley Q. Tucker,
Chester W. Tallman. John S. Wilson, Samuel P. Weaver.

300 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
The organization of this regiment occurred at Camp Curtin, September
1, 1862, resulting in the choice of Robert P. Cummins of Somerset county,
colonel; Alfred B. McCalmont, of Venango county, lieutenant colonel; John
Bradley, of Luzerne county, major. On the following day it was ordered
to Washington, where it was employed in the construction of Fort Stevens;
in October it was assigned by General Meade to the Second brigade and
Third division of the First corps. On the 13th of December, 1862, two hun
dred and fifty men were killed within the space of one hour at Fredericks
burg, out of five hundred and fifty who had entered that engagement. In
February, 1863, the Reserves were transferred to the defenses of Washing
ton where they remained until April 27th, when the One Hundred and Forty-
Second moved from camp with a corps that had been ordered to make a
diversion in favor of Hooker. It was thus not actively engaged at the battle
of ChancellorsviUe. At Gettysburg, where its hardest fighting was done on
the first day of the battle, the aggregate loss was two hundred and twenty-
five. Within a month the two armies were facing each other on opposite
banks of the Rappahannock; but nothing of importance in which this regi
ment was concerned occurr.ed until May of the following year, when the Wil
derness campaign engaged its energies. It also bore a part in the operations
against Petersburg and in the destruction of the Weldon railroad, in the
summer and autumn of 1864. Its last severe fighting occurred at Five
Forks, April 1, 1865. After an uneventful period of two months it was
mustered out of service May 29, 1865, hear Washington.
Company I, originally known as the Petroleum Guards, was recruited
chiefly at Oil City, and was the only distinct organization that left that
place during the war. The original officers were Alfred B. McCalmont,
captain; William H. Hasson, first lieutenant, and Charles E. Houston, sec
ond lieutenant. The citizens of Oil City gave the company a reception on
the 25th of August, 1862; swords were presented Captain McCalmont and
Lieutenant Hasson, and a copy of the Bible to each member of the company.
Dinner was served on the South Side. The next day they were transported
in wagons to Franklin, where similar hospitalities were extended, and pro
ceeded in that manner to Bnon station, whence they departed for Harris
burg, arriving at Camp Curtin on the 27th of August. The following is a
roster of the company:
Captains: William Hasson, George R. Snowden, Cyrus H. Culver.
First lieutenant, William H. Rhodes.
Second lieutenant, Charles E. Huston.
Sergeants: Oliver P. Young, Abram S. Prather, Thomas Hoge, Conrad
Heasley, James K. Elliott, Loren M. Fulton, Johnson W. Carr, Wilson
Camp, William Reynolds.

THE CIVIL WAR. 301
Corporals: Jesse B. Moore, George M. Winger, Charies Holbrook,
Joshua Foster, John A. Wilcox, William Gorman, David S. Keep, Artemus
HoUis, Daniel Weaver.
Musician, John G. McLane.
Privates: George Best, Henry H. Bogue, Samuel Brown, Martin Bookster,
Phillip Bartlebaugh, William Bower, Wesley H. Burgwin, Eli Beatty, James
Bower, Israel B. Brown, Robert Craig, George W. Corbin, David Coldrew,
Frank W. Chesley, Joseph H. Coburn, Samuel J. Colburn, Peter Demsey,
Richard Davis, John Ducket, Jacob Dilmore, Daniel Downing, Eli Egal,
William K. Findley, Daniel H. Finch, Herman Gunderman, Simon,. Gross
man, John Gibbons, Philip M. Hatch, James Hill, John W. Hogue, John
E. Hogue, David James, W. W. Jennings, Samuel Kelly, Wilson Kennedy,
Charles E. Keep, Jacob F. Little, William Laney, James F. Lamb, David
Lee, George R. Lockwood, Henry Mellin, Patrick Moran, G. W. Matthews,
Samuel Morrison, Adrian G. Manville, Boint McCray, Andrew McCray,
James McLane, H. R. McCalmont, Daniel McNaughton, J. G. L. Nyman,
L. F. Nicklin, Samuel Ray, John Robinson, Henry Strohman, John Shiff'er,
John Stiner, Hugh Shaw, Joseph B. Shirley, Owen Slamon, Joseph Small,
WiUiam J. Sheriff, John W. Sharpnack, James W. Shaw, Jacob A. Shirley,
Adam Siverline, W. W. Shelmadine, A. V. Turner, William West, Marcus
Wesner, Jeremiah Walden, W. G. Wadsworth, George P. Webber, Josiah
Wilcox, William B. Wesner, Jacob Yockey.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT  SIXTEENTH CAVALRY.
The Sixteenth Cavalry organized with the following field officers: Colo
nel, John Irwin Gregg; lieutenant colonel, Lorenzo D. Rodgers, of Ve
nango county; majors: William A. West, WiUiam H. Fry, and John Stroup.
This occurred November 18, 1862, and during the following winter it was
encamped at Bladensburg, Maryland, until January 3, 1863, when it pro
ceeded to the front and was assigned to guard duty at the right fiank of the
army on the left bank of the Rappahannock. At Gettysburg Gregg' s brig
ade, to which the Sixteenth had been assigned, was in position on the ex
treme right of the Union army; it was partially engaged during the day and
evening of July 2nd and during the whole of the 3rd, sustaining a loss of
two killed and a few wounded. The cavalry was put in pursuit of the re
treating army onthe 5th and frequent encounters occurred. The scene of
action changed to VUginia again and throughout the autumn the regiment
was frequently engaged in skirmishes with the enemy. In December it
formed part of an expedition for the destruction of factories and munitions
of war at Luray in the Shenandoah valley. The principal events of the
spring campaign of 1864 were the encounters of May 6th to 12th and the
engagment of June 25th; the former occurred about and within the outer
defenses of Richmond, and the latter, in which Gregg's division successfully
withstood prolonged attack from a largely superior force, was especially

302 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
important as he had a convoy of eight hundred wagons in charge Later
in the same year the regiment took part in several raids for the destruction
of the Weldon railroad. It broke camp at Hancock's station February 6,
1865, and was engaged in the final movements about Five Points and Din
widdie Court House. After Lee's surrender it returned to Petersburg, but
was soon afterward led to the North Carolina border to the support of
Sherman. After the close of hostilities it was stationed at Lynchburg for a
time and at length mustered out of service at Richmond on the 7th of
August, 1865,
Venango county was represented in two companies of this regiment, of
which the rosters were as follows :
Company A. — Captains: Seth T. Kennedy, Joshua M. Carey, Robert
W. McDoweU.
First lieutenants: Robert H. Atkinson, Charles H. Knox, Irving W.
Billings, Edmund Dunn.
Second lieutenants: William T. Kennedy, Brewer D. PoUey, George D.
Beecher. Sergeants: Adolphus R. Baker, WiUiam Rossell, Daniel Stauffer, Lyman
H. Lewis, James L. Smith, Simon F. Barr, George C. Menning, Samuel L.
Brown, Cyrus C, Marsh, John W. Lewis, George W. Annie, Henry M. Gard
ner, Nicholas Dick, Marvin B. Lyman, Michael Ziester, William M. Frear,
Austin Turck.
Corporals: Jacob F. Mauk, Robert Foster, David S. Barr, John W.
Barr, W. H. H. Morton, John Stoops, William Ley, Thomas Bowel, John
Colvin, J. D. Lancaster, Henry HoUiday, Sylvester M. Benn, Cornelius Ryan,
Maxwell E. Fulton, John Rossman, William N. Decker, William A. Wright,
John Seamans, Whitney Briggs, Josiah M. Demand, Martin V. Townsend.
Buglers: Philip A. Carr, Samuel Shaffer, Edward S. Albee.
Blacksmiths: Benjamin Davis, Robert Enis, Judson A. Aumick, Henry
Sumner. Saddlers: Samuel G. Fulmer, Richard A. Charles.
Privates: Lewis Andrews, Thomas J. Archer, John Anderson, Alfred
Anton, Harman L. Adams, Harvey A. Aumick, Silas W. Aumick, Joseph
H. Brooks, James Brown, John Bundorf, Theron S. Burgess, Freeman
Barkman, James Brewer, Alpheus Barnes, William Burns, Casper Buf-
flapp, Jared A. Bennett, John Busher, Leander Buttermore, Russell Burt,
James Burns, Charles Burns, Charles Baker, Thomas Baker, Thomas W.
Barr, Marvin Bates, George Buck, James Briscoe, EUis Bedford, Caleb
Britton, Nelson E. Coates, John W. Chapins, George B. Craft, James L.
Cook, Charles G. CampbeU, Benjamin L. Cook, WiUiam W. Cook, Edward
Claff'rey, William Clark, Osborne Cooley, Henry Davis, Alonzo Day, Ben
jamin Dick, Jeremiah Duff, Ira E. Davis, Henry W. Decker, James P.
Dymond, John Eutsey, Jacob Eutsey, Amos Edick, Andrew Eldercan,

.1

^^y^rz^u^ G^T-z^^

THE CIVIL WAR. 305
William Everts, Gotleib Foss, James Fleming, John Fulton, Isaac P.
Foster, George M. Forrer, Harry H. Faulkner, Homer B. Ferry, Mathew
Flanagan, Henry Grimm, John L. Griffin, James Gibson, John K. Grim,
Joseph Grim, Harry V. Greenlee, George Galbreath, C. Hendricks, S.
Higgenbotham, Francis M. Hickson, S. Hendricks, T. E. Houser, WiUiam
Houser, John H. Hubler, John Hurley, Charles B. Hickox, G. W. Hunter,
Thomas C. Hodnot, Moses Irely, Benjamin F. Johnston, Henry Johnston, E.
Johnston, William Kelley, J. Knickerbocker, Jacob Kessler, V. L. Keltz,
John W. Kelley, Samuel Kieffer, David P. Kelley, Newton Kuhns, Joseph
P. Love, George W. Lengel, David Levy, Robert Lytle, Lafayette Leeland,
Joseph Laughrey, William S. Lane, Samuel Myers, William H. Maroney,
W. H. Merkle, Michael Mease, Samuel Moore, Franklin Moore, Frederick
Martin, John Martin, James May, Henry Munsloe, William Moore, William
J, Miles, Lewis A. Mulnie, Francis Murry, Michael Madden, John McMannis,
Joseph McMannis, L. J. McClintock, Charles Nelson, Frank W, Orcutt,
Henry M. Osborne, Levi Paddock, H. C. Pinkerton, Charles Phillippi, S. S.
Porter, Alfi'ed N. Patterson, Jacob B. Plumley, John P. Phillips, Otis
Phelps, William R. Pillow, E. Pickering, George W. Parks, Richard P.
Page, Jacob Richter, George Reed, David Rader, William Robertson, Henry
D. Reece, James H. Ramsey, Samuel Rhodabarger, Alonzo Randolph, Robert
C. Riggin, Daniel Riser, J. S. Ramsey, Philip D. Reynolds, Thomas Reed,
Richard J. Reese, Samuel W. Swartz, Alfred M. Saylor, Leonard D. Shaffer,
John W. Stauffer, Cyrus S. Stauffer, Smith Stauffer, Robert Shields, Pat
rick Sullivan, Lewis C. Shartel, Dexter Spalding, William Sheets, George
A. Shuler, Joseph L. Shrives, Christian Swartz, Jacob C. Smith, George
Seighman, John Shoup, Samuel Shoup, Nelson Shufelt, Amzi Stauffer,
Joseph B. Saylor, Thomas Sullivan, Ashbel Smith, U. C. Sheets, Thomas
Sales, Charles H. Shippey, George Smith, Stephen Squire, Elijah S. Squire,
John W. Steele, William N. Squire, John Shook, Ruben Smith, Timothy
R. Stutton, H. W. Templin, George W, Townsend, Giles Townsend, Isaac
Tiffany, Lyman H. Vaughn, George Winner, Milton WiUiams, Frank Welsh,
H. E. Wadsworth, Nathan Wagoner, Robert Williams, Isaac Wimer, Joseph
Wallace, W. H. Wier, W. M. Wood, Thomas S. Waters, W. W. Wills, John
J. Wright, W. H. Wright, George W. Warner, Robert B. Wheeler, James
H. Ward, William Zuver.
Company E. — Captains: Loronzo D. Rodgers, Augustus H. Rush, Daniel
C. Swank, Enoch H. Moore.
First lieutenants: Lewis B. Brown, Russell R. Dealer, David W^ Davis.
Second lieutenant, I. F. Chamberlain.
Sergeants: William B. Harlan, Benjamin Jeffries, George D. Jacoby,
Nelson Craig, George John, John S. Kelly, John L. Lee, John McClernan,
Joseph F. Hicks, Henry W. Seibert, John B. Atwell, Morris O. Conner,
Benjamin F. Carnahan, John M. Lane, Marshall Wasson.

306 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Corporals: Adam Benner, John Morley, John Spence, Patrick Byron,
William H. BaUey, Wesley Callahan, Daniel Kohler, Alfred Bowman, Rob
ert W. Davison, John W. Henderson, WiUiam C. Phipps, George W. Web
ber, Henry W. Bowman, Robert A. Thompson, Lyman H. Fowler, Samuel
Chamberiin, Aaron Andreas, Daniel Wasson.
Buglers: George L. Patterson, Robert Tipping.
BlacksmUhs: John S. Hoagland, WUliam R. Hoover.
Farrier, John D. Cromer.
Saddlers: Richard Tobin, Wesley J. Cooper.
Privates: George D. Applegarth, John R. Atwell, Peter S. Ashelman,
WiUiam F. Andrews, Thomas Burns, John F. Brothers, John C. Baker, EU
Baney, Isaiah Barr, Alva Beemis, AV. J. Black, R. A. Biddle, Patrick Camp
bell, Elijah Clifford, John L. Chambers, Cyrus R. Coulter, W. P. Crain,
John G. Crain, Alfred T. Creveling, Jesse B. Coleman, John CampbeU, P.
W. Creveling, Andrew Crawford, G. Dannanhower, Isaiah Denvers, Joseph
Depue, James F. Davison, James Duncan, Joel M. Dailey, George Derlin,
George A. Dull, Matthias Daniels, Thomas J. Eakin, Henry Erwin, William
W. Evland, A. W. Evland, Albert Fisher, Darius Fleming, John Furry,
John Flowers, Gideon Fry, Joseph Fleckenstine, Edward George, Patrick
Gilligan, David Grisinger, Joseph Gifford, W. O. Gibb, John Herring,
William Hickey, Thomas Hainey, William Holland, William Hayes, Michael
Harmon, Louis M. Haines, Michael Houser, Noah Higgins, George C. .HaU,
John F. Hoffman, William C. Hull, Jeremiah Horton, Daniel H. Hetler,
Samuel A. Hoover, Samuel Irwin, John A. Jobson, Albert Jones, Thomas
Jolly, James E. Jones, Jacob F. Knechel, Charles Kreamer, Charles Keyser,
W. Kee, J. E. Kepler, John Keicher, Jonathan Knittle, Daniel King, P. P.
Kimball, Silas R. Kissner, Enoch B. Kames, W. B. Keene, George W.
Love, Samuel Lee, Samuel Lewis, Simeon L. Lockarde, James B. Logue,
Alex Lindsey, James Looney, Benjamin F. Looney, Elias G. Lemmons,
George W. Matthews, .Dallas Myers, Laurence Marks, John Mullen, Jonas
Miller, William H. Matthews, Henry Mowrey, Thomas McGettigen, Charles
McFadden, Frank McGovern, John McCammon, William McElhaney, Francis
A. Osborn, Joseph G. Piatt, Porter Phipps, WiUiam Phifer, Robert C. Pol
lock, James L. Porter, William Pearson, George W. Peoples, Buress Rolls,
Martin Richards, Isaiah Reaver, Joseph Ryan, W. D. Ryan, D. R. Reiden-
auer, Crispin Roberts, William Rhodes, James Rusk, William Roberts,
James H. Roberts, Adam Sampson, Abner Smith, Charles H, Stinger, Dan
iel R. Snyder, Henry Snider, Adam Sides, John A. Sanna, WiUiam H, Say,
WUliam Say, Lyman Stewart, John Shreffler, Daniel Smith, Amos Shoutz,
Joseph G. Swank, Le Grant Spomberg, G. G. Scott, RUey Stainbrook, PhUip
Snider, John Staub, WiUiam Stringman, Patrick Tooley, John Taylor, Charles
W. Vanover, Henry Vanhorn, Jr., Alvin Varner, Job Waif ord, George
Williams, William Whartenby, Henry Whipple, Andrew Weitzer, Abram
Witherup, George Warden, Hiram Witmoir, John H. Yaple.

THE CIVIL WAR. 307
The foregoing regimental sketches and company rosters have been com
piled from Bates' History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, a voluminous
work and recognized authority. The histories of the different regiments
have necessarily been greatly abbreviated, but rosters have been given of all
the companies in which- Venango county was represented to any extent.
There were also a number of other regiments to which the county contrib
uted, and while details on this subject might be multiplied, it is believed
that the essential particulars regarding the part taken by the county have
been given.
The Lamberton Guards was an organization formed in 1862 when Lee
invaded Maryland and threatened Pennsylvania. The officers were William
M. Epley, captain;  Pinkerton, first lieutenant; and James Adams, sec
ond lieutenant. They proceeded to Harrisburg, but returned after the
battle of Antietam without experiencing any actual military service.
The activities of the people on behalf of the prosecution of the war were
not limited to the contribution of troops. There were a number of Soldiers'
Aid Societies throughout the county, and the contributions of money, hos
pital supplies, and other comforts and necessaries through these agencies
represented in the aggregate a large expenditure of energy and effort.
There was a Home Relief Association and a Soldiers' Aid Dime Society at
Franklin; the Soldiers' Aid Society of Plum township was organized in the
autumn of 1861 and a similar association in Sugar Creek was formed in
September, 1862. August 11, 1862, a public meeting was held at the court
house for the purpose of raising a bounty fund for volunteers from this
county, James Bleakley presiding. After addresses by Arnold Plumer,
Elisha W. Davis, and others, a committee was appointed to request from the
county commissioners an appropriation of fifty dollars to each volunteer.
Throughout the war the commissioners contributed regularly toward the
suppqrt of the families of .absent soldiers; and while organized assistance
was thus rendered, public benefactions were augmented by many acts of
private charity.
The Soldiers' Monument, erected immediately after the close of the war,
expresses in enduring and appropriate form the appreciation of the county
at large for the patriotic services and sacrifices of the citizens who fell ' ' on
the field of battle, in hospitals, and at home; who died of wounds received in
battle, of sickness incurred in , camp, of starvation in the hands of the
enemy." The dedication occurred September 10, 1866; the survivors of
the war from this county marched in a body to the park, and it is estimated
that ten thousand people witnessed the ceremonies. Reverends S. J. M.
Eaton, D. D. , M. A. Tolman, and J. B. Lyon conducted the religious exer
cises; addresses were delivered by Doctor Eaton, Galusha A. Grow, and
John S. McCalmont. The monument is situated in South park. It is
inscribed with the names of four hundred soldiers, " Venango's contribu
tion to the death-roll of patriotism. ' '

308 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTEE XX.
THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT.
The Drake Well— Early Methods of Drilling and Transportation—
The Third Sand— First Flowing Wells— Railroads and Pipe
Lines — Heavy or Lubricating Oil Belt— Oil Towns —
Petroleum Transportation — Nitro-Glycerine—
Natural Gas — The Producer — Petroleuji
AND Gas Fields — Statistics.
TO give, in brief yet comprehensive form, leading features of the Penn
sylvania petroleum development from the drilling of the first well, to
gether with such incidents of the early years of the same as may be con
sidered of historic or general interest, is the object of these sketches.
With the questions involving the antiquity, chemistry, and geology of
petroleum no extended comment is necessary. Earliest history establishes
the first, practical demonstration the second, and supplemented by science
the oil miner' s drill proves the third over the large extent of territory now
being operated, and this last will be a reliable guide in all the oil fields and
years to come. As to the duration of the supply of both the oil and gas
fields the present and the next few coming generations have no cause to
worry. Wherever petroleum has existed, and this can be traced back at
least three thousand years, it exists to-day iuf practically the samaform.
The fountain of Is, near Babylon, in Asia, described by Herodotus, that
excited the wonder of Alexander the Great, and from which the bitumen
that cemented the brick of the walls of the ancient Babylon was suppUed,
still exists and is a notable case. The oil springs on the shores of the Cas
pian sea, from which the present supply of Russia is obtained, have been
known for centuries. It is reasonable to suppose from the evidence thus
presented that American petroleum will show as great a comparative degree
of longevity. But it is specially with the modern development of this
wonderful product that our duty is concerned.
Earliest American history makes mention of the petroleum or rock oil
found in the portion of Pennsylvania bordering on the Allegheny river, and
it was known and made use of by the native Indians from their earliest tra
ditions. It served to mix their paint to make them hideous to their foes,
as a panacea for their wounds, and a medicine for their ailments. The re-

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 309
mains of timbered pits familiar to the Indians and early settlers, found in
various localities along Oil creek valley, clearly indicated an oil develop
ment by a race whose traditions are lost.
The greasy globules fioating upon the surface of the waters of the
springs, pools, and streams of Oil creek valley, the Allegheny, and other
streams in this section, was nature's unerring guide to the treasures stored
in rocky caverns in long forgotten ages for the use of the human race. And
for years the Indians and settlers gathered it, and used it as a medicine.
The circumstances that led to the modern petroleum development by the
drilling of Drake's artesian well in 1859 we shall briefly relate.
Public attention was first directed to the utilization of petroleum as an
illuminator as early as the years 1849 and 1850 by Mr. Samuel W. Kier, of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who in the latter year built a small refinery, and
commenced to convert it inito an illuminator. The supply of crude oil was
obtained from the salt well fields of Mr. Kier and others at Tarentum, Alle
gheny county, a short distance from Pittsburgh, on the Allegheny river, where
it had been previously found. The manufacture was limited owing to the
scant supply. There being no oil wells as yet drilled, the oil was pumped
out of the salt wells at the usual depth from which salt water was obtained.
The discovery of so important a use created an active demand, and led to
efforts to increase the supply of the crude article. Pits were sUnk in various
localities, and the oil taken from these at stated seasons. The lamp for
burning the new illuminant is stated to have been invented in Austria, and
this was secured by Mr. Kier and manufactured by him at Pittsburgh.
The best authorities agree in awarding the honor of being the originator
of the present petroleum development to George H. Bissell. In 1853 Mr.
Bissell, then a resident of New Orleans, his health being impaired, took up
his residence in the North. In the summer of that year he visited Hanover,
New Hampshire, the seat of Dartmouth College, where he had graduated in
1845. While there Professor Dixie Crosby, of Dartmouth College, showed
to Mr. Bissell a bottle of crude petroleum, which he stated had been gath
ered on the lands of his nephew. Doctor B. F. Brewer, on Oil creek, near Ti
tusviUe, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bissell became interested in the (to him) new
mineral product, and conceived the idea that it could be utilized. Being ac
quainted with Doctor Brewer he wrote to him, requesting all the information
possible. He afterward sent a young man to the locality where the oil had
been obtained to make a personal investigation. The report being favor
able, he interested a Mr. Eveleth, whom he had known in New Orleans,
with him, and in 1854 they visited TitusviUe.
While there they obtained from Brewer, Watson & Company, all their lands
on Oil creek considered fit for oil purposes, on a lease for ninety- nine years,
free of royalty, for the sum of five thousand dollars ; this being the first pur
chase of land for oil development made in Venango county, or in fact, in the

310 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
United States, that any mention is made of. They hired a man named
Angler to trench the lands and pump the surface oil and water into vats.
The pumping apparatus was attached to the working-gear of a saw mill near
by. Being placed in the vats, such water as had been gathered with it
settled to the bottom and was drawn off, leaving the oil in its pure state.
The first three barrels of oU obtained by this method was sent on to New
Haven, Connecticut, and Professor B. Silliman, Jr. employed to make an
analysis of the same. In the fall of 1855 Bissell & Eveleth published the
elaborate report made by Professor Silliman, and gave it a wide circulation.
The report attracted the favorable attention of capitalists in New Haven,
which led to the purchase from Bissell & Eveleth of their lands and the
placing of the same in an incorporation known as the Pennsylvania Rock
Oil Company, of which Professor B. Silliman, Jr. , was elected president,
Bissell & Eveleth retaining one-third of the capital stock.
The work of trenching and gathering the oil went on with indifferent
success until 1857. Then some members of the»oompany agreed to sink an
artesian well, and pay to the rest of the stockholders a royalty of twelve
cents a gallon on all oil obtained for the term of forty-five years. The
offer was accepted, and B. L. Drake, a conductor on the New Haven rail
road, was employed to come out to Pennsylvania and take charge of the
work. Mr. Drake owned one forty-eighth part of the stock of the company.
On arriving at the field of his subsequent labors Mr. Drake, who was a
gentleman of intelligence and varied experience, lost no time in informing
himself of the details. To do this he made several trips to the salt region
of Tarentum, where he became conversant with the mode of sinking the salt
wells. Through S. W. Kier he procured the services of William Smith, a
blacksmith and an experienced driller of salt wells, and his two sons.
The first appliances and methods were crude, and caused delay and ex
pense. Drake first thought to dig the well and curb it to the rock. After
the labor of months this was found impracticable. It then occurred to him
to drive iron pipe from the surface to the rock and then drill through this
until the oil was reached. Heavy cast-iron pipe was finally obtained and
successfully driven to a depth of thirty-six feet, where the rock was reached.
The small engine used to drive the pipe was then used for drilling through
the rock. The drive-pipe was ready for the drill about the middle of
August, 1859, and on Saturday, the 28th day of the same month, and over
a year from the time of commencement, a vein of oil was struck at the depth
of sixty-nine and one-half feet, in the first sandrock, this being the depth of
the entire well. On the Monday following a pump was rigged and placed
in the weU, and for a short time it produced at the rate of twenty barrels
per day. By March, 1860, this production had decreased to four barrels
per day.
After unremitting labor for over a year, beset with obstacles that not

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT.

311

unfrequently caused him to despair of success, Drake had persevered, and
reached an accomplishment surpassing his wildest dreams. He established
the fact of the existence of reservoirs of oil beneath the surface of the earth
in amount sufficient for all practical uses, and such an achievement was
fitting recompense for all the weary toil he had gone through. His name
and fame will last as long as the product itself. In this connection it can
be stated that the Drake well was afterward drilled deeper and continued
to produce oil for many years. It is not creditable to those who have realized
so largely from Drake' s discovery that the site of this oil well, the first ever
drilled, remains unmarked by a suitable monument, and that Drake himself
died in comparative poverty.

DRAKE S PIONEER OIL WELL.

The following extracts are taken from a letter kindly furnished the
writer by William H. Abbott, one of the first oil operators and best known
residents of TitusviUe:
"Drake at first tried to dig to the rock and curb his well, but after a
time gave up the plan. He then procured heavy iron pipe and after a vast
amount of hard work and expense succeeded in reaching the rock at a depth
of sixty -nine and one-half feet. To Drake belongs the credit of being the
first to use iron drive-pipe. * * * * They employed a small engine
and boiler in drilling and pumping this well. Myself and many others used
the spring-pole, with three stirrups and three men for our motive power in
drilling wells during the entire year of 1860. * * * We used pole-
tools, and a small bit, the size as well as I can remember being three and
three-quarter inches, and the poles were similar to the sucker-rods after
ward used, the joints being about ten feet long. * * * i ]iad the op
portunity of buying some of the first carbon oil refined by S. W. Kier, and

312 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per gallon for the oil, and one dollar
and fifty cents for the barrel. This was truly a great luxury, being superior
to sperm oil at two dollars per gallon. I was at this time doing business in
northern Ohio."
The birth of this greatest of modern mineral developments was ushered
in amid the mutterings of the civil strife that was so soon to convulse the
country. But the class who had flocked to California a few years previous
were still numerous and gave no heed to the discouraging premonitions.
The oil first obtained from the Drake well sold at one dollar per gallon, and
during September, October, November, and December, of the year 1859, the
ruling figure was twenty dollars per barrel.
So promising a mine of wealth had never before been presented, and the
oil fever soon pervaded all classes of people. No wonder they made all
speed for the locality that held forth such inducements. Wells multiplied
fast on the flats surrounding the Drake well, and developments were com
menced at various points from Oil City along the valley of Oil creek, at
Franklin, and along the Allegheny river. The obstacles presented in the
new field only seemed to increase the energy of the operators. Lands were
bought and leased in every direction, and singly and in groups the early
derricks became visible on the beaten tracks and in out-of-the-way places.
The territory at first considered available for oil purposes was frequently
located in the most rugged and inaccessible localities. The country was
hilly and generally heavily timbered. The cleared lands or farms upon
which the residents managed to subsist were few and far between, the only
town of importance in Venango county being Franklin, the county seat.
Lumbering was the principal industry, the few iron furnaces that had been
in operation having suspended. The only means of transportation for heavy
articles was the Allegheny river, and by means of wagons from the nearest
railroads points. Garland and Union, some thirty miles distant from the
Drake well or TitusviUe.
The drilling of the wells was a new and novel experience to even the
most practical. No previous mining development afforded any reliable
guide for the new operations. New methods and machinery had to be
devised, tested, and then put in practice. The resources of the new oU
country afforded but inadequate relief. Wood, coal, and oil were in abun
dance, but machinery and supplies of all kinds needed were only to be had
from distant commercial and manufacturing centers. These had to be
hauled in wagons over mud roads that were nearly impassable a great por
tion of the year for the class of freight needed.
From this may be conjectured some of the inconveniences of drilling a
well a few hundred feet deep. In the absence of machinery and lack of
funds to pay for better, aU kinds of primitive methods were adopted. The
most common was that of the spring-pole, a description of which by Eaton

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 313
in his admirable history is worthy of being recorded. This was the method
of sinking a well that had been devised by the salt-well miners. The salt
wells were generally of shallow depth, and hence this plan of drilling could
be practiced to better advantage than in oil wells where the depth and pen
etration of the rock was greater. After selecting the site for the well a hole
was dug to drjU through as deep as possible, and this curbed with boards
or plank or a bored log. Then a stout sapling or pole of necessary length,
about forty feet, was taken from the woods, selected in regard to its elas
ticity. The larger end or butt of this was securely fastened in the ground.
At a distance to secure best results was planted a firm post for a fulcrum
over which it was secured with the smaller end coming directly over and
some ten or twelve feet above the drill-hole. The boring tools were fast
ened to the pole and the power adjusted to its smaller extremity. This
power was applied by the weight of two or more men bearing down on the
pole. Again a small stage, four feet square, was hinged by one side to the
derrick and the other side suspended to the pole. In this case two men
stood upon the stage and brought down the pole by throwing their weight
on the side attached to it, and permitted it to rise by throwing their weight
on the side next to the derrick. In either case the spring of the pole
brought up the drilling apparatus, and the downward motion of the pole
gave the stroke.
Another mode is described as in vogue in the earlier stage of the busi
ness in which a chain was used. From its horrid din and associations this
was called the "chain-gang" method. Another method in which human
muscle was used was called the ' ' kicking pony "or " jigging ' ' system. An
elastic ash pole ten or fifteen feet in length was arranged over the drill hole,
working over a fulcrum, to which was attached stirrups in which two or
three men each placed a foot, and by a kind of kicking process brought
down the pole and produced the necessary motion to work the bit. The
strokes by this method were rapid but it was only adapted to shallow wells.
In either of the methods the labor was severe and exhausting. The steady
tramp on a treadmill or ascending a ladder was mild recreation in compar
ison. Horse and water power were brought into use. But all the above
described methods were only used in cases where the financial abUity of the
operator could not afford steam power.
The first engines brought to the oil country for drilling oil wells were
portable ones from four to six horse -power, from the manufactory of A. N.
Wood & Company, Eaton, Madison county. New York. The stationary
engine of greater power soon followed.
By the close of 1860 a number of wells had been driUed and the field
of operations extended along the Allegheny from Tidioute to Franklin.
Along the valley of Oil creek from Oil City to TitusvUle were a large num
ber of wells being drilled and producing. From the Barnsdall, Mead,

314 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Rouse & Company's well, near TitusviUe, was sold between February 1st
and June 1st, 1860, fifty-six thousand gallons of oil for sixteen thousand
eight hundred dollars, the cost of drilling the well being about three thou
sand dollars. In April of the same year WUliam Phillips sold fifty barrels
of oil from his well on Oil creek to S. W. Kier, delivered at Pittsburgh for
sixty cents a gallon. About the same time Graff & Company sold seventy-
five barrels of oil in Pittsburgh for one thousand three hundred dollars In
December, 1860, oil was quoted at the wells at two dollars and seventy-five
cents per barrel. This low figure was due to the lack of transportation and
manufacturing facilities that prevailed during the first year.
In only rare cases did individuals incur the total expense of drilling a
well. The usual way was to form associations of any number of parties
from half a dozen to fifty, each subscribing the amount of stock they
elected; the expense of the venture was assessed pro rata, and the profits
divided in the same manner. Though called companies these associations
were not incorporated, but were mostly formed for the usual transaction of
business. From best recollection chances of success in striking oil in pay
ing quantities were no greater in the beginning than in the succeeding
years. The reason is obviously lack of both skill and facilities, and of the
benefit that has been gained from the aggregation of the ventures of others.
Where lands for oil purposes were leased the royalty ranged from
an eighth to one-quarter of all the oil produced free of cost to the land
owner. In favored localities one-half royalty and a bonus were given.
During the different years this royalty not unfrequently amounted to five
hundred to one thousand or even more a day to the landowner, giving them
a wealth that made them fairly dizzy. In other cases farms that before the
discovery of oil were only valued at a few dollars an acre sold for large
sums. P. H. Siverly sold his farm in 1863 (now the site of Siverly)
for one hundred thousand dollars ; Phillips & Vanausdall, a farm, sold for
seventy-five thousand; the Blood farm, less than five hundred acres, sold for
five hundred and fifty thousand doUars. In June of the same year the land
interest (one-half the oil) in five acres on the Blood farm sold for two hundred
and twenty thousand dollars; a working interest in the H. O. Filkins well
on the Blood farm sold for one hundred thousand dollars, and Hoover &
Plumer sold one-third interest in Hoover island, near Franklin, for one
hundred thousand dollars. These are only given to show how rapidly
lands indicating oil production appreciated in value. The values given are
not extreme, for many farms and interests were sold then, and have been in
all the succeeding years, far larger sums. Per contra, some of the best
producing lands of to-day cost the owners but slightly more than the value
of good farming lands- During the reign of ten dollar oil Mr. Bishop, of
New York, offered the Central Petroleum Company, of which he was a
heavy stockholder, in addition to one-half royalty, a bonus of ten thousand

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 315
dollars each for ten one acre leases on their property, and this offer was not
accepted^ About the same time Graff, Hasson & Company sold to the
Petroleum Farms Association three hundred and twenty acres from their
tract of about twelve hundred acres, for the sum of seven hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. But a few years previous Graff', Hasson & Company
paid seven thousand for the entire twelve hundred acre tract. The purchase
by the Petroleum Farms Association comprised Cottage HiU and that por
tion of Oil City now included in the First and Second wards. It is rea
sonable to suppose that the company have done proportionally as well as
Graff, Hasson & Company, and both parties still have some valuable lands
left. During 1860 the attention of shippers was turned to providing facilities
to get their oil to the markets in the eastern cities and to Pittsburgh. In
the uncertain state of permanent production railroads were slow to give
assurance of building branches into the oil country from their main lines.
In the way of water transportation the. Pittsburgh river men showed the
greatest activity. A number of warehouses and oil yards soon occupied
the river front in the Third ward. Oil City. Each of the warehouses trans
acted a regular warehouse and commission business, and each had a steam
boat landing. Both passenger and tow-boat steamers were employed, and
kept busy during such stages of water as permitted, and through these a
greater portion of the oil-well machinery and other supplies were obtained.
The supplies for the upper portion of the valley of Oil creek were hauled by
wagons from the nearest railroad points. Boats for both river and creek
use were brought to Oil City and Franklin, and by the close of 1860 were
in considerable number and capacity. The farmers of this and adjoining
states also found ample employment for all the teams and wagons they
could spare.
A number of small refineries were erected in 1860. The throng of peo
ple from all parts of the country was steady during that year, but of these
more came to prospect than to locate permanently. The work of the drill
was notably active. Lack of even the most ordinary accommodations was a
serious drawback, but still greater was the difficulty of getting machinery to
the places where it was needed to drill the wells. The wells drilled were
shallow, most of them being in the first and second sand, at a depth of two
hundred to three hundred feet, and were small producers. The daily pro
duction in June of this year, 1860, was estimated at two hundred barrels.
By the close of the same this production was largely increased. In fact,
the year was one of preparation. The real work of development commenced
in the close of 1860 and spring of 1861. By that time the use of steam
power had come into more general use.
The guides of the first operator were few and unreliable. Surface indi
cations, such as the appearance of oil on the streams or springs, was about

316 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
all he could judge from, and he located ,his well as near these as he could
get. Some even built cribs in the streams, upon which their derricks were
erected and wells drilled, but these proved no more successful than wells
drilled on the stream banks. The safest plan was to locate in the neighbor
hood of a producing well, when such could be found. It was all " wild-cat
ting" in those days, and field operations averaged about the same as they
do at present date. Best signs failed and the only reliable results were
then as now furnished by the research of the miner' s drill. Great prog
ress was being made in machinery and tools used in oil operations. En
gines and boilers of the class suited for the work were being made and sup
plied to the different points, and the development greatly advanced in every
way. For fuel wood and coal were plenty, the last named being in general
use. Board shanties on the leases accommodated owners and employes,
and here they remained until success made their stay permanent or lack of
it caused them to remove to another location.
From the beginning the belief was general among operators of the ex
istence of larger veins of oil at greater depths,- arguing upon the gen
eral nature or practice of artesian wells that if greater depths were pene
trated the force obtained would be sufficient to force the oil to the surface
and the slow and expensive process of pumping could be dispensed with.
Few doubted the main supply of oil was held in a third sand rock, and
when this was reached the fountain would be tapped.
The result was not only successful, but disastrous to prices as well. A
number of fiowing wells were struck on the Clapp farm and at other points
along the creek, and on the Allegheny river, in the third sand at a depth of
four hundred to five hundred feet. In May, 1861, the number of producing
wells was one hundred and thirty-five, with a daily production of one
thousand, two hundred and eighty-eight barrels. One flowing weU on the
Clapp farm, the Cornplanter, fiUed a one hundred barrel tank and a pond
twenty-five square rods in extent in its first sixteen hours. In July, large
sales of oil were made at tanks on Oil creek at ten cents per gaUon. In Au
gust the TitusviUe Gazette placed the number of wells in Oil creek valley at
eight hundred, seven of these flowing, and an eight hundred barrel well was
struck by R. R. Bradley in the third sand at a depth of five hundred feet.
In September came the big strikes of the Phillips No. 2, on the Tarr farm,
its first day's production being four thousand barrels; the Empire weU, flow
ing two thousand five hundred barrels, the Buckeye weU, eight hundred
barrels. Other flowing wells were struck, and by October the flood of oil
was so great that it could not be taken care of and thousands of barrels
flowed into the creek and river. It was feared that at this rate the supply
would soon become exhausted unless some means could be devised to pre
vent the waste. In December the Woodford well, on the Tarr farm, came
in with a daily production of three thousand barrels, and the Elephant, No.

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 317
1, with eight hundred. The total production of 1859''is given at eighty-two
thousand barrels; 1860, five hundred thousand, and 1861, two miUion one
hundred and thirteen thousand six hundred barrels. This shows conclu
sively the progress of the development.
The first mode of storing the oil was in circular wooden tanks, built of
jointed staves of pine planks, tightly caulked with oakum. These ranged
in capacity from fifty to fifteen hundred barrels. Tank building became a
leading and profitable industry and continued until displaced by the iron
tanks of the present date. Barrels were used for shipment. The supply
of these throughout the country became exhausted early in the development.
To meet the demand barrel factories were established on the upper waters
of the Allegheny and they were made into rafts and floated down the river
to Oil City, from whence they were sent to all parts of the oil fields. A
look through the piles of barrels in the different yards gave a fair exhibition
of every class of package or cask used in every part of the country, even to
those that had been in use on whaling vessels. The price of oil barrels
ranged from three dollars fifty cents to four dollars and sales of these were
made at four dollars fifty cents each.
The growth of Oil City, Franklin, and TitusviUe in' 1861 was marked.
Every class of business house was being established, as well as blacksmith
and machine shops. The valley of Oil creek from Oil City to TitusviUe
began to assume the appearance of an almost continuous town of clusters
of shanties and derricks. The towns of McClintockville, Rouseville, Tarr
Farm, and Petroleum Center began to come into existence, and from this
time on their growth was rapid. The drones in this busy time of indus
try were few and their stay brief. All were engaged earnestly in the race
for wealth, and from this aggregate of energy came the grand results of the
years that succeeded.
The class of men constituting the pioneers of the oil country are deserv
ing of more than a passing notice. They came from the commercial cities,
the towns, and the hamlets of the country. Among them were civil and
mining engineers of both old as well as new world experience, mechanics,
and business men of all classes. A high tone of business integrity was
characteristic. A verbal agreement was as binding as a bond, and daily
transactions of many thousands of dollars were made involving nothing
more than the making of a mere memorandum. Through these and suc
ceeding years each community was noted for its maintenance of law and
order. In 1865 thieves made their appearance from other places, but they
soon found the oil country an unsafe place for their business and had but
a brief stay.
During the fall and winter of 1861-62 the production decreased and
prices became better. The spring of 1862 opened with good promise, though
prices ruled very low at the beginning. In March oil was sold at the wells

318 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
at forty to fifty cents 'per barrel. In December of same year ruling prices
at wells, five dollars and fifty cents to six dollars; at Oil City, barrels in
cluded, ten dollars per barrel. Freights ruled high. Cost of sending one
barrel of oil to New York, seven dollars and fifty cents; by steamboat from
Oil City to Pittsburgh, two dollars per barrel; hauling from Oil creek to
Meadville, two dollars and twenty-five cents per barrel.
Congress about this time proposed to levy a war tax of ten cents per gal
lon on refined and five cents per gallon on crude oil. To this producers
objected, suggesting that refined (3nly be taxed, with a drawback on all ex
ported to foreign countries.
The Oil City Register of June 1, 1862, published the following table in
relation to the oil business on Oil creek:
No. of wells flowing  75
" " formerly flowed and pumped  63
" commenced  358
Total  495
Amount of oil shipped to date  1,000,000 bbls
" " on hand to date  92,450 "
Present daily production  5,717 "
Average value of oil at $1 per bbl  $1,093,450
Average cost of wells at 51,000 each  495,000
Machinery, buildings, etc, from |500 to $7,000 each . . . 500,000
Total number of refineries  25
On the 9th of December, 1862, some three hundred and fifty boats
loaded with oil at Oil City, containing about sixty thousand barrels of oil,
were wrecked by an ice gorge from Oil creek coming against them. Thirty
thousand barrels of oil and one hundred and fifty boats were lost, footing up
a total loss of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. During the year
destructive fires occurred among the fleets of oil boats along the river front
at Oil City, entailing a loss estimated at seventy-five thousand to one hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars. One of the burning boats floated down and
destroyed the Franklin bridge, valued at seventy-five thousand dollars.
The notable events of the year with those stated were a large extension
of the field, a production too large to be handled with advantage, and a vast
amount of experience for those who chose to profit by it.
An important event of 1863 was the completion of the Franklin branch
of the Atlantic and Great Western railway from Meadville to Franklin.
This was completed in successive stages to Oil City, reaching that point in
the fall or early part of the winter of 1864-65.
In this connection it is due to mention the fact that closely following the
striking of the Drake well was the commencement of developments at Frank
lin. James Evans, a blacksmith, assisted by his two sons, drilled a well in
the vicinity of Twelfth and Otter streets in Franklin early in 1860, and at

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 319
the depth of seventy-two feet struck a vein of oil. Upon being pumped a
daily production of fifteen barrels was obtained. Other operations weri? had
in the vicinity of the place, and a number of iiroducing wells resulted.
Hoover's island, the Hoover, Alexander Cochran, and oth(U' farms in the
locality were afterward tested, and evidence given of a productive field on
all sides of the town. The result of the research thus begun was the devel
opment iu what is known as the old Franklin district of a vein of heavy oil,
which has since been utilized as the best lubricating oil known. In the
crude state it has a natural cold test of twenty degrees below zero, with a
specific gravity of thirty-one degrees. This district is narrow in extent,
and the wells though small have proved of wonderful longevity. The value
of this oil is from three to four dollars per barrel at present time. In the
whole district there are now eleven hundred wells being pumped, with a
monthly production of tive thousand barrels.
The Franklin branch of the Atlantic and Great Western railroad was the
first railroad to make its way into the oil country. About the same time the
Oil Creek road was completed to TitusviUe, afterward extended to Petro
leum Center, and there connected with the Farmers' railroad built from Oil
City. Next in order was the Allegheny River railroad, completed in 1865
from Oil City to Oleopolis, with a bi-anch from thence to Pithole. Various
other lines were projected, but these were the only ones built. The Alle
gheny Valley railroad from Kittaning to Oil City was completed in 1867,
and the Jamestown and Franklin railway, operated by the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southern, was completed to Oil City a few years later.
The Noble & Delamater well, Farrel farm, Oil creek, was struck in
January, 1863, and started off with a production of three thousand barrels
per day. The Caldwell well, on the same tract, was struck about the same
time, and interfered with the Noble & Delamater. It was bought by these
parties for one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars and plugged. To
date of August 3, 1863, Noble & Delamater sold from their well one hun
dred and eighteen thousand barrels of oil for the sum of three hundred and
fifty-four thousand dollars. The well continued a good producer for about
twenty-two months, and the sum realized from the sale of the oil by its own
ers was variously estimated at from three to four million dollars. This was
doubtless the best paying well struck in the oil country. It is no wonder
that such successes in operating, the high prices that ranged from time
to time in the oil country, and the demonstration so satisfactorily made of
its inexhaustible supply, should excite the wildest cupidity of man through
out the country.
Among other things the petroleum development evolved at an early
date was a type of the " Colonel Sellers " stripe, whose equal has never be
fore or since been surpassed. He looked over the petroleum field, saw there
' ' was millions in it, ' ' and at once proceeded to realize. To use the current

320 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
phrase of to-day: "There was no flies on him." A few hundred or <
thousand dollars sufficed to get an option for sixty days or more on a f
oil wells, or leases. Price with him was no object, especially if he couli
the owner to take a part of the purchase money in the shape of stock.
time given was used to good advantage. The names of leading men ii
cities or towns where the company was formed were obtained, a chart(
incorporation was had from the state department under the provisions o
general mining and manufacturing law of this or other states, a stock
pany was formed, a flaming prospectus and certificates of stock mad
the bank-note companies in the best style of the art, were issued, and
placed where they would be read and disposed of to the best advantage,
the thing was accomplished. They argued that the general public wen
only suckers who bit at a bare hook. In this respect their judgment
correct. The public bit voraciously at this gilded bait. The ' ' Coloi
and his few partners always went in on the ' ' ground floor. " " Wind ' '
their principal investment. It only required a short time to sell enoug
the stock t J pay the purchase money and to provide a fund to prosecute
work of development, and this was designated the " working interest."
was rightly named, for it kept the stockholders busy working to pay t
assessments for weary months or years afterward. As a general thing
only profit realized from the sale of the stock was by the long-headed cr
on the ' ' ground floor. ' ' They always managed to keep the control
large blocks of stock in their own hands; it cost them little or nothing,
its sale at any price was so much clear gain. There were different gi'i
of this ' ' Colonel Sellers ' ' tribe, but the result in the end was the sau
the stockholder was the man who didn't realize to any material extent u
his investment. There were many honorable exceptions among the oil si
companies formed, at the time spoken of, and these, under capable man<
meat, were generally successful.
The craze for oil stock companies that commenced in 1862 swept (
the country like a wave. Their number soon became legion. In this s
alone the writer could enumerate at one time over six hundred. Tl
aUeged capital stocks, ranging from twenty-five thousand to ten mill
dollars, footed up nearly a bUlion of money. New York came scare
second in number, while the town or country cross-roads not represen
by an oU company with high sounding titles and an array of leading 1(
bankers, doctors, ministers, and business men, was considered "too d
too skin."
The first duty of the management of the new company was to appoii
superintendent to take charge of the work and make as favorable reports
possible of the progress to the stockholders. Ai-med with this authoi
and the fund, or a portion of it devoted for the purpose, this gentlen
hastened to OU CUy, and from thence to the possessions of his compai

-•Si'^^^'i

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 323
He contracted for the building of the derrick, bought an engine, boiler and
the other necessary implements, employed the drillers, and set to work to
realize the fond hopes of the stockholders. If he met with success the
duration of his term and salary was prolonged, for any rise in the price of
the stock caused the knowing ones to sell aud those otherwise to hold on to
their stock and be willing to be bled while there was a smell of oil or gas.
The end was sure to come. Some fine morning the working-beam of the
well was still, the drilling tools or sucker-rods hung idly in the wel], the
derrick was deserted and "Ichabod" written plainly enough on the engine
' house and office. The iron safe, for this was considered indispensable by
every well regulated superintendent, and the well machinery were the only
visible assets left, except the superintendent, who had packed his grip, at the
proper time and hied him away to other fields.
As a class these superintendents were gentlemanly, whole-souled men,
whom it was a pleasure to meet, and many a pleasant time has the writer
had with them. It was through no fault of theirs that failure was due,
save in few cases, to accomplish the impossible tasks delegated to them.
Men of varied attainments to whom the term cosmopolitan well applied,
they rendered good service to the oil country by extending its development
in a few years to a greater extent than would have otherwise been possible
in a quarter of a century.
The stock companies kept up a steady boom in the oil country until the
close of the war in 1865. During this time lands were sold for almost fab
ulous prices. In fact it proved to the oil country like the flow of the fabled
Midas stream. Others have since reaped the rich fruits of the harvest
thus sown.
The close of the civil war in the spring of 1865, and the consequent re
sumption of real values, caused the downfall of the oil stock companies, at
least those that were founded on a speculative basis, and these were in the
large majority. They came down "like a pile of bricks." Before the
close of 1865 scores of deserted wells and engine houses only were left to
mark the spot that shortly before had been the scene of busy operations.
Then came the tax gatherer and sheriff to render the last rites to departed
hopes. Engines and boilers, the original cost of which had been from fif
teen hundred to twenty-five hundred dollars were sold under the hammer
for fifty dollars, and other machinery and tools for junk prices. Finally
the lease or land vanished at the succeeding tax sales.
In the meantime a highly enterprising lot of thieves had been developed.
To these gentry the removal of an engine and boiler, tubing, drill rope,
tools, bull-wheel, sampson-post, and derrick was the work of a single night.
A well authenticated story is related where a pumper on a working well who
had occasion to visit a neighboring boiler house, almost in sight, and ab
sent but for a short time, rubbed his eyes in amazement on his return when

324 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
he found that his engine and boiler had vanished. Following the wagon
trail to the nearest railroad point he found his property loaded snugly on a
fiat-car, duly ticketed, and ready for shipment. The collapse of the oil
companies was followed by a season of business depression throughout the
oil country that had its effect during the years that followed.
The mode of transportation of the oil in any quantity by the first petro
leum gatherers was doubtless by the canoe or dug-out, by means of which
he skimmed along the surface of Oil creek and the Allegheny to the nearest
trading point where he could dispose of it. Drake, who followed, found
barrels necessary to store it in, and wagons to haul these to the nearest
shipping points. This continued for the first years, until the production
increased, and then flat-bottomed boats were used upon Oil creek and these
were freighted with the oil, both in barrels and in bulk. As the necessity
for facilities for more rapid shipment increased, in order to get the oil to
Oil City so that it could be shipped to Pittsburgh, artificial freshets or rises
of water in Oil creek were resorted to. These were called pond freshets.
It had long been the method adopted by lumbermen in order to get their
logs to the main boom or pond of their mills, and the manufactured
lumber from thence to the main streams, to dam up at stated times all the
tributary branches. These dams, and there was a succession of them, had
a sluice-way to let the logs and lumber through. When a rise of water
was desired this sluice-way was closed by a board gate called a "splash."
When the dam thus formed was filled with water and logs, or lumber rafts,
the splash-gate was cut loose and the logs and lumber were thus conducted
until the main stream was reached, when they had the benefit of the addi
tional water to float them on their journey.
A similar plan, only on a larger scale and with more system, was requi
site. The early oil shippers systematized the pond freshet by the appoint
ment of a superintendent, and a minister of the gospel at that. Reverend
A. L. Dubbs, who had full charge of all the arrangements. The shippers,
by a pro rata assessment, paid for the use of the water. Certain dates
were fixed for these freshets. The superintendent then arranged with the
mill owners on the upper waters of Oil creek for the use of their water.
Previous to the day of the pond freshet the boats were towed by horses to
the shore opposite the tanks of the different weUs. The water had in mean
time been brought by the process described to the main dam, which was
located at a point opposite the present acid works, just below TitusviUe.
At the time fixed on, the splash of the sluice-way was cut and the water
flowed into the creek. The volume of this body of water was generaUy suf
ficient to make a rise of from two to three feet over the ripples or shaUow
places. The boatmen stood by their lines, ready to cast loose their loaded boats,
when the time to do so arrived; and here is where sound judgment was

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 325
required. The loaded boat wojUd outspeed the running water. To cast
loose too soon on the first rush would be to run the risk of grounding the
boat on the first shallow place, where it would be battered to kindling wood
by those coming after it. Such accidents often occurred, and not unfre
quently resulted in a general jam of boats in which the boatmen lost their
trips and boats, and the shippers their oil. As the average rate of boat
freights from the wells was seventy-five cents to one dollar per barrel, and
the value of the boat from one hundred dollars to five hundred dollars, this
was a serious loss.
An active pond freshet was a sight worth seeing. When the flood had
reached the lowest shipping points on the creek, the boats commenced to
cast loose upon the surging stream, directing their course by means of the
broad sweeps or oars on the bow and stern of the boats. The noise of the
rush of waters, the flash of oar blades, the babel of loud voices more in pro
fanity than blessing, the boats gliding swiftly along, those laden in bulk
flashing back in rainbow hues the sun's rays, presented features that would
set an artist wild with rapture.
Going swiftly on, if no untoward wreck of stranded craft or jam was met
with, the short journey of about ten miles for the most distant points, past
banks lined with derricks and spectators, by head-lands, islands, and sharp
curved bends, it was only a journey of a few hours to the mouth of Oil
creek. Making anchorage along the river front, the oil was transferred
from the smaller creek boats tq the larger ones used for river transport.
To the creek resident pond freshet days were a boon. In his best
clothes, if he chose to take the chances of a wreck, or in working garb, if he
did not, he jumped gaily on a passing boat and came down to Oil City to have
a few hours of such recreation as the busy city then afforded, and his usual
place of resort was the warehouses or steamboat landings, the old Petroleum
house and other hotels.
Wrecks involving serious loss to both oil and boats were of not unfre
quent occurrence. Indeed, it was rare to have a pond freshet without loss.
The amount of oil brought down on a pond freshet averaged generally from
twenty to thirty thousand barrels. When they could be had this was the
cheapest mode as well as the most reliable of getting oil from the wells to
Oil City. The cost of the water for a pond freshet was from three to five
hundred dollars each.
The oil fleet of river and creek boats in the best days of this trade, as
near as can be estimated, was fully two thousand, comprising all the known
varieties of river craft, from the large metal or compartment boat with a
freight capacity of twelve to fifteen hundred barrels, to the diminutive
"guiper" of fifty barrels capacity. The empty boats were towed back
from Pittsburgh by the steam tow-boats or by horses.
To supplement this was the wagon train of the oil country. In the best

326 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
season this numbered from four to six thousand two-horse teams and wagons.
No such transport service was ever seen outside of an army on a march.
They were drawn from all portions of this and of the adjoining states. In
the palmy days of Pithole General Avery, a cavalry commander of renown
during the war, organized a regular army train and found it a source of
profit. In the days mentioned the traveler in the oil country was seldom out of
sight of these seemingly endless trains of wagons bearing to the nearest
shipping points their greasy freight. Five to seven barrels constituted a
load, and in view of the general condition of the roads this taxed the
strength of the best team. The rate of wagon freights ranged from one
dollar and fifty cents to four dollars per barrel, or even more, according to
distance. From this it can be seen how slow and unreliable a mode of
transportation it proved, and how utterly inadequate to meet the require
ments. When a wagon broke down the teamster dumped the oil on the
roadside and there it generally remained to await his leisure. The removal
of even a thousand barrels of oil from the wells to the shipping points not
unfrequently consumed so much time that the shipper in rapid fiuctuations
of the market failed to realize more than enough to pay the wagon freight.
The following tables of transportation rates per barrel for oil from Pit-
hole to New York in the years 1865 and 1866, when the modes had been
greatly improved, will give the reader some idea of the improvement that
has followed. In December, 1865 —
Transportation from Pithole to Miller Farm, per barrel  $1 00
Barreling, shipping, etc., at Miller Farm, per barrel  35
Freight to Corry via Oil Creek railroad  80
Freight from Corry to New York  3 50
Total  $5 55
In January, 1866, the cost of getting a barrel of oU from Pithole to
New York, was as follows:
Government tax  « i qq
Barrels, each  3 35
Teaming from Pithole to TitusviUe  1 25
Freight from TitusviUe to New York  3 65
Cooperage and platform expenses  1 00
Leakage  35
Total  $10 40
In 1862 the first experiment of a new and which has since proved the
best and cheapest mode for oU transportation was had. A two-inch iron
pipe was laid over the hill from the Tarr farm to the Humboldt refinery on
Cherry run, then just completed, a distance of three to four miles. A
small rotary pump was used to force the oil through the pipe. The result
was a success, though the best engineers and scientists had pronounced

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 327
the plan an impossibility on account of the friction to be overcome in
such grades as would have to be adopted. The cost and difficulty of
obtaining the iron pipe delayed the introduction of the new scheme of
transportation for a time. Still later George Van Syckle laid a pipe line
from Miller Farm, which connected with the Oil Creek railroad at Titus
viUe. A line was then constructed to Pithole, via Shamburg, and still
other lines from Pithole to TitusviUe via Pleasantville. Lines were also
laid from Pithole to Oleopolis, along Pithole creek, at Franklin, and other
points. Cast iron pipe was at first used in the larger lines. The rotary
pumps used being of light forcing capacity, relay stations had to be placed
at short intervals. The pipe made was unequal to a high pressure and
the knowledge of making reliable joints had yet to be learned. But the
new method was the best yet devised. It was not only cheaper, but the
shipper was insured against loss, the pipe line taking the risk between the
points of destination.
It was soon found that distance and grade could be overcome by the
force of the pumps — it w.as only a question of power. At first oil was
hauled from the well tanks to the stations, or "dumps," as they were
called, of the pipe lines. In the course of time pipe connections were
made with the tanks and then direct with the wells. The subsequent
growth of the pipe line system, with its network of thousands of miles of
pipe connecting with each of the producing wells in the various fields in
different states, and the hundreds of miles of six and eight-inch pipe lines
from the oU fields to the seaboard and to the great cities, with its perfect
system of construction and its telephone and telegraph systems, taxing
large factories to the utmost to meet the demand for the wrought iron pipe,
which is now wholly used, is so familiar to the present reader as to need no
comment. To show the perfection this branch of the oil business has
reached it may be mentioned that only one pump is now used to force the
oil through the eight-inch pipe laid from Lima, Ohio, to Chicago, a dis
tance of over two hundred miles. The capacity is ten thousand barrels per
day, and it requires sixty-five thousand barrels of oil to fill the pipe for the
entire distance. The pump used weighs one hundred tons, and was made
at the National Transit shops at Oil City. The wrought iron pipe now in
use is tested at the factory by pressure gauge to two thousand pounds to
the square inch, and when in use is subjected to a pressure of eight hun
dred to twelve hundred pounds. The pipe stands this pressure, and the
cases of its proving defective are more rare than one would conjecture.
The average velocity at which the oil is forced through the pipe is about
three miles an hour. The weakest points are at the joints where the pipe
is coupled together. The limit of perfection has about been reached by
the coupling now in use.
Shortly after the advent of raUroads into the oil country new methods of

328 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
transporting the oil were devised. The first method was to load the oil on
box cars in barrels. A car used for this soon became unfitted for any other
purpose. To remedy this at first a couple of forty-barrel wooden tanks
were securely fastened on a fiat car, and these were loaded by means of pipe
racks on the side of the tracks direct from the pipes laid to tanks. Iron
tanks were next substituted of the same capacity, and then boiler tanks,
made of boiler iron, reaching the full length of the flat car constructed
especiaUy for the purpose, were the last and best improvement. The railroad
and pipe lines superseded the boat and wagon modes of transportation,
and the perfection of the pipe lines has later rendered the transportation of
oil independent of railroads and all other known modes of transport.
In the earlier days of petroleum development the oil veins or crevice
had a tendency to become clogged up with a substance resembling paraffine
(which it was in fact), which materially interfered with the production.
Concentrated lye and the most powerful alkalies failed to effectually cut or
dissolve this stubborn grease. Then benzine was tried with good effect.
This proved for a time a boon to the refiners, as there had been no special
use for that article, and it was a drug on their hands. But their joy was
of only brief duration. The benzine was sold to the producer for about one
dollar per barrel. He administered it to his wells in liberal allopathic
measure. Twenty to thirty barrels was an ordinary dose for a well. This
became so frequently mixed with the oil pumped from the well that the
refiner stumbled on the fact the benzine he sold to the producer for one
dollar he was buying back and paying therefor the market rate for oil, from
three to four dollars a barrel. The refiner being only human, reasonably
objected to a deal so much to his disadvantage, and the mode and doctored
oil became unpopular.
During this time parties had been experimenting with explosives that it
was thought would more effectually accomplish the desired result. The
principal of these was the then newly discovered substance known as nitro
glycerine. In explosive force this substance, composed of proportionate parts of
pure glycerine, nitric and sulphuric acids, is the most powerful known. It
was theorized that if a sufficient amount of this could be placed at the bot
tom of the well and be there exploded, the clogged veins in the rock would
be so loosened up by the fracture thus made, that the supply of oil would be
materially increased. After a great amount of experimenting a trial was
made and the result surpassed expectation. Several parties claim the dis
covery, but the first to bring the new explosive into general use was the
late E. A. L. Roberts, of TitusviUe, Pennsylvania, who had his discovery
diUy patented. This gentleman organized a company known as the Roberts
Torpedo Company, and commenced the manufacture of glycerine and tor
pedoes and established agencies and magazines all over the oil country.

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 329
For years this company had a complete monopoly and realized millions of
doUars from it. Through his agents the wells were torpedoed, and the use
of these became general in all the oil fields.
The mode of operation is simple as well as effective. A tin cylinder or
shell as it is called, holding from ten to one hundred quarts of the explosive
is filled, tightly fastened at the top and weighted at the bottom, is lowered
into the well, which has been properly prepared by means of a stout wire
attached to a reel to the proper depth, where by an ingenious contrivance it
is fastened. Upon the top of the shell is fixed a cap of fulminate that con
nects with the glycerine. When all is ready the operator drops in the well
an iron weight known as the "go-devil." This explodes the cap and gly
cerine when it strikes. The result is a dull sound of explosion followed by a
column of oil, water, and spray that shoots up to the height of the derrick.
After the water and oil have settled back the tubing and other machinery
is replaced and if the well does not flow the work of pumping is resumed.
In only rare cases have the wells thus treated failed to respond with an in
creased production, not infrequently in amount to more than pay the ex
pense in a day or even in a few hours.
So large were the profits of the nitro-glycerine business and so simple its
manufacture that Roberts found as much difficulty in restraining others
from infringing on his patent as " Uncle Sam" does to protect his revenue
from the illicit distillers of "moonshine" whiskey. A class of reckless men,
known as "moonlighters," manufactured the glycerine and torpedoed the
wells at cheaper rates than those of the monopoly, and for a few years these
operators transacted a profitable business. Their operations were made at
night, hence their name. In his light buckboard, to which was attached a
pair of fleet horses, the ' ' moonlighter' ' would visit a well over rough roads,
his cans of nitro-glycerine fastened to his vehicle, to most inaccessible
places, torpedo a well, and before daylight be safe from pursuit. It was a
dangerous business, yet strange to say but few if any of those engaged in it
met with any accident. To show the utter recklessness of this class the
following is an illustration: At St. Petersburg the Roberts Company agent
had a large cast iron safe made for the safe keeping of his nitro-glycerine.
The "moonlighters" broke into this with sledge hammers and carried off
the entire contents. This disregard of fatal consequences can be the more
readUy realized when it is known that the substance is exploded by a very
slight concussion. The breaking up of the "moonlighting" system was
only brought about after long and costly litigation.
This explosive substance is one of the most dangerous and subtle known.
After being made it is stored in a cool place where it is congealed or frozen,
and so kept until wanted for use. It is placed in cans after being thawed
out, taken to the well, and there placed in the shells. Though every pre
caution has been used, yet the accidents, always fatal, from its premature

330 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
explosion, number a long roll of victims. The result of these accidental
explosions was novel as well as sad. AU that was visible was a large hole in
the ground, and of the victims, whether men or horses, some fragments of
clothing and flesh on the surrounding trees or bushes. As to the exact causes
leading to such explosions only conjecture could be formed, the witnesses
being blown into minute fragments. The accidents generally happened
when the unfortunate victims visited the magazines to get their supply of
nitro-glycerine. The only notice given of the disaster was the sound of the
explosion, often heard for miles, and creating havoc in the immediate lo
cality. And this was all that was ever really known of it.
One of the most noted in the many cases was that of " Doc." Haggerty,
a teamster, near Pleasantville, in December, 1888. Haggerty was employed
to haul nitro-glycerine to the magazine. His wagon was loaded with one
thousand four hundred pounds of glycerine when the explosion occurred.
He was seen at the magazine, sitting on his wagon, about twenty minutes
before the accident. The wagon and team were blown to atoms; of Hag
gerty not the slighest trace could be found. The unfortunate man held a
five thousand dollar life policy. The insurance company refused payment
on the ground that no remains of the alleged dead Haggerty could be pro
duced, taking the view that he is still alive, a consummation that no doubt
would be pleasant to the deceased. But there is no doubt that Haggerty is
very, very dead. The only plausible theory of annihilation in this case was
that the heat generated by the explosion was sufficiently powerful to insure
instantaneous combustion of the body.
The latest explosive, known as "Americanite," is claimed to be equally
as powerful, and absolutely safe.
Natural petroleum gas, or as it is generally termed, natural gas, was
found from the beginning in all the oil wells in more or less quantity or
volume. It was the motive power that forced the oil to the surface in the
flowing wells, and assisted the pumping ones. To the mind of the writer it
is to the oil as the blood is to the human system, the life principle, and with
out it the oil, as blood in the body, would become an inert and useless sub
stance. Although in existence coeval with the oil, it was known for years
before it became practically utilized. Its utilization in the past few years
has revolutionized the fuel system of the local field, and it is now one of the
commercial wonders of the age.
Natural gas came into general use as a fuel and illuminant in 1873. It
was found at a considerable depth below the usual oil sands, though in
a somewhat simUar sandrock, in a pure state, unmixed with any appreciable
amount of oil. Since the date mentioned it has come into general use as
fuel for manufactories and for heating dwellings. The existence of vast
fields of it throughout the Pennsylvania oil fields, in Ohio, Indiana, and
other states has been satisfactorily determined. In Pittsburgh its most

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 331
extensive utilization has been made. In the immediate vicinity of that city
it has been found in vast and seemingly inexhaustible supply. In February,
1888, it is stated that more than twenty-seven thousand three hundred miles
of mains were used in piping natural gas. In Pittsburgh alone at that date
five hundred miles supplied forty-two thousand six hundred and forty-five
private houses, forty iron mills, thirty- seven glass houses, seventy -three
foundries and machine shops, and four hundred and twenty- two industrial
establishments. At present date it is safe to infer fully double the above
estimate. It can be piped long distances by the pressure direct from the wells.
This is about three hundred pounds at the starting point, and this pressure
is the only force that has yet been used. W'herever had, its use is greater,
and it is of more value than the oil. As to its duration, who knows? The
pressure diminishes in a well, and a new one has to be drilled, just as the
petroleum supply has had to be kept up, yet after thirty years of constant
development, and perforating the earth with over sixty thousand oil wells,
the supply of oil is found to be enough for export to all parts of the world,
for home consumption, and some miUions of barrels of a surplus that is
being steadily increased.
For heating houses natural gas is the greatest luxury ever bestowed on
the race. It has all the advantages of a wood fire, is free from ashes or
dirt, is safe, and can be started by the turning of a stop-cock and the appli
cation of a lighted match. In the manufacture of iron and glass it has
been proven better than any other fuel, beside being cheaper. For illu
mination it is nature' s lamp and burns without a wick. There will be no
need to return to coal for fuel for years to come in such centers as have been
developed. The vast oil deposits of Ohio and other states, the value of
which for fuel has been so well established, in case of the failure of natural
gas, are on hand to take its place and may prove to be even better. The
capitalization of the gas stock companies of Pittsburgh at this time foots
up fully thirty million dollars.
Mention has been made of extensions of the oil field closely following
the striking of the Drake well- These were for a short time confined to
the valley of Oil creek, a few of its tributaries and hill farms adjoining,
also on the Allegheny river from Tidioute to Franklin. With the advent of
the oil companies, the pioneer " wild catters," the development took a wider
range, extending not only to various portions of Venango but to adjoining
counties. Oil was struck in West Virginia very soon after Drake's find,
but no general development occurred in that state in the first years.
Among the earliest divergencies from the favored valley of Oil creek was
the development of Cherry run-, near Rouseville, on Oil creek- From this
resulted the famous Reed & Criswell well, and the no less noted Smith farm,
owned by Beers & Corners. Then came Shamburg and adjoining localities.

332 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
January 8, 1865, the striking of the Frazier well, on the lands of the
United States Oil Company, resulted in the development of the Pithole
field, of world-wide renown. Following close after were the oil discoveries
on the Alexander Cochran and Hoover farms below Franklin. Further
extension of this line was soon made to Foster farm. Bully Hill, Bullion,
Scrubgrass, Emlenton, Foxburg, and at Grass Flats, on the Clarion river.
Then the Butler and Armstrong fields, the first of which proved prolific to
an'unprecedented degree, and is still in a thrifty state. The Clarion belt
was also operated with good results. St. Petersburg, Turkey City, Beaver,
Edenburg, Elk City, and Shippenville, and within the past few years the
Clarion borough fields have been productive localities. Then came in the
Bradford field of McKean county and a portion of Allegany county. New
York state. With the still later additions of Washington, Allegheny, and
Greene counties, the oil producing fields of the present date in Pennsylva
nia, present and prospective, comprise a territory of several hundred square
miles. That of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, Montana,
Wyoming, and Colorado, will add to this indefinitely.
Improved facilities in machinery for drilling the oil wells and in the
methods of transportation of the oil by railroads and pipe lines kept pace
with the extension of the oil fields and the increase of the production.
Large pools were struck at Troutman and adj oining farms, in Butler county,
and at Cherry Grove and Richburg, Allegany county. New York. At the
beginning of 1880 the daily production was estimated at fully seventy-six
thousand barrels. In June, 1882, the highest daily record was given at
one hundred and ten thousand barrels.
From what has already been given of the earlier modes of transporta
tion, some idea can be formed of the magnitude of the task of handling,
providing means of storage, the refining and finding a market for so great
a daily production.
By the early enactment of a free pipe bill any who had the means and
will could build a pipe line. A number of these were constructed leading
from the various fields to nearest railroad points and thence to the seaboard
cities, the points from which the product was exported; the railroads formed
the only means of transport. The questions that vex the Inter-State Com
merce Commission of to-day existed in even greater extent during all those
years. No effective concert of action could be decided on by the different
pipe line companies. The desire for combination was as prevalent then as
now. The only difference was that each pipe line incorporation wanted to
be the combination, and the producer entertained something of the same
idea for the conservation of his interests. The necessity of providing
storage for the product of the wells was the factor that for aU this time in
terested all classes engaged in the business.
With George V. Forman and J. J. Vandergrift originated the idea of-

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 333
consolidating the pipe lines under one general head. Having extensive pipe
lines of their own these gentlemen went to work earnestly to effect this
object, and the result was the final absorption of the different lines into the
incorporation known as the United Pipe Lines, and still later as the National
Transit. The details of their operations would make an interesting history
of itself. Once formed and in successful operation the new corporation made con
nections with every producing well in the oil country, erected hundreds of
large iron storage tanks of thirty-five thousand barrel capacity, and took
charge of the transportation and storage of the entire production. Seaboard
pipe lines were constructed, a negotiable oil certificate was devised which
is to-day for all commercial purposes as reliable as the government bonds or
currency, a general average insurance against losses by fire or otherwise, and
a uniform rate of transportation of twenty cents per barrel for oil from all
points, were established. That has never been changed. The accomplishment
of such results necessitated an investment of cash and of talent and skill far
beyond individual possibility. The conception and execution of this plan
solved the problem of oil transportation for that and all time to come. For
this, if for no other reason, its projectors and their able successors are to
be commended. The various towns and cities of this and other days deserve at least a
passing notice. In the different years of the development these sprang up
in each succeeding oil field like unto Jonah's gourd, and in the large majority
of cases proved nearly as transient in duration. The names of many of
these were suggested by the locality, while others were the happy and appro
priate conception of the first residents. As a general thing these places
wore the appendage of ' ' city, ' ' something after the manner of the curl in
the pig's tail, more for ornament than any visible practical use.
Of the score or two towns of this class few had but a brief term of life.
Their growth culminated with the height of oil production surrounding
them, and then before they had scarcely reached the "teething" age their
decadence began. The rows or blocks of wooden buildings that escaped
the ravages of fire were deserted as soon as the oil productions of the wells
surrounding were reduced to small pumpers, and their former occupants
migrated to a newly discovered field. The amount of money and energy
devoted to the buUding up of these oil towns would foot up a large amount.
And this branch of business only ceased, at least in a great measure, as the
boundaries of the oil territory became defined. But the oil town, in its
typical sense, still lives, and will be seen as long as new oil fields are dis
covered. Whether of longer or shorter duration each of the many towns had its
history, and all of it goes to make the pages of the future chronicle inter
esting. In the matter of nomenclature that of the oil country has been both

334 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
fitting and original, and this has been displayed in the naming of the towns
as well as in other things. Space is lacking to enumerate the different
names and their origin. Notable among the oil towns that in former years
attained a world-wide reputation were Pithole and Petroleum Center. The
first named in the first few years of its brief life attained a population as
estimated of from twelve to fifteen thousand. Its postoffice was rated
as second-class. A daily paper, palatial hotels, opera houses, gorgeous
saloons, business blocks, palaces of sin, abounded and flourished. Churches
and schools marked the moral sentiment. To these the contributions were
liberal to a degree equaled by but few sections or communities. Pipe lines
were laid to this city of promise. The Oil City and Pithole and the Reno,
Oil Creek and Pithole railroads were projected and built. The first named
reached Pithole and reaped a fair harvest, but before the completion of the
second the glory of Pithole had begun to wane with its declining produc
tion. At no one point in the history of the oil business did the tide of specula
tion rise so high as at Pithole. At no place did the ebb of the speculative
tide show so great an amount of financial wreckage. Ruin was carried to
thousands of homes by the unfortunate ventures of this noted oil field. To
iUustrate briefly: When the Frazier or United States well was struck oil
was selling at eight dollars per barrel. Four thousand dollars bonus (and
royalty of one-half the oil obtained) was paid for leases. The Rooker farm
was bought by J. W. Bonta and J ames A. Bates for the sum of two hundred
and eighty thousand dollars; in less than two months these parties sold
ninety leases at an average price of three thousand five hundred dollars,
some of the leases selling as high as seven thousand dollars; three acres of
it, with wells, were afterward sold tor eighty-two thousand five hundred dol
lars. Other farms in the same field averaged still better than this. The
profit and loss account of Pithole represented many millions. At date
scarcely a trace of the city whose fame in a brief time extended to the ends
of the earth now remain, though afterward some good wells were had, and
at present a brisk development is in progress in some portions of the ter
ritory. Petroleum Center, on Oil creek, was scarcely less noted when at the
height of prosperity than Pithole, and nearly equaled it in size and impor
tance and possibly in wickedness. A few brief years of great prosperity
were followed by the failure of oil production in its immediate vicinity,
resulting in its abandonment, and now a store, a few dwellings, church
buUding, school house, and a railroad station are aU that remain to mark the
site of the once noted city.
Oil City, Franklin, TitusviUe, and Bradford are the marked types of the
survival of the fittest. The growth of these in all that goes to mark the
best elements of this enlightened and progressive age is an honor to each

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT, 335
and aU of their respective communities. This was not achieved without the
struggles incident to all other places. Each had seasons of depression that
left an impress at the time, from the beginning to the date of the systema
tizing of the oil business upon a legitimate basis.
Oil City's experience has been most notable. In March, 1865, a flood
swept away the business portion of the city. Scarcely had the destructive
element commenced to recede ere its energetic people proceeded to rebuild
again. In May, 1866, fire swept away the main portion of the city that had
been rebuilt. The property loss by the flood of 1865 was estimated at five
million dollars. For months business was practically suspended, and this
was to be added. The loss by the fire footed up over a miUion of dollars.
One item in the loss by the flood was tive hundred thousand barrels of oil
in boats and oil yards along the river and creek fronts. In this city as well
as in other sections of the petroleum territory, fire, fiood, business and
financial reverses have during the different years taxed its residents to what
has seemed the full measure of hiiman endurance. These were met and
overcome with the energetic spirit that everywhere and under all circum
stances has characterized the American people. The results are so apparent
as to need no special comment here, the subject being given in detail else
where. To do justice to the oil operators, or as they are generally termed, oil
men, whose energy, labor, and capital made the possibilities that have pro
duced the almost phenomenal results of the vast petroleum development, a
large chapter would be required. He was the man that prospected the ter
ritory and drilled the wells. Ever in the front he bore the heat and burden
of the struggle, taking the chances, at all times uncertain, and whether suc
cessful or otherwise, never losing faith or hope in himself. The writer
knows him well, and it is ever a pleasant task to bear testimony to the
merits of the type of enterprising, public spirited men who have made a
lasting mark on the most extensive and successful mineral development of
this busy age. No obstacle has yet proved too great for him to overcome.
Drake and his associates were the first prospectors, or "wild catters," and
the hundreds that have followed, improving in method, have made the work
that formerly required months of unremitting toil a mere matter of days. It
required over a year to drill the Drake well to a depth of sixty-nine and a
half feet. Drake's entire drilling outfit weighed about one hundred and
twenty -five pounds. The drilling outfit of to-day weighs from two thousand
to two thousand five hundred pounds, and in cases is even heavier. The
average depths in the different fields is from one thousand two hundred to
to one thousand five hundred feet, while the depth in the Washington and
lower fields is from two thousand to two thousand five hundred feet for oil
wells, and the gas veins are struck about nine hundred feet below the aver
age oil measures or rock. Ten days are only a fair record for drilling on

336 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the ordinary fields, though the average, except in case of unusual obstruc
tions or accidents, is from fifteen to twenty days for a well. And the cost
has been lessened, notwithstanding the increased depth, from one-half to
two-thirds. To enumerate the different appliances devised by the operator
to penetrate the earth to any desired depth and overcome all obstacles met
with is not requisite. The work of drilling an oil well at present date has
to be witnessed to be fully comprehended. All other oil well machinery has
kept pace with the drilling apparatus.
Thus equipped the operator goes forth to conquer every obstacle that
intervenes between earth's surface and its hidden treasures of oil or gas,
and he does so. He traced his belts or forty-five degree lines in the former
years, on the natural trend of mineral deposits, northeast to southwest,
and opened up many fields. Now he places his faith upon the kind of
sandrock he meets. The science of geology plays an important part. In a
clearing, hill- side, hill-top, cultivated farm, or in the forest the operator
builds his derrick, sinks his well, and if fortune favors him finds himself in
the midst of a productive oil field, of greater or less extent. This last is
determined by the many who follow and seek to profit by his venture. Pipe
lines aud settlement follow, towns spring up, and during the excitement
flourish and have more or less prosperity. In every direction and in the
different states extending from the productive fields of Pennsylvania and
Ohio to the far off prospective fields of Wyoming, Colorado, and on the
shores of the Pacific, the restless ' ' wild catter ' ' has pushed his way and
like Alexander of old, is constantly longing and seeking for new fields to
conquer. From the beginning he has been the pioneer of the business. Those
who followed reaped a more permanent harvest. He has ever been on the
skirmish line, cleared the way, and left to others the work of details. As
the business is a distinctive one, so is the oil operator among all other of
the men who are making the material business history of the great western
hemisphere. To him is the success that has resulted due, and upon his
constant ventures and apparently inexhaustible energy depend its extension
and permanence. As a class the oil operator is a gentleman who should be re
ceived with grateful impulses, for prosperity is sure to follow in every locality
in which he makes a successful strike. The benefits of increased wealth
that he gains for himself are but a small part of that which assures to so
many others, creating towns and cities and making prosperous and wealthy
what had before his advent been comparatively waste places. He needs no
fulsome eulogy. His achievements are a fitting and honored monument to
skill, industry, intelligent and unremitting effort.
The petroleum mining and business history is not dissimilar in general
respects to that of other mineral developments. If those who bore the
burden in the beginning failed to reap the harvest they had planted, it is

THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 337
mainly due to the cold fact that in the decrees of fate it has been denied
to individuals, save in exceptional cases, to realize more than a limited
share of earth' s wealth. In the beginning all were equal in this favored
field, and each and all had their innings.
As previously stated the intention of these sketches is to give an outline
of the fi-ame work upon which the petroleum, the greatest of the modern
business structures of the American nation, has been built, to date; slso
the leading features of the different years. To compress twenty- seven
years of such history, any one of which would make a volume the size of
this work, into a single, brief chapter, has not been an easy nor an enviable
task. No feeling of partiality toward class or locality has actuated the
writer. WhUe the omissions are doubtless many, the reader may attribute
these more to the limited space allotted to this one feature in what is in
tended to be a general history, than to any desire on the part of the writer.
The history of the petroleum development has yet to be written. Its prog
ress is too rapid to admit of more than a record of the passing events
which will furnish the historian of the future with such brief data as can be
noted in the busy whirl of its ever changing and rapid progress.
Without claim to prophetic vision the writer can see a future for the petro
leum business and those engaged in its various branches, in comparison with
which the results of the past are insignificant. The extension of the oil and
gas fields to present view appears to be without practical limit. It will only
require a few brief years to develop a succession of these from Pennsylvania
to the Pacific. Prosperity and aU that it entails have ever foUowed close on
the wake of this latest and most wonderful of the developments of nature' s
resources, stored for ages for the benefit of this, the most favored if not en
lightened, age of progress. Towns and cities will be built along the line
marked out, and the settlement along this will exceed in a few years, wherever
oil or gas is developed, that which a century of previous effort has failed to
accomplish. Heat, light, and power is the motto of petroleum, and all these
its products provide in practically inexhaustible measure. Its mission is
to light cities, supply heat, and whirl the wheels of every industry, prove
indispensable in art, science, and manufactures, sharing its benefits for the
best good, in cottage and palace, wherever it reaches. The present cities
and those that are to follow from its discovery will become busy centers of
manufactures and commerce, and their people reap the reward that has re
sulted in the past in far greater volume. An industry that in little over a
decade has taken rank as third in the list of exports from this vast conti
nent, and is as yet in the almost incipient state of its development, has
possibilities beyond ordinary comprehension. We can only deal with the
past and present of the petroleum industry. That we are now only in the
beginning goes without saying. In a few years present methods will be so
far superseded as to seem to the observer much as the first locomotive com-

338

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

pared with the elaborate structure of the present one. The pipe line will
be a familiar sight to the traveler as he journeys from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and Venango county, where the petroleum development had its
birth, will be found in history for all time to come.
The following table will furnish the reader an approximate basis of the
growth, value and extent of the petroleum development in Venango county
from 1859 to 1888:

Year
ls,Ml 
iSliO 
l.Siil 
l,^iii 
18(« 
l,^fU 
1865...- 
lS(i(i 
1807 
1S68 
ISIitl 
1870 
18T1 
1873 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
l^-SO 
18.81  ,
18S3 
1883 
1884 
18,85 
18.86 
1887 
1,S88 

No. Wells,

1
300300
400 500
1,0001,(11111 9110
900
1,0(10
1,0001,0441,4721,201
1,3611,3,50
2. mo
3,960
3,9543,0182,889
4,1943,8483,3693,8863,309
2,8573,5351,6791,504

Bbls. Produced.

2, 000'
200,000
2,110,000
;^,05,"i.ooo2,610.000
3,l:aO,000 3,731.0003,7:h2,ooo
3,,"j8:1oiio3,710,0004,3,")l,ooo5,371.0005,531,0006,357,0009,tl32,oiiO
Io,s83,oo0 8,.'<oi,0009,015.000
13,043,000
15,367,000 19.837,000
36,048,00037,238,000
30,460,00024,300,00023,500,00030,900,00026,150,00021,818,037 16,1^1,000

Av'ge Price. CoDsumptiOD.

Slock.

$20.00 9.6U2.731.05
3.15 9.87i6.-59
3.74 3,41
3.02^
5,63|3.894.848.641.83 1.17
1,35
2,.56i2.42 1.19 .8.51.94*-8.5|-781
1.05f

.71i
.66f.87f

3,156,-5285,553,6265,804,5779,391.226
8,802,5188,956,4399,740,461
12,739,90213,879,5381.5,971,80915,590,040
20,146,72621,888,09822,096,61223,500,00023,900,00026,750,00026,627,191 26,470,655

554,626532,000
1,084,4231,625,157
3,705,6393,550,2002,824,730
3,127.8374,615,299 8,470,490
18,928,430
26,019,704
84,596,61336,800,00036,800,000 33,800,000
33,000,000 28,310,282 18,595,474

',i*<iftic

S::^r /^-^

=^==

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 341

CHAPTER XXI.
CITY OF FRANKLIN.
Survey and Sale of the Town Plat — Settlement and Groavth —
Early Surveyors— The Old Merchants— Early Mechanics — Hotels
—The Press — "The Nursery of Great Men"— Early Physi
cians AND Lawyers— Some Old Ministers— The Pirst Sun
day- School— Incidents and Landmarks- The Old
Way of Traveling— Ancient Roads — The Old
Cemetery — Water, Light, and Scenery.
BOTH nature and the governments of this country destined this point to
be the county seat. It was at the confluence of two large streams,
anciently of more importance than now. France built her fort here as in a
commanding position; England did the same, and so did the United States.
All things then combined to make this meeting of the waters an important
point. The state reserved from general sales positions for four towns that were
laid out under direction of her engineers aud called, respectively: Erie,
Waterford, Warren, and Franklin. By act of March 24, 1789, the general
assembly declared that not exceeding three thousand acres should be sur
veyed at the fort of Venango, for the use of the commonwealth. By act of
April 18, 1795, commissioners were appointed to survey one thousand acres
of the reservation and lay out therein the town of Franklin. The name
first applied to the site by Coffen in 1753 is Ganagarahare. This name is
used but once. Then it is Weningo, then Wenango, Vinango, and finally
Venango. This engineering work was done by General William Irvine and Andrew
Ellicott. They arrived at Fort Franklin in the summer of 1795, accom
panied by a corps of surveyors and escorted by a company of state troops
under the command of Captain John Grubb, who subsequently settled in
Erie county, where he served for many years as justice of the peace and
associate judge.
After walking over the ground a plan was digested to suit the general
features of the landscape, and work commenced by running a street one hun
dred feet wide down the creek, then making an angle down the river. Other
streets were run parallel with Liberty until the flat was exhausted, when the

342 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
proper number of cross streets were made and the whole laid out in lots. In
the center of the town where Twelfth street crosses Liberty a large plat of
ground was reserved for a public park.
So far the good taste of the engineers was manifest, but when the nam
ing of the streets was undertaken, it would seem as though the only book of
reference at hand must have been the catalogue of some zoological garden,
as they adopted the names of beasts and birds and fishes and creeping
things of the earth. When the town became of sufficient importance to
speak of streets by names, the disgusted citizens repudiated these names and
a new system of nomenclature was adopted.
The surveys of the four towns mentioned having been completed, Irvine,
Ellicott, and George Wilson were appointed state agents for the sale of lots,
and in 1796 had the following advertisement inserted in the eastern news
papers: Agreeably to instructions from his excellency, Thomas Miflain, Governor ot this
Commonwealth, we shall offer for sale the following town and outlets of Erie, Water
ford, Franklin, and Warren, at the time and places hereafter specified, viz. ; The sale of
that portion of town and outlets of the several towns to he disposed of in the city of
Philadelphia will commence on Monday, the 35th day of July next; that portion of the
town and outlets of the several towns to be disposed of at Carlisle will commence at
that borough ou Wednesday, the 3i-d of August next; and the sale of that portion of
the town and outlots of the said towns to be disposed of at Pittsburgh will commence
at that borough on Monday, the 15th day of August next. William Ikvinb,
Andrew Ellicott,
George Wilson,
Agents.
A partial transcript of the original sales of lots at the places named
in this advertisement shows that the prices of inlots ranged from five dollars
upward, while outlots sold ' ' for a song. ' ' Nevertheless purchasers were
very scarce even at the extremely low figures paid for the most desirable
lots in the embryo borough of Franklin. The manner in which payments
were receipted is shown by the following ancient document:
Philadelphia, December 6, 1796.
Received of Anthony Beelen the sum of thirty-four j^g'o dollars, being the first pay
ment of one-half the purchase money for lot Number 561 in the town of Franklin, pur
chased by him at public auction at Pittsburgh on the 17th of August last.
Cleicent Biddle,
Receiver for the Commonwealth.
Many persons who purchased these lots soon lost interest in them, failed
to pay taxes, and thus left them to be sold for taxes. This accounlls for the
great number of treasurers' deeds that are connected with the history of
Franklin. This state of affairs inured greatly to the advantage of the early
settlers of the town. SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH.
George Power naturally commenced his house near Fort Franklin and

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 343-
just below the present upper bridge. It answered for house and trading
shop, as he was then a bachelor. In 1803 he built on the corner of Otter
and Elbow streets, a stone building for a house. It was pulled down in 1872.
A more extended account of Mr. Power is given in Chapter IX.
James G. Heron was probably one of the first to arrive after Power.
He was sometimes called Captain Heron. He was not a lawyer by educa
tion or profession, but filled the office of associate judge. He seems to
have come to Franklin at a very early day in its history. His name is not
connected with the military here, although he was an officer in the Revolu
tionary army, and he must have arrived very soon after the town was laid
out, as his name appears on the books of George Power the same year,
1795. In 1797 his name appears frequently on the books of Edward Hale,
where various goods are charged to him. This indicates that he was in some
kind of business, as his family had not yet arrived.
It is not known where Captain Heron came from, but most probably
from the eastern part of Pennsylvania. In 1800 he brought his family and
made his home here. The history of that migration of the Heron family
was a very romantic one, though it probably did not differ much from that
of other early families. All their effects in the way of housekeeping came
up the river, in a keel-boat, and were three weeks on the passage. The
family came by land, of course on horseback, and through an unbroken for
est, and by a blind trail, and most probably camping out by night.
One of Judge Heron's daughters married David Irvine, the first lawyer
who settled in the town. Mrs. Irvine was well known here in modern days,
as she was a frequent visitor as late as twelve or fifteen years ago. Her
last years were spent in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she died but a few years
ago. During her visits here it was her delight to talk of the town as she
knew it in the ancient times.
A curious fact is revealed by the inventory and appraisement of his per
sonal estate on file in the register's office. This contains the following
among other items, showing that Judge Heron brought slaves with him to
Franklin: "One negro girl named Nancy, to serve five years; one negro
girl, about three years to serve, named Patt, said to be in bad health. ' '
Judge Heron's death occurred at Franklin on the 30th of Decem
ber, 1809. We have the date and fact from the fragment, yet in existence,
of a newspaper called the Mirror, published at Erie, Pennsylvania, in the
following words: Thursday, January 4th.
Died: In the town of Franklin, Venango county, of a severe attack of the palsy,
on Saturday last. Captain James G. Heron, an associate judge of that county. Pa
triotism, benevolence, and charity were the ruling passions of his soul. The former
he invariably evinced by a warm attachment to, and disinterested service of his coun
try during the contest which achieved our independence . His social virtues were
such as highly endeared him to a numerous circle of relations and friends.

344 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The date of the year is torn off, yet circumstances combine to show that
the paper was published on Thursday, January 4, 1810, which would fix
the death of Judge Heron on the 80th of December, 1809.
Judge Heron is represented as a man of sterling worth, a useful mem
ber of society, and a judicious counselor. It is probable that his judicial
duties were not burdensome, nor his responsibilities great, yet he aided in
molding public opinion, when in a formative state. His widow lived to an
advanced age, and has a daughter, Mrs. Cutts, living now in Philadelphia.
In a letter written by Mrs. Mary Ann Irvine to Doctor Eaton, we have
these facts in regard to the early settlement of the town. The letter was
dated January 28, 1876, when the writer was in her ninety-third yeai'.
She has since been called to her rest.
Bear Sir: I sit down to give you a few items of my recollections of Franklin at
an early day. I have a notice of my father's death which I will send you. He was an
officer of the Revolution and was called Captain Heron until he was appointed asso
ciate judge. Then some people called him judge, and some captain. He came to
Franklin in 1800, with a large family. The family came byland. The servants, flve
in number, and the furniture came by water from Pittsburgh, in a. keel-boat, and
were three weeks on the voyage.
There were flve families in Franklin ^summer of 1800) when we arrived. Captain
George Fowler was in the fort, but no troops, as the Indians were friendly. The pick
ets were still standing, and the quarters of both offlcers and soldiers were in good
order. The fort was at the junction of French creek and the Allegheny river. Colonel
Alexander McDowell lived a little farther up the creek, in a log house without win
dows or doors. There was no carpenter in Franklin at that time. The settlers were
obliged to put up blankets where the doors and windows should have been.
There were a great manj' Indians about, who were very noisy when drunk. They
often encamped on the opposite aide of the creek, at the Point, and would whoop and
yell half the night. I never heard Mrs. McDowell say she was afraid of them.
Colonel McDowell came to Franklin in 1794. I do not know the month. He was dep
uty surveyor and an agent of the Holland Land Company, under Major Roger Alden,
of Meadville. Mr. H. J. Huidekoper had not come to this country at that time. Col
onel McDowell was also a magistrate. He built a log house on the hill, a short dis
tance from the creek, where he and his family lived after it was weather-boarded.
There was no carpenter nearer than the mcuth of Oil creek, to which place he sent
for Mr. Broadfoot, who came and brought his son, John, then about sixteen years of
age. They finished the house in 1802.
Mrs. McDowell spoke of everything being scarce, as is usually the case in new
countries.. Owing to the scarcity of garden seeds and chickens she was obliged to per
form a curious surgical operation. She had been fortunate enough to raise a few mel
ons, and was very careful of the seed. She washed them and put them in the sun to
dry. Not long afterward, in looking out, she saw a hen eating them. As she could not
afford to loose either the seeds or the hen, she sent a man to catch it, and taking a pair
of scissors she cut open the craw and squeezed out the precious contents. She then
sewed up the wound with a needle and thread, and set the hen down, who ran away to
join her two companions and began scratching as though nothing had happened. Mrs.
McDowell was a lively, energetic woman, a kind neighbor, and one that I liked
very much.
My friend George Power was not married when we came to Franklin. His mother,
a nice old lady, kept house for him. He was married to Margaret Bowman, Decern-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 345
ber 30, 1800.* He was a merchant, an excellent, honest man, amiable, kind, and liked
by all. Ne.xt were our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs, Edward Hale, very clever people, atid the
parents of Mrs. Andrew Bowman and Mrs, James Kinnear.
Marcus Hulings lived on the bank of French creek. He had a large family of
children. He ran a keel boat from Franklin to Pittsburgh, 1 do not know what year
he came to Franklin.
Abraham Selders also lived in Frauklin. He was a son-in-law of daddy and
mammy Hulings, as the}' were always called,
I do not think we had any preaching till 1801. Then a clergyman came, who
preached in our house, I do not know what denomination he belonged to, but I think
he was a Presbyterian. After that there was a small log cabin put up, with a clap
board roof. This building was used for a school house, and I had the honor of being
a scholar. Our first teacher was James Mason from Sugar Creek, who boarded around
with the scholars.
The Heron family came in 1800. There were then but five families in
the place: George Power, Edward Hale, Marcus Hulings, Abraham Sel
ders, and George Fowler. Mr. Power lived on Elbow street, near Otter;,
Mr. Hale, on what is now West Park street, at the corner of Liberty ; Mr.
Hulings, at the foot of Twelfth street on the bank of Frenck creek, and Mr.
Fowler, in the "Old Garrison."
Mrs, Fowler ruled her household with discretion and was a kind of
supreme court to her husband's justice's court. An incident in the life of
Samuel .Hays illustrates this. He was driving a yoke of oxen quietly along
the street, like Horace's friend, musing on unimportant things, when a
neighbor began to chaff' him for going barefoot through the streets. Mr.
Hays made no reply, but with his great ox whip proceeded to chastise the
impertinent fellow then and there.
The man went at once to Captain Fowler's office to get a warrant for
Mr. Hays' arrest. The squire, as they called him, was writing the war
rant, when Mother Fowler appeared on the scene and inquired:
' ' And what are you doing now, daddy ? ' '
" Why, I am writing a warrant."
" And who is the warrant for? "
"For Sam Hays."
' ' And who has the impudence to sue Sam Hays ? ' '
' ' Why, this man here, Mr. Thompson. ' '
' ' And what has Sam Hays done ? ' '
"He says he threshed him with his ox whip."
" And served him right, too, I warrant. Get out of my house with you,,
Thompson. I'll have nobody here suing Sam Hays."
Having cleared the house of the presuming neighbor, she took the half-
prepared warrant, tore it to pieces, and threw the fragments into the fire.
This original way of entering a nolle prosequi was no doubt judicious and
the best thing that could have been done in the case.
* According to the record in the old family bible, George Power married Margaret Bowman Decem
ber 30, 1799, and was not, ai stated by Mrs, Irvine, unmarried when the Heron family came to Franltlin in,
1800. The year of his marriage is also incorrectly given by Doctor Eaton as 1800 on page 84. See biography
on page 744.

346 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Mrs. McDowell used to relate some of her adventures with the Indians.
They were in the habit of encamping on the point across the mouth of
French creek. Sometimes they were quiet; at others, when the " fire water "
got amongst them, they were noisy and prolonged their orgies far into the
night, sometimes to the alarm of the quiet citizens. On one occasion an
Indian came to Mrs. McDowell's house to trade. He had nothing to trade,
but said " Me catch fish, very much fish. Me give white woman fish, get
moneys, Indian like moneys." "Well," said the lady, "bring me a nice
fish, and I will give you a silver shilling. " " Well, Indian bring fish, but
maybe white woman lie. ' ' On the assurance that there would be honest
dealing, the fish was brought, and the contract completed to the satisfaction
of all parties.
Colonel Alexander McDowell, like most of the others, came alone at first,
to break the way and make preparation for his family. The McDowell
family are Pennsylvanians throughout. They are found in Philadelphia
and in Franklin and in other counties east of the mountains, and are numer
ous to this day and occupy prominent positions in society.
Colonel McDowell first came here in 1794 as deputy surveyor and
agent of the Holland Land Company. After the exigencies of the time
required it, he was commissioned as a justice of the peace, and attended to
adjusting difficulties between man and man. In the year 1797 he brought
his family, having provided a log house, just below the present dam. After
ward, in 1802, he built a new house of greater pretensions for their accom
modation. It stood on what was then called the edge of the bluff, over
looking the creek. As we speak of localities now it was on Elk street be
low Eleventh, and just above Mrs. Bryden' s house. In this new building
there were neither windows nor door at first, but it was a house and had
goodly promise of being a luxurious abode some time in the future.
Blankets and sheets served to fill the places of doors and windows. The
latter came in due time. The carpenter who put the finishing touches to
the house was John Broadfoot, who, after this work, became a prominent
citizen. The house was weather- boarded, and stood until within a few
years as one of the ancient landmarks of the town. In this same house wall
paper was made to adorn the walls. It was the first wall paper ever seen in
Franklin. It was in sheets, thick and strong, and lasted until the house
was demolished in 1874. The paper was made with a light ground, and
pictures of boys and dogs in blue made it very attractive to the early
citizens. Colonel McDowell was well acquainted with Cornplanter and made him
his friend by his kindness and consideration in surveying his land and in
assisting him ic settling on a home of his own. He did not live to be old,
dying January 4, 1816, when but fifty-three years of age. Mrs. Sarah
McDowell survived her husband nearly half a century, dying in September,
1865, and being, according to the inscription on her tomb, one hundred and

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 347
three years of age. She was undoubtedly the oldest person who ever lived
in Franklin. There are portraits of these old pioneers still extant, that are quite
worth a journey to see. Judging from these, Colonel McDowell was a
gentleman of the old school, sedate, dignified, well accustomed to the
amenities of life, and well trained to the usages of society. Mrs. McDoweU
was a small woman, graceful in form, beautiful in feature and countenance,
and in her early days must have possessed unusual attractions. These por
traits are nearly one hundred years old, and show the skill of the artist in
drawing and coloring, as well as the dress and style of that ancient day.
Thomas Skelley McDowell was born April 26, 1803, son of Colonel Mc
Dowell. He lived here all his life and died within ten rods of the ancient
house just described, February 8, 1876. A large family followed, sons and
daughters, but they have all passed away from the scenes of time. Their
grandchUdren and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren are
amongst us at the present day, so that the name is not lost and it will be
long ere the memories of these pioneers are forgotten.
Edward Hale was the father-in-law of Andrew Bowman. Both were
among the early settlers. Edward Hale came from Fayette county, bring
ing his family with him on horseback, in 1798, and was a trader with the
Indians, and dealt in merchandise with the citizens. He was a man of
much enterprise, and bid fair to be one of the most prosperous citizens of
the town. He owned a large amount of property that in after years proved
to be valuable. In 1801 he leased a portion of the present park for agri
cultural purposes.
We find the following curious document among the papers left by Mr.
Hale: We, the trustees for the county of Venango, agree to lease to Edward Hale all
that part of the public square in the town of Franklin, which the said Edward Hale
has now under fence, at the rate of one dollar a year, until the ground which the said
Hale has now in cultivation is wanted for public use for the use of said county.
Jambs McClahan,
Albxandee McDowell,
June 10, 1801. Trustees.
Attest: John Johnston.
Mr. Hale was the father of Mrs. Sarah Bowman and Mrs. Jane Kinnear.
He was one of the first merchants of Franklin. Mr. Hale died young,
when he had just begun to develop his enterprise and capacity for business.
His death occurred in 1806, in the thirtieth year of his age. Mrs. Hale
afterwards married William Parker, father of the late George W. Parker,
of Sugar Creek, and took up her residence at Bear creek, on the river
below. The younger daughter, Jane H., married Colonel James Kinnear,
and lived among us until her death, March 81, 1870.
Later on appeared Samuel Hays,, an Irishman, who was destined to

348 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
make his mark in the history of the county, in its business and in its polit
ical affairs. He had largely the elements of popularity, and easily won his
way to distinction among his neighbors. Mr. Hays was a man of ability,
but owed his advancement more to a regular balance of judgment and cau
tion, and kindness and forbearance, and the ability to watch and wait, all
combined, than to any one quality or characteristic. And with this charac
ter of mind his life was a fortunate and prosperous one, from the popular
standpoint. He was a man who always had friends who would stand by
him in any emergency, and were always ready to assist in carrying out his
enterprises. He was a business man, and also a politician. He would give
attention to business and also keep in view his desires and prospects relat
ing to the political world.
Samuel Hays was born in Ireland, and came early to America to make
his home. Having his full share of enterprise, he soon sought out this new
town as his home and came to seek his fortune in 1803.
The probabilities are that he had very little in the way of capital to
begin with. But he had that Irish trait of looking to the main chance and
with industry, economy, and perseverance he was soon looked upon as one
of the rising men of Franklin, and not only of the town, but of the county
of Venango. And during the course of a rather long life he was called to
occupy nearly every office in the gift of the people. He was a Democrat of
the Democrats, yet he owed his political popularity rather to personal traits
already alluded to, than to mere political party.
Mr. Hays probably held a greater number of offices than any other man
in the history of Venango county. He was four times elected sheriff, viz. :
in 1808, 1820, 1829, and 1835. He was elected to the state assembly four
times, in 1818, 1816, 1823, and 1825; to the state senate twice, in 1822 and
1839; to the congress of the United States once, 1842. He was also mar
shal of the western district, and associate judge of the county in 1856. In
all these offices he acquitted himself well, and gave entire satisfaction to his
constituents. These offices also brought him into a general acquaintance
with public men at large, so that his influence was largely sought by his
neighbors and friends in political life.
In business Mr. Hays was largely engaged in the manufacture of iron.
Blast furnaces were at one time common in the county, and in these he was
engaged. Pig iron was almost the currency of the country, and in this bus
iness he was generally as successful as his neighbors. He also built a forge
on French creek about a mUe above town, that manufactured iron untU the
site was wanted for a pool in the slackwater of the creek.
The title of general was popularly given to Mr. Hays, but no one
remembers to have seen his commission. He was married first to Agnes, a
daughter of John Broadfoot, who died in 1839, and second to Mrs. McCon
nell, who yet survives. General Hays died in this city on the 1st of July,

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 349
1868, in the eighty-sixth year of his age, having lived here sixty-five years,
and noticed the growth of the place from a few cabins in the woods to a
flourishing city.
The first settlers came slowly, but they gradually gave consistence to
the town. The trees were cut down in the public square, as they called
it. The bushes began to disappear along the creek, and paths were worn
up and down the river. Better houses began to appear. Old John Broad-
foot's hands were full of work, and other hands than those of regular car
penters were extemporized that places of shelter might be provided for new
comers. George Fowler has been mentioned. He had come over as an English
soldier at the time of the Revolution, and was won by the promise of the
new country to remain. He lived with good dame Fowler in the " Old Gar
rison," afterward on Elk street near Ninth, and as justice of the peace used
his pen when called upon for help by the new burghers, in preparing papers
of legal import.
Marcus Hulings lived just down at the foot of Twelfth street. His log
house might have been seen a quarter of a century ago, looking out on the
creek. Mr. Hulings was a boatman, and ran a keel-boat between here and
Pittsburgh. The navigation was rather slow, yet tolerably safe. Sometimes
it required a voyage of three weeks to come from Pittsburgh to Franklin, but
the voyage down the stream was rapid. Besides, things did not move so
rapidly in those days as at the present, and dispatch was not expected.
John Broadfoot came from Oil creek. He was a Scotchman, one of the
genuine, honest, God fearing men that are produced in the land of oat meal,
amid the mountains and lakes of old Scotia. He came first to build Colonel
McDowell's house, then settled down himself as a citizen, and never lacked
employment as a carpenter. He became one of the first elders in the Pres
byterian church. His family consisted of one son, John, and four daugh
ters. Of these, one was married to General Hays, one to Robert and one to
Alexander McCalmont. The fourth, Betsey, remained unmarried, and died
May 11, 1857. The remains of the Broadfoot property yet linger on Buf
falo street.
Abraham Selders was the son-in-law of Mr. Hulings. He was appointed
justice of the peace in 1801, and elected commissioner in 1816. He was
much on the river, and was fond of hunting and proved himself a good citi
zen. Some of his descendants are still in the country.
Ezra McCall came early. He was a blacksmith and did the work in his
line for the town, bringing his iron in the keel -boat from Pittsburgh, and
burning his own charcoal as he needed it, on the bank of the creek.
Nathaniel Cary was one of the enterprising men of the early day. He
had a farm up on Oil creek, with oil springs on it. Here he collected the
oil by the blanket process and sold it in small quantities as medicine. He

350 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
is said to have carried the first cargo of Seneca oil, as it was then called, to
market. But it was not in large measure. The cargo was contained in two
kegs put in a bag and carried across the saddle of the horse on which he
rode. Whether the market was overstocked or not we are not informed.
William Connely came here in 1806. He was surveyor, politician, mer
chant, preacher, and in all used diligence and was an important man in his
day. He was county surveyor in 1817 and again in 1840-45. He repre
sented the county in the legislature from 1819 to 1821, and was appointed
associate judge in 1862. Mr. Connely died in this city May 28, 1871, in the
ninety-fourth year of his age.
The Kinnears, WiUiam and James, were brothers and were well known
citizens half a century ago. Some of William Kinnear' s family are liv
ing here at the present time, in the fulness of age and honor. James
Kinnear kept a hotel on the corner of Liberty street and West Park. It was
a famous hostelry in its day. With all his peculiarities the colonel was a
genial, kind-hearted man, and always made his guests comfortable. He was
county treasurer in 1819, and associate judge in 1845 and onward. His man
George was quite as much of a character as his patron, and had a very high
opinion of the character and dignity of the hotel.
The McCalmonts and Plumers and Moores came early to the town, and
many of the families have occupied places of prominence in society. Alex
ander McCalmont was sheriff in 1811, surveyor in 1812, prothonotary from
1818 to 1824, and appointed president judge in 1889. Arnold Plumer was
elected sheriff in 1823 and appointed prothonotary in 1830. He was also
member of congress four years and canal commissioner. William Moore,
grandfather of Doctor E. W. Moore, was the first prothonotary, being ap
pointed in 1805, and served until 1818. Then there were the Smiths, John
and Isaac, river men, whose delight was in piloting boats and rafts down the
river; and James Brown, whose wonderful exploits in djfumming he was fond
of relating. He, too, was a famous pilot in his day, and was in demand at
every " rafting flood " and "June fresh," as they were then called.
There were also the McClellands, George and Hugh, from Ireland, but
making Franklin their subsequent home and entering into business.
Andrew Bowman was born in Northampton county, and with his father's
family came to this county in 1795, settling in Sugar Creek township. He
commenced the tanning and shoemaking business there, and in 1813 came
to Franklin and carried on the same business at the old homestead, corner
of Elk and West Park streets. He was a man of great enterprise and in
dustry, and lived comfortably and prosperously until broken by age and in
firmity. He died November 18, 1859. Mr. Bowman was intrusted by his
fellow citizens with some of the best offices in their gift. He was success
ively sheriff, a member of the legislature, and prothonotary, discharging his
duties to the satisfaction of his constituents. The old homestead on the cor-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 351
ner of Elk and West Park streets was a grand house in its day. It was
a landmark until a few years ago, when it was pulled down and its place
left vacant. In that house a large and generous hospitality was dealt to the
friends and acquaintances of the family, and to all comers from town and
country. Mrs. Bowman was the eldest daughter of Edward Hale, and lived to an
advanced age. Her death occurred in July, 1871. Few women of the early
days of Franklin passed through as varied experience, or lived to relate as
great changes in the town as she. Her experience with Indians and wild
beasts on Bear creek was exciting. In the town itself, she could relate her
exploits in washing clothes in the ravine just in front of Mrs. Myers' house,
building her fire of the brushwood, and dipping the water from the brook
that then ran through that locality. The remembrance of her kindness and
quiet grace still lingers in the memories of many yet living among us, and
her quiet faith and godly life are a rich legacy to her children who yet sur
vive. Levi Dodd belongs to a long line of worthy ancestors, dating back more
than two hundred and fifty years. They settled in Connecticut, in New
Jersey, and in western Pennsylvania. Levi Dodd was the son of Ithiel and
Hannah (Lindley) Dodd, and was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
February 28, 1799, and in his early infancy was carried to Mercer county,
where his parents had located on a farm. Here he grew up, and as a boy
assisted in cultivating the paternal acres until the age of eighteen, when he
went to Plaingrove, Lawrence county, to learn the trade of a cabinet maker.
After acquiring a knowledge of his trade he was united in marriage to Julia
Ann Parker, of Mercer. Soon after this he removed to Cooperstown, Penn
sylvania, and in 1824 came to Franklin to make his home. Mrs. Dodd died
September 10, 1857. Mr. Dodd was again united in marriage to Mrs. Isa
bella Brown, of Sunville, Pennsylvania. He was a most efficient elder in
the church and a valuable laborer in the Sabbath school, and long stood al
most alone as an active, praying man in the church. He died May 10, 1881.
The population of the town in 1824 was about two hundred and fifty.
There were prominent amongst the families, the Parks, Plumers, McClel
lands, McCormicks, Kinnears, McCalmonts, Connelys, Ridgways, Morri
sons, Martins, Clarks, Gildasleeves, Sages, Dewoodys, Hulings, Crarys,
Blacks, Smiths, Mays, Seatons, Brighams, Smileys, Baileys, 'Kings, Gur-
neys, Kelloggs, Graces, McDowells, Hays, Dodds, Broadfoots, WiUiam
Raymond, Doctor Espy, John Galbraith, John J. Pearson, and Stephen
Sutton. After these came the Barclays, Hannas, Mackeys, Alexanders, Irwins,
Snowdens, Adamses, Thompsons, Renos, Woods, Andersons, Hoovers, Lam-
bertons, Cochrans, Dubbs, and others, until the time would fail to enumer
ate them all. The persons named above have nearly all passed away, but
many of their descendants are among the citizens of to-day.

352 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

EARLY SURVEYORS.
The lands must be surveyed. The boundaries must be marked, the
stakes set to distinguish between one man's possessions and another's. The
surveyor was an important man. It was important to have a competent
agent to do the work, if future trouble was to be avoided. It is quite likely
that the art of surveying was not as well understood in those primitive days.
It is quite certain, too, that surveyors were not as well provided with cor
rect instruments then, as now. The needle pointed to the magnetic pole
then, as now, but there was not the nicely adjusted instrument to take ad
vantage of the law of nature in this regard. And the wonder now is, not
that mistakes were made at times, but that more and greater errors did not
characterize the work of the early surveyors.
Alexander McDowell was the first surveyor. He was most likely a com
petent workman. Still, he was not here in an official capacity as surveyor.
He was rather agent for the Holland Land Company.
The first deputy county surveyor was Samuel Dale. He came on the
ground from east of the mountains soon after the erection of the county,
and immediately set to work. There were men wanting to have their land
run off by the surveyors, and so enter intelligently upon the work of clear
ing up their farms. He came in August, 1800, accompanied by John Irwin
as a deputy surveyor. Their first work was to survey the land of Peter
Dempsey, on which the town of Dempseytown now stands. From that
time onward their hands were full of work. And the work was well done.
In the books still extant are samples of his work that are models of neat
ness and correctness. He was a friend to Cornplanter and did much toward
reconciling the old sagamore to the settlement of the white people.
Mr. Dale represented the county in the legislature from 1808 to 1813.
In 181 2, when the war with Great Britian occupied the attention of the
county, a regiment was raised in Crawford and Venango counties to pro
tect Erie from a threatened attack of the British and Indians, of which he
was lieutenant colonel. He was thenceforward known as Colonel Dale.
He acquired property here that required his presence often after making his
home in Lancaster, and in process of time his son, Samuel P., came here
to make his home. The family of the latter are here now, as weU as his
brother, Charles H. Dale.
In 1812 Colonel Dale was succeeded by Alexander McCalmont, whose
versatile work iu various directions we have already noticed. Mr. McCal
mont held the office for five years, and was succeeded by his father-in-law,
WUliam Connely. This was in 1817, and Mr. Connely discharged the duties
but a single year, when John Irwin, who had had ample experience with
Colonel Dale, took the compass and Jacob staff. He was a very correct
man, and his work shows him to have been careful and painstaking.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 353
He gave way in 1824 to Richard Irwin, his nephew, who held the office
for fifteen years. He was perhaps the most careful, methodical, and correct
surveyor the county has ever had. Beyond a doubt he was the most useful
man, in cases of land litigation, that the courts have found, as his memory
of surveys, locations, lines, and even corners of tracts seemed never to fail
him. Richard Irwin was born in Buffalo Valley, Northumberland county,
not far from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1798. He came with his
parents to Venango county in May, 1802. He had the advantages of some
school privileges — none of the best, however. But instead, he was carefully
instructed by his uncle, John Irwin, the surveyor. His first practical train
ing was in the laying out of the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike.
He became deputy surveyor when twenty-six years of age, doing his
fii'st work on the Porter farm, below Franklin. His work shows for itself
and manifests his patience, skill, and neatness in detail. He always wrote
with a quill pen, and was careful in his manuscript, so that it could be read
like printed matter. He was in great demand in the courts in land trials,
and his judgment was generally accepted as final. He was an associate
judge from 1838 to 1843. In 1848 he was a presidential elector, casting
his vote for Taylor and Fillmore. On the 5th of March, 1834, he was
united in marriage to Hannah White, daughter of Reverend Hezekiah May.
After the death of his first wife, he was married again in February, 1855,
to Mary A. Lamberton, of Erie, who survived him until July, 1887.
Judge Irwin was a most estimable man. His judgment was sound, his
intuitions clear, and his conclusions just. Whilst slow to act, his mind was
logical and his conscience active. He was one of the most valuable of our
citizens, and his advice and counsel much missed when he was called away.
He died at a ripe old age, in November, 1882.
the old merchants.
One of the first necessities of a civilized town is the general store. It
comes with the earliest inhabitants. The first at Franklin was that of George
Power. Very soon after him was Edward Hale,* as is evident from some of
the account books still in existence. Then in 1801 came John Wilkins, prob
ably from Pittsburgh. Archibald Tanner was one of the early dealers. He
married a daughter of Alexander McDowell, and afterward moved to Warren,
where he was one of the prominent citizens until his death. He was long
an elder in the Presbyterian church. James Harriott was also a merchant.
^A'illiam Connely, already noticed as versatile in his tastes and employ
ments, was also for a time a merchant, as were also his sons-in-law, Arthur
Robison and Alexander McCalmont. The latter advertises his wares in the
Herald in 1822. To afford an idea of the kind of stores then in vogue, some
of his articles are summarized: "Groceries, books, stationery, blankets,
? saddles, bridles, powder, lead, flints, steel, snuff, indigo, madder, copperas,
alum, turpentine, shoes, weavers' reeds, almanacs, etc."

354 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
He advertises that all kinds of produce will be taken in payment, from
wheat to beeswax and from butter to whiskey. Mr. McCalmont was also
sheriff and surveyor, prothonotary and clerk, lawyer and judge.
Other merchants were: WUliam Kinnear, Charles R. Barclay, James
Bennett, F. G. Crary, Arnold Plumer, Hugh McClelland, William Ray
mond, Myron Park, Jacob Dubbs, Robert Lamberton, William Henry, and
others. Of these, Mr. Barclay moved to Punxsutawney. Arnold Plumer was
one of the most prominent citizens already referred to, born in 1801 and
died April 28, 1869. Mr. Crary carried on business largely at the mouth
of Oil creek, now Oil City. Hugh McClelland was an Irishman and a
bachelor, born in 1798, and died in 1840.
William Kinnear was from the Emerald isle, born in 1773, and came to
this country in 1785. He first came to "Pithole Settlement" about 1800,
and moved to Franklin in 1811. He had a store on the corner of Liberty
and Twelfth streets. His first place of business, however, was in his dwell
ing, corner of Elk and Tenth streets, where he resided from 1812 to his
death, September 30, 1844. The lot was afterward occupied by his son,
Francis D. Kinnear. Mr. Kinnear was also a justice of the peace and com
missioner, a good citizen, and a prominent member of the Methodist church.
His daughters, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Smiley, and Mrs. Bush
nell, as well as his son, F. D., all settled in Franklin. The two younger
daughters still survive.
William Raymond is the oldest of the early merchants yet living. He
was born in Wilton, Connecticut, in 1799, and came here in 1823. 'His
store was opened on Liberty street on the site of the building now owned by
Mr. Dodd. All the years from 1823 to about 1861 he occupied that point
as a store. He was county treasurer in 1833-34. He was married to Nancy
Kinnear, daughter of William Kinnear, and still lives to enjoy life and the
society of old friends.
Myron Park was another New Englander. He was born in Sheffield,
Massachusetts, July 8, 1797, and came to Franklin in 1824. His first home
here was the house built by himself, on the corner of Elk and South Park
streets, recently torn down. His store was on Liberty street. As a merchant
he had good taste and sound judgment and conducted his business fairly
and judiciously. One who knew him in his New England home said he was
one of the handsomest young men who had ever left his native town. He
was a gentleman in every sense of the word, modest, thoughtful, and kind
to all with whom he came in contact. He died suddenly in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, February 16, 1863. He served as county treasurer in 1829-30,
Robert Lamberton was one of the most successful merchants of Frank
lin. He was born in the neighborhood of Londonderry, Ireland, March 20,
1809, and came to Franklin in 1830. Soon afterward he commenced a little

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 355
store, that gradually increased until it embraced as many articles as are enum
erated by Alexander McCalmont in his advertisement. After some years he
was in the irpn business, and from 1860 to 1872 he conducted a bank. He
was associate judge of the courts of Venango county from 1862 to 1866; also,
long an elder in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Lamberton married Margaret
Seaton. His death took place on the 7th of Augtist, 1885.
There were two Englishmen, Samuel Bailey and George Brigham, who
came here to settle as young men. Samuel Bailey was born in England,
April 10, 1795, came to Venango county in 1817, and soon after settled in
Franklin. He married Mary, eldest daughter of William Kinnear, Novem
ber 4, 1819, and died September 14, 1855. George Brigham was born in
Hull, Yorkshire, England, June 7, 1788, and came to Franklin in 1817.
December 2, 1819, he married Catharine, eldest daughter of George Power,
and died October 19, 1846, in his fifty-ninth year.
James Bleakley was another merchant who was in business forty years
ago. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1820. He
learned the printing trade, purchased a paper, became a merchant and
broker, and carried on a banking business. He was married to Elizabeth
Pubbs, and died but a few years ago.
There was often a brisk trade kept up with the Indians. They had no
money, but in favorable seasons had peltries and furs and venison and bear
meat. These they brought in for exchange. But they did not always bring
these articles when they wished to purchase. They asked and obtained
credit. It is astonishing to look over the books of George Power and Edward
Hale and see the amount of credit that was given these wild men, and the
supposition is that they were generally honest and paid their debts. All
manner of ridiculous and absurd names are found on these books as the re
cipients of credit. But the purchases were largely whiskey at probably
good prices, though they sometimes bought trinkets, blankets, and an unmen
tionable article that all Indians at that day wore. The women asked credit
as well as the men. They bought chiefly beads, red blankets, and handker
chiefs. Mr. Power had the following experience with his Indian customers.
One bright morning several of the "red-browed forest rangers," as the poet
calls them, came in, one of them with a remarkably fine fox skin. It was
of the silver-gray variety and valuable. It was thrown upon the loft where
he kept his peltry. The said loft was but half a story in height, with a
window on the gable overlooking the creek. In the course of two hours
another Indian came in with a silver gray that was likewise bought and
thrown up on the loft, in the haste of trade. Twice more in the course of
the afternoon the same variety of fox was brought and purchased. Mr.
Power began to think it was a very good day for silver foxes and congratu-

356 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lated himself on the success of the day's business, and concluded to look
at his fox skins. An examination showed that there was but a single skin
of that persuasion on the loft. But the open window and the log cabin
induced him to think that the red brother had outwitted him, and that he
had bought the same skin three times too often. So the trade was set down
to profit and loss. EARLY MECHANICS.
Mechanics came as they were needed and were more valued then than
now, as there was little or no machinery. Abraham Selders was the first
stone mason, and builded as good walls in his day as could be expected with
cobble stones and spawls. With the grand stones on which the hills rest,
begging to be quarried, it was only in later days that they were used for
building purposes. The early walls were all built of stones that could be
gathered up without quarrying.
Boat building became an important branch of industry, as the trade up
and down the river and creek must be attended to. The Ridgways, Noah
and John, who came in 1801, gave attention to this and had places along
the river where they turned their boats, as they termed the process of get
ting them into the water. Noah Ridgway' s name occurs quite early among
the patrons of George Power" s store.
The first hatter was Edward Patchel, who came here from Pittsburgh.
His name is handed down to all time by having been given to the run
that meandered through his possessions — Patchel' s run. He made good
substantial hats. He was never ashamed to meet a man wearing his hats,
unless from the superfiuity of fur that adorned it. He made one famous hat
whose history has come down to us. He had a poor, uncared for colt that
had never experienced the tender mercies of the curry comb in its life. As
a result, the hair had grown long and thickly matted during the winter.
Nature had cared for its unprotected condition by giving it a very thick mat
of hair. When the spring came, this mat of hair came off in a body, and
the hatter was seized by an idea. Such material should not be wasted.
Accordingly the fleece of hair was gathered up and felted into a hat, the
first of its kind ever manufactured. The subsequent history of that hat is
not known. If Mr. Patchel had descendants, it may be in use to this day.
Andrew Dewoody was a pupil of Mr. Patchel, and learned the trade
well and truly, for his hats were durable as those of his master. They
were really wonderful hats. They had stiff, heavy bodies, and were most
luxuriantly covered with fur. They were not the bald, barren looking
affairs of the present day, rounded off on the crown like a cone that had
failed to reach its proper terminus, and without fur to protect it, but gopd,
honest, generous hats that would last a lifetime.
Some of the old citizens well remember Mr. Dewoody' s sign, first on
Liberty street and then on Elk, near the old homestead. It was painted by

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CITY OF FRANKLIN. 359
one of the early artists of the town, and had the picture of a beaver on it,
with the name of the hatter underneath. Mr. Dewoody kept up his shop to
the last, but the world moved too fast for his fur hats, and he did not aspire
to silk. The smooth, flabby hat was adopted, and he furnished his cus
tomers with the most substantial variety. But one of those old fur hats
would be a curiosity in these days not to be undervalued. Mr. Dewoody
lived to be an old man, and was respected by the neighbors as a good citizen.
He died March 11, 1862, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, leaving numer
ous descendants.
John Broadfoot was the first carpenter, and did his work in good, ortho
dox style, not building for all time, but yet substantially and well.
After the lapse of years John Singleton began to make brick, and ere
long some of the people aspired to brick houses, albeit in 1848 there were
but four brick houses in the town, and very little stone work under them.
John Witherup was the contractor for the building of the first jail and
court house, and did the work as well as could be expected in those days.
He was not an explorer in the hills, seeking large blocks of stone, but was
content to gather up the loose stones of the valley and work them into his
walls. Mr. Service was the first saddler, and made good, honest work. His
place was fronting West park, between Elk and Liberty streets. For the
building of the first Presbyterian church he subscribed five dollars in sad
dlery, and thereby showed his good will to the work and assisted in keeping
the current of trade moving.
As we find Tubal Cain soon appearing in the antediluvian society, to
work in metals and help his fellow men in the great struggle for life, so we
find a follower of his in the early Franklin community. He was the first of
those who wrought in iron. In other words, Ezra McCall was the first
blacksmith. There were not many horses to shoe, but there was plenty of
work of other kinds. He could forge axes in his humble smithy, and do all
other work that was called for, and make himself useful.
After him came John Lupher. He had his shop near where the Ex
change hotel now stands. He was a military man, too, in his time, being
captain of the militia. He was a Pennsylvania German, and still retained
a little of the accent that pertains to that people. On the first day of the
muster he overheard a neighbor say, " I wonder if the Dutchman will ex
pect us to mind him when he gives orders. ' ' This little speech gave him
the courage of Napoleon, and when the company was drawn up the captain
elevated himself to the full extent of his inches, and with stentorian voice
cried out, "The first man that refuses to obey orders will be placed under
guard and kept untU sundown. " The old captain said "the Dutchman"
had no further trouble after that. Mr. Lupher moved to a farm after a
while and lived to an advanced age.

360 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Later was George Grieshaber, a noted man in his day here. He was a
German, and had served as blacksmith and cavalryman in the Austrian
army. He was a good workman, but had a queer way of doing his work.
He never took the horse's foot in his hands whUe shoeing. Some one must
hold the foot during the operation. If Ferdinand, his helper, was not
there, and this was of frequent occurrence, then the owner of the horse
must hold the foot whilst George hammered and rasped. He was a talka
tive little man, very funny and fussy, and quite dramatic in his way of talk
ing. He would gesticulate and go through all the motions in the act he was
describing. His code of ethics had not been learned in this country, but
had been picked up in the region of the Danube, and would not pass as or
thodox in these days. Still, he tried to be an American, but although he
never succeeded he showed his good will by trying.
On one occasion two neighbors had a lawsuit before a justice. The suit
did not amount to much, and the witnesses kindly agreed to forego their
claim for costs. Meeting one of these witnesses the blacksmith accosted
him: " I say, Cheem, did you forgive your costs, too?" "Yes." " Well,
you're a fool! " " Why do you think so ? " " 'Cause, I say any man is a fool
as will schwear his soul away for twenty-five cents and then forgive the
debt." John Paden made chairs here in 1826. He, too, subscribed of his wares
to the building of the new church, and at the same time exhibited specimens
of his work.
The Alexanders, father and son, worked at the cabinet making business,
and specimens of their work still linger in the old houses of the town.
Jeremiah Clancy made shoes, and at times kept hotel on Thirteenth
street. He came in 1819 and died in 1873. He was a native of Ireland and
a Catholic — one of the first in Franklin.
In those early days they had no butchers. Families provided for them
selves in the autumn by salting down both beef and pork and depending on
these supplies for subsistence. It is only within the memory of persons now
keeping house that meat could be purchased as needed through the summer.
There were some hunters, however, who provided game in season and who
gave themselves wholly to the chase, not for sport, but as a means of liveli
hood. Doubtless the taste for woods life had very much to do with the em
ployment, and so business and pleasure were combined.
James Adams had a pottery down in the neighborhood of the old forts.
The ware was probably more useful than ornamental, but it answered a good
purpose. He was followed in this line by Abraham Kennedy. Nathaniel
Cary, Jr., was in later days the tailor. Elihu Butler repaired the watches,
and at times practiced dentistry. J. R. Sage was the house builder. John
Ridgway was the boat builder. And so every man found his mission, and
there was plenty of work for all who wished to be employed.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 361

In 1824 there were three hotels in the town. George Power, the old
pioneer, had a hotel on Otter street, in the old stone building that was torn
down several years ago. George McClelland had one on the site now occu
pied by the United States, and Colonel James Kinnear was occupying the
old brick that stood on the corner of Liberty and West Park. The Kin
near house was a famous hotel in its day. Travelers throughout the country
considered it a luxury to stop there. The colonel was so genial and kind,
his table so home-like and quiet, that it seemed more like visiting at the
house than receiving public entertainment. But withal, the house was
somewhat exclusive. There was a majesty and a precision, with all its
neatness and kindness, that showed there was a choice in the guests. Old
George, the hostler, perhaps illustrated the idea in a conversation with one
of the traveling guests: "If a man comes along with a buggy and sleek
horse, with a silk hat and gloves, he can stop, sir. But, if he comes with
a wagon, or on foot, with a straw hat and coat off, he can't stop, sir; he
must go on farther, sir. ' '
Lewis T. Reno, father of General Reno, kept a hotel afterward, on the
corner of Otter and Thirteenth streets. Jeremiah Clancy accommodated
the public on the corner of Elk and Thirteenth. Edward Pearce had a
hotel on the west side of the lower French creek bridge. Luke Turner was
a prominent hotel man at a later date, as was also Lucius Pike. There was
a famous hotel too, on Liberty street, on the site of Martin & Epley' s
drug store. Thomas Hulings, John Evans, and Arthur Robison kept there.
But few of these landmarks now remain. They have yielded to the press
ure of time. THE PRESS.
The history of the newspaper press, given in a previous chapter,
forms an interesting study. For years it had a constant struggle, but at
last it is well patronized. The first newspaper was called the Venango
Herald, established in 1820. After this were the Venango Democrat, in
1824; the Democratic Republican; the Franklin Intelligencer, in 1834; the
Democratic Arch, in 1842, and the Franklin Gazette, in 1844.
There are some copies of these papers yet extant, and they relate a per
sonal history, as well as throw light upon the history of the county. They
tell of poverty and self-denial. The early papers were small. The ma
terial of the office did not not admit of good work, and the poverty of the
people did not admit of good patronage. It was not easy to make a good
paper in those days. Mails came once a week, and then the news was slow
in finding its way. A fragment of a paper of the date of April 22, 1820,
has, as one of its news items, an account of the duel between Commodore
Decatur and Commodore Barron, near Washington, that occurred just one

362 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
month before. The papers of the county now are equal to the best in the
country. ' ' THE NUESEEY OF GREAT MEN. ' '
The public has not been slow to recognize merit in our public men.
And the record of these public men has been uniformly good. It will com
pare favorably with the record of any set of men in any period of the coun
try's history. And there has been the opportunity of judging. Old Ve
nango has always had her share of the public offices, and her county seat is
well entitled to be called " The Nursery of Great Men."
As an evidence of this, John Galbraith was congressman; Arnold Plumer
was congressman, marshal of the western district, state treasurer, and canal
commissioner; Samuel Hays was congressman and marshall of the western
district; Doctor George R. Espy was auditor general ; James Ross Snowden
was state treasurer, director of the mint at Philadelphia, and prothonotary
of ,^the supreme court; James Thompson, John C. Knox, and John Trunkey
were judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and Generals Jesse L,
Reno, Alexander Hays, and Alfred B. McCalmont won distinction in de
fense of their country' s flag.
EARLY PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS.
The early fathers did not seem to feel the necessity of physicians for
trifling diseases as we do in modern times. There were plenty of herbs and
plants in the fields and on the hillsides. These were gathered in their sea
son and hung up in the chimney corner to dry. Hemlock boughs could be
obtained at any time. Many a careful mother could treat measles and
whooping cough equal to a professor, and when there were no medical men
at hand, self-reliance, experience, and common sense were all called into
requisition and generally succeeded very well. Still, professional physicians
were desirable, and judging from the testimony of the old people, this town
has been favored with very skillful medical men.
The first to hang out his sign was T. G. Symonds, who located here
about the close of the last century, and probably remained but a short time.
The next was Thomas Smith, said to have been a skillful physician, but an
eccentric man. Doctor George R. Espy appears upon the scene in 1820.
He disposed of his practice in 1831 to J. Bascom. Another popular physi
cian of this period was John D. Wood, while Doctors Peter Faulkner, J.
Dowling, and GilfiUan were equally well known. Doctors N. D. Snowden
and B. Gillett did nearly their entire professional life-work here, and were
alike beloved and trusted. The former had a large country practice; the
labor and exposure incident thereto wore him out prematurely. Doctor Gil
lett had a taste for surgery, and his operations were characterized by a deft
ness and precision rarely equaled.
Lawyers also came eariy. This region was newly settled, and they

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 363
probably thought to grow up with the country. The pioneer in this profes
sion was David Irvine, then a young man of considerable talent, who came
in 1806, The next was David La Fever, and the third was John Galbraith,
who removed here from Butler in 1819, thence to Erie in 1887. Alexander
McCalmont was admitted to practice about 1820, and John J. Pearson came to
Franklin from Mercer in 1828, but after a few years went back to that town.
Then follow iu succession James Thompson, subsequently chief justice of
the state; John W. Howe, and James Ross Snowden, both of whom held
high official positions; Samuel Porter Johnson, Thomas S. Espy, William
Stewart, Jonathan Ayres, and James S. Myers. These were the most prom
inent members of the early bar. The legal profession had something of an
itinerant character in those days. The attorneys followed the judge on his
periodic visits to the different county seats, thus acquiring a wide acquaint
ance in the counties comprising the district. All of the foregoing attorneys
are spoken of in the chapter on the bench and bar of the county.
SOME OLD MINISTERS.
Very early in the history of the town came the ministers of the gospel.
The first sermon was in 1801, by a Presbyterian minister, no doubt one of
the missionaries sent by the Synod of Pittsburgh or Presbytery of Ohio.
The services were held in David Irvine's house, Affer this a log house
was built for public purposes, and used as a school house, and for
preaching by any ihissionary who might come to our place. This was not
very often for the first few years, but gradually, as the town improved,
these ministrations became more frequent. Ordinarily the missionaries took
long trips, commencing at Pittsburgh and stopping at each settlement as
they passed, reaching Franklin, and so on up the river to the Pithole set
tlement, as it was called, to Warren, and then across to Erie, and back, by
the way of Meadville, home. They rode on horseback, and depended on
the hospitality of the people, who were always glad to receive them and
entertain them.
One of these missionaries relates that on one of his tours he carried
with him a small paper of tea, as the families usually made tea of hem
lock boughs. Feeling greatly fatigued with the ride, he asked the woman
in whose house he had stopped to make him some tea, giving her his pack
age of tea. Greatly to his surprise, when invited to sit down at the table,
he found that the entire package had been boiled at once on the supposi
tion that it was designed for greens.
After some years had passed a prayer meeting was commenced, led by
Mr. Bowman and Mr. Dodd, assisted by others. It met first in one of the
jury rooms in the old court house, and was kept up until a church was
regularly organized, and the ministrations of the gospel procured. Who
shall tell the influence of these early religious meetings in forming and
crystallizing public opinion in the town ?

364 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Franklin has not been a " Saint's Rest." Yet several of the old ministers
of the country have had their dwellings here. One of the first was Reverend
Hezekiah May. He was of old Puritan stock, and was born at Haddam,
Connecticut, on Christmas day, 1773. His early opportunities were good,
and he so improved them that he was able to take his degree at Yale Col
lege about the time he was of age. It is probable that according to custom
in those days he studied theology privately and was licensed and ordained
in the Congregational church. The Penobscot Indians were then numerous
in New England, and Mr. May embarked in missionary work among them
under the care of ' ' The New England Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Maine." Here he remained, in the neighborhood of Bangor,
several years, visiting the Indians, studying their habits, and endeavoring
to minister to their spiritual comfort.
In 1816 he removed to Binghamton, New York, then to Oswego, and
then to Painted Post, preaching as opportunity offered, and making himself
generaUy useful. He came to Franklin in 1830, preaching and caring for
the interests of the Bible society. Next we find him in the neighborhood of
Tionesta, and after awhile settled in the village of Tionesta. Here he spent
the remainder of his days. He died July 4, 1843. In his mature days he
was a fine, portly looking man, with great native dignity. He had a vein
of wit that afforded great amusement to his friends at times. On one oc
casion, a neighbor was lamenting that he had no family coat of arms. "I
can suggest one, ' ' said Parson May. "I will be greatly obliged to you if you
will." Said Mr. May: "Two stiff- standers, one cross-beamer, one down-
hanger with a noose at the end. ' ' The neighbor might have replied in dis
gust that he would be hanged if he would accept such a coat of arms. Mr.
May was married early in life to Margaret White of Boston.
Reverend Robert Ayres was one of the early ministers. He came from
Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He made his advent on horseback with his
family, and was long a prominent figure in society here. He was an Epis
copal minister, but gave his attention chiefly to teaching, being one of the
teachers in the old academy. He was a very precise man, and always main
tained himself with great dignity. His home was down on the corner of
Liberty and Eleventh streets. One of his daughters was married to Thomas
S. McDowell, one to John Galbraith, and a third to Mr. Brashear. Mr.
Ayres was born in 1761, and died in FrankUn, October 5, 1845.
Reverend Nathaniel Randolph Snowden was another of the ancient min
isters. He came from east of the mountains, and was a man of good educa
tion and culture. In 1793 he was pastor of the Presbyterian churches of
Paxton and Derry, near Harrisburg. In 1805 he was pastor of the Second
Presbyterian church in Pittsburgh ; in 1824 he was at Millersburg, Pennsyl
vania. Whilst here, he, too, taught in the old academy. He was the
father of Doctor N. D. Snowden, J. Ross Snowden, and Mrs. Judge Thomp
son, all of whom resided here.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 365
Another of the teachers was Reverend Thomas F. Magill, a Presby
terian. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 16,
1811, and was here about 1833. He afterward preached at Wellsville,
Ohio; also at Urbana, where he died September 20, 1852, of typhoid fever.
He was a good and useful man, and stood in his lot until his work jvas
done. THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Sunday schools are a very important feature of religious work in Frank
lin at the present time. It will be interesting to look to the beginning of
the work, and see some of the people who were engaged in it. A very few
of them linger among us still. And the influence of this first school was
most blessed on the town and community. It was the nucleus of other
schools and churches, as the years rolled by.
The first Sunday school was founded in 1824 through the direct infiu
ence of Reverend Timothy Alden, president of Allegheny College of Mead
ville, Pennsylvania. He was a Presbyterian minister, but the school was
undenominational, the whole town joining in the work. The real founders
were John Lupher and John Martin, who were Methodists, and Andrew
Bowman and Levi Dodd, Presbyterians. These men acted as superintend
ents during the first year, and some of them for many years. The school
was opened in the academy, and its novelty drew many of the people to en
gage in its duties, or to look on and see how the others were employed.
From S. C. T. Dodd's history of the school, we learn that the first teachers
were Jotn Lupher, John Martin, Andrew Bowman, Levi Dodd, William
Parker, William Raymond, Nathaniel G. Crary, Robert McCalmont, Mrs.
D, Irvine, Miss Nancy Kinnear (afterward Mrs. William Raymond), Miss
Sarah Parker (afterward Mrs. Sage), Miss Mary Anderson, Miss Margaret
McCleUand (afterward Mrs. Arnold Plumer), Miss Jane McClelland (after
ward Mrs. N. D. Snowden). Mrs. N. R. Bushnell, Mrs. Jacob Mayes, Mrs.
S. P. Dale, and G. C. McClelland were at first scholars and afterward teach
ers. Of these teachers, all have gone except William Raymond, Mrs.
BushneU, Mrs. Mayes, and Mrs. Dale.
During the second year of the existence of the school, it met in one of
the jury rooms in the first court house. The school was small, not averag
ing more than twenty scholars, and for many years lived only through the
persistent labors of Mr. Bowman and Mr. Dodd. In the year 1829, it met
in Mr. Bowman's shoe shop on the corner of Elk and West Park streets.
Gradually as the town increased, and regular churches were organized, the
school crystallized in a Presbyterian Sunday school, and a Methodist school
¦was organized in 1832. Both schools prospered and did a good work, and
as other churches were organized, other schools were established and
equipped for work. A small library from the American Sunday School

366 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Union was procured at the first start of the school. This has been supple
mented again and again, as the need required, to the present time.
The mode of instruction at the first was to take a portion of the Script
ure and read it in tum by the scholars. Then questions were asked and
difficulties explained, according to the taste and ability of the teacher. After
ward the Union Question Book, published by the American Sunday School
Union, was procured for many years. At one time, commencing in 1850,
the school commenced with the first chapter of Genesis and went regularly
through as far as Hebrews, when the present international lessons were
adopted. This work required twenty-one y^ars to accomplish. This little
school, so humble in its origin, no doubt accomplished great good through
all the years of the past. Many persons have testified that they there got •
ihe direction that made their lives a success, and that was leading them to
a better Ufe beyond. INCIDENTS AND LANDMARKS.
The old people who have passed away related a tragic incident connected
with Indian life and Indian law. It was a case of trial followed by imme
diate execution, and was witnessed by Mrs. Bowman in her early childhood.
The victim was an ancient squaw, and the charge was witchcraft. Just
how the charge was substantiated, and how the witchcraft was practiced has
not come down to us, but we know the place and the circumstances con
nected with it.
The scene was on the bank of the little stream that then crossed West Park
street,near the front of the Presbyterian church. It was a point half-way from
West Park to Thirteenth street. A council had been called. They sat in sol
emn silence for a time, with the victim in the midst. After pow- wowing for
a while the charge seemed to be sustained, the poor squaw in the meantime
sitting silent and unmoved. Another moment of silence, when a warrior
arose, approached the woman with his knife, raised her left arm, and
plunged the blade into her heart. As it occurred among the Indians, and
was in accordance with the unwritten law of the savage, the white people
took no notice of it. But the child that was an unwilling witness to the
deed was almost distracted, and fled to one of the neighboring houses.
Another early tragedy was the murder of George Power' s brother on his
way to Pittsburgh, by the way of what is now Harrisville. The murder
was the act of au Indian, and occurred about twelve or thirteen miles from
Franklin. It had been premeditated, and the object was robbery. It was
cowardly, too, as the savage had cut a tree so it would fall across the road,
lodging upon another on the opposite side. In this ambush the Indian lay
until his victim came by, when he fired upon him and compassed his death.
The Indian was afterward seen with Mr. Power' s gun, but no punishment
followed.

CITY OF FRANKLIN, 367
The old diamond well was an ancient landmark. It is no longer visible,
but the older citizens well remember it. It was located just by the side of
the walk leading from Snook's block to the court house, perhaps a hundred
feet from the corner of Snook' s block. The well seems to have been the
joint contribution of several public-spirited individuals for the welfare and
comfort of the neighborhood. There is an ancient document that tells just
how deep it was, and who were responsible for the work and the payment
for the same. It runs on this wise :
We, the subscribers appointed to measure and ascertain the depth of a well dug
by John "Witherup for Edward Hale, Samuel Plumer, and Samuel Hays, do allow that
the wall of said well is good, and the depth ot said well, according to our judgment
and measurement, is forty-four feet, eleven and a half inches,
"Witness our hands this 2nd day ot October, 1808, *
Wblden Adams,
John Whitman,
Richaed Griffith.
From this old well two generations drew water. A few years ago a
large stone was placed over its mouth, and this covered up so that the very
location will be unknown to the younger generation. But there is many a
man here now who, when hot and thirsty, longs for a drink from that old
diamond well as he remembers
" The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket that hung in the well."
The old chestnut tree on the diamond was another landmark. It stood
nearly in front of Judge Richard Irwin' s house, and was perhaps the only
member of the primeval forest that was left standing. The first Methodist
sermon was preached under its spreading branches. The small boy resorted
to it in summer to gather chestnuts from its spreading boughs. The cattle
and sheep were thankful for its cool shade, and gathered around it at noon,
and with the tinkling of their bells kept the neighbors from dozing. But
the old chestnut tree has passed away. Violent hands were laid upon it,
and in its old age it was the victim of those who had climbed into its
boughs and gathered its fruit.
We have a dim view of the parks, as they are now called, in 1801. The
engineer, Andrew Ellicott, "builded better than he knew" when he left.
that ground vacant. He probably thought that the small boys might play
ball there in the summer, or hunt chipmunks, or rob birds' nests, perhaps
not dreaming that they would become the joy and the crown of Franklin in
days yet to come. At the date referred to South park or the public square,
as they called it, was full of stumps; briers and brambles grew where the
large trees had been subdued, with here and there a bush or sapling. Both
men and women assembled at times on moonlight nights to grub stumps
and gather brush and make log heaps in order, if possible, to clear off the
ground and get it ready for useful purposes. These purposes for many

368 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
years consisted of sheep and pig and cow and horse pastures, for which
the ground was thought admirable. They were just as anxious three quar
ters of a century ago to cut down and root out and destroy every tree and
sapling and bush that nature had planted on the public domain, as they are
now to plant and shelter and protect them. They wished to get away from
nature then; we are anxious to return to nature.
It was even whispered here, before the good pioneers had passed away,
that there were ranks in the aristocracy of that day. The down-towners
were envious of the up-towners, and, lost no opportunity of showing that
they could grub stumps as well as they, and that they also could uproot
saplings and get out into the sunshine. And between the two factions, the
streets were soon opened and the forest trees destroyed.
The upper or West park had been cleared and brought under cultivation
and was really leased annually for that purpose. But the northern side
was cut by a deep ravine, through which a brisk run took its way down to
French creek, near the brush factory. This was the stream that now reaches
the Allegheny near the site of the French fort. Leaving its present bed on
Buffalo street below Fourteenth it crossed over to Liberty street a little
above the Exchange hotel, then diagonally across to Elk street above J. G.
Lamberton' 8 store and the Clancy corner into the lots between Elk and
Otter, and down to the front end of the present Presbyterian church into
Elk street running parallel to the houses on Elk street to Twelfth, when it
sought the creek and was merged in its waters. What is now a beautiful
street was then a deep, dark ravine, full of bushes and water plants, and even
frequented by wild animals. The women of the neighborhood sought to
utilize it by building their fires and doing their washing at its waters. At
that day it was no doubt a large stream and in places the water was clear
and pleasant. The Indians frequently made their temporary camps by its
side. the old way of traveling.
Washington came on foot. The first traders came in small boats. After
the town began to crystallize, traveling on horseback became common. Then
fiat boats were pushed up the river and creek. But it was very laborious
business. As roads were cut through the woods travel gradually became
easier, but the roads never did become good. The stones never wore out.
The hills never decreased in altitude. The miles were always long and
wearisome. The mail was carried on horseback about once a week, and the
time did not seem long because the people did not expect much when it did
come. But at last a stage was started. It came from Meadville, and went on
to Butler and Pittsburgh and after a whUe to the east, by way of where
Clarion now is. It was a grand thing when the first stage came to Frank-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 369
lin, although it had but two horses, and came but thrice in a week. Bat it
brought the mail, and a passenger now and then came, and the people here
could get out into the great world without going on horseback. Some
time after this we had a four-horse coach; it did not continue long, but was
reduced to two again.
Many now here remember the "Huckleberry stage" that ran to Pitts
burgh and back. The route was by way of Harrisville, Stone House, and
Prospect. There were two horses, with a wretched conveyance called a hack.
It had very stiff springs that pitched the passenger wildly about as it went
over the rocks and down the steep hills. In cold weather the ragged cur
tains flapped in and out, and greatly added to the discomfort of traveling.
Ladies were not expected to walk and work their passage, but gentlemen
were expected to walk up the hills, and if need be, carry rails to pry the
wheels out of the ' ' sock holes, ' ' as the drivers called them. This trip to
Pittsburgh and back always involved a ride all night, both going and com
ing. But the Huckleberry stage was better than nothing.
Then we had a steamboat on the river at last. The first boat was the
Duncan. It came up in 1828. Its advent caused great rejoicing. After
ward there was a succession of ' ' Belles ' ' that came regularly during high
water. Sometimes they went up as far as Warren. In a single instance a
steamer, the Allegheny, went up to Olean in 1830. These boats afforded a
fine opportunity of going down to Pittsburgh and returning, at certain sea
sons. But there were certain difficulties in the way, as the river began to
fall. The getting down was all beautiful, but the coming back was not
always so romantic. Good Captain Hanna would say: " The Belle will do
her best, but she cannot run on a dry channel. I think we can at least get
above 'Charley's Oven,' possibly all the way." But generally the boat
would come to a dead stop at Emlenton, some twenty- two miles below.
Then some farmer was persuaded to take his farm wagon, without springs,
and bring the Franklin passengers over the hills, amid the rocks, jolting
and rattling as he went over the Cranberry road, glad to see the old town
fi'om some bend in the hill road. But we knew no better way then, and
were content with the best that could be done.
ANCIENT ROADS.
There were Indian paths that led in several directions. The old Venango
trail or path led down until it struck the Ohio at Logstown, not very far
from Beaver. Another path led northward or northeast reaching the lakes.
Then when the French had possession here, there was a road leading up to
Waterford through Sugar Creek township, called the French road. Traces
of it remain to the present day. When the white people began to settle
here roads became a necessity. MeadvUle was the nearest neighbor. Then
the next was Warren, then Pittsburgh. At first they were merely paths, and

370 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
as the emergencies of trade and travel required, they were enlarged and
improved. In 1812 the first attempt was made in the way of increasing the facilities
of travel. This was the Waterford and Susquehanna turnpike. An act of
legislature had directed the survey of the route. General Mead was the
engineer. It was considered rather a delusion and a snare, and was called
by some ' ' General Mead' s war trail, ' ' and seemed as though it would die of
neglect. But it did not wholly die. It was re-surveyed in 1818 and was
completed from Erie to Bellefonte in 1820 and thence to Philadelphia in
1824. This road was guarded by toll gates, and for a time seemed to instill
new life into the towns along its line.
These roads were an improvement on the old country roads. They
were made by clearing the ground of the trees and stumps, then cutting
ditches on either side and throwing up the earth in the center. The theory
was good, but like many a good theory, it did not always work well in
practice. In the fall and spring the roads would become very deep and
muddy, and many a lawless man after paying his toll, was sorely tempted
to tear down the gates. But this was only one of the incidents connected
with the settlement of a new country. The road passing through Franklin
east and west kept up the gates until a few years ago.
The ferries were the first means of crossing the streams. The ferry
across the Allegheny was located about half a mile below the upper bridge.
The house still standing on the opposite side of the river was called the
ferry house.
French creek had two ferries, one at the end of South Park street and
one at the end of West Park street. The upper ferry was probably the
point where George Washington crossed the creek on his way to Le Boeuf.
The lower ferry was kept by a stout Dutchman who was just and honest
in all his dealings. On one occasion a preacher was crossing with him, and
by way of letting him know the nature of his cloth, and probably as a gen
tle hint of generous dealings, inquired, '' How much do you charge preach
ers ? ' ' The reply was, ' ' Veil, we do not charge ' em any more as we do
other fellers. We don't take no advantage of de breacher any more as we
do of de farmer." The toll was paid, and the justice of the functionary
acknowledged. For years the ferry was the only mode of crossing the
streams both in summer and winter.
THE OLD CEMETEEr.
We are always reminded of our mortality; wherever the dwelling is
erected for the comfort of the living, we prepare also the cemetery, where
the departed may slumber in peace. And as the years roll by more atten
tion is paid and more taste displayed in the arrangement of the great cem
etery. We have gotten away from the idea of the churchyard, surrounded

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 371
by the scenes of the living, and choose a place apart from the active duties
of life, where flowers may bloom and the sun may shine sweetly and breezes
may blow gently upon the tombs of those we love. We do not wish to make
the places gloomy or sad or repulsive, but rather cheerful and attractive
even to the casual visitor. And we make the place sacred and holy for our
friends who sleep, feeling that we too will soon soon be laid to rest near
them. It removes much of the gloom from the idea of death to look upon its
surroundings and find them tasteful and pleasant and cheerful. And since
' ' life and immortality are brought to light in the gospel, ' ' a beautiful light
has fallen amid the flowers, that tells us that there shall be life after death,
even the blessed life of Christ in the land that is away beyond the stars;
and that at the last day, a day brighter and sweeter and holier than has yet
ever dawned upon earth, the trump of the great angel of the Apocalypse
wiU be heard accompanied by the voice of the Lord that shall awake every
slumberer in the tomb and every sleeper in the sea, and that then "death
shall be swallowed up in victory. ' ' These thoughts come to us as we think
of the slumberers in the cemetery, and of the resurrection of Him who was
the first fruits of them that slept.
When the state authorities laid out the town of Franklin, they reserved
a small plot of ground for a cemetery. It was at the upper end of Otter
street and above Fifteenth street. It was a very small piece of land but
answered the purpose in the early years. Every family selected the place
for the graves of friends and there was no order or assignment about it.
Names are sculptured upon rude stones with dates that reach back to the
very origin of the town. Many names are there that were prominent in its
history, and very many graves, unmarked by stones, have sunk down to the
common level of the ground and are lost to view. Many, too, have been
neglected until the stones have fallen and lie prone on the ground. There
is need for some ' ' Old Mortality ' ' to appear and rechisel the tombs of the
dead. When the ground began to be too strait for the purpose, Myron Park
presented a strip of land on the southern side of the old reservation. This
was a part of outlot No. 45, which was sold by the county treasurer for
taxes in December, 1828, and purchased by Mr. Park. In November, 1835,
the latter sold said lot to Benjamin Alexander, reserving in the deed a por
tion thereof, fifty feet in width by one hundred and sixty feet in length,
running parallel with French creek, ' ' for the use of the inhabitants of the
town for a burying ground." It would thus seem that this part of theold
ground can be legally used only for cemetery purposes. Mr. Alexander
afterward laid out lots on a piece of land adjoining this and extending to
Elk street.
These were the arrangements made by the fathers in the early day for

372 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the sepulture of the dead. And to this rest the coffined sleeper was borne
on the shoulders of men from all parts of the town. No other arrangements
were provided until a comparatively late day. The minister and physician
walked at the head of the procession, then the bier carried by the paU bear
ers, the mourners, and then friends and neighbors generally. But the times
are changed, and we live under a new order of things, much to our comfort
and satisfaction. WATER, LIGHT, AND SCENERY.
The water supply at the beginning of the history of the town was sup
posed then to be very good. There was the stream of water running through
West park that was copious in its supply. There were several little streams
down at the lower end of town that were utilized for household pur
poses. But the main dependence was in wells sunk down to the level of
the bottom of the creek and river. About the parks this required a well
about forty feet deep. This was done by a shaft sunk in the earth to that
depth and walled up with stone. Then a curb was built around the
wall, a windlass attached, and to this the bucket by means of a rope or
chain. Then a crank was fixed to one end of the windlass. The bucket
was let down by the help of a brake and drawn up fuU of bright, sparkling
water. But it was a laborious process, and little water was drawn that was
not absolutely necessary.
The light of other days was the light of the early householders — the
tallow caudle and before this the lard lamp, sometimes a simple wick float
ing in a dish of melted lard. A tallow candle if properly snuffed was sup
posed to be a very good light. For fuel, wood was the only dependence,
and all this with coal and oil and gas just waiting to be pressed into service.
But they all came at last and were used as a matter of course.
We know how grand the scenery around Franklin is in modern times
and how beautiful the site of the town is, but we can well imagine the sur
roundings of the place were more beautiful three-quarters of a century ago
than now. These grand hills had not been marred by the hand of man.
All the picture was as God made it; from the magnificent outlook up the
river to the lower bluffs there was in summer time the beautiful crown of
verdure, the rich bloom of flowers, and the smooth outline of hill and
ravine, of the rich contrast of deciduous trees and the darker colored ever
green. The beauty of Damascus is in its rich verdure and blooms of fruit
and ornamental trees surrounding it on the same level ; the beauty and glory
of Franklin is in its everlasting hUls, planted by the hand of the Almighty
and decked by his taste, that surround it and look down upon it with ever-
during smiles.
The water scenery around the town was formerly very beautiful. Both
river and creek were interspersed with islands that were covered with trees

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 373
and verdure. Some remains of these islands abide to the present, but they
are shorn of their beauty and glory. An old map, more than one hundred
years old, locates a large island in the Allegheny down at the bend and mid
way between the two bridges. Above the mouth of French creek were huge
groups of islands extending nearly up to the Two Mile run. Some of these
islands contained several hundred acres of land and must have been great
resorts for the Indians. But two of these islands now remain, and they are
worn and narrowed down and stripped of vegetation until little of their
original beauty remains.
On French creek near where the upper bridge is located were clusters
of islands that must have been very beautiful as late as the days when
George Washington crossed amongst them. Just below the bridge were at
least two islands, and above the bridge for the distance of a mile, were
numerous islands, some of them of considerable extent, covered with large
trees and shrubbery that made a scene of beauty not often seen. In the
early history of Franklin, some of these islands were used for picnic pur
poses, the guests passing over in boats or on temporary bridges. On the
grassy turf and under the shadows of the large trees many a Fourth of July
excursion enjoyed to the full the scenes of the day.
But time, the mighty leveler, has wrought great changes in the water
scenery. The trees have many of them been felled and their roots no longer
hold the soil, and many of the islands on both river and creek have disap
peared forever. French creek has lost its beauty as the trees have fallen
from the islands, and the islands themselves crumbled and washed down
with the tide.
Many of the old citizens can recall the beauty of the scenery as it pre
sented itself from the French creek bridge as the sun was approaching its
setting, and the eye could wander from island to island, each tree and shrub
gilded with its setting rays, and all lighted up with a subdued and_ sweet
reflection.

374 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXII.
CITY OF FRANKLIN (Concluded).
General Progress of the Toavn— Pranklin in 1823— Municipal Gov
ernment— The Postoffice— Bridges, Railroads, etc.— Manufact
ures— The Oil Industry — General Business Interests-
Telegraph, Express, and Telephone Facilities-
Secret AND Other Societies— Education
al— Religious Organizations — The
Franklin Cemetery — Resume.
THE community described in the preceding chapter, although assisted
by the fostering attention of the state, and founded upon a soil rich in
historic associations, expanded but slowly and without any of the incidents
of rapid growth. The population was two hundred and fifty in 1825; in
1850, at the end of another period of twenty-five years from the beginning
of the century, it had increased to nine hundred and thirty-three. With
the discovery of petroleum a new era began — an era of business activity, of
increasing population, and local improvement. The gradual transition that
had long been in progress received a quickened impulse, and within a few
years the country town became an ambitious aspirant of metropolitan
honors. This was accompanied by what may be termed the development
of special activities — religious, social, and commercial. The union Sun
day school and prayer meeting were relinquished in favor of special denom
inational work, and the school building used in common by all as a place of
worship was relegated to its original educational function as the different
churches were successively erected; the people no longer turn out en masse
in the interest of street improvement, but delegate the important consider
ations of public comfort and safety to an organized local government; the
large general store with its heterogeneous assortment of merchandise has
been succeeded by a half dozen different establishments each devoted to
some special branch of business ; the small shops have been replaced by nu
merous factories; while a number of banking institutions aid in facilitating
commercial transactions. It is with organized interests of this nature that
this chapter is principally concerned. FRANKLIN IN 1823.
The number of residences, stores, and shops at Franklin in 1823 wa«

^i

city of franklin.

377

between sixty and seventy; the following with regard to their location and
appearance is given as the reminiscences of Alexander Cochran :
Buffalo Street was open from Eighth to Thirteenth. Samuel Hays
lived in a two-story frame house still standing on the south* side above
Twelfth, and William Connely, justice of the peace, was his neighbor on
the corner above Twelfth. Between the two there was a small two-story
frame building owned by Hays and occupied by John Service as a saddler
shop. John Broadfoot' s carpenter shop and office as justice of the peace
was opposite Hay's house and above the allej^, and in the same vicinity was
a frame building owned by Alexander McCalmont, afterward occupied by
Myron Park. The academy building was on the south side between Elev
enth and Twelfth. John Atkinson's old tannery and house stood on the
same side below Ninth, where the location of the vats is still discernible.
Alexander Cochran now owns and occupies this property.

FRANKLIN IN 1840.

Liberty Street was the business thoroughfare of the town. John Lu
pher' s blacksmith shop and William Bennett' s hotel were on the site of the
Exchange hotel. Continuing on the same side of the street the improve
ments were as follows: A two-story log house on the same ground as
the Exchange Bank, owned by Alexander McCalmont and occupied by Will
iam Black; a frame house one and one-half stories high on an adjoining lot,
partly incorporated in a building onthe same site; a two-story frame house,
owned by George McClelland and occupied by Thomas Seaton, saddler; a
two-story frame house, the residence of John Galbraith; a two-story log
house, occupied by Charles Holeman and afterward sold to William Ray
mond; the store room of Samuel Hays, a frame building one and one-half
stories high ; a frame house and store building owned by John McDonald
and occupied by William Moore, late prothonotary; George McClelland' s
public house, a frame building erected by Samuel Plumer in 1806 and suc-
*A8 the street does nor trend due east aod west, this is not geograpnically exact, bat is understood to
mean the side ofthe street farthest from the creek or liver.
21

378 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
cessively enlarged but never removed, now known as the United States
hotel; Arnold Plumer' s store and residence, the latter occupied by Arthur
Robison; a one-story frame building at the corner above Twelfth, the
office of the Venango Herald, John Evans, editor and publisher; a two-
story frame house on the opposite corner, where Samuel BaUey, carpenter,
lived; a one-story log house at the site of the Baptist church, owned by
William Kinnear; a log house built by Martin Gregor and occupied by his
widow, just below the Catholic church; John Ridgway' s two-story log
house on the corner below Ninth, since weather-boarded and stUl a substan
tial residence, one of the oldest in the city.
On the north side of Liberty street on the corner above Thirteenth lived
George Brigham, carpenter, in a two-story frame house. The site of the
Lamberton block was occupied by a two- story frame structure owned by
James Adams of Utica, in which Frederick Crary lived and conducted a
large general store. Thomas Huling's frame hotel building stood at the
present location of Martin & Epley's drug store. James Kinnear's hotel, a
log building, stood at the corner of West Park street. The court house
was in West park at the comer of Twelfth, and the jail stood in South
park in the rear of the present court house. Robert Kinnear was jailor
and his daughter, Mrs. Dominick McCormick and family, lived with him.
Elk Street. — On the south side at the corner above Fourteenth was the
frame house of Thomas Seaton, one of the substantial residences of that
date. A log building owned by James Adams stood on the site of Hanna' s
block. About midway between Thirteenth and West Park Thomas Minnis,
who remained but a short time, lived in a two-story frame house. Andrew
Bowman's tannery adjoined his residence, a log building at the corner of
West Park soon afterward replaced by a frame house which was for some
years one of the most pretentious in the town. At Hulin' s lumber yard,
corner of Eleventh, there stood a dismantled hotel previously kept by Welden
Adams. David Iryne, lawyer and clerk to the county commissioners, lived
at the corner of Tenth in a two-story log house owned by Charles Ridgway.
Improvements had been made on the north side of Elk street in the fol
lowing order: On the corner of Thirteenth, a large two-story frame house
afterward known as Jeremiah Clancy' s hotel — Clancy at that time carried
on shoe making in an adjoining room; about the middle of the block
between Thirteenth and West Park, a two-story log house recently burned,
then the residence of John Singleton, brick maker; on the corner above
Eleventh, the house and shop of Jonathan Sage; on the opposite corner, the
house of William Kinnear, farmer and justice of the peace, who also owned
two other houses on Eleventh street, one of which was occupied by Joseph
Ridgway; midway between Tenth and Eleventh, the large two-story frame
house, with stone addition, of Mrs. Sarah McDowell, widow of Colonel
Alexander McDowell, one of the residences pointed out to admiring strangers;

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 379
between Elk and the river and south of Eighth, James HoUis' small
log house; near the river bank between Third and Fourth, a small log house,
the property of James Brown, riverman, whUe David Smith owned and op
erated the ferry still farther down the river.
Otter Street. — There were but four houses on the north side of Otter:
Andrew Dewoody' s hotel at the corner above Thirteenth; the large stone
residence of George Power, on the corner below Elbow; a two-story frame
house, yet standing on the corner of West Park, owned by Henry Hurst of
Meadville and occupied by the mother of Alex Cochran, and a two-story
log house between West Park and Twelfth where James Hulings lived. On
the south side nearly opposite Power lived Nimrod Grace, carpenter, by
whom some of the early houses were built. A two-story frame dwelling at
the corner above Twelfth was the residence of James Martin, school teacher,
and John Martin lived between South Park and Eleventh. Levi Dodd's two-
story frame residence was on the corner above Eleventh. Farther down
near Tenth street Aaron McKissick lived in a rented house. The ' ' Old
(^rrison ' ' was on the bank of French creek between Ninth and Tenth, and
in this vicinity Peter Houser, waterman, lived on the bank of the river.
Elbow Street. — There were three houses on this street, a frame building
between Thirteenth and Fourteenth, owned by General Samuel Hays, and
the hatter shop and residence of George Dewoody, who lived with his
mother. Thomas Smiley, riverman, lived on the bank of the creek in a
log house owned by John Irwin, and below the lower bridge there was a
dilapidated building used at a previous date as a warehouse.
The Third Ward was then part of Sugar Creek township. There were
four houses here and their respective occupants were David King, tailor;
Abram Clark, millwright (son-in-law of Mrs. Ridgway) ; Jonathan Whitman,
and Matthias Stockbarger. Abraham Selders, stone-mason, lived just out
side the limits of this ward in Sugar Creek township,
John Kelly, school teacher, and family dwelt in one of the buildings
spoken of; while John J. Pearson, attorney. Doctor George R. Espy, Will
iam Raymond, and several others, unmarried men, boarded at the taverns or
with friends in the village.
The foregoing may serve as a brief summary of the settlement and im
provement narrated in detail in the preceding chapter, and an appropriate
introduction to this. The original town plat proved ample for subsequent
growth and the additions are comparatively recent and unimportant, the
principal being Plumer' s and Benjamin Alexander's additions in the Second
ward, Myer' 8 and Sprogle's in the First. The Third was laid out by R. S.
McCormick, J. L. Hanna, and Howard & Smith. It will be observed that
in 1823 there were scarcely any improvements below Ninth street; and in
fact the cross streets in the lower part of the town had not been opened at
that time. There was a gradual extension of the village in this direction.

380 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and in 1828 the size and population were thought sufficient to warrant
its incorporation as a borough. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
The borough of Franklin was erected by act of the legislature April 14,
1828, and originally comprised all that part of the town plot south and
west of French creek and the Allegheny river. By the provisions of this
act taxation was limited to five mills on the dollar of assessed valuations;
the borough was to constitute a separate election district; and the first
election was to occur at th« court house on the second Tuesday in May be
tween the hours of twelve m. and six p. m. , when a burgess and councU of
five members were to be elected. In January, 1832, the town was created
a township, thus adding justices of the peace, constables, etc. , to the num
ber of local officers.
Unfortunately for this history the borough records have been lost or
destroyed, thus rendering it impossible to give any particulars as to the offi
cial acts of the early town fathers. A single instance may, however, sejwe
as an Ulustration. May 81, 1849, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the
lading or discharge of freight from boats on Sunday; also prohibiting
horses and hogs from running at large on the diamond. How the latter
was first enforced is thus described in the Spectator of June 13, 1849:
Nine unfortunate individuals of the genus porker, either from inability to read
or a total disregard of the act in their case " made and provided," were pursuing the
ordinar}' avocations of pigs upon the diamond. About the hour that poets have
assigned for the falling of " twilight dew,s " and "vesper breezes," the proper oflBcers,
armed with the authority of the commonwealth, made a descent upon the swinish
multitude. After sundry evolutions, which seemed like a mixture of light- horse and
infantry tactics, they succeeded in forming a line of march for the " pound." When
the drove had accomplished half the distance to the place of durance, symptoms of a
refractory nature made their appearance among the prisoners. A few dogs, doubtless
with the best of intentions, rushed to the assistance of the authorities. The pigs became
desperate and the scene highly exciting. Some half dozen of swine made their escape
and three, better calculated for bacon than a foot race, went to the pound.
In the absence of any records no complete list of borough officers could
be compiled; the following fragmentary data have been obtained from vari
ous sources:
1828. — Burgess, John Broadfoot; constable, Robert Kinnear; council:
John Singleton, J. R. Sage, Alexander McCalmont, John Galbraith, Myron
Park, William Bennett.
1829. — Burgess, George McClelland; second burgess, Myron Park; con
stable, Robert Kinnear; council: John Galbraith, Alexander McCalmont, J.
W. Wood, WiUiam Raymond, John Singleton, J. R . Sage, Arnold Plumer.
1849. — Burgess, F, W. Hunter; clerk, James K. Kerr.
1852.— Burgess, A. P. Whitaker; councU: Luke Turner, MUes W. Sage,
Thomas H. Martin, George W. Brigham, Leonard Bunce.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 381
1853. — Burgess, A. P. Whitaker; councU: Luke Turner, Miles W.
Sage, Thomas H. Martin, George W. Brigham, Leonard Bunce.
1855. — Burgess, A. Plumer; council: S. H. Marshall, J. Bleakley, J.
Mayes, J. Bryden, T. H. Martin.
1856. — Burgess, Samuel Hays; council: J. Bleakley, R. A. Brashear,
Thomas Moore, Simeon H. Marshall, Myron Park.
1857.— Burgess, W. P. Walker; council: W. C. Evans, C. M. Hoover,
T. H. Martin, David Smith.
I860. — Burgess, James Bleakley; council: T. Hoge, M. W. Sage, D. C.
Plumer, W. P. Walker, F. D. Kinnear.
1861. — Burgess, S. T. Kennedy; council: Hugh Hunter, Harvey Evans,
C. M. Hoover, S. F. BaUey, C. H. Raymond.
1862. — Burgess, G. E. Ridgway; council: R. S. McCormick, WiUiam
Campbell, Charles Bowman, D. G, Dewoody, G. W. Brigham,
1867. — Burgess, P. W. Raymond; council: Henry Dubbs, G. W. Brig
ham, F. W. Mitchell, R. S. McCormick, G. E. Ridgway.
An act incorporating the city of Franklin passed the house March 24,
1868, and received executive sanction April 4th foUowing. The act was
prepared by R, S. McCormick and presented by the representative from this
district. The three wards of the city were established with their present
boundaries; the First and Second wards comprise that part of the city south
of French creek, with Twelfth (High) street as a mutual boundary, the
former to the east and the latter to the west of that street, while the terri
tory north of French creek forms the Third ward. This had been annexed
to the borough with portions of French Creek and Sandy Creek townships
in 1860. The executive powers of the city were vested in a mayor, whose
term of office is one year; the city council was to consist of three members
respectively from the Pirst and Second wards, and two from the Third, but
by an amendment to the charter in 1872 each ward became entitled to one
additional member. For election purposes the city is divided into two dis
tricts. The annual election occurs on the first Tuesday in May. In 1888,
under the operation of a general act classifying the cities of the state, two
councils, common and select, were elected. Before the close of the year
this was declared unconstitutional; but the councils so elected constituted a
de facto government until the next election, when the old order of things
was resumed.
Local legislation, though not specially prolific, embraces a large number
and variety of subjects. The prohibition of the selling and exploding of fire
crackers; of bathing in the creek or river within certain hours; of storing
nitro-glycerine or other explosive matter within the city limits; of selling
tainted meat, or of depositing ashes and garbage in the streets, form the
subject matter of some of the first ordinances. July 11, 1870, the name of
Meadow street was changed to Third; Chub street became Fourth; Bass

382 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
street. Fifth; Pike street. Sixth; Perch street, Seventh; Catfish street.
Eighth; Union street. Ninth; Fisher street. Tenth; Martin street. Eleventh;
Turtle street. South Park; High street. Twelfth; Turkey street. West Park;
Doe street, Thirteenth; Buck street. Fourteenth; Fox street. Fifteenth.
Whether cattle should be permitted to run at large was long an issue in
local politics; this was finally decided in the negative March 22, 1880. Re
strictive measures of a similar nature regarding geese were adopted April
24, 1883. In a spirit of liberality toward vested interests it was at first
proposed to limit their operation to the First and Second wards ; but a mem
ber from the Third, who regarded this as a covert design to make his dis
trict a pasture ground for the geese of the whole city, objected, and in
deference to his protest the application of the ordinance was made general.
The organization of a fire department was first agitated in 1866. Feb
ruary 1st of that year occurred the most destructive fire in the history of the
city. It originated on Liberty street near the corner of Thirteenth, swept
down Thirteenth to Elk and down Liberty to Centre block, involving a loss
of a quarter of a million dollars. Perhaps the most serious fire prior to
this was the destruction of the postoffice building, March 4, 1852, while
Adam Webber was postmaster. Stamps and currency to the value of sev
eral hundred dollars were lost. The Mansion house at the northern end of
the upper bridge bumed April 2, 1868 ; and on the following day a similar
calamity involved the Atlantic and Great Western depot, with a large quan
tity of oil awaiting shipment. The Exchange hotel burned May 18, 1870,
and the city hall, a large wooden structure fitted up with stage and scenery
for theatrical representations, July 5, 1876. Hanna' s block, on Thirteenth
street, between Liberty and Elk, burned January 28, 1886. Fire limits
were first established in 1878, and included the territory bounded by Otter
and Back, Eleventh and Fourteenth streets. February 6, 1883, this was so
changed as to embrace only Liberty street between Twelfth and Thirteenth,
and Thirteenth between Elbow street and the Lake Shore depot. August
10, 1874, provision was made for the election annually of a chief engineer
by council and of two assistants by the fire department, which thus secured
better organization than it had ever before enjoyed. This department is
entirely of the volunteer character; the several engine and hose companies
are weU equipped, and have demonstrated their efficiency on the occasions
referred to and many others of lesser note.
It does not appear that the parks received much attention under the
borough dispensation. In 1860 a number of public-spirited citizens trans
planted trees to the public square, as it was then called; but during the
buUding of the Franklin branch of the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio
railroad and in the first years of the oil excitement teams crossed the grounds
constantly, injuring and destroying the trees and neutralizing all previous
attempts at grading. At the next session of the legislature the borough au-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 383
thorities were empowered to inclose the parks, which was finally accom
plished after much procrastination in 1865, It was thought that private
enterprise should complete the work, but the improvement under this plan was
very limited. The fence was removed after five or six years, and under the
care of the city government the appearance of things gradually improved.
At length, September 4, 1882, a park commission was established, to consist
of the mayor and four citizens appointed by him with the approval of coun
cil. R. S. McCormick, A. A. Plumer, Casper Frank, C. W. Mackey, and
A. G. Egbert constituted the first commission, of which one member is ap
pointed annually for a term of five years. This arrangement has given
eminent satisfaction; its practical results are seen in the beautiful domain
that forms so essential an element in the attractiveness of the city.
The most recent action of special importance by the city council was the
passage of an ordinance, June 19, 1889, establishing a board of health. It
is provided that five members, two of whom are physicians, shall constitute
this board, of which a new member is appointed annually for a period of
five years. The appointment of a city health officer originates with this
body, which has jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to public sanitation.
The first board, composed of the following: Reverend E. F. Crane, B. E.
Swan, J. W. Leadenham, M. D., E. W. Moore, M. D., and J. D. Chadwick,
was appointed June 19, 1889.
The initial movement in the erection of the city building was taken De
cember 4, 1882, when a committee was appointed to confer with F. W.
MitcheU regarding a location. February 6, 1883, the bid of W. L. Corrin
was accepted, and the mayor was instructed to negotiate a loan of fourteen
thousand dollars. The corner-stone was laid May 30, 1883, when C. W.
Mackey delivered an address, and the building was completed in the autumn
of that year.
Since Franklin came under city government its officers have been as
follows :
1868.— T. A. Dodd, mayor; R. S. McCormick, J. T. P. Watson, T. J.
McKean, L. C. Heasley, S. J. McAninch, Josiah Adams, Charles Bowman,
and J. D. Myers, council.
1869.— Henry Dubbs, mayor; R. L. Cochran, T. J. McKean, A. A.
Plumer, W. J. Lamberton, L. C. Heasley, W. R. Crawford, R. S. McCor
mick, and S. J. McAninch, council.
1870.— C. M. Hoover, mayor; W. J. Lamberton, L. D. Davis, C. W.
Mackey, W. M. Epley, William Painter, A. A, Plumer, L. C. Heasley, and
T. J. McKean, council.
1871.— C. M. Hoover, mayor; J. L. Mitchell, R. S. McCormick, J. W,
Lee, L. D. Davis, T. A. Dodd, W. M. Epley, C. W. Mackey, William
Painter, councU.
' 1872.— C. W. Mackey, mayor; G. E. Ridgway, I. E. Howard, T. A.

384 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Dodd, W. S. Carroll, D. W. Morgan, J. L. MitcheU, L. D. Davis, and R.
S. McCormick, council.
1873. — Samuel B. Myers, mayor; J. W. Rowland, G. W. Brigham, J.
M. Bredin, S. W. Neely, W. A. Horton, Levi Foster, R, S. McCormick,
and N. B. Smiley, council.
1874. — Thomas Hoge, mayor; N. B. Smiley. J. R. Grant, S. W.
Neely, D. S. Smith, Robert Lamberton, T. H. Martin, James Smith, and
I. E. Howard, council.
1875. — J. W. Lee, mayor; N. B., Smiley, R. A. Brashear, N. S. Ridgway,
William Campbell, Robert Lamberton, J. A. Humphreys, William J. De-
Woody, James Bleakley, I. E. Howard, WUliam Painter, and John Coefield,
council. 1876.— W. S. Welsh, mayor; John O'Neil, James Bleakley, H. D. Hu
lin, E. W. Echols, W. D. Rider, Hiram Brown, Daniel Grimm, W. J. De-
Woody, R. A. Brashear, J. A. Humphreys, and William Painter, council.
1877. — W. R. Crawford, mayor; H. W. Bostwick, R. L. Cochran,
Alexander Cochran, Thomas M. George, R, S. McCormick, John O'Neil,
R. Richardson, M. O. Taylor, R. H. Woodburn, J. A. Wilson, and G. H.
White, council.
1878. — W. R. Crawford, mayor; Alexander Cochran, D. Grimm, J. D.
Myers, John O'NeU, B. E. Swan, Jacob Sheasley, G. H. White, R. S. Mc
Cormick, M. O. Taylor, T. M. George, and H. W. Bostwick, council.
1879.— J. C. Sibley, mayor; J. N. Craft, C. CowgiU, W. C. Hawkins,
R. G. Lamberton, George Maloney, Charles Mapes, R. S. McCormick,
John O'NeU, N. H. Payn, Joseph Powley, and N. S. Ridgway, council.
1880.— W. R. Crawford, mayor; J, N. Craft, John Coefield, N. H.
Payn, H, H. Martin, H. J. Raymond, John Coon, W. C. Hawkins, C.
T. Mapes, R. S. McCormick, N. S. Ridgway, and R. Richardson, council.
1881.— George Maloney, mayor; J. N. Craft, John Coefield, W. J. De-
Woody, Casper Frank, P. R. Gray, D. C. Galbraith, H. W. Lamberton, D.
W. Morgan, John O'NeU, J. R. Snow, and M. A. Seanor, councU.
1882.— George AUen, mayor; Casper Frank, P. R. Gray, George S.
CrisweU, W. N. Emery, D. W. Morgan, B. W. Bredin, J. R. Snow, J. D.
Myer^, H. W. Lamberton, John O'Neill, and John Coefield, councU.
1883.— George AUen, mayor; Casper Frank, Noah Ridgway, W. J.
Bleakley, W. J. Mattern, B. W. Bredin, J. D. Myers, Perry DeWoody,
W. N. Emery, George Applegarth, John O'Neil, and T. M. Foley, council.
1884.— George Maloney, mayor; Casper Frank, Noah Ridgway, W. J.
Bleakley, W. J. Mattern, B. W. Bredin, N. B. Myers, Perry DeWoody,
Charles Miller, George Applegarth, John O'NeU, and T. M. Foley, council.
1885.— Charles MiUer, mayor; B. E. Swan, J. H. Cratty, W, J. Bleak
ley, Floyd Griffin, Perry DeWoody, S. T. Karns, J. P. Frazier, N. B.
Myers, T. M. Foley, Hugh Carr, and John O'NeU, councU.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 385
1886. — Charges MiUer, mayor; F. W. Officer, E. Law, James Smith,
N. B. Myers, John O'NeU, \V J. Bleakley, Isaac St. Clair, Hugh Carr,
Perry DeWoody, T. M. Foley, and B. E. Swan, council.
1887. — William J. Bleakley, mayor; J. K. Bryden, Perry DeWoody, T.
M. Foley, J. R. Grant, S. T. Graham, D. W. Morgan, A. H. McDowell,
D. I. McVay, John O'Neil, C, J. Smith, and A. J. Sibley, councU.
1888.— S. C. Lewis, mayor; C. D. EUiott, J. R. Grant, P. Brown,
Perry DeWoody, A. Leach, A. J. Sibley, and John O'Neil, common coun
cil; R. W. Dunn, W. J. Mattern, Harry Lamberton, B. Jeunett, and
I. E. Howard, select council.
1889.— WiUiam J. Bleakley, mayor; S. B. Myers, B. W. Bredin, G. R.
Sheasley, C. M. Hulin, George Maloney, George Allen, August Leach, I.
H. Borland, T. M. Foley, John O'NeU, and J. K. Elliott, councU.
THE POSTOFFICE.
The Franklin postoffice was the first in the county. Postmasters have
been appointed in the following order: Alexander McDowell, January 1,
1801; James G. Heron, October 1, 1802; John Broadfoot, March 31, 1809
WUliam Connely, March 25, 1819; Henry McCalmont, November 17, 1819
Alexander S. Hays, September 15, 1821; Arthur Robison, May 6, 1821
John Evans, January 12, 1822; Samuel F. Plumer, October 10, 1831; Ben
jamin A. Plumer, May 9, 1832; WiUiam Raymond, July 10, 1841; Benja
min A. Plumer, October 29, 1842; Joseph McCleUand, February 20, 1843;
John H. Shannon, March 7, 1844; Adam Webber, November 8, 1849;
Sarah Webber, AprU 23, 1860; Robert Brigham, March 11, 1865; Robert
J. Canan, AprU 8, 1869; David D. Grant, February 24, 1875; John E.
Adams, March 81, 1883, BRIDGES, RAILROADS, ETC.
The first franchise for the building of a bridge over French creek was
granted by the legislature in 1802 to Marcus Hulings, who was granted an
extension of time in 1805, but does not appear to have accomplished any
thing individually. Some years later a company was formed and in 1820 a
bridge was built under contract by James Lowry. James Kinnear was
treasurer of this company in 1823, George Sutley was secretary, and Alex
ander McCalmont was authorized to receive the annual subscriptions in lieu
of toll. In the spring of 1832 the bridge sustained serious damages fi'om a
freshet; assistance from the legislature was invoked, and the governor was
authorized to subscribe for one hundred shares of stock at twenty dollars
per share. There is reason to think that the appearance of this structure
did not improve as time passed. In 1857, one span having fallen down,
the company abandoned the property, and the necessary repairs were made
by private enterprise; and when, on Sunday morning, March 8, 1868, the

386 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
middle span parted company with the shore ends of the venerable pUe, the
general feeling seems to have been one of gratification at the prospect of a
new bridge. An effort was made to preserve the remaining parts of the
original structure; but on the 14th of April the upright timbers temporarily
erected for this purpose were struck by a boat heavily laden with lumber
and shingles, resulting in further damage. The contract for the building
of a new bridge was awarded to W. W. Breckenridge of North Libefty,
Mercer county; it was completed in December, 1868. The formal transfer
of this property to the county commissioners occurred in 1859.
The Franklin and Allegheny Bridge Company was incorporated by act of
the legislature, April 3, 1837. The corporators were Alexander McCalmont,
John Galbraith, Arnold Plumer, John Evans, L. T. Reno, James Kinnear,
John W. Howe, Hugh McClelland, James Ross Snowden, and Jacob Dubbs,
of Franklin, with a number of others at Bellefonte, Meadville, and Titus
viUe, and in Erie and Clearfield counties. A wooden bridge was built at a
cost of forty-five thousand dollars; it was seven hundred and twenty feet
long and covered. May 13, 1863, at six a. m. — the morning after the great oil
fire at Oil City — a large oil barge, wrapped in flame and smoke, was seen
fioating down the river; every effort was made to bring it to the shore, but
without success. As it passed under the bridge the flames shot upward to
the comb of the roof, and within half an hour nothing remained of the en
tire structure except the piers. A suspension bridge was at once erected on
the original piers at a cost of twenty-six thousand dollars. This also was
destined to destruction. Friday morning, December 81, 1870, a fire broke
out in a building known as the Marshall house at the steamboat landing on
the lower side of the bridge, whence it was communicated to the toll house.
The suspension wires were anchored beyond these houses and passed over
them to the towers of the bridge. While the crowd that had collected were
engaged in saving the furniture in the toll house, one of the wires snapped
from the effect of the heat. The structure swayed perceptibly; several other
of the wires broke until the whole support of the lower side of the bridge
was gone. The first span sank to an angle of forty-five degrees, precipi
tating some of the persons thereon to the ice below, and in another moment
it was hanging like a pendulum. The remaining supports broke and fell
with a crash, burying several victims in the ruins. The entire structure
was completely wrecked, and with the loss of life involved this constitutes
one of the most fatal casualties in the history of the city. The present iron
structure was erected in the foUowing year.
The lower French creek bridge, originally a wooden structure, was built
by the county in 1857. March 17, 1865, in one of the most disastrous floods
this valley has ever experience, the bridge was raised from the piers and
fioated to that mysterious bourne from whence no bridges ever return. It was
replaced by a wood and iron stsucture. On Saturday, January 18, 1877,

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 387
at eight p. m., the western span collapsed from its own weight. The sub
stantial iron bridge at this site was built the same year.
The Big Rock bridge, a mile below Franklin, on the Allegheny river,
was completed in 1879.
While bridges over the river and creek rendered the county seat easy of
access from the adjoining portions of the county, it was still dependent for
comrnunication with the outside world upon that rather primitive convey
ance, the stage coach. The facilities of this nature in 1851, as given in the
mail schedule, were as follows: Curwensville to Meadville, via Franklin,
one hundred and six miles — six times a week; Franklin to Brownington,
thirty miles — tri- weekly; Franklin to Butler, via Clintonville, forty-two
mUes — once a week; Franklin to Warren, fifty-three miles — tri- weekly;
Franklin to Waterford, via Cooperstown, Dempseytown, and Sunville , fifty-
six miles — once a week; Franklin to Warren, Ohio, fifty-four miles — tri
weekly; Franklin to Hartford, forty- six miles — once a week. Fehl & John
son were proprietors of a through line to Pittsburgh, and the fare, including
boarding, was two dollars and fifty cents. This was subject, in a measure,
to steamboat competition.
The first steamboat to ascend the Allegheny river as far as Franklin was
the William D. Duncan, of one hundred and ten tons. Captain Crooks,
which arrived on the evening of Sunday, February 24, 1828. It was only
in the spring and fall that there was a stage of water sufficient for naviga
tion, but this was a period of great business activity in the river towns.
Steamboats continued to ply between Franklin and Pittsburgh until the
completion of the Allegheny Valley railroad.
The first railroad opened to Franklin was the Atlantic and Great West
ern; the track to this point was completed Saturday, May 80, 1863, and on
the Monday following a special train from Meadville, the first to enter the
town, arrived with the directors of the company and a number of citizens,
among whom was John Reynolds, a merchant at Franklin in 1814. The
Jamestown and Franklin railroad was opened to this point in the summer
of 1867, and the Allegheny Valley the same year. The city enjoys the
advantage of being in direct connection with the principal trunk lines of the
country, and with the lakes — advantages which exert a favorable infiuence
upon her prospects as a manufacturing point.
MANDFACTUEES.
The map of Fort Machault indicates the location of a saw mill about
seventy yards from the Allegheny river, on a small stream flowing into it
about the same distance below the mouth of French creek. The machinery
was brought from Canada, perhaps from France. This establishment was
in operation during the construction of the fort and barracks, and was,
without doubt, the first manufacturing enterprise upon the site of Franklin.

388 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Chestnut timbers, forming part of the dam, were discovered on Elk street,
about ten rods below Benjamin W. Bredin' s house, in a good state of pres
ervation, some years since.
The next attempt to establish domestic industries was not made until
nearly seventy-five years later. In the first settlement of this region supf^lies
of iron were obtained, at great expense, from Pittsburgh, or points eas-t of
the mountains. To meet this demand Samuel Hays built a forge on French
creek, a mile from its mouth, about the year 1825. The process of manu
facture was exceedingly primitive. Bog ore, obtained at various localities
in the immediate vicinity, was used exclusively, and charcoal was utilized as
fuel. The ore was melted in what was conventionally called a "'ell-fire;"
the slag was drawn off by the admixture of lime, and the metal, known at
this stage as hoop-iron, was successively hammered and heated until the
desired consistency was obtained. A wing-dam in the creek furnished
water power for the blast and hammers. The operatives lived in houses
about the forge, giving to the place the appearance of a small village. A.
M. Lewis was iron-master. The construction of the French creek slack-
water navigation rendered the location undesirable, and, the works were
abandoned early in the thirties.
In the meantime, about 1828, Alexander McCalmont erected a similar
establishment on the north bank of the creek, a quarter of a mile above the
upper bridge. His dam consisted merely of a bank of loose stones, suffi
ciently high to defiect water enough into the race to furnish power for the
hammers and blast. In 1882-33 the forge was replaced by a quarter-stack
blast furnace, twenty feet high, with a bosh diameter of six or seven feet.
Bog ore was used almost exclusively. This establishment employed twenty
men. Late in 1834 it was purchased by Samuel F. Dale, and continued
in operation several years. During this time it constituted about the only
industrial feature of the town.
The Franklin Iron Works, Nock, Dangerfield & Company, proprietors,
were placed in operation in 1842. The original members of the firm were
Edward Nock, James Dangerfield, and Edward Pratt, all of whom had
previously been connected with the Great Western Iron Works at Pitts
burgh, of which Edward Nock was general manager. Their advent at
Franklin occurred June 2, 1842, and was attended with some eclat. The
Great Western band, composed of Mr. Nock's former employes, accompanied
him on the steamer Ida, and furnished music for the occasion. The pro
prietors brought about a score of skilled workmen with them, and at once
began the construction of suitable buildings. The site secured was that
occupied by McCalmont' s furnace, which was still standing, but had not
been in use for several years. A frame building, about one hundred feet
square, was erected. There were two well constructed wing-dams, with the
necessary appliances for communicating power. The plant consisted of

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 389
four puddling and two heating furnaces, eleven nail machines, and one set,
respectively, of muck, bar, sheet, and finishing rolls. Pig iron was obtained
at furnaces in this and adjoining counties. Singleton' s coal bank, in Sandy
Creek township, furnished the fuel. The works went into operation with
Edward Nock, general superintendent; William Nock, foreman of the heat
ing furnaces; James Dangerfield and Thomas Cooper, foremen of the rolling
department, and sixty operatives. Six dollars a ton were paid for puddling ;
rollers received two and a half or three dollars per day. The product
was sold at Pittsburgh and Erie. The works were operated to their full
capacity, but a lack of harmony among the members of the firm prevented
the business from being profitable. H. Coulter & Company at length became
proprietors. Then the workmen formed a co-operative company, to which
Coulter was to furnish raw material, and for which he was to act as agent
for the sale of their product; half their wages was to be applied to the
purchase of the property, which would have been entirely accomplished in
three years, but Coulter became insolvent, and the co-operative company did
not long survive his failure. The workmen dispersed to different places.
The works experienced various changes in ownership, and were finally dis
mantled several years before the war. The machinery was moved to Pitts
burgh, and all that now remains to mark the site of this once prosperous
industry is a portion of the foundation walls.
In 1847 Edmund Evans built a foundry on the bank of the creek near
the outlet lock. In 1849 this was purchased by William Elliott and W M.
Epley, who continued the business until 1856, when they were succeeded
by Dempsey, Hunter & McKenzie, and within a few years after this the
business was finally discontinued. Stoves, plows, and plow points, mill
castings, and general repairing were among the objects that received atten
tion here. Adjoining the foundry was a barrel factory owned by Judge
Draip of Meadville and managed by George Ramsdale. This also is among
Franklin's "lost arts."
The mills may also be mentioned in this connection. As in many other
matters relating to Franklin, George Power is entitled to priority here. He
brought with him a small cast iron grinding machine, upon which his
neighbors and himself ground the fiour and meal for their families, Alex
ander McDowell's mill on the Allegheny river is referred to in early county
records, but its precise location is unknown. John Hulings built the first
mill on the creek. It was nearly opposite West Park street, and by the
action of the current the site is now in the channel of the stream. Abraham
Selders, a brother-in-law of Hulings, built the second mill, on the south
side of the creek at the west end of town just beyond the city Umits. A
riffle at this point was utilized as a dam, and probably influenced the selec
tion. This was a frame buUding. Alexander McCalmont had a grist and
saw mill in connection with his furnace, which passed to Nock, Danger-

390 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
field & Company with that property. This mill burned and was rebuilt by
Robert Lamberton. The Venango mills were built in 1857 by Samuel P.
Dale in partnership with Orris Hall of Warren, who operated them for
several years. Water power is furnished from the outlet lock of the old
French creek canal. Johnson & Company are the present owners. The
roller process is used, having been introduced in 1882.
The first machine shop in the city was established in 1859 by David T.
Lane. In 1862 he constructed the Advance No. 1, and in the following
year the Advance No. 2, the only steamboats of any importance that may be
regarded as the product of local industry.
The manufacture of sucker-rods at Franklin was originated by D. S.
Smith in the early years of oil developments. His work was done entirely
bv hand. The business passed successively to various individuals and firms,
and in 1879 to Snook & Company, who were succeeded in 1888 by Frazier &
Smith. In December, 1889, this firm amalgamated with the Franklin
Sucker-Rod Joint Company, whose plant is located in the Third ward,
Charles W. Mackey established a wagon factory on Elk street below
South Park in 1832, but soon afterward erected a shop on Liberty street,
opposite the site of the Rural house, where he carried on business about
thirty years. He was the pioneer in this line in Franklin, and manufactured
more wagons, etc., than the home market demanded, taking his surplus
stock to towns farther east where he sold it readily. One of the oldest
members of the Venango bar, S. P. McCalmont, says that Mr. Mackey was
as honest a mechanic as he ever knew, and his wagons were superior in the
material used and honest workmanship to any that came into this market.
J. B. Myers began the manufacture of carriages and wagons at Thir
teenth and Otter in 1859 ; several years later J. D. Myers became a partner
and the firm was known as J. B. & J. D. Myers, which was changed in
1878 to Myers Brothers & Company and in 1885 to Myers, Humphrey &
Company. In 1864 the works were removed to Thirteenth and New streets,
and in 1878 to Thirteenth and Buffalo, the present location.
The Boston Iron Works were established in 1862-63 by several gentle
men of that city. The venture was not profitable, however, and the busi
ness passed to various parties without conferring any better fortune. In
April, 1871, the works were purchased from Windsor Brothers & Company
by James Smith, who immediately introduced the manufacture of a sand
pump upon the patents of E. A. L. Roberts of TitusviUe. The construc
tion of pumping rigs was afterward made a specialty and is the principal
feature of the business.
W. N. Emery & Son, Thirteenth street, manufacture oil well machinery.
The business was established in 1869 by the senior member of the firm,
which assumed its present style in 1882. The specialty is pumping powers.
The carriage factory of D. A. Reynolds, Buffalo street between Eleventh

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 391
and Twelfth, was first established in 1870 on Twelfth street and removed to
its recent location in 1883.
James Sheridan began the making of drilling tools on Elk street in 1870;
he removed to Edenburg several years later, and returning to Franklin,
resumed on Thirteenth street, Third ward, in 1879.
The tinware factory of W. D. Rider, Eighth and Liberty streets, orig
inally established in 1870 by Rider & Hazeltine, was partially destroyed by
fire April 21, 1887, but still employs twenty-five men.
The Venango BoUer Works, Buffalo street, were originaUy located on
Otter, near Eleventh, by James Meehan, the present proprietor, in the spring
of 1877. Portable and stationary boilers, oil stills, iron tanks, agitators,
etc. , are manufactured.
The Franklin Planing Mill, Eleventh and Elk streets, was established in
1870 by Howe & Ramsdale. The firm of Howe, Ramsdale & Company was
organized in the following year. The machinery of a similar establishment
on the *banks of the Allegheny river was removed to the present location.
In 1874 H. D. Hulin became individual proprietor and so continued until
1883, when the firm of H. D. Hulin & Brother was formed.
The City Planing Mill, Thirteenth street, was erected in 1874 by Howe
& Ramsdale. The present firm of Ramsdale & Son was formed in 1887.
The Franklin Brush Factory was originally erected by a company organ -
ganized May 21, 1874, of which the directors were R. Lamberton, Samuel
Plumer, I. E. Howard, W. M. Epley, Thomas Walker, P. R. Gray, and P.
McGough. Grotmd was broken June 15, 1874, and the brick building one
hundred feet long by forty in width at the corner of Otter and Twelfth streets
was rapidly pushed to completion. The first brush was made October 6,
1874. In 1880 the works passed to Walker & Company, the present pro
prietors. Brushes of every variety are made. The weekly capacity is five
or six thousand, requiring forty operatives.
Maloney & Company, Thirteenth street. Third ward, make a specialty of
drilling tools in connection with general oil well supplies. The works were
first placed in operation by Maloney & Hurley. The plant comprises black
smith and boiler shops and foundry, and usually requires twenty men in the
various departments. This is one of the leading enterprises of the city.
D. T. Lane & Son, Fourteenth and Chestnut, manufacture sucker-rod
joints for the Franklin Sucker-Rod Company, organized in 1889 with A. A.
Plumer, president. The capacity is one thousand five hundred rods per
week. The works were first established in 1882. Wire rope transmissions
have received special attention during the past year (1888); a lathe has re
cently been designed and erected large enough to turn a sheave ten feet in
diameter. The sucker-rod business of this firm was consolidated with that
of Frazier & Smith in December 1889, under the name of the Franklin
Sucker-Rod Joint Company, Limited. The plant of the new company is

392 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
located in the Third ward, and the manufacture of sucker-rods in Franklin
will doubtless continue to be one of its leading industries.
M. A. Jack & Company, Fourteenth and Buffalo, are successors to Jack
& Osborn, by whom the Franklin Stair and Hardwood Works were estab
lished in January, 1887.
Two breweries are in operation. The first in the county was placed in
operation in Cranberry township by John Minnich in 1858. In 1861 it was
removed to Otter and South Park streets, FrankUn, and in 1865 the present
proprietor, Philip Grossman, assumed control. The Snell brewery in Sugar
Creek township was purchased in 1883 by Christian Brecht.
The American Oxide Company was organized and incorporated February
24, 1888, with a capital of five hundred thousand doUars and the foUowing
officers: S. R. Bradley, president; Charles Miller, vice-president; WiUiam
H. Forbes, treasurer, and L. H. Rutherford, secretary. The works were
placed in operation in September, 1888, and employ fifty men. The com
pany is the owner of certain patents originated by Messrs A. C. and S. R.
Bradley for the manufacture of oxides or salts of metals. The old method,
requiring seventy-seven hours, was both tedious and expensive; the process
of this company, the only improvement attempted in one hundred and
twenty-five years, is practically instantaneous. The company has been ab
sorbed by the National Lead Trust, and its works have been enlarged to a
capacity sufficient to supply the entire trade of the United States.
The Anglo-American Oxide Company was incorporated July 8, 1889,
with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars and the following officers:
President, S. R. Bradley, of New York; vice-president, Charles W. Mackey;
secretary, William H. Forbes; treasurer, E. H. Sibley; directors: S. R.
Bradley, Charles W. Mackey, Charles Miller, S. C. Lewis, and S. Beymer.
This company is the owner of the patents of the American Oxide Company
for the manufacture of oxides or salts of metals in Canada, France, Eng
land, Belgium and Germany, and has a plant in operation at Liege, Belgium.
THE OIL INDUSTRY.
To say that the growth of Franklin since 1860 and its present general
prosperity have resulted directly from the discovery of oil would be the ex
pression of a platitude. Local developments followed closely upon the first
news of Drake's operations on Oil creek. There was a well in the vicinity
of Twelfth and Otter streets, the water of which had an oily taste, and
when undisturbed for any length of time a film of oil gathered upon the
surface. This was naturally selected as the most favorable locality for
initial investigation. The owner was James Evans, a blacksmith. He
made the drilling apparatus himself, kept the tools in order, and with the
assistance of his sons driUed to the depth of seventy-two feet, when they
struck a cavity which promised a production of the oily fluid that might

-'^ ''byl- GKarna-n.^- C'-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 395
rival the famous well of Drake's. These operations were regarded with
much interest and curiosity by the townspeople. Their success was uni
versally desired, but few were sanguine of its accomplishment. In attempt
ing to remove the drill from the crevice it broke and a fragment remained,
notwithstanding which the well yielded fifteen barrels per day after being
tubed. It was pumped by hand. This was the third well bored that yielded
profitable returns and the first beyond the valley of Oil creek. That a man
of humble circumstances and only ordinary intelligence should thus, unaided
and alone, by the patient exercise of assiduous industry accomplish one of
the first discoveries regarding the extent of the oil field is one of the most
remarkable incidents in the history of petroleum.
Companies were organized for the drilling of wells and several had be
gun active operations before the Evans' well became productive. The first
of these was the Franklin Mining and Oil Company, organized with A.
Plumer, president; J. P. Hoover, vice-president; A. W. Raymond, secretary;
R. Lamberton, James Bleakley, R. A. Brashear, J. L. Hanna, T. Hoge,
executive committee, October 8, 1859 — but little more than a month after
Drake struck oil. In the latter part of November they had reached a depth
of ninety feet; oil was first obtained at a depth of two hundred and thirty-
nine feet January 12, 1860. The stock of this company was divided into
forty-two shares, and within a week after pumping was begun one thousar^d
dollars were offered for a share. In February, 1860, the Farmers' and
Mechanics' Company, Levi Dodd, president, began operations at the cor
ner of High street opposite the park, and Caldwell & Company, on French
creek at the foot of High street, were obtaining oil in paying quantities,
while a number of companies and individuals were preparing for work. The
first authentic account of a shipment of oil from Franklin places the number
of barrels at four hundred and twenty- seven; they were consigned to Pitts
burgh by the steamboat Venango April 27, 1860. The Mammoth well
on French creek near a large walnut tree and not far from the Evans well,
became productive May 15, 1860. The oil overflowed the conductor; this
was the first well at Franklin where the phenomenon occurred, and in the
extent of its producing capacity the Mammoth early demonstrated the pro
priety of its name.
The wells in Franklin or its immediate vicinity in July, 1860, with depth
and daily production were as follows: Colonel J. P. Hoover, twenty-five bar
rels; Strain & Company, thirty-five feet; Sprogle & Company, eighty-five feet;
Brigham & Company, Two hundred and thirty-five feet; Stitts, eight bar
rels; Mason, one hundred and eighty-seven feet; Tucker & Howell, forty
feet; Shoemaker & Company, one hundred and thirty feet; Raymond &
Underhill, No. 1, two hundred and sixty-two feet, fifteen barrels; No. 2,
one hundred feet; Caldwell & Company, two hundred feet; Evans, seventy-
two feet, fifteen barrels; Clarion Company, one hundred and thirt}- seven

396 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
feet; Mammoth Company, No. 2, two hundred and sixty-six feet, five bar
rels; No. 3, two hundred and ninety feet; Joy, five barrels; Myers, one
hundred and seventy-eight feet; Broomstick Company, fifteen barrels;
Andrews & Company, one hundred and ninety feet; Greer, two hundred
and ten feet; Reed, two hundred and twenty feet; J. G. Lamberton, one hun
dred and thirty-two feet; Shuster & Company, one hundred and seventy-
five feet; Venango Oil and Mining Company, ten barrels. Twenty-two others
were also in process of drilling. In August, 1860, there were seven pro
ductive wells within the limits of the borough of Franklin, of which the
respective daily yields were as follows : Broomstick Company, fifteen bar
rels; Raymond & UnderhUl, eight; Evans, twelve; Eveleth & BisseU, fif
teen; Mammoth Company, four; Cook, three; Kinnear & Company, twelve —
total, sixty-nine. In addition to these the following wells were producing
in November, 1860: Curtz & Strain, five hundred and two feet, fifteen
barrels; Mackey & Company, two hundred and fifty-three feet, twenty-five
barrels; Raymond & Underhill, No. 2, three hundred feet, fourteen barrels;
Franklin Oil and Mining Company, No. 4, two hundred and sixty- one
feet, four barrels; Myers & Company, one hundred and fifty- two feet,
eight barrels; McKinley, Mitchell & Company, two hundred and seventy-
seven feet, eight barrels; Dale, Caldwell & Company, two hundred and
sixty feet, three barrels; Tucker & HoweU,, two hundred and fifty-four feet,
eight barrels; Welsby, Smith & Company, one hundred feet, four barrels;
Mason, Lane & Company, two hundred and sixty-seven feet, ten barrels —
a total of fifteen wells with a daily production of one hundred and thirty-
nine barrels.
It will be observed that the depth in most instances did not exceed two
or three hundred feet, while the product was obtained by an expensive sys
tem of pumping. For some months Franklin was the scene of unprece
dented activity. Derricks were erected in every conceivable locality. Wells
were drilled in front yards, in gardens, or in the bottom of wells that had
previously supplied drinking water. The town was the objective point of the
first great rush of people to the oil regions. The early ventures were almost
uniformly successful; but within little more than a year after the Evans
well became productive there was a sudden suspension of operations. In
June, 1861, the first flowing well on Oil creek was struck, and with the
others that followed had such a depressing effect upon the oil market as to
render the smaller pumping wells utterly unprofitable. Many in and around
Franklin were abandoned, and several years elapsed before developments in
this territory were resumed.
What is known as the old Franklin district produces an oil peculiarly
adapted to lubricating purposes. In the crude state it has a natural cold
test of twenty degrees below zero, with a specific gravity of thirty-one de
grees. It will not distill a burning oil. Its advantages as a lubricant were

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 397
early recognized, and it has been made the basis of several celebrated oils.
The district is comparatively narrow in extent. The earliest available sta
tistics are for the year 1875, when the amount of oil shipped amounted to
ninety-one thousand, two hundred and fifty- eight barrels, not including two
thousand barrels per month consumed by local refineries, April 1, 1876,
there were one hundred and fifty producing wells; the daily production was
two hundred and twenty-five barrels, and the amount of oil in stock exceeded
seventy-three thousand barrels. The amount of oil produced in 1877 was
eighty-eight thousand barrels (in round numbers); in 1878, sixty-nine thou
sand barrels. The total amount of stock, January 1, 1878, was fifty thou
sand barrels; January 1, 1879, twenty-seven thousand barrels. The number
of wells, January 1, 1878, was two hundred and seventy; January 1, 1879,
three hundred and fifty-three, and of this increased number thirty-six had
been drilled during the year, the remainder retubed. During 1879 one
hundred and twenty-three wells were drilled and sixteen retubed; four hun
dred and seventy-five were in operation January 1, 1880. In October, 1883,
the stock on hand aggregated forty-two thousand barrels, and the number of
wells was estimated at twelve hundred and eighty. Since that time the num
ber abandoned each year about compensates the number drilled or retubed.
There are about thirteen hundred pumping wells in the district, and the
production does not exceed five thousand barrels per month.
The Taft & Payn pipe line was the first in the Franklin district. It v/as
begun in 1870, and the company organized the following month. The first
line was three miles in length, extending from the Egbert and Dewoody
tract to the river. A further extension to the Galloway farm was made in
1872, and a rival line, the Franklin, was constructed to the same region.
The two consolidated in 1878 under the name of the Franklin Pipe Com
pany, Limited, of which the present officers are: J. W. Grant, president and
general manager; D. Grimm, secretary and treasurer. The aggregate length
of mains is sixty miles.
The Franklin Producers' Pipe Linel Company was incorporated in Au
gust, 1883. The present officers, who have held their respective positions
since the first organization, are as follows: President, E. D. Yates; secre
tary, J. H. Cain; treasurer, William J. Bleakley. There are twenty-two
miles of pipe, confined to the ' ' old district, ' ' and in the transportation of
oils a gravity of thirty-one and two-tenths degrees is required.
The refining business at Franklin began in a very modest way. The
first to engage in this was a Mr. Brown, and the methods employed were ex
ceedingly primitive. Colonel J. P. Hoover built the first refinery of any
consequence, which was burned in the autumn of 1861. The Norfolk Oil
Works were established in 1861, on Elk street, below the Allegheny bridge.
Their capacity was two hundred barrels per week. The works of Sims &
Whitney, on Liberty street, near the river, were also among the first. Nine

398 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
refineries were in operation in 1864-65, and after this, for a time, the busi
ness appears to have been discontinued almost entirely. At present it con
stitutes the main source of business prosperity, and whether the capital in
vested or the labor employed be considered, the oil works of Franklin are
among the most extensive in the world.
The Keystone Oil Works were originally built in 1864, by Samuel Spen
ser, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, at a cost of thirty thousand doUars. Within
three or four years he leased the works to Jacob Sheasley, and the latter, in
1875, leased to the Standard Oil Company for ten years, during which period
the plant was not operated and fell into decay. J. H. Cain purchased the
property in 1885; as rehabilitated since that date the tankage capacity is
three thousand barrels; still capacity, three hundred barrels per day, and
filtering capacity, two hundred barrels per month. The product consists
mainly of lubricating oils from Franklin third sand crude, amounting to six
or eight thousand barrels annually. It was amalgamated with the Frauklin
Oil Works January 1, 1890, Colonel Cain becoming one of the proprietors
of the latter institution.
Galena Oil Works, Limited. — Among the refineries at Franklin in 1805
was that of the Great Northern Oil Company, organized the previous year;
the works were on the north bank of French creek at a locality once known
as Hoge's point. They were leased in 1868 by Colonel Street, and pur
chased in 1869 by Charles Miller and John Coon, doing business under the
firm name of Miller & Coon. This occurred in May. In July following R. L.
Cochran became a member of the firm, and the style was changed to Miller,
Coon & Company. A third change occurred in January, 1870, when Mr.
Cochran retired in favor of R. H. Austin, and the firm name became Miller,
Austin & Company. They were succeeded in August, 1870, by the Galena
Oil Works, in which Charles Miller, John Coon, R. H. Austin, and H. B.
Plumer were constituent partners. In December, 1878, Messrs. Coon,
Austin, and Plumer disposed of their interests to the Standard Oil Company,
and the business since that date has been continued by the Galena Oil
Works, Limited, of which Charles Miller is president; F. Q. Barstow of
New York, secretary and treasurer; E. H. Sibley, local treasurer; John E.
Gill, general manager; George C. Miller, superintendent.
At the time of Miller & Coon's purchase in 1869 the name was Point
Lookout Oil Works; the tankage capacity was one thousand barrels, and
the manufacturing capacity one hundred barrels per day. W. E. Foster
was superintendent. The value of the lead oxide known as Galena as an
ingredient in a lubricating oil was discovered about this time; other improve
ments in the method of refining were also devised, and the process secured
by letters patent. This had been used but a short time when the works were
destroyed by fire, Thursday, August 11, 1870, involving a loss of twenty
thousand dollars with but slight insurance. The Dale refinery, half a mile

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 399
farther up the creek on the line of the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio
railroad, was at once purchased; within a month the necessary alterations
in the machinery had been made and Galena oil was again being manu
factured. With a constantly extending business the works have been enlarged
from time to time. At present five acres are inclosed, and nearly all the
available space is occupied by buildings and tanks, the capacity of the latter
aggregating one hundred and twenty-five thousand barrels. Every appli
ance that ingenuity can devise or experience suggest has been utilized, and
the machinery is so perfected as to require but twenty- five men in all the
departments of the works. Railway oils are manufactured exclusively, and
the daily product is three thousand barrels. Galena oils are used on seventy-
five per cent, of the railway mileage of America — on three distinct lines
from Boston and New York to the Pacific coast, and in Mexico and Canada.
The amount of capital invested closely approximates one million dollars.
Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company, Limited. — The company by which
the Eclipse works were originally established was organized with A. G.
Egbert, president; C. W. Mackey, vice-president; John B. Moorehead,
secretary; Forster W. Mitchell, treasurer; and Doctor Herbert W. C.
Tweddle, manager. The latter was subsequently superseded by P. R.
Gray. Fifty or sixty different products of petroleum were manufactured;
agencies were established in Europe, and the domestic business was large.
Certain processes then originated are still used in a modified form. Their
first inception occurred at an early period in the history of oil refining
with Doctor Tweddle; he established a refinery under the name of the
Eclipse at Pittsburgh and others using processes patented by him were also
erected at different points. His works at Pittsburgh having been destroyed
by fire, he removed the remainder of the plant to Franklin in 1878, having
purchased ground and begun building operations in the preceding year; but
before any considerable progress had been made the company was organ
ized. The works occupied about eight acres of ground, and the capacity
did not exceed one thousand barrels per week. In 1876 representatives of
the Standard Oil Company secured the property, and a new company under
the present style was organized with S. C. Lewis, president; D. Mcintosh,
secretary and treasurer. The plant represents ,an invested capital of two
mUlion dollars and covers an area of seventy acres. This is the only
refinery in the world that manufactures every merchantable product of
petroleum. In addition to oils about eighty barrels of paraffine wax are
made per day. The daily capacity of crude oil is five thousand barrels.
Three other refineries are also operated by the Eclipse Company — No. 2, at
OU City, with a capacity of seven thousand barrels per week; No. 3, at
Olean, New York; and No. 4, at Erie, Pennsylvania. Four hundred and
twenty operatives are employed at Franklin. In the various departments
of the works there are three hundred and ninety-four tanks, with an aggre
gate capacity of fifteen hundred thousand barrels.

400 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Crescent Oil Works were first operated in 1873 in connection with
an evaporating establishment in Sugar Creek township by L. H. Fassett, the
present proprietor, and removed to the present location in 1886. The dis
tilling capacity is one hundred barrels per day. The specialty is lubricat
ing oils with Franklin heavy oil as the basis.
Signal Oil Works, Limited. — The organization of this company occurred
in 1874. The officers are: President, J. C. Sibley; secretary and treasurer,
F. Q. Barstow; local treasurer, E. H. Sibley; directors: J. C. Sibley,
Charles Miller, John D. Archbold, F. Q. Barstow, and D. Mcintosh. The
capital is three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Valve and signal oils
for railroad use are manufactured.
The Franklin Oil Works were first established in 1877 by George Allen,
Robert Fleming, and Hugh Carr, on Howard street. Third ward, and
removed to the present location in 1880. J. W. Reamer and Hugh Carr
became the owners in 1887. The distilling capacity is one hundred barrels
per day; tankage capacity, one thousand five hundred barrels. Twenty-two
wells in Franklin territory are operated under the same ownership. Both
refined and lubricating oils are manufactured. January 1, 1890, the Key
stone Oil Works were amalgamated with this institution. Colonel Cain
becoming one of the proprietors of the latter.
The Relief Oil Works were built in 1878. S. P. McCalmont is chair
man of the company; S. P. McCalmont, Jr., secretary; B. H, Osborn,
treasurer; and O. B. Steele, manager. The charging stillage capacity is
nine hundred and fifty barrels, and weekly manufacturing capacity two
thousand five hundred barrels. The product consists of lubricating and
illuminating oils. The works are located across the river in Cranberry
township, on the line of the Allegheny Valley railroad.
GENERAL BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The merchants of Franklin in 1837 were James Adams, William Ray
mond, Myron Park, Hugh McClelland, Elliott & Henry, R. Hower, B. A.
Plumer, and Robert Lamberton. Their number had increased to twenty-
two in 1855, when Messrs. Plumer, Lamberton, Raymond, and Park were
still in business, the others being as follows: S. L. Ulman, James G. Lam
berton, James Griffin, G. W. Brigham, J. L. McBride, Jacob Mayes, G. C.
McClelland, F. Kennedy & Company, James Bleakley, Henry Dubbs, James
Bryden, Samuel Bailey, E. S. Durban, Bennett & Cochran, Josiah Adams,
S. H. Marshall, Willard Lindsay, and G. Kann & Company. The number of
business places in 1862 was thirty-three. The growth of business since
that date is sufficiently indicated by reference to the mercantile appraiser's
list for 1889, which contains the names of eighty-seven individuals or firms
in the various lines of trade. Liberty street from Twelfth to Thirteenth
and Thirteenth from Elbow to Chestnut continues to be the principal busi-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 401
ness thoroughfare, though several stores are located in the Third ward and
others on Liberty below Twelfth street.
There were three hotels in the town in 1823. Of these the first was
established by George Power on Otter street. Colonel James Kinnear's
brick hotel on the site of the Snook block. Liberty and West Park streets,
was a favorite resort of the lawyers of that time and the generation follow
ing. It was usually the headquarters of the judge during court week, and
numbered among its guests Thompson, Knox, and Gordon, afterward jus
tices of the supreme court. Latterly it was known as the Greene house;
its career as a public house terminated December 9, 1865, and the building
was removed in 1882. The site of the United States hotel has been so
occupied from a very early period in the history of the town. A part of it
was erected by Samuel Plumer in 1806. George McClelland was proprietor
here in 1823. He was succeeded in 1830 by Edward Pearce and the name
at that time was the " Rising Sun. ' ' Thomas Hulings ran a hotel in 1823 on
the site of Martin & Epley's drug store. John Evans and Arthur Robison
were among its landlords. Among its later contemporaries was Jeremiah
Clancy's Jackson inn, Thirteenth and Elk streets. The Lamberton house
on Liberty street, a leading hostelry in its day, was opened by C. B. Evans
in 1851. Luke Turner, Lewis T. Reno, A. W. Raymond, William Cartwright,
and M. Henry were also among the hotel men of this period. The Rural
house received its present name in 1858; it was previously known as the
Venango house. The Madison house changed to the American in 1870.
The Grant house, erected in the first years of the oil excitement, was par
tially destroyed by fire in 1866 and rebuilt in its present form. The
Exchange hotel was originally erected by a company; it was a frame buUd
ing five stories high, and was burned to the ground April 13, 1870, involv
ing a loss of one hundred thousand dollars. It was immediately rebuilt
and opened under the management of S. M. Mills May 29, 1871, This is
one of the largest and best hotels in northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Franklin opera house, a brick structure one hundred and fifteen
feet by sixty-two feet in dimensions, was built by a stock company com
posed of leading citizens and opened by the Emma Abbott opera company
September 10, 1886. The present manager is J. P. Keene. It is situated
on Buffalo street above Thirteenth.
The Lamberton Savings Bank was organized March 25, ] 873, by C. W.
GilfiUan, president; R, L. Cochran, cashier, and R. G. Lamberton. The
business was originally begun in 1860 by Robert Lamberton in connection
with a large general store, and this is therefore the oldest banking institu
tion in Venango county. The handsome bank building on Thirteenth street
was erected in 1887. The present officers are C. W. GUfiUan, president;
Harry Lamberton, cashier.
The Venango Bank, subsequently merged in the Venango National

402 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Bank, was opened for business November 3, 1862. Its founder and lead
ing spirit was Charles Vernon Culver, who came here from the east in 1861,
and established private banking offices at Franklin, Oil City, Petroleum
Center, TitusviUe, and Meadville, which were afterward converted into
corporate banks. Francis D. Kinnear was president of the Venango Bank,
and Thomas Hoge, vice president, while its directory embraced some of the
most substantial citizens of the county. Culver was, however, the business
and financial manager, and the several banking institutions under his con
trol were highly prosperous and popular. He was a man of great energy,
and planned and prosecuted many large enterprises, some of which gave
big returns on the capital invested. The shrewdest business men of the
community had unbounded confidence in his ability and promises, and
gladly intrusted him with their surplus money for investment. Everything
looked bright and promising, and for a few years Culver was the financial
lion of the oil region. Early in 1866 rumors began to be circulated against
the feasibility of some of his projects, and also against the financial credit
of the banking house of Culver, Penn & Company, of New York, the head
of the coterie of banks with which he was connected. These rumors created
a run on that institution and it failed March 27, 1866. The banks at Frank
lin, Oil City, Petroleum Center, TitusviUe, and Meadville immediately fol
lowed suite. Depositors, stockholders, and other creditors lost heavily, and
many circumstances connected with the failure of these banks is yet a
stench in the nostrils of the people.
The First National Bank was chartered January 8, 1864; the charter
was extended February 24, 1883. The organization in 1864 was consti
tuted as follows: President, Arnold Plumer; cashier, James Bleakley; direc
tors: Arnold Plumer, Robert Crawford, A. B. Funk, Samuel Q. Brown,
Hamilton McClintock, R. S. McCormick*, Samuel Plumer, J. K. Kerr, and
James P. Hoover. The capital is one hundred thousand dollars; surplus,
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The succession of cashiers is as
follows: James Bleakley, R. L. Cochran, A. D. Cotton, and F. W. Officer.
The bank has had but two presidents — Arnold Plumer and Samuel Plumer.
The officers at present are: Samuel Plumer, president; A. A. Plumer, vice-
president; F. W. Officer, cashier; Samuel Plumer, A. A. Plumer, S. P.
McCalmont, James Woodburn, J. O. McCalmont, Charles Miller, J. C.
Sibley, and S. C. Lewis, directors. The bank took possession of its pres
ent substantial quarters April 4, 1870.
The International Bank was opened for the transaction of business
May 25, 1868, with James Bleakley, president, and WiUiam J. Bleakley,
cashier. This is a private banking institution. The officers at this time
are WUliam J. Bleakley, president, and H. Bleakley, cashier, and the daily
exchanges are larger than at any time in its previous history.
The Exchange Bank was incorporated June 20, 1888, under the state

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 403
law, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The business was es
tablished in January, 1871, with John L. Mitchell, president, and P. Mc
Gough, cashier, in the Exchange hotel building, whence it was removed to
the present location in the foUowing year. The surplus, which was ten
thousand dollars at the time of the incorporation, has since increased to
thirty thousand doUars. -John L. MitcheU is president; Thomas Nesbit,
vice-president, and Thomas Alexander, cashier. John L, Mitchell, C. Hey
drick, R, H. Woodburn, D. Grimm, J. P. Byers, Thomas Nesbit, H. D.
Hulin, J. D. Hancock, and William Gates constitute the present directory.
The Savings Bank of Franklin was incorporated by act of the legisla
ture March 6, 1872, and commenced business May 1st of the following year
with a subscribed capital of one hundred thousand dollars, one-half of which
was paid in cash. A fair surplus of earnings has been allowed to accumu
late, and regular semi-annual dividends are paid to shareholders. The pres
ent executive officers: Isaac N. Patterson, president; Benjamin W. Bredin,
secretary, and E. W. Echols, treasurer, have held their respective offices
continuously since the organization, and the policy of the management,
while leaning strongly toward safety and conservatism, is fairly liberal to all
patrons. The bank occupies the same quarters at the corner of Liberty and
Twelfth streets in which business was commenced. The interior has re
cently been remodeled, and compares favorably with other banking institu
tions of Franklin.
The Franklin Gas Company organized May 26, 1869, under legislative
enactment of April 4, 1868, with the election of William Brough, president,
and a board of directors composed of J. L. Hanna, Samuel Plumer, C. Hey
drick, Thomas McDonough, and J. M. Bonham. C. W. Mackey was secretary
and George R. Snowden, treasurer. The city was, illuminated with gas Decem
ber 3, 1870, for the first time. The present officers are C. W. GilfiUan, pres
ident and superintendent; James Miller, secretary, and Harry Lamberton,
treasurer. The Venango Water Company — F. W. Mitchell, president; C. Heydrick,
O. D. Bleakley, C. W. GUfiUan, J. L. Hanna, and James Woodburn, direc
tors, and R. J. Hanna, general manager, was incorporated by act of the
legislature October 22, 1863, and organized May 7, 1864. The first presi
dent was J. L. Hanna; the first directors were E. C. Pechin, Robert Lam
berton, Samuel F. Dale, P. McGough, and C. Heydrick. The works were
constructed and placed in operation in the summer of 1865, The original
capital was twenty thousand dollars, which has since increased to one hun
dred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
The Franklin Natural Gas Company was incorporated June 29, 1885,
with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The Speechley field is the
source of supply. The present officers are J. M. Dickey, president; W. J.
Welsh, vice-president; W. H. Forbes, secretary and treasurer; W. J. Welsh,
S. C. Lewis, D. Grimm, and F. W. Mitchell, directors.

404 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Columbia Gas Light and Fuel Company was organized in October,
1885, with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars, which amount was sub
sequently increased to one million. The first officers were C. W. Mackey,
president; C. W. GilfiUan, vice-president; James Miller, secretary, and B.
W. Bredin, treasurer. A lease of the Speechley farm, upon which the
largest gas well developed at that date was situated, was secured, and other
territoiy aggregating two thousand acres was also leased. Operations were
begun with the construction of an eight-inch main to Meadville, a distance
of thirty-six miles, this being the first successful effort to pipe natural gas a
long distance. An eight-inch main was constructed to Hendersonville,
Mercer county, and a ten-inch main from that place to Youngstown, Ohio,
a distance of over sixty miles, supplying Mercer, Sharon, and Youngstown.
The company was , also interested in local gas companies at Meadville and
Oil City. It paid no cash dividends and expended the full amount of its
capital stock in the construction of its plant and the acquisition of territory.
In the magnitude of its operations and of its capitalization it was the larg
est financial undertaking ever organized in Franklin. In October, 1887, it
was merged in the Natural Gas Trust, after protracted negotiations affect
ing in some measure county and state politics, and has ceased to be a local
institution. The Franklin Improvement Company was incorporated January 16, 1887,
and organized shortly thereafter with the election of Harry Lamberton,
president; B. H. Osborn, vice-president; J. P. Keene, secretary; and Ed
ward Bleakley, treasurer. The company subserves the general purposes of
a board of trade, and will doubtless prove an efficient agency in promoting
the general business and industrial interests of the city.
TELEGRAPH, EXPRESS, AND TELEPHONE FACILITIES.
• The first telegram to Franklin was received from Pittsburgh, December
19, 1861, by C. Barry, the local manager of a line since merged in the
Western Union. The offices of the latter and of the Postal Telegraph and
Cable Company constitute the present facilities in this respect.
The first railroad express office was opened immediately after the com
pletion of the Franklin branch of the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio
railroad. The local agent was W. A. Cooper, and the office was at his gro
cery store, on the location of the Snook block. The first agent to give ex
clusive attention to the business was Leroy Kingman, now the editor of a
paper at Oswego, New York. This company was the United States, which
has been followed successively by the Erie and Wells-Fargo, the latter
being at present in control of the express business of the Erie railway sys
tem. The business on the Allegheny Valley and Lake Shore roads was in
the hands of the Union Express Company until 1883, when the former
passed to the Adams and the latter to the American Express Company.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 405
The Franklin Telephone Exchange was organized in 1881 by J. P.
Keene, as a branch of the Central District and Printing Telegraph Com
pany, of Pittsburgh. The present number of subscribers is eighty-five.
Mr. Keene has been local manager since the organization.
SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
Venango Lodge, No. 255, I. 0. O. F. — The original charter of this lodge
was granted August 2, 1847, and its institution occurred October 26, 1847,
when the following officers were installed: W. H. Lamberton, N. G. ; F.
D. Kinnear, V. G. ; W. Henry, S. ; B. Alexander, A. S. ; N. Cary, T. ; J. P.
Hoover, W. ; N. R. Bushnell, C. ; Thomas Shugert, O. G. ; I. H. Shannon,
I. G. This charter was burned with all the effects of the lodge; the pres
ent charter was granted to Charles Mihleder, N. G. ; J. S. BoUman, V. G. ;
F. D. SuUinger, S. ; H. E. Giddings, A. S. ; EUas Boriand, T.
Venango Encampment, No. 150, I. 0. O. F., was organized November
19, 1866, and the first officers were Thomas A. Martin, C. P. ; David Guthrie,
H. P. ; WiUiam A. Thompson, S. W. ; Harry Plance, J. W. ; John R. Stan
ford, S. ; S. J. McAninch, T. ; J. O. Rockwell, G. , and John Quinn. After
a period of temporary suspension during which the charter was surrendered,
it was restored August 28, 1886.
Minnie Lodge, No. 144, 1. 0. O. F. , Rebekah Degree, of which Lucy Ful
ler, N. G. ; Fanny C. Thompson, V. G. ; J. S. BoUman, S. ; Clara Wenzel,
A. S. ; and N. Borland, T. , were the first officers, received its charter Feb-
ruaiy 5, 1886.
MyHle Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M., was instituted February 22, 1858,
with W. C. Evans, W. M. ; Ethel Shelmadine, S. W. ; G. E. Ridgway, J,
W. ; Myron Park, T. ; Arthur Robinson, S. ; S. L. Ulman, S. D. ; John
Evans, J. D. ; Charles W. Mackey, chaplain; F. H. Park, M. C. Past Mas
ters— G. E. Ridgway, M. W. Sage, C. M. Hoover, Joseph BeU, C. W.
Mackey, AV. M. Epley, H. D. Hulin, J. M. Dewoody,- Thomas Algoe, C. D.
EUiott, P. R. Gray, G. S. CrisweU, F. P. Martin, W. G. Ladds, Isaac St.
Clair, M. D., A. Y. Findlay, Charies CowgiU.
Venango H. R. A. Chapter, No. 211, was constituted November 26,
1866. The first officers were M. W. Sage, M. B. H. P. ; G. E. Ridgway,
K. ; C. M. Hoover, S. ; Thomas Hoge, T. ; W. M. Epley, S. ; G. R. Snow
den, C. of H. Past High Priests— C. M. Hoover, C. W. Mackey, Joseph
Bell, W. C. Howe, P. R. Gray, C. D. EUiott, Thomas Algoe, W. G. Ladds,
J. R. Grant.
Keystone Council, No. 42, R. S. E. & S. M, was constituted August 18,
1871, with the following officers: M. W. Sage, T. I. G. M. ; G. E. Ridg
way, D. L G. M. ; C. W. Mackey, P. C. of W. ; A. Plumer, T. ; J. W. Row
land, S. ; G. R. Snowden, C. of G. ; J. E. Muse, sentinel. Past T. I. G.
Masters— M. W. Sage, C. W. Mackey, W. C. Howe.

406 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Franklin Commandery, No. 44, K. T., was constituted October 24,
1871. The first officers were as follows: M. W. Sage, E. C. ; G. E. Ridg
way, G. ; G. R. Snowden, C. G. ; A. Plumer, T. ; Charles Miller, R. ; C.
W. Mackey, S. W. ; H. A. Miller, J. W.; Charies Bowman, S. B. ; G. W.
Plumer, S. B. ; J. E. Muse, sentinel. Past Eminent Commanders — M. W.
Sage, C. W. Mackey, H. D. Hulin, W. C. Howe, D. D. Grant, Thomas
Algoe, J. E. Gill, George Maloney.
Franklin Lodge, No. 3, A. 0. U. W. , was organized June 9, 1870. The
original charter having been destroyed by fire, the present instrument was
granted February 24, 1886, to W. L. Corrin, P. M. W. ; M. Quinn, M. W.;
George Sanderson, G. F. ; S. W. Smith, O. ; J. K. Elliott, R. ; A. Kolb, P. ;
Henry T. James, R. ; W. C. Ridgway, G. ; J. C, Deemer, J. W. ; J. Mc
Elhaney, O. W.
Franklin Legion, No. 25, S. K. of A. 0. U. W. , was instituted by G,
C. Charles Babst March 20, 1886. H. W. Bostwick, Moses Wachtel, and
B. S. Black were the first trustees; the officers were W. L. Corrin, S. C. ;
D. I. Dale, V. C. ; M, Quinn, L. C. ; B. J. Feldman, R. ; Henry T. James,
T. ; A. Kolb, B. E. Swan, George Maloney, W. C. Ridgway, R. J. Rat
cliffe, D. A. McElhaney, and D. B. WUhelm.
French Creek Tribe, No. 147, Improved Order of Red Men, received its
charter under date of March 22, 1871. The first members were J. H. Mc-
Cracken, J. H. Spencer, H. A. Plance, F. D. SuUinger, 'M. Singer, G. B.
Fox, S. B. Myers, Alex Vincent, C. Wacksmuth, Felix Grossman, John
Lytle, Edward Rial, N. B. Myers.
St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevo
lent Union, was organized in November, 1875, with R. Hammond, presi
dent; B. Darrah, vice-president; H. J. Strodmeyer, secretary, and John
O'Neil, treasurer.
Franklin City Lodge, No. 448, K. of P., was instituted March 18, 1876,
with D. L. Potter, P. C. ; N. King, C. C. ; B. W. Bredin, V. C. ; Reverend
F. Evans, P. ; M. Bridges, M. at A. ; R. W. Redfield, K. of R. and S. ;
Joseph Walker, M. of F. ; A. Y. Findlay, M. of Ex. ; J. R. Connor, I. G. ;
Thomas Walker, O. G. ; B. F. Frost, R., and fifty-four others as charter
members. Branch No. 2, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, was instituted Jan
uary 24, 1878; the first officers were J. S. McGariy, president; P. Qum-
livan, first vice-president; G. \V. Sutley, treasurer; H. J. Strodmeyer, sec
retary; D. McCarthy, marshal; J. E. Maher, guard; Reverend J. Q.
Adams, spiritual adviser; J. Sheehan, P. Gormley, L. J. Heffernan, J. S.
McGarry, and P. Quinlivan, directors.
Crawford Lodge, No. 3, Knights and Ladies of Honor, was instituted
September 15, 1879, with thirty-six charter members.
Venango Council No. 33, Royal Templars of Temperance, was insti-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 407
tuted March 21, 1879. The original charter was burned and the present
instrument granted March 16, 1886, to D. W. Morgan, S. C. ; C. W. Smith,
V. C. ; J. N. Fradenburgh, P, C. ; D. WUhelm, chaplain; I. E. Howard, R.
D. Tipple, secretaries, and E. P. Howard, treasurer, the officers at that date.
Lockard Lodge, No. 1534. Knights of Honor, was chartered September
30, 1879. There were forty members at that time, among whom were C.
M. Hoover, R. G. Lamberton, G. S. CrisweU, W. W. Peters, P. Engels
kirger, W. A. Horton, and H. B. Plumer.
Franklin Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 76, was organized by George W.
White December 8, 1880.
Franklin Union, No. 51, Equitable Aid Union, was constituted March
11, 1881, with Mrs. Frank E, Whann, chancellor; H. H. Ware, advocate;
J. M. Dickey, president; Mrs. W. A. Horton, vice-president; Mrs. Fran
ces Evans, auxiliary; Mrs. Anna G. Adams, treasurer; Mrs. A. C. Giddings,
secretary. Nursery Union, No. 183, Equitable Aid Union, was organized in 1885
with the following officers: Samuel Huntsberger, chancellor; J. R. Bor
land, advocate; George Maloney, president; Mary L. Mallory, vice-presi
dent; J. R. Watson, treasurer; A. Kolb, secretary.
Major William B. Mays Post, No. 220, G. A. R. , was mustered July 25,
1881, by Edward O. Farrelly with the following comrades and officers:
Isaac St. Clair, commander; William Rickards, officer of the day; John
King, adjutant; P. R. Gray, C. S. Mark, J. W. Clark, F. P. Saylor, G. W.
Boyles, P. Engleskirger, J. A. King, Jacques Buscha, C. W. Mackey, D.
P. Brown, C. B. Taylor, M. J. Colman, J. M. Gardener, F. I. Nolan, Al
fred Elmont, L. H. Fassett, G. O. Ellis, W. C. Howe, Samuel Lindsey,
John Huston, G. D. Applegarth, Casper Frank, J. S. May, Moore Bridges,
J. P. Barr, J. R. Snow, J. H. Cain, J. W. Grant, John Henninger, R. H.
Woodburn, Ephraim Black, J. R. Watson, C. R. Levier, L. G. Sibley, M.
Kirkland, G. W. Hemphill, J. H. Whitaker, W. A. Horton, W. S. Welsh,
George Pohl, James Dunlap, J. "W. Welsh, B. W. Bredin, Isa' Black, R.
Hilans, W. Beuchler, B. E. Swan, and O. W. Hanson. Past Commanders:
Isaac St. Clair, WiUiam Rickards, J. S. May, C. W. Howe, L. H. Fassett,
C. W. Mackey, James Dunlap, G. D. Applegarth, N. P. Kinsley, and M. R.
Paden. The Woman's Relief Corps auxiliary to this post received its charter
bearing date June 22, 1888, when the officers were Mrs. Mary Snowden,
president; Mrs. Lauretta Mackey, S. V. P. ; Mrs. Mary WUey, J. V. P; Mrs.
Alma A. Shephard, secretary, and Mrs. Anna Rheem, treasurer.
Union Council, No. 96, Order of United Friends, was constituted Sep
tember 27, 1883, with thirty- six members, among whom were Louis Marks,
Wesley E. FuUer, R. A. Bigley, Joseph Leadenham, S. DeArman, and
James Johnson.

408 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Michael Angelo Council, No. 850, Royal Arcanum, was instituted June
8, 1885, with the following members: Fred Evans, D. C. Galbraith, J. S.
BaUman, H. K. Mattern, F. Stratton, G. S. Criswell, R. B. Mattern, Edward
D. Allen, W. W. Baker, A. Jackson, Henry F. James, C. W. GilfiUan,
James W. Lee, E. W. Echols, Henry H. Ware, Robert McCalmont, M. 0.
Flower, William Shaffer, Thomas Alexander, Henry G. Sheasley, Jacob
Sheasley, B. W. Bredin, N. P. Tobin, T. B. Sheasley, J. W. Reamer, George
Pohl, W. W. Duffield, James Smith, E. G. Crawford, W. J. Lamberton.
Assembly No. 7281, Knights of Labor, was organized September, 10,
1886. Father Adams Council, No. 229, Catholic Benevolent Legion, was insti
tuted July 8, 1888. The first officers were- J. S. McGarry, president; M. W.
Kinney, vice-president; L. J. Heffernan, orator; F. P. Lynch, secretary;
Jacob L. Smith, coUector; E. Jeunet, treasurer; Sebastian Wilson, marshal;
W. H. Wilson, guard; John M. Riesenman, S. J. Wilson, and James P. Mc-
Closkey, trustees.
Carpenter's Union, No. 401, Carpenters and Joiners of America, was
organized November 1, 1888.
Franklin Circle, No. 20, Protected Home Circle, was instituted with G.
W. GUfiUan, P. P. ; S. P. Haslet, G. ; E. Borland, president; S. Smith,
vice-president; C. C. Ramsdale, secretary; H. A. Myers, treasurer; H. G.
Reading, accountant; Mrs. M. Bridges, chaplain.
Franklin Lodge, No. 110, B. P O. E., was instituted March 21, 1889,
by District Deputy W. H. Wallace. The following officers were installed:
Thomas McGough, E. R. ; A. Kolb, E. L. K. ; James B. Borland, E. L. K.,
J. P. Keene, E. L. K. ; H. G. Reading, secretary; B. Bleakley, treasurer;
A. G. Galbrath, tyler; F. N. Raymond, Perry DeWoody, and E. W. Smith,
trustees. Union No. 13, Bricklayers' and Masons' International Union of Amer
ica, was organized August 19, 1889, with James McBlhinney, president; B.
A. Grim, recording secretary; L. D. Hunsberger, corresponding secretary;
Henry Thomas, treasurer, and Thomas Seaton, doorkeeper.
EDUCATIONAL.
The earliest educational effort in the county was the erection of a school
house in West park nearly opposite the United States hotel, in 1801. It was
built of unhewn logs, with clapboard floor; an enlarged space between the
logs served to admit light, and below this elongated aperture a board placed
in a slanting position served as a desk. James Mason was the flrst teacher.
In 1809 Alexander McCalmont taught a school. From the subscription
paper still extant it appears that the course of instruction included only the
traditional "three R's," reading, writing, and arithmetic. The length of
term was three months. The patrons furnished the room and flrewood, in

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 409
addition to which the cost of tuition was two dollars. Thirty-five pupils
were promised, of whom, George Power, John McDonald, and Alexander
McDowell each subscribed for three; Abraham Selders, Philip Houser,
William Connely, James Martin, and Catharine Armstrong, each two;
WiUiam Moore, Dennis Pursel, Nathaniel Hays, Samuel Monjar, WUliam
Gibson, Marcus Hulings, Robert Armstrong, Hugh PicknoU, John Atkin
son, Robert Austin, Jacob Weaver, Charles Ridgway, John Broadfoot,
Samuel Plumer, Robert Dewoody, and John Ridgway, one each. As Mr.
McCalmont was the only teacher in the village at that time, the above maj'
fairly be supposed to indicate the distribution of the juvenile school
population. The Venango Academy, in its checkered career of more than fifty years,
represents a system of educational work long since relegated to the past.
At the laying out of the town a number of outlots were set apart for school
purposes, and a similar disposition had previously been made of five hun
dred acres in the reservation proper. At that time it was the policy of the
state to supplement local effort in the different counties by annual appro
priations for school purposes. Each county had its academy, to which
state aid was directed, and which thus formed part of a general plan of
higher instruction. As part of this system the Venango Academy was
incorporated January 28, 1813; WUliam Moore, Alexander McDowell, John
McDonald, William Connely, George Power, and Alexander McCalmont were
named as the first board of trustees. Annually thereafter two members of
this board were elected by the county for a term of three years. A grant
of two thousand dollars was made; one thousand to be applied to the erec
tion and equipment of a suitable building, and one thousand to be invested
in productive securities. No part of this, however, was available until five
himdred dollars had been secured from local sources and the work of
building begun. Four poor children were to receive tuition free of charge
each year. It was provided that the annual income of the academy should
not exceed four thousand dollars, but this restriction, it seems unnecessary
to add, was never caUed into exercise.
In 1815 the building was erected. It was perhaps as elaborate and
pretentious in its appearance and appointments as the resources of the com
munity would warrant; wooden materials were used; there was an entrance
hall in front, communicating with two rooms; and here a succession of ped
agogues taught "the young idea how to shoot " until in course of time the
improved appearance of a growing county seat demanded better facilities.
John KeUy taught here first, from 1815 to 1823. Among his successors
were John Sutton and John Gamble; Reverend Robert Ayres, an Episco
pal clergyman, a man of dignified appearance and a prominent figure in
the early social life of the town; Reverend Nathaniel R. Snowden, a
Presbyterian minister, and Reverend Thomas F. Magill, also of the latter

410 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
denomination. When the first academy building was removed cannot be
definitely ascertained. In 1838 the trustees were ^authorized by the legis
lature to sell five hundred and ten acres of land and certain outlots and
apply the proceeds to the erection of new buUdings. This appears to have
been neglected for the time; and in 1852, the dilatoriness of the trustees in
this matter having been severely criticized by the press, they submitted a
statement showing that the available funds in their hands amounted to only
two thousand one hundred dollars. The agitation was continued; and in
the following year under their direction Jacob G. Keefer erected a two-
story brick building on Buffalo street. There were two rooms on the ground
fioor and one above. This infused new vigor into the institution; and in
the public schools of that period there was ample room for educational
work of an academic character. As the former improved the usefulness of
the latter declined. Under the provisions of a general law the academy
property became vested in the city school board, and in September, 1871,
it was sold to the Evangelical church.
Under the public school system buildings were erected in various parts
of the town. There' were three of these in 1848 — a brick building on Buf
falo street between Thirteenth and Fourteenth, now occupied as a residence;
a small frame house on Buffalo street near Ninth, and a similar structure
on West Park street between Elk and Otter built about 1840 upon ground
owned by the Presbyterian church. The latter is still referred to as "the
old white school house." There was no regularly arranged course of study
in those days nor for many years afterward, but each teacher did what
seemed right in his own eyes and when pupils became sufficiently advanced
they could enter the academy. The town was neither populous nor wealthy,
and the improvement in the public schools was scarcely perceptible, public
interest and energy being centered upon the academy.
The beginning of the oil development marks a new era in local educa
tional as well as material progress. This was substantially evidenced in
1867 by the erection of the Union school building on the corner of Eleventh
and Buffalo streets at a cost of thirty-three thousand seven hundred dollars.
January 6, 1868, this building was opened with an attendance of seven
hundred pupils — such an outpouring of the rising generation to one point
as had never before been witnessed in Franklin. In 1860 there were seven
schools; from 1861 to 1865, eight, of which one was colored; in 1867,
twelve; in 1871, thirteen; in 1872 and 1873, fourteen; in 1874, fifteen; and
with an increasing population enlarged accommodations had become a
necessity. May 28, 1876, contracts for the erection of two new buildings
were awarded, that for the First ward at the corner of Ninth and Elk, and
for the Second at the corner of Fourteenth and Buffalo. The original cost
of the former was thirteen thousand four hundred and ninety dollars; it
was enlarged in 1889 at an added expenditure of three thousand and thirty-

^^t^/i/ ';Le^^^zli^ 'jJ^a44M-. Qo,^

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 413
six dollars. The latter cost eighteen thousand four hundred dollars and
was enlarged in 1884 at a cost of three thousand two hundred and seventy-
five dollars. The cost of the Third ward building was twelve thousand four
hundred dollars. The aggregate value of school grounds, buildings, furni
ture, and apparatus at the present time approximates one hundred and five
thousand dollars.
M. N. Horton was elected principal of the city schools with general
supervision thereof in 1875 and served two years. He was succeeded in
1877 by N. P. Kinsley, who filled the position until 1885, when the city
having acquired the requisite population the office of superintendent of
schools was then created, in which Professor Kinsley has been continued
until the present time.
The following is a list of principals of the high school since 1868: H.
A. Strong, G. A. Walker, C. C. DunneUs, J. W. Canon, F. M. Kendall,
W. H. Schuyler, J. O. McCalmont, and C. B. Lord, present incumbent.
The high school curriculum includes three courses of study — English
scientific, Latin scientific, and classical. A high testimonial to its character
and thoroughness is found in the fact that graduates enter the Freshman
class at Princeton and Yale without further preparation. Among the
teachers who have been connected with the various departments of the
schools ten years or longer are N. P. Kinsley, P. D. SuUinger, A. L.
Bowser, Mary Ridgway, Annex Walker, Florence Campbell, and Lura
Smiley. The rate of taxation in 1861 and 1862 was ten mills; in 1863, six; in
1864, ten; in 1866 and 1867, twenty-six; in 1868, twenty-four; in 1869,
twenty; in 1870, twenty-six; in 1871, thirty; in 1872 and 1873, twenty-two;
in 1874, twenty -four; in 1875, ten; in 1876, eight; in 1877, 1878, and
1879, ten; in 1880, twelve; in 1881 and 1882, eleven; in 1883 and 1884,
ten; m 1885, twelve; in 1886, eleven; in 1887, 1888, and 1889, ten. For
building purposes the' highest rate was thirteen mills, in 1866, 1867, and
1870; the lowest was one mill, in 1876, and since that date the rate has
uniformly been two mills, except 1880, when three mills were levied, and
1884, when the rate was one and one-half mills. For school purposes the
highest rate was twenty mills, in 1871, with fourteen in 1878 and 1874 and
thirteen in 1866, 1867, and 1870. The lowest was six miUs in 1875, and
from that time the rate has not exceeded ten mills.
The board of directors is comprised of six members, two of whom are
elected annually for a term of three years. The following is a list of direc
tors as far as could be obtained from existing records:
1859.— J. C. May, Hugh Hunter, S. T. Kennedy, Levi Dodd, N. S.
Ridgway, Espy Connely.
I860,— Levi Dodd, N, S. Ridgway, J. L. Sprogle, Jacob Mayes, R. S.
McCormick, S. T. Kennedy.
23

414 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1861.— Jacob Mayes, S. T. Kennedy, C. Heydrick, WUliam Bennett, R.
S. McCormick, W. M. Epley.
1862.— C. Heydrick, M. W. Sage, T. H. Martin, C. W. GilfiUan, R. S.
McCormick, William Bennett.
1863.— C. Heydrick, M. W. Sage, R. Irwin, WiUiam Bennett, C. W.
GilfiUan, T. H. Martin.
1864.— R. Irwin, C. Heydrick, C. W. GilfiUan, T. H. Martin, S. J. M.
Baton, Thomas Hoge.
1865. — R. Irwin, Thomas Hoge, J. P. Hoover, C. Heydrick, S. J. M.
Eaton, N. S. Ridgway.
1866.— S. J. M. Eaton, N. S. Ridgway, Thomas Hoge, H. Womersley,
J. P. Hoover, J. H. Smith.
1867.— J. H. Smith, H. W^omersley, N. S. Ridgway, L W. Brady, J.
P. Hoover, Thomas Hoge.
1868.— J. H. Smith, N. S, Ridgway, I. W. Brady, R. A. Brashear, A.
P. Whitaker, H. Womersley.
1869.— J. H. Smith, I. W. Brady, A. P. Whitaker, N. S. Ridgway, G.
W. Brigham, R. A. Brashear.
1870.— A. P. Whitaker, W. S. CarroU, G. W. Brigham, S. C. T. Dodd,
H. Dubbs,  Winchester.
1871.— G. W. Brigham, president; W. S. CarroU. secretary; S, 0. T.
Dodd, W^ R. Crawford, W. S. Welsh,  Winchester.
1872.— W. R. Crawford, president; H. A. MiUer, secretary; S. C. T.
Dodd, W. S. Carroll, G. W. Brigham, N. H. McCormick.
1873.— W. S. Welsh, president; H. A. MiUer, secretary; N. H. McCor
mick, James Miller, J. H. Osmer, W. R. Crawford.
1874. — James Miller, president; H. A. Miller, secretary; N. H. McCor
mick, J. H. Osmer, H. A. Strong, W. J. Mattern.
1875. — W. J. Mattern, president; James Miller, secretary; D. W. Mor
gan, J. H. Osmer, A. D. Cotton, C. T, Mapes.
1876, — W. J. Mattern, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; S. B. Myers,
A. D. Cotton, C. S. Mark, C. T. Mapes.
1877. — S. B. Myers, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; P. R. Gray, A.
D. Cotton, C. S. Mark, C. T. Mapes.
1878. — S. B. Myers, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; P. R. Gray, C.
S. Mark, R. Hammond, J. D. Chadwick.
1879. — S. B. Myers, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; P. R. Gray, J.
D. Chadwick, R. Hammond, George Criswell.
1880. — S. B. Myers, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; J. D. Chadwick,
G. W. Plumer, W. J. Mattern, R. Hammond.
1881. — W. J. Mattern, president; D. A, Hays, secretary; S. B. Myers,
G, W. Plumer, J. D. Chadwick, E. J. Martin.
1882.— W. J. Mattern, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; S. B. Myers,
J. D. Chadwick, G. W. Plumer, E. J, Martin,

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 415
1883. — W. J. Mattern, president, J. D. Chadwick, secretary; S. B. Myers,
E. J. Martin, Isaac Reineman, James Smith.
1884. — Isaac Reineman, president; J. D. Chadwick, secretary; James
Smith, E. J. Martin, G. S. Criswell, P. R. Gray.
1885. — Isaac Reineman, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; P. R. Gray,
G. S. CrisweU, James Smith, M. R. Paden.
1886. — Isaac Reineman, president; D. A. Hays, secretary; G. S. Cris
weU, H. M. Hughes, J. D. Chadwick, M. R. Paden, L. L. Davis (vice H.
M. Hughes, deceased).
1887. — Isaac Reineman, president; J. D. Chadwick, secretary; H. M.
Irwin, H. D. Hulin, D. A. Hays, M. R. Paden.
1888. — H. M. Irwin, president; J. D. Chadwick, secretary; M. R. Paden,
H. D. Hulin, A. A. Plumer, D. A. Hays.
1889. — H. M. Irwin, president; J. D. Chadwick, secretary, H. D. Hulin,
PhUip Engelskirger, D. A. Hays, M. R. Paden.
1890. — D. A. Hays, president; J. D. Chadwick, secretary; H. M. Irwin,
H. D. Hulin, Philip Engelskirger, M. R. Paden.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The Presbyterian Church was well represented among the early popula
tion of Franklin, and naturally antedates the other religious bodies of the
town. The first sermon was preached in 1801 at the house of Captain
James G. Heron. In 1802 the Presbytery of Brie was asked to send sup
plies, which request was annually repeated, thus showing the continuous
presence of a Presbyterian element. Reverends Tait, Wood, Wick, and
Johnson were sent in response to these requests. They preached in private
houses, in the United States "garrison," or in the court house. June 25,
1817, at the meeting of presbytery at Scrubgrass, Reverend Ira Condit was
directed to preach one Sabbath at FrankUn and assist in effecting an organi
zation. This he did, July 28, 1817. In the same month four years later a
reorganization was effected under the auspices of the Presbytery of Allegheny
by Reverends Cyrus Riggs and Alexander Cook. There were nine mem
bers in 1817: John Broadfoot, James GiUiland, elders; Andrew Bowman,
Sarah Bowman, Nancy Hays, Barbara McCalmont, Henry Bowman, Isabella
Bowman, and Anna Dewoody. The first communion was celebrated in
July, 1821, in a grove on the bank of the creek between West Park street
and Thirteenth. The second occurrence of this nature was in 1823, when
the court house was occupied.
The first church edifice was also the first building erected in Franklin
for religious purposes. It was a frame building forty by fifty feet in size,
with a narrow vestibule and two stories in height, a gallery running around
three sides of the room. This gallery was high and lighted by a second
tier of windows. It was not occupied nor even seated until 1859. Over
the vestibule and running into the audience room was a small lecture room

416 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNT y.
that had access to the audience room by swinging doors. This small room
was used for prayer meetings, and the portion of gallery in front of it was
used as a choir gallery. In the farther end of the church was the pulpit,
high and lifted up, and covered with a mass of crimson drapery. The
church was remodeled several times, as the exigencies of the times required,
but it was always more useful than elegant. When first occupied it was
without pulpit or pews. A work bench with chair did duty as a pulpit, jmd
seats made with slabs and boards set on blocks answered very well as pews.
The gospel was a message of good tidings then in that rude shell, as well as
as at any time since, under fairer circumstances. This old buUding was
occupied for the last time on the 7th of March, 1869, and demolished two
or three years afterward.
The old subscription paper on which it was built is still extant. The
total sum of the subscription was one thousand and fifty-five dollars, of
which the cash subscriptions amounted to but ninety-six dollars. All kinds
of trade were subscribed, from hats and earthenware to two bushels of
wheat. It was long before the debt was fully extinguished, but this was
finally done before the house was torn down. As an indication of the close
ness of the times and the mode of transacting business at that day, the
entire subscription paper is copied from the original:
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, promise to pay to the trustees of the
Presbyterian congregation in Frauklin the several sums annexed to our names, respect
ively (in such articles as we shall name, at market price), to be appropriated by
them to defray the expenses of building a church of such dimensions as shall be agreed
on for the use of said congregation.
June 9, 1826.
Andrew Bowman, in shoes and Angus McKinzie, in trade  5.00
leather  $300.00 John Evans, in trade  5,00
Samuel Hays, in lumber  150.00 John Hanna, two bushels of wheat.
George McClelland, in trade  150.00 William Duffield, in trade  2,00
Myron Park, in trade  30.00 James Gilliland  20.00
Hugh McClelland, in articles suita- William Dewoody, county paper. . 30.00
ble for the building  25.00 Arthur Robison, Jr., in trade  5.00
William Raymond, county paper. . 25.00 Thomas Paden, in chairs  10,00
William Black  5.00 John Simcox. in smith-work  10.00
James Hanna, in work  3.00 John Dewoody, in trade  30.00
James Rodgers, in lumber suitable, 5.00 Arnold Plumer, in trade  10.00
John J. Pearson  5.00 John Gurney, in trade  15.00
John Paden, in chairs  10.00 John Gorden  1.50
John Little  • 5.00 William Gorden  1.00
Joseph Wallace, earthenware  10.00 Joseph Morrison  35,00
Thomas S. McDowell, trade and James Adams  20.00
lumber  20.00 John Irwin  5.00
Alexander McCalmont, in trade, .. 50.00 Isaac Smith  5,00
Andrew Dewoody, in hats  15.00 Benjamin Alexander, cabinetwork, 20.00
James Bennett, in trade  3.00 George Sutley  5.00
George Dewoody, in trade  10,00 I do agree to pay fifteen dollars in plas-
Levi Dodd, in trade  13,00 tering, this 15th day ot March, 1834.
John Service, in saddlery  5.00 Jambs Ricketts.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 417
The erection of the present church edifice was begun April 5, 1867, and
the corner-stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, July 9th of that
year, on which occasion Reverend George Junkin, D. D., delivered the
principal address. The dedication occurred April 1, 1869, Reverend Cyrus
Dickson, D. D., a former pastor, assisting in the services. The aggregate
cost approximated forty-three thousand dollars; this includes the cost of
the lot, corner of Elk and West Park streets. The adjoining lot on Otter
street, the site of the old church building, is now occupied by a spacious
brick parsonage, erected in 1889. Its predecessor, the first parsonage in
the bounds of Erie Presbytery, was built in 1858 at a cost of nine hundred
dollars. Beside the supplies occasionally sent by presbytery. Reverend Hezekiah
May, who resided at Franklin from 1822 to 1824, preached during a portion
of that time. The first pastor was Reverend Thomas Anderson, who began
his labors here June 11, 1826, preaching one-third of the time in connection
with Sugar Creek and Concord. His connection with this charge ceased
September 12, 1887. His successor. Reverend Cyrus Dickson, D. D., was
installed June 24, 1840, although his work here began in January previous.
Half his time was given to Sugar Creek, until January 1, 1846, and he was
released from the charge March 16, 1848. Reverend S. J. M. Eaton, the
third pastor, was installed February 7, 1849, having preached his first sermon
here April 17, 1848. One-third of his time was given to Mount Pleasant,
until August 29, 1855, and since that date Franklin, individually, has consti
tuted a charge. Mr. Eaton's pastorate terminated in 1882. In July of
that year Reverend John McCoy assumed charge, and remained until
December 31, 1886. Reverend J. C. Bruce, the present incumbent, was
installed Febmary 1, 1887.
The succession of elders since the election of John Broadfoot and James
GUlUand, in 1821, with dates of ordination or installation, is as follows:
Andrew Bowman, May 13, 1827; Levi Dodd, May 27, 1827; Charles W.
Mackey, Grier McWiUiams, February 5, 1854; A. W. Raymond, February 5,
1859; Robert Lamberton, Peter McGough, Charles H. Dale, January 11,
1868; John Trunkey, James F. Mackey, January 28, 1876; John A. Mc-
Giffin, Robert H. Woodburn, February 12, 1882; James W. Brady, January
11, 1885; A. J. KUgore, February 12, 1882. Deacons— A. D. Cotton, J. N.
Craft, R. H. Woodburn, Joshua Spare, William A. Cooper, January 11,
1874; John A. McGiffin, March 22, 1874; Henry D. Hulin, January 14,
1877; Ephraim Law, James W. Brady, James Miller, February 12, 1882;
J. S. BoUman, J. R. Fitzgerald, January 11, 1884; L. H. Fassett, January
3, 1888. The present session is constituted as follows: Elders — Peter
McGough, Charles H. Dale, James Miller, James W. Brady, Robert H.
Woodburn; deacons — Henry D. Hulin, Ephraim Law, Joseph S. BoUman,
L. H. Fassett. The present membership is four hundred and seventy-

418 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
eight. Robert F. Glenn is superintendent of the Sunday school, which
numbers three hundred and seventy-five.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Franklin is one of the oldest organi
zations of that body in western Pennsylvania. The historian of the Erie
Conference states that in the autumn of 1804 Reverend Andrew Hemphill,
then in charge of Brie circuit, preached the first Methodist sermon in the
town under a tree on the common. He had traveled thither from where Ti
tusviUe on Oil creek now stands, accompanied by William Connely who
served as a guide. They endeavored to secure the school house for their
appointment but were refused. The first class was organized in 1810, and
consisted of William Connely, wife, and daughter Rebecca; John Lupher
and wife, WiUiam McElhaney and wife. Reverend Joshua Monroe was in
charge of Erie circuit at this time. William Kinnear and Welden Adams
were also early Methodists at Franklin. The society met for worship at
private houses for a time, and afterward in the academy building.
In 1816 William Connely deeded a lot to John Leach, trustee of the Erie
Conference, and the building of a church thereon was contemplated, but
owing to the small membership of the class this idea was relinquished. In
1833 the erection of a church building on Buffalo street, between Eleventh
and Twelfth was begun. It was occupied the following year.
The earliest record now extant is that of a quarterly conference held
August 20, 1835. At that time the stewards were A. Plumer, William Kin
near, F. McClintock, Jacob Lupher; class leaders: Jacob Mays, J. R.
Elder, M. Stockberger, Benjamin Thompson. They were probably identi
fied with the building of the first church. Ten years later the stewards were
B. A. Plumer, C. Gildersleeve, and D. Vincent; Samuel Grove, R. Beatty,
and P. Reardon were exhorters; William P. Bean and A. Cram were local
preachers. The corner-stone of the present church edifice, a large brick structure
on Liberty street, was laid by Bishop Simpson August 23, 1867. The
basement was occupied in the following year. The dedication occurred
April 25, 1869. The cost exceeded forty-two thousand dollars. The brick
parsonage adjoining was built during the pastorate of Reverend J. N. Fra
denburgh. The membership in June, 1889, was five hundred and sixty-one,
and the official boards were constituted as follows: Trustees: W. L. Cor
rin, W. J. Mattern, S. B. Myers, N. S. Ridgway, D. I. Dale; stewards: A.
Y. Findlay, J. M. Sykes, W. L. Corrin, D. I. Dale, M. C. Flower; class
leaders: David S. Smith, George S. King, W. S. Welsh, J. H. Smith,
W. Z. Tourtellott, E. D. SmUh, W. D. Howard, Ira E. Vincent, S. S. Jor
dan, I. E. Howard; local preacher, George S. King; exhorter, E. D. Smith,
From 1801 to 1825, inclusive, the preachers stationed at Erie included
Franklin or its vicinity in their field of labor; in 1826 and 1827 it formed
part of Meadville circuit; and since the latter date has constituted a circuit

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 419
or station individually, with the following appointments at the respective
dates: 1801, James Quinn, J. A. Shakelford; 1802, J. CuUison; 1803, Noah
Fidler; 1804, A. HemphiU; 1805, David Best, J. A. Shakelford; 1806, R.
R. Roberts, J. Watts; 1807, C. Reynolds, A. Daniels; 1808, John Guest,
W. Butler; 1809, J. Charles, J. Hanson, J. Decellum; 1810, J. Monroe;
1811, J. Watts, J. Ewing; 1812, J. Watts, J. GbrweU, J. Graham; 1818,
N. Robinson; 1814, J. Solomon, J. Graham; 1815, R. C. Hatton; 1816,
C. Godard, J. P. Kent; 1817, J, P. Kent, Ira Eddy; 1818, D. D. David
son, S. Adams; 1819, P. Green; 1820, Ira Eddy, Charies Elliott; 1821, Ezra
Booth, C, Truscott; 1822, W. H. CoUins; 1823, J. SummerviUe; 1824, J.
P, Kent; 1825, Nathaniel Reeder, Z, Ragan; 1826, J. W. HiU, I. H, Tack-
itt; 1827, C. Brown, J. Leach, I. H. Tackitt; 1828, A, Callender; 1829,
H, Kinsley, W. R. Babcock; 1830, W. R. Babcock, J. Robinson; 1831, S.
Ayers; 1832, Job Wilson, J. Hitchcock; 1838, R. B. Gardner, A. Keller;
1834, S. W. Ingraham; 1885, A. Bronson, G. W. Clarke, D. M. Sterns;
1836, C. Brown, J. Prosser; 1837, A. Hall; 1838, J. S. Harris; 1839, J. A.
Hallock; 1840, W. Patterson; 1841-42, J. R. Locke; 1843-44, H. A. Sterns;
1845-46, M. C. Briggs; 1847-48, W^ F. WUson; 1849-50, M. HiU; 1851-
52, W. P. Day; 1853, G. L. Little; 1854, G. W. Clarke; 1855, H. H.
Moore; 1856-57, G. W. Chesbro; 1858-59, D. C. Osborne; 1860, D. M.
Rodgers; 1861-62, J. Whitely; 1863-65, J. Bain; 1866, J. R. Lyon; 1867-
69, J. H. Tagg; 1870-72, J. Peate; 1873-74, O. L. Mead; 1875-77, W.
W. Painter; 1878-80, J. N. Fradenburgh; 1881-83, David Latshaw; 1884-
86, J. Z. Armstrong; 1887-90, A. J. Merchant.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church has experienced many vicissi
tudes. The original organization was effected by Reverend Charles Smith,
who was sent as missionary to Meadville, Franklin, Mercer, and parts adja
cent by the Advancement Society of Pennsylvania in 1825. He was assisted
by Reverend Benjamin Hutchins. The vestry in 1826, as appears in an
application for charter privileges, consisted of George Power, M. J. Crary,
John Evans, George Brigham, James Kinnear, John Rynd, John Fetter
man, David Irvine, Myron Park, William Parker, Samuel Bailey, Arm
strong Duffield, Alexander McCalmont, and John J. Pearson. John Evans
was secretary of this body in 1827. In that year the parish commenced to
erect a small brick edifice upon land donated for that purpose by Mrs. Sarah
McDowell. The lot was situated on Buffalo street, west side, below High.
After the walls were up and roof on work was suspended several years in
consequence of lack of funds; and thus, without fioor, window, or doors,
the buUding furnished a refuge for cattle. In 1884 the Cumberland Pres
byterians made an effort to organize a society at Franklin, and entered into
an agreement with the vestry of St. John' s by which it was provided that
for the use of the buUding six years they should finish it. In 1850 Rev
erend Samuel T. Lord visited Franklin and found the church closed, the

420 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
efforts of the Presbyterians having entirely failed, though for a time suc
cessful. In 1851 the parish was reorganized and arrangements made for
regular services every third Sunday. After a brief interval this arrange-,
ment was discontinued, and for nearly a decade the church was closed,
during part of which time the building was used as a school house.
The prospects of the parish revived with the influx of population incident
to the discovery of oil, and through the instrumentality of two ladies, Mrs.
Ruth Elliott and Mrs. Mason, the building was restored. This condition of
affairs having been presented to the diocesan convention in 1862, Reverend
Henry Purdon was appointed missionary to Franklin and other points in the
oil regions. In the summer of 1868 he was succeeded by Reverend J. W.
Tays. Reverend Marcus A. Tolman was in charge from November, 1866, to
July, 1874; Reverend A. B. Putnam, from September, 1874, to May, 1879;
Reverend Harry Leigh Yewens, the present rector, entered upon his duties
November 27, 1879. The parish ceased to be a mission in 1865, and was
represented in the diocesan convention of that year for the first time^ Its
deputies were James M. Bredin,  Hurley, and H. Philips Montgomery.
The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid by Right Reverend John
B. Kerfoot, D. D., bishop of the diocese of Pittsburgh, August 6, 1866.
Addresses were made by the bishop, by Reverend M. Byllesly of Meadville,
and Reverend Nevins. At Easter, April 21, 1867, public worship was held
here for the first time. The formal opening occurred on the following Fri
day. The entire indebtedness having been liquidated, the building was con
secrated on St. John's day, 1883, by Right Reverend Cortlandt Whitehead,
bishop of the. diocese, assisted by the rectors of adjoining parishes. In 1880
the parish received a bequest of two thousand dollars by the will of Mrs.
Ruth Bredin. This sum has been applied to the purchase of the lot adjoin
ing the church, corner of Buffalo and Twelfth, and a rectory upon this site
is in contemplation. Possession of the lot was secured in September, 1889.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church originated in the preaching of
Reverend H. Weicksel, who first visited Franklin in July, 1851, as mission
ary of the Pittsburgh Synod. An organization was effected October 25, 1851,
with twenty members, to-wit: Martin and Fredrika Stiefel, Christopher and
Margaret Heilman, Peter Hardman, John and Margaret Grieshaber, Dorothea
Kunkle, Michael and Mary Heinrich, Isaac and Elizabeth Bechtel, Jacob
Siefer, John Borger, John and Susanna Young, George and Anna Kester,
George and Margaret West. The earliest record of officers occurs in 1861,
when Conrad Reiss, Jacob Hallstein, Michael Dremmel, and Jacob Schnei
der constituted the kirchenrath. The first communion was celebrated De
cember 21, 1851; the second, March 27, 1853; the third, March 20, 1854.
Reverend Weicksel preached here very irregularly, and discontinued his
efforts altogether after a few years. Reverend Nunner was pastor, 1859-62;
J. Brenneman, 1864; W. F. Uleiy, supply, 1866. In 1868 Reverend J. M.

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 421
Long took charge, and June 16th of that year, at a congregational meeting
over which Jacob McElhaney presided, the church reorganized with Jacob
Hallstein, elder, James McElhaney, deacon, and a membership of about
forty-five. Reverend S. "\\ . Kuhns was pastor from 1875 to 1881; F. W.
Kohler, from July, 1881, to July, 1884; and H. J. G. Bartholomew, the
present incumbent, accepted a call fi'om this church December 16, 1884.
A lot for church purposes was secured in 1851, and the erection of a
place of worship begun in the following year. It was finally dedicated
December 8, 1861, Reverends J. Brenneman and S. M. Kuhns officiating.
In 1885, a fund of several hundred dollars having accumulated for the
purpose of building a parsonage, measures were taken to change the loca
tion, resulting in the purchase of the lot at the corner of Buffalo and Elev
enth streets, upon which the corner-stone of a church buUding was laid by
Reverend J. A. Kunkleman, D. D., July 25, 1886, followed by the dedica
tion, June 9, 1887, of an attractive frame structure in the Queen Anne
style, to the rear of which the parsonage is attached. Quite recently the
church, which had hitherto received aid from the mission board of synod,
resolved to become self-sustaining. The membership numbers one hundred.
United Presbyterian Church. — This body was organized April 7, 1862,
under the direction of Lake Presbytery. Regular pastors were installed in
the following order: Reverend A. H. Caldwell, January 8, 1864; Joseph
McCartney, 1870; George T. McCleUand, May 5, 1874; Nathan Winegart,
May 7, 1878. A brick church building stands on Elk street below Eleventh,
but the organization has practically disbanded since Mr. Winegart' s with
drawal three years since.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church. — Though the Catholic church is one of
the more recent religious bodies organized in Franklin, the rites and cere
monies of the mother church were celebrated on its site nearly one hundred
and forty years ago. In the summer of 1749 C6loron' s expedition passed
down the AUegheny, taking formal possession of the country for the French
government. Its chaplain. Reverend Joseph Peter de Bonnecamp, a Jesuit
priest and mathematician, visited the Indian villages along the route and
made an excellent outline map of the country lying west of the Allegheny
river. He also officiated at the burial of the leaden plate at Indian God
rock, nine miles below Franklin. But it was not until the spring of 1754
that Port Machault was so far completed as to be occupied by a garrison of
French soldiers, and from that time forward until the evacuation of the
valley by the French the services of the Catholic church were held at regu
lar intervals by the chaplains in charge of the garrisons at Forts Presque
Isle, Le Boeuf, Machault, and Duquesne. Beside ministering to the spirit
ual needs of the soldiers they preached the gospel to the Indians of the
vicinity, thus following the footsteps of their intrepid brethren who first ex
plored the country contiguous to the great lakes and carried the Word of

422 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
God to its savage inhabitants. Mass was celebrated and the gospel
preached regularly at Fort Machault for more than five years, when the
French forces withdrew from the valley and took their chaplains with
them. Among the first settlers of Venango county were quite a number of
Catholics, though not enough in any one locality to organize a church.
Some of these families were visited at long intervals by priests from tbe
older settlements on the south and east, and subsequently by those located
at Erie. From Pittsburgh, Erie, and other towns and settlements came Rev
erends C. Whelan, William F. X. O'Brien, Charles B. Maguire, Terence
McGirr, Patrick O'Neill, John O'Reilly, Francis Masquelet, and Patrick
O'Rafferty, also Fathers MoUinger, Gallagher, Slattery, and others, extend
ing from 1807 to 1860.
Dominick McCormick and Jeremiah Clancy, both natives of Ireland, are
believed to have been the first Catholics who located in Franklin. The
former came early in the century, and married Elizabeth, daughter of
Robert Kinnear. Their son, Robert S. McCormick, is now one of the old
est members of the Venango bar. Mr. McCormick went to Buffalo, New
York, prior to 1830, where he took sick and died. Mr. Clancy came to
Franklin from Philadelphia in 1819, and carried on a shoemaker's shop on
Thirteenth street for many years. In March, 1830, he opened the Jack
son inn, corner of Thirteenth and Elk streets, which he conducted in con
nection with the manufacture of boots and shoes. Catholic services were
occasionally held at Mr. Clancy's house by one of the zealous missionaries
previously spoken of. Whenever a priest would visit the town, the scat
tered families would be notified to assemble at Mr. Clancy's house to perform
the obligations of their faith, hear mass, and have the gospel preached to
them. Thus many years of spiritual privation passed away, but long before
his death this old pioneer had the satisfaction of helping to organize a Cath
olic congregation in Franklin, and of attending divine service in a modest
temple of God erected by the little flock.
With the passing years the number of Catholic families in the village
and vicinity had increased very materially, and May 1, 1852, Michael Gormley
and John Dailey, of Franklin, and Thomas Moran, who then lived at the
mouth of Oil creek, and has since died in Oil City, purchased of Arnold
Plumer lot No. 186, whereon the present church edifice stands. They
agreed to pay three hundred dollars for said lot, but by the time it was paid
for and the deed obtained the interest had run the price up to four hundred
and fifty-five dollars, which sum was paid by Bishop Mullen to the execu
tors of Mr. Plumer, October 1, 1869.
Though several efforts were made to organize a congregation, it was not
until the pej'iod of the early oil excitement and the building of the first raU
road into Franklin that a sufficient number of Catholic famUies to carry out

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 428
that object had located permanently in the town. During this embryo
period Franklin was occasionally visited by Reverend John Pugh, who first
said mass at Mr. Clancy's house. The little congregation then met for a
time in the second story of John Duffield' s building on Liberty street, and
afterward at the old academy on Buffalo street. Father Pugh began col
lecting funds to be used in erecting a church on the lot previously pur
chased, but he was soon succeeded on the mission by Reverend John Mul-
lane, and he in turn by Reverend Arthur Mignault, who carried out the proj
ect to a successful termination.
On Sunday, May 21, 1865, the corner-stone was laid by the Very Rev
erend John D. Coady, vicar general of the diocese, assisted by the pastor. A
plain frame building, forty by sixty feet in size, was erected, and opened for
services the following autumn. It was named ' ' St. Patrick' s Church, ' ' in
honor of Ireland's patron saint, and was finally dedicated to the service of
God by Right Reverend Tobias Mullen, bishop of Erie, in the fall of 1870.
Father Mignault built a portion of the old parochial residence, which was
subsequently enlarged and occupied by his successors until the completion
of the present one in the spring of 1889, It originally stood on the rear
part'of the church lot. He also opened a small school, which was continued
a few years and then abandoned because the congregation at that time was
not able to support it properly.
In May, 1866, Reverend John Quincy Adams took charge of St. Pat
rick's, but remained only a few months. He was followed by Reverends
PhUip J. Maurel, J. F. McSweeney, and John L. Madigan, in quick succes
sion, the last mentioned becoming pastor in December, 1866. Father Madi
gan had charge of the congregation until August, 1869, and was then suc
ceeded by Reverend Thomas Carroll, now of Oil City, who filled the pastor
ate very successfully over two years. He bought two lots on the corner of
Tenth and Buffallo streets, in June, 1870, for the sum of two thousand one
hundred doUars. The old church and residence were moved to these lots
when the present church edifice was commenced. In the summer of 1870
he again added to the property of the church by the purchase of five acres
of land for a cemetery, across French creek in Sugar Creek township, which
was consecrated by Bishop Mullen on the same day that he dedicated the old
church. Prior to this the Catholics of Franklin interred their dead in the
cemetery near the church at Salina, in Cranberry township.
In October, 1871, Reverend John Quincy Adams succeeded Father Car
roll as pastor of St. Patrick's. He was a dUigent and faithful servant of
Christ, and for nearly sixteen years judiciously guarded and watched over
the spiritual and temporal interests of the congregation. Under his pastor
ate the growth of the church was steady, and a new house of worship
finally became an imperative necessity. The plans for the proposed struct
ure were drawn by P. C. Keeley of Brooklyn, New York, and the contract-

424 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ors were May & Osborn, of Franklin. The corner-stone was laid May 27,
1879, by Bishop Mullen, assisted by the Reverends Thomas Carroll, Patrick
J. Smith, John Link, James Lachermaier, and the pastor. The building
was pushed forward as rapidly as circumstances would justify, and on the
21st of May, 1882, it was dedicated, with appropriate ceremonies, to the
service of God by Bishop Mullen, Reverend William F. Hays of Columbus,
Ohio, preaching the sermon on that occasion. This was one of the happiest
days in the history of St. Patrick' s congregation, and the church was filled
to overfiowiug. It is a substantia] brick edifice, fifty- six by one hundred and thirteen
feet in dimensions, surmounted by a graceful tower. The windows are of
the finest stained glass, and were donated by members of the congregation.
The interior is finished in hardwood, and when frescoed will compare favor
ably with any church building in Franklin. It has a seating capacity of
about six hundred, and as it stands to-day cost thirty thousand dollars.
While the members of St. Patrick's did all in their power, and many out
side of the congregation gave liberal contributions, the truth of history de
mands that the name of James S. McGarry should be placed at the head of
those whose time and money were devoted toward the erection and com
pletion of St. Patrick' s church. "When the new building was finished the
old one was abandoned and afterward removed from the church property.
Though afflicted with heart disease for several years. Father Adams re
mained at the post of duty until a short time before his death, which oc
curred suddenly from apoplexy, while visiting at Mansfield, Ohio, June 23,
1887. His remains were brought back to Franklin, where an imposing
cortege, made up of both rich and poor, and representing every shade of
religious belief, followed them from the depot to the church. Here the be
loved pastor lay in state for several days, and after the usual services on
such occasions was finally laid at rest 'neath the beautiful edifice which
stands as a monument to his zeal and devotion in the cause of his Divine
Master. Father Adams possessed the rare faculty of making friends and keeping
them, and his character commanded the love and respect of all with whom
he came in contact. The following obituary published in the Spectator at
the time of his death truthfully illustrates this, and likewise the high place
he held both as a priest and a citizen:
"Father Adams, pastor of St. Patrick's church of this city, was stricken
with apoplexy while visiting friends at Mansfield, Ohio, last Thursday eve
ning, and died shortly after the shock. The sad news was received here on
Friday morning and caused profound sorrow among all classes of our people.
It was'generally known that Father Adams had been in faUing health for
more than a year, but the end was not looked for so soon. John Quincy
Adams was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1841, and

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 425
was educated at St. Vincent's College, in Westmoreland county. He was
ordained a priest by Bishop Young, of the Erie Diocese, in 1866. His first
missionary labors were at Oil City, and he also had charge of the Franklin
church a few months in 1866. Subsequently he was transferred to Cross-
ingville, Crawford county. On the 20th of October, 187 1 , he entered upon
his work here, which was his last. That he was a faithful shepherd is
attested by the growth of his congregation and by the handsome church
edifice — the result of his labor and devotion to the work of his Master.
His life was devoted to the duties of his calling. He had the spiritual and
temporal welfare of his people at heart. His faithfulness as a priest and
his abstention from affairs outside of his clerical duties soon gained him the
esteem of the community, without regard to doctrines or creeds. If he had
permitted himself to make stump speeches in his pulpit, or to preach from
the stump, he would have gained a wider fame, perhaps, but less enduring
regard. His work as he saw it was God' s work, and he knew no other.
Though strict in his observance of the tenets and discipline of his own
church, he had charity for all, and there was kindness in his heart for all
men, whatever their creed. That such a man as Father Adams should be
esteemed by Protestants and Catholics alike is the natural result of his own
devotion to duty and of his respect for the rights of others. His record
here and his work make a better eulogy than mere words can give him, and
of him it may truly be said ' A good man has gone to his reward. ' ' '
The present pastor, Reverend James P. McCloskey, succeeded Father
Adams, and though only a little more than two years in charge of the par
ish he has accomplished a great deal for the congregation, both spiritually
and temporally. He has paid off a debt of sixteen hundred dollars, that
was owing upon the church when Father Adams died; but the handsome
and substantial parochial residence adjoining the church, completed in the
spring of 1889 at a cost of eight thousand dollars, and erected on a lot pur
chased in August, 1887, for two thousand seven hundred dollars, is a still
greater evidence of his commendable zeal and energy. And what is still
more to his credit the property of St. Patrick's church is free of debt.
Father McCloskey has now in contemplation the erection of a parochial
school building on the corner of Buffalo and Tenth streets, to be com
menced in the near future. When this proposed improvement is carried
out the property of the Catholic church in Franklin will be second to none
in Venango county. Thus under the guidance of an All-wise Providence,
the labors of the several pastors of St. Patrick's congregation have been
wonderfully prolific of good results, and the growth of Catholicity in this
portion of His vineyard is a fair illustration of the gospel parable of the
mustard seed.
First Regular Baptist Church.— In December, 1866, regular preaching
was inaugurated at Hanna' s hall by Reverend S. WiUiams, D. D. In the

426 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
spring of 1867 the society secured the old court room for Sunday services.
and in the summer of that year preliminary measures were taken toward
effecting an organization by the election of D. W. Morgan as clerk. A
council of representatives from adjoining churches convened in the United
Presbyterian church on Elk street July 30, 1867, and after the reading of
letters of twenty-three members of the Baptist church from almost as many
different societies they were duly constituted a separate organization, James
Bryden and Charles Miller were elected and ordained deacons. The New
Hampshire confession of faith was adopted, and the new organization was
admitted to French Creek Association. Reverend John Owens of Pittsburgh
was called as first pastor and remained one year. His successor. Reverend
Thomas Seyse, resigned April 1, 1870, after a pastorate of nearly two years,
during which a lot for church purposes was secured on Liberty street and the
society received civil incorporation. Reverend J. W. Taylor was next called,
and remained eight months. The foundation walls of the present church
edifice were begun at this time. The next pastoral incumbent was Reverend
J. W. Davis, whose stay was also brief. From July, 1867, to September,
1873, Sunday services were held successively in Hanna' s hall, the old court
room, and the old Presbyterian church. In September, 1873, the chapel was
completed. On the 21st of that month the semi-centennial of the French
Creek Association was celebrated here. January 1, 1874, Reverend J. W.
Davis resigned as pastor; he was succeeded by Reverends A. C. Williams
and R. H. Austin. About this time the membership was nearly doubled by
a revival, and the building of a church edifice was decided upon. The dedi
cation occurred November 27, 1874, Doctor Evarts of Chicago preaching on
this occasion. Reverend Fred Evans was installed December 6, 1874, and
resigned December 13, 1885. The membership in this period increased from
eighty to three hundred; a lot adjacent to the church property was pur
chased and a commodious parsonage erected thereon. Reverend Thomas
Rambaut, D. D., LL. D., was pastor during the year 1886.
Reverend Euclid B. Rogers assumed the pastoral functions September
1, 1887, and began his labors with a revival that resulted in one hundred
and forty conversions. Mr. Rogers resigned September 7, 1889. The pres
ent pastor. Reverend Clarence A. Adams, assumed charge January 1, 1890.
The seating capacity of the church was enlarged in the autumn of 1887, and
the formal reopening occurred December 80, 1888. Up to that date seven
hundred and forty members had been received into the organization. Of
these one hundred and seventy were dismissed to other churches, twenty-
eight had died, one hundred and twenty-nine were excluded, leaving four
hundred and thirteen in active connection. This number has since increased
to four hundred and fifty. Of the twenty-three original members eight stUl
sustained that relation — Messrs. MiUer, Moffett, and Morgan, and the follow
ing ladies: Mrs. Palmer, Marsh, Moffett, MUler, and Heasley. The con-

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 427
tributions for all purposes aggregated one hundred and twenty thousand
dollars. The material prosperity of the church is largely due to Messrs. Charles
Miller and J. C. Sibley, whose generous munificence and deep interest in
its workings and welfare are a prominent factor in its later development.
The practical efficiency of Mr. Miller's methods as Sunday school superin
tendent are deserving of far more than the modest mention here given. Un
der his fostering care that institution has had a rapid growth, and now
numbers nearly five hundred members.
Calvary Church of the Evangelical Association. — The first minister of
this denomination to preach in Franklin was Reverend J. H. Bates, and his
first sermon was delivered in March, 1870, at Hunter's hall on Elk street
near Thirteenth. This was followed by a protracted meeting of ten days'
duration, in which he was assisted by Reverend G. S. Domer. Prior to this
the only members in the town were J. A. Rossman and wife. At the next
session of the Pittsburgh Annual Conference Reverend J. D. Domer was
appointed missionary, his charge embracing Oil City also. He preached
his first sermon AprU 24, 1870, in the old court house ; November 18, 1870, the
old academy property was first occupied, having been rented from the school
authorities. In September, 1871, it was purchased, the consideration being
a little more than three thousand dollars. After undergoing extensive
repairs this building was dedicated October 15, 1872, Reverend T. J. Clewell
officiating. The interior was again refitted in 1874-75; but proving inade
quate to the requirements of a growing congregation, this building was re
moved in 1888, and in July of that year the construction of the present place
of worship was begun. It is a brick building seventy-six feet long and forty-
six feet in width, with a tower and spire eighty feet high. The seating ca
pacity of the auditorium is three hundred; of the Sunday school room, one
hundred; of the class-room, eighty-five; and all three may be thrown
together when necessary. The cost was six thousand, five hundred dollars.
The dedication occurred December 28, 1888, Bishop R. Dubs officiating.
The church consisted of eight members in 1870, and J. A. Rossman was
class leader. In the winter of 1872-73 there were sixty accessions. In
1881 the membership, including Rockland appointment, was one hundred
and twenty-six. This congregation, individually, numbers one hundred and
seven members by the latest statistical publications of the church. The
Pittsburgh Conference convened here in 1876 and 1882. The first camp
meeting was held September 5th to 15th, 1879, and this feature of the work
is stUl continued. The pastoral succession has been as follows: J. H.
Bates, 1871-72; W. M. Stanford, 1872-75; J. H. Bates, 1875-77; J. Q. A.
WeUer, 1877-78; H. H. Hurd, 1878-82; F. P. Saylor, 1882-84; Theodore
Bach, 1884-87; S, M. Boyer, 1887-88.
Free Methodist Church. — The first sermon by a clergyman of this body at

428 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Franklin was preached by Reverend R. W. Hawkins, the present chairman
of this district, in the old Presbyterian church. A class was organized and
met for a number of years in private houses, public halls, etc. In June,
1888, the work of building a church edifice was begun, and September 25th
following the brick structure on Buffalo street between Twelfth and Thir
teenth was dedicated by Reverend E. P. Hart, one of the superintendents of
the church at large. The cost was three thousand dollars. The present
trustees are J. K. Dale, J. E. Adams, and L. C. Adams; stewards: J. K.
Dale, N. Showers, E. P. Beighle, L. C. Adams, and Susan Adams; pastor.
Reverend M. B. Miller.
Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1865 at
the house of James Wilson by Reverend James Henry with twenty-five
members. His successors as pastor have served in the following order:
Francis F. Lyons, Richard Foreman, John Fiddler, John Givens, Jenkins
Williams, John Trimble, John Baptist, John E. Little, N. H. Williams.
The frame church building on Fourteenth street between New and Chestnut
was built in 1865. A flourishing Sunday school is conducted here.
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Henderson, pas
tor, worships in a frame church buUding in the Second ward erected in 1881.
The society was formed in 1876 by Reverend J. M. Morris with six members,
of whom James Lawson was leader. Reverends Wheeler, Parmer, Countee,
Phillips, Brown, Jones, and Washington were among Mr. Henderson's pre
decessors. The Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1854 with
three members and the place of worship still used for that purpose was pro
vided soon afterward. The membership is very small, and services are only
held occasionally.
The Third Ward Chapel was originally built by the Church of God,
which sustained an organization several years. In 1885 the property, a
substantial brick building, was purchased and repaired by Charles Miller
and J. C. Sibley, who have sustained the pecuniary obligations of the enter
prise throughout. Reverend E. F. Crane, a Baptist clergyman, is in charge,
but no denominational organization exists. There is a flourishing Sunday
school under the superintendency of Charles Miller.
The Venango County Bible Society was re-organized May 20, 1867,
with Reverend S. J. M. Eaton, president; Reverend J. R. Lyon, vice-presi
dent; C. E. Lytle, secretary; James Bryden, treasurer; Joseph H. Smith,
librarian; and a board of managers composed of the following persons:-
Samuel Plumer, C, H. Dale, J. S. McCalmont, James Black, James MiUer,
of Franklin; Reverends Bowman, of Scrubgrass, and Moore, Meech, Whitely,
McNabb, and Nevins, of Oil City; David Henderson, of Irwin; and M. C.
Beebe, of Pleasantville. Although the meetings have been discontinued for
some time, this society is still regarded as an auxiliary by the state or
ganization.

^^^. >

'^^i^JU<^^L^iCC

CITY OF FRANKLIN. 481
The Young Men's Christian Association was first organized at Franklin
about the year 1865, but, after a brief period of active existence, disbanded.
A reorganization occurred March 10, 1871. George S. King was elected
president; R. G. Lamberton, vice-president; J. M. Dewoody, recording
secretary; J. H. Donly, corresponding secretary; and D. W. Morgan,
treasurer. This shared the fate of its predecessor. Both of these were
purely local, not associated with the state or national bodies.
Properly speaking the existence of the Y. M. C. A. at Franklin has
begun with the present year (1889). A preliminary organization was
effected early in the year with A. Y. Findlay, chairman, and S. P. Haslet,
secretary. The association was permanently organized July 80, 1889, with
the following officers: President, Charles Miller; vice-presidents, A. Y.
Findlay, C. J. Crawford, J. B. Myers; secretaries, S. P. Haslet, J. B.
Moorhead; treasurer, J. R. Kuhns.
THE FRANKLIN CEMETERY.
The Franklin Cemetery Company was incorporated April 29, 1869, the
incorporators being R. S. McCormick, S. F. Dale, C. Heydrick, Samuel
Plumer, P. McGough, L. D. Rogers, J. M. Bredin, J. L. Hanna, R. L.
Cochran, S. C. T. Dodd, G. R. Snowden, and J. D. Hancock, who organ
ized May 6, 1869, with a board of directors composed of S. P. Dale, presi
dent; G. R. Snowden, secretary; J. L. Hanna, treasurer; L. D. Rogers,
and Samuel Plumer. Twenty acres of ground were purchased in 1 870, a
location of great natural beauty convenient to the city, and some thousands
of dollars have been expended upon its improvement and ornamentation.
Joseph Bell, president; O. D. Bleakley, secretary; W. J. Dewoody, treas
urer, W. J. Welsh, and Hugh Carr constitute the present directory.
RESUME.
The modern city of Franklin inherits a rich legacy of historic associa
tions. From the time of C61oron's expedition a period of fifty years
elapsed before the military occupation of this locality terminated; and hav
ing passed successively from French to English and from English to Ameri
can rule with an interregnum associated with the worst horrors of an
Indian war, this region was at length ready for peaceful and unobstructed
settlement. The kind attentions of the state government gave to the town
its name, its broad and regular streets, its public parks, and the importance
that naturally attaches to a county seat. Nevertheless the place so well
designed by Ellicott and Irvine materialized with the slowness characteristic
of inland towns of the period. Modern history in Franklin may be said to
begin with the discovery of oil. This attracted population, railroads, and
capital. Within the first decade after the Evans well became productive
three railroads were in operation to the town; the business of refining oil

482 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
was fairly established; four banks had been organized; several of the com
modious church edifices of to-day were erected; the city government was
instituted, and municipal improvement energetically agitated. Well paved
streets lined with shade trees, and public parks of which few cities of the
same size anywhere can boast, testify to the result of this agitation.
Natural surroundings, convenience of access, religious, educational, and
social privileges of a high order combine to render Franklin a most desira
ble place of residence. Then the surrounding territory produces an oil
unsurpassed as a lubricant, which insures the permanency of its refining
and general industrial interests. Properly and fully utilized the advantages
of the city as a manufacturing point will render the future of Franklin as
prosperous as the past has been eventful.

CHAPTEE XXIII.
OIL CITY.

Sites and Sales— Early Business, Physicians, and Lawyers— Plats and
Organization— Public Buildings, Grading, and Drainage— Depart
ments OF Fire and Police— Water Works, Gas, and Electricity—
Fires and Floods, Etc.- Facilities of Travel and Trans
portation—Internal Revenue Service— Post, Telegraph,
-\nd Telephone Offices- Banks and Building Associ
ations—Newspapers—Hotels AND Halls— Manu
factures-Oil Operations— Secret, Social, and
Professional Societies— Schools— Religious
Organizations— Cemeteries.
AT the mouth of Oil creek, Cornplanter, the celebrated Seneca chief,
might have stood on the little island bearing his name and looked over
to the wooded bottoms on the west side, or the east side, lying against the
steep wooded bluffs, or glanced southward to the gentler and higher slopes,
and hardly thought that a quarter-centuiy later the west side bottoms
would be a blooming farm, or the east side a broad meadow at the foot of
whose bluffs a mill-race would fiow to turn the machinery of a furnace and
a mill near the AUegheny, or again that there would be thrifty farms spread
over the beautiful south side dotted with an occassional log farmhouse.
But much less might the old chief foresee these picturesque hills and banks
covered with the busy blocks, residences, raUways, bridges, wires, tanks,
factories, churches, and schools of a city of over twelve thousand souls,

OIL CITY. 433
with aU the noise and bustle, wealth and power of the metropolis of a o'reat
and to him unknown industry!
Cornplanter owned the east side, which was part of the reservation
granted him by the state March 16, 1796, as elsewhere mentioned; and he
held it until May 29, 1818, when WiUiam Connely of Venango county, and
William Kinnear of Centre county bought it for two thousand one hundred
and twenty-one dollars. Connely, however, resold his half to Cornplanter,
in October, and by a suit for a debt thus incurred it was sold at sheriff' s
sale November 22, 1819, to Alexander McCalmont, of Franklin. Almost
tive years later, in the spring of 1824, this half was sold to Matthias Stock
berger, and on June 25th, Stockberger, Kinnear, and Richard Noyes became
partners in the erection of an iron furnace, foundry, and mill, with houses,
steamboat landing, and warehouses at the east side of the mouth of Oil
creek. The firm of William Kinnear & Company thus founded the first
settlement here under the name of Oil Creek Furnace. January 11, 1825,
WiUiam and Frederick G. Crary became partners and by September 19th,
had absorbed the whole business, which for the next ten years they carried
on with vigor. The quality of iron in the surrounding hills and the difficul
ties of working made these furnaces unprofitable in the competition with
richer finds of ore elsewhere, and February 27, 1885, their projserty was
sold by the sheriff, Andrew McCaslin, to William Bell. For fourteen years
the BeUs — William, W. Bell & Son, and finally Samuel Bell, operated the
furnace, employing as many as forty men, but the rich finds of Lake
Superior caused them to close the furnaces in 1849. Although the Bannons
lived in the deserted village for the next few years, the land was not sold
until June 19, 1856, when the Bell heirs sold to Graff, Hasson & Company,
of whom William Hasson, with his father James and family, located on
the flats. These were a part of one thousand acres purchased for seven
thousand dollars, and were farmed by them up to about a year after the
Drake oil well excitement. Some of this in 1864 was sold to the United
Petroleum Farms Association.
On the west side an unknown squatter had secured a sort of title to four
hundred acres, and made some improvements previous to 1803, at which
date Francis and Sarah (Horth) Halyday purchased his claim, and made
their home on the stream bearing their name. In a few years he built a
house on the west bank of and slightly above the mouth of Oil creek.
It was here, January 13, 1809, that his son James was bom — the first white
birth known on the site of Oil City. The boy was little more than two
years old when his father died, and he grew up among the swarthy young
sters of Cornplanter's tribe who dwelt across the creek, so that when the
Kinnears came he was a sturdy sixteen-year-old, and by the time the Crarys
were well into their decade, was a young married man. His wife, to whom
he was married October 16, 1828, was Almira, daughter of Ariel and Lydia

434 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Coe, by whom he had seven children, one of whom, Mrs. Cassandra Snyder,
now lives on Washington avenue. Oil City. His mother died in 1844, and
he sold parts of their tract to a Doctor Nevins, Messrs. Arnold, Drum, and
others, and in February, 1860, the Michigan Rock Oil Company secured
most of that part of it now called the Third ward.
On the south side the primitive wilderness held sway almost until the
Bells had finished their fourteen years at smelting, although almost all
embracing the site of the city was secured by patent August 6, 1840, by
Benjamin Thompson, who made the first conveyance — eighteen acres— of Lis
four hundred acres to Columbia Carl, June 4, 1849. Above Thompson's
tract, beginning near Short street, were two hundred acres entered March
17, 1841, by James HoUis, who, April 20, 1850, sold eighty acres adjoining
Thompson to Thomas G. Downing, and January 8, 1853, bought out
Thompson only to sell on the following April 25th to Henry Bastian. Mr,
Bastian built a house near the site of the Evangelical church on First street,
and remained an active farmer for ten years, although when he came the
Bells -had been closed for about four years. On March 26, 1863, when the
decade was almost finished, he sold to William L. Lay, of Cincinnati, Ohio,
and the following year James Bleakley bought out Downing, HoUis, and
one hundred and twenty acres of Lay, paying forty-eight one thousand dol
lar bills. This was due to the fact that Phillips & Vanusdall struck a
thirty-five barrel well here in April, 1861, and that Mr. Lay had laid out
his farm in lots as Laytonia, so that when Colonel Bleakley, Arnold Plumer,
J. K. Kerr, and O. L. Elliott, partners, sold, in 1865, to Vandergrift, For
man & Company, they at once laid out lots under the name of Imperial City.
A line near Short street would separate the two.
EARLY business, PHYSICIANS, AND LAWYERS.
Two classes of business first determined a settlement at the mouth of Oil
creek, the iron furnace and the harbor advantages of the eddy for raftsmen.
The first of these closed in 1849, and the latter was largely replaced by the
third class of business — the oil trade — in 1860-61.
The furnace business has been mentioned. In connection with this
was one of the first stores, kept by James Young, who continued after the
Bells closed their furnace, and deserted the ' ' old Bell house' ' which stood
on the river bank between the freight house of the Western New York and
Pennsylvania railway, and the approach to the bridge. The Bannons and
Halydays, who had small homes on the west side, the former near the site
of the Moran house at the lower end and the latter near the mouth of the
creek, were the only residents there when the Bells closed, and the large
crowds of raftsmen who had occasion to stop at the eddy, made it the part
of hospitality and business for both of them to turn their houses and barns
into inns during the seasons of high water and hilarity which accompanied it.

OIL CITY. 435
These started the business on the west side, for in a year or so Thomas
Moran built an inn near the Bannon house, and with its later additions it
can still be seen as a historic landmark. One day a stranger stopped with
the Bannons (about 1850) and gave his name as Doctor John Nevins, and
stated that he came to regain his own health by a life in the wilds. He was
called upon to treat Mrs. Halyday the next day, and his success made them
persuade him to stay as the first resident physician. Samuel Hopewell
soon opened an inn, and in the fall of 1852 John P. Hopewell, of Pittsburgh,
brought up a boat load of stock and opened a store and inn on the site of
Culbertson' s, corner of Main and Ferry streets, and near him was a man
named Barrett Alger. About the same time Hiram Gordon opened ' ' a
house of entertainment," dubbed, according the English custom, the Red
Lion, which Solomon Thomas managed at a later date. The most of these
places became permanent and the descendants of their' owners are now
among the city's fh'st citizens. During this decade a few others came in:
Hugh McClintoch, and "Squire" J. S. Hooton, while David D. Dickey
opened a tavern on the site of the Petroleum house. Samuel Thomas, a
blacksmith and toolmaker, was the first of his guild to locate independently
of the furnace.
This was what the stampede of oil men found in 1860, and the rapid
uprising of houses, stores, wharves, boarding houses, etc. , would be impos
sible to trace. They were of the most temporary kind and chiefiy on the
west side, whUe large numbers, not only then but long afterward, lived on
flat-bottomed barges, moored to the river bank, and not a few children — now
men and women — were reared thus afloat. The most of these barges had
been filled with supplies at places above and floated down for sale at the
awakened town.
J. B. Reynolds of Callensburg, Pennsylvania, and Mr. McComb of Pitts
burgh opened the first store of the new regime in the spring of 1860. His
brothers Calvin and William J. were afterward associated with Mr. Rey
nolds, and soon after T. H. and W. M. Williams. The latter gentleman
withdrew and built the first brick block in the place, on the east side about
the site of the Demck office. McFarland Brothers built a store opposite
about the same time but they moved to the west side when Fid Bishop had
charge. Hasson & Company opened a hardware on the east side.
Among other active residents were C. C. Waldo, Doctor M. L. Bogg, D.
P. Clark, Mr. Kelsey, and Mr. Andrews, of the Michigan Rock Oil company,
who sold and rapidly built up the west side; Peter Graff, the Hassons,
Robert Sproul, and S. M. Kier, the owners of the east side; and W. L. Lay,
• Charles Lee, Mr. Downing and numerous others who owned the south side,
which did not build up untU later.
Among the first physicians were Doctors L. Porterfield, S. S. Christy,
and M. M. Hulings, of whom Doctor Christy was the first druggist. Messrs.

486 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Hill and Drewatt were among the first carpenters and tank builders, L. D.
Kellogg was the first printer, and in 1886 made the first city directory. The
first resident lawyer was Charles F. Hasson, son of James Hasson; he was
admitted to the bar of Venango county Augdst 31, 1861, and probably
located at Oil City immediately thereafter. His early successors, with dates
of admission to the bar of this county, were E. Ferero, AprU 25, 1864;
WiUiam J. Galbraith, November, 1864; Isaac Ash, November 28, 1864; H.
C. Graham, December 1, 1864; J. B. McAllister, AprU 25, 1865; T, S,
Zuver, August, 1865; and M. D. Christie, March, 1869, some of whom are
still engaged in professional work.
PLATS AND ORGANIZATION.
The preliminary excitement of 1859-60 led the Michigan Rock Oil Com
pany to lay out lots for the new comers along a street which they called
Main. The growth from that on was so phenomenal that in the spring of
1868 Charles Haines and Joseph H. Marston purchased of Graff, Hasson &
Company, what is now known as Grove avenue, laid it out in lots, erected
cottages with little idea of the permanency of the place, and gave it the
name Cottage Hill, which still clings to it. About the same time Mr. Lay's
ferry across the Allegheny made it advisible for him to lay out eighty acres
in lots about the south approach to his ferry, now the foot of Central Avenue,
and this took the name Laytonia.
During the year occasional lots were bought on the east flats, and busi
ness room was in so great demand that in the spring of 1864 the United
Petroleum Farms Association bought three hundred acres of Graff, Hasson
& Company, including the flats and parts of Cottage Hill and laid it out in
lots, and before the year closed the population on both sides of the river was
six thousand. During 1865 the upper ferry landing at the site of the Alle
gheny Valley depot, led Vandergrift, Forman & Company to lay out a town
about this site and bearing the name Imperial City, the two settlements
composing it having already taken the names Albion and Downingtown. A
settlement below (Laytonia) Reed street on Charles Lee's land had been
dubbed Leetown, so that such a clash and rivalry of private interests arose
that the people petitioned the court in 1866 to unite them and give them a
name. This was done by Judge Trunkey and he chose Venango City.
These private enterprises account for the irregularities in some of the south
side streets. This part of the city became largely a residence place, and
has since been a favorite location for those seeking pleasant homes.
The present platting of the city was begun in 1869 by W. R. Stevenson
and lasted two or three years, the chief addition being the upper and lower
ends of the south side. Palace Hill, and parts of upper Cottage Hill. In
1872 Messrs. Clark and Porteous laid off Clark's Summit and an incline
railway was built, the bed of which is still visible. This was about four

OIL CITY. 437
hundred and sixty feet high by one thousand six hundred feet long with a
double track upon which ran two passenger and two team cars, operated by
cables and steam. The cost was about thirty -five thousand dollars. The
plan was intended to have made the summit a place of residence, but defect
ive land title and the panic of 1873 caused the scheme to be gradually aban
doned, so that the plane machinery was removed about 1879.
The first borough organization was begun in a meeting Januaiy 10, 1862,
at the Halyday Run school house. R. Criswell was made chairman and P.
C. Heydrick secretary. C. C. Waldo stated the object of the meeting, and
resolutions were adopted, among which was one choosing as a committee on
corporation C. C. W'aldo, T. H. Williams, T. M. Parker, William Hasson,
P. C. Heydrick, and C. Hasson. They succeeded in securing a charter in
the spring of 1862.
The Borough Officers began with those elected in 1862: Burgess, Will
iam Hasson; council: T. H. Williams, Charles Robson, Fid Bishop, Charles
Haines, T. B. Hoover; constable, E. C. Hueston; clerk, W. R. Johns; street
commissioner, Hugh McClintock.
1863. — Burgess, Charles Robson; council: Jacob Shirk, G. W. Steffee,
J. B. Gibson, and M. J. Morrison.
1864.— Burgess, M. L. Bagg; councU: P Smith, D. W. McLane, J. J.
Vandergrift, and Jacob Shirk.
1865. — Burgess, S, S. Christy; council: D. W. McLane, Jacob Shirk,
G, W. Cochran, and Doctor R. Colbert.
1866. — Burgess, J. G. Arbuthnot; council: I. Blakely, Doctor J. D.
Baldwin, S. F. Daugherty, L. Gordon, and L. D. Kellogg.
The records from this date have beeu lost, but from other sources it
has been learned that George V. Forman was burgess in 1867; Frederick
Giegel, in 1868; W. F. Groves, in 1869, and W. W. White, in 1870.
Meanwhile in 1866 the growth of the south side settlements had reached
a total population of about one thousand five hundred, and their union into
the borough of Venango City has been mentioned. The first burgess was
James Shoemaker whose first two terms were succeeded by those of Joseph
Beggs, W. L. Lay, and Joshua Gilger in 1870. By this time the desire
was general for a union of the north and south sides or boroughs.
The City Incorporation was accomplished by a union of the two boroughs
by an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1871, and an election was
held on the second Tuesday in April; the incorporation was completed
April 11th. Those especially active in this were C. S. Colbert, W. F.
Groves, B. D. McCreary, and WilUam Thompson for OU City and D. W.
McLane for Venango City. Like many other Pennsylvania cities Oil City
replaced her old charter in January, 1881, by organization under the Wal
lace act.
The City Officers have been as given in this list:

438 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1871. — Mayor, William M. W'illiams; council: John Mawhinney, John
H. Evans, William H. Duncan, Charles H. Shepard, William Dwyer, T. B.
Porteous, George W. Parker, T. H. Williams, Samuel M. Irwin, Joseph
Bates, R. D. McCreary, Joseph M. McElroy.
1872. — Mayor, I. M. Sowers; council: John Mawhinney, John H. Evans,
John Finley, J. D. Stilwell, Jacob Shirk, George W. Parker, Joseph Bates,
T. B. Porieous, T. H. WiUiams, S. M. Irwin, R. D. McCreary, J. M. Mc
Elroy. 1873. — Mayo^, I. M. Sowers; council: W. M. Williams, William Hasson,
O. B. Goodwin, J. H. Kump, F. M. Green, Jacob Shirk, W. F. Fox, R. R.
Frampton, D. L. Trax, J. B. McLain, J. M. Harding, Joseph Bates.
1874.— Mayor, WiUiam B. Foster; council: W. M. WiUiams, W, J.
Young, J. H. Oberly, J. H. Kump, F. M. Green, R. Chisholm, James S.
^Vilson, Joseph Bates, D. Yothers, J. A. H. Carson, J. E. McLain, W, P.
Fox. 1875. — Mayor, William B. Foster; council: John H. Oberly, S. H. Lam
berton, W. J. Young, W. J. Innis, William Dwyer, R. Chisholm, P. I.
Cribbs, C. H. Duncan, W. L. Lay, Joseph Bates, J. W. Latshaw, J. A. H.
Carson. 1876. — Mayor, Joseph M. MoElroy; council: S. H. Lamberton, W. J.
Innis, John H. Oberly, R. Chisholm, William. Dwyer, P. I. Cribbs, David
Johnson, J. W. Spencer, R. D. McCreary, C. H. Duncan, J. W. Latshaw,
^V. L. Lay.
1877. — Mayor, Joseph M. McElroy; councU: B. H. Carnahan, W. J.
Young, Thomas R. Cowell, J. H. Oberly, John B. Reinbold, R. Chisholm,
H. C. Graham, P. I. Cribbs, Joseph Elder, David Johnson, J. W. Spencer,
R. D. McCreary.
1878. — Mayor, H. D. Hancock; council: Thomas. R. Cowell, John B.
Reinbold, H. C. Graham, J. W. Spencer, R. D. McCreary, W. J. Young,
J. W. Downer, E. M. Wolfe, John A. Lewis, R. Chisholm, B. H. Carnahan,
Joseph Elder.
1879. — Mayor, H. D. Hancock; council: W. J. Young, B. H. Carnahan,
J. H. Oberly, T. J. Moran, K. Kugler, E. M. W^olfe, Thomas Amold, J. A.
Lewis, George T. Nichols, Thomas Downer, W. Davis, and R. Chisholm.
1880. — Mayor, John H. Oberly; council: Young, Carnahan, W. J. Kramer,
Joseph Reid, Thomas Moran, Matthew Derrick, C. H. Lay, Jr., Lewis,
Davis, J. McCoUum, Kugler, and Nichols.
1881. — Mayor, John H. Oberly; council (common and select): Carna
han, L. Cohn, Cowell, Derrick, C. H. Duncan, William Dwyer, Hugh Duffy,
Kramer, Lewis, Lay, Moran, McCoUum, S. A. McAlevy, Nichols, R. H.
Renwick, Young, T. A. McLaughlin, and K, Chickering.
1882. — Mayor, A. J. Greenfield; council: Carnahan, Cohn, Cowell, Der
rick, A. B. Davitt, John Graham, Moran, McCoUum, McAlevy, I. I-

OIL CITY, 439
Wagner, Renwick, Young, McLaughlin, Chickering, Dwyer, Duncan, and
W. J. Innis.
1883. — Mayor, A. J. Greenfield; council: Davitt, Dwyer, McLaughlin,
R. G. Collins, W. R, Spear, D. J. Kahan, Derrick, I. S. Gibson, McCoUum,
D. W. Lindersmith. D. S. Davis, D. Fisher, Chickering, Cowell, Renwick,
John Fornof, Graham, Innis, S. L. Maxwell, and "W. Davis.
1884.— Mayor, Daniel Fisher; council: H. L. McCance, Fornof, E. L.
Reynolds, W. G. Hunt, Charles A. Cooper, John R. Monks, Graham, G. E.
Johnson, G. W. Parker, Fisher, Gibson, Charles Adams, McCoUum, Max
well, Davis, W. H. Aungst, Derrick, Lindersmith, Kahan, and C. L. Car
rington. 1885. — Mayor, Daniel Fisher; council: McCance, Fornof, Reynolds,
Hunt, Derrick, Lindersmith, John Crimmin, W. J. Tinthoff, Fisher, E. J.
Ross, Parker, Maxwell, J. A. Lewis, James Lewis, Aungst, W. D. Rider,
Cooper, Adams, Johnson, and Graham.
1886. — Mayor, Thomas R. Cowell; council: Fornof, Hunt, Fulmer,
Cooper, Parker, W. J. Taylor, Tinthoff, Aungst, Lindersmith, Ross, S. S.
Culbertson, Roess, Rider, Derrick, McCance, Crimmin, Adams, J. A. Lewis,
C. F. Hartwell, and James Lewis.
1887. — Mayor, Thomas R. Cowell; council: Thomas Nolan, Dwyer,
Lewis, W. R. Barr, J. T. Fulmer, J. H. Payne, W. W. Knowles, Taylor,
John Gilmore, Stubler, Lindersmith, Culbertson, J. B. Berry, Hartwell, H.
Naylor, Lewis, Rider, Aungst, Graham, Steele, L. Roess, and F. Eichner.
1888. — Mayor, J. H. Payne; council: Nolan, Thomas, Graham, Gil
more, Steele, Stubler, Savage, Culbertson, Lindersmith, Breckenridge, A.
Bair, W. L. Fair, W. H. Berry, F. H. Taylor, J. B. Berry, W. R. Barr,
Davis, Dwyer, and Lewis.
1889. — Mayor, J. H. Payne; council: Nolan, Graham, Dwyer, Barr, J.
R. Steele, Lewis, Thomas Thomas, P. Stubler, T. Savage, William Dough
erty, J. F. Campbell, J. Eisenbeis, J. W. Thompson, A. N. Breckenridge,
J. B. Berry, A. W. Alsbaugh, M. J. Dale, L. H. RudiseUe, W. H. Seaton,
Pair, Davis, and F, H. Taylor.
The city finances show the following interesting changes: For the first
year (1862) the taxation was eight hundred dollars. In 1871 the total assessed
valuation was eight hundred and twenty-three thousand three hundred and
thirty-nine doUars and the rate of taxation four per ce7it. ; in 1878 it was two
million, two hundred and four thousand, four hundred and thirty-three dol
lars and the rate one and one-half per cent. ; in 1888 it was one million,
seven hundred and twelve thousand, two hundred and seventy one dollars
with a thirteen-mill rate ; and in 1889, one million, seven hundred and forty-
four thousand, five hundred and twenty-four dollars with a twelve-mill rate,
three mills more for the east side.

440 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, GRADING, AND DRAINAGE.
Aside from the water works, fire department buildings, and lock-up, the
city has but a frame city hall on Seneca street with a total valuation of
about twelve hundred dollars. In it are the council room, offices of the
mayor, comptroller, and city engineer. This was erected soon after the new
government of 1871 began and is the only city hall ever owned by the city.
The grading of the city has been a work of great magnitude. The early
days of teaming up the creek and through the chief streets of the west and
eag,t sides were noted for their, to us, almost incredible depths of mud.
During borough days but little was done to remedy this state of affairs,
except to endeavor to fill in with broken rock to make them passable, for
many of its citizens looked upon the place as not permanent. The overflows
added to the difficulties of the situation, too, for the east side was from six
to twelve feet lower than at present, evidence of which is frequently seen
in the remains of old sidewalks where excavations have been made for
foundations. On the formation of the city government in 1871 work was
begun on Seneca and Main streets, the former being the heaviest grading
done in the city, and the present grade was formed, chiefly to raise the flats
above high-water mark. Center street was treated likewise, and other streets
crossing Seneca. In 1874 a general system of paving and grading was begun
and from year to year since streets have been graded until nearly half are
now finished. Noticeable among these are First, Washington avenue, Harriot
avenue. Spring, and others. This has been done on the foot- front system.
The drainage of this city has been favored by nature so that in borough
times use was made of gutters and creeks. Afterward cess-pools were used
in places allowing the filth to percolate through the gravel. In 1876 the
city was divided into twenty-three sewer districts, each district being as
sessed for its sewers, and a mixed over-and-underground sewer system was
begun, using brick and stoneware sewers. Year by year these have been
increased until they line probably one-eighth of the streets. Among the
early work done was a four-foot brick sewer on Spring street, which, when
nearly finished, the engineer attempted to enter with a light. Some manu
factured gas had leaked into it however, and an explosion followed in which
the engineer was severely and permanently injured.
DEPARTMENTS OF PIKE AND POLICE.
The loss of many early records of the city makes details very uncertain.
The volunteer system in the fire department was used until recently. Soon
after the borough was organized the hook and ladder companies were formed,
and in a few years an old side-bar hand engine was secured. After the great
fire of 1866 a steam engine was purchased. On the completion of the
water works in 1873, with a pressure of one hundred and thirty pounds on
the flats, hose companies were all that were needed, and steamers were not

OIL CITY. 441
used except in places away from the mains. From that time until July 27,
1887, four and five volunteer companies comprised the force. At that date
a paid department was organized under Chief D. Fisher at a salary of five hun
dred dollars. This department now has a chief, assistant chief, and thirteen
firemen, forming hose companies Nos. 1 and 2, each of which have a horse.
Beside there are two volunteer hose companies and a hook and ladder com
pany with hired team. The engine houses are as follows: A brick, corner
of Short and Second streets valued at two thousand dollars; a brick on
Main street valued at one thousand eight hundred dollars, erected in 1884;
a frame on Seneca street valued at five hundred dollars ; and a frame, corner
of Washington and Seeley avenues, erected in 1883 at a cost of two thou
sand dollars. This property is valued at twelve thousand three hundred
dollars. The Gamewell telegraph fire alarm system is used with twenty
alarm boxes and a central bell tower over the Allegheny bridge. The de
partment is in excellent condition.
The police department, previous tothe union of the east, west, and south
sides in 1871, was managed by the separate boroughs. May 16, 1871, the
ordinance establishing the present system was approved. From time to
time the force has been enlarged until there are now a chief, five regular,
and six special officers, the latter being the janitor of the Oil Exchange, the
driver of hose cart No. 1, the Union depot master, one at the Oil City
Boiler Works, the janitor of the high school, and the pound master. Among
the chiefs have been S. S. Neill, John GUmore, and H. M. Good.
WATER WORKS, GAS, AND ELECTRICITY.
At the motion in council of J. H. Evans, in 1872, the subject of water
works was brought before the council, along with the numerous improve
ments inaugurated by the new city government, and the double reservoir
system was adopted. The work was at once begun and reservoirs of the
capacity of seventy- five thousand barrels were built on the hill-top about a
niile and a half above State street on the south side, near and three hun
dred and twenty feet above the river. An engine house was built on the
river bank, which is now a brick and iron structure forty teei by one hun
dred feet, and valued at about four thousand dollars. It has three pumps
and a twelve-inch main crossing the river. To this springs have been
piped from time to time until there are now eight large springs used, giv
ing an excellent quality of water. The pressure is one hundred and thirty
pounds to the square inch on the flats, giving a power great enough for a
much larger city. The spreading of the city toward the summit of the hills
and other extensions makes it probable that a reservoir will soon be built
on Rich hill for the hill service, and the mains will be increased to sixteen-
inch pipes. The flrst cost of the works was one hundred and seventy-five
thousand dollars, but they have been so successful that they will no doubt
soon pay both the cost of construction and maintenance.

442 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
City illumination was first agitated in 1875, and January 26, 1876, a
company was chartered to supply the city with gas. From the members
composing it — A. F. Kent, C. J. Hepburn, Jonathan McCollum, C. F. Hart
well, and Doctor J. A. Ritchey — the following officers were chosen: Mr.
McCollum, president; Mr. Hartwell, secretary; and Mr. Kent, treasurer
and superintendent. The capital stock was seventy-five thousand dollars,
and in May they began work and pipe-laying, which, on its completion
July 10th, when the city was illuminated for the first time, cost seventy
thousand dollars. An effort is being made to secure electricity for street
illumination. FIRES AND FLOODS, ETC.
Among disasters that befall cities, such as fires, floods, panics, riots, and
epidemics, the first two have been most characteristic of Oil City.
The Ice Gorge of 1862 was the first of any importance, and occurred
December 7th, when the low water had caused a perfect field of bulk and
barrel oil boats to collect along the Third ward wharves, waiting for high
water. Much of this oil had been bought at seventy-five cents a barrel,
and at this tirhe Pittsburgh prices were thirty- two cents a gallon. Rain
had fallen, foUowed by snow and freezing the day before (Saturday), so
that the river ice barred the creek. The rising creek waters overfiowed the
ice aud froze again, repeating the process until a great ice-dam was formed.
On Sunday forenoon the dam broke from its moorings, plowed up into a
gorge the river ice which then began to move, snapping great wharf ropes
and cables like threads and crushing the oil-fleet like so many egg shells.
In a few minutes the greasy flood showed an estimated wreck of about sixty
thousand barrels of oil and two hundred boats, a total loss of probably five
hundred thousand dollars. It was somewhat of a consolation though that
Pittsburgh prices fell in a few days to nine cents a gallon.
The Oil Fleet Fire of December 12, 1863, with its great pall of smoke
filing over the water and town, and played upon by great flames following
the frequent thunder of exploding oil barrels, was an event that was only
prevented from wiping out the whole place by the prompt action of a few
men. •
A fleet of bulk and barrel boats had been brought down the creek a few
days before, and some had stranded on Cornplanter island at the mouth of
the creek. In the evening about half-past seven o'clock, the man in charge
of one of these bulk barges suspected leakage and lowered a light to see
the height of the oU. Instantly a sheet of flame shot up and an explo
sion, sending him several feet in the air, brought the community to the
banks. Cables were used to pull away the boats between them and the
shore. A large boat alongside flashed up with another explosion and after
burning about an hour began floating toward the eddy where the whole
fleet were moored. Those who had been fastening the first barge—

OIL CITY. 443
Messrs. Lay, Knightlinger, Titns, and others — started for the Laytonia side
to secure grab-hooks; meanwhile Messrs. PhUlips and Vanusdall got a ferry
chain and, pulling for the floating fire, made fast, but not before it had set
fire to the gunwales of several other barges. "With the aid of a skiff,
manned by Messrs. Watterson, Shoup, and Hunter, and another by Messrs.
Lay and Irwin, they towed it down stream and landed it on Moran' s island.
Meanwhile the first barge began to burst and streams of flaming oil wound
their way down the river lighting up the dark waters like miles of a sea of
flame. The outer row of boats were ablaze. This was fought; boats were
cut loose, one of which floating down past Franklin destroyed her Allegheny
bridge; but by flerce flghting it was confined to the outer tier of boats, and
the place was saved, after a total loss of about one hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars.
"A dense black cloud, formed bythe smoke of the burning oil, hung
over the entire locality like a pall. The lower part of the cloud, from the
reflection of the flames, was rose colored, and frequently a beautiful pink.
Every few moments a flash of light, resembling lightning, iUumined the
cloud, making a combination of colors exceedingly fine. The blazing boats
floating on, the crowds of men stationed along the outside of the boats that
remained fastened, keeping off those that were on flre, their forms frequently
obscured by the smoke, the boats sinking, and the general confusion that
reigned, furnished a fair fac simile of a naval battle, the explosion of the
oil barrels, from the intense heat, furnishing the artillery accompaniment. "*
The Ice-Gorge of January, 1864, began by the ice flooding down from
the great ponds above on Oil creek and piling up in a creaking, groaning,
ice mountain in the eddy at the mouth. Ice came down the river, too, aud
joining it, floated out into the river, carrying with it much of the crushed
and splintered remains of about two hundred oil boats of all shapes and
sizes, and parts of buildings along the creek.
The Pond Freshet of May 31, 1864, was a jam of the greatest magni
tude known in the history of Oil creek. It must be remembered that the oil
boat usually had a bow that rode high out of the water, so that it was a mat
ter of no difficulty at all for one of them to ride right on to another boat and
sink it. When the ponds above were opened, some of the too anxious pilots
let their boats out too soon and ran ahead of the water. In the effort to hold
them back a few of them ran against the bridge pier; whereupon the long
bows of on-coming boats, rode on them and sunk them, others following and
repeating the process until the great crunching, groaning, crackling mass
were often six boats deep or high, making a dam, and enabling those farther
up to ride down in safety. About fifteen thousand barrels and an equal
amount of bulk oU floated down the river, and, after the subsiding of the
waters, this furnished occupation for barrel hunters and those who dipped
oil off the water. The removal of the mass of stranded wrecks was a work

?Petrolia

444 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
of many days, and for half a mile the creek was covered with boats compelled
to await another freshet, or were hauled to the railways by teams at twelve
dollars a day. It is needless to say the town was crowded to its utmost, and
oil rose from seven dollars and seventy-five cents to eleven dollars and fifty
cents per barrel.
The Great Flood of St. Patrick's Day, 1865, was the most disastrous
that ever visited this region, and the loss was estimated at over five million
dollars. Owing to warm continuous rains and melting snow, the Allegheny
rose very fast on Thursday, March 17th, and Halyday run became a veritable
cataract, rushing over Main street, flooding the cellars, and floating the oil
barrels. By four o'clock the creek was within four feet of the Center street
bridge, and the east flats — before the present grades were established —
were covered. All sort of debris came down — boats, tanks, trees, boards,
etc., and two large boats wedged the bridge from its foundation. The
first floors on the west side were submerged. The river backed up the
waters of the creek; at seven o'clock in the evening half of the bridge gave
way, and three hours later the rest went. By midnight the creek had
broken its banks and was forming a new channel almost up to Main street,
carrying boilers, derricks, houses, etc. , like leaves. Buildings on the east
side were afloat even above Elm street, and Seneca street was like a mill
race. Sixteen large oil tanks passed Oil City in less than three hours. To
cross to the west side, boats were taken near the site of the railway on
Center street and landing was made below the Petroleum house. Most of
the buildings south of Elm street were submerged to the second story, and
the occupants escaped by boats. A boom of empty oil boats secured most
of the buildings from floating away, but the east side was almost a total
wreck, whUe the west side was a surging flood except on the highest parts
of Main street. Ou Friday a storm set in which added to the misery of
the houseless and threatened to destroy what little remained. The total
height of the water at its highest point was twenty-eight feet. It then
began slowly to subside.
The losses were so great that many were totally ruined. Business was
suspended for a month; about sixty thousand barrels of oil and an equal
number of empty barrels were lost; one hundred and fifty boats, 'probably
one hundred horses, and between two hundred and fifty and three hundred
houses may be counted in ; the railroads leading into the oil regions were
washed out so that this place had no communication with the outside
world for a week. It is pleasant to know, however, that there was but one
human life lost. One of the lessons taught was that the city must be raised
to a grade above high water; this led to the present grades on the east side.
The city was rebuUt as rapidly as possible without outside aid. The fol
lowing year was pregnant with raUway agitation as an outlet for oU, instead
of the uncertain river.

OIL CITY. 445
The Railway Riot of February, 1876, was the most notable event
of that kind, and grew out of a confiict between the Oil City and Pit-
hole and the Warren and Franklin railway companies over an entry into
the city. The Pithole company had graded to below the hill above the
Union depot site, when the rival company put on a force of men to tear up
and destroy all they should do. This, was kept up for several days until one
of the Pithole company's directors. Jacob Shirk, came on to superintend the
laving of the rails, with Mr. Fox superintendent of construction. He
found the rival force throwing off the ties, and, incensed at the action, he
stamped upon the last tie laid and ordered them to stop, whereupon a man
— David White — rushed upon him. Mr. Shirk drew his pistol, but yells of
"kill him " from the other crowd led him to escape to save himself. He
was pursued down the main street to his home by about sixty men with
picks and shovels, and headed by White. Citizens had collected about the
burgess' office, and when White' s crowd came there and began a bragga-
dooia scene, the bell was rung for police and White was arrested. He was
removed to the county jail in the evening, and soon all opposition to the
Pithole road was removed, and they entered the borough about the middle
of March. There were probably about one hundred and fifty men on each
side. The April Flood of 1866 was so near the great fiood of St. Patrick's
day that it hardly seems as great as it was. It was due to the same causes
as that flood, but was not so violent. The overflow was so great that it is
said that the average depth over the whole flat was three and one-half feet.
Many houses were destroyed, one hundred and twenty-five boats carried
away, five thousand barrels of oil and about ten thousand barrels of bulk
oil poured over the mad waters. Nine lives were lost and the succeeding
months were attended with much sickness.
The Great Fire of May 26, 1866, was one of those disasters that come
very naturaUy to a young city built up as temporarily as was Oil City, at
that time. Center street was then the chief thoroughfare, and about two
hundred aud fifty feet north, on what is now Elm street, was a building
used as a steam laundry, which caught fire about eleven o'clock on Saturday
morning." The light frame structures burned like tinder; the fire broke
through by a livery stable to Seneca street, and fanned by a hot May breeze
it grew uncontrollable almost at once, and flashed away toward Center
street. Here the Ohio and Philadelphia hotels on the corner, Shively's
block, Burchfield & Casterline's hardware, Charles Robson & Company's
office, Gotthall's provision house, Williams' brick store, Reynolds, Brodhead
& Company, Colbert & Eggert' s drug store, the six-story Mercantile block,
the finest in the city, and whose occupants came near perishing in the flames,
all blazed up in quick succession up Center street, heating the macadamized
pavement white. The Methodist Episcopal church, the school house, Fox,

446 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Fuller & Company's buildings, mills and lumber yards, the Metropolian and
Oil City hotels, on up Plumer road, and Race street went in quick succes
sion, and it was only the most strenuous exertions that saved Grove avenue
and the bridge connections with the west side. By the end of four hours
almost fifteen acres had been burned over, probably two hundred buildings
destroyed, one hundred and fifty families made homeless, and the total loss
aggregated almost a rnillion dollars, with less than ten per cent, insurance.
With characteristic vim, however, the work of rebuilding began at once,
and many contracts were let before the old buildings had been consumed.
The Flood of August 8, 1866, was the result of a sort of water-spout
rain up the creek, causing the breaking of ihe TitusviUe dam. The effect
on Oil City was the carrying away of oil, derricks, etc. , along the creek.
The Third Ward Fire of 1868 occurred in the midst of a quiet spring
day. A tank, standing near the site of the Lake Shore freight house, took
fire and soon spread on both sides of Main street, and about half way up to
the Petroleum house, while about the same distance was covered in the
opposite direction. The heat was so intense that the current of air coming
down over the bluff was strong enough to break trees. In a short time the
ruin caused was estimated at over one hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars. The High Water of 1873, although it was the next highest water that ever
visited Oil City, was not destructive. It happened April 10th.
The Great High Water of 1883 exceeded all its predecessors, and was
due to the February rains on the ice covered Allegheny valley. On Satur
day night, February 8rd, the water began rising and the ice left the creek;
by Sunday morning at half -past seven o' clock the river had so backed up the
creek that the flats were overflowed, and the water rose a foot an hour until
noon, when it was two feet above high-water mark of 1878 — the highest
ever reached in the history of the place. The boiler works and machine
shops looked like islands; the basements along Seneca street were filled;
about one o'clock a mass of ice struck the northeast pier of the suspension
bridge and made it settle almost three feet, leaving the whole strain on the
west cable; a train of loaded coal cars were run on to the creek mouth rail
way bridge to hold it down; the city pump house was destroyed, leaving the
city without water supply ; and Halyday run did some disastrous work in
the Third ward. This flood was noted for its height at Oil City rather than
for its destruction, as compared with that of 1865.
The Allegheny Ice Gorge of 1885 was the most remarkable flow of ice
ever witnessed at Oil City. It had formed at Hickory, where cakes froze
over cakes to a thickness of ten feet, and formed a dam which broke loose.
This reached Oil City just after midnight on April 3rd and inside of an hour
almost reached the mark of 1873. The great tumbling masses of ice fiUing
the river from side to side was a magnificent sight. The basements on Sen-

<=?2:

OIL CITY. 449
eca street were damaged some, but by half-past two o'clock the water began
to subside as quickly as it rose. These are the most important events that
verge on disasters. FACILITIES OF TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION.
Although the Allegheny ferries began with the Indian canoe and the
settler's skiff, it was not until the Bell furnace was in operation that a rough
flat-boat was poled across near the raUway bridge site, bearing the iron ore,
charcoal, and lime stone from the Sage run tramway in regular ferry style.
When the Drake well excitement began ex-Sheriff Thomas, of Franklin,
saw the need for a public ferry and a rope ferry charter was secured, but
soon sold to the farmer on the south side, Mr. Bastian, who built a boat
large enough for a loaded wagon and team, and stretched a thousand feet
of three-quarter-inch wire cable sixty feet above the water, and across near
and west of the mouth of Oil creek. This was during 1861-62, and is
thought to have been the first properly rigged ferry above Brady' s Bend.
The great demand for wood and Cranberry coal up the creek made the ferry
receipts as high as forty dollars per day.
In 1863, however, William L. Lay, who then bought Mr. Bastian' s
farm and ferry, believed in the future of a South Oil City, and in connec
tion with the improvement of the turnpikes on the west bank of Oil creek
and to the coal mines, he built a ferry boat for two loaded or four empty
wagons, and by 1864 had to build one with double that capacity. William
Phillips and others built another about the same time, crossing from the site
of the Allegheny Valley depot. These gave way very soon to the bridge.
The Oil creek ferries must have begun in the old furnace days of 1828
near the mouth of the creek, but their operators are not known. The
Halyday boys, Frank and John, poled a flat-boat across about two hundred
feet below Center street late in the forties when the turnpike travel be
tween Warren and Pittsburgh was considerable. They continued until the
old Center street single span, single track, wooden bridge was erected early
in the fifties, and which served through the mad rush of the early sixties,
until carried away by the great flood of 1865. For a short time a pontoon
bridge for teams and a rope bridge built by Charles Haines for foot pas
sengers served until the iron bridge was built.
The Center Street Bridge was completed under the direction of H. C.
Brundage, of Buffalo, New York, by the city at a cost of about sixty-five
thousand dollars, and was opened July 27, 1866. Toll was collected until
1870, when the county purchased and made it free. It is single span, com
bination wrought-iron truss and arch, one hundred and eighty feet by forty
feet, with double track and foot-ways.
The Raihvay Bridges across the creek began with the construction of
he Atlantic and Great Western railroad bridge at the mouth of the creek,
25

450 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
completed in 1866. During this time the first locomotive to cross the creek
here was run across a track laid on the ice, so they could begin running on
the up-stream tracts. The bridge is a large three-span iron truss crossing
the mouth of the creek.
The Allegheny Valley railway bridge was built in 1869. It is a wooden
Howe truss over the Allegheny river.
The Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad bridge over Oil creek
was built of wood in 1870 and rebuilt of wood in 1882. The latter burned
in May, 1888, by the fioating oil fire, and in Januaiy, 1889, was rebuilt with
iron. The Oil City and Petroleum Bridge Company was agitated in the winter
of 1862-63, when the growing needs of the oil region had outgrown the fer
ries. An act approved by the governor April 14, 1863, appointed J. J.
Vandergrift, John H. Coleman, H. M. Hamilton, William Ewing, and Will
iam L. Lay, commissioners to receive subscriptions for such a company.
Two hundred thirty-four shares were subscribed by the following gentle
men: WiUiam L. Lay, William H. Bowen, C. V. Culver, William A.
Shreve, J. H. Coleman, A. Brawdy, J. K. Lowry, E. C. Barton, James
Miller, B. K. Rathbun, C. W. GUfiUan, C. M. Titus, T. M. Parker, A, H.
Pool, A. S. Pool, WiUiam Brough, M. L. Bagg, Fid Bishop, H. C. Gas-
kill, and William Gaskill. They were incorporated May 16, 1864, and the
officers elected were : President, William L. Lay; directors: Shreve, Miller,
Coleman, Titus, and Brawdy; secretary, S. Stevenson; treasurer, A. S.
Pool, and engineer, T. M. Griffith. The capital stock was one hundred
thousand dollars. The site chosen was to connect Central avenue with a
street to be opened into the old west side turnpike near the Petroleum house,
joining the Cranberry coal mines with the creek thoroughfare. Work was
immediately begun on a two-span suspension bridge, and excavation for the
middle pier was nearly complete when everything was carried away by an
unexpected fiood. In January, 1866, a contract was made with Oilman &
Howe to erect a Howe truss bridge of five-timber stone-filled piers, and to
practically connect Seneca and State streets. It was to be twelve hundred and
fifty-five feet long, with roadway eighteen feet and footways five and one-
half feet, the whole being inclined ten feet, so that the south end would be
thirty -eight feet above steamboat stage of water. This, together with the
filling of Seneca street down to Center with stone and gravel to make it
passable, cost one hundred and two thousand dollars, when it was opened
to the public September 18, 1866. During the decade beginning with 1875
the wooden trusses were replaced with iron, beginning with the southern
end, and masonry piers and abutments were put in, thus giving a practi
cally new structure to the public at their grand opening at noon March 21,
1885. In 1887 the north-end offices and walls were finished at a cost of
three thousand dollars, so that with its covered footways, illumination of

OIL CITV. 451
twenty-five lights, and ornamental fire-bell tower, it can hardly be surpassed
on the river, and cost the company about one hundred and thirty-three
thousand dollars.
The successive presidents of the company have been as follows: William
L. Lay, elected in 1864; J. J. Vandergrift, 1866; and H. L Beers, 1873.
Harry Naylor and S. M. Irwin have collected toll for the past twenty-four
and fourteen years, respectively, and "Bobby" Wallace's vigilant eye has
watched over it during the night for nearly a quarter of a century.
The Venango Bridge Company was due to the desire of several citizens
to unite the growing south side and the Third ward, and also to check the
tendency to move all the west side business across the creek. A company
was organized February 21, 1873, with J. J. Vandergrift, president, George
V. Forman, J. H. Marston, J. M. McElroy, Joseph Bates, and W. J. Brun-
dred, directors; Fid Bishop, secretary, and John Mawhinney, treasurer. A
suspension bridge contract was made with Roebling' s Sons & Company, and
work begun in January, 1874, but ou account of the failure of a contractor
the structure was not completed until July 4, 1876. The engineer in charge
was W. R. Stevenson. Its cost was about seventy-six thousand dollars, and
it joins Petroleum and Bridge streets. It was in AprU, 1886, that a popu
lar agitation for reduced bridge tolls led to the purchase of two-thirds of
the stock by citizens with the ultimate hope of making it a free bridge, and
immediately reducing to a nominal toll. At the same time Mr. Vandergrift
resigned, and C. F. Hartwell has been at the head of the company ever
since. The capital stock is now forty-five thousand one hundred dollars.
In the great flood pf 1888 one of the cables was badly loosened, but soon
repaired, and the beautiful structure hangs over the waters like a great
festoon. The Upper Seneca Street Bridge was built of wood about 1877 and re
built of iron about 1888. It is owned by the county.
The First Steamboat ascended the river to the site of Oil City in Feb
ruary, 1828. It was the William D. Duncan, Captain Crook, and bore
delegates to a canal convention at Franklin. Then a run was made up to the
Oil Creek furnaces, but no farther, the captain stating that the current was
the strongest he had ever navigated. From that time on until the time of
railways the steamboats of various shapes and sizes were the usual means
of transportation when the water was sufficient. By the time of the rail
way advent in 1866, the steamboat and oil wharves were as follows : Bush
neU' s landing, foot .of Chestnut street; Benny, Baylis & Company, 244
Main street; Cochran's, 264 Main street; Conkle's, 298 Main street; Dil-
worth & Ewing' s, foot of Robson street; Ellison & Baxter's, foot of Wal
nut street; Fisher's, foot of Hanna street; Fisher's No. 2, foot of Chestnut
street; Fawcett Brothers, foot of Chestnut street; Gallagher & Danver's,
foot of Walnut street; Holdeman & Murray's, 242 Main street; Jackson's,

452 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
290 Main street; Lucesco Oil Company's, foot of Oak street; MunhaU's,
foot of Chestnut street; McKelvey & Miller's, foot of Walnut street; Maw
hinney' s, 262 Main street; Oil City Storage Company's, foot of Oak street;
Parker & Castle's, foot of Parker street; Porteous', foot of Walnut street;
Phillips & Company's, foot of Hanna street; and Vandergrift' s, on Chest
nut street.
Meanwhile the so-called hack lines on the Franklin and Warren turnpike
had been run even in furnace days, but the " hack" was often no more than
an ox team lumber wagon. In 1860 the growth of the Third ward led to
the first regular hack line to Franklin, run by Len Davis, whose rates varied
from two to five doUars a trip, according to the exigencies of the situation.
From that time on teaming became one of the most extensive and lucrative
branches of business in the oil region, assuming proportions and prices that
seem almost incredible to the present generation. Twelve dollars a day for
a team was often paid.
Railways and their depots became an absolute necessity by 1865. The
Franklin branch of the Atlantic and Great Western was the first to reach the
city (in March, 1866), with its depot near the Moran house. The rivalries
and difficulties in securing right of way were very great in the case of nearly
all the railways, and this one did not get its depot to the Petroleum house
until almost a year later, when it soon crossed the creek and secured a depot
about the southeast " Y " at the present Union depot. This is the New
York, Pennsylvania and Ohio railway.
Reaching the city at almost the same time as the Franklin branch was
the Oil City and Pithole railway, which came in from up the river, and after
some difficulty with the Warren and Franklin Railroad Company, entered
the present depot grounds and was soon absorbed by them. This is the
Western New York and Pennsylvania.
About the same time the Farmers' railway up the east bank of OU creek
was completed and run into the depot grounds over the filled up site of the
old mill race. This is now the Western New York and Pennsylvania, and
the change in road bed across the creek was made about 1870, to secure a
safer grade.
The Reno railway, which tried to pass just northwest and outside of Oil
City at the same date, was never completed.
A new depot was built in 1867 about the site of the fountain at the pres
ent grounds.
During that year the Cranberry coal company's short road came down
Sage run to the river, and its operation ceased about 1883.
In December, 1867, the Allegheny Valley extension from Mahoning came
up the south side of the river and made their present depot, with a free
transfer 'bus line to the Union depot, which was improved upon a year later
by the erection of their bridge enabling them to run into Oil City proper.

OIL CITY. 453
In 1870 the Jamestown and Franklin (now the Lake Shore and Michi
gan Southern) reached Oil City, and, unable to secure right of way around
the front of "the Hogback," tunneled through it, and placed their depots
in the Third ward near Bridge and Main streets
The old depot of 1867, and its grounds, owned by the Western New
Yerk and Pennsylvania railway, was replaced during 1883 by the present beau
tiful brick structure, in the midst of " Y's" and freight houses, at a cost of
about twenty-five thousand dollars. This is rented to the other roads. Be
sides freight houses and a large amount of siding there are two repair shops,
those of the Western New York and Pennsylvania near their Oil creek bridge
and those of the Allegheny Valley near Sage run. The division offices of the
Western New York and Pennsylvania are located here.
The Express companies followed fast on the heels of the new postoffice
about 1861 with Charles Shepard, now of Pittsburgh, as agent of the Union
Express Company (American and Adams) with an office near the site of the
New York hotel in the Third ward. The receipts were very great so that
at the time Mr. Shepard was succeeded by Edward Porter about 1865, the
United States Express Company came in, and the two companies had one
office. This continued until 1872 when they separated, Thomas Nolan hav
ing charge of the former and James N. Bingham of the latter. The next
change was November 1, 1884, when on account of disputed territory the
American and Adams dissolved their union, Mr. Nolan continuing with the
Adams. It was about two years later that the Wells, Fargo & Company
Express succeeded the United States company. The three companies have
offices near the Union depot, and each do an average monthly business of
one thousand dollars. THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
has deputy assessors and collectors at Oil City. The first assessor was A.
M. Turner, who reported to Joseph H. Lenheart of Meadville, and had his
office in the Third ward not far from the Moran house. His service (1863-
66) was during the days of income and oil taxation, when incomes were
returned as high as ninety -six thousand dollars, and one dollar a barrel was
collected on oU; Richard Johnson from about 1866 to 1868; P. W. Hays to
1869; Doctor R. Colbert from August, 1869 to December, 1885; R. Bever-
idge for a short time, and whose mysterious disappearance is still unex
plained; and finaUy John Barr, the present incumbent, have been Mr. Turn
er's successors. The territory has been enlarged on account of the repeal
of tax laws so that liquor and tobacco only are now cared for. In 1874
occurred an interesting case of illicit distillery suppression. Doctor Colbert
got the clew to a still on the Clarion river, and with a couple of officers
found the place, the only evidence of life being a house, a large kettle with
the smoke curling around it, and a horse standing at a water trough. An

454 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
examination of the watering place showed that the water was used to go
under ground instead of to quench the thirst of the deceptive horse who
remained there all day, and the innocent looking kettle sat over an under
ground smoke-stack! The officers swooped down upon the underground
apparatus and got one of the ' ' moon-shiners ' ' into the penitentiary.
Among the collectors have been W. F. Groves, R. F. W'ilson, and Doc
tor Colbert. The United States Court Commissionership was first vested in Mr. A.
M. Turner about 1867, and about 1870 Hugh C. Graham became his suc
cessor. The office proved to be more of a burden than blessing and since
1876 it has been discontinued. POST, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE OFFICES.
It lacked two years of being a half century after the first United States
postoffice route was established, when in 1840, Cornplanter postoffice was
opened at A. G. Siverly' s with that gentleman as postmaster, where mail
arrived by courier once a week from Franklin. It is not known whether
the official ax cut off Mr. Siverly' s head, but he was succeeded at the end of
the term by James Halyday, on Oil creek, who a year and a half later re
signed and let Samuel Bell of the furnace fill out the term. The mails
were now semi-weekly by stage over the Pittsburgh and Warren turnpike,
and were distributed during the next terms of James Young and Samuel
Hopewell, the village store-keeper of the Third ward. It must be remem
bered that the district handled its mail like a big family, so that after the
death of the next appointee, Thomas Moran, while his widow at the hotel
was filling out the term, it was the custom for the newly arrived oil specu
lator to turn the barrel of mail over on the floor and pick out what he
wanted. The sudden needs of the oil region led J. B. Reynolds, who had opened
a store, to secure the appointment of his brother, Calvin B. , May 2, 1861,
and to obtain a change to the name Oil City. The location of these places
has been given, and when the wild influx of population is remembered it
will not be surprising to know that very soon two clerks were needed. The
term beginning March 11, 1865, was filled by Fid Bishop, and Alexander
W. Myers, the former serving until January 9, 1866. The next two terms
beginning April 8, 1869, were in the hands of J. B. Howe, whom Fid Bishop
succeeded July 3, 1877, the latter using a room in the Lamberton block a
few months, when he removed to the McCoUum block, comer of Center and
Elm streets. Postmaster Bishop and his clerks attended to the mail for ten
years, when Colonel A. J. Greenfield was appointed January 20, 1886. The
fact that even in Mr. Reynolds' time two clerks were employed and that
four are now necessary will illustrate the growth better than other figures.
Attempts have been made to secure a free delivery, but the people seem

OIL CITY. 455
\o prefer two postoffices without it. By this is meant the continuance of the
south side office, established in 1864 under the name of the place — Laytonia,
with WiUiam L. Lay as postmaster. He opened the otfice in a building on
the river bank, where Central avenue descended to the ferry. Some time
after he moved it to a buUding, since destroyed, near the west corner of
State and Front streets. James Beatty had it in a building on the site of
the tailor shop at the foot of State street, from 1872 to 1876, and then E.
B. Young had it in the Italian fruit store room on State street near the
corner of Front. January 1, 1886, Miss Josephine Doty was made post
mistress and soon removed it to the present room at the foot of State street.
Prior to this time the office was kept in connection with other business, but
Miss Doty began with the determination of making the office self-sustaining.
That she has succeeded is proven by the fact that under her efficient
management, it became a presidential office in 1887, and the business has
so increased that it is now a money order office and one clerk is recpiired.
Telegraphic Communication seems to have reached the city about 1863,
for in 1864 the Western Union, the Merchants' to Pittsburgh, and the
United States all had lines, but the Western Union did the most business
and soon absorbed its rivals. The first operator who became a fixture was
Martin Luce, now of TitusviUe, who had an office on the west side, in the
second story of the old Goettel house — the site of the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southern depot. In 1865 James S. Lowe became assistant oper
ator, and the foUowing year was placed in charge of an office then opened
on the east side where the railway crosses Center street. This was for the
oil men solely. In 1867 W. P. Lucas took charge. Some changes fol
lowed, and other lines came in to exist only a short time. About 1870 the
two Western Union offices were consolidated in a building at the corner of
Railway and Sycamore streets, and soon after in the opera house where
four operators were employed. The greatest growth was during the Cherry
Grove excitement when fifteen first-class operators were employed. They
had an office in the Trust Company building previous to the opening of the
new exchange building, since when they have had quarters there. The of
fice now employs ten operators.
The Postal Telegraph also extended its lines here in 1884, with offices
in the Exchange building. They have four operators.
The Oil City Telephone Exchange was opened March 15, 1881, with
Prank Ross as superintendent. They have since extended their wires to
Siverly, McClintockville, and Franklin. Mr. Ross has been succeeded by
J. S. Brown and A. T. Brennan, the present incumbent.
BANKS AND BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS.
In a city composed largely of financiers and where fortunes have so fre-
quenUy changed hands it is but natural ^hat there should be excellent bank-

456 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY. *
ing facilities. Even in 1874 the banks of the city averaged a daily business
of three and a half millions.
C. V. Culver's Bank was the first established in Oil City. This was
in 1861, and the office was placed in charge of John H. Coleman. It was
one of a system of banks, and was afterward merged into the First National
Bank. The Oil City Bank, incorporated in 1864, was a leading institution for a
few years, and did a very large business. C. Heydrick, of Franklin, was
president, and John W. Eddy, cashier. The latter was succeeded by J.
B. Candy. It was a bank of issue, and one of a coterie of banking institu
tions established by Charles Vernon Culver during the early period of the oU
excitement. The failure of the great banking house of Culver, Penn &
Company of New York, March 27, 1866, forced the suspension of the 00
City Bank, and it never again opened its doors.
The Lamberton Bank is the outgrowth of the first banking house in the
oil region. Robert Lamberton, now deceased, began at Franklin late in
the fifties, and as the needs of Oil City became apparent, he, in 1861,
opened business here under the name of R. Lamberton & Company, with
J. B. Howe, cashier, who, in 1863, was succeeded by S. H. Lamberton, a
position he has held continuously since. Some time afterward the banking
business, on the retirement of the elder Lamberton, was assumed by a new
firm — Reynolds, Hukill & Company — the cashier above mentioned being the
silent partner. They changed from the old quarters in the Third ward to a
building on the site of the Boston store on Center street, and in 1871, an
ticipating the improvements in the low flats on the east side, erected the
present Lamberton block about thirteen feet above the old Seneca street
level, and occupying five lots. The building cost about seventy-eight thou
sand doUars. About 1875 the firm was changed to Reynolds, Lamberton
& Company, the silent partner being Doctor R. Colbert, and September 1,
1884, R. G. Lamberton purchased the entire interest and the present name
was adopted, the firm including R. G., S. H., and C. M. Lamberton, who
are respectively president, cashier, and assistant cashier. In 1887 the Ivy
and Seneca blocks were added. Their available capital is two hundred
thousand dollars with individual liability. The vault, lined with sixteen
thousand pounds of steel and equipped with fine combination and time
lock, is probably not surpassed in western Pennsylvania.
The First National Bank of Oil City was organized November 5, 1863,
and chartered on the following January 5th, with a capital stock of one
hundred thousand dollars. Of the following gentlemen: William A. Shreve,
William Hasson, J. J. Vandergrift, Joseph H. Marston, Charles Robson,
William Brough, M. La Mont Bagg, William L. Lay, Conrad Reiter,
George Cornwall, William C. Tillson, and Charles Vernon Culver, Mr.
Shreve was chosen president with J.'H. Coleman as cashier. The others —

OIL CITY. " 457
excepting Messrs. Culver, Marston, and Robson — were made directors.
The changes in directorship have beeu as follows: 1864, J. H. Coleman vice
Bagg; 1865, L, E. Beebe and C. M. Titus vice Reiter and Brough; 1866,
W. H. Beers, I. C. Vanhook, and C. Robson vice Tillson, Coleman, and
Shreve; 1867-68, A. L. Bennett vice Vanhook, Beebe, and Titus; 1809, H.
I. Beers vice W. H. Beers; 1870-71, Vandergrift and Lay withdrew; 1872,
L. P. M. Spencer vice Bennett; 1873-75, H. M. Choate vice Spencer;
1876, C. A. Cornen vice Choate; and from 1877 to 1889 inclusive the same,
except C. A. Cooper vice Robson. Mr. Shreve was foUowed as president
by WUliam Hasson, the present incumbent, January 9, 1866.
This is the only bank of issue in the city, and was organized with au
thority to increase its capital to five hundred thousand dollars. Up to 1870
the bank was on Main street. Third ward, when it was removed to the pres
ent building, on the comer of Center and Seneca streets. Cashiers have
succeeded Mr. Coleman in the following order: W. C. Rehren, January
12, 1864; John Walker, January 18, 1865; A. L. Bennett, May 13, 1865;
L. P. M. Spencer, AprU 1, 1872; H. M. Choate, May 9, 1872; James A.
Waugh, August 20, 1875; R. C. Beveridge, December 31, 1878; and John
M. Berry, February 7, 1885.
The Oil City Savings Batik. — On Main street near Bridge street in 1865
there was opened one of the earliest banking houses of Oil City, with S. D.
Herron as cashier. It had been organized by directors George W. Cochran
(also president), T. B. Porteous, James Miller, William Parker, AV. J.
Kountz, William Phillips, W. B. Riddle, John Mawhinney, and William
Thompson, with an authorized capital of eighty thousand dollars, for which
each stock- holder was individually liable. The cashier resigned the same
year and his place has since been filled by H. H. Stephenson. The Wurster
meat-market building on Main street was the next place occupied by the
bank, and it was not until about 1874 that they secured the present loca
tion on the corner of Elm and Center streets. A quiet, prosperous career
is a considerable thing for any bank to boast and under the successive presi
dencies of George W. Cochran, William Thompson, John Mawhinney, and
William Parker this can be claimed for this institution.
The Oil City Trust Company grew out of the needs of the extensive
operations of the firm of Vandergrift, Forman & Company, for more suita
ble banking facilities in 1872. They began as a private company with indi
vidual liability for the authorized capital stock, one hundred thousand dol
lars, and under the presidency of George V. Forman, with Henry L. Davis
as cashier, who, late in the foUowing year, was succeeded by W. J. Young.
The present incorporation has been the most important change in the bank's
career; it was organized as follows: President, W. J. Young; cashier, C.
M. Loomis, who are stiU retained; and directors: J. J. Vandergrift, J. R.
CampbeU, W. J. Hulings, T. A. McLaughlin, Henry Lewis, M. Geary, and

458 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
M. Lowentritt. This company bought out the old company — business and
building entire — June 30, 1888, and under their new state charter the capital
stock was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Their pres
ent large building, corner Seneca and Sycamore streets, became their quar
ters in December, 1873, on the removal from the opera house building where
they began operations the year before.
F. W. Mitchell & Company, a private banking house, was composed, at
its organization November 8, 1873, of three partners — F. W. Mitchell,
George V. Forman, and F. H. Steel — with an authorized capital of fifty
thousand dollars. Their building at the corner of Sycamore and Elm streets
has been the location from the first, and the only changes in business.
occurred in 1875, when Mr. Forman withdrew, and in 1882 when W. H.
Wise became a partner, together with the increase of capital July 81, 1877,
to one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Steel, as cashier, has had the man
agement from the first. This bank is recognized as one of the safest and
most substantial financial institutions in Venango county.
The Building and Loan Associations which have been so great a boon to
the working people of this country in securing homes, and of so great ad
vantage in the tasteful structure of towns, first obtained a footing in Oil City
in 1881. The Union Building and Loan Association began in March of that year
under Directors Merritt, Guernsey, Mcintosh, Vandergrift, Jr., Loomis,
Lay, Grant, Chickering, Ormston, Hays, and Buchanan, with an authorized
capital of three thousand shares of two hundred dollars each. The officers
chosen at first have for the most part been continued to the present; they
were B. H. Carnahan, president; D. L. Trax, vice-president; B. C. Simp
son, secretary; Charles H. Lay, Jr., treasurer; Mr.. Buchanan, auditor, and
F. W. Hays, solicitor. There have been no losses from the first; the aver
age premiums have been about twenty per cent. , and the value of shares so
increased that by the end of the first five years a second association was
formed. This was the Home Building and Loan Association whose five hundred
stockholders organized in April, 1886, with the following officers: Pres
ident, M. Lowentritt; vice-president, C. M. Loomis; secretary, G. W.
Parker; treasurer, W. W. Davis; solicitor, F. W. Hays, and directors:
Brown, Simpson, Guernsey, Carnahan, Young, Stephenson, Berry, Welch,
Meals, and Hays. The leading officers have been retained, while the pre
miums on their authorized stock of eight hundred thousand dollars, divided
into shares of two hundred dollars each, have averaged similar to the Union.
Neither association has had any losses, and the steady prosperity of both
has been the means of building over a thousand houses in less than a
decade, and chiefly in the last three years. This is due no less to the good
management of its officers than to the exceUence of the plan itself.

OIL CITY. 459
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper at Oil City, the Weekly Register, was issued for the
first time on the 14th of January, 1862, by ^X. R. Johns. It has been fol
lowed successfully by the Monitor, Petroleum Monthly, Sand Pump, Bul
letin, Semi Weekly Petrolian, Republican, Times, Derrick^ Sunday Call, Bliz
zard, Critic, and Democrat: the Derrick, founded in 1881, and Blizzard,
founded in 1882, are issued both daily and weekly, and the Critic, founded
in 1886, is published weekly. HOTELS AND HALLS.
So much of a community' s history is associated with its hotels, public
halls, and theaters that an attempt is here made to trace out the most im
portant early ones.
The Halyday, Bannon, Moran, Red Lion, and Dickey taverns have been
mentioned as on the west side. The Petroleum house, one of the most
noted, and which still stands between Main street and the creek, followed
the Dickey tavern, with James Colgan and afterward Charles Pither as pro
prietor. The Mead house and the Parker house were two others that
sprung up in the first two years of the sixties.
On the east side the Edmonds hotel on the site of the Transit block,
corner of Center and Seneca streets, was the first. Its name was afterward
changed to the Ohio hotel, and on the corner diagonally opposite a^ose the
Philadelphia hotel. Many others followed, chiefly on Center and Main
streets, frequently changing names and proprietors. It was almost as pay
ing a business then as that of the teamster, which is'saying a great deal.
On the south side .the first was the Laytonia house, corner of Central
avenue and Front street.
Probably the first hall was a frame building on Main below Bridge street
as early as 1860-61. The Halyday run school house was used as early as
1862, and a little later " the old banking house," built by A. J. Wright &
Company, but never used for banking as intended.
On the east side the first hall was in the block on the Derrick office site,
owned by Reynolds and WUliams. The school house on the site of the Oil
WeU Supply Company's office was used, and the old Methodist Episcopal
church just opposite, and also the successor of the latter after the fire of
1866. After that date the present halls were erected from year to year.
On the south side Lee's hall was the first, about 1863-64, and is still
standing on the banks of the run on Front below Petroleum street. Smith
& AUison' s hall was built a year or so later.
The first theater that was generally recognized as such was called Bas
com' s haU. It was a large frame building erected on the hill where Main
street turns to the west. It was opened in 1865 under the management of
O'Hara & Blake, and afterward became known as O'Hara's hall. It was
used for various purposes and finally fell into decay.

460 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The first opera house was built in 1872 at the head of Center street by
John Love, and although managed by General John A. Wiley, it proved
unsuitable so that it was entirely remodeled, and in September, 1878, was
reopened under the management of Samuel T. Jack. This was used until
in February, 1884, when, one night after a performance by the Edwin
Thorn Black Flag Company, it was burned to the ground.
During the succeeding autumn the south side rink on Front street, corner
of Central avenue, was fitted up by Kane & Tracy, and opened on Novem
ber 18th.
In the summer of 1885 a desire to rebuild the opera house led M.
Geary, president, W. J. Young, Thomas B. Simpson, C. M. Loomis, and
M. Lowentritt to purchase the old site at the head of Center street, and in
July construction was begun. Meanwhile Kane & Rogers had become man
agers of the south side rink, and on the completion of the new opera house
leased it. Their grand opening occurred on the evening of December 21,
1885, W. E. Sheridan appearing as Louis XI. The audience room on the
second floor has a stage thirty-three feet deep and fifty- eight feet wide,
with all the appointments of a metropolitan opera house. The seating ca
pacity is about one thousand, and the popular stars frequently greet full
houses. The south and west sides have no other theater.
MANUFACTURES.
Besides the furnace period, there have been two other eras in Oil City
manufactures, the petroleum and natural gas periods, the advent of the
latter in 1883, giving greater promise of a permanent future for Oil City
than any previous development. The character of the manufactures has
been largely that connected with the oil industry, so that everything from
the di-ill point to the finest gasoline is made within the city limits, but other
branches of manufacture are now coming in. This chapter attempts to
sketch only the most important and distinct manufactures, and in the order
of their establishment.
Charles Robson & Company began in a small way, in 1860, near the site
of the pipe lines' shops, in the Third ward, the first manufactory of the
new Oil City. About 1863 they bought Hasson' s hardware, on the corner of
Center and Seneca, opposite the Exchange site. F. Giegel and George
Porter joined the firm in 1864, and, after the fire of 1866, they built on the
Oil Exchange site, where business increased so that they employed twenty-
four men at one time. They closed the business in 1871.
Cummings Brothers' Machine Shops were probably the next. They flour
ished during the latter part of the sixties, and gradually ceased doing
business, as the old shops on Seneca street, near the new Transit block, are
still standing idle, with the machinery in them. The brothers were Alexan
der, William, and John.

OIL CITY. 461
The Saltzmann Brewery was built in 1862, on Charley run. In 1881 the
firm of J. J. Saltzmann & Sons erected one on Palace Hill, which was
burned in March, 1887. This was rebuilt at once, on a larger scale, and
now has a daily capacity of fifty barrels.
The Imperial Ban-el Works were ready for business in March, 1873,
with a daily capacity of one thousand barrels and a force of two hundred and
fifty men and boys. This force and capacity have more than trebled since.
The first officers were I. I. "Wagner, president; C. A. Cooper, vice-president;
and C. W. Owston, secretary and general manager. It was afterward
bought by the Imperial Refining Company, and the present name assumed.
The Imperial Refining Company. Limited, with works at Siverly and
general offices over the Oil City Savings Bank, was organized in 1871.
Their officers were: President, J. J. Vandergrift; treasurer, John Pitcairn,
Jr. ; general manager, John Gracie, who, with J. J. Lawrence and G. V.
Forman, constituted the directory. It has since become a limited company,
with B. P. Brundred, chairman, and G. H. Vilas, secretary and treasurer, and
now has the following departments : The gasoline plant, with a capacity of
one thousand barrels of naphtha daily; the refinery proper, with daily
capacity of two thousand barrels of crude oil ; the barrel works, with an
annual capacity of three hundred thousand barrels ; and the paraffine works,
formerly owned by C. C. Beggs & Company, having a monthly capacity of
five thousand barrels of paraffine oil.
The Oil Well Supply Company, Limited, is a firm which has grown from
the needs of the oil development. Early in the sixties New York supply
firms began to have their western departments cover the new oil fields .
Eaton & Cole were one of these about 1867 and by about 1873 it had be
come the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company. Meanwhile, in 1869, Mr.
Eaton had located at TitusvUle; in January, 1870, Mr. Chickering came on,
and in 1873 they opened their first Oil City store on Elm street. They
afterward moved into the Hukill block on Sycamore street and in 1877 built
the nucleus of their factory near the Union depot. At this time they had
about fourteen stores at various points, while Kerr, Geider & Company,
another ffi-m, had about ten, and W. C. AUison & Company, J. D. Wolf &
Company, J. D. Lupher & Company, and others had one each.
These were all absorbed or bought out sooner or later and March 14,
1878, the present company was organized with John Eaton, president, and
John A. Hinkley, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock was three
hundred thousand dollars. The official changes have been as follows: On
the resignation of Mr. Hinkley in January, 1 880, Kenton Chickering was
elected secretary; B. T. Howes, treasurer; and in November, 1885, K. Saul-
nier became assistant treasurer. The paid-up capital is now five hundred
thousand dollars.
The firm at first did not intend to manufacture, but during 1878 a single

462 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
experimenting room became the nucleus of such an extensive factory system
that they now make everything they need, many of the most important
articles being their own patents. At Oil City their extensive machine and
blacksmith shops at the offices employ about one hundred and twenty men;
and their engine works, formerly the Innis Manufacturing Company, pur
chased in January, 1889, have about seventy-five hands; at Bradford, Penn
sylvania, their machine shops have a force of about fifty men, while about
thirty are employed in the sand reel shops; at Van Wert, Ohio, a sucker-
rod factory and planing mill employ about thirty to sixty men.
Their stores are even more extensive and so sensitive to the needs and
variations of the oil developments that their changes can not be given
complete. Beginning in Oil creek region and the Bradford field with
stores in 1878, at Tarport, Summit, and AUentown, they have extended to
Cherry Grove, Warren, Pittsburgh, Karns City, Petrolia, Kolor City, Mil-
lerstown, Parker City, Foxburg, Edenburg, Elk City, Derrick City, Red
Rock, Eldred, Sawyer City, Mix Creek, Duke Center, Kendall, Limestone,
Haysville, Garfield, Emlenton, and Grand Valley, Pennsylvania; Maxburg,
Marietta, Van \Vert, Lima, and Cygnet, Ohio; Washington, New York
city, and Baku, Russia. Some of these however have been sold or aban
doned. Their largest store is at Pittsburgh, the office of the president,
where J. C. Palmer is superintendent, and Charles Smith, storekeeper with
a force of about fifty men. The second in size is Oil City, the office of the
secretary, where G. N. Reed is assistant, and C. F. Howes, storekeeper with
a force of about twenty-five men; while the Bradford stores, the office of
the treasurer and assistant, with C. F. Collins, storekeeper, and about
twenty clerks, are third in size. The remaining stores employ altogether
about sixty clerks. This makes a grand total of about four hundred and
sixty factory and office employes, while their trade covers the entire oil regions
of the world.
The Economy Refining Company was an early one, located on upper
Seneca street and after a career of several years was closed about 1884, and
dismantled by the Imperial Refining Company which had formerly bought it.
The Railway Shops of the Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad
were located in the upper part of the east flats by the company when their
division termini were placed here. Their capacity and numerous buildings
have increased gradually until this is headquarters for about fifty engines,
fifty-five engineers, fifty-two firemen, and in the shops are employed a force
of one hundred and fifty-seven men.
The Oil City Gas Company received its charter January 26, 1876, and on
the following July 10th the city was illuminated for the first time. The first
cost was seventy thousand dollars. The corporation included A. F. Kent,
C. J. Hepburn, Jonathan McCollum, C. F. Hartwell, and Doctor J. A.
Ritchey, of whom Mr. McCollum was president; Mr. Hartwell, secretary;

OIL CITY. 468
and Mr, Kent, treasurer and superintendent. The ctipital stock was seventy
five thousand doUars. The use of natural gas, after undergoing prepara
tion has been the chief change, together with the use of oil instead of coal
about 1886. This has beeu since connected with the Fuel Supply company.
The Joseph Reid Foundry and Machine Works, on Seneca street, began
in a one-story building, thirty-seven feet square, in 1876, as a machine shop.
Increasing business gradually enlarged this to one hundred and fifty feet by
thirty-seven, and two stories, and iron and brass foundries were added. En
gines and locomotives were soon made after Mr. Reid' s own plans, the first
of the locomotives built in OU City (1882). The manufacture was from time
to time extended so as to make the Stover pumping rig, log-dogs, etc. The
increase was such that in 1887, when twenty-two hands were employed, they
removed to new quarters in the rink building, one hundred and eighty by
forty- eight feet.
The Oil City Boiler Works were established in 1876 by M. Geary, B.
W. Vandergrift, and Daniel O' Day with a small capital, inabuilcUng located
on the corner of Duncan street, now used as a store room for various wares.
One year after the establishment of the business, J. J, Vandergrift and J. J.
Vandergrift, Jr., purchased the interest of B. W'. Vandergrift and continued
to be members of the firm until 1882, when M. Geary and Daniel O'Day
became sole owners. In 1881 the plant was located in its present quarters
and has grown with wonderful rapidity, the business having varied so widely
that as high as six hundred men have been employed and the expenditures
for a single year have been as high as one million two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. At the present time employment is given to about two
hundred men, and an average of sixty boilers and from seventy -five to one
hundred engines are manufactured per month, which find ready markets all
over the world. The company is now erecting a large brick building, at a
cost of some fifty thousand dollars, with sufficient room for every depart
ment of the works.
The Logan Repair Shops are in the hands of the Logan Brothers, A. and
R. Logan, the former being at the head of the machinery department and
the latter the financial manager. Their works are located near the head of
Center street, comprising machine shops, wood-turning shops, scroll sawing,
and dealing stores. They began business here in 1879.
The Kramer Wagon Company occupy two buildings from Elm to Rail
road street — the blacksmithing and painting departments being a three story
brick, thirty-eight feet by one hundred and fifteen feet, the wood working
department being a two-story building covering an area forty by two hun
dred feet. The firm had grown from smaller beginnings until it was formed
on its present basis in 1880, since which it has grown in system and trade
under the able management of Messrs. W. J. Kramer and D. L. Trax. Of
their specialties, implements and heavy road-wagons, they had sold over

464 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
two thousand of the latter up to 1888, and in 1889 averaged one hundred
per month. A new three-story brick, thirty-six by one hundred feet, was
erected on Elm street in 1888, and the loss of an eight thousand dollar fire
replaced in another building.
Hunt & Hallett, manufacturers and dealers in lumber and brick, hard
and soft coal, etc., have yards and offices in the Third ward, between Main
street and the river. This firm was organized in 1878 as wholesale shippers
and dealers in coal and lumber, and in 1887 it purchased an old plant and
began to manufacture. Beginning in a very small way they now have a
manufacturing capacity of about three million feet per annum, and a ready
market for their product in the vicinity bf Oil City. The United States
government is also an extensive patron in the item of heavy lumber used in
Allegheny river improvements, and Oil City proper buys from them all the
material for internal improvements and repairs. The introduction of nat
ural gas has about driven out the coal business while it has had a tendency to
improve the lumber traffic. This firm is composed of W. G. Hunt, J. P.
Hallett, and Thomas H. Nicholson.
The Innis Manufacturing Company grew from the connection of W. J.
Innis with the oil region, which began in 1865. He continued for several
years in the manufacture of his patent sucker-rod for oil wells, and grad
ually extended into the making of other machinery. His excellent inven
tions in the steam engine line led to the formation of the present company
in 1880, which includes his son, W. C. Innis, the superintendent in charge,
since which time they have confined themselves to engine building. They
erected shops on upper Seneca street occupying an area one hundred and
seventy-five by two hundred and ten feet, embracing a two -story machine
shop sixty by one hundred, a one-story " L," forty by sixty, and iron foundry
fifty by eighty, and other buUdings. The popularity of their fifteen horse
power engines so increased that by 1887 they had sold over three thousand
to the trade in all parts of the world, and their works, with a capacity of
one hundred and twenty- five engines per month, employed one hundred and
thirty-five men. Probably Mr. Innis' greatest invention is the recently
perfected high speed automatic single valve engine, so highly recommended
by Charles T. Porter, the well-known engine scientist. These works were
purchased in January, 1889, by the Oil Well Supply Company, Limited, and
are mentioned in that connection.
The National Transit Company's Pipe iiwe S/iops were brought from
Petrolia in 1881, under the old United Pipe Lines management. It was
placed in the Third ward below the suspension bridge and began with
machine shops, foundry and pump repairing, with a force of about twenty-
five men. Their needs increased so rapidly that in the spring of 1889, new
brick shops were added — a machine shop two hundred by sixty-four feet,
a blacksmith and pattern shop one hundred and fifty by sixty -four feet, at

"^ 'by ran,r.nm ncfKl-

OIL CITY. 467
a total cost of about twenty-five thousand dollars. With these are consol
idated the Tarport shops; a total force of about one hundred and thirty
men is employed.
The Union Refining Company began in 1879 with works near the
mouth of Cornplanter run. Marcus Hulings, John A. Wiley, B. F. Brund
red, and Wesley Chambers were the projectors. It has since become the
gasoline plant of the Imperial Refining Company.
The Astral Refining Company, Limited, was organized about 1881
with works at Astral station on the Allegheny Valley railway. The com
pany has been twice reorganized, once in April, 1884, and latterly in
December, 1888, when the present Astral Oil Refining Company secured it;
the officers of the company chosen were: J. Manning, chairman; M. Braun-
schweiger, treasurer, and J. B. Berry, secretary. Their works have a
capacity of two hundred barrels of refined oil daily.
The Independent Refilling Company, Limited, grew out of the Inde
pendent Oil Company, and was organized May 11, 1882, with the following
officers: President, John Theobald; treasurer, L. Walt, and secretary, A.
A. Rockwood. They began with works on Oil creek, a mile north of the
postoffice at Oil City, having a still capacity of five hundred barrels, since
increased to one thousand eight hundred barrels, and including also a gaso
line plant and high-test steam stills.
The Enterprise Milling Company' s mills are located on Elm and Rail
way streets, and were established May 1, 1883, by L. R. Reed and W'. W.
McConnell. August 1, 1886, Mr. Reed purchased the entire interest, and
in November, the present company was formed, so that by the following
year their capacity was about three car-loads daily. After their great fire,
in November, 1887, they rebuilt and put in rollers. Their plant and busi
ness is valued at about twenty-five thousand dollars.
The Oil City Fuel Supply Company bought the charter of an old com
pany which had drilled some and failed to find gas. This was done in the
spring of 1883 by the new company, whose officers were: E. Strong,
president; 0. H. Strong, secretary, and R. W. Porterfield, treasurer.
Drilling was begun at once in the fields, some miles distant, and by August,
1883, natural gas was supplied to Oil City for fuel, and the new era of
heating began. The marvelous stimulation it has had upon the manufact
ures of the city is well known, and a new era of permanent prosperity has
been opened. The company has its headquarters here in the McCollum block,
on Center street, and from this field lines have been extended to supply
Franklin, Meadville, Sharon, Mercer, Youngstown (Ohio), and numerous
smaller places.
Two other companies, the Northwestern Pennsylvania Natural Gas Com
pany, which leases the supply privilege to Oil City, and the Manufacturers' s
26

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Gas Company, which supplies illuminating gas to the city, also, are con
nected with this company.
C. S. Cordie & Company's Planing Mill and Spoke i^actor-^/ was brought
from Emlenton in 1885 by Mr. Cordie and located near the railway, above
Center street. Twelve men are employed.
The Continental Refining Company, Limited, was organized in 1885 un
der the following officers: Chairman, Louis Morris; treasurer, Louis Walt,
and secretary, Thomas Anderton. Their works, located on OU creek, a short
distance above Oil City, began with a five hundred barrel capacity, and
have since grown to one of one thousand five hundred barrels.
The Penn Refining Company, Limited, has large works along Oil creek
just north of Oil city that are now of a capacity of one thousand eight hun
dred barrels, or six hundred barrels more than when they began in 1886.
The first officers, who are still retained, were: H. Suhr, chairman; S. Justus,
secretary and treasurer; and L. Walt, general manager.
The Keystone Refining Company was organized in the spring of 1886,
with F. D. Cummer, president; C. A. Hotchkiss, vice-president; and J.
Swartz, secretary. Their paraffine works were located about two miles above
Oil City on the creek and the refinery had a capacity of seven hundred bar
rels. About a year later they failed and the works were bought by the
Eclipse Company of Franklin.
The Oil City Tube Company is a corporation of recent date. It began
in 1887 with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, afterward
doubled, and in charge of M. Lowentritt, president; N. F. Clark, vice-
president; C. H. Duncan, secretary; W. J. Young, treasurer; JohnO'Shea,
manager; George H. White, superintendent; directors: Lowentritt, Geary,
Joseph Seip, R. G. Lamberton, and C. H. Duncan. The buildings erected
include a lap-weld mill, three hundred and four by two hundred feet,
of corrugated iron, containing four furnaces, with a daily capacity of one
hundred tons of pipe, one and one-half to twelve inches by thirty feet; a
battery of boilers of about six hundred horse power; eight engines ranging
from twenty-five to one hundred and twenty-five horse power; a hydraulic
testing pump, two steam hammers, two belt hammers, thirty pipe cutting
and coupling machines, etc. ; and a butt- weld mill, one hundred by two
hundred and fifty feet, with three furnaces, and machinery to make one-
eighth to one and one-half inch gas, steam, water, and hydraulic pipes, and
motive power composed of boilers of two hundred horse power and two en
gines of one hundred horse power each. The site covers five acres front
ing on the railway and Seneca street and six hundred men are employed.
The works have steadily grown to accommodate their great and rapidly
formed trade. January 1, 1888, M. Geary became president, Joseph Seip,
vice-president, and G. S. Oberly, secretary, and soon after the stock was
increased to three hundred thousand dollars.

OIL CITY. 469
The Hintermister Organ Company has its works on the south end of
Front street. It was organized, in 1887 by local capital to secure the re
moval of the works from Buffalo to OU City. The business is under the
management of the patentee, J. H. Hintermister. They now have a capac
ity of six organs per week.
The Crystal Oil Works, Limited, were established in May, 1887, by
Thomas F. Wright. ¦ They began with a two hundred barrel still capacity
and have since increased to four hundred. The works are three miles up
Oil creek.The Nonpareil Refining Company of Oil City, beginning with a capital
stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, have since trebled it. The organiza
tion was effected in October, 1888, with John W. Davis, president; John
Downes, vice-president; J. S. Henry, secretary, and W. H. Wise, treas-
m'er. The works are at Rouseville and have a still capacity of^seven hun
dred and fifty barrels. OIL OPERATIONS.
In all the phases of the oil industry this city has been prominent — in its
production, sale, transportation, outfitting, and manufacture, but especially
is this true of the last four, and pre-eminently so of its sale and transpor
tation. The United Pipe Lines Division of the National Transit Company,
with headquarters at Oil City, represents the transportation of crude oil,
and is a part of probably the finest mechanical and commercial organization
known. From the time that the pipe transportation idea occurred to J. L.
Hutchinson of New York in 1860 to the time, in 1865, when Samuel Van
Syckle, of Morris county. New Jersey, laid the first screw- and-thim ble pipes
from Miller Farm to Pithole, there were no organizations. In the spring
of 1866 Henry Hariey, a civil engineer and graduate of Renssaellaer Poly
technic Institute, laid more lines and secured control of the Pithole line.
Then it became a success and during the next ten years companies organ
ized so fast that by 1876 there were ten pipe line companies in the oil
region. Competition had also become so great that many companies failed,
and the oil certificates were suspicioned quite as much as the issue of the
old "wild-cat" banks. To this was added the burden of custodian as well
as transporter, and the great loss by waste.
To remedy this, in 1877, a consolidation was effected between the (old)
United Pipe Lines; the Antwerp and Oil City Pipe Company; the Atlantic
Pipe Company; the American Transfer Company (in Clarion and Venango
counties) ; the Sandy Pipe Line, and the Milton Pipe Line, under the name
of the first mentioned. The incorporation was made in March with a capital
of three miUion dollars. Officers were chosen as follows: J. J. Vander
grift, president; M. HuUngs, vice-president; H. M. Hughes, secretary; J.

470 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
R. Campbell, treasurer; E. Hopkins, general manager; H. L. Taylor, J.
Pitcairn, Jr., H. M. Hughes, J. J. Vandergrift, B. C. Bradley, M. Hulings,
J. T. Jones, D. O'Day, H. M. Flagler. J. D. RockefeUer, and J. A. Bost
wick, directors. Messrs. Taylor and Pitcairn afterward resigned and were
succeeded by B. D. Worcester and WUliam Brough respectively as direct
ors. After the death of Mr. Hopkins W. T. Scheide succeeded him, but
in May, 1889, failing health caused him to resign, and his place has not
been filled; otherwise the same officers have served by re-election.
During the same year the following lines were purchased: The Empire
Pipe Line, the Columbia Conduit Company, the American Transfer Com
pany, (in McKean county, Pennsylvania, and Cattaraugus county. New
York), the Olean Pipe Line, the Hunter & Cumings line, the Keystone Pipe
Line, the Pacific Pipe Line, and the Relief Pipe Company, whereupon the
capital stock was increased to five million dollars. The increased advan
tages for more perfect system and less expense in management enabled them
at once to reduce the pipage rate from the former price of thirty cents and
upward to the fixed rate of twenty cents per barrel from and to all points
reached by their lines. The capacity of the lines, by the time the company
was a year and a half old, was over one thousand five hundred miles of
two-inch pipe, three hundred miles of three and four inch pipe, three
hundred and fifty iron tanks capable of holding over five million two hun
dred thousand barrels of forty-two gallons each, of which one million
eight hundred thousand barrels were owned by the company and the rest
leased, and over eight hundred miles of telegraph wires connecting its sta
tions with each other and with the general offices at Oil City.
Its first general offices were in a building on the site of the Oil City
Trust Company' s bank. About 1870 they moved to the rooms at the head
of Center street now occupied by the Green Line, and remained there until
the present building, occupied by the Oil City Trust Company, was built,
in 1873, when the upper floors became their apartments.
In the early part of 1878 the great opening in the Bradford district tried
their power to increase their capacity to the utmost, and by April they had
succeeded. By this time also they had already decided on the policy of not
being dealers, but simply storers and transporters, and their success, with a
stability equal to that of national banks, soon overcame all the objections
that so often arise against public carriers, while their certificates assumed a
negotiable value ever after unquestioned.
In 1880 the long distance lines were begun to the seaboard and else
where, so that every well in the oil region was soon connected by pipes with
the holds of ocean steamships.
Up to AprU 1, 1884, the increase in long distance pipage, much of which
had been secured by a corporation known as the National Transit Company,
the need for greater charter advantages, the advisabUity of securing greater

OIL CITY. 471
tank capacity for cases of over-production, and a more constant and uni
form shipment, all combined to make it advisible for the United Pipe Lines
to be transferred to this company. This was done April 1, 1884; the offi
cers of the company were C. A. Griscom, Philadelphia, president; Benjamin
Brewster, New York, vice-president; D. O'Day, Buffalo, general manager;
John Bushnell, New York, comptroller; G. W. Colton, New York, treasurer;
H. M. Flagler, New York; J. A. Bostwick, New York; W. G. Warden, PhUa
delphia; J. D. Potts, Philadelphia; B. Brewster, New York; J. D. Archbold,
New York, and C. A. Griscom, Philadelphia, directors. Under this organi
zation the company was divided into the United Pipe Lines and Trunk Lines
divisions, the former continuing to have general offices and immediate man
agement at Oil City as before. There has_ been little or no change in policy
or management. The departments here are in the following hands: J. B. Maitland,
superintendent of tankage; J. S. Klein, superintendent of machinery depart
ment, described elsewhere; W. W. Splane, superintendent of telegraph; Al
bert Smedley, superintendent of construction; J. R. Campbell, treasurer;
H. McSweeney, solicitor, and Glenn T. Braden, general superintendent. In
each department are a large force of employes, that help to swell the popu
lation of the city. There are now operated from three to four thousand miles
of pipe in Pennsylvania and New York.
The office rooms falling short of their necessities, the splendid new
Transit building on the comer of Seneca and Center streets was begun in
the spring of 1889. It is above the basement a four story structure of
pressed brick, Medina sandstone, and terra cotta work, sixty by one hundred
and twenty feet, with arched main entrance on Seneca street, opening into
marble- tiled corridors. The architects were Curtis & Archer, of Fredonia,
New York. The estimated cost is ninety-thousand dollars.
The Oil Exchange is the perfection of petroleum transfers which began
with its sale as a crude medicine by the Indians and pioneers of Venango
county. The real traffic began in August, 1859, by buying at the wells
when the price was twenty dollars a barrel. The stupendous production
of 1860-61, before an unformed demand, brought it down to ten cents a
barrel in .January, 1862, and for several years, until the foreign demand
was created and the business systematized, prices were subject to frequent
and formidable fluctuations. This of course was a flame that attracted
fierce speculation, and the oil dealer became as much of a fixture as the
lumber dealer.
For the first five years the dealer or speculator bought the oil at the
weU, in the barrel, on the boat, in bulk, at the wharves, in the ware
houses up and down the river, anywhere, but chiefly at the warehouses in
the Third ward. Any change in the New York market was the signal for
the oil dealer to race up the r'iver on horseback to buy up or unload as his

472 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
interest dictated, and often the result was heavy loss. Then the oil ex
change was on horseback; this was so until 1867, at the completion of the
Oil Creek and Farmers' railroads between Oil City and TitusviUe, the
right of way of which was only obtained on condition that every oil
farm should have a depot at which passenger trains should stop. Then
the passenger cars became the exchange, but very soon a special oil men's
car was secured to run independently of passenger trains. For two or
three years this car was the scene of transactions involving millions, and
the bulls and bears were quite as excitable on wheels as in their later
quarters. Telegraph and better tranportation made it unnecessary to go out of the
city by 1869, and in December of that year a meeting was held in Owston
& Lower's office for the first organization of an exchange. In 1870 room was
secured in the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company's office, at the raU
road crossing on Center street, but as these quarters were too small a room
was fitted up in the Sands block. This was burned in January, 1872, and
a room in the opera house was used, together with summer quarters in a
shed erected near the Empire Line offices. In 1873 several causes com
bined to prevent the continuance of the organization, notably the South Im
provement Company excitement.
February 4, 1874, a meeting was held at the Collins house, William
Hasson, chairman, and J. F. Leech, secretary, and fifty-five persons organized
the Oil City Oil Exchange with George V. Forman, president; A. J. Green
field, vice-president; J. F. Leech, secretary; James Mawhinney, treasurer.
They secured rooms in the Collins house and on April 29th following were
regularly incorporated by a state charter. The}' began with the old rules,
and discipline and system were slowly adopted. At first business began
any time and closed any time, but the rules were constantly revised and im
proved, so that in a short time this exchange controlled the markets of the
world. In 1877 a new building was agitated and a building committee ap
pointed, composed of Messrs. William Hasson, A. J. Greenfield, William
Parker, and John Mawhinney. The site chosen was the block facing north
on Center, Seneca, and Sycamore streets, and the work was begun in July
under the personal supervision of Architect J. M. Budge of Meadville, who
had planned the Derrick block; the contract was let to Carpenter & Com
pany of Meadville, the building alofie to cost sixty-five thousand dollars. A
fine brick, sixty by one hundred feet, and three stories above the basement,
slowly arose and was completed April 20, 1878, ready for the grand opening
on the 23rd. This was a great day for Oil City, and the galleried exchange
room, with its bull-ring directly under the dome, and its surrounding
telegraph offices and rooms were crowded even to overfiow through the main
entrances opening on Center, Seneca, and Sycamore streets, to listen to the

OIL CITY. 478
speeches of President Greenfield and others. At two o'clock in the after
noon the clang of the bell let loose the well-known pandemonium of the first
trades, among which were the following : J. J. Fisher, one thousand bar
rels at one dollar and twenty-seven and one-half cents, to C. W. McClintock;
S. Ames, one thousand, at the same, to Frank Mitchell ; G. S. Morgan, one
thousand, at the same, to J. H. Dixon ; and H. V. Sikes, one thousand at
one dollar twenty-eight and one-eighth cents, to A. Kelly. Before closing
one hundred and forty-five thousand barrels were sold, ranging from one
dollar twenty-six and seven-eighths cents to one dollar twenty-nine and
three-eighths cents, and all opened well for the exchange, which was then
the third in the United States and the first in the oil trade, with a member
ship of three hundred.
The chief improvements since added are the opening of a clearing house
October 17, 1882, the clearings for which in 1885 aggregated one billion
four hundred and thirty-three million seven hundred and thirty-eight thou
sand doUars, and the erection of an annex in 1883 almost equal in size to the
original building, and supplying parlors, smoking rooms, offices, etc. The
entire cost of the whole enterprise has amounted to nearly one hundred
thousand dollars. The last two years have given New York and Pittsburgh
exchanges a slight predominance over this one. The membership now em
braces about two hundred and fifty persons, about twenty- five of whom, it is
estimated, are brokers.
The officers have been as follows: In 1874, George V. Forman, presi
dent; A. J. Greenfield, vice-president; J. F. Leech, secretary, and John
Mawhinney, treasurer.
In 1875 P. H. Judd became secretary, and in 1876 J. M. McElroy was
chosen vice-president.
1877. — A. J. Greenfield, president; H. L. Foster, vice-president; J. B,
Smithman, secretary, and John Mawhinney, treasurer. . In 1878, J. T.
Jones, as vice-president, and C. P. Stephenson, as secretary, were the only
changes. 1879. — H. L. Foster, president; C. N. Payne, vice-president; H. L.
McCance, secretary, and John Mawhinney, treasurer. In 1880, T. A.
McLaughlin became vice-president, and no changes were made in 1881.
1882. — T. A. McLaughlin, president; W. D. Archbold, vice-president;
0. C. Sherman, treasurer, and H. L. McCance, secretary.
1883. — H. L. Foster, president; George Heard, vice-president; R. T.
Leech, secretary, and O. C. Sherman, treasurer.
In 1884 I. M. Sowers became vice-president, and the only changes since
have been the election of W. H. Choate as treasurer in 1885, and W. W.
Nicholas as vice-president in 1886.
The Oil City Board of Trade, although somewhat spasmodic in its activity,
has been of incalculable service in the permanent growth of the city. Its,

474 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
first organization occurred in 1878, and among its most active members
were W. L. Lay, W. J. Innis, J. B. Reynolds, and C. A. Cooper, to the
number of about fifty or sixty. It met in the room now occupied by the
exchange restaurant, and among its presiding officers were W". L. Lay and
W. J. Innis. The loss of records makes details uncertain. They succeeded
in securing the location here of many of the leading manufactures, and
were active for about five years. In November, 1886, a reorganization was
effected under a charter, with H. L. Foster, president; W'illiam L. Lay,
vice-president; Walter R. Johns, secretary, and W. H. W'ise, treasurer.
This board rapidly grew to a hundred members and their influence created
a boom. There have been no changes of importance since.
SECRET, SOCIAL, AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES.
Oil City has a penchant for organizations not surpassed probably by any
other city of its size. It is not only characteristic of its manufacturing,
commercial and religious activities, but even more so of its fraternal, social,
and professional life. It is said that more money is paid into mutual aid
societies in this city than any other of its size on the continent. This growth
is traced as completely and chronologically as possible here.
The Young Men's Association was a social club organized in 1865 with
Reverend W. P. Moore, president; H. A. Converse, first, and E. P. Caster-
line, second vice-presidents; John McDonough, secretary; G. B. Candy,
treasurer, and J. D. Balen, librarian. They had a reading room in the old
Mercantile block on Center, Railway, and Sycamore streets, with a library
valued at eight hundred doUars, but after the fire of 1866 seem to have dis
banded. The Oil City Library Association flourished from 1870 to 1876, and not
only secured a good library but kept up lecture seasons of a good quality.
Their library was finally presented to the high school. J. B. Smithman was
one of its most active promoters and W. W. Ball and W. L. Lay were its
two successive presidents.
Petrolia Lodge, No. 363, F. & A. M., was the first secret society organized
in Oil City. The following are its officers and charter members installed on
Wednesday evening, March 21, 1866, by Deputy Grand Master S. B. Dick,
of Meadville: W. F. Groves, W. M. ; Charies H. Shepard, S. W. ; A. W.
Myers, J. W. ; W. R. Johns, secretary; P. Smith, treasurer; J. H. Evans, S.
D. ; W. Porterfield, J. D. ; and David Patton, tyler; J. R. Arter, H. B.
Castle, Joseph Bushnell, John G. McKinley, S. S. Safford, and A. R. Mar
lin. They began in a Third ward hall, and from about 1867 to 1870 the
Odd Fellows hall on Center street was used. The Windsor block has fur
nished their exclusive hall ever since. They now have a membership of one
hundred and sixty persons. The masters have been W. F. Groves, 1866;
W. H. Porterfield, 1868-69; W. J. Young, 1870; R. D, McCleary, 1871; J.

OIL CITY. 475
R. Arter, 1872; H. G. Tinker, 1873-74; J. M. McElroy, 1875; J. A. Ritchey,
1876; W. J. Young, 1877; B. F. Innis, 1878; C. B. Ansart, 1879-80; A.
W. Cox, 1881-82; J. H. Evans, 188;); J. H. Hively, 1SS4; J. M. McGoni-
gle, 1885; James W. Plimpton, 1886; R. G. Collins, 1887; George Lewis,
1888-89. Oil City Lodge, No. 589, I. 0. 0. i^., was instituted September 22, 1866,
with J. Boriand, N. G. ; W. W. Ford, V. G. ; J. J. Brodhead, S. ; George
Durrond, A. S. ; and J. R. Robertson, treasurer. They, with B. Lovendall,
H. S. Brocklehurst, A. G. Coulson, Joseph Day, D. R. Carnahan, H. B. Wil
helm. J. B. Howe, C. T. W^ebber, G. W. Swoyer, Jacob F. Neely, Isaac
Blakeley, W. J. BeU, I. B. Jacobs, T. S. Zuver, James Karney, and J. O. Jack
applied for the charter. The real estate of the lodge consists of the three-
story brick building on Seneca street, purchased in 1889, and valued at
fifteen thousand dollars.
The Good Templar Lodge was formed August 8, 1867, and meetings
were held for some time in Cornplanter lodge room.
Oil City Encampment, No. 182, I. O. O.i^., began AprU 15, 1869, with the
following officers and charter members: P. J. Borland, chief patriarch; J. G.
Ogden, high priest; J. N. Henderliter, senior warden; F. F. Davis, junior
warden; C. J. Brick, scribe; J. K. Lowrie, treasurer; J. R. Robertson, A. D.
Doming, J. M.Sharp, A. E. Higbee, and S. Fisher. They have used the Odd
FeUows^ hall and have fncreased to a membership of eighty-one. Their suc
cessive chief patriarchs have been: J. G. Ogden, elected in September,
1869; J. N. HenderiUer, March, 1870; P. F. Davis, September, 1870; H.
W. West, AprU, 1871; James R. Robertson, August, 1871; James Johnson,
October, 1871; George Dimond, AprU, 1872; J. C. Boyce, October, 1872;
W. B, Foster, AprU, 1878; James R, Adam, October, 1873; R, H, MitcheU,
April, 1874; J. S. Shearer, October, 1874; F. W. Shryock, AprU, 1875; S.
G. Andrews, October, 1875; S. B. Farren, AprU, 1876; W. T. Graham,
October, 1876; W. H. Harrison, AprU, 1877; P. N. Williamson, October,
1877; J. R. Robertson, April, 1878; J. L. Dorworth, October, 1878; Or
son 0. Culbertson, AprU, 1879; J. McMichaels, December, 1879; J. S.
Shearer, May, 1880; John Farren, October, 1880; W. T. Graham, AprU,
1881; Jacob Simon, December, 1881; John Farren, AprU, 1882; John
Bruton, October, 1882; M. A. Spoor, AprU, 1883; W. H. Aungst, October,
1883; D. S. Davis, April, 1884; J. J. Fisher, October, 1884; H. K. Mohr,
AprU, 1885; W. H. Havice, October, 1885; J. H. Love, April, 1886; P. A.
Boddington, October, 1886; N. F. Leslie, AprU, 1887; David James, Oc
tober, 1887; H. J. MUler, AprU, 1888; L. E. KeUer, October, 1888, and T.
S. Anderson, AprU, 1889.
Rouseville Lodge, No. 262, K. of P., was chartered September 1,
1870, with nine members. The lodge has increased steadUy and now uses
the Cornplanter lodge room.

476 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Cornplanter Lodge, No. 757, I. 0. O. F. , was chartered March 13, 1871,
with fourteen members from whom as officers were chosen J. J. Broadhead, N.
G. ; J. B, McCallister, V. G. ; J. L. Dorworth, secretary, and Hugh Graham,
treasurer. Their lodge room on Seneca street is one of the chief society
rooms in the city. The loss of records makes it possible to give only
the following noble grands: J. Simon and A. J. R. Downing, 1881; T. J.
McCoy and H. K. Mohr, 1882; W. H. Aungst and D. S. Davis, 1883; C.
W. Smoyer and J. J. Smith, 1884; J. H. Love and G. W. Kline, 1885; J.
J. Fisher and R. M. Crawford, 1886; R. D. Naylor and S. H Hoskins,
1887; J. H. Zesky and J. W^ Orr, 1888; and G. W. SampseU and C. B.
Wilson, 1889. They now have one hundred and twenty-six members. The
ladies have a lodge of the Rebekah degree.
McCalmont Post, No. 160, G. A. R., was named in honor of Colonel A.
B. McCalmont of Franklin, and prospered for a few years near 1870 under
the command of C. H. Duncan, one term, and J. P. Orr for three years.
Talbot Commandery, No. 43, Knights Templar, was organized under
dispensation September 16, 1871, to thirty-two knights from whom were
John .J. Fisher, eminent commander; W. H. Porterfield, generalissimo,
and Thos. R. Cowell, captain general. This order have used Masonic hall and
now have a membership of eighty. Their past eminent commanders have
been J. J. Fisher, T. R. Cowell, Andrew W. Cox, David Laughlin, Isaac
M. Sowers, T. B. Simpson, and J. N. MacGonigle, the second, third, and
last of whom have served more than one term.
Oil City Royal Arch Chapter, No. 236, is a Masonic society organized
March 19, 1872, with W. F. Groves, H. P.; Andrew W. Cox, K., and W.
W. White, S. Mr. Groves successors have been A. W. Cox in 1873-74; S
T.. Garland, 1875; J. S. Hyland, 1876; S. H. Benton, 1877; D. W.Guern
sey, from 1878 to 1883 inclusive; A. W. Cox, from 1888 to 1886 inclusive;
and Reverend J. N. MacGonigle, from 1887 to 1889 inclusive.
Oil City Lodge, No. 14, A. O. U. W., the charter bearing date January
21, 1873, numbers one hundred forty-nine members. Their first officers
were P. N. Heard, P. M. W. ; H. P. G. Carnes, M. W. ; J. K. Lowery,
G. F. ; j: F. Israel, O. ; E. Densmore, G. ; W. S. Huff, J. W. ; P. FenneU,
O, W. ; D. Yothers, F. , and R. R. Reardon, R. It is unfortunate that the
records for the first decade are not obtainable, so that the past master work
men can be given only as follows: Harry Finney, elected in May, 1882;
L. B. Young, November, 1882; \\ . C. Bolton, May, 1883; John A. Crumm,
November, 1883; E. W'. PoweU, May, 1884; J. M. Dougherty, November,
1884; J. D. Ross, May, 1885; J. R. Steele, November, 1886; W. F. CuUis,
May, 1886; A. G. Gayle, November, 1886; C. Neidich, May, 1887; T. H.
Brewer, November, 1887; M. C. Crum, May, 1888, and T. N. Rogers, Jan
uary, 1889.
Oil Creek Division, No. 173, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,

OIL CITY. ^ 477
although largely composed of Western New York and Pennsylvania engin
eers, has members on all the Oil City roads and was organized November
23, 1873, by withdrawals from the Erie and MeadviUe divisions. The first
officers were John A. Stout, chief engineer; Peter Crahan, first engineer;
P. W. Geary, second engineer; M. T. Connor, first assistant engineer;
John Clark, second, and M. Drohan, third assistant engineer; W, F. Kelly,
guide, and Anson Albee, chaplain. They have quietly prospered in their
meetings and have increased to eighty members under the following succes
sive past chief* engineers: J. A. Stout, 1874; W. F. Kelley, 1875; Peter
Crahan, 1876-77; M. Moriarty, 1878; George Frazine, 1879; Joseph Kidd,
1880; Peter Crahan, 1881; P. W. Geary, 1882; Samuel Weigle, 1883;
John Stapleton, 1884-85; Peter Crahan, 1886; WUliam Agnew, 1887. But
six of the charter members are now members of No. 173.
Mutual Lodge, No. 488, K. of H., was chartered October 15, 1877, with
nineteen members from whom the following officers were chosen: J. F. Hal
lett, D. ; H. M. Choate, A. D. ; M. B. Taylor, P. D. ; W. Scott, G. ; S. Church,
chaplain; T. Meyerhoefer, R. ; J. C. Holmes, treasurer; F. M. Bettis, P.
E. ; Isaac Decker, G. ; and D. T. Kitchell, S. The organization had been
first effected, however, February 17th previously by F. M. Lockwood, su
preme dictator.
After about two years in Cornplanter lodge room, they spent probably
three years in Masonic hall, and have since occupied Tinker's hall. Their
hall was crowded to the full on the night of July 26, 1881, when the fam
ous temperance reformer, Francis Murphy, was initiated.
Their dictators have been as foUows: E. F. Smith, 1877; S. Church,
1877; E. L. ComeU, 1878; F. M. Bettis, 1878; Charles H. Richardson,
1879; R. G. Collins, 1879; George Heard, 1880; D. Laughlin, 1880; C. W.
BaU, 1881; R. A. Rogers, 1881; W. S. CoweU, 1882; H. W. Rathbun,
1883 and 1884; S. Church, 1885; B. F. Gates, 1886; D. Laughlin, 1886
to June, 1888, and P. W. Bowen, 1888.
Contest Council, No. 124, Royal Arcanum, after various removals, has
located in Cornplanter lodge room on Seneca street. It was instituted
July 18, 1878, by J. H. Wright, D. S. R., with fourteen charter members,
and the increase has been steady until it now numbers one hundred. The
first officers were: C. B. Ansart, regent; I. S. Gibson, V. R. ; J. H. MUler,
0.; R. H. MitcheU, P. R. ; J. B. Berry, secretary; J. C. Wright, treasurer;
¦J. Robertson, C. ; J. W. Simpson, chaplain; John Bennett, G. ; O. H.
Strong, W. ; and H. McMuUen, S. The regents for succeeding years have
been: John Bennett, in 1880; C. B. Ansart, 1881; C. H. Lay, 1882; I. S.
Gibson, 1883; C. B. Ansart, 1884; I. S. Gibson, 1885; H. D. Hancock,
1886-87; N. H. Brown, 1888-89. Since the organization they have paid
about eighteen thousand dollars in death claims.
Braflch No. 5, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, is now a vigorous

478 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
society of one hundred and fifty-two members, which July 25, 1888, fin
ished the first decade of its existence among the societies of Oil City. It
was first organized as Branch No. 28, with P. D. Corrigan, president; W.
A. Maloney and B. Sands as first and second vice-presidents, and other
officers as follows : John Keating, T. ; J. H. Osenbeck, R. S. ; Patrick Hea
ley, F. S. ; Reverend Thomas Carroll, S. D. , and Cornelius Breen, M. Since
the organization by District Deputy Freidman the successive presiding exec
utives have been as follows: R. H. Craig, elected in December, 1878; M.
Geary, 1879; WilUam Dwyer, 1880; M. T. Collins, 1881; P. Kaufman,
1882; H. Stillpflug, 1883; John E. Wallace, 1884; B. McSteen, 1885; W.
Dwyer, 1886; Anthony Pfhendler, 1887, and Thomas Sands, 1888.
The Ivy Club, with its elegant rooms on Seneca street in the Ivy Club
block, where members and their friends may enjoy the fine library, piano,
and card or billiard tables, or the more vigorous refreshments of a well ap
pointed gymnasium, is a gentlemen's recreative club which dates its begin
ning from 1879. January 15th of that year a private gymnasium on the
third floor of the Reynolds, Lamberton & Company block was offered for
sale. Messrs. E. V. D. Selden, F. C. Fischer, and four others concluded to
buy it as the nucleus of a club. They did so, and by May 15th a charter
was secured to fifty-seven members, with F. C. Fischer, president; G. H.
Cronyn, vice-president; T. M. Blackwell, treasurer, and C. P. Babcock, secre
tary. President Fischer removed from the city the following July and be
came their one honorary member.
The successive presidents have been: C. H. Lay, 1881-82; W. J. Young,
1882-83; Amos Steffee, 1883-84; John M. Reed, 1884-85, and J. R. Camp
beU, 1885-89.
In 1886 a desire for more commodious quarters led to the fitting up of
their present rooms by an arrangement with Messrs. R. G. Lamberton and
C. H. Duncan, and in 1887 four beautifully appointed rooms were opened to
a social life from which gambling, liquors, and Sunday games were to be rig
idly excluded. The club has a capital stock of one thousand two hundred
and fifty dollars, and the rooms are in the care of a superintendent. They
have one hundred and twenty-five members.
Oil City Council, No. 31, Royal Templars of Temperance, unites total
abstinence with mutual aid, and since the organization, March 12, 1879,
have expended nine thousand dollars to families under their care. Corn-
planter lodge room, the home of so many societies, has been theirs also
from the first. Of their seventeen charter members, organized by Grand
Lecturer M. F. Bates, Elliot Harvey was chosen select councilor; S. A. Dar-
neU, P. C. ; W. C. Bovard, V. C. ; T. S. Allen, F. S. ; Frederick Coast, G. ;
Joseph F. O' Daniel, secretary; Joseph Thompson, treasurer; John R. Por
ter, S. ; Isaac J. Kellogg, H. , and C. J. Love, chaplain, and from that num
ber the lodge has grown to sixty-eight persons. Their successive select

OIL CITY. 479
councilors have been: E. Harvey, 1879; O. C. Sherman, 1879; John R.
Penn, 1880; S. A. Dernell, 1881; D. S. Coulter, 1881; Edwin Sherrett, 1882;
George W. Schneider, 1883; WiUiam CuUis, 1883; B. Harvey, 1884; L. D.
Kellogg, 1884; G. M. Kepler, 1885; Harry B. Scribner, 1886; Joseph Thomp
son, 1887; David Ready, 1888; Joseph Thompson, 1888, and the present
incumbent, 1889.
Oil City Council, No. 14, American Legion of Honor, was organized
April 12, 1879, bythe election of the following officers: Charles B. Ansart,
commander; John H. Oberly, vice-commander; William McNair, orator;
F. W. Hays, secretary; J. R. Robertson, collector; A. F. Kent, treasurer;
Henry G. Tinker, chaplain; Mark Wilson, guide; T. J. Welsh, warden;
John H. Evans, sentry; John C. Wright, past commander; Doctor A. P.
Coope, medical examiner; Fid Bishop, D. R. Merrett, and Mrs. Sophia W.
Wagner, trustees. They were chosen from a charter membership of thirty-
five persons of both sexes. Previous to January 1, 1884, they met in Corn-
planter lodge room, then used Doctor Ansart' s office until April 1, 1886,
when Grand Army hall became their home. During the decade they have
paid three five thousand dollar death claims.
Commander Ansart' s successors have been John H. Oberly, 1880; Paul
Green, 1881; John H. Oberly, 1882-89.
Captain William Evans Post, No. 167, G. A. R. , sprung from the rem
nants of the disbanded McCalmont post. At a meeting called by Inspector
General F. Tillinghast, March 23, 1880, in Lamberton block, twenty-three
were organized as charter members, from whom, as officers, were elected
the following: J. M. Grosh, commander; E. O' Flaherty, S. V. C. ; M. Web
ster, J. V. C. ; J. H. Hively, O. D. ; Robert Hogan, O. G. ; H. Dunlap, I. S.
Charles Settle was the first comrade mustered into the new post, and the
number rapidly increased to one hundred and thirty members ; but there
have been so many withdrawals, especially to institute other posts, that
there were but eighty members in 1889. They have used a Lamberton
block hall. Odd Fellows hall, on Seneca street, and the G. A. R. hall on
Center street, the last with an outfit valued at one thousand dollars, and a
popular meeting place for several societies. The successive commanders
have been: J. M. Grosh, 1880; E. O'Flaherty, 1881-82; WUliam Dwyer,
1883; E. L. Ogilby, 1884; J. R. MUes, 1885; T. R. CoweU, 1886-87; L.
Stephens, 1888, and D. G. StiUwell, 1889.
Oil City Union, No. 300, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted on Satur
day evening AprU 23, 1881, at Odd Fellows hall with sixty applicants for
charter membership and the following officers: Chancellor, John C. Welch;
advocate. Doctor T. C. McCulloch; president, John W. RusseU; vice-presi
dent, W. C. Bolton; secretary, J. S. RusseU; treasurer, R. C. Beveridge.
The order includes both sexes and has increased rapidly. Their successive
presidents have been J. W. RusseU, elected AprU 23, 1881; W. C. Bolton,

480 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
elected January 25, 1884; Doctor T. C. McCulloch; S. H. Hoskins, elected
July 1, 1884; G. C. Rickards, January 9, 1885; J. S. Russell, July.l, 1885;
R. C. Beveridge, July 1, 1886; Doctor T. C. McCulloch, July 1, 1887, and
E. J. Ross, July 1, 1888.
The Oil City Medical Club grew out of a suggestion by Doctor T. C. Mc
Culloch in 1878 for more fraternal opportunities among the city physicians,
but an organization was not effected until 1882 when Doctor McCulloch was
chosen its first president. It is thought that the following regular physi
cians embraced the first membership : Doctors T. C. McCulloch, F. F. Davis,
J. A. Ritchey, A. P. Coope, T. AV. Egbert, W. Forster, J. D. Arters, andW.
P. Conners. All these and succeeding members have served in turn as pre
siding officer, and their monthly suppers and original scientific papers have
been pleasant and profitable. Nine regular physicians are now members.
Branch 226, Catholic Knights of America, was formed April 15, 1882,
with R. H. Craig, president; John E. Ross, vice-president ; J. H. Carey,
recording secretary; William Condrin, financial secretary; Thomas Nolan,
S. at A. , and others. They have used the C. M. B. A. hall on Sycamore
street and steadily increased in prosperity.
The Improved Order of Red Men had a lodge, during the seventies, of
considerable strength, but it has gradually grown smaller.
Jeremiah Lodge, No. 1491, I. O. O. F., was a colored lodge of about
the same period.
Lovejoy Lodge, No. 2466, I. O. O. F. , was organized November 14, 1883,
with twenty-six charter members, the successor of Jeremiah lodge. Its
first officers were W. Paul, N. G. ; I. J. Mann, P. N. F. ; R. H. Mann, N.
F. ; W. A. Henson, P. S., and C. Sweney, V. G. They now have twenty-
eight members and meet in the Lamberton block.
William E. Downing Post, No. 435, G. A. R. , was organized with forty-
nine members at Steele's hall May 9, 1884, the first order formed in that
place, and which has since been their lodge room. The following officers
were installed: R. H. Renwick, commander; A. J. Stanley, S. V. C. ; A. S.
Brown, J. V. C. ; John Gailey, O. D. ; A. M. Breckenridge, O. G. ; Rev
erend M. Miller, chaplain; J. R. Steele, Q. M. ; James Lewis, surgeon; and
E. J. Ross, adjutant. Their members have since increased to about seventy-
five. Their successive commanders have been R. H. Renwick, 1884; D.
S. CrisweU and A. S.Brown, 1885; D. Fisher, 1886; A. M. Breckenridge,
1887; John A. Lewis, 1888, and John R. Steele, 1889.
The Sons of Veterans were organized at Oil City, Septerhber 8, 1884,
and formed two camps. The north side. Major N. Payne Camp, No.
was officered as follows: Captain, Edward O. Flarety; first lieutenant
Charles Ross; second lieutenant, W. J. Anderson, while those of E. A,
Madison Camp, No. 39, on the south side, were: Captain, G. C. Rickards,
and first lieutenant, John Hankay. W. J. Anderson succeeded to the cap

OIL CITY. 481
taincy of the former and John Hankay and Harry L. McVeigh to that of
the latter until January 1, 1SS7, when both camps were consolidated under
the name of Edwin W. Bettes Camp, No. oS, for which the following offi
cers were chosen: Captain, H. L. McVeigh; first lieutenant, F. B. Fox,
and second lieutenant, W. A. Holtzworth. In April, 1888, they removed
from Steel's hall to the G. A, R. hall, on Center street, and have increased
their membership to thirty-one. Their past captains are H. L. McVeigh
and Fred B. Fox.
Oil City Division, No. 163. Order of Railivay Conductors, have held
meetings regularly in G. A. R. hall, on Center street, since January 4,
1885, under the following chief conductors: J, M. Richards, 1885-87; J. C.
Burns, 1888, and S. Church, 1889. The charter members were J. M. Rieh-
ai'ds, S, Church, T. W. Evans, James Edwards, R. Fulton, J. C. AN'alsh,
W. C. Downey, J. Shaughnessey, A. W Dickinson, S. B. Stone, M. Liddy,
C. E, Burr, J. C. Bums, R. E. Gifford, and J. C. Holmes. They now have
a membership of twenty-five.
Venango Legion, No 21, Select Knights, A. O. U. IP, was organized
at Steel's hall, in South Oil City, April 7, 1885, by A. J. Martin, with a
charter membership of thirty-two. Charles Neidich was the first com
mander, F. M. Askmead vice and J. M. Berry lieutenant commander,
with other officers as follows: E. W. Powell, recorder; F. H. McElroy,
treasurer; S. M. Irwin, marshal; G. M. Kepler, chaplain; Harry Finney,
standard bearer; E. B. Young and S. A. McMullen, senior and junior work
men, and J. N. Lewis, guard. They have thirty members at present, and
still use the same hall. The following is a complete list of commanders:
Charles Neidich, elected in April, 1885; J. M. Berry, December, 1885;
Harry Finney, December, 1886; W. F. CuUis, December, 1887, and Thomas
H. Brewer, January, 1889.
Hub Union, No. 192, Equitable Aid Union, organized April 18, 1885,
in the well known Cornplanter lodge room, began with eighty-one applica
tions for charter membership, including persons of both sexes, and among
the sixteen officers chosen were the following: Chancellor, F. A. Dodding-
ton; president, Elliott Harvey; vice-president, Mrs. A. W. Alsbaugh; secre
tary, John Fritz; treasurer, J. J. Fisher, and representative, E. Harvey.
There were but forty-five charter members, and the order has steadily pros
pered. In June, 1889, the Grand Union held its session with this lodge.
The following is a complete list of presidents: Elliott Harvey, elected June
18, 1885; George E. Rorer, December 31, 1885; E. Harvey, June, 1SS6;
G. M. Kepler, December, 1886; J. B. Porterfield, June, 1887; C. T. Herpst,
January, 1888.
Oil Creek Lodge, No. 105, Brotherhood of Railroad Brakemen, was char
tered with twenty members June 9, 1885. J. O. Tyler was chosen master,
and his associate officers were John Carroll, V. M. ; H. G. Bambrick, S. ;

482 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
Joseph Orr, F. ; and trustees : J. W. Knee, George RUey, and Thomas Con
nor. They have had a prosperous career and have a membership of twenty-
eight. Their past masters have been: J. O. Tyler, August, 1885; John Car
roll, August, 1886; T. Coughlin, August, 1887; and P. Callahan, August,
1888. Oil City Maennerchor is a German musical society, formed November
20, 1885, at the Armory hall on Elm street with a membership of one hun
dred and twenty-five persons. The officers were as follows: president,
Daniel Fisher; vice-president, F. G. Giegel; secretary, Harry Zesky, and
treasurer, C. Roess, and on December 11th they met in their own hall in the
Lamberton block; it was not until March, 1886, that they adopted a consti
tution. The membership has varied from one hundred and fifty in 1885 to
forty- eight in 1889, and at times they have employed musical conductors.
A reorganization was affected in 1887. Their presiding officers in succes
sion have been: Mr. Fisher in 1885; F. G. Giegel, elected May 5, 1886;
Mr. Fisher, AprU 1, 1887; Mr. Giegel, January 3, 1888, and George Good-
miller, January 8, 1889.
Relief Corps, No. 30. — At the suggestion of W^illiam B. Downing post,
Mrs. Sarah A. Ross and. Mrs. Mary M. Woodington took the initiative in
organizing Relief Corps, No. 80, in South Oil City as an auxiliary of the
post. This was effected December 3, 1885, by Mrs. Sherman of Bradford,
Pennsylvania, with Mrs. Ross as president; Mrs. Woodington, treasurer;
Miss Mattie Springer, secretary, and Mrs. M. E. Daniels, chaplain. Dur
ing the successive presidencies of Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Woodington, Mrs. Sarah
McMullen, and under Mrs. Woodington' s present administration the mem
bership has grown to seventy-one.
Oil City Assembly, No. 5944, Knights of Labor, was organized March
6, 1886, from the remaining members of a disbanded lodge of a few years
before. Their hall is in the Lamberton block, and from twenty-five their
membership has increased to about two hundred and fifty at present. There
are lesser assemblies than this making a total membership in and in the
vicinity of Oil City of about five hundred, including the coopers, hoopers,
and tube-workers.
Captain William Evans Woman's Relief Corps, No. 39, of Oil City, was
organized as an auxiliary of the post bearing that name, by Mrs. Susan A.
Pusey, February 19, 1886. «They began with seventeen charter members,
under the presidency of Mrs. Fannie C. Stephens. The treasurer, secretary,
and chaplain associated with Mrs. Stephens were, respectively, Mrs. Susan
J. StiUwell, Mrs. Olive J. Slocum, and Mrs. Emma E. Buckley. The corps
has since grown to forty-seven members under the following presiding offi
cers: Mrs. Stephens in 1886 and 1887; Mrs. Olive J. Slocum in 1888, and
Miss Achsah M. MUes in 1889. They occupy the post hall.
Oil City Division, No. 116, Sons of Temperance was organized about

y, ^ ^^K^T^^J^, ^ /H-, /^. y^

OIL CITY. 485
1886 in South OU City, and grew to a membership of sixty persons, but on"-
account of inability to secure a hall lasted but two years.
Oil City Tent, No. 21, Knights of the Maccabees of the World, organ
ized August 1, 1886, began with about fifty members and now enroll about
eighty. A. Kline, Wade Hampton, Jr., J. H. Fulmer, H. P. Boyd, and
P. C. Ambrose have been their commanders.
Encampment No. 12, Union Veteran Legion, is a society intended to
unite all those who enlisted in the Union service as three year men previous
to July 1, 1863. This branch was organized November 10, 1886. From
thirty they have increased to forty members and two have died. Their
colonels have been: B. J. Ross, in 1887; Samuel Haynes in 1888, and
David James, in 1889.
Canton Oil City, No. 13, P M., I. O. O. F., was formed September
13, 1886, by S. T. Parks and R. M. Crawford at their first headquarters
in the rink on North Elm street. On October 13th, Colonel W. A. With
erup and Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Nicholson mustered in these first officers:
S. T. Parks, captain; R. M. Crawford, lieutenant; J. H. Love, ensign; B.
F. Gates, clerk, and David James, accountant. They began with thirty-
nine members and now have twenty-three enrolled. Since leaving the rink
the Oil City lodge room, I. O. O. P., on South Seneca street has been their
meeting place. Their captains have been: S. T. Parks, two terms, and J.
H. Zesky, elected AprU 18, 1888.
Oil City Division, No. 25, Uniform Rank, K. of P., is an advanced
order, aiming not only at the usual benefits, but also to give military train
ing of a complete and exhaustive character. They have used the G. A. R.
hall on Center street since their institution, January 12, 1887, when they
began with thirty charter members organized by Captains L. T. Bishop, of
Warren, Pennsylvania, and P. Bgan, of Meadville. They now have
twenty-seven members and property valued at eleven hundred dollars.
Venango Assembly, No. 9467, K. of L. , was organized about February,
1887, in Hart's hall, but they soon removed to Steel's hall where they met
until April, 1889, when the charter was allowed to lapse, although the
membership had been as high as seventy. The successive master workmen
were James Woodington, James Fox, and John Stranford.
Seneca Commandery, No. 309, United Order of the Golden Cross, is a
society that includes both sexes and since its organization March 1, 1887,
has been prosperous. It was instituted in Cornplanter lodge room by N.
G. Brown, D. S. C, with Charles B. Simmons, noble commander; W. G.
HiU, past noble commander; Mrs. Amanda Leslie, V. N. C. ; and Mrs. Mol-
lie Hall, K. of R. The present membership is twenty-five. The noble
commanders have been: C. B. Simmons in 1887, and A. L. King in 1888-89.
Venango Council, No. 297, National Union, held its organizing meet
ing June 1, 1887, in Lamberton block, and chose the foUowing officers:
27

486 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
President, R. M. Crawford; vice-president, I. M. Gibson; ex-president, C.
J. Rhea; speaker, A. D. Deming; secretary, L. F. Barger; financial secre
tary, H. C. Goldsborough; treasurer, J. B. Crawford; chaplain, C. G.
Strance; usher, M. Dobson, and doorkeeper, W. F. HamUton. They at
once began meeting in Cornplanter lodge room, and July 2, 1888, a charter
was issued to a large membership. President Crawford resigned Septem
ber 28, 1887, and has been succeeded by C. B. Simmons, elected October
5, 1887; J. B. Maitland, December 10, 1887, and J. R. Penn, December
18, 1888. The society has been quietly successful and has had occasion to
pay but one death claim of five thousand dollars.
Oil City Circle, No. 24, Protected Home Circle, is a recent society,
including both sexes, and for insurance purposes. It was formed October
28, 1887, by supreme deputies Byard and Stratton with fifty-five members
and the following officers: Past president, Lewis Miller; president, C. B.
Simmons; vice-president, B. Baer; guardian, S. W. Sellew; secretary,
C. G. Strance; accountant, W. G. HiU; treasurer, Daniel Clark; chaplain.
Reverend J. D. Smith; guide, Curtis P. Swisher; companion. Miss A. S.
Barr; porter, H. P. Oieser; watchman, O. W. Baker. A short time after
their institution in Oil City lodge room (I. O. O. F.) they took permanent
quarters in the much used Cornplanter lodge room. Under the successive
presidencies of C. B. Simmons, John Macdougall, and W. E. Darrow the
society has increased in membership and prosperity.
Petroleum Lodge, No. 383, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, began
its career in July, 1 888, during the great Burlington strike, when assess
ments ranged from five to seven dollars. J. J. Hannahan, V. G. M., of
the National lodge, organized it with nineteen charter members, employes
of the AVestern New York & Pennsylvania railway. The officers chosen were
Thomas Martin, master; Harry Bird, vice-master; W. D. McGuinn,
past-master; J. H. Quirk, secretary; A. W. Judi, collector; John Davis,
receiver; S. Lowery, chaplain; F. R. Matthews, conductor; Michael Pah ey,
warden; W. Vannatten, inner guard; W. B. Smith, outer guard. They
use the C. M, B. A. hall and have thirty members.
Tecumseh Tent, No. 70, K. O. T. M. of the World, was chartered July
10, 1888, with the foUowuig officers: P. S. K. C, A. W. Alsbaugh; S. K. C ,
R. M. Crawford; S. K. L. C, A. N. Simmons; C. E. Oliver, S. R. K. ; J. K.
Steele, F. K. ; A. J. Greenfield, P. ; Joseph L. Anderson, S. ; W. Forster,
P. ; G. F. Schutte, M. A. ; W. J. BaUey, First M. G. ; J. H. Robinson,
Second M. G. ; J. S. Carl, S. , and F. Knowles, P.
Venango Lodge, No. 237, A. 0. U. W., was organized May 18, 1889,
with sixty-six charter members from among whom the following officers
were chosen: M. James, P. M. W. ; S. Neidich, M, W. ; \\ . S. Couch, P.;
F. B. Fox, O., and W. W^est, guide.
Washington Camp, No. 443, Patriotic Order Sons of America, is a

OIL CITY. 487
recently organized society, and begins its career under the following officers:
Past president, James Woodington; president, E. J. Ross; vice-president,
B. Lytle, and master of forms and ceremonies, D. S. Davis. The society
was formed June 5, 1889.
Safe Union, No. 736, E. A. U., was organized in June, 1889. The
officers chosen were E. Harvey, president; Mrs. Anna Aungst, secretary; A.
J. Brooks, accountant; J. P. Kern, treasurer and trustee, and M. E. Kern,
watchman. Blizzard Lodge, No. 383, Order of Tonti. was formed June 10, 1889,
with twenty-five members and the following officers: Doctor W. H. H.
Jackson, P, P.; F. W. Bowen, P. ; William Condrin, V. P. ; F. O. WUson,
S.; A. N. Simmons, T.; W. B. -James, M. ; W. R. Cowan, C. ; J. L. Hoard,
G. ; E. Schmidt, S. ; trustees: W. J. Bailey, J. B. McClintock, and S.
W. SeUew, and Doctor W^ H. H. Jackson, M. E.
SCHOOLS.
Few cities of its age and size have made more of the public school idea
than has OU City. The spirit of organization and vigor which has so char
acterized the place has also entered into its educational progress.
June 26, 1862, the new borough school board, composed of John Kuhns,
president; L. M. Gordon, treasurer, and A. M. Gardner, secretary, met at
the home of R. Sproull and agreed to secure the township school house on
Halyday run. They also chose J. J. Kincaid as teacher, and adopted
Osgood's spellers, Stoddard's and Ray's arithmetics, and Wright's orthog
raphy. This was a considerable advance on the old township schools up the run
or over the south side hill of which little can be learned. The former no
doubt furnished the furnace families such advantages as the system then
afforded. June 25, 1868, it was determined to build a school house, thirty- four by
fifty feet and two stories high on the site of the present Oil Well Supply
Company's offices. Eastly & Company took the contract at four thousand
dollars — a good illustration of the high prices of those days. Two teachers
were employed, Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid.
This was burned in the fire of 1866, and July 30th steps were taken to
erect the Cottage Hill building on Pearl avenue and that in the Third ward,
the former to be thirty-two by sixty-four feet with a wing twenty-seven by
thirty -two feet, making six rooms, and that on the west side to be thirty-two
by sixty-four feet with four rooms. Brinker & Mclntire took the contracts
for five thousand three hundred dollars, and three thousand eight hundred
and fifty dollars respectively. Mr. Kincaid was made principal on the west
side and David Hays on the east side, with a total force of eight teachers.
Such marvelous growth as this was of -course attended with much over-

488 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
crowding and renting of private buildings, a frequent necessity in the career
of all parts of OU City.
In 1866 also the Venango City school district was formed with J. M.
Shoemaker as president of the board. The loss of the south side school
records makes their data less definite than could be desired. A school house
was secured on the site of Carson's store on Second street between State
and Central avenue and J. D. Ross was made principal. His successors up
to 1881 were David McMullen, H. D. Hancock, W. J. McClure,  Doug
lass, J. P. ElUnwood, and Miss Eliza A, Kent. The presidents of the
school board succeeding Mr. Shoemaker down to 1881 were W. L. Lay,
Charles Simpson, F. F. Davis, M. D., C. H. Duncan, I. I. Wagner, Mar
cus Hulings, and A. J. Greenfield.
The high school was organized in 1875 and gradually improved from
year to year, and the first class graduated in 1878. MeanwhUe rented rooms
had been used, and in 1878 two new buildings were erected: the Sixth ward
school, a brick structure at the corner of East Third and Pennsylvania
avenue, costing eight thousand dollars ; and the fine brick and stone struct
ure overlooking the city from the corner of Central avenue and Fourth
street, and from whose tower the clock, presented by Marcus Hulings, tolls
the half- hours. This is the high school building, whose total cost was
thirty thousand dollars.
Meanwhile the east side had been growing apace. Mr. Kincaid and Mr.
J. P. Weller were principals in 1868, and the succeeding years to 1881 were
filled largely by the principalships of Professors Patterson and his successor,
J. H. Collier. A building was also erected on Palace Hill.
It was in 1881, however, on the consolidation of the north and south
school boards that the best improvement was begun, and the city placed
under a superintendent. The first was Superintendent C. F. Carroll, under
whose management the schools were more perfectly graded and organized,
and numerous professional methods and principles introduced.
The principals of the high school since 1881 have been Miss L. A. Kent,
Mr.  Sanford, J. M. HaU, R. W. Hughes, and G. W. Gurnee.
The presidents of the board since the consolidation have been A. J.
Greenfield, George P. Hukill, Doctor F. F. Davis, Doctor J. A. Ritchey,
T. J. Welch, O. P. Swisher, S. M. Irwin, and John Reinbold.
In 1888 Mr. Carroll was succeeded by Superintendent C. A. Babcock,
under whose management the old features have been perfected and new
principles, methods, and organization introduced that place the schools on a
thoroughly professional basis. As illustrations may be mentioned moulding
and modeling with clay under the form of advanced kindergarten occupa
tions, a modified form of the Grub^ method in numbers; Prang's drawing
system; musical instruction; the sentence-word-phonic-literal order in
reading, merging into an excellent language training; sand-table modeling

OIL CITY. 489
and drawing in geography; and class reading preparation in all studies as a
preliminary to study. Altogether there has been a successful adaptation of
the "new education " to our present system, which is well worth the studj^
so often given to it by visiting teachers from abroad. This is not a little
due to the semi-weekly and monthly institutes of the whole teaching force
of the city.
The high school prepares for college by post-graduate work in Latin and
Greek. The growth since 1881 may be seen from the following statistics: There
were admitted one thousand six hundred and seventy-four pupils in 1881,
and two thousand and twenty-one in 1889; beside the superintendent there
were twenty-six teachers in 1881 and thirty-five in 1889, distributed as fol
lows: In the Central building, nine in 1881 and eleven in 1889; on Cottage
HUl, nine in 1881 and eight in 1889; in the Sixth ward, four in 1881 and
fom- in 1889; Palace Hill and the Third ward had two each in both years;
whUe in 1889 the four each in the Fourth and Second wards were additions.
The course embraces three years in the high school and eight years in all
others. The highest number of graduates was twenty-six, in 1888.
In 1887 the Second ward building was erected at a total cost of fourteen
thousand nine hundred and twenty-four dollars, and is a four-room brick,
on Seneca street; the Fourth ward school, completed at the same time, is on
the corner of Innis and Second streets, and cost twelve thousand one hun
dred and fifty-eight doUars, the difference in cost being due to the differ
ence in lot values. Libraries are in the Central, Third, and Second ward
buildings, with an aggregate of one thousand one hundred volumes.
The total value of school property is estimated at eighty- seven thousand,
five hundred dollars. The year closing June, 1889, showed receipts for the
year of thirty-six thousand and seven dollars and sixty-one cents, and ex
penditures, thirty-five thousand eight hundred and sixty-two dollars and
thirty-four cents, of which seventeen thousand eight hundred and thirteen
dollars and ninety-eight cents was paid to teachers.
There have also been private and kindergarten schools, which have as
sisted in educating the youth of Oil City, while St. Joseph' s parochial school,
spoken of in connection with the history of that church, has been a flour
ishing institution for many years.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
There are few cities whose religions and ethical phase has been a better
type of general modem religious progress than that of Oil City. It has
kept time to the march of liberality, personal work, and the extension of or
ganization — points vital to modem religious life. The Methodist Episcopal
society seems to have been the first to begin work at the mouth of Oil creek,
and others are given in chronological order.

490 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church clings to the heart of OU City, let
ting its minarets rise in the midst of exchanges, banks, and bridges, on
Center street, and even reflecting them in the oily surface of the famous
creek. One of the most popular evening congregations in the city, it has a
total membership of over four hundred and forty, and its auxiliary socie-
' ties include woman's foreign and home missionary societies, a ladies' aid
society, a young people's Epworth league, and a Sabbath school of over
three hundred members, besides a large choir, with pipe-organ accompan
iment. The pastor. Reverend Thoburn, late of Lucknow, India, occupies
the parsonage at No. 9 Pearl avenue.
It was considerably over a half-century ago that this society had its be
ginning in meetings held by a young preacher, afterward the well-known
Reverend Samuel Gregg, who, in 1831, preached to "one man and forty
women, all the other men of the place being at work in an iron furnace."
This was in the midst of Crary' s decade of smelting, and in 1834 an
Oil Creek circuit was formed at the Washington Conference. It is very
unfortunate that the oldest society in Oil City should have so few of its
records preserved. Little is known of the period of furnace times, except
that this was a preaching point and under the following circuit riders, the
name of the presiding elder being in parenthesis: Reverends D. Reichey
and R. Peck in 1834 (A. Brunson); Daniel Prichard and A. Webber, 1835
(Isaac Winans); J. E. Chapin and L. Janney, 1836 (John Chandler); R.
Parker and T. D. Blinn, 1837 (Chandler); H. Elliott and L. B. Beech,
1838 (Hiram Kingsley); W. Patterson andG. C. Baker, 1839 (Kingsley);
S. Smith, 1840 (John Bain); J. Leech, 1841 (Bain); H. Luce and A. L.
Miller, 1842 (Bain); E. Hull and A. WUder, 1843 (John Robinson); Hull
and I. H. Tackitt, 1844 (Robinson); H. S. Winans and John Abbott,
1845 (H. N. Stearns); Abbott, 1846 (Steams); J. Van Horn, 1847 (W. H.
Hunter). In 1848, just before the Bell furnaces closed, it became known as the
Oil Creek mission under Reverend Van Horn, (E. J. L. Baker, P. E.) and
the first class was organized with James Halyday as leader. The closing
of the furnaces no doubt reduced the mission to very small numbers, as no
records can be obtained; and Mrs. Snyder, a daughter of James Halyday,
recalls only the following ministers who held services at all: Reverends Ahab
Keller, N. C, Brown, A. S. Dobbs, R. B. Boyd, under whom there arose a
marked revival ; A. S. Stuntz, Clark, and Dewoody. At the beginning of
the oil excitement there were among the members : Joseph Hooton and wife,
James Halyday, wife and daughter Cassandra, Hugh McClintock and wife,
J. Campbell and daughter, and F. Coast. Meanwhile they had been using
the old log weather-boarded district school house, located about the site of
the Oil Well Supply Company' s offices on Sycamore street.
It was made a station in 1862 under Reverend Milton Smith (J. M.

OIL CITY, 491
Lowe, P. E,) and a church was erected on the block facing Center, Spring,
and Sycamore streets, costing three thousand dollars, the bell being swung
in a derrick at the rear of the building. This was dedicated in 1863. Ac
cording to I. B. Jacobs another property was bought in the Third ward but
resold, and the present Trinity site bought and a church erected, known as
the Center street church. Be that as it may the first official board
was composed of L. M. Gordon, C. F. Hasson, W. D. Riddle, H. C. Sheriff,
J. W. Blaisdell, J. L. Mechlin, Joseph Hooton, F. Coast, J. Camp,
William Kramer, Robert Alcorn, J. CampbeU, and Isaac B. Jacobs,
whose corporate name was the "Official Board of Trinity M. E. Church."
These buildings were in the burned district of 1866, and in 1867 the
deserted Presbyterian church at Pithole was secured and removed to
the Spring-Center-Sycamore site, where, after a service of ten years
as a sacred place of worship, it became successively a public hall and
billiard saloon, as it stands at present. Its successor was the present Trin
ity church, erected in 1876, by Messrs. D. C. Trax, W. Chambers. E.
M. Hukill, E. C. Bradley, W. J. Kramer, and J. S. Rich, the building com
mittee, after plans of Jacob Snyder, an architect of Akron, Ohio, and at a
cost of forty-five thousand dollars. The lot, including the site of the Tran
sit block, was bought in March, 1876, of Jacob Edmunds for fifteen thou
sand four hundred dollars, but the sale of a part reduced the cost of the re
mainder to five thousand dollars. The building was dedicated June 17,
1877, by Bishop R. D. Foster. In 1881 it was nearly destroyed by an in
terior fire on Sunday morning, December 18th. It arose from a defective
register, and although the damage was seven thousand dollars, it was covered
by insurance, and services were again held as usual the next May. Thirty
years after the first class was organized there were two hundred and twenty-
five members, and conference met with them during the year.
The pastors since 1862 have been Reverends Milton Smith, J. W^hitely,
in 1864; 0. L. Mead, 1867; J. S. Lytle, 1869; J. O'Neal, 1871; J. G.
Townsend, 1878; J. C. Scofield, 1874; J. G. Townsend, 1875; A. N. Craft,
1877; T. L. Flood, 1880; J. N. Fradenburgh, 1885; and Reverend J. M.
Thoburn since 1888. It is interesting to note that the first pastor. Rev
erend Smith, is now the presiding elder.
St. Joseph's CathoUc Church. — Catholic services were conducted at the
houses of different adherents of this faith at the mouth of Oil creek several
years anterior to the period in which Oil City first attained the proportions
of a vUlage. The officiating priests were usually from Fryburg and other
points in Clarion county. These services were not distinguished by any
regularity until the winter of 1859-60, and the visiting priest at that time
was Reverend Patrick O'NeUl, who was followed successively by Fathers
Reynolds, Dean, Mitchell, Scopey, Delaroque, Koch, Lonegan, and others.
The congregation was composed of the families of Moran, Sweeny, and Gavin

492 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and transient residents to the number of thirty or forty. Prior to 1863 and for
some time afterward the place of worship was a flat-boat owned by Captain
Sweeny, and moored near the location of the yards of the Oil City Lumber
Company. The first resident pastor was Reverend David Snively. The
erection of a frame church edifice was begun under his administration and
completed during that of his successor. Reverend J. D. Coady. It was dedi
cated by Bishop Young of Brie, and, as enlarged in 1872, constitutes the
present place of worship. Reverend Thomas Carroll assumed the pastor
ate October 13, 1871, and with the assistance of the talented Father Ray-
croft he still looks after the spiritual needs of his large congregation. The
successive pastors have been assisted by the following priests, most of whom,
however, had charge of the missions attached to St. Joseph's: Reverends
John L. Finucane, John Quincy Adams, James J. Dunn, James P. McClos
key, Patrick J. Smith, John Smith, Peter Brady, James McPhillamy, Peter
Cawley, and J. B. Raycroft. The present commodious pastoral residence
was built in 1874 and in 1885 the school building was enlarged. A new
and more substantial church edifice commensurate with the size and impor
tance of the parish will be erected in the near future. The parish numbers
two thousand souls and is one of the largest in the diocese.
A flourishing parochial school, established by Father Coady soon after
taking charge of the congregation, is in charge of the Benedictine Sisters,
and has done its full share in the education of the youth of Oil City.
The earliest place of interment for the Catholic population of Oil City
was an inclosure of two or three acres at the locality known as Pinoak,
a mile from South Oil City. It was acquired prior to 1865, and was used
for burial purposes until the purchase of St. Joseph' s cemetery, a tract of
ground five acres in extent adjoining Grove Hill on the east. The latter
was bought during Father Coady' s administration, and consecrated by
Bishop Mullen. It is an appropriate resting place for those who have
"fallen asleep in the Lord."
The First Presbyterian Church of Oil City grew from a mission, begun
at the direction of Erie Presbytery, November 7, 1860, by Reverend S. J. M.
Eaton of Franklin. The rapid influx due to the oil excitement made an organ
ization possible by the last Sabbath in December, 1861, and with twelve mem
bers a committee of the presbytery, composed of Reverends S. J. M. Eaton
and James M. Shields, succeeded in forming the First Presbyterian church.
These members were John T. Hopewell, Martha Hopewell, Mary Hender
son, Sarah Hasson, Margaret Sproul, Christina W. Towles, A. M. Turner,
Elizabeth Turner, Jane Woods, Margaret Winger, C. C. W'aldo, and Mrs.
W'aldo — none of whom are now connected with the church. The prosperity
of the society during the first decade was continuous, and, especially marked
during a revival of 1867, so that in 1871 there were one hundred and ninety-
five members. Some internal dissensions marked by the unaccepted resig-

OIL CITY. 493
nation of the pastor, December 20, 1871, and soon after by the withdrawal
of forty-nine members, led to the organization of the Second Presbyterian
church on the south side — an event not uncommon to churches with mem
bership on both sides of the river. Revivals in 1S74, 1876, and 1880 to
gether with their continuous increase led to a membership of three hundred
forty-eight on their twenty-fifth anniversary, December 26, 1886.
Previous to the organization worship was held in private houses, but
afterward services began, first in a school house near the site of the Lake
Shore freight depot, then in the Michigan block on alternate Sundays until
its destruction by fire. The second fioor of a building on Main near Ferry
street was their final home before the erection of their first church, which,
although agitated in 1868, was not completed sufficiently to use until Janu
ary, 1865. The dedication of this church occurred July 23, 1865, Reverend
David Hall, D. D., officiating. January 30, 1876, following the adoption
of "articles of association" onthe preceding 25th of November, the con-
gi'egation was incorporated with Joseph Bushnell, president; J. E. Conell,
secretary; John J. Brodhead, treasurer; Geo. W. Parker and W. W. White,
board of trustees. The financial affairs of the church were brought into a
more systematic condition and a debt of six thousand dollars cleared. The
first chm-ch had cost fifteen thousand dollars ; the present pipe organ had
been purchased in 1870; the building was improved in 1872 and still more
enlarged in 1874, so that the new management of 1876 had the financial
phase of church life clear. In March, 1878, the property adjoining the
church on Spring street was purchased, and in January, 1883, J. J. Van
dergrift suggested to the board of trustees the advisability of erecting a
structure more suitable to the growing needs of the congregation. The re
sult was that by May they were worshiping in Temperance hall, while their
present elegant piece of church architecture was in process of construction
under the care of a building committee composed of J. J. Vandergrift, W.
J. Young, John J. Fisher, W. E. Stevenson, H. H. Rand, George W.
Parker, James I. Buchanan, and the pastor. Reverend John N. MacGonigle.
It is a unique design by Architect L. B. Valk, of New York, and when
finished, including the price of the lots, cost over thirty-two thousand dol
lars, half of which was contributed by J. J. Vandergrift, and the whole of
which was raised and paid at the transfer to the session and trustees June
21, 1883. On the day foUowing the transfer it was dedicated in the pres
ence of all the former ministers of the congregation by the pastor. Reverend
John N, MacGonigle. Its commanding site at the corner of Spring street
and Harriot avenue with its graceful proportions make it a prominent
figure in the beauty of Oil City. The parsonage adjoining the church was
buUt in the early days of the society and September 2, 1885, the trustees
were authorized to borrow one thousand dollars with which to erect a chapel
on Palace HiU, on ground donated by a member of the church. This was
dedicated January 17, 1886, by the pastor. Reverend MacGonigle.

494 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The first session consisted of ruling elders A. M. Turner and C. C.
W^aldo, but on the latter's dismissal January 23, 1864, Robert Colbert,
M. D., George Thompson, and J. Wilson Paxton were added, and Mr.
Thompson's death occurred December 20, 1864. January 9, 1867, Joseph
Eggert, M. D., Thomas McFadden, Jr., Albert E. Ingham, and Robert M,
James were ordained. Mr. Paxton ceased to act December 2, 1867; Mr.
McFadden, April 29, 1868, and Doctor Eggert soon after. Messrs. Turner,
Colbert, James, and Ingham composed the session at the beginning of 1869,
and all ceased to act, except Mr. Ingham, in March, 1872. On January
28th preceding, Henry L. Davis, John Spear, and Hugh H. Stephenson were
installed. Mr. Davis ceased to act in April, 1873; Mr. Spear, November 9,
1877; and Mr. Stephenson, September 3, 1884. F. W. Hays and A. J.
Kilgore were installed June 3, 1877, but the latter closed his official career
July 31, 1878, and William Henry Choate succeeded him April 5, 1885.
The ministers have been as follows: Reverend John H. Sargent, the
first stated supply, in 1862; also James M. Shields, William P. Moore,
June 23, 1863, to November 23, 1867; April 19, 1868, Nathaniel S. Mc-
Fetridge, D. D. , afterward professor of Greek in McAlister College, became
pastor and remained until October 14, 1874. William S. Fulton served from
April 29, 1875, until June 1, 1880, on September 16th of which year his
successor, John N. MacGonigle, was installed. Reverends Z. P. Blakely
and Beidleman have been the successive missionaries in charge of Palace
Hill chapel.
The mission school, begun in 1885 at the request of Mrs. Angus Cameron,
together with the Sabbath school of three hundred fifty pupils and teachers,
in 1886, twenty-three years after its organization, gave a total of four hun
dred sixty-one pupils and teachers. The Woman' s Foreign Missionary So
ciety, founded June 15, 1875, the "Home" branch, organized January 24,
1884, and the quartette choir embrace the auxiliary societies of the church.
The First United Presbyterian Church of Oil City had its beginnings in
the desire of a few families of that belief for services. These were the
Morrisons — M. J. , and his wife, Susannah, S. P. , and the Misses Susannah,
Sarah, and Hannah; James G. and Jane Reed, Mrs. H. J. Cookston, Mrs.
Nancy Zuver, J. B. and Katy A. Blakely, and Mrs. Euphemia Smith, the
most of whom are now either deceased or resident at a distance. A petition
sent to Lake Presbytery resulted in a called meeting in the "Old Banking
House," December 21, 1863, at which Reverend J. R. Slentz, of Plumfir,
Pennsylvania, organized them with James G. Reid and M. J. Morrison as
elders. On the following February 1st Reverend John W. Pinkerton
arrived as the first stated supply, and services were held in the old hall on
the site of the Morrison block on Center street. Their activity was such
under Reverend Pinkerton that on December 18th, following his departure
in May, 1865, services were held for the first time in their new church near

OIL CITY. 495
the corner of Pearl and Harriot avenues. Messrs, Graff, Hasson & Com
pany had donated the lot, and under the management of the building com
mittee, R. Sproul, S. P. Morrison, H. L. McCance, M. J. Morrison, and J.
G. Reed, a frame church was erected at a total cost of six thousand dol
lars. Reverend D. Donnan preached the sermon and the little congregation
began to feel firmly established although they were unable to have a regular
pastor until September 7, 1867, when Reverend Joseph McNab was regu
larly installed. The vigorous life of the church under his direction is well
illustrated by the fact that, although their church was burned in 1873, by
the 19th of April of that year, the session met in the basement of the new
church erected on the same spot. The fire resulted from a defective fine
just after a service on a winter night. Their new church was built after
more extensive designs than the old one, and the difficulties attending its com
pletion were such that it was not ready for dedication until October 28,
1877, when the ceremonies were performed by Reverends Jeffers, J. R.
Britton, and Craft. It is an interesting frame structure, erected under W.
J. Bell's direction, and cost about twelve thousand dollars.
The date of the arrival of successive pastors are as foUows: Reverend
Thomas Bracken, July, 1874; J. W. Swaney, April 80, 1877; J. W. Smith,
May 15, 1883; W. E. Stewart, December 13, 1887, to AprU 21, 1889.
The society has a choir, and besides the Ladies' Missionary Society,
there are two vigorous young peoples' societies, the Young Peoples' Society
of Christian Endeavor and the Cheerful Worker.s — the latter composed of
young ladies. The church membership reaches one hundred and seven at
present. The First Baptist Church of Oil City is an imposing frame edifice, over
looking the city from its commanding site at the corner of Grove and Har
riot avenues, and in whose tower the city clock clangs the hours the year
around. Here too assemble from Sabbath to Sabbath, as the swelling tones
of the great organ are heard, a membership of about two hundred sixty
persons. Few realize how much earnestness of life, persistence of effort, and
length of time is required for the establishment of such an institution. It
was in November, 1863, that the First Baptist congregation in Oil City met
in the Third ward, and but three persons were present: Reverend Cyrus
Shreve and two ladies whose names are not obtainable. In June following,
however, a new congregation met and purchased a small house and lot on
Seneca street, where on the 26th instant Reverend J. L. Scott began preach
ing, and on the 3rd of the following month, Andrew Cone, as superintend
ent, began a Sunday school of seventeen members. A week after the Sunday
school began (July 10th) twenty-seven persons made an effort to organize
the church properly, but although Reverend Scott preached on the 17th, his
health failing soon after seems to have been the signal of general inactivity

496 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
for some time. March 1, 1866, a few met at Doctor J. D. Baldwin's and as
trustees J. D. Baldwin, S. A. Boyer, Robert Lowrie, R. B. Fulton, and
Andrew Cone were chosen, to whom a charter was granted November 30th
following. The 11th of February, 1867, the church was organized with
twenty-one members, and Shadrach Couch, treasurer, Andrew Cone, clerk,
J. D. Baldwin and Andrew Cone, deacons, embraced the official list. Rev
erend W. W. Meech was called at a salary of twelve hundred dollars per
annum, and by August 15th of the same year the congregation was officially
recognized by a council embracing representatives from TitusviUe, Cherry
Tree, Spartansburg, Franklin, Corry, and Conneautville, which convened for
that purpose, while on the 6th of the following month it was admitted to
the Oil Creek Baptist Association, then sitting in Warren, Pennsylvania.
The society was now founded but its career began so precariously that
after Reverend Meech' s resignation November 25, 1867, they had to depend
on supplies until May 16, 1869, and also received seven hundi'ed dollars
aid from the state association. Up to September, 1869, twenty-one new
members were added, and during Reverend B. F. Crane' s pastorate, begun
on the preceding May 16th, a lot was secured and steps taken to erect a
church. August 6th of that year (1869) .Julius Davis and Charles WUliams
were elected deacons, and after the arrival of Reverend J. W. Spoor, May
8, 1870, the failing health of Reverend Crane having eaused his resigna
tion, the church building was taken up and on December 2nd following the
contract was let to Carpenter & Matthews of Meadville. After its comple
tion in September, 1871, at a cost estimated at thirteen thousand dollars, it
was dedicated the 15th day of October next, and on the 5th of the fol
lowing month (November) Reverend WUliam Young, D. D. , became its pas
tor, the few previous months having been a period of supplies, as Reverend
Spoor remained but a year.
Soon after this their present pipe-organ was secured through the influ
ence of Colonel Fox of Oil City, an experienced organ builder, at a com
plete cost of about four thousand dollars; and the efforts of Charles Haines
soon led to a subscription of one thousand dollars through which the pres
ent large clock was placed in the tower as city property and so cared for.
Doctor Young left October 30, 1872, and on the 25th of the next month was
succeeded by Reverend J. D. Herr of Pittsburgh, who, however, did not
arrive untU the following April (1873). Mrs. Herr organized the Woman's
Missionary Society on the 21st of May, but this pastorate closed in Novem
ber of that year (1873). Reverend Austin supplied until May, 1874, when
Reverend George Whitman came. During the next years of his pastorate
the church prospered, and with the aid from Samuel A. Crozier, the state
association, and other sources they succeeded in clearing themselves of a
large debt by the close of 1878, and the annual increase of membership
had been considerable. The resignation of Reverend Whitman took effect
AprU 15, 1879.

OIL CITY. 497
On the first Sunday of the following May Reverend Charles T. HaUowell
began a ministry which closed November 1, 1880, and on February 13, 1881,
a imanimous call was made to Reverend C. T. Morgan, of Geneva, Ohio.
After his resignation, August 5, 1SS3, Reverend Crane returned for six
months, until May 2, 1884, when Reverend Dillingham, of Corry, was
called. The organization of the Baptist Social Union during this year, and
the new bell and other improvements in 1885, may be noticed. After the
death of the pastor, Jime 4, 1886, Deacon A, W. Cox supplied until his
own death, on the foUowing July 2nd. It was not until October, 1888, that
Reverend J. D. Smith began the next and present pastorate, under which
the Social Union and the Society of Christian Endeavor have grown into
active life. In ISSS there had been seven hundred and ninety- six new
members, and funds raised to the amount of eighty-nine thousand one hun
dred and eight dollars eighty -four cents since the organization of the church.
Fom- of the charter members were then alive : Mrs. I\L J. Lowrie, Mrs. M.
Williams, Mrs. Shadrach Couch, and Mrs. Caroline Couch.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, of South Oil City, like its sister
society across the river, is unfortunate in the lack of complete records. The
earUest services to be held with any kind of regularity on the south bank of
the river by this church were in 1863-64, when Reverends McCombs and
J. M. Groves preached in the old school house on the hill, above what was
then called Venango City, a mission point on President circuit. These two
ministers — the former now deceased and the latter superannuated — con
ducted an interesting revival during the years mentioned, and, when Rever
end J. W. Welden succeeded them in 1864, he made his headquarters here
and preached in private houses. Messrs. A. B. Rice and  Seely organ
ized a Sunday school in the grove on the hill, and continued it in Lee' s
haU, where, in 1865, the church was reorganized by the new pastors. Rever
ends N. C. Brown and L. G. Merrill. Two classes were formed, with D.
W. Amy and L. Miliken as leaders.
A union of these classes with the Oil City church was agitated, and in
1866 was effected under Reverend J. Whitely as pastor, who after a short
time conducted services in the Smith & Allison hall. The union, however,
proved very unsatisfactory to the mass of the church, and they were again
united to the old circuit, which, at the Erie Annual Conference of July 10-
16, 1867, was first known as Venango City charge, and placed under the
pastorate of Reverends R. F. Keeler and J. P. Hicks. In the autumn of
1867 Reverend Keeler organized a class at the Reno mission, which had been
attended for a year or so, with S. A, Darnell as leader. The Venango City
church was reorganized October 6th of that year with twenty-four members.
A. B. Rice was leader, and S. J. Ervin and Benjamin Foust, stewards. The
church grew so fast under Reverend Keeler' s pastorate that at the confer
ence of July 15-21, 1868, Venango City and Reno were made a separate

498 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
charge under Reverend Keeler. There were seventy- one attached to the
church at this time, and September 6, 1868, two classes were formed, with
Messrs. Rice and Myers as leaders.
Efforts were made during the year to build a more suitable home than
Smith & Allison's hall, but in vain. It was not until after Reverend R. D.
Waltz' appointment in 1869 that the building at 315 Bast Third street was
gotten under way, during which time they were kindly allowed the use of
the Evangelical church. After the appointment of Reverend T. P. Warner
in September, 1870, the church was completed at a cost of about four thou
sand five hundred dollars, and dedicated December 11th following by Rev
erend J. C. Pershing, D. D., of Pittsburgh. It was nearly thirteen years,
however, before the earnest struggling society became free from debt; that
was during the pastorate of Reverend M. Miller.
September 5, 1871, the new pastor. Reverend R. B. Boyd, arrived;
under his care the church prospered and the Sunday school grew so that
new rooms had to be erected. He remained until September 8, 1873. The
best information that could be obtained of the succeeding pastorates is as
follows: Reverend R. M. Bear had charge in 1874; Washington HoUister,
1875-76; E. D. McCreary, 1877-78; J. H. Herron, D. D., from 1879 to
1881 inclusive; M. MUler, from 1882 to 1884 inclusive; R. M. Warren,
1885-86; and P. P. Pinney, 1887 — . Their neat frame parsonage adjoins
the church site, and both of these were improved in 1888 to the value of
eight hundred and fifty dollars.
The church is now a flourishing congregation of two hundred and eighty-
five members, with its Woman's Home Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid
Society, the young people's society — the Gleaners, a choir, and a Sunday
school of about three hundred members.
For all this much is due to those early pioneers of the old school house,
an incomplete list of whose names are given: Elijah Myers, Charles Lee, the
proprietor of Lee's hall, James Whitehill, Mrs. A. P. Dale, J, W. Latshaw,
and others whose names seem not obtainable.
The Hebreiv Society, under its various names, has been the result of
a desire of several Jewish families in Oil City to unite their people in relig
ious aud benevolent life.
It was during the later days of the war in the year 1864 that a resident
of the Third ward called, at his home near Center street bridge, a meeting
of twenty-two persons who formed themselves into the Hebrew Benevolent
Society. L. Bear, the resident above mentioned who is still living in OU
City, led the services, in rented rooms secured for a synagogue, until about
1868. About this time the Progress Association was organized by S. W.
Seldner who was its leader until probably about 1875, after which its career
became more or less uncertain and spasmodic. About 1875 Mr. Bear
secured the organization of the present Hebrew School Association and

OIL CITY. 499
rooms were secured in the third story of the Lamberton block. Very soon,
too, a rabbi was engaged in the person of S. UUman of Harrisburg. The
successive rabbis with approximate dates of arrival have been as follows: S.
UUman, 1875; S. Weil, 1879;  WiUner, 1882; and S. Goldstein, in
June, 1888. Eleven families constitute the membership, and two auxiliary
societies are in vigorous operation, namely, the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent
Association, organized in 1873, and the young men's Hebrew Literary Soci
ety, which began its career in 1889.
Broivn's Chapel of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at Oil City
was organized about 1865, and named after Reverend Morris Brown, the
second bishop of that denomination. Reverend R. M. Green, Mrs. Charity
Green, Charlotte Green, R. H. and Hannah Mann, Hannah Graham, and
J. N. Mann, five of whom withdrew from Trinity church, met in O'Harra's
opera house and were organized into a society by Reverend A. R. Green of
Canada. After meeting some time in that building they leased Linden
hall, corner of Main and Center streets, and used it until the great fire,
after which they at once erected their present frame church on Stout street
at a cost of three thousand dollars, and dedicated it in 1868.
Their pastors have been as follows, as nearly as can be afforded by t,he
memory of Reverend R. M. Green: John Gibbons of Meadville; \Y. M.
Brown; J. M. Morris; Benjamin Wheeler; W. A. J. Phillips; Anderson
Palmer; S. T. Jones; and the present pastor, I. N. Ross. One of their
members. Reverend R. M. Green, who has occasionally preached for them,
spent several years in the South as a missionary. They have a Sabbath
school and choir and a membership of sixty-eight.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church is known in Scotland as the Cov
enanter chm-ch, but the American branch prefers the above name. Their
congregation in South Oil City numbers about seventy persons, whose
weekly privilege it is to wend their way to services in their picturesque
little frame church on West First street, near State, either for the sermon
by Reverend J. A. F. Bovard, or the Sunday school of about seventy mem
bers under Superintendent W. J. McGee, or possibly a meeting of the Ladies'
Home Missionary Society of the church.
A religious society always represents more of effort and periods of strug
gle than is usually appreciated by the public, and the little congregation
composed of W. B. and L. A. Magee, James and P. A. Magee, John and Jane
Love, Charles J. and Margaret Love, H. F. and Agnes Kirk, James and Sa
rah Ellis, Joseph and M. A. Hill, John Quin, R. and George Porter, Ann
Reed, James R. Hill, and Joseph G. Garrett, who were organized June 1 5,
1865, by a commission from Pittsburgh Presbytery, was no exception. The
commission, composed of Reverends T. Sproull and J. W. SproiUl, with
Elders James Boggs, James McKee, and Marcus Stewart, met in the old
public school house of Oil City, the first mentioned gentleman presiding.

500 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and on the following day Elders W. B. Magee and John Love were
elected. Laytonia, then a mere village, had no church structure up to this time,
and this society was the first to erect one, which was built on their lots, cor
ner of Second and State streets, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The
old church did good service, until May 1, 1887, after it had been thought for
various reasons best to purchase their present church from the Episcopal
church society, they relegated the old building to tenant purposes, and
occupied their new quarters, which cost probably about four thousand five
hundred dollars.
The elders had been changed during these years, and for six years from
the first the pulpit was occupied only by supplies. Elders John Quin
and H. F. Kirk were elected November 8, 1866, and April 8, 1872. About
a year after the first pastorate WUliam Thompson was ordained elder and
W. J. Magee and C. J. Love, deacons. The first pastor, Reverend D. McPall,
was called by a meeting March 11, 1871, presided over by Reverend D. Reid,
and on May 19th following, he was ordained by Reverends A. M. Milligan,
D. B. Wilson, and J. J. McClurkin, and Elders James Boggs and James An
derson. Reverend McFall's excellencies led to his receiving a call from
Boston, and fi-om his departure, May 29, 1878, to June 11, 1884, when
Reverend Bovard was installed, is another interval of dependence on stated
supplies, which gave place to the numerous years of the present pastorate.
The Second Presbyterian Church of Oil City, located on the south side
in the midst of elegant residences and blooming terraces, has two epochs
in its career.
In the days of Venango City several of its citizens agitated the organiza
tion of a Presbyterian church, which, through their messenger to Clarion
Presbytery, John B. Gibson, was organized -January 13, 1866, by a committee
composed of Reverend S. P. Kincaid and Elder L. Watson with an assistant.
Reverend Shirley. Twenty-nine members began the organization: John
C. and Melissa J. Mclntire, Abijah M. Porterfield, John and Sarah McCon
neU, Richard and Catherine Hughes, Hugh C. and Charlotte A. Graham,
Harriet F. Carnahan, Elizabeth McKee, M. and C. E. McCombs, John B.
Peninah, Delia B. and L. C. Gibson, S. M. and Mary J. Boyd, Mariah B.
Elliott, Sarah A. CampbeU, Hugh and Mary A. Brady, John C. and Nar-
cissa A. Timlin, David J. Heming, B. M. Potter, E. J. Lay, M. D., and
wife. Messrs. Gibson, Mclntire, and Boyd were chosen elders, and Messrs.
Brady and Hughes became deacons, while the name of the church chosen
was, ' ' The First Presbyterian Church of Venango City. ' '
A hall was secured on the corner of Front and Central avenue in the
building now used as a hotel, and here for nearly two years services were
held at intervals by the following supplies: Reverends S. P. Kincaid,
Shirley, Gray, S . H Hallady, and Leason. A Sabbath school and prayer

%v

J-^^

OIL CITY. 503
meeting were kept up also, the latter often aided by Reverend McPetridge,
of the First church of Oil City. After a two-years' struggle it was thought
best, on account of removals and other causes, to disband, and twenty
members remaining merged their numbers into the First church of Oil City.
The second epoch begins in 1870, when Captain John Munhall and
others wisely secured a lot on the southeast corner of First and Reed streets
at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. In the spring of 1882 the increased
population, convenience, and other causes united to make the building of a
new south side church advisable, and, growing out of a suggestion of Doc
tor R. Colbert a meeting of the foUowing gentlemen was held about May
1st at the office of WiUiam McNair: Captain John Munhall, T. H. WiU
iams, Mr. McNair, John Spear, David Sterrett, Doctor Colbert, W. H.
Kinter, W. W. White, Doctor J. R. Arter, George Porter, and H. C.
Graham. The result was that at a meeting, June 14th, building plans
of Mr. John Bennett were adopted and the building committee — Messrs.
Williams, Porter, Munhall, Kinter, and J. M. McElroy — pushed their
work; Messrs. Colbert and Graham secured ecclesiastic organization and
Messrs. Graham and A. M. Turner secured legal incorporation under their
present name. The brick structure, to be completed in November at a
cost of five thousand five hundred dollars, was extended both in time and
price, and reached, when furnished, a cost of eight thousand one hundred
dollars, while on August 5, 1872, the presbyterial committee — Rever
ends J. J. Marks, D. D., T. J. Mulford, and Elder Patton— completed
the organization with fifty-six members, fifty-one of whom had letters from
the First church of Oil City. Of these R. M. James and W. H. Porter
field were chosen elders, and after various services in the Reformed Pres
byterian and Episcopal churches, the new church was dedicated January
19, 1873, the services of the day being conducted by Reverend David
Hall, D. D., of Mansfield, Ohio, and Reverend David McFall of the Re
formed Presbyterian church of Oil City.
The church was now firmly founded and a Sabbath school begun under
the superintendence of Doctor R. Colbert, which has grown from one hun
dred and eighteen pupils of that day to three hundred and fourteen in 1889.
The first pastor. Reverend David T. Carnahan, of Pittsburgh, was
called July 25, 1878, and began his labors on the following September 3rd.
At his installation on November 5th, Reverend Ross Stevenson preached the
sermon, and Reverends Joseph Mateer, D. D., and J. McPherrin gave the
charges respectively to the pastor and congregation. During the decade of
Reverend Carnahan' s pastorate there were two considerable revivals, early
in 1875 and 1876, and a large debt was cleared. The membership at the
close was one hundred and sixty-two against seventy at the beginning; the
Sabbath school two hundred ; benevolent contributions amounted to three
thousand four hundred and fifty-eight dollars; expense funds reached a
28

504 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
total of twenty-nine thousand dollars — making a grand financial total of
thirty-two thousand dollars.
The present pastorate began with the installation of Reverend W. P.
Wood of Peotone, Illinois, November 17, 1882. The sermon was preached
by Reverend John McCoy of Franklin, the pastoral charge given by Rever
end L. M. GiUiland of Tidioute, whUe Reverend J. N. MacGonigle of the
First church gave the charge to the people. The pastorate has been one of
considerable activity and the personnel of the congregation characterized by
youth. The needs of the young people at once led to arrangements for
more room, so that by June 16, 1884, a practially new church was dedi
cated, which cost about twenty- eight thousand dollars, including the value
of the lot. The architect, Jacob Snyder of Akron, Ohio, and the building
committee, J. B. Smithman, D, Mcintosh, P. Schreiber, and J. H. Mc
Elroy succeeded in forming an edifice which with its lawns and trees makes
one of the chief features of the south side. The dedicatory sermon was
preached by the pastor, who was assisted by Reverend Carnahan, Reverend
W. M. Covert of the Evangelical church, and Reverend J. F. Plummer of
Pittsburgh, acting pastor of the First church; The church debt was cleared
in March, 1888. In May, 1889, a fine pipe-organ was secured, valued at
four thousand five hundred dollars.
The membership also, with the opening revival of 1888-84, has in
creased steadily from one hundred and sixty-two to three hundred and forty-
seven; the total contribution for the first six years of the pastorate was
thirty-eight thousand and forty- two dollars; the auxiliary society life flour
ished, so there are now the following: The Temperance Society, organized
March 28, 1889; the Pansies, organized in 1888; the Gleaners, in 1888;
the Sunbeams, in 1888; the King's Sons, in 1889; the King's Daughters;
the Young People's Missionary Society; the Women's Home and Foreign
Missionary Societies; the Sabbath school, and a quartette choir.
The sessional succession is as follows: Elders R. M. James and W. H.
Porterfleld, from August 5, 1872, to 1877, when Mr. James died; Doctor
R. Colbert from 1873; Adam Hosey from 1873 to 1878; A. M. Turner from
1878; G. R. Kemp from 1873 to his death in 1884; H. G. Tinker from
1879; W. S. Motheral from 1883; and Elder N. H. Brown from 1883. The
deacon and trusteeships have been in competent hands.
Christ Church, Protestant Episcopal, had its beginnings in the old Third
ward school house probably as early as 1861. The members of this faith
throughout the adjoining region gathered here whenever some foreign rector
found it convenient to hold services. The rectors at Franklin, Reverends
Henry Purdon and J, W. Tays, the first of whom information can be gained,
held services during 1862-64, but the changeful character of the population
made organization inadvisable until 1866. Reverend Marcus A. Tolman of
Franklin had held services here, and it was at his suggestion that an

OIL CITY. 505
organization was effected in August at Bascom' s hall in the Third ward.
In 1867 the diocesan convention admitted the society under the name Cliri.'it
Church Parish, Oil City.
The successive pastorates began with the call of Roverend R. D. Nevius,
of the Diocese of Alabama, extended by Christ church and St. John's at
RouseviUe, August 8, 1866. After a successful service of two and a half
years he received a call to St. John' s. Mobile, Alabama, and left for his new
field in February, 1869. In the following September Reverend Morison
ByUesby became rector and served until the spring of 1871, when, in May,
he was succeeded by the Reverend J. T. Protheroe. This pastorate closed
in May, 1875, and Reverend Charles G. Adams took charge, serving until
Ascension Day, 1879. During October his successor. Reverend P. B. Light-
ner, assumed the duties of the rectorship and continued until October 8,
1882. The present rector, the Reverend J. H. B. Brooks of Salisbury,
Maryland, accepted the call to the parish January 1, 1883, and the church
entered upon a prosperous career.
The places of worship after the organization were Bascom's hall for
about six months, when Excelsior hall was used. On Christmas, 1868, they
began in a newly fitted up hall in the Mercantile block. This was used
until the first church was consecrated January 25, 1871, by Reverend John
Scarborough of Pittsburgh. This had been suggested in December, 1869,
and a frame structure was erected on First near the corner of State street,
south side, at a total cost of about four thousand dollars, and built by G. N.
Moore. In 1877 an infant school building was erected, and in 1881 a rectory
was erected on First street, which with other property is valued at four
thousand dollars. It was at this time that the church was reincorporated.
In 1882 services were held on the north side in the Lamberton block, and
a school and reading room had for about two years to accommodate members
there. In 1884 a new church was suggested by Messrs. Ash and Lyddon,
and the following year plans of E. A. Curtis of Fredonia, New York, were
adopted. The beautiful structure at the corner of First street and Central
avenue, with its four thousand dollar pipe-organ, was completed in 1886
at a total cost of about thirty thousand dollars, while the old church was
sold to the Reformed Presbyterians. The predecessors of the present organ
are the first, secured in 1867 through the efforts of Mrs. W. L. Lay, and
the second, presented by H. L. Foster in 1882.
Thefirst vestry included A. L. Bennett, J. C. Welch, J. B. McMuUen, G.
E. Shepard, John B. Candy, A. W. Myers, J. G. Shirts, Robert Christie,
Charies Prink, M. McGarvey, E. Edgerton, and J. M. Braden, in 1866. The
changes since have been with few exceptions as follows: 1868, W. H. Col
ling, Myers, Bennett, W. L. Lay, W. J. Brundred, Candy, W. R. Johns,
T. B. McNair, and L M. Sowers; 1869, J. W. WeUer vice Brundred, E.
B. Searls vice McNair, and D. McMuUen vice Candy; 1870, Doctor Ansart,

506 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Messrs. Bennett, the Lays, Johns, Myers, WeUer, Martindale, and McCutch
eon; 1872, Messrs. Weller, the Lays, Greenfield, Cornwall, Porteous, Brun
dred, Forman, and Grant; 1875, Forman, the Lays, Campbell, Brun
dred, Grant, Shreiber, Porteous, Cornwall, and Greenfield; 1876, Fraser
vice Forman, Simpson vice W. L. Lay, Beveridge vice Grant, Grosh, and
Beers; 1877, Foster vice Simpson, Winslow vice Grosh, and Corse vice Beers;
1878, Hepburn vice Campbell, Ash vice Schreiber: 1879, Church vice Lay,
and Mr. Ogilby vice Corse; 1880, C. H. Lay vice Hepburn, McGarvey vice
Winslow, and Cowell vice Church; 1881, Chickering vice Lay, Watson vice
Beveridge, and Welch vice Porteous; 1882, Ross vice Watson, Beveridge
vice Cowell, Bobbins vice Cornwall, B. F. vice W. J. Brundred, Lyddon
vice Welch; 1883, W. J. Brundred vice Greenfield, Lay vice McGarvey;
1884, Beers vice Lay, Hartwell vice Lyddon, Judd vice Beveridge, Green
field vice Bobbins, Cornwall vice Ogilby, Cowell vice Fraser; 1885, Camp
bell vice Cornwall ; 1886, Lay vice Judd ; 1888, Hyde vice Ross.
The auxiliary societies of the church have been a Sabbath school from
the first, a somewhat intermittent parish school, the Rector's Aid Society,
the Altar Society, three circles of the King's Daughters, a choir of men and
boys, and a mission at McClintockville with twenty -three members. The
total membership of the church is three hundred and twenty-eight.
Calvary Church, Evangelical Association, had its origin in a company
of adherents of what has been known as the Albright faith, who, in 1866,
called the Reverend W. C. Davis, of Pittsburgh, to hold services. He did
so and after a protracted meeting in Lee' s hall during the winter following
an organization embracing forty members was effected. Among these were
Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Smoyer, Mr. and Mrs. William Snyder and daughter,
Mr. A. Myers, Mr. and Mrs. John Morgan, and others, many of whom had
worshiped with the Methodists. Their class leader was Mr. Myers, and
Reverend Davis was placed officially in charge of the mission by the Pitts
burgh Conference at W'arren, Pennsylvania, in 1867. Reverend P. W.
Plotts had charge of the mission the second year and an attempt was made to
erect a church; he was succeeded by Reverend G. W. Brown, under whom
a church was erected on First near Short street. It was dedicated October
31, 1869, by Reverend T. G. Clewell, and has since been added to and much
improved. Reverend Covert was pastor in 1885, and Reverend Hummell is
the present pastor. It is a misfortune that no records of the church have
been preserved. The society is prosperous and has a good membership.
The Christian Church, often known as Disciples, Campbellites, etc.,
held services for a time about 1867 under Reverend Newcomb. An organi
zation was attempted, but it came to naught.
Good Hope Church, Evangelican Lutheran, is a south side society in
which both the German and the English languages are used. This is an
interesting fact when it is known that the congregation was about seven-

OIL CITY. 507
teen years old before the introduction of English, when the needs of the
younger generation became imperative.
Among the arrivals in Oil City previous to 1870 were some German Lu
therans: The Roess brothers, George W'alter, John M. Schmid, Jacob Bur-
kle, E. Kaufmann, George Paul, G. C. Mohr, George Gutmiller, H. Suhr,
G. Peters, M. Kirchartz, M. Wanner, and others. These, in 1870, secured
Reverend L. Vogelsang, then of Brady' s Bend, Pennsylvania, to hold serv
ices occasionally in the old Third ward school house. Reverend Lange,
of Franklin, also held English services sometimes in the Evangelical church,
on First street.
July 30, 1871, an organization was effected under the name German
Good Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the following council:
George Walter, president; E. Kaufmann, secretary; Louis Roess, treasurer;
and Messrs. Schmid, Burkle, Paul, and John Kistler. On October 19th
following a constitution was signed by twenty-five members, after the in
stallation of the first pastor, Reverend Vogelsang, on the 8th instant. The
first pastorate, a long one of sixteen and a half years, was marked by a slow
but permanent growth. The membership was both foreign and American
born and by the close of the pastorate numbered two hundred and twenty-
five communicants with a Sabbath school enrolling fifty pupils and teachers.
This successful pastorate closed April 1, 1888, by the resignation of Rev
erend Vogelsang, prompted by failing health. Rev. H. J. Reimann had
been called in January and April 12th entered upon the present pastorate,
which has been marked by the introduction of the English language —
especially in Sunday evening services, and an increase in membership to
about three hundred, while the Sabbath school enrolls one hundred and
four pupils and seventeen teachers, and a parochial school, begun by Rev
erend Vogelsang, has an average attendance of fifty.
The building and parsonage have also been a steady growth. The site
was purchased in 1871, and includes lots 48 and 44 on First street. The
consideration was one thousand dollars. The sum of five thousand dollars
was raised, and on August 20th of the same year the dedication occurred.
Although the first annual congregational meeting was held October 7th fol
lowing, the society were not incorporated until October 21, 1872. The
church is a two-story frame with the auditorium above, a school and lecture
room below, and a parsonage in the rear. Early in the eighties a pipe-
organ was put in and various changes and improvements have been made
from time to time until the total value of the property is estimated at about
eight thousand dollars.
The councU was in 1871 composed of Elders Louis Roess, George
Walter; Deacons George Peters, B. Kaufmann, J. Kistler, and Trustees
J. M. Schmid, George Paul, and J. Burkle. With slight changes succes
sive councils have been as follows: 1872-78, elders: Roess and Walter;

508 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
deacons: Peters, Kaufmann, and Iserloh; trustees: Schmid, Paul, and
Burkle; 1874, elder, Kaufmann; deacons: Walter and Peters; trustees:
Schmid and Roess; 1875, elder, Kirchartz; deacons: Alt and Schmid ; trust
ees: Roess and Kaufmann; 1876, elders Kirchartz and Walter; deacons:
Kaufmann and Schmid; trustee, Roess; 1877-82, elders: Kirchartz and
Walter; deacons: Kaufmann and Suhr; trustees: Roess and Schmid;'
1882-88, elders: Kirchartz and Walter; deacons: Kaufmann and Suhr;
trustees: Roess, Schmid, Schormann, and Steglat; 1884-85, elders: Kir
chartz, Walter, and Schormann; deacons: Kaufmann, Suhr, and Gutmiller;
trustees: Roess, Schmid, and Steglat; 1886, elders: Schmid and Suhr;
deacons: Roess and Gutmiller; trustees: Bench, Schormann, Kaufmann,
and Steglat; 1887, elders: Roess and Schmid; deacons: Walter, Suhr,
Plack, and Dallas; trustees: Schormann, Kaufmann, and Steglat; 1888,
elders: Roess and Schmid; deacons: Plack, Walter, Schwartzkopf, and
Suhr; trustees: Schormann, Krathge, and Kaufmann.
The Free Methodist Church in its systematic plans of work finds occa
sion to frequently change circuits, districts, and conferences to suit exigen
cies that arise, and from this cause arises the fact that Genesee Conference
formerly, and Pittsburgh of late years, have embraced Oil City within their
limits; while it has formed a part of circuits of various dimensions until it
became a station September 19, 1888.
It is of interest to trace the growth of a society which has been under
the care of so varied a catalogue of ministers as the following, especiaUy
since the Oil City congregation was one of the first of this faith in western
Pennsylvania: Reverends R. W. Hawkins of Olean, New York, with occa
sional services for several years previous to 1871 ; W. W. Warner, 1871; S.
K. J. Chesbro, 1872; Joseph Henning, 1873; J. T. James and J. Barn
hart, 1875; H. H. Loomis and S. R. Titus, 1876; H. H. Loomis, 1877; J
Barnhart and H. G. Smith, 1878; John Robinson, 1879; J. S. McGeary,
1881; WiUiam Richards, 1882; R. H. Bentley, 1883; A. D. Gaines, 1884;
J. D. Rhodes, 1886; M. B. MiUer, 1887, and the present pastor, A. T.
Sager. It was in July, 1871, after Reverend Hawkins had long visited Oil City,
that a camp meeting was held on the hill near the old Methodist Episcopal
camp ground above South Oil City, and the interest was such that a congre
gation was organized the following autumn in that usual place for public
meetings on the south side — Lee's hall. They afterward worshiped in
Sheppard' s hall, the old Covenanter church, and other places for nearly ten
years, when in 1880, during Reverend Robinson's pastorate, they secm-ed a
a lot on East Fourth street and erected their present frame church at a cost
of about one thousand five hundred dollars. It was appropriate, too, that
the dedicatory services were performed by their old pioneer evangelist, Rev
erend R. W. Hawkins.

OIL CITY, 509
The Lee's hall company who began their corporate career in 1871 were
composed of Mr. and Mrs. James Whitehill, Charles Lee, Mary Marshall,
John SwaUow, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Holtzman, Mrs.  MUler, Mr.
and Mrs. H. A. Crouch, Mrs. Mary Flack, and possibly one or two others
whose names seem not attainable. Of these Mr. Lee was the first steward,
and a lady served as one of the first class leaders, Mary Marshall. The
absence of complete records and the action of uncertain memories makes
some desirable details unobtainable. The greatest accessions were probably
during the pastorates of Reverend Warner, the first pastor, and that of
Reverend Bently in 1883, whereby the present membership has reached
fifty-two, and a Sunday school of twenty-five members with its missionary
auxiliary has reached a prosperous stage.
The Second Adventist Church of South Oil City grew from a series of
evangelistic meetings held late in 1883 in Fritz hall on Pine street by
Elder John T. Ongley, of Lincolnville, Pennsylvania. The movement encoun
tered some opposition but soon secured the following members and formed a
society: F. N. Gibbs, WiUiam Oram, W. H. Porterfield, R. G. Wordem,
A. Gail, Mary and Jane Oram, Mary and Harry Porterfield, Levi Hall,
Nancy Lyons, Mrs. Jane Amy, Fred and Jane Sherrett, and L. M. and
Maiy Linza. Messrs. Oram and Porterfield (W. H. ), were chosen deacons,
and a Sunday school was organized which flom-ished only during pastorates.
Their place of worship in Fritz hall was used for about four years since
which they have occupied Fair's hall on the same street, where they now
enroll thirty-one members. Their pastoral record is as follows : Reverends
J T. Ongley, 1883; Mrs. L. M. Stoddard, 1884; various supplies, 1885; C.
W. Stephens, 1886-87; and evangelists in 1888-89.
The Primitive Methodist Church. — Auspicious importance has always
been attached to the number seven, so the little company who began cottage
prayer meetings in South Oil City in the fall of 1888 might have taken it as
a good omen that their number embraced only the following persons: Rever
end W. H. Litzenberg, John Aungst, G. W. Smoyer, Henry Winger and
his wife, B. E. Cook and Mrs. Maggie Cook, and the fact that ten more
have since joined them gives substance to their encouragement.
The society secured chapel rooms on Pine street between Second and
Third, and for the first time held services December 81, 1888. Reverend
W. H. Litzenberg organized the society under authority from the Primitive
Methodist church at large, and has since had charge of this point and Stone
boro, Pennsylvania. Reverend J. Whitely, a former pastor of Trinity
church, is his assistant.
The Young Men's Christian Association was formed April 5, 1887, in
the parlors of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and H. L. Foster chosen
president. D. Beidleman was chosen general secretary, and by June follow
ing they had rooms fitted up in the old Derrick block on Seneca street, with

510 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
reading room, parlor, office, hall, and gymnasium. After about eighteen
months Mr. Beidleman resigned and W. B. Jolly succeeded him. In April,
1889, the management was placed in the hands of the younger members,
and P. S. Ingham was chosen president.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union grew out of the "crusade"',
movement that flourished in OU City late in the seventies under Mrs. Jane
Fulton and Mrs. H. P. Williams, and was organized in February, 1881, by
the state organizer — Mrs. W^ittenmyer of Philadelphia. Their fifty mem
bers soon secured the services of the famous temperance worker, Francis
Murphy, and during their career such names as WUlard, White, Bain,
Foster, Hunt, St. John, MiUs, and others have lent vigor to their efforts.
Charitable and Bible work of earlier years has given way to definite temper
ance and prohibition wark. The members and meeting places of the society
have varied; they now have about one hundred and use the hall of the
Y. M. C. A. society.
Their successive presidents have been: Mrs, W. Chambers, Mrs. W. W.
Hulings, Mrs. P. L. Clarke, Mrs. George Porter, Mrs. J. R. Penn, and Mrs.
P. P. Pinney. PARKS AND CEMETERIES.
The most that the city can boast in parks is two defunct driving parks,
one on Clark's Summit, whose winding road, plains, and beautiful views
make the nearest approach to a public park, and one in a distant part of the
south side.
Grove Hill Cemetery is beautifully laid out at the head of Bishop avenue
and under the charge of an association composed of lot holders, which was
organized November 24, 1870, at the suggestion of ladies of the city. The
incorporators were Messrs. McNair, Munhall, Drake, Cox, McCance, Weller,
W. R. Stevenson, H. H. Stephenson, Dale, Mawhinney, Shoemaker, and
Cone. Nine and a half acres were secured of Graff, Hasson & Company
and tastefully laid out by Superintendent Cone and Engineer W. R.
Stephenson. The first cost when completed was probably very near two
thousand dollars.

BOROUGH OF EMLENTON. 511

CHAPTER XXIV.
BOROUGH OF EMLENTON.
Early History— The First Merchants — Hotels— Local Bridge and
Railroad Enterprises — Manufactures- The Borough Or-
GANiz-VTiON— Secret and Other Societies—
Schools— Churches.
VILLAGE history in the earlier settled and purely agricultural sections
of the state is a record of small and unpretentious beginnings, tardy ex
pansion, and slow accretions of population or business, with which the rapid
growth of towns in the oil regions is strikingly in contrast. The conditions
under which Emlenton has reached its present size and importance corre
spond more nearly tb the former than the latter, and in this respect its posi
tion among the towns of the county is somewhat anomalous. Unlike the
county capital it was not ushered into existence by the fiat of legislative en
actment, and without the prestige which naturally attaches to the county
seat it competed successfully for a time for the business of this part of the
Allegheny valley. It was a thriving town before Oil City was possible, and
its citizens have not lacked the enterprise to derive their share of advantage
from the development of the oil industry.
Early History. — The first improvement upon the site of Emlenton was
made by John Kerr. He *vas probably a squatter. He cleared that part
of the town between Ritchey 's run and the Allegheny Valley depot, and
built a cabin near the present residence of John C. Porterfield. Nothing
was left to indicate its location in 1834 except a pile of stones. Kerr was a
waterman, and was drowned while loading a fiat-boat with building stones
for Pittsburgh. This occurred two miles down the river; he slipped from
a flat rock, still called by his'nS,me. His family moved away, and John
Cochran suc6eeded to the improvements. It does not appear that he re
mained long, but changed his residence to the vicinity of Richland church,
where the family is still represented.
The owners of the townsite at the time it was surveyed were Joseph B. Fox
and Andrew "McCaslin. The former was of English origin, a member of the
society of Friends, a man of great wealth, and one of the earliest settlers of
Clarion county. Here he owned a large tract of land and founded the town
of Foxburg, four miles below Emlenton, the intervening territory forming

512 history of VENANGO COUNTY.
part of his estate. Before their marriage the name of Mrs. Fox had been
Hannah Emlen; and when the time arrived that the struggling village on
the northern border of his land should rejoice in ' ' that strange spell, a name,' '
the present designation was conferred in her honor. As described by pres
ent landmarks, the line between Fox's land and McCaslin' s ran from the
river bank at the Valley hotel to the public school building, and thence at an
angle over the hill. McCaslin was a man of influence in county affairs. He
was elected sheriff in 1832, removed to Franklin, and subsequently engaged
in the manufacture of iron. His house was a small log building, to which a
frame addition was made prior to 1834. It occupied the site of Flynn Broth
ers' woolen mill. Andrew Solinger, an unmarried man in 1884, had charge
of the ferry, which was the property of McCaslin. When the latter went to
Franklin, he rented his house to William Metzler, a carpenter, who removed
to the town of Clarion when it was laid out and did some work on the pub
lic buildings of Clarion county. M. McCuUough, Jr. , laid out part of the
McCaslin land in 1868, in town lots. James Devlin was the surveyor.
The first doctor of the locality was Nathaniel D. Snowden, who began
his professional career in this county at this place in 1828. Two years later
he removed to Franklin, his residence the remainder of his life.
Jacob Truby succeeded Solinger at the ferry in 1834. He was a native
of Centre county and a lumberman by occupation, married in Cattaraugus
county. New York, and settled in Scrubgrass township in 1882, whence he
came to Emlenton. Passengers and teams crossed the river on a large flat-
boat, assisted in its progress by a stout pole in the hands of the ferryman.
On a day in the early spring, shortly after the opening of river navigation,
Mr. Truby was starting out with his flat when the pole became entangled in
some obstruction. It proved to be the body of a man; and in the absence
of anything that would establish his identity, he was buried by the county.
A large rock on the bank near which the body was discovered is known as
Dead Man's rock. The house in which Truby lived was twenty- five rods
above that of McCaslin, where the cellar walls are still visible. It was kept
as a public house.
The third house of the village in 1834 was that of Doctor James Gowe,
and occupied the site of the Moran hotel. The doctor was one of the first
to buy lots of McCaslin, and his third daughter, Keziah, was the first white
child born in the town. He subsequently practiced at Callensburg, and
then left the ranks of the profession to become prothonotary of Clarion
county. Late in life he entered the ministry of the Methodist church.
The fourth building was that used by P. G. HoUister for a store room;
it was erected in 1886. In 1837 two new houses were built, and both are
still standing — the Valley hotel, by Andrew Truby, who came from Centre
county to Scrubgrass township and owned a farm at Big Bend; and a fi-ame
building adjoining Flynn' s store, built by Jacob Truby, his son. The next

BOROUGH OF EMLENTON. 513
house was built in 1838 by W^ alter Lowrie. It was also on "Water street.
In 1840 John Diem bought two lots on Main street, and became the first
blacksmith of the place. And thus Emlenton gradually assumed the pro
portions of a small village.
The first storekeeper was Andrew McCaslin. Merchandise was brought
from Pittsburgh in large covered wagons, of which he had two on the road
constantly. His trade extended twenty miles inland east of the river, and
half that distance on the west. It is probable that McCaslin established his
business in 1820. When he left the place in 1832 P. G. HoUister became
the proprietor of his store.
The next merchant was John Keating, whose career is a striking example
of what energy and honesty can accomplish in spite of adverse circum
stances. Born in Centre county, in 1804, and left at an early age dependent
on his own exertions, he came to this part of the state at the age of eighteen,
and worked at a coal mine near Monroeville, Butler county. In 1836 he
located at Emlenton, bringing his first consignment of goods from Pitts
burgh in a canoe, himself the entire crew as well as consignee. In 1846
he built a furnace near St. Petersburg, and at the time of his dfeath, Janu
ary 1, 1881, owned an estate of a thousand acres. In 1866 he was elected
associate judge of Clarion county. He continued to take an active interest
in the prosperity of Emlenton, and will always be remembered among the
most public spirited of its early business men.
WUliam Canan, Captain William Karnes, and George Morgan were also
early merchants. Brown, Phillips & Company, of the Kittanning Iron
Works, established the "Iron Store," in 1849, with J. C. Porterfield man
ager. In August, 1857, Porterfield, Teitsworth & Company succeeded to
this business, and in 1865 they were followed by Porterfield & McCombs,
so that the "Iron Store" is the oldest of the present business houses.
Henry Allebach was the first jeweler, and Joseph Weller was the first tailor.
Both were from that part of the state where Pennsylvania Dutch is the ver
nacular. When he came here Weller had the tools of his craft and about
one hundred dollars in money, a very limited education, and business sagacity
that enabled him to amass a considerable fortune. The frame building in
which he transacted business many years is still standing on Water street.
In 1855 Henry Gormley kept store opposite the Valley house. Henry Alle
bach repaired and sold watches and clocks on Water street. Brown,
Phillips & Company, Keating & McCuUough, and Joseph WeUer, were all
doing a flourishing business. Among those who advertised in the Echo
in 1860 were Diem & Crawford, blacksmiths; Patton Brothers, saddlers;
R. P- Blair, taUor; M. Nidle, undertaker; Isaac Young, photographer.
As early as 1840 there were twenty iron furnaces in operation within a
radius of twenty miles of Emlenton, nearly aU of which were on the eastern
side of the river. There was a store in connection with every furnace.

514 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
under the same management, at which the operatives were paid in goods of
every kind. Pittsburgh was the base of supplies. Every spring and fall,
the only seasons of the year at which the river was navigable, tbe iron
masters received consignments of goods by steamboat, and Emlenton thus
became an important distributing point. The two principal warehouses
were those of Jacob Truby and John Long. That of the latter is stUl
standing at the river bank, opposite the Valley hotel. He owned a furnace
near Shippenville, and intrusted his interests here to William Hendrie.
It was not an uncommon thing for several steamboats to be landing goods
at the same time, and in the course or two or three hours the warehouses
would be filled, and the adjoining street piled up with hogsheads, casks,
barrels, and boxes. It was the business of the warehouse proprietor, or
forwarding agent, to receipt properly for everything received, and see that
no mistakes occurred in the disposition of freight, which was consigned
to the furnaces by large, ponderous wagons, usually drawn by mules.
Through the long summer months, and after ice had closed river naviga
tion for the winter, the town relapsed into a state of undisturbed tran
quillity, giving merchants an opportunity to relieve their congested store
rooms and prepare for the next shipment of country produce, while the
furnace proprietors bent their energies to the manufacture of pig iron.
Under these conditions the town secured an advantage it has ever since
retained — good hotels. Andrew Solinger was the first pioneer in this
respect. He kept a public house in connection with the ferry, and Jacob
Truby succeeded also to this branch of the business. Andrew Truby
opened the Valley house in 1837, and for many years this was the leading
hostelry of the town. George Morgan was proprietor for a time before the
war. In 1847-48, J. S. Haggerty built the hotel known by his name and
subsequently as the Exchange; the Saint Cloud now occupies the site.
Hugh Murrin established the Union hotel, of which Hugh Keating was
proprietor in 1860. After being occupied as a private dwelling for a time,
it was reopened by T. J. Moran in 1868, and has since been known as the
Moran house. The old building was burned in 1871 and the present one
was erected in 1872, and is the third built upon this ground. In 1867
Alexander B. Crawford built the first predecessor of the Grand Central; it
was known as the Crawford house. It was purchased by T. A. Moran,
who conducted it tUl his death, October 18, 1876. In 1877 it was burned
and Mrs. S. C. Moran erected the present substantial building in 1878, and
has since carried on the business successfully.
The Emlenton Bridge has always been an important adjunct of local
commercial interests. The undertaking of such a project whUe the town
was yet a straggling vUlage indicates an exceptional degree of co-oporaUve
enterprise. The company organized May 2, 1854, at the Valley hotel, with
the election of Samuel M. Fox president, and a board of directors consist-

BOROUGH OF EMLENTON. 515
ing of John Keating, Joseph Weller, R. S. Porterfield, Henry Kohlmeyer,
Samuel Anderson, and J, J, McGinnis. At a second meeting. May 13th,
the first secretary, J. F. Winsch, was elected. November 25, 1854, Joseph
WeUer was elected first treasurer. The location was decided upon Jan
uary 11, 1855. The contract was awarded to Daniel McCain, the present
superintendent of bridge 'construction in Allegheny county, and even then
a bridge builder of experience and reputation. He learned his art with
Salvinus Lothrop, builder of many of the early wooden bridges of any
importance in western Pennsylvania. W'ork was begun in the autumn of
1855. Daniel Murray, one Blackburn, and John Graham successively
superintended the construction of the masonry. The timbers were obtained
at Tionesta from a lumberman named Dale, and floated down in rafts. The
cord and arch pieces were whip-sawed by Andrew and William Long, of
Freeport. The other timbers were hewed by hand. October 13, 1856, the
secretary of the company was directed to procure and circulate five dollars'
worth of hand-bills, notifying the public that the bridge was passable. It
was a Burr truss and arch structure, with two spans of two hundred and
thirty feet each. In the winter of 1856-57 the pier was injured by an ice
flood, involving an expenditure of several thousand dollars. No other
casualty occurred until the complete destruction of the bridge, April 10,
1883. During the following summer the present structure was erected by
the Canton Wrought Iron Bridge Company, and opened for travel August
16, 1888. It is built upon the old pier and abutments. Hugh Adair was
elected president of the company May 1, 1855; John Keating, May 6, 1856;
A. W. Crawford, the present incumbent. May 2, 1881. The present di
rectory is constituted as follows: A. W^ Crawford, John A. Weller, John
McCombs, Samuel J. Knauss, A. B. Crawford, Levi Allebach. J. C. Por
terfield has been treasurer since May 1, 1855. The bridge yielded no
dividends during the first fourteen years of its history, but has now become
a valuable property.
The Emlenton and Shippenville Railroad was an enterprise no less in
dicative of a progressive business spirit than the bridge, but not so fortunate
or permanent. The company organized June 17, 1875, with James Bennett,
president; J. W. Rowland, secretary; R. W. Porterfield, treasurer; P. F.
Kribbs, Jacob Black, Jr. , WUliam R. Shippen, Marcus Hulings, H. C. Brad
ley, J. C. Porterfield, directors. W. H. Smith, civil engineer, was employed
to make a preliminary survey in the spring of 1876. At the second elec
tion, C. W. Mackey was elected solicitor and W. J. McConnell, superintend
ent. The latter resigned in November, 1876, and his successor, J. V. Pat
ton, had charge of the road from the time it was constructed until finally
abandoned. In September, 1876, trains were running to Turkey City, a
distance of seven miles, and by the end of the year the road was in opera
tion to Edenburg. That section of country was then one of the most active

516 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
areas of development in the oil regions, and the road yielded handsome
returns from the start. This induced the projectors to extend their line to
Clarion, a distance of thirty miles, a movement which the added receipts
failed to justify. In the meantime a rival road was opened from Foxburg
via St. Petersburg; a favorable opportunity was offered the Emlenton invest
ors to dispose of their property, which they did, at no pecuniary loss, but
in the consolidation of the two roads Foxburg was retained as its terminus,
and that part of the roadbed between Emlenton and Clarion Junction was
abandoned. Before this occurred the name had been changed to Emlenton,
Shippenville and Clarion Railroad Company; and that part of the original
roadway between Clarion Junction and Clarion has since been absorbed by
the Pittsburgh and Western.
Manufactures. — The earliest local manufactory, if such it may be
called, was a saw mill built in 1838-39, by Walter Lowrie, on Ritchey's
run. Some years later Elias Widle built a steam saw mill at the mouth
of the run. In this same vicinity John Whittling, a shoemaker and the
first coUector of the Emlenton bridge, established a tannery, which was
destroyed by fire, rebuilt by his son, and bumed a second time. The old
stone building on Hill street was built by Joseph Weller some time before
the war and used as a distillery. At a more recent date S. Kreis established
the Allegheny Valley Brewery, which has also been abandoned.
In 1854 Elias Widle and Ebenezer Crawford established a foundry on
the present site of the Presbyterian church. They were succeeded in 1863
by Crawford, Livingston & Company, A. H, Crawford, G. W. Livingston, and
Dennis Moriarty constituting the firm. In 1873 the foundry was removed
to its present location; A. H. Crawford & Son became proprietors, the lat
ter, D. A. Crawford, becoming individual owner in 1884.
In 1882, G. M. Sheffer placed the Emlenton Machine Works in opera
tion, having removed the plant from Pickwick, Clarion county. General re
pairing and machine work was given exclusive attention for several years.
November 10, 1885, William Conver, a local mechanical genius, patented
the Daisy engine, in which Mr. Sheffer at once secured an interest, and the
Daisy Engine Company was organized, R. V. Gilbert and G. M. Sheft'er con
stituting the company at present. It is a rotary engine, with vibrating pis
ton; journals and packing block of such a nature as to make a steam joint
between the piston case and bottom of cylinder were patented November
5, 1887, and other new features are being tested. The engine is a curi
osity in its way; one of fifteen horse power weighs only five hundred and
fifty pounds, for which reason it would be well adapted for use on street
cars, etc.
The Emlenton Milling Company — A. Cochran, W. J. McConnell, and
Albert Cochran- organized January 1, 1889, operates the steam flouring mill
built in 1875 by Cochran & Bennett. The plant consists of engines and

BOROUGH OF EMLENTON. 517
boilers of sixty horse-power, nine sets of rolls (Short process), etc., with a
capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day.
The Emlenton Woolen Mills, Flynn Brothers, proprietors, consist of a
main building, forty-five by one hundred feet with four floors, twelve small
and two broad looms, engines of forty-five horse- power, and went into oper
ation April 21, 1888, Twenty-one operatives are employed. The daily ca
pacity is five hundred yards of cloth, and the product, consisting of flannels
and blankets, is sold through New York jobbing houses. These works give
a cash market for all the wool grown in the adjoining country for miles
around. Local industries include also the Emlenton Planing Mills, U. Sloan, pro
prietor, established by Sloan, Camp & Allebach, in 1866; several carriage
shops, the local blacksmith shops, etc.
The Emlenton Water Company was organized May 14, 1877, under a
charter granted February 5, 1874. The first officers were as follows: Pres
ident, J. J. Gosser; secretary, D. D. Moriarty; treasurer, J. M. Mitchell.
The Bank of Emlenton was organized August 3, 1873. The first direct
ors and stockholders were James Bennett, Marcus Hulings, H. E. Bradley,
R. W, Porterfield, J. W. Rowland, R. C. Cochran, and C. H. VanSchaick.
In the selection of officers the following gentlemen were chosen: President,
James Bennett; vice-president, Marcus Hulings, and J. W. Rowland,
cashier. James Bennett, president; J. M. Dickey, vice-president; J. W.
Rowland, cashier; E. E. Sloan, assistant cashier; F. J. Rowland, teller, and
H. W. Rowland, book-keeper, constitute the present corps of officers and as
sistants. The institution organized under the state laws with a nominal
capital of one hundred thousand dollars, of which ten per cent, was at once
paid in. This has since been increased to twenty-five thousand dollars,
while a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars has accumulated.
THE BOROUGH ORGANIZATION.
The borough was incorporated by decree of the court of quarter ses
sions January 27, 1859. The first election resulted in the choice of Henry
Allebach as burgess, Joseph Weller, R. Colbert, A. B. Crawford, Elias
Widle, and Ebenezer Crawford as members of council. All the records
were destroyed by fire on the night of October 31, 1873, and it is impossible
to ascertain who were officers during the intervening period; since that date
the succession is as follows:
jBwgress.— 1873, S. LoweU; 1874, W. D. Crawford; 1875-76, August
Schmuck; 1877, WiUiam Lusk; 1878, J. Brenner; 1879, H. E. Bradley;
1880, J. K. Kuhn; 1881-84, A. M. Comstock; 1885-87, J. A. Crawford;
1888, B. F. GauU.
Cowncil— 1873, J. J. Rupert, A. D. Gates, J. H. Camp, C. C. Middle-
ton, B. F. Hamilton.

518 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1874.— H. B. Bradley, G. W. Livingston, J. M. Wick, David Houser,
J. K. Kuhns, Ebenezer Crawford.
1875. — C. H. Van Schaick, Joseph Weller, Emanuel Widle, Sebastian
Kreis, H. E. Bradley, S. H. Crawford.
1876.— C. H. Van Schaick, Elizur Strong, Joseph Flynn, Joseph Wel
ler, H. E. Bradley, D. D. Moriarty.
1877.— H. C. Bradley, J. J. Gosser, Peter Curry, H. E. Bradley, S. J.
Sternberg. 1878.— J. M. Mitchell, John Curry, T. J. Jamison, A. H. Crawford, Jr.,
C. Lewalter, S. Kreis.
1879.'— J. M. MitcheU, S. H Crawford, C. Lewalter, T. J. Jamison,
Peter Curry, S. Kreis.
1880.— J. H. Heasley, J. A. Crawford, J. B. Engle, J. A. Boozel, J.
W. Shoemaker, A. J. Halderman.
1881. — Thomas Flynn, J. W. Shoemaker, J. A. Boozel, J. H. Heasley,
J. R. Donnelly, H. L. Gearing.
1882.— J. R. DonneUy, J. M. Truby, Peter Curry, Thomas Taylor, J.
H. Anchors, Frederick Roschey.
1883.— J. M. Mitchell, J. M. Martin, J. R. Donnelly, Peter Curry, J.
M. Truby, August Schmuck.
1884. — J. A. Crawford, A. J. Halderman, J. M. Mitchell, Joseph
Flynn, H. E. Bradley, John McCombs.
1885. — (Since this date, instead of electing the entire body every year,
two members are elected for a period of three years, unless a vacancy should
occur, when more than that number may be elected.) C. Lewalter, A. H.
Crawford. 1886.— G. W. King, U. Sloan, Joseph Flynn.
1887.— J. M. Martin, H. B. Bradley.
1888. — James Bennett, C. S. Kerr, C. C. Cooper.
1889. — A. R. Newton, James Bennett.
The municipal building was erected in 1878. The contract was awarded
George Perryer, and the committee of council in charge was composed of
Peter Curry, S. J. Sternberg, and John Mitchell. The third story was
built by Joseph Weller and reverted to the borough in 1884.
SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
Emlenton Lodge, No. 644, I. O. 0. F., was instituted October 17, 1868,
with fourteen members, of whom the following were officers: James Fowl
er, N. G. ; James Colgin, V. G. ; B. P. Hamilton, secretary.
Emlenton Encampment, No. 203, I. 0. O. F., was instituted March 4,
1871. The first officers were O. C. Redic, C. P. ; J. J. Gosser, J. W. ; Peter
King, I. S. ; G. G. Crawford, H. P. ; F. F. Sand, S. ; Joseph G. Smith,
O. S. ; J. A. Boozel, S. W. ; WUUam D. Crawford, T. In 1872 Colonel 0.

aJ^^ejS-''i<.-^s— ^ ^^-t-o-^k-"?^^^

BOROUGH OF EMLENTON. 521
C. Redic deeded to B. F, Camp, Peter King, and Ebenezer Crawford, trust
ees, the hall in which these bodies meet; it is one of the most commodious
in this part of the state.
Emlenton Lodge, No. 11, A. 0. U. W., was instituted January 12, 1872,
with the following officers: W. D. Crawford, P. M. W. ; Charles Babst, M.
W. ; John A. Barnard, A. F. ; L. E. Mallory, O. ; G. R. Eichbaum, R. ;
Joseph HamUton, F. ; J. T. Jamison, R. ; W. B. JoUy, G. ; J. K. Zink, I. W. ;
J. M. Wick, 0. W.
The Hulings Hose Company effected a permanent organization Septem
ber 19, 1877, with D. D. Moriarty, president; Jake Mitchell, vice-president;
Thomas Johnston, secretary; J. W. Rowland, treasurer, and W. J. Arters,
foreman. Allegheny Valley Lodge, No. 5.52, F. & A. M. , was instituted December
18, 1877, with J. A. Patton, W^ M. ; A. M. Comstock, S. W. ; James S.
Young, J. W. ; W. J. McConnell, S. ; John McCombs, T. ; J. M. Mitchell,
James Bennett, J. C. Porterfield, J. W. Rowland, E. P. Farman, Robert
Teitsworth, H. E. Bradley, Silas Porterfield, N. B. Libby, D. C. HaU, and
C. H. Van Schaick were also charter members.
Americus Council, No. 34, Royal Templars of Temperance, was insti
tuted September 8, 1880, with twenty- four members, of whom the officers
were M. MiUer, S. C. ; Eben Crawford, V. C. ; John A. Boozel, P. C. ; R. W.
Porterfield, chaplain; S. Morrison, secretary; M. C. Treat, treasurer.
Lucretia Union, No. 426, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted March
27, 1882, with J. M. Truby, chancellor; J. T. Jamison, advocate; E. Good
rich, president; Nancy Bennett, vice-president; S. H. Morrow, secretary;
Levi Allebach, treasurer.
Colonel Chapman Biddle Post, No. 248, G. A. R., was mustered May
23, 1882, by Colonel WUliam Rickards. The organization occurred iu the
hall of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and embraced the following
comrades as members and officers: Merrick Davidson, commander; J. T.
Jamison, S. V. C. ; Uriah Sloan, J. V. C. ; Andrew Krear, adjutant; F. M.
King, officer of the day; J. R. Donnelly, Q. M. ; C. W. Shaner, chaplain;
John Yingling, Thomas Taylor, Samuel Rhodabarger, J. W. Shoemaker, J.
N. Sloan, J. ^N. Smith, J. B. Shaner, H. K. Stevens, J. T. Hanould, J. W.
Blair, J. E. Williams, Joseph Baish, D. D. Moriarty, A. Rhodabarger, A.
R. Huston. Woman's Relief Corps, No. 57, auxiliary to Colonel Chapman Biddle
post, was organized August 28, 1886, with Mrs. Leah E. Baish, president;
Mrs. Margaret Stevenson, secretary; Mrs. C. H. Shoemaker, S. V. P. ; Mrs.
Cynthia J. Moriarty, treasurer; Mrs. Sarah Sloan, chaplain.
Emlenton Assembly, No. 10475, K. of L., was organized July 23, 1887.

29

522 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
The educational history of Emlenton begins with the year 1839, when
Mrs. Lavilla Lowrie taught the children of her neighbors to the number of
seven or eight in a room of her house, already referred to as the resi
dence of Andrew McCaslin. She was reared near Tidioute, and was in del
icate health. The second teacher was Miss Sarah Perry, and the third was
Miss Leanna Milford, from Scrubgrass township, where she still survives.
She taught in a small house on the bank of the river in front of the Valley
hotel, and is remembered as an excellent teacher. There is a difference of
opinion as to the time when the first school house was built, one authority
giving 1845 as the date and another 1849. It was a small frame building,
and occupied the same site as the present public school; the ground was
given for the purpose by Joseph B. Fox. This was also used as a town
hall and a place of worship. Nearly all the religious bodies of the town
were organized here. The second school building, also a frame structure,
is still standing. In 1873 a substantial and commodious brick building was
erected. Daniel Brenneman was principal in 1873; G. A. Walker, 1874-87;
H. J. Rose, 1888-89.
For some years the town enjoyed the advantages of an academic insti
tution. Tableau Seminary, founded and conducted by Reverend J. B. Pox.
He erected the large brick building above Shippenville street, but with the
improvement in the public schools, the seminary was discontinued.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church was organized January 13, 1858, with the fol
lowing members: Alexander Crawford, Mary Crawford, Mary S. Junkin, Mrs.
Louisa Widle, Robert Colbert, Mrs. Ellen J. Russell, Mrs. Lucy Truby,
B. F. Junkin, John F. Agnew, James M. Agnew, Mrs. Julia P. Agnew, Mrs.
Susan M. Agnew, Benjamin Junkin, Mrs. Ann M. Junkin, J. F. Agnew, Dor
cas Porterfield, Hannah J. Wilson, John Camp, Mrs. Nancy L. Camp, Jane
Ohort, Ann Ohort, of whom Alexander B. Crawford and Benjamin Junkin
were elected ruling elders. Prior to the organization the membership was con
nected with Richland church, seven miles distant. A memorial from thirty-
two residents of Emlenton and vicinity, asking leave to organize as a church,
had been presented to Clarion Presbytery September 29, 1857, but not
favorably considered. Fifty persons thereupon united in a second memorial,
which was submitted to a pro re nata meeting of presbytery at Callensburg
December 9, 1857, when Reverends D. McCoy and James Montgomery,
with Elders J. B. Lawson and Samuel Keifer were appointed to effect the
organization. The church received supplies from presbytery for a number
of years, and among them were Reverends CoUedge, MitcheU, Travis, Coul
ter, and Mateer. Reverend John McKean was stated supply, 1860-68.
Reverend M. M. Shirley, the first pastor, took charge in 1864 and remamed

BOROUGH OF EMLENTON. 523
three years. Reverend Andrew Virtue was installed June 9,1868, and resigned
in 1872. Reverend Josiah McPherrin supplied the pulpit for the first time
November 3, 1873; he was installed May 12, 1873, and continued in charge
untU 1884. The present incumbent, Reverend Boyd F. Williams, was
installed June 22, 1886, having served as supply one year previous to that
date. The first place of worship was the old town hall. A frame church
edifice, still standing on Water street, was erected in 1859 and dedicated
January 13, 1860. The opening of the railroad having deprived this loca
tion of its former eligibility, the present site was secured and the brick
structure erected thereon in 1874. It was dedicated August 27, 1875.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is successor to an organization effected
many years since at a school house the distance of a mile and a half from
Emlenton. The class in the borough was organized in the autumn of 1860
under the stewardship of Reverend R. Beatty of the Erie Conference. This
occurred in the old town hall. Among the first members were Peter King,
Robert Teitsworth, WiUiam Hunter, John Hunter, Mrs. J. S. Bennett, Mrs.
J. C. Boyce, Samuel Livingston, and Joseph G. Smith. The first leader
of this class was John Boney. At first this was a preaching point on Ship-
penvUle circuit, and afterward on Rockland circuit. The first resident pas
tor was Reverend Fay, in 1872, since which date Foxburg, Big Bend, and
Register have successively been connected with this church in forming a
charge. Mr. Fay has been succeeded by Reverends G. W. Moore,  Lyon,
H. G. Hall, P. J. Slattery, WUliam Branfield, and O. G. Mclntyre. The
congregation worshiped in the old town hall a number of years. The
present frame church building at the corner of Fourth and Hill streets
was erected in 1872. The parsonage occupies an adjoining lot. The
trustees at the time the church was built were John Boney, Chauncey
Hamilton, Joseph G. Smith, Peter King, and W. R. Karnes.
St. John's Reformed Church originated as a mission in connection with
the St. Petersburg charge, and was organized as such by Reverend Shoe
maker. In 1869, in partnership with the Lutherans, the brick church
building on Main street was erected. It was jointly occupied until 1885,
the Reformed congregation having secured the interest of the Lutherans
the previous year. This building was remodeled in 1885, among the added
features being memorial windows to Joseph Weller and Stephen Lowell,
respectively, the first elders, who served in that capacity until their death.
The present consistory is composed of Calvin French, elder, and Fred
erick Rosehy, deacon. Beside Reverend Shoemaker, Reverends Liver-
man, Wolf, Biem, and Shellenberger may also be mentioned as early
preachers. Since 1882 this church has constituted a charge in connec
tion with Salem, Clarion county, and as such has shared the ministerial
labors of Reverends Robert Boiling and J. F. Mackley, of whom the latter
resigned in November, 1888.

524 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 30, 1869.
The first members were Henry Allebach, John Whittling, wife and daughter
Christina, Mrs. Stephen Lowell, Marietta Lowell, Matthias Gilbert and
wife, and Mrs. Thomas Taylor, of whom Henry Allebach was elected elder
and John Whittling deacon. The first services were held in the old town
hall. In 1869 this church, with the Reformed congregation, built the brick
church edifice on Main street jointly occupied until 1885. At a congrega
tional meeting January 7, 1884, it was decided to dispose of their interest
June 80th following, when the partnership expired. A church building
was begun in 1885 and dedicated January 8, 1886, by Reverend W. A.
Passavant, D. D. , of Pittsburgh. It is a frame structure of attractive ap
pearance, and the most recent addition to the churches of the town. Rev
erend J. B. Fox, by whom the organization was affected, continued as pastor
until May, 1888. Reverend W. F. Bacher assumed charge in June, 1889.
The present council is constituted as follows: Elders, , J. K. Kuhns and
Thomas Taylor; deacons, H. L. Gearing and William Stubble.
St. Michael's Catholic Church was organized as a parish in 1871 by
Reverend Patrick J. Smith. There had been several Catholic families in
the town from its beginning, among whom were Judge John Keating, Henry
Gormley, T. A. Moran, and T. J. Moran, and they were visited by the
pastors of adjoining parishes, particularly Reverend John Koch, of Clarion,
one of the pioneers of his church in this part of the state. The first steps
toward building a church were taken in 1867 when Michael McCuUough, Jr.,
of Pittsburgh, donated three acres of ground, and also a small additional
tract for burial purposes. This has since been enlarged to the proportions
of a small cemetery through the liberality of the heirs of John Keating.
Right Reverend Tobias Mullen, bishop of the Diocese of Erie, laid the
corner stone of the church, a frame structure, in the autumn of 1870, and
officiated at its dedication the following year. A parochial residence was
added in 1872. Father Smith was pastor until his death, August 2, 1888.
Born in County Cavan, Ireland, October 10, 1841, he came to the United
States in 1862, and after completing a theological course at St. Bonaven
ture' s College, Allegany, New York, he was ordained October 10, 1869.
For a time he assisted Father Koch of Clarion, and Father Coady of OU
City, and in 1871 became pastor of St. Michael's. His funeral took place
August 7, 1888, and was attended by Bishop Mullen and a large number
of clergymen. It was an event of unusual solemnity, a solemn requiem
mass being celebrated for the beloved pastor. Since the death of Father
Smith, Reverend Hugh Mullen, of East Brady, has had charge of St.
Michael's parish. He has recently removed to Emlenton, but still remains
the pastor of both congregations.

IKWIN TOWNSHIP. 525

CHAPTER XXV.
IRWIN TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Population — Pioneers — Taverns — Mills — Villages —
SCHOOLS— Cejietery— Churches.
IRWIN township is older than Venango county. While that part of the
latter west and north of the Allegheny river was included in Allegheny
county, it was called Irwin township. October 6, 1800, the court of quarter
sessions of Crawford county erected three townships from this same terri
tory, of which Irwin received all that part south of French creek and west
of the Allegheny river. At March sessions, 1806, a commission appointed
by the court of quarter sessions of Venango county to divide the county into
townships formed Irwin with its present northern boundary. The erec
tion of Clinton in 1855 reduced this township, originally embracing the ter
ritory now included in the sixteen townships north and west of the Alleg
heny river, to its present limits.
It is the southwest subdivision of the county, and corners on the coun
ties of Mercer and Butler. The population in 1 870 was one thousand four
hundred and eighty-nine, and in 1880, one thousand five hundred and
eighty-four. Irwin is one of the best agricultural districts in the county. The sur
face is undulating and its soil fertile and productive. The drainage is af
forded by the headwaters of Scrubgrass creek and its tributaries. Grain
and other products are grown in abundance, and the crops are nearly al
ways satisfactory. Rich deposits of coal underlie the surface, but as yet
are in an undeveloped state. PIONEERS.
The history of the early settlement of what is now Irwin township is
very much shrouded in obscurity. Adam Dinsmore, a native of Ireland,
settled upon land now in possession of C. C. Hoffman in 1796, and Henry
CruU located upon the farm where Hezekiah Mays now resides in the same
year. Later on he kept a place of entertainment.
In 1797 Isaac McMurdy and his son George, of Huntingdon county, Penn
sylvania, settled a tract of land on the line of Butler and Venango counties,
the larger portion of the land lying in Venango. They cleared a small

526 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
patch, planted it with potatoes, and then returned to their home, and in the
fall they again came out, dug the crop, and planted it with wheat. In the
spring of 1798 Isaac brought out his family and made a permanent settle
ment. In 1797 Richard Monjar, a native of Maryland, settled upon the land
now in possession of his son, Surrena. His tract consisted of four hundi-ed
acres. He made the first clearing and built his log house upon the land now
belonging to James Farron. He was a shoemaker by trade and the first one
to settle in Irwin township. He married Elizabeth Ghost; their children
were Mary, Francis, Christina, Sarah, Barbara, George K. , Samuel B.,
Surrena, and Philip G. He died about 1832, his wife surviving him untU
1867. Thomas Bullion was also one of the early settlers. Nothing definite is
known as to his place of nativity though he came here from Maryland. His
first entry into the township, from best accounts, was made in 1 797-98. His
settlement was upon the land where Walter Hoffman now lives and late in
life he married Nancy Kelso. He built and operated for a number of years
a small distillery upon his farm. It is related by some of those now living
that he was " owl-eyed " and could hardly distinguish anything during day
light, but that his sight was so keen at night that he could see distinctly the
smallest objects. He left no descendants and at his death his property
passed into the hands of a nephew, James Kelso. The great Bullion oil
district, a postoffice, a school, and a small run perpetuate his name.
In 1798 William Davidson arrived. He came from Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, and secured a four hundred acre tract. He was of Irish ex
traction and a native of Huntingdon county. The homestead is now in
possession of his grandson, Isaiah McDowell. He married Jane McCono-
hue, a native of the same county. Mr. Davidson and one son, Patrick, were
members of Captain Hugh McManigal' s company that went to the defense
of Erie in 1813. William Davidson was one of the original members of
Amity Presbyterian church and an elder for many years. He was also one
of the early constables and while serving a warrant of arrest upon a man by
the name of Scott, the latter shot and killed him. The names of William
and Jane Davidson's children were Patrick, Mrs. Jane Waldron, Mrs.
Martha Smith, David, Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell, John, Mrs. Polly McQuis
ton, William, and Mrs. Margaret Sterritt, all of whom are dead, excepting
Mrs. Sterritt, who resides in Butler county. Mr. Davidson was the grand
father of thirty-four children, who are scattered over eight states of the
Union, and none of his name are left in the township.
Jonathan Morris, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, settled on
the land where Homer Sutton now lives. He came about the same time as
Davidson. His family were John, W^illiam, James, Betsey, Rachel, Pattie
-^ (who married Washington Eakin), Reuben, and Jane (who married MUo Wel-

IRWIN TOWNSHIP. 527
ton). Besides Jonathan Morris the Ross and '\^'anders families came about
this time.
In 1799 Adam Dinsmore induced William and Hugh McManigal, John
Crain, and David Martin to locate in Irwin township. They were natives
of Ireland and had first settled in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Hugh
McManigal located upon the land now in possession of the Stewart family.
He had command of a company from this county at Erie in 1818. His brother
William settled on the land now owned by Henry Latchaw. They owned at
one time some eight hundi-ed acres. John Crain settled upon the land now
in possession of the descendants of John J. Kilgore. David Martin settled
the land where his grandson Joseph Martin now lives. He took up a four
hundred acre tract and of his three companions only his descendants are
left to represent these early pioneers in the township.
David Martin was a weaver by trade, and in his log cabin he spun many
yards of cloth for the early settlers and their families. He married Nancy
Ramsey in Ireland before his migration. His family consisted of eight
children: John; James; Polly married George McMurdy; Nancy married
John Sheilds; Jane married William Sheilds; Betsey married Oliver Wal
dron; Rosie became the wife of Joseph Osborne, and Pattie married James
Mitchell. The parents died on the old homestead.
Edward McFadden, a native of Ireland, who first settled in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, came to Irwin township a short time prior to 1800.
He located upon the land now belonging to the descendants of Major John
Phipps. His children were William, John, Michael, Charles, Sarah, and
Mary. The year 1800 witnessed the settlement of William Adams, followed in
1802 by Robert Jones, Moses Bonner, and Robert Burns, and in 1803 by
John Bullion, a brother of Thomas Bullion. None of the descendants of
these families are now in the township, excepting those of William Adams.
The year 1805 marked the arrival of William Baker, of Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, whose descendants now reside in the township, and
in the biographical department of this work will be found a full sketch of
the family. The same year brought W^illiam Robinson, who settled the
land that passed into the hands of Henry Stevenson, who sold it to John
Ayers. It is related that a Mormon preacher named Snow came to Irwin town
ship in 1837, and among his converts were Henry Stevenson and several
daughters and a man by the name of David McKee. These two and their
famUies were taken to Salt Lake City by Snow.
Joseph Allen made his settlement in 1813, coming from Penn's valley.
Centre county, Pennsylvania, and from him have descended the Aliens of
Irwin township.
John J. Kilgore came in 1815. He purchased two four hundred acre

528 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
tracts, one of which he traded for a horse. His father settled in Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and was one of a family of twenty, nineteen
sons and one daughter, children of a minister of Cumberland county, Penn
sylvania, whose family settled there prior to the Revolutionary war. It is
related by the elder Kilgore that his father used to say that he had nine
teen sons and one daughter, but each of his boys had one sister. In June,
1817, owing no doubt to a scarcity of the necessaries of life, for at this
period Irwin township was but a wilderness, John J. Kilgore with two com
panions went to Franklin, hired a canoe, and paddled down the river to
Pittsburgh, where they bought a load of provisions and returned, pushing
the canoe up the stream with poles, and making the trip in ten days. Dur
ing that time they slept but one night under a roof. For a full sketch of
this family the reader is referred to the biographical department. Game
was abundant in those days. In 1819 there was a heavy fall of snow, and
it is related by Mr. Kilgore' s son that his father in company with his hired
man killed sixteen deer in one day. In 1830 the tide of emigration set in,
the land was rapidly cleared up, and Irwin compares to-day favorably with
any township in the county. TAVERNS.
The first hotel in Irwin township was a log structure, erected about 1800
by Henry CruU. It had numerous landlords. A man by the name of
Knowles succeeded CruU. Then came landlords Olds and Jones. Hugh
Cochran was the next landlord, and at his death Hezekiah Mays acquired
the property and ran the house for many years. The log building was torn
down after a few years and a frame building erected. This gave way to
the present residence of Mr. Mays. It was situated at Mays' Corners, on
the Pittsburgh and Franklin road, and in the days of the stage lines was
one of the stations where changes were made.
George McMurdy also built one of the early taverns in 1812. It was
located where Beatie' s store now stands at McMurdy' s Corners. He also
operated in connection with the hotel a distillery, which was adjoining the
former. About 1849 Robert Allen of Butler county built the brick hotel situated
on the Pittsburgh and Franklin road just north of the present limits of
Barkey ville, and the building is yet standing in a good state of preservation.
He also ran a store in connection with the hotel. It subsequently passed
into the hands of a Mr. McKelvey, whose descendants now own the prop
erty. The only house of entertainment in the township is the old Mc
Closkey house in Mechanicsville, which was built about 1850 by Michael
McCloskey. MILLS.
The first grist mill erected in Irwin township was built by John Crain

IRWIN TOWNSHIP. 529
about 1805. It was located about one and a half miles east of the residence
of A. J. Kilgore on the north branch of Scrubgrass creek. In 1815 it passed
into the hands of John J. Kilgore, who ran it for a number of years. He
then sold it to George Eagles, who removed it to Sandy Lake, Mercer
county. John Gilmore and Thomas Martin erected a grist mill in 1839, on the
head-waters of the north branch of Scrubgrass creek. It was a log struct
ure, with undershot wheel, and was furnished with two sets of buhrs of
native stone. They operated it for a short time, when it passed into the
hands of a man named Barnes, and subsequently was purchased by Thomas
Thornberry. In 1849 it was torn down, and the one now known as the
Gilmore mill was built by Thomas Thornberry and Philip Surrena. In
1857 Solomon Thorn purchased Thornberry' s interest, and in 1863 Surrena
sold his interest to John Kilpatrick. In 1866 William King purchased Kilpat
rick' s interest, and in 1868 Alexander Gilmore bought out King. Gilmore
and Thorn ran the mill until 1885, when Thorn's interest was purchased
by Amos Gilmore. The mill is now operated by L. B. Gilmore.
The miU known as the ^V alter' s mill was built in 1840 by John GUmore
and Thomas Williams. - It had an overshot wheel furnished with native buhrs,
and is situated at the head-waters of Wolf creek. At Gilmore' s death it
passed into the hands of David Walter, its present owner. Several saw
mills have been erected in the township, which have long since passed out
of use. One stood upon the McMurdy farm, one close to the site of the
Walter mill, and another upon the land now owned by John Latchaw.
VILLAGES.
The site of Mechanicsville was originally part of the land that belonged
to John Ross, and contained four acres. It is not known if John Ross gave
it to his son, but about 1840 Ayers Ross, a son of John Ross, built a black
smith shop and a log cabin which were the first buildings erected inside the
limits of the village. He was shortly followed by John Bryan, who erected
a wagon shop and a log house. The first merchant was J. P. BiUingsley.
John Conrad shortly followed and engaged in shoemaking. Doctor Boyd
was the first physician to locate in the town. The first postmaster was
D. W. Henderson. In 1850 Thomas Galloway purchased the Ross farm and
built a cheese factory in the suburbs. The first hotel was built in 1850
by Michael McCloskey, who was its landlord for many years. The village
has a population at the present time of about one hundred and fifty, and its
busmess is represented by four general stores, two blacksmith shops, one
hotel, one wagon maker, and its physician. Doctor C. M. Wilson. The first
school house erected within the limits of the village was built in 1870, and
the church in 1889.
Barkeyville is situated in the southern part of the township. In 1850

530 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Henry Barkey and Abraham Hunsberger opened a general store. Shortly
after several parties who owned land on the main road surveyed a few lots.
The first building erected was the store of the above mentioned firm. This
was followed by Michael Liken, who erected a frame house and engaged in
shoemaking. The Reverend Abraham Raysor, who was called to the pas
torate of the Church of God, next built a frame house. Hugh Hasson built
the first blacksmith shop. Mr. Barkey, in connection with his partner.
then purchased the land on both sides of the road within the limits of the
present village and laid it out in lots. The population at present is less
than one hundred, and the business represented is two general stores, one
blacksmith shop, and a washing machine and bee-hive factory. Abraham
Hunsberger was the first postmaster. The Church of God and the Barkey-
vUle Academy are on the limits of the vUlage.
SCHOOLS.
One of the early schools of the township was buUt upon the farm of
George McMurdy, and was known as the McMurdy school. It was a log
structure and is claimed to have been the first school house built in what
is now Irwin township. Previous to its erection the schools were held at
the homes of the farmers in different parts of the township. Among the
early teachers of the McMurdy school were Chauncey Hamilton, Charles
Folsom, and Jacob Heims.
On the farm of Thomas Martin was erected at an early date another
school house which numbered among its teachers WiUiam Blakely and Miss
Kennedy. A log school house was buUt upon the lands of Thomas BuUion
very early. John Elder, Reuben York, and John Hovis were among the
first teachers in this building. The Beach school house was another one of
the early school buildings, George Westlake being one of the first teachers.
Also the Barnes school which stood near GUmore' s mUl, one of the early
teachers being Robert Jones. Upon the land of John GuUer was buUt
what was known as the Guiler school. John Bingham was the first teacher;
Chauncey HamUton also taught in this school. Previous to the passage of
the school law of 1834, these schools were all supported by subscription;
but after the new law took effect, all excepting two became public schools.
The present schools number ten and are known by the respective names
of BuUion, Pike, Yard, Walter, Jones. BarkeyviUe, Eakin, MechanicsvUle,
Amity, and Beach. They are all brick structures excepting that at Me
chanicsville which is frame. The present buildings have been erected in
the last fifteen years, and the schools are in a flourishing condition.
Barkeyville Academy is the outgrowth of a select school conducted by
the Reverend J. R. H. Latchaw in the church bethel in the faU of ISSI.
A two-story buUding was provided in September, 1882, and the pres
ent building in 1883 by Henry Barkey k Company at their own ex-

IRWIN TOWNSHIP. 531

T)iir

IH

pense. The academy was incorporated March 10, 1884, the truKtces ]
chasing the property in June of that year. The main building is thirty-two
by forty-eight, two stories high. In addition to the main building there i
a win" eighteen by thirty feet, two stories high. The upper floor is set
apart as a library and reading room. The new boarding hall, erected dur
ing the summer of 1886, contains fiftr^en commodious rooms for teachers and
students. The trustees are Abraham Hunsberger, Albert M. Jones, David McEl
phatrick, George W. Stoner, H. A. Obley, Reverend William R. Covert, C.
M. Wilson, E. F. Loucks, John B. Henderson, and Reverend Robert L.
Byrnes. The officers are Reverend Robert L. Byrnes, president; E. P.
Loucks, secretary, and John B. Henderson, treasurer.
The board of education consists of Reverends J. W. Davis, W. B.
Elliott, W. H. H. McKlveen, and H. Woods.
The faculty are Erastus F. Loucks, A. M., principal and professor of
philosophy and Latin; Hiram R. Snyder, A. B., professor of Greek and
chemistry; W. W. Ellsworth, A. B. , professor of mathematics and sciences,
and Mrs. Henrietta Loucks, professor of vocal and instrumental music.
The curriculum embraces four courses and a primary department. The
preparatory department embraces Latin, Greek, mathematics, science, and
music in its course. The academy, while not sectarian, is conducted by
the clergymen and laymen of the Church of God.
CEMETERY.
Mt. Irurin Cemetery Association was chartered in 1887. Robert M.
Sterritt organized the company. The land was purchased from J. D. Mc
Dowell, aud is located north of Amity church and contains six acres. The
surveying was done by Robert M, Sterritt, who has given his personal atten
tion to its development. Its present officers are Robert M. Sterritt, presi
dent and superintendent; David Karnes, treasurer, and J. A. Gill, secretary.
CHURCHES.
Amity Presbyterian Church was organized about 1800. Ttis church
has an interesting history. Always in advance on the subject of slavery,
they hesitated not to enter their protest against the acts of the presbytery
and the general assembly, when not sufficiently awake to the subject. It
has numbered among its congregation a very large portion of the early fam
Uies of Irwin, Mineral, and Victory townships, and the eastem townships of
Mercer county. The congregation at first worshiped in the woods and at
the homes of the early settlers, and subsequently in a tent. The first build
ing was of logs and stood upon what was known as the Barlow lands, after
ward owned by John Kennedy, and was destroyed by fire. The present
house of worship, built after the fire, is a frame structure erected at a cost
of one thousand three hundred dollars.

532 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The first pastor was Reverend Robert Lee. He was released from his
charge in July, 1807. After this the Reverend John Boyd supplied the
pulpit. The second regular pastor was Reverend Ira Condit, whose pastor
ate extended from 1825 to 1829. Reverend Hezekiah May then supplied
the charge for one year, and after him Reverend Nathaniel R. Snowden for
the same length of time. The next regular pastor was Reverend Robert
Glenn, whose pastorate extended from 1832 to 1850. He was succeeded by
Reverend Mead Satterfield, who preached at Amity for six years, and at his
death was followed by the Reverend John Boyd, who remained its pastor
until 1866 when the Reverend W. D. Patton commenced his labors. He
was succeeded in 1881 by the Reverend J. W. Fulton, whose pastorate ter
minated in 1883. The present pastor. Reverend William M. Hays, com
menced his labors July 1, 1886. The congregation numbered among its
early members Thomas Vaughn, William Henderson, Archibald Henderson,
Samuel Gildersleeve, Joshua Coleman, Robert Whann, William Davidson,
John Davidson, Ezra Gildersleeve, Robert and William Patterson, John,
William, and John McClaran, John Moyne, Samuel Riggs, Thomas Hender
son, and John Bonner,
The Cumberland Presbyterian Congregation held its meetings at the
homes of the members until 1838. Stephen Barlow, a large land owner, was
then requested to donate land upon which to erect a place of worship. He
had presented the Amity church with the land upon which their first church
was built, but refused this request. They then purchased the present site
and erected a frame building. In 1868 the present brick edifice was built at
a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. The organization of the church
was effected by the Reverend N. Bird, and the first ruling elders were
John Gibson and Amzi Axtell. In 1848 the congregations of Cool Spring
and Irwin were united under the pastoral care of the Reverend Jacob Mur
phy, his pastorate lasting until his death in 1850. Jacob T. Wall supplied
them for three months and then became the regular pastor, serving until
1854. He was succeeded by the Reverend J. M. Gallagher, whose pastorate
continued for thirty-three years, when at his request he was released. The
congregation was then supplied for two years by Reverends O. B. Elliott,
J. R. Morris, and others. In July, 1889, the Reverend Liles was called to
the pastorate.
The following are the names of the members from the organization of
the church down to 1847: John Gibson, Nancy Gibson, Hugh MarshaU,
John Coulter, Streight Axtell, Everton Davis, Henry Davis, Joseph Ken
nedy, Polly Davis, Rhoda Davis, Elizabeth Kennedy, John Koonce, Henry
Koonce, Betsy Koonce, Amos Koonce, Caleb Kirk, Julia A. Kirk, Stephen
W. Beach, Sarah Beach, Susan Beach, Hanna Henderson, WUliam Jack,
Rhoda Jack, Sarah Ball, John Simpson, W^iUiam Cassidy, Lydia Cassidy,
Philip Humel, Catharine Humel, Stephen Humel, Nancy Koonce, Jane

IRWIN TOWNSHIP. 533
Graham, Ellen Montgomery, Ichabod Koonce, James Coulter, Nancy Mont-^j
gomery, Alexander Montgomery, Margaret Osborn, Mary Osborn, William
Koonce, Eliza Simpson, George Koonce, Nancy Koonce, Nancy Gibson,
Martha Marshall, Nancy Coulter, Sarah Simpson, Elizabeth Montgomery,-^
Ann Simpson, Mary Humel, Elizabeth Morgan, Mary Morgan, Mary
McDowell, Elizabeth Osborn, IMary J. Wall, Nancy Axtell, Ann Dick,
Elizabeth Kennedy, Nancy and Pemelia Sopher, E. Davis, Mary Beigh-
lea, Lucy Westlake, Mary J, Carmichael, Bershiba Richey, Henry Karnes,
Nancy Marshall, Sarah Westlake, Rebecca Mulholand, F. Colingwood,
Hannah Koonce, M. A. Koonce, Sarah Griffin, Mary A. Jack, Moses Richey,
Mary A. Axtell, Rebecca A. Gettis, and Francis Coulter.
The Barkeyville Church of God was organized in October, 1839, by
Elders Thomas and John Hickernell. The church was composed on its or
ganization of the following members: Thomas Martin and wife, Jacob
Walter and wife, Philip Beighler and wife, and John Ayres and wife,
Thomas York and Henry Beck. John Ayres and Philip Beighler were
chosen elders and Henry Beck deacon. The first pastor was Reverend John
Hickernell. In 1845 Elder Jacob Myer's pastorate commenced and ex
tended until 1847, when Elders Henry Barkey and Daniel Wertz com
menced their labors. They were succeeded in the spring of 1848 by Elder
J. M. Kleim, who preached until 1851. H. E. Logue followed, and was in
charge until 1854, then S. S. Richmond until 1857, and J. W. Domer in
1858. He was succeeded by A. C. Raysor, whose pastorate lasted one year.
Then came Elders J. M. Domer and J. Hovis until 1860; Henry Barkey
and J. Hovis, 1860; D. Blakely, 1864; G. Glenn, 1867; J. Grim, 1869; J.
M. Domer, 1872; W. S. Pritts, 1875; R. L. Byrnes, 1878; S. Woods, 1881;
J. R. H. Latchaw, 1885; W. H. H. McKlveen, 1886, and R. L. Byrnes,
present pastor.
The first church building was a log structure that stood upon the lands
adjoining the farm of Walter Hoffman; its site was donated for church pur
poses. The present edifice was built in 1867 at a cost of two thousand two
hundred dollars, and is a frame building.
Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1840.
Their place of worship was the Bullion school house, a log structure. Among
the first members were Stephen Yard, Solomon Sutton, John P. Henderson,
Chauncey Hamilton, William Hovis, John McMuUin, John Morris, William
AUen, Martha Allen, Israel Beach and wife, Reuben Sutton, Mary Sutton,
John McElphatrick, Margaret McElphatrick, Mary and Martha McElphat
rick, and Samuel Baker. In 1850 the present site was purchased from Hez
ekiah Mays. Stephen Yard, Solomon Sutton, John F. Henderson, and
Chauncey Hamilton raised the money and material, and performed the prin
cipal part of the work of its erection. The church is situated in the northern
part of the township half a mUe from Mays' Corners, on the Pittsburgh and

534 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Franklin road, and has a membership of ninety. Owing to the many
changes in the pastorates of the charges in which this society has been lo
cated since its organization, the names of the successive ministers who
preached here cannot be given. The pastor in 1889 was Reverend James
A. Hume. Peters Methodist Episcopal Chapel. — About 1845, some twenty-five
members of the Clintonville Methodist Episcopal church, being desirous of
having a place of worship near their homes, organized and established a
congregation composed of the following persons: John C. Hovis and wife,
Daniel McFadden and wife, James Walter and wife, Craft McFadden,
Robert Hutchison and wife, John Hutchison and wife, Jacob Hoffman and
wife, Philip Walter and wife, Mary Walter, Ann Walter, Amelia Hovis,
Mary Morris, Peggy J. Fitz, Freelove Hoffman, Mary A. McFadden, Mar
jorie McFadden, Catharine Walter, and Eli Hoffman and wife. Daniel
McFadden was the first class leader. The place of worship was the old
log building known as the Walter school house. The church existed for
some years with indifferent success, and finally was discontinued, some of
the congregation returning to the mother church at Clintonville. It is
impossible to obtain the names of the early pastors. In 1869 the Reverend
James Grove of the Harrisville church reorganized the congregation, and
in 1873 a site was purchased from James W'alter, and the present church
was built at a cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars. It is a frame
structure, thirty-six by forty, and was named in honor of Reverend Cear-
ing Peters, its first pastor. His successors have been as follows: Reverends
J. L. Stratton, John Lusher, A. O. Stone, J. L. Fletcher, William Bran-
field, and J. A. Hume.
The English Evangelical Church is situated in Barkeyville, and was
organized in 1865 by W. Davis, L. M. Boyer, J. Crissman, J. WoodhuU
and W. Brown. The original members were Jacob Latchaw and wife, I.
S. Yard and wife, Robert Jones, George Jones, Keller Jones, WUliam
Jones, G. W. Hobaugh and wife, Sidney Latchaw, Sarah and Lizzie
Latchaw. The congregation held services for thirteen years in the log
church belonging to the congregation of the Church of God. In 1878
they erected their present frame building, which cost one thousand two
hundred dollars. It was dedicated the same year, and the dedicatory ser
mon was preached by Bishop Rudolph Dubs, of Cleveland, Ohio. The
original officers were : Class leader, Jacob Latchaw ; trustees : Jacob Latchaw,
John Huddleson, and Nicholas Yard, who still fill the same offices. The
first pastor was Reverend J. Myers, who was followed by the Reverends
John Artlers, J. J. Carmeney, J. Garnier, J. W. Dunlap, John W. Domer,
A. C. Miller, James Voight, P. C. Stroyer, D. M. Bumgardner, and H.
Cramer, the present pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mechanicsville was organized ia

ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. 535
i, and a buUding erected the same year and dedicated in January, 1889.
It is a fine frame structure costing twenty-two hundred dollars. The Rev
erend I. C. Pershing preached the dedicatory sermon. Robert B. Eakin,' >
Benjamin R. Yard, Frank C. Lee, and S. Reed Weston are the present
class leaders. Doctor C. M. Wilson, Elijah Yard, John Yard, Thomas
Eakin, S. R. Weston, Ezra Koonce, and James H. Alexander are the trust
ees. Reverend James A. Hume is the present pastor, and to his efforts are
largely due the organization of the present congregation and the erection
of the church.

CHAPTER XXVI.
ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Boundaries — Pioneers — Early Industries — Schools
— Churches and Cemeteries.
ALL that part of Venango county north and west of the Allegheny river
and east of Oil creek was erected into a township under the name of
Allegheny in 1800 by the Crawford county court. In 1806 the nominal
townships of East Branch and Windrock were formed from the western
part of this territory, but its limits were not actually curtailed until 1827,
when Tionesta was formed. Its western boundary was neai'ly identical with
the line of Forest and Venango counties. The erection of Cornplanter in
1833 and President in 1850 reduced AUegheny to a somewhat irregular
extent of territory bordering upon Crawford and Warren counties with its
greatest length from east to west. The township was reduced to its present
limits in 1866 by the formation of Oil Creek and the annexation of the east
ern part of Venango county to Forest. In 1870 the population was one
thousand four hundred and eighty-five; in 1880, one thousand and forty-
three. pioneers.
The Pithole settlement was one of the earliest in the county. It is dif
ficult to determine what elements of attractiveness this region possessed,
secluded as it was and at a distance from any of the traveled routes or
water highways by which the wilds of western Pennsylvania were pene
trated. It was the policy of the Holland Company to give a hundred acres
of land to any one who woiUd make a settlement thereon, and the apparent
liberality of this offer probably induced many to assume the obligation of

536 history of venango county.
locating in a country they had never seen and which proved disappointing
in many instances. To such an extent was this the case that the larger
number of those who settled here at a very early date removed to other local
ities after a brief struggle with the difficulties of pioneer life, leaving no
record of themselves and very meager indications of their residence.
Among these temporary settlers was Alexander McElhaney, who came
from Centre county in 1796, but was compeUed to return within a brief
period by the alarming probability of Indian hostilities. Several years
later he returned but remained at his former settlement but a short time.
He then removed to Sandy Creek township where his descendants now re
side. The Dawson family, of which there is a numerous connection in Forest
county, is descended from three brothers, Thomas, John, and James, who
were of Scotch- Irish descent and migrated from eastern Pennsylvania to
the extreme southwestern part of Allegheny township at the time when the
surrounding country was an unbroken wilderness. The names of Thomas
and James appear in a tax list of 1805. Thomas was the only one of
the brothers who resided permanently in this township. He was a farmer
of comparative wealth and prominent in local affairs. The family was ac
tively identified with Methodism in this section.
The names of Hugh and Michael McGerald also appear in the tax list
of 1805. They were Irish Catholics and among the earliest adherents of
that faith in Venango county. Their land was about midway between the
Warren and Dunham roads.
Isaac Connely was a very early settler in Allegheny, locating in 1803
half a mile from the Warren road at some distance from any route of travel
at that time. Hewas born in Ireland in 1747; during the Revolution he
lived in Philadelphia, where he kept the Black Horse tavern, a well-known
hostelry. At the close of the war he moved to Centre county and thence to
this township. He was at one time a teacher of Latin and German and
was a man of extensive reading. One of the flrst births in the township
was that of his son, George W. , afterward prothonotary, September 3, 1804.
He was three times married, and died July 4, 1823. A clump of trees in
a field on the farm of Alfred Lamb is pointed out as the Connely burying
ground. Two soldiers of the Revolution, Aspenwall Cornwell and David Dun
ham, were among the pioneers of Allegheny. The former was from New
York city and brought his family to this locality by way of the Allegheny
river to Holeman' s ferry. Forest county, arriving at their destination in
August, 1819. The Cornwell farm, on the Warren road, is now owned by
E. Van Wyck. Aspenwall Cornwell, Jr. , lived there many years after the
death of his father, but sold when oil was discovered and removed to the
west. David Dunham was from Fabius, Onondaga county, New York,

ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. 539
In 1819 he purchased two hundred and eighty-eight acres of land east of
Pleasantville. Two years later he removed thither with his'family, traveling
by sleigh to Orleans Point, and thence by boat down the Allegheny river to
Holeman' s ferry, Edwin Dunham, who was bom in 1800 and preceded the
arrival of his father's family two yeais, married a daughter of Aspenwall
Cornwell, Sr., and was one of the oldest citizens in the township at the
time of his death.
Captain Ebenezer Byles arrived in 1825 from Hartford, Connecticut,
where he had been sheriff, and acquired his military title by service in the
war of 1812. He- settled the Clark farm. There were four sons in his
famUy: Dwight, Matthew, Cornelius, and Edwin. Matthew and Cornelius
became doctors; the former practiced in Utica, this county, the latter at
Fredonia, Mercer county; Edwin was a dentist in Pleasantville, and Dwight
a farmer in this township.
John Tennent, a lineal descendant of the Reverend Gilbert Tennent,
founder of the Log College in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, came to this
county in 1826 from Colchester, New London county, Connecticut. The
jom-ney from Albany to Buffalo by the Erie canal required two weeks; from
the latter point a vessel was taken to Erie, and the remaining distance
traversed by- wagon. The family at that time consisted of Mr. and Mrs.
Tennent and two daughters, one of whom, Mrs. James R. McClintock, now
lives at OU City. Six hundred acres of land had been secured and within
a few years a frame house was built. It is still occupied and is one of the
oldest dwellings in the township.
John Lamb, born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, became a
resident of Venango in 1827. He was a tanner by occupation and estab
lished the first tannery in the township. He was also engaged in lumber
ing in Forest county, and in merchandising. Through his efforts a post-
office was obtained for the neighborhood; it bore his name and was kept at
his house, which was quite a popular stopping place with travelers over the
Wan-en and Franklin road.
Jacob Blanck, a native of New York city, purchased a thousand acres of
land in this county in 1831 and removed his family thither in the following
year. He died in 1877 at the age of ninety.
Among others who may be mentioned as pioneers were Thomas Mitchell,
James McCasland, Robert Ensign, and William Haworth.
Early Industries. — The first mill between Cherry run and Tidioute was
built by Alpheus Jones prior to 1888 on Pithole creek. The machinery was
improved by John Haworth, proprietor for a time, who sold the property to
Samuel W. Stewart, its present owner. The second mill was built by
Nelson Tyrrell on Pithole creek below the mouth of Dunham run.
William Haworth had a distillery on his farm at an early date and for
many years. The tannery of John Lamb was the only industry of that nature.
30

540 history of venango county.
SCHOOLS.
The earliest school houses of the township were situated at Concord
church and Asbury chapel. One of the first teachers at the former was a
Scotchman who boarded himself at the school house, in defiance of the
usual custom, and taught without bopks, notwithstanding which he is remem
bered as a successful instructor. One Brown taught at Asbury chapel at an
early date. The Brodhead school house was built on land given by 0.
Brodhead. Nancy J. McBride, Elvira Hall, and Cornelia Mix were among
the first teachers. The Neillsburg Academy was established and sustained
largely by the efforts of the citizens of Allegheny township.
CHURCHES.
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. — At a secluded spot near the
the county line an abandoned frame building, blackened by exposure to
wind and weather, may be seen from the TitusvUle and Tionesta road. In
Gregg's History of the Erie Conference it is stated that a meeting house
was built at Pithole in 1821; and while it is problematical whether this old
building is the one referred to, it is well authenticated that there was an
organization in this neighborhood within a short time after its first settle
ment. Reverend Andrew HemphiU preached at "Dawson's" in 1804;
Joshua Monroe, in 1810; R. C. Hatton, in 1815; John P. Kent, in 1816, and
others whose names are given in connection with the Franklin church. With
the death of its older members the organization gradually weakened and
finally disbanded.
In the burial ground adjacent are the graves of many of the pioneers of
this part of the county. Among those buried here are:
James Dawson, who died March 18, 1814, aged sixty-one years.
John McAdam, who died April 6, 1848, aged sixty-three years.
James AUender, who died November 12, 1851, aged seventy-five years,
seven months, and twenty days.
Thomas Dawson, who died November 27, 1851, aged seventy- five years,
nine months, and twelve days.
James Dawson, who died Jamuary 12, 1852, aged seventy-two years.
John Horrobin, who died July 24, 1857, aged sixty-eight years.
William Haworth, born in Acrington, England, died April 24, 1859, aged
eighty-nine years.
Gilbert Clark, who died' May 8, 1871, in the sixty-eighth year of his
age- Joseph AUender, who died June 25, 1878, aged seventy-six years, five
months, and twelve days.
Concord Presbyterian Church first appears upon the minutes of Presby
tery in 1826 when it became a part of the charge of Reverend Thomas An
derson, who commenced his ministerial labots here May 7, 1826, and was
duly installed September 19th of that year. He was released AprU 13, 1831-

ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. 544
Reverend G. W. Hampson was installed June 27, 1832, and released in
1837; Reverend James CoiUter, installed September 14, 1842, was released
in 1846; Reverend M. A. Parkinson, ordained September 11, 1850, was re
leased October 20, 1854; Reverend W. J. Alexander, installed December 19,
1855, was released January 7, 1857, and was the last regular pastor. The
organization has disbanded. The Pleasantville and Neillsburg churches
were formed from a membership that formerly worshiped here. The meet
ing house has also disappeared.
As the former location of a venerable church edifice and the resting place
of several generations of many of the old families of the surrounding coun
try, the Concord burial ground is invested with a sacred interest. There
are a number of graves marked only by common stone with nothing to in
dicate who their occupants are. The earliest inscriptions read as follows:
Sacred to the memory of David Copeland, who was born October 11, A. D. 1760,
and departed this life December 8, 183.5.
In memory of John Neill, who was born in the Isle of Man, 1740, and died Febru
ary 39, 1829, (B. eighty-nine years.
Others of the older citizens buried here are the following:
Samuel Bevier, who died March 30, 1835, aged seventy-eight years,
eleven months, and twenty-seven days.
Hugh Morrison, who died November 20, 1839, in his seventy-ninth year.
Samuel Jones, who died May 1, 1838, aged sixty-nine years.
WUliam Neill, who died February 17, 1841, aged sixty-eight years.
Joseph McCasland, who died July 26, 1843, aged sixty-five years.
James McCasland, who died August 1, 1843, aged sixty-two years.
William Brodhead, who died May 6, 1846, in the sixty-ninth year of
his age.
Cornelius Brodhead, who was born January 10, 1777, and died Febru
ary 1, 1847.
James Carson, who died June 10, 1854, aged fifty-five years.
Michael Farel, who died June 5, 1862, aged fifty-nine years, seven
months, and twenty-one days.
John Lamb, who died November 18, 1868, aged fifty- seven years, five
months, and five days.
A Catholic Church was built at some time in the fifties on the Warren
road a short distance from Neillsburg to accommodate a few scattered fam
Uies of that faith. It was dedicated by the bishop of the diocese. Within
a few years afterward, the membership having left this locality, the building
was removed to TitusvUle.
Carsonville United Brethren Church. — This society was formed by Rev
erend WUliam O. W. Pringle in the summer of 1888. A fi-ame church
buUding was erected on ground given for the purpose by S. W. Mason and
dedicated July 22, 4.888. This class forms part of Pleasantville charge.

542 history of venango county.

CHAPTER XXVII.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Organization— Boundaries— Pioneers— Villages— Churches— Schools.
ONE of the three townships of Venango county erected by the Crawford
county court, October 6, 1800, was Sugar Creek, which comprised
the extensive territory north of French creek and the Allegheny river and
west of Oil creek. In 1806 Plum and Cherry Tree were formed from the
northern part of this area, and Oil Creek from its southeastern part. The
latter was attached to Sugar Creek for municipal purposes and never sus
tained more than a nominal existence. November 26, 1832, the court of quar
ter sessions was petitioned by a number of the inhabitants of Allegheny and
Sugar Creek to form several new townships from the territory included
within their limits; Richard Irwin, John Anderson, and Aaron McKissick,
to whom the matter was referred, reported favorably to the erection of a new
township from the contiguous portions of Sugar Creek and Allegheny and
another from the central part of Sugar Creek, the remaining parts of the
respective townships to retain their original names. This report was eon-
firmed November 28, 1833; the township about the mouth of Oil creek
received the name of Cornplanter but the western part of Sugar Creek was
called Canal, instead of Sugar Creek as suggested by the viewers. The
boundaries of the latter as established by these proceedings were as follows;
Beginning at the southeast corner of a tract of laud settled by George Tarr.thence
along the southern boundary of said tract westwardly to the southwest corner thereof
and so on in the same direction to the eastern boundary of lot No. 1109 in the sixth
donation district, thence by the same southwardly to the southeast corner thereof,
thence by the southern boundary of the same and the southern boundaries of tracts
No. 1108, 1107, 1106, 1105, 1104, 1103, 1102, and 1101 westwardly to the southwest cor
ner of the last mentioned lot, thence along the northern boundary of a small tract
surveyed in the name of Henry Herring and the northern boundary ot a tract surveyed
in the name of James Alexander westwardly to the north boundary of the fifth dona
tion district, thence along said distrlctlinewestwardly to the northwest corner of lot No.
102 in said district, thence along the western boundary of said lot southwardly to the
north boundary of a small tract warranted in the name of Robert Beatty, thence by
the same westwardly to the northwest corner thereof, thence by the western boundary
of the same, the western boundary of a tract warranted in the name of said Beatty and
Oliver Ormsby, the western boundary of a tract warranted in the name of William
Thompson and said Ormsby, the western boundary of a tract warranted in the name

SUGAR creek township. 543
of William Power, Jr., the western boundary of a tract warranted in the name of Da
vid Mead, the western boundary of a tract surveyed in the name of John D. Hawthorn,
and the western boundary of a tract surveyed in tbe name of James Rice's heirs south
wardly to French creek, thence down said creek to the mouth thereof, thence up the
Allegheny river to the western boundary of Cornplanter township, thence along said
bound.-iry fine northwardly to the place of beginning.
The township presents no natural features worthy of special notice.
The largest stream that flows through its territory is Sugar creek, which
flows into French creek not far from the line of Canal, receiving the waters
of Lupher' s run, Foster's run, and Decker's run in the lower part of its
course. Two Mile run drains a large territory on the east, and between
these two principal streams is Patchel run, a branch of French creek.
Brannon run and Shaffer run empty into the Allegheny east of Two Mile
run. The surface is broken and not well adapted to agricultm-al purposes.
There are some fine farming lands in the valley of Sugar creek, however.
The well known Franklin oil district, of which a full account is given in
Chapter XXII, is principally located within the limits of this township.
The population in 1850 was eight hundred and seventy-five; in 1870,
one thousand, six hundred and fifty-six; and in 1880, one thousand, nine
hundred and twenty-three. PIONEERS.
The taxables of Sugar Creek in 1808 were Robert Arthur, James Arthur,
Joseph Allen, John Andrew, Arthur Boon, John Armstrong, Francis Bu
chanan, James Brown, Andrew Bowman, John Brown, James Bowls, David
Blair, Robert Beatty, Nathaniel Cary, John Carter, Francis Carter, Thomas
Carter, Hugh Clifford, WiUiam Cousins, Samuel Cousins, W'illiam Crane,
Martin Clifford, PhUip Cutshall, Thomas Cousins, William Crozier, Peter
Dempsey, Yost Deets, Joshua Davis, Alexander Fowler, John Foster, Ross
Foster, James Foster, Patrick Gordon, David Gilmore, Charles Gordon,
James Gordon, James Henry, William Hayes, John Greer Hayes, John
Hayes, Francis Halyday, Robert Huston, WiUiam Hood, William Harrison,
James Johnston, Alexander Johnston, William Johnston, George Kain,
John KeUy, Philip Kees, HamUton McClintock, Francis McClintock, Rob
ert McClintock, Alexander McCormick, James Mason, John McCalmont,
WiUiam McMaster, James McCune, George Murrin, John McDonald, David
Martin, James McCurdy, Dennis Pursell, James Patchell, Ambrose Rynd,
Jonah Reynolds, WiUiam Reed, Samuel Ray, Ebenezer Roberts, Jacob
Rice, Matthias Stockbarger, Jean Story, George Sutley, Robert Shaw, Hugh
Shaw, Jacob Sutley, Christian Sutley, James Shaw, WUliam Shaw, Abra
ham Selders, Luther Thomas, WiUiam Thompson, Isaac Walls, John Whit
man, Jacob Whitman, John Wilson.
The township then extended fi-om Oil creek to the Crawford county line
and north so as to include a large part of Oakland and Jackson, so that the

544 history of venango county.
larger number of those whose names appear in the foregoing list resided be
yond its present limits. The Third ward of Franklin was also one of the
earliest settled parts of the township, but its settlement with the early mills
and other industries established there, has been treated in the chapters on
that city.
Jacob Whitman was among the earliest of the pioneers of Sugar creek
valley. He had previously lived in the Susquehanna valley and came to this
county with three sons: John, Jonathan, and WUliam. It is probable they
had been boatmen on the Susquehanna river, as this occupation and the con
struction of rafts and boats seems to have engaged their attention here.
John, the oldest of the sons, settled in this township upon a tract of one
hundred acres, now known as the McLaughlin farm. He married Jane Da
vis and reared seven children, of whom Jacob was the progenitor of the pres
ent generation of the family. He was a boatman, and when the naval stores
for the equipment of Perry' s fleet were transported up French creek assisted
in that work.
Ebenezer Roberts settled the poor house farm in 1796, and was probably
the earliest resident in that part of the Sugar creek valley. In that vicinity
his early neighbors were Samuel Hays, near the Canal township line; Darius
and Williarn Mead, sons of the founder of Meadville and brothers-in-law to
William Moore, first prothonotary of the county; John Hathorn from Ken
tucky, whose farm is now owned by Robert L. Cochran, and the Cousins
family, the father of which had been in the military service at Fort Venango
and remained in the county when that garrison was disbanded.
Angus McKinzie was one of the pioneers of the northwestern part of the
township. He was born at Inverness, Scotland, in 1736, and after his mar
riage immigrated to America, landing at Baltimore. He then proceeded to
Pittsburgh, and after a residence of about eight years in this country found
his way to Venango county. The land upon which he settled was purchased
from Oliver Ormsby, of Pittsburgh; it was situated in the valley of Sugar
creek adjoining the line of Jackson township, and formed part of an exten
sive body of level land known as "the prairie." He reared four children:
Alexander, who was two years old when his parents landed at Baltimore;
John, justice of the peace and an energetic business man; William, who en
gaged in the lumber business on the Allegheny river, and Mrs. Elizabeth
Frazier, one of the oldest residents of this part of the county. Angus Mc
Kinzie died August 22, 1846, at the remarkable age of one hundred and ten
years. Christina, his wife, lived to the age of ninety-three years, dying
February 27, 1851. Both are buried at the Sugar Creek Presbyterian
church. William Thompson first settled a tract of land purchased in 1887 by
Henry Homan and Henry Snyder. Thompson was born June 7, 1777, and
died in April, 1828. Homan was a native of Maryland and of German de-

SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 545
scent. He lived in the township until his death, in 1872, and was the father
of Thomas R. Homan, who was elected county commissioner in 1878.
The Valley furnace farm was originally owned and first settled by
Thomas Wilson, and the land on the opposite side of the creek was the
property of the Rodgers family at an early date. A numerous family of
the name of Crain lived on the high ground east of Valley furnace. The
locality on the old Cooperstown road, known as Bowman' s hill, derives its
name from a numerous family, one of whom was Andrew Bowman, sheriff
of the county and a prominent citizen of Franklin.
The year 1808 witnessed the coming of the McCalmonts, a family
destined to play a prominent part in the future history of the county.
The father was John McCalmont, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland,
January 11, 1750; he immigrated to America in 1766, and served through
the Revolutionary war, locating in Philadelphia county at its close. He
subsequently removed to Mifflin county and thence to Centre county in
1787. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Jane Conard, of
Philadelphia county, their first residence after marriage. Their children
were: Thomas; Henry, who did not come to this county until 1819,
removed to Cornplanter in 1821, and founded the village of Plumer; Rob
ert, born August 27, 1788, who came with his brother Thomas to this
county in 1802, settled a tract on the Dempseytown road five miles from
Franklin, and with the assistance of Jacob W''hitman and John Lupher,
built the cabin into which their parents and family moved in 1808; -James,
who volunteered for service in the war of 1812, was wounded at Lundy's
Lane, and died at Black Rock, near Buffalo; Alexander, teacher, merchant,
lawyer, and judge, and proprietor of one of the first iron works in the county;
John, county treasurer and manufacturer; Joseph; Elizabeth, wife of Will
iam Shaw; Jane, who married James Ricketts, and Sarah, Mrs. George
Crain. John McCalmont, Sr., died August 3, 1882, in his eighty-third
year, and is buried at the old Seceder church in Cornplanter township.
The death of his wife occurred August 10, 1829, aged seventy-seven years.
William Shaw was the earliest settler on the Dempseytown road. He
was from Centre county, and, as evidenced by the assessment list of 1808,
had acquired property prior to that date. The land that he settled is now
known as the Deets farm. One of his sons was a pioneer of Cornplanter
township. The old hotels on the Meadville turnpike were important institutions in
their day. One was situated half a mile east of Sugar creek; it was owned
by James M. Russell and conducted by him a number of years, although
previously owned by  Dinsmore, James McClelland, and others. The
other, two miles and a half from Franklin, was owned by Andrew Webber
and conducted by various persons.
Early Industries. — John McKinzie built a mill on Sugar creek two miles

546 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
below Cooperstown in 1846. It has been enlarged at various times and is
stUl in operation. The present proprietor is Francis McDaniel.
Valley furnace was a flourishing establishment from 1846 to 1852.
Messrs. Lee, Porter & Rhoads, and Raymond, Gray & Company were suc
cessively interested in its operation. The hauling of charcoal, ore, and pig
metal was an important branch of this industry.
VILLAGES.
Reno, a station on the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern railroads, is situated upon a savannah on the north
bank of the Allegheny river nearly equidistant from Franklin and Oil City.
It was also the terminus of the Reno, Oil creek, and Pithole railroad during
the brief period that line was operated. This locality was first settled by
Hugh Clifford, an Irish Catholic, and a soldier in the war of 1812, whose
right, acquired by settlement and improvement, was transferred in 1817 to
Joel Sage, by whom a patent was obtained in 1836. The land was suc
cessively occupied by Robert Alcorn, Andrew Howe, and Joseph Shaffer;
it was purchased by the latter in 1836 and remained in his posesssion untU
the oil excitement. The site of the village (with the exception of a few
lots), and a considerable tract of land adjacent is owned by the Reno OU
Company, of which J. H. Osmer is president; C. V. Culver, vice-president;
John R. Penn, secretary and treasurer, and James R. Adams, superintend
ent. The original p)redecessor of the present company was the Reno Oil and
Land Company, organized at New York in December, 1865, and reorgan
ized under different names at various times. The territory has proven per
manently productive. It is not, however, the policy of the company to sell
land, and consequently the village has remained practically stationary.
There are several stores, two refineries, and a population approximating
two hundred.
The Empire Oil Works were originally established in 1879 by G. L.
Confer at the present location. Mr. Confer came to Reno in 1870 and had
been interested in refining to a small extent from that date. The plant was
entirely destroyed by tire July 24, 1889, and is being rebuilt with the same
capacity as before, five thousand barrels of crude per month.
No information regarding the other refinery was obtainable.
Reno Union, No. 156, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted May 27,
1889, with George E. Stock, president; G. W. Conner, vice-president;
Emma Eaton, secretary, and James Fitzgerald, treasurer.
Galloway (Fee postoffice), derives its name from the owner of the farm
upon which it was built. During the first development of the heavy oU
district there was quite a village here, but it has almost entirely disappeared.
Two churches continue to bear the local name, which still retains popular
significance.

SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 547
Sugar Creek is a post- village and railroad station in the western part of
the township. The county poor house is situated in the immediate vicinity.
CHURCHES.
Forest Chapel Wesleyan Metliodist Church originated in a revival effort
conducted by Reverend Howard at a school house on the Crain farm about
the year 1850. This resulted in the formation of a class, of which Jacob
and WiUiam Fleming with others of that family, William Lutton, William
McElhaney, Charles Coxson, and others were at various times leaders or
prominent members. A frame church building was erected some years after
the organization of the society and is the present place of worship.
Metliodist Episcopal. — The Reno and Sugar Creek circuit includes three
societies in this township. The class at Reno was organized in the autumn
of 1867 by Reverend R. P. Keeler, then stationed at South Oil City, and
was composed of S. A. Darnell, leader; A. J. Darnell, Emily Daniels,
Martha C. Simons, Isabella Hoffman, Albert Simpson, andMarillaC. Simp
son. The Sunday school was formed in 1865 with J. M. Dewoody as its
first superintendent. A room in the Reno Company's building is the place
of worship. Large accessions have occurred as the result of revivals in
1872,- 1878, and 1880.
The society at Galloway was organized by Reverend J. M. Dewoody in
1875 and numbered sixty-eight members, of whom the first officers and
leading laymen were Thomas Fee, Silas Smith, William Reading, James R.
Neely, N. C. Smith, and Amos Dunbar. Services were held in the school
house until 1881, when the present church building was erected. The ma
terials had previously formed the Methodist church at Petroleum Center.
A class was formed at Smith's Corners, four and a half miles from Frank
lin on the Cooperstown road, in the winter of 1876 by Reverend J. M. De
woody. The first official laymen were William McElhany, Charles S. Cox
son, Clark Worden, and Martin Smith. A frame church building was
erected in 1889.
The circuit has had the following appointments since its formation in
1870: J. H. Vance, 1870-71; R. S. Borland, 1872-73; B. K. Creed, 1874;
W. 0. AUen, 1875; S. E. Winger, 1876; J. M. Thoburn, 1878-79; J. H.
MiUer, 1880; W. P. Graham, 1881-82; J. W. Fletcher, 1883; supplied in
1884; Z. W. Shadduck, 1885-86: S. A. Dean, 1887; John Eckels, 1888.
Galloway Evangelical Church was dedicated December 18, 1887. Reg
ular services were first conducted here by Reverend Theodore Bach in July,
1885. The society is connected with Franklin mission.
EARLy SCHOOLS.
Probably the earliest school house in the township was a log building
erected by the united exertions of the neighborhood upon the farm of

548 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Thomas Brown in the valley of Sugar creek. W^illiam Mead, Samuel Hood,
and Margaret Robinson were the first teachers. Josiah Longwell, who died
recently at Franklin at an advanced age, taught several terms in a vacant
house near French creek above the mouth of Patchel' s run, this being the
first educational effort in that locality. William Mead also taught a num
ber of terms in a nondescript log building on the Satterfield farm, so called
from the family of that name in Meadville by whom it was owned. The
first school house in the vicinity of Galloway was situated a short distance
east of the Dempseytown road and about a mile from Franklin.

CHAPTEH XXVIII.
SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP.

Organization— Early Land Entries— Pioneer Settlements— Industries
AND Resources— Villages— Schools— Churches.
THE commission appointed at March sessions, 1806, to divide the county
into townships, reported in favor of the erection of Scrubgrass with
the following boundaries : ' ' Beginning at the southeast corner of Irwin
township, thence by the county line east to the AUegheny river, thence up
the same to the south boundary of Sandy Creek township, thence by the
same westwardly to the northeast corner of Irwin township, thence by the
same south to the place of beginning," which included about half of Clin
ton in addition to its present area. The erection of the former, in 1855, re
duced Scrubgrass to its present limits. The population in 1870 was nine
hundred and ninety-seven; in 1880, one thousand five hundred and three.
PIONEERS.
The triangular area bounded by the Allegheny river on the north and
east, Clinton township on the west, and Butler county on the south, was one
of the earliest settled portions of Venango county. The field notes of
Samuel Dale, deputy surveyor, show the following surveys at the respective
dates given:
John Craig. — Three hundred and ninety-seven acres, adjoining lands of
Hugh McManigal, Richard Monjar, John Kerns, and James Glenn; sur
veyed November 11, 1800, by virtue of settlement and improvement.
Hugh Wasson and William McKee. — Three hundred and ninety-nine
acres, adjoining lands of Nathan Phipps, John Phipps, Samuel Doty, and

SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP. 549
William Dickson; surveyed October 23, 1801, by virtue of settlement and
improvement. Robert Atwell. — One hundred and ninety-four acres, adjoining lands of
Samuel Doty and WiUiam Dickson; surveyed October 24, 1801, by virtue of
settlement and improvement.
John McQuiston. — Three hundred and sixty-nine acres, adjoining lands
of William Russell, Robert McNitt, and Samuel Doty; surveyed May 12,
1803, by virtue of settlement and improvement.
Michael McMullen. — Four hundred and thirty acres, adjoining lands of
James Craig, David Say, R. Irwin, William Black, and Charles Coulter;
surveyed May 23, 1804, by virtue of settlement and improvement.
David Say. — Four hundred and five acres, adjoining lands of James
Craig, Hugh Dalrymple, William Crawford, R. Irwin, and Michael McMul
len; surveyed May 24, 1804, by virtue of settlement and improvement.
WUliam Sloan. — Four hundred acres, adjoining lands of James Fearis,
Hugh Dalrymple, Alexander Culbertson, and John McDowell; surveyed
August 3, 1805, in pursuance of warrant bearing date February 22, 1805.
Mayberry and Thomas Graham. — Three hundred and ninety one acres,
adjoining lands of Nathan Phipps, James Graham, Andrew Allison, and
Craft Ghost; surveyed May 19, 1807; in possession at this time of Daniel
Wasson, whose title was contested in the courts.
George McCool. — Two hundred and one acres, adjoining lands of
Thomas Barrow, Miles McCabe, Matthew Riddle, and Samuel Jolly; sur
veyed May 20, 1807, by virtue of settlement and improvement.
MUes McCabe. — Two hundred and thirty-six acres, adjoining lands of
Thomas Barrow, William Courtney, Matthew Riddle, and George McCool;
surveyed May 20, 1807, by virtue of settlement and improvement.
Moses Perry. — Four hundi-ed and fifteen acres, adjoining lands of James
Scott, Samuel JoUy, and James Polk; surveyed April 29, 1814, in pursuance
of warrant bearing date February 26, 1814.
James Scott. — Four hundred acres, adjoining lands of Moses Perry,
James Graham, Andrew Allison, William Jones, and Joseph Redick; sur
veyed April 14, 1815, in pursuance of warrant bearing date December 15,
1814. James Craig. — Four hundred and twenty acres, adjoining lands of
Thomas R. Parks, David Say, Thomas Milford, Francis Tracy, James An
derson, and the heirs of Hugh Dalrymple; surveyed April 24, 1815, in pur
suance of warrant bearing date December 15, 1814.
Joseph, Thomas R., and Ann Parks, — Four hundred and fifteen acres
adjoining lands of Joseph Redick, Matthew Blaine, WUliam Sloan, James
Craig, and James Anderson; surveyed April 13, 1815, in pursuance of war
rant bearing date December 15, 1814.
Nathan Phipps. — Three hundred and sixty-six acres, adjoining lands of

550 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Alexander Graham, Daniel Wasson, and William McKee; surveyed Decem
ber 29, 1815, in pursuance of warrant bearing date September 4, 1815.
James McDowell. — Three hundred and fifty- six acres, adjoining lands
of John Fritz, William Shannon, William Sloan, Isaac Fearis, and Joseph
Redick; surveyed July 26, 1816, in pursuance of warrant bearing date
December 29, 1815.
As evidenced by Colonel Dale' s notes, the majority of these surveys were
made on settlement and improvement, and the foregoing were actual set
tlers with scarcely a single exception. This part of the county does not
appear to have received much attention from land jobbers. As a matter
of course, the date of settlement was anterior to that at which the survey
occurred, and in some instances a tract of land was held by no tenure save
the fact of possession a number of years before title was formally secured.
Some of the early families are no longer represented, and after the
lapse of so many years it has been found difficult to obtain any reliable and
complete details regarding such as are. From a comparison of the best evi
dence, however, it appears that the first settlement of Scrubgrass resulted
from the explorations of James Scott. He was a resident of Westmoreland
county. Indian depredations having become frequent in the settlements of
the Kiskiminitas, he was sent by the state authorities in company with
another scout to ascertain whether the perpetrators were from Cornplanter's
people or from the tribes in Ohio. As nearly as can be determined it was
in 1793 or 1794 that they were sent on this mission, and the time spent in
pursuing their investigations was nearly a year. After his return to West
moreland, Scott gave his neighbors such a favorable account of the Scrub-
grass region that ten or twelve of them accompanied him thither, thus inau
gurating the emigration from Westmoreland county that contributed so
large an element to the population of the southern townships of Venango
county. Scott's first improvement was made near the Butler county line on
a four hundred acre tract. Several years later he sent for his father, who
located here, while the son took up another tract, the same now owned by
Moses Perry. The stone house in which the latter now lives was buUt by
him, and here he died in 1837.
James Craig and James Fearis, brothers-in-law, were among the party
who accompanied Scott in 1795. They built a small cabin without floor
and covered with a bark roof several rods from the present residence of
Mrs. Ira D. McCoy, and cleared a field in the surrounding woods, return
ing to pass the following winter at their former homes in Westmoreland
county. Mr. Craig was a son of John and Jane (Honeyman) Craig. He
married Eleanor Fearis, of Westmoreland county, who accompanied him
to Scrubgrass in the summer of 1796. She was the first white woman who
came into the township, and their son, John, born in Westmoreland county,
November 5, 1795, was the first white child brought into the new settle-

SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP. 551
ment. Jane, an older sister, who married John Porterfield, came out later.
Several children were born to them in this county: Isabella, who married
T, P. Kerr, and was the first white child born in the township, her birth oc
curring in 1801; Elizabeth, who married William Perry; James, and Eleanor,
all of whom are dead. James Craig erected the first saw mill in his neigh
borhood. He served in Captain Witherup' s company in the war of 1812,
and was a resident of Scrubgrass until his death, June 2, 1835. His wife
survived him until 1856. On their journey to this county their personal
effects were transported by canoes. An old Bible, various pieces of china-
ware, and an iron kettle, of which one foot was broken while being t,rans-
ferred to the river bank, were among the goods brought in this way and are
still preserved.
James and George Fearis, with their widowed mother, Jane (Honey
man) Fearis, were the first settlers upon the farm of James P. Riddle.
Mrs. Craig and other members of her own and the Fearis family returned
to Westmoreland county frequently, bringing back with them the currant
bush, asparagus, and other garden vegetables. Mrs. Craig introduced the
first geese into the township in this manner.
Samuel Jolly, born October 16, 1766, was also among the arrivals in
1795. The first season he made a small clearing, planted a crop, and built
a cabin. After spending the winter with his family, he brought them out
in 1796. Thomas Jolly, a brother, settled in Venango township, Butler
county, where his son. Captain Thomas Jolly, lived to an advanced age.
David Say, born in the Kishocoquillas valley, Mifflin county, Pennsyl
vania, was the son of James Say, a native of England and a connection of
the family of Lord Say. He removed to Westmoreland county, and thence,
with, the party organized by Scott, to Venango in 1795. The first season
he cleared several acres of land and sowed wheat. The following spring
he brought out his family, carrying the oldest child on his back, while an
ox carried all their household effects. Unfortunately the ox was not entire
ly sure footed and fpU, breaking some of the dishes, upon which Mrs. Say
is said to have sat down and cried. The four hundred acre tract surveyed
to Da-vid Say is yet in possession of his descendants. He was township
collector a number of years.
William Crawford settled in Scrubgrass township in 1799. He was a
son of John Crawford, a native American of Scotch-Irish extraction, and
one of the early settlers of Greene county, Pennsylvania. Some time prior
to 1800, probably as early as 1795, he came to this region with several of
his sons, made a clearing and planted a crop and returned, leaving one son,
Samuel, in charge of the stock. This subsequently became his homestead,
and is situated in Butler county, two miles south of Emlenton. He re
turned the following year with his family, leaving several married sons in
Greene county, among whom was William. His land adjoins the Butler

552 HISTORY OP VENANGO COUNTY.
county line and is now owned by his son, David M. Crawford. The sub
stantial stone house on this farm was built in 1824, and is one of the oldest
in the township.
Thomas McKean, a native Scotchman, settled in Scrubgrass prior to
1800 at some point on the Allegheny river. He was accompained by a sister
who married a man named HaU. McKean was a member of the Scrub-
grass Presbyterian church.
Thomas Milford, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America and settled
in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, whence he rernoved to Ve
nango county about 1800. He was accompained by two brothers, William
and James, and the latter located in Butler county. Thomas Milford se
cured land adjacent to Scrubgrass church, and here he reared a family of
eleven children. The homestead farm is now owned by his son, Thomas
Milford. Moses Perry bought the farm upon which his son, David Perry, now
resides, near the close of the last century. He married Sarah,
daughter of William Russell, and they were the parents of a large family,
one of whom, David, lives upon the old homestead. Mr. Perry died in
1840, and his widow some two years later. Their eldest son, William,
was a man of considerable local prominence, and was recognized as ohe of
the leading citizens of Venango county. He took an active interest in
public affairs, was elected county commissioner in 1838, ahd some years
later represented the county in the legislature. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of James Craig, and died in this township.
David Russell, a veteran of the Revolution, removed from Westmoreland
county to Scrubgrass township and settled upon the lands now owned by
the Middleton family about the close of the last century, living also for a
short time in Butler county ; Samuel Russell, the second son of their family
of seven children, was born there in 1780 and secured in 1824 the farm
now owned by his son, David Russell. He was first lieutenant in a com
pany formed in Butler county during the war of 1812, His death occurred
in 1877, James Anderson, another of the pioneers of Scrubgrass, was bom in
January, 1761, and died in 1842. In 1804 he removed from the Tuscarora
valley in eastern Pennsylvania to Butler county. In 1814 he purchased
four hundred acres of land from David Irvine, the consideration being two
thousand one hundred dollars — three hundred dollars cash, two hundred
gallons of whiskey at seventy-five cents per gallon, and the remainder inpay
ments at regular intervals. This land included the site of a mill on Little "
Scrubgrass creek which he operated and rebuilt, adding also saw and carding
mills. He was a very active business man in his day.
John and Alexander McQuiston were the first representatives of that
family in Venango county. With another brother, David McQuiston, they

SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP. 553
removed from New Jersey to Westmoreland county, and thence in 1802 the
two first named settled in the northwestern part of Scrubgrass upon the
land now in possession of C. E. McQuiston. John- McQuiston was a car
penter and cabinet maker by trade, and was among the first artisans in the
township. He was bom in New Jersey in 1776 and died in 1849.
Among these early settlers was Reverend Robert Johnson, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, who preached in the first buUding erected in this
county for religious worship. He was of English extraction, being a lineal
descendant of Oliver Cromwell, by Bridget, eldest daughter of the Protector,
first the wife of General Fleetwood, and afterward of General Ireton.
His grandfather settled in New Jersey. He was born August 7, 1774, and
received his education at Canonsburg. He was licensed to preach in 1802,
and began his lifework at Scrubgrass in 1803. In 1811 he removed to
MeadviUe. His death occurred May 20, 1861, at New Castle, Pennsyl-
•vania. He was the father of Judge S. P. Johnson, of Warren.
Of those who arrived later may be mentioned Jacob Jacobs, from New
Jersey, who came in 1814, and located upon a four hundred acre tract;
Samuel Eakin, a native of Ireland, who settled where James Vogus now
lives, and had married Nancy Riley before coming here; William Clay, who
came from Westnforeland county in 1814, and lived adjacent to the Butler
line; and Levi Williams, born October 19, 1781, in Northumberland county,
whence he came with the family of his father, Benjamin WUliams, to Clin
ton township in 1803, and from there, in 1812, he removed to the extreme
southwestern part of Scrubgrass. He owned one hundred and nine acres
of land, now in possession of his sons, and built the stone house, in which
Simeon Williams lives, in 1836. His death occurred in 1867. James Pol
lock, a native of Ireland, was a son of Charles Pollock, one of the early
settlers Sear Farmington, Butler county, and brother to John Pollock,
sheriff of that county. He married a daughter of Matthew Riddle, and
¦ located on the road from Lisbon to Clintonville.
INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES.
The mill that James Anderson bought fi-om David Irvine was built by
Charles Campbell, and was the first in the township. Anderson's purchase
was made in 1814. Ten years later he built the mill now in operation a
short distance below the old site. He also erected a carding mill farther
up the creek and a saw mill farther down. James Craig built the first saw
mill on Little Scrubgrass creek. James Anderson's son, James, erected
and operated a distillery on his farm, now the property of his son, James
Anderson, in the western part of the township, where a fine spring furnished
excellent water for this purpose. The fine quality of " Scrubgrass whiskey "
manufactured at this still, is yet wistfully spoken of by many of the present

554 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
generation, some of whom smack their lips and gaze away into vacancy
whenever asked about this celebrated product of bygone days.
James Perry's tannery, at Lisbon, and David H. McQuiston' s, in the
northern part of the township, not far from the river, were also among early
industries. A noteworthy feature at the present day is the creamery of
Messrs. McCoy & McQuiston, near Lisbon, which manufactures dairy prod
ucts for the city markets, and has given an impetus to stock farming in
this and the adjoining townships.
Veins of bituminous coal, varying from thirty inches to four feet in
thickness, underlie the surface in many places. This was first mined about
1825, near Crawford's Corners. Mining operations are still continued, but
not beyond the requirements for local consumption.
The first oil well in the township was drilled in 1859 on the Rhodabar
ger farm near the Allegheny river by an association known as the Sugar
Camp Oil Company. It numbered about sixty members. The rules were'
such that faUure to pay assessments worked forfeiture of shares; and after
several assessments had been paid, the well was sunk to a depth of six hun
dred feet without striking oil. This discouraged the investors; J. P. Craw
ford, Henry Kohlmeyer, and David P. W^illiams, the only members who had
not allowed their assessments to remain unpaid, wound u^ the affairs of the
company. In June, 1863, on the Russell farm, Aaron Kepler drilled the
first productive well, and on the farm of Samuel Lawrence adjoining he also
drilled the second. The largest well in the township was on the farm of
John Crawford; it produced one hundred barrels daily at first. Many wells
driUed fifteen or twenty years ago are still producing; and while no great
excitement has ever attended developments in this section there seems to
be a permanency about the production that fully compensates for the ab
sence of this. "
VILLAGES.
Lisbon was laid out in 1854 by Thomas Robinson and John Smith on
land formerly included in the farms of Moses Perry and Elizabeth Riddle.
It is situated at the intersection of the road leading from Scrubgrass to the
Butler line with the main road from Emlenton to Clintonville. Emlenton, the
nearest railroad point, is five miles distant. The first house was built in
1834 by Ephraim Galbraith and Samuel Marshall, who also opened the first
store. James Kingsley was the first blacksmith and Thomas Robinson kept
the first hotel. The earliest local name was Fort Chisel, but the oldest in
habitant is unable to account for its origin. The present postoffice designa
tion is Big Bend. The village comprises a store, blacksmith shop, and per
haps a dozen houses.
Crawford's Corners, three miles from Emlenton on the Butler county
line, has been a postoffice since 1870, when H. C. Wick was appointed post
master. Two residences and a store constitute the village.

rj(^lyHn^-L^ S^hi^^^l^EA^.

SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP. 557
EDUCATIONAL.
The report of the state superintendent of public instruction for the year
1877 gives the following account of early educational efforts :
In Scrubgrass township as6hool was taught iu 1804 in a log house near Witherup's
by John McClaran. The only pupils yet living are Samuel Phipps, born in 1795, and
his sister, Polly Williams. A house was built on the Barkley farm in 1807. A little
later a very large log house was erected near the present residence of James Anderson,
and in this James White taught a very large school. On a Saturday afternoon the
larger boys visited a distillery near by, chopped wood for whiskey, and returned to
the school house about "spelling time." They besieged the house with snow balls and
the teacher could not control them. On the next Monday morning, however, each
returned to his allegiance and received a severe flogging. This house was in use until
1817, In 1820 P. G. HoUister taught in a new building near the Witherup house. The
flrst books used were Dillworth's speller and the New Testament. The first arithmetic
introduced was the Young Man's Companion, in which all the problems were solved
as well as stated. It was an arithmethic and key combined, similar to many of the
arithmetics ot the present day. Later Webster's spelling book and the Western Cal
culator were introduced.
In 1828 hewnlog houses were built. Among the teachers who taught in them
were Reverend William Dickson and William Graudon. The wages, halt in grain and
half in money, were from ten dollars to fifteen dollars per month. On a day fixed upon
the patrons took their subscriptions of grain to the teacher. Afterthe enactment of
the law of 1834 the people took more interest in their schools. Better houses were
built. Wages from ten to twenty dollars per month were paid.. In 1859 frame
houses were built, some of which are still in use. The buildings erected in 1873-74
are excellent. Scrubgrass Academy was opened in April, 1875, and a building erected at
Scrubgrass church in the following year. J. C, Kettler, now president of
Grove City College, was first principal. Among his successors were Rever
end J. A. Ewing, S. Anderson, and S. W. Gilky. The academy was in
successful operation several years. CHURCHES.
Scrubgrass Presbyterian Church, a venerable organization, is one of the
oldest in the county. In his History of Erie Presbytery Doctor Eaton thus
describes its origin: "Among the first families that came to settle in
Scrubgrass was that of Mrs. Abigail Coulter, a pious woman from Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania. She came out in 1797. The first sermon ever
heard in this neighborhood was delivered at her house in the year 1800 by
Reverend William Moorehead, a son-in-law of Doctor McMillan. The house
was about forty rods from the site of the present church building. After
this was an occasional sermon by Reverend A. Boyd and Mr. Gwynn. The
first communion was conducted by Mr. Johnson, assisted by Mr. Cook, in
1803. It was in a grove. The people assembled from a great distance.
Thirty persons came from Slate Lick, thirty miles distant. Snow fell on
Sabbath night, and at the services on Monday the logs used as seats were
thickly covered with snow, but the people brushed it off and sat down."
31

558 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
After a pastorate of seven years and three months, Mr. Johnson's con
nection with the church ceased, January 2, 1811. During this period there
was a great revival, at which the "falling exercise" prevailed. More than
a hundred were added to the church, and a number of young men entered
the ministry, some of whom afterward held responsible positions in the
church at large. The successor of Reverend Robert Johnson was Reverend
Cyrus Riggs, who was installed April 6, 1814, and released April 2, 1834.
He introduced Watts' hymns, arousing much opposition on the part of the
older members, accustomed to Rouse's version of the Psalms. The use of
stoves in the church was almost as strongly opposed. Previously there had
been no method of warming the room; people came a distance of several
miles, sat in a cold room two or three hours, and returned without experi
encing discomfort. When stoves were finally decided upon, it is related that
one old gentleman, who had occupied a pew near the pulpit, removed to an
other near the door with a window at his back. Reverend John R. Agnew,
the next pastor, served from April 3, 1838, to October 21, 1845. The prin
cipal event of his incumbency was the erection of the present church edifice.
On a certain communion occasion the congregation had adjourned to the
adjoining grove, but was compelled to return to the church by a sudden
shower. The room was uncomfortably crowded, and embracing the oppor
tunity, Mr. Agnew urged the necessity of erecting a new church building.
The result of these efforts is a stone buUding, well proportioned and sub
stantial, with a seating capacity of six hundred. Reverend Ebenezer Henry
was pastor from November 10, 1847, to November 5, 1856. The present
pastor. Reverend J. R. Coulter, preached his first sermon at Scrubgrass on
the last Sabbath of 1856; he was installed August 25, 1857. A fi-ame
building was erected in 1876 for Sunday school and other purposes.
The number of members has fiuctuated from time to time. In 1821
Scrubgrass and Unity churches reported one hundred and ten members; in
1834, eighty-seveu; in 1848, one hundred and sixty-two. This church alone
had a membership of one hundred and fourteen in 1857, one hundred
and seventy in 1876, and one hundred and fifty in 1888. Its constituency
has been much reduced by the formation of other organizations.
The first elders were John Lowrie, John Crawford, and Robert Manach.
The succession to date is as follows: John Sloan, Thomas McKee, John Mc
Quiston, William Crawford, James Leslie, John Anderson, John Moyer,
Robert Leason, Samuel T. Riggs, John McKee, Samuel Leason, Robert P.
Anderson, Henry Kohlmeyer, David M. Crawford, George S. Jamison,
James Crawford, T. C. Morrison, James Miller, and Frank Riddle.
Big Bend Methodist Episcopal Church. — John Middleton removed to
Scrubgrass township from Forest county May 80, 1835; he had been con
nected with a Methodist society in that county, and is justly entitled to the
honor of having introduced Methodism into Scrubgrass. At his personal

SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP. 559
solicitation the Reverend J. H. Jackson, of Butler, was induced to visit the
Big Bend neighborhood at intervals of four weeks. He preached in Mr.
Middleton' s house; the latter made rough wooden benches which were car
ried into the yard from one prenohiug service to another. A class was
formed in 1835 with two members, John Middleton and Elisha Liawrence, of
whom the former was leader. The latter gave half an acre as burial ground and
a site for a church; by a strange fatality his wife was the first person buried
here, and William Middleton, who died May 5, 1835, was the second. The
church building, a fi-ame structure, twenty- four by thirty-six feet, was built
in 1836. The present edifice ¦s^•as dedicated October 17, 1883. It is a frame
building and cost seventeen hundred dollars. The present stewards are
Joseph Ogden and Zenith McGinnis; class leaders — George Cubbison and
Abram Mattern; Sunday school superintendent, Seymour Pottorf.
This organization formed part of Clintonville circuit from 1846 to 1881,
and since that date has been attached to Farmington circuit, with the fol
lowing pastors: 1846, G. F. Reeser, D. King; 1847, G. F. Reeser, W. N.
McCormick; 1848, E. HuU, H. M, Chamberiain; 1849, S. Baird, E. HuU;
1850, J. Wrigglesworth, G. Stocking; 1851, D. M. Stever, J. S. Lytle; 1852,
J. G. Thompson; 1854, J. Howe; 1856, H. Luce; 1857, J. McComb, S. S.
Nye; 1858, J. McComb; 1859, C. W. Bear; 1860, W. R. Johnson, C.
W. Bear; 1861, R. B. Boyd, S. K. Paden; 1862, R. B. Boyd; 1864,
G. Moore, S. Hubbard; 1865-66, A. H. Domer; 1867, C. W^Uson; 1868,
D. W. Wampler; 1869-70, J. M. Groves; 1871-72, E. Bennett; 1873-
74, C. Peters; 1875-77, J. L. Strattan; 1878-84, J. Lusher; 1884-87, Louis
Wick; 1887, L. Merritt, W' . H. Hoover; 1888, Sylvester Fiddler.
Scrubgrass Cumberland Presbyterian Church is successor to one of the
earliest organizations of that denomination in this part of Pennsylvania.
As early as 1835 Reverends Sylvester Murphy and Simeon Law from Wash
ington county passed through this locality, preaching on their periodical
visits to a society that numbered among its members Abraham Witherup and
wife, George Berringer and wife, Andrew Shiner and wife, David Phipps
and wife, William Shorts and wife, David Witherup and wife, William
Henderson and wife, Richard Major and wife, Ernest Hovis and wife, and
Sarah Witherup. The first services were held at the school house at Phipps'
furnace, and the early camp meetings were conducted on Sandy creek. In
the township of that name, now Victory, a small frame church building was
erected on the Pittsbui-gh road where the Evangelical church now stands.
The membership having become very weak in that locality the place of wor
ship was changed to the McQuiston school house in this township, and the
school house at Kennerdell. In 1866 a fi-ame church was built at the latter
place; this biulding is still standing, but is owned by the Kennerdell estate.
In 1887, Francis and Mary Witherap having given two acres of ground for
that purpose, the present frame church edifice was erected at a cost of nine-

560 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
teen hundi-ed dollars. The dedication occurred January 15, 1888. The
last reorganization occurred about the year 1860 with Joseph Phipps, Joseph
McQuiston, and George Berringer as elders. George Berringer, T. J. Eakin,
David Buchanan, and S. D. Porter constitute the present session. The
Sunday school was organized more than fifty years ago ; S. D. Porter is the
present superintendent. Among the early preachers were Reverends Jesse
Adams,  Wall, James Gallagher, Joseph and Samuel Bowman, and
 McClellan. Joseph Bowman was pastor from 1865 to 1888; J. P.
Johnson, 1883-85; D. A. Cooper, 1885-89; and R. N. Grossman, the present
incumbent, assumed charge in 1889.
Zion Church, Church of God. — The itinerant preachers of this church
preached at the McQuiston school house as early perhaps as 1850. Among
them were the Reverends Grimm, Long, Domer, Bartlebaugh, and Howis.
A regular organization was formed in 1868 with Robert and Cyrus McQuis
ton as elders; among the member were Benjamin, Joseph, and Elizabeth
Latshaw, Ira McQuiston, and Sarah McQuiston. After the school house
burned worship was conducted in the tannery of David H. McQuiston; and
in the last years of Mr. Howis' pastorate the frame church building, stiU in
use as a place of worship, was erected on ground given for the purpose by
William R. Crawford. Since that time the succession of pastors has been
as follows: Matthew Davis, George Bartlebaugh, J. W. Davis, David Leech,
Absalom Flowers, and J. W. Davis. The Sunday school has been an adjunct
of the church since its organization, the first superintendent having been
Cyrus McQuiston.

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 561

CHAPTER XXIX.
FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Erection — Boundaries— Topography— Indians — Pioneers — Mills and
Factories — Borough of Utica, Its Early Settlement,
Growth, Business Interests, and OrFici-iL Record
—Borough of Polk, Its Past and Pres
ent — Churches — Cemeteries-
Schools.

FRENCH CREEK township, so called from the creek which forms its
northern and northeastern boundaries, was created by a commission
appointed in March, 1806, with the following outlines, to-wit: "Begin-
njng at French creek on the western boundary of said [Venango] county,
thence by the same south to the north line of a survey made in the name of
John Hetler; thence by the same and Jacob Hetler, eastwardly to the
northeast corner of the latter; thence by the same southwardly to Sandy
creek; thence by said creek to the mouth thereof; thence by the Allegheny
river to the mouth of French creek; thence up the same to the place of
beginning." These boundaries have been modified at different times by
the formation of other townships, and it was not until the erection of Min
eral township that the boundaries, as they now exist, were definitely fixed
and established. The township includes an irregular area of territory
lying in the western part of the county, with Sandy Creek, Victory, and
Mineral townships on the south, Mercer county on the west, and the town
ships of Canal and Sugar Creek on the north and northeast.
Topographically the face of the country may be described as broken
with valleys alternating with hills of romantic boldness among which are
deep ravines and thickly wooded glens. The principal water courses are
French and Mill creeks, which, with their tributaries, water and drain a large
area of territory in this and other divisions of the county. Building stone of
a superior quality is found in various parts of the township, much of which
has been utilized by the citizens for chimneys, foundations for buildings,
etc. In the development of the great oil interests of Venango county,
French Creek has not been behind her sister townships, a number of wells
having been opened in the sixties, several of which are still in active opera
tion. Others have been driUed from time to time, and, although not so

562 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
productive as formerly, are still a source of considerable revenue to the pro
prietors. When first seen by the French and English explorers this part of the
country was the home of the Redman, and vestiges of his handiwork are still
visible in various parts of the township. On the Heydrick farm about three
miles above Utica was the principal headquarters of a tribe of Delawares
known as the Wolf tribe, called the Loups by the French and Monceys by
the English. The village took its name from the chief of the tribe, Custa
loga, and was a place of resort, not only by the Delawares but by other
tribes, all of whom left the country soon after its permanent settlement.
When the Martin family came to the township the Indians were still cul
tivating the flat lands on the west side of Deer creek, upon which small crops
of corn and vegetables were raised. A full account of Custaloga and his
viUage will be found in a previous chapter.
The population in 1880 was one thousand two hundred and eighty-six,
SETTLEMENT.
The first white men to penetrate the wilds of what is now French Creek
township were the early French missionaries and explorers of the Allegheny
valley. They navigated the waters of French creek and other streams, and
made surveys of the country several years before settlement or colonization
were effected. In December, 1753, George Washington, then a young
man, went up the creek on his celebrated mission to the French command
ant at Le Bceuf and was one of the first Americans to set foot upon this part
of Venango county.
About the year 1796 a spirit of inquiry led a number of hardy and dar
ing pioneers from the east to explore the country embraced within the pres
ent limits of French Creek township for the purpose of locating homes.
Among these indomitable and energetic characters was John Martin, who
came from Maryland in the above year, and located a tract of land on French
creek about three miles above Utica, upon which he made the first improve
ments in the township. He kept a ferry for some years at his farm, which
was known as Martin' s ferry, and is remembered as a man of great physical
endurance and a true type of the honest, energetic pioneer of the period in
which he lived. He had five sons: David, Thomas, John, James, and Solo
mon, all of whom grew to manhood in this township and, with the excep
tion of John, Jr., who died in French Creek in 1862, subsequently moved
to other parts of the country. John Martin, Sr. , died on the old homestead
at an early date. Mrs. Dewoody of Franklin and Mrs. Allen of Crawford
county are daughters of John Martin, Jr.
Contemporary with the Martin family was John Chapman, who took up
land in different parts of the township, but whose sojourn, owing to his
thriftless disposition, was only temporary. He appears to have been impa-

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 563
tient of the restraints of civilization, so much so, indeed, that as soon as
settlements began to increase he disposed of his few improvements, and with
a few other spirits as restless and discontented as himself, drifted further
westward. John Gordon became a resident of French Creek township as early as
1797 or '98, settling the Adams farm on Mill creek a couple of miles west of
Ptica. John Cooper came about the same time, and made an improvement
on the Duffield place near Utica, while a brother of Cooper moved into the
township prior to the year 1800 and purchased what is known as the Glenn
farm on Mill creek.
William Duffield came to Venango from Centre county about the year
1798, accompanied by his daughter, and after selecting a tract of land one
and a half miles southeast of the present site of Utica, he left the latter to
hold the place while he went back east for the rest of the family. As soon
as matters could be conveniently arranged, he returned with his family and
was soon safely settled in his new home among the high hills and deep for
ests of French creek. Mr. Duffield was a native of Ireland and a descend
ant of a large and intelligent family of that name, which came to America
about the year 1767. He was a prominent resident of French Creek until
his death, which occurred in the year 1827. His sons: John, Armstrong,
WUliam, and James, were all leading citizens of the community, and their
numerous descendants are among the substantial people of Venango county
at this time.
John Lindsay was an early settler on Mill creek, the date of his arrival
being about the year 1799 or 1800. He was also an Irishman, and claimed
to have been the pioneer mill builder of French creek, having erected a small
flouring mill above it, where Utica now stands, as early as 1804. It was
while cutting ice from around the large water wheel of this mill that he
afterward met with a violent death by falling among some timbers, which
closing together caught his neck so that he was left hanging until life be
came extinct.
About this period the Adams family moved to the township, Welden
Adams locating about one mile east of Waterloo, and James making his first
improvements on the present site of Utica. The former bore a prominent
part in the early developments of the country, and at one time served as
commissioner of Venango county. He reared a number of children, one of
whom, John, was di-owned in Mill creek a short time after the family came
to the county, while another son of the same name, "Uncle" John Adams,
of Polk, is the oldest native resident of French Creek, his birth having oc
curred on the old farm in February, 1807. James Adams, Jr., also a son
of Welden Adams, settled the place where his son W. S. Adams lives, a
couple of miles west of Utica, and is remembered as a man of local promi
nence, having served as county commissioner and commissioner of the
French Creek canal.

564 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
James Adams, Sr. , who settled at Utica, was for many years an active
business man, and did much for the community in the way of building mills
and factories. These were afterward operated by his son James, whose de
scendants still occupy the family homestead in Utica.
Thomas Russell, the first of the well-known Russell family to settle in
this part of the country, came from Huntingdon county about the beginning
of the present century, and settled on French creek about one mile above
Utica. His son Alexander, then a small boy, accompanied his father to the
new country and bore his share of the many trials and hardships incident to
a life in the backwoods. The following incident is related: On one occa
sion after the family had been without flour several days, and tiring of corn
meal and potatoes as a substitute for bread, young Alexander was sent on
horseback with a bag of wheat to the mill at Franklin. Getting his grist he
started homeward in the afternoon, and on reaching " Hanna' s gap" a large
black bear came out into the road and deliberately stopped in front of the
horse. Badly frightened the boy hastily dropped the sack of flour, and ap
plying the switch to his horse, was soon out of the reach of danger. On
reaching home the badly frightened boy related his thrilling experience and
the father, arming himself, went back to the scene of the incident, where
he found the sack of flour untouched. Bruin was not visible.
As early as the year 1800 the following settlers additional to those al
ready noted were living within the present limits of French Creek township,
viz. : James and Robert Greenlee and William Vogan, all of whom located
in the western part near the Mercer county line.
Jacob Runninger, a native of Holland, came to the United States in 1 777,
and settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, thence in 1801 moved to
Venango county, and bought three hundred and seven acres of land in
French Creek township, a part of which is still in possession of his descend
ants. He was an active business man and died in 1825. His son, Jacob
Runninger, came at the same time. Jacob Jr. , James P. , Conrad, David,
and John Runninger, sons of the latter, are among the older residents of the
township at this time.
Hugh and John L. Hasson, father and son, became residents of French
Creek in 1799 or 1800, moving here from the eastern part of the state by
means of a horse and pack saddle, and a horse and sled. They settled a
short distance from Utica, where Hugh Hasson died in 1815. John L. sub
sequently (about 1824) moved to Canal township, where a number of his de
scendants still reside.
Another early settler was John Hanna, who immigrated from County
Down, Ireland, and landed at New Castle, Delaware, in 1796. After a res
idence of two years at Lancaster, Pennsylania, he moved to Mifflin county,
and in 1802 came to Venango, arriving at the Blair farm, lately the home
stead of Major George C. McClelland, in French Creek township, on Christ-

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 565
mas day. After remaining there a short time he settled what is known as
the " Hanna tract " on the creek a few miles below Utica,
James Gilliland came to the township about the year 1804, and improved
a farm one and a half miles north of Waterloo. He was one of the early
' teachers of French Creek, and did as much if not more than any other man
toward awakening an interest in the cause of religion and establishing
chm-ches in the township. His sons, Joseph and Alexander C, are still liv
ing near the place of original settlement.
Peter Patterson, a pioneer of French Creek township, was born in Juni
ata county, Pennsylvania. He first visited this locality prior to 1800, and
through his brother-in-law, James Greenlee, then a resident of this county,
was induced to make it his permanent residence, which he did in 1807, set
tling a tract of two hundred and fifty acres in the extreme western part of
the county adjacent to the Mercer county line. He was a member of the
Associate Reformed church and died in that faith in 1840. Although a
member of the organization at Cochranton, meetings were frequently held at
his house, ultimately resulting in the formation of the flourishing United
Presbyterian church of Sandy. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza
beth Donnelly, survived her husband until 1862. They were the parents of
twelve children, six of whom are now living: Annie, widow of Alexander
Turner; Samuel, a farmer of Jackson township, Mercer county; Ellen, Mrs.
Reese Byers; Jane, widow of Dennis Kennedy; WiUiam, of Nebraska, and
James D. , county commissioner.
John Temple and sons, John, David, and Robert, were among the first
permanent residents in the vicinity of Polk, as was also Seth Jewel, a Rev
olutionary soldier, who improved a part of the ground upon which the vil
lage now stands. Other early settlers near Polk were William Evans, James
Nicholson and sons David and Robert, James Cannon, and James McClaran.
Among others who came at an early date and bore a part in developing
the country the foUowing may be noted: Augustus Shaw, John, James, and
Andrew McGinnis, David Vincent; David Gilmore and sons John, David,
Brice, William, and Robert; Jonas Reynolds and sons Wolcott, Joel, Hiram,
Jonas, and Erastus; WiUiam and Walter Gibson, Aaron McKissick, Mr.
Johnston, Samuel Bunnell, Edward Hughes, George Cummings, John Cum
mings, WiUiam Cummings, James Hays, Charles H. Heydrick, Doctor
Christopher Heydrick, A. W. Raymond, and others.
MILLS.
Of the industries of French Creek township that of miUing has always
been the most important, the waters of Mill creek having been early utilized
as the motive power for machinery. As already stated, the pioneer mill-
builder in this part of the county was John Lindsay, who built a small saw
miU near Utica as eariy as the year 1804. This was a very primitive affair.

566 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and owing to the scarcity of water in the creek was in operation for only a
short time.
Mr. Lindsay built a flouring mill about one and a half miles from Utica
a little later, which, like the saw mill, received its motive power from Mill
creek. He operated this mill until his death, which has already been
noted, and did a very successful business. It was afterward operated by
members of the Lindsay family until its destruction by fire, about the year
1854. BOROUGH OF UTICA.
This enterprising little village is pleasantly located in French Creek
township, eight miles northwest of Franklin and three miles southeast of
the Mercer county line, and marks the site of one of the earliest improved
farms in French Creek township. Settlements were made in the vicinity of
the village on French creek before the beginning of the present century,
and it is stated with a reasonable degree of accuracy that a transient settler,
name unknown, made a few tem,porary improvements upon the present site
of the place as eariy as the year 1796 or 1797. The first permanent settler,
however, was James Adams, who, about the year 1800 purchased that por
tion of the town known as the original plat, upon which he built a residence
and made other necessary improvements. His neighbors were the Lindsay,
Duffield, Martin, Gordon, Chapman, Cooper, and other early families, who
located their respective homes within a few miles along French creek,
Mr. Adams appears to have been a man of great energy, as is attested
by the fact that in addition to clearing land and developing a good farm he
early utilized the splendid water power of Mill creek by erecting a saw and
grist mill and woolen factory, all of which were highly valued by the early
settlers of Venango and Mercer counties. The woolen mill was the first of
the kind in Venango county, and although quite a primitive affair, it ap
pears to have been operated almost constantly during the early years of the
French creek settlement. The flouring mill, erected about the year 1805,
was a small frame structure, two and a half stories high, and stood about
one hundred feet south of the present mill. It was operated quite success
fully until 1842. The saw mill, which stood near the spot occupied by the
ruins of another mill of the same kind erected at a later date, supplied the
early settlers along French creek with lumber and building material for a
number of years.
While these mills were the means of attracting attention to the place,
which early became the nucleus of a very thriving settlement, it was not un
til the construction of the French Creek canal through the country that the
advisability of locating a trading point on the present site of the village be
gan to be considered. It was while work on the canal was in progress that
one John Floyd erected a small store room above where the iron bridge now
crosses the creek, and stocked it with a miscellaneous assortment of mer
chandise for the purpose of trading with the contractors and workmen.

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 567
The venture proving financially successful he continued the business about
four or five years and then disposed of his stock and went to Pittsburgh,
in which city he subsequently engaged in the wholesale trade, and became
quite wealthy.
The substantial growth of the town, however, dates from the advent of
A. W. Raymond, who, foreseeing the future advantages of the place as a com
mercial point, purchased the land fi-om the Adams family and in 1880 proceed
ed to lay out a town to which he gave the name of Utica, after his old home,
the city of Utica, New York. Antecedent to the above year there were only
a few dwellings on the present site of the borough, among which was the
residence of James Adams, which is said to have been one of the first brick
houses ever erected in Venango county. It is still standing and despite its
great age is remarkably well preserved. Mr. Raymond soon became the
presiding genius and inspiration of the community. He devoted his time
and means toward building up the new town and developing its industries,
and one of his first substantial improvements was a frame store building
which stood a short distance east of the old Adams residence. In this build
ing he opened a general store and within a comparatively limited period
succeeded in building up an extensive and successful trade. After continuing
the business several years he sold out to Adam Cooper, binding the latter by
written agreement to keep in stock all the goods necessary to supply the de
mands of the community and agreeing to make no attempt at opposition in
the business as long as the pledge was faithfully observed. It appears that
within a short time Cooper' s stock of goods was allowed to run down where
upon Mr. Raymond, considering the agreement violated, brought a second
store to the place, the immediate result of which was an action by Cooper
for breach of agreement which was tried in the court of Frankin. Mr. Ray
mond proved to the satisfaction of court and jury that the violation was not
upon his part and so won the case.
His second store building stood on the lot occupied at this time by the
residence and shop of C. H. Yard, but subsequently, in 1889, he erected a
brick store room on Chestnut street, in which he conducted a successful
trade for several years. In the meantime he purchased the mill property
and later opened a hotel "The Traveler's Home " which early became a fav
orite stopping place for the traveling public. After carrying on the mercan
tile business a few years he rented the store to James McGill of Mercer and
went to Raymilton in Mineral township, of which village he was also founder
and proprietor. He subsequently returned to Utica and resumed business
which he carried on until about 1850, when he disposed of his interests
here and moved to Franklin where he still resides.
Several years prior to 1850, William SmUey and Brice Gilmore began
selling goods, the former where Mr. Perrine' s grocery now stands and the
latter in a small buUding on the same street. They did business with limited

568 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
capital and were in the trade but a short time. W. S. Devore was one of
the successful merchants of the place, as was also Thomas Nesbit, who is
still identified with the business interests of the borough. The firm of Nes
bit, Stevenson & Company was in existence for some time, also the firm of
Gilmore, Stevenson & Company. Messrs. Nicklin & Bryden were among
the mercantile men of the place and one James Fiscus was also an early
grocer, whose principal stock in trade consisted of " mountain tangle foot "
which brought him numerous customers of a certain class.
Industries. — As already stated, the first manufacturing enterprises of
Utica were the mills and woolen factory erected by James Adams, anterior
to the founding of the village. The first woolen mill stood on Mill creek
near the southwest corner of the borough. It was a small frame building
supplied with fair machinery, operated by water power, and was kept run
ning almost constantly for a number of years in order to supply the great
demand for its products. It ceased operations in 1846, at which time Mr.
Adams erected a larger factory, a three-story building thirty by forty feet in
dimensions, supplied with machinery for carding, spinning, cloth dressing,
and the manufacture of woolen fabrics such as the community at that time
demanded. This factory was greatly prized by the farmers of the vicinity
in that it made sheep raising profitable by furnishing a home market for
wool. It was operated by the Adams family until its destruction by fire
about the year 1869.
In the year 1842 A. W'. Raymond erected a large brick flouring mill
with which he did a very successful business for a number of years. It
afterward passed into other hands, and is now owned and operated by Nesbit
& Company, by whom the building was recently remodeled and supplied
with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of flour by the
roller process. The capacity of the mill is fifty barrels of flour per day be
sides meal and feed. For many years the mill received its motive power
from the waters of MiU creek, but the machinery is now operated by steam
power, natural gas being used as fuel.
In connection with his mercantile and milling interests Mr. Raymond
operated a small foundry for several years with which he did a good busi
ness, manufacturing plowg, hoes, and many other implements used by the
farming community. It stood on W'ater street at the mouth of Mill creek.
Another early industry of the town was a tannery started a number of
years ago by David Goodard, who subsequently sold out to Cornelius Wil
son by whom it was operated with fair success until about the year 1869.
Robert Woods started a small furniture factory on Water street, in the early
days of the village which was well patronized by the citizens of the com
munity, and a little later William Anderson began the manufacture of chairs
in a small shop near the mouth of Mill creek. A. W. Raymond buUt a dis-
tUlery in the lower end of the borough prior to 1850, which like all of his

FRENCH CHEEK TOWNSHIP. 569
business enterprises proved a very successful venture. It was in operation
until some time in the sixties.
During the great oil excitement in Venango county the manufacture of
sucker-rods became a very lucrative industry, and one of the first factories
was built in Utica by Elias Cozad. Mr. Cozad afterward effected a co-partner
ship in the business with Mr. Shannon and the firm thus formed soon be
came one of leading ones of the kind in the county. The factory did a
large business during the oil excitement, supplying most of the rods used
in this part of the country, but with the decline of the oil business all work
in the factory was suspended.
Bridges. — The first bridge across French creek at Utica was a a wooden
structure built in the year 1842. Prior to that date the stream was crossed
by means of a ferry, consisting of a flat boat and skiff' operated by Michael
Kincaid, who obtained legal permission to establish the same as early as
1839. The old wooden bridge answered tlie purposes for which it was in
tended until 1859, when it was tom down and replaced by another wooden
structure of greater strength and superior workmanship. This, in turn,
gave place to the present substantial iron bridge which was erected in the
year 1886 at a cost of ten thousand dollars.
Physicians. — The following list includes the names of the majority of
medical men who have been located in Utica from time to time, viz. : Doc
tors M. M. Byles, James A. Donaldson, Fielding Donaldson, Riddle, Leet,
Cooley, McCormick, Brown, Martin, Johflston, F. M. McClelland, and J. J.
Looney. The Postmasters of Utica have been A. W^ Raymond, John A. Stewart,
John W, Riddle, A. W. Gilmore, J. M. Perrine, Edward Hughes, and J.
M. Perrine.
Hotels. — The first hotel in Utica, "The Travelers Home," of which
mention has been made in a preceding page, was opened for the accommo
dation of the traveling public by A. W. Raymond prior to the year 1840.
The next hotel was kept by Messrs. Bowden and Dunn. It was afterward
known as the Singleton house and was the principal stopping place in the
village during the oil excitement. A man by the name of Chamberlain kept
the house for some time and still later Mr. Singleton purchased the prop
erty and converted it into a private boarding house. The Lee house, the
only hotel in the borough at this time, was opened for the accommodation
of guests in the year 1881 by William Lee. It is a large frame building
situated in the eastern part of the village, and is supplied with all the com
forts and Qonveniences of the modern hotel.
Incorporation and Borough Officers. — Utica was incorporated as a bor
ough in November, 1868, but owing to the absence of the original records it
will be impossible to give a complete list of borough officers from the begin
ning. The first list of which there is any definite record is for the year

570 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1868 and is as follows: Burgess, S. Shannon; J. H. Likens, clerk; James
Adams, street commissioner; council: W^illiam Fancher, Philip Duffield,
Edward Hughes, Thomas Nesbit, and Louis Hassenfritz.
From 1868 until 1874 there is another break in the records, but fi-om
the latter year a list has been kept complete. The officers for 1874 were:
burgess, Thomas Singleton; council: J. R. Adams, E. H. Sergent, J. P.
Cassedy, H. M. Wilson, and D. A. Cassedy.
1875. — Burgess, Hiram Richmond; council: Thomas Singleton, B. P.
Crain, D. K. Ramsey, John A. Stewart, J. N. Ervine, and Edward Hughes,
1876. — Burgess, Hiram Richmond; council: James Dickey, Joseph
Paden, John A. Stewart, and J. H. Ray.
1877. — Burgess, Freeman Kirk; council: Alexander Lee, B. P. Crain,
A. W. Mumford, A. P. Kennedy, and W. S. Glenn.
1878. — Burgess, B. F. Crain; council: Thomas Singleton, Thomas John
ston, James Dickey, Louis Hassenfritz, and James Hasson,
1879. — Burgess, B. F. Crain; council: J. R. Stewart, Charles Dickey,
J. J. Looney, James A. Wilson, J. P. Anderson, and J. P. Snyder.
1880. — Burgess, W. S. Glenn; council: J. H. Ray, Jacob Pulman, B,
F. Wilson, W, P. W^hitman, William Lee, and J. P. Cassedy.
1881. — Burgess, J. R. Adams; council: Alexander Lee, J. S. Hasson,
D. A. Cassedy, J. H. Ray, and L. N. Wilson.
1882. — Burgess, Samuel Shannon; council: F. D. Gaston, C. H. Yard,
Thomas Singleton, J. P. Anderson; and Q. B. Gilmore.
1883. — Burgess, J. H. Ray; councU: Edward Hughes, James Dickey,
WUliam Lee, Alexander Lee, S. P. Kennedy, and S. O. Stevenson.
1884. — Burgess, O. First; council: James Dickey, Edward Hughes, C.
H. Whitman, J. P. Cassedy, and S. O. Stevenson.
1885. — Burgess, F. D. Gaston; councU: William Mawhinney, E. A.
WUson, J. P. Cassedy, S. O. Stevenson, and Edward Hughes.
1886. — Burgess, Thomas Nesbit; council: L. Cousins, H. Seifrit, J. P
Cassedy, WUliam Mawhinney, E. A. Wilson, and C. H. Whitman.
1887. — Burgess, J. M. Perrine; council: John Duffield, J. P. Anderson,
William Mawhinney, L. F. Cousins, E. A. Wilson, and H. Seifrit.
1888. — Burgess, C. H. Yard; council: A. T. Brookhouser, D. K. Ram
sey, H. Seifrit, and L. F. Cousins.
1889. — Burgess, Edward Hughes; council: D. A. Cassedy, L. C. Cur
tis, C. C. Dickey, D. K. Ramsey, William Lee, and A. T. Brookhouser.
For many years the growth of Utica, owing to the sparsely settled condi
tion of the surrounding country, was of necessity quite slow, but with the
great oil excitement in the sixties, and the completion of what is now the
New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio railroad in 1863, the place became in
fused with new life and vitality, so that its importance as a trading and
shipping point began to be appreciated. About that time merchants did a

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 571
thriving business, and the various mills and other industries were kept run
ning at their full capacity in order to meet the demands made upon them.
Lots found ready purchasers, real estate commanded exceedingly good
prices for a town so small, and for a few years Utica bid fair to become the
rival in local trade of some of the more populous towns of the county.
While this spirit of enterprise did not long continue the borough has
always maintained its position among the successful commercial points in
Venango county, and from its location in the midst of a fine agricultural
community, will command a fair proportion of the local business for years
to come. Like many other towns of western Pennsylvania, Pftica enjoys the mod
ern advantages of natui-al gas, which was piped to the borough in 1886 by
the Columbia Gas Company of Franklin. The main line of the company,
extending from the gas region to Meadville, was tapped for the purpose
and the ft-anchise in Utica stipulates that free gas shall be furnished for
illuminating the streets and heating the school building for the privilege of
laying the pipes through the streets. This superior fuel is now in general
use in the borough and has added greatly to the comfort and convenience
of the people. BOROUGH OP POLK.
This village, formerly known by the name of Waterloo, is pleasantly
situated on the Franklin branch of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
raUroad, six miles from the county seat, and is the site of one of the earliest
settlements of Sandy creek. As early as the year 1798 or 1799 William
Gibson obtained possession of a large tract of land in the vicinity, includ
ing a part of the village plat, and opened a farm, erecting his diminutive
log cabin not far from the western limits of the borough. This from the
testimony of the oldest living residents of the borough appears to have been
the first improvement ever made on the present site of the town. Another
early settler whose arrival antedates the year 1800 was John Temple, who
located a short distance from the village on Sandy creek. Among other early
residents in the immediate neighborhood, were Seth Jewel, Welden Adams,
James Cannon, James McClaran, and WUliam Evans, all of whom located
their respective claims from 1799 to 1802. The natural advantages of the
location as the center of a large settlement in what is now French Creek
and Sandy Creek townships induced Oliver McGarvey early in the present
century to erect a flouring mill on Big Sandy, and a little later a small
stock of general merchandise was brought to the place and exhibited for
sale in a small log building which stood not far from the lot now occu
pied by the Cochran residence.
The store was highly prized by the citizens of the community and for
some time did a fairly lucrative business, but the proprietor, having no

572 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
taste for mercantile pursuits, soon disposed of his stock and moved to other
parts. The next mercantile venture was made by the firm of Giles & Lyons,
who erected a frame building, and for a period of about five years did a very
good business. Their successor was John Temple, Jr. , who, after carrying
on a fairly successful trade for a short time, sold out to Aaron McKissick,
the real father and promoter of the town.
Mr. McKissick was a man of great energy, and possessed superior business
qualifications. He purchased the land upon which the village stands, and
in 1839 had the same surveyed and platted under the name of Waterloo,
by which it continued to be known until its incorporation as a borough,
August 23, 1886, when the name of the postoffice was adopted. In con
nection with his store Mr. McKissick opened a hotel, the first in the place,
which he ran for a number of years, dividing his attention in the meantime
among merchandising, stock dealing, and farming, in all of which he was
successful. ^V^illiam Grove sold goods in the village for a few years as did also
John G. Duffield, who carried on the mercantile business from 1860 to
1870 or '72. Everhart Lytle and William H. Hurlbert were identified with
the commercial interests of the place at different times, and the Grange or
cooperative store managed by James Billingsly was in successful operation
several years; the successor tothe latter was I. H. Davison, who is now pro
prietor of one of the largest and most successful general stores in the county
outside of Oil City and Franklin.
The first mechanic to locate in the town was Thomas Ray, blacksmith.
Others who came a little later were Cassidy Gould and John Andre, black
smiths, John Ray and Alexander Black, wagon makers, S. Hamlin, cooper.
As already stated, the first mill at this point was built by Oliver McGary.
It stood on Sandy creek, was two stories high, and supplied with good
machinery operated by water power. It was well patronized by the citizens
of French Creek, Sandy Creek, and Mineral townships, ahd stood untU its
destruction by fire in the year 1870. The last proprietor, David Herstme,
erected another and larger mill on the same spot a little later. It is now
owned and operated by Ross Robison.
The history of other industries of the village may be briefly told. A
small tannery started by Messrs. Patts and Badger was in operation for a
short time, and about the year 1870 WiUiam Stevenson engaged in the man
ufacture of staves, which he carried on for a period of four years in connec
tion with a large cooper shop. He did a good business during that time,
but material becoming scarce he moved his establishment away from the
village. The Waterloo creamery was established in the year 1877 by J. A. BU-
lingsly, who subsequently disposed of his interest to Messrs. Davison,
Davis, and Glenn. The first buUding was used untU 1888, at which time a

*ffe,

^^^ /^¦'.i'

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FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 575
new buUding of larger dimensions was erected, and supplied with the latest
and most approved machinery. This is a very successful institution, em
ploys five hands, and manufactures five hundred pounds of butter daily,
all of which is shipped to the markets of New York, Pittsburgh, and Frank
lin. The proprietors, I. H. Davison and W. H. Davis, are among the
most substantial business men of the county.
Waterloo Lodge, No. 680, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 29, 1886,
with twenty-seven charter members. The organization was brought about
bv the efforts of Reverend W. H. Bunce, A. D. Dean, and J. B. Marshall.
The first officers were J. B. Marshall, N. G. ; A. D. Dean, V. G. ; W. H.
Bunce, secretary, and J. A. Billingsly, treasurer. The lodge has made com
mendable progress, the record of 1889 containing the names of fifty-six
active members.
The following is nearly a complete list of the postmasters of Polk, viz. :
George Giles,  Allen, Oliver McKissick, D. Temple, John Stone, W'ill-
iam Robison, WiUiam Hooten, W. L. McKinley, and J. J. Hays.
The medical men who have practiced the healing art in the village from
time to time have been Doctors Josiah Winnings, Rosenberry, Boyd, Gal
braith, Taylor, Leech, Feather, McKinley, and McConnell.
CHURCHES.
The following from the history of the Erie Presbytery by Doctor Baton
is a brief account of the organization of what is now the Presbyterian church
of Utica: This congregation is in Venango county and was organized about the same time
with Upper Sandy and Fairfield, namely, about the year 1800. Mr. Wylie was the first
pastor, ordained and installed April 13, 1803; released from his charge of the united
congregations of Upper and Lower Sandy and Fairfield, December 5, 1804. At the
first organization of the churches the same session was appointed for both, but on the
11th of March, 1803, it was resolved to have a separate session for each. Mr, Riggs
was tbe second pastor, ordained and installed * * * October31, 1807; released from his
charge April 8, 1813 About the beginning of his pastorate the name of the congrega
tion was changed to Mill Creek by which it was known until the removal to Utica,
In 1810 there were nineteen members. There is a chasm in the history ot the
church that cannot be filled up. It seems to have become disorganized, the members
probably worshiping at Fairfield and Sugar Creek. The late Reverend Robert Glenn
records that the Mill Creek church was organized in the fall of 1837 by Reverend Ira
Condit and Ezekiel Condit at the house of John Gordon, there being at that time no
meeting house. By a vole of the congregation the two oldest members were chosen
elders, namely, John Gordon and James Adams. In a short time the congregation
feeling the necessity of having a house in which to worship, and not being able to hire
workmen to build one, resolved to build a house with their own hands, there
being several of them acquainted with the use of tools. The work was accomplished
in due time with little expense save their own labor. This building, a substantial and
commodious frame edifice, stands about two miles from Utica and is still in a fair state
of preservation. Under its reorganization Reverend Robert Glenn was the first pastor. He was
32

576 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ordained September 1'2, 18;3-2, in connection with Amity and Sandy Lake, giving one-
third ot his time to each. He served Mill Creek one-third ot his time until September,
18.50, and one-half of his time during the remainder of his life. He died September 6,
18.57, after a pastorate of twenty-five years.
The next pastor was Reverend John D. Howey, ordained and installed
in connection with Sugar Creek September 21, 1859; released from his
charge April 26, 1865. His successor was Reverend McKean, after whom
came Reverend M. M. Shirley, who served as supply fi-om 1868 untU 1871,
and pastor from the latter date until his death in July, 1879. In the mean
time the advisability of moving the organization to the town of Utica had
been discussed, and after due consideration the matter was decided by ballot,
the majority of the congregation voting in favor of making the change. A
building site commanding a beautiful view of the village and surrounding
country was donated for church purposes by R. L. Cochran and John
Duffield, and in 1871 the present temple of worship, representing a capital
of four thousand four hundred dollars, was erected and formally dedicated.
The successor of Reverend Shirley was Reverend A. W. Varner, who served
the congregation four- years, and was succeeded by Reverend W. T. Gar-
roway, who has since been pastor.
Metliodist Episcopal Church. — The origin of the Utica congregation is
veiled in obscurity, and but limited satisfaction was derived in tracing its
early history. It is known that traveling ministers of the Methodist church
visited the French creek settlements at frequent intervals, long before the
town was founded, but it was not until some time in the thirties that any
attempts were made to effect a permanent church organization. According
to the testimony of an old resident of the borough. Reverend J. M. Van
Horn, of Meadville, was the minister by whose efforts the first class in Utica
was organized. The same authority states that there were about sixteen
members enrolled at the first meeting, among whom are remembered the
following, viz. : Jacob Whitman and wife, Thomas Johnston, John Martin,
William Hays and wife, John Duffield and wife, Philip Duffield and wife,
and Samuel Jackson and wife.
When organized the class was attached to the Lebanon circuit, of which
it remained an appointment until some time in the fifties, when it became a
point on the Cooperstown circuit. Since the year 1853 the following pas
tors have ministered to the congregation: Reverends Thomas Burroughs,
A. Keller, J. G. Hawkins, John Abbott, J. D. Darling, J. B. Wright. J.
Flower, O. Babcock, J. A. Hume, S. Fiddler, J. K. Adams, A. M. Lockwood,
and C. H. Quick.
For several years succeeding the organization the class met for public
worship in the old district school house, and later a room in the Utica
Academy building was fitted up for church purposes. In the year 1862 a
frame building, thirty- four by forty feet in size, situated near the central part

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 577
of the borough, was erected. The church has been a potent factor for good
in the community, and although not as strong numerically as in former
years, is stUl in a fluurishing condition, with an enrolled membership of
about forty five.
The United Presbyterian Church of Utica was organized by a committee
appointed by the presbytery, consisting of Reverend H. H. Thompson,
James McKnight, and Ebenezer Beatty, on the 18th of April, 1859. The
following are the names of constituent members: John M. Adams, Rachel
Adams, Elizabeth Barr, Mrs. Callaban, Ellen Stewart, Sarah A. Gilmore,
Jane Greer, James Duffield, Jane Duffield, Margaret Greer, Eliza Adams,
Francis Dunn, Ann Dunn, Margaret Dunn, Elizabeth Dunn, John David
son, Matilda Davidson, Benjamin Duncan, Margaret Duncan, James Blair,
Eliza Blair, Mary Blair, John G. Dunn, and Eliza Dunn.
The first elders were Francis Dunn and John Davidson, and at the first
meeting John M. Adams was elected clerk of session. Reverend A. W.
Caldwell was the first regular pastor. After serving two years he was suc
ceeded by Reverend L. I. Crawford, whose pastorate extended over a
period of three years. Reverend Nathan Winegart sustained the pastoral
relation eight years, and was followed by the present incumbent. Reverend
Henry Westlake, who took charge of the congregation in 1886. Previous
to 1878 the congregatidn met for worship in a room of the Utica Academy,
but in that year a substantial frame house of worship, representing a capital
of three thousand three hundred dollars, was erected in the borough, upon
a lot donated by James Adams, Sr. The present membership is about
seventy-five. Nicklin Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, three miles from Polk, dates
its history from about the year 1833. A year or two prior to that date sev
eral Methodist preachers, among whom was Reverend James Lock, held
public worship from time to time in private residences, and as a result of
their labors a small class was organized in what was known as the Lyons
school house, and attached to the Hendersonville circuit. The following were
among the early members of this class: Samuel Lyons and wife, Mrs.
Ellison, Jane Lyons, William Lyons, George Cummings and wife, Abiel
Crane and wife, Jacob Runninger, and Essington Kephart and wife, all of
whom had previously belonged to the old Sandy Creek congregation in
Sandy Creek township. Reverends Briggs, Sterns, and Hill ministered to
the class at intervals for several years, and later the pulpit was regularly
supplied by pastors of the church in Franklin. It subsequently became a
point on the Polk circuit and untU about the year 1870 its history is a record
of slow growth and indifferent success. The Lyons school house was used
as a meeting place until the above year, when the present house of worship,
a substantial frame structure, was erected on land donated for the purpose
by D. T. Nicklin. The church enrolls at this time an active membership of
about seventy persons.

578 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Reynolds Methodist Episcopal Church is the outgrowth of the labors of
John Stone, Mr. Cory, and John Reynolds, active lay members of the
Methodist church, who formerly resided in the western part of the township
near the Mercer county line. Reverend Bair visited the neighborhood at
intervals in an early day, and held public worship in the dwelling of Hiram
Reynolds, but it was not until about the j'ear 1842 or '48 that the efforts of
the piously inclined in the community crystallized into an organization.
According to the most reliable information the first class was formed some
time between the years 1840 and 1845, and among those who became members
at that time and a little later were Elijah WiUiams and wife, Reuben Ward
and wife, Miss Ward, Mrs. Van Meter, John Stone, Jonah Reynolds, Mr.
Williard and wife, and Mrs. Cannon. Shortly after the organization was
effected, a log building on the Hiram Reynolds farm was fitted up for church
purposes. Here the congregation met for worship until a building for its
especial use was erected a few years later. This building was a comfortable
hewed log structure, eighteen by twenty-five feet in dimensions, and stood
on land donated by Hiram Reynolds. It was used until 1865, at which
time the present frame building, in size forty by forty-five feet and costing
the sum of two thousand dollars, was erected and formally dedicated. When
organized, the class was attached to the Hendersonville circuit, but about
the year 1855 it became a point on the Polk circuit. The present member
ship is about seventy.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Polk was organized many years
ago about two miles east of the present site of the village, and among the
early members were the following: James Cannon and family, Alexander
McElhaney and family, S. Vincent and family, John Foster and family,
Aaron McKissick and family, and Welden Adams and family. Reverend
Ira Eddy was an early preacher, and the first house of worship was a small
frame building on the land of James Cannon about two miles east of Polk,
It was built as early perhaps as 1829, but prior to its erection meetings
were held for some time in a neighboring school house and private resi
dences. The society grew and flourished until some time in the fifties,
when owing to the remote distances at which many of the members lived
from the place of worship it was thought best to abandon the original so
ciety, the effect of which was the organization of three new classes, viz.,
Polk, East Grove, and Pleasant Grove. The old building was sold and re
moved in 1859. After its organization the Polk class met in the school
house and town hall until 1874, at which time the present house of wor
ship, representing a cost of one thousand dollars, was erected. The follow
ing pastors have ministered to the class since its reorganization in the village,
viz.. Reverends Winger, Martin, Brandfield, Clyde, Bunce, Wick, Knapp,
and Hover. The present membership is fifty.
The Presbyterian Church of Polk was formally organized on the 5th of

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 579
March, 1854, from members of Franklin and Mill Creek congregations,
among whom were the following: John Dewoody, Margaret Dewoody, May
Dewoody, Robert Condit, Margaret Condit, and Elizabeth Anderson. Rev
erends Coulter, Condit, and Newell preached for the church as supplies
untU July, 1868, when Reverend M. M. Shirley took charge of the congre
gation. He was installed pastor in 1873 and continued to exercise the func
tions of that position until his death, after which Reverend Verner became
pastor. His successor was Reverend W. T. Garroway, the present incum
bent. It is but proper to state in this connection that the church is largely
indebted for its existence and prosperity to the efforts of the late James
Gilliland, by whose generous donations the present house of worship was
erected. The building is frame, forty by forty-five feet in size, and was
formally dedicated in the year 1858. Since its organization the following
persons have served the church as elders, viz., James Gilliland, David Run
ninger, James Hays, John G. Duffield, Alexander Billingsly, Joshua Sny
der, and Thomas M. Law. CEMETERIES.
One of the oldest places of burial in French Creek township is the Lind
say graveyard, on Mill creek, a place of interment for the Lindsays and a
few other families. Beneath the somber shades of this old cemetery, long
since abandoned as a burying ground, and overgrown with a dense mass of
weeds and shrubbery, repose the ashes of some of the first pioneers of
French Creek. John Lindsay was buried here as long ago as 1804, but
there were interments several years prior to that date of persons whose
names have long since been forgotten.
The Mill Creek cemetery, two miles west of Utica on Mill creek, was
set aside for burial purposes in the year 1800. One of the first (if not the
first) person laid to rest in this old burying ground was Margaret Cooper,
daughter of Samuel Cooper, whose death occurred on the 28th of Septem
ber, of the above year. Samuel, son of John and Mary Gordon, was buried
near the Cooper grave in October, 1802, and the body of John Gordon, Jr.,
son of the same parents, was lowered to its last resting place in July, 1807.
WUliam Cooper was buried here in the year 1806, and among other early
burials were those of Mrs. Mary Gordon and several members of the
Cooper and McCracken families, whose graves are marked by appropriate
epitaphs carved in moss-covered sandstone slabs. The borders of the bury
ing ground have recently been enlarged and a cemetery association formed.
It is the principal place of interment for a large area of country and around
it cluster memories of the great majority of French Creek's earliest pio
neers. There is a cemetery connected with the Reynolds church in the
western part of ftie township, but not so old as the ones described.

580 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
Hand in hand with the church, and scarcely less effectual in its civilizing
and elevating influences upon the pioneer communities of French Creek
was the school. The necessity of a rudimentary education was early
recognized and appreciated; and as soon as convenient subscription schools
were established in the different neighborhoods and well patronized. In all
probability the first school in the township was taught as early as the year
1801-2, by James Lowrie, who used for the purpose a small log building
which stood on Mill creek, a short distance above Utica.
The second building for school purposes was erected about the year
1803. It stood about three-quarters of a mile above Utica, on French
creek, and within its walls James Gilliland, father of Joseph and A. C.
Gilliland, wielded the birch in the winter of 1803-4. James Taylor taught
a term in a little log house near "Hanna's Gap," as early as 1810, and
several years later Samuel Hood taught in the same locality, though not in
the same building. A. P. Whitaker, editor of the Venango Spectator, was
one of the pedagogues in the same neighborhood in later years. A school
was taught in an abandoned dwelling on the GiUiland farm two miles north
east of Waterloo in an early day by a Miss Nash, who is remembered as a
very good teacher for that time. A round log house was erected in the
same neighborhood a little later, and for two years the children living with
in a radius of two miles of the same were instructed in the mysteries of
the alphabet, spelling book, writing, and arithmetic to the "rule of three,"
by Misses Alice Cummings and Sarah Whann.
James Paden in an early day taught a term of school in an abandoned
dwelling which stood on the Runninger farm, and about the same time
Lacy Cochran taught for several months in a vacant dwelling on the Simcox
place. A log school house was erected in the same neighborhood sometime
afterward, and the first school in the same was taught by Susan Oliver.
There was also an early school building on the Major McClelland place,
about three miles from Polk, but of the teachers nothing definite was
learned. As early as 1837 or '38, Miss Anna Moore taught a term in the house of
John Martin, on the Heydrick farm, and a year or two later Miss Delia
Hammond was employed to teach in the same place. Subsequently a log
building was erected in the neighborhood on land now owned by John
Lesher. Robert Stout, W^illiam Gordon, and James M. Daily were among
the early pedagogues in this building.
The first school patronized by the residents of Utica was taught in a
small log building which stood near the present site of the United Presby
terian church. It was erected as early as 1831 and was first used by James
Scott, who is remembered as a scholarly man and an excellent teacher for
that time. Among the various teachers who came after Mr. Scott the fol

FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP. 581
lowing are recalled, viz. : Daniel Stephens, William Gordon, William Wright,
Edward Hughes, Esther Clough, William Hutchinson, W. W. Whitley, and
Allen McCracken.
The old log building was destroyed by fire some time in the forties and
immediately thereafter a small frame building was erected near the mouth of
Mill creek, in which the following pedagogues wielded the birch at different
times, namely, J. L. Hanna, Bowman Glenn, James Heydrick, Mr. Lord,
Mary J. Coulter, C. W. GilfiUan, and others.
In course of time this building was found to be entirely too small to
accommodate the school population of the village, and accordingly a move
ment to erect a house of enlarged dimensions was inaugurated about the
year 1854. This was started as a private enterprise, known as the Utica
Academy and Lecture Room Company, the object being to erect a building in
which not only the common school could be taught, but also a school for the
advancement of the higher branches of learning. The building, a two-story
frame structure, was erected in 1855 and the same year a private school was
duly organized by C. W. GiltUlan, who taught for a time. The next
teacher was Professor Bell, who with his wife, also an experienced teacher,
established a school for instruction in the higher grades which was quite
well patronized. Professor Bennett was the next teacher.
In the meantime the United Presbyterian church secured the use of a
part of the building for church purposes which was completed by the con
gregation for a lien upon the property. In the year 1865 the school di
rectors purchased the church' s interest in the building, obtained possession
of the property, and converted it into a public school which still went by
the name of the Utica Academy. It was used until the winter of 1886,
when the entire structure was consumed by fire, entailing a heavy loss upon
the borough. The present building, a large two-story frame structure con
taining four commodious rooms, was erected the same year at a cost of three
thousand two hundred dollars.
The first school building within the present limits of Polk was a small
plank structure erected near where the present buUding stands as early as
the year 1829. It was used about thirty years and then replaced by a frame
house which stood until the erection of the present brick building in 1868.
Among the early teachers in the village the following names are recalled:
Isaac Bunnell, Benjamin Hall, A. White, WUson ^Valker, James Daily, and
Robert Montgomery,

582 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXX.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Organization and Population— Pioneers— Early Industries— Villages
— Churches — Schools.
AS originally defined in 1806, the boundaries of Richland included
much more than its present area, to which it was reduced in 1839 by
the erection of Clarion county. It is one of the smaller subdivisions of
Venango county. Rockland adjoins on the west and north and the AUe
gheny river on the west. The surface is much diversified and well watered.
The population in 1870 was one thousand and twenty-three; in 1880, one
thousand two hundred and twenty-one. ,
PIONEERS.
The earliest settled portion of the township was the region about the
mouth of Ritchey's run. This stream derives its name from the Ritchey
family, of which the first representative here was James Ritchey; he was
from Westmoreland county and the date of his settlement here is placed as
early as 1796. He located on the Clarion county side of Ritchey's run a
mile and a half from its mouth. The maiden name of his wife was Jane
Kennedy and she was the mother of thirteen children, five sons and eight
daughters. Of the descendants who once Uved in Richland, James Ritchey
was elected county commissioner in 1857 and was the only member of the
family who held a county office. The property now owned by his heirs
was the original home of his father, Alexander Ritchey.
Other early settlers in the southern part of the township were Johnson
McGinnis, Moses Porter, Andrew Porter, Samuel Stewart, and one Carr,
whose surname has been forgotten. He was merely a squatter and made
the first improvements on what was known as the Duncan tract, owned by
non-residents. McGinnis located on the farm now owned by Thomas
Bailey. He reared a large family and has numerous descendants in Scrub-
grass township. Moses Porter lived where Joseph Porter now lives and
Andrew Porter near Mariasville. Samuel Stewart first improved what is
called the Knauss farm. Along the bank of the river John Kerr made an
improvement at a very early date upon the site of Emlenton.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 583
The pioneers of the region about Nickleville were James Say, John Don
aldson, John Bell, William Nickle, William Adams, Daniel O'Neil, Samuel
Huston, Alexander SuUinger, James Downing. WiUiam Davidson, John
Levier, James Levier, John McDonald, Henry Mays, Andrew Weaver,
George Myers, Robert Criswell, Washington M;iys, Abraham Persing, Abra
ham, William, Jacob, Isaac, and James Karns. James Say was the son of
David Say, who settled in Scrubgrass in 1796, John Donaldson was the
son of Andrew Donaldson of Cumberland county, who settled on Slippery
Rock creek in Butler county, and from that place his son removed to Rock
land township in 1815. There he settled the farm owned by Levi Nickle.
In 1822 he came into Richland, where he purchased three hundred and
fifty acres of what was known as the college lands. When he came here he
had a family of five children. He sold half of his purchase to John Bell,
who was fi'om Butler county. His brother George came out first and made
a small clearing, and in the following year John Bell removed with his fam
Uy. This property is owned by his son, George Bell. Other purchasers
of the college lands, which comprised twelve hundred acres and were sold
by the county commissioners, were William Adams, Samuel Huston, Alex
ander SuUinger, and James Say. William Nickle was fi-om the North of
Ireland, and first settled in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania. In
1821 he went to Clarion county, where he was engaged at the furnaces. In
1824 he came into Richland and made the first improvement where John
Persing lives, and in 1828 he removed to the vicinity of Nickleville. There
he purchased the improvements made by John Downing. John Levier,
born in Butler county in 1799, of French parentage, came into this town
ship in 1827 and located where D. B. Levier, his son, now resides. James
Levier, his brother, who was born in 1796 and died in 1887, followed him
in the following year. There were two new arrivals in 1881 in this neigh
borhood, George Gardner and Abraham Persing. The former was from
the Kishocoquillas valley, Mifflin county, and had purchased the property of
James Say the previous year. Persing was from Union county,
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
The earliest mill was built by Henry Myers. It was constructed of un
hewn logs and had a large stone chimney, the topmost stone bearing the
date 1828. It is the natural inference that this was the date of erection.
The mill was owned and operated by G. Washington Mays, a son-in-law of
Myers, From him the property passed to Andrew Spinogle and John
Goodman from Lancaster county, by whom the present mill was built.
^/ouis A. Giering was the next proprietor, and the mill is now owned by
his heirs.
WiUiam Adams, a tanner by trade, came into Richland in 1828, and
established a tannery within a short time thereafter on the farm that

584 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
John Persing now owns. It was equipped with vats and a bark mill, but the
proprietor did most of his work for a share of the product, receiving hides
from the farmers and tanning them for half the leather. Robert Hewev
operated this establishment for a time. Stephen Arnold also had a tan
nery on the farm of Leslie Adams. John Owens bought this property and
conducted the business many years.
James F. Agnew established the first carding mill, on Ritchey's run, two
miles from its mouth. At the time -of his death, August 21, 1878, he had
been postmaster here more than fifty years, and was probably the oldest
postmaster in point of service in the United States. The place was known
as Agnew's Mills.
Of distilleries there were two — William Karns' near Disler's Corners,
and John Mulligan's. The latter was first located half a mile above Gier-
ing's mill and afterward removed to a point the same distance east of
Keefer' s Factory on the road leading from that place to the Emlenton road.
At the period when the only way of disposing of grain was to eat or drink
it, the distillery was scarcely less useful than the grist mill.
Stapley furnace was the scene of an active industry some years ago. It
was built by Charles and Richard Shippen on Mill creek five or six miles
distant from the river and was so named in honor of a connection of the
Shippen family. The cupola, warehouse and store rooms, and houses once
occupied by the operatives are still standing, but have long since fallen
into decay. VILLAGES.
Nickleville is situated at the intersection of the Rockland and old Frank
lin roads, the latter being the earliest road opened through this section. A
fifth road leads to Richland church. The village was laid out by William
Nickle, Jr. , son of the pioneer of that name. He was justice of the peace
many years and opened the first store. He was also first postmaster. At
present there is one store, a hotel, blacksmith shop, and a population of per
haps fifty. The only industrial feature, and one exceptional in a village of
this size, is the pottery of Samuel Jones, established in 1878.
Mariasville was so named in honor of the wife of Benjamin X. Junkin,
magistrate of Richland township before its division and the owner of that
part of the village that lies in Clarion county. It appears that Jacob Shirey
was the original owner in Venango. In 1844 Joseph Schmidt, a native
German, bought eight acres from Shirey and cleared it for farming pur
poses. In the meantime Emanuel Widle had made an improvement on the
corner opposite Laughner's store, and Elias Widle established a foundry
across the line in Clarion county. This was continued only a few years.
M. O. Laughner was the first postmaster of the village a,nd his immediate
successor was the present incumbent, Levi Grimm.
Keefer' s Factory, a post- village under the name of Porterfield and known

RICHL-iND TOWNSHIP. 585
also as Santa F6, has been for many years the leading industrial point in
the township. An account of Giering' s mill has been given. David Shaw
established a carding and fulling mUl here in 1840. Good Intent Woolen
Mills were buUt in 1856 by W. L. Keefer, and comprise a three- story frame
building thirty feet by sixty feet with engines of twelve-horse power and one
set of cards. At one time ten or twelve thousand pounds of wool were
manufactured annually into cloth, but of recent years this branch of the
business has been entirely discontinued and exclusive attention given to yarns
for country trade. The postoffice was established in 1867 with W. L.
Keefer as postmaster. CHaRCHES.
Valley Church of the Evangelical Association is probably the oldest in
the township. It was organized in 1834 or 1835, at the Weaver school
house by Reverend Solomon Altamouse. The first leader was Samuel
Weaver, and the first members were Joseph and Sallie Weaver, Andrew and
Catherine Weaver, Thomas Weaver, and Samuel Weaver. The Starr,
Bushey, and Mitchell families united with the organization soon afterward.
The first church edifice was built about 1840 on ground given by Andrew
Weaver. Many of the early members are buried at this place. The second
church building was erected in 1865. David Weaver donated the ground
upon which it stood. This was removed in 1 889, and replaced by the pres
ent frame structure. Reverend J. Esch is the present pastor.
Zion Church of the Evangelical Association was organized at the house
of Samuel King. Among the members of the first class were Jonas Gilger,
Samuel King, David Dutt, Abraham Biery, Samuel Luntz, and Samuel
Dreibelbis. Services were held at King' s house and at Salem until 1844,
when a fi-ame church was built, an acre of ground having been given for
that purpose by Samuel Dreibelbis. The present place of worship was
erected in 1875 and dedicated February 21, 1876. Adam King, Nicholas
GUger, Emanuel Shirey, and John Martz composed the building committee
and Reverend G. W. Cupp was pastor. Reverend J. Esch is the present
incumbent. The first Sunday school superintendent was Abraham Mull.
The present burying ground was given in 1850 by Joseph Disler and David
Martz. Academia Presbyterian Church. — Richland church, organized in 1823,
included the Presbyterian element that formed this body prior to its organi
zation, which occurred August 2, 1856, with the following members: Samuel
and Mary Huston, WUliam and Martha Davidson, William and Elizabeth
Nickle, James and Elsie Say, John Bell, Robert and Hannah Criswell, Robert
Hewey, David and Esther Say, Nathaniel and Mary McFeeter, Alexander and
Jane SuUinger, Sophia and Jane CampbeU, William and Sarah Piatt, Laura
Do-wning, Elizabeth Reels, Mary Beels, Margaret Owen, Rachel Rumbarger,

586 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Jane Grant, James and Mary Clark, Elizabeth McDonald, Daniel Nickle,
Sophia and Sarah Gardner, John and Nancy Donaldson, Jane, Mary, Han
nah, and Margaret Nickle, and Elizabeth Bell, Jr. The first elders were
Samuel Huston and William Davidson. Years before this Reverend Robert
McGarrugh from Lawrenceburg, Clarion county, had preached in this vicin
ity, in the barn of George Gardner, the school house, and elsewhere. The
succession of regular pastors has been as follows: William McMichaels, S.
P. Kinkaid, M. M. Shirley, Andrew Virtue, J. C. Hench, S. P. DiUon, and
A. S. Elliott. The church edifice at Nickleville was buUt in 1850. The
buUding committee consisted of T. K. Gardner, Alexander SuUinger, and
Robert Criswell.
Mt. Pleasant Church, Church of God, was organized August 23, 1888,
at a camp meeting in Rockland, when the first elder, Samuel Gilger was
ordained. A church building erected in 1856 by the Methodists, was pur
chased in 1888. SCHOOLS.
The first school in Richland township was taught in 1824 by Samuel
Stroup, and one of his early successors was Charles McClatchey. This house
was on the Donaldson farm, and as a work of architecture challenges ad
miration. The dimensions were about twelve and fourteen feet; the walls
were built of unhewn logs; clapboards kept in place by weight poles formed
the roof; huge logs were burned in a large open fire-plaqe, while the smoke
found exit through a wooden chimney; light was admitted by a long and
narrow opening between the logs; the door was formed of a single chestnut
puncheon and swung on wooden hinges. The Huston school house was built
in 1830, where the roads to Emlenton and Red Valley diverge. Stephen
Arnold and John GUlUand were the first teachers. The Swamp school,
since known as Maple Hollow, was also one of the earliest, and Hannah
Nickle taught here. Mrs. Andrew Porter is remembered as the teacher in a
building owned by James Agnew at an early date. The first house for school
purposes in that part of the township was built on land given for the pur
pose by Joseph Fox.

CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP. 587

CHAPTER XXXI.
CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Streams — Population — Pioneers— Early Industries-
Villages— The PiKST Oil Well— The Benninghoff Rob
bery* — Schools — Churches — Cemeteries.
CHERRY TREE occupies a neariy central position on the northern line
of Venango county. On the east it is separated from Oil Creek town
ship by the stream of that name; Cornplanter and Oakland adjoin on the
south and Plum on the west. The area has not been materially reduced
since the original division of the county into townships in 1806. As part
of the proceedings of that date, however. Cherry Tree and Plum were
united under one administration, and not separately organized until 1817.
The two principal streams of northern Venango county. Sugar creek and
Oil creek, drain the whole of Cherry Tree. Little Sugar creek fiows through
the northwestern part of its territory; Cherry Tree run, a branch of Oil
creek, has its sources in the central and southern parts, and numerous'smaller
streams contribute to the volume of the latter after rapid but uneventful
courses through the hills on the east.
The population in 1850 was nine hundred and thirty; in 1870, two
thousand three hundred and twenty-six; in 1880, one thousand six hun
dred and eighteen. PIONEERS.
The first permanent settler of Cherry Tree was William Reynolds. An
Englishman by birth, he came to America with his son John and upon their
arrival at New York they were promptly met by land agents, among whom
were the representatives of the Holland Company. The representations of
the latter induced them to make d journey to northwestern Pennsylvania.
Here they secured a four hundred acre tract on Cherry Tree run, embracing
the site of the village and church of that name. This was in 1797. In the
following year the father went to Philadelphia to meet the rest of his fam
Uy and conduct them to their new home west of the Allegheny mountains.
They are remembered as people of worth and respectability. The father
was a Baptist in faith but extended his hospitality to the ministers of all
denominations. In politics he was Democratic. There were four sons:

588 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
John, William, Joshua, and Edward A., and five daughters. Edward A.
held a commission as brigade inspector in the local militia.
There were two arrivals in 1798, James Tuthill and John Strawbridge.
The former was from the eastern part of the state and first located on the
Irwin farm on the Oil creek road, where he owned a four hundred acre tract.
He reared a large family, but none of the name are residents of that locality
at this time. Strawbridge was from the upper Susquehanna valley, prob
ably the vicinity of Williamsport. He formed his first acquaintance with
western Pennsylvania as assistant to a surveyor and was thus employed in
the neighborhood of Meadville when that city consisted of but two houses.
In 1797 he purchased four hundred acres of land in' Crawford county, and
having sold this to James and Daniel McCombs, he secured two hundred
and thirty-seven acres in Cherry Tree on the road leading from Cherry Tree
village to Breedtown. He married Elizabeth Lucas, sister-in-law of Francis
Buchanan, a pioneer of Oil creek in Cornplanter. They reared ten children,
six sons and four daughters. Two of the former, WilUam and Joseph, are
among the oldest citizens of the county. John Strawbridge was a soldier
in the war of 1812. In politics he was a Democrat.
The Irwins of Cherry Tree were a prominent and influential family, not
only in the township but throughout the county. The family traces its
descent to David Irwin of County Armagh, Ireland, who married Margaret
Berry in 1725 and reared a family of eleven children, eight sons and three
daughters. Six of the sons immigrated to America. It is from Richard,
who was born in 1740 and married Ann Steele at New London, Chester
county, Pennsylvania, in 1764, that the family in this county is descended.
Afterward he removed to White Deer township. Union county, then North
umberland, where he was one of the members of a committee of safety
formed for the protection of the Buffalo valley in 1778, and resided untU
his death in 1809. Four of his sons settled in Cherry Tree at the beginning
of the century — Samuel, John, James, and Ninian; and a fifih, Richard,
followed some years later.
Samuel Irwin was born August 17, 1765, and married Jane MUler in
1795. His first home in this township, to which he came in May, 1802, was
a four hundred acre tract on the Wallaceville road. Afterward he bought
the land of James Tuthill, previously mentioned, and resided there until
his death, September 10, 1847. He was the first postmaster of the town
ship. The office, known as Cherry Tree, was kept at his house. He was
the father of eight chUdren: Richard, Mrs. Fanny McKee, Samuel M,,
Mrs. Ann Chase, John, William, Mrs. Eliza Lovell, and Mrs. Jane Curry.
Richard Irwin, the oldest of this family, was its most prominent repre
sentative. He served as deputy surveyor, county commissioner, associate
judge, presidential elector, and member of the board of revenue commis
sioners that convened at Harrisburg in 1851. As a surveyor he stood in

CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP. 589
the front rank of his profession in this part of the state. Born in White
Deer township. Union county. May 6, 1798, he died at Franklin November
18, 1882, at the age of eighty- four.
John Irwin was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 24,
1768. He came to Venango county in the summer of 1800 as assistant to
Samuel Dale, the first county surveyor. He was a bachelor and made his
home with his brother Samuel. It is not probable, therefore, that he was
a resident of Cherry Tree until after the arrival of the latter. He was one
of the first associate judges of the county and the incumbent of that office
from 1805 to his death, December 28, 1888. Judge Jesse Moore is said to have
regarded him as the most able lay judge on his extensive circuit. He built
the first mill in the township and was a large land owner. He was an ac
complished and accurate sui-veyor.
James Irwin owned four hundred acres on the Wallaceville road, now
known as the Prather farm. He was born in West Fallowfield to-vmship,
Chester county, February 18, 1770, and died in 1827. His son, Richard S.,
was a captain in the old militia.
Ninian Irwin located in the northwestern part of the township on land
owned by the heirs of his son James. Born in Chester county May 24,
1774, his death occurred August 10, 1826. He was elected to the office of
county commissioner in 1805, receiving two hundred and ten votes, the lar
gest number polled for any candidate at that election, the first after the organ
ization of the county. He was an accomplished penman. The first school
house in the township was built largely through his efforts, and at different
times he taught in the local schools. He was justice of the peace a number
of years. Ninian, Jr., his son, was a surveyor and merchant, and the
founder of Cherry Tree village.
James Hamilton, a native of Ireland, immigrated to Pennsylvania in
1795, and settled in Centre county. In 1801 he came to Venango, accom
panied by his father, Thomas Hamilton, and three brothers — Thomas, Hugh,
and Archibald. James located a mile west of Center school house, where
Hem-y Buxton now lives. Here he operated one of the first distilleries in
the county. He had four sons: John, second sheriff of Venango county and
judge in Warren many years; Richard; Hugh, and James, a soldier of the
war of 1812, and county commissioner at one time.
Thomas Hamilton's residence was in the vicinity of Breedtown. He had
six sons: James, Thomas, Walker, John, Hugh, and William; and four
daughters: Mrs. Elizabeth Hancox, Mrs. Margaret Hamilton, Mrs. Nancy
Irwin, and Mrs. Ann Stewart. Thomas, Jr. , was county surveyor.
Hugh Hamilton located on the Oil creek road where Mrs. WiUiam M.
Lamb now resides. The farm originally secured by his brother Archibald,
who removed to Ohio in 1820, was the scene of Drake' s initial oil opera
tions.

590 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Elial Farr, a Yankee and probably from New England, came here with a
family in 1801, and made the first improvement on the farm of E. Walker
Hamilton. He was an early school teacher and magistrate. Although the
only Whig in a community otherwise unanimously Democratic, he enjoyed
great personal popularity and gave unusal satisfaction in his administra
tion as justice. In 1819 he removed to Ohio. Some years later he returned,
on a visit, as pronounced a Democrat as he had formerly been a Whig.
Henry Prather was the first blacksmith of the township. His lands ad
joined those of Samuel and James Irwin. He reared a family of three sons
and several daughters. The names of the former were Thomas, Henry,
and Abram. The Prathers arrived in 1801.
There were several German families among the early population.
George Tarr was the owner of several hundred acres of land, part of which
was inherited by his son, Martin Tarr, deceased. Andrew Coover located
near Breedtown at an early date, and gave the name to Coover' s run, a
small stream flowing into Little Sugar creek. Jacob Casper was a resident
of the same vicinity.
Elisha Archer came to the township in 1801, secured a four hundred
acre tract, and returned to his former home in one of the eastern counties.
Having married Hannah Staples, he oncfe more made the journey across
the mountains. His land was northwest of Center school house.
The second tanner of the township was Elijah Stewart. He was born
in Chester county and reared a Presbyterian. In 1802 he came to Venango
and within a short time thereafter had a tannery in operation. He married
Lydia, daughter of William Reynolds, and they reared a large famUy.
Cherry Tree Presbyterian church was erected largely through his efforts.
Among others who arrived at various dates were Manus McFadden and
Edward Griffin, natives of Ireland, and the first Catholics of the township —
the former came here from Westmoreland in 1803, the latter from Hunt
ingdon in 1802 ; John Stiver, who planted the first orchard in the vicinity
of Breedtown; WiUiam Wilson, from Centre county, who lived a mile north
of Breedtown, was twice married, and the father of fifteen children; Arthur
Robinson, a native of Ireland, who emigrated in 1798, and came from Cen
tre county to Venango in 1803; Richard and James Ross, proprietors of one
of the first distilleries; Charles Ingram, who lived northwest of Breedtown;
David Kidd and Robert W. Granger, both of whom went farther west after
a brief residence here, Robert Curry, a brother-in-law of Jonathan Titus,
founder of TitusvUle, and a soldier in the war of 1812, and Alexander David
son, a neighbor of Curry, and one of the first settlers on the Oil creek road.
James Alcorn emigrated from the North of Ireland and after spending a
winter in eastern Pennsylvania continued his journey to the ' ' English set
tlement " near TitusviUe. He came to Venango county in 1811. He had
five sons: John, Andrew, Robert, WiUiam, and S-amuel, and one daughter,

CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP. 593
Jane, who married William Alcorn. The family is numerously represented.
Joseph Breed, a soldier of the Revolution, removed from Stonington,
Connecticut, in 1818, to the locality known as Breedtown. Three sons:
Charles, Nathan and John, and two daughters: Mrs. Mercy Hancox and
Abby, accompanied him. They bought land of John Stiver, who then re
moved to Ohio.
One other Revolutionary veteran, Samuel Lovett, resided in the town
ship for a time at an early date, but removed to Crawford county.
The following is a list of taxable inhabitants in 1818: Isaac Archer,
James Alcorn, Joseph Ai-mstrong, Benjamin August, Robert Curry, Jacob
Casper, Andrew Coover, Michael Coover, Alexander Davidson, Daniel
Fleming, Edward Fleming, Elial Farr, Hannah Gregg, Edward Griffin,
Barnard Griffin, John Griffin, Robert Granger, Richard Hamilton, James
HamUton, Jr., Archibald Hamilton, Hugh Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton,
James Hamilton, Walker Hamilton, John Irwin, Samuel Irwin, Ninian
Irwin, Charles Ingram, Samuel Kerr, David Kidd, Isaac Kellogg, Manus
McFadden, William McCray, WUliam McGinnis, William Reynolds, Henry
Prather, William Reynolds, Jr., Joshua Reynolds, William Reynolds,
Arthur Robison, Richard Ross, John Strawbridge, Elijah Stewart, John
Stiver, George Tarr, John Tarr, Jonathan Titus, David Terrett, William
Wilson, John Wilson.
Early Industries. — The first tannery was established by John Stiver,
and seems to have been discontinued when he left the township. The sec
ond, of which Elijah Stewart was the originator, was situated on Cherry
Tree run. At first thevprocess was slow and laborious, the only apparatus
being a number of wooden troughs. Later vats and a bark mill were pro
vided. Andrew Stewart was associated with his brother in this business.
The first grist mill was built by John Irwin on Cherry Tree run; the
location is a miU site to this day. James Alcorn built the second on Little
Sugar creek.
James Hamilton had a small distillery on his farm at an early date.
Richard, his son, began the business when his father retired. James and
Richard Ross were also engaged in the distilling business.
Ninian Irwin built the first saw mill in 1823, and Samuel Alcorn the
second, in 1888. VILLAGES.
Cherry Tree is situated on the road from Franklin to TitusviUe, a much
traveled thoroughfare formerly known as the Oil creek road, thirteen miles
from the former, six from the latter, and nine from Oil City. As previously
stated, the first settler on the tract of land embracing its site was William
Reynolds. The first house in the village proper was built by John Elder,
a blacksmith from Centre county. Isaac Newton erected the second, and
opened therein the first store. In this business his successor was Ninian
33

594 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Irwin. That part of the village west of Cherry Tree run was regulat-ly
laid out in 1850 by Richard Irwin, and the first house thereon erected by
Hugh McClintock. Two churches, a public school building, several stores,
the shops of the local mechanics, and a population of about a hundred
constitute the town at present.
Breedtown had greater claims to village pretentions when the numerous
family of that name first arrived than now. At that date the population was
sparse and three or four houses within sight of each other was an unusual
occurrence. Alcorntown is similarly a thickly settled neighborhod rather than a
village. Shaffer Farm, during the time that it was the southern terminus of the
Oil Creek railroad, became a place of several thousand inhabitants, with all
the features of an oil country town at that period. With the extension of
the road farther down the creek it lost prestige and has almost entirely dis
appeared. Miller Farm also enjoyed an ephemeral existence and is among the many
incidents of the oil business that have passed into oblivion.
THE rlRST OIL WELL.
Cherry Tree contributed largely to the interesting and exciting episodes
of the early oil discoveries. It was here that Drake's well was drilled in Au
gust, 1859, a short distance south of TitusviUe, an event which marked the
beginning of a new era in the history of western Pennsylvania. In June,
1861, the first flowing well was struck, on the McElhaney farm in this town
ship. Further details on these subjects are given in a previous chapter of
this work. THE BENNINGHOFP ROBBERY.
No event in the criminal annals of the oil regions has created a more
widespread excitement than the Benninghoff robbery; and whether the skUl-
f ulness of its execution or the magnitude of the amount involved be 'con
sidered, it certainly ranks with similar occurrences that occasionally relieve
the monotony of metropolitan life.
John Benninghoff was a farmer and lived a mile and a half fi-om Petro
leum Center, in a secluded neighborhood. His farm proved to be valuable
oil territory, and yielded an immense revenue; With the shortsightedness
characteristic of men unused to the possession of large sums of money, and
in consequence of a large loss through the failure of a local bank, he kept
several hundred thousand dollars in a safe in his house. The plan of the
robbery was formed at Saegertown, Crawford county, by James Saeger,
Louis Waelde, Jacob Shoppart, and George Miller, in October, 1867. George
Geiger, a hired man in the household of Benninghoff, was also an accessory,
and Saeger secured the services of four professional cracksmen of Philadel-

CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP. 595
phia named Donnelly, Gordon, Wright, and Fleming, to whom he was in
troduced by one Thackeray, an ex-policeman. On the evening of January
16, 1868, Waelde and the professionals set out from Meadville in a sled.
Arrived at their destination, they abstracted the contents of the safe — two
hundred thousand doUars in currency and fifty-five thousand dollars in
bonds, and then returned to Meadville, where the booty was divided. Sev
eral of the minor conspirators were apprehended and convicted, but Saeger,
by whom the robbery was planned and with whom it originated, escaped to
the West, where he still lives. SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was taught in the winter of 1807 by
William Reynolds, in a log dwelling house previously occupied by James
Hamilton. The first school house was built in 1809 on the Peebles farm by
Ninian Irwin, owner of the land at that time. He taught the first school
there in the foUowing winter and another term in the winter of 1812-13.
The young men and women of the neighborhood largely composed the
school. The second school house was built at Cherry Tree village; John
Ward and A. G. Siverly were among the first teachers. The first frame
buUding was erected in 1828 at Breedtown by Ninian and James Irwin.
Prominent among the early teachers of the township after those mentioned
were Elial Farr, James Hamilton, Richard Irwin, James Spencer, Robert
Archer, John Gayetty, Alexander Hays, and Hugh Hamilton.
CHURCHES.
Cherry Tree Baptist Church was constituted July 8, 1835, by a council
of representatives from neighboring organizations, at which Oliver Alford
presided and John Hicks was clerk. A confession of faith was adopted, to
which the following persons affixed their names : Amos B. Hancox, Nathan
Breed, James Fleming, John Fleming, Amos S. Hancox, Mrs. Mary Green,
Mrs. Ruth Breed, Mrs. Sarah Fleming, Mrs. Mary Fleming, Mrs. Abigail
Gleason, Mrs. Jane Jones, and Mrs. Blanch Prichard. July 25, 1835, Ben
jamin Fleming was elected deacon and Amos B. Hancox clerk. Reverends
Samuel MUes, John Hicks, R. D. Hayes, WUliam Lamb, Cyrus Shreve,
 Hendricks, C. W. Drake, A. Murdock, G. M. Righter, Joseph M. Ray,
and Cyrus Shreve have served as pastors in the order of their names. Amos
S. Hancox, George Strawbridge, and George Kees were appointed a build
ing committee for the erection of a church November 26, 1859. The church
was dedicated in 1861. A parsonage was erected- in 1864.
Fairview Methodist Episcopal Church. — A class, composed of John,
Elizabeth, Mary, Samuel, WiUiam, Andrew, Eliza M. , and Rebecca Alcorn,
with Samuel Alcorn as leader, was formed in 1836 by Reverends Reuben
Peck and Daniel Richey. The church edifice was built in 1845 during the

596 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
pastorate of Reverend Joseph Winans. This church has formed part of
Sunville circuit since its formation in 1855.
Cherry Tree Presbyterian Church was organized agreeably to an appoint
ment of Erie Presbytery February 1, 1837, by Reverends G. W. Hampson
and N. West. The constituent members were: John and Nancy Rynd,
Samuel Irwin, Mrs. Jane Irwin, Mrs. Lydia Stewart, Mrs. Nancy Irwin,
Mrs. Margaret Irwin, Mrs. Eliza T. Irwin, Mrs. Sally Hamilton, Mrs, Ehza
Irwin, Lydia C. Stewart, John Irwin, Mrs. Ann Irwin, Isaac Archer, and
Mary Prather. The first communion was administered June 25, 1837, by
Reverend G. W. Hampson. John Rynd and John Irwin were ordained as
elders March 15, 1837; Ninian Irwin, M. P. Barker, and John Rynd, Jr.,
October 14, 1854; Lyman Stewart, William S. Reynolds, and John Chees-
man, December 80, 1866; George W. Stevenson and William G. Irwin,
January 7, 1871. Reverends G. W. Hampson, William Otlinger, John
Montgomery, J. McMasters, W. C. Burchard, WiUiam Elliott, James F.
Reed, I. W. McVitty, and Robert Murray have successively filled the pulpit
as pastor or stated supply. The present frame church building was erected
about the time of the organization, largely through the efforts of Elijah
Stewart. Cherry Tree United Brethren Church. — Peter Bennehoof built a church
edifice for a small society formed in Oakland in 1858, and the first sermon
was preached by a clergyman named Cadman. In 1880-81 the place of
worship was changed to Cherry Tree village. Reverends Gates, Belton,
Dille, Mclntire, Webster, Meeker, and Gage are among the pastors in re
cent years. CEMETERIES.
The graveyard in the rear of Cherry Tree Presbyterian church contains
the graves of many of the pioneers and older citizens of the surrounding
neighborhood. The following are among those buried here:
Ninian Irwin, who died August 10, 1826, aged fifty-two years, two
months and thirteen days.
James Hamilton, who died February 15, 1887, aged eighty-three years.
John Irwin, who died December 28. 1888, aged seventy-one years.
Richard Hamilton, born March 10, 1784, died December 18, 1844,
Elijah Stewart, who died August 14, 1847, in the sixty-fifth year of his
age. Louis Masson, a native of Rigny la Salle, Department de la Meuse,
France, who died February 15, 1852, aged seventy-three years, eight months,
and twenty-five days.
William Richey, who died July 80, 1855, aged seventy-four years.
Isaac Walls, who died March 3, 1856, aged eighty-three years, six
months, and fourteen days.

PLUM TOWNSHIP. 597
Richard Irwin, who died September 25, 1857, aged seventy-one years,
eleven months, and thirteen days.
Isaac Archer, who died March 11, 1861, aged seventy years, ten months,
and twenty-seven days.
Hugh McClintock, who died November 4, 1862, aged sixty years, three
months, and five days.
Richard Gregg, who died February 10, 1864, aged seventy-one years.
The Breedtown graveyard originally comprised half an acre of ground,
which was set apart for that purpose by Charles Breed. Many of the older
graves are unmarked or marked only by common stones. The oldest citizens
buried here are Joseph Breed, John Strawbridge, Asahel Root, and David
Warner. Joseph Breed died January 28, 1839, aged eighty-two years.
John Strawbridge died August 29, 1850, aged eighty years. Asahel Root
died September 4, 1854, aged eighty-five years and six months. David
Warner died June 15, 1855, aged seventy-four years and four months.

CHAPTER XXXII.
PLUM TOWNSHIP.

Extent and Population — Pioneers — Borough of Sunville — Chap
manville — Wallaceville— Diamond — Bradley
town — Churches— Schools,
PLUM is the extreme northwestern township of the county. It adjoins
Cherry Tree on tbe east, Oakland on the southeast, Jackson on the
southwest, and Crawford county on the north and west. The surface is
roUing. The township is essentially agriciUtural, and in this respect ranks
with the best farming regions of the county. The different branches of
Sugar creek drain the whole of its territory.
The separate organization of Plum occurred in 1817. It was originally
included in Sugar Creek, and was one of the townships erected in 1806,
from which date until 1817 it was attached to Cherry Tree for municipal
purposes. A large part of Oakland and Jackson have been taken from its
former area.
The census of 1850 shows a population of eight hundred and thirty-five;
1870, one thousand one hundred and forty; and 1880, one thousand one
hundred and sixteen.

598 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
PIONEERS.
It cannot be definitely stated who was first to settle in Plum, but from a
comparison of the best evidence it would appear that Benjamin August is
probably entitled to that honor. He was born of German parentage in one
of the Baltic provinces of Russia, and immigrated to America immediately
after attaining his majority. His descendants have preserved no traditions
as to his residence or occupation before he settled in this township, but it
would seem that he lived in the eastern part of the state and pursued the
trade of tailor, acquired according to the custom of his native country. He
secured four hundred acres of land, embracing the farm of F. M. August,
his son, and was living thereon in bachelor style prior to 1800. His first
clearing and cabin were but a short distance from the Meadville and Titus
viUe road, and here newly arrived settlers were frequently entertained. He
married Mary Miller, daughter of Frederick Miller, and reared a family ot
fourteen children, three of whom are now living in this township. After
the population increased sufficiently to require his services he resumed his
former occupation of tailor. For many years he was constable of Plum
township, and performed the duties of that office with care and fidelity.
Mr. August retained the ' ' sweet German accent ' ' throughout his life. He
died March 9, 1850, at the age of seventy-nine, doubtless the only man of
Russian nationality among the early population of the county.
Jacob Jennings, a native of New Jersey, and a blacksmith by occupation,
located on a tract of land that embraces the part of Bradleytown west of
the Cooperstown road about the year 1800. He was the first blacksmith
of the township, and frequently repaired guns for the Indians, of whom
there were quite a number in this section at that date. He reared a large
family. Mr. Jennings was a Baptist in faith, and Democratic in politics.
He had lived in -Juniata county immediately prior to his immigration to
Venango. The only Revolutionary veteran who is known to have lived in Plum
was Samuel Proper, progenitor of the numerous famUy of that name in the
vicinity of Diamond. He was from Schoharie county. New York, and of
unmixed German descent. Although he spoke English when necessary in
the transaction of business, German was used exclusively in domestic inter-
coui-se at his home. The date of his arrival was 1801. The journey was
made by wagon, via Erie and Meadville, and the first night after entering
the limits of this county was passed at the cabin of Benjamin August. Mr.
Proper's settlement was made on the Meadville and TitusviUe road, at the
crossing of Sugar creek. A burial ground on this farm is probably his last
resting place, but no legible inscription has been found to locate the spot.
His immediate descendants were nine in number. There were six sons:
Joseph, Samuel, Andrew, Barnett, Daniel, and Jacob; and three daughters:
Mrs. Samuel Beers, of Sugar Lake, Crawford county; Mrs. John Gates, of

PLUM TOWNSHIP. 599
Indiana; and Mrs. Joseph Dipps, of Brie county, of whom Samuel, Daniel,
and Jacob were life-long residents of this county.
John Fetterman became a settler in Plum township prior to 1808. He
was a native of Juniata county, German by birth, Lutheran in his church
connection, and Democratic in his political affiliations. He was a captain in
the war of 1812. Mr. Fetterman reared ten children.
Among others who deserve mention in this connection were John Lam
berton, a native of Ireland, who came to the township from Juniata county,
and located a mile northwest of Sunville; Jacob Grove, from Bellefonte,
Centre county, who became a resident of Plum in 1815; and John Davison,
the first of the numerous family of that name to locate here. He came in
1829 from Butler county.
Industries. — The first mill in Plum township was built at Bradleytown,
by John G. Bradley; the second was built at Wallaceville, by  ^ Rodgers,
and the third, in 1843, by Jacob Grove.
The only distillery in operation at a very early date was owned by John
Lamberton. Jacob Grove had a similar establishment in connection with
his mill after the latter was built.
BOROUGH or SUNVILLE,
Ten miles from Franklin, on the old Le Boeuf road, is the borough of
Sunville, the oldest town in the northwestern part of the county. Founded
in 1837, the place has already passed its semi-centenary, and by the census
of 1880, the first after its incorporation as a borough, had a population of
one hundred and eight.
W. W. Davison, by whom the town was laid out, removed from Center-
viUe, Butler county, in 1885, locating on a farm that embraced the site of
the village, with his residence a short distance to the south. He was a man
of business enterprise and public spirit. Having- platted the town he offered
the lots at public sale, and, although the location was then covered with
woods, succeeded in making the venture a profitable one. He was the first
postmaster in this part of the county and the first store in the village was
opened by him. At his death, in 1862, he was serving as associate judge
of Venango county and had been justice of the peace many years. He was
one of the first elders of Sunville Presbyterian church, and throughout
his life an active supporter of that organization.
Samuel Hays was another of the patriarchs of the village. Born in
Donegal, Ireland, March 17, 1776, he came to America in 1793 with his
father's family. Two of his sisters died of yellow fever onthe voyage over.
They settled in Mifflin county, and in Berrie township, Huntingdon county.
It was from the latter place that he emigrated to Venango county, making
the journey in primitive style with the household goods stored in a covered
wagon. The destination was reached October 25, 1835. Mr. Hays had

600 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
been chorister of a Presbyterian church at Manor Hill, Huntingdon county,
and it was at his house that the Sunville church was organized. He died at
the age of ninety-five.
The first houses in the town were built by Robert McClellan and Mrs.
Mary McFadden. That of the former was situated on the east side of
Franklin street, where W. W. Thompson's now stands, and was constructed
of hewn logs. Mr. McClellan was a wagon maker by trade, but farmed
principally during his residence here. Mrs. McFadden was a widow and
supported her family with the products of her loom. James Hays, a cooper
by trade, built the first house on Green street, a hewn log building on the
east side. The town has never enjoyed a ' ' boom, ' ' and its present propor
tions represent the gradual expansion usually characteristic of inland vil
lages. The only industries of any importance were the cooper shops in opera
tion during the great demand for barrels incident to the oil developments of
1861 and subsequent years. A pottery was placed in operation in 1838 by
W. W. and James Davison but never passed beyond the experimental stage.
The town was incorporated as a borough January 27, 1879. The first
town council was composed of J. C. Richey, W. G. Billig, Paul Messner,
John Matthews, Samuel Hays, and W. K. Gilliland. The following per
sons have been elected to the office of burgess: 1879, S. Thomas; 1881, W.
K. GiUiland; 1882, J. C. Richey; 1883, S. Thomas; 1884, F. M. Thomas;
1885, O. C. Davison; 1886, P. M. Thomas; 1887-89, W. W. Thompson.
The Woman' s Christian Temperance fJmow was organized May 29, 1886.
Sunbeam Division, No. 245, Sons of Temperance, was instituted July
25, 1889. The first officers were C. A. Gilliland, patriarch ; H. W. Gordon,
recording scribe; O. C. Davison, financial scribe, and Alice E. Richey,
treasurer. The Y. W. T. C. U. was organized August 7, 1889, with Alice E.
Richey, president; Rule Richey, secretary; Mary Gilliland, corresponding
secretary; Mary Hays, treasurer, and a membership of thirteen.
CHAPMANVILLE.
This village is situated on the Oil creek road, the shortest route between
Meadville and TitusviUe and a much traveled thoroughfare before the open
ing of railroads through this part of the state. The first settler on the site
of the town was one Carver, whose residence was evidently brief, as nothing
of a personal nature concerning him has been preserved in the traditions of
the neighborhood. He was succeeded by David Chapman, a worker in
wood who had previously lived at Diamond but removed to the place which
has since received his name. His house was a small log building diagonally
opposite Whitman's store. A brother, Ezekiel Chapman, built a frame
house on the site of the hotel. It was to this collection of houses and in-

PLUM TOWNSHIP. 601
habitants that the name of Chapmanville was first applied. The first mer
chant was Eli Holder. There are three churches in the village, two stores,
a planing mill, and blacksmith shop. The postoffice name is Plum.
Lieutenant Herron Command, No. 10, Union Veterans' Union, was
mustered January 21, 1888, and numbered the foUowing comrades: J. S.
Scharp, R. W. Davison, Philip Smith, James F. Davison, William Sharp,
C. BiUig, D. W. Davison, Samuel Erhart, Charles J. Smith, A. W. Richey,
G. Beers, G. W^ Grove, J. F. Lamberton, T. T. Watt, J. S. Davison, W.
J. Harry, J. W. Morse, Levi Shields, Nicholas Reibt, Justice Smith, and
L. E. McFadden. The place of meeting was at Sunville for a time.
Plum Tent, No. 52, Knights of the Maccabees, was instituted January
16, 1888, with the following officers: Thomas H. Richey, P. S. K. C. ;
WiUiam F. Whitman, S. K. C. ; George W. Grove, S. K. L. C. ; Frank
Gehr, S. K. R. H, and John W, Arters, S. K. F. K.
WALLACEVILLE.
A mill, store, church, the shops of several local mechanics, and perhaps
a dozen houses constitute the village of Wallaceville, which is situated in
the eastern part of the township on Sugar creek. The place derives its
name from W. W. Wallace of Pittsburgh, who purchased the property and
intrusted its management to a Mr. Brown, by whom the village was laid
out, lots sold, a store and postoffice established, etc. The mill was built by
 Rodgers, but Mr. Wallace acquired this also and under such a condi
tion of affairs the name was eminently appropriate.
DIAMOND.
Seven miles from TitusviUe and twenty from Meadville on the main road
between those places is Diamond, the most northerly village of Venango
county. It sustains a public school, church, and two stores. The first
house was built by Andrew Proper and sold by him to David Chapman,
founder of Chapmanville. Luke Eddy kept hotel here many years. The
first store was opened by Homan & Tracy.
BRADLEYTOWN.
John G. Bradley, accompanied by his father and brother Robert, emi
grated from Ireland in 1790; in 1816 he removed from Huntingdon to Ve
nango county, locating on a tract of land that embraces that part of Bradley
town east of the Cooperstown road. Here he built a grist and saw mill ;
the former has been incorporated into the present mill on its site, while the
latter has been dismantled but still stands, a reminder of the past. Jacob
Jennings settled on the adjoining tract at an earlier date and was the first
blacksmith. J. M. Smith was the first merchant and W. H. Bradley the
first postmaster. The place was popularly known as Frogtown before the
postoffice was established.

602 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
Sunville Presbyterian Church was organized June 12, 1839, at the home
of Samuel Hays by a presbyterial committee with Reverend Thomas Ander
son as moderator. The constituent members, many of whom had pre
viously been connected with Sugar Creek church, were John McJunkin,
Samuel Beatty, Samuel Hays, William McClellan, Susan Boyles, Robert
McClellan, John Davison, James Davison, Nancy Hays, Margaret Jane
McJunkin, Joseph Shields, Sr. , W. W. Davison, Mary Hays, Eliza Da
vison, Catharine Shields, Bethiah Davison, Mary Hays, Jr. , Margaret Da
vison, Ann McClellan, Leah Beatty, Sarah Jane Hays, James Bradley, Jane
Bradley, Eliza Neely, and Martha Neely, of whom but one, James Davison,
is still a member. James Hays and W. W. Davison were ordained as elders
at the time the organization was formed. Their successors have been installed
in the foUowing order: Lewis Miles and Samuel Beatty, June 22, 1847;
James Davison and Samuel Axtell, April 6, 1851; James Richey and David
Matthews, January 21, 1866; John E. Smith, February 19, 1881; James P.
Davison, William Duffield, and Crawford Billig, October 9, 1885. The fol
lowing clergymen have had charge of this church as pastor or stated sup
ply: Reverends L. Streight, John McMaster, James F. Reade, W\ C,
Birchard, William Elliott, R. H. Reeves, T. D. Stewart, J. L. Robertson,
and S. L. Irvine. The first church building was erected immediately after
the organization. It was a frame building and stood near the site of the
present edifice, which was begun in November, 1854, and dedicated in
1856. Sunville Methodist Episcopal Church. — This society was formed in 1844
by Reverend John Abbott with eleven members — Miles McAlevy, Elizabeth
McAlevy, George McAlevy, Martha McAlevy, James Burns, Mary Burns,
Samuel Foster, Margaret Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Samuel Batten, and
Mary Batten. George McAlevy was the first class leader. 'The first church
edifice was built in 1850, the second and present place of worship in 1869
during the pastorate of O. Babcock. The parsonage was bought in 1854,
rebuilt in 1874, and finished in 1876. In 1853 a camp-meeting was held
a mile east of Sunville by Reverends Hull and HUl. Another effort of a
similar nature was made in 1859 by Reverends N. C. Brown and H.
Kinsley. The SunviUe charge was formed from Cochranton circuit in 1855 and
originally included Troy Center and East Troy in addition to the organiza
tions at Sunville, Wallaceville, Chapmanville, Fairview, and East Randolph,
comprised in its bounds at present. Reverend B. MarsteUer was appointed
to the charge in 1855; J. Marsh, 1856-57; Z. W. Shadduck, 1857; N. C.
Brown, 1858-59; S. S. Stuntz, J. M. Dewoody, 1860; S. S. Stuntz, W^ A.
Clark, 1861; G. M. Eberman, 1862-63. P. Burroughs, J. B. Orwig, 1864;
W. Pentz, 1865; D. M. Beams, 1666; O. Babcock, 1867-68; R. Beaty,

PLUM TOWNSHIP. 608
1869-71; John Abbott, 1872; J. K. Adams, 1873-74; S. E. Winger, 1875;
T. W. Douglass, 1876-78; J. A. Hume, 1879-80; W. H. Hoover, 1881-82;
John Abbott, 1883; I. G. Pollard, 1884; W. A. Merrian, 1885; James
Clyde, 1886-87; R. A. Mclntyre, 1888-89.
Wallaceville Methodist Episcopal Church. — Reverend John Abbott or
ganized this society in 1851. The first members were Thomas Green, S.
A. Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas, Elexina Thomas, A. J. Cowan, Robert
Grove, William Green, Robert P. Green, William H. Cowan, Robert Red
man, Margaret Redman, Obadiah Propst and wife, Nathan Brown, Lydia
Brown, and Jonathan Bender. A revival in October, 1858, resulted in
twenty-nine accessions. The church edifice is a frame building and was
erected in 1863.
Plum and Troy Baptist Church was constituted April 2, 1853, with
seven' members, viz: Elias Holder, Benajah Smith, Samuel McClelland,
Martha Holder, Sally Smith, Elizabeth McClelland, and Rebecca Cheers.
The first officers elected were Samuel McClelland, deacon, and Elias Holder,
church clerk. Samuel McClelland, Elias Holder, and I. C. Armagost, the
first trustees, were elected June 6, 1863. Reverend R. D. Hays was pas
tor from April, 1853, to March 30, 1856; WUliam G. Lamb, from June 7,
1856, to August 1, 1857; Cyrus Shreve, from November 2, 1857, to Janu
ary, 1862; C. W. Drake, fi-om AprU 1, 1868, to AprU 1, 1866; W. P. Eng
land, from May 5, 1866, to AprU 1, 1867; C. W. Drake, from July 18, 1867,
to AprU 1, 1871; John Hicks, from May 18, 1871, to November 1, 1871; L
C. Armagost, from November, 1871, to November 22, 1874; G. M. Righter,
from February 20, 1875, to February 20, 1876; Cyrus Shreve, from June,
1876, tp September 20, 1879; J. M. Ray, from February 20, 1880, to
November 20, 1881; and O. C. Sherman, the present incumbent assumed
charge August 13, 1882.
Diamond United Brethren Church was organized in the winter of 1859
by Reverend Wesley Clark of Oakland circuit. But four of the original
numbers— Daniel D. and William Proper, William August and wife, are
still connected with the society. The first pastors were Reverends Clark,
Barnard, and Peters. The church building was erected in 1868.
Chapmanville Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the first members
were Hampson Jennings, Rebecca Jennings, Mary Fox, Ann Campbell, Mil
ler CampbeU, Jonathan Bender, Mary Bender, Mary Morse, Joseph M.
McClelland, and Keturah McClelland, was organized in 1871 by Reverend
R. Beatty. Ground was broken for the church buUding May 12, 1878, and
the dedication occurred in the following year.
The Christian Advent Church of Plum originated in a series of meetings
conducted by Mrs. L. M. Stoddard in the summer and autumn of 1883.
Elder M. R. MUes organized the church AprU 27, 1884, with nineteen
members, of whom John Noel and S. S. Gould were elected deacons and

604 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Mrs. MoUie Grove, secretary. Elder C. W. Stephens was pastor from 1885
to 1888. A frame church building was erected in 1884.
SCHOOLS.
The report of the state superintendent of public instruction for 1876
states that the first school house in Plum was built in 1830, and mentions
among the early teachers Mary Chapman, W. W. Davison, Mary Mcintosh,
William Haslet, and John Haslet. The Union school house, in the south
western part of the township; Hoover's school house, near R. R. Grove's;
Fairview, in the northeastern part of the township; and the school houses at
Diamond and Chapmanville were the educational centers half a century ago.
Sunville Academy was founded in the year 1878. The building, a
frame structure of symmetrical proportions two stories in height surrounded
by a plat of ground two acres in extent, was erected at a cost of five thou
sand dollars by a building committee consisting of Samuel Axtell, D. W.
Goodwin, A. J. Cowan, and A. \Y. Richey. A sum sufficient to have
erected an ordinary school building was contributed by the township direc
tors; the remainder was contributed by private individuals, but a deficit
of two thousand dollars remained unprovided for until assumed by the
borough of Sunville. The first term of the academy opened in the autumn
of 1873 with S. H. Prather principal; he was succeeded by D. D. Rowley,
W^. A. Bushnell, H. H. Weber, and W. S. Smith. At one time there was
an enrollment of nearly one hundred pupils. It is the intention of the
borough school board to establish a high school after the present indebted
ness has been liquidated.

ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP. 605

CHAPTER XXXIII.
ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries and Erection— Pioneers — Industries and Resources— Vil
lage Growth— Churches— Schools.
THE boundaries of this township, one of the most extensive subdivisions
of the county, are exceedingly irregular. It borders upon the Alle
gheny river a distance of twenty-one miles; East Sandy creek forms the
northern boundary, while Richland township adjoins on the east and south.
There are no streams of any importance. The organization of this territory
probably occurred in 1817, but as the records of the court of quarter ses
sions for that year are no longer extant, this cannot be positively stated.
At the original division of the county into townships, Rockland was erected,
at first with the name of Rock which the commission at once changed to its
present form and attached to Richland for municipal purposes. This ar
rangement continued until the date given above.
PIONEERS.
John Porterfield was the first assessor of the township after it acquired
individual autonomy, and his retum for the year 1818 contains the names
of the following taxable inhabitants at that time: Enoch Battin, William
Craig, James Crawford, Joseph Campbell, William Campbell, John Coch
ran, John Donaldson, William Davis, James Donaldson, John C. Evans,
WUUam Graham, John Graham, William HUl, John JoUy, David Jolly,
Joseph Kennedy, Thomas Kennedy, Adam Kearns, Alexander Lemon,
James Moorhead, Matthew McDowell, Andrew Maitland, John McDonald,
Samuel McMiUin, John McMillin, Thomas W. Mays, Thomas W. Matte-
son, Joseph Stephenson, John Porterfield, James Porterfield, Joseph Red
ick, Matthias Stover, John Shannon, John Sloan, John Stover, John
Thompson, John Watt, Jacob Young, David Smith. WUliam Bingham's
estate owned a number of one thousand acre tracts; originally it included
nearly the whole township.
It is generally supposed that John Watt was the first settler, and the
time of his arrival has been placed as early as 1809. He was from Butler
county, of Scotch- Irish descent, and came here with a family. The farm

606 history of venango county.
that he first improved is now owned by the heirs of James CampbeU, his
son-in-law. Andrew Maitland was from Monroe county, New York, and a resident
of Butler county, Pennsylvania, immediately prior to his settlement in
Rockland, which occurred within a very short time after that of Watt. He
first located in the vicinity of Freedom and then removed to Barr's Cor
ners. Major Maitland of Oil City, a grandson, is now in possession of the
family homestead. Andrew Maitland was a prominent man in local affairs
and an active member of the Presbyterian church.
John SuUinger, a soldier of the Revolution and a mason by trade, came
to the township in 1805 and secured a four hundred acre tract of land. In
1813 he removed his family thither. His wife was Louisa Judge of West
moreland county, the place also of his birth, and they reared a family of
twelve children : John, Alexander, Peter, Samuel, James P. , Jacob, Andrew,
and Daniel; Annie, who became Mrs. William Karns; Elizabeth, wife of
Adam Karns; Mary, who married James McDonald, and Catharine, who
became Mrs. James Hoffman. John, Sr. , died at Warren, Ohio, about the
year 1845 at the advanced age of ninety-one.
James Crawford was the first justice of the peace commissioned for Rock
land township. He lived at Davis' Corners and owned the land upon which
that hamlet is built. Afterward he removed to "The Meadows," in Cran
berry township, where he was also among the earliest settlers.
John Donaldson was the son of Andrew Donaldson of Cumberland
county, who settled on Slippery Rock creek in Butler county. It was from
that place that his son removed in 1815 to Rockland township, where he
located upon the farm lately owned by Levi Bickle. In 1822 he sold to
Peter Works and went into Richland. Works was a foreigner. He was a
cabinet maker by trade and his cleverness in fashioning fanning-mills,
churns, coffins, etc., made him a valued member of the community.
John and David Jolly were the progenitors of the family of that name
in this county. Originally from Westmoreland, they were among the early
settlers in the vicinity of Freedom, where the family is still numerously
represented. Enoch Battin was born in Huntingdon county in 1785. In 1806 he set
tled in Scrubgrass township and some seven years later came into Rock
land. During the war of 1812 he was a member of Captain Witherup's
company. Matthias and John Stover were early settlers, the former where James
Jolly now lives, the latter at WoodhuU station, immediately below Black's
siding. Both subsequently removed to Pinegrove township, where they
were the pioneers in the neighborhood of Centerville.
Peter Lovell originally located on the farm that included the site of
Barr's Corners. A curious incident is related concerning him and John

ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP. 607
Watt. Each seems to have experienced a sudden and unaccountable desire
to possess the farm of the other, and when their mutual feelings in this mat
ter had been expressed, a trade was quickly arranged. The exchange was
a nine-days' wonder, and the sensation was agreeably varied when it trans
pired that for some unexplained reason the contracting parties had decided
to remain where they were.
John Hetzler from Monroe county. New York, came to this locality in
1818, and purchased a hundred acres of land, the property of John Hetzler,
Jr., his son. The following year he returned with his family, bringing all
his household effects on one wagon. The improvements on this farm at
that time consisted of a log house and barn, the former one-story high and
furnished in the primitive simplicity of th.e period.
David and Daniel Smith, the first blacksmiths, were brothers from
Penn's valley nine miles east of Bellefonte, Centre county. David was the
fust to locate here, and his land, now the property of Abraham Lusher, was
half a mile east of Davis' Corners. He brought no stock except two horses.
Daniel brought five cattle and twelve sheep; he paid one hundred dollars
for the transportation of his family and household effects, the means of
conveyance being a five-horse wagon. The journey required ten days.
His brother had come out in the winter, and brought his effects on a sled.
Several years later Jacob Smith removed from the Nittany valley. Centre
county. He bought the farm of ' Squire Crawford, at Barr' s Corners.
WiUiam, Samuel, and Joseph Ross, all sons-in-law of WilUam Davidson,
are said to have owned the first wagon in the township. Their land was
situated between Davis' Corners and Freedom, though not adjacent to the
road. They came here unmarried men, accompanied probably by their
mother. Thefirst improvements along the river were those of William McClatchey
at the Dotterer siding above Emlenton; William Craig, at the mouth of
Shull's run; John, William, and Samuel Graham and their father, at St.
George's siding; Abraham Witherup, justice of the peace and captain in the
war of 1812; Daniel McMillin, from Franklin county, who settled in Victory
township in 1808 and crossed the river to McMillin' s Bend several years
later, where, with his son John, he was drafted for service in the war of
1812; and William HiU lived at Brandon's ferry, which derives its name
from James Brandon, who settled there in 1827.
One of the earliest settlers of the eastern part of the township was John
Haggerty, a native of County Derry, Ireland, the son of Nicholas Haggerty,
a wheelwright by trade. He emigrated to America before the Revolution
and eventually drifted to Allegheny county. Here his wife and all his
famUy were kUled or captured by the Indians, and with no ties of kindred
to induce a longer residence upon Pennsylvania soU, he returned to Ireland.
Two sons, however, survived, and after a period of imprisonment in western

608 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
New York made their escape and returned to Pittsburgh, where they were
received into the family of John Hanlan. John Haggerty became a noted
Indian fighter and commanded a company of rangers that did considera
ble service in protecting the frontier. In 1812 he located on a tract of
two hundred and fifty acres at the mouth of Pine run. He was a mill
wright by trade and assisted in the erection of many of the mills in this part
of the county. His nearest neighbor was John Prior, from Walker town
ship. Centre county, whose farm of one hundred and fifty acres is now
owned by the heirs of Charles Cox, his son-in-law. Silas Brown, son-in-law
to Andrew Maitland, settled a mile and a half from the mouth of Pine run;
he was fi-om Harmony, Butler county, as was also John McDonald, a native
Scotchman, by whom one of the oldest orchards in the county was planted.
INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES.
In 1818 there was one grist mill in the township, owned by William
Craig; and there were three saw mills, owned, respectively, by Joseph Ken
nedy, William Craig, and John Porterfield. Craig's mill was situated on
Shuir s run. It was built of round, unhewn hemlock logs and had one run
of buhrs. Some years later he added a paint mill, grinding native iron ore
into a preparation from which vermilion paint was made. The next mill
was probably that of Henry Myers on East Sandy. As first erected in 1826
it had a tub wheel and one run of native stone. Two years later it was re
built on a more extensive and substantial scale. John Myers operated this
mill many years. In 1835 Andrew McCaslin, sheriff of the county, built a
mill at the mouth of Shull's run, and Joseph Porterfield had another on
Mill creek at the crossing of the Emlenton road. Of saw mills Joseph Ken
nedy' s on Shull' s run at Freedom was probably the first. It was sold to
Alexander Lemon and operated by him for some years. Logs that formed
the breast of the dam are still in a good state of preservation. There were
other early saw mills on East Sandy and other streams, but they are prin
cipally in ruins.
The first carding machine was operated by John Porterfield in a small
but substantial stone building that is pointed out as one of the few sui'viving
specimens of pioneer architecture. It is probable that this machine was
placed in position as early as 1820. John Shaw had another establishment
of a similar character on Shaw' s run, a mile from East Sandy, at an equally
early period in the history of the township.
Of early distilleries there were three — one on the farm of John Jolly, near
Freedom, another on Abraham Witherup's farm near Miller's Corners, and
a third on the farm of Enoch Battin. At the time when the only way to
dispose of grain was to eat or drink it the distillery was an important ad
junct of the agricultural interest.
Robert Bell's tannery on the farm now owned by the heirs of David

ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP, 611
Smith, was the only early industry of that sort. It was equipped with vats
and a bark mill, and was conducted on a cooperative basis, the proprietor
receiving a share of the leather in payment for his work in the process of
manufacture. The tannery of James Martin near Miller's Corners is of
comparatively recent origin.
The furnaces of Rockland were an important agency in developing its
mineral resources at the time when these were supposed to consist exclus
ively of iron ore. Tho first was erected by Andrew McCaslin and received
the name of Rockland furnace. It was situated on Shull's run and the
water power necessary to drive the blast was derived from Craig' s mill dam.
McCaslin became insolvent; he was followed successively by Rockwell,
Dempsey & Wick, William Spear, and E. W. & H. M, Davis, under
whom the furnace suspended in 1854. Porterfield furnace was built in
1837-38 by Joseph Porterfield on Mill creek half a mile from the river.
Charles Shippen was the next and last proprietor, and the property is still
owned by his heirs. Webster furnace, on Bear run, a branch of Pine run,
a mile from Georgeville, was built by Wick & Dempsey in 1838-39. When
they became bankrupt the stock was closed out by Hogue & Huston, and
Webster furnace passed into history.
Coal has been mined for local consumption almost since the period of
early settlement. In 1845 Richard Brown discovered a vein on the land of
William Roberts, three-fourths of a mile from the river, in the northwest
part of the township. For a number of years mining operations were con
ducted on a small scale by Roberts, who leased to  Bowen about the
time that the discovery of oil created a great demand for the commodity. A
Pittsburgh company purchased the coal for ten thousand dollars, constructed
a tramway two miles in length to the river, and towed the product to Oil
creek by boat. ^Vithin a few years the vein was exhausted. The Prentice
bank, near Mt. Hope, and the Johnson bank, • a mile from Foster station,
were also locally important. At present more coal is mined at tbe Findlay
bank than at any other.
The oil interests of the township are extensive. Early in the sixties
WiUiam Lewis and Bonsall Brothers formed the Philadelphia & Boston
Petroleum Company, which secured leases for a large territory. The first
oU was struck in September, 1865, and commenced at one hundred and
fifty barrels per day. This stimulated operations. The Foster island
weU.was next; then Colonel Rogers' well, on the Foster farm. Opposite
this oil was struck at a depth of six hundred and twenty-three feet, by
Lewis, Bonsall Brothers, and E. Chadwick, in May, 1866, and the well
was one of the most productive in the district. In December, 1865, gas was
struck at the mouth of Pine Hill run. It caught fire, and in spite of all
efforts to extinguish it, burned continuously three years. The grass around
was green at all seasons of the year. Picnics were held here, and music

612 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
and dancing, aided by its brilliant light, furnished many an evening's amuse
ment for those who took advantage of the opportunity. Belle island, op
posite Scrubgrass, was developed by the BeUe Island Petroleum Company
in 1 867 and 1868, and is supposed to have yielded half a million dollars'
worth of oil. The region adjacent to East Sandy creek was also early devel
oped with varying success. Within recent years the Red Valley district,
though comparatively small in extent, has proven a profitable and product
ive field. VILLAGE GROWTH.
Freedom is situated in the midst of a pleasant and fertile agricultural
district. The site wias originally owned by Enoch Battin and John Donald
son, and the first person to live here was John Gray, whose house was
on the west side of the road at the spring. The first merchant was
Joshua Davis, and among his contemporaries were William Woodburn and
George Gates & Brother. Andrew Borland kept the first hotel and was
also the first blacksmith. John Goodwin had an ashery, where wood
ashes were made to yield a variety of valuable products; and E. W. &
H. M. Davis were the proprietors of a foundry. The town was laid out by
James Woodburn and E. Chadwick in 1865. As a postoffice it is known
under the name of Pittsville, conferred in honor of Charles Pitt Ramsdell,
the first postmaster. The name of Freedom was adopted at the suggestion
of B. Chadwick.
Scrubgrass is situated at Kennerdell station on the Allegheny Valley
railroad opposite the mouth of Scrubgrass creek. The first house was a
primitive log structure that stood between Cross' store building and the rail
road. It was the residence of Oliver McMillin, from whom the locality de
rived its earliest name, McMillin' s Bend. The place did not assume village
pretensions until the discovery of oil, when Mr. McMillin sold his farm to
the McMillin Oil Company by which the land is still held. Wilson Cross
opened the first store in 1867, at which date there were three houses — that
of McMillin, the Mackey hotel on the site of the Williams house, and Cross'
store building. There was a rapid growth through the following three years,
and again during the Bullion excitement. Several destructive fires have
visited the place, the last in 1878. The ferry charter was granted in 1867
to John A. Canan, and passed successively to Richard Kennerdell, WUliams
& Van Fleet, and Hulings, Simcox & Stowe. From the faU of 1879 to
February, 1881, the Allegheny, Kennerdell, and Clintonville railroad bridge
afforded a means of crossing the river. In 1882 J. R. Williams, A. Hahn,
and others established a second ferry, and from that date the legality of the
franchise originally granted to Canan has been involved in litigation. By a
recent decision of the supreme court its validity has been favorably passed
upon, thus ending a legal struggle in which the entire community has been
interested. D. K. Buchanan is the present proprietor of the old ferry.

ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP. 618
Davis' Corners. — Jacob Smith originally owned the site of this hamlet.
He sold to John S, McKean, from whom the place derived its first name,
McKean' s Corners, Charles Shippen established the first store. William
Gates succeeded to his business, and then for a time the name was Gates'
Corners, The next merchant was H. M. Davis, in whose honor the present
name was conferred. This is the seat of Rockland postoffice, to which
Daniel Smith was first appointed.
Rockland Lodge, No. 952, I. 0. O. F., has a charter bearing date Sep
tember 27, 1877. The first officers were as follows: D. R. Lusher, N. G. ;
J. Witherup, V. G. ; J. B. Forker, secretary; J. B. Glenn, A. S,, and W.
B. GUger, treasurer.
Smith's Corners, at the intersection of the road from Brandon's ferry to
Freedom with the road from Falling Springs to Bast Sandy, is certainly so
named with eminent propriety, there being seven families of Smiths living
upon the land settled in 1834 by William Smith.
Barr's Corners comprises five famUies; Milton Barr originally owned the
land, but no business has been established until recent years.
Miller's Corners is situated at the intersection of the road fi-om St.
George's siding to Davis' Corners with the road from Bast Sandy to Rock
land station. There is one store, opened by James Miller.
Oeorgeville, on Pine run in the eastern part of the township, is so named
in honor of George S. Myers, who c&,me to this locality in 1833 from Harford
county, Maryland, and built a mill in 1835-3p upon the site of the present
mill, which was erected in 1879. Less than half a dozen houses, the mill,
and a church constitute the village. CHURCHES.
Rockland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1822 by the Presbytery
of Allegheny. Reverend Robert McGarrugh was the first preacher, and the
first services were conducted in a log house and in a tent. James Morrow
gave the ground for the first church building, which was situated half a
mile from the present location. Here a frame building was erected in
1835-36. Joshua Davis gave the lot for the present building at Freedom.
The following persons have served as elder since the organization: James
HaU, WUliam McClatchey, Matthew McDowell, Stephen Arnold, John S.
McKean, William Donaldson, Andrew Bell, Thomas Jolly, Robert Porter,
Christopher Cox, J. W. Glenn, and James Jolly. The succession of pastors
has been as foUows: Reverends John Glenn, WUliam McMichael, Samuel
Kinkaid, M. M. Shiriey, Andrew Virtue, J. C. Hench, S. P. Dillon, and A.
S. EUiott. Rockland Methodist Episcopal Church. — The first class was organized
by Reverend Dorsey of Shippenville circuit with seven members, viz. :
David and Mary Smith, Peter and Polly LoveU, Mr. LoveU' s aged mother.

614 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
John and Hannah Prior. The organization was effected at the house of
David Smith. In 1830 a very effective revival was held under the ministry
of Reverend J. C. Ayers, resulting in thirty conversions. Among the early
pastors were Reverends I. 0. Sacket, A. A. Callender, J. Johnson, Job
Wilson, John Scott, and A. Jackson. Rockland circuit was formed in 1802
and has received the following appointments: C. W. Baar, 1862-63; A. H.
Bowers, 1864-65; J. Abbott, 1866-67; R. B. Boyd, 1868-70; McVey
Troy, 1871; J. W. Wilson, 1872; E. M. Kemick, 1873-74; W. M. Taylor,
1875-76; W. S. Shepard, 1877-78; J. Garnett, 1879-80; R. M. Felt,
1881-83; W. A. Baker, 1884-85; L. W. Showers, 1886; W. E. Frampton,
1887-88. In 1832-33 the first church edifice was erected. It was replaced
by the present building in 1867-68. The ground was given by Jacob
Smith. The cemetery under control of the trustees of this church com
prises an acre of ground jointly given by Daniel Smith and Abraham Lusher,
since enlarged by purchase.
Pine Hill Church, Church of God, originated in a series of ineetings
conducted by Reverends Werts and Hickernell in 1842 at Pine Hill school
house. Jacob Bolinger was the first elder, and among the first members
were Mrs. Sarah Carner, Susan Thomas, Mary Glenn, Mary Stroup, An
drew Carner, and Abram Flowers. Reverends Woods, Richmond, Myers,
Logue, and Kline were among the early preachers; Gellantine, Bartle
baugh, Hovis, James, and J. W. Davis have served in this capacity in recent
years. The church building was erected in 1859, Peter Stroup, Adam
Steffee, and Eli Carner acting as the building committee.
Rockland Cumberland Presbyterian Church, during the period of its ex
istence, had the following pastors: Reverends Hatton, Murphy, Law, Os
borne, Moore, Gallagher, and Bowman. The first elders were John Shan
non, Abraham Witherup, and John Shaw. The church stood on the farm
of John Shannon and was probably built in 1842. The congregation dis
banded about ten years ago.
Georgeville Methodist Episcopal Church. — The class at this place was
organized by Reverends Scofield and Munks of Shippenville circuit. Peter
Prior was the first class leader and several members of the Myers family
were active members of the first organization. The church building was
erected in 1858 and is a frame structure of attractive appearance. Since
the formation of Rockland circuit this congregation has shared in the labors
of the pastors of Rockland church.
Rockland Evangelical Chapel was built in the autumn of 1884, and
dedicated February 15, 1885. The class was organized in 1885 by Rever
end T. Bach, with twenty members, of whom William Domer was first
leader. The preachers on Venango circuit had been accustomed to preach
in the Domer school house many years previously.
Red Lion Chapel was built in 1877 for the use of all denominations.

PINEGROVE TOWNSHIP. ¦ 015
SCHOOLS.
The first school house in the township stood on the farm of John Hetz
ler, and the second was built on the same farm near the Jolly school house.
Jane Porter and James Donaldson were the firi^t teaclu>rs. Another early
school house was built on land then owned by David Smith, now by Abra
ham Lusher, and William Parker was one of the first teachers here. The
site of the Shannon school house has been used for educational purposes
fi-om an early date aud was originally given by Andrew Maitland. Sylves
ter Randall, William and Robert A\'alker were early teachers here. Pine
HUl school house was built on vacant ground owned by the Bingham estate,
and, among the early pedagogues here were Rebecca Layton, Nancy Will
iams, and Calvin Johnson. John Graham gave the ground for Red Lion
school house. In the eastern part of the township no school house was
erected until after the adoption of the public school system, when the
Shearer school house was built. The report of the state superintendent of
public instruction for 1877 gives the following as the respective dates at
which the school houses of that time were built: The Jolly school house,
1854; the Collingwood, 1856; the Weaver, 1859; the Shannon, 1861; the
Red Lion, 1864; the Western, 1868; the Domer, 1867; the Scrubgrass,
1868; the Pine .Oak, 1869.

CHAPTER XXXIY.
PI>^EGROVB TOWNSHIP.
Org .\nization— Early Land OwNEusiiir— Settlement— Mills— Vill.\ges
—Coal, Oil, and (tAs — CiiuitCHEs— Schools,
PINEGROVE occupies the southeastern portion of the county, adjoin
ing President on the north and Cranberry on the west. The adja
cent townships of Clarion county on the south and east are Ashland, Elk,
and Washington; Tionesta township. Forest county, forms part of the north
eastern boundary. The surface is much diversified. Porcupine creek and
Reis run, branches of Hemlock, drain the northeastern part; Sandy creek
flows through the township a distance of three miles, and with its two
affluents. Glade and Prairie runs, waters the southern portion ; Horse creek
receives a few unimportant tributaries fi-om the western section.
Organization. — Upon petition of a number of citizens of Pinegrove and
Farmington townships at August sessions, 1823, it was ordered at February

616 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
sessions, 1824, that the former should be organized and that Farmington
and Toby's Creek should be provisionally attached thereto. The bound
aries of Pinegrove at this time were as follows : ' ' Beginning at the north
corner of Fairfield township on the Allegheny river, thence up the same to
the west boundary of tract No. 2844 granted to WUliam Willink and others,
thence south to the southwest corner thereof, thence east to the northeast
corner of tract No. 2826, granted to William Willink and others, thence
south to the southeast corner of tract No. 2801, granted to WUliam
Willink and others, thence west to the east boundary of tract No. 2539,
granted as above, thence south to the corner thereof, thence west to the
southeast corner of Fairfield township, thence by the same north to the
place of beginning. ' ' Farmington was separately organized in 1828, and
in 1866 upon the annexation of part of Venango to Forest county, Pinegrove
was reduced to its present limits. It is one of the smallest subdivisions of
the county. PIONEERS.
In 1786-87, ten years before this region was regularly opened for sur
vey and settlement, Dickinson College at Carlisle received a grant of land
from the state, of which three thousand acres were located in Pinegrove
and surveyed in nine tracts of about three hundred acres each. In consid
eration of an appropiation in money, this was allowed to revert to the state.
In 1823 it was resurveyed in eighteen tracts. These lands occupy the cen
tral and southern portions of the township. A still larger holding was that
of the Lancaster Land Company, successor to part of the interests of a much
larger association known as the Holland Land Company. Among the mem
bers of the former were Henry Shippen and Samuel Miller. Upon the dis
solution of the company and the division of its lands by lot, they came into
possession of large areas in this township. This region was surveyed in
tracts of nine hundred and ninety acres, one mUe wide, five hundred twenty-
three and three-tenths rods long. Tracts numbered 2541, 2566, 2634, 2678
upon the sui-vey were allotted to Miller; Marvin Perry bought Nos. 2531
and 2535 from the county commissioners ; Shippen' s various holdings aggre
gated about five thousand acres. It was with difficulty that settlers could be
induced to take these lands at two dollars per acre.
What is known as the state road was originally opened in 1812, to trans
port military and naval stores from the east to Lake Erie. The Hemlock
road was also opened at an early date. King's highway is said to have de
rived its name from the local sobriquet of a resident along its course, whose
efforts to ' ' run' ' the township in matter of politics gained for him the name
of "King David."
John Hicks, Sr. , a hunter, built a cabin on the state road and was living
here when the first permanent settlers appeared. His name is among the
taxables of 1805, assessed at forty-one dollars. The cabin was afterward

PINEGROVE TOWNSHIP. 617
occupied by Ebenezer Kingsley, also of migratory habits, who was assessed
for eleven dollars worth of property in 1805. As the bounty on old wolves
was ten dollars, and on young ones five, hunting was not an unprofitable
calling while game was plenty. Two wolf dens are still pointed out, one in
the hills of Sandy creek, the Other in the northern part of the township.
The timber was burned over every year, and afforded excellent pasturage.
The first permanent settler was H. G. Spofford, who bought a large
tract from Shippen with the intention of selling out at a profit to smaller
purchasers. He located here in 1817 and made some slight improvements
on the farm now owned by George Powell, but never paid anything on his
purchase and left in 1819. He afterward established Spofford' s Magazine
in one of the eastern cities, and seems to have been something of a literary
character. A Swiss family, Amsler by name, moved into the house vacated
by Spofford. They remained but a few years. Samuel Powell became a
settler July 19, 1818. He was from Concord, New Hampshire, and had
been a soldier in the war of 1812, after which he engaged in the shoe
business at Albany, New York, where Shippen was then advertising his
lands. He started for the west with a two-horse team; at Olean he trans
ferred the household effects to a " family boat, ' ' by which they were safely
carried down the river. The horses were to have followed by a bridle path,
but were lost through the rascality of the guide to whom they were in
trusted. Tbe first birth of a white child in the township was that of George
W. Powell, and occurred February 5, 1819. Jeremiah Johnson, also from
Concord, New Hampshire, located on land now owned by Thomas McLough-
lin. He worked for Spofford a year and a half with the promise of land in
payment, but lost all when the latter became insolvent. In the spring of
1819 A. G. Siverly moved into PoweU' s house. He made improvements in
the vicinity of Unionville, and his family afterward gave the name to Siverly.
Among the first settlers in the neighborhood of Centerville was John
Stover, who was followed by two brothers, Peter and Matthias. This fam
ily was originally from Maryland. They had lived in Rockland township
previous to locating here, to which they were induced by the comparative
smoothness of the land. John Stover cut a road from Sandy creek, four
miles, over which he drove the first wagon into this part of the township.
In 1830 George Blosser, with a large family, settled near Stover. He was
from the Nittany valley. Marvin Perry, a county commissioner at an
early date, located on tract No. 2531 in the southwestern part of the town
ship. May 16, 1834, John McCalmont settled on what is known as the
Deshner farm. North of Unionville there was a settlement of Massachusetts
people, among whom the names of Gilson, Hale, Whitney, and Dimond
appear. Two brothers Gayetty, also from Massachusetts, were residents as
early as 1828; Charles Gayetty drilled a weU by hand at the mouth of Horse
creek, which produced salt water in paying quantities, but was never de-

618 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
veloped. WiUiam Walker, an early school teacher, and Alexander Craig,
an old man when he came hero, were among the first to make improvements
in the central part of the township. Henry Schwab, Sr. , bought part of the
Dickinson tract. Jacob Byers, born iu Fayette county in 1798, was an
early resident near Lineville. Among the fii-st deaths was that of Ebenezer
Kingsley' s little son, who died ft-om the bite of a rattlesnake in 1816. His
sister died the following year and their graves were marked by a rude inclos
ure of rough logs in a secluded spot on the state road.
For some years milling was done at Best' s mill on Pine creek, a branch
of Clarion river, fifteen miles distant; and at a mill on Deer creek, a mile
from Shippenville. Afterward Elliott's mill at the mouth of Hemlock and
Myer's mill on East Sandy at the crossing of the old Susquehanna turn
pike -became more convenient. The first mill in the township was built in
1834 on East Sandy by J. F. Rickenbrode; it is still standing, but has not
been in use for years. Ephraim Kulp built the first saw mill on Prairie
run. There is no stream in the township of sufficient volume to furnish
the required power for a mill, and steam has not yet been used for that
purpose. VILLAGES.
Centerville was laid out in 1859 by Jacob Dietrich. The site was pre
viously owned by Andrew Campbell and David Derkson. The first house
was built by Dietrich, who was from eastern Pennsylvania, settled in Beaver
township. Clarion county, and removed to Pinegrove prior to 1840. This
house was near that still occupied by his family. J. H. Stuck built the
first hotel, put up a sign, and thought of calling the town Lorrahville,
that being the name of a small village near St. Petersburg, Clarion county.
James Anderson suggested Centerville, as the place was situated half way
between Fryburg and East Sandy, President and Kossuth. The propriety
of this was at once apparent, and the name still retains popular significance,
although the postoffice designation is Pertig. There are two churches in
the town, two stores, a hotel, and perhaps a dozen houses.
Coal Hill can hardly be regarded as a village, but is the mail distrib
uting point of a thickly settled locality. The only telegraph office in the
township is in the vicinity.
Lineville is partly in Clarion county, at the intersection of five roads.
It was laid out by A. W. Owen and Samuel P. Plumer in 1854; each had
eighteen lots and the selling price was twenty-five dollars per lot. At
that time the country east of the county line was all woods. There was
but one house, now the residence of J. W. Kahl, who opened the first
store in 1860. In 1867 Mr. Owen opened a hotel. There are now two
general stores, blacksmith, harness, and wagon shops, twenty-two houses,
and a population of one hundred. The Lineville Anti-Horsethief Com
pany numbers more than a hundred members with the following officers:

PINEGRtlVE TOWNSHIP. 619
President, T. B. Baker; treasurer, Simon Korb; secretary, A. L, Byers.
The membership has doubled in the past ten years. The annual meeting
is held on the last Saturday in May.
Unionville was laid out in 1865 by Israel Anderson, and was so named
by G. W, MUler. It is also known as Sawtown. One store and three
houses constitute the village proper.
COAL, OIL, AND GAS.
Coal was first mined in 1852 by W'illiam S. Karnes, on his farm at Coal
Hill. There are three veins, three feet, eighteen inches, and four feet thick,
respectively. The second vein is comparatively free from sulphur, and has
been hauled as far as TitusviUe and Tidioute, for use in forges. Tbe de
posits have not been exhausted, but owing to the discovery of gas, mining
operations have been indefinitely suspended.
The principal oil developments have been made within the past year,
upon what is kriown as the Deshner farm. A number of wells have been
drilled here with the most gratifying resiUts. During the first oil excite
ment in the southwestern part of the township Gas City enjoyed an ephem
eral existence.
In April, 1885, what is known as the Speechley gas sand was discovered
at the depth of two thousand feet, the deepest drilling in the county up to
this time. This discovery was made on the farm of Samuel Speechley.
The first well supplied Franklin, Oil City, and TitusviUe with fuel several
months. It blew off four months with a pressure estimated at four thou
sand pounds per square inch. This territory was originally leased by the
Columbia Gas Company, since consolidated with the Natural Gas Trust.
CHURCHES.
Tlie Methodist Church of Centreville was organized in 1836, with six
members, of whom Samuel Stover was leader. They worshiped for a time
at the house of John Stover. The present church edifice, a frame structure,
was dedicated August 18, 1872.
The Free Methodist Church, near Coal Hill, was built in 1886.
The Lutheran Church, of Centreville, was built in 1884, but the congre
gation has disbanded.
Immanuel Church of the Evangelical Association, at Lineville, was
organized in 1860. A log buUding was at once erected, then a frame
structure in 1864, and the present attractive edifice in 1882.
The Methodist Church, of Lineville, was built in 1849, upon land jointly
given by Moore & Seymour, WilUam C. HoUis, and A. W. Owen, and re
placed in 1885 by the present place of worship.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was built in 1885, on the President road, and the

620 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
first teacher here was John B. McCalmont. The Pennsylvania school report
for 1877 gives the following regarding subsequent teachers: "G. S. Cris
well, John McKissick, and C. Heydrick, of the Venango county bar; John
Fertig, who has been twice mayor of TitusvUle and a member of the legis-
latm-e; John Gilger, a lawyer in Iowa; G. W. Beatty and William Domer,
both of whom are ministers; F. D. SuUinger, John McCrea, and George
McCraj', are among the number who have been teachers in Pinegrove."

CHAPTER XXXV.
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP.

Boundaries— Population— Organization— Pioneers — Industries of the
Past and Present— Village Growth — Schools— Churches.
CRANBERRY to-wnship is the largest subdivision of the county. Bor
dering upon the Allegheny river a distance of twenty miles, its bound
aries include a populous and diversified territory. The principal^^ streams
are Horse creek. Sage run. Lower Two Mile run, and Hall's run, a branch
of East Sandy creek.
In 1870 the population was two thousand three htmdred and thirty-
seven, and in 1880, two thousand four hundred and thirty-four.
February 4, 1830, "Upon the petition of divers inhabitants of Cran
berry township, east of the Allegheny river and now attached to French
Creek township ' ' for separate organization, the court appointed Barnhart
Martin, Benjamin Junkin, and John Jolly commissioners to inquire into the
necessity and propriety of the proposed change. At April sessions they re
ported favorably to the separate organization of Cranberry with the foUow
ing boundaries : ' ' Beginning at the mouth of the Six Mile run on the AUe
gheny river, keeping up the main branches of the said Six MUe run untU it
crosses the east line of a tract of land warranted in the name of William
Willink and marked on the draught of the county No. 2528; from thence a
north course along the east line of the following tracts of land warranted in
the name of William Willink and marked on the above mentioned county
draught by the numbers 2529, 2549, 2552, 2661, 2670, 2683, and 2687; and
from thence continuing a straight line until it reaches the Allegheny river
at a point where Pinegrove township reaches the said river, and from thence
down the said river to the place of beginning." This differs slightly from
the language used in defining the township in 1806, when originally laid

cranberry township. 621
out under the name of Fairfield. Por many years Salina was the place of
holding elections, but in 1886 (August 26th), three election districts were
formed, adding greatly to public convenience, PIONEERS.
The tax list for 1831, the first year in which the township was assessed
individually, contains the names of the following resident taxable inhabit
ants: Samuel Alexander, William, Robert, James, and Elliott Brandon,
David C. Cunningham, William Craig, Samuel Culbertson, John Caseman,
William Dickson, James Eaton, Thomas Curry, Jacob Foreman, Charles,
John, and Joseph Gayetty, James Gray, Samuel Howe, Cornelius Houser,
Jacob G. Houser, John Hays, James Haggerty, Patrick Harrison, Samuel
and Edward Hall, Zelotus Jewel, James and Joseph Kennedy, Jacob and
Isaac Karns, Samuel Lindsay, Stephen, John, and James Lindsay, James
Lamb, Davis McWilliams, John McBride, John and James McQuiston,
John McCool, John and Seth McCurry, Gates Manross, John and James
Moorhead, Alexander McWilliams, Henry and John Myers, William Nellis,
WiUiam Parker, W'Uliam Prior, John Peoples, Thomas Porter, William
Stewart, David Stover, Peter Smith, Isaac Smith, Israel Simpson, Ephraim
Turk, James and WiUiam Thompson, Allen W^illiams, and Jacob Zeigler.
Of unseated lands Thomas Astley owned twenty one thousand acre tracts,
upon which the aggregate tax was one hundred and five dollars. William
Bingham, John Nicholson, Henry Shippen, and S. Wright were also holders
of unseated lands.
Settlement, in all probability, was first made near the river. Beginning
at the mouth of East Sandy, the southern limit of the township, the earliest
settler was Samuel Lindsay. Here he farmed to a limited extent and derived
a precarious subsistence from the river. Some years later he crossed the
river into Victory township and from there he removed to Meigs county,
Ohio. One Thomas, a Welshman, was the earliest resident at the mouth
of Lower Two Mile run. He worked at the early furnaces; when Ander
son's furnace in Scrubgrass was built he removed thither and lost his Iif e
by drowning. A man named Seidels first improved the Porter farm, but
disposed of his interest to Patrick Harrison before this part of the township
had passed the period of its early history. The first settler at the Cochran
flats was Andrew Downing, and one of his nearest neighbors was Isaac
Smith, who kept the ferry at Franklin, then located between the Franklin
and Big Rock bridges. Smith subsequently removed to Franklin and then
to Bully hill, where he died. He sold the ferry to John Hastings, who kept
what is stUl known as the ' ' red house " as an inn, and died in Sugar Creek
township. John Hays settled half a mile above the mouth of Deep Hollow
in 1825. He was one of the pioneers of the county, and served in the war
of 1812. He died in 1876 at the age of nine-six. The farm adjoining above

622 history of venango county.
was first owned by Samuel Howe, who removed to Oil creek. Sage run
derives its name from Joel Sage, who came to Venango county in 1807 and
settled on that stream.
Four brothers, John, WUliam, James, and Elliott Brandon were the
first to penetrate the interior of the township. Originally from Ireland,
the family located near Big Spring, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.
From here the sons removed to the west. -lohn lived in Pittsburgh six years
and in Allegheny five years; there he was engaged in the seine fishery.
After his removal to Cranberry he farmed and kept hotel. William located
in Sandy Creek township prior to 1801 and enlisted in the American army
for service in the war of 1812 after his settlement in Cranberry. He was a
hunter of some local celebrity and served as constable many years. Elliott
lived on the bank of the river, where he owned an island. One member of
the family afterward removed to Steubenville, Ohio, and others to various
points so that it has but few representatives here at the present day.
The construction of the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike was an
important event in the early history of Cranberry. The old Franklin road
crossed East Sandy at the mouth of Zeigler run and the abutments of a
bridge built here by John Houser with his sons Peter and Philip are still
visible. This was one of the earliest public works of any importance at
tempted by the county. It was fifty-five feet long, built entirely of wood,
and all the timbers were hewed, including the floor. The construction of
the pike was begun in 1818 and finished in two years. The two miles west
ward from East Sandy were awarded under contract to James Dickson,
Samuel and Edward Hall. Dickson was the son of Benjamin Dickson,
originally from Ripley, New York, and an early settler near Meadville,
Crawford county. The Halls were native Irishmen. They built a mill on
Hair s run and gave the name to that stream. This part of the township
was then entirely uninhabited. The contractors obtained provisions for
their men from Pittsburgh by flat-boat, excepting the supply of meat, which
was amply provided from the game of the surrounding forests. The cabin
built for the accommodation of the men was at the sixty-sixth mile stone
from the Susquehanna river near a fine spring of water.
In the eastern part of Cranberry township there is a considerable body
of comparatively level land locally known as " The Meadows. ' ' Among the
first to locate here was James Crawford, formerly of Rockland, where he
was the first justice of the peace. Joseph Kennedy, from Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, also an early settler in Rockland, was likewise at
tracted to " The Meadows," and among the first to locate there. He was
followed in 1825 by his son, James Kennedy, who had made an improve
ment two years previously on the farm of Perry Huff. He married Mary,
daughter of James Crawford, and reared a family of seven sons and one
daughter. Between the farms of Joseph Kennedy and his son, James

cranberry township. 628
Thompson lived on a tract of one hundred and fifty- six acres. James
Moorhead was an early resident near Ten Mile Bottom; both he and Thomp
son arrived prior to 1825. John McCool removed from Scrubgrass to this
neighborhood in 1823 and improved a farm on the mill road. He was fol
lowed by his brother Alexander McCool, in 1842. In 1833 Cornelius
Houser purchased and improved a tract of two hundred and seventy-five
acres on the road leading from East Sandy to Tionesta. Hewas the grand
son of John P. Houser, originally from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
and a veteran of the Revolution, who first settled in this county at the
mouth of Big Sandy creek and was afterward ferryman at Franklin. Alex
ander Shannon, from Brush Valley, Centre county, Pennsylvania, came to
the township in 1885 and located where his son, Peter Shannon, now lives.
He was the first elected justice of the peace and held that office thirty-three
years. After the Brandons, the first to locate in the vicinity of Salina, were
WiUiam Dickson, Alexander Strain, Zelotus Jewel, Ephraim Turk, Samuel
CiUbertson, and William Parker. Dickson was from Centre county, a
brotherin-law of John Prior of Rockland, where he had settled before com
ing into Cranberry. He died here, and both his sons, James and Jonathan,
removed to the West. Alexander Strain was from Butler county and a Cath
olic by faith. He owned a hundred acres a mile west of Salina. His wife
having inherited property near Murrinsville, he returned to Butler county
about 1830. Jewel was from the state of New York, later a resident of
White Oak Springs, Butler county, and in this township owned land on
East Sandy creek, which he sold to John Gray and returned to Butler
county. He was a well-known business man. Ephraim Turk and Samuel
Culbertson were brothers-in-law. The former lived a mile from Salina on
the hill above East Sandy; he sold his property here to Samuel Hall and
returned to his former home in Butler county. CtUbertson was a muscular
man of fine physical development, and somewhat formidable at the time
when physical prowess commanded more general respect than now. W^illiam
Parker lived on the pike a mile from Bast Sandy, and was the son-in-law of
John Blosser, a pioneer of Pinegrove. He was formerly of Mercei- county.
On the state road in the northwestern part of the township the first set
tler was James Eaton, a native of New York state, whence he emigrated to
Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and in 1825 to Crary' s furnace at the mouth
of Oil creek. He owned two teams and was engaged in hauling ore. Hav
ing purchased two hundred acres of land on the state road a mile from the
river he hewed the logs for a house, and in one day, with the assistance of
his fellow workmen at the furnace, the house was built. It was first occu
pied by his famUy April 15, 1826. In 1844 he built a brick house, the first
in the township and probably in the county outside of Franklin. He owned
and operated Van Buren furnace at one time, but later in life removed to

624 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Ohio and died in Indiana. The next to arrive in this vicinity were Michael
White and Michael Frawley, natives of Ireland, who had lived in Northum
berland county previously to coming here. Frawley died here; White sold
his farm and removed to Ohio, where he died near Canton, and his famUy
returned. Matthew Gibbon and Joseph Gillman were also early residents
on the state road in this locality.
Jacob Zeigler was born, within eighteen miles of Baltimore, and
learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1816 he removed to Centre county,
Pennsylvania, and thence to the Tuckyhoe valley, Huntingdon county, and
the forks of the Juniata. In June, 1830, he came into this county, having
purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of uncleared land from the
Bingham estate, on the pike two miles from East Sandy. William Prior
had come to this section from Centre county several years previously, and
Peter Smith was also a resident on the pike in 1830. Owen Boyle, a native
of Ireland, and a resident in Lancaster and Lebanon counties after emi
grating to America, reared a family of eight sons and two daughters on the
farm now owned by Mrs. .John Byrns, his daughter, whose husband came
into the township in 1834.
That part of Cranberry about Salem City received its first inhabitants
during the early period of the iron industry. A half mile east of that village
there was a hamlet known as " Yankeetown," of which the population con
sisted of John McCurry, Nicholas Lake, Silas Tibbitts, William Stewart,
and their families. They were engaged in digging and hauling ore. Will
iam Craig lived at the site of Salem City. These people were here only
temporarily, however. The first permanent settlers were Constantine
Daugherty, William Allison, and Samuel McKinney. Daugherty was a
native of County Donegal, Ireland, and came to America in his nineteenth
year. He worked at iron furnaces in the eastern part of the state, princi
pally in Huntingdon and Centre counties. In June, 1831, he made a jour
ney to Venango county and bought two hundred acres of land. In October
following he brought out his family and household effects on a three-horse
wagon. He lived to the age of eighty. Allison was from the Nittany val
ley. Centre county, and came out in the spring of 1832. McKinney was
born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1786. When the war of 1812
broke out he was living in Centre county and volunteered, participating in
Perry's victory on Lake Erie. He was voted a silver medal by the state
legislature for conspicuous gallantry on that occasion. In 1832 he removed
to Venango county, and died in 1871 at the age of eighty- five years. John
McBride and Hutchinson Borland were early settlers on the state road east
of Salem City.
David McWilliams, James McWilliams, John McCracken, William
Thomas, John Heasley, Alexander McQuiston, and David Ayers were the
pioneers of the southwestern part of the township.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP. 625
INDUSTRIES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT.
The first mill on East Sandy creek was built by Henry Myers in Rock
land township, but received a large share of its patronage from the pioneers
of Cranberry. Within the limits of the latter the first saw mills were
built by John, Charles, and Joseph Gayetty, on Horse creek, the first grist
miUs by Samuel and Edward Hall, on Hall's run, Thomas Hoge at the mouth
of Lower Two Mile run, John and James Haggerty and William Parker on
East Sandy. What is known as ^^'ilson's mill is an abandoned frame build
ing on East Sandy, at the crossing of the road from Salina to Freedom.
There is a similar structure, also in a state of dilapidation, at the mouth of
Lower Two Mile run, and abandoned water-power saw mills are to be seen
in various parts of the township.
The ruins of the old furnaces are no less interesting and suggestive. The
oldest of these was Slab furnace, begun in 1832 and completed in 1833. The
inner wall of the cupola or stack was built of rough stones, around whicb a
casing of slabs was erected, the intervening space being filled with sand.
Zelotus Jewel was the original owner of the land, which was purchased by
WUliam Cross, the first owner and operator of the furnace. Thomas Hoge
was associated with him for a time; they sold to John Lyon, and the firm of
Lyon & Crawford sold to James Hughes, Sr. , in 1840. He rebuilt the stack,
which had collapsed, but becoming insolvent, disposed of the property to a
Pittsburgh firm. The last operator was Henry Mays. Jackson furnace was
built in 1838 by William S. SmuUin and  Richards, a mile above East
Sandy, in a neighborhood thinly inhabited to this day. Cut stone was used
in its construction, and in its general appointments this was one of the most
substantial furnaces in the county. Richards disposed of his interest in
1834, and with the exception of a two-years' lease to Parker & Royer,
SmuUin continued operations here until 1844, when he sold to Hatch Broth
ers, of Pittsburgh. They became insolvent in 1849 and were succeeded by
another Pittsburgh company, by whom the furnace was finally banked in
1854. Horse Creek furnace was built in 1836 by Samuel Bell, and operated
by William Bell, Jr. , and Frank Davidson. It was situated on the bank of
the river, above the mouth of Horse creek. When Samuel Bell became in
solvent the property was bought by William Bell, of Pittsburgh, who sold it
in 1844 to Edmund Evans, from whom it received the name of Clay fur
nace. It was finally banked in 1852. Van Buren furnace, on Lower Two
MUe run, two miles from its mouth, was built in 1836 by William and
Samuel Cross and Thomas Hoge. It was successively owned by Horner &
Waddell, Horner & Eaton, James Eaton, William S. SmuUin, Solomon Ul
man, and Mays & Davis.
Two distilleries have been in operation in the township, the earliest of
which was established by Henry Myers. Within comparatively recent years
James Ralston had a distillery on East Sandy at the crossing of the

626 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Tionesta road. He was from Slippery Rock, Butler county, and an early
settler on Hemlock in Pinegrove township.
The mining of coal was an important industry during early oil develop
ments on Oil creek and in the valley of the Allegheny river. Coal was in
great demand and commanded a high price. The coal banks of Cranberry
were conveniently situated and operations here were correspondingly active.
The most extensive mines were first opened in 1861 by Enoch Lotton.
Within a few years several hundred teams were required to haul the coal to
market, while a hundred men were employed in mining and making roads.
In 1867 a tramway was constructed from South Oil City to the mines, fol
lowing the course of Sage run. Two years later this was converted into a
railroad. The property and franchises experienced a number of changes
in ownership and management until 1874, when leased by James Kennedy
for a period ef five years. The Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia RaU
road Company were the next lessees, but finding transportation to the line
of their road excessively expensive, they withdrew the roUing stock and
abandoned the mines. At one time a fire-brick establishment was also oper
ated in connection with the coal interests.
To give an extended account of oil operations in Cranberry would be a
virtual impossibility. Some portions of the territory have been drilled over
several times; in the number of new "fields" opened at various dates, the
excitement incident thereto, and the extent of the production at the present
time. Cranberry territory ranks in this county second only to Oil creek.
The first wells were drilled in the vicinity of South Oil City and in
the locality known as Pinoak. FoUowing the developments at Reno,
Sugar Creek township, a number of wells were drilled on the opposite of the
river; and several miles inland, at a later date, the Bredinsburg district was
the scene of remarkable activity. In pursuance of the theory at first ad
vocated, that oil coincided with water courses, the land adjacent to Sandy
creek was early bought by oil companies composed of capitalists in the
eastern cities, and much of it, unfortunately for the investors, proved un
productive. The Egypt, Tarkiln, and Hill City districts foUowed in the
order named, and at the present time considerable drilling is in progress.
The Astral Oil Works at Astral station on the Allegheny Valley railroad,
originally established by C. W. Mackey, passed successively to M. E. Echols,
the Astral Refining Company, Limited, and the Astral Oil Refinining Com
pany, Limited. The latter was organized in January, 1889, with Joseph
Manning, chairman; M. Braunschweiger. treasurer, and J. B. Berry, secre-
tarj. The stills have a charging capacity of six hundred and seventy bar
rels, and the refining cajiacity is seven thousand barrels per month. Illu
minating and lubricating oils are manufactured. Twelve men are usually
employed. An account of the oil works at Franklin station has been
given in the history of Franklin.

'1? -iyrcKtn-

\c':'''

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP. 629
VILLAGE GROWTH.
Salina is a village of several hundred inhabitants on the Susquehanna
and Waterford turnpike, seven miles from Franklin and the same distance
from Oil City, with which it is also connected by a turnpike, road. North
of the pike first mentioned the land was originally settled by James H. Mil-
roy, a blacksmith, who lived in a log house still standing at the eastern ex
tremity of the village. He purchased fifty acres from Thomas Astley in
1835. This part of the village wis laid out in lots by Milroy, who probably
gave to the place its name. South of the pike the lots were laid out in
1865 by James Brandon. He was the pioneer hotel keeper of the place,
his hostelry being located on the west corner of the OU City pike. It was
known as the Seven Mile house, and divided the patronage with the " Weep
ing Willow," of which John Brandon was proprietor. SmuUin & Steffee,
Mrs. L. D. Barr, and Jones & Mohney were among the first merchants.
The postoffice of Cranberry was first kept by James Allison, half a mile dis
tant from the village. Mrs. L. D. Barr was the first postmistress after the
removal of the office to the town and the incumbent of that position twenty-
one years. The place derived its early growth and greatest prosperity from
the industrial activity incident to the coal business. When that declined
it lost its prestige and became a quiet country village. While it continues
to retain much of this character, recent oil developments in the vicinity have
contributed largely toward a revival of the old-time activity.
The Brandon cemetery, a short distance north on the Oil City turnpike,
is the oldest public burial ground in the township. By deed of October 31,
1839, from James Milroy and Eliza, his wife, the title to the ground, two acres
in extent, was vested in .James Allison, William Brandon, and John Mc
Cutcheon, trustees. The grounds were neglected, however; and in 1870 W.
H. Manross, James Brandon, and J. W. SmuUin were elected trustees for
the expenditure of a fund collected by those interested in preserving the place
from desecration. As a result of this effort the grounds were inclosed. In
1889 the board re-organized with five members — J. W. SmuUin, president; J.
G. Hill, secretary; William Craig, treasurer; W. H. Manross, and Harvey
Huff. Further improvement and enlargement of the grounds is now being
agitated. Salem City. — The first house upon the site of this village was built by
Nicholas Lake, a native of Dutchess county. New York, who was living four
miles from Buffalo during the war of 1812. Thence he removed succes
sively to Erie and Meadville, and on the 27th day of August, 1828, he came
into Cranberry township with the intention of teaming for Stockbarger,
Norris & Kinnear who were then building a furnace at the mouth of Oil
creek. He located on the state road ten rods from the cross roads in Salem
City where he built a one-story log cabin. Three or four years^ later he re-

680 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
moved to Clarion and thence to Ohio. After various wanderings he died in
Mercer county.
The first permanent resident here was William Craig, who went from
Buffalo to Chautauqua county. New York, at the same time that Lake went
to Erie, aud followed him to this locality a little later. His was the second
house and stood opposite Lake's. He owned a farm that included that part of
the village east of the state road and lived here until his death. He sold part
of this farm to John Crownogle, a German from Centre county; and in 1842
Cro-wnogle sold to Andrew McCurry, by whom the town was laid out and
named, and who yet lives in an honored old age. Sixteen years previously
he had come to Venango county and settled in this township opposite the
moiith of Oil creek, where he owned a farm embracing the site of South Oil
City. He removed to his present home April 12, 1842. At that time three
cabins constituted the village, the other two being occupied respectively by
WiUiam Stewart and Albert Long. Mr. McCuri-y kept a house of entertain
ment. He taught the first school in the neighborhood, and in 1862 opened
the first store. When Seneca postoffice was established he was appointed
first postmaster. A large population was attracted to this neighborhood by
the opening of the Cranberry coal banks, and this induced him to lay off a
portion of his land into lots. The town materialized rapidly and within a
few years had assumed the proportions of a small village. Steffee & Downey
and William Grove were among the first merchants. Like the other villages
of this region, Salem City depends upon the oil business in large measure
for its prosperity. It also enjoys the advantage of being located in a fine
agricultural region.
Seneca Lodge, No. 711, I. O. G. T., was organized May 10, 1869, but
no longer sustains an active existence.
Alpine Tent, Nd. 25, Knights of the Maccabees, was chartered with
twenty-three members, December 5, 1885.
Seneca Union, No. 752, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted July 17,
1889. The principal officers were B. R. Mack, chancellor; R. N. Grossman,
advocate; J. B. Meyers, president; Mrs. W. Moore, vice-president; Mrs.
E. A. Lewis, auxiliary; Mrs. R. A. Walker, secretary, and G. W. Magee,
treasurer. Hill City derives its name from the Hill family and its existence from
the excitement caused by the discovery of oil on the Dallas farm in June,
1886. The town was laid out by Cyrus S. Marks and George Powell for
Samuel Hill, upon whose land it is situated, and a score of houses were
built in an incredibly short time. Mung & Hockman and Hoy Brothers
were the first merchants. Within a year the excitement was over and the
people had begun to leave. The place comprises a dozen houses, and has
a penny post from South Oil City.
Ten Mi\e Bottom, or Tippeary, is so named from the fact of its location

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP. 631
ten miles from both Franklin and Fryburg on the state road, George ]\Ic-
Cool and Owen Reed were early settlers in the vicinity. The former kept
a small grocery, but William Thompson kept the first store. It now com
prises a dozen dwellings, store, postoffice, and blacksmith shop.
Bredinsburg was a lively oil village iu 1870 and at one time comprised
forty houses. The place is so named in honor of Major James M. Bredin,
a leading oil operator in this section. SCHOOLS.
The necessity of educational facilities seems to have become apparent in
several neighborhoods at about the same time. In the winter of 1829 or
1830 John Hastings employed '\^'illiam Moore to teach his children in a
room of the " red house" at the ferry opposite Franklin. This school was
also attended by several neighboring families. The first house for school
purposes in this neighborhood was a log building on the state road east of
the brick house, and Nathan Beck from Centre county was the first teacher
here. The house was buUt by John Heasley, who furnished the lumber and
took an active interest in the enterprise. The first school in the vicinity of
Mt. Zion chm-ch was taught in a log building owned by Isaac Karns
by Ann Beck. Among the early successors was Adam Sheffer. The
first building erected for school purposes was a log house built upon a ten
acre lot offered by the Bingham estate for school and church usages. The
trustees of Mt. Zion church were dissatisfied with the location, however,
and in the end the ten acres of land were purchased by the township. It
has since proven to be fairly productive oil territory, and yields annually
much more than the price originally paid. In the vicinity of Salem Andrew
McCurry was the first school teacher; John McBride gave the ground for
the first school house, which stood a half mile east of that village. Re
becca and Ellen Rose and James Dunn were among the first teachers there.
The first school house in the southwestern part of the township was built by
the joint efforts of the citizens and stood on the Nicklin farm. There was a
school house on the land of James Thompson at ' ' The Meadows ' ' prior to
1830, and Ann Beck was one of the first teachers. After the adoption of the
public school system the first tax collector was Jacob Zeigler, who was a
member of the first board of school directors and treasurer of that body
thirty years. CHURCHES.
Cranberry Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized Monday,
October 2, 1837, with the following members: John Parker, Joseph Mo-
Bride, George MUner, John McKinney, William Dixon, John McBride,
Alexander Shannon, Peter Smith, William Brandon, Thomas Wilson, John
Shannon, John Smith, Samuel Morrison, Rachel McKinney, Frances Long,
Elizabeth Shannon, Elizabeth McBride, M. A. McCutcheon, Maria Allison,

682 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
B. A. Shannon, Mary Zeigler, Elizabeth Smith, Mary Smith, Rebecca Rose,
M. J. McKinney, Mary Wilson, Sarah Shannon, Elizabeth Brandon, M. A,
Smith, Susannah Zeigler, Agnes McBride, Catharine McBride, James Bran
don, Catharine Parker, Elizabeth Wilson, and Hannah McCaman, John
Shannon and Peter Smith were elected elders and installed on the following
Sabbath. Ground was given by Hutchinson Borland, and a log church
building erected thereon by the joint efforts of Presbyterians and Method
ists. There is no continuous record of church proceedings from 1840 to
1861, when Reverend I. C. T. McClelland, under direction of presbytery,
visited Cranberry and reorganized the church with twenty-eight members,
of whom J. H. Borland and Andrew Shiner were elected elders. Joseph
Chambers, William H. Miller, and A. H. Diven were chosen to that office
March 28, 1874; S. J. Downing, J. R. Stroud, and William Moore, in June,
1881. Mr. McClelland was pastor until 1864; Reverend Joseph A. Bow
man, from 1870 to 1884; J. T. Johnson, 1884-85; D. A. Cooper, 1886-89;
and Reverend R. N. Grossman assumed charge in 1889. The last sacra
mental service in the old church was held in the winter of 1870. Measures
were taken to repair it, resulting in the erection of the present place of wor
ship at Salem City, which was dedicated January 6, 1871, Reverend J. M.
Gallagher preaching the dedicatory sermon.
St. Catharine' s Roman Catholic Church. — Among the early Catholic
families of Cranberry were those of Owen Reed, Patrick Gormley, Matthew
Gibbons, John McCormick, Owen Boyle, and John Byrns. At the period
when stage coaches were the means of conveyance between Bellefonte,
Brookville, and Pittsburgh, in the central and southern parts of the state, and
Meadville and Erie in the northwest, priests traveling between these places
frequently stopped at the house of Owen Boyle, who settled on the old turn
pike in 1834. Mass was celebrated and the sacraments occasionally admin
istered here. Among the first missionary priests whose names could be
ascertained were Fathers Masquelet, O'Rafferty, Mallinger, Gallagher, and
Slattery. The stone dwelling house on the south side of the pike where it
crosses Hall's run, was dedicated by Bishop Young, and was the first place
of worship owned by this denomination in the county. Since the organ
ization of the parishes of Franklin, Oil City, and Emlenton, this congregation
has been looked after by the pastors of those towns, and is now a mission
in charge of Father McCloskey of Franklin, The present church edifice at
Salina was dedicated by Bishop Mullen, September 16, 1888.
Salem Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at some time between
1845 and 1850, by Reverend Richard Carothers at Lee's school house near
the pike a mile from Oil City. Mrs. James Lee, Mrs. Harriet Lake, Jane
and Mary Long, and James Shaffer (leader), with three or four others, con
stituted the first class. Reverends John Crumm and James Shields were
the first preachers after the place of worship had been removed to Salem

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP. 633
City. Years before this, however. Reverend John Abbott had preached at
the house of Ephraim Rose on the hill above Horse creek, and for sometime
the old log church was occupied jointly with the Presbyterians. In 1866 the
frame church at Salem was built. The parsonage was erected in 1882.
This is the residence of the pastors of Cranberry circuit, which has received
the following appointments since its formation: 1879-80, E. R. Knapp; 1881-
82, S. Dimmick; 1883-84, S. P, Douglass; 1885-86, W. E. Frampton:
1877-88, W. S. Gearhart.
Heckathorn Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in
1846, with Henry Heckathorn as first class leader. Among the first mem
bers were George Heckathorn, Jacob Heckathorn and his wife, Mrs. Sarah
Coldron, and Mrs. Sarah Haney. Among the first preachers were Reverends
Foy, McClain, Dick, Huniger, Rosenberger, Grossman, and Pfifer. The
frame church building was erected in 1865. The burial ground adjoining
was set apart for that purpose by Henry Heckathorn in 1846. Interments
had been made here previous to that date, but the earliest inscription upon
a tombstone bears the year 1848.
Mt. Zion Church was built in 1848, by a Lutheran congregation organized
March 7, 1846, by Reverend Kyle, a German minister. The Zeigler, W^ilhelm,
Sleppey, and Rote families constituted the early membership. Lutheran
services were continued seventeen years by Reverends Kyle, Welcker, Dun-
meyer, Weicksel, Nunner, and others. The Methodist class was organized
in 1868, and David Zeigler was the first class leader. The Sunday school^
of which James Bowman was first superintendent, has long been a useful
adjunct of the church.
Victory Methodist Episcopal Church. — The erection of a church building
at this point was begun in 1869, and the dedication occurred December 4,
1870. It was destroyed by fire in the autumn of 1866. The present place
of worship was dedicated December 16, 1888. The class was organized in
1858, with the following members : Simon Nicklin and wife, Jacob Wilt and
wife, J. K. Dale and wife, James McCutcheon and wife, Samuel Hughes
and wife, J. P. Morrison and wife, Charles Ridgway and wife, and Mary
Hughes. «
Meadows Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1866 with about
forty members, of whom John C. McKenzie was first class leader. The
place of worship was erected in 1874. Prior to the formation of Cran
berry circuit this appointment formed part of President circuit.
The First Baptist Church of Salina originated in a protracted meeting
held in April, 1874, by Reverend J. L. Bailey, which resulted in sixty con
versions. The organization occui-red June 21, 1874, Reverend R. H. Aus
tin, officiating. Mrs. L. D. Barr, James Aiken, and James Wigton were
elected trustees. Mr. Bailey was installed as first pastor July 14, 1874.
The frame church building, erected through the efforts of a building com-

684 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
mittee composed of Mrs. L. D. Barr, James Wigton, and H. J. Sayers,
was dedicated in October, 1876. For several years past the church has
been without a pastor.
The Bredinsburg Methodist Episcopal Church is an organization of
recent origin, the result of revival meetings conducted by Reverend S. P.
Douglass. A church building is in course of erection.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
CANAL TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Boundaries — Physical Features — Timber — Water
courses — Early .Settlement — List of Pioneers— Industries—
Hannaville— Educational— Cemeteries— Religious.
CANAL township was created from Sugar Creek November 28, 1833, and
received its name from the old French Creek canal, which ran along
its southern border parallel with French creek. It occupies the northwestern
part of the county and is bounded by Crawford county on the north, Jackson
and Sugar Creek townships on the east, French Creek on the south, and
Mercer -county on the west. The physical features are agreeably varied,
the surface being high and broken along French and Sugar creeks, and
gently undulating in the interior, the whole characterized by a soil of sur
prising depth and fertility. Few places in the county afford more pictur
esque and romantic views than can be obtained from the lofty hills and
highlands along French creek in the vicinity of Utica, while in striking con
trast are the beautiful valleys in the various parts of the township where
scenes of a more quiet and peacefiU nature predominate. Originally the
surface of the township was covered with a heavy forest growth, the greater
part of which has long since disappeared, much having been ruthlessly de
stroyed by the early settlers in clearing and developing their farms. As an
agricultural region Canal stands prominent among her sister townships of
the county, all the fruits and cereals usually raised in first-class farming
countries being of prolific growth and large returns. Stock raising has en
gaged the attention of her people to some extent, while a number of attempts
have been made at different times to bring to light the hidden wealth of oil
and coal which lies beneath her wooded hills and verdant valleys.
The township is well watered and drained by a number of water courses
which traverse the country in various directions, the most important being

CANAL TOWNSHIP. 635
French creek, which forms the southern boundary. It affords au outlet for
numerous smaller streams among which is the west branch of Sugar creek flow
ing through the central part of the township. Other water courses are
Spruce run, Sutley' s or McCune' s run, and smaller creeks designated by no
particular names, all of which play an important part in the drainage of the
country. Numerous springs of the coolest water are to be seen issuing from
the hills in various parts of the township, and the majority of the people
obtain their water supply from these sources.
PIONEERS.
According to reasonably well founded supposition the Johnston family
appear to have been the first white people to settle permanently within the
present limits of Canal township. While this is questioned by some who
claim priority of settlement it is a well established fact that Hugh Johnston
and several sons, all men grown, came to the county as early as the year
1797 and located homes in the vicinity of Utica, the former making his first
improvements about one mile east of the site of that borough on what is
known as the Service place; while a son, Alexander, opened a farm one-
half mile up the creek. If settlements were made in the township prior to
the above date such fact is not definitely known. Hugh Johnston was a
native of Ireland, but came to Venango from Huntingdon county, Pennsyl
vania, which part ofthe state furnished many of the early settlers of Canal and
adjoining townships. He is remembered as a man of much force of char
acter, an intelligent and reliable citizen, and one of the leading men of the
community in which he resided. He died early in the present century and
was laid to rest in the old Johnston graveyard, the first place consecrated to
the burial of the dead in the township.
Of his sons the best known was Alexander, who early became one of the
leading spirits in the settlement and development of the country. Alex
ander Johnston was an active business man, accumulated a valuable tract of
real estate, and reared a large family, his sons, Hugh, Jr. , Anthony, Alex
ander, Robert, and James afterward becoming well known and substantial
citizens of Canal. Robert Johnson, a brother of Alexander, Sr. , settled ou
what is now the old Hasson homestead about two miles east of Utica, and
James Johnston, another brother, lived with his father Hugh until the lat
ter's death, when he became owner of the home farm. Several descendants
of this old family still live in Canal township and are justly ranked among
its most substantial citizens.
It is impossible to name the early settlers in the order of their arrival, as,
the years from 1798 to 1808 witnessed the influx of quite a number of pio
neers of whom but meager facts and data are remembered. John and James
Foster were among the early permanent residents in the northeastern part
of the township, settling near Sugar creek valley, where descendants of the

636 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
former still live. James was an early major of militia, a title by which he
was known for years, and is remembered as a man of excellent reputation.
Archibald, John, and William were sons of John Foster, the last named still
living on the home farm.
Jacob Whitman settled about one and a half miles northwest of Canal
Center in an early day and had several sons, namely: John, who subsequently
moved to Sugar Creek township; William, a self-educated physician of the
olden time, and Jonathan, who a number of years ago emigrated to Illinois. ¦
Among the early settlers in the vicinity of Utica was Thomas Logue, who
with his sons: John, Alexander, Hugh, and George located on what is
known as the Elwinger place about one-half mile east of the town. Logue
was a typical backwoodsman and belonged to that easy-going, careless class
of people which usually lead the van of civilization into all new countries.
A settlement was made on French creek about one and a half miles below
Utica early in the present century by Thomas Smiley, or " Uncle Tom," as
he was more familiarly known. He subsequently disposed of his place and
moved to Franklin. His sons : Armstrong, James, John H. , and Philip, the
last named still living at the county seat, were well-known citizens of Ve
nango county.
Among the first settlers in the central part of the township was William
Brown who located at Canal Center, where he developed a farm and opened
a tavern for the accommodation of such travelers as saw fit to accept and pay
for his hospitalities. He came to this county from New York state and
boasted of having served in the army of Washington throughout the war
for American independence. His house was for years a well-known stop
ping place on the old stage route and within its hospitable walls many
scenes of good cheer and conviviality are said to have taken place. Henry,
Amos, Royal, Horace, and Oliver Brown were sons of William, and can be
classed with the early settlers of the township.
Luther Thomas, a local minister of the Methodist church, settled three
miles northeast of Utica on the Black farm, and about the same time
Christopher and Michael Sutley made improvements in the township, the
former improving a farm two and a half miles east of Utica and the latter
settling near Canal Center. John Coxson came to the township in quite an
early day and settled three miles from Utica; he had two sons, William and
John, the latter an artist and successful lawyer in the western part of the
state. James McCune came to the township prior to the year 1805, and settled
on French creek opposite the Heydrick farm, improving the place where
his grandson, James, Jr. , now lives. He moved here from the eastern part
of the state and died on the home farm in 1840. His son William, born in
the township in the year 1806, was a resident of the same until his death
in May, 1889.

CANAL TOWNSHIP. 637
Prominent among the pioneers in the vicinity of Canal Center was Joseph
Deets, who settled a short distance southwest of the village, adjoining the
place where Alexander Johnston now lives. A man of energy and rare
business tact Mr. Deets succeeded in accumulating the valuable property
upon which his son Samuel now resides.
As early as the year 1809, John Hastings was living two miles east of
Utica, where his son William now resides, aud about the same time WiUiam
Hood settled the Harrison farm two miles northwest of the village. William,
John, Moses, Samuel, James, Blair, and Thomas Hood, sons of William,
were well-known residents of the township. Samuel and Lewis Burson were
early settlers in the Whitman neighborhood, and John Wilson, one of the
first justices of the peace, made improvements many years ago on the Fra
zier farm near the Sugar Creek line. John Duffield moved from French
Creek township in an early day and developed a farm one and a half miles
from Utica. He had three sons: John, William, and Philip, all well-known
residents of the county. Samuel Ray was an early settler, as were also
John and Alexander Ray, the last named having made his first improvements
on the Singleton farm east of Utica. John Ray purchased the Hood farm
east of the viUage, but it is not known where Samuel Ray made his settle
ment. Thomas Singleton subsequently purchased the Alexander Ray prop
erty, and can be appropriately named with the early settlers of the township.
Samuel Black, an early township official, and an active business man,
settled about two miles above Utica, and his neighbor in an early day was
John Daily, who afterward removed to another part of the township. Jacob
Lupher was a prominent settler near Canal Center, and is remembered as a
public-spirited citizen and a warm ft-iend and patron of churches and schools.
He had the following sons, namely: John, Andrew, Barnett, Wesley, Hiram,
Sylvester M. , and Jacob P. , two of whom, Barnett and S. M. , are still resi
dents of Canal. Henry Hart was an early settler near the Mercer county
line, where two sons, Abraham and Samuel Hart, still live, and in the Lu
pher neighborhood there settled a number of years ago Thomas Lupher,
a brother of Jacob, and the Hill brothers, namely: William, James, John,
and Andrew, all of whom made improvements in the vicinity of Canal Center.
William Harrison became a resident of the township prior to the year 1820,
and four years later John L. Hasson, one of the earliest settlers in French
Creek township, moved to Canal and settled where his son, John C. , lives
about one and a half miles from Utica. Mr . Hasson was an honored resi
dent of the township untU his death, in 1885, and of his family the following
are still living in the vicinity of the old homestead: William, Hugh, John C,
James S., Mrs. Angeline Boughner, and Samuel D.
Additional to the foregoing list of pioneers the following persons came
to Canal at an early date and settled in different parts of the township:
John Cooper in the Hasson neighborhood; WilUam and David Gilmore near

638 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the present site of Utica; Jacob Siner in the vicinity of Canal Center; W.
P. Clough in the same locality; William and John Boughner not far from
Hannaville, and John Mawhinney, two and a half miles east of Utica. The
following may also be classed among the early residents: Samuel Bean,
William Wright, Abiel Sweet, Chancy Hart, Mr. Rifenberg, John Douglas,
George Douglas, Adam Peters, Mr. Marsh, Thomas Hefferman, Thomas Will
iams, M. H. Clough, William Smith, Isaac Hanna, John Graham and sons
James and John, David Taylor, William Hays, Thomas Beightol, John Mead,
John McQuaid, Jonathan Boyer, John Andre, Thomas Aten, David Crouch,
Silas Crouch, William Cooly, John Paden, John White, John Menter, Joshua
Woods, Samuel Anderson, and William Groves.
The population in 1880 was one thousand and thirty.
INDUSTRIES.
Canal township is essentially an agricultural region and as such ranks
among the best farming districts of the county. But little attention has
been given by her citizens to manufacturing enterprises of any kind, the
only efforts in that direction having been a few lumbering mills and a flour
ing mill, nearly all of which ceased operations a number of years ago. The
first mill in the township was a small affair for the manufacture of lumber,
built by Royal Brown on Spruce run, the water of which furnished the motive
power. This mill was in operation but a few years, and did a small but
fairly lucrative business. A flouring mill was erected by John Hastings in
the eastern part of the township, when the country was new, and did a good
business for a mill of its capacity. The building was a good sized frame
structure, supplied with fair machinery, and received its motive power from
the waters of Spruce run. The building is still standing but the hum of
its machinery has not been heard since about the year 1845. Jacob Siner
built a saw mill on the same creek, about two and a half miles above the
grist mill in an early day, and after operating it a few years sold out to John
Lupher, who rebuilt the mill and supplied it with new and improved ma
chinery. It was operated with fair success for some time, but is now stand
ing idle, the dam having been broken down many years ago. William
McClure built a saw mill on Black' s run in the northwest part of the town
ship at an early day, and subsequently sold to James McCune, by whom it
was last operated. A part of the old building is still standing, but the
machinery has disappeared long since. The Ltibold saw mill in the north-
central part of the township, erected by Martin Lubold, is still in operation.
An early industry of the township was an ashery for the manufacture of
potash, constructed about 1847 by Jesse Shields, who abandoned the busi
ness a couple of years later. It stood about a mile and a half northeast of
Utica, and is well remembered by the older citizens of the community.

CANAL TOWNSHIP. 689
HANN.AVILLE.
The only village in Canal is situated near the geographical center of the
township, and from its location was for many years known by the name of
Canal Center. The first improvement in the place was made by William
Brown, who as early as the year 1819 opened a house for the accommoda
tion of the traveling public on the old stage line or W^aterford and Susque
hanna turnpike. This was known in the early days of the county as ' ' the
Brown or Long Porch House," and was afterward kept by Isaac Hanna,
who gave the present name to the village. J. L. Foster and others suc
ceeded Hanna in looking after the comfort and accommodation of travelers,
and about the year 1846 or 1847 a stock of goods was brought to the place
by L. M. Hanna and Erastus Hart. After continuing as partners a few
years Hanna became sole owner of the store and for some time carried on a
fairly successful business when he was succeeded by his brother, W. H. H.
Hanna, who subsequently effected a co-partnership with a Mr. McKissick.
Additional to the foregoing the following were identified with the commer
cial interests of the place from time to time: Lupher & Boughner, Bean &
Lupher, Clough & Taylor, and a Mr. Sherrett. E. M. Brown began busi
ness in 1863, and is still in the place. About the year 1842 John Lupher
engaged in the manufacture of threshing machines at Canal Center, in which
he met with encouraging success. After carrying on the business a number of
years he discontinued the manufacture of threshers, and turned his atten
tion to wagon-making, in which branch of trade he also met with good pat
ronage. His son was afterward associated with him, and the firm thus
formed continued until 1883, when the business was abandoned.
EDUCATIONAL.
That the pioneers of Canal township set a proper value upon educational
training is evident from the fact that schools were established in nearly
every neighborhood as soon as a sufficient number of children could be got
ten together for the purpose. One of the earUest schools was taught by
Jacob Norcross in a small cabin on the Wentworth farm, opposite the Hey
drick farm, in the fall and winter of 1808-9. It was patronized by the fam
ilies of Samuel Evans, Samuel Bunnell, John Coxson, James McCune, Will
iam Hood, Alexander Johnston, Thomas RusseU, James Martin, John Daily,
John Smith, Robert Robb, and Hugh Moore, the majority of whom were
residents of Mercer county. The school lasted four months, and had an
average attendance of twenty-nine pupils.
One of the first school houses in the township was built in what is known
as the Fairview district, one and a half miles north of Utica, as early as the
year 1826. It was a small, round-log building, with neither fioor nor win
dow, and was first used by Miss Barbara Brookmyer, who taught a term in
the winter of 1826-27. The patrons of the school were the Hasson, John-

640 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ston, Ray, Duffield, Cooper, and other families, and among the pupils still
living are William and Hugh Hasson. The building was used several years
and among the early teachers are remembered Solomon Jennings, Mr. Dodd,
Samuel McGaw, William Gordon, William Mead, and Susan Oliver.
A hewed-log buUding about half a mile from the old Fairview house
on the David Gilmore farm was erected a little later and answered the pur
pose for which it was intended many years. The following is a partial list
of teachers who "wielded the birch" in the building: WUliam Hutchinson,
Samuel Wood, Alexander McGaw, Ethan Stone, William McQuaid, Michael
Henry, Alexander Cochran, Kindell Muse, Robert Defrance, Mary Sage,
Charlotte Crouch, Minnie Crouch, and Lucy Hale. The McCune school
house in the northwest part of the township was built as early as 1830 by
William Groves. Solomon Jennings, William Myers, and AUen McCracken
taught in this building in an early day, as did a number of others whose names
have long since been forgotten. Some time in the forties a hewed-log build
ing was erected in the Lupher neighborhood not far from the Sugar Creek
township line. The early teachers were James Daily, Thomas Goff, and
Reverend J. A. Hallock. This is said to have been the first school house in
the township erected by public money. The second was the Gibbons school
house, and the third Fairview, the latter built to replace the old log house
on the Gilmore place about one mile from Utica. The second building was
a large plank structure in which at one time two teachers were employed,
and over one hundred pupils received instruction. The district, the largest
in the township, was subsequently divided, the building remodeled, and its
dimensions greatly reduced.
Other houses were erected at various places throughout the township
from time to time, the Foster building in the northeast corner having been
among the earliest. The following can be classed among the early teachers,
having been employed prior to the year 1840: Messrs. Sheep, Elderkin,
Russell, Long, Fly, Wood, Atkins, Cochran, Smith, Singleton, Boughner,
and Hill. Among the first school directors in the township were J. A. Gil
liland, William Wright, Robert Neal, and David Taylor.
CEMETERIES.
"It is appointed unto man once to die," and with but few exceptions
the pioneers of Canal have answered to the dread summons. As already
stated the first place of burial in the township is the Johnston graveyard
about one mile from JTtica, where repose the ashes of many of the earliest
settlers of the community. Among the number are Hugh Johnston, by
whom the ground was donated; Alexander Johnston; Mrs. Alexander John
ston; John Ray; Luther Thomas; Sallie Johnston; Anna Johnston; Thomas
Logue, and Mrs. Thomas Logue, all of whom departed this life many
years ago.

CANAL TOWNSHIP. 041
The cemetery at the Freewill Baptist church near Hannaville was conse
crated to the burial of the dead a number of years ago and the first person
laid to rest therein was a child of Nathan Elderkin. This, like the Johnston
burying ground, is the last resting place of some of the pioneer settlers,
among whom are Michael Sutley, Christopher Sutley, Daniel Hays, and
several members of the Johnston family.
The Lupher graveyard was laid out as early as the year 1829 or '30 on
the land of Jacob Lupher. Among the first burials in this cemetery was
that of Martha Coxson, wife of John Coxson, whose death occurred some
time in the thirties. John Coxson was buried a little later, as were also
Joseph Adams and other early settlers of whose death no records have been
kept. The Mount Pleasant Cemetery, in the northeast part of the township,
was laid out on the land of Chancy Hart, and for years has been the place
of burial for a large area of Canal, Sugar Creek, and Jackson townships.
Among the first bm-ials were those of a child of Uriah and Eliza Brink,
John E. Hart, Mrs. Catherine Hart, and Tobias Wygand.
The Wesleyan graveyard, on the Alexander Johnston farm, a short dis
tance from Canal Center, was set aside for burial purposes about the time
the chui-ch was erected, 1849, and the first interment took place a little
later. It is believed that a child of Samuel Deets was the first person laid
to rest in this cemetery. RELIGIOUS.
The Freewill Baptists organized a society, near Canal Center, as early
as the year 1827. This organization was brought about by the labors of
Reverend J. H. Lamphier, who established the church with the following
members: William Whitman, Elizabeth Whitman, Michael Sutley, Olive
Sutley, Henry Hart, Mary Hart, Samuel Anderson, Eliza Anderson, Amos
Brown, Mary Brown, Conrad Rice, John Douglass, William Douglass, John
Hawthorn, Sarah Hawthorn, Nancy Daily, Phebe Rice, Susan Brown, Lu-
cinda Lupher, Horace Clough, Ann Clough, Samuel Burson, Polly Burson,
Betsey Burson, Sarah Deets, and Lewis Burson. For several years meet
ings were held in a school house and private residences, but the constant
increase in the membership foreshadowing the necessity of a building of
enlai-ged proportions, a movement to erect a house of worship was inaug
urated in the year 1831, and in 1832 a frame edifice was built about one-
half mile east of Canal Center, on the Cochranton road. This was a plain
but substantial structure, about thirty-six feet square, the ceiling ten feet
high, the whole ceiled with plain boards, and supplied with furniture in
keeping with the buUding. It answered well the purposes for which it was
intended until 1870, at which time the present neat edifice was erected and
formally dedicated to the worship of God. This is a frame building thirty

642 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
by thirty-six feet in size, with a seating capacity of about three hundred,
and cost one thousand dollars. As already stated. Reverend J. H. Lamphier
officiated at the organization of the church. He was subsequently chosen
pastor, served in that relation several years, and did much towards awaken
ing a deep religious feeling in the community. He was succeeded by Eev-
erend Rollins, after whom the following ministers served as pastors at
different times, in the order named: Reverends Collins, Wilson, Ritten-
house, B. S. Bumpus, J. S. Manning, J. C. Nye, William H. Cutler, A. C.
Brust, N. H. Farr, H. L. Johnson, J. B. Page, E. H. Higbee, L. F. Sherritt,
J. P. Barr, and O. E. Irvin.
Lupher Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, in the northeastern part of
the township, is an old organization, its history dating from about the year
1830. Owing to the absence of records but limited satisfaction was derived
in tracing the early history of the society, but from the most reliable inform
ation obtainable the following appear to have been among the first mem
bers : Jacob Lupher, Martha Lupher, Eliza Lupher, Chancy Hart, Magda
lene Hart, Erastus Hart, Ruth Hart, Thomas Lupher and wife, David Tay
lor, William Wright, Lucy Wright, Reverend John L. Moore and wife,
Andrew Hays, John Coxson, Samantha Coxson, and Phyian Duffield. Meet
ings were held in the Lupher school house until about the year 1835, at which
time a substantial frame temple of worship was erected a short distance from
Canal Center on land donated for church purposes by Jacob Lupher. It
was improved from time to time and served as a meeting place until 1882
when it was torn down and the present handsome frame structure represent
ing a cost of one thousand seven hundred dollars erected on the same lot.
The following list includes the names of nearly if not quite all the pastors
ofthe church since its organization: Reverends G. W. Clark, Dow Prosser,
Rufus Parker, Elliott, J. K. Hallock, G. F. Reeser, Ira Tackitt, C. Brown,
A. Keller, Dobbs, John Abbott, Blinn, Burroughs, Sullivan, Gray, Flower,
Hill, Luce, Marsh, Sherwood, Hawkins, Darling, Wright, Hume, Babcock,
Fiddler, Adams, Lockwood, and Quick. The first class leader was Jacob
Lupher, and Erastus Hart was the first steward. The present class leader
is Barnett Lupher, who has held the position for a period of twenty consecu
tive years. The church is one of the active societies of the Coopersto-wn
circuit and has a membership of about fifty.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized on the first day of Feb
ruary, 1849, by Reverend F. Hull, with the following members: Anthony
Johnston, Polly Johnston, Daniel Douglas, Joseph Deets, Sallie Deets, An
nie Sweet, W^illiam Wright, Lucy Wright, Ruth Douglas, J. D. Elderkin,
Sallie Johnston, Elzina Deets, Delice A. Johnston, and B. Hull. The first
officers of the congregation were Daniel Douglas and Andrew Johnston,
who were chosen class leader and steward respectively. The Brown school
house, near Canal Center, was used as a place of worship for several years.

CANAL TOWNSHIP. 643
and later meetings were held in the Baptist church until 1859, at which time
a buUding for the especial use of the congregation was erected on ground
donated for the purpose by Alexander Johnston, Jr. By the munificence
of Mr. Johnston, who for a number of years looked after the material inter
ests of the church, a comfortable parsonage was subsequently erected,
which with the house of worship represents a capital of about two thou
sand dollars. The following ministers have exercised the pastoral relation
from time to time: Reverends R. B. Anderson, Thomas Savage, George
Savage, A. H. Kinney, H. S. ChUds, Henry West, J. B. Fleming, C. Pal
mer, John E. Carroll, John Gregory, Henry Orvis, Edward Hays, Stinch-
comb, and George W. Richardson.
Mount Pleasant United Brethren Church was organized in the year
1857 by Reverend Daniel Bolster, and the following names appear as orig
inal members: George Baker and wife, Tobias Wygand and wife, and David
Astlip and wife. The congregation met in a school house for three years,
and in 1860 a house of worship was erected near the northeast corner of
the township and named Mount Pleasant, by which the church has since
been known. On the 10th of March, 1885, this building was destroyed by
fire, entailing quite a severe loss upon the society. Subsequently a house
was purchased from the Baptists at Deckardsville, and moved to the lot oc
cupied by the former structure. It has been thoroughly remodeled and is
a vei-y comfortable and commodious place of worship. The first pastor
was Reverend J. Chapens, who in 1857-58 had charge of what was then
the Sugar Lake circuit. The society afterward became a point on the
DeckardsviUe Run circuit. The regular pastors of Mount Pleasant have
been the following: Reverends Chapens, Hack, Braddock, Ish, Torry,
Munsey, Hoyt, Gray, Allen, Bolster, Amadon, Chrispmen, Clark, Smith,
Franklin, Lewis, Robbison, Belden, Hill, and Beddow, The names of the
presiding elders that have had charge of the circuit are: Reverends Carter,
Sloutz, Cadman, Slater, Rittenhouse, Hill, Hager, John Hill, Luce, Smith
and E. Smith. The first class leader was Tobias Wygand, and the first
steward David Astlip.

644 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP.
Material Wealth and Historic Associations— Pioneers— Industries—
Organization- Plumer— Pithole City- Petroleum Center—
Rouseville — Borough of Siverly — Smaller
Towns— Churches— Schools.
AS affected by the influences that have determined its material develop
ment Oil creek sustains the same relation to Venango county that
French creek does to its history at an earlier period. While this applies to
the valley of that stream in general, it is particularly true of Cornplanter
township. It was here that the production, transportation, and manufacture
of petroleum first attained the proportions of a distinct industry; the wealth
that has been expended upon its territory and derived therefrom is reckoned
by millions, and no less than half a dozen towns with populations ranging
from flve to fifteen thousand have at various times appeared within its lim
its. And while the last three decades have been prolific in events of extra
ordinary interest, the early historic associations of the township are impor
tant in the annals of the county. The evidences of prehistoric oil mining
have engaged the attention of the antiquarian; and the renowned Seneca,
whose name is perpetuated in its political designation, will always have a
place in the traditions of the Allegheny valley.
PIONEERS.
The first white man to establish a habitation in the valley of Oil creek
was James Ricketts, a native of New Jersey, and later a resident of Hunt
ingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was a hunter by avocation and followed
the chase in Kentucky and Ohio, acquiring a wide acquaintance with frontier
life in all its various phases. It was probably with the idea of remaining
temporarily that he came to this county in the summer of 1795, and the con
dition of the country at that time doubtless impressed a man who expected to
derive his subsistence by the use of his trap and gun favorably. Game did
not disappear with the advent of other settlers so rapidly as in other parts
of the county, and, finding his neighbors congenial, Mr. Ricketts remained.
In 1810 he bought three hundred acres of land from the Holland Company,
situated at the source of Cherry run, and built a mill on that stream, one of

'i%'<r--

.^

e.

cornplanter TOWNSHIP. 647
the first within the original limits of Allegheny township. Born May 18.
1766, he died March 6, 1857, ninety years of age. He was twice married,
first to Sarah Prather and after her death to Jane McCalmont, and was the
father of twenty children, but one of whom is now a resident of this town
ship. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the old Seceder
church at Plumer.
Hamilton McClintock arrived in the spring of 1796. He had removed
from Sherman's valley, Cumberland county, in the autumn of the preceding
year and passed the winter at Pittsburgh, whence the journey was continued
to this locality. He secured a tract of four hundred acres in the valley of
Oil creek, above the Cornplanter reservation and embracing the site of Mc
Clintockville. There was an oil spring on this tract, inclosed by an em
bankment cribbed with hewed timbers, and from this twenty or thirty bar
rels of Seneca oil were obtained annually during the summer season. It
was sold, principally for medical purposes, at seventy-five cents or one
dollar a gaUon, and reinforced in a most acceptable manner the slender
resources of an Oil creek farm at that date. The maiden name of Mrs. Mc
Clintock was Mary Culbertson; they were the parents of the following chil
dren: Jane, Hugh, James, Ann, John, Isabella, Culbertson, Mary, Rachel,
Elizabeth, and Hamilton. Hamilton McClintock, Sr., was born May 31,
1771, and died May 9, 1857. He was an elder in the Associate Reformed
or Seceder church at Plumer many years. He was the first assessor of Sugar
Creek township after the organization of this county.
Francis McClintock came in 1797. He was probably a native of Mary
land, and was bom April 4, 1775. He located at the site of Petroleum
Center, built a cabin, and lived there two years, deriving his support from
the ciUtivation of a small plat of cleared ground and the results of the
chase. In 1799 he retui-ned to the eastern part of the state and procured
a yoke of oxen, with various other necessities, and in the spring of 1799
again came to his former residence by way of Pittsburgh. He was a shoe
maker by trade, and after the population had increased sufficiently to cre
ate a demand for his services, gave his attention to that during the winter,
extending the area of his clearing in the summer months, and operating
also a saw miU, He married Rachel Hardy, of HarrisvUle, Butler county;
they were the parents of nine sons and three daughters: Hugh H., James
E., John, Hamilton, Francis, Alexander, William P., George W., Andrew
J., Rachel, Ann, and Nancy. James R., born at Petroleum Center in 1804,
. kept hotel at Dempseytown many years, and opened the first store at that
place. He served as justice of the peace, and in the state militia rose to
the position of brigadier general.
The year 1800 witnessed the arrival of Ambrose Rynd in the valley of
on creek. Born in Ireland in 1738, he pursued the occupation of wool
factor and by assiduous industry accumulated the sum of one thousand two
36

648 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
hundred dollars; with this capital he immigrated to America in 1799, locat
ing first in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he supported him
self by daily labor, carefully reserving his money for investment when a
favorable opportunity should pffer. In the following year he purchased
five hundred acres of land on both sides of Oil creek from the Holland Land
Company, built a cabin .thereon, and passed the remainder of his days in
the quiet pursuits of a pioneer farmer. He died at the advanced age of
ninety-nine, bequeathing to his descendants a patrimony still in their pos
session and a reputation for virtue and honesty that posterity has not failed
to honor. His son John, born in 1 777, was the companion of his father
when they immigrated to this country and during his declining years, his
mother having died in Ireland. He married Nancy McCasland of Allegheny
township and reared a family of eight children, of whom two sons are living:
James, in his eighty-sixth year at Tarentum, and John, in his seventy-
fourth year, at Perryville, Allegheny county. He kept a house of enter
tainment for the convenience of travelers over the Warren and Franklin
road and established Rynd postoffice, one of the first in the county. He was
an elder of Cherry Tree Presbyterian church at the time of its organization.
He died in 1849, leaving a valuable estate.
The descent of the Prather family of Cornplanter is traced to an Epis
copal clergyman who settled at Williamsport, Washington county, Mary
land; Henry Prather, probably his son, born September 14 (Old Style), 1732,
came to Pennsylvania as an officer in the English service and after the close
of the Indian wars settled in Franklin county. He married Elizabeth Hicks,
and their son, Thomas Hicks Prather, born April 2, 1755, was the immi
grant ancestor of Venango county. He married Elizabeth Crounkleton, of
Dutch descent. The family were well-to-do, but having lost the bulk of
his property, Thomas H. Prather decided to seek to recuperate his fortunes
in the western country and in 1801, accompanied by his two sons, Abram
and Robert, aged respectively fifteen and thirteen years, made the journey
to this county. He arranged for the purchase of a four hundred acre tract,
and having built a cabin and left sufficient provisions, returned to the east
leaving the two boys in charge. It is related that the Indians stole all they
had except the supply of cornmeal, and they subsisted upon the charity of
the neighbors with such food as their own efforts could procure until the
return of their father with his family three months later. Then, having
formed the intention of living near the river, he removed to East Hickory,
Forest county, where he resided until his death, February 15, 1818. The
son, Abram 0. , returned to Franklin county and learned the trade of tanner.
He was drafted for service in the war of 1812 and after the close of the term
for which he was enlisted visited his father at East Hickory. Finding the
land he had lived upon during the winter of 1801-2 still unoccupied he
decided to complete the purchase. He afterward volunteered for the defense

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 649
of Erie, but with the exception of this and other temporary absences passed
the remainder of his life in this township. He built a log house and after
ward a fi-ame building on the Warren road east of Plumer and engaged in
the tanning business. He married Sarah McCalmont, daughter of Henry
McCalmont, and they reared a family of ten chUdren: Henry M., of New
WUmington, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Mary Hatch, of Plumer; John S., of Cleve
land; Mrs. Sarah E. Bemus, of Jamestown, New York; Abraham S., of
Jamestown, New York; Mrs. Ruhana R. McClure, of Cleveland, Ohio;
Julia A., Jane W., George C, and Robert T. A., deceased. He was a
trustee of the Associate Reformed church of Plumer many years. He was
born September 19, 1786, and died July 7, 1850. His wife survived him
untU December 26, 1874.
On the 2nd of September, 1802, Samuel Dale, deputy surveyor, sur
veyed two tracts of land aggregating eight hundred and thirty-seven acres
adjoining Cornplanter reservation on the river, and including the site of
Siverly for Noah and Jesse Sage on a warrant issued by virtue of settlement
and improvement. They dic^ not remain to complete title, however,
although it appears that one or both remained in the county.
AUender run, a branch of Pithole creek, derives its name from Joseph
AUender, the earliest settler in that part of the township. He built a cabin
on the line of two tracts of the Holland Land Company, both of which he
seems to have intended to acquire in addition to the one hundred acres
allowed by the company as a gratuity. He cleared about sixty acres and
seems to have been a man of industry, but in a season of protracted
drought, failing to meet his obligations, left the results of his labor and
nothing further is known of his career. The cleared land reverted to its
original condition, and the house was burned by a forest fire prior to 1837.
In 1850 the land was purchased by Lucien Hatch, and when cultivated for
the first time grains and vegetables of various kinds appeared spontane
ously, evidently from seed-germs that had remained dormant through the
intervening years.
The Halyday, Culbertson, Buchanan, Story, Morrison, Lamb, Davidson
and McFate families were also among the pioneers. Francis Halyday lived
at the mouth of Oil creek on the site of the Third ward of Oil City, where
he located in 1803. Francis Culbertson lived at the mouth of Cherry run,
but removed to President township at an early date, and is mentioned in
connection with the settlement at Henry's bend. Francife Buchanan owned
what is known as the Blood farm from John Blood, his adopted son and heir.
James Story's land was situated on both sides of Oil creek; that on the east
is known as the Tarr farm, and on the west the present ownership is vested in
the Columbia Oil Company. He had two sons : Robert, who removed to some
point on the Ohio river, and William, who remained on the farm until the
oU excitement; and two daughters, Jane and Elizabeth. He was drowned in

650 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the Allegheny river. Hugh Morrison lived on Cherry run adjoining James
Ricketts. He had a large family and they were highly respected people.
Several of his sons were ardent Abolitionists. Joseph Lamb settled
prior to 1805, west of Humboldt, on the Oil City road. Moses Davidson
was an early settler at the site of Rouseville. In 1805 Robert McFate was
assessed at one hundred and sixteen dollars on the duplicate of Allegheny
township. Abram G. Siverly, of whom an extended account appears in connection
with the borough that bears his name, settled at the mouth of Siverly run
in 1820. William Shaw was the first settler and for many years the only resident
in the southeastern part of the township. An Indian path led from the
river at Henry' s bend to the mouth of Oil creek, following a course almost
identical with that of the road from Plumer to President, and on the line of
this path he secured several hundred acres of land. He was a native of
Centre county, the son of William Shaw, an early settler on Sugar creek.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of John McCalmont, Sr. , and sister to Judge
Alexander McCalmont, and reared a family of ten children. It was in May,
1821, that he settled in Cornplanter.
Henry McCalmont was for many years a prominent citizen of the town
ship. He was a native of Mifflin county, but had removed to Centre prior
to the year of 1819, when he settled in Sugar Creek township near his
father and brothers who had come to that locality some years previously.
In 1821 he located near Plumer on the old Warren road and kept a house
of entertainment. On one occasion a stranger who had been given a lodg
ing was found in his bed in the morning unconscious and within a brief time
died. He was buried on the farm, and this suggested to Mr. McCalmont
the idea of setting apart a plat of ground for burial purposes. The ground
so appropriated constitutes the site of the United Presbyterian church at
Plumer and the graveyard adjoining. He was justice of the peace many
years. His children were John, Thomas W., Henry, Robert, Alexander,
Mrs. Sarah Prather, and Elizabeth.
The following is a list of taxables by the assessment of 1834, the first
after the organization of the township:
Thomas Anderson, Joseph Anderson, William Alcorn, Robert Alcorn,
John Atkinson, Robert Adams, Francis Buchanan, John Blood, James Ban
non, James Crary, W. & F. G. Crary, Seary Cary, Francis Culbertson,
James Culbertson, Patrick Culbertson, Robert Culbertson, Moses Davidson,
James Downey, William Fletcher, James Gordon, Charles Gordon, Nancy
Griffln, Samuel Hazen, Benj amin Hazen, Samuel Hays, Sarah Halyday, James
Halyday, Andrew Howe, John Hewey, William Hewey, Samuel Lamb, John
Lamb, W^illiam Little, Hugh Morrison, Thomas Morrison, Matthew Morrison,
John Morrison, John McFate, Joseph McFate, Samuel McFate, WUliam Mc-

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 651
Crea, John McKissick, James McClintock, HamUton McClintock, Culbertson
McClintock, Francis McClintock, Hamilton McClintock, Jr., WiUiam Master-
son, WiUiam Martin, Henry McCalmont, John McCalmont, Patrick McCrea,
Michael McCrea, Edward McCrea, John NeiU, John Noacre, Christopher
Potter, Abraham Prather, Samuel Pearson, John Rynd, Ambrose Rynd,
Brooks Rynd, James Rynd, James Ricketts, Thomas Ricketts, Henry Rick
etts, Abraham Ricketts, Elijah Stewart, Richard Stewart, Joseph Shulze,
William Story, Jane Story, A. G. Siverly, Elnathan Siverly, William Shaw,
Benjamin Snodgrass, William Steen, Daniel Tuttle, Jacob Teets, Richard
WUlings. INDUSTRIES.
The first mill was btult by James Ricketts on Cherry run. It was a
primitive affair, but a great public convenience at the time when the Hol
land Company's mill on Oil creek in Crawford county was the nearest estab
lishment of a similar nature, and the intervening country was an almost
impassable wilderness. At the mouth of Cherry run General Samuel
Hays had a mill as early as 1810, and Francis McClintock built one of
the first saw mills on Oil creek, at Petroleum Center. The furnace at the
site of Oil City was one of the most important in the county. Abram C.
Prather established a tannery near Plumer, about the year 1815, continuing
the business until some time in the thirties. It was one of the best
equipped tanneries in the county. The location of the vats is still distin
guishable. There was a small distillery at Rynd Farm at an eariy date.
The oil industry of the township receives careful treatment in another
chapter of this work. A large part of the history of oil development in
the county has been enacted here. ORGANIZiTION.
The decree of court formally erecting Cornplanter was promulgated No
vember 28, 1838, and describes its^ boundaries as follows :
Beginning at the southwest corner of tract No, 240 of the Holland Land Com
pany's claim warranted in the name of Henry Lahr, thence along the southern bound
ary of the same and the southern boundary of tracts No. 241 and 242 eastwardly to the
southeast corner of the last mentioned tract, thence by the eastern boundary thereof
northwardly to the northwest corner of a tract surveyed in the name of Thomas Mor
rison, thence along the northern boundary of the same eastwardly to the northeast
corner thereof, thence by the western boundary of tract No. 66 of the aforesaid claim
northwardly to the northwest corner thereof, thence along the northern boundary of
the same and the northern boundary of tracts No. 75, 106, and 123, eastwardly to the
northeast corner of the last mentioned tract, thence by the eastern boundary of the
same and the eastern boundary of tracts No. 123, 121, and 130 southwardly to the south
houndary of said claim, thence along said boundary eastwardly to the line of Tionesta
township, thence by said township line southwardly to the Allegheny river, thence
down said river to the southeast corner of a tract surveyed in the name of Robert Al
corn, thence along the eastern boundary of the same northwardly to the northeast

652 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
corner thereof, thence by the eastern boundary of tracts No. 263 and 264 of said Hol
land Land Company's claim northwardly to the southern boundary of tract No. 359
of said claim, thence by the same eastwardly to the southeast corner thereof, thence
along the eastern boundary of the same northwardly to the southwest corner of tract
No, 258, thence by the southern boundary of the same eastwardly to the southeast
corner thereof, thence along the eastern boundary of the same and the eastern bound
ary of tract No. 353 northwardly to the northeast corner ot the last mentioned tract,
thence by the western boundary of tracts No. 248 and 247, the western boundary of a
tract warranted in the name of James Brown, and the western boundary of a strip of
unwarranted land settled by said Brown northwardly to the place of beginning.
When the cpunty was divided into townships in 1806 provision was made
for two subdivisions from this territory. Oil Creek and Windrock, the
former west and the latter east of Oil creek. They have, however, existed
only in name. At August sessions, 1837, a part of Tionesta east of the
Allegheny river was annexed to Cornplanter. This afterward became part
of President upon its formation.
The first township election resulted in the choice of the following officers:
Constable, James Cary; supervisors, Henry McCalmont, Andrew Howe;
overseers of the poor: Abraham Prather, A. G. Sively; auditors: F. G.
Crary, Francis McClintock.
The population in 1850 was six hundred and ninety-three; in 1870, nine
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three; in 1880, three thousand two hun
dred and thirty-eight. plumer.
This place is so named in honor of Arnold Plumer, representative in
congress from the district including Venango county in 1887-39 and 1841-
43, by Henry McCalmont, one of his ardent political supporters. The first
house in the village proper was the Plumer hotel, a plank house of ample
dimensions built in 1843 by Henry McCalmont and occupied as a public
house until its destruction by fire in the spring of 1889. Plumer postoffice
was established about the same time 'and succeeded Rynd postoffice as the
mail distributing point for the region alotig the old Warren road. The sec
ond house, now occupied by John Sutton, was built by Henry and James
Turner, who opened the first store therein in 1851. The third was built by
Henry McCalmont and occupied as a residence after he retired from the
hotel. The Stonehouse hotel, a prominent landmark and popular hostelry
-in its day, was built by Thomas Turner as a residence. At the time of the
oil excitement the village consisted of the Plumer house, the store opposite,
a mill and blacksmith shop, and the residences of John Irwin, Washington
CampbeU,  Free, Alexander Anderson, T. W. McCalmont, James Barnes,
and possibly others. The mill was built in 1856-57 by Washington Camp
bell. John S., George C, and Abram S. Prather were proprietors of the
store. The Turners were originally from the state of New York.
Although remote from the territory at first developed, Plumer received

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 653
considerable accessions to its population during the first months of the oil
excitement. It was already a village of considerable local importance and
the healthfulness and attractiveness of the surrounding country added to its
prestige. Lots were sold in fee simple by Alexander McCalmont and per
sons of means seem to have regarded it as a desirable place of residence.
Many substantial buUdings were erected, among them the Bay State, Plumer,
National, and Spencer hotels. It would be difficult to indicate the suc
cessive steps in the growth of the place. Stores, hotels, residences, places
of amusement, and the nameless accompaniments of every town of such a
nature multiplied in rapid succession. It is estimated that there was a
population of eight thousand in the town proper and the adjoining suburb
of Humboldt before the disintegrating exodus began.
General business interests received a considerable impetus and the
promise of ultimate stability for a time from the construction of the Hum
boldt oU works. The originators of this great enterprise were Ludovici &
Bruns, two Germans of some means, one or both of whom had some knowl
edge of chemistry and were probably governed by this consideration in en
gaging in the refining industry, then in its infancy and largely a matter of
experiment. Wealth was expended in prodigal profusion upon the construc
tion and equipment of the works. Cut stone seems to have been utilized
wherever possible, even in places where it was entirely unseen. The me
chanical apparatus was transported at great expense from eastern manufac
tories, but with the promptness characteristic of oil country enterprises in
general, the works were placed in operation in an incredibly short period.
The management displayed rare originality and foresight in conducting its
early affairs. Among the new departures of this period was the construction
of a pipe line from the Tarr farm to the works, and although a two-inch
wrought iron pipe was used, the experiment was a success, demonstrating
the feasibility of this method of transportation and affecting in large meas
ure the future of the oil industry. It was in 1862 that this was done; the
years immediately following were marked by apparent prosperity, and in
common with many other ventures the establishment was merged into a
joint stock company. It was capitalized at three miUion dollars, the original
projectors retaining a one-third interest, and the management passed into
the hands of representatives appointed by the eastern investors. Their ad
ministration was characterized by lavish expenditure and improvident man
agement scarcely equaled even in oil country financiering. Lines of rail
way had meanwhile been constructed to the oil country, placing the Hum
boldt works at a disadvantage, and a variety of unfavorable circumstances
conspired to necessitate their abandonment. Some of the machinery was
removed to other points; the dressed stone that had entered so largely into
their construction was allowed to remain undisturbed until 1889, when part
of it was removed to Oil City and forms the foundation walls of the building
erected by the National Transit Company.

654 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Even before the collapse of the Humboldt works there had been a
change in the fortunes of the town. Other cities had begun to absorb the
tide of population that was attracted to the oil regions during the later
years of the civil war; capital was being invested elsewhere, and from its
situation at a distance from the great thoroughfares of travel the place
rapidly declined. The National Bank, in which the Prather brothers and
Thomas Duncan were principally interested, was removed to Sharon, Mer
cer county, in 1868. The more substantial houses were torn down and the
materials transported to other points. The decadence of the town was as
remarkable as its rapid growth; and at the present day its proportions do
not exceed those of the ordinary inland village.
Three other refineries were in operation at one time : The Warren, north
west of the Plumer hotel, an extensive plant bearing the name of its owner;
the Osceola, adjoining the Warren, and about equal to it in capacity; and
another not so large, in which local capital was principally invested.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the village in the matter of local
historic associations is the old burial ground. Among the pioneers buried
here are John McCalmont, born in County Armagh, Ireland, January 11,
1750, who died August 8, 1832, in his eighty-third year.
William Shaw, who died November 7, 1851, aged sixty-seven years,
eleven months, and nineteen days.
Henry McCalmont, who was born in Mifflin county, March 16, 1776, and
died February 5, 1855.
Robert McFate, who died July 28, 1829, in the sixty-fourth year of
his age.
Moses Davidson, who died February 4, 1858, in the sixty-fourth year
of his age.
Walter S. Russell, who died March 81, 1861, aged sixty-nine.
Joel Sage, a native of Connecticut, who died February 14, 1861, in his
eighty-sixth year.
James Cary, who died November 29, 1862, aged sixty-seven years, ten
months, and twenty-one days.
Francis Culbertson, who died August 9, 1853, in the eighty-sixth year
of his age.
James Ricketts, who died March 6, 1856, aged eighty-nine years, nine
months, and eighteen days.
William McCray, who died June 28, 1861, in his sixty-third year.
James B. Skinner, who died August 27, 1860, aged sixty-seven years,
eight months, and two days. PITHOLE CITY.
Pithole creek is said to derive its name from a remarkable chasm on the
hill at its mouth. The earliest mention of this occurs in the "Western

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 655
Pioneer" of which Alfred Brunson, an itinerant Methodist preacher, was
the author. In the year 1819 he was preaching on a circuit that included
Dawson's in Allegheny township and started from that place for Oil creek
(TitusvUle). Missing his way, he states that he ' ' wandered to the left onto
the brow of the hills or little mountains that overlook the Allegheny river,
and was in the vicinity of a most singular natural well. This was said to
be about six feet open at the top and on the highest ridge, but no bottom
had then if ever since been found. A constant current of air came out of it
and of such a nature as to putrefy fresh meat in a few minutes. This fact
was discovered by a hunter suspending some game in it by a rope while he
extended his hunt a short time. The cause of this bad, air was not known. ' '
The valley of the creek is not distinguished by exceptional fertility at
any part of its course; for several miles inland it is scarcely susceptible of
cultivation, and while the region of its headwaters is fairly well adapted to
farming as much could scarcely be said with truth of the country between
the Warren road and the creek near their intersection. It was here, how
ever, that some of the first settlements in the township were made. The
AUenders have been mentioned; they were followed within a few years by
Walter Holmden and his family. They located on the west bank of the
creek, toward which the slope is somewhat abrupt at this point while the
surface is tolerably level after the ascent has been made. Holmden was of
English origin and came here from Connecticut. He was ordained to the
ministry in the Baptist church and was a man of fervent piety. His life
here was a continual struggle with the direst poverty, and beyond the bare
necessities of subsistence, its only material results were a house and barn
of small dimensions and poor construction and some fifty acres of cleared
land. He died May 15, 1840, in his sixty-first year, and is buried in the
old cemetery at Pleasantville. Such were the antecedents of a city whose
marvelous growth astonished the civilized world.
Oil developments at this point were begun in the autumn of 1864, and
fi-om the first the results were surprisingly successful. The Frazier well on
the Holmden farm began to flow on the 7th of January, 1865, at the rate
of six hundred and fifty barrels per day and continued to flow until the 10th
of the following November. The Twin wells were struck on the 17th and
19th of January, and flowed eight hundred barrels per day. No. 77 was
struck by E. Deshler August 1st; the Grant well. No. 19, August 2nd,
which began at four hundred and fifty barrels and ultimately reached one
thousand two hundred; No. 37, by Robinson & Company, August 4th ; No.
54, by Pool, Perry & Company, August 28th, a well which began at eight
hundred barrels; No. 47, by Pool, Perry & Company, September 15th, four
hundred barrels, and others of lesser capacity, were among the results of
six months operations on the Holmden farm. The production on the 24th
of July amounted to three thousand five hundred barrels per day, and a

656 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
hundred wells were in process of drilling at that date. Twelve miles from
TitusviUe, four from Plumer, and seven from Shaffer farm, remote from
previously developed territory and accessible only by rough country roads,
Pithole nevertheless became at once the center of attraction and the Mecca
of the host of adventurers pressing toward the oil regions.
The Holmden farm was leased by the United States Oil Company for a
period of twenty years and purchased in fee simple by Duncan & Prather. It
was with the latter that the idea of laying out a town originated. There were
only two buildings at the end of May, although the United States well had
steadily increased its production; and the striking of the Grant well in the be
ginning of the following month at once inaugurated a rush of capital and
population to this locality unprecedented in the previous history of the Penn
sylvania oil field. Each new strike intensified the excitement. Building lots
were leased by the proprietors of the town at the rate of several hundred dollars
per year, and fifty dollars in advance, but the holders of options at the latter
rate had no difficulty in transferring their leases at advances of hundreds and
thousands of dollars. In one instance, that of the lot subsequently occupied
by the Danforth house, fourteen thousand five hundred dollars were paid for
a lease of this nature. The income of Duncan & Prather from the city plat
was estimated at sixty thousand dollars annually in the month of July, 1865.
The negotiations m progress about this time for the purchase of Duncan
& Prather' s entire interests afford a striking instance of the extent to which
values had suddenly appreciated. Three gentlemen of TitusviUe, Henry E.
Picket, George J. Sherman, and Brian Philpot secured an option for the pur
chase of the Holmden farm in July, 1865, for the sum of one million three hun
dred thousand dollars, a first payment of three hundred thousand dollars to
be made within thirty days of the time the contract was entered into, the
24th of July. Mr. Sherman went to New York with the intention of inter
esting capitalists there. At that time there was a daily production of nearly
four thousand barrels from the farm of two hundred acres and extensive
drilling operations were in progress at a one-half royalty, while the town lots
of Pithole City were yielding an income equal to six per cent, on an invest
ment of a miUion dollars. The prospect was certainly alluring, and within
a few days Mr. Sherman had arranged to dispose of his options for the sum
of one million six hundred thousand dollars. Preliminary to the final trans
fer a purchasing committee was to have visited Pithole and examined the
property; but on the day set for their departure the Ketchum forgeries were
discovered, affecting some of the prospective investors in the Pithole prop
erty and Mr. Sherman' s project collapsed, so far as the prospect of effect
ing a sale in New York was concerned. He at once telegrahed H. H. Honor6
of Chicago, who met him at TitusviUe several days later with a party of
Chicago capitalists. It was proposed to substitute Chicago real estate to the
value of four hundred thousand dollars for the first cash payment and

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 657
Messrs. Duncan & Prather visited that city to examine the properties offered,
which included a block adjoining the Tremont house, which it was proposed
to value at one hundred and seventy-five thousand doUars. The offer of
real estate was declined and a payment in cash as originally stipulated in
sisted upon as the only basis of a transfer. To this Mr. Honor6 and his
associates at length agreed. Joshua A. Ellis, president of the Second Na
tional Bank of Chicago, J. G. LeMoyne, Messrs. Sherman and Honors left
Chicago on a Tuesday in the beginning of September, 1865; at TitusviUe
they divided the money among them and set out on horseback for Pithole
City. A tender of the money was made at Duncan & Prather' s banking
office late in the afternoon of the day upon which the option expired. It
was refused, upon the ground that the contract was binding only until sun
set of that day. Legal complications ensued. The matter was referred to
the United States court and was several years in litigation.
In the language of Doctor Baton:
The value of oil lands was reckoned by millions; small interests in single wells
brought hundreds of thousands of dollars. New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago,
and numberless other lesser centers measured purses in the insane strife for territory.
Money circulated like waste paper and for weeks the scene recalled the wildest flotions
of the South Sea bubble or Law's Mississippi scheme. * * * * The close of the
war had left the country flooded with an inflated currency, besides throwing many
thousands of energetic men upon their own resources and hundreds of these flocked
to the latest Eldorado, which presented manifold inducements alike to the venture
some spirit, the active speculator, the unscrupulous stock jobber, the needy laborer,
the reckless adventurer, and the dishonest trickster.
Stores and hotels materialized with phenomenal rapidity. An enter
prising individual hauled a wagon load of groceries from TitusviUe ; a counter
was quickly improvised by nailing several boards to contiguous trees and
seven hundred dollars represented the profits of a single day's transactions.
The first hotel was a rough frame building at which meal tickets were sold
for one dollar. WhUe the supply of provisions was exceedingly insufficient
there seemed to be no limit to the number of tickets that were for sale. The
"dining-room" was entered through doorways and windows by a promis
cuous crowd and the individual who could obtain a seat at a table was for
tunate. This state of affairs is thus described in the Record of September,
1865 : " A rapid influx of strangers crowded at nightfall every tenement ;
beds, sofas, and even chairs were luxuries for the few; the many were obliged
to seek the shaving pile or hay cock and sometimes even content themselves
with the most susceptible side of a pine board. These days have passed
away. It is quite a month since most if not all could provide themselves
with the luxury of a bed. It is true that Jew and GentUe were and in many
cases still are mingled promiscuously in 'field-beds' made up in rows
along the floors of attic rooms and upper chambers. It is still true that
most of the hotel tables are so crowded that it is a privUege to get com-

658 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
f ortable seats at the ' first table. ' ' ' The same issue contains the advertise
ments of a number of hotels, among them the United States, the Buckley
house, the Sherman house, the Tremont, Northeast, St. James, American,
Eckert, Seneca, Lincoln, and Pomeroy.
Although the Record was thus wont to expatiate upon the increasing in
dications of civilization, its constituency was occasionally reminded that
there were still vital deficiencies. ' ' Pithole has still its evils, ' ' remarks
the editor in an early number, ' ' and among these are the changing weather
of our mountain climate and the mud — not ordinary mud which consoli
dates into hard clay during a few hours sunshine, but mud — thick, consist
ent, deep, and widespread; mud which flies easy and sticks hard; a cold,
clammy mixture which adheres to everything it touches with the tenacity
of mortar; slippery as hypocritical smoothness itself; it lubricates the clay
beneath and lays pitfalls at every step, and woe betide the unwary pedes
trian who falls in its midst."
All shipments of oil were made by wagon to TitusviUe or Miller Farm for
railroad trans- shipment or to the miouth of the creek for transportation by
boat until the autumn of 1865, when a pipe line was constructed to Miller
Farm and another to Oleopolis. The former was projected by a Mr. Van
Syckle of TitusviUe, the latter by T. C. Bates and the Pennsylvania Tubing
and Transportation Company. The first shipment through the line of the
latter was made on the 12th of December, 1865.
The earliest improvement in general traveling facilities was the con
struction of plank roads to TitusvUle and Miller Farm in the summer of
1865. The Oil City and Pithole railroad was opened as far as the Sumner
and Pratt purchase February 7, 1866, and at that date grading was in prog
ress through the Holmden farm to the Satterlee well on the Morey farm.
The first through train from Pithole City to Oil City over this road was run
on Friday, March 10, 1866. The Reno, Oil Creek, and Pithole railroad
was constructed within a mile of the city in the spring of the following
year. Pithole City was incorporated as a borough November 80, 1865. The
first election occurred on the 11th of December in that year and resulted as
follows: Burgess: Alexander J. Keenan; council: Leonard H. Church, Lee
M. Morton, J. T. Chalfant, F. P. Confer, and D. Gardner. There was
ample need for local municipal organization and it is but justice to those
charged with its responsibilities to state that the town, although composed
of heterogeneous and discordant elements, was comparatively free from the
numerous acts of violence which usually distinguish such a community.
Other accompaniments of organized society were also present during
the first year of the history of the city. The Daily Record, the pioneer
of successful dailies in the county, was published for the first time on Mon
day, the 25th of September, 1865, by Morton, Spare & Company. The editor

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 659
was Lee M. Morton. This was a five-column quarto and was furnished to
subscribers at the price of thirty cents per week. Two banking houses
aided in facilitating business transactions, those of Prather, Wadsworth
& Company, and H. R. Kemp. The postoffice was opened July 27, 1865,
with S. S. Hill as postmaster, and transacted an amount of business that
seems incredible. It is said that the first mail dispatched contained a
thousand letters and the fourth more than four thousand. Before the end
of the first month the amount of mail matter handled daily exceeded ten
thousand letters, and when the place was at the height of its prosperity the
office ranked third in the state in the extent of its business. A system of
water works was designed in September, 1865, and constructed at a cost of
twenty-five thousand dollars. A fire department was organized at the Scott
house on the 20th of September, 1865, with H. W. Andrews, superintend
ent; Arthur Samuels and Thomas Van Wyner, assistants; R. J. Nugent,
secretary, and Robert Miller, treasurer. It does not appear to have been
very effective, unfortunately for the place.
The religious interests of the community were not neglected. The first
sound of a church bell was heard on Saturday evening, March 24, 1866,
fi-om the belfi-y of the Methodist Episcopal church. That building, erected
mainly through the efforts of Reverend D. S. Steadman, was dedicated
May 27, 1866, by Bishop Simpson. The Catholic church was dedicated
Sunday, January 21, 1866, by Bishop Young. There was also a Presby
terian church, of which no information is available, and possibly others.
The place was visited by a number of destructive fires. The record be
gins with Thursday, February 8, 1866, when the Tremont house and adjoin
ing property to the value of sixteen thousand five hundred dollars were de
stroyed. On the 17th of the same month twenty thousand dollars worth of
property was consumed in Balltown, a suburb. Twenty-one buUdings were
burned on Tuesday, May 1, 1866, involving a loss of thirty thousand dol
lars. Balltown was again visited on the 24th of May, when twenty- eight
buildings were burned and the loss was estimated at twenty-five thousand
dollars. On the 18th of June sixteen buildings were bumed on First and
Second streets. Well No. 48, of the United States Petroleum Company,
took fire on the 2nd of August; the flames were communicated rapidly,
and before their further progress could be checked twenty-seven wells and
rigs and thirteen thousand barrels of oil, aggregating one hundred and
thirty-five thousand dollars in value, had been consumed.
Notwithstanding the difficulty of access and frequent recurrence of fires,
with other obstacles and disadvantages, the population rapidly increased
until, with the suburbs of Balltown, Prather City, and Babylon, the num
ber of inhabitants has been variously estimated at from thirteen to six
teen thousand. The place declined with the influences that had called
it into existence. Flowing wells did not always continue to flow nor were

660 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
flowing wells always "struck." Other centers came into prominence and
the population was attracted thither. The newspaper was removed to Pe
troleum Center in 1868; the raUroad was abandoned; the more costly build
ings were rebuilt at other places; and the city of Pithole astonished the
world by the circumstances of its disappearance no less than the manner of
its, marvelous growth. After the first exodus there still remained a respect
able village, composed of operatives at the wells and others, but the produc
tion steadily became less and even they were compelled to remove elsewhere.
In November, 1876, there were but six votes polled in the borough, and
upon petition to the court of quarter sessions in August of the following
year the charter was annulled. At the present time the place is scarcely
entitled to classification as a country village. Of the important buildings
erected but one, the Methodist church, sustained by private munificence,
still remains. The surrounding scenery is of a most romantic type, and
although remote from the ordinary routes of travel, few localities in north
western Pennsylvania are more interesting to the thoughtful tourist. Sic
transit gloria inundi. PETROLEUM CENTER.
There is little in the present appearance of this place to suggest its for
mer size and importance. The visitor cannot fail to be impressed, however,
with the natural beauty of the surrounding scenery. The valley of the
creek is comparatively narrow, bounded on either side by wooded hills of
majestic height and abrupt acclivity. It was upon the level ground west of
the creek that a town was laid out, the history of which is a record of phe
nomenally rapid growth, business activity unprecedented in northwestern
Pennsylvania, and ultimately almost total disappearance. The site was
well chosen. Within a few miles in any direction enormous wealth seemed
to have rewarded every adventurer. There was a rush of population and
capital to the Pennsylvania oil field such as had never before been attracted
to a territory of equal size in the state. As this population must inevitably
concentrate, the growth of a city was among the possibilities of a very few
years. It was the work of far-seeing sagacity to plan a town of such size
as Petroleum Center became and make the project a brilliant financial suc
cess. In this instance it was largely the accomplishment of one man —
George H. Bissell.
A brief sketch of Mr. Bissell may not be inappropriate in this connec
tion. He was a native of the town of Hanover, New Hampshire, of French
and Dutch descent. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age, he
supported himself by teaching and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1845,
He was employed during the following winter as Washington correspondent
of the Richmond Whig, and shortly afterward secured a position on the staff
of the New Orleans Delta. He was elected first principal of the high school

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP, 661
of that city and subsequently city superintendent of public instruction. Im
paired health obUged him to return north in 1853. He was the principal
organizer of the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company, the first petroleum com
pany in the United Si.ates, formed under the laws of the state of New York
in 1854, and mainly instrumental in the reorganization of that company in
1855. It was principally through his instrumentality that Drake was sent
to TitusviUe in 1859. The favorable issue of his mission decided Mr. Bis
seU in locating in the oil regions and from 1859 to 1863 he resided at
Franklin. He was one of the first to realize the possibUities of the oil in
dustry and at once invested largely. His operations were usually success
ful. He was prominently and honorably identified with many extensive
enterprises, and enjoyed the confidence of the public to an exceptional
degree. The first success of any importance in the immediate vicinity of the
town occurred in the spring of 1861 upon the Hyde and Egbert farm, a trian
gular tract at the foot of the McCray hill. This was the HoUister well, and
flowed in considerable volume. It had been part of the contract of the
lessees to deliver the oil to the land owners in barrels, but as barrels at that
time cost ten times as much as the oil they would contain, the lease was
abandoned and the oil allowed to flow into the creek. The first production
of any magnitude was obtained in 1863, when a company from New Jersey
drilled a well that flowed three hundred and fifty barrels daily with little
variation for nine months. The Maple Shade well was struck August 5,
1863, and flowed at the rate of eight hundred barrels a day for ten months.
Another important "strike " on this farm was the Coquette, which began
at twelve hundred" barrels and flowed at the rate of eight hundred a consid
erable period.
The McClintock farm, a tract of two hundred and seven acres, including
the site of the town and a semi-circular ravine known as Wild Cat hollow,
was leased by George H. Bissell & Company, in November, 1863. In Febru
ary, 1864, the property was transferred to the Central Petroleum Company
of New York, a merely nominal change, however, as Mr. Bissell was the orig
inator of the latter company and largely interested in its capitalization.
Active developments were at once begun and prosecuted with energy.
Leases at a uniform royalty of one-half the oil were given to actual operators
pnly, and as the result of judicious management quite as much as the excel
lence of the territory, it proved remarkably productive; although literally
perforated with wells, the percentage of successful ventures was probably
larger than at any other locality in this region.
It was early in the spring of 1864 that the town of Petroleum Center
was formally laid out. VUlage indications had been apparent almost since
the first influx of population to the creek; the location was central to the
territory then most largely and successfully operated; the projectors were

662 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
well and favorably known, and the town grew as only an oil country town is
capable of growing. A promiscuous throng of investors, adventurers,
laborers, -operators, and tradesmen, men of no particular avocation or busi
ness, and individuals of questionable appearance and antecedents, not
excepting that nameless element of human society which inevitably accom
panies a chaotic condition of social order, speedily gave to the place the
size, the population, the volume of business, the cosmopolitan character,
and many of the less desirable features of a large city. It was the policy
of the company to lease lots for building purposes, and hence many of the
buildings first erected were mere sheds for only temporary use. In fact,
large and costly buildings were never erected here to any extent. But one
brick block was ever built; it is now the property of Henry Wilbert,* and
was formerly occupied as a bank. On the opposite side of the street stood
the local office of the Central Petroleum Company, a large frame building
of pretentious appearance, and there were several large and commodious
hotels. The merchants carried large stocks of goods, but their buildings
were not usually of an expensive or elegant character.
A natural incident of the exclusive construction of frame buildings was
frequent and destructive fires, not only in the built-up portion of the town
but also at the wells in the vicinity. One of the most extensive conflagra
tions of which there is any record occurred on the 31st of March, 1866.
The machinery and appliances at the Coquette and Jersey wells, twenty-five
thousand barrels of oil, with many dwellings and business houses, the ac
cumulated results of months of labor and expensive disbursements, were
completely obliterated, involving a loss of one hundred and fifty thousand
doUars. There was a fire on the 23rd of April, 1867, followed by another
on the 2nd of June. Thirty -five buildings were destroyed by the latter.
Scarcely a month passed without some casualty of this nature. The last
fires of any importance occurred in July, 1878, and in 1880. The former
destroyed the large building of the Central Petroleum Company and other
valuable property; the latter was less destructive, owing, probably to the
fact that its predecessor had left a somewhat contracted building area.
Acts of violence were of frequent occurrence. There was never any or
ganized local government, and as a result vice in every form flourished. The
saloon, the gambling hell, and the resort of questionable notoriety seemed
engaged in amicable rivalry to determine which should excel in numbers,
luxurious appointments, and glaring display. A single term of the court
of quarter sessions at Franklin furnished minutes sufficient to fill the larger
part of a large volume, the cases being principally from this town. There
was one murder trial from the place, but as the deed was committed in a
state of intoxication and with no evidence of premeditated malice, the
perpetrator escaped the gallows and was sentenced to a long imprisonment.
It would be an egregious mistake to suppose that the community

a#^v-

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 665
was utterly destitute of moral sense; but its activities were completely ab
sorbed by the multitudinous considerations of business, and as in the case
of every society at a similar period in its development, there was a general
disposition not to interfere with individual infractions of the moral or civil
code so long as the welfare of the public at large was not injuriously affected
to a material degree. Occasionally, however, exceptional boldness by the
objectionable elements in plying their trade provoked an application of mob
law. An instance of this nature occurred July 80, 1866. Several ques
tionable resorts were raided, their occupants compelled to leave the town in
peril of their lives, and a reconstruction generally effected. But the effect
was only temporary. It would be an utterly indefensible misapplication
of terms to call Petroleum Center a moral town at any time during the
period of its prosperity.
On the other hand, there were also evidences of religious life aud
effort. A Methodist society was organized early in 1868, or possibly earlier,
and a church building erected in 1865-66. The Roman Catholic population
enjoyed the regular ministrations of the pastors of neighboring parishes,
and for some years the place was the residence of a priest. A Presbyterian
church was organized in September, 1865; and it is a noticeable fact that,
while nearly everything else has disappeared, two of these churches still
remain. The city reached its culminating point about the year 1869. Pithole
City had detracted somewhat from its growth in 1865 and 1866, but with
the decline of that place there was no rival town of equal importance for
several years. Some of the largest buildings of Pithole City were rebuilt
at Petroleum Center. The Record was published there for a number of
years, and in various ways the latter was directly benefited by the collapse
of its formidable competitor. It is estimated that there was a population
of more than fifteen thousand in 1869. But about that time several
lines of railway were opened to OU City, and from that date its growth
registered the decline of the flourishing town only a short distance up the
creek, but debarred by this slight geographical disadvantage from a longer
continuance of its former prestige. It continued to be a town of some
local importance some years longer, however. There is said to have been
a population of fifteen hundred in 1878, but in 1880 this had dwindled to
two hundred and ninety-five, and at the present time it is considerably less.
The village is a station on the Western New York and Pennsylvania rail
road. There are several stores, two churches, and a school building; also
two local manufacturing establishments — Henry Whittlesey's valve-cup fac
tory and W. L. Betts' machine shop. The latter was established in 1865.
OU well supplies are manufactured and repaired.
Liberty Lodge, No. 7, A. O. U. W. , was one of the first organizations of
this order in the state, and is still in a flourishing condition. The records
37

666 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
having been burned, it is impossible to give particulars concerning its for
mation. Petroleum Center Union, No. 293, E. A. U., was instituted AprU 15,
1881, with the following officers: Chancellor, G. F. Lawrence; advocate,
Mrs. B. Wilkins; president, D. K. Jones; vice-president, H. E. Whittlesey;
auxiliary, Mrs. C. Lamb; treasurer, Benton W^ilkins; secretary, Mrs. S. R.
Paist. In an open space, on a slight declivity above Oil creek, there are several
graves inclosed within a wall of masonry. The inscriptions state that
Francis McClintock died January 15, 1847, aged seventy-one years, nine
months, and eleven days; and that Rachel, wife of Francis McClintock,
died July 31, 1848, aged sixty-eight years, six months, and eighteen days.
Another tombstone in the vicinity records the fact of Andrew S. Irwin's
death, April 16, 1805, and Andrew Stewart's death, March 5, 1809. These
were the first interments in the township. The old graveyard has been
sadly desecrated. ROUSEVILLE.
The tract of land upon which Rousevjlle is situated was originally seated
by Francis CuUertson. Hays' saw and grist miU was built here at an early
date, but with this exception the locality about the mouth of Cherry run re
mained a quiet farming neighborhood until the discovery of oil attracted
thither a large and heterogeneous population.
H. R. Rouse, from whom the place derives its name, was born at West-
field, Chautauqua county. New York, August 30, 1887. After completing
a course of study at the public schools, he studied law and was admitted to
the bar. Subsequently he taught school in Warren county, Pennsylvania,
and seems to have acquired a strong personal attachment for that region.
At the beginning of the oil excitement he was among the first to realize the
possibilities of wealth offered by this section, and in company with others
made extensive leases of what afterward proved to be among the most pro
ductive territory on Oil creek. His career as an oil operator had but fairly
begun when it was cut short by a tragic and untimely death. On the 17th
of April, 1861, the Merrick well was struck, and the unusual volume of oU
it was producing attracted a large crowd of sight seers, among whom was
Mr. Rouse. On the evening of that day an ominous explosion occurred at
the well, resulting in the immediate ignition of the stream of oil pouring
from it and everything combustible within a radius of several hundred feet.
Mr. Rouse was discovered about twenty rods from the well, enveloped in his
burning clothing and already without the sight of either eye. His first con
cem was the making of his will, by which, after various bequests to personal
friends, he bequeathed the bulk of his property to Warren county, Pennsyl
vania, one-half to be expended upon the public highways, and the other

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 667
moiety to be applied to the maintenance of an institution for the relief of
the poor of that county. At the request of Mr. Rouse his remains were in
terred by the side of his mother in the cemetery at Westfield, New York.
At the time of the oil discovery the farms embracing the site of the
vUlage were owned by Archibald Buchanan, John McClintock, and John
Buchanan. The Buchanan farms were leased for ninety-nine years by H.
R. Rouse, Samuel Q. Brown, and John L. Mitchell, at a royalty of one-
fourth of the oil produced. Mr. Rouse drilled the first well. From its lo
cation at the mouth of Cherry run a village quickly came into existence and
received the name of Buchanan Farm. In February, 1861, Allen W'right,
president of a local oil company, substituted ' ' Rouseville ' ' for Buchanan
Farm in having his letter-heads printed, and thus conferred upon the place
its present name. In the sub-leases executed by Mr. Rouse it was stipu
lated that the sale of intoxicating liquors should work immediate forfeiture,
a provision which made the place a temperance town for a time.
The Reno, Oil Creek and Pithole railroad was completed to Rouseville
January 31, 1866, and opened to travel on the 5th of March following.
Passenger travel over the Farmers' railroad (now the Western New York
and Pennsylvania) was begun August 27, 1866.
The town reached the culminating point in its prosperity early in the
seventies. In December, 1869, Forster W. Mitchell established a bank.
The receipts of the postoffice for that year were twenty-five thousand dol
lars. The Methodist church, erected in 1865, was enlarged in 1869. Pres
byterian and Episcopal churches were erected in 1870, a Baptist church in
1871, and a Catholic church in 1872-78. Two newspapers, the Evening
Bulletin and Pennsylvanian, were published, the former in 1871, the latter
in 1872. It is estimated that the population in 1870 was ten thousand peo
ple. Unfortunately for its permanence as a place of such size the produc
tion in the immediate vicinity declined and places more advantageously lo
cated attracted its population. The census of 1880 places the number of
inhabitants at six hundred and eighty-eight. There are a number of well-
buUt and substantial residences, two churches, a fine school building, rail
road, express, and postal facilities. The various lines of business are well
represented. Several extensive refineries in the vicinity are described in
the chapter on OU City. The machine shop of Smith & Enos, of which
Smith & Walker and Thomas Smith were the successive proprietors, has
been an industrial feature of the town since 1865.
Petrolia Lodge, No. 680, I. O. 0. F., was instituted November 16,
1869, with F. G. Smith, N. G. ; P. D. Slingeriand, V. G; J. W. Calder,
secretary, and J. Bottner, treasurer. This lodge has disbanded and its
membership united with the organizations at Oil City.
Fraternal Lodge, No. 483, F. & A. M. (formerly known as Knapp
lodge), was constituted February 1, 1871, with the following officers: C. L.

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
StoweU, W. M. ; WiUiam Irish, S. W. ; C. C. Camp, J. W. ; R. C. Beveridge,
secretary, and James Tyson, treasurer. The lodge owns a fine property.
Knights of Pythias. — A lodge was organized September 1, 1870, but
has been removed to Oil City.
Rouseville Council, No. 4, Royal Templars of Temperance. — The charter
was granted AprU 30, 1878, to O. H. Strong, S. C. ; B. W. Stennett, V. C. ;
W. H. Keeler, P. C. ; N. W. Reed, chaplain; J. A, Vaughan, secretary, and
J. V. Lockwood, treasurer.
Rouseville Branch, No. 14, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, was
organized September 14, 1878, with Henry Wilbert, president; Anthony
Hammer, John Gilmer, vice-presidents; Daniel McAlese, Thomas Kelch,
and James Mahar, secretaries; Thomas Laroux, treasurer; Thomas Griffin,
marshal; Michael Bichlar, guard; Thomas Donnelly, William Geiser, Michael
Fitzgerald, J. M. McKinney, and John Harrington, trustees.
Petroleum Council, No. 175, Royal Arcanum, was organized at Petro
leum Center October 8, 1878, and removed to Rouseville March 20, 1879.
The first officers were George B. Lord, P. R. ; Samuel R. Paist, R. ; Samuel
D. Kepler, V. R. ; C. R. Cobb, O. ; A. A. Stewart, treasurer; S. J. Murphy,
secretary; R. B. Cogan, collector; Benjamin McKay, W.
Rouseville Assembly, No. 2207, K. of L. — The charter of this assembly
was granted August 26, 1882.
Rouseville Union, No. 583, Equitable Aid Union, was organized April
14, 1887. The first officers were Andrew S. Smith, C. ; Virginia S. Con-
nant, advocate; F. C. Slingeriand, president; Mary J. Slingeriand, vice-pres
ident; Etta Groser, auxiliary; Peter Bankson, treasurer; John W. Waits,
secretary; F. L. Fry, accountant; Mrs. Matilda Harsh, chaplain; Edward
Boardman, warden; Mrs. Rebecca Wilkins, S. ; George Dias, W.
Rouseville Division, No. 314, Sons of Temperance, was instituted March
29, 1889, with Cyrus Brown, P. W. P. ; Wilson Smith, P. ; Mary Mustard,
W. A. ; Frederick Harsh, C. ; Belle McKean, A. ; Percy Smith, F. S. ; Etta
Corlett, R. S. ; Mabel Smith, A. S. ; Mrs. Watson Smith, chaplain, and Ruth
McCandless, treasurer. BOROUGH OF SIVERLY.
The earliest survey of the site of the borough was made in 1802 by Sam
uel Dale for Noah and Jesse Sage upon improvement warrants. Each
of them made a settlement and two orchards were planted, one below Siverly
run and the other above it. They were the oldest orchards in this part of
the county, and bore fruit as late as 1875.
In 1820 the site of the lower improvement, having been abandoned for
some time, was settled by Abram George Siverly, whose family has since
been identified with the locality. He was born in New York city July 26,
1769. At an early age he began to read medicine, but the death of his pre-

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP, 669
ceptor having terminated his studies before their completion, he went to sea
and foUowed the avocation of a sailor with varying fortunes seven years.
He then located at New Fane, Windham county, Vermont, where he learned
the trade of cabinet maker, and married Susanna Thayer October 7, 1798.
He removed successively to Delaware county. New York, and Olean, and in
•1819 settled in Pinegrove township, whence in the following year he trans
ferred his residence to the tract mentioned. Here he lived until 1825, when,
the validity of his title having been successfully contested by a rival claim
ant, he crossed the small stream that forms the eastern boundary of Oil
City and settled at the site of the borough, where a survey was made in
the name of his sons, Philip H. and Milton T. Siverly, who built a log
house for him on the bank of the river on ground at present owned by the
Imperial Refining Company. He served as a justice of the peace and was
the first postmaster in the vicinity of the mouth of Oil creek, the office
bearing the name of Cornplanter. In 1889 he removed to Iowa and passed
the remainer of his life in that state. Of a family of fourteen children eight
grew to maturity, of whom five are now living: PhiUp H. , of PhUadelphia;
MUton T., of Davenport, Iowa; Elhanan W., of Morning Sun, Iowa; Mrs.
Alzira M. Witherspoon, of Siverly, Iowa, and Mrs. Ann Dorothy Purdy, of
Rockland township.
In 1824 William Alcorn settled at the upper end of the borough. He
was connected with the numerous Alcorn family of Cherry Tree. He served
one term as justice of the peace.
The viUage was laid out in 1862 by Philip H. and Walter Siverly; the
former purchased the farm upon which it is situated in 1848, and sold a half
interest to the latter in 1857. Various subdivisions have since been made.
The population was six hundred and sixty- seven in 1880 and has since
materially increased. The borough is situated upon the line of the W^estern
New York and Pennsylvania railroad, and is conveniently accessible from
the business and manufacturing quarters of Oil City. It sustains a graded
school and has erected a commodious frame school building. There is a
Methodist Episcopal church. Practical prohibition of the liquor traffic
has been a feature of the place throughout its history.
The first postmaster in recent years was T. N. Rogers, and the name of
the office was Archie. D. T. Borland and H. H. Gardiner were succes
sively appointed to the position, and during the incumbency of the latter
the name was changed to Siverly, its present designation.
The borough was incorporated by decree of court August 27, 1874. Its
civU affairs have been administered by the following borough officers :
1874. — Burgess, Walter Siverly; council: J. H. Alexander, WUliam
Jones, J. W. Gardiner, John Mohnkarn, Alvin Wasson, John Farren.
1875.— Burgess, Alvin Wasson; councU: WiUiam Jones, Walter Siverly,
J. H, Alexander, J. W. Gardiner, John Farren, J. W. Dowling.

670 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1876. — Burgess, Alvin Wasson; council: Walter Siverly, T. J. McBur-
ney, John Farren, Dennis McMahon, John Mohnkarn, D. H. Lewis.
1877. — Burgess, Alvin Wasson; council: Walter Siverly, D. T. Bor
land, J. W. Gardiner, A, D. Tolles, Dennis McMahon, John Farren.
1878. — Burgess, J. W. Downing; council: Walter Siverly, Alvin Was
son, D. T. Borland, Charles Downing, J. W. Gardiner, Reuben Maul.
1879. — Burgess, Walter Siverly, council: George Mott, John M. Mar
tin, Michael Gormley, Dennis McMahon, H. B. Martin, Daniel Mohnkarn.
1880. — Burgess, Alvin Wasson; council: Walter Siverly, J. N. Martin,
Michael Gormley, James Bannon, A. D. Tolles, James Martin.
1881. — Burgess, George H. Dimond; council: Walter Siverly, Miles
Thompson, J. P. Fisher, James Bannon, James Martin, H. B, Martin.
1882. — Burgess, J. D. McLaughlin; council: Daniel Mohnkarn, J. N.
Martin, J. A. Wilson, Elias Culbertson, W. H. Morgan, S. A. Winger,
1883. — Burgess, James Bannon; council: Walter Siverly, Daniel Mohn
karn, J. C. Poulson, Henry Quinn, Richard Stokes, C. W. Johnson.
1884. — Burgess, George H. Dimond; council: Walter Siverly, J. N.
Martin, John Farren, James Borland, Edward Simpson, George Shingle
decker. 1885. — Burgess, Michael Gormley; council: Walter Siverly, J. N. Mar
tin, John Farren (elected for one year), H. B. Martin, Thomas McCarthy
(elected for three years).
1886. — Burgess, Michael Gormley; council: John Farren, Edward
Simpson (elected for one year), Walter Siverly, A. D. Tolles (elected for
three years).
1887. — Burgess, S. A. Winger; council: J. A. Wilson, J. T. Sharp.
1888. — Burgess, S. A. Winger; council: John Barnhart, H. B, Martin,
Michael Gormley.
1889. — Burgess, A. D. Tolles; council: Walter Siverly, John Hartman.
Siverly Woman' s Christian Temperance Union was organized January
31, 1884. The first president was Mrs. B. L. Mohnkarn; first vice-presi
dent, Mrs. S. A. Wringer; secretary, Mrs. Alice Helander, and treasurer,
Mrs. George McComb. A hall was purchased in AprU, 1886.
Siverly Division, No. 315, Sons of Temperance, was institued March 29,
1888. Siverly Union, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted June 3, 1889,
with the following officers: Chancellor, W. W. Dimond; advocate, Mrs. S.
G. Bobbins; president, S. G. Robbins; vice-president, Mrs. S. E. Win
ger; auxiliary, Mrs. M. B. Alexander; secretary. Pearl Thompson; account
ant, J. S. Alexander; treasurer, T. J. Coffman.
SMALLER TOWNS.
Oleapolis was once a town of one thousand inhabitants. The construe-

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 671
tion of a railroad up the valley of Pithole creek naturally resiUted in the
establishment of a shipping point at its river terminus, below the mouth of
that stream; and although the opening of a railroad in the river valley de-
fleeted this business to other points, the town continued to flourish until the
exhaustion of the Pithole district. A refinery with a weekly capacity of
one thousand barrels was built in 1865, using the double still invented by
Adolph MUlochan, The place was successively ravaged by destructive fires,
one occui-rence of this natm-e June 20, 1866, destroying barges, tanks, and
other property to the value of thirty thousand dollars. Scarcely a vestige
of the town remains, although it is still known as a station on the Western
New York and Pennsylvania railroad.
Kane City is situated on Cherry Tree run several miles west of Oil creek.
It was also a town of a thousand inhabitants at one time, and still retains a
degree of local importance.
McClintockville -per-petwates the name of a pioneer and prominent family ;
it is located upon the land settled by Hamilton McClintock, and might prop
erly be regarded as a suburb of Oil City.
Columbia Farm was once a village of several hundred population, com
posed principally of employes of the Columbia Oil Company. It has almost
entirely disappeared.
Rynd Farm, a village on the Western New York and Pennsylvania rail
road at the crossing of the Warren road over Oil creek, was the site of Rynd
postoffice at an early date and during eariy oil operations on the creek be
came a hamlet of some importance.
Shaw Farm yaaa an "oUtown" of several hundred inhabitants on the
road from Oil City to Plumer. A Methodist church is the most substantial
reminder of its existence. CHUECHES.
Plumer United Presbyterian Church was known as the Associate Re
formed congregation of Cherry run at the earliest period of its history. The
organization was effected by Reverend Daniel McClain and numbered among
its original membership Hamilton McClintock and wife, Robert McFate and
wife, Henry McCalmont and wife, and  Lamb and wife. There is a
tradition that the first preaching was by a Reverend Baggs in a log school
house. Henry McCalmont gave two acres of ground for church and school
purposes, and a log building was erected thereon in 1828. The dimensions
were about eighteen by twenty- eight feet. There were some six or seven of
the old fashioned high backed pews, with footstools and other appliances of
comfort, but the seating facilities in the main consisted of slab seats or
stools of the same material, and every church goer had the privilege of
bringing whatever kind of seat he pleased. The present frame church edi
fice was built in 1862-63, and Reverend John R. Slentz was the first to,
preach therein.

672 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The first regular pastor was Reverend Matthew Snodgrass, whose rela
tions with the church were severed in 1832, and from that date until 1852
the pulpit was filled by supplies from presbytery. Reverend John R.
Slentz became pastor of a charge embracing Kerr Hill, Allegheny, and this
church in 1853, and was duly installed July 4th of that year, continuing in
this capacity four years. He again assumed charge in 1861, and resigned
in 1865. The removal of many of the members resulted in a virtual dis
banding of the congregation at this date, and during the foUowing five years
the few remaining members were dependent upon the United Presbyterian
Board of Supplies for occasional preaching. A reorganization was effected
in 1870 by Reverend J. L. Robertson with twenty-four members, of whom
Thomas Kennedy, E. S. Beatty, and Robert Hervey were elected elders.
Mr. Robertson resigned in 1874, and was succeeded in 1876 by Reverend
John Clark, the last regular pastor. Among the elders at an early date
were Joseph McFate, William Story, Robert McFate, William McCray,
Thomas Anderson, and Hamilton McClintock.
Rouseville Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest organization of
that denomination in the township. It is probable the preachers at Oil
creek preached here prior to 1860, but in the absence of any records this
cannot be positively stated. The erection of a building was begun in 1863
under the pastorate of Reverend Milton Smith, and in January, 1864, a
frame structure thirty-two by forty-two feet in dimensions was dedicated.
The ground was deeded to John McClintock, William Ashbaugh, Noah
Metz, William Orr, Sr., and J. P. Benn, trustees, in December, 1864, by
the Halderman Oil Company at a nominal consideration. This building was
enlarged and a parsonage built in 1869. The former was struck by light
ning and burned to the ground on Sunday, May 19, 1889. The corner
stone of the present church edifice was laid September 4, 1889, by Rever-'
end M. Smith, P, E. , and S. A. Dean, the pastor, assisted by Reverends
Bashline, Wenk, and Pinney, The extreme dimensions are fifty-seven and
fifty-six feet. C. H. Brown, T. W. Dunn, F. L. Fry, and Thomas John
son constitute the building committee. This church constituted a charge
with Oil City and Petroleum Center until 1865. It then became a station
and so continued until 1882, when Petroleum Center was attached, for
which Siverly was substituted in 1884. The pastoral succession since
1865 has been as foUows: 1865, W. H. Mossman; 1866-68, G. W. Staples;
1869-70, J. F. Stocker; 1871, N. Norton; 1872-74, P. P. Pinney; 1875-76,
J. W^ Wright; 1877-78, A. J. Lindsay; 1879-80, W. P. Graham; 1881,
suppUed; 1882, W. H. Bunce; 1883-84, Z. W. Shadduck; 1885-87, S. E.
Ryan; 1888-89, S. A. Dean.
Petroleum Center Methodist Episcopal Church was the first religious
society formed at that place. Reverend R. Beatty was stationed here in
1863-64; B. A. Squier, in 1865-66; R. W. Hawkins, in 1866; J. W. WU-

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP. 678
son, in 1867; C. M. Heard, in 1868-69; P. W. Scofield, in 1870-71; G.
W. Moore, in 1872; T. Graham, in 1873-75. During Mr. Squiers' min
istry a church and parsonage were built at a cost of nine thousand dollars.
In 1880 the materials of the church were removed to Galloway and the par
sonage was sold.
Petroleum Center Catholic Church was built during the prosperous
period of the history of that town. Father Snyder was the first priest sta
tioned here. The erection of the church was begun by him and finished by
his successor. Father Vannukin, who was followed by Father Sheridan.
Reverend James Smith was next, and under his administration a parish
house and school building were erected. He remained longer than any of
his predecessors. Reverends Donnelly, McPhilamy, and Clarke were the
last resident priests. The church is now attached to TitusviUe.
Petroleum Center Presbyterian Church was organized September 24,
1865. The church edifice erected by this organization is now the place of
meeting of a flourishing Sunday school. Services are occasionally held by
pastors of the neighboring Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, and Method
ist churches, but none of these denominations have regular organizations.
Plumer Methodist Episcopal Church. — The church building at this place
was erected in 1865 by an organization formed in that year. The ground
was given by Thomas Duncan and George C. Prather. The church was
built during the ministry of Reverend D. S. Steadman, who was followed by
Reverends Clark, Shields, and Merritt. The following clergymen have
been stationed here at the respective dates: 1878, J. Clyde; 1879-81, S. B.
Torrey; 1882, Z. W. Shadduck; 1883-84, WiUiam Rice; 1885-86, W. M.
Canfield; 1887-88, B. P. Linn.
Pithole City Catholic Church was dedicated Sunday, January 21, 1866,
by Bishop Young of the Diocese of Brie. The pastor was Reverend James
L. Finucane. Solemn high mass was intoned by Very Reverend John D.
Coady, vicar general of the diocese, assisted by Reverends Mignault and
Snyder. This church is no longer in existence.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church at Siverly was organized in 1868 by
Reverend J. W. Whiteley at Oak Grove school house. The church building
was dedicated on Thanksgiving day, 1879, by Reverends Craft and Harren.
Pithole City Presbyterian Chm-ch, organized in 1866 probably, was one
of the most substantial buUdings in that city, but no data regarding its his
tory are attainable.
Pithole City Methodist Episcopal Church is the only public building of
that remarkable city that has not been removed or destroyed. This is largely
due to the munificence of Thomas Duncan, by whom a legacy amply suffi
cient to keep the building in repair was given. The Methodist society was
formed in 1865, but no longer sustains an active existence. The building
is situated on an eminence overlooking what was once the site of a populous
city.

674 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Shaw Farm Methodist Episcopal Church.- — Reverends S. E. Winger and
William Vanosdale conducted a series of meetings here in 1870, resulting in
the organization of a class numbering sixty members. An acre of ground
was given by Forster W. MitcheU and the present frame church edifice
erected thereon in 1872. The society forms part of Plumer circuit.
Rouseville Presbyterian Church was dedicated May 29, 1870, but with
the removal of the membership to other points the organization became
weakened and finally disbanded. The church was sold and removed.
St. John' s Protestant Episcopal Church, Rouseville. — The corner-stone
of this church was laid August 26, 1870, by Reverends M. ByUesby, Henry
Purdon, and M. A. Tolman. The dedication occurred January 22, 1871.
The building was removed to Bradford after the membership at this place
had become so reduced as to render it no longer necessary.
Rouseville Baptist Church was constituted March 26, 1871, and recog
nized April 18th of the same year. The church edifice was dedicated De
cember 24, 1871, and the first immersion occurred May 5, 1872. Reverends
M. B. Sloan and J. P. Stephenson were the only resident pastors. The build
ing is now owned by me Masonic order.
Rouseville Catholic Church. — The first mass at this place was celebrated
in the opera house by Father Kelly in May, 1872. The church edifice was
built in 1872-73 and dedicated by Bishop Mullen of the Diocese of Erie.
Fathers Brady, Donnelly, Gallagen, Clarke, Cauley, McCloskey, Nau, and
McGinley have successively ministered to this parish.
Kane City Methodist Episcopal Church. — A class was formed at this
place July 15, 1877, by Reverend "J. Clyde with a membership of four.
This is also among the religious organizations of the township that have
ceased to exist. SCHOOLS.
The first school house in the township was built in the woods near the
road leading from Plumer to Petroleum Center. It is probable that the
first teacher was David Tyrrell ; his school was attended by the families of
Ricketts, McCalmont, McFate, Lamb, and others. The second school house
stood upon the site of Plumer United Presbyterian church. Mrs. Letitia
Culbertson, Moses Ward, Ellen Bruce, James Neill, and Luther Woods
were early teachers there. There was also an early school house at the
mouth of Oil creek. Three buildings were erected in 1839; one at Petro
leum Center, another on the Ricketts farm, and a third at Humboldt. Alfred
Taylor was the first teacher at Rickett' s. The school house at Petroleum
Center was popularly known as McCray' s. Alexander Hays was probably
the first teacher at Humboldt. The educational interests of the present day
are well sustained.

SANDY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 675

CHAPTER XXX^ III.
SANDY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Erection and Population — Pioneers— Taxable Inhabitants of 1836—
Schools— Churches.
THE report of the commission appointed at March sessions, 1806, to
divide the county into townships provided for the erection of Sandy
Creek, with the stream of that name as its northern boundary and the line
of Irwin (now Irwin and Clinton) as the southern limit of its territory, which
extended from Mercer county on the west to the Allegheny river on the east,
and was provisionally attached to French Creek for administrative pur
poses. It was not until 1834 that what is now Sandy Creek township re
ceived its present name. At April sessions in that year Alexander McCal
mont, John W. Howe, and Andrew Bowman were appointed by the court to
consider the advisability of dividing French Creek township as petitioned
for by a number of its inhabitants. In the following August they reported
favorably to division by a line ' ' Beginning at the line of the borough of
Franklin where the state road from Franklin to Mercer intersects the same,
thence by said state road to the south end of the bridge over Big Sandy
creek, thence by the south bank of Big Sandy creek to the line dividing the
counties of Mercer and Venango," which received final confirmation by the
court November 29, 1834. The eastern part of this line was revised in
1856. The erection of Mineral, October 24, 1870, and of Victory, Septem
ber 6, 1876, has reduced Sandy Creek to its present area. It is one of the
smallest townships in the county. In 1850 the population was nine hun
dred and fifty-seven; in 1870, one thousand three hundred and ninety-one;
in 1880, eight hundred and four.
The only stream of any importance within the limits of the township is
Nicholson's run, a tributary of Big Sandy creek, which forms the south
western boundary, A great bend in the Allegheny river partially incloses
the region known as Bully Hill, an agricultural district of comparative fer
tility, drained by Siefer' s and Brown's runs and numerous smaller streams.
PIONEERS.
The Pittsburgh road was opened at an early date, and being the only
public highway at that time, the first settlement was naturally made along

676 history of venango county,
this route. One Ramsey is said to have been the first, but this is problem
atical. James Martin, a native of Maryland, made the first improvements
on the Kephart farm perhaps as early as 1796. Here he planted one of
the first orchards in the county, carrying the trees from Pittsburgh on his
back if tradition may be credited. He was a candidate for county commis
sioner at the first election of county officers and first clerk to that board
at its organization. He seems to have been a man of more than ordinary
intelligence for that day. Late in life he removed to the state of Indiana,
where he died. One of his sons. Professor Artemus Martin, of Erie,
achieved more than a local reputation as a mathematician.
Thomas Brandon, from Big Spring, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania,
made an improvement on the Pittsburgh road in 1796. He afterward re
moved to Cranberry township.
The Dewoody family has been represented from a very early date.
William Dewoody was one of four brothers — John, Andrew, and George
being the other three, all natives of Ireland, who immigrated to this county
in 1796. He married Mary Lyon, of Victory township, and they were the
parents of five sons: George, William, Thomas, Andrew, and John; and
five daughters: Jane, Margaret, Martha, Nancy, and Eliza, who married,
respectively, William Hill, James Griffin, John Black, David Kinnear, and
Alexander McGarvey. William Dewoody, Sr. , owned a tract of land ex
tending from the Pittsburgh road beyond the " twin churches " and embrac
ing half a dozen farms at the present day. The survey was made December
15, 1799. The house was located at a spring on the farm owned by the
heirs of William E. Smith, deceased. Of the large family of William De
woody, Sr. , but two, George and William, lived in this county until death.
The former died in Franklin, the latter in this township, where his family
still reside.
In 1797 Patrick Manson, a native of Ireland, emigrated to Venango
county and settled in what is now Sandy Creek township. On their jour
ney thither the family stopped over night at the cabin of John Dewoody,
where Mrs. Manson gave birth to a child — the first born in what is now
Victory township, and one of the first, if not the first white child, born in
Venango county. As early as 1812 Manson was living on the Hoover farm,
three miles below Franklin, on the bank of the Allegheny river. He was a
veteran of the Revolution, and was buried, with military honors, in the old
Franklin cemetery. Manson is remembered as a man of iron constitution
and lived to a ripe old age.
John Stevens came about 1798, and settled on Big Sandy, where the
Pittsbui-gh and Franklin road crosses that stream. He erected here a grist
mill, the first in this vicinity, which he operateduntil his death by small
pox several years afterward. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John
Lowrie, who bore him two children: Nancy, who married John L. Porter,

sandy creek township. 677
of Richland township, and John L. , who died unmarried many years ao-o.
The widow married Robert S. Whann, a pioneer of Mineral township, by
whom she reared six children.
The Grahams of this township are descended from Robert Graham,
who emigrated from Centre county in 1802, and located at the mouth of
Sandy creek, bringing all his household goods ou a single sled. His son
Robert, bom in Centre county on Christmas day in 1797, first improved the
farm upon which the Graham graveyard is located and lived there until his
death. He was the father of a numerous family.
In 1812 there were only a few families in the township. James Cannon
lived in the valley of Sandy creek a mile from Waterloo on a farm that in
cluded the old graveyard of that vicinity. He was an Irishman of blunt
manners but a good Methodist withal and reared a family of six daughters.
He was the father-in-law of Alfred and Isaac Bunnell. In the same year
John Foster removed from Sugar Creek township to a tract of uncleared land
nearly opposite the mouth of East Sandy creek and thenceforth was ac
tively identified with local religious and educational matters. Samuel Hays of
Franklin owned several farms in the township at that time. One of these
on the Pittsburgh road was partially cleared by John Gurney, who was to
receive two hundred acres, one-half of it, for reducing thirty acres of the
other half to cultivation and building a house thereon. Failing to accom
plish his part of the agreement he went to Franklin and afterward built
what was known as Gurney' s row, a succession of irregular buildings on
Thirteenth and Buffalo streets.
Alexander McElhaney settled at Pithole in 1796 and after a brief resi
dence of several months returned to Centre county, Indian troubles having
become alarmingly probable. Several years later he came back but in a
short time removed to the vicinity of Waterloo. In 1819 he purchased
four hundred acres of land from Jonathan Pratt and part of this is now the
farm of his son, James McElhaney. He married Mary Ann Dawson, who
was connected with one of the oldest family of Allegheny township, and
they reared a large family.
Samuel Bunnell was from Virginia originally, but came into this county
from Crawford and into this township from Sugar Creek. Samuel Gor
don, from Centre county, settled first in Rockland, but in 1826 removed to
Sandy Creek. Essington Kephart took up his residence here in the year
1827. Robert Stephenson came from Pittsburgh in 1826, and improved a
farm near East Grove church.
Aaron McKissick built a "hotel on the Pittsburgh road early in the
twenties and officiated as "mine host" to the traveling public on that im
portant thoroughfare nearly a score of years. He was from Maine and
had been a ship carpenter in his native state. It was he who gave the
name of Bully Hill to this part of the township, a designation transferred

678 history of venango county.
to the locality opposite' the mouth of East Sandy during the first oil excite
ment in that neighborhood. He afterward removed to Waterloo and be
came the founder of that borough.
As already mentioned, a mill was built by John Stevens on Sandy creek,
at the crossing of the Pittsburgh road, prior to 1810. Subsequently it came
into possession of George McClelland. In 1813 this stream had been de
clared a public highway from its confluence with the Allegheny river to the
crossing of the Mercer and Meadville state road. In 1832 McClelland was
charged with having erected a dam and causeway, interfering with navigation
and with the passage of fish. The court appointed Andrew Bowman, James
Gilliland, and James Adams to investigate, and their report sustained the
allegation. The obstructions were forthwith removed. McCleUand also
built and operated Franklin furnace, one of the oldest in the county.
The Taxable Inhabitants of Sandy Creek, which then included Victory
and a large part of Mineral, at the triennial assessment of 1836, the first
after its separate organization, were as follows: John Adams, James Adams,
Francis Alexander, William Adams, Alfred Bunnell, Isaac Bunnell, Will
iam Bennett, Robert Brandon, Charles Bailey, James Cannon, William
Cross, John Cather, L. F. Boals, Robert Brady, William Dewoody, George
Dewoody, Andrew Dewoody, John Dewoody, Robert Dewoody, Benjamin'
Dewoody, Hugh Durning, Harriet Elliott, John Elder, John Foster, James
Foster, Aquila Grace, Samuel Graham, Robert Graham, Samuel Gordon,
John Gordon, William Gordon, Isaac Griffin, Edward Gardner, Samuel
Gildersleeve, William Hill, Samuel Hall, Charles Henderson, Archibald
Henderson, Andrew Irwin, Samuel Irwin, Eliakim Jewel, Essington Kep
hart, Hiram Kimble, John Carmichael, Samuel Lindsay, Jacob Lyon,
Matthew Lowrie, Elijah Morrison, Patrick Manson, James Major, Alexan
der McChimy, William McClaran, Aaron McKissick, John Morrison, Daniel
McMUlin, John and James McElphatrick, Hugh Marshall, John MuUhaU,
John McClelland, Robert Martin, Mary Pratt, John Perry, Samuel Ridg
way, Henry Strickler, Andrew Shiner, William Shorts, Robert Stephenson,
Shadrach Simcox, John Stewart, Stephen Sutton, David Smith, Howell
Thomas, Abel Thompson, Robert Temple, Warner Taylor, John Vincent,
John Walker, Robert Witherup, Daniel Williams, and Samuel Young.

The first school house in the township was built in 1819, on the land
of Alexander McElhaney, near the Pittsburgh road, by the united efforts of
the community. Isaac Bunnell was the first teacher here. John Foster
employed teachers at his own expense and appropriated a room in his own
house for the education of his own and his neighbors' children. Alexan
der Hays was so employed in 1825-26. In 1834 a hewn-log house was
built at the Graham cemetery, and in 1886 a building similar in construe-

SANDY CREEK TOWNSHIP. 679
tion was erected near the present residence of James Foster. Prominent
among the teachers of the township were John Elder, Lowrie Gildersleeve,
Ethan Strong, Henry Clulow, W. C. Howe, William Clement, C. P. Rams
dell, Robert Martin, David Moore, Isaac Evans, Robert Shorts, Reverends
B. S. and E. C. Borland. churches.
Sandy Creek Methodist Church was one of the oldest organizations of
that denomination in the county. Reverend Ira Eddy organized the class
at the house of James Cannon, and among its first members were Alexander
McElhaney, leader, Welden Adams, Saulsburg Vincent, Jonathan Pratt,
and Aaron McKissick. The burial ground was given by Cannon and the
first interment was that of an infant child of James Adams. The church,
a frame building thirty by forty feet in dimensions, was built in 1827-28
by Aaron McKissick. It has since been abandoned and removed. Five
classes have been formed on the territory and from the membership that
once worshiped here: Reynolds, Polk, Nicklin, Pleasant Grove, and East
Grove. Pleasant Grove Methodist Church was organized at the Graham school
house. William and Robert Graham and Elijah Morrison were prominent
among the active members. Originally a part of Hendersonville circuit,
this church is now attached to Waterloo. The place of worship was erected
in 1872 by a building committee composed of WUliam Dewoody, John Hill,
John Boals, and John Graham.
EoLst Grove Methodist Church. — The first class was formed at the house
of John Foster, who, with his wife and sons — Ross, James, and Caleb;
David Smith, and Mary his wife, were the first members, and John
Chandler was their first preacher. Jackson Gordon gave the ground for
the church building; Reverends Robert Beatty and John Abbott were the
preachers at the time of its erection, and the building committee consisted
of James Smith, Robert and Miller Graham.
Bethel Grove Church, Church of God, Reverend J. W. Davis, pastor,
was organized by A. C. Morrison, David Herman, David Smith, Immanuel
Kuntz, Osborne Brown, and others, who worshiped in a school house until
1871, when the church edifice was built. William Smith and Amos Shontz
were active in this enterprise. Reverends Long, Plowman, Domer, and
Pritz were among Mr. Davis' predecessors.

680 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries— Organization— Pioneers— Dempseytown— Schools-
Churches.
OAKLAND is bounded on the northwest by Plum, on the northeast by
Cherry Tree, on the east by Cornplanter, on the south by Sugar
Creek, and on the west by Jackson. It is one of the interior townships of
the county. Several branches of Two Mile run, Sugar creek, and Cherry
Tree run have their sources here. The township is purely agricultural in
its character and one of the most productive in the county. In 1850 the
population was eight hundred and thirty- seven; in 1870, one thousand and
eighty-two; and in 1880, one thousand two hundred and fourteen.
A petition for the separate organization of a new township to be formed
from Cornplanter, Plum, and Sugar Creek was presented to the court of
quarter sessions April 27, 1840, and Samuel M. Irwin, Jonathan Ayres, and
D. B. Hays, appointed for its consideration, reported favorably in the fol
lowing November. There is no record bf the final decree of court erecting
the township, but in the following year its first officers were appointed and
the machinery of the local administration placed in operation.
PIONEERS.
That part of Oakland formerly included in Plum was part of the sixth
donation district, in which it was difficult to secure and complete a title;
the southern part of the township was embraced in the Holland Company's
surveys, and between the two there was a tract of vacant land of varying
width, open to settlement on the general terms prescribed by the state.
This was naturally . selected by the first permanent settlers, and being a
region of comparative fertility as indicated by the timber, immigrants were
, attracted thither at an early period in the history of the county.
Lawrence Dempsey was probably the first. A native of Ireland and of
Scotch extraction, he became a resident of Centre county, Pennsylvania, at
the close of the Revolutionary war. In 1797 he came into the wilds of the
upper Allegheny valley and made some improvements on the Cauvel farm
not far from the old graveyard near Dempseytown. Here he planted an
orchard, one of the first in the county and certainly the earliest in Oakland

(Xy-c^X^^^

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 683
township, of which several old and gnarled trees yet remain. He had two
sons, Peter and David. The latter was a man of local prominence in county
affairs. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and at its close was elected
to the legislature. Peter Dempsey kept hotel at Dempseytown many years.
Lawrence Dempsey died in one of the eastern counties of the state; the re
mains of his wife and sons are interred in the family graveyard.
There were three arrivals in 1798 — Robert McElhaney, William Mc
Clain, and James Gordon. McElhaney was of Scotch-Irish extraction and
came here from Westmoreland county. He removed elsewhere prior to his
death. McClain settled where ZebiUon Beatty now lives and is buried on
that farm. He had two sons, the elder of whom, William, Jr., removed to
Virginia in 1810. The family is no longer represented. Gordon was born
and reared in Ireland. He immigrated to America after reaching manhood
and married in eastem Pennsylvania. He sold his property to James Has
let aud removed to Sugar creek above Cooperstown. One son, Alexander,
was brought by his parents to this county and inherited their property. He
afterward removed to Ohio.
The year 1800 witnessed a considerable increase in the numbers of this
community. Jonah Reynolds was from New York state. He located on the
Oil City road at the crossing of the road from Franklin to TitusviUe, and
afterward sold his farm to William Hays, by whose name it is generally
known. He then removed to Greenville where his descendants now reside.
Charles Stevenson, a native Scotchman, came to Pennsylvania before the
Revolution and was actively engaged during that war as a soldier in the
Continental army. At its close he settled in Mifflin coimty and thence re
moved to Venango at the date above mentioned. He was a brother-in-law
of -George Kean and became his partner in the purchase of a four hundred
acre tract. In 1805 he sold his interest to John Hays and removed to
Cherry Tree township near the village of Cherry Tree. Eleven years later
he went to Adams county, Ohio, his home until death. William Moorehead
first settled a farm on OU creek road as originally laid out, part of which is
now owned by George Turner. From this locality he went to Cincinnati
and is said to have accumulated a fortune in the shoe business. Edward
Patchel, Sr. , an old man when he came here, was accompanied by two sons,
Edward, Jr., and James, and they secured two four hundred acre tracts now
owned by various members of the Prichard family. In 1828 James removed
to Ohio and Edward sold the property under a power of attorney from him,
after which he also went to that state. James Mason, born in Northumber
land county in 1794, came with his parents to Oakland, then Sugar Creek,
in 1800. He was in active service during the war of 1812. His death oc
curred in 1876.
Alexander McCormick came in 1802. He was a native Scotchman and
brought a family. Subsequently he removed to Mercer county.
38

684 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Alexander Fowler, son of George Fowler, of Franklin, located on the OU
City road at Lamy church in 1802. He was a man of intemperate habits
and enlisted in the regular army after leaving this section.
George Kean also became a resident in 1802. He was born at German-
to-wn in 1766, son of Cornelius Kean, who emigrated from Ireland to Penn
sylvania in 1757, served in the American army during the Revolution and
died in Mifflin county at the age of eighty-four. In 1798, accompanied by
his brother William, he visited this region; three years later he returned and
built a house a mUe south of Dempseytown. June 16th of the following
year he brought his family thither, and resided in this township until his
death. May 3, 1861. Joeseph Kean, who was one year old at the time his
father's family came here, still resides in this township, and has probably
lived in Venango county longer than any other individual.
Francis Carter, a native of Ireland, came to Pennsylvania while yet a
young man, and served in the Revolutionary war. .He was in the military
service at Pittsburgh, and also at Fort Franklin; from the latter place he
went to Erie, but returned to Franklin in 1796, and in the following year
settled on Sugar creek a mile below Cooperstovm. In 1803 he came to the
vicinity of Dempseytown, where he died at an advanced age.
William Hays emigrated from Ireland at the age of forty and came to
Venango county in 1803, accompanied by John Hays, his brother. The
former died at the residence of Grier Hays on the tract he first settled.
William Reed, from whom Reed's run is named, was born in Ireland; he
came to this state in 1798 and to Oakland township in 1 803. He enlisted
for service in the war of 1812 in Captain McCombs' company.
Philip WaUs came in 1804 and bought land from Lawrence Dempsey on
the TitusviUe road, now owned by his descendants.
Philip Kees, another of the Revolutionary veterans who made improve
ments in Oakland at an early date, bought two hundred acres fi'om George
Kean in 1805. He was born and reared in Germany. After residing here
for a time he removed to a point on the Monongahela river twenty mUes
above Pittsburgh. Henry Booth, one of the first medical practitioners in
this part of the county, succeeded to Kees' improvements.
John Fetterman arrived in 1805. He was bom in eastern Pennsyl
vania of German parentage; after his removal here he became justice of
the peace and tUled that office many years.
Samuel Turner died in Oakland, November 1 8, 1869, aged eighty years.
He came to Franklin in 1800 and assisted in quarrying stone for some of the
first houses in the town. Subsequently he moved up the river and located
upon the site of South Oil City. He remained there four years and spent
three summers surveying with Samuel Dale. He then went to sea, return
ing by way of New Orleans, and lived in Cherry Tree township fifteen years.
From that place he removed to the farm in Oakland where he died.

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 685
The OU creek road was the first public highway opened through the
township. It was surveyed by Samuel M. Irwin. The road from Sugar
lake, intersecting the TitusviUe road two miles from Dempseytown, was also
an early traveled route.
The first distillery was built in 1803 by James Patchel at a small stream
on his farm. The upper story was used as a dwelling house while the lower
floor was occupied with the imperfect and crude appliances of the still.
James Gordon also had a distillery, built at an early date. The Speer, Mc
Elhaney, and Smith distilleries also assisted the farmers of this region in
disposing of their surplus grain.
Samuel Beatty' s tannery appears to have been the only pioneer industry
of this class. It was not equipped with a bark mill, but the bark was
tramped by horses in the same manner that wheat was threshed and thus
prepared for use. Wooden troughs were used in lieu of vats. This was in
operation only a few years. DEMPSEYTOWN.
Samuel Dale, deputy surveyor, surveyed four hundred and one acres of
land for Peter Dempsey September 2, 1800, and an adjoining tract for
Lawrence Dempsey on the following day, this being his first work after
being commissioned for Venango county. The town was laid out by Peter
Dempsey. He built a house, of which the site was nearly identical with
that of the old hotel kept by him for many years and but recently destroyed
by fire. Thomas Carter also built one of the first houses on the ground
occupied by David E, Thomas' blacksmith shop. This was one of the
first frame buildings erected in the county, certainly the first in Oakland
township. The weather-boarding was fastened with wooden pins. Carter
was one of the characters of the place. At an advanced age he married a
widow whose years were almost as many as his own. He lived to be ninety-
eight years old, and she died at one hundred and three. J. R. McClin
tock, in company with Brewer, Watson & Merrick, established the first
permanent business house. The first local mechanic was Christian Cauvel,
a blacksmith. The town has never had an oil " boom," and presents more
of the characteristics of the typical country village than the generality of
inland towns in this county. Situated nine miles from Franklin, ten from
TitusviUe, and eight from Oil City, in the midst of a fine agricultural terri
tory, it has become a business point of some importance. Three fraternal
organizations and four churches attest the activities of the people in this
respect. Dempseytown Lodge, No. 632, I. O. O. F. , was instituted May 20, 1868,
with B. F. Mark, N. G. ; R. B. Neely, V. G. ; George K. Weber, secre
tary; George Fuller, assistant secretary, and Jonas Weber, treasurer.
Dempseytown Lodge, No. 171, A. O. U. W., was instituted March 8,
1880, The first officers were D. W, Weikal, P. M. W. ; R. C. Duncan,

686 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
M. W. ; Lewis Prichard, G. F. ; T. J. Kimes, O. ; Robert Reed, recorder;
Freeman Dyson, financier; N. C. Henderson, receiver; E. P. Foster, G. ;
F. A. McCUntock, I. W. ; P. S. Cauvel, O. W.
Morning Star Union, No. 91, E. A. U., was organized December 11,
1888. Freeman Dyson was president; J. S. Hood, vice-president; Fidus
Weber, secretary and accountant, and G. O. Dewoody, treasurer.
The Dempsey Graveyard, one of the oldest places of interment in this
part of the county, is situated within a short distance of the village. The
following are among the names of those who were buried here at an early
date or are remembered as old people:
Rachel, wife of Jonah Reynolds, died April 2, 1813, in the thirty-ninth
year of her age.
Mary, wife of Lawrence Dempsey, died in September, 1825, in the
eighty-fourth year of her age.
Jane, wife of John Caruthers, died September 16, 1827, in the thirty-
ninth year of her age.
Mary, wife of John Kelly, died December 19, 1829, in the forty-fifth
year of her age.
Lewis Herring died September 23, 1836, aged seventy-six years.
John Kelly died June 13, 1849, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught by John KeUy in 1805 at the house of Jonah
Reynolds. W^illiam Morehead was also a pioneer pedagogue; his school
was taught in a log cabin on the farm now occupied by Francis Prichard.
No building was erected for school purposes until 1807, when a school
house was built on the farm of George Kean near the present location of
Moses Walls' residence. The first school was taught by Michael Hare, a
Revolutionary veteran and a man of fair ability but intemperate in his habits.
He died in Erie county at a very old age. A second school house was built
on Kean run at the crossing of the Oil creek road, and here William More-
head was the first teacher. In 1817 the people living on the Franklin road
built a school house one mile west of Dempseytown. Joseph Kean, who
has been mentioned as the oldest resident in the county, was the first teacher
here, and is properly entitled to the honor of being also the oldest living
school teacher. Among hia early successors were James Vanatan, Mary
Gage, John Beers, and Alexander Hays. A school house was built in 1827
on the Folwell farm in the northwestern part of the township, and another
near the residence of Robert Haslet. The schools at both places had a
large constituency. CHURCHES. >
It is probable that the first religious services in the township were held
in the year 1806 at the Patchel still house by a Methodist preacher named

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 687
Wiley. There were several baptisms of children, also probably the first
in this section of country. The first church building was erected in the
summer of 1810 in the eastern part of the township near the residence for
merly occupied by George Tarr. It was built of unhewn logs with clap
board roof; the dimensions were twenty-five and thirty feet. Reverend Ira
Condit preached here several years, after which it was no longer occupied
for religious pm-poses. He was a Presbyterian preacher but there is no
record of any organization.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by Reverend
Weicksel some time between the years 1840 and 1850. Among the old
members were Jacob Baum, Samuel and John Frankenberger, Mrs. Susan
Homan, John Bennehoff, John Kinch, the Gharing, Meals, Ulrich, Phil
lips, and other families. A frame church building was erected on the Titus
vUle road at the edge of Dempseytown. This was replaced several years
since by an attractive and substantial building in the village proper. The
congregation was connected with New Lebanon, Mercer county, for a time,
but since the reorganization of the Franklin church the pastors of the latter
have usually preached here.
Oakland United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1851 by Rever
end Anderson McClane under direction of the Associate Reformed presby
tery, William Story and John Culberson were the first elders. The first
members were Culbertson and Sarah McClintock, William and Margaret
Stewart, Baptist and Margaret Masson, Daniel and Margaret Gregg, John
Culberson, Jane McFate, Sarah McFate, Nancy Ward, Mai-y Ann Hays,
Jane Hays, William Story, Rebecca McKnight, and Nancy Gregg, all of
whom had formerly been connected with Plumer church. William McAlwee
gave half an acre of groimd and as much more was purchased; this consti
tutes the burial ground and site of the church, a frame building erected in
1852, Reverends John R. Slentz and Alexander Murray were the pastors,
but for a number of years services were discontinued. Within the present
year (1889) steps have been taken to repair the building. Reverend James
B. Dodds is the pastor.
Oakland Evangelical Church, a mile northeast of Dempseytown, was
erected in 1851 and dedicated in 1852. Prior to this Reverends Bucks and
Miller had preached here in 1836; D. Long, in 1838; Samuel Heis, in 1839;
Henry Heis, in 1840, and others of the preachers in charge of Venango circuit.
At the formation of the Pittsburgh Conference in 1852 Reverend Henry
Hampe was in charge of Venango circuit, then embracing all the churches of
this denomination in Venango county. Sugar Creek circuit was formed in
1853; in 1879 the name was changed to Dempseytown. The foUowing ap
pointments have been made by the annual conference at the respective dates :
1853, H. W. Thomas; 1854, E. Peer; 1856 (Venango and Sugar Creek),
John Pfeifer, W. H. StoU; 1857, W. H. Pfeifer, James Crossman; 1858,

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
J. Weaver; 1859 (Venango and Sugar Creek), J. Honecker and G. L.
Domer; 1860, G. W. Cupp, J. Q. A. WeUer; 1861-62, S. F. Crowther;
1863-64, E. Beatty; 1865 (Venango and Sugar Creek), C. W. Davis; 1866,
L. M. Boyer; 1867-68, G. W. Brown; 1869, J. Crossman, J. WoodhuU;
1870, L. Schobert, J. WoodhuU; 1871-72, J. D. Domer; 1873, P. W.
Plotts, J. Carmany; 1874-75, J. Garner; 1876-78, A. W. Teats; 1878-79,
I. A. Rholand; 1880, L. H. Hetrick; 1881-82, J. Esch; 1888-85, D. M.
Baumgardner; 1886-88, B. F. FeUt; 1889, J. W. Domer. Dempseytown
circuit also embraces the Dempseytown and Lamey churches.
Zion Evangelical Church (popularly known as Lamey church), was or
ganized in 1863 by Rev. L. M. Boyer. The first class leader was J.
Lamey, and of the original membership, Mr. Lamey and Mrs. Margaret
Masterson are the only ones still in connection with this society. The
church building was dedicated January 24, 1869, by Reverend J. D. Hol-
linger. An organization had been formed in this neighborhood many years
before with William Masterson as leader. This was disbanded before the
present organization came into existence.
Dempseytoivn Baptist Church. — Five members of Breedtown church
formed a society under this name August 19, 1865. Their names were
William and Rachel Prichard, George and James Turner, and F. A. McClin
tock. It was recognized as a separate organization January 12, 1869. The
church edifice was dedicated August 24, 1873. Reverend C. W. Drake was
pastor from 1865 to 1870; Cyrus Shreve, from 1870 to 1874; George M.
Righter, from 1874 to 1877; Joseph M. Ray, from 1877 to 1880; 0. C.
Sherman, from 1880 to 1883; since the latter date Reverend E. F, Crane
has served as supply.
Dempseytoivn Presbyterian Church was organized February 20, 1868,
by Reverends R. Craighead and William Elliott. The church building was
dedicated March 7, 1869, by Reverend W. H. Taylor. Reverends Reaves,
Stewart, Robertson, and Murray have successively served as pastor. Robert
Alexander and William Richey were the first elders.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, three miles from Dempseytown on
the Frauklin road, was dedicated September 26, 1870, by Reverend John
Abbott. It is connected with Cooperstown circuit.
Trinity Evangelical Church, Dempseytown, was dedicated January 4,
1880, by Reverend H. B. Summers.
Extinct Organizations. — A United Brethren church was built in 1858 in
the eastern part of the township. It was sustained for some years by Peter
Bennehoof, but finally removed to Cherry Tree in 1880. A Baptist church
was organized by Reverends Samuel and William Miles at a school house
on the Franklin road prior to 1840.
The First Sunday School in this part of the county was organized in
1827 at a school house on the Franklin road a mile from Dempseytown.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 689
Francis Carter, Jacob Sutley, Henry Herring, Joseph Kean, and John Car
ter were among its active members. It was continued for a time, but ulti
mately gave place to several different schools at various points.

CHAPTER XL.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

Organization and Extent— Pioneers— Borough of Cooperstown— In
habitants IN 1837— Industries— Oil Developments- Secret
AND Other Societies— Municipal Government—
Population— Schools— Churches.

THE contiguous portions of Plum, Oakland, Canal, and Sugar Creek
were formed into the township of Jackson in 1845. It is bounded on
the north by Plum, on the east by Oakland, on the south by Sugar Creek,
on the west by Canal, and on the northwest by Crawford county. Sugar
creek and its various branches drain the whole of its territory. In 1850 the
population was nine hundred and eighty five; in 1870, seven hundred and
twenty; in 1880, seven hundred and eighty-nine.
PIONEERS.
It is matter of definite tradition that Robert Beatty was the first set
tler within the limits of this township and in the valley of Sugar creek from
its mouth to TownviUe, Crawford county. Very little is known concerning
his personal history. He came to this locality from one of the eastem
counties of the state, probably as early as 1796, as his name occurs on the
ledgers of both George Power and Edward Hale prior to 1800. At that
point in the course of Sugar creek where it is crossed by the southern line
of Jackson township the valley of the stream is fully half a mile wide. The
channel of the creek is near the bluffs on the east, leaving a level expanse of
meadows with a gradual slope from the west. At an early date this was
called " the prairie. ' ' It was not covered with a dense forest like the sur
rounding country but merely with a thick growth of underbrush, and was read
ily reduced to cultivation. Here Robert Beatty made his settlement and
lived to the end of his life. He reared four sons: John, Francis, Samuel,
and Robert; and seven daughters: Mary, Nancy, Sarah, Elizabeth, Isabel,
Ann, and 'LUa, John was the father of the Reverend Robert Beatty, a well-

690 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
known minister. In politics Mr. Beatty, Sr., was Democratic. Of Scotch
extraction, he was Presbyterian in his church connection and gave the ground
upon which Sugar Creek church was built. He died May 16, 1823, in the
sixty-third year of his age, and is buried under a clump of trees on the
Shaw farm. On the previous day he had attended the funeral of Mrs. John
W'ilson and is said to have remarked that his own death was likely to occur
soon. Its suddenness created a profound sensation.
William Cooper settled at Cooperstown in 1797. He was probably the
second settler. He was a Revolutionary veteran.
Francis Carter, another veteran of the Revolution, settled on Sugar
creek, below Cooperstown, in 1797. In the following decade he removed
to Oakland, and died at Dempseytown at a very old age.
James McCurdy, also a soldier of the Revolution, came here at an early
date, locating in the valley of the creek, above Beatty. He was well advanced
in years when he came here, John McCurdy, his son, reared a large fam
ily, and inherited the homestead. Other early settlers in this part of the
valley were John McFadden, James Alexander, and Robert Mason.
Samuel Plumer settled in the township in 1800. He was the son of
Nathaniel Plumer, who purchased four hundred acres of land, embracing
part of the site of Mount Washington, one of the wards of Pittsburgh, on
the south side of the Monongahela, and settled thereon in 1789; and grand
son of Jonathan Plumer, a commissary in Braddock's expedition, and quar
termaster of Forbes' army, a native of Newbury, Massachusetts, and de
scendant of Francis Plumer, one of the founders of that town in 1635.
Samuel Plumer returned to Allegheny county in 1810, where his death
occurred in 1820. His widow and family subsequently returned to Venango
county, where she died October 2, 1847. It was during his residence in
Jackson township that the birth of Arnold Plumer occurred. It is worthy
of record in the annals of the township that as a man of such prominence in
local and state affairs, doubtless the most distinguished citizen of the
county, and of commanding influence in the councils of his party in the
commonwealth, was one of the first persons of Caucasian parentage born
within its limits.
The Small family was early represented. The first to locate here,
Samuel Small, was a carpenter by trade, who was born in Ireland, settled
in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and removed to Venango in 1811, with his
wife and children, of whom two were sons, Samuel H. and Moses, and two
daughters, Mary and Jane. The latter removed to the west, but the former
remained upon the paternal tract of three hundred and seventy-five acres.
The Crain family were once a numerous connection. Their progenitor
in this township was William Crain, from eastern Pennsylvania, who had
five sons: George, William, James, John, and Charles. A number of the
family are buried at Sugar Creek churchyard.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 691
WUUam Mcintosh, a soldier of the war of 1812, settled on Sugar creek,
above Cooperstown, at an early date, where ho operated a distillery and
grist mUl. Two living chUdren, A. J. and Mrs. MUHcent Green, are resi
dents of Plum township.
John Bleakley, Sr., died at his residence, in Jackson township, Septem
ber 11, 1869. Bom in Murphy parish. County Tyrone, Ireland, October
23, 1788, he immigrated to America in June, 1819. At the time of his
departure from Murphy parish all its inhabitants, with a single exception,
bore the name of Bleakley.
John Gibbon was one of the earliest settlers on the Lake branch of Sugar
creek. BOROUGH OF COOPERSTOWN.
The confluence of three principal branches of Sugar creek occurs about
four miles from its mouth and very near the geographical center of Jackson
township. In a rolling country such as this the courses of the roads usually
coincide with the streams, and as a consequence the highways of this part
of the county converge toward this point. The growth of a town here is the
natural result of its advantageous location, aided by the energy and enter
prise of its citizens.
William Cooper, from whom the town derives its name, was a veteran
of the Revolution, and in the allotment of lands in the sixth donation dis
trict, secured the tract upon which Cooperstown is situated. He was from
one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania and probably located here in
1797. He had five sons : Samuel, William, John, Philson, and James; and
one daughter, Jane, the wife of Robert Mason. James kept store, but re
moved to Iowa early in the forties ; John was a hatter by trade and William
a blacksmith. W^illiam, Sr. , was born in 1747 and died February 1, 1813,
in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Rachel, his wife, died May 16, 1821, in
her sixty- seventh year. Both are buried in the Methodist churchyard at
Cooperstown. The first person outside of the Cooper family to locate here was Robert
Bradley. He came to the cotmty with his father's family in 1816, and set
tled at Cooperstown in 1824. He was a millwright by trade. He served
one term as county commissioner and was justice of the peace many years.
He died March 23, 1872, at the age of seventy- six.
James Kingsley, a cloth dresser by trade,, was born at Fort Ann, New
York. At CenterviUe, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, he married Louisa,
daughter of Joseph Patton, the founder of that town, and in March, 1827,
removed to Cooperstown, where he established one of the first cloth
dressing establishments in the county.
Edward Sweeny was another of the prominent citizens of the borough
during its early history and until his death. He was bom and reared in
Ireland. It was the intention of his parents to educate him for the priest-

692 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
hood, and with this objeet he attended the Roman Catholic College of May-
nooth, Dublin. His plans did not harmonize with the wishes of his parents
however, and before completing his studies he left the college and embarked
for America. Having arrived at Philadelphia he secured employment as a
bookkeeper. He had friends at Murrinsville, Butler county, and made his
way thither, where he was similarly employed for a short time. He then ob
tained a position in the office of the furnace company at OU Creek, and
while thus engaged purchased a farm near Cooperstown, the present resi
dence of his son. He removed thereon in 1828. Hewas justice of the peace
thirty-five years and frequently served as school director. He was almost
invariably called upon to execute legal documents and enjoyed to a remark
able degree the confidence of the community, of which, being a man of
more than ordinary intelligence and erudition, he was a useful member. Po
litically he was a Democrat.
The population increased slowly, but the place gradually assumed the
proportions of a small village. In 1837 the inhabitants were distributed as
follows: Robert Mason, son of James Mason, a pioneer of Oakland town
ship, and son-in-law of WiUiam Cooper, Sr. , lived in a house onthe Frank
lin road and at the confines of the town in that direction. He was a farmer
and miller and took charge of Cooper's miU after the death of Mrs. Rachel
Cooper. The next house above Mason was a frame building erected by Alexander
McCalmont in which the first store of the place was opened under the man
agement of William W. Shaw. James Cooper succeeded to the business and
was in charge in 1837. He removed to Iowa early in the following decade.
The third house in order from Mason's was the present residence of
Robert Crawford. It was built by John McKinzie, a son of Angus McKin
zie, of Sugar Creek township, who kept the first hotel of the place there.
John Kelly, a retired farmer from Centre county, purchased it in 1837.
John Cooper, a hatter by trade, lived in a frame building on the same
side of Sugar creek and did a fair business.
William Cooper, his brother, was a blacksmith, and lived near the resi
dence of Joseph Hillier. He removed to Erie county in 1837 and sold his
property to David W. S. Cook, from Centre county, who purchased several
mills and at once became a man of local prominence. These were all the
families living on the east side of the creek at that date.
James Cook, brother to David W^. S. , had a tannery on the south side of
Factory street near the creek and bridge and a dwelling house on the same
lot. He was born at Spring Mills, Centre county, January 11, 1798, and
died February 26, 1878.
Proceeding up Franklin street the first house was the dwelling and store
of William W. Shaw, which is still occupied.
The next was Robert Bradley's residence, in the rear of Bradley's store

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 693
building. In partnership with John Fetterman he bought Shaw's store and
was engaged in business many years. They dealt largely in live stock.
On the same side of Franklin street opposite the academy James Kings-
ley had built a large frame building, afterward used as an hotel.
James Foster owned two small houses on the east side of Franklin street,
in one of which he lived, while the other was occupied by William Perrine.
Edward Sweeny lived near the present residence of his son.
Joseph Hillier lived in part of the factory building, and there were a
number of tenements in that vicinity.
Doctor James Williams, a Baptist minister, resided on the west bank of
the creek below the bridge. He was also interested in various business en
terprises in addition to his professional and clerical duties.
About this time an effort was made by Doctor S. Bates and others to
give to the town the name of Pekin. Although it is so referred to in several
legal notices, the name never acquired popular significance.
Industries. — The industries of the town and surrounding country have
been an important factor in its growth and prosperity. The mills for grind
ing flour and sawing lumber were among the earliest in the county. Will
iam Cooper's grist mill was the first on Sugar creek, and was built early in
the present century. It was situated on the east side of the creek just
above the bridge, where a depression in the surface indicates the course of
the mill race. This was originally a small one- story building equipped
with very primitive and meager apparatus, for which improved machinery
was afterward substituted. After Mr. Cooper's death his widow, Mrs.
Rachel Cooper, assumed charge of the property, performing the work about
the mill herself until relieved by her son-in-law, Robert Mason, who had
charge of the business many years.
The Fetterman mill, two miles above Cooperstown, was built by John
Fetterman. It was subsequently owned by Jacob Geist, Arnold Plumer,
and Doctor Robert Crawford, and still later by Samuel McAlevy, afterward
sheriff of Venango county.
Rich, Booth & Hillier built a grist mill at Cooperstown in 1846-47,
which is still in operation. At the lower bridge, a mile and a half from
Cooperstown — Robison built a mill which was owned for a time by David
W. S. Cook. John McKinzie built a mill on the Lake branch early in the
forties, and operated it untU about seven years since, when it was destroyed
by fire. A saw mill on the same stream was owned and operated by Alex
ander Wilson, and performed valuable service in clearing the timber of that
region. Mr. Wilson also had a store and postoffice; the latter was known
as Wilson's Mills but has been discontinued at this point.
There were two distilleries in the vicinity of Cooperstown at an early
date. That of James and Alexander Gordon was on the farm of Doctor
Robert Crawford. A similar establishment, also above Cooperstown in the
vaUey of the creek, was operated by William Mcintosh.

694 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The tannery of James Cook was situated near the creek below the bridge.
It was equipped with vats and a bark mill, and ranked with the most com
plete establishments of its kind in the county. A large business was trans
acted here.
At the time when timber was practically of no commercial value, and
the usual method of disposing of it was to roll the logs together in great
heaps and burn them, the manufacture of saleratus, alkali, and potash
from the ashes thus produced in such abundance was a profitable industry.
There were two asheries in operation in Jackson township. That at
Cooperstown was built by Rushmore Brothers, but passed into the hands of
James Cooper shortly afterward. The other was situated a mile and a
quarter up the Lake branch, and was established by one Oilman.
The Cooperstown woolen mills were the first of any magnitude estab
lished in this county. The original projector was John Rich, of Chatham's
run near Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he also owned
and operated a woolen mill. In 1834 he visited this locality, secured the
location for a mill site, and arranged for the erection of a factory building.
In the following year the mill was placed in operation by Joseph Hillier.
The business has been successively conducted by Rich, Booth & Hillier,
Booth & Hillier, and S. B. Hillier. The plant consists of a frame build
ing sixty feet long and two stories high equipped with all the necessary
appliances of a full one-set mill. The ledgers of fifty years ago are stUl
preserved, and reveal many curious incidents. There is an account with
Hamilton McClintock and others on Oil creek, extending through a series
of years, and showing large purchases of oil at prices ranging from fifty
cents to one dollar a gallon.
The iron industry attained considerable proportions about the year 1850.
There were four furnaces in operation within a radius of four miles of
Cooperstown: Liberty, Texas, Union, and Valley, the latter, however, in
Sugar Creek township. Texas furnace was built and operated by James
Porter from Indiana county. McCalmont & Bush were lessees for a time.
It had a capacity of ten or fifteen tons per day. Motive power for the
blast was derived from Sugar creek; ore was received at different banks in
the neighborhood, and charcoal was obtained without difficulty from the
surrounding forests. Liberty furnace, four miles west of Cooperstown on
Trout run, was built by Reynolds, Lowrie & Company, and Union furnace,
a mile above that borough on the east side of Sugar creek, by Geist &
Williams, who afterward sold the plant to Hughes & Benn, the last pro
prietors. There was also a foundry at Cooperstown where stoves, plow
irons, etc. , were made. Kraemer & Company were proprietors.
The Roll carding mill was built in 1849 by James Kingsley and operated
more than forty years by himself and his family. The buildings and fran
chise have been acquired by A. P. Miles, who has established a planing mill.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 695
This, with J. G. Wagner's flour mill and the woolen mill referred to, con
stitute the only industries of importance in the borough. A creamery was
buUt by a local company in 1888 but burned in August of the following year,
and has not been rebuilt.
Oil Developments. — On the 6th of September, 1860, in removing a frag
ment of steel from their well in Cooperstown, Messrs. Booth & Hillier
struck oil at a depth of two hundi-ed and eighty feet. This was the first
discovery in that part of the county. A light production has been obtained
several miles to the north.
Secret and Other Societies. — A number of organizations of this charac
ter are sustained. Cooperstown Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, organized
March 30, 1874, with thirty members, was the first in Venango county.
The first officers were T. S. Strohecker, M. ; Edward Samuel, O. ; W. H.
Shaw, L. ; Thomas Rodgers, S.; J. G. Bradley, A. S., and W. S. Strohecker.
Company E., Sixteenth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania,
known under the local name of Cooperstown Guards, was organized October
1, 1872, with James S. Gates, captain; R. E. Van Naten, first lieutenant; Dan
iel Jones, second lieutenant, and a full complement of men. Captain Gates
resigned in August, 1878, and was succeeded by R. B. Van Naten, but in
1880 he resumed his former position, retiring in May, 1885, in favor of
Leonard L. Ray, present captain.
Cooperstoivn Lodge, No. 130, A. O. U. TP. , was instituted March 1, 1878.
The first officers were R. S. Haslet, P. M. W. ; F. M. AUison, M. W. ; L. L.
Ray, G. P. ; Thomas Minium, O. ; Thomas L. Shirley, R. , and Charles Keas,
receiver. Venus Union, No. 495, E. A. U., was organized October 26, 1882, with
J. M. Dille, chancellor; Nelson Wilcox, advocate; J. A. Wood, president;
Mrs. N. Wilcox, secretary; L. W. Ranney, accountant, and Washington
Karns, treasurer.
Albert H. Jackson Post, No. 299, G. A. R. , was mustered in January 9,
1883, with the following comrades as members: T. S. Strohecker, A.M. Beaty,
A, Frazier, H. W. Hoffman, R. Blanchard, W. H. Slonaker, G. N. Crodle,
John Gurney, Daniel Jones, J. S. Gates, Nicholas Ribb, J. B. Galbraith,
Jonathan Wygant, R. I. McClellan, David Ray, Joseph Mason, R. Vi. Da
vison, W. G. Hale, George Boughman, L. Shields, John Jackson, R. B.
Rodgers, J. P. Davison, James Mitchell, H. A. Rifenberg, James K. Hays,
L. E. McFadden, John Wygant, George Ghearing, J. Boals, Jr., J. D. Sny
der, A. W. Robertson, S. S. Stearns, P. Hindman, S. D. Hasson, E. Sam
uel, H M. Adams, David GreenwaU, B. K. Bortz, C. H. Moore, D. S.
Sutton, W'illiam McElhaney, J. Poster, Thompson Beatty, Justice Smith,
W. A. McKay, R. E. Van Naten, and G. W. Grove.
Hope Lodge, No. 532, K. & L. of H. , was instituted December 1, 1883.
R. E. Van Naten, W. H. Slonaker, W. J. Bradley, C. W. Karns, 0. W.

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Ranney, Joseph Monnin, and J. W. Gurney were among its first members.
Cooperstown Lodge, No. 956, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 8,
1887, with R. E. Van Naten, N. G. ; H. W. Hoffman, V. G. ; C. W. Karns',
secretary; R. D. Reynolds, assistant secretary, and A. P. WUliams, treas
urer. Municipal Governnient. — Cooperstown was incorporated as a borough
November 25, 1858. The petition was filed on the 28d of August, approved
by the grand jury on the following day, confirmed nisi on the 27th of that
month, and absolutely on the 25th of November. The first election of offi
cers occurred on the third Friday of March, 1859, and resulted in the
choice of J. P. Byers as burgess, and L. W. Ranney, Robert Crawford,
Thomas Kelley, N. Wood, and R. A. Bower, members of council. The
following is a roster of borough officers to date:
1860. — Burgess, Samuel Carpenter; coimcil: L. W. Ranney, W. A.
Holby, W. A. Hale, W. J. Bradley, and Jacob Wood.
1861.— Burgess, L. W. Ranney; councU: W. A. Holby, W. A. Hale, J.
M. Dille, Samuel Bradley, and R. T. Bradley.
1862. — Burgess, D. W. McLane; councU: Samuel Carpenter, Joseph
HUlier, J. M. Dille, D. B. Glenn, and W. J. Booth.
1863. — Burgess, XV. A. Holby; councU: Samuel Bradley, Philip Kerns,
Lewis Lamberton, R. W. Jackson, and J. A. Wood.
1864. — Burgess, Edward Sweeny; council: Robert Crawford, L. W.
Ranney, J. P. Byers, R. Beatty, and Peter Bower.
1865. — Burgess, Lewis Lamberton; council: O. D. Waterman, John
Doyle, Jacob Harvey, W. J. Bradley, and Thomas Minium.
1866. — Burgess, Jacob W^ood; councU: James Kingsley, Joseph McCal
mont, Philson Cooper, T. H. Kelley, and Robert Bradley.
1867. — Burgess, R. A. CusteUo; council: L. L. Proper, D. Ray, L. M-
Hanna, J. Galbraith, and Joseph Beachdel.
1868. — Burgess, William McCauley; council: Philip Karns, Robert
Gregg, Jacob Harvey, A. G. Wilkins, and R. Beatty.
1869. — Burgess, Thomas Minium; council: James Kingsley, G. N. Cro
dle, Jacob Wood, R. Beatty, and Edward Sweeny.
1870. — Burgess, J. R. Crawford; council: J. W. Byers, G. W. DUle,
S. B. Hillier, R. E. VanNaten, and R. D. Reynolds.
1871. — Burgess, N. W. Robertson; council: W. J. Bradley, L. W.
Ranney, WiUiam Crider, W. T. Stevenson, and D. B. Glenn.
1872. — Burgess, A. W. Robertson; council: W. J. Byers, J. H. Wilson,
Joseph Monnin, J. K. Crawford, and W. T. Stevenson.
1873. — Burgess, W. A. Crawford; council: J. H. WUson, Joseph Mon
nin, J. H. Crawford, A. W. Robertson, and J. P. Byers.
1874. — Burgess, R. E. VanNaten; coimcil: Thomas Minium, R. D.
Reynolds, W. J. Byers, G. N. Crodle, D. Jones, and S. B. HiUier.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 697
1875.— Burgess, R. E. VanNaten; council: G. N. Crodle, D. Jones,
Thomas Minium, W. J. Byers, J. S. Gates, and S. B. Hillier.
1876. — Burgess; S. B. Hillier; council: L. P. Proper, James Galbraith,
Edwin Sweeny, James Rodgers, R. Blanchard, and Peter Bower.
1877, —Burgess, S. B. HiUier; council: J. S. Gates, J, W, Byers, T. S.
Minium, G. W. DUle, W. S. Slonaker, and R. E. VanNaten.
1878.— Burgess, S. B. HiUier; councU: T. S. Minium, J. S. Gates,
WiUiam McCauley, J. W. Byers, N. Wilcox, and Jacob Wood.
1879.— Burgess, T. S. Minium; councU: J. W. Byers, W. A. Holby, G.
W, Dille, R. D. Reynolds, L. L. Ray, and J. G. Wagner.
1880. — Burgess, M. B. Ray ; council : R. Blanchard, William McCauley,
G. N. Crodle, A. P. AViUiams, J. P. Byers, and W, J. Bradley.
1881.— Burgess, T, S. Minium; councU: J. W. Byers, G. W. DUle, S.
B. Hillier, H. I. Hanna, C. C. Hillier, Homer Crawford, (and Samuel Whit
man, vice Crawford, resigned.)
1882.— Bui-gess, M.< B. Ray; councU: T. S. Minium, C. C. HiUier, G.
W. Dille, W. J. Byers, H. I. Hanna, and Samuel Whitman.
1883.— Burgess, M. B. Ray; councU: J. G. Wagner, W. J. Bradley, S.
S. Adrian, W. A. Crawford, J. A. Wood, and G. N. Crodle.
1884. — Burgess, T. S. Minium; council: A. P. Williams and J. G. Wag
ner, elected for three years; W. J. Bradley and J. N. Wood, for two years;
R. E. VanNaten and T. M. McClimans, for one year.
1885. — Burgess, Samuel Whitman; council: Samuel Adrian and Jacob
Harvey. 1886. — Burgess, J. S. Gates; council: J. P. Byers andG. W. Dille.
1887. — Burgess, James Minium; council: William Bower and G. N.
Crodle. 1888.— Burgess, J. D. McGaffic; council: A. P. Miles, R. Blanchard,
and J. G. Karns.
1889.— Burgess, R. E. VanNaten; councU: G. W. DiUe and W. J.
Wright. The Population of the borough was two hundred and sixty-four in 1870
and two hundred and ninety -seven in 1880.
SCHOOLS.
The report of the state superintendent of public instruction for 1877
states that Ithiel Dodd was one of the first teachers in this section of the
county. He was a good musician and conducted several singing schools.
He was the father of Levi Dodd, an elder in the Franklin Presbyterian
church more than fifty years, and grandfather of S. C. T. Dodd, general
counsel for the Standard Oil Trust at New York. Among his successors
were Eliza Hamilton, Thomas Benn, Edmund Warner, Misses Patton, Mc
Alevy, and Keys, and William Myers. The Fetterman school house was

698 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
undoubtedly one of the earliest in the valley of Sugar creek. It was
attended by families living beyond the present limits of Jackson township.
The Cooperstown Academy, established by S. S. Briggs and under the
control of a local board of directors, was an institution of high character, and
for a time enjoyed a prosperous career. The buUding was afterward used
for public school purposes. OHUHCHES.
Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest dfenominational
organizations in western Pennsylvania. Doctor Eaton states in his History
of the Presbytery of Erie that it was formed in 1813 or 1814. Among the
original members were Robert Beatty, John McFadden, John Wilson, John
Foster, and John Rodgers, of whom, in all probability, Wilson and Foster
were elders. The earliest records extant begin with the year 1840, when
the elders were John McCurdy, John Foster, and Joseph Bowman. There
were twenty-five members, many having withdrawn' on account of the divis
ion of the Presbytery of Erie. The first election after that event was held
in March, 1842, and resulted in the choice of Joseph A. Gilliland and John
Boal, elders; Alexander McKinzie and James Cooper, deacons. Reverend
Ira Condit, ordained November 8, 1814, served this church as pastor in
connection with Fairfield until December 28, 1825. Reverend Thomas An
derson, ordained September 19, 1826, was pastor until 1837. He resided
near this church and rode seven miles to Franklin and twenty to Concord,
the other places in his charge. Reverend Cyrus Dickson, installed June 24,
1840, was released January 1, 1846; Reverend James Coulter, installed in
September, 1848, was released January 16, 1850; Reverend Robert Glenn,
installed June 18, 1850, was released by death, September 6, 1857; Rev
erend J. D. Howey, installed -September 21, 1859, was released AprU 26,
1865. After this Reverends Lamb, Patton, Reeves, and Stewart successively
served as stated supply; the latter became pastor and was followed by Rev
erend J. R. Robertson. Reverend S. L. Irvine has been supply during the
past year.
Four acres of ground were appropriated by Robert Beatty for church
and burial purposes, and upon this a place of worship was provided within
a few years after the organization, or perhaps before, 1810 having been
assigned by reputable authority as the date. At all events a log buUding
was erected at the upper end of the burying ground. Its interior arrange
ments were characterized by a stern simplicity indicative of a community
not burdened with wealth, individually or collectively. There were slab
benches ingeniously supported by chunks of wood or split legs that pro
truded above, adding nothing to the comfort of the individual who might
be compelled to sit in immediate proximity. The pulpit harmonized with
its general surroundings. On warm summer days the congregation ad-

-'^rv. i ut-'\/\A^,

^'(yu^

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 701
journed to'the graveyard, and disposed themselves beneath the shade of
venerable trees, while the minister preached from a stand erected near the
center of the inclosure.
The second church edifice, of which Mr. Anderson was architect, was
built dtu-ing his incumbency, and stood to the west of the Memorial church.
It was a large frame building and such massive timbers entered into its
construction that it was often irreverently called ' ' God' s barn. ' ' The in
tention was to have had two side and one end gallery, and with this idea
there were two rows of windows, giving the appearance of a two-story build
ing. A door in front and one on each side provided a means of ingress and
egress, but the former was not available, being some distance above the
ground. At a later date extensive repairs were made. The interior was
plastered; the end gallery was constructed; the side doors were closed, and
an embankment made in front so that the people could walk in from that
direction. This is plainly distinguishable and accurately defines the loca
tion of the building described. After continuing as a house of worship many
years this venerable edifice sustained such damage from a severe hail storm
that its removal was decided upon. The place of worship was changed to
Cooperstown and the church at that place, in the erection of which J. P.
Byers, WUliam Foster, Jackson Alexander, and W'. K. Gilliland were act
ively concerned, was dedicated June 26, 1870, Reverends D. Patton and S.
J. M. Eaton, D. D. , officiating.
Cooperstown Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the older organiza
tions of that denomination in the county. As the early records are no
longer in existence it is impossible to give the date of the formation of the
society, but in all probability this occurred in 1836. Joseph Hillier was
the first class leader. Philson Cooper gave the ground for church and
burial purposes, and a frame building was erected thereon in 1837-38. This
was the place of worship until 1883, when the present edifice was built on
ground given by W. J. Byers. The building committee consisted of F. D.
Muse, R. Blanchard, and W. J. Bradley. The extreme dimensions are sixty
and thirty-six feet, with an addition twelve by twenty, and tower one
hundred and four feet high and twelve feet square at the base. The work
of construction was begun in the spring of 1883 and the dedication oc
curred in July, 1885.
The following clergymen have 'been stationed at Cooperstown: 1842,
T. D. Blinn;- 1848, G. P. Reeser; 1844, John Abbott; 1845, I. H. Tackitt;
1846, W. Monks; 1847-48, H. Luce; 1849, I. T. McCleUand; 1850, John
Abbott, E. T. Wheeler; 1851, John Abbott, A. S. Dobbs; 1852-53, E. Hull;
1854, A. KeUer; 1867, J. G. Hawkins; 1868-69, John Abbott; 1870, I. D.
Dariing; 1871, J. B. Wright; 1872, J. Flower; 1873-75, O. Babcock; 1876,
J. A. Hume; 1877-80, S. Fiddler; 1881, John Abbott; 1882-83, J. K. Adams;
1884-85, A. M, Lockwood; 1886-88, C. H. Quick.
39

702 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The Freewill Baptist Church, two miles north of Cooperstown was
built in 1850 upon land given for the purpose by Samuel H. Small. The
organization was formed by Reverend George Collins, May 26, 1835, and
originally numbered the following persons: Jane and Mary Smith, John
Carter, Samuel H. SmaU, William Williams and wife.
Sugar Creek Memorial Presbyterian Church. — A number of the members
of Sugar Creek church were dissatisfied with the removal of the place of
worship to Cooperstown and formed a new organization with William
Boughner and William Andre as elders. A frame church building thirty-
six by forty-eight feet in dimensions, with a spire seventy-two feet high,
was erected by a building committee composed of David Homan, John
Bleakley, and William Bean, and dedicated May 28, 1871, Reverend J. R.
Hunter officiating. The pastoral succession has been the same as at Sugar
Creek church. Wilson Mead and William List constitute the present session.

CHAPTER XLL
PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP.

Topography- Erection and Population— Settlement — Economic Re
sources— Villages— Churches— Schools.
PRESIDENT township is situated in the eastern part of Venango coun
ty and on both sides of the Allegheny river. North of the river the
adjoining townships are AUegheny and Cornplanter; south of the river.
Cranberry and Pinegrove. Pithole creek forms the line of division from
Cornplanter; the other streams on the north are Muskratrun and Stewart's"
run. The principal stream on the south is Hemlock creek, which rises in
Pinegrove and has a rapid current. As elsewhere in its course the river is
here bounded by high hills, and the eurface for several miles inland is
scarcely susceptible of cultivation. There is probably less arable land in
President than any other township in the county. This is abundantly com
pensated by the resources of timber and oil, which are, however, largely un
developed. This township was erected from parts of Pinegrove, Cornplanter, and
Tionesta, April 3, 1850, by act of the legislature. The population in 1870
was six hundred and eighteen, and in 1880, four hundred and sixteen.

PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP. 703
settlement.
The first settler was Patrick McCrea, a native of Ireland, and a member
of the Catholic church. He was a son of Michael McCrea, a captain of
Hght horse in the British army, who was killed at the battle of Brandywine.
Patrick McCrea held a commission in the same service, but having no love
for the English flag he left the army and settled at Richmond, Vir
ginia, where he taught school. He had studied medicine in Ireland, and
was a man of good education. In 1797 he removed to the wilds of western
Pennsylvania and located at what has since become the village of Eagle Rock.
He was the only settler along the river between Franklin and Warren at
that time, and was, no doubt, the first Catholic who settled in Venango
county. The log cabin in which he lived for a while was about eighteen by
twenty feet in dimensions, with clapboard roof and wooden chimney, and was
removed nearly seventy years ago. He also had a log barn, which stood
upon the present site of Hugh McCrea' s house. The cabin was several rods
farther up the river. He secured three hundred and ninety-three acres of
land, but never having been accustomed to work he did not engage in farm
ing to any extent. He never hunted, although game was plenty and deer
often grazed in sight of his door, and never pursued the craft of Izaak W^al-
ton, although the river teemed with fish. He enjoyed the confidence and
friendship of Cornplanter, and often acted as agent for the Indians in dis
posing of their peltries, honey, and bears' grease. As other settlers arrived
he gave them a warm welcome, and was a valued member of this community
until his death.
John Hem-y came into the coimty in 1798, and in 1802 settled on a one
hundred acre tract at Heni-y' s bend. He had quite a large family, none of
whom are now represented in the township. Henry was au Irish Catholic,
and a very worthy, intelligent citizen. In the Spectator of March, 1858, is
found an obituary of Mr. Henry, which proves that he came to Venango
county over ninety years ago, and resided fifty-six years on the farm
whereon he died. His death occurred March 16, 1858, at the ripe old age
of eighty-seven. Other settlers in the vicinity of Eagle Rock were Samuel Rhoads and
Francis Culbertson. Rhoads arrived perhaps as early as 1803. In 1813 or
1814 he sold his property, consisting of one hundred acres of land, to Cul
bertson. The latter was from one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania.
In addition to what he purchased from Rhoads he secured three hundred
acres by virtue of settlement and improvement, and this tract adjoined Mc
Crea. In 1821 Richard WiUiams, from Philadelphia, located at the mouth
of Muskrat run. Alexander McCray and Thomas McCalmont were early
residents on the north side of the river above President.
In the extreme eastern part of the township there was a ferry at an
early date. It was established by Alexander Holeman, just below the island

704 HISTORY OP VENANGO COUNTY.
that bears his name. Prior to this time Patrick McCrea was the ferryman -
two canoes lashed together were made to serve the purpose of a ferry-boat
and in this manner horses were transported across the river. Holeman
opened a road at his private expense from the state road at a point near
Fryburg to the vicinity of Pithole, in order to bring patronage to his ferry,
but his plans were utterly frustrated when the Susquehanna turnpike was
constructed in 1819.
South of the river settlement began rather late and expanded slowly.
Robert Elliott removed from Franklin to a tract of one thousand acres at
the mouth of Hemlock creek. Here he built the first mill in the township.
He was a man of comparative wealth and an influential citizen. His son,
William Elliott, became prothonotary of the county.
economic resources.
In 1854-55 Ralph Clapp built a blast furnace on Hemlock creek about a
mile from its mouth, where the ruins are yet distinguishable. It was about
equal in size and capacity to the majority of similar establishments in the
county. The surrounding country furnished timber for charcoal as well as
the ores from which the product was made, and power for the blast was
derived from the waters of the creek. The period of profitable iron manu
facture in this section was past, however, and within a few years the Presi
dent furnace was banked, never to resume.
The first oil in the township was obtained about two miles above the
mouth of Pithole. The first well drilled began at six hundred barrels per
day, and produced sixty thousand barrels before it was abandoned. Directly
opposite on the Henry farm a very large production was obtained in 1860.
The proprietors were Hussey & McBride. A number of oil companies were
engaged in prospecting in various parts of the township during the follow
ing years, with varying success. At the present time the Clapp tract is
probably the largest undeveloped territory in the oil regions. The Deshner
farm adjoining is the scene of active developments under Standard auspices,
and the product is piped to Oil City by a line recently constructed by the
National Transit Company. The pump station, a mUe from President vU
lage, in charge of T. J. Richards, was placed in operation May 7, 1889.
In August, 1888, the attention of C. C. Joy was called to the, fact that
in the early operations between the years 1860 and 1865, at Walnut Bend,
a considerable number of fairly productive wells was obtained, the largest
of which produced two hundred barrels per day. The prevailing theory at
that time was that oil courses coincided with water courses; hence opera
tions were limited to a comparatively small area along the river, while the
crude methods then in vogue precluded the possibUity of a thorough exhaus
tion of the territory. This knowledge decided Mr. Joy in re-leasing aU the
old territory together with extensive tracts inland aggregating a thousand

PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP. 705
acres, and making such tests thereon as would demonstrate its productive
ness. Five test wells were drilled in the spring of 1889, each of which has
yielded satisfactory returns, thus establishing the productiveness of five hun
dred acres of land, and the correctness of Mr. Joy' s theory with regard to
territory worked over during the early years of the oil industry.
VILLAGES.
President is a straggling village of perhaps a dozen houses at the mouth
of Hemlock creek, opposite President station on the Western New York and
Pennsylvania raUroad. The earliest settlement was made by Robert Elliott,
but the place attained its greatest prosperity while the furnace built by
Robert Clapp was in operation. During the period of lumber rafting it
derived some degree of business activity from that industry. There is a
large hotel built by E. E. Clapp, a store, blacksmith shop, and ferry. A
number of well-constructed roads radiate from the village to different por
tions of Mr. Clapp' s estate.
Eagle Rock is a station on the Western New York and Pennsylvania
railroad. An account of the early settlement of this locality by Patrick
McCrea has been given. The village came into existence during the ex
citement incident to the first developments on Pithole creek and was an
active place during the construction of the railroad. There are now a
store and postoffice and a population of about fifty. In the old McCrea
burying ground, several rods from Hugh McCrea' s house, several of the
pioneer families are represented. This is the oldest burial place in this
part of the county. CHURCHES.
Patrick McCrea and John Henry were Catholics, and often entertained
priests en route from Pittsburgh to the parishes in the upper portion of the
Allegheny valley. Among these was Reverend Francis P. Kenrick, after
ward bishop of Philadelphia and archbishop of Baltimore. After a priest
was stationed at Tionesta they became members of that parish. While the
railroad was undergoing construction, services were held in a small frame
building since removed and never dedicated, but after the population thus
attracted had dispersed these services were discontinued.
Methodist services have been held at President from an early period,
but no particulars regarding the organization of the first class are available.
Ralph Clapp was a local preacher of much eloquence and an active sup
porter of the organization. President circuit embraces a number of preach
ing points, and since its formation in 1861 has had the following appoint
ments: 1861, J. Howe; 1862-63, J. McComb; 1865, N. C. Brown; 1866,
F.Vernon, L. G. MerriU; 1867, R. F. Keeler; 1868, McVey Troy; 1869, S.
Coon; 1870-71, B. MarsteUer; 1872, J. Mechlin; 1873, D. C. Plannett;
1874, A. Wilder; 1875-76, S. L. Wilkinson; 1877, R. M. Felt; 1878, E.

706 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
R. Knapp; 1879, W. J. Barton; 1880, supplied; 1881, W. J. Barton; 1882,
W. E. Frampton; 1883-84, D. A. Platte; 1885-86, W. S. Gearhart;
1887-88, L. W. Showers. SCHOOLS.
Patrick McCrea was an educated man; he taught his children at their
home, and while this was not a school in the general significance of the
term, it was undoubtedly the earliest educational effort in the township.
At a later date there were school houses at Walnut Bend, President, Big
Rock, and on the Culbertson farm, all of which assisted in educating the
youth of the township.

CHAPTER XLII.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP,

Topographical Features — Pioneers — Township Organization — The
Bullion Oil District — Borough of Clintonville — Village
Growth of the Past and Present — Schools— Churches.
OF the three townships of Venango county that border upon the Butler
line, Clinton occupies the middle position. The Allegheny river
forms its northeastern boundary a distance of two or three miles; with this
exception the township lines are regular, the distance from north to south
being seven miles and from east to west a little more than four. Scrub-
grass creek and its numerous branches drain almost the entire area. This
stream rises in Butler county and pursues a general southeasterly course.
Trout and Bullion runs are its principal affluents from the west. The val
ley of this creek is generally narrow and bounded by precipitous hills
covered with pine forests. On the uplands the country is comparatively
level; there is much fine farming land and valuable timber. The creek
derived its name from a variety of coarse grass that once grew along its
banks, but is now rarely seen. It was used in the early homes of this sec
tion to polish spoons, knives, etc., but does not appear to have had any
value for other purposes. pioneers.
The region drained by Scrubgrass creek was settled earlier than any
other portion of the county, with the possible exception of Franklin and its

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 707
immediate vicinity. Following the Allegheny river, the tide of immigra^
tion to this section of the state passed over Butler county and into Venango
without apparent regard for county lines. Here was a stretch of country
well watered, conveniently accessible from the older settlements by a great
water highway, and, judged by the usual criteria, of fairly productive soil.
It is not surprising that the Scrubgrass region should have been improved
earlier than less favored localities in other parts of the county.
Colonel Samuel Dale, deputy surveyor, has left a record of his work, from
which it appears that occupation and improvement, rather than warrant and
purchase, was the more general method of perfecting title with the pio
neers of Scrubgrass. The number of acres in each tract, names of adjoin
ing owners, and date of survey as shown by Dale's notes, were as follows:
Craft Ghost. — Three hundred and seventy acres adjoining lands of John
Phipps, Daniel Wasson, Robert Calvert, and Robert Donaldson; surveyed
November 20, 1800, by virtue of improvement and settlement.
John Phipps. — Three hundred and sixty-one acres, adjoining lands of
Samuel Eakin, Patrick Jack, and Craft Ghost; surveyed November 20,
1800. Four hundi-ed and one acres, adjoining Samuel Eakin, Nathan
Phipps, Craft Ghost, and Patrick Jack; surveyed August 22, 1804. Three
hundi-ed and seventy-six acres, adjoining Patrick Jack, Aaron Austin, Dan
iel Wasson, and William McKee; surveyed March 5, 1807, in pursuance of
warrant granted December 2, 1805.
Patrick Davidson. — Four hundred and twenty-nine acres, adjoining
lands of David McConehey; siu-veyed November 15, 1800, by virtue of
improvement and settlement.
John Witherup. — A large tract at the mouth of Scrubgrass creek,
adjoining lands of Samuel Doty and Aaron Austin; surveyed June 25, 1801,
by virtue of improvement and settlement.
Samuel Eakin. — Three hundred and eighty-five acres, adjoining Aaron
Austin, Wasson & McKee, John Phipps, and Patrick Jack; surveyed May
11, 1803, by virtue of improvement and settlement.
John Kerns. — Four hundred and nine acres, adjoining lands of Thomas
Baird, PhUip Ghost, Patrick McDowell, and Adam Kerns ; surveyed August
23, 1804, in pursuance of warrant bearing date May 31, 1804.
Adams Kerns. — Four hundred and fourteen acres, adjoining lands of
John Craig, Samuel Monjar, John Kerns, Adam Huffman, and John Cubison.
John Vogus. — Four hundred acres, adjoining lands of Philip Ghost,
James Hoffman, Matthew Riddle, and Philip Hoffman, surveyed April 1,
1808, in pursuance of warrant bearing date May 6, 1807.
Patrick Farrelly and John W. Hunter. — Four hundred and twenty-five
acres, adjoining lands of David Phipps, John Phipps, and Robert Donald
son; originally improved by Patrick Jack; surveyed by virtue of settlement
of Stephen Sutton, December 22, 1818.

708 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Patrick Farrelly and Henry Hurst. — Four hundred and twenty-five acres,
adjoining lands of David Phipps, John Phipps, and Robert Donaldson ; sur
veyed January 22, ,1818, in pursuance of warrant bearing date March 24,
1817. Robert Calvert. — Four hundred and three acres, adjoining lands of
WUliam Carter, Matthew Riddle, Robert Donaldson, Daniel Wasson, and
Andrew Allison; surveyed April 27, 1814, in pursuance of warrant dated
February 26, 1814.
Samuel Grimes. — Four hundred and eight acres, adjoining lands of
Patrick Davidson, David McConehey, John McClaran, and Robert Scott;
surveyed March 6, 1807, in pursuance of warrant bearing date September
29, 1806.
The first settlers were Thomas McKee, Matthew Riddle, Thomas Baird,
Robert Calvert, John Vogus, Archibald and Patrick Davidson, and Patrick
McDowell, who arrived in 1796. As the names indicate, they were princi
pally of Irish extraction. Thomas McKee was born in Franklin county
in 1771. He was a surveyor by profession and for the purpose of securing
employment came to Venango county in 1796. He surveyed much of the
land in this county west of the Allegheny river. His own settlement was a
tract of four hundred acres including the site of Clintonville, and some of
it is still in possession of his descendants. He was an enterprising business
man, and was largely interested in the purchase and sale of land. In 1809
he brought the first wagon into the township. He was one of the first
merchants of this locality, built one of the first saw mills, and had extensive
lumber interests. He served as justice of the peace a number of years, and
was one of the first associate judges of the county.
Matthew Riddle, a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland, and a veteran of
the Revolutionary war, came to Venango county as chain bearer for Thomas
McKee. His first acquaintance with Clinton township was made in 1795,
and in the following year he removed his family from Westmoreland county.
He secured a tract of twelve hundred acres, partly in Scrubgrass, and at
his death in 1820 this was divided among his four children: John, Robert,
Annie (Pollock), and Elizabeth. His wife died in 1817. Matthew Riddle,
a grandson, born in 1814, was one of the early teachers.
John Vogus was of German origin. He settled upon land now owned
by William Vogus in 1796. He had one son, Francis, from whom the
present generation of the family is descended.
Archibald and Patrick Davidson, of Irish extraction, came to Venango
county in 1796 from one of the counties east of the mountains and settled
upon two adjoining four hundred acre tracts. The former was married, the
latter not. Patrick, while clearing his land, broke his arm, and during his
convalescence at his brother's house Peter Walters took possession of his
claim; this difficulty was adjusted by the payment of a cow to Davidson.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 709
This land is in possession of William Cunningham's descendants; the other
tract is owned by J. B, Henderson and P. M. HoUister.
Thomas Baird was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He crossed
the mountains and eventually found his way into Clinton township in 1796.
He was a member of a company that marched from this locality to the de
fense of Erie in the war of 1812. IJor many years he served as justice of
the peace.
Robert Calvert was from the Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county. He
accompanied Matthew Riddle in 1795, but did not remove his family until
the following year. The larger part of the land ho secured is still owned by
his descendants.
John Phipps, a relative of Sir William Phipps, whose career was identi
fied with the early colonial history of Maine and Massachusetts, was a resi
dent of Chester county, Pennsylvania, later of Westmoreland, and in 1797
settled upon a four hundred acre tract in this township, where he experi
enced all the hardships incident to early settlement in a new country. He
married Catharine Haney of Westmoreland county, and reared a family of
ten children to maturity. David Phipps, bom in 1793, was the proprietor
of a furnace, grist, saw, and woolen mills, and in other ways an active busi
ness man. He was a Democrat and stood high in the councils of his party,
receiving the nomination for congress, and serving as associate judge at
the time of his death in 1857. Samuel Phipps, born in 1795, was likewise
prominent in local political circles, and was elected sheriff in 1844. John
Phipps, born in 1806, was justice of the peace a number of years, and the
remaining members of the family were all usefiU citizens in the various
avocations of life. This family is yet numerously represented among the
progressive citizens of the county.
Patrick Coulter, a native of County Derry, Ireland, settled in Clinton,
then Scrubgrass township, at an early date. John Coulter, his son, born in
1797, was educated as a physician and was one of the earliest practitioners
in this part of the county. He was also engaged in farming.
Major Philip Ghost, a veteran of the Revolutionary war, removed from
Westmoreland county in 1798 and located upon the farm now owned by
Ghost Hoffman. He was a German by birth and married Barbara Kelt,
of Lancaster county. They were the parents of eight children. Craft
Ghost, born in Westmoreland county, was a iniller by occupation. Being
a man of comparatively good education he taught in the early schools.
Later in Ufe he was a farmer.
John Witherup was a native of England, probably the only one among
the pioneers of the Scrubgrass region. He first emigrated to New Jersey
and then to Philadelphia. Subsequently he removed to Pittsburgh, making
frequently journeys between the two points as a wagoner engaged in the
the transportation of freight across the mountains. He was also engaged

710 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in the lumber business while at Pittsburgh, and furnished under contract
building materials for the first court house of Allegheny county. He him
self hewed the first stick of timber placed in position in that structure, an
incident he was wont to relate with pride. He settled at the mouth of
Scrubgrass creek in 1800. Here he built the first grist mill in Clinton
township and engaged in farming, miUing, and lumbering. He was elected
first sheriff of Venango county in 1805, and was also justice of the peace a
number of years. During the war of 1812 his son. Captain Abraham With
erup, led a company to the defense of Erie. The wife of John Witherup
was Mary Brockingham, also a native of England, and they reared a family
of six children. He died in 1843.
John Hovis, the first of that family in Clinton township, was a son of
John Theodore Hofius, a native of Prussia, whose first settlement in Penn
sylvania was in Bedford county. Thence he removed successively to Wash
ington and Mercer, locating near the borough of Sharpsville in the latter
county in 1800. He died eight years later at an advanced age. John
Hovis' settlement was made upon the land now owned by David Hovis. He
married Susanna Cogan, of Bedford county, and was the father of eleven
children. He was one of the early constables of the township.
Alexander Porter, son of one of the pioneers of Washington county, lo
cated upon the land now owned by Samuel and Thomas Porter, his grand
sons, at the time when Clinton was a very sparsely settled region. His de
scendants claim he came to this county in 1798. Here he was the first
blacksmith, and pursued his trade under a variety of difficulties. It is re
lated that an iron wedge driven into a stump was made to do service as an
anvil, a piece of an old ax was used as a hammer, and the bark of trees was
utilized as fuel. Iron was brought from the furnaces of Huntingdon county
on pack horses.
James Hoffman, born of German parentage in 1778, removed from
Westmoreland county to Venango in 1797. The land upon which he made
his first improvements is now owned by Andrew Hoffman. He was a wagon
maker by trade. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Ghost, daughter
of Major Philip Ghost, and they were the parents of a large family.
John McClaran was a native of Westmoreland county. His first resi
dence in Venango was in Irwin township, but about 1800 he removed to
Clinton and settled upon the land where his daughter, Mrs. Mary Major,
lives. He married Martha Dovison and was the father of six children. He
was a school teacher and an early magistrate.
Benjamin Williams was one of the first settlers along the river above
the mouth of Scrubgrass creek. He came from Northumberland county in
1803, bringing with him a large family. He lived here until his death,
which occurred on his seventieth birthday.
During the first years of their residence here the settlers were obliged to

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 711
carry their wheat to Westmoreland county in order to have it ground. The
first mill on Scrubgrass creek was built by John Witherup near its mouth.
Craft Ghost built the second where the road from Clintonville to Mercer
crosses that stream. James Hughes had a mill below Kennerdell and opened
the ffi-st store in the township here in 1820. About 1834 James Perry built
what was afterward known as the Crawford mill. Where William Daugh
erty now lives, John Phipps had a tannery at an early date, and Jacob
Sowash was engaged in the same business a mile and a half from Clinton
ville. The various enterprises of David Phipps at Kennerdell, and William
Cross at Janestown, are mentioned in connection with those villages.
township organization.
January 28, 1854, upon petition of citizens of Scrubgrass and Irwin, John
Adams, J. D. McWilliams, and C. Heydrick were appointed commissioners
to prepare a draft of a proposed new township to be erected from their ad
joining portions, and report upon the advisability of its erection. At the
following term of court a remonstrance was filed, and at October sessions
the report submitted by the commissioners was set aside. At December
term the same commissioners were reappointed; but not having made any
report, at January sessions, 1855, C. Heydrick, Matthew L. Whann, and
John McElphatine were appointed in their stead. They filed a report at
April sessions, with a plat of the new township, which was approved by the
court and its organization forthwith ordered. The first election was held at
the houses of Robert Cross and Thomas Hoge, with David Phipps as judge,
William Atwell and Richard Surrena, inspectors.
The population in 1870 was nine hundred and one; in 1880, one thou
sand seven hundred and fifty-two.
the bullion oil ¦ DISTRICT.
The first drilling for oil in Clinton township was done in 1864-65 on
the Kennerdell property by the Big Bend Oil Company, the members of
which were Philadelphians. They obtained oil but not in paying quanti
ties. Several years later a farmers' company drilled a well half a mile east
of the Gealy farm, meeting with no success whatever. The first productive
weU was di-Uled in 1867 at the mouth of Scrubgrass creek on the Witherup
farm. In 1871 Jonathan Watson drilled two wells on the Kennerdell prop
erty and a third was drilled by Prentiss & King on the Aiken farm, with -
no returns whatever. About the year 1875 a farmers' company drilled on
the land of S. Simcox; the result was a gas well of heavy pressure. Phillips
& Dean drilled on the Coulter farm in 1876, and there was various other ~
unprofitable prospecting east of Scrubgrass creek, but the honor of opening
the famous Bullion district was reserved for John Taylor and Robert Cun-
dle, two drillers of small means but large perseverance. August 9, 1876,

712 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
they struck oil on the farm of George W. Gealy, and their well began to
flow at the rate of one hundred and fifty barrels per day. Phillips Brothers
bought the well as soon as it was completed, and from that date their opera
tions in the Bullion district were quite extensive. They leased the Simcox
farm on the west and the Berringer farm on the south. The Sutton farm was
leased by Frank Nesbit and the Henderson farm by Crawford, Mitchell &
Company. Thirty acres of the Taylor farm were sold in fee to Isaac Dean
for Shirley, Tack & Company for ten thousand five hundred dollars, and fif
teen acres of the same tract were leased by Porter Phipps. The latter sub
sequently passed to Brownson & Emerson, who struck a seven hundred bar
rel well and paid Taylor sixteen thousand dollars for his royalty in the
fifteen acres.
In the spring of 1877 developments were pushed with energy on these
farms, and rapidly extended to the Plumer, Crawford, Newton, and other
adjacent tracts. November 19, 1876, there had been three producing wells
— Gealy No. 1, producing one hundred and fifty barrels; Phillips No. 3,
flowing four hundred barrels ; Nesbit, one hundred and fifty. January 14,
1877, the Brownson & Emerson well started at one hundred barrels; on the
26th instant it stopped flowing, and then began again at the rate of twenty-
five barrels an hour. January 30th the Nesbit No. 2 flowed five hundred
barrels. February 8th the Galloway well began at two hundred and twenty-
five barrels, and on the 14th of that month the daily production of the dis
trict was estimated at one thousand barrels. June 7th the McCalmont Oil
Company' s Newton No. 4 ' ' Big Medicine ' ' began at one thousand barrels,
biit declined rapidly to four hundred. June 18th Mitchell Lee & Company's
"Big Injun" began at the rate of thirty-five hundred barrels, and flowed
three thousand barrels the first day. August 2nd the McCalmont No. 31,
started at one thousand barrels, and on the 30th of that month Phillips
Brothers' No. 7, on the Crawford farm, began at the same rate. These were
the most notable wells in the district.
The production from the Gealy well was hauled to Scrubgrass station
for the first few days, until connection could be made with the United Pipe
Lines. The lines from the Butler field to Raymilton station on the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern railroad had been opened in August, 1873,
with a pump station a mile west of ClintonviUe on the Mercer road. This
line was abandoned in 1878. A pump station has been established at Ken
nerdell and is in charge of William McKee. The Bullion district has an
extreme length of seven miles and the width does not exceed three-eighths
of a mile. The number of producing wells is about one hundred and
twenty, and the monthly production ranges from eight to nine thousand
barrels. During the time that the excitement was at its height a raUroad was
constructed from Kennerdell station to Kennerdell, a distance of two miles

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 718
up the valley of Scrubgrass creek, and a bridge was built over the Alle
gheny river. Rolling stock was provided by tho AUegheny Valley Rail
road Company. After being in operation about two years the railroad was
abandoned, and the bridge was converted into a wagon bridge. It was
subsequently destroyed by an ice flood, which thus left Clinton township as
far away from railroad communication as it had been before. It is to be
regretted that the railroad was not constructed to some point in the She
nango valley, as was originally designed.
borough of clintonville.
This borough, the business metropolis of the township and of the south
western part of the county, is situated on an elevated location in the midst
of a fine agricultural region, nine miles from Emlenton and six miles from
Kennerdell, a station on the Allegheny Valley railroad.
The first house was built by John Atwell, a gunsmith, and is still stand
ing on the corner of Emlenton and Butler streets. He was also a black
smith and had a shop on the opposite side of Franklin street. In 1833
William Cross and James Perry opened a store in a frame building on the
corner of Franklin and Mercer streets. This was the first store, and the
family of James Perry, who had charge and lived in this house, was the
second in the village. The third house, in 1835, was the "Lumberman's
Eddy," a large log building on Butler street kept as a hotel by Andrew
Irwin. At the latter date the corner of Franklin and Emlenton streets
was covered with a fine growth of timber. There was considerable travel
to and from Pittsbm-gh, the road through the village being known as the
"graded road," in distinction from the pike, and the two converged near
Harrisville in Butler county. The former was preferred by lumbermen on
their return trips from Pittsburgh. On the journey down, being constantly
in the water, their feet became so tender that it was impossible for them to
wear shoes; and old residents relate how they would walk into Irwin's hotel,
their stockings torn and their feet bleeding. Indians ft-om the Cornplanter
reservation occasionally patronized the " Eddy."
From three houses in 1835 the cross-roads hamlet had grown to the
proportions of a modest village in 1843. W^illiam Cross had enlarged the
house previously occupied by Perry; it was then fifty-nine feet long and has
since been incorporated in the Clinton hotel building. The rear was occu
pied by Cross as a residence, while Charles Lacy Cochran kept hotel at the
corner of Franklin and Mercer streets. Adjoining the portion of the house
that he occupied Cross had a large general store. Atwell had been succeeded <
by James Canan, whose business was gunsmithing, tinkering, etc, William
Weakley, a hatter by trade, lived in a frame house above Cross' store. On
the west side of Butler street where Major R. J. Phipps' brick buUding
stands there was a frame house owned by Robert Campbell and occupied by

714 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Jackson McMillan, the first physician of the place. Some distance farther
down on the same side of the street Robert Cross lived in a frame house.
James McKinley had built a small frame house on the north side of Mercer
street for his sister, a maiden lady. The ilethodist and Presbyterian
churches evidenced the religious activities of the community.
In 1 866 on Franklin street there were the residences of Thomas McKee,
Doctor -James Foster, A. F. HoUister, Squire John Hovis, and John Shaffer;
S. Thorn's hotel and bam, and a large stable built by William Phipps.
Doctor J. B. McMillan lived at the comer of Emlenton and Butler, and on
the east side of the latter the only other buildings were the house and shop
of John P. Hovis, blacksmith. On the west side at the corner of Mercer
street, stood an abandoned storehouse ; adjoining this on the south was Judge
Robert Cross' store building, the first brick building in the town, and the
only residents on this street were Judge Cross and A. D. Williams, shoe
maker, Joseph Kinder, shoemaker, lived in what is now the Methodist par
sonage on Mercer street; the other residents on Mercer were E. P. Newton,
George McKinley, blacksmith, and Samuel Foreman, shoemaker. The
three religious denominations at present represented had each a church
building, and Jane's Union Academy was in the midst of its usefulness.
The merchants prior to 1850 were William Cross, James Perry, WiUiam
7 Russell, Joseph Aiken, and Thomas McKee. Robert Cross, the first post
master, was in business almost continuously nearly forty years, and Thomas
McKee is stUl engaged in merchandising where he began in 1846. At the
present time there are two large general stores, a drug store, grocery, etc.
A large steam miU is in process of erection. The town has had telegraphic
communication with the outside world since 1873. During the Bullion
excitement it received some additions in population, but has remained prac
tically stationary since that time. The population in 1880 was three hun
dred and thirty-nine.
The Clinton Bank opened in June, 1877, with a capital of fifty thousand
dollars. The original projectors of this institution were R. L. Cochran, C.
W. GilfiUan, A. F. HoUister, D. C. McKee, and Thomas McKee. The
latter has been sole proprietor since 1883. Joseph H. Kerr was cashier
fi-om the organization until 1886. P. P. McKee is the present incumbent
of that position.
Clintonville Lodge, No. 774, I. O. O. F., received its charter under the
date of May 18, 1873. The first officers were as follows: Joseph Carl, N.
G. ; W. P. McKee, V. G. ; A. D. WiUiams, secretary; J. T. Hovis, A. S.,
and WiUiam Cross, treasurer.
Horton Lodge, No. 470, Knights and Ladies of Honor, was organized
January 20, 1882, with forty-nine members, of whom the foUowing were
officers: W. V. Hardman, P. P. ; W. P. McKee, P. ; Mrs. W. V. Hardman, V.
P. ; R. J. Phipps, secretary; J. H. Kerr, F. S. ; Robert Vanderlin, treasurer.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 715
John M. Phipps Post, No. 427, G. A. R., was mustered April 22, 1884,
by a detail from Mays post, Franklin, with the following officers and mem
bers: A, L. Sweetapple, commander; J. A. Porter, S. V. P. ; J. B. Greer,
J. V. P.; D. W. Ault, adjutant; H. J. McGiU, Q. M. ; D. A. Stevens,
chaplain; J. H. Monjar, Levi Porter, T. B. Hoffman, John Dillinger,
Richard M. Hovis, Joseph Blakeley, John B. Shaffer, Bli Hovis, W. C.
Phipps, William Smith, A. M. Jones, A. J. Eddinger, Burton Jones, and
B. J. Phipps. Past commanders: A. L. Sweetapple, J. A, Porter, J. B.
Greer, W. C. Phipps, and D. AV. Ault.
Borough Government. — Clintonville was incorporated January 28, 1878,
by decree of court, and its organization ordered to take place on the third
Tuesday in April following. At this election J. G. Calvert was appointed
to act as judge, EU Hovis and Bli Vanderlin, inspectors. The following is
a list of borough officials to the present time:
1878.— Burgess, J. H. KeUey; councU: W. C. Cross, J. C. Nutt, J. B.
McMiUan, T. J. Robinson, A. D. Crone, Edwin Heath.
1879.— Burgess, R. J. Phipps; councU: D. C. McKee, K. M. Hoffman,
W. V. Hardman, A. P. HoUister, O. B. Cross, John L. Seaton.
1880.— Bm-gess, R. J. Phipps; councU: D. C. McKee, W. V. Hard-
man, A. P. Thorn, J. A. Bonnor, R. Vanderlin, J. H. Kelley.
1881.— Burgess, J. H. Kerr; councU: A. F. HoUister, K. M. Hoffman,
W. V. Hardman, C. P. McKee, W. H. Gilbert, J. B. McMillan.
1882.— Burgess, W. P. McKee; councU: J. H. Seaton, J. B. McMUlan,
G. W. Brock, George McKinley, J. M. McKee, J. H. Kelley.
1883.— Burgess, W. P. McKee, councU: D. C. McKee, R. VanderUn,
G, ^W. Karr, D. V. Eakin, Henry Pick, O. B. Cross.
1884. — Burgess, D. V. Eakin; council: J. A. Breckenridge, J. H. Kerr,
J, A. McKee, G. W. Brock, W. N. Thorn, J. M. McKee.
1885.— Burgess, J. M. McKee; councU: J. C. Nutt, C. M. Riddle, J.
H. Kerr, G. W. Brock, J. A. Breckenridge, J. McKee.
1886. — Burgess, J. A. Breckenridge; council: J. H. Kerr, J. A. McKee,
C. M. Riddle, J. C. Nutt, P. M. HoUister, ^Y. N. Thorn.
1887.— Burgess, J. T. Hovis; councU: C. M. Riddle, J. C. Nutt, P. M.
HoUister, W. N, Thorn, A. F. HoUister, A. D. Williams.
1888.— Burgess, J. T. Hovis; councU: W. N. Thorn, J. H. Seaton, A.
P. HoUister, J. W. HUliard, K. M. Hovis, W. J. Hovis.
1889.— Burgess, J. T. Hovis; council: K. M. Hoffman, C. N. Black,
C. M. Riddle, K. M. Hovis, W. N. Thorn, W. J. Hovis.
villages of the PAST AND PRESENT.
John Anderson buUt the first fm-nace in the township in 1824 on Big
Scrubgrass creek a mile above Kennerdell. He was from Juniata county
and an experienced iron master. Ore was obtained from the surrounding

716 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
hills and the neighboring forests furnished charcoal. He sold the property
to David Phipps in 1885 by whom the furnace was banked in 1847-48. There
was a village of a score or more houses here and a large store. From an
old file dated 1835 it appears that Phipps & Clapps were associated in the
iron business, employing forty operatives; the place was called Phipps'
Mills, and David Phipps was postmaster. Not only metal for the Pitts
burgh market, but stoves, pots, pans, kettles, etc., were manufactured by
them to meet the necessities of the growing population.
Kennerdell is situated at a romantic spot in the valley of Scrubgrass, two
miles from the station of that name on the Allegheny VaUey railroad. This
has been the scene of milling operations from an early period in the history
of the township. In 1812 David Phipps built a grist mill on the south side
of the creek where a similar establishment of modern appearance and appli
ances is now in operation. This was a log building; the machinery was rude
and imperfect, but it served its purpose and proved a source of convenience
to the community and of profit to the proprietor. He also built a saw mill
farther down the creek.
The first woolen factory built by David Phipps was furnished with card
ing and spinning machines, looms, and all the necessary appliances for the
manufacture of flannels, cloths, blankets, shawls, carpets, etc., with a full
ing mill, dye house, and oil mill connected. The machinery for this exten
sive plant was brought from Philadelphia at great expense and no little
labor, when everything had to be transported in wagons. The operatives
were principally from England. A disastrous fire swept the place and in
one night destroyed this most important of all the industries ever planted
on Scrubgrass. This was a loss financially from which Mr. Phipps never
fully recovered.
In 1853 the property was purchased by Richard Kennerdell, a native of
Lancashire, England, where he was born March 19, 1817. He came to
America at the age of nine years and passed his boyhood in Philadelphia.
In 1837 he removed to Pittsburgh, and thence, in the same year, to Arm
strong county, where he remained seven years. In 1844 he located at
Agnew's Mills, Richland township, and in 1858 at the village that bears
his name. Here he built a large woolen mill, and was actively engaged in
business until his death. The mills have not been in operation for several
years and it is doubtful whether the old time activity of the place will ever
return. William Cassidy, a native of Westmoreland county, came to Scrubgrass
about 1828, and was employed at Phipps' MiUs. In 1828 he removed to
Clinton township, and built a pottery on the land now owned by S. Simcox.
For a number of years red ware for domestic purposes was manufactured
here. The morus nigra, a species of the mulberry tree, native of the soU and

* CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 719
abundant in that region, suggested silk culture, and the infant industry was
planted by an enterprising gentleman named Waite, not far from the pres
ent home of Alexander Witherup' s heirs. An orchard of the morus alba,
planted by Mr. Waite, was an object of interest to the citizens for several
years, but the owner failed to realize the success he deserved.
John Welton Post, No. 460, G. A. R., of Kennerdell, was mustered in
September, 1884, with nineteen members, of whom the following were the
principal officers: Edward Heath, commander; Porter Phipps, S. V. P. ; 
Lyons, J. V. P. ; William Ashton, adjutant; C. R. Coulter, Q. M.
Janestown was so named by William Cross, in honor of his wife, Jane
Weakley, daughter of Robert Weakley, of Butler county. William Cross was
one of the enterprising men of the county, and during the prosperous period
of the iron industry, one of its wealthy citizens. He removed from Center
ville, Butler county, to Franklin in 1831, and within the next twenty years
placed six furnaces in operation in this county, two of which were in this
township. He came to Clintonville in 1835. This region was then heavily
timbered; there were deposits of ore accessible at comparatively slight
expense, while the water power of Scrubgrass creek was scarcely utilized at
all. The mill built by Craft Ghost, on its west branch, was still in opera
tion, and this, with several hundred acres of land, was purchased by Mr.
Cross. He built a frame mill, with two sets of buhrs, a mile west of Clinton-
vUle, where the Mercer road crosses Scrubgrass creek, in 1837. A race was
built to the dam at Ghost's mill, a mile and a half distant. It was a marvel
of engineering skill; the region through which it passed is wild and rocky,
and in many places the channel was constructed at great labor and expense.
When completed it provided a fall of fifty feet, sufficient to furnish motive
power for a grist mill, saw mill, foundry, carding mill, and blast furnace.
The foundry was on the north side of the road. Here hollow-ware, plows,
potash kettles, stoves, etc. , were made, and sold in the surrounding country.
In 1840 a carding mill was built, farther down the creek. There were two
carding machines, and here wool was prepared for domestic manufacture.
A little later a tannery was built on the east side of the creek; there were
also a furniture factory, blacksmith and tailor shops. Patrick Thornbury
and William Baird were in charge of the foundry; James and Andrew
Russell were cabinet makers; Isaac Miles was the tanner; William Atwell,
the blacksmith; and George Jack, the tailor; James Weakley had charge of
the carding mill.
The construction of Jane furnace was begun in 1840. It was built of
stone; the cupola was thirty-five feet high with a bosh diameter of seven
feet. It was first put in blast November 7, 1842. Like all furnaces of
that day, the cold blast was in use and charcoal was used as fuel. Charcoal
burning thereupon became an important industry. Wood choppers received
from forty to fifty cents per cord, and colliers from two dollars and a half

720 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNT^^
to two dollars and seventy- five cents per hundred bushels, after deducting
the cost of the wood. The metal was hauled to the mouth of Scrubgi-ass at
a cost of one dollar and a half to two dollars per ton, and shipped to
Pittsburgh by flat boat, for which one dollar per ton was charged. The
cost of ore ranged from two dollars and a half to three dollars and a quar
ter per ton. The best limestone ore was obtained at the Buchanan bank
in Butler county, ten miles distant. There were about fifteen houses oc
cupied by the furnace operatives, who received from sixteen to forty dollars
per month. Jane furnace blew out in 1859, but before that date the tan
nery, foundry, etc., had successively fallen into disuse. Scarcely anything
remains to mark the site of this village, once the scene of prosperous activ
ity. The course of the mill race may still be traced, and the old mill is
standing, but Janestown is not even a " Deserted Village; " it has entirely
disappeared. In this connection it may be proper to mention Bullion furnace, built a
little earlier than that at Janestown, and about equal to it in size and capa
city. AVilliam Cross, the proprietor, owned fourteen hundred acres of land
in the vicinity. There was a store, and houses to accommodate thirty oper
atives. This furnace also blew out in 1859. Its location was on Bullion
run, a mile and a half from the mouth of Scrubgrass.
Summit City was a flourishing town during the excitement incident to
early developments in the Bullion field. It was located on the farm of S.
Simcox, three miles from Kennerdell. The first house was built December
8, 1876, and in June of the following year there were one hundred and
eighty buildings and a promiscuous population of one thousand. There
were banks, hotels, stores of every description, and the usual features of an
oil town during the first month of its history. As the excitement subsided
the population withdrew to other points, and within a very few years the
city was practically deserted. The last inhabitant, Abram Myers, removed
in AprU, 1889.
Berringer City and Dean City, the former on the Berringer, the latter on
tbe McCalmont farm, had a history similar to that of Summit. The former
comprises a few houses and maintains a grocery store; the latter has entirely
disappeared. SCHOOLS.
The first school house, a log building, stood on the farm of John
Witherup, and John McClaran was the first teacher. Among other early
school houses was a frame building on the farm of Craft Ghost, known as
Christy's school, which was not finally demolished until 1888. John and
James Kimes, Eliza Phipps (afterward Mrs. A. G. Egbert), and Lavinia
Hackett taught here. Doctor B. H. Geibner of Sandy Lake, George A.
Allen of Erie, Frank W. Adams, J. D. Chadwick of Franklin, BeUe Cross,
a Quaker gentleman named Ray, and others taught here and in the school

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 721
house afterward erected on the farm of David Phipps in the same district.
On the farm of Richard Surrena, now the laml of Sylvester Baker, there
was a school house fairly well built for that time, which was accidentally
burned one night after spelling school. Chauncey Hamilton and Miss
Rebecca Devoe taught here between the years 1821 and 1825. The Riddle
school was on the main road to Emlenton at the cross-roads near the ceme
tery. It was taught by Jane Riggs, Ann Leason, Joseph Eakin, Matthew
Riddle, James Riddle, and others. A commodious building for school and
church purposes was erected immediately after the furnace was built by
John Anderson, at Scrubgrass, as early perhaps as 1824 or '25. Excellent
teachers were employed for this pioneer school. Miss Rebecca Devoe (after
ward Mrs. Eli Phipps), Mr. McGoldrick, Calvin Waite, Reverend David Law,
Alexander F. Stevenson, Elizabeth Whann (afterward Mrs. Joseph Phipps),
Ann Kilpatrick (afterward Mrs. John Pollock), Mr. Hayden, and others,
whose influences for good still permeate the hearts and lives of those upon
whom they were thus impressed.
There was also an early school house on the land of S. Simcox, known as
the Foster school; and another a mile from the Butler line, known as the
Scott school. In 1856 the township was redistricted and the buildings
previously in use were abandoned. The number of districts has increased
from six at that time to ten at present. Local educational work received
an impetus in 1855, in the erection of Jane's Union Academy at Clinton-
vUle, by Mr. and Mrs. William Cross. McLain Cross, W. H. H. Kennedy,
Thomas Seaton, George A. AUen, E. Pollock, J. R. DonneUy, Frank W.
Adams, Mrs. A. G. Egbert, and WUliam Cross, were among those who taught
here. This buUding occupied the site of the borough school building.
CHURCHES.
The buUding erected at the Anderson furnace was one of the earliest
places of religious worship in the township. Episcopalian service was con
ducted by Reverend Hilton, a worthy clergyman who came from Butler
at stated intervals to minister to the spiritual wants of the villagers and
residents near. When David Phipps purchased the furnace in 1835, the
Cumberland Presbyterian doctrine was dispensed by Reverends Joseph
Gardner, Da-vid Law, and Carl Moore, and by Jacob Wall in later years.
Reverend Cyrus Riggs, Presbyterian; Reverend Pollock, Seceder; occasion
ally a Methodist brother, and once a Mormon, were permitted to occupy
that sacred pulpit.
The Methodist Church of Clintonville was organized in 1828. One ac
count states that James Hughes was the first class leader, while another
gives that honor to Jacob Hovis. The first church edifice was erected in
1828, and the present place of worship in 1852. C. W. Ghost, S. B.
Hoffman, W. J. Hovis, R. Vanderlin, J. T. Hovis, C. W. Hovis, and J. B.

722 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
McMillan, are the present trustees. The following pastors have been ap
pointed to ClintonvUle circuit since its organization: 1841, S. Leach; 1842,
I. Mershon, A. M. Reed; 1843, A. L. MiUer, J, K. Coxson; 1844, S. W.
Ingraham, J, Van Horn; 1845, J. Van Horn, I. Hildebrand; 1846, G. P.
Reeser, D. King; ,1847, G. F. Reeser, W. M. McCormick; 1848, E, Hull,
H. M. Chamberlain; 1849, S. Baird, E. HuU; 1850, J. Wrigglesworth, J.
Stocking; 1851, D. M. Stever, J. S. Lytle; 1852, J. G. Thompson; 1854,
J. Howe; 1856, H. Luce; 1857, J. McComb, S. S. Nye; 1858, J, Mc
Comb; 1859, 0. W. Bear; 1860, W. R. Johnson, C. W. Bear; 1861, R.
B. Boyd, S. K. Paden; 1862, R. B. Boyd; 1864, G. Moore, S. Hubbard;
1865-66, A. H. Domer; 1867, C. Wilson; 1868, D. W. Wampler; 1869-70,
J. W. Groves; 1871-72, E. Bennett; 1873-74, C. Peters; 1875-77, J, L.
Strattan; 1878-80, J. Lusher; 1881-82, A. O. Stone; 1883-85, W. Bran-
field; 1886-88, J, A. Hume.
The Presbyterian Church of Clintonville is one of a number of organiza
tions formed within the original bounds of Scrubgrass church. October 6,
1840, a petition was presented to Butler Presbytery for the organization of
a church at Clintonville. After various delays Reverends Robert B. Walker
and John R. Agnew were appointed to this service and directed to meet at
Clintonville on the second Tuesday of February, 1841. Although there is
no record of the committee's report this was doubtless the date of organiza
tion. There were about twelve members, of whom Thomas McKee, Sr. , and
William Christy were elders. The present session is constituted as follows:
Thomas McKee, D. C. McKee, A. F. HoUister, Porter Phipps, John Kimes,
and James Scott. James Baird, Robert Cross, Joseph Cummings, John
Kilpatrick, and R. J. Phipps have also served as elders.
Music was always esteemed an important part of the sacred service in
this old church; accordingly William Christy and William P. McKee were
selected as most capable to lead the congregation in singing, the former pos
sessing a remarkably fine bass voice, and the latter well able to sustain his
part in either soprano or tenor as the melody required. Standing in front
of the tall pulpit, giving emphasis with an up and down beat of their riding
whip or a rod cut from one of the forest trees then standing near the church,
they led the people triumphantly to " Jordan's stormy banks," "o'er Pis-
gahs lofty heights," until some solemn occasion demanded "Hark! from the
tombs. ' '
The pastoral succession is as follows: John Moore, 1847-49; John V.
Miller, 1851-59; James Coulter, 1861-64; T. B. Van Eman, 1868-73; John
P. Barbor, 1874-79; Samuel M. Glenn, 1880-85; and WiUiam M. Hays, in
stalled July 27, 1886. The Sunday school was organized in 1844 and WUl
iam S. Russell was the first superintendent. The first church building,
erected in 1842, is still standing on Mercer street. The present place of
worship, a frame structure, occupies an elevated location above Emlenton
street.

OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP. 728
The United Presbyterian Church of Clintonville was organized in No
vember, 1851, as an Associate Presbyterian church, by Reverend G. C.
Vincent, D. D., under direction of Butler Presbytery with thirty-two mem
bers, of whom James McKinley and Thomas Baird were elected elders.
An acre of ground was given for church purposes by William Cross in 1851,
and in the summer of that year a frame church building was erected thereon
at a cost of one thousand one hundred dollars. The present edifice was
dedicated in June, 1882, by Reverend John Dick, D. D. It is a frame
building two stories in height and cost six thousand dollars. Supplies were
sent from presbytery until 1854, when Reverend W. A. Black was installed
as pastor. Reverend David Forsythe was pastor from 1859 to 1863; J. C.
McElree, 1868-84; A. B. Dickey was installed in June, 1888. John Mc
Kinley, Rhesa Byers, Leander Adams, and Robert AtweU compose the pres
ent session. Charles Riddle was the first Sunday school superintendent.
The Church of God, on the Franklin and Butler road, was built in 1879
and organized in that year, largely through the efforts of J. B. Henderson.
The first pastor was Reverend Shadrach Woods, and the present incumbent
is A. L. Brynes. J. B. Henderson is elder and R. P. Hoffman deacon.

CHAPTER XLIII.
OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Organization— Pioneers— Early Mills— Pleasantville— Settlement-
Growth— Banking Institutions — Secret and Other Societies-
Municipal Organization— Shamburg— Churches-
Schools— Pleasantville Cemetery.
THE territory comprised in Oil Creek township was intended by the com
mission that subdivided the county in 1806 to have formed Bast
Branch, but no township of that name has yet materialized. The first
movement in the direction of separate organization for this territory was
made at August sessions, 1859, when a petition from citizens of the northern
part of Cornplanter and western part of Allegheny was presented for the
consideration of the court. Samuel M. Irwin, William Stewart, and R. H.
McFate, to whom the matter was referred, reported favorably, and on the
10th of January, 1860, the question was submitted to a vote of the citizens
of AUegheny township. Two hundred and sixteen votes were cast at this
election, and there was a majority or fifty- six against the proposed innova-

724 history of VENANGO COUNTY.
tion. In January, 1866, the matter again became a subject of judicial con
sideration. S. Thomas, Samuel F. Dale, and T. H. Martin were appointed
viewers, and reported in favor of the division of Allegheny by a line "Be
ginning at the southeast corner of lot No. 124, thence by line dividing said
lot from No. 168 north by the original lines of the tracts and by the east
line of the borough of Pleasantville to the Warren county line," which was
confirmed nisi August 30, 1866. There is no record of the final proceedings
in this case, but the formal erection of Oil Creek probably occurred at the
following term of court. By the next census (1870) the poptUation was five
thousand and ninety-eight; in 1880, five hundred and twenty-six.
PIONEERS.
It is probable that the Flemings were the first permanent settlers. In
1795 Andrew and Daniel Fleming made a visit to this section of the country
fi-om their home near Redstone Old Fort, Fayette county. They were the
sons of a native Englishman, who emigrated to America before the Revolu
tion and served during that struggle as a commissary in the Continental
army. He was among the first settlers of Fayette county, where ho died,
leaving a family of grown sons. The two mentioned returned to this local
ity in 1796. Andrew secured four hundred acres, embracing the Jones farm
near Miller Farm station. He came here a young man and married Ann Mc
Clintock, sister to Francis and Hamilton McClintock. They reared three
sons and three daughters; one of the sons is now living at Brocton, New
York. Daniel married Nancy Harding, of Harrisville, Butler county. He
died in Forest county. In 1798 Mrs. Sarah Fleming followed her two
sons to this locality, bringing their four brothers, Samuel, James, Ezekiel,
and Edward. Samuel bought the claim of Jacob Richards, six miles south
of TitusviUe on the hill east of Oil creek. Richards had cleared several
acres here and planted a small orchard. He then removed to Gallipolis,
Ohio. Samuel Fleming married Jane, daughter of Hamilton McClintock,
and reared eleven children. His brothers also located here, and the family
is numerously represented.
Samuel Gregg, a native of Irsland, removed from Centre county to the
vicinity of Pioneer station in the summer of 1799.
James Miller was an early settler. It was he who gave the name to
Miller Farm station, once a flourishing oil town and postoffice under the
designation of Meredith.
James Shreve was from the same locality in Fayette county as the Flem
ings. He bought the improvements of Abraham Sowers near the TitusviUe
and Oil City road. Before coming here he had lived for a time in Ohio, and
there became a member of the Christian church.
John Lytle, a native of Ireland, came to the township in 1812 and set
tled what is known as the Mill farm on West Pithole creek.

OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP. 725
William Poor removed from Massachusetts to Crawford county, Penn
sylvania, in 1817. and came into Oil Creek township in the following year.
WiUiam Broadfoot, David Henderson, "William McCaslin, and Robert
Watson, were also among the pioneers.
The first road through the township led from the Hickory flats in Forest
county to Franklin; it passed a mile south of Pleasantville, crossed Oil creek
at Fleming's mill, and thence continued through Cherry Tree village and
Cooperstown to Franklin. The Brokenstraw road entered this county south
of Enterprise and intersected the Warren and Franklin road at Rynd Farm.
The principal part of its course has been abandoned.
The first mill was built by Andi-ew Fleming ; it was also the first mill on
Oil creek. The machinery was principally of his own contriving. There
were two runs of native stone and a water-wheel of primitive but ingenious
construction. After the increase of population warranted such changes,
improved appliances were imported from Pittsburgh and a saw mill added.
The Holland Company' s mill ou Pine run (the east branch of Oil creek),
was built prior to 1800, and also received patronage from this localit}'.
John Lytle built a saw mill on West Pithole creek at an early date. A large
pond furnished water power. The location of this is still distinguishable.
The timbers were utilized some years ago in the construction of a barn.
In common with the oil regions generally, the population of this town
ship has experienced many fluctuations. There was an exodus of the older
families when the productiveness of this territory became apparent and few
of them remain. Much that would be interesting in connection with the
early settlement is thus irrecoverably lost.
BOROUGH OF PLEASANTVILLE.
This borough, the fourth town of the county in population and impor
tance, is situated in the extreme northeastern part of its territory, six miles
from TitusviUe, and at an altitude of six hundred feet above the level of Oil
creek at that place. Whether applied to the general appearance of the
town or of the surrounding country, the name is eminently appropriate.
Abraham Lovell made the first improvement on the site of the borough.
His former home was nine miles fi-om Ithaca, New York, between Seneca
and Cayuga lakes. He was drafted for service during the war of 1812 and
on his return visited various localities in northwestern Pennsylvania. The
abundance of spring water induced him to locate here, and about the year
1820 he removed his family thither. The journey was made in a covered
wagon, which was made to do service as a dwelling place until more sub
stantial shelter could be provided. Mr. Lovell' s land adjoined the grave
yard on the west. He was a Presbyterian and rigidly Calvinistic in faith
and practice. The family has been characterized by remarkable longevity.
Aaron Benedict, from whom the place received its name and derived its

726 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
early prosperity, was bom at West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, February
17, 1779, of English parentage. During the war of 1812 he was the pro
prietor of flouring mills between the villages of Cortland and Homer, in
Cortland county. New York, and became quite wealthy. At the close of
the war he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Fabius, Onondaga county.
There he was a leading man in business and society; he built a Baptist
church and was otherwise prominent in various enterprises designed to pro
mote the public good. When the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike
was constructed, in 1818-19, he was the contractor for a considerable part of
the work. Although his individual venture resulted profitably, he sustained
heavy losses through the failure of others with whom he was associated, and
was obliged to sacrifice his property to satisfy obligations thus incurred.
He had formed the acquaintance of Mr. Huidekoper, of Meadville, agent
for the Holland Land Company, and gained some knowledge of this section
of the state during the progress of his contract; to a man of his enter
prise and capabilities it offered the opportunity to retrieve his fortunes, and
in the spring of 1821 he removed thither, locating upon a tract of four hun
dred acres, embracing the site of Pleasantville. His son, Aaron, Jr., had
come out the previous year and sowed a field of wheat, which furnished
food for the family until other means of support could be provided. The
stone house on the east side of Main street, for many years one of the
most substantial and commodious in the county, was built in the summer of
1821 by Peter Vhreum, a stone mason of Meadville, for the sum of one
thousand and sixty dollars. There was a fine spring at the side of the house,
but like many others since the beginning of oil operations, it has disap
peared. Mr. Benedict became agent for the survey and sale of the Holland
lands; he was justice of the peace many years, and held other local offices.
Politically he was a Whig and afterward a Republican. He was the father
of nineteen children, but only a few of his descendants still live in this
locality. Austin Merrick was one of the first to follow Benedict. He was also
from New York state, a Baptist in faith, and a Whig in politics. He lived
on Main street near the Baptist church, and gave his name to Merrick street.
He seems to have been engaged in a variety of occupations. The first school
in the village was taught by him; he was the first postmaster at Holland
postoffice, and also farmed to some extent. Mr. Merrick was four times
married. When the oil excitement began he moved to Corry.
William Porter was a son-in-law of Aaron Benedict. He was a potter by
trade, and while engaged at that caUing at Rochester, New York, was in
duced by his future father-in-law to come to Pleasantville. The pottery
was situated on the west side of Main street opposite Benedict' s stone house,
but was afterward removed to the other side of that street, below the opera
house. The first residence of Mr. Porter was a hewed-log house on a lot
now owned by Doctor John Wilson.

OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP. 727
E. R. Beebe came in 1831. A nephew of Aaron Benedict, it was through
the influence of the latter that he was induced to locate. He at once estab
lished a tannery on State street, thus inaugurating one of the most impor
tant of the pioneer industries of the place. It was equipped with vats and
a bark mill, and received a large patronage. The business was conducted
successively by John Brown, William Dawson, and others, but has long been
discontinued. Mr. Beebe still lives at an advanced age.
John Brown was the first merchant of the place. A native Scotchman,
he emigrated to America and in 1827 was engaged in business in New York
city. It was from that place that he brought his first consignment of
goods. His first residence here was a log house on State street at the cross
ing of the run, and here his store was also situated. As a business man he
was remarkably successful. He also manifested a deep interest in religious
matters, and was largely instrumental in building and sustaining the Cov
enanter church of Pleasantville. Mr. Brown came to Pleasantville in 1833.
The growth of the town for many years was very slow. No regular sub
division into streets and lots was ever made, but each new arrival usually
bought as much land as he could, and as a result of this the place became
decidedly a country village. As the location of a pottery, tannery, postoffice,
and store, it gradually acquired prestige. Some time in the forties an ash
ery was established; this supplied the surrounding community with salera
tus, but with this exception there were no important additions to the num
ber of local industries. Ebenezer Sanford was one of the proprietors of
the ashery.
The discovery of oil resulted in an immediate expansion of general busi
ness interests and a rapid increase in population. In this vicinity the first
productive well was drilled in 1865 on the Porter farm. There was at once
a great demand for land, and within a short time the viUage was thronged
with strangers seeking investments. Buildings, hotels, stores, and banks
were rapidly provided to accommodate the population and business thus at
tracted. A railroad was graded from Pithole City, and with the prospect
of facilities of this nature, and the advantages of healthfulness and salu
brity usually associated with an elevated location, it seemed highly probable
that Pleasantville might become one of the larger towns of the oil country.
This marked the culminating point, however; the railroad was abandoned,
and with the discovery of new fields the transient population drifted else
where and the town gradually reverted to a condition of permanent stability.
The number of inhabitants in 1870 was one thousand five hundred and
ninety-eight; in 1880, eight hundred and thirty-five. Oil operations have
received a new impetus within the last few years, resulting in a greater de
gree of business activity than the place has experienced since 1873.
A disastrous fire occurred December 23, 1871. It originated in the New
York hotel on South Main street, and destroyed buUdings and merchandise

728 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
to the value of thousands of dollars. This was an indirect benefit to the
town, as it resulted in the erection of the commodious brick buildings at the
intersection of Main and State streets.
Local manufacturing has never been extensive. J. Locke & Son estab
lished the Eagle iron and mill works in 1868 on State street; in 1876 their
works were removed to Grant street, where flour and lumber mills were
erected and the manufacture of oil well machinery, wagons, etc. , continued
until a few years since. The wagon shop of House & Kelly, and the estab
lishments of S. H. Wallace & Company and Frederick Propheter, tank
builders, constitute the present industrial features.
Banking Institutions. — The first bank at Pleasantville was established
in 1868 by D. H. Mitchell and Samuel Q. Brown, under the firm name of
Mitchell & Brown. The former retired in 1871 in favor of Richard Irwin,
and the style of the firm was changed to Brown & Irwin.
The Citizens' Bank was organized December 21, 1872, with the election
of James Connely, president; F. Merrick, cashier; and a board of directors
composed of H. M. Haskell, D. W. Henderson, Otto Girmer, James Skin
ner, James Connely, M. C. Beebe, William Newkirk, A. Holeman, and Theo
dore Marlin. Business was discontinued a few years since.
The Pleasantville Bank was organized in December, 1872, with Samuel
Q. Brown, president; John Wilson, vice-president; Richard Irwin, cashier,
and a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Irwin was succeeded
in 1879 by D. W. Henderson; otherwise the organization remains un
changed. Seneca Lodge, No. 519, I. O. O. F. , was instituted May 18, 1855, with
Andrew Burrows, N. G. ; John Benedict, V. G. ; D. W. Henderson, secre
tary, and B. F. Lyons, treasurer. This lodge disbanded and the charter
was surrendered. A reorganization under the original name and number
was effected in 1874, and a new charter issued March 2nd of that year to F.
Merrick, N. G. ; Samuel Hatch, V. G, ; H. H. Locke, secretary, and E. R.
Beebe, treasurer.
Pleasantville Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M., was constituted November 22,
1871, with George Sheffield, W. M. ; J. B. Haskell, S. W. ; L. L. Bene
dict, J. W. ; B. D. Dodge, secretary, and J. A. Willoughby, treasurer.
The lodge has since disbanded and surrendered its charter.
Eureka Council, No. 133, R. A., was organized May 8, 1880. The
charter members were J. A. Johnson, A. P. Pope, W. W. Pennell, J, A.
Pickett, C. W. Brigham, R. D. Stoeltzing, W. White, M. R. WiUiams, I.
Doolittle, H. H. Noyes, J. C. Goal, David Fleming, R. Foggan, J. J.
Goodman, J. McLachlan, and C. G. Kingman.
Prosperity Union, No. 389, E. A. U. — The first officers were George B.
Lord, chancellor; John E. Blair, advocate; W. W. Pennell, president; L,
B. Main, vice-president; Mrs. F. M. Downing, auxiliary; H. J, Hopkins,

OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP. 729
treasurer, and W. D. Beebe, secretary. The date of institution was Janu
ary 3, 1882.
Aaron Benedict Post, No. 429, G. A. R. , was mustered April 24, 1884.
The first members were Isaac Doolittle, H. J. Hopkins, W. F. House, Cas
per Schott, John Wallbridge, Henry Dykeman, L. B. Main, G. W. Smith,
James Dack, L. L. Shattuck, J. M. August, W. Lyons, H. Ives, R. J.
Hopkins, R. Grant, Samuel Holmes, J. H. Pennell, J. E. Sorrell, George
Keyes, Aubrey Porter, Blosser Post, Harrison Bright, Thomas Anderson,
Frederick Propheter, Charles B. Merritt, James T. Reed, and John Garry.
Pleasantville Tent, No. 79, K. of M., was organized August 28, 1888.
JohnMaddox, S. K. C._; H. T. McCuUough, R. K., and F- W. Kelly, F.
K., were the first officers.
Municipal Organization. — The borough of Pleasantville was incorpo
rated March 22, 1850, by act of the legislature, and is, therefore second in
the county in respect to priority. The act of incorporation appointed
Aaron Benedict, Wilson Dawson, and M. C. Beebe commissioners to survey,
define and mark the boundaries, which include within their limits nearly a
square mile of territory. The following is a list of borough officers :
1850. — Burgess, William Porter; council: A. Merrick, A. Dawson, J.
W. Henderson, J. W. Parker.
1852. — Burgess, Aaron Benedict; council: D. H. Parker, Austin Merrick.
1853. — Burgess, M. C. Beebe; council: WUliam Dodge, E. R. Beebe.
1854. — Bturgess, M. C. Beebe; council: Austin Merrick, William House.
1857. — Burgess, John Brown; council: A. Dawson, Abrahan Lovell, Sr.
1858. — Burgess, John W. Henderson; council: C. House, D. W. Hen
derson, 1859. — Burgess, John Kelly; council: D. H. Parker, George Porter.
1860. — Burgess, Edward Byles; council: Samuel Hatch, D. Marvin.
1861. — Burgess, Marshall Corbin; council: D. H. Parker, George Porter.
1866, — Burgess, J. C. Benedict; council: D. W. Henderson, WUUam
Newkirk. 1867. — Burgess, J. C. Benedict; council: M. C. Benedict, J. A. Dunham.
1868.— Burgess, M. C. Beebe; council: J. J. Watkins, G. S. Nettleton.
1869. — Burgess, M. 0. Beebe; council: D. W. Henderson, WUliam New
kirk, Samuel Q. Brown, E. S. Nettleton.
1869 (October). — Burgess, John F. CarU; council: WUliam Newkirk,
Roger Sherman, Henry T. Dunham, Marshall Goss, Myron P. Barber.
1870.— Burgess, J. F. CarU; councU: E. L. Keenan, M. C. Benedict,
A, K. McMullen, J. C. Goal, Casper Schott.
1872 (March).— Burgess, H. M. HaskeU; councU: W. F. House, S. A.
Barnes, Charies Gardner, WUliam Newkirk, R. L. Irwin, T. A. Morrison.
1873.— Burgess, T. A. Morrison; councU: A. Holeman, F. Merrick, G.
E. Mapes, R. L. Irwin, S, A. Barnes, C. Schott.

730 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1874. — Burgess, Thomas Chattle; council: Sam&el Harsh, John Nichols,
Henry Wege, W. P. House, A. W. Brown, L. T. Benedict.
1875. — Burgess, Thomas Chattle; council: Samuel Harsh, C. Netcher,
Henry Wege, W. F. House, A. W. Brown, L. L. Benedict.
1876. — Burgess, Thomas Chattle; council: L. L. Benedict, W. F. House,
A. W. Brown, Samuel Harsh, E. B. Seymour.
1877. — Burgess, L. L. Benedict; council: Thomas Chattle, G. K. Thayer,
H. H. Noyes, J. C. Goal, John Holeman, John A. Johnson.
1878. — Burgess, Thomas Chattle; council: J. L. Connely, U. G. Mease,
J. D. Holeman, H. H. Noyes, J. R. Amsdell, J. B. Skinner.
1879. — Burgess, Benjamin Corwin; council: A. W. Brown, J. Kuhl-
meyer, H. Wege, J. D. Holeman, D. W. Henderson, H. H. Noyes.
1880.— Burgess, C. T. C. Gould; councU: W. E, Banks, WUUam New
kirk, J. B. Skinner, Frederick Henn, C. Henry Newkirk, H. H. Locke.
1881.— Burgess, M. C. Beebe; councU: W. E. Banks, J. B. Skinner, C.
Henry Newkirk, H. H. Noyes, Samuel Chestnut, Casper Schott.
1882. — Burgess, M. C. Beebe; council: H. H. Noyes, R. M. Davidson,
H. H, Locke, Henry Wege, Casper Schott, H. J. Hopkins.
1883. — Burgess, M. C. Beebe; council: James Rooker; H. H. Locke, H.
J. Hopkins, W. W. Pennell, H. Wege, R. M. Davidson.
1884. — Burgess, M. C. Beebe; council: H. Wege, Benjamin Corwin, R.
M. Davidson, George Howarth, John Holeman, A. Holeman.
1885. — Burgess, M. C. Beebe; council: John Holeman, James Rooker.
1886. — Burgess, Isaac Doolittle; council: R. M. Davidson, R. J. Hop
kins. 1887. — Burgess, J. R. Amsdell; council: H. Wege, Benjamin Corwin.
1888. — Burgess, W. P. House; council: John Lockwood, Casper Schott.
1889.— Burgess, W. F. House; councU:, H. H. Noyes, R. D. Stoeltzing.
The present burgess is R. D. Stoeltzing, vice W. F. House, resigned.
SHAMBURG.
A considerable number of the five thousand and ninety- eight inhabitants
of Oil Creek township in 1870 lived within the irregular and undefined
limits of Shamburg. It was so named in honor of George Shamburg, local
superintendent for the Philadelphia and Cherry Run Oil Company. OU
operations at this point began in 1865. As a matter of personal convenience
Mr. Shamburg applied to the department for a postoffice, and with a
generosity equal to the occasion, permitted his own name as its designation.
The town had a varied population and was but little different from the
neighboring cities of the period. In 1880 the population had fallen to four
hundred and eighty-four, and at this date the town has entirely disappeared.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal services have been held in the vicinity of Pleasant-

OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP. 731
vUle from a very early period in the history of this region. A class was
organized at the house of Samuel Gregg on Oil creek in 1804 by Reverend
Andrew Hemphill, of which John G«regg, Hannah Gregg, and Sally Steven
son were members. The oldest records extant give unmistakable evidence of
an organization at Pleasantville in 1821, at which date the preacher was
Zachariah Paddock and the presiding elder Gleason Fillmore. The place
of worship was a school house west of Pleasantville, popularly known as the
Methodist school house in distinction from another east of the town where
the Baptists worshiped. A church was built in 1846, mainly through the
efforts of David Henderson and William Dawson. The present church
edifice, erected by a building committee composed of William Newkirk,
•James L. Connely, George Zevier, J. N. Tyrrell, and S. A. Squires, was
dedicated June 19, 1870, Reverend Wheeler, of Meadville, officiating. The
following is a list of preachers from the year 1846, at which date Pleasant
ville circuit was formed: 1846, J. VanHorn; 1847-48, W. Monks; 1849-50,
T, J. McCreary; 1851, T. Burroughs, J. T. Boyle; 1852, J. Wrigglesworth,
M. Wood; 1853, S. HoUen, F. Muse; 1854, J. GUfiUan, J. B. Hammond;
1855, J. GilfiUan; 1856, J. GUmore, E. HuU; 1867, M. Colegrove, F. W.
Smith; 1858, G. F. Reeser, A. Height; 1859, G. F. Reeser, W. W. War
ner; 1860, J. K. MendenhaU, J. Elliott; 1861, W. Hayes, J. F, Stocker;
1862, J. F. Stocker, N. W. Jones; 1863, J. Crum, Z. W. Shadduck; 1864,
J. Crum; 1865, G. F. Reeser; 1866, H. H. Moore; 1867-68, B. A. Squier;
1869-70, R. N. Stubbs; 1871, C. M. Heard; 1872-73, A. J. Lindsay; 1874,
P. A. Archibald; 1875-77, P. W. Scofield; 1878-80, W. Martin; 1881,
J. W. Crawford; 1882, B. J. L. Baker; 1883, I. N. Clover; 1884-85, G. C.
Rhodes; 1886, H. H. Moore; 1887-89, A. Bashline.
Allegheny Baptist Church. — Aaron Benedict was a zealous adherent of
this church and with the promptness that characterized all his actions, he
took measures for the organization of a society at the embryo village of
PleasantviUe. John Tennent and wife, Mrs. David Copeland, Aaron Bene
dict and wife, and Mrs. Ira B. West were the first members. Reverend
Blake was the first minister, and E. M. Miles was among his early succes
sors. Reverend Samuel Miles served in this capacity from 1838 to 1842;
John Hicks, from December, 1842, to July, 1848; George Spratt, from July,
1849, to August, 1853;  WUcox, from AprU, 1854, to Febru'ary, 1856;
W. B. Bingham, from AprU, 1857, to April, 1860; Joel Green, from May,
1860, to April, 1862; Reverends HaskeU, W'iUoughby, Davis, Huriburt,
Brasted, Trowbridge, and Pierce succeeded in the order of their names, but
neither remained more than a brief period. Since Mr. Pierce's retirement,
November 7, 1875, there has been no pastor, although a nominal organiza
tion is still sustained. The church edifice, a frame structure on Main street,
was dedicated January 6, 1849. The site was given by Aaron Benedict two
years previously. A school house east of the viUage was the place of wor
ship prior to that date.

732 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Pleasantville Presbyterian Church. — The first church building erected
at Pleasantville was situated upon the ground owned by the Presbyterian
church and has been partially incorporated in the lecture room of that body.
It was built in 1843-44, largely through the instrumentality of John Brown,
and seems to have been originally intended for the use of all evangelical
denominations. Reverend Hogg was the first to preach here, and Reverend
John R. Slentz filled the pulpit many years. The former was a preacher
of the Covenanter church, the latter of the Associate Reformed.
Mount Vernon Presbyterian church was organized June 5, 1860, and
worshiped several miles east of Pleasantville. AprU 8, 1867, the name was
changed to its present style, and the building mentioned became the place
of worship. The present church edifice was dedicated January 8, 1870,
Reverend Cyrus Dickson, D. D. , and J. Jones Smyth, officiating. Mr.
Smyth served as stated supply from October, 1866, to May, 3873. Rever
end J. McLachlan was pastor from 1873 to 1882; Samuel D. Stevenson,
from 1883 to 1888; and S. T. Lewis, from July, 1888, to the present time.
Elders have been installed in the following order: Charles Davidson, June
5, 1860; Francis Ashton, Benjamin Corwin, October 5, 1867; E. O. Emer
son, G. W. Underwood, May 15, 1870; Samuel Harsh, August 6, 1871;
Samuel Q. Brown, Thomas Chattle, and Joshua Noyes, August 1, 1875;
Alfred Lamb, July 30, 1881; and R. M. Davidson was elected September
24, 1882.
Jerusalem United Brethren Church, a mile from Pleasantville, was or
ganized some years ago at a school house. Jonathan Selden was the first
class leader. The church building is a frame structure, built on land given
by G. W. Spangler.
Pleasantville United Brethren Church. — Reverend P. Butterfield formed
the organization at this place. The church edifice, erected mainly through
the liberality of Reverend A. Holeman, was dedicated December 6, 1885, by
Bishop J. Weaver. Reverends L. L. Hager, D. C. Starkey, N. R. Luse,
Anselm Brazee, J. W. Lewis, and O. J. Gage, are among the pastors in
charge of Pleasantville circuit within recent years.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was built in 1823, by Aaron Benedict. It was
situated on the eastern confines of Pleasantville, and was for many years
the place of worship of the Baptist society. The first school was taught by
Austin Merrick, who is represented as an accomplished penman. His
immediate successors were principally ladies.
The first school house in Oil Creek township was built in the woods at
the head of a ravine called Plumdungeon, midway between the farms of
William Poor and Samuel Fleming. The first male teacher was Hamilton
Campbell, from Erie county, who taught several terms. Among his early

OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP. 733
successors were George Granis and John Sanney. There was an early
school house on the plank road a mile and a half from PleasantvUle. After
the adoption of the public school system two schools were established in
Oil Creek — Prospect Hill, which took the place of Plumdungeon, and the
school on the plank road just mentioned. Redfield, two and one-half miles
from TitusvUle, was added after a time. During the period of the first oil
excitement ten schools were sustained. The present number is six.
The educational interests of Pleasantville received a great impetus in
1846 from the efforts of M. C. Beebe, who arrived in that year from Fabius,
New York, and assumed the management of the schools. The first union
school building in the county was erected here, in 1853. The schools were
conducted by Mr. Beebe, as principal, and two assistants. A commodious
brick building was erected in 1873, and has proven ample for all require
ments. In appearance and adaptiveness it compares favorably with similar
structures in the larger towns of the county. The following is a list of
principals since its completion: P. H. Stewart, J. T. Morton, George B.
Lord, John L. Mattox, and J. W. Lackey.
PLEASANTVILLE CEMETERY.
Two acres of ground were given by the Holland Company to Aaron
Benedict for public use as a burial ground. Although interments are no
longer permitted here the inclosure is preserved from desecration and has
not been regarded with the indifference unfortunately manifested at other
places in the county. The first interment was that of Albert, son of Aaron
and Louisa Benedict, who died February 7, 1824, aged fifteen years, ten
months, and seven days. The following is a list of the pioneers and older
citizens of the community who are buried here:
•John Grandin, who died December 22, 1833, aged seventy-six years.
John Tennent, who died March 2, 1840, aged seventy-two years.
Reverend Walter Holmden, who died May 15, 1840, aged sixty years,
eleven months, and six days. •
James Dustin, born August 26, 1767, died June 2, 1852.
Ebenezer Byles, who died August 13, 1852, aged seventy-two years, one
month, and nine days.
Benjamin Tyrrell, who died September 12, 1852, aged sixty-six years,
ten months, and one day.
WilUam Porter, who died October 15, 1858, aged seventy-one years, five
months, and thirteen days.
Lyman Watkins, who died June 15, 1854, aged seventy-one years, six
months, and thirteen days.
Stephen Loveless, who died January 25, 1855, in the sixty-first year of
his age.
John Culbertson, who died September 5, 1856, aged sixty-three years,
two months, and ten days.

734 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Aaron Benedict, who died March 20, 1860, aged eighty-one years, one
month, and three days.
Henry Lockwood, who died August 11, 1861, aged seventy years, five
months, and nineteen days.
Amos Hall, who died March 9, 1868, aged seventy-three years and four
days. Abraham Lovell, who died January 18, 1865, aged seventy-nine years,
seven months, and twenty- two days.
Nathaniel Blaisdell, who died September 16, 1871, aged seventy-three
years, one month, and sixteen days.
William Zuver, who died April 2, 1872, aged seventy-nine years.
James Howe, who died September 12, 1875, aged seventy-two years.
Austin Merrick, who died August 6, 1876, aged seventy-five years.

CHAPTER XLIV.
MINERAL TOWNSHIP.

Organization and Topography — Settlement— Raymilton— Churches-
Schools.
A petition for the erection of a new township from portions of Sandy
Creek and French Creek was presented to the court of quarter ses
sions January 17, 1870, and a commission composed of William Hilands,
John Adams, and Samuel Royle, appointed for its consideration, reported
favorably to the proposed change May 2, 1870. At an election in June the
matter received popular sanction, and the township of Mineral was formally
erected October 24, 1870. The first election for township officers occurred
on the last Tuesday of November and resulted in the choice of Isaac Perrine
as justice of the peace, William Adams as assessor, and James Simcox as
treasurer. Much the larger portion of the new township was taken from
Sandy Creek. It adjoins Mercer county, extemling from Irwin to French
Creek, with Victory as the eastern boundary. Sandy creek and South Sandy
with numerous smaller tributaries drain the whole of its area. Much of
this territory is not adapted to farming purposes, although there are also
many fine farms. By the census of 1880, the first after the formation of
the township, the population was eight hundred and thirty- one.
settlement.
Samuel Gildersleeve was probably the first permanent settler. He was

-7y:z^^z^

MINERAL TOWNSHIP. 737
from New Jersey, and located where Silas Wike now lives, about 1797. He
had a family of four children, but none of the descendants are now living in
the township. At the time of his arrival there were but a few families near
the mouth of Sandy creek and French creek, while the road from Franklin
to Mercer was little more than a bridle path. The panther and wolf were
frequently encountered in the woods, or made their presence known by a
night attack upon the domestic animals in the farm yard. The loss of cat
tle and sheep in this manner was frequently experienced.
William Whann was another of the pioneers. He came here from North
umberland county with a large family, there being five sons and five daugh
ters. He settled on South Sandy and the farm is now owned by Julius
Henderson. Two sons, Francis and Robert S. , married here and lived to be
very old, the former dying at the age of eighty-eight and the latter seventy-
five. Their father, with the other members of the family, removed to New
Athens, Harrison county, Ohio, before this locality had become thickly set
tled. One account states that William Whann came to Mineral township in
1800, but the date was probably several years earlier.
The Henderson family was early represented. Originally from Ireland,
Allegheny county at length became their home, and in 1796 five brothers
located at Hendersonville in the adjoining township of Worth, Mercer
county. One of these, Archibald, came into Mineral within a few years
thereafter. He married Sarah Gates in the state of Ohio, a woman of more
than ordinary education and intelligence, who was one of the first school
teachers and is still remembered as a fine writer. Charles Henderson, another
brother, was a native of Ireland and emigrated to Pennsylvania, an unmar
ried man. One of the brothers kept a hotel. The American troops from
Pittsburgh en route to Lake Erie in 1812 were entertained there, and if
traditional information may be credited, local customers at the house were
obliged to do without their accustomed refreshments for a time in conse
quence. Charles Henderson married a Miss Simcox who was the mother of
nine children, the oldest of whom, Robert, succeeded to the homestead.
Other early settlers were Shadrach Simcox, Andrew Smith, Daniel
Crain, and John Walker. Simcox was from the state of Maryland, and
probably arrived in 1800. Smith was from Washington county and prob
ably accompanied the Whanns or arrived a little later. Crain was from
New Jersey and settled where Mrs. Nancy Kilgore now lives, whence he re
moved to Wooster, Ohio. Jacob Rice planted one of the first orchards in
the township, carrying the trees from Pittsburgh on his back.
Robert Latta buUt the first mill. It was situated on Sandy creek above
^aymUton, and traces of the dam are said to be visible to this day. The
history of this mill is involved in mystery. One account states that Latta
died from exposure whUe under the influence of liquor, and the mill was
burned in a forest fire; according to another story Latta found his establish-
41

738 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ment somewhat in advance of the country and left it for a time, and during
his absence the machinery was appropriated by some one else. However
this may be, the mill was never operated to any extent, and its suspension
or disappearance does not appear to have interfered materially with the
progress of civilization in this part of the valley of Sandy creek. There
were also early mUls on South Sandy, built by Abel Thompson and subse
quently owned by James Griffin, and at Raymilton. The pottery of Abra
ham Sampson in the southern part of the township may also be mentioned
as a local industry, though of more recent origin.
RAYMILTON.
This village is situated in the valley of Sandy creek on the line of the
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad. The name originated with
its founder, A. W. Raymond, whose connection with the business of the
place began in 1844. He built a grist mill, an iron furnace, a store build
ing, and various other improvements. The furnace was put in blast Feb
ruary 3, 1845, and continued in operation until some time in the next
decade. The ruins are still to be seen and indicate a structure substantially
constructed and ranking in size with the larger furnaces of the county. Some
distance farther down the creek was Reno furnace, the property of L. T.
Reno of Franklin. Maple Grove coal bank is in the near vicinity. This
was originally opened by John Soper and Young Brothers in 1861-62. It
was successively operated by Captain Mason, C. B. Irwin, the Maple Grove
Coal Company, and S. P. McCalmont, but mining has been carried on to a
very limited extent for several years past. In 1861 A. W'. Raymond bored
to the depth of four hundred feet with but slight indications of oil, this being
the first effort in that direction. Operations were resumed in 1870 with
better success, and from that date there has been a steady increase in pro
duction. From 1873 to 1879 Raymilton was the railroad terminus of the
United Pipe Lines' Butler county line, a circumstance which contributed
largely to the business activity of the place during that period.
The Globe Refining Company was organized in November, 1878, by S.
Simcox, W. M. Glenn, Raymond Brothers, and Robert Eakin, and reorgan
ized in 1887, as the Globe Refining Company, Limited, with S. Simcox,
president; J. C. Simcox, secretary and treasurer, and C. D. Gaylord, man
ager. After the reorganization a lubricating plant was added to the distiU-
ing works previously operated. The former has a capacity of one thousand
barrels per month, the latter of one hundred and fifteen barrels per day.
CHURCHES.
Center Methodist Episcopal Church was organized October 6, 1844, with
the following members: John Adams, leader; John W. Walker, Margaret
Walker, Daniel Reading, Margaret Reading, David Reagle, Samuel Gild-

MINERAL TOWNSHIP. 739
ersleeve, Daniel Herring, Robert Herring, Calvin Ward, Emily Ward,
Reuben Ward, David Simcox, Adaline Simcox, Amanda HiU, Hiram Kim
ball, Eliza Kimball, and Eleanor Simcox, many of whom had previously
been connected with Sandy Creek church. Services were held in the Adams
school house until 1859, when a frame church was built and dedicated by
Reverend G, B. Hawkins.
Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. — The first pastor of this church.
Reverend S. J. M. Eaton, was installed February 7, 1849. He was followed
successively by Reverends James Coulter, J. W. McCune, John G. Condit,
M. M. Shirley, C. H. Bruce, A. W. Verner, and E. A. Nelson. The organ
ization was effected by Reverends J, T. Smith and Cyrus Dickson, under
direction of Erie Presbytery, from a membership originally connected with
Amity church. The first session records bear date March 30, 1849, at
which time A. W. Raymond and Robert S. Whann were elders. James
Woods, Samuel Russell, and Matthew L. Whann were installed as elders
June 30, 1850; W. M. Glenn, Albert Reagle, and C. H. Raymond consti
tute the present session. The church edifice was dedicated by Reverends
Shirley and Kerr, and is situated upon ground given for the purpose by
Archibald Henderson.
Mt. Olive Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in
March, 1882, by Reverend M. L. Weaver, then of Barkeyville circuit, with
twenty-seven members, of whom Emanuel Rice was first class leader. Serv
ices were held at first in the Heister school house. A frame church was
buUt at Raymilton, in 1882, and dedicated February 18, 1883. Reverends
Finecy, Vote, Bumgardner, Cramer, Miller, and Strayer have served as
pastors of this church. SCHOOLS.
The first school building was in the woods not far from Center Method-
"ist church, and the old road leading thereto is still distinguishable. It was
built about 1820 or later. Rachel Jones from the state of New York was
the first teacher and Blmira Woodworth, of Franklin, was the second. The
building was destroyed in a forest fire, and another was built within a few
years a half mile distant on the public road. The second building was
erected on the Wright farm near South Sandy. An early school was taught
in an abandoned dwelling on the Riggs farm, where  Butler and John
Elder were among the early teachers.

740 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLV.
VICTORY TOWNSHIP.
Organization— Pioneers— The Old Furnaces- Springville— Schools-
Churches.
THE erection of Mineral township in 1870 naturally suggested a further
division of Sandy Creek, for which a petition was presented to the court
of quarter sessions, November 26, 1875. M. W^. Sage, W. R. Crawford, and
Thomas H. Martin, a commission to whom the matter was referred, reported in
its favor January 27, 1876. June 10th following an election was held at which
there were but fifteen dissenting votes in a total poll of ninety-seven. The
township of Victory was formally erected September 6, 1876, and its organi
zation forthwith ordered.
This is one of the smallest subdivisions of the county. Bounded on the
south by Clinton and Irwin, and on the west by Mineral, it is separated from
Sandy Creek by the stream of that name, and from Rockland by the Alle
gheny river. The surface is very much broken; in the northern part, about
the mouth of South Sandy, there is a wide region of comparatively unin
habited country. PIONEERS.
Though not so inviting as other parts of the county Victory was settled
almost as early as the western frontier of Pennsylvania became a safe place
of residence. Prominent among the earliest arrivals was John Dewoody. A
native of the North of Ireland, he emigrated to America at the age of twenty-
two, and lived for a time at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Thence he drifted
westward and at Chartiers creek near Pittsburgh met and married Anis,
daughter of Captain McCuUough of the American army, who had raised
a company in Dauphin county and after seven years in the war returned
with but seven of his men, receiving for his services land scrip to the amount
of four hundred acres. He gave his daughter as her dower a horse and a
cow. Arriving at the valley of Sandy creek John Dewoody disposed of these
animals to Samuel Patterson in settlement of his claim to a tract of four
hundred acres. Patterson was a young man; he was unmarried and lived
principally by hunting. He had built a cabin, which stood in the orchard
on this farm and a large rock which formed the rear wall is stUl pointed

VICTORY TOWNSHIP. 741
out. Dewoody lived in this cabin for a time, and then built a more preten
tious house which he kept as a hotel thirty-three years. The latter stood
on the old Pittsburgh road. The date of this settlement was 1796. Sarah
(Dewoody) Ford was born here in 1798, this being the second birth of a
white child in the township. It is generally understood that the first birth
was that of a child of Patrick ]Manson, afterward a pioneer of Sandy Creek
township, which occurred at Dewoody' s house on his journey thither.
Daniel McMillin was the next permanent settler of whom anything defi
nite is known. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and a native of one of the
eastern counties of Pennsylvania. His settlement in Victory was made in
1802 upon a tract of five hundred acres, for which he paid a dollar an acre,
and part of which is yet in possession of his son, Daniel McMillin. He
was accompanied by his wife and two children, and all their possessions
were brought upon one horse. They lived in a tent until a log cabin with
clapboard roof and puncheon floor could be constructed. This stood within
a few rods of Daniel McMillin' s house, and some of the foundation stones
are still visible. The old pioneer lived to an advanced age, dying in Rock
land township, where he has numerous descendants.
George McClelland, a native of Ireland, settled near Springville in
1803. In 1806 he removed to Franklin, where he resided until his death
in 1834. He married Agnes Seaton, who survived him till 1842. Their
children were Mrs. Jane Snowden, Mrs. Margaret Plumer, John, Mrs.
Nancy Bredin, Mrs. Eliza Dale, George C, and Joseph. Mr. McClelland
is better remembered as a pioneer of Franklin than of this township.
There were a number of early settlers who remained but temporarily,
and of whom but little is known. Among these was Robert Heiner, who
made an improvement on the farm now owned by Doctor A. G. Egbert,
planted an orchard, and then left, presumably for more promising regions.
This orchard was bearing in 1881, and at that time is said to have been one
of the best in the township, though long neglected. John Lyons settled
near the present residence of R. C. Shorts at an early date upon a tract of
four hundred acres. John Morrison, who was for a time court crier, lived
at the mouth of Sandy creek. Samuel Lindsay came into the township
under agreement with Abraham Witherup that the latter should transport his
family and effects from Pittsburgh, and when he had secured title to a tract
of five hundred acres, receive half as payment for so doing. Lindsay was a
veteran of the Revolution, and had served under Wayne. After completing
'his settlement he removed to the river opposite the mouth of Bast Sandy.
Subsequently he left this locality for Meigs county, Ohio. James Major
built a hotel on the Pittsburgh road at Pearl postofflce early in the century
which was burned and rebuilt three times. Subsequently it was kept by
Joseph Brunton. Isaac Bennett, a squatter, made some slight improve
ments on the property now in possession of William Cather. He was sue-

742 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ceeded by George McClelland, who likewise remained but a short time. In
1831 every vestige of these improvements had disappeared, having been
obliterated, it is supposed, by a forest fire. At that date John Cather,
from Cecil county, Maryland, later of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where
he taught school and was engaged in some capacity at different iron fur
naces, settled upon the property, and it has since remained in possession of
his family. William Shorts, from Trumbull county, Ohio, a son-in-law of
John Witherup, first sheriff of Venango county, came to Victory township
in 1833, and located upon what is still known as the old Shorts farm. In
1831 there were but three families on the Pittsburgh road — Dewoody's at
Sandy creek. Major's at the opposite extremity of the township, and
Cather' s at Springville ; and although much of the land then regarded as
incapable of cultivation has since been subdued, the population is still
sparse. In 1880, the year after its organization, the number of inhabitants
was three hundred and seventy-seven, and has not materially increased.
THE OLD raRNAOES.
Sandy Furnace, known at a later period of its history as Castle Rook
furnace, was erected in 1835 by William Cross and Thomas Hoge. It was
successively operated by Heaton & McConnell, McKee & Harris, Jordan,
Bingham & Company, C. E. Lytle & Company, J. Painter & Company, and
Painter, Graff & Company, the various resident managers being William
McKee, Isaac Heaton,  Jordan, and Everhart Lytle. At first the
capacity was two tons per day, but in 1848 the dam and race were enlarged
and the daily production increased to three tons. Business was finally sus
pended in 1860 with a considerable amount of stock on hand. This furnace
was in the extreme western part of the township.
Victory Furnace was built by Andrew Boner about 1843. Archibald
and Josiah Boner, Alexander Hays, and George Crawford were successively
interested in the property, Crawford being the last owner. This furnace
blew out in 1851. R. C. Shorts is the present owner of the property, but
the stack has fallen into decay and only its ruins remain as the reminder of
a once prosperous industry. SPRINGVILLE,
This village, known as a postoffice under the name of Balliet, comprises
a hotel, stove, and half a dozen houses. Sixty years ago the place consisted
of a double log house with clapboard roof and weight poles buUt by Samuel
Irvine and occupied as a hotel. At a later date Reuben Dout built a hewed-
log house a story and a half high, and somewhat later still David Ruch
erected the present hotel. Abraham Balliet, now of Honeywell, Missouri,
kept the first store. The village is seven miles from Franklin and near the
center of the township.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP. 743

SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught in a log building erected by the joint efforts
of the community near the summit of Sandy hill on land of Samuel Irvine.
Colonel William Shorts secm-ed the first teacher, Stewart Galloway, who
" boarded 'round. ' ' Among his early successors was William Brutus Gorman,
a native of Ireland who had been imprisoned in Canada for complicity in the
Van Renssaellaer insurrection. Upon his release he started out for Pitts
burgh and stopped for the night, ragged and shoeless, at the house of
Colonel Shorts. The latter soon discovered that he was a man of erudition
and offered to secure him the district school, which he gladly accepted. He
remained but one term;* old residents still speak in warm terms of his
ability as a teacher and disciplinarian. David Moore and Ethan Stout were
the next teachers of note. The second school house was built on the Lyons
tract a few years later. There was also an early school house on the Mc
Millin farm and Tamar Williams was the first teacher there. At present
there are three schools in the township. CHURCHES.
Hebron Church of the Evangelical Association is successor to the site
formerly occupied by one of the oldest Cumberland Presbyterian churches
in this part of the Allegheny valley, of which an account is given in the his
tory of Scrubgrass township. Reverend George W. Brown, then of Demp
seytown circuit, held the first services in the winter of 1868, at the school
house near Springville. A revival meeting was conducted, resulting in the
formation of a class with nineteen members. Clark Ferry was the first
leader, John C. Dewoody was exhorter, and of the original members, J. R.
Dodds, Thomas Dewoody, Mrs. Elizabeth Dewoody, and Mrs. J. R. Dodds
are also still in connection with the church. The frame church building on
the Pittsburgh road was erected in the autumn and winter of 1870-71. The
ground is occupied under lease from Richard Major and Andrew Shiner,
trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Reverends Crossman,
WoodhuU, Myers, and Scobert were the first preachers. The pastoral suc
cession to date is as follows: J. W. Arkless and J. W. Plotts, J. J. Car-
many, John Garner, John Domer, G. W. Dunlap, M. L. Weaver, G. W.
Finecy, A. C. MUler, F. J. Strayer, D. M. Baumgardner, and Charles Cra
mer. M. L. Welton was the first Sunday school superintendent.
Hickory Grove Church, Church of God. — The preachers of this denom
ination stationed at Barkeyville and other points frequently preached in the
school houses of the township on their journeys to points across the river, and
the first, or one of the first, was Reverend Jacob Domer. The organization
was effected at Lyons' school house, Samuel Hovis and John Wareham be
ing the first elders. R. C. Shorts and Coulter Hoffman have since been

744 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
elected to that office. Samuel Hovis was the first Sunday school superin
tendent. The church edifice was built in the summer of 1882. Reverend
J. W. Davis is the present pastor.

CHAPTER XL VI.
BIOGRAPHIES OP FRANKLIN.
/^^ BORGE POWER was the first permanent settler of Venango county
\_J( after the country came under American rule. He was a native of Mary
land, bom April 10, 1762, of Irish ancestry. From boyhood he was inured
to frontier life and thus became familiar with several Indian dialects, as well
as the French language. He was one of those intrepid, experienced, intelli
gent, and useful frontiersmen utilized by the United States authorities as
scouts, and was always ready to undergo any h-ardship and confront any
dangers that stood in the line of duty. He was well acquainted with the
habits and traits of the Indian character, and knew how to deal with them.
In 1787 he came, as commissary with the command of Captain Jonathan
Hart, to assist in building Fort Franklin, and on the completion of the fort
he went to Fort W^ashington, which stood on the site of Cincinnati, Ohio,
and was the rendezvous for the army operating against the western tribes.
He subsequently went to Fort Vincennes, Indiana, returning to Fort Frank
lin in 1790, where he soon after established a trading post, and here the
remainder of his life was spent, principaUy engaged in trading and carry
ing on a general merchandising business with the Indians and first white
settlers of the Allegheny valley.
Mr. Power' s first house was a rude log structure erected on the bank of
French creek some distance below Fort Franklin, but close enough to guard
against Indian depredations or surprises. This was subsequently succeeded
by a substantial stone house which stood near the same site, and now occu
pied by the two-storied frame dwelling of the late Judge Trunkey. Here
Mr. Power lived until the close of his eventful career, which occurred AprU
2, 1845. He married Margaret Bowman, December 30, 1799, who bore him
a family of nine children: Thomas Bowman; Catherine Mc. , who married
George Brigham; Mary, who married Frederick G. Crary; Margaret, who
became the wife of Rowletter Power; Eliza, who married Benjamin A.
Plumer; George; James; Benjamin L., and Sarah, who married Samuel F.

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 745
Plumer. All are dead excepting James of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and
Mrs. Sarah Plumer of Franldin. Thomas, the oldest son, is claimed to
have been the first white male born in Franklin. Mrs. Power died July 16,
1843, aged sixty-three years. Both she and husband were reared in the
Episcopal faith, but afterward united with the Presbyterian church. Polit
ically Mr. Power was a Whig. In 1814 he was elected coroner of Venango
county, and was appointed county treasurer in 1825. He was fairly success
ful in the accumulation of property, and possessed considerable real estate
at his death. Generous, kind, and hospitable, the memory of this old pio
neer is revered by his numerous descendants now living in Venango county,
where he planted the first germ of a permanent settlement.
Colonel Samuel Dale, for many years a prominent figure in the early
political and military history of Venango and adjoining counties, came to
Venango in the year 1800. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
July 15, 1773. An ancestor, Charles Dale, native of England, who was of
the army sent by William of Orange to Ireland, in 1690, after cessation of
hostilities, remained in Ireland, married, and settled in County Monaghan.
His son, Samuel, left three sons: Nathaniel, Mathew, and Samuel. The
last named, father of the subject of this sketch, and the first representative
of the family in America, arrived in 1766. He married Ann, daughter of
Samuel Futhey, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1769. In
1774 he selected a tract of land in Buffalo valley. Union county, and
founded a home there. Threatened attacks by the Indians forced him back
to Chester in 1777. In 1781 he advanced with his family in the direction
of his home, as far as Pauphin county, and in 1784 resumed his residence
in Union. He saw at an early day that the flame of the Revolution was
slowly kindling, and the records show that he took an early and active part
in the defense of colonial rights. He was deemed able in debate and
wise in council. Por twenty-three successive years he appears to have been
in the council of the state, aiding in the establishment of the government,
in framing its laws, and in the selection of its principal officers.
Among the attractions at the state capital at Harrisburg are sundry time-
marked documents, in appropriate frames, ornamenting the walls of the
governor's room. They are kept and guarded as precious relics — as me
morial treasures — of the early days of the commonwealth, and of her worthy
sons, native and adopted, whose valor and wisdom have borne such rich
fruits to the state. Among these relics are the original commissions issued
to the presidents and vice-presidents of the supreme executive council of the
commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To these commissions are subscribed the
names of the members of the general assembly and supreme executive coun
cil of the state. In this body was vested the appointing power, and the
name of Samuel Dale,' as one of that body, appears signed to each commis
sion. He died on the 7th of September, 1804, leaving a widow and nine

746 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
children, viz. : Ruth, Samuel, William, Jane, James, Ann, Mary, Elizabeth,
and Margaret.
Samuel, the second child and subject of this sketch, at the age of nine
teen years, was commissioned lieutenant of a militia company by Governor
Thomas Mifflin, and then commenced the study of mUitary tactics. In 1802
he was commissioned by Governor Thomas McKean lieutenant colonel of the
One Hundred and Thirty-Second regiment, and was recommissioned in 1811
by Governor Snyder. The rank of colonel does not appear in the appoint
ments of those times in Pennsylvania. He represented the counties of
Venango and Mercer in the state legislature, from 1808 to 1813. On the
19th of November, 1812, while a member of the legislature at Lancaster, he
married Eliza, daughter of Michael Gundaker, one of the early and success
ful merchants of Lancaster city. He had in contemplation a commercial
life in Philadelphia, but having a mathematical mind he applied himself to
the study of civil engineering, and in 1800 accepted the appointment from
the surveyor general of the state of deputy surveyor of Venango county.
He devoted himself to the survey of the county, establishing its boundaries
with a view to a correct map of the county, and in establishing the bound
aries of lands of companies and of individuals in Venango and adjoining
counties, continuing in this employment until 1812. He was character
ized by a conscientious faithfulness in discharge of his duties and labors,
even in the smallest undertakings, so that notwithstanding the inconveni
ences and difficulties attending surveys at that early day through the
unbroken forests, thfey were made with such care and accuracy that, in land
litigations since that time, his field notes, when applicable, have been almost
invariably accepted as conclusive. His knowledge, skill, and accuracy, as a
civil engineer, and the high meed of praise awarded to his work as such,
by professional men, appear in the chapter of this work entitled "Land
Tenure." In his early years the Indians were numerous, and hostile to the settle
ment of what they deemed their hunting grounds by the white men. There
was constant dread of their ravages. He therefore made the Indian char
acter a study, and being of an active frame and possessed of a high degree
of energy, capacity, and courage, traits admired by the Indians, and enjoin
ing fair dealing at all times with the Indian, he gained the confidence and
esteem of "the Seneca's great chief," Cornplanter, and of his warriors, to
such a degree as to have been one of the principal means of reconciling the
Indians of this region to the peaceable settlement and occupation of the
land by the white man.
In the war of 1812, the national government having determined to obtain
the command on Lake Erie, and having ordered that vessels be built at the
port of Erie, under the directions of Commodore O. H. Perry, a messenger
reached Lancaster with instructions to Colonel Dale, July, 1813, to march

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 747
his regiment to Erie, to assist in protecting the vessels while crossing the
bar. Within a few hours after the receipt of the message, he mounted a
fleet horse, and after a long and tedious journey, was enabled to report with
his regiment at Erie at the time named in the order. In January, 1814,
after the burning of Buffalo, the British, with their Indian allies, were reported
advancing on Erie, and he again marched to that point with his regiment.
In 1818 he chose Lancaster city for his permanent home. About the year
1829, being in western Pennsylvania, in the interest of Franklin College,
of which he was a trustee, he visited Franklin. Known to almost every
citizen, personally or by reputation, the early settlers gathered in from all
parts of the county to grasp the hand of one whose name was as a house
hold word. December 3, 1819, he was commissioned an associate judge of
the court of common pleas of Lancaster county, and filled this position up
to the time of his death, September 1, 1842, fulfilling the duties of president
judge during the last few years of his life. He was also honored with
numerous trusts, such as president, trustee, or director of educational,
monied, or benevolent institutions, for he was an active participant in all of
the public enterprises of his day. He died full of honors, and with the
reputation for fidelity to every one of the many trusts, public and private,
committed to his care, and with the consciousness of rectitude of purpose
through life. His children were Anna M. , of Lancaster; Judge Michael G. ,
of EdwardsviUe, Illinois; Samuel P., of Franklin, now deceased; Doctor
WiUiam W., of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; James J., deceased, of Mechanics-
burg, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth G. , widow of William M. Black, of St.
Louis; Catharine C, widow of Robert Bvans, of Lancaster, and Charles
H., of Franklin. Their mother died July 8, 1880. His second marriage,
four years later, was with Leah, daughter of Adam Lightner, who died
February 9, 1886, at the age of ninety- seven years. Colonel Dale was a
Democrat in polities, and a Presbyterian in faith. — M. G. D.
Samuel Futhey Dale, son of Colonel Samuel and Eliza (Gundaker)
Dale, was born on the 7th of March, 1816, in the city of Lancaster, Penn
sylvania, where his boyhood was spent. In May, 1834, he came west to
look after lands owned by his father in Venango and adjoining counties, and
this led to his permanent settlement in Franklin. Although but little over
eighteen years of age at the time of his arrival he soon identified himself
with the interests of the town, and within a few years thereafter became a
prominent figure in the business enterprises of the time and place. Among
his early ventures was theestablishment of a line of stages between Erie and
Pittsburgh at a time when such an enterprise was relatively as necessary to
the prosperity of the country and the convenience of the public as a railway
between the same points became at a later period. He next engaged in the
manufacture of pig iron at Franklin furnace and in operating a forge, and
later— from 1838 until 1845 — in the manufacture of pig iron at Buchanan

748 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
furnace. In 1843 he became associated with the firm of Nock, Dangerfield
& Company, in a rolling mill and a nail mill in what is now the Third ward
of Franklin and operated them until the discovery of richer ores elsewhere
and other causes rendered the manufacture of iron in Venango county un
profitable. In 1857 in eonnectien with the late Orris Hall of Warren, he
built the flouring mills at the mouth of French creek known as the Venango
mills and operated them several years. Of local enterprises of the more
public character there were few, if any, in which he did not take a prominent
part. Among those in which he was the leading spirit may be mentioned
the erection of the bridges over French creek at Thirteenth street, and over
the Allegheny river at the foot of Eighth street after the first structures
erected mainly by the state were destroyed. He took an active part in
securing the completion of the Jamestown and Franklin railroad, after work
upon it had ceased upon its construction as far east as Stoneboro, and to that
end became a subscriber to its stock and bonds ; and was one of four gentle
men, who, in 1861, in order to secure the construction of the railroad from
Meadville to Franklin, became bound to pay for the right of way upon con
dition that that road should' be completed before the completion of the then
projected road from Corry to TitusviUe. He was also one of the promoters
and directors of the Franklin and Oil Creek turnpike, of the Venango Water
Company, and of the First National Bank of Franklin.
He was not merely an enterprising business man of quick perceptions
and great energy, as this brief sketch sufficiently indicates. He was a useful
and exemplary citizen in all else that these words imply. He possessed strong
convictions upon all subjects which are of common concern, and exemplified
those convictions in his every day life — a life which was singularly free
from those faults of the grosser soi-t which mar many otherwise strong char
acters. Of his conversation it can be safely affirmed that it was always and
everywhere fit for the home circle, and this not because he was cool and de
liberate, for he was the reverse, but because the fountain whence the words
came, often unbidden, was pure. A consistent member of the Presbyterian
church, he entered into all of its activities with the same zeal and spirit of
liberality that he displayed in business circles, and when the time came for
setting his house in order he made provision in his will for relieving the
wants of a greatly neglected class of its membership after he should be gone,
in much the same delicate way that characterized all of his unostentatious
alms-giving during life. But his charities were not circumscribed by denom
inational lines. With the provision for members of the church of his choice
is blended another for others like circumstanced outside of its pale, and so
long as faithful trustees shall be found to administer the fund so provided,
this last act of his life will testify to coming generations of that catholic
spirit and kindliness of heart which prompted it.
Mr. Dale was married on the 8th of October, 1840, to Eliza McCleUand,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 749
daughter of George and Agnes McClelland, who survives him. Their chil
dren were Agnes C. (deceased), who was intermarried with Reverend Robert
P. Gibson; Leah J., wife of Colonel L. H. Fassett, of Franklin; Samuel
G., now deceased; Eliza E., wife of Reverend B. Middleton, of Austin,
Illinois; Anna M., wife of Thomas Alexander, of Franklin, and William W.,
now of Denver, Colorado. He died on the 2nd of June, 1876, in the sixty-
first year of his age. — C. H.
Geoege McClelland, deceased, was born near the town of Ballabay,
County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1780, and immigrated to Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, in 1795. There he grew to manhood and married
Agnes Seaton. In 1803 he came to Venango county, locating in what is
now Victory township, but within a few years removed to Franklin and
conducted the United States hotel. He was a man of much energy and was
actively associated with early business and political affairs. He built and
operated a furnace at Sandy creek on the Pittsburgh road, one of the first
in the county. He was one of the projectors of the Venango Democrat, and
a leading man in local politics, serving as county commissioner from 1808
to 1812, as county treasurer, 1818-15, 1820-21,' and in 1824, and as county
auditor, 1819-21. In the later years of his life he engaged in the business
of dealing in stock, buying throughout Venango and adjoining counties and
selling in distant markets. While attending to interests of this nature in
New York state, he died February 18, 1834, aged fifty-four years. His wife
surrived him until November 24, 1842.
The following children were born to George and Agnes (Seaton) McClel
land: Jane, who became the wife of Doctor Nathaniel D. Snowden; Mar
garet, who married Arnold Plumer ; John, who married Eleanor Purviance
of Butler, Pennsylvania, and died February 19, 1837; Nancy, who married
Judge John Bredin of Butler; Harriet, deceased; Eliza, Mrs. Samuel F.
Dale of Franklin; George Croghan, a sketch of whom appears in this chap
ter, and Joseph, also a resident of Franklin. Mrs. Nancy Bredin was born
in 1811 in Venango county, and in 1829 was married to John Bredin, a
lawyer of Butler, who then rode the district and occasionally stopped at her
father's hotel in Franklin. Two years after their marriage he was appointed
president judge by Governor Porter, his steadfast friend and political asso
ciate, as was also George Bancroft, the historian, with whom he sat in four
presidential nominating conventions. His death occurred in May, 1851, and
that of his wife in 1882. She was the mother of a large family; the eldest
of her sons became judge of the same court over which his father had pre
sided; another died a few months after enlistment in the late civil war, and
Judge Ebenezer McJunkin was a son-in-law. Through the wife of George
McClelland, a sister of the father of Mrs. Robert Lamberton, the Lamber
ton, Seaton, and McClelland families were connected.
Arnold Plumer is a conspicuous figure in the history of Venango county.

750 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
He came of that stock of people who settled New England, and who have
stamped their personality indelibly upon American civilization, being the
sixth in descent from Francis Plumer who with eleven other emigrants from
England founded the town of Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1635. The
branch of the family to which he belonged removed to what is now Alle
gheny county, Pennsylvania, soon after the British standard was planted
upon the ruins of Fort Duquesne; and thence his father, Samuel Plumer,
who had married Patty Adams, of the distinguished New England family of
that name, removed to the farm in Jackson township, Venango county, now
owned by John Fetterman. There the subject of this sketch was born on
the 6th of June, 1801. His occupations and opportunities for improvement
outside the home circle, were, during his boyhood, such as were the common
lot of the sons of the pioneers of western Pennsylvania. Undoubtedly the
best instruction which he received, or the country afforded, was given by
his mother, who had brought into her frontier home the culture of the New
England of her day. Aside from this, little other training preparatory to
the struggle of life was within his reach, if we except that discipline, which,
coming from the poverty and privations of a new country, teaches and en
forces self-denial and self-reliance.
Early in life Mr. Plumer took an active interest in politics, and soon be
came a recognized leader in the Democratic party. Four months after he
had completed his twenty- second year he was elected sheriff of Venango
county. On the 25th of January, 1830, Govemor Wolf appointed him
prothonotary and clerk of the several courts, recorder of deeds, and register
of wills, which offices he held during six years. In 1836 he was elected a
member of the twenty- fifth congress in the district composed of the counties
of Crawford, Erie, Warren, and Venango. On the 20th of May, 1839, he
was appointed by President Van Buren United States marshal for the west
ern district of Pennsylvania, in which office he served until the 6th day of
May, 1841. While holding this office, viz. , in October, 1840, he was elected
a member of the twenty-seventh congress in the same district which he rep
resented in the twenty-fifth congress. On the 14th of December, 1847, he
was again appointed United States marshal for the western district of Penn
sylvania, and served until April 8, 1848, when he resigned to accept the
office of state treasurer to which he had been elected by the legislature of
that year.
At the close of his term of office as state treasurer, Mr. Plumer practi
cally retired from public life, and engaged more actively in private pursuits
than his official duties had before permitted. He, however, continued to
take as lively an interest in politics as he had taken while holding office. It
was about this period that Mr. Buchanan's candidacy for the presidency
took definite shape. He and Mr. Plumer were friends of more than ordi
nary mutual regard. Mr. Plumer had the highest admiration of Mr. Bu-

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 751
chanan's abilities and character, and was, as the sequel abundantly proved,
unselfishly devoted to his advancement. Mr. Buchanan cordially recipro
cated these sentiments. He confided in Mr. Plumer as he confided in few
others, and, especiaUy during his absence from the country, relied upon his
judgment very largely in whatever affected his political prospects. To use
the language of one who had an intimate knowledge of the subject about
which he wrote: " When Mr. Buchanan went to England as minister in 1853,
at a meeting of his friends in this city (Philadelphia) to 'send him off,' he
gave in writing that in matters of importance in reference to nomination in
1856 Mr. Plumer was to decide if dissensions arose among the workers. ' '
During Mr, Buchanan's residence in England Mr. Plumer was called
upon to attest the sincerity of his ft-iendship for him by an act of self-
sacrifice. The Know-nothing wave which swept over the country in 1854
left party supremacy in Pennsylvania trembling in the balance. Until that
time it was a political maxim that ' ' As Pennsylvania goes, so goes the
Union." And the taking of a presidential candidate from a state that
cotdd not be relied upon to cast its electoral vote for him was a thing not
to be thought of. It was therefore doubly important to Mr. Buchanan that
Democratic supremacy should be re-established in Pennsylvania beyond a
doubt, before the national convention should be held in 1856. These con
siderations gave to the state election in 1855 an importance second only to
that of a presidential election, although but a single officer, a canal com
missioner, was to be elected. The interests of the Democratic party in the
state and nation, and the purely personal interests of Mr. Buchanan alike
demanded that .the strongest candidate that could be named should be put
forward. He must be a pronounced friend of Mr. Buchanan, and he must
not only be a man of stich personal popularity as to unite his own party,
but he must be of such exalted character and spotless life as to challenge
the respect of his political adversaries. There were many Democrats in the
state of considerable eminence whose friendship for Mr. Buchanan was as
pronounced and sincere as was that of Mr. Plumer; there were others of
greater personal popularity of that sort which comes from the possession of
those so-called magnetic qualities which inspire the rank and file of a party
with enthusiasm, and yet others whose character compared not unfavorably
with his, but among them all there was no one who so well filled all the
requirements of the occasion as he did. It was therefore decreed in the
council of Mr. Buchanan' s friends that he must accept the nomination for
canal commissioner. To accept such nomination from a party whose ranks
had been shattered the year before by an assault which had resulted in seat
ing the candidate of the combined Whigs and Know-nothings in the guber
natorial chair was no small sacrifice on Mr. Plumer' s part. The office was
not one of considerable dignity; its duties were laborious and exacting, such
as could not be performed by a deputy, and its emoluments were trifling.

752 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Its possession could not add to the fame or prestige of one who had oc
cupied higher stations, and Mr. Plumer had no need of its emoluments if
they had been much greater than they were, but had need in his private
business of the time which would be required for the discharge of its
duties. Party exigencies and the interest of Mr. Buchanan, however,
required that he should make the sacrifice. He accepted the nomination,
made the canvass, and was elected. Pennsylvania being restored to the
Democrats Mr. Buchanan's nomination and election the following year
were assured.
After Mr. Buchanan's election there was a general expectation and de
sire on the part of Mr. Plumer's friends throughout the state that he
should be honored with a seat in the cabinet. The intimate and cordial
relations which had so long existed between him and Mr. Buchanan; the
confidence reposed in him by the latter; his prominence in the councils of
the party ; his party services, and, above all, his high character and his fit
ness for the place which was assigned to him by the consensus of his friends,
that of postmaster-general, all pointed to him as one worthy of this
farther honor and likely to be equally acceptable to the president-elect, and
to the people. A large number of Democratic newspapers, recognizing
these considerations, and reflecting public sentiment in their respective
localities, recommended his appointment; and many leading Democrats
who believed that Pennsylvania should be represented in the cabinet,
united without his knowledge or consent in asking that the portfolio of the
postoffice department be tendered to him. To the delegation that presented
this request, Mr. Buchanan replied: " If I am to have a member of my
cabinet from Pennsylvania there is no one more worthy than Mr. Plumer."
And the same morning that Mr. Buchanan left Wheatland for Washington
a newspaper published at his home, and supposed to speak by his authority,
announced that Mr. Plumer had been selected as the head of the postoffice
department. At this time Mr. Plumer was in Washington, and there
learning the unauthorized use that had been made of his name, called upon
the president immediately after his arrival in the city, and after referring
to what he had leamed, peremptorily declined to be considered in connec
tion with a cabinet appointment. The condition of his health, which at
that time was so far impaired as to forbid his undertaking any continuous
and exacting labors, was understood to be the controlling reason of his un
willingness to take office under Mr. Buchanan.
Had the environment of Mr. Plumer' s youth been such as that of his later
years it is improbable that he would ever have held office or occupied so con
spicuous a place as he did in the politics of the county and commonwealth.
As in ancient and in medieval times, when wars for plunder and for conquest
and for the advancement of religion discouraged everything like industrial
progress, the army and the church presented almost the only avenue of dis-

•,. 'tfAT. ,^, f,,','/

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 755
tinction; so, in the earlier period of our national life, when the establishment
of republican institutions was the paramount thought, and later, in the poorer
and more sparsely settled portions of the country, where the sterility of the
soil and the difficulties of intercommunication have been unfriendly to pri
vate enterprise, the chief attractions for men of the higher order of intellect
were found in the business of government and the business of politics. But
as population and wealth increase, the competitions of the whole range of
industrial activities and of the learned professions for talent of the highest
order become so great that few men of character and ability are willing to
turn aside from them for the honors and emoluments of official life. And
just in proportion as private pursuits become more attractive by reason of
their fruits, and the prestige which success therein gives, so does the morale
of politics suffer, not by comparison merely, but absolutely; and it comes to
pass that methods are employed for producing results from which self-re
specting men instinctively recoil. When Mr. Plumer entered politics public
discussion was the potent agency employed in political contests. The stir
ring eloquence of Clay, the keener dialectics of Calhoun, and the all but
resistless logic of Webster, swayed multitudes and at the same time inspired
in the minds of the people a sense of the high character of public trusts, and
led them to seek men worthy to execute %uch trusts rather than suffer the
unworthy to obtrude themselves as candidates for public favor. It was a
noble ambition that led men to take part in the contests in which the giants
named and others of only less stature were leaders; and Mr. Plumer was
naturaUy attracted to the arena in which they shone so resplendently. But,
with the passing away of the generation of statesmen who were in the full
maturity of their great powers when he came upon the stage, there gradually
came those changed circumstances which, as already pointed out, naturaUy
result in flooding the domain of politics with a class of self-seekers whose
methods are born of their necessities — necessities springing from their want
of those qualifications which alone should recommend to public favor. Mr.
Plumer was too modest to propose himself for office, too self-respecting to
solicit votes, and utterly incapable of employing those other methods by
which personal solicitation has been supplemented since the modern regime
has been in vogue. Moreover he had an aptitude for private affairs which,
if it had been cultivated in early life, would have secured for him, under
favorable circumstances, a position in financial and industrial circles more
enviable than can ordinarily be attained in the public service. Hence it was
that after twenty-six years of nearly continuous public service he drifted
into private pursuits of varied character, such as commercial, manufacturing,
mining, and banking enterprises, in all of which he was so uniformly sue-
cessful during a period of twenty years that he left the largest .estate which
up to the time of his death had been accumulated by one man in Venango
county.

756 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
In person Mr. Plumer was tall and of a majestic presence in keeping with
the simple dignity of his character and deportment. The humblest people
approached him easily and confidently, neither high nor low, otherwise than
respectfully. Although he modestly protested that he was not a public
speaker, he was in much demand as such, and whenever he spoke, though
he practiced none of the arts of oratory as commonly understood, he was sure
of an attentive audience, and always spoke impressively and forcibly; he
talked earnestly and directly to the point. A communicant in the Method
ist Episcopal chm-ch, he exemplified his profession by his life and conversa
tion, which were so pure that the one might have been reflected from a mirror
and the other repeated in any presence without causing a blush.
He was married on the 6th of February, 1827, to Margaret, daughter
of the late George McClelland of Franklin, who bore him six children, viz:
Elvira A. , now the widow of the late Judge Gilmore of Uniontown, Penn
sylvania; Samuel; Margaret, wife of H. W. Lamberton of "Winona, Minne
sota; Arnold A. ; Ann Eliza, wife of Reverend R. H. Austin of Philadelphia,
and Henry B. He died on the 28th of April, 1869, leaving a family circle
unbroken except by his own death. Upon the records of the courts of
Venango county, which were then in session, is contained the following
minute under date of Wednesday April 28, 1869: "At four o'clock, p. m.,
the courts on motion adjourned in respect to the memory of Hon. A. Plumer
this day deceased. ' ' The next evening the citizens of Franklin assembled
in the court room to do farther honor to his memory, at which meeting the
late Judge Trunkey presided, assisted by the late Judge Irwin and Thomas
Hoge, and a minute was adopted expressive of the estimation in which
Mr. Plumer was held by his neighbors, and their sense of the loss which the
community had sustained in his death. — C. H.
Benjamin Adams Plumer, the second son of Samuel and Patty Plumer, was
born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1808, his parents hav
ing settled in what is now Jackson township, prior to his birth. On the 8th of
May, 1831, Mr. Plumer married Eliza, daughter of George Power, the
first white settler in Franklin. The fruits of this union were eight chil
dren, four sons and four daughters. Eliza and Mary, two of the daughters,
died in infancy. The eldest son, D. C. Plumer, died January 10, 1865, and
the youngest, Frederick Crary Plumer, died July 28, 1878. The surviving
children are M. A. Plumer, of Johnson county, Missouri; Laura, wife of
the late John P. Park; George W. Plumer, of Akron, Ohio, and Patty,
wife of the late James S. Austin, of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Eliza
Power Plumer died in Franklin November 17, 1850, in the forty-first year
of her age. Judge Plumer died in Franklin, March 22, 1856, in the fifty-
third year of his age.
He held the office of county treasurer during 1886-88, and was post
master during those years. In 1843 he was appointed by Governor Porter

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 757
an associate judge for Venango county, re-appointed by Governor Shunk in
1848, and elected by the people in 1851. He served in that capacity nearly
thirteen years, aud up to the time of his death. Almost his entire life was
passed in Franklin. He was one of her enterprising merchants, and ex
hibited great interest in all things connected with her prosperity and prog
ress. For several years he was the colonel of Venango's regiment of militia,
reaching that rank through service in the several subordinate grades, and
retaining his interest in military affairs to the last. In his youthful days
he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was through
out his whole life a faithful and consistent Christian. He left to his chU
dren the legacy of an honorable career, marked by the faithful perform
ance of every duty, and he died regretted and esteemed by all who knew
him.— A. P. W.
Judge Richard Irwin, up to the time of his death, was perhaps as well
known in Venango county generally as any of its citizens. His calling in
life, that of surveyor, had made him a familiar figure in all parts of the
coimty from the time its active settlement began. Mr. Irwin was of Penn
sylvania ancestry on both sides, his father, Samuel Irwin, being a native of
the Chester valley, and his mother of Northampton county. He was born
May 6, 1798, in Buffalo valley. White Deer township, Northumberland
(now Union) county, about three miles northwest of Lewisburg. In May,
1802, his parents migrated to Sugar Creek (now Cherry Tree) township,
Venango county, where they made a settlement and reared a large family.
The chUdren received only the elementary instruction afforded by the lim
ited educational facilities of that time and place. Richard, the eldest, had
however, the advantage of a home teacher in the person of his uncle, John
Irwin, who subsequently filled the office of associate judge in Venango
county for thirty years, and was also deputy surveyor for six years — a
gentleman well versed in the sound literature of his day, and proficient in
the science of civil engineering and land surveying. Under his correct
tutelage his nephew acquired the elements of a fair English education, and
mastered the principles and practice of surveying. The pupil's first work
in that line was to assist his uncle, in 1818, in locating and grading that
portion of the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike lying between Frank
lin and Meadville.
In July, 1824, he succeeded his uncle as deputy surveyor of the county,
and held the office continuously for fifteen years. His first official survey
was that of the Foster farm on the Allegheny river below Franklin, Sep
tember 9, 1824, and his last official survey was for Silas Watson, in same
township, July 6, 1839. In the meantime he served a term as county com
missioner, from October, 1828, to October, 1831. In September, 1834, he
settled in Franklin, wiiere he thenceforth resided.
In December, 1838, he was appointed by Governor Ritner an associate

758 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
judge, serving until February, 1 843. In 1848 he was chosen a presidential
elector on the Whig ticket, and cast his vote in the college for Taylor and
Fillmore. In 1851 he was appointed by Governor Johnston a member of
the board of revenue commissioners which convened at Harrisburg in Feb
ruary of that year. Judge Irwin was a stanch and active adherent of the
Whig party, and he gave his voice and vote for the Republican party up to
1872, when he supported Horace Greeley for president.
Up to the time when the infirmities of age retired him from active work,
Judge Irwin devoted himself mainly to his regular business of surveyor
land agent, and scrivener. Land surveying was to him a congenial pursuit,
and to this fact may be attributed his accuracy and proficiency in it. His
field notes, carefully kept and methodically arranged, extending over a
space of more than fifty years, covering a large portion of our county, and
reaching into the counties adjacent, attest the fidelity and thoroughness with
which he pursued his calling. It was largely from his notes and drafts of
survey that a map of Venango county was compiled in 1857, which in
accuracy and excellence still remains the standard map of the county.
Concerning his aptitude for his calling, as well as his remarkable memory
for the details of it, we quote a paragraph written four years before his
death by one who knew him intimately:
Those who know Judge Irwin, or for whom he has done business in his line, do
not need to be informed of his scrupulous exactness and remarkable accuracy of detail
in matters of surveying. These peculiarities are supplemented by a memory which,
while it is unusually retentive of general literature and passing events, is strangely
tenacious of all the dry details of Work done by compass and chain. He can recall
those details and perplexing minutiae as if they were passages of eloquence. He has
often been heard to give from memory day and date, and even courses and distances,
of surveys made more than a generation ago. This singular faculty, which in his
eighty-flrst year he still retains, has been repeatedly put to the test in courts of law,
and the result has generally been to establish his correctness and to excite surprise at
so striking an evidence of devotion to all the requirements of his calling.
At a meeting of the members of the bar of Venango county, held a few
days after his death, at which due tribute was paid to Judge Irwin's unim
peachable integrity and moral worth, the chairman, John S. McCalmont,
thus referred to his work as a surveyor : ' ' He was an excellent surveyor^
often called into courts of justice to assist, by his evidence, in settling land
titles. He was consulted by the old lawyers and judges, such as Shippen,
Thompson, Eldred, Banks, and Pearson, in determining the correctness of
surveys ; and his opinions and deductions, in conflicting claims, from the
'marks on the ground' were eagerly sought."
Judge Irwin died at his home in Franklin on Saturday, November 18,
1882, in his eighty-fifth year. With no special disease, he yielded to the
weight of years. His mind was clear to the last, realizing his oft expressed
wish that his ' ' mental f actUties might be spared the last of all. ' '

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 759
In his daily life, conversation, and practice, Judge Irwin was the soul of
honor, truth, and rectitude. He was singiUarly pure in life and speech.
At the funeral services, held in the Presbyterian chm-ch. his old friend.
Doctor Eaton, in a feeling tribute declared that in all the thirty years of
his friendship he ' • had never known Judge Irwin to utter a harsh criticism
of a neighbor, or to speak a word that savored in the slightest of impurity
or impiety. ' " While Mr. Irwin talked little of the mysteries of religion, he
had a profound respect for Christian practice. The corner-stones of his
creed were the Golden RiUe and the Sermon on the Mount.
On the 5th of Mai-ch, 1834, he married Hannah White May, a lady of
New England birth, daughter of Reverend Hezekiah May, then a resident
of Tionesta. She died August 27, 1845, in the fortieth year of her age.
She was one of the most amiable of women, and was beloved by aU who
knew her. She left six chUdren, three sons and three daughters, namely:
Samuel D. ; Frances Helen, wifeof C. Heydrick; H, May; Margaret Jane,
who married W. B. Benedict, and died April 14, 1877; Hannah Gertrude,
and Richard L., who died March 18, 1878. Their father married again in
February, 1S55. Miss Mary A. Lamberton, of Erie, Pennsylvania, who died
July 23, 1887.— -ff. M. I.
William Moore, the first prothonotary of Venango county, was born in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, June 23. 1772, and died in Franklin, December
24, 1837. He was a son of Doctor Robert Moore, a well-known physician
of Lancaster. He was reared and educated in his native city, and there
read medicine. He removed to Meadville in the last decade of the eigh
teenth century, where he man-ied Margaret, eldest daughter of General Da
vid Mead, founder of Meadville. She was born in June, 1781, and died in
Franklin June 19, 1829. They reared the following children: Sarah Mead.
who mai-ried Jacob Mayes, and with three children resides in Franklin;
George R. and William, of Kenton, Ohio, and David M. . who died in Sugar
Creek township, Venango county, in 1865. William Moore was at Mead's
settlement during the Indian troubles and acted as assistant surgeon to the
force protecting that point. Upon the organization of Crawford county in
March.' 1800. he was appointed clerk and prothonotary of that county and
served in that capacity until 1805, when he removed to Franklin and was
appointed prothonotary and register and recorder of Venango county — the
first imcumbent of those offices, which he filled with satisfaction to the peo
ple and credit to himself for many years. The well kept records of his day
bear testimony to his good, plain penmanship and careful business methods.
After retiring from office he engaged in merchandising, and also worked
in the different county offices from time to time, assisting inexperienced offi
cials in their duties. He was a clerk in the offices of the French Creek Canal
Company at Meadville for two years. Mr. Moore was a Democrat and a warm
admirer of Andrew Jackson. Though reared an Episcopalian he was not

760 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
connected with any religious body during the later portion of his life. He
accumulated considerable property in Franklin along French creek, which
he disposed of ere his death. His daughter, Mrs. Mayes, and three children;
four children of David M. , deceased, and his grandson, Doctor B. W. Moore,
are his only descendants in Venango county.
William Connely, deceased, was born at Philadelphia July 22, 1777,
son of Isaac and Phcebe (Garrigues Robinson) Connely, with whom he
removed from Centre county to the vicinity of TitusviUe in 1803. In 1806
he came to Franklin and was actively identified with the early religious and
social life of that town. He was a local preacher in the Methodist church
and one of the first members of the organization at Franklin. His principal
occupation was surveying; he was county surveyor in 1817 and in 1840-44.
He also served as justice of the peace and associate judge. In politics he
was a Whig. He married Elizabeth AUender of Allegheny township, who
bore him the following children: William, a printer, who died in South Af
rica; Isaac, who removed to Cincinnati and there died; Finley, now a resi
dent of Forest county ; Elizabeth H. , who married Judge Alexander McCal
mont; Mrs. John Bvans, whose husband printed the first newspaper in the
county, and Mrs. Arthur Robison. Mrs. Connely died December 1, 1842,
the judge surviving her until May 23, 1871. He is one of the best remem
bered pioneers of Venango county.
John McCalmont was one of the early settlers of Venango county, whither
he removed with his parents, John and Elizabeth (Conard) McCalmont, in
1803. The family located in the forest of Sugar Creek township, where
Thomas and Robert McCalmont, two older brothers of our subject, had
erected a log cabin the previous year. The father was a veteran of the
Revolutionary war, and a sketch of him and his family -will be found in the
pioneer history of Sugar Creek township. His son John was bom in Centre
county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1788, and after coming to this county
remained under the parental roof several years, assisting in clearing and
tilling the homestead farm. He obtained a very fair education for those
days, and was engaged for a short time in teaching one of the pioneer
schools. On reaching his majority he removed to Franklin and went into
the milling business, and many years afterward was engaged in manufactur
ing iron. He was one of the most active and successfiU business men in the
county during that period, but reverses at last overtook him and swept away
the accumulations of years of unflagging industry. Nevertheless he con
tinued in business life up to a few years of his death. He always took a
very active interest in politics, was county commissioner in 1814, and treas
urer of Venango county from 1816 to 1818.
Mr. McCalmont was twice married, his first wife, Maria, dying without
issue in 1814. On the 18th of January. 1818, he married Miss Mary H. ,
daughter of Samuel Plumer, who bore him five chUdren: Patty, who mar-

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 761
ried Reverend A. G. Miller and died in Louisiana in 1854; John, who died
at the age of twenty-seven; Samuel Plumer, a well-known lawyer of Frank
lin; Julia, who died in 1862, and Margaret, now head of a seminary near
Jackson, Louisiana. The mother died September 3, 1848. Her husband
survived her twenty-nine years, and died August 27, 1877. Mr. McCalmont
is one of the well > remembered pioneers of Franklin, where he spent the
greater portion of his life. He was an open-hearted, generous giver, and
often cramped himself to assist his neighbor. He was kind and affectionate
in his family relations, and an upright, honorable citizen.
Samuel Plumer McC.vlmont, one of the oldest lawyers of the Venango
bar, was born in Sugar Creek township, Venango county, Pennsylvania,
September 12, 1823. He is a son of John and Mary (Plumer) McCalmont,
and grandson of John and Elizabeth (Conard) McCalmont, pioneers of
Sugar Creek. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Plumer, and sister of
the late Arnold Plumer of Franklin. His boyhood days were passed in the
hardy and laborious occupation of pioneer farming, and his educational
advantages consisted of what the early-day subscription schools afforded,
afterward supplemented by a few months at college. He then entered the,
law office of his uncle. Judge Alexander McCalmont, and Edwin C. W^ilson,
and was admitted to practice November 25, 1847. In April, 1850, he went
to California where he spent three years, and then returned to Franklin and
resumed the duties of his profession. For the past thirty-seven years Mr.
McCalmont has continued in active practice, and is to-day one of the best
known members of the Venango bar.
Politically he was originally a Democrat, and afterward one of the men
who organized the Republican party in this county. In 1855 he was elected
to the legislature and twice re-elected to the same position. In 1874 he
identified himself with the temperance movement, and assisted in organiz
ing the Prohibition party. Since that date he has been an ardent supporter
and advocate of prohibition measures and principles. He established a news
paper at Franklin to help fight the battles of temperance, and gives liberal
financial aid to the cause. In fact he ia one of the most pronounced and
prominent Prohibitionists in this section of the state.
Mr. McCalmont was married in April, 1859, to Miss Harriet, daughter
of Piatt Osborn, of Chautauqua county. New York. They are the parents
of six living children: Samuel Plumer, Jr., a physician of New York city;
John O, attorney, of Franklin; Harriet; James D. ; Constance, and David.
For several years past Mr. McCalmont has been extensively engaged in
the producing and refining of petroleum, and also financially interested in
several enterprises of great public benefit. Inured to hard work and fru
gality during his youth, he learned well the lesson of economy ere reaching
manhood, which, coupled with the most rigid industry and the closest per
sonal supervision of all his business affairs, has enabled him to accumulate
through the passing years a handsome competence.

762 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Samuel Bailey was born in England April 10, 1795, and there leamed
the carpenter trade. In 1817 he immigrated to the United States, coming
to Venango county the same year. Soon afterward he located in Franklin,
where he was married November 4, 1819, to Mary, eldest daughter of AVUl-
iam and Mary (AUender) Kinnear, early settlers of Venango county. She
was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, and bore him a family of three
sons and three daughters: William K. (deceased), Mary A. (deceased -wife
of James M. Plant), Almira S. (wife of Miles Beatty, of Franklin), Morti
mer D. (deceased), Melissa J. (wife of W. M. Epley, of Franklin), and
Samuel P. (deceased). Mr. Bailey followed his trade a few years after
locating in Franklin, and then engaged in general merchandising on the old
Bailey corner, opposite the court house, which business he continued up to
his death, September 14, 1855. His widow survived him nearly nineteen
years, and died July 27, 1874. Mr. Bailey was reared a member of the
Church of England, but after his marriage he attended the Methodist Epis
copal church, to which denomination his wife adhered. Politically he was
a Democrat, but took no active part in public affairs. He was of a quiet
and retiring disposition, courteous and dignified to friend and stranger alike,
and greatly respected by the community wherein nearly forty years of his
life were passed.
George Beigham was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, June 7, 1788,
and learned the trade of carpenter, painter, and glazier in his native land.
In the spring of 1817 he immigrated to America, and the same year took up
his permanent abode in Franklin, Pennsylvania. He followed his trade many
years, and then went into general merchandising, dealing in groceries, drugs,
etc., and engaged in any class of trade that the times demanded. He was
quite successful in business, and accumulated considerable property. His
old stand, the "Rob Roy." was one of the best known stores of that
period, Mr. Brigham was married December 2, 1819, to Catherine Mc,
oldest daughter of George Power, the first white settler of Venango county
after the Revolutionary war. Eleven children were born of this marriage:
Anne, wife of John Haslet, of Franklin: Robert, of the same city; George,
deceased; Thaddeus W., of Franklin; Mary P., wife of George Turner, of
Kansas City. Missouri; WiUiam F., of Franklin; Lydia E. L., deceased
wife of Absalom Smith; Ralph M, : and Florence, wife of John T. P. Wat
son, both residents of Franklin, and two who died in infancy, ilr. Brigham
was an Episcopalian in religion, and a Whig in politics. Honest and up
right in all his dealings, he went down to his grave respected by the com
munity in which the greater portion of his life was spent. He died October
10. 1S46, His widow survived him until February 27, 1884.
•Jeremiah Cl-axcy, one of the pioneer business men of Franklin, was born
in Ireland in 1799, and immigrated to Philadelphia in 1816, where he learned
the shoemaker's trade. In 1819 he came to Franklin and opened a small

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 763
shoemaking shop on Thirteenth street, near BTk, which he carried on for
many years. In March, 1830, he opened the " Jackson Inn " on the corner of
Thirteenth and Elk streets, which he conducted in connection with his pre
vious business. Mr. Clancy was twice married, his second wife surviving him
and dying at TitusviUe a few years ago. Two children, a son and daugh
ter, were the fruits of his first marriage. The former removed to the West
and the daughter married '^^'illiam C. McCormick, whose daughter is now
the wife of E. W. Echols, of Franklin. Mr. Clancy died in this city March
5, 1873, and a modest shaft marks his last resting place in St. Patrick's
cgmetery. He was a stanch Catholic, and steadfastly clung to his faith
through many years of spiritual privation, at a time, too, when such an
organization as a Catholic church was not even dreamed of in Franklin.
He was a very retiring, industrious, honest man, and a good citizen. Though
leaving to his descendants considerable property accumidated through the
passing years, he also left to them the bright legacy of an untarnished
reputation. William Raymond, retired merchant, and one of the oldest and most re
spected citizens of Venango county, was born in Wilton, Fairfield county,
Connecticut, May 8, 1799. He is a son of Asahel and Mary (Vail) Raymond,
natives of that state, where our subject was also reared and educated. Soon
after reaching manhood he left his native county, and finally located at
Franklin, Pennsylvania, in October, 1828. Here he opened a general store
and commenced a successful mercantile career that extended through a
period of nearly forty years. Retiring from merchandising shortly before
the war of the Rebellion, he engaged in oil operating, which business he
continued for several years, and then gave up the duties of an active busi
ness life and devoted his attention to his private affairs. In the meantime
the failure of Culver, Penn & Company had swept away the larger por
tion of the accumulations of years of rigid industry, wise economy, and
successful investments, leaving him in his old age only a tithe of his for
mer fortune, but enough to surround his declining years with all necessary
comforts. While feeling keenly his financial losses at that time, he never
theless possesses sufficient Christian philosophy and determination of char
acter to view the matter with comparative indifference, and is perfectly
resigned to the unalterable decrees of an All-wise Providence.
Mr. Raymond was married December 12, 1826, to Miss Nancy H.,
daughter of William Kinnear, one of the pioneers of Venango county,
whither he removed as early as 1800, locating in Franldin in 1811. A
sketch of Mr. Kinnear appears in this work. Mrs. Raymond was born in
the northern part of Venango county. May 11, 1804, and was the mother of
eight children, viz.: Charles P., PhUetus W\, and Mary, aU deceased;
Lpretta, deceased wife of DeWitt Clinton Plumer; DeUa R., who married
W, H. HUliard, of Cleveland, Ohio, and after his death William Carr

764 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
— the latter is also dead, and his widow resides in Pittsburgh; William K.,
of Franklin; Almena H., and Almira M. , both of whom are deceased. For
more than half a century Mr. Raymond and wife bore together the joys
and sorrows of life's rugged pathway, but on the 18th of July, 1879, the
loving helpmate and companion of his early manhood and ripe old age
passed to that home ' ' not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ' ' From
early youth she had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
died comforted and solaced by a firm hope in a blissful immortality.
Mr. Raymond cast his first vote in 1824 for John Quincy Adams, and
supported the Whig party until the formation of the Republican party,
with which he has since affiliated. He served as treasurer of Venango
county in 1888-34. Though nearing his ninety-first birthday he is still hale
and vigorous in both mind and body — one of the few living links uniting the
historic past with the ever eventful and changing present.
Philetus Wilton Raymond, second son of William Raymond, was born
in Franklin, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1829, and died at Hot Springs,
Arkansas, March 20, 1884. He was reared and educated in his native place,
and his earlier years were spent as a clerk in his father's store. In 1853
he entered the employ of Aaron W. Raymond, then engaged in the furnace
business at Raymilton, and October 17, 1854, he married Miss Hannah M.
Raymond, daughter of his employer. A few years afterward he removed to
the village of Cherry Tree, and engaged in merchandising. Subsequently he
was elected postmaster of the house of representatives at Harrisburg, and re
elected to the same position. Some six years prior to his death he formed
a partnership with his brother, W. K., and engaged in the clothing business,
but in 1879 the latter was succeeded by Prank N. Raymond, eldest son of
our subject, who since his death has continued the business. Four chil
dren were born to Philetus W. and Hannah M. Raymond: Prank N. ;
Charles P., deceased; Mary, deceased, and Delia. Mr. Raymond was a
Mason, and was buried with the usual honors of that fraternity.
The following tribute to his character is copied from the Venango Spec
tator, whose veteran editor knew him well from childhood up to his death:
' ' Here where his life was passed his friends included almost all who ever
knew him. His disposition was genial, yet he had sufficient force of char-
rcter to assert himself when necessary, and to treat those who were deserv
ing of his regard better than those who were not. As a business man he
was prompt, energetic, and obliging; as a friend he was true to what he
professed; and as a citizen he was alive to his duty as a member of the
community, and interested in its wellf are. ' '
Robert and Nancy (Kinnear) Kinnear were natives of Ireland, who
immigrated to eastern Pennsylvania and afterward to the north part of Ve
nango county early in the century. After a few years they removed to
Franklin, where Mr. Kinnear filled the position of jailor fifteen years. They

BIOGRAPHIES OP FRANKLIN. 765
reared five children: Ann, who married Alexander Kinnear; James; Henry;
Elizabeth, who became the wife of Dominick McCormick, and Jane, all of
whom are dead. For several years preceding his death Mr. Kinnear kept
the lock on the French Creek canal, at the big dam, about one mile above
Franklin. Both he and wife were ardent Methodists and died in that faith
at a ripe old age. Their last years were spent at the point previously men
tioned, now known as the Echols farm, and formerly the property of William
C. McCormick, the father of Mrs. E. W. Echols, of Franklin, and grandson
of Mr. Kinnear.
Jacob Dubbs, one of the pioneer merchants of Franklin, was born at
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1797, son of Jacob Dubbs, a Pennsylvania
German. He was reared in his native city, and there married Elizabeth
AUeman, of that vicinity. In 1824 he came to Franklin with his wife and
one child, Elizabeth, also accompanied* by his father, who spent the latter
years of his life in Venango county, and died in Franklin at a ripe old age.
Soon after coming Mr. Dubbs purchased the property on Liberty street, now
the site of the International Bank. He followed the wheelwright trade
until 1830, and commenced a general merchandising business which he
carried on up to his death. This occurred by drowning, in 1845, while driv
ing some stock from Ohio. Of the family of Jacob and Elizabeth Dubbs
five children survive: Elizabeth, widow of James Bleakley, and Julia A.,
wife of Judge R. S. McCormick, both residents of Franklin; John, of that
city; Henry, of Seattle, Washington, and Rachel, widow of J. Miles Hoover,
now a resident of Massachusetts. Mrs. Dubbs died August 25, 1835, and
he subsequently married Mrs. Hannah Wilson, who bore him one daughter,
Hannah, deceased wife of Edward Muse. Mr. Dubbs was an industrious,
reliable man and thoroughly honest in all the relations of life. He was a
Lutheran in religion and a Democrat in politics.
Benjamin Alexander was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1802.
At the age of twelve he began the trade of cabinet maker, and after the
usual apprenticeship he went to Pittsburgh. He was a member of the Cab
inet Makers' Union of that place and preserved as a relic one of their sched
ules of prices for piece work in those early days. He afterward worked in
Washington, New York, ahd various other points before coming to Franklin,
where he arrived in 1826. His parents settled at that place six months
previously. His father, James Alexander, died in 1838, aged seventy-four
years. His mother, Nancy Alexander, was a daughter of Captain Caleb
Armitage, a Revolutionary soldier, who was. one of the founders of the First
Presbyterian church of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. She died in 1840 aged
sixty-nine years. Benjamin Alexander was twice married, first to Mrs. Jane
Lapsley, who died in 1851; and then to Jane Adams, daughter of James
and Rachel Adams, who survives him. The children of his first wife are:
James G. , Nancy A. , and Thomas. Mr. Alexander carried on cabinet mak-

766 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ing many years. He brought the first steam engine to Franklin, and had
the first circular saw used in this locality. Later in life he sold his furni
ture establishment and devoted his time to his other personal affairs. He
laid out the addition to Franklin known as Alexander's addition, also made
an addition to the old cemetery in the Second ward. He cheerfully gave
financial aid to all public enterprises. He died December 31, 1878.
Charles Lacy Cochran, deceased, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania,
January 22, 1800. His parents settled upon a farm that is now a part of
Cochranton, Crawford county, early in the century, and there he lived untU
he removed to Franklin in 1828. In 1824 he married Elizabeth Duffield, a
member of the large family of that name residing near Utica. Five of their
children arrived at maturity: One daughter, Mary A., who married James
McKee and afterward Hugh Craig; Robert L. ; James D. ; Samuel H, and
Charles C. The three last named were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion.
James D., a sergeant in the One Hundred and Forty-Fifth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, was killed at Gettysburgh, July 3, 1863; Samuel H. , first lieu
tenant of Company G, Sixty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed at
Mechanicsville, near Richmond, June 26, 1862 ; and Charles C. was lieuten
ant and captain of Company C, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves. The mother
died December 1, 1867, and the father December 8, 1868.
William Elliott, deceased, was born at what is known as the James
Russell farm, in the valley of Sugar creek, January 25, 1803, son of Robert
and Rebecca (Fleming) Elliott. Robert Elliott was from the eastern part
of the state, presumably the vicinity of Carlisle, Cumberland county. He
was a farmer by occupation, and after a residence of several years at Frank
lin and in its vicinity, removed to the mouth of Hemlock creek in J'resident
township, where he built the first mill in that part of the county and was
long an infiuential citizen. There he died and is buried with his wife and
several members of their family in a small inclosed graveyard at the village
of President. Seven children of Robert and Rebecca (Fleming) Elliott
grew to maturity: David, William, Robert, Sanderson, George, Martha
(Mrs. John Lamb), and Mary (Mrs. Hamilton), all deceased. William EUi
ott enjoyed only limited educational advantages, but individual application
and the experiences of after life rendered him a inan of exceptional intelli
gence and practical knowledge. At a comparatively early date in the his
tory of Franklin he engaged in mercantile pursuits in that town, continuing
at this until 1849, when he became interested in the Franklin foundry as
senior member of the firm of Elliott & Epley. As a business man, he was
sagacious and successful, and bore the reputation of unquestioned integrity.
In polities he was a Democrat and was closely identified with the affairs of
that party in this county. He was early called upon to assume the duties
of public office; in 1829 he was elected county commissioner, serving one
term, and on the 4th of December, 1854, he took the oath of office as pro-

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 767
thonotary. While the incumbent of the latter position his death occurred,
July 20, 1857. He married Mary, daughter of James Kinnear, an early
and prominent citizen of Franklin, and was the father of seven children,
six of whom arrived at maturity: Jane H. , wife of Colonel J. H. Cain;
James K. ; R. Fleming; William D. ; Thomas H. , and Edward C, all resid
ing in Franklin except the last named, who is in the employ of the Anglo-
American Oxide Company, at Liege, Belgium. The parents of Mr. Elliott
were members of that branch of the Presbyterian church known as Seceders ;
though not regularly connected with any religious body himself he was
superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school shortly before his death,
and otherwise active in promoting the religious interests of the community.
Aakon Weeks Raymond was born in Norwalk, Fairfield county, Connect
icut, January 21, 1801, the son of Aaron and Hannah (Weeks) Raymond.
The latter was born in Long Island, February 17, 1765, the former in Fair
field county, Connecticut, August 9, 1759, and they were married October
27, 1784. Aaron, Sr. , was a son of Simeon Raymond, and a sailor by oc
cupation, being captain of a vessel engaged in the whale fisheries. He also
owned land and was engaged in farming. On the 1st of January, 1777, he
enlisted in the Third Connecticut regiment and served through the Revolu
tionary war; his discharge, bearing the autograph of Washington, and dated
June 8, 1783, is still in possession of the family. His property was entirely
destroyed by Arnold's expedition in 1779, as was also that of his father. It
is related that the latter buried a large pier glass, an heirloom brought by the
family from England, which was thus preserved alone of all his household
effects. Being in poor health, and unable longer to follow the sea, Aaron,
Sr., removed to Clinton, Oneida county. New York, and thence to Troy,
where he died November 30, 1810. He was the father of ten children: Mrs.
Olive Gregory; Mrs. Mary UnderhUl; Mrs. Elizabeth Craw; Orange; Mrs.
Lavina Russell; Mrs. Hannah Underhill; Mrs. Phoebe Lord; Aaron W. ;
Mrs. Matilda Russell, and Julia Ann.
Our subject thus left an orphan at the age of nine years, was received
into the family of his eldest sister, then residing at Clinton, New York, and
here he attended school. Three years later he entered the employ of an
other brother-in-law. Captain Abraham Underhill, as cabin boy; he filled
successively every position on a steamboat from this humble place to that of
captain, and in the latter capacity he was employed on three different boats.
In 1819 he made a journey to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he re
mained two years with his brother-in-law David Russell, a farmer of that
county. Dnring the time that he was engaged in steamboating he usually
clerked in a store during the winter months. Returning to Troy he re
sumed his old vocation. In 1828, under the firm name of Raymond & Un-
derhiU, he conducted a grocery business in Troy. In 1830 he removed to
Pennsylvania and arrived at the site of Utica in May of that year, there be-

768 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ginning an active business career of half a century in this county. He
erected a building and engaged in manufacturing and mercantile pursuits,
also operated a grist mUl, saw mill, etc. Through his efforts a postoffice
was established, the name having been suggested by him. In 1844 he
bought a tract of land embracing the present site of Raymilton, whereon he
erected a blast furnace, mills, and other buildings, and established a large
store. The furnace was closed down in 1857. He was also in business in
Hartstown, Crawford county, where he built three locks of the Beaver and
Erie canal. In 1858 he removed to Franklin and took charge of the Rural
house, to which he gave that name. In the autumn of the following year, as
president of a company organized at Franklin for that purpose, he drilled
the second well in the oil regions, and was actively interested in oil develop
ments on OU creek. Sugar creek, the Allegheny river, Sandy creek, and in
various other districts. A man of great energy and versatility he continued
in active business to an age beyond the ordinary life of men, and lived to
enjoy the retrospect of an honorable and useful career, dying January 24,
1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years.
Mr. Raymond married Ann Eliza Whitaker, September 25, 1824; her death
occurred January 25, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years and seven months.
She was a daughter of Captain Ephraim Whitaker, a soldier of the Revolu
tion. Thirteen children were born to them, ten of whom survive. In the
order of age, those now living are: Matilda, wife of Jackson Robison, of
Curwensville, Pennsylvania; William W., George W., and Charles H, of
Raymilton, Venango county; Hannah M., widow of Philetus W. Raymond;
Mary J. ; Harriet A., wife of John L. Mitchell, all of Franklin; Sarah, wife
of WUliam J. Lamberton, of Denver, Colorado; Aaron W., Jr., of RaymU-
ton, and Ann Elizabeth, of Franklin. Mr. Raymond was a member of the
Presbyterian church since 1842, and for many years an elder in the church
at Franklin. Chakles Washington Mackey, deceased, was born at Port Deposit, Mary
land, April 21, 1791. He was a direct descendant of WUliam Mackey, of
Tubeg, Scotland. The name Mackey is undoubtedly of Irish origin, the pro
genitor of the family in Scotland having removed from Ireland about the close
of the twelfth century. The orthography of the name varies with the idiom
of speech in different localities; but it is generally spelled Mackie, McKay,
Makky, McKie, Mackey, Mackghie, Mackay e, etc. The clan is one of the
oldest in Scotland. An ancient manuscript discovered within the last few
years in the Advocates' library at Edinburgh, written by Andrew Simpson,
and edited and published by Thomas Maitland, Jr., of Dundruman, men
tions the Mackeys as contemporary with Robert Bruce. Sir Robert Gordon,
a recognized authority, states that Donald, the son of lye, was the first who
went under the name. The Mackeys must have resided for many centuries
in Galloway, for an old parish there is called Balmaghie, i. e. , Mackeytown.

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 769
A book published by Robert Mackay of Thurso, Scotland, in 1829, entitled
"A History of the House and Clan of Mackey," gives an account of the
origin of the various branches of the clan and the different ways of spelling
the name, showing that the latter originated in the twelfth century, and that
all the Mackeys are descended fi-om a common ancestry.
The father of Charles Washington Mackey was born near Inverness,
Scotland, and in 1765 immigrated to America, locating at Port Deposit, Mary
land. He was a soldier in the Continental army. He married Kaziah
Kebecea Murphey, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who also came to this
country in 1765. They had three sons: W^illiam, Thomas, and Charles W. ,
and all of them served in the war of 1812. He was accompanied to America
by his brother, John Mackey, who settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
and was a member of the convention that framed the first constitution of the
state; and also by his brother Thomas, who located in South Carolina.
Our subject learned the trade of wagon maker in Chester county, Penn
sylvania. At the age of twenty- one he removed to Centre county, where he
pursued that occupation for a number of years. He then removed to Clear
field county, where he resided until near the close of 1831, when he removed
to Franklin, arriving at that place on tho 27th of December. Soon after
his arrival he established his business and carried it on until his retirement
from active life about thirty years later. During the period of his busi
ness career Franklin was a small town with meager facilities of communica
tion with the outside world, but with commendable enterprise he established
a manufactory with a capacity considerably in advance of the local demand,
disposing of a large part of his product in the towns along the Susquehanna
and Waterford turnpike. But although industrious and economical money
came in slowly in those days, and he never accumulated much property be
yond the requirements of a growing family. He was a man of great energy
and force of character, one of the most honest, honorable, and upright citi
zens of the county, an elder in the Presbyterian church, a Mason in high
standing, a prominent Democrat, and filled the office of coroner of Venango
county from 1853 to 1857.
He was married May 19, 1819, to Julia Anne Pagundus (in the old Ger
man Bible in the possession of the Mackey family, the name is always spelled
Paeundus, and the same way in the Colonial Records), daughter of John and
Mary (Cressman) Pagundus, natives of PhUadelphia, born November 3,
1761, and May 17, 1763, respectively. John Pagundus and Mary Cressman
were married in that city May 23, 1785, and subsequently removed to the
vicinity of Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where Mrs.
Mackey was born December 14, 1801. Her paternal grandfather, John
Fagundus, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, and immi
grated to Philadelphia in 1732, where he married Martha Done, February
3, 1761, as appears on page 98, Volume II, of the Pennsylvania Ai--

770 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
chives. Her maternal grandfather, John Cressman, came from Germany to
Philadelphia, in 1732, and was married in that city, in 1749, to Catharine
Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Mackey were the parents of ten children: Major
James Pagundus, a sketch of whom appears in this chapter; John and WiU
iam, who died in Centre county; Mary Jane, wife of James K. Smith of
Franklin; Kaziah Rebecca, wife of Richard MagiU of Pagundus, Warren
county, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth Anne, deceased wife of Royal E. Scott
of Pagundus, Warren county; Susan Julia, wife of Judge Charles E. Tay
lor of Franklin; Margretta, wife of Henry Pike of Jamestown, New York;
Charles William, of Franklin, and Edward Pierce, deceased. Mr. Mackey
died March 12, 1865, his widow surviving him until February 14, 1883.
The following extract from an obituary in the Venango Spectator shows the
estimation in which Mrs. Mackey was held by the community in which she
had lived more than half a century : ' ' She was in the best sense of the term,
everybody's friend. She had love and sympathy for everybody. She never
had an unkind word to say about any person, and would not even permil;
harsh criticism in her presence. This sweetness of disposition was reflected
in her face and manner. She wore the visible sign and seal of a good heart."
Major James Pagundus Maokey, deceased, was born in Bellefonte, Cen
tre county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1821, a son of Charles Washington
and Julia Anne (Pagundus) Mackey. He came to Franklin with his par
ents in 1831, and nine years later removed to Clarion, Pennsylvania. At
the outbreak of the civil war he recruited Company H, One Hundred and
Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and entered the service as its captain. He
participated in McClellan's campaign and in the expedition into North
Carolina, leading his regiment at the battle of Kingston. The entire bri
gade to which he was attached was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina,
April 20, 1864; for nearly a year he was confined at Andersonville, and
subsequently at Macon, Savannah, Charleston, and Columbia. He was
commissioned major of his regiment, November 1, 1863, and subsequently
lieutenant colonel, but being imprisoned at Andersonville at the time the
latter commission was granted it never reached him. He was mustered out
of service March 14, 1865, having sustained throughout his military career
the reputation of a brave, gallant, and faithful soldier. Shortly after his
return to Clarion he removed to Franklin and there engaged extensively and
successfully in the business of oil producing. In 1875 he was elected treas
urer of Venango county, and discharged the duties of this office for one
term with ability and fidelity. 'He died May 11, 1888, leaving a wife and a
large family. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and an elder
in the church at Franklin.
Charles William Mackey, attorney at law, was born at Franklin, Penn
sylvania, November 19, 1842, son of Charles Washington and Julia Anne
(Fagundus) Mackey. He received a good academic education, learned the

tr

c/c^e^

biographies of franklin. 773
trade of printer, and commenced the study of law at the age of eighteen
in the office of his brother-in-law, Charles E. Taylor, now president judge
of Venango county. At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in Com
pany C, Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, popularly known as the
" 'Venango Grays " and the'first organization recruited in this county. Of
this company he afterward became first lieutenant, and served with it,
except when on detached duty, until July 11, 1863, when he was honorably
discharged. During this period he served as ordnan<je officer for a time on
the staff of General McCall, and also in the same capacity on the staff of
General E. 0. C. Ord. In the month of August following his discharge he
was appointed special agent of the United States treasury by Secretary
Chase, for the district composed of eastern Virginia and North Carolina.
It was through his office that the commercial and coastwise intercourse
between the localities named and the northern states was conducted. He
received and disbursed large sums of money for the government. He
resigned this position August 1, 1865, and shortly afterward returned to
Franklin. Mr. Mackey was admitted to the bar of Venango county August 28,
1865, and soon afterward entered the law firm of Taylor & GilfiUan as a
partner. He was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the United
States December 5, 1875, on motion of the late Jeremiah S. Black, ex-
attorney general of the United States. He has also been admitted to prac
tice in the supreme courts of Pennsylvania and several other states. He is
recognized as a leader in his profession and has been employed in many of
the most important eases ever tried in this section of the state.
Besides this Mr. Mackey has been identified with many manufacturing
and railroad enterprises of importance. For several years he was attorney
for the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company; vice-president and general
solicitor of the Olean, Bradford, and Warren Railroad Company (now a
part of the Western New York and Pennsylvania system) ; president of the
Pittsburgh, Bradford and Buffalo Railroad Company (since merged into
the Pittsburgh and Western system); vice president and general solicitor of
the Cincinnati and Southeastern Railroad Company (afterward consolidated
with the Chesapeake and Ohio) ; general solicitor and a director of the Pitts
burgh and Western Railroad Company; president of the Columbia Gas
Light and Fuel Company, and of the Franklin Gas Company. At the
present time he is president of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Railroad
Company; a director of the American Oxide Company of Franklin; vice-
president and director of the Shenango Coal and Mining Company; and a
du-ector of the Savings Bank of Franklin, the Emlenton Bank, and the
Edenburg Bank. Mr. Mackey is also connected with various other finan
cial and industrial institutions. He is a man of broad, liberal views,
keen and sagacious in the prosecution of his business affairs, and is recog-
43

774 history of venango county.
nized as one of the most enterprising, generous, and public- spirited citizens
of his native county. His business engagements for some time past have
been of such a nature that he finds it necessary to have an office in New
York city, where he remains the greater portion of his time. The firm of
Mackey, Forbes & Hughes is in active practice" at Franklin, but its affairs
are conducted mainly by the junior members.
In polities he is an ardent Republican, having cast his first vote for Lin
coln in 1864, and taken an active part in every political campaign since
1866. He was the candidate of that party for congress from the twenty-
seventh district in 1884 and 1886, and although defeated each time, his
majority in the district outside of the city of Erie, the home of his opponent,
was much larger than that given any other Republican candidate for many
years. In his own county he ran largely ahead of Blaine in 1884, and had
more than double the majority of General Beaver in 1886. In the presi
dential campaign of 1888 he was "on the stump" in New York and New
Jersey for several weeks, and his speeches elicited very favorable comment
from the metropolitan press. He has also frequently delivered addresses
on various subjects, and possesses in a marked degree the power of con
vincing and molding an audience to his views.
Mr. Mackey is a past commmander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
In the Masonic order he has been commander of Knights Templar, district
deputy grand master of Pennsylvania for many years, and district deputy
grand high priest of Royal Arch Masons of Pennsylvania. He is a member
of the New York club, the Lawyers' club of New York, and the Nursery club
of Franklin. In 1872-73 he was captain in the National Guard of Pennsyl
vania. He has been mayor of Franklin, city solicitor three tef ms, and mem
ber of council several years. He has traveled extensively, and visited
Europe three times.
On the Oth of May, 1867, Mr. Mackey married Lauretta Barnes Fay of
Columbus, Ohio. Her father, Cyrus Paige Fay, was the youngest son of
Daniel Fay, of Hardwick, Massachusetts, who was born December 14, 1752,
and served in Colonel Earned' s regiment during the Revolutionary war. Her
maternal great-grandfather, Timothy Paige, was born in Hardwick, Massa
chusetts, May 24, 1727, and died AprU 26, 1796. He hbld various official
positions of a civil nature and served during the Revolution with the rank
of colonel. The late Right Reverend Philander Chase, bishop of the Protest
ant Episcopal church in Ohio and founder of Kenyon College, was the uncle
of Mrs. Mackey, and accompanied her father to Ohio, from Vermont, in
1812. Her father was for many years a prominent merchant of Columbus
and at the time of his death, October 2, 1872, was treasurer of the Columbus
and Xenia Railway Company. He was a man of the highest character and
standing. His wife, Myra (Barnes) Fay, was a daughter of Doetoi Samuel
Barnes, a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. Mr. and Mrs. Mackey are

biographies of franklin. 775
the parents of six chUdren: Susan Taylor, wife of E. B. Hughes, attorney
at law of Franklin; Myra Fay, Cyrus Fay, WiUiam Chase, Julia Anne, and
Marion Paige.
Major George Croghan McClelland, deceased, was born at the United
States hotel in Franklin, November 29, 1819, a son of George and Agnes
(Seaton) McClelland. In 1839 he was appointed a cadet at the national
military academy. West Point, from which he graduated July 1, 1843, in a
class numbering among its members some of the famous military men of the
late civil war. He was at once assigned to the Third infantry with the rank
of brevet second lieutenant, and was successively stationed at Fort Leaven
worth, Kansas, and Fort Jess up, Louisiana. April 9, 1846, he resigned
his commission, but on his way home leamed of the commencement of hos-
tUities and with characteristic patriotism resolved to return to the army.
After a brief visit to friends in Pennsylvania he set out for New Orleans
and volunteered for service against the Mexicans. He served as private and
corporal in the First Pennsylvania Volunteers and as second lieutenant of
the Eleventh Infantry, participating in the siege of Vera Cruz, the defense
of Pueblo, and a number of other operations. His bravery and gallantry at
the assault upon Molino del Rey elicited a highly complimentary testimonial
from General Cadwallader. During the war of the Rebellion he served for
a time with the rank of captain, but resigned after two years' service and
returned to this county. For several years he was engaged in business at
Polk and in the later years of his life resided upon a farm in French Creek
township, where he died in November, 1887, his widow surviving him only
a few months.
John Lindsay Hanna is a son of James and Rebecca Hanna, and a grand
son of John Hanna, the pioneer, a sketch of whom will be found among the
biographical notices of French Creek township. His mother was a daugh
ter of John Lindsay, also a pioneer of French Creek township. His father,
James Hanna, was the second son of John and Jane Hanna, and was born
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1796. He was twice married, first in
1823, to Rebecca Lindsay, who died in 1854. His second wife was Mrs.
Maria Walker. James Hanna was from early manhood a member of the
Presbyterian church until his death, which occurred in Franklin, March 1 6,
1883. The subject of this sketch was born in French Creek township, Feb
ruary 5, 1824. He received his education in the common schools. In 1855
he removed to Franklin, and engaged in the real estate and insurance busi
ness, which he continued until 1863. Since that date his attention has been
given, in part, to dealing in real estate. His life has been an active and en
ergetic existence. In 1863 he organized the Franklin Gas Company and the
Venango Water Company, and was president of the latter twenty- five years.
In 1864 he, with others, organized the Exchange Hotel Company, whose
fine buUding was destroyed by fire in 1870. In 1865 he erected the Hanna

776 history of venango county.
block on Thirteenth street, which was bumed in 1886. In its day it was the
largest and finest building in Franklin. He also established a brickyard in
the Third ward of Franklin, and carried on that business for twenty years.
Mr. Hanna was man-ied in 1858 to Emily, daughter of Richard Roberts,
then a resident of Sugar Creek township, and owner of the land now known
as the Venango county poor farm. They are the parents of six living chU
dren: Richard J., general manager of the Venango Water Company;
Charles, who lives in French Creek township ; John L. , Harriet, Emily, and
Jane. Mr. Hanna is one of the most enterprising citizens of Franklin, and
has been identified with nearly all of the movements tending toward the
progress and development of the town. — A. P. W.
Reverend Cyrus Dickson, D. D., deceased, was bom December 20,
1816, at Harbor Creek, Erie county, Pennsylvania, tbe son of William and
Christina (Moorhead) Dickson, of Scotch ancestry and among the pioneers
of Erie county. He entered the Erie Academy April 17, 1832, and Jeffer
son College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, in November of that year, gradu
ating in 1837. His theological studies were pursued privately. October
13, 1839, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Brie, and on June
24th of the following year he was ordained and installed as pastor of the
churches of Franklin and Sugar Creek, continuing in this relation with the
former until March, 1848. He was pastor of the Second Presbyterian
church of Wheeling, West Virginia, from 1848 to 1856, and of the West
minister church, of Baltimore, from 1856 until 1870, when he became sec
retary of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, of which
position he performed the duties most efficiently ten years. His death oc
curred September 11, 1881. Memorial services of an appropriate character
were held at Franklin on Sunday morning, the 25th of that month, at which
the Reverend S. J. M. Eaton, D. D. , delivered an address in fitting tribute
to the character of the deceased, his services to the church and to the mis
sionary cause, his usefulness and energy in the promotion of humanitarian
and benevolent objects, and his fidelity to the many responsible duties with
which his life was occupied.
Reverend S. J. M. Baton, D. D. — The death of Doctor Eaton, which
occurred July 16, 1889, created a profound impression in the community,
and it removed one of the oldest, best known, and most prominent men of
his calling in the Erie Presbytery. He had been indisposed for several
weeks, but his condition was not considered serious. On the afternoon of
the day stated, while walking along the street near his residence in Frank
lin, he was seen to raise his hands suddenly and then faU heavily to the
sidewalk. He was carried into his house, but the services of the physicians
were of no avail. Death had taken place almost instantly, the immediate
cause being heart failure.
Samuel John Mills Eaton was born in Fairview, Erie county, Pennsyl-

biographies of franklin. 777
vania, AprU 15, 1820, and hence his useful life had compassed sixty nine
years. He was a son of Reverend Johnston and Eliza (Cannon) Eaton. His
ancestors were among the first settlers in Pennsylvania, having lived in the
state for over two hundred years. Reverend Johnston Eaton, born in
Franklin county, graduated at Jefferson College; he came as a Presbyterian
minister in 1805 to Erie county, and preached for some time near the mouth
of Walnut creek and in Springfield, and in northeastern Ohio. In the fall
of 1805 he went back to his home, where he married, and in 1806 returned
with his bride and settled permanently in Fairview township. They came
through the dense forest on horseback, with nothing but a rude trail to
guide their course. Reverend Johnston Eaton preached the gospel in Erie
county continuously up to the year of his death, June 1 7, 1847, a period of
forty- one years. He and his wife were well endowed with the resolute
spirit and sterling qualities requisite in the work of the pioneer ministry.
On the side of both father and mother the subject of this sketch was de
scended from that strong blending of the races which he himself on one oc
casion caUed ' ' the seed royal of the church of the living God. ' '
In his boyhood he received an academic education at the Erie Academy.
In 1842 he entered Jefferson College, where he graduated in 1845. Hav
ing studied theology in the Western Theological Seminary, of Allegheny,
Pennsylvania, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Brie, on the 16th of
March, 1848, to preach the gospel.
On the 16th of April, 1848, Mr. Baton commenced his ministerial labors
in Franklin. February 7, 1849, he was ordained and installed as pastor of
that charge, succeeding Reverend Cyrus Dickson, who resigned in March,
1848. His pastorate at first included also the Mt Pleasant church, to
which he gave one-third of his time. He was released from the latter
August 29, 1855, thenceforth giving his entire time to Franklin.
Doctor Eaton's ministry here was prosperous. From year to year the
church and Sunday school grew in members and interest throughout his
long pastorate. When he finally relinquished his pastoral office, the con
gregation which was so small at the outset of his work had grown to be
among the largest and most influential in this part of the state. The little
Sunday school had become a small army, and the plain little church edifice
had given place to the present beautiful structure, dedicated to the worship
of God in 1869. Doctor Baton's name is rightly inscribed on the corner
stone of that building. Some may see in that edifice a monument of his
work; but his more lasting monument is that erected in the hearts of his
people, the record of a useful Ufe, interwoven with the life and progress of
the community in which he lived.
In 1881 he decided to sever the pastoral relation which had existed for
more than a third of a century. In December of that year he tendered
his resignation. A large portion of the congregation sought to infiuence

778 history of venango county.
him into reconsidering the step, but he had definitely made up his mind
that it was best, and insisted upon his action as final.
His subsequent career illustrates some of the high qualities of his
nature, his unswerving devotion to the duties of his calling, his zeal and
willingness to go on while life lasted with the work that his hand found to
do. When he vacated the pulpit, which had been the scene of his life's
arduous labors and successes, he had reached that age which entitles the
veteran to some exemption fi-om the hardships of active service in the field.
But he did not yield to the temptation and opportunity to fold his hands and
rest. The veteran soldier of the Cross felt that he was enlisted for life.
For him there was no discharge in that warfare. For him, also, member
ship in the army meant active service at the front. So he went right on
with the work before him, constantly engaged in writing, preaching at one
place and another, and devoting himself in every way to the advancement
of Christ's cause and kingdom. There was no change in his Christian
bearing, in his solicitude for his people, in his kindness, his com-tesy, his
friendship, his active interest in the welfare of all who came within the
range of his sympathies.
Viewing him as a pastor, those who knew him long cannot speak of Doc
tor Baton without esteem and affection. He made it a point to know all
with whom his duties, whether religious or social, brought him in contact.
He looked after and interested himself in all; but especially in the abode of
suffering or affliction was his presence felt. In many a home they remem
ber how he came in their time of trial ; how he sat at the bedside of the sick;
how he ministered tothe dying; how he comforted the bereaved; how he
poured out his soiU in strong prayer in the final rites of the dead. He
was indeed a help and a comforter in affiiction. His tender hand not only
soothed the sufferer, but it gave substantial help in a thousand ways and
places of which the world will never know. It was natural that such a
pastor should retain the love and esteem of his people to the last.
Doctor Baton also retained the friendship of the community at large.
His was a character that commanded general respect and confidence. His
acquaintances all recognized his unswerving integrity, his high and chivalric
sense of honor, his wisdom, his fidelity to duty, his purity of life. WhUe
he had some of the stern spirit of the Puritan in religion, he had also
the noble faculty of friendship, and by this he was bound to his associates
through all the years as with hooks of steel.
No account of Doctor Eaton would be complete without a mention of his
scholastic attainments. He was a constant student, and his library of valu
able works grew to large proportions. His knowledge of the classics was
extensive, and during his pastorate he conducted a number of pupils through
a course of the languages. His progress in general standard literature is
indicated by the fact that he stood highest of all the army of students in the

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 779
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. As long ago as 1869 he was
honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Washington and Jefferson
College. In an address before the Jefferson alumni in 1885, Judge W. H.
West of Ohio called Doctor Eaton "the Addison of his class and the Irving
of his society. ' '
With the cares of an important pastorate on his hands Doctor Eaton
found time to do a great amount of exacting literary work. Among the
works from his pen published from time to time are : "The History of Petro
leum;" "History of the Presbytery of Erie;" " Lakeside," an historical
romance; " Ecclesiastical History of Centennial Missionary Work," and a
" Biographical History of the W^estern Theological Seminary, ' ' He also wrote
the "Memoirs of Reverend Cyrus Dickson, D. D.," an elaborate and worthy
tribute to an able man; and in 1876 he delivered a centennial discourse in
Franklin, which, in a pamphlet of forty-eight pages, gives a concise history of
Venango county from the earliest settlement. He compiled a ' ' Biographical
and Historical Catalogue of Washington and Jefferson Colleges," which went
to press the day of his death, also left the completed manuscript of a religious
work, and a couple of unfinished manuscripts. In addition to these excur
sive tasks. Doctor Eaton held a responsible position in the presbytery, in
which his counsels and assistance were highly valued. He was stated clerk
of the Presbytery of Erie for thirty-two years, and of the Synod of Erie
for nine years.
As a citizen, Doctor Eaton was not a partisan, but he was a patriot who
loved his country, glorying in her past and believing in her future. When
the war of the Rebellion arose, his innate patriotism took active shape in word
and deed. He lent his best aid toward upholding the Union and strengthen
ing the hands of its defenders in the field. For a time, as a member of the
Chi-istian Commission, he was at the front, ministering to the wants of the
men in the Army of the Potomac. His love for his country' s flag was not a
mere sentiment; it was an abiding and reverential affection.
A tour to Europe and the Holy Land, taken in 1871, enabled Doctor
Eaton to enlarge his knowledge of Eastern lands by actual observation and
research. These resulted in two volumes from his pen, ' ' The Holy City ' '
and "Palestine," which were issued as text-books by the Chautauqua Liter
ary and Scientiflc Circle. Doctor Eaton's knowledge of Oriental lands and
customs secured him a call to the ranks of leading teachers at Chautauqua,
and for many years he filled the position at each recurring assembly. Next
to ChanceUor (Bishop) Vincent he was probably the most prominent man in
the work at the assembly, grounds, a work with which he had been identi
fied from its inception.
Doctor Eaton' s indefatigable industry, his persistent activity, and capac
ity for labor, were striking characteristics and were at once an example
for imitation and a rebuke to the self-indulgent. He was never idle. He

780 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
seemed ever mindful of the injunction to work while it is called to-day, ere
the night cometh wherein no man can work. The fact that much of his
study and his labor in pulpit and lecture room were done while under the
discouragements of impaired health, enhances the tribute of praise due him
on this score. Through his later years, in which he was called to pass
through much bodily suffering. Doctor Eaton kept on with his work. Even
up to within a month of his death he was engaged in assisting in the com
pilation of that portion of this History which deals with the earlier events
and residents of this locality. As if with a premonition of some possible
interruption, he brought all his energies to bear on the completion of his
task. Before the pen had fallen from his fingers that task was finished.
This, one of the concluding services of his life, suggests the reflection
that the people of this locality owe a lasting debt of gratitude to Doctor
Eaton for what he has done to preserve local history. He was endowed
with the historic spirit and gift. He had an aptitude for this line of re
search, and lost no opportunity to gather all that could be leamed from
the older generation. He discerned that the charm of local history lies in
details. He is really the man who rescued the early history of this county
and section of country from oblivion. The traditions were fast fading out.
He preserved, unraveled, ctUled, and collated them. His contributions, as
will be seen, make up an important part of this History of Venango County.
In writing them he performed a valuable service for the people.
To the virtues that have been recounted may be added the absolute pur
ity of Doctor Eaton' s life and conversation. He kept the door of his mouth
against all hurtful and improper speech; his self-control withheld him from,
bursts of temper, and he never wounded the feelings of a fellow man with
bitter words. He was a charming man socially, abounding in the ' ' afflu
ence of discursive talk. ' ' In his home he was the soul of hospitality. There
he was fully assisted by his wife, whom he married in Franklin on the 5th
of November, 1850, and who is now living. She was Miss Clara Taylor
Howe, daughter of John W. Howe, in his day prominent in polities and at
the bar of Venango county.
At the funeral of Doctor Eaton, held Friday, July 19, 1889, a great con
course gathered in the Presbyterian church of Franklin to honor his mem
ory. His brother ministers of the presbytery were present, and in brief
remarks depicted his excellence of character, his courtesy, his manliness,
his ability, his worth in his calling, the loss which the presbytery and the
community had sustained in his death. Reverend James Allison, D. D.,
editor of the Presbyterian Banner, who graduated with Doctor Eaton in the
class of 1845, spoke of him as the most loyal of friends; and gazing upon the
casket he exclaimed: " Farewell, friend; thou hast ascended to the hill of
frankincense and to the mountain of myrrh. Farewell, friend, until the
day break and the shadows flee away."

BIOGRAPHIES OP FRANKLIN. 781
One who was present at that impressive service reflected the thoughts of
many when he wrote: "Long will we remember the character and the per
son who has passed from among us — that strikingly fine presence, the large
expressive eyes, the classically regular features; the broad, thoughtful brow,
with the abundant locks thrown back from it ; the gentle manner, the cor
dial greeting, the kind words. He has fought a good tight, he has finished
his course, he has kept the faith. Not a broken shaft, but a pyramid com
pleted, should mark his resting place. Crown him with the victor's chaplet.
Strew his pall and his grave with the flowers he loved so well, types of the
immortal amaranth and asphodel and ' pure lilies of eternal peace ' which
bloom by the river which makes glad the city of God." — H. M. I.
Robert Lamberton, son of William and Elizabeth (GilfiUan) Lamberton,
was born March 20, 1809, at Gorton Raid, in the North of Ireland. His
early boyhood was spent upon his father' s farm, picturesquely situated on
the left bank of the Foyle, about six miles from the old walled town of
Londonderry. As the eldest of nine children, upon his shoulders rested
much of the burden and responsibilty of the work of the farm. His
chances for obtaining an education were consequently slight, but such as
they were, he improved them to the utmost, and laid the substantial foun
dations of a common school education, which proved sufficient for all prac
tical purposes, in his subsequent career.
In the year 1830, upon attaining his majority, he set out on the then
long voyage across the Atlantic to make a home for himself in the new world.
After weeks of storm and contrary winds and unpleasant surroundings, he
was finally safely landed at Quebec, Canada, and after a toUsome journey,
sometimes by boat, sometimes by stage, and very often on foot, he at last,
on July 10, 1830, reached the house of his uncle, John Lamberton, in
Plum township, this county.
As soon as the farming season was over, he made his way to Franklin,
and work of any kind being scarce, engaged in the first that presented
itself, that of a laborer and afterward a stone cutter on the French Creek
canal, then in process of construction. After a time he obtained work with
a Mr. Eckert at the ' ' Sam Hays forge, ' ' and here for a year or more he
put in the most irksome and laborious period of his whole life, only in the
end to be cheated out of his hard-earned wages by the insolvency of his
employer. He next obtained the situation of clerk for a Mr. Sage in a
store at the north end of the upper French creek bridge. By strict econ
omy and the most laborious industry, he laid by a sum sufficient to start a
small store in partnership with a Mr. Lindsay, on the west side of Thir
teenth street where the Lamberton homestead now stands. One night their
store with all they possessed was destroyed by fire. Once more having
saved enough to purchase the lot on the southeast corner of Otter and Thir
teenth streets, he started in the mercantile business on a small scale, but his

782 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
stock gradually increasing he finaUy in 1841 removed to larger quarters in
the comer rooms of what is now known as the National hotel buildings,
where he continued for some twenty-eight years, his trade extending until
the small shop had become the large old fashioned store, dealing in all kinds
of family supplies. He also about this time established and carried on for
some years branch stores at Cooperstown and Dempseytown. As his bus
iness increased, his methodical habits of economy enabled him each year to
devote his savings to new enterprises.
In 1845 he purchased and carried on a large rolling mill, nail factory,
and grist mill at the mill site in the Third ward, and in connection with
these he built the upper French creek dam; here it was that in the very
abandon and recklessness of an unusual strength, in water and in all kinds
of weather, he exposed himself along with the workmen and laid the founda
tion of a bodily ailment which followed him to the day of his death. The
city of Franklin owes much of its early growth to him, for during his active
life he engaged in every enterprise of a common benefit and with his own
capital erected dwelling houses and brick blocks, together, sufficient of them
selves to make a goodly-sized village.
He served as a trustee of the old Franklin Academy for several years
and also one term as a school director. In 1862 he was elected an associate
judge of the county and served for five years, sitting for a time with Isaac
G. Gordon, and afterward with John Trunkey, both of whom subsequently
became distinguished members of the state supreme court.
In 1860 he established what is now known as the Lamberton Savings
Bank at Franklin, and in connection with his son-in-law, Calvin W. Gil
fiUan, also carried on a bank at Oil City during the so-called oil excitement.
In this, as in his mercantile business, he was eminently successful, but when,
after many years of ill health, he was about to retire from active business
and to sell the bank at Franklin to Mr. GilfiUan, R. L. Cochran, and R. G.
Lamberton, an incident occurred which nearly took from him the acqui
sitions of years of industry and economy. His cashier, in whom he had
placed every confidence and to whom he had rendered every kindness, sud
denly and without any known reason, attempted to destroy the bank by
stuffing into a grate fire the money and bonds and books. Happily, with
the loss of a few thousand dollars, almost all were saved. The incident fur
nished a vivid illustration of the really great side of his character, his wonder
ful self-control, and self -poise. In the words of Doctor Eaton: "Although
packages of government bonds and masses of bank notes were roaring and
crackling in the flames of the grate, and the books of the bank torn and
mutilated, yet he seemed unmoved at the calamity and had not a word of
condemnation for the rash hand that had brought the fearful perU, and
when the danger was over and the damage partly averted, there was as lit
tle excitement as when the ruin seemed most imminent. ' '

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 783
For fifty years he was closely connected with the Presbyterian church of
Franklin, of which he was at times ruling elder, trustee. Sabbath school
superintendent and teacher, and toward the erection of its fine liuilding
contributed a very large proportion of the expense. Politically, Judge Lam
berton was a Democrat of the old school, and until within a few years of
his death, when his health became feeble, was recognized as a leader of
ability and influence in the party.
On the 6th of April, 1837, he was married to Miss Margaret Seaton, of
Franklin. To them were born nine children, the following of whom are
now living: William J., intermarried with Sarah L. Raymond; Elizabeth,
intermarried with Calvin W. GilfiUan; Lewis T., intermarried with Martha
A. Mitchell; Samuel H. , intermarried with Ann E. Smith; Robert G., inter
married with Luella J, Chess, and after her decease with Jessie K, Judson;
Margaret J., intermarried with George P. Hukill; Edwin H., intermar
ried with Annie C. Kirker, and Harry, intermarried with Virginia B. Hughes.
After a painful and lingering illness Robert Lamberton died at his resi
dence on Thirteenth street, in Franklin, on Friday morning, August 7,
1885, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. The funeral services took
place from the Presbyterian church on Sunday afternoon, August 9, 1885,
and were attended by a very large concourse of people from different places.
The services were conducted by Reverends John McCoy and S. J. M. Eaton,
D. D., Doctor Eaton delivering a most eloquent and feeling address in trib
ute to a life-long and steadfast friend. After the services the remains were
taken to the Franklin cemetery. For several years previous to his decease
Judge Lamberton had anticipated the event and in his usual systematic way
had put everything in order, so that, as Judge Trunkey truthfully said:
"His family inherited no litigation, no complicated matters of business; all
were settled by himself, and the distribution readily made according to his
testament. ' '
His ancestry on his father's side were Scottish, the name Lamberton
being of pure Scotch origin and figuring prominently in the history of Ayr
shire, Scotland, as far back as the twelfth century. Although never able to
revisit the home of his youth, he never forgot the land of his birth or turned
a deaf ear to the caUs of his Irish countrymen. Judge Gordon' s letter of
October 17, 1885, to Doctor Eaton gives this brief but just summary of his
character: "There are but few men of the many within my acquaintance whom I
more thoroughly esteemed. About his justness and integrity there was no
question, and whilst he was firm even to sternness, fixed in his opinions
when once settled by conviction — a characteristic alike of his person and of
his race— yet was he full of kindness and open to the influence of reason.
He was a quiet man and without pretense ; he observed much and said little,
but what he did say was to the point. His judgment was sound and ac-

784 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
curate and in the transaction of our official business I depended much upon
it. He was a godly man, one who loved righteousness and eschewed evU.
His friendship was not easily gained but when once had it was as firm as the
everlasting hills. ' '
' ' It would be idle, ' ' said Judge Trunkey, ' ' to say of him that he never
made a mistake or committed an error, as it would be of other men, but
those who knew him best most highly appreciated him while living and
have most pleasant memories of his life." — E. H. L.
Robert G. Lamberton, banker, fourth son of Robert and Margaret
Lamberton, was born February 14, 1848, at Franklin. He was educated at
Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and at Monmouth Col
lege, Illinois. He read law with Calvin W. GilfiUan, and was admitted to the
Venango bar September 12, 1870. For over fourteen years he continued
the practice of the law, most of the time alone, but during a year or more he
associated with him in partnership his brother, E. H. Lamberton. In Sep
tember, 1884, an advantageous opening offering itself he purchased the
banking house and business of Reynolds, Lamberton & Company of Oil City,
of which he became president and changed the name to the Lamberton Bank,
which position he still retains. He was married December 23, 1873, to
Miss Luella J. Chess, of Franklin, by whom he has two children: Bertha C,
and Chess. Mrs. Lamberton died November 10, 1877. He was again mar
ried October 21, 1880, to Miss Jessie K. Judson, of Waterford, Pennsyl
vania. Two children are the fruits of this union: George J. and Robert.
Mr. Lamberton has filled in an acceptable manner many positions of trust
and responsibility, among which is the office of supreme protector of the
United States of the K. and L. of H.
Edwin H. Lamberton, fifth son of Robert and Margaret Lamberton, was
born October 21, 1854, in Franklin. He was educated at PhUlip' s Academy,
Andover, Massachusetts, at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, where
he graduated in June, 1876; at Columbia College Law school. New York
city, and the University of Leipsic, Germany. He studied law also with
his brother, R. G. Lamberton, and April 21, 1879, was admitted to the
Venango bar. On the 18th of October, 1881, he was admitted to the supreme
court of Pennsylvania, and May 3, 1882, to the supreme court and state
courts of Minnesota. On the 30th of June, 1882, he was admitted to the
district courts of the third judicial district of Dakota territory, and December
20, 1883, to the circuit court of the United States for the district of Min
nesota. From May, 1882, until December, 1884, he ];psided at Moorehead,
Minnesota, where, as attorney for the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba
Railway Company at that point, he had an extensive practice in the various
courts of Minnesota- and Dakota. He also took an active part in politics,
serving on the Democratic county committee, and as a delegate to the Demo
cratic state convention at SI. Paul assisted in sending a solid delegation to

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 785
support Grover Cleveland's nomination for president in the national con
vention at Chicago. In the campaign that followed he supported the Demo
cratic cause and made many public addresses in behalf of its candidates.
In the winter of 1884 Mr. Lamberton, having purchased his brother's law
library, succeeded him in practice at Franklin and since that time has con
tinued in the active duties of his profession in the Pennsylvania courts. He
was married September 16, 1885, to Miss Annie 0. Kirker, daughter of J.
W, Kirker, attorney, of Pittsburgh. One child was born of this union, but
died in infancy.
James Bleakley, deceased, was born near Unionville, Berks county,
Pennsylvania, September 13, 1820, a son of John Bleakley, a native of the
township of Murphy, County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born October
20, 1788, He came to Venango county in the summer of 1833 and resided
there until his death, September 11, 1869, Our subject was apprenticed to
the printing business in 1836, and after completing a three years' term of
service he went to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he worked three years. His
educational privileges were exceedingly limited. Early in life he was called
upon to give assistance to his father, who labored under pecuniary embar
rassments, and as he was an energetic and methodical worker, he was able at
an early age to render material aid. The time he spent in school did not
exceed eighteen months. During the last term he attended school he was
frequently late in returning home, for which his father demanded an ex
planation. Inquiry developed the fact that the teacher was often unable to
solve the examples of his advanced class in arithmetic, and that James
Bleakley had remained after school to assist him in preparing the lesson for
the following day.
In 1842 he returned to Franklin, and in company with John W. Shu
gert established the Democratic Arch, continuing its publication about two
years and a half. The files of this paper from July, 1842, to October, 1843,
still in possession of his family, are the earliest continuous files extant of any
newspaper in Venango county.
He married Elizabeth Dubbs, oldest daughter of Jacob Dubbs, who
came to Franklin in 1824, and was engaged as a wheelwright until 1830,
when he embarked in merchandising and so continued until his death in
1845. Seven children were bom to James and Elizabeth Bleakley. Eliza
beth, Mi-s. T. W. Brigham, was born January 16, 1845; Clara, who mar
ried Alexander McDowell, banker, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was born AprU
6, 1847; AViUiam James was born July 6, 1849, and married Miss Mary S.
Lamb, daughter of John Lamb, of Allegheny township, Venango county;
Effie, born November 26, 1851, married Doctor E. W. Moore, of Franklin;
Orrin Dubbs, born May 15, 1854, married Miss Hattie Richardson, of Frank
lin; Harry was born January 8, 1859; and Edmund, born October 30, 1860,
married Miss Bertha Legnard, of Waukegan, Illinois.

786 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
In the spring of 1844 he engaged in business as a merchant. Although
trade was limited expenses were light, and with the assistance of his wife in
preparing articles for sale he was soon able to accumulate a little money,
which he invested in real estate at Franklin and throughout the county. In
1849 he erected the building now occupied by the International Bank. For
about twenty years he continued in the mercantile business. In 1851 and
for several years thereafter, he was associated with A. P. Whitaker in the
publication of the Venango Spectator. He was elected county treasurer in
1851, serving two years. In 1864 he was instrumental in organizing the
First National Bank of Franklin, of which he was cashier from that date
until 1867. In 1868 he opened the International Bank at its present loca
tion, and the business thus established is still continued by his sons. It is
one of the well-known financial institutions of the county.
In addition to the business mentioned, he was also interested in various
other enterprises, among them a tannery, foundry, oil refinery, and tinning
establishment, and in real estate and other transactions. From the year 1859
until his death he was engaged in the various branches of the oil business.
He was one of the purchasers of the Galloway tract and out-lot No. 8, famous
for their production of Franklin lubricating oil. The block built by him on
Liberty street, Franklin, is one of the most substantial in the city.
A man of positive character, he made some enemies but more friends.
He was a Democrat until Buchanan's election in 1856, but from that date
affiliated with the Republican party. He was burgess of Franklin several
terms, and served in the council of both the borough and city. He was active
in advocating public attention and care for the parks, and in promoting the
various improvements designed for the advancement of the city. He re
mained an ardent Republican until his death, October 3. 1883. — W. J. B.
William J. Bleakley, banker, was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, July
6, 1849, and is the eldest son of James and Elizabeth Bleakley. He was
reared in Franklin, and received his education in the public schools, subse
quently spending one year at Waterford Academy. From boyhood he assist
ed his father in the bank, and on the death of the latter he succeeded him
as head of the International Bank, of which he is now president. Under
his management the International has continued the same prosperous career
that it enjoyed during the lifetime of his father. Politically Mr. Bleakley
is a Republican, has served five years on the city council , and two terms as
mayor of Franklin. He is recognized as one of the most competent officials
that the city has every had. During his several terms in the council he
made a special offort to reduce the debt of the city, which finally resulted in
accomplishing that object and in establishing a sinking fund for the redemp
tion of the city bonds.
Mr. Bleakley was married May 17, 1876, to Miss Mary S., daughter of
John and Anna (May) Lamb, of Allegheny township, Venango county. Her

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 787
mother was a daughter of Reverend Hezekiah May, one of the pioneer min
isters of this part of the state. Six children are the fruits of this union:
Anna M., Orrin L., Frederick J., Margaret M., Evelyn E., and William
Jay. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church.
John L. Mitchell, banker, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania,
AprU 10, 1826, son of Thomas and Eliza (Lamb) Mitchell. His grand
father. Reverend David MitcheU, a Methodist preacher, was a native of the
North of Ireland who immigrated to Pennsylvania and 'located in Centre
county. He reared two sons: Thomas and James. The latter remained in
Centre county until his death. Thomas grew up in that county where he
followed blacksmithing; in AprU, 1836, he removed to Venango county, and
settled on a farm near Pleasantville in Allegheny township. Here he en
gaged in farming and merchandising. He had a family of ten children:
David H, deceased; John L. ; Forster W. ; Sarah J., wife of James L. Con
nely, of Philadelphia; Martha, wife of L. T. Lamberton, of Franklin; Mel-
vina, deceased; Minerva E., wife of Alexander W. Brown, of Pleasantville;
WUliam; Charles R., and Mary J., the three last mentioned being dead.
The mother was a member of the Baptist church, and died on the old home
stead in the winter of 1851. Her husband subsequently removed to Ashta
bula, Ohio, where he died in April, 1870. Our subject grew up on the old
homestead, and followed farming until manhood. He afterward engaged
in lumbering and merchandising and thus accumulated his financial start in
life. He was one of the first men in Venango county to engage in oil pros
pecting, and put down, on the Buchanan farm in Cornplanter township, one
of the first wells in the oil country. From that time until he entered the
banking business, he was one of the most extensive and successful operators
of the county. In 1871 he was one of the organizers of the Exchange Bank
of Franklin, and has been president of- that institution since its inception.
Mr. Mitchell was married February 21, 1867, to Miss Hattie R., daughter
of A. W. Raymond of Franklin. She was born at Utica, Venango county,
and is the mother of nine children: John R., a graduate of Yale College,
and civil engineer at Seattle, Washington; Lida L. ; Mark D. ; Jennie E. ;
George W., deceased; Mary; Thomas; Bertha, and Lynn. In politics Mr.
M-itcheU has been a supporter of the Republican party since its organiza
tion, but has taken little active interest in public affairs. Commencing life
poor he has by steady application, persevering industry, and close attention
to his business accumulated a handsome fortune, and is to-day one of the
solid, substantial financiers of the Allegheny valley.
FoESTEE W. Mitchell, banker, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania,
May 7, 1828, and is a son of Thomas and Eliza (Lamb) Mitchell, early set
tlers of Allegheny township, Venango county, mentioned in the previous
sketch. Our subject was reared on the old homestead in this county, and
has resided here since the coming of his parents in April, 1836. He fol-

788 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lowed farming and lumbering, and since the earliest period of the oil excite
ment has been an extensive operator. For the past eighteen years Mr,
Mitchell has also been engaged in the banking business, and is now senior
member of the firm of F. W. Mitchell & Company, bankers. Oil City. He
was married to Miss Laura M. Wilson, of Enterprise, Warren county, Penn
sylvania, in May, 1851. She is the mother of three children: Herbert W.,
deceased; Lottie M., wife of Dilworth Richardson, of St. Paul, Minnesota,
and Stella V., wife of Bryan H. Osborn, attorney at law, of Franklin. Po
litically Mr. Mitchell has been a stanch Republican since the organization of
that party, and takes an active interest in the success of its principles and
measures. In 1875 he was appointed by Governor Hartranft one of the
Centennial Commission of Pennsylvania, and served as treasurer of the
board during that historic event. Mr. Mitchell has been one of the most
successful men of his adopted county, and has always been a liberal sup
porter of every worthy local enterprise. He is recognized as one of the
public- spirited, prominent citizens of this portion of the state.
Calvin W. Gilpillan, banker, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
February 20, 1832. He is a son of James and Jane (Adams) GilfiUan,
and grandson of James GilfiUan, one of the earliest settlers in that portion
of Mercer county cut off in the erection of Lawrence, where the family lo
cated about 1797. His father was born on the old homestead in 1800 and
died in Iowa in 1886. Mr. GilfiUan was reared in Lawrence county,
obtained a primary education in the common schools, and subsequently
attended Westminister CoUege at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He
commenced reading law in the office of William Stewart in Mercer in the
winter of 1856-57, and was admitted to practice in November, 1859. He was
elected in 1857 superintendent of schools of Mercer county, and filled the
office two years. In 1858-59 he served as transcribing clerk in the house
of representatives of Pennsylvania. Immediately after his admission to
the bar Mr. GilfiUan located in Franklin, where he soon built up a good
practice. In 1861 he was appointed district attorney of Venango county
and elected to the same office in 1862, serving three years in that capacity. In
1862 he formed a partnership with Charles E. Taylor, and the firm of Taylor &
GilfiUan was soon recognized as one of the leading law firms of the district. In
1867 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. GilfiUan continued the active
duties of his profession alone until 1873; he then accepted the presidency of
the Lamberton Savings Bank, which position he has since filled, devoting his
entire attention to the banking business. Politically he has always been an
ardent Republican, and in 1868, was elected to congress by a good round ma
jority, and served in the house his full term. In 1870 he was a delegate to the
national Republican convention that nominated Grant for president the sec
ond time, and in 1880, as a member of the electoral college of Pennsylvania,
he cast his vote for James A. Garfield as president and Chester A. Arthur as

¦S^"

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 791
vice-president. Mr.. GilfiUan was married November 8, 1858, to Miss Lizzie,
daughter of Robert Lamberton, of Franklin, who has borne him four children:
Annie M., wife of Doctor E. P. Wilmot of Franklin; Robert E., WUliam L.,
and Emma M. The family are Presbyterians. Mr. GilfiUan is one of the
substantial and" popular citizens of Venango county, where heihas resided
over thirty years.
Chaeles Miller, sixth son of Christian Miller, is of Huguenot ancestry,
and was born in the little village of Oberhoffen, Canton de Bish weiler, Alsace,
France, June 15, 1843. When he was eleven years old, the family came to
this country and settled near the village of Boston, Erie county. New York.
where the father purchased a farm. At the age of thirteen he engaged him
self to a country merchant for a year for thirty-five dollars and board. When
seventeen years old he secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store in Buffalo at
one hundred and seventy-five dollars, board not included. The highest
wages he received as long as he remained a clerk was eight dollars per week.
He enlisted in the New York National Guard in 1861, and in 1863 was mus
tered into the United States service.
He was married in 1863 at Springville, New York, to Miss Ann Adelaide
Sibley, eldest child of Doctor Joseph Crocker and Lucy Elvira (Babcock)
Sibley. Their children are: Adelaide Sibley, Charles Joseph Sibley, Henry
Sibley, LeRoy Sibley, Julius French, and Metta Evalina. These are all now
living, except Henry Sibley, who died in infancy.
Mr. Miller commenced business for himself in 1864, in the same store in
Boston, New York, in which he had first begun as clerk'. His own capital
was only two hundred dollars, but Doctor Sibley loaned him two thousand
doUars, and also aided him by valuable suggestions. In 1866, Doctor Sibley
having died, he sold out his store, the profits of the business being about
one thousand dollars above living expenses. The same year he came to
Franklin, formed a partnership with John Coon, of Buffalo, and for three
years did a successful dry-goods business, but the fall in prices was then so
great as to equal all the profits and nearly the whole amount originally
invested. In 1869 the partners purchased a works and a patent for Galena oil. R.
L. Cochran was taken into partnership in the oil business. The dry-goods
business continued depressed and the store was closed out at a loss of eleven
thousand dollars. Mr. Miller himself auctioned off most of the goods. The
following year the works burned down, and Miller and Coon found them
selves liable for thirty-two thousand dollars with assets amounting to about
six thousand dollars. In this misfortune several citizens together subscribed
and presented one thousand dollars, which was gratefully accepted as a loan
and subsequently repaid. Necessary funds for continuing the business were
obtained by taking in a new partner, H. B. Plumer. Another works was
purchased and refitted, and within thirty days after the fire, oil was being
44

792 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
shipped from the new manufactory. Since that time the business has been
prosperous and continuously growing. In the fall of 1878 his partners dis
posed of their interests to the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Miller retained
his interest, was made president, and given entire management of the busi
ness. To-day nearly three-fourths of the railway mileage of the United
States lubricate their equipment with Galena oils. Mr. Miller deals directly
with consumers. Since 1870 his business trips have averaged nearly five
days of every week. Probably no other man has a wider acquaintance with
railroad officials, and what is highly gratifying is that they are almost with
out exception his personal friends.
Mr. Miller is a director in many other enterprises, among which may be
mentioned the Paige Car Wheel Company; the Middleton Spring Company;
the RaUway Speed Recorder Company; the Anglo-American Oxide Com
pany, and the First National Bank of Franklin. He is also the senior part
ner and joint owner with his brother-in-law, J. 0, Sibley, of the noted Pros
pect Hill Stock Farm.
For two successive terms, 1885 and 1886, Mr. Miller was elected mayor
of Franklin on the Republican ticket. His vote and influence are now cast
for the Prohibition party. He is noiy serving his fourth continuous term
as president of the Northwestern Association of Pennsylvania of the Grand
Army of the Republic. He was ordnance officer of the Second brigade of
Pennsylvania under General James A. Beaver, and when General John A.
Wiley succeeded to the command. Major Miller was appointed assistant ad
jutant general, which position he still holds.
He united with the Baptist church in Boston, New York, in 1865. At
Franklin he assisted in the organization of the First Baptist church, of
which he was, at the age of twenty-four, made deacon. The First Baptist
Sunday school, of which he has been for seventeen years the superintend
ent, numbers nearly six hundred members. He is also superintendent of
the Third Ward mission school. In each school he teaches a Bible class.
The one in the Pirst Baptist school comprises over one hundred and seventy-
five men. He has been for several years past conductor of the French Creek
Sunday School Association. He is at present president of the Young Men's
Christian Association of Franklin and is now serving his fourth successive
term as president of the Pennsylvania Baptist Association.
Mr. Miller's gifts to worthy objects have kept pace with his increasing
wealth, and many churches, schools, and benevolent institutions, as well as
deserving individuals, have been substantially helped by him. In October,
1889, he opened a free night school for his employes and the young men
who attend either of the two Sunday schools of which he is superintendent.
Four teachers are employed, and some ninety pupils enrolled. — E. H. S.
Joseph Crocker Sibley, the second child and eldest son of Doctor
Joseph Crocker and Lucy Elvira (Babcock) Sibley, both of Puritan ancestry,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 798
was born at Friendship, Allegany county. New York, February 18, 1850.
In 1866, upon the death of his father, he gave up, on account of limited
means, a course in coUege for which he was about prepared, and came to
Franklin and began clerking in the dry-goods store of his brother-in-law,
Charles MUler. From that time the business interests of Messrs. Miller and
Sibley have been closely allied. In 1870 Mr. Sibley married Metta Eva
lina Babcock, youngest child of Simon Milton and Celia (Kellogg) Babcock,
of Friendship, New York. Their two childi-en are Josephine and Celia
Mary, After the closing out of the dry goods store Mr. Sibley was agent
for the Galena Oil Works at Chicago for about two years, and during the
great fire lost all his effects and came near losing his life.
The beginning of his business prosperity may be said to date from
1873, when he returned to Franklin, and after many experiments succeeded
in making a signal oil superior to those previously in use in quality of
light, safety, and cold test. The Signal Oil Works, Limited, was organized
with Mr. Sibley as president, and the proprietors of the Galena Oil Works,
Limited, whose plant was used for the manufactory, as partners. A few
years later Mr. Sibley compounded a valve oil for locomotives, which was
more economical and free from all the bad effects of the animal oils that
had hitherto been in use. This oil has been introduced on three-fourths of
the railway mileage of the United States.
His purchase of St. Bel and other animals that afterward became noted
is mentioned in the article on Prospect Hill Stock Farm. His judgment in
regard to live stock has been many times strikingly confirmed, and he is
now generally considered one of the best judges of horses and Jersey cattle
in the United States. For several years prior to 1889 he was one of the
leading members of the Venango County Agricultural Society, and its
yearly fairs, which rivaled in excellence the state fair, owed no little of
their success to his plans, and the loose purse strings of himself and Major
MiUer. After the burning of the Hanna block, there being no place in Franklin
suitable for concerts, operas, or theatrical representations, Mr. Sibley drew
up a subscription list and himself and Major Miller having headed the list
called on the leading citizens and in one or two days enlisted sufficient capi
tal to erect the tasty and commodious opera house building that is now such
a credit to the city.
The large pipe organ in the First Baptist church of Franklin, of which
he is a member, was the gift of himself and Major Miller, and they also
bear the entire expense of the music, which is said to compare favorably
with that of any other church choir of equal numbers in the country.
The only church services in the Third ward are supported by these same
gentlemen. Prior to the Blaine campaign Mr. Sibley was an ardent Republican and

794 history OF venango county.
made many speeches in behalf of that party. Since that time he has voted
with and spoken for the Prohibition party, whose principal object, the sup
pression of the liquor traffic, he heartily indorses. Although a member of
the class principally benefited by the high tariff laws, a careful study of the
question has led him to believe that such legislation is unwise and unjust,
taxing all for the benefit of a few, and on several public occasions he has
earnestly stated his views and given many illustrations in support of them.
His sympathies have always been with the laboring classes. He was elected
mayor of Franklin in his twenty-ninth year on the issue of public improve
ments, but has never since been a candidate for any political office.
Mr. Sibley is president of the Pennsylvania State Dairymen's Association
vice-president of the National Half -Mile Track Association, a director and
member of the executive committee of the National Association of Trotting
Horse Breeders, and a member of the State Board of Agriculture. He has
twice been a director of the American Jersey Cattle Club and is the author
of some of its most important measures. Besides the business interests al
ready referred to, he is president of the Franklin Opera House Company and
a director in the Railway Speed Recorder Company, and the First National
Bank of Franklin. He has made several contributions to live stock litera
ture. An address on the Jersey cow, and an article comparing George
Wilkes and Electioneer as trotting sires excited wide comment and have been
many times reprinted. — E. H. S. ¦
Daniel Grimm, oil producer, is a son of Abraham and Caroline (Koehler)
Grimm, and was born in Rheinish Bavaria, on the borders of France, in
1838, and came to America in 1850. In early life Mr. Grimm was engaged
as a clerk in a grocery house at Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1861 he came
to Franklin and engaged in the mercantile business, and in 1869 went into
oil producing. In 1866 Mr. Grimm was married to Carrie F. , daughter of
William Weyman, of New York city. They are the parents of two sons and
six daughters: Charles D., and Eugene Eaton; Stella K. , wife of John F.
Renfro, of Opelika, Alabama; Lula, Mary Etta, Eva C, Lida, and De
Pearl. Politically Mr. Grimm is a Democrat, has served two terms on the
city council, and belongs to the Masonic order, and the A. O. U. W. He
is one of the most successful and substantial business men of Franklin.
Henry M. Hughes, deceased, was born in Rockland township, Venango
county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1831, son of James and Mary (Mallory)
Hughes. His father, James Hughes, Jr. , was born in Butler county March
29, 1804, and his grandfather, James Hughes, Sr, , was one of the pioneers
of the Scrubgrass region, where he was early engaged in operating a grist
and saw mill, and later embarked in the iron business. His death occurred
in Cranberry township in February, 1857. James Hughes, Jr., was also an
active business man and operated mills in various parts of the county. Our
subject received his education in the common schools, at an academy at Nel-

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 795
son, Ohio, and at Allegheny College, Meadville. In 1857 he went to Kansas,
where he filled various positions of trust and responsibility. In October,
1861, he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, of which he
was elected first lieutenant, and served until honorably discharged, October
17, 1864, rising to the rank of captain and filling for a time the position of
chief of staff' of the Second brigade, Second division, cavalry corps. After
the war he located at Plumer, and was connected for a time with the United
States revenue service. He. was subsequently one of the organizers of the
Antwerp Pipe Line Company, and upon its consolidation with the United
Pipe Lines became secretary of the latter. On the 27th of November, 1859,
Mr. Hughes married Frances A. Richardson, and they were the parents of
nine children: Harry R. ; Edward E. ; Albert D. ; Virginia E. ; Eugene E. ;
Nina M. ; Ural S. ; Annetta L. L. , and Prances A. Mr. Hughes died in
Valparaiso, Saunders county, Nebraska, September 9, 1885.
Colonel Lewis H. Fassett, oil producer and refiner, was born Decem
ber 10, 1832, in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and is the seventh and
youngest son of Philo and Miriam (Wheeler) Fassett, who movedi from
Vermont to Bradford county about 1808. They afterward removed to
Elmira, New York, where two of their descendants, N. P. Fassett, at
torney at law, and J. Sloat Fassett, present state senator of that county, now
reside. Colonel Fassett was educated at Blmira, New York, and spent his
early life upon the homestead farm, which he purchased at the age of
twenty-one, and continued farming and lumbering until the breaking out of
the Rebellion. When Lincoln made his call for "three hundred thousand
more " it aroused his patriotism, and he "left the plow in the furrow " and
enlisted in Company G, Sixty-Fourth New York Volunteers, September 17,
1861, at Elmira, New York. Ten days afterward he was elected first lieu
tenant of his company, and at the battle of Fredericksburg December 13,
1862, he was promoted to the captaincy thereof. Immediately after the
advance on Petersburg, in 1864, he was promoted to major, which was very
soon followed by a commission as brevet lieutenant colonel for gallantry and
meritorious conduct. He served as colonel of his regiment until the end of his
term of service, and was mustered out with the remnant of his command Sep
tember 8, 1864. His regiment was attached to the Second army corps. Army
of the Potomac, and he participated in forty-two regular engagements, com
mencing at Yorktown, May 5, 1862, and ending with the battle of Ream's Sta
tion, August 25, 1864. He served in the following battles in 1862: Yorktown,
May 5th; WiUiamsburg, May 6th; Fair Oaks, June 1st; MechanicsvUle, June
26th; Gaines' MiUs, June 27th; Peach Orchard, June 28th; Savage Station,
June 29th; Glendale, June 30th; Malvern HiU, July 1st; South Mountain,
September 14th; Antietam, September 16th and 17th; Snicker's Gap, No
vember 2nd, and Fredericksburg, December 12th, 13th, and 14th. In 1863 :
ChancellorsviUe, May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th; Gettysburg, July 1st, 2nd, and

796 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
3rd; Funkstown, July 12th, and FaUing Waters, July 14th. In 1864: The
battles of the Wilderness, May 5th, 6th, and 7th; Poe River, May 10th;
Spottsylvania, May 12tb, 13th, and 14th; North Anna, May 23rd, 24th, and
25th; Tolopotomoy, May 28th, 29th, and 80th; Cold Harbor, June 1st to
12th; Petersburg, June 17th, 18th, and 19th; Weldon Railroad, June 22nd
and 23rd; Deep Bottom, July 27th and 28th; Strawberry Plains, August
14th, 15th, and 16th; Six Mile House, August 19th and 20th, and Ream's
Station, August 25th. He was captured at the last named battle and held
prisoner for a few moments, but in the general rush and confusion he es
caped to the Union lines.
Colonel Fassett passed through the campaign without serious injury,
but he had some very " close calls. " He was a temperate and brave soldier,
and used neither whiskey, tobacco, nor profanity. He was respected by his
men and received many complimentary appointments of trust and responsi
bility. On the 20th of January, 1862, he was appointed by General 0. 0.
Howard to take command of a recruiting party and report for duty at Al
bany,* New York. Completing this service he returned to his regiment
April 28th in time to take part in the battle of Yorktown. In July, 1863,
soon after the heavy losses at Gettysburg, he was detailed in command of
a detachment to report to Blmira, New York, to take charge of drafted men
that were assigned to the Second army corps. His regiment was always
attached to the Second corps, commanded by General Winfield Scott Han
cock. Lieutenant Colonel William F. Fox, in his popular work on ' ' Regi
mental Losses in the American Civil War of 1861-1865 " says of this
corps : ' ' The Second army corps was prominent by reason of its longer and
continuous service, larger organization, hardest fighting, and greatest num
ber of casualties. Within its ranks was the regiment which sustained the
largest percentage of loss in any one action; also the regiment which sus
tained the greatest numerical loss in any one action; also the regiment
which sustained the greatest numerical loss during its term of service ; while
of the one hundred regiments of the Union army which lost the most men
in battle, thirty-five of them belonged to the Second corps. ' ' A remarkable
feature with regard to losses in Colonel Fassett' s regiment is that the rec
ords on file at Washington show that it lost more men in killed and wound
ed than its original number when it marched to the front in 1861. It would
thus have been wiped out of existence had it not been replenished from
time to time with recruits and drafted men.
At the close of the war Colonel Fassett located at Elmira, New York,
and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade. In 1870 he removed to Frank
lin and commenced the production of oil, and in 1873 established the Cres
cent Oil Works, which he operates in connection therewith. He produces
and manufactures the celebrated natural Franklin lubricating oil, which is
produced in no other part of the United States. He was married May 27,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 797
1880, to Miss Leah J. , daughter of Samuel F. Dale of Franklin. One daugh
ter, Ehza D., is the fruit of this union. Colonel Fassett has always been an
ardent Republican, is one of the charter members of Mays Post, G. A. R. ,
and is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is one of the enterpris
ing business men of his adopted county.
Major Robert J. Phipps, oil producer, was bom in Clinton township, Ve
nango county, January 24, 1839. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth
Lowrie (W'hann) Phipps, the former a son of John Phipps, and the latter a
daughter of Robert S. Whann, pioneers, respectively, of Clinton and Min
eral townships, in the biographical chapters of whicb sketches of both fami
lies wUl be found. Robert J. obtained a common school education in his
native township. After a brief business experience at Franklin and on Oil
creek, he enlisted October 14, 1861, as a private in Company H, Fourth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, participating
in fifty-six engagements and skirmishes and in every important battle in
which the Army of the Potomac was engaged. He filled every grade in his
regiment from private to major, served a year and a half as inspector gen
eral of the Second brigade. Second division, cavalry corps. Army of- the
Potomac, and was brevetted lieutenant colonel near the close of the war
upon the recommendation of General Sheridan, " for gallant, efficient, and
meritorious services in action. ' ' John M. Phipps Post, G. A. R. , at Clin
tonville is named in honor of his brother, who died at his home in 1862
from exposure incident to military service. After the close of the war our
subject engaged in mercantile pursuits at Franklin, continuing in business
at Polk and Parker until 1869, when he returned to Clintonville. In 1875
he engaged in oil production in the Bullion field, and later in Butler county,
where his operations have met with fair success. Major Phipps was mar
ried January 16, 1865, to Miss Hattie A. , daughter of Robert Cross, who
was elected associate judge of Venango county in 1851. They are the par
ents of two children: Marshall L., a graduate of Lafayette College in 1887,
and a student at law in the office of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, Franklin; and
Elizabeth, who died March 11, 1883, at the age of sixteen. Politically
Major Phipps is a Republican, and was a justice of the peace at Clinton
ville twelve years. He is a member of the Masonic order, the G. A. R.,
and other fraternal societies, and present colonel commander of Encamp
ment No. 45, Union Veteran Legion.
Colonel John Herron Cain, producer and refiner of lubricating oils,
was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1838, son of Henry
P. Cain, a native of Trenton, New Jersey, who came to Pittsburgh in 1832,
where he spent the balance of his days. He was engaged in the boot and
shoe business and occupied a room on the comer of Fifth avenue and Mark
et street for half a century. Our subject was reared and educated in
Pittsburgh, and subsequently was employed as teUer in the old Pittsburgh

798 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Trust Company, now the First National Bank. In 1858 Colonel Cain went
to St Louis, Missouri, where he occupied a similar position, and in the
spring of 1860 removed to Chattanooga, Tennessee. In March, 1861, see
ing that a war between the states was imminent, he returned to Pittsburgh,
where he soon afterward enlisted in Company K, Twelfth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, for the three months service. At the expiration of his term he
came home and recruited Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Penn
sylvania Volunteers, of which he was elected captain. He served in all the
battles and campaigns of that regiment up to his resignation in September,
1864. After the battle of Antietam he was promoted to the rank of major,
and subsequent to the battle of Fredericksburg to that of lieutenant
colonel of his regiment. While holding the latter rank he commanded his
regiment at ChancellorsviUe and Gettysburg, and on the 3rd of July,
1863, was promoted to the colonelcy, and served in that capacity until his
resignation some months afterward. In April, 1865, he came to Franklin
to accept the tellership of the First National Bank, which position he filled
eighteen months, and then went into the oil business. He followed pro
ducing solely until 1885, when he established the Keystone refinery, and
operated it in conjunction with the producing business until January 1,
1890, when he consolidated with the Franklin Oil Works. Colonel Cain
was married in Franklin, January 13, 1876, to Miss Jennie H. , only daugh
ter of William Elliott, deceased, one of the well-known citizens of the
county. In politics he is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R. , also of
the Masonic order and the A. O. U. W., and is connected with the First
Presbyterian church of Franklin.
Hugh Caer, one of the proprietors of the Franklin Oil Works, was born
in County Derry, Ireland, March 3, 1839. His parents, Patrick and Martha
(Marling) Carr, were natives of the same county, where the latter died; the
former immigrated to Franklin, Pennsylvania, in 1873, and here spent the
remaining years of his life. Our subject was reared in Ireland, where he
followed the linen weaving trade. In early manhood he removed to Scot
land, worked in a locomotive manufactory, and in 1867 immigrated to Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania, where he continued to follow the iron business. In
August, 1868, he entered the employ of Doctor W. C. Tweddle, then oper
ating the Eclipse Oil Works at Pittsburgh. The works were burned in
1870, and Doctor Tweddle removed to Aladdin, Armstrong county, and in
1873 established the Eclipse Oil Works of Franklin. Mr. Carr removed
here at the same time, and has ever since been engaged in the refining busi
ness, being one of the two oldest refiners now engaged in the business in
Franklin. In 1877 he and George Allen and Robert Fleming erected the
Franklin Oil Works, with which he has since been connected. Mr. Carr
was married May 10, 1864, to Mary Gregg, of County Derry, Ireland, who
is the mother of four chUdren: Anna Belle; Andrew, deceased; Mattie, and

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 799
Hugh Tolman. The family are members of the Protestant Episcopal church
of Franklin. In politics Mr, Carr is a Republican, and believes that every
foreign-born citizen should be a resident of the United States twenty-one
years before enjoying the rights of citizenship. He has been fairly suc
cessful during his residence in Franklin, and enjoys the confidence of a
large circle of friends.
Jacob W. Reamee, of the Franklin Oil Works, is a native of Westmore
land county, Pennsylvania, born August 27, 1846, and grew to manhood in
Greensburg, the county seat of that county. In 1872 he went to Parker's
Landing, Pennsylvania, whither he was attracted by the oil excitement. He
followed producing at that point until 1881, when he came to Franklin, and
has been a resident of this city for the past nine years. In April, 1887, he
purchased the interest of George Allen in the Franklin Oil W'orks and has
since been one of the proprietors of that institution. Mr. Reamer was mar
ried in 1873, to Miss Annie A. Tinstman, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania,
who has borne him four children: Edna B. and Katie, deceased; Daniel, and
Earl. The family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in
politics he is a Republican. In 1864 he enlisted in the Two Hundred and
Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers and served until the close of the war. He
is a member of the G. A. R. and Royal Arcanum, and thoroughly in har
mony with the growth and progress of his adopted home.
0. B. Steele, manager of the Relief Oil Works, was born in Crawford
county, Pennsylvania, son of George and Mary (Hill) Steele. He came to
Franklin with his parents in 1850, and in 1859 engaged in the oil business.
In 1866 he organized the Cranberry Oil Company, in 1877 the Valley Oil
Company, and in 1878 was one of the organizers of the Relief Oil Works.
Since the erection of the last mentioned plant he has been manager. He was
married in 1861 to Miss Mary Fleming, who is the mother of two children:
Charles A. and Albert P. Politically Mr. Steele is a Republican, and an
energetia, enterprising citizen,
Heney Sweet, broker, was born in Ohio, December 17, 1842, and was
reared and educated in that state. He learned the stone mason trade, and
whUe working at that business enlisted in the Second Ohio Independent
Battery, August 16, 1861, when but nineteen years of age. He served
until July, 1862, when he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company
K, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to
captain of Company I, December 12, 1862, and served in that capacity
until May, 1863, when he retired from the service for the purpose of attach
ing himself to the navy. He was appointed master of arms, and acted as
master's mate on the United States steamer General Thomas, and served
until the close of the war, being discharged June 24, 1865. He then re
turned to Ohio and engaged in contracting. In July, 1869, he came to
Franklin as superintendent for P. H. Watson in the construction of the

800 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Lake Shore railroad bridge over French creek. In 1878 Mr. Watson was
elected president of the Erie railroad, and in August, 1873, he located at
Weehawken, New Jersey, as superintendent of the oil docks, which position
he filled until 1876. He then returned to Franklin and in partnership with
William Shafer engaged in the production of oil. The firm of Sweet &
Shafer is still engaged in that business, Mr. Sweet devoting his attention
largely to the sale and shipment of oil for New York, Chicago, and other
markets. He is a member of the Oil City Oil Exchange, and in May, 1889,
organized the Franklin Commission Company and Oil City Commission
Company, dealers in oil, grain, and stocks, with private wires connecting
with the New York Stock Exchange, and the Oil Exchange at Oil City.
Since the organization Mr. Sweet has purchased the entire interests of the
company. He was married October 13, 1870, to Miss Delia, daughter of
Alexander Cochran, of Franklin. He is a member of the First Baptist
church, and politically a Republican.
James P. Keene, broker, son of E. A. aud Mary (Dart) Keene, was born
in Wisconsin in 1853. His parents subsequently removed to Newark, New
Jersey, their former residence, and thence to Patterson in the same state,
where our subject was reared and educated. He learned telegraphy and
filled his first position at Oil City, and for fifteen years was engaged in that
calling in various parts of the country. In 1877 he came to Franklin as
local manager for the Western Union Telegraph Company, which position
he filled until 1881, when he built and organized the Telephone Exchange.
Mr. Keene is also manager of the Franklin opera house, and secretary
of the Franklin Improvement Company. He is a member of the B. P.
O. E., and one of the bright, enterprising young business men bf the
city. Albeet p. Whitaker, editor of the Venango Spectator, was born at Troy,
New York, October 11, 1817. His father, John Whitaker, was a native of
Chatham, Connecticut, born February 7, 1784. He married Abigail Sand
ford in New York city in April, 1816, and died in that city October 14, 1843.
She was born in New York in 1797, and died there August 4, 1834. They
were the parents of four children: Albert P., Prances A., James, and Lewis
S. Our subject received his primary education in the common schools, and
afterward went to an academy in New Jersey and New York city, and
graduated at Marion College, Missouri. He came to Venango county in
1838, and clerked for A. W. Raymond until 1842, when he removed to
Meadville, and became associated with Samuel W. Magill in the publica
tion of the Democratic Republican. In 1844 he retired from this position,
and resumed his former clerkship with Mr. Raymond. In January, 1849,
having purchased the old material of the Democratic paper at FrankUn, he
issued the first number of the Venango Spectator, and, with the exception
of about eight years, has been its editor and publisher ever since. He was

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 801
married JtUy 31, 1845, in Sandy Creek township, Venango county, to Mary
Simcox, born October 28, 1824, and daughter of William and Jane (Mar
shaU) Simcox, the former a native of Maryland, bom in 1794, and the latter
a native of Sandy Creek township, born in 1804. The following children
are the fruits of this union: John H., deceased; Jane M., wife of George
W. Plumer, of Akron, Ohio; Ann Eliza, wife of M. H. Mercer; Mary, wife
of Reverend Marcus A. Tolman; William S. ; Emma, wife of John V.
Stephenson; Frances A.; Albert P., deceased, and Clara E. Politically Mr.
Whitaker has always been an active Democrat. He has filled the positions
of custom-house officer, burgess of Franklin, clerk to the county commis
sioners, and has been the choice of his party several times for different
county offices, but because of the large majority of the opposing party he
was always defeated. Mr. Whitaker is one of the oldest editors of Penn
sylvania, and has performed his part well in all the relations of life.
E, W. Smiley, editor of the Citizen- Press, Franklin, Pennsylvania, is
the third son and fifth child of John H. and Nancy Smiley, and grandson
of Thomas Smiley, a pioneer of the county and a soldier in the war of 1812.
He was born in Franklin September 12, 1845, and was educated in the
common schools and at the old Franklin Academy, from which he graduated
at the age of fourteen years. He entered the American Citizen printing
office as an apprentice in the fall of 1859, and, with the exception of four
years, has been connected with the office as apprentice, compositor, fore
man, editor, and publisher, until the present time. His greatest ambition,
when a youth, was to win his way to the position of editor of the Citizen,
and all his energies were devoted to the accomplishment of that purpose.
In 1865, his health failing somewhat, he relinquished the printing business,
temporarily, and took a course of study at Eastman College, Poughkeepsie,
New York. Returning to Franklin, he accepted a position on the engineer
corps constructing the Jamestown and Franklin railroad. After its comple
tion to Franklin he engaged for a brief time in the coal business with George
W. Brigham. In the fall of 1867 he again entered the Citizen office, then
owned by Alexander McDowell, Jr. In 1868 Mr. McDowell expressed a
desire to retire, and although an effort was made by Mr. Smiley and his
friends to gain control of. the paper and business, they failed. April 1,
1869, he was engaged by a company owning the Republican, at Tionesta,
Forest county, to edit that paper and conduct the business fbr one year,
which he did successfully. April 1, 1870, he returned to Franklin and pur
chased the Citizen from J. W. H. Reisinger, who had owned and conducted
it from January 1, 1869. All the capital necessary for the purchase was
borrowed at the high rate of interest prevaUing in this section at the time,
but all payments were promptly met, and the property was cleared of debt
in less than four years. H. S. and F. D. Smiley were associated in the

802 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
publication of the Citizen until the consolidation of the Citizen and Inde
pendent Press in 1884, when F. D. SmUey retired.
In 1872 Mr. Smiley was elected a delegate to the Republican state con
vention which nominated General Hartranft for governor, and was also
elected a delegate from Venango in 1873-74, 1876, and 1879. In 1876 he
was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Cincinnati. He
was first chosen as chairman of the Republican executive committee of
Venango county in 1875 and served in the -same capacity in 1876, 1881,
1885-87, and 1889. In 1888 he was a candidate for the Republican
nomination for congress in the twenty-seventh district and carried Venango
county by a large majority over his principal competitor, but failed to secure
the district nomination. In 1876 he was elected reading clerk of the senate
of Pennsylvania and held that position until 1881, when he was defeated for
re-election because of complications and divisions in the Republican party in
connection with the election of a United States senator to succeed Senator
Buckalew. In 1883 he was elected journal clerk of the senate and has held
that responsible position until the present time. In May, 1866, E. W. SmUey
and Mary Jane Kilgore, daughter of James and Nancy Kilgore of Mineral
township, were united in marriage. Reverend John Baine officiating. They
have three children: John Howard, Ralph A., and Jessie.
H. May Irwin, journalist, was born at Franklin, September 25, 1838,
second son of Richard and Hannah (May) Irwin. He was brought up at
Franklin, attending the public schools and FrankUn Academy. He also
took a classical course under the tuition of the late Reverend S. J. M. Eaton,
D. D. In 1852 he began to leam the printing trade in the office of the
Whig Banner at Franklin, continuing with its proprietor, R. Lyle White,
until the autumn of 1853. After this he was employed at different times
upon the Advocate and Journal, Venango Spectator, and A7nerican Citizen.
In 1863-64 he was engaged on the Harrisburg Patriot, first as compositor
and afterward as city editor. After withdrawing from this connection he
was occupied for several years in dealing in oil lands. In 1868, in company
with other gentlemen, he established The Leader, a weekly literary journal,
at Baltimore. Some of the ablest writers of the day were among its con
tributors, but the venture was not a financial success. Retiring in 1869 he
went to ^^ashington city, where he was editor of the Daily Express for a
time and for five years reported the proceedings of the national house of
representatives for the American Press Association, at the same time per
forming regular work upon the local press. While thus engaged he first began
to write humorous articles, criticisms, etc. , which elicited favorable comment
from well-known contemporary authors. As a humorous -writer his contribu
tions are characterized by a rare degree of wit and originality, and a certain
flavor peculiarly his own; and in editorial and general journalistic work he
has also achieved success. In 1880 he purchased a half interest in the

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 803
Evening Neivs of Franklin, then in its third year. In 1881 he assumed
editorial management of the Independent Press at Franklin. Retiring Janu-
ury 1, 1884, he resumed his connection with the News, and has been the
principal contributor for its columns from that date. September 11, 1879,
he married Mary Louise, daughter of H. P. Leech of Washington city, and
they have five chUdren: Richard; Hiram L. ; Arthur M. ; Francis Hunting
don, and Katharine Gertrude. The family is Presbyterian in faith, and in
politics ]Mr. Irwin is a Republican. He has served as school director of
Franklin and as president of the city school board, and is connected with
the P. H. C. and E. A. U.
Major James M. Beedin, the eldest son of Maurice Bredin, was born in
BuUer, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of November, 1828. His parents came
from the northern part of Ireland, near Belfast, and he was, therefore, of
Scotch-Irish descent. He received his education at the Butler Academy, an
institution which was well known in western Pennsylvania whilst under the
dh-ection of the Reverend William White, D.D. , L.L.D., of the Episcopal
church. After completing his education he read law under the direction of
General John N. Purviance, in his native town, and was admitted to the bar
in 1851, Soon after his admission to the bar he conceived the idea of secur
ing the eoal lands in the northern part of Butler county, for the purpose of
promoting the industry of coal mining upon a large scale. Having been
successful in obtaining a large body of these lands he entered into arrange
ments with James McHenry, who was then in control of the Atlantic and
Great Western Railway Company. W'ith the cooperation of Mr. McHenry,
the Mercer Coal and Mining Company was organized and also the Shenango
and AUegheny RaUroad Company, In both these enterprises he was a
member of the board of directors and took an important part.
On the 28th of November, 1864, he was admitted to the Venango bar,
removed to Franklin early in the following year, and in the latter place not
only continued the practice of his profession, but also took an active interest
in commercial and industrial enterprises. He was one of the organizers of
the Franklin Bank, and after the merging of that institution into the First
National, he was chosen a director of the latter. In 1870, at the solicita
tion of his friends, he was put forward as a candidate for nomination to the
office of state senator, his opponent for Venango county being Colonel A.
P. Duncan, who had previously been a member of the legislature. At the
primary election Major Bredin received a considerable majority of the vote
of Venango county, but faUed to receive the nomination of the district,
which was accorded to Colonel Harrison Allen. Major Bredin represented
the reform element in this struggle, and most of his friends claimed that
his defeat was due to the Ulicit influences which he was only too open in
condemning. In 1873 Major Bredin, in company with others, developed a new and

804 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
important oil field in Cranberry township, Venango county, and founded the
town which is now known as Bredinsburg. During this year also he be
came a member of the city council of Franklin. He was likewise a charter
member of the Franklin Cemetery Company. He received his military
title by appointment from Govemor Packer as a member of his official
staff. Major Bredin' s energy was not confined to the law, commercial pursuits,
or politics. He was an earnest and efficient member of St. John's Episco
pal church of Franklin, and a member of its vestry from 1864 up to the
time of his death. He took a prominent part in the erection of the western
diocese of the state. This project was opposed by Bishop Stevens, but by
the admission of St. John' s parish of Franklin, the one vote necessary for a ma
jority was secured at the convention at Philadelphia, which resulted in the
erection of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and thereafter Major Bredin repre
sented this parish in nearly every annual diocesan convention. At home he
was largely instrumental in replacing the old church building by the pres
ent beautiful structure, which was the first of the large church edifices erect
ed in Franklin. t
The character of Major Bredin was of a rugged and positive type, and
in consequence of this those who did not know him well were sometimes led
to misinterpret him. But to those who did know him, and especially to
those who knew him intimately, there was no misunderstanding concerning
him. His eccentricities of disposition were but the cover of his manly
character. Beneath and behind his positive and strong exterior manner,
there was a play of sensibility which was almost feminine in its delicacy.
To sum up his qualities, he was energetic, frank, honest, and generous, and
it may be said of him, without the least exaggeration, that he contributed his
full share to those influences which go to make up a wholesome industrial
and moral community.
Major Bredin was married September 28, 1871, to Mrs. Ruth K. Elliott,
daughter of Colonel James Kinnear, who died June 24, 1880. He survived
her nearly four years, and died May 17, 1884, in his fifty-sixth year, having
but little more than passed the meridian of life.
James H. Osmer, attorney at law, was born in central Pennsylvania,
January 22, 1833, son of Reuben and Catharine (Gilbert) Osmer, both
natives of England, who came to the United States after marriage, and
finally settled in Centre county, Pennsylvania, where the remaining years
of their lives were spent. Our subject was reared in Centre county, and
grew up inured to the toil and hardship incident to farm life in those
days. His early educational advantages embraced a few months' attendance
at the neighborhood school. From boyhood he was compelled to earn his
own living, but possessing an ambition to acquire an education, he invested
his earnings in school books, which he studied at night, after his day's work

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN, 805
was done, by the light of pine knots. He thus obtained a fair knowledge
of the common school branches as then taught. At the age of eighteen he
entered Bellefonte Academy, and subsequently taught a school a few miles
from his home. Alternately teaching and prosecuting his studies at Mt.
Pleasant College, Westmoreland county. Pine Grove Academy, Centre
county, and Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he ob
tained a good literary and classical education.
In June, 1856, Mr. Osmer entered the office of Robertson & Fassett,
Elmu-a, New York, where he diligently applied himself to the study of the
law, in the meantime teaching as principal of one of the city schools. He
was admitted to the bar at Cortland, New York, in November, 1858, and
practiced his profession at Blmira until the spring of 1865, when he came
to Franklin. Finally concluding to remain in that place, he was admitted
to the Venango bar in the following August, and soon won a conspicuous
place and a large practice in the courts of this district. He has also been
admitted to practice before the district and circuit courts, the supreme court
of the state, and the United States supreme court. Mr. Osmer is recog
nized a^ a well-read, studious, careful, pains-taking lawyer, thoroughly
versed in the principles of legal science, and possessing a well trained,
logical mind. He is especiaUy strong as an advocate, and his arguments
before court or jury are often eloquent and convincing. Entering into
every case with unbounded zeal and enthusiasm, he is regarded by his pro
fessional brethren as a very dangerous foe in a legal contest. He is an
affable and entertaining conversationalist, with a mind well stored with a
vast fund of valuable information and the faculty of imparting it in a happy,
courteous manner.
Politically Mr. Osmer was originally an Abolitionist, whence he natu
rally drifted into the Republican party. In 1876 he was chosen a delegate
to the national Republican convention, but a severe illness prevented him
from attending. In the fall of 1878 he was elected on the Republican
ticket to congress, and during his term served on the committee on educa
tion and labor. He was a delegate to the state convention that nominated
Governor Beaver, and did all in his power toward electing him.
Mr. Osmer was married in June, 1859, to Miss Mary J. Griggs, of Steu
ben county. New York, who is the mother of four children, two of whom
are Uving: Archibald R. and Newton F. For many years he has been a
member of the Masonic order, and is one of the best known lawyers now
practicmg in the courts of Venango county.
James Denton Hancock, attorney at law, was born June 9, 1837, in
Wyoming valley, two miles from Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, Pennsylva
nia, son of James and grandson of Jonathan Hancock, the latter a native of
Virginia and descended from a family which has been represented in the
' Old Dominion " since the seventeenth century. The wife of James Han-

806 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
cock was Mary Perkins, daughter of David Perkins, who was a brother of
Colonel Aaron Perkins of the Revolutionary war. Their father was killed
in the Wyoming massacre. James D. Hancock was reared in his native
county, obtaining an academic education at Wyoming Seminary and other
local institutions, and graduated at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in
June, 1859. In 1861 he became a tutor at the Western University of Penn
sylvania, where he was elected professor of mathematics in the foUowing
year. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar at Pittsburgh, and was engaged
in the practice of his profession in that city untU 1865, when he removed to
Franklin and has resided here continuously ever since. In 1877 he was
appointed attorney for the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company; hewas
appointed attorney in Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh, TitusviUe and Buf
falo Railroad Company in the following year, continuing in that capacity
until 1888, when he became general solicitor for the Western New York
and Pennsylvania Railroad Company, of which position he is the present
incumbent with headquarters at Buffalo. He was appointed a trustee for
Warren Insane Hospital in 1881 by Governor Hoyt, and has been continued
in that position by successive reappointments, serving as president of the
board in 1888. Politically he has been a Democrat since 1861, and promi
nent in the movement for tariff reform. In 1883 he delivered a lecture
upon the subject of ' ' Petroleum versus Protection ' ' at Franklin and other
places; it attracted wide attention and was awarded a silver medal by the
Cobden Club, of which the author was elected an honorary member. He was
chairman of the sub-committee and drew the original draft of the resolu
tions passed at the Tariff Reform Convention at Chicago in 1885, and in
1889 was chairman of the committee on resolutions. He is the author of
numerous articles upon various economic questions relating to the tariff. In
1865 Mr. Hancock married Miss Ella C. Hitchcock, of Pittsburgh, who died
in 1871. In 1878 he married Miss Mary K. Hitchcock, a sister of his first
wife. Of a family of five children there are living: La-wrence P., a gradu
ate of Kenyon College, who was admitted to the bar August 26, 1889; Ella
C, and Mary E.
Silas Lee, deceased, was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where
his ancestors had lived since before the Revolutionary war. The family is
related to the Lees of Virginia. Our subject removed from Bucks county
to Connersville, Indiana, in 1821, where he read law with Oliver H. Smith,
subsequently a United States senator from that state, was there admitted to
the bar, and began the practice of his profession at Perrysburg, Ohio. After
practicing some ten years he returned to his native county and gave up the
legal profession, afterward engaging in agricultural pursuits. He was mar
ried at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mrs. Jane Patterson, nee Holmes, a
native of County Fermanagh, Ireland, of which union six children were
born. Soon after his marriage Mr. Lee removed to Sharon, Pennsylvania,

'H%^^uu^

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 809
thence to Iowa in 1857, and afterward to Virginia, where he remained until
July, 1860, when, seeing the symptoms of the coming civil war, he brought
his family to Franklin. Here he died August 13, 1871, aged eighty-three.
His widow survived him until March 14, 1876, dying at the age of sixty-
nine. Their family consisted of the following children: Frances Gage, de
ceased wife of George S. King, of Franklin ; Ambrose R. , of Erie ; John H. ,
of Franklin; Mary C, who died in childhood; James W., attorney at law,
Franklin, and Clara N., wife of Reverend Reuben P. Randolph, a Methodist
preacher now stationed at Buffalo, New York. The parents were adherents
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in that faith. Politically Mr.
Lee was first a Whig, and after the dissolution of that party he became a
Republican. James Wilson Lee, attorney at law, was born at Sharon, Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, July 17, 1845, son of Silas and Jane (Holmes) Lee, mention
of whom appears in this chapter. His boyhood days were passed under the
parental roof, and he received his primary education in the public schools.
In 1863 he entered Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania,
and in 1864 Allegheny College at Meadville, spending in both institutions
about three years. In April, 1867, he commenced reading law with Myers
& Kinnear, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1869. He
immediately began practice in Franklin and continued alone until July 1,
1872, when he formed a partnership with S. C. T. Dodd, which continued
until January 1, 1881, when Mr, Dodd removed to New York city to accept
the general solicitorship of the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Lee practiced
alone until July, 1886, at which time he became a member of the firm of
Lee, SmUey & Hastings, of Bradford. One year afterward the present firm
of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, with offices at Franklin and Bradford, was
organized, and has since been recognized as one of the leading law firms in
this section of the state.
In politics Mr. Lee has always been a Republican, and during the past
twenty years he has taken a prominent and active part in the political
affairs of Pennsylvania. Possessing an affable, engaging, and courteous
manner, and being a frank, earnest, and fearless speaker, he soon won a
host of friends who still remain his loyal supporters. Naturally he became
a leader in local politics, and in 1871 he was elected to the city council, and
in 1875 was chosen mayor of Franklin. By this time he had become well
known and poptUar throughout the county, and the way was open for
further advancement. In 1878 he was nominated and elected by a very
large majority to a seat in the state senate, and was re-elected in 1882.
During his first term he served on the committee on new counties and
county seats, and also the judiciary committee, and during his second term
he served on the judiciary committee and was chairman of the special judi
ciary committee. In the debates and deliberations of the senate he always
4S

810 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
took an active part, and was the acknowledged peer of the leading members
of that body. Since the expiration of his second term Senator Lee has
devoted his entire attention to the large and lucrative practice of the firm of
Lee, Criswell & Hastings, all of whom are able and successful lawyers.
Mr. Lee has been twice married. His first marriage occurred June 19
1879, to Miss Laura M., daughter of P. D. Kinnear, of Franklin. She
died July 19, 1880, and he was again married October 13, 1883, to Miss
Clara V. Kauffman, daughter of Senator C. S. Kauffman, of Columbia,
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
George Stuart Criswell, of the firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, attor
neys at law, was born in Richland township, Venango county, Pennsylvania,
April 7, 1850. His parents, Robert and Hannah (Nickle) Criswell, the
former a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Centre
county, are residents of Richland township. His maternal grandparents,
John and Sarah Nickle, were natives of Ireland, and came from Bellefonte,
Pennsylvania, to Venango county early in the twenties. Both died in Rich
land township. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and was edu
cated in the public schools and the Emlenton Academy, afterward teaching
five winter terms. He commenced reading law in 1873, and in 1874 entered
the office of H. A. Miller, of Franklin, now of Pittsburgh, and was admitted
to the bar September 30, 1875. He has ever since been engaged in the active
duties of his profession, and since August, 1887, a member of the present
firm. Politically he has always affiliated with the Republican party. On
the 4th of March, 1872, he was appointed deputy prothonotary, and held
that position over two years. He acted as counsel for the commissioners
from 1879 to 1881. He has been the representative of Venango county in
the legislature of Pennsylvania, serving as chairman of the judiciary general
committee during a part of his incumbency, and has filled several local offices
in Franklin. Mr. Criswell was married November 26, 1879, to Miss Flora,
daughter of J. H. Smith, of Franklin, who has borne him four sons: Ches-
ney Harrison; Elisha Wayne; George Stuart, and Richard. The family
are Presbyterians, and Mr. Criswell is a member of the Masonic order. He
is recognized as one of the safe, bright lawyers of the Venango bar, as well
as one of its best known members.
Robert W. Dunn, attorney at law, was born at New Vernon, Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, January 3, 1846. His great-grandfather, Allen Dunn,
a native of the North of Ireland, immigrated to this state and located in
Northumberland county. In 1804 he removed to Mercer county and settled
a short distance north of the site of Sandy Lake, where he erected a cabin
and cleared a small opening in the forest. He subsequently became quite
prominent in political and religious circles. He was one of the organizers
of Rocky Spring Associate Presbyterian church, and his name appears on
the session book for 1811 as a ruling elder of that body. He served as

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 811
sheriff of Mercer county from 1821 to 1824, and also filled several other
minor offices. His sons, Robert and Francis, were afterward elders in the
Rocky Spring church. The former married Agnes McKean, of Mercer, who
bore him nine chUdren: Allen, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Martha; Hugh,
deceased; Margaret; Hamilton, deceased; Francis; Mary A., and Edward.
In 1825 Robert Dunn erected the first blacksmith shop on the site of Sandy
Lake and carried on the business many years. He was one of the incorpo
rators of that borough. Allen, the eldest son of Robert and Agnes Dunn, and
the father of our subject, was born and reared in Sandy Lake. He married
Eliza K., daughter of Samuel Barr, of Mill Creek township, Mercer county.
They were the pai-ents of the following children: Margaret B. ; Robert W^ ;
^amuel B., deceased; Allen, deceased; Nancy A. ; Edward S. ; Mary E. ; Martha
J., and Harry A. In 1856 the family removed to Venango county, and in
1858 located in Franklin. In 1868 they went to Kansas where the father
died in 1883. His widow is now a resident of Ottawa City, Kansas.
Robert W. Dunn, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents to
Venango county and afterward to Franklin. He received his primary edu
cation in the public schools, and graduated at Westminister College, New
WUmington, Pennsylvania, in 1867. Soon after graduating he commenced
reading law with Taylor & Mackey, of Franklin, and was admitted to the
bar in June, 1869. He has since been admitted to practice in the courts of
adjoining counties, in the supreme court and in the United States courts, and
has been equally successful in civil and criminal law. Mr. Dunn was mar
ried July 18, 1867, to Miss Martha, daughter of ex-Senator Francis, of Law
rence gounty, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Ella J.; William A., and
Bessie M. The family are Presbyterian in faith, and in politics Mr. Dunn
is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O.
P., and the A, O. U. W. ; he is one of the well-known members of the Ve
nango bar, and has built up a good practice during the past twenty years.
Thomas McGough, attorney at law, is a son of Peter and Sarah (Marshall)
McGough. The former was born near Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsyl
vania, September 30, 1822, and is a son of Thomas McGough, a native of
Cambria county and Catharine (Gamble) McGough, born in Indiana county,
both of whom are dead. In 1848 he married, in Venango county, Sarah
Marshall, born in March, 1827, in Lawrenceburg, Armstrong county,
Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Perry) MarshaU,
and the mother of six chUdren: Samuel; Thomas; Doctor Peter McGough, of
Pittsburgh; Phoebe; Catharine, and Blanche. Peter McGough was in early
life a teacher, subsequently a merchant and banker, and for several years
has been engaged in the insurance business. Politically he is a Republican,
and for five years held the office of United States coUector for the twentieth
district of Pennsylvania. Thomas McGough was born at Parker's Landing,
Armstrong county, and came to Franklin with his parents. He received his

812 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
early education in the schools of Franklin, and graduated at Princeton Col
lege in 1873, He then commenced reading law with C. Heydrick of Frank
lin, and was admitted to the bar in July, 1876. Mr. McGough was married
in January 1886, to Miss Lydia, daughter of General Alfred B. McCal
mont. She was a native of Franklin, and died after a brief illness, Novem
ber 24, 1889. In 1879 Mr, McGough was elected district attorney and
twice re-elected, holding the office until 1888. Politically he is a Republi
can, and a member of the A. O. U. W. The family belong to the Presby
terian church.
Robert F. Glenn, son of Reverend Robert Glenn, a sketch of whose life
appears in the biographical chapter of French Creek township, and Har
riet (Finley) Glenn, was born in French Creek township, Venango county,
February 8, 1851, where, until recently, his mother resided. After severaf
years spent in teaching he read law with C. Heydrick, of Franklin, and
in 1878 was admitted to the bar of Venango county. Soon after admission
he became associated with James D. Hancock in the practice of law, which
relation was continued until April 1, 1887. Mr. Glenn was married June
23, 1881, to Miss Harriet, youngest daughter of Isaac and Margaret D.
Miller, of Greenburg, Pennsylvania, Two children, Donald and Helen
Miller, are the fruits of this union. The family is Presbyterian. Mr.
Glenn is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. Politically, he
is a Democrat, and has represented Venango county in the legislature of
Pennsylvania. W^illiam H. Forbes, attorney at law, of the firm of Mackey, Forbes &
Hughes, was born at Centre Furnace, near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Septem
ber 25, 1861, son of Henry and Mary (Field) Forbes, of Bucyrus,* Ohio.
In 1862 the family removed to Meadville, Pennsylvania, and in 1865 our
subject was brought to Franklin, where he has since lived. He obtained his
education in the public schools, graduating in 1876, and afterward took a
post course under Professor H. A. Strong, superintendent of the public
schools of Franklin, and now an attorney of the Erie bar. In August, 1877,
he entered the recorder's office as deputy, and the following October became
deputy to Isaac Reinemann, prothonotary of Venango county, in which po
sition he served three years. On the 10th of May, 1880, he entered the office
of Charles W. Mackey as private secretary and one year later commenced
reading law under that gentleman's directions; he was admitted to practice
April 23, 1883. On the same date he became the partner of his preceptor,
which partnership has since continued. Mr. Forbes was elected secretary,
treasurer, and superintendent of the Franklin Natural Gas Company July
1, 1885, and is at present secretary and treasurer of that company. Decem
ber 8, 1887, he was elected treasurer of the Shenango Coal and Mining
Company of Mercer and Butler counties; January 23, 1888, treasurer of
the American Oxide Company, of Franklin, and July 15, 1889, secretary of

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 813
the Anglo-American Oxide Company. Mr. Forbes was married September
28, 1887, to Miss Mary, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Eckles) Reinemann,
now of Toledo, Ohio. She is the mother of one son, Francis Henry.
Politically Mr. Forbes has always been a Republican. In December, 1 884,
he was appointed, by Judge Taylor, one of the return judges of the con
gressional convention which certified to the election of William L. Scott to
a seat in the United States house of representatives. He is a trustee of the
Baptist church, of which denomination his wife is a member. Though a
young man, Mr. Forbes' inherent pluck, his energy and ability, have won
for him a leading position among the progressive young men of Franklin.
Feebeeick L. Kahle, attorney at law, was born April 18, 1862, in Jef
ferson county, Pennsylvania, son of F. P. and Isabella (McCutchen)
Kahle, natives of Jefferson county, who came to Plumer, Venango county,
in 1869. They were the parents of one daughter, Alice Arminta, and
eleven sons: Benton T. , of Pittsburgh; Manuel W., deceased; Clarence,
of Pittsbm-gh; Doctors A. W. and R. D., of Lima, Ohio; Frederick L., of
Franklin; Doctor W. A., of New York city; Charles E., of Lima, Ohio;
Frank U., of Oil City; Harry, and Ainsworth, of Plumer. Our subject re
ceived his education at the common schools and the Rouseville Normal
School, completing it at the Erie Seminary. In 1884 he began reading law
with J. H. Osmer, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar in August, 1886.
In 1882 and 1883 he taught school in Venango county, and in 1884-85 was
principal of the high schools of Sugar Grove, Warren county. Immediately
after his admission to the bar he located at Franklin and commenced the
practice of his profession. Mr. Kahle has filled the office of city auditor,
and in 1888 was elected on the Republican ticket district attorney of Ve
nango county; he is said to be the youngest man ever elected to that office
m this county. He married, in May, 1888, Miss Mary, daughter of Doctor
D. C, Galbraith, of Franklin. He is a member of the Masonic order,
Order of the Golden Chain, and Royal Arcanum, and an adherent of the
Presbyterian church.
Walter S. Welsh, M. D. , deceased, was born at Butler, Pennsylvania,
in July, 1826. He received his education at the public schools of Butler
and at Washington and Jefferson College, subsequently teaching languages
at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county. His medical studies were begun at
Brady's Bend and Worthington, Armstrong county, and in that county his
practice was commenced. At the outbreak of the civil war he was residing
at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the
Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry August 23, 1862, and surgeon of the
Fifteenth, March 15, 1868, subsequently rising to the rank of brigade sur
geon. In 1865 he came to Franklin and was in active practice untU 1887,
¦when failing health compelled him to relinquish professional work. His
skiU as a physician was generaUy recognized, and as a man his character

814 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
commanded public confidence. Genial in temperament and a thorough
scholar, his mental scope had been enlarged by extensive reading and
observation. He was a member of the Methodist church, the county medi
cal society, and of Mays Post, G. A. R. His death occurred at Ocean
Grove, New Jersey, August 8, 1889. His wife, Mrs. Martha Welsh, nee
Marshall, and an only daughter. Miss Sallie Welsh, survive him. Politically
he was a Republican, and served as mayor of Franklin one term.
David Courtney Galbeaith, physician and surgeon, is a native of Law
rence county, Pennsylvania, born May 8, 1841, son of Ephraim Galbraith, who
died in Lawrence county. Our subject grew up under the parental roof and
received his early education in the common schools. In 1855 he commenced
reading medicine in the office of Doctor James Cossitt of New Castle, Penn
sylvania, and one of the pioneer physicians of Mercer county, and continued
under his instructions about three years, afterward spending a year in the
office of Doctor Taylor, of Mercer. He attended lectures at the Western
Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in the sessions of 1856-57 and
1858-59, graduating in the latter year. He soon afterward went south,
but returned to Ohio in the fall of 1861, and was appointed assistant sur
geon and subsequently -surgeon in General Butler's command, serving in all
over two years. In 1862 he opened an office at Polk, Venango county, and
excepting the time spent in the army, practiced there about nine years. In
1865-66 Doctor Galbraith attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati,
and graduated therefrom in the latter year. In 1871 he moved to Frank
lin, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice, being one of
its best known medical practitioners. He was married in 1862 to Miss Annie
Cubbison, of Butler county, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of two chil
dren: Mary and Francis. Politically Doctor Galbraith is a Democrat, and
though comparatively a young man, is nevertheless one of the oldest physi
cians in time of practice in the county.
Stephen Lowry Collins Bredin, son of Judge John Bredin of Butler
and grandson of George McClelland of Venango county, was born in Butler
in 1834. He left the academy of the Reverend William White in 1852, suf
ficently well advanced in classical and mathematical studies to enter the
junior class of Union College, Schenectady, New York, in its palmy days,
when the Reverend Eliphalet Nott was still its president. Leaving coUege
he began the study of medicine with his uncle bythe mother's side, Nathan
iel D. Snowden, and in 1856 graduated at the University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia. He spent the subsequent summer in assisting Doctor Snow
den in his practice, enjoying the full fruits of the old doctor's life-long
training and cultivation in the science of medicine. The next two or three
years he spent in the West, at Rochester, Minnesota. In 1859 he married
Catharine, the third daughter of George Sloan, of Hanoverton, Columbiana
county, Ohio, and settled in his native place, Butler, assuming the duties

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 815
of a physician and the care of the large practice of Doctor Lowman, who had
gone to the army as a brigade surgeon. Though his health was much broken
and he was not able to do much business for a few years, he soon began to
realize the arduous duties of a physician attending to a wide circle of coun
try practice and compelled to minister to the wants of a large clientele of
principally agricultural people. His health improving he was able to do
this satisfactorily to himself and his people for twenty-two years in Butler.
Feeling the necessity for calling a halt he embraced the opportunity offered
by the faUure in health of his cousin. Doctor S. Gustine Snowdon, and came
to Franklin to take the doctor' s place while he went away to endeavor to
find in rest and change a remedy for the disease with which he was fatally
stricken. Enjoying rest from the arduous, wearing life of constant riding
and exposure. Doctor Bredin has for six years continued to practice in the
place where he first read medicine, contented with the confidence and esteem
of its people, who have extended to him a kindly welcome.
Doctor E. W. Moobe was born in Cool Spring township, Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, May 27, 1848, and is a son of George R. and Mary P. (Lee)
Moore, the former a native of Franklin and the latter of Butler county,,
Pennsylvania, and now residents of Kenton, Ohio, whither they removed
from Mercer county when our subject was a child. He was reared at Ken
ton, and after receiving a public school education attended Oberlin College.
He read medicine with Phillips & Snodgrass, of Kenton, and attended
lectures at Charity Hospital Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1867-68-
69, and graduated February 25, 1869. He commenced practice in Kenton,
removing to Franklin in June, 1871, where he has since been engaged in
the active duties of his profession. Doctor Moore is secretary of the
Venango County Medical Society, a member of the State Medical Society,
and was a member of the International Medical Congress of 1887. Politi
cally he is a Republican, and has been coroner of Venango county four
years. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of the A. O. U. W. and
K. of H. He was married September 2, 1873, to Miss Effie, daughter of
James and Elizabeth Bleakley, of Franklin. They are the parents of three
children: Clara E., Lee Dubbs, deceased, and Edna Louise. Since coming
to Franklin Doctor Moore has built up a good practice, and is one of the
leading members of his profession.
Joseph W. Leadenham, M. D. , was born in Carbon county, Pennsylvania,
January 16, 1855, son of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Leadenham,
the former a native of England and the latter of Wales, both of whom im
migrated to New York city in childhood. Our subject was reared in this
state and New York city, received his primary education in the latter place,
and took a scientific course in a college of that city. In 1871 he commenced
reading medicine under Doctor J. B. Tweedle of Carbon county, and in
1874-75 attended lectures at BeUevue Hospital Medical College. In 1876

816 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
he attended Long Island Hospital Medical College where he graduated in
June of that year. He was interne in the hospitals of New York and Brook
lyn until January, 1877, when he opened an office at Edenburg, Clarion
county, Pennsylvania, and practiced there until May, 1883, when he re
moved to Franklin. Doctor Leadenham took a course on histology and
pathology in the CoUege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, in
1882, and the next year took a course at the Post-Graduate Medical Col
lege. He was married April 22, 1878, to Miss L. May Smith, of Edenburg,
Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Republican, a member of the Masonic
order, the A. O. U. W., and the U. F. The Doctor is an active member of
the State Medical Society, Minnesota Medical Society, and the American
Medical Association, also of the American Microscopical Society. Since
coming to Franklin Doctor Leadenham has enjoyed a fine practice, and is
regarded as one of the progressive physicians of the county.
John R. Borland, physician, son of Huston and Eleanor Borland, was
born in New Vernon township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 15,
1828, and was educated in the common schools. He read medicine with
Doctor J. R. Andrews, a Reformed physician of New Vernon, Pennsyl
vania, and commenced practice at Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, in 1851. He
graduated in the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery in 1865.
He was dean of the faculty and filled the chair of theory and practice, and
lecturer on clinical medicine in the Georgia Eclectic Medical College in
1879-80, and graduated from that institution in the latter year. He is a
member of the district, state, and national Eclectic medical societies, a con
tributor to medical journals, and is recognized as a good physician. He has
served three years on the Franklin board of health, and two years as phy
sician of the county jail. On the 29th of June, 1852, he married Elizabeth
Emery, of Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, born January 21, 1834. They have
had nine children. The survivors are Isaac Huston, carriage manufacturer
of Franklin; James Brown, publisher of the Evening News; Mary Jane;
Nettie MoUie, and Charles Emery. Those dead are Emma Josephine, Laura
Ellen, Nannie Malinda, and Luella. Doctor Borland is a man of extensive
reading and well informed, not only in his profession but also on all the
ordinary topics of life. Liberal in his professional and religious views he
is opposed to proscription in either. Though formerly a Republican in
poUtics, he has acted with the Prohibition party for some years, and has
been successively nominated by that party for assembly, state senate, and
congress, each time leading his party vote.
Edward P. Wilmot, physician and surgeon, was born in Liverpool,
Medina county, Ohio, and is the only surviving son of E. Wilmot. He was
educated at Oberlin high school and Oberlin College, Ohio, and read jnedi-
cine with Professor G. J. Jones, M. D., of Cleveland, Ohio. Doctor Wil
mot graduated at the Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 817
Ohio, March 2, 1882, and at once commenced the practice of medicine and
surgery at Franklin, Pennsylvania, at which place he has been in contin
uous practice ever since. He was married August 14, 1884, to Annie M.,
daughter of Calvin W. GUfiUan of Franklin. Three chUdren have been
born of this union, one of whom is deceased. Politically Dr. WUmot is a
Eepubliean, and is a United States pension examiner of Venango county.
He was elected physician and surgeon four years in succession of the
Venango county alms house.
John B. Glenn, M. D., was born December 2, 1838, in French Creek
township. He is a son of Reverend Robert and Rebecca (Wyckoff) Glenn,
the father a native of Mercer county and the mother of Crawford county.
Our subject was one of a family of twelve childi-en, and spent his early life
on the homestead, attended the common schools, and commenced the
study of medicine with Doctors Johnston and Cochran of Cochranton, Penn
sylvania, graduating at Jefferson Medical College. He first located at Polk
and subsequently practiced at Freedom, Rockland township, where he
remained for twenty years. In November, 1887, he located in Franklin,
where he has since continued the duties of his profession. Doctor Glenn
was married in November, 1867, to Miss Isabella, daughter of Samuel
Mitchell of Polk, but now a resident of Franklin. By this marriage they
hdve one daughter, Harriet. June 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company C,
Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served three years, being discharged
June 2, 1864. The Doctor is a Democrat, and one of the well known physi
cians of his native county.
Colonel William Rickards was born at Philadelphia November 18, 1824,
son of WiUiam and Catharine (Murdoch) Rickards, of English and Scotch
. origin, respectively, the former a son of William Rickards of Delaware,
and the latter a daughter of William Murdoch, a sea captain. He obtained
a common school education and at the outbreak of the Rebellion was en
gaged in business at Philadelphia as a manufacturing jeweler in partnership
with his father. Having recruited Company I, Twenty-Ninth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, he was elected captain and was taken prisoner at Winchester.
After being paroled he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel
October 4, 1862, and became colonel May 1, 1863, participating in the va
rious campaigns of the Army of the Potomac until September, 1868, when
the regiment accompanied Hooker to the South. He led his regiment in
the charge at Lookout I^ountain, and has in his possession as a memento of
that engagement the regimental colors, which he claims was the first Union
flag carried to the summit in the "battle above the clouds," September 24,
^1863. Having re-enlisted, the regiment was mustered in as veterans De
cember 9, 1868. He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain June 15, 1864,
and discharged November 2, 1864, from the hospital at Cincinnati, having
been incapacited for further military duty. In January, 1865, he came to

818 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Franklin and engaged in the oil business. In 1873 he engaged in dentistry
and has so continued. November 16, 1848, he married Eliza, daughter of
Thomas and Mary (Hamilton) Tucker of Baltimore, Maryland. They are
the parents of six sons: W^illiam T., banker, of Chicago; Charles, deceased;
Harry, grocer, of Franklin; George C, in the hardware business at Oil City;
Irvin M. , in the lumber business at Chicago, and Lewis St. G. The f amUy
is Episcopalian in church connection. Colonel Rickards is a Republican, a
member of the G. A. R., and also a member of the L. T. of T. and the
E. A. U.
John M. Dodds, physician and surgeon, was born in Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, December 17, 1847. He was educated in the common schools
of New Sheffield, Beaver county, Edinboro Normal, and finished at Mount
Union, Ohio. He read medicine with J. S. Boyd, at New Sheffield, and
was graduated from the Homoeopathic Medical College of Cleveland in
1881. He at once began practice at Mercer, Mercer county, this state,
where he built up a lucrative business, until in November, 1888, when,
because of an earnest desire to locate in a larger town than Mercer, he
removed to Franklin, this county, forming a parnership with E. f. Wilmot.
On June 26, 1879, he was married to Sarah E. Jackson, and has two chil
dren: Thomas C, and Edward H. He is a Republican; he and his wife
are members of the Presbyterian church.
William Hilands, county surveyor, was born in Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, October 17, 1809, son of Robert and Sarah (Dickson) Hilands.
Barnabas Hilands, father of the former, was residing in the vicinity of
Hannastown, Westmoreland county, at the time it was burned. He was a
native of Scotland and a Covenanter in faith. Shortly after the territory
northwest of the Allegheny river was opened to settlement he located on
the Franklin road, seven miles from Pittsburgh; there he died, leaving a
widow and three children. Robert, the eldest son and father of the subject
of this sketch, was a farmer, land agent, and surveyor, and under his
instruction William Hilands learned the profession that has been his princi
pal occupation throughout life. In 1827 he was on the staff of Charles T.
Whipple in making the first survey under state auspices for a water com
munication between Lake Brie and the Ohio river, running the compass line
from Clarksville to Erie. He was also employed in making the initial
observations for the French Creek canal. In 1828 he was on the staff of
Edward F. Gay in making an examination of the Allegheny river from
Franklin to Pittsburgh for slackwater navigation. After several years
spent in teaching school and in the construction of mills at various points,
he entered the employ of McKee, Clarke & Company as clerk on a steam
boat plying between Pittsburgh and Louisville, serving as freight agent at
the company' s wharf in Pittsburgh more than a year. In 1836 he became
assistant engineer in charge of the construction of the first division of the

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 819
Erie extension canal above New Castle, and superiniended the construction
of twelve mUes of that work, including four looks between New Castle and
Middlesex, under the direction of Charles T. Whipple and Henry C. Moore,
from both of whom he received the highest testimonials, relinquishing this
position in 1839. From March of that year untU the spring of 1855 he
was engaged in the lumber business in Forest county. He then located at
Two MUe run, engaging in farming and surveying, and in 1865 came to
reside at Franklin. November 13, 1839, he married Maria, daughter of
Thomas M. Henry, of Lawrence county, and of thirteen children born to
them seven are living: Robert, Henry, William, John M., Edwin, Mary
(wife of Delavan Young), and Nettie. Mr. Hilands has been a member of
the Presbyterian church for many years. He is a Republican in politics,
and has held the office of county surveyor, to which he was first elected in
1859, continuously since 1871, performing its duties with care and fidelity.
William Reid Cbawford, ex-sheriff of Venango county, was born in
Perry township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1827, son of Eben
ezer and Jannette Crawford, a sketch of whom appears in the biographical
chapter of Scrubgrass township. Our subject was reared on the old home
stead, and received a limited education in the schools of his neighborhood.
He followed farming up to the spring of 1853, and then went to California,
where he spent about fifteen months in the gold mines. Returning to his
home in 1854, he removed to Scrubgrass township, Venango county, and
was engaged in farming about ten years. In March, 1865, he located in
Franklin and engaged in oil operating, which he followed up to taking
office as sheriff in January, 1887. Mr. Crawford was married May 15,
1851, to Jane, daughter of Thomas P, and Isabella (Craig) Kerr, a pioneer
family of Scrubgrass township, where Mrs. Crawford was born. Seven
chUdren were the fruits of this union, four of whom are living: Zelia E.,
wife of John Gill, superintendent of the Galena Oil Works, Franklin;
Jessie Benton, wife of Robert McCalmont, lawyer, of Franklin; John Kerr,
attorney, of Franklin, and Jennie June. Politically Mr. Crawford is an
ardent Republican, has served three terms as mayor of Franklin, and also
in the council and school board of the city. In November, 1886, he was
elected sheriff of Venango county, and filled the office until January, 1890.
He has been a member of the Masonic order many years.
Charles E. Shoup, treasurer of Venango county, was born in Cranberry
township, August 8, 1855, son of John and Rachel (Karns) Shoup, the
former a native of Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, born December 27,
1819, the latter a daughter of WiUiam and Anna (SuUinger) Karns, born
in Richland township, Venango county, January 11, 1826. John Shoup is
a son of Jacob Shoup, an early settler of Armstrong county and a boatman
on the Allegheny river between Pittsburgh and the headwaters of that
stream during the war of 1812. The family came to Venango county when

820 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
he was about six years old and here he has resided to the present. He was
engaged successfully in the hotel business in the Third ward of Franklin
for thirty-three years. To John and Rachel (Karns) Shoup have been bom
the following children: Fanny, wife of Joseph Shafer; Jacob; Charles E. ;
Luella, and three who died in infancy. Charles E. was reared in this
county and educated in the Franklin public schools. Having become pro
ficient in telegraphy, he accepted a position at Scrubgrass on the Allegheny
Valley raUroad in 1874. He was assigned to the Franklin office, a much
more responsible position, within a brief period, and continued in the em
ploy of this company ten years, when he resigned to accept a situation at
Franklin with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad. He had
charge of the telegraph department of the FrankUn office three years, and
at the expiration of that period was made chief clerk in the freight office.
Politically Mr^ Shoup is a Republican; in November, 1887, he was elected
county treasurer, and in this responsible capacity is recognized as a capable
and courteous official. March 6, 1883, he married Miss Elizabeth Klepfer,
daughter of Reuben and Lucinda Klepfer of Reidsburg, Clarion county,
and they are the parents of two daughters: Gertrude and Grace. He is a
member of the I. O. O. P., K. of P., and B. P. O. E., and the family affil
iates with the Methodist Episcopal church.
John B. Adams, postmaster of Franklin, is a son of John and Sarah
(Whann) Adams, pioneers of French Creek township, in the biographical
chapter of which a sketch of the Adams family appears. Our subject was
born in Sandy Creek township, February 2, 1845, was reared in Mineral
township, and received his early education in the public schools and academy
at Franklin. His youth was spent upon the homestead farm. In 1877 he
engaged in the coal business in this city, and subsequently was appointed
special agent for the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad Com
pany, filling that position three years. On the 31st of March, 1888, Mr.
Adams was appointed by President Cleveland to his present position, which
he has since filled in a highly creditable manner. He married Miss Susan,
daughter of P. G. HoUister (formerly of Emlenton) and Clarisa McKee,
daughter of Judge McKee, a pioneer of Clinton township, who has borne
him three children: Harry E.,Lew H., and BUa B. Politically Mr. Adams
is a stanch Democrat and strongly Methodistic in belief and practice.
Nathan P. Kinsley, superintendent of the Franklin public schools, was
born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1848, son of Reverend
Hiram Kinsley, a minister of the Brie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church. His mother was Elsie L. (Moulton) Kinsley. Reverend Kinsley
was bom in Vermont, while his wife was a native of Canada. He was a boy
of fourteen when the battle of Lake Champlain was fought, and witnessed
that battle and the great victory won by Commodore McDonnough. He
was reared in Vermont, and afterward came west into New York state, where

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 821
he married. He subsequently studied for the ministry and was ordained a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. While engaged in itinerant
labors in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, he purchased a home in Craw
ford county, Pennsylvania, whereon our subject was born. Reverend Kinsley
died in Geneva, Ohio, in January, 1887, whither he retired after giving up
the ministry. His widow survived him two years, and died in Franklin in
Januaiy, 1889. Professor Kinsley received his primary education in the
public schools, and entered the preparatory department of Allegheny Col
lege, Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1855. In 1859, having completed the
course of study of the Sophomore year, he left college for a time. In 1862
he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-Fifth Pennsylvania Vol
unteers, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out as orderly
sergeant in June, 1865. Governor Cui-tin conferred upon him a lieutenant' s
commission bearing date October, 1864. He served in all the campaigns of
his regiment from Antietam until his capture in the assault at Petersburg,
June 16, 1864. He remained a prisoner at Andersonville until the war
ended. Returning to Crawford county he again entered Allegheny College
in the spring of 1866 and graduated in June, 1868. After graduating, he
was, for two years principal of the high school, Pottsville, Pennsylvania,
during which time he commenced the study of law. In June, 1871, he
graduated at the Ohio State and Union Law College, Cleveland, Ohio, re
ceiving the degree of LL. B. , and was admitted to practice. The same year
he received the degree of A. M. from Allegheny College. During the six
years following, he was engaged in the practice of law in the West. After
spending some time in Kansas and Missouri, he located in Chicago. In
1877, while located in Chicago, he was tendered the position of principal
of the Franklin schools, which position he accepted. In September of that
ye^r he came to Franklin, commenced his work as principal, and continued
to hold that office until 1885. In 1885, the right to the office of city super
intendent having been extended by law to cities of five thousand population,
Professor Kinsley was elected to that office, which he has since filled in a
highly creditable manner. He is an ardent Republican, a member of the
G. A. R. , and takes an active interest in everything that pertains to the wel
fare of the veterans of the late war. He was married May 28, 1879, to Miss
Mary Lindsay, of Chicago, and has three children: Pearl, Charles, and
Hiram. Professor Kinsley is one of the best known and most popular
educators in northwestern Pennsylvania.
P. D. Sullingee, teacher, son of James and Susan (Christy) SuUinger,
and grandson of John SuUinger, a pioneer of Rockland township, was bom
in Richland township, Venango county, in 1883. His early life was spent
upon the homestead farm and his primary education was obtained in the
public schools of his native township. He began teaching at the age of
eighteen, and completed his education under private tutors. In 1870 he

822 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
organized the first graded school at Rouseville, Venango county, where he
remained until 1873. He was then appointed principal of the Third Ward
school of Franklin, which position he has since filled. In 1875 he organ
ized what is known as the Normal School of Franklin, of which a session of
eight to ten weeks is held every year. Professor SuUinger was married in
1858 to Miss Emily, daughter of Jesse HoUiday, of Rockland township.
She died November 21, 1886, leaving three sons: James P., Andrew C,
and Frank D., all of whom are in the employ of the Edison Electric Light
Company of New York city; also one daughter, now the wife of Robert
Collier. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. P., I. O. R. M., and K.
of P. , and in politics is a Republican.
George B. Lord, county superintendent of public schools, was born
February 14, 1845, in Summer Hill township, Crawford county, Pennsyl
vania, son of Freedom and Elizabeth (Beatty) Lord, of English and Scotch
origin, respectively. Freedom Lord, grandfather of the subject of this
sketch and son of Nathan Lord, a captain in the Continental army, was
born at HacUey, Connecticut, July 4, 1776, and received his surname, which
has since been retained in the family, in honor of the great event of the day
of his birth. It was his son. Freedom, second, who came to Crawford coun
ty and still resides in Summer Hill township, at the advanced age of seventy-
three. Elizabeth (Beatty) Lord, daughter of James and Elizabeth Beatty,
who came to that township in 1828 from Perry county, died August 8, 1889,
at the age of seventy-three. Our subject was reared in his native township,
and attended the public schools. At an early age he became a teacher,
joining the ranks for the first time in the winter of 1862-63. At the age of
nineteen he graduated from the Conneautville Academy, then a flourishing
institution and embracing in its cirriculum Latin and the higher mathemat
ics. From that time he has been continuously engaged in public-school
work. Leaving Crawford county in 1869, he went to the state of Missouri
and was the first principal of public schools at Bellingville, Cooper county,
retaining that position eighteen months. He came to Venango county in
1871, and during the following ten years was connected successively with
the schools of Tarr Farm, Rynd Farm, Petroleum Center, and RouseviUe
in Cornplanter to-wnship. In 1881 he accepted the principalship of the
Pleasantville schools, and in June, 1884, was elected county superintendent,
a position for which he is well qualified by natural endowments and a long
experience in public school work. Professor and Mrs. Adelia Lord {nee Mc
Dowell) are the parents of five children: H. Merrill; Bessie Mabel; George
Clyde; Harold Owen, and Delia Estelle. The family is Presbyterian in faith.
In politics Professor Lord is a Democrat. He is a member of the Royal Ar
canum and A. O. U. W^
W. M. Epley was born at Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania
October 24, 1820, son of Peter and Amelia (Sterrett) Epley, the former a

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 823
native of Sunbury, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, the latter of
Pequa valley, Lancaster county. His father was a lumber merchant at Colum
bia, but iu 1833 he removed to Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, and purchased
a farm on Pine creek. The subject of this sketch was engaged in farming
until the spring of 1842, when he came to Clarion county and entered the
employ of Shippen, Black & Company, \yho were engaged in the manufacture
of pig metal and bar iron. After leaving them he assumed the management
of Clay furnace, formerly known as Horse Creek, and then owned by Ed
mund Evans, remaining there until the spring of 1849, when he became
associated with William Elliott under the firm name of Elliott & Epley in
the ownership of the Franklin foundry. Retiring in 1856, he engaged for
several years in various lines of business. In 1862 in connection with T. H.
Martin he piu-chased the dry-goods business formerly carried on by Myron
Park, and continued in this as a member of the firm of Martin & Epley until
1868 ; during this period he was also engaged in the hardware trade at Frank
lin. In 1865 he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of S. S.
Painter & Company; Martin & Epley succeeded to Painter's interest in
1867, and from that date he has been a member of the last named firm.
He is a Democrat in politics, and is connected with the Masonic ft-aternity.
Mr. Epley was married July 27, 1860, to Miss M. J. Bailey, daughter of
Samuel Bailey, an early merchant of Franklin. They are the parents of
six children: James, deceased; Mary; William; Sidney; Arthur, and
Henry. D. W. Morgan, merchant, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, July 21,
1837, son of William and Elizabeth (Richards) Morgan, who immigrated to
Pennsylvania in 1841, settling at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, then the
location of extensive iron works. Here he was brought up, attending the
public schools until the age of twelve, when he entered the mines and roll
ing miU. From that time until he reached the age of twenty he was a pupil
in a night school, obtaining in this way sufficient education to enable him to
take a position in the office of the Brady's Bend Iron Company shortly
before attaining his majority. Having acquired in this manner a taste for
mercantile pursuits, with the ability and means to engage in business indi
viduaUy, he removed to Franklin in 1865 and opened a general store on
the corner of Ninth and Liberty streets. The uninterrupted continuance of
this business places Mr. Morgan among the oldest of the present merchants
of Franklin. In 1858 he married Miss Margaret Davis, who died in 1884,
without issue, and in 1887 he married Miss Jennie Stoner. A member of
the Baptist church for thirty years, he was clerk of the church at Franklin
during the first twenty-one years of its history, and is deacon in that organ
ization at this time. He has twice served as moderator of the French Creek
Association of churches, 1888 and 1889. He is also a member of the 1. 0.0.
P-, R. T. of T., and A. 0. U. W. In politics he is an undeviating Repub-

824 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
lican, and has been connected with the local civil administration in various
official capacities. February 7, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of
Franklin. He is a member of the board of managers, and has been on the
finance committee of the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Franklin
since its organization.
Joseph H. Smith was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, March 20,
1825, son of Jacob and Martha (Harrison) Smith, the former of German
descent, the latter a native of Ireland. They removed to the locality known
as Davis' Corners, Rockland township, Venango county, in 1825, and there
resided during the remainder of their lives. Here our subject was brought
up and received a common school education, also deriving much benefit in
his early manhood from the Rockland literary society. At the age of
twenty-five he entered the employ of Charles Shippen as clerk at Stapley
furnace, continuing at this three years. After a year in Illinois he became
clerk for Da-vis Brothers at Rockland furnace. In 1862 he acquired an interest
in the American Citizen at Franklin as a member of the firm of Burgwin
& Smith. In 1866 he was elected prothonotary of Venango county, serving
a f uU term of three years. After a partnership of several years with H. M.
Davis in general merchandising at Rockland he embarked in the book and
stationary business at Franklin in 1872; from that date he has been con
nected with this line of business at Franklin and is recognized as one of the
best authorities in the book trade in northwestern Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith
married Eliza Margaret, daughter of Lemuel and Margaret (Elliott) Davis,
of Rockland, and they are the parents of eight chUdren: William Pitt, in
the government service at Washington city; Flora A., wifeof George S.
CrisweU ; Mary Ella ; Elisha "\V. , 'of Bensinger, Smith & Company; Charles
Wesley; Edward B., deceased; James H. , druggist, Conneautville, and Cas
sius Clay, secretary to the general manager of the Rio Grande and Western
railway, Denver, Colorado. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican, and beside
the important official position referred to he has also been a member of the
Franklin school board and president of that body. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and has served as Sunday school superintend
ent, class leader, or steward of the organization at Franklin during his
residence here.
The Karns Family. — Among the early settlers of Venango county was
Mrs. Anna Karns, widow of Henry Karns, who with a family of nine sons
and one daughter located in Richland township. Jacob, the fifth son, was
twice married. His first wife was Nancy, a daughter of Frank Thompson,
of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had eight children, six sons
and two daughters. She died in 1842. He subsequently married Mrs.
Mollie Bickel, who also is dead. After his first marriage he removed to
Cranberry township and purchased a farm of five hundi-ed acres, where he
resided until his death, which occurred in 1885, in his eighty-seventh year.

J; < f y!!«i„

£X. ^oM-^r.^

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 827
He was one of the early constables of the county, a life-long Democrat, and
a consistent member of the INlethodist Episcopal church.
Samuel T. Kaens, his third son, was born on the old homestead in Cran
berry township in 1831, and spent his early life upon the farm. In 1864 he
removed to FrankUn and engaged in the teaming business, which he has
since continued. He is now identified with his sons Gustine S. and Samuel
D. in the general notion business, under the firm name of G. S. Karns &
Company. He was married in 1853 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Michael
Frawley, by which union they have had ten children, eight of whom are liv
ing: Gustine S. ; Mary, wife of John McNulty; Samuel D. ; Edward J.;
Charles W. ; Alice B. ; Emma J. , and Maggie D. ]\Ir. Karns and wif 9t are
well-kno-wn residents of Franklin. Gustine S., eldest son of Samuel T.
Earns, was born August 27, 1857, in Cranberry township, and received his
education in the public schools of Franklin. In 1872 he entered the employ
of J. and R. H. Woodburn, where he remained for twelve years. In 1884,
in connection with his father and brother, Samuel D. , he established the
present business house of G. S. Karns & Company. He was married in 1881
to Miss Florence Cribbs, of Edenburg, Pennsylvania. They are the par
ents of three children: Benton, Lilian, and Edith. Mr. Karns is a member
of the K. of H. , politicaUy a Democrat, and connected with the First Bap
tist church of Franklin. Samuel D. , second son of Samuel T. Karns, was
born August 22, 1861, and educated in the public schools of Franklin. He
is a member of G. S. Karns & Company. He was united in marriage in
1889 to Miss Maggie A. Clyde. He is a member of the I. O. O. P. , and an
ardent supporter of the Democratic party.
Joseph C. Riesenman, wholesale and retail druggist, was born in Butler,
Pennsylvania, March 17, 1855, son of Martin and Dorothea (Kohler) Riesen
man, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Butler prior to their
marriage, and are now residents of that city. Our subject was reared and
educated in his native town, and, after completing the usual curriculum of
an EngUsh education, took a special classical course under a private tutor.
He learned the drug business in Butler, and in 1872 came to Petroleum
Center, where he took charge of a drug store. In December, 1873, he lo
cated in Franklin, purchasing an interest in the drug house of Miller &
Company. In October, 1874. he bought the remaining interest, and has
since carried on the largest and most prominent drug store in the city.
Mr, Riesenman was married May 21, 1876, to Miss CecUia A., daughter
of WUliam H. and B. C. Reese, then of Franklin but now residing in Buf
falo, New York. Mrs. Riesenman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and is the mother of eight children, all of whom are living: Joseph C,
Florence D., Emma I., Mary C, Martin W., John L., Victor E., and Anna
K. The family are practical Catholics, and Mr. Riesenman is a member of
theC. M. B. A., C. K. of A., and C. B. L. societies, all affiliating with the

828 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Catholic church. He is a Democrat in politics, but takes very little interest
in political matters. Since 1880 he has been successfully operating and
dealing in both heavy and light oils, and he has been a member of the OU
City Oil Exchange since June, 1884. Mr. Riesenman is an enterprising,
public-spirited citizen, and one of the most successful merchants of his
adopted county.
James S. McGabey was born at Mt. Savage, Allegheny county, Maryland,
August 21, 1844, son of Patrick H. and Mrs. Margaret (Murray, nee McCue)
McGarry, natives of Ireland, both of whom came to the United States in
youth. They married in Maryland and reared the following children: Agnes
B., wife of John Murrin of Franklin; Mary E., wife of Captain H. C. Mc
Kean, of Freeport, Pennsylvania; Annie P., and James S., while Peter and
William died in infancy. In 1847 the family removed to Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, thence to Kittanning, Armstrong county, where the parents
passed their remaining years, dying in the Catholic faith, January 11, 1876,
and August 13, 1881, respectively. Our subject was educated at the public
schools and an academy of Kittanning. In September, 1862, after the battle
of Antietam, he entered the hospital service and served as nurse seven
months. He then entered St. Francis College, Cambria county, and grad
uated in a mercantile course January 6, 1866. He afterward spent about
one year in Missouri prospecting for oil, locating permanently at Franklin
in 1868, where he has ever since resided and has been successively engaged
in the grocery, railroad, hotel, and wholesale liquor business.
Mr. McGarry was married September 17, 1873, to Miss MatUda J.,
daughter of Alexander J. and Julia A. (Murrin) Simpson, of Butler county,
Pennsylvania. The former was a son of Andrew Hood Simpson, at one time
a commissioner of that county. He was born at Philadelphia November 17,
1824, and removed with his parents to Butler county in childhood. They
located three miles from Butler. In that county he grew to maturity and
passed the remainder of his life. He was a carpenter and one of the well-
known hotel keepers of his adopted county. For several years he conducted
the Simpson hotel at the old homestead. In 1869 he removed to Murrinsville,
where he died February 15, 1889, dying as he had lived, a faithful member
of the Catholic church. He was one of the active Democrats of the county
and a delegate to the national convention at Charleston, South Carolina, in
1860. His wife was a daughter of 'Squire John Murrin, the founder of
Murrinsville, who also owned a large tract of land in Cranberry township
immediately opposite Franklin, and was one of the best known men in west
ern Pennsylvania. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McGarry:
Mary, Evangeline, Aloysius Simpson, Claude Edmund, James A. , John V, ,
Annie Pauline, and George A. The family are members of the Catholic
church. Mr. McGarry is one of the supreme trustees of the Catholic Mutual
Benefit Association, and has organized the local branches of the I. C. B. U.,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 829
C. M. B. A., C. K, of A,, and C, B. L. PoliticaUy a Democrat, he has al
ways taken the most active interest in the success of Democratic candidates
and principles, and was once the candidate of the party for mayor of Frank
lin. Peeey DeWoody, grocer, was born in Sandy Creek township, Venango
county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1856. His parents were Benjamin and
Mary (Ritchey) DeWoody, the former a native of Victory township, born
in 1815, and the son of John DeWoody, one of the earliest settlers of that
section of the county. He married Mary Ritchey, whose parents were pio
neers of Oakland township. Nine children were born to this union : Ellen
A, wife of Charles Strawbridge of Plum township; William J., a merchant
of Oil City; Adaline, wife of M. O. Taylor, of Franklin; Kate M., who died
May 11, 1885; John P. of Canon City, Colorado; Samuel T., of Salt Lake
City, Utah; Josephine, wife of Doctor W. T. Jones, of Harris, Texas;
Pen-y, of Franklin, and George O. , of Dempseytown, Venango county.
Mr. DeWoody was engaged in farming in Sandy Creek until 1861, when
he relinquished active business and removed to Franklin. His wife died in
the Presbyterian faith in January, 1860, and he subsequently married Mrs.
Sarah Graham, who bore him three sons: Charles, a Baptist minister;
Albert, and Harry, of Franklin. Mr. DeWoody died May 15, 1888, and
his widow resides in this city.
Our subject was reared and educated in Franklin. He leamed the plas
terer's trade, but in 1877 embarked in the grocery business and has since
been so engaged. He was married July 30, 1877, to Miss BUa Callahan
of Akron, Ohio. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served eleven con
secutive years in the city council. He is a member of the I. O. R. M. , K.
of P., K. of H., and B. P. O. E., and is one of the well-known, progress
ive young business men of Franklin.
Moses Wachtel, clothing merchant, was bom in 1843 in Germany, and
was reared and educated in his native land. In 1864 he came to Franklin
and entered the employ of his brothers, L. and M. Wachtel, who were en
gaged in the clothing business. In 1873 he succeeded them, and has
since carried on the business successfully. Mr. Wachtel represents the
oldest clothing house in Franklin, and is one of its most popular merchants.
He was married in 1867 to Miss Maggie Halpin, of Franklin, who has borne
him two daughters: Etta and Mabel. Politically he is a Republican, a
member of the Masonic order, the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. P., K. of H.,
and V. F.
Bteon Moffett, proprietor of livery and sales stable and omnibus and
carriage line, was born in Essex county. New Jersey, near Plainfield, Janu
ary 1, 1835, and is a son of Absalom M. Moffett of that state. He was
reared in New Jersey, and in 1865 located in Franklin, where he estab
lished a livery stable, in which business he has since been engaged. In

830 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
July, 1876, he purchased the omnibus line and is still operating it in con
nection with his stables. Mr. Moffett has been twice married, first in Rah-
way. New Jersey, March 19, 1855, to Miss Phoebe C. Marsh, who died in
Franklin, in the Baptist faith, November 8, 1887. She left a famUy of
four children: Fanny, wife of Fred Hillman, of Findlay, Ohio; Kate, wife
of Judson B. McClintock, of Oil City; George, and Hattie. His second
marriage occurred April 16, 1888, to Mrs. Salley Sophronia King, of Frank
lin. Politically Mr. Moffett is a stanch Republican, a member of the Ma
sonic order, I. O. O. P., A. O. U. W., K. of H., I. O. R. M., and K. of P.
He is one of the charter members of the First Baptist church of Franklin,
and an enterprising, public-spirited citizen.
Thomas J. Frewen, grocery merchant, was born in Ireland AprU 12,
1842, and is a son of Daniel and Delia Frewen, also natives of the "Sea
Girt Isle." Our subject came to this country with his parents in 1849.
They settled in Sellersville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, subsequently re
moving to Jersey City, and thence to South Carolina. In 1865 they located
in Franklin, where the mother died in the Catholic faith March 25, 1889,
Her husband survives her and resides in Franklin. Thomas J. learned the
blacksmith trade, at which he worked until 1875, when he established his
present business house. Mr. Frewen was married in 1872 to Miss Mar
garet Walsh, of Buffalo, New York. Politically he is a Democrat, and both
he and wife are members of St. Patrick' s Catholic church of Franklin.
A. Peintz, merchant tailor and clothier, was born February 28, 1866, in
Youngstown, Ohio, and is a son of Abraham and Rosa (Wohlgamuth) Printz.
He was educated in Youngstown, and was employed for some years in a
dry-goods house in his native city. In connection with his brother Bert H.
they established the merchant tailoring and general clothing business in
Sharon in 1886. In 1888 our subject came to Franklin and established his
present business, his brother remaining in charge of the Sharon store. Mr.
Printz is an ardent Republican, a member of the B. P. O, E. , and one of
the enterprising young business men of the city.
Joseph Monnin, proprietor of the Grant house, was born at Devellier,
District de Delemon, Canton Berne, Switzerland, December 23, 1836. He
grew up in his native land and immigrated to this country in 1854, arriving
at Meadville, Pennsylvania, May 15th of that year. In the fall of 1860 he
removed to Cooperstown, Venango county, where he engaged in the mercan
tile business a few years and then changed to the harness trade, which he
carried on until April 1, 1885. He then removed to Franklin and purchased
the Grant house, which he has since conducted very successfiUly. Mr.
Monnin was married August 11, 1863, to Miss Mary Glenn of Cooperstown,
While a resident of Cooperstown he filled the office of assessor, collector,
and constable a number of years. He is a member of the Methodist Epis
copal church, and politically an ardent Prohibitionist.

^ BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 831
A. Y. Findlay, insurance agent, was born March 16, 1847, in Clarion
county, Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on a farm. In 1865, at
the age of eighteen, he engaged in insurance soliciting, first in his native
county and soon afterward removed to Pittsburgh in the same capacity.
In 1868 he came to Franklin and established his present agencies. He has
built up one of the most extensive and successful insurance agencies in
western Pennsylvania; his business extends over the counties of Venango,
Crawford, Mercer, Clarion, Forest, Armstrong, and Butler, Pennsylvania,
and is conducted from his main office in Franklin and branch office at
Parker City, Pennsylvania. In 1870 Mr. Findlay was united in marriage
to Miss Mary M. , daughter of Samuel and Mary Rhodes of Clarion county,
Pennsylvania. By this union they have one daughter, Maud A. Mr. Find
lay is a Mason, having twice held the position of master of his lodge. He
is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held
official pbsition for a number of years.
Thomas Hoge, deceased, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, March
7, 1808, son of John and Mary (Irwin) Hoge. His grandparents, Robert
and Mary Hoge, were natives of Ireland, as were also his maternal grand
parents, James and Martha Irwin, who emigrated in 1760 and settled in the
Tuscarora valley, Juniata county. His parents were married in 1789 and
reared a family of five sons, Thomas being the youngest. He received a
common school education, and at the age of seventeen went to Cleveland,
Ohio, remaining in the West several years. He first engaged in the iron
business at Mount Etna furnace, and in 1838 took charge of Slab furnace in
Cranberry township. For a number of years he was in partnership with
WiUiam Cross and their early operations were quite extensive. He was
among the very few men who retired from the business in this county with
unimpaired fortunes. In 1858 he removed to Franklin, thenceforth his res
idence until the time of his death, March 12, 1885. A man of active tem
perament and great determination, he rose to a position of wealth and in
fluence; he was twice elected to the legislature, served as mayor of Frank
lin, and was responsibly connected with various financial enterprises. In
1835 he married Harriet Cross, who died the following year. In 1887 he
married Jane Whann, who died January 81, 1854, leaving two children:
Mary J., widow of Alpheus Hoover, and Harriet B., widow of William A.
Cooper, both of whom reside in Franklin. His third wife was Eliza Hen
derson, who died in 1879. At the time of his decease and for some years
previously, Mr. Hoge was a member of the Methodist church.
Robeet Ramsdale, of Ramsdale & Son, proprietors of the City Plan
ing MiUs, was bom in Hull, Yorkshire, England, July 23, 1821, son of
William and Maria (Carter) Ramsdale, both of whom lived and died in
England. Robert grew to maturity in Hull, and there leamed the cabinet
maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. He followed his

882 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY. «
trade in England, the years 1858-55 being spent in Sheffield as foreman of a
carpenter shop. In the spring of 1856 he immigrated to Franklin, Pennsyl
vania, where he has resided up to the present. He engaged in carpentering
about one year, and then opened a cabinet shop in the old "Rob Roy' ' stand on
Thirteenth street, and remained in this business until 1860, when he formed
a partnership with T. A. Dodd, in contracting and building. About 1870
the firm of Howe & Ramsdale, contractors and builders, was formed, and in
1871 they were joined by Titus Ridgway, and the firm became Howe, Rams
dale, & Company. They purchased the machinery of an old planing mill
in the lower end of town, and removed it to a building erected by them on
the corner of Elk and Ninth streets, now the site of Hulin Brothers' planing
mill. They operated this mill three years, when the partnership was dis
solved. In 1874 Howe & Ramsdale erected the City Planing MUls, on
Thirteenth street, near the Lake Shore railroad, with which Mr. Ramsdale
has since been connected, and of which he is the principal owner. He has
built up a good business, and is well known throughout the county. He
was married in Hull, England, March 4, 1843, to Miss Ellen Applegarth,
of that city. Ten children have been bom of this union: Ellen, wife of
John S. May, of Franklin; Catharine, wife of Essington Vincent, of Frank
lin; Clara, deceased; George, of Franklin; Elizabeth, wife of E. Osborn, of
Franklin; William, deceased; Charles, of Ramsdale & Son; Georgia, de
ceased, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Ramsdale and wife are Spirit
ualists, and politically he is independent. He has been a resident of
Franklin for thirty-three years, and is one of its most respected citizens.
George Maloney, of the firm of Maloney & Company, dealers in hard
ware and manufacturers of oil well supplies, was born at Ithaca, Tompkins
county. New York, December 27, 1849, of Irish parentage. In the summer
of 1862 the family removed to Petroleum Center, Venango county. Our
subject received a limited education in the public schools, and afterward
served an apprenticeship of three years at the printer's trade. WhUe at
Petroleum Center he was in the employ of the Central Petroleum Company
for several years, and subsequently was connected with the banking house
of George H. Bissell & Company of that then booming oil town. In April,
1871, he came to Franklin with James Smith, and was employed at the
Boston Iron Works until 1879, when he formed a partnership with J. Hur
ley, under the firm name of Maloney & Hurley, dealers in oil well supplies.
Since that time Mr. Maloney has been the senior member of the firm under
the several changes of proprietorship, as well as the leading spirit in the
growth and development of the business, which is now the largest institution
of its kind in Franklin.
Mr. Maloney has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Melissa
A. Gordon, of Salisbury Center, Herkimer county, New York, who bore him
two daughters : Carrie A. , wife of Rowland W. Stewart of Bangor, Maine,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 883
and Blanche S. Mrs. Maloney died August 17, 1886, and he was again
married December 22, 1887, to Mrs. Anna J. Hanson nee Brigham, a native
of Franklin. Politically Mr. Maloney has always been an active, aggressive
Democrat, He has served two terms as mayor of Franklin, and several
years on the city council. He belongs to the Masonic order, the I. O. O,
F., K. of H., K. and L. of H., and E. A. V., and is grand master of the
A. 0. U. W. in this state. He is recognized as one of the most enter
prising citizens of his adopted county.
David I. Dale, of Maloney & Company, was born in Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, March 18, 1849, son of David and Catharine (Henlen) Dale.
His parents subsequently settled in Rockland township, Venango county,
where our subject was reared. He received a common school education,
and on arriving at his majority engaged in oil producing which he followed
untU 1883. In that year he became the partner of George Maloney, which
partnership has continued up to the present. Mr. Dale was married July
28, 1874, to Miss Laura C. Wilt, of Cranberry township, Venango county.
One daughter, Nora, is the fruit of this union. The family adhere to the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dale is a member of the A. O. U. W. ,
and a supporter of the Prohibition party.
David T. Lane, senior member of the firm of D. T. Lane & Son, ma
chinists, was born in Allegany county. New York, June 12, 1826, and is a
son of Mark and Henrietta (Kenny) Lane, the former a native of Connect
icut and the latter of Massachusetts. They were married in Massachusetts,
and then removed to New York state. In 1841 they came to Sugar Creek
township, Venango county, locating four miles north of Franklin. The
father died on that farm, and the widow subsequently removed to Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania, where the remaining years of her life were spent.
David T. was reared under the parental roof, and afterward learned the
trade of millwright. In 1859 he located in Franklin, and excepting some
ten years spent on the river, he has lived in that city ever since. He estab
lished the first machine shop in Franklin, in 1859, and with the exception
ofthe period spent in steamboating from 1865 to 1874, he has always been
engaged in that business. In 1862 and 1863 ho buUt two steamboats on
the AUegheny below the Venango mills, which were the only boats of any
considerable size ever constructed in Franklin. For the past four years the
firm has devoted its attention largely to the manufacture of sucker-rods,
which business has recently been consolidated under the name of the Frank
lin Sucker- Rod Joint Company, Limited, with the plant located in the Third
ward Mr. Lane was married in 1859, to Miss Lucy M. Smith, who bore
him five children, three of whom are living : William H. , junior member of
D. T. Lane & Son; Theresa A., wife of Alexander McDowell, and Frank G.
Mrs. Lane died in 1872, and he was again married in March, 1882, to Miss
Laura L. Carey, of Franklin, who is a member of the Evangelical church.

834 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Mr. Lane adheres to the Democratic party, and is to-day one of the oldest
business men of Franklin.
W. N. Emery, of the firm of W. N. Emery & Son, was born near Green
ville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1833. His parents, Jacob
and Jane (Humphrey) Emery, were natives of eastern Pennsylvama and
Butler county, Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in Butler
county and about 1829 removed to the vicinity of Greenville, subsequenUy
located in Pymatuning township, and thence removed into Hickory town
ship and settled south of Clarksville, where both died. They were members
of the Presbyterian church, in which body Jacob Emery was an elder for
many years. Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm, and re
ceived a good education, teaching a few winter terms of school in early life.
He followed farming until 1860, when he came to Venango county and went
into the meat business at Franklin, which he carried on until 1868. He
then engaged in his present business, first in the Boston Iron Works, which
he operated one year. In 1869 he erected his present works on Thirteenth
street, and excepting a few years when he rented the shops, he has been en
gaged in business at this place. The present firm was established in 1882.
Mr. Emery was married January 14, 1858, to Miss Emma Love, a native
of Ohio, who is the mother of three children: John P., junior member of
the firm; Mary, and Jennie. The family are Presbyterian in faith, and
Republican in politics. Mr. Emery has been a member of the city council
for several terms, and has been a resident of Franklin for the past twenty-
nine years.
James Smith, proprietor of the Boston Iron Works, was born in Brant-
ford, Canada, May 24, 1839, of English parentage, and removed with his
parents to Buffalo, New York, in 1851. He entered the employ of the New
York Central Railroad Company, and learned the trade of machinist. In
February, 1865, he came to the oil regions, and located at Plumer, Venango
county, where he commenced work for Hamlin, Moore & Company. He was
soon advanced to the position of foreman and continued in that capacity
until the spring of 1866. The firm having changed to that of E. W. Cook
& Company, Mr. Smith assumed control of the business. In October,
1868, he bought out the firm and commenced business on his own account.
He remained at Plumer until April, 1871, when he purchased from Winsor
Brothers & Company, the Boston Iron Works. Mr. Smith is engaged in
the manufacture of oil well supplies, and affords employment to a large
number of men. He is the owner of one of the most extensive establish
ments of the kind in Franklin.
James R. Grant, proprietor of quarries, was born in 1831 in Butler
county, Pennsylvania, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Say) Grant. He
received a common school education, and was reared to farm life. He after
ward learned the tailor trade, which he followed until the spring of 1854,

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN. 835
when he went to California and was engaged in the gold mines until the
latter part of 1860. He then came to Venango county, and went into the
oU business. On the 14th of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company K,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and the following month was promoted to
third sergeant. In November, 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant,
and November 18, 1864, became captain of his company. He participated
in the foUowing engagements: Antietam, Fredericksburg, Kelley' s Ford,
Rapidan Station, ChancellorsviUe, Gettysburg, Culpepper, Sulphur Springs,
Kilpatrick' s raid, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Deep Bottom, Stony Creek Station, Dinwiddie Court House, and Appomat
tox. He was mustered out with his company July 1, 1865, and returning
to Venango county, once more engaged in the oil business for a short
time. He then went into the lumber business in Scrubgrass township.
In the fall of 1869 he was elected treasurer of Venango county, and after
the expiration of his term he engaged in the manufacture of brick, with
which business he has been more or less connected ever since. . In 1880,
he made a trip to the Rocky mountains, organized a mining company,
and spent four years in the West, where he still retains some mining inter
ests. Mr. Grant is at present engaged in operating a quarry, and deals in
all kinds of flag and building stone. In 1866 he was married to Mrs. Mar
tha J. Moore, daughter of Peter Smith, of Rockland township. She died
June 8, 1885, leaving seven children: Carrie J., Alice M., Emma B., Myra
M., OrviU S., Maggie C, and Martha J. Captain Grant is an ardent Re
publican, and served in the city council in 1887-1888. He is a member of
the G. A. R. (and present commander of his post), F. and A. M., and B.
A. U., being president of the last mentioned society.
James Meehan, proprietor of the Venango Boiler Works, was born in
Toronto, Ontario, December 20, 1856, son of Bernard and Catharine (Mc
Mahon) Meehan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada.
When James was about six years old his parents removed to Meadville,
Pennsylvania, where he grew up and learned the boiler maker's trade. He
followed the trade at Meadville, Pittsburgh, and other points until the fall
of 1876, when he came to Franklin. In the spring of 1877 he estabUshed
the Venango Boiler Works which he has since operated successfully. Mr.
Meehan voted the Democratic ticket until the election of 1884, when he
supported the Republican candidate because of a personal interest he felt
in -the success of high protection. His father died in Franklin, and his
mother is a resident of that city. He is a member of the Catholic church
and one of the enterprising young business men of Franklin. Mr. Meehan
is also engaged in the oil business, and interested in several producing wells.
J. H. White, machinist, son of Harvey and Eliza J. (Robinson) White,
was born at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1840. He was reared in that
place, and learned his trade with Childs & McConnell, of Beaver Falls. Mr.

836 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
White was afterward employed at Youngstown and Warren, Ohio, and
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, coming to Franklin in 1876. He entered the
employ of James Smith, of the Boston Iron W^orks, and eventually be
came foreman of that establishment, which position he filled for nine years.
In 1886 he established his present business. He was married in 1860 to
Miss Emma C. Pew, of Warren, Ohio, by which union three children have
been born to them: Mary, wife of Charles Ramsdale; Harry, and Grace.
Mr, White is a supporter of the Prohibition party, a member of the K. of
H. , and an adherent of the Pirst Baptist church of Franklin, in which body
he fills the office of deacon.
M. A. Jack, of the firm of M. A. Jack & Company, hardwood manufact
urers, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1848, and is
a son of Samuel Jack, a manufacturer of Apollo, Pennsylvania. He grew
up in his native county, and there foUowed the planing mill and contracting
business in connection with his father until August, 1872, when he went to
Foxburg and engaged in the oil business. In August, 1882, he came to
Franklin and followed his trade in this city until January, 1887, and then
established his present factory on Fourteenth street. He has built up a
good trade, and enjoys a fair success in his line of business. He manufact
ures all classes of stair and hard wood work, also book cases, side boards,
etc. , and fits up the interior of offices in any style required. Mr. Jack was
married in Armstrong county, September 1, 1870, to Miss Lizzie J. Bren
ner, and has a family of three children: Stella, Buna, and Viola. He is
an ardent Prohibitionist, and the family adhere to the Presbyterian church.
I. H. Borland, carriage manufacturer, is a son of Doctor John R. and
Elizabeth Borland of Franklin. He was born at Harlansburg, Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1859, and came to Franklin with his
parents in 1865. He was educated in the public schools of this city and
learned his trade with Myers Brothers & Humphrey. In 1884 he established
his present factory on South Twelfth street, and has since carried on busi
ness quite successfully. He is turning out a good class of work and enjoy
ing a rapidly increasing business. Mr. Borland was married in 1888 to Miss
Anna Cummings of FrankUn, who has borne him one child. Our subject
was elected a member of the city council in 1888, and is still filling that po
sition. He is one of the working members of the Republican party, and
takes an active interest in its success.
John Minich, deceased, was a native of Alsace, Prance, and immigrated
to this country in 1848, settling at Fryburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania.
He was an architect and builder by trade, but after locating at Fryburg he
engaged in the brewing business. He erected a brewery at that point which
he operated until 1858, when he came to Cranberry township, Venango
county, and built and operated the first brewery in this county, and manu
factured the first beer within its limits. He also built in connection with

biographies of FRANKLIN. 837
his brewery a distUlery, which he carried on at the same time. In 1861 he
removed to Franklin, and located on the corner of Water and South Park
streets, where he established a brewery now owned by Philip Grossman.
He was married in 1840 to Maria Steiner, a native of Germany, by whom
he had five chUdren: Josephine, wife of Philip Grossman; Joseph, of Brad
ford, Pennsylvania; John, of Kansas; Aaron, of Bradford, and Mary, wife
of Peter Hauk, of Meadville. Mr. Minich met his death by drowning in
French creek April, 12, 1865. His widow survived him until 1879. Politi
cally he was a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
Philip Grossman, son of John F. and Christina (Pass) Grossman, was
born in Wurtemberg, Germany. He came to this country with his parents
in 1850, who located in Allegheny county, three miles south of Pittsburgh,
where his father died in 1860 and his mother in 1885. Philip learned the
trade of baker, and worked in various parts of the country until 1861, when
he settled in Franklin and started the first bakery in the place. In August,
1861, he sold his business and removed to Rynd Farm on Oil creek, and en
gaged in merchandising, where he remained until the death of his father-
in-law, John Minich, when he returned to Franklin and purchased the
brewery which he has since conducted. Mr. Grossman was married in Feb
ruary, 1862, to Josephine, daughter of John Minich, and by this marriage
six children have been born: John P., Edward P., Joseph P., Louisa, Vic
toria, and Philip, Jr. He is a member of the I. O. O. P., I. O. R. M., and
the A. 0. U. W. , and in politics is a Democrat.
Christian Brecht, brewer, son of Karl and Christina (Bohn) Brecht, was
born December 31, 1854, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to this country
with his parents in 1857. His father first settled in Saegertown, Crawford
county, Pennsylvania. He was a brewer by trade, and in 1859 removed to
Clarion county, and in connection with J. B. Lutz established a brewery.
He then connected himself with Nicholas Dritz in the same business, and
subsequently went to Fryburg and operated a brewery for two years. In
1861 he settled in Plumer, Venango county, Pennsylvania, and built a brew
ery, and purchased a farm. He afterward changed his business into a dis
tUlery, which was destroyed by fire, since which time he has followed farm
ing. Christian Brecht is the eldest son of a family of four sons and four
daughters. He was taught the trade of a brewer, and followed the busi
ness for a number of years, working for George Ober, of Allegheny City,
and other brewers. In 1876 he returned to Plumer and engaged in the
brewing business. In 1879 he entered the employ of F. L. Ober & Brother,
where he remained until 1883, when he came to Franklin and purchased the
Snell brewery, just outside Franklin, in Sugar Creek township, and has since
conducted that business. He was married June 8, 1882, to Miss Mary C,
daughter of George Ober of Allegheny C^tj, and by this union they have
had two children, one of whom is living, Rosie. Mr. Brecht- is a member of
tlie I. 0. 0, F., and politically a Democrat.

838 history of venango county.

CHAPTER XLVII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.
Jacob Jay Vandergrift. — There is probably no man whose name is so
widely known and so intimately connected with the great petroleum and
natural gas industries of Pennsylvania and the adjoining states as the sub
ject of this sketch, who was not only one of the earliest pioneers in the
petroleum business, but has continued to prosecute its various branches
with uniform success to the present time. No one has contributed more
than he to the development of this great industry, and he is to-day one of
the most important characters in the oil country. He has attained this
eminence not by any caprice of fortune, but by the force of his genius,
energy, and perseverance, and above all, by the sterling qualities of his
character and his upright and honorable dealings throughout a busy and
active life.
Captain Vandergrift was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 10,
1827, the second child and eldest son of William K. and Sophia (Sarver)
Vandergrift, the parents of both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
His early life was passed in that city, and there he obtained his education
at the public schools of the Second ward, of which James B. D. Meeds was
principal, and under the tuition of " ' Squire ' ' Thomas Steele. At the age
of fifteen, choosing the path of life which naturally opened before him, he
entered the steamboat service, then the principal means of intercommunica
tion between Pittsburgh and the West. By intelligent application and
faithful attention to duty he rose in ten years from the humble position of
cabin boy to that of captain. During this period he introduced the method
of towing coal barges that has since been employed in the river coal traffic,
an innovation that attracted wide attention at the time and gave a great
impetus to mining operations in the Pittsburgh coal field. When the civil
war broke out he was still engaged in business on the river, principally in
the transportation of oil, and was the owner of the steamboat Red Fox,
which was chartered by the United States government and lost on the Ohio
river near Cairo. At this time he was also concerned in oil ventures in West
Virginia, but sustained severe losses in the destruction of his property by
the Confederate forces. Through his connection with the transportation of
oil from the VAango oil field he became interested in various producing and

biographies of oil city. 889
other enterprises which required frequent personal attention, and in 1863 he
took up his residence at Oil City.
In the special work of petroleum production he was first associated with
Daniel Bushnell, and was engaged for a brief period in the formation of oil
companies. He was an active member of the firm of H. L. Taylor & Com
pany, from which the Union Oil Company originated. As a member of the
firm of Vandergrift & Forman, Vandergrift, Pitcairn & Company, and Van
dergrift, Young & Company, his knowledge of the business, united with his
irrepressible energy, finally led to the organization of the Forest OU Company,
of which he is president, and which has always held a foremost place among
the large and successful oil companies. He also organized the United OU
and Gas Trust and the Washington Oil Company, of which he is president,
and has been an active promoter of the Anchor Oil Company. The names
of these companies and their success are an unqualified tribute to the pecu
Har ability which Captain Vandergrift contributed to their promotion and
development. While an enterprising and successful producer, it was left to Captain
Vandergrift to develop the solution of the problem of oil transportation.
At the inception of the oil business the methods employed were exceedingly
primitive, barrels and bulk boats constituting the only means of shipment.
The increasing production attracted railroads to the oil region, each hoping
to secure a portion of the traffic, and, impelled by the same motive, Captain
Vandergrift and others organized the Oil City and Pithole Railroad Company,
of which the history is given in the chapter on "Internal Improvements,"
in this work. In connection with George V. Forman and others he equipped
a line of oars, the "Star Tank Line," for transportation between Pithole
City and OUCity, and constructed a pipe line, the "Star Pipe Line," from
West Pithole to Pithole. This was the first successful pipe line, and may
be regarded as the real beginning of that gigantic system of oil transporta
tion now carried on under the name of the National Transit Company. The
development of the ' ' lower oil country ' ' opened a new field for pipe line
extension," and, with Captain Vandergrift as the leading spirit, a number of
lines were constructed in Venango, Armstrong, Butler, and Clarion coun
ties, which were finally consolidated under the name of the United Pipe
Lines of Vandergrift, Forman & Company. To Captain Vandergrift' s busi
ness integrity and wise forethought are due not only the complete develop
ment of this mode of transportation, but the open and honest methods by
which it has been conducted. Throughout its entire history he was presi
dent of the United Pipe Lines, and later of the United Pipe Lines division
of the National Transit Company, which position he has but recently
resigned. The manufacturing industries incident to the oil business have also
received a due share of Captain Vandergrift' s attention. He was the pro-

840 history of venango county.
jector of the Imperial refinery, the largest enterprise of its kind ever
attempted in the oil regions, as shown by its modern and complete equip
ment, its improved machinery, and a daily capacity of two thousand baiTels.
By its sale to the Standard Oil Company he became a stockholder in the lat
ter, in which he was until recently an officer. His ability and experience
have also contributed to the planting and development of the Oil City Boiler
Works, the Pennsylvania Tube Works, and the Apollo Iron and Steel
Company. Any one thus interested in a special product and its industries must of
necessity be identified with its finance. Captain Vandergrift founded the
Oil City Trust Company, one of the most prosperous and successful banking
institutions of western Pennsylvania. He also founded the Keystone Bank
of Pittsburgh, having previously been a director in the Allegheny National
Bank of that city. He was active in the organization of the Seaboard Bank
of New York, of which he is at present a director, and held a similar posi
tion in the official board of the Argyle Savings Bank at Petrolia during its
brief but successful history. At the formation of the Oil City Oil Exchange
he became a large stockholder, and in great measure through his -vigorous
action the Pittsburgh Oil Exchange was established on a sound financial
basis. Since his removal to Pittsburgh in 1881, Captain Vandergrift has given
a large share of his energies to the introduction of natural gas as a fuel.
The Penn Fuel Company, the Bridgewater Gas Company, the Natural Gas
Company of West Virginia, the Chartiers Natural Gas Company, the United
Oil and Gas Trust, the Toledo Natural Gas Company, and the Fort Pitt
Natural Gas Company were founded and incorporated under his guidance
and general direction, and these enterprises, representing millions of capi
tal, have performed an incalculable service in developing the fuel that has
proven a veritable philosopher's stone for the iron industries of western
Pennsylvania ,
To no single man identified with the production and application of pe
troleum and natural gas is greater credit due than to Captain Vandergrift,
It has frequently been said of him that he was a pioneer of these industries,
but, after all, that is scant praise to one who was indeed a pioneer with suf
ficient forethought to see the possibilities of his venture and sufficient cour
age to stand by those possibUities and follow his forethought to complete
success. Captain Vandergrift was a pioneer and deserves all the laurels of
a pioneer, and at the same time the story of his business life is but the his
tory of the petroleum and natural gas industries. From the days of spring-
poles and bulk barges and pond freshets, through all the rapid changes
of the most remarkable industrial development the world has ever seen,
until to day, when thousands of derricks stand like ghosts in the moonlight,
and thousands of pipe lines cover the ground like spider-webs, Captain Van-

biographies op oil city. 841
dergrift has stood by and led the fortunes of the great oil industry. Never a
day has his hand been off the wheel, and never an atom of his energy and
ability has he begrudged to the favored and 'favoring pursuits of his life.
Captain Vandergrift never forgets. The past scenes of his life are dear
to him stiU, and many a time he beguiles the hours for his friends, and is
himself beguiled from weariness, as he casts the lead of his memory into the
stream of his life and dwells with pleasure upon the ' ' old days on the river' '
when life flowed as quietly as the Ohio, or met the dangers incident to a
high flood of the Mississippi. He is never too busy to give a warm welcome
and a cheery hour to an old comrade who shared the joys and trials of his
boating days. Nor has he ever lost touch with men as men. Never has he
felt that spirit that kills in too many successful men sympathy with the
struggling or the unsuccessful. The trials and misfortunes of his own life,
as well as its triumphs and successes, have been fountains of helpfulness,
and many a cheering word and many a helpful hand does he give to those
with whom he shared the past vicissitudes, and with whom he is ever ready
to share the present blessings. With the conviction firmly rooted in his
heart that wealth is the gift of God for high and noble use, he has never
withhold his hand, and the public enterprises of religion and philanthropy,
as well as the private necessities of poverty and misfortune, have always
shared largely in his most generous and most unostentatious giving. In his
private and social life, into the sacredness of which we may not intrude
here. Captain Vandergrift is of the most genial and happy disposition, as
hundreds of his friends can testify, and his home has always been a center
of gladness and a source of joy. To look at the man and take the measure
of his success reveals to us some of the characteristics and secrets of his
life and career. His entire business life has been marked by the strictest
integrity and honesty of both principle and practice. Doubtful plans and
purposes have had no place in his policy, but to the least details of business
his integiity and honesty have always descended. His instinctive love of
fair play has always made him mindful of the rights and privileges of other
men and has helped him, at the same time, to recognize and f-eward talent
in others, and this power to discover talent has not only contributed to his
own success, but has opened the way for very many others. His friends
are as dear to him as his own life, and many a man has found an unexpect
ed door opened before him, unlocked by the captain's cherished memory of
some aot of friendship in the past. Coupled with these most noble traits
of manhood he possesses a keen power of discernment and a large experi
mental knowledge of human nature. In addition to these qualities of heart
and life, Captain Vandergrift has that mental grasp which foresees the pos
sibilities and contingencies of his chosen business, takes in the detaUs of
every department of his work, and anticipates and meets contingency and
possibility with matured and practical plans. Most of all, he has the cour-

842 history of venango county.
age of his convictions, and while he stands ever ready to yield his own
opinion to a clearer light, his courage has carried him forward to that
complete success which has thus far crowned his busy, honorable life. It
is not given to every man to follow his own chosen path to wealth and prove
himself even in that very path a public benefactor. But such has been Cap
tain Vandergrift' s experience. While yet in the vigor of life he gives his
best energies and high talents to his business, gladly shares the joys and
profits of it with his friends and the needy, and still sees the triumph of
his life' s labor issue in the general good of the community and contribute
to the comfort of mankind. The story of his life and labor is told wher
ever the flame of natural gas glows in the white heat of a furnace, wher
ever the yellow gleam of a petroleum lamp brightens and cheers a home.
Andrew Cone, deceased, was twice consul of the United States, first at
Para, from February, 1876, to July 24, 1878, and subsequently at Pernam-
buco, Brazil, till November, 1880. His father, Andrew Gayler Cone, a
descendant of that stalwart old "Sentinel of Puritanism," Conant Cone,
was born in May, 1785, at Westminster, Vermont, and served his country in
the war of 1812. He came to New York in 1817, and buying three hun
dred acres of land in Wheatland, Monroe county, he became a farmer. Af
terward he bought three hundred acres in Riga and built a home there for
himself, to which he brought as his wife, January, 1820, Polly Lewis,
daughter of Nathaniel Andrews of New Britain, Connecticut. Another
daughter of Nathaniel Andrews became the wife of President Charles G.
Finney of Oberlin College, whose oldest daughter, Helen, is now the wife
of General Jacob D. Cox, ex-governor of Ohio, and a younger daughter, Julia,
the wife of James Monroe, who represented his state in congress, and the
United States abroad, as consul general at Rio Janeiro, Brazil, from 1864
to 1868. A son of Nathaniel Andrews, George Andrews of Syracuse, New
York, is the father of Bishop Edward Andrews of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and of Charles Andrews, judge of the court of appeals of New York.
On their land in Riga Mr. and Mrs. Cone endured the hardships of
pioneer life whilst changing the forest into the cultivated fields of their
beautiful farm. Here their two sons were born; the oldest, Edward A.,
September, 1820, and Andrew, August 7, 1822. Here the parents spent
the remainder of their useful lives, enjoying the fruits of their labor, and
the esteem of all who knew them, for they were excellent people in word
and deed.
Edward A. Cone, M. D. , left home early, married Miss Mary A.Mudge, and
settled in Milford, Michigan, in the practice of his profession. Andrew re
mained on the farm with his parents, where he received a good common
school education, and afterward spent a few terms at Middleburg Academy,
Wyoming county. New York. When only twenty-one years of age he mar
ried Miss Mary E. Hebbard of Frederick county, Maryland. He managet

j=iltoitii: Fiibii;i',i'„j4'£ijira,/in.5 Co NY

ol^

biographies of oil city. 845
the farm successfully and took care of his parents through years of declin
ing health till death released them, and paid to his brother. Doctor Cone,
his portion of the estate. Andrew Gayler Cone died October 13, 1847. His
widow, Polly Lewis, died December 26, 1848. After losing his parents,
Andrew Cone sold his farm, and removing to Milford, engaged in commer
cial business. Here, April, 1858, he lost his young wife, who left one child,
Anna Hebbard Cone. In June, 1859, Mr. Cone married Belinda S., daughter
of Calvin Morse of Eaton, New York. This estimable lady died also at an
untimely age, leaving two infant daughters, Lizzie M. , and Jessie G. After
various vicissitudes, Mr. Cone removed to Oil City, then in its infancy, in
February, 1862, where he became prominent as one of its pioneers; he was
superintendent of the United Petroleum Farms Association, owner and pub-
fisher of the Oil City Weekly Times, -vice-president of the Oil City Savings
Bank, and among the founders of the Baptist church of Oil City, being one
of its deacons and superintendent of its Sunday school. He enjoyed con
siderable reputation as a writer, his principal work on a book entitled,
"Petrolia" being a review of the oil speculating agitation and a history
of the oil fields of Pennsylvania. In October, 1868, Mr. Cone married Mary
Elvisa, eldest daughter of Isaiah Thropp of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, a
cultured essayist and magazine writer, and the authoress of ' ' The Valley
Forge Centennial Poem. ' '
In April, 1873, Mr. Cone was appointed as state commissioner to the
Vienna World's Exposition by Governor Hartranft. Accompanied by his
wife he sailed in the steamship Pennsylvania, the first of the line from
PhUadelphia. After fulfilling his official duties so creditably that he elicited
praise from the Vienna papers, Mr. and Mrs. Cone traveled through Austria,
Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Great Britain, Mrs. Cone writing
letters meanwhile, as foreign correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer
and the OU City Derrick. In the beginning of 1876, Mr. Cone's health fail
ing, he was advised to seek a warmer climate and of the five consulates of
fered him by President Grant, he chose that of Para, Brazil, especially as
he had entertained the Brazilian emperor, Dom Pedro, during his visit to
Oil City. Mr. Cone discharged his arduous and responsible duties on the
Amazon for two and a half years, with the same indefatigable fidelity and
correctness that marked the performance of every duty in life. In July,
1878, he was appointed consul of the United States at Pernambuco, Brazil,
where he remained over two years. September 30, 1880, he returned on
his first leave of absence to New York, after nearly five years of hard service,
hoping rest and change would restore his shattered health. This leave of
absence proved final, for in Philadelphia, November 7, 1880, he entered in
to rest. Mr. Cone's high social qualities and attractive manners drew abound him
many admiring friends. An innate gentleman, he was refined and courteous
47

846 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
as he was fearless and liberal. Modest as the gentlest of women, he ever
kept himself in the background, and the dross of envy, meanness, and pre
judice was not in him. ' ' He was pure gold all through " ; in the truest
sense he was a Christian, manifesting a daily beauty in his life, in his rever
ence for age, his tenderness for women and children, his faithfulness in all
things. His record at the department of state is said to be among the best
there, and he was already marked for promotion. Certainly the United
States government had in its service no more loyal or conscientious repre
sentative, and no consul or officer has ever been more sincerely esteemed at
home or abroad.
John R, Campbell. — The subject of this sketch is a native of New Bed
ford, Massachusetts, his father. Alexander H. Campbell, being ft-om New-
buryport, and his mother, Abby T. Russell, from the first named place.
The family removed to Philadelphia in 1839. After receiving the practical
education usually enjoyed by the youth of his day, young Campbell gradu
ated in 1 847 at the celebrated school of Reverend Samuel Aaron, at Norris-
town, Pennsylvania. To the teaching and example of that noble apostle of
temperance and anti-slavery is, no doubt, due his ardent Republicanism in
mature years. Refusing a collegiate course he entered the locomotive
works of M. W. Baldwin, in Philadelphia, and during five years of appren
ticeship obtained a practical knowledge of mechanics. At the death of his
father, in 1852, who had been actively engaged in a general commission
business in Philadelphia, he took charge of and closed up the affairs of the
estate. His first business ventm-e was in Philadelphia, in the manufacture
of printing inks, in partnership with William L. and Charles H. Lay, both
now residents of Oil City. After a few years he was compelled to relinquish
this on account of failing health, and in 1859 went to western Texas to re
cuperate. He returned to Philadelphia in 1 860 and entered into the gen
eral commission business there in 1861. He was married to Emma Ford, of
Philadelphia, May 12, 1863. In March, 1865, Mr. CampbeU visited the
oil country in the interest of some oil companies in which he held stock,
and in August of the same year removed to Oil City, where he has since
been a resident. For the first four years of his residence here, in addition
to attending to his oil interests, he filled acceptably other positions, being
successively publisher of the Oil City Register, notary public, and treasurer
for the receiver of the Oil City and Pithole Railroad Company. In 1867
he became book-keeper for Vandergrift & Lay, oil shippers, and afterward
held the same position with J. J. Vandergrift, and still later with the firm
of Vandergrift & Forman. In 1868 he was appointed treasurer of the sev
eral pipe lines owned and controlled by this last named firm, and so re
mained until the incorpcu-ation of these into the United Pipe Lines in 1877,
when he vas elected treasurer of that corporation. "When the United Pipe
Lines Company was merged in the National Transit Company he was

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 847
elected treasurer of its United Pipe Lines division, which position he still
holds. With the pipe lines of Vandergrift & Forman began the system of oil
transportation that at the present day stands imequaled in magnitude and
efficiency. To Mr. Campbell is largely due the completion and perfection of
the accurate and comprehensive system of pipe line accounts and methods
now universally adopted. Enjoying from the beginning to the fullest extent
the confidence and esteem of his business employers and associates, none
have been more ready than they to give cheerful evidence of his character
istic talents as an organizer, and to-day he is the trusted treasurer of more
than a " baker' s dozen" of corporations. Having an abiding faith in the
permanency of Oil City from the first years of his residence here, Mr. Camp
bell has ever been prominently identified with its best interests, the advance
ment and perfection of which he has most materially encouraged. In fact,
they largely owe their success to the aid he has liberally given, and to his
practical business management and counsel. When the disaster occurred
soon after the beginning of the building of the first bridge projected over
the AUegheny at Oil City by the Oil City and Petroleum Bridge Company in
1865, he was elected the secretary and treasurer of the same. He reorgan
ized the company, obtained new subscriptions, and assisted in the completion
of that structure, placed it in a sound financial condition, and served in the
official capacity mentioned for some years. He was also a charter member,
and secretary and treasurer of the Venango Bridge Company ft-om Novem
ber 10, 1874, until April 13, 1886. Mr. Campbell has been for a number of
years vestryman and treasurer of Christ Episcopal church of Oil City, and
aided in building the present beautiful church edifice. He was a charter
member of the Ivy Club, one of the finest social organizations in this part
of the state, and is now serving his third term as its president. His means
and counsel have always been freely given to every enterprise. Mr. Camp
bell is in the prime of his business usefulness, and no eulogy could add to
the high estimation in which he is held wherever known.
W. J. Young, president of the Oil City Trust Company Bank, vice-pres
ident of the Forest OU Company, treasurer of the Oil City Tube Company,
a director in the Washington (Pennsylvania) Oil Company, and a member of
its executive committee, member of the executive committee of the United
Oil Trust of Pittsburgh, one of the directors in the Toledo Natural Gas Com
pany, and a member of the firm of Vandergrift, Young & Company, oil
producers, is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was born November
8, 1842. He was educated in his native city and there took his first lessons
in business as clerk for a hide and leather concern. In 1862 the Alle
gheny Belles, a line of small steamers plying principally in the oil trade
between Oil City and Pittsburgh and numbered for convenience and identity,
one, two, three, and four, which were owned by John and William Hanna,

848 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
were doing a large carrying trade, and Mr. Young, being chief clerk of the
general warehouse also owned by these gentlemen, attended to their ship
ments as well as others. In process of time the warehouse passed into the
hands of Burgess & Company (Mr. Young being of the company), who in
time sold to Fisher Brothers, and Mr. Young remained with the latter
owners until 1872. His next business engagement was book-keeper for the
Oil City Savings Bank, and in December, 1873, he was made cashier of the
Oil City Trust Company Bank. In 1876 he became vice-president of this
institution and under its new organization in July, 1883, he was elected to
the presidency. The firm of Vandergrift, Young & Company, then the
owners of the United Pipe Lines and extensive oil producers, was organized
in 1876, and the Forest Oil Company was organized in 1877. From the
organization of the latter company Mr. Young has been its vice-president
and general manager. He was one of the organizers of the Derrick Pub
lishing Company, after that paper passed out of the hands of Longwell &
Company, and was, for some length of time, its treasurer. The records of
the Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Western RaUway Company show that Mr.
Young was a long time its assistant treasurer and paymaster, though it is
difficult to see just when he had time to attend to the duties of those offices.
However, it is safe to say that they were promptly and efficiently looked
after. Mr. Young was married in Oil City in 1866 to Miss Morrow and has
had borne to him two daughters. He has been one of the trustees of the First
Presbyterian church since 1867. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belong
ing to Talbot Commandery, No. 43, Oil City, and to the Pittsburgh con
sistory. Charles M. Loomis, cashier of the Oil City Trust Company Bank, was
born February 22, 1848, at North Bast, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and is
a son of Joel and Susan (Hall) Loomis, the parents of the following chU
dren: MaryH. ; Annie L. ; Charles M. ; Carrie E. ; George E., and Loomis.
Charles M. Loomis was educated in the common schools, North East Academy,
and Grand River Institute, Austinburg, Ohio. He was married in North
East, Brie county, November 15, 1878, to Eda E. Smith, born November
4, 1857, daughter of E. H. and Elizabeth (Lingenfetter) Smith, natives,
the former of Massachusetts and the latter of Pennsylvania. After leaving
his father' s home at the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Loomis clerked in a
grocery at North Bast, Pennsylvania, for three years, and was then elected
secretary of the People' s Saving Institution of Erie county at North East,
After three years' employment at this business he was elected teller of the
Oil City Trust Company, served for seven years in that capacity, and was
then elected cashier, which position he now holds. He is a Democrat. Mr.
and Mrs. Loomis are the parents of two children: Harriet E. and Catharine
I. , and belong to the Presbyterian church,
W. H. Longwell, an oil producer residing in South Oil City, although

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 849
identified in the past with many important enterprises, will probably be
longest and best remembered as the founder of the Oil City Derrick. In
1866 he published the Pithole Daily Record, a paper as short-lived as
the famous town itself. In 1868 he transferred the plant to Petroleum
Center, substituting the name of the latter town for Pithole in the caption,
and for ten years gave the people the red-hot Petroleum Center Daily Rec
ord. Having in the meantime, September, 1871, started the Oil City Derrick,
he was prepared,, when the noisy citizens of Petroleum Center folded up
their tents, to repair without delay to this place (the history of the Derrick
and other papers will be found in this volume). In 1879, Mr. Longwell,
associated with others, purchased several newspaper plants at Bradford and
established the Daily Era of that place. In the same year, having realized
a fortune from it, he sold out his interest in the Derrick to its present own
ers and has spent much of the time since in travel. Mr. Longwell was born
in Adams county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1839. His father, HamUton
Longwell, a contractor and an active business man during his life-time, died
at Gettysburg in 1870, aged about eighty-nine years. His mother's fam
ily name was Wilson, and she was a lineal descendant from James Wilson,
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Our subject was
educated at Gettysburg, and learned the printing trade in the office of the
Repository and Whig at Chambersburg, then edited by the now famous
Alexander McClure. In 1861 he entered the army as a private in Company
D, Forty-Fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served one year. He
was promoted to second lieutenant of Company C, One Hundred and Four
teenth New York Volunteers, for proficiency in drill and meritorious conduct
under General McClellan during his famous Seven Days' battles. He served
four years and untU the close of the war, and was mustered out at Elmira with
the rank of captain. During his connection with the army his command
formed at various times part of the Nineteenth, Eighth, and Fifth army corps,
and he participated in the battles of Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Gaines'
Mills, Turkey Bend, Malvern Hill, Port Hudson, Mansurs, and Opequan.
At the last named engagement, while leading a charge he was so severely
wounded that his life was despaired of. Captain Longwell is a member of
the G. A. R. , and the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United
States. He was married in New York state and has one child.
Chaeles A. Coopee, M. D. , superintendent of the United Petroleum Farms
Association, Oil City, came to this place from New Jersey in the spring of
1866. He was born in Sussex county, that state, January 2, 1821, and his
father was Elias Cooper, an old New Jersey planter and slave owner whose
native place was Dutchess county. New York. A history of Sussex county.
New Jersey, says of Captain Elias Cooper: "He was a gentleman of the
olden times, liberal and public spirited, of strong judgment and common
sense, and one whose advice and assistance were sought by all classes of peo-

850 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
pie. * * * He took great interest in military affairs, and was a captain
of mUitia in his day. * * * He passed away September 9, 1846,
dividing his property equally among his children, * * * He was born
July 19, 1783, and in 1811 married Sarah Dodge, a daughter of Henry and
Sarah (Rosencranz) Dodge, of Dutchess county. He reared seven sons and
two daughters, the subject of this sketch being the fifth son in order of
birth. ' ' Our subject was educated principally at select schools in Sussex
county and at Mount Retired Academy, and was graduated from the Univer
sity of New York, with the degree of M. D., in 1842. Immediately after
leaving college he located in the practice of his chosen profession at the town
of Wantage in his native county and there remained twenty-two years. His
health having become impaired he came to Oil City expecting to spend a
year in recuperation. Here he has remained and that his life has been a
busy one is attested by his record. As superintendent of the United Petro
leum Farms Association and the Hoffman Petroleum Company, he has charge
of all their vast estates iu the oil regions — embracing oil fields whereon
some of the most noted ' ' gushers " have been found; farm property devoted
to agriculture, and valuable city property — while at the same time he has
conducted some of the most important deals in oil and oil wells known in the
history of petroleum. As to the practice of medicine, he has virtually re
tired therefrom — prescribing only for personal friends and consulting occa
sionally with the profession in important cases. The doctor' s wif e, to whom
he was married in Orange county. New York, was Caroline Howell, and his
only son, Charles, is a prominent oil operator in Oil City. The family be
long to the Presbyterian church.
Feanois Halyday, a pioneer of the Oil Creek valley, settled on the Alle
gheny at the mouth of Oil creek early in the present century on a tract of
land which he purchased from the state in 1803, part of it now occupied by
Oil City. Holidaysburg was his native place, but his ancestors were Irish.
The few brief years allotted to him in his new home were still sufficient to
earn the character of an honorable, trustworthy citizen among the pioneers.
He died in 1811. His wife, Sarah Horth, daughter of Hiram Horth, of New
York, was a woman of singular energy and attainments for the period in
which she lived. Of Scotch parentage she brought to her husband a dowry
of tact and management more valuable than gold in their wilderness home.
With early widowhood there came the responsibility and support and educa
tion of eight children, the youngest, a son but two years old, and the eldest,
her only manly help, to be speedily summoned to the defense of his country.
Her nearest neighbors were Indians, and doubtless her best friend was
their chief, Cornplanter, who was ever a welcome guest in her home and
ever ready to exchange the wild game of the forest for her savory domestic
meats and pastries. As these wild sons of the forest helped to lighten her
burdens not less did she and her daughters contribute to the comfort and
1

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 851
care of squaw and papoose when sickness and death invaded their tents, and
not infrequently were the tears of Indians and pale faces mingled at the
open grave. The bold bluff on the north side of the creek overlooking both
creek and river was the burial ground of the Senecas at that time, and a
similar spot on the opposite hill (now Clark' s Summit) was made sacred to
their white friends, as one after another their loved ones were consigned to
their last repose.
To Francis and Sarah Halyday there were born the following children:
Columbus, who went with his comrades to the defense of Erie, was brought
home sick of fever, and died in 1813; Uretta, who married Alexander Carle
in 1812, and died in 1829 leaving- five children, viz. : Lovina, Columbus, Mary,
James, and Sarah; Margaret married Samuel Hunter, and died in 1817,
leaving two children since deceased; Sarah married Moses Davidson in
1816, and died in 1817, leaving one child, Francis; Cassandra, married to
James Bannon, died in 1846; Lovina died in 1818, aged twelve years;
Amelia, born December 10, 1805, married Captain Samuel Phipps in 1823,
and died September 28, 1870; and James, born January 13, 1809, married
Almira Coe, October 16, 1828, and died in Oil City November 9, 1884.
The following, taken from a late sketch of Oil City, is appropriate here :"
"In his youth James Halyday' s playmates were the Indian boys of Corn-
planter's tribe, and little he dreamed of the city, founded as if by the ma
gician's wand on his old home. His life was passed within half a mile of
the place of his birth (near the site of the Petroleum house. Third ward) and
he watched the changing scenes of the discovery of oil, the building up of
the busy marts of trade, the floods and fires and the gradual development of
this section, culminating in making this city the ' oil metropolis of the
world,' all passing before his eyes like the dissolving views of the stereopti-
con." Peculiarly kind and benevolent to all who needed either sympathy
or more material aid, the memory of James and Almira Halyday will be
cherished for many years by those whom destiny has brought to occupy their
native place. — E. E.
Thomas Moean, deceased, a pioneer settler of this part of the state, was
born in County Westmeath, Ireland, in 1815, and came to America in 1832.
His father was a farmer, but the son learned the trade of dyer and worked
at it a few years after coming to this country. He settled in Paterson,
New Jersey, and became a merchant. He afterward was in the' mercantile
business in New Orleans and returned thence to Paterson. In 1842 he
came to Pennsylvania and settled on a farm near TitusviUe. In 1845 he
moved down the Allegheny river and located on Oil creek eddy, where he
bought a farm and erected a hotel — the Moran house. The building is yet
standing and is at the foot of Main street on the north side of the river.
Years ago it was the popular resort of river men and in a part of it Mr.
Moran kept the postoffice. He died in this hotel, October 16, 1857. He was

8o2 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
a Christian gentleman, a member of the Catholic church, and noted for his
charity and oft repeated deeds of kindness. Mr. Moran was married in
Jersey City, June 9, 1838, to Catharine McGee, a native of New York city.
They reared four children of the eight born to them. The living are
Thomas J. , Daniel O. , and John F. Anna, the daughter, died in 1863 at
the age of twenty-one years. Mrs. Moran was bom in New York in 1817,
and is yet living in South Oil City (July, 1889).
Thomas J. Moran, street commissioner of Oil City, son of Thomas Moran,
was born in Paterson, New Jersey, March 12, 1839, the year his father
moved to Oil creek eddy. He attended the common schools and worked
on his father's farm, during his minority, and afterward made farming a
business for many years. Since 1860 he has been engaged in oU produc
tion. Away back when the postoffice was Cornplanter he was assistant
postmaster for a time; subsequently he held the offices of director of the
poor, school comptroller, cit^' councilman and, in 1888, was elected street
commissioner. John P. Moean, district foreman of the United Pipe Lines, is a son of
the late Thomas Moran, one of the pioneers of Venango county, and was
born on OU creek in Cornplanter township, April 23. 1850. He was edu
cated at the common schools and at Niagara FaUs Academy, and in 1868
began business in this city as an oil operator. From that date to the pres
ent he has been identified in some way with the oU business, and is now a
producer to some extent. He is also an extensive real estate owner in this
city and gives some attention to matters connected therewith. He has been
in his present position with the United Pipe Lines Company since 1882.
Mr. Moran is a member of the Catholic church and the C. M. B. A. He was
married at Oil City, June 20, 1877, to Miss Mary S. Malony, of Altoona,
and has four children: William P., Catharine Jane, Mary, and Cecilia.
Daniel O. Moean, ganger in the employ of the National Transit Com
pany, is a son of Thomas Moran, deceased, and was born at OU creek eddy,
October 29, 1844. He began dealing in oil as a producer and later on
drifted into speculation and lost his money. During 1882 and 1883 he was
street commissioner, and in 1884 accepted his present employment. He
was married in Pittsburgh when twenty-five years of age to Miss Margaret
O'Connor, and has had borne unto him eight chUdren, seven of whom are
living. Fid Bishop, a well and favorably known citizen of South Oil City, is a
native of CenterviUe, Crawford county, this state, a son of Zephaniah and
Caroline (Pangmon) Bishop of Whitehall, Washington county. New York,
and was born December 25th, 1840. At an early age he began his business
life as a clerk in the mercantile establishment of McFarland Brothers at
MeadvUle, Pennsylvania. From there he came to Oil City in January, 1861,
as manager of a grocery house for the same firm, and fiUed that position

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 853
until April, 1864, when he purchased the stock and goodwill, running the
business until the big fire of May 28th, 1866, when the tire consumed the
building and most of the stock of goods. He next turned his attention to
the production of petroleum, with which he was more or less identified for
some time, with but very little success ; was appointed postmaster by Presi
dent Lincoln in March, 1865; the commission was issued by President
Johnson the latter part of April, it being among the first signed by Presi
dent Johnson after the assassination of President Lincoln. He held the
office one year and a half and then resigned on account of the salary not
beino- large enough to meet the necessary expenses of the office. Before
any banking houses were established the firm of Culver & Company secured
his services and bought and sold exchange, Mr. Bishop being cashier and
book-keeper at the same time. W^hen the borough of Oil City was organized
Mr. Bishop was elected a member of its first council, and was the first treas
urer of the borough. At this time the entire receipts from borough taxes
were about eight hundred dollars. During the winter of 1868 he held the
position of messenger of the house of representatives at Harrisburg, Penn
sylvania. In July, 1877, he was again appointed postmaster by President
Hayes, and re-appointed by President Arthur in 1881 without opposition,
holding the office until February, 1886, and the record made therein is one
of which he may well be proud. Near the close of his term of office he
received the foUowing letter from Mr. Speese, postoffice inspector, stationed
at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Bear Sir: I regret that your term of office is fast drawing to a close, not only on
account of our pleasant official relations, but because the department will lose an effi
cient officer, and Oil City a faithful and painstaking postmaster. You have kept a
good postofflce ; you have been faithful in the discharge of your duties, and I am con
fident that when your successor demands the property of the office the accounting will
be found correct to a' penny. You take into your retirement the thanks of this office,
and we gladly bear testimony to a duty well performed, and express our thanks for
many courtesies received at your hands. Very truly yours, I. M. Spbesb.
Mr. Bishop's marriage ceremony was the first one performed after the
borough of Oil City was organized. He was married by the Reverend S. J,
M. Eaton of Franklin, March 12, 1863, to Miss Sarah E. Hopewell, and
has one child, Clara H., now the wife of Thomas G. Phinny. During the
whole term that Mr. Bishop has resided in Oil City he has always felt a
deep interest in every enterprise having for its object the benefit of the
place. To him in a great degree the city is indebted for the beautiful sus
pension bridge which spans the Allegheny river; he was the originator of
the OU City steam laundry, which has now become a solid and permanent
institution. In politics Mr. Bishop has always been a consistent, active, and
earnest Republican.
Colonel A. J. Greenfield, postmaster of Oil City, was born November

854 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
20, 1835, in W^ashington county, Pennsylvania. His parents were WUliam
and Eleanor Greenfield, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively
He was educated in the common schools and began his business career in a
wholesale store in 1859 in Baltimore. Soon after the battle of Bull Run
July 21, 1861, he severed his business connections, entered the Union army
and served until mustered out, October 31, 1865. In February, 1866, he
came to the oil country, locating first at Reno and afterward at RousevUle
where he was engaged as a dealer and operator in oil. He removed to Oil
City, July 5, 1871. He was a member of the TitusviUe and Oil City oil ex
changes at the time of their organization and took an active part in their
interests. In February, 1874, he was elected vice-president of the OU Ex
change of Oil City; he becaime president in 1871 and filled that position two
terms, was elected a member of the board of control in 1878, and became
president in 1881. He was elected mayor of Oil City in 1882 and served
one term. He was appointed postmaster of Oil City by the Cleveland ad
ministration. He was married in 1867 to Louise Castle, daughter of Ed
ward H. Castle, and has the following children: Nora L., Carl J., Roy C,
and John B. K. He and his family are members of the Episcopal church,
of which he has been a vestryman since 1871.
Kenton Chickering, secretary of the Oil Well Supply Company, Limited,
is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, and was born in 1847. His father,
Cyrus C. Chickering, a manufacturer of dental material, and in after life a
farmer, died in Brooklyn, New York, in 1867, at the age of fifty-three years.
His mother's family name was Scott, of the old Philadelphia Scott family,
and a near relative of General Winfield Scott, famous in American history.
Kenton Chickering was an only son. He was educated in the public schools
of Massachusetts. In 1863 he became dispatch bearer to General Clark,
United States commissary department, New York city, and held that posi
tion two years. For about one year after the close of the war he remained
in government service, and for the succeeding two or three years sold goods
as clerk and traveling salesman for different New York establishments. In
1869 he accepted employment with Baton & Cole of New York, dealers in
brass and iron goods, fitting pipes, etc., and as their representative came
to TitusviUe in 1870. In that year the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Company
was organized, and he was in their interest till 1874, having moved in the
meantime (1873) to Oil City. The Oil Well Supply Company was organ
ized first in 1874; in 1879 it -n'as reorganized and Mr. Chickering, a stock
holder, became its secretary. Though of a retiring disposition he is always
interested in public affairs and wide awake to the best interests df the com
munity. He has been three years a member of the select council since the
adoption of the city' s new charter, was one of the organizers of the Oil City
Board of Trade, and has been identified with the Oil Exchange and the Ivy
Club from their inception. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church.

BIOGRAPHIES OP OIL CITY. 855
and has been seven years junior warden therein. He was married in New
York city June- 13, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James Hamilton,
and has four children: J. Hamilton; Myra Scott; Cornelia K., and Mary.
J. H. Obeely, oU producer and tobacco dealer, was born July 8, 1833,
in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and is one of five children born to Henry
and Catharine Oberly. He was educated in the common schools and began
for himself in the coal and grain business in Berks county, which he con
tinued until 1868; he then sold out, coming to Oil City, established his
present tobacco store and commenced to j^roduce oil, both of which he has
continued without cessation. He married Helen M. See, a native of Berks
county, Pennsylvania, and has four children : George S. , married to Jennie
Steffee; Alice, Mamie, and Edward. Mr. Oberly served as mayor of Oil
City from 1880 to 1882 and was a member of the city council for eight
years. He has been one of the county Republican committee and was a
delegate to the state convention in 1878. He is a director of the Union Loan
Association, a member of the Masonic order, chapter, and commandery, and
belongs to the Lutheran church.
Michael Geary, proprietor of the Arlington hotel, president of the Oil
City Tube Company, and one of the owners of the Oil City Boiler Works,
is a signal example of that push and energy, that undaunted resolve, which
all men admire so much. Born in Ireland September 26, 1844, Mr. Geary
first set foot on American soil at the age of four years. His father died of
the cholera soon after arrival, leaving the subject of this sketch the legacy
of only a sound constitution and inherent pluck. The widowed mother,
with her little ones, sought a home in Buffalo, New York. ' The educational
opportunities that he had, meager at the best, ceased altogether so far as
schools were concerned, when, at the age of thirteen, with that loftiness of
purpose which has always marked his career, he began to earn his own
bread. Though but a child, he realized his position in life, and labored with
his childish might to better it, labored in a way known to the generation of
to-day but by hearsay. Thus uneventfully ran his career until the close of
the war, when he entered the employ of the Erie City Iron Works. Seven
years of close application to the positions assigned to him in this institution
found him thoroughly acquainted with every detail of the iron industry
necessary for the successful management of such an establishment. During
the foUowing year, 1871, he went to TitusviUe, and later was employed as
manager of the iron works of Runser & Company, at Sharon, Mercer county,
subsequently becoming a partner in that business concern. In 1876 he
removed to Oil City, and in company with B. W. Vandergrift and Daniel
O'Day, started the Oil City Boiler Works. He and Daniel O'Day are now
the sole owners of these works, and the marvelous growth of the enterprise
is referred to in Chapter XXIII. Mr. Geary is one of the largest stock
holders of the Brush Electric Light Company of Buffalo, New York, presi-

856 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
dent of the Oil City Tube Company, and a director of the Oil City Trust
Company. He was the first president of the OU City Enterprise Milling
Company, and in 1885 was chosen president and a director of the Oil City
Opera House Company-, which position he still holds. In 1878 he purchased
the Collins house, changed the name to the Arlington, and refurnished it at
a cost of forty thousand dollars, making it one of the best in northwestern
Pennsylvania. He is also largely interested in the production of oU in the
state of New York. Under his management the Oil City Tube Company
and the Oil City Boiler Works now give employment to more men than aU
other manufactories of Oil City combined. His past career has indeed been
a prosperous one, and a young man still, his future gives promise of more
than the average man attains.
Charles P. Hartwell, president of the Venango Bridge Company, and
manager of the Brady's Bend Mining Company, is a native of Sutton, Mas
sachusetts, and was born June 23, 1842. He was educated at Yale, leaving
college, however, before graduating, for the purpose of entering the United
States navy. He served aboijt one and a half years on board the luka as
master's mate. In July, 1865, while on leave of absence, became to Oil
City and was so pleased with the place that he resigned his commission in
the navy and remained here. He began business as paymaster of the Reno
OU and Land Company, and afterward became president of the Reno, OU
Creek and Pithole Railway Company. For the past several years his time
has been principally devoted to coal operations. In 1886 he was the principal
mover in purchasing the control of the capital stock of the Venango Bridge
Company, the new owners at once reducing the price of tolls to its patrons
to almost a nominal figure. Mr. Hartwell has been a member of the Oil
City councU and of the vestry of the Episcopal church. He has been twice
married, first in Connecticut and second in Cleveland, Ohio. His son,
Frederick, is in charge of the Brady's Bend mines.
William Hartwell, from whom Charles F. is descended, came from
Kent, England, in 1686, and settled at Concord, Massachusetts. His de
scendants now number thousands, and are found in every state in the union.
The famUy coat of arms is a shield surmounted by a hart and a weU and the
motto is Sua Sorte Contentus.
J. H. Payne, mayor and broker, was born August 9, 1851, in Oneida
county, New York. His parents, David and Agnes (Lowry) Payne, were of
Scotch-Irish extraction, and had six chUdren: Jane, Eliza, John H., David,
Martha, and WUliam, all residing in Dakota with their mother except our
subject, the father having died in 1864. J. H. Payne received a common
school education and began for himself as a clerk in Wisconsin; he was m
business in Chicago from 1870 to 1871, came to Clarion county in 1872, and
began oil operations, which he has ever since continued. In 1881 he
became a resident of Oil City. He was elected a member of the cotmcil of

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 857
this place in 1887 and mayor in 1888. He was married October 20, 1875,
to Laura W. Hinkley, daughter of A. R. and Mary Hinkley, an old and
respected family of Wisconsin. The result of this union has been one
daughter, Irene. Mayor Payne is a Democrat, and one of the enterprising
and progi-essive young business men of Oil City. He is a thirty-second
degree Mason.
Waltee R. Johns was born in Louisiana October 8, 1833. His father.
Doctor Herbert D. Johns, located and practiced his profession in New
Orleans, where he mai-ried. Our subject was orphaned by the death of his
mother when he was seven years old. He graduated at Rockhill Academy,
EockvUle, Maryland, in 1845. Declining the opportunity to pursue a
higher grade of school studies, he entered the printing office of John T.
Towers at Washington city. In June, 1846, he went with Company G,
First Baltimore and District of Columbia Battalion of Mexican Volunteers,
and landed on Brazos island, gulf of Mexico, July 8, 1846. He partici
pated in the battle of Monterey in Captain Randolph Ridgely' s field bat
tery (formerly Ringgold's), forming part of General William O. Butler's
division, marched to Tampico with General Quitman' s brigade, and formed
one of a detachment to take charge of quartermaster's supplies for General
Taylor in January, 1847, reporting to Captain Meigs, quartermaster, at
Saltillo, February 15th. He took part in the battle of Buena Vista on the
22nd and 23rd, serving in Captain Washington' s field battery, returned to
Tampico, and remained until the term of enlistment (twelve months)
expired in June, 1847. During this time he was connected with the Tam
pico Sentinel — his first venture in journalism. At the expiration of term of
enhstment he re-entered the service as a member of Company L, Captain
L. F. Chevallie, First Regiment Texas Rangers, under Colonel Jack Hays,
and marched with General Scott from Pueblo to the city of Mexico. He
retm-ned to Washington at the close of the war and worked at his trade. In
1854 he worked on the Columbia, South Carolina, Times, and afterward on
the Louisville, Kentucky, Democrat. In the spring of 1856 he was editor
and publisher of the Lawrence Democrat, Bedford, Lawrence county, Indi
ana. In 1859 he was offered and accepted editorial charge and publication
of the Clay county, Illinois, Jacksonian. At the breaking out of the
EebeUion he left that paper in charge of friends, and enlisted under the
first call of Governor Yates in Company G, of Xenia, Clay county, Illinois,
and joined the Seventh, afterward the Twenty-First, Illinois regiment,
which was mustered in at Mattoon and subsequently commanded by U. S.
Grant. Invalided and discharged at the end of four months' service, he
came to Pennsylvania in September, 1861, and was married 'at Rimersbm-g,
Clarion county, October 8, 1861, to Josephine, daughter of Henry and So
phia Pox, of Centre county, this state. He established the Oil City Regis
ter, the first paper published at OU City, January 14, 1862, and has since

858 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
been identified with oil region journalism. In 1870 a book entitled "Petro
lia, ' ' a history of the petroleum development, was issued by D. Appleton &
Company, of New York, with the names of Walter R. Johns and Andrew
Cone as authors, which is acknowledged to be the standard work written on
the subject. At the present he is in the employ of the National Transit Com
pany. Mr. .Johns is so widely known from his identification with the jour
nalism and history of the petroleum developments that extended comment in
his case is unnecessary.
Frank H. Tayloe, president of the common council. Oil City, and a
prominent dealer in and producer of petroleum, was bom at Jamestown,
New York, October 29, 1852. He was educated at the Jamestown union
schools, leamed type-setting in the Jamestown Journal office, and in 1871
purchased an interest in the Tidioute Journal, of which he became editor.
about this time he also wrote a serial story for Oliver Optic' s Magazine, and
contributed sketches and tales to other publications. He came to OU City
from Tidioute, this state, in October, 1873, and during the succeeding four
years edited the Derrick, a highly poptUar paper, of which he was then a
part owner. In April, 1877, he established the Sunday Call, edited and
managed it until September, 1878, sold out, and returned to the Derrick,
where he remained until January, 1886. In the fall of 1885, associated
with Messrs. Torry and Murphy, he began the development of the now
well-known Tarkiln oil field, in Cranberry township. The company in
which he is interested at this time own and operate seventy-three productive
wells, and are rapidly extending their acquisition of promising oU territory.
Since severing his connection with the Derrick Mr. Taylor has given his at
tention principaUy to the production of petroleum, diversifying, however,
the pursuit of private interest with a commendable public-spiritedness and
activity in municipal affairs. In February, 1888, he was elected to the com
mon council from the First ward, and in April following was chosen presi
dent of that body. He was married February 2, 1879, to Miss Annie E.
Pluth, and has two chUdren : Frank and Harry.
Patrick C. Boyle, lessee and publisher of the Oil City Derrick, was bom
May 2, 1846, in County Donegal, Ireland. His father, Bernard Boyle,
a native of the same county, a farmer by occupation, died in Butler county,
this state, in September, 1847. Mary (Daugherty) Boyle, also a native of
County Donegal, died in WUkinsburg, Pennsylvania, in June ,1883, and
was the mother of the following children: Mary Margaret, Edward D.,
Michael J. , Manasses S. , and Patrick C. The last named received a com
mon-school education and began for himself as a laborer. He has since
followed mining, mechanical engineering, drilling, pipe line work, and
newspaper publishing. He served in Company H, Fifty-Fourth Pennsyl
vania Volunteers, and is a Republican in politics. He was first married at
Brady's Bend, June 28, 1868, to Miss Anna T. Bingham, born April 12,

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 859
1846, who is dead, and who was the daughter of William and Sarah T.
Bingham. August 21, 1876, at Pittsburgh, he was again married, to Mary
Egan, born September 4, 1846, in Cambria county, this state, daughter of
John and Bridget Bgan. His chUdreu are named as follows: William
Francis, Helen Josephine, and Edward R. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle are mem
bers of the CathoUc church.
Robert Wesley Criswell was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in
1850. His father was Robert Criswell, a prominent man in Clarion county,
who afterward made a fortune in the oil business on Cherry run, Venango
county, being one of the owners of the Reed well, one of the early gushers.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, Chickering
Institute, Cincinnati, and Moor's Hill College, Indiana. His first news
paper work was occasional sketches for the Cincinnati Commercial. Later
he was employed as local editor of the Independent, published at East
Brady, Pennsylvania. From East Brady he went to Cincinnati and worked
a year for the Enquirer, writing political letters from Indiana and report
ing the Indiana legislature. While at Indianapolis he accepted an offer to
come to Oil City and edit the Oil City Derrick. A feature of his work on
the Derrick was a humorous department, which was quoted all over the
world. He again returned to Cincinnati, to take a position on the staff of
the Enquirer, afterward succeeding to the managing editorship of that
paper, which position he held for five years. Mr. Criswell was editor of
the Petroleum World, at TitusviUe, and his last newspaper connection in the
oil country was as one of the proprietors of the Derrick under the firm name
of Boyle & Criswell. He has published two books of humor, " The New
Shakspeare," and " Grandfather Lickshingle and Other Sketches." He is
at present on the staff of the New York World. Mr. Criswell was married
in 1878, to Alice McCreary, a niece of ex -Govemor McCreary of Kentucky.
Frank William Bowen, editor of the OU City Blizzard, was born in
Portland, Chautauqua county. New York, May 27, 1852. His father, Will
iam Walter Bowen, formerly a farmer, now a merchant at Millerstown, But
ler county, Pennsylvania, was born August 9, 1881, at Saratoga, New York.
His mother, Lydia Bowen, was a native of Chautauqua county, New, York,
and died in Jamestown in 1868. She had but two children: J. B. and
Prank WUliam. The latter was educated in the common schools and grad
uated from the Jamestown Collegiate Institute. He eariy developed a desire
to learn the printing business, but for some time his parents strenuously
opposed such an occupation. He finally prevailed, and went to work in the
office of the Chautauqua Democrat. Here he learned to set type; but before
he had completed his apprenticeship. Brooks Fletcher, the editor, assigned
him to writing news items, which he did creditably to himself and the paper.
From Jamestown he went to Corry, took employment with the Daily Blade,
and subsequently worked for a time on the Parker Daily. After seven years

860 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
connection with the Oil City Derrick, he became editor of the Blizzard at its
inception and has done well his part in making it a paying and interesting
journal. He is a Republican, and a member of the Knights of Honor.
He was married at Wellsburgh, New York, February 22, 1879, to Annie Irene
Scribner, born in New York state in February, I860, daughter of Charles
P. and Esther (Bennett) Scribner. He and wife are Methodists. Beside
the occupations mentioned, he has taught school and kept books successfully.
Henry G. McKnight, one of the publishers of the Oil City Blizzard, was
born May 14, 1849, in Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio. His father, James
McKnight, was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
was proprietor of a marble factory, and died in February, 1876, at Mans
field, Ohio. Mary Elizabeth (Gribben) McKnight, the mother of our sub
ject, was born on a farm near Hayesville, Ohio, in 1822, and died at Mans
field, that state, in 1870. By her marriage with James McKnight she
became the mother of four children: Anna; William V. ; Mary E., and Henry
G. The last named was educated at the public schools at Mansfield, and
at Vermilion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio. He began business for himself
with the publication of a newspaper. He is a member of the Knights of
Honor, United Friends, Typographical Union, and several other secret
orders. He was married December 3, 1875, at Tionesta, this state, to Julia
A. Campbell, who was born on a farm in Butler county, March 8, 1858,
daughter of Samuel J. Campbell, born in 1836 in Butler county, and a resi
dent of Tionesta, and Anna W. Campbell, who was born in 1843 and died
in 1866. To this union have been born four chUdren: George, deceased;
William V. ; Samuel C. , and Kittie F.
Robebt Simpson, editor of the Oil City Derrick, was bom at Toronto, On
tario, March 6, 1860, son of William Henry and Mrs. B. (Cassidy) Simp
son, of Scotch and Irish descent, respectively, the former a native of Hal-
lowell Hall, Lancashire, the latter of Kilmore, County Wexford, Ireland.
After the death of her busband she removed to OU City in 1867, where the
subject of this sketch was brought up and attended the public schools. He
entered the Derrick office at the age of thirteen as " devil," and three years
later began to learn the trade of printer, completing his apprenticeship in
1880. After a brief connection with the Emlenton Register he returned to
the composing room of the Derrick, but was transferred within a year to the
business department, and assigned as well to local reportorial work. In
June, 1882, he became city reporter for the Blizzard. He withdrew in July,
1886, to accept the position of exchange editor on the staff of the Pittsburgh
Dispatch, performing successively the duties of news editor, night editor,
and assistant managing editor. In January, 1889, he became' traveling
correspondent; for several months he was stationed at Harrisburg, and the
interesting articles on the political situation published in the Dispatch over
his signature were among its most valuable features dui-ing that period. He

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 863
was one of the two newspaper correspondents who first penetrated the city
of Johnstown after the great fiood of 1889, and thousands of people gained
their first information regarding that catastrophe fi-om his graphic and com
prehensive reports. In August, 1889, he assumed his present position as
editor of the Derrick. He is a member of the Baptist church and one of the
trustees of the local organization at Oil City.
HoMEE McClintock, staff reporter of the Oil City Derrick, was born in
Dempseytown, this county, September 13, 1849.
His father. Colonel James R. McClintock, died December 14, 1867, and
his mother, Jerusha (Tennent) McClintock, was born in Colchester, Connecti
cut, August 21, 1807. Our subject was educated at the common schools and
Edinboro Normal. He was married May 18, 1873, to Susan Martin, born
May 11, 1855, in Franklin, daughter of Robert and Mary Martin. To this
tmion have been born three children: Glenroy, Grace M. , and Nellie H.
He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a
Democrat. Before taking his present position he alternated farming with
the production of oil. In 1887 he was elected county auditor, and his earn
est work in that capacity is well known by the citizens of Venango county.
J. N. Peeeine, business manager of the Oil City Derrick, was born June
8, 1853, at Pen-ine' s Corners, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of
J. M. Perrine, a native of the same place, and the present postmaster at Utica,
this county. His mother' s maiden name was M. A. Armstrong, a native of
Little Valley, New York. She is still living at the age of seventy-five years.
Our subject was educated at an academy at Utica, this county, and from the
age of sixteen to twenty he was assistant postmaster at Utica. From twenty
to twenty-seven he was assistant postmaster at St. Petersburg, Pennsyl
vania, the fourth largest office in the state during that time; he was at the
same time manager of book and stationery stores at St. Petersburg, Eden
burg, Emlenton, and Bradford. He became special correspondent for the
Butier and Clarion oU fields in 1880, three years later came to Oil City and
took the position of city editor of the Derrick, and three years subsequently
was promoted to the position of business manager, which he still holds. In
religion he is not connected with any church but is an Episcopalian in senti
ment. In politics he is and always has been a Republican. He belongs to
the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F. , Canton MUitant, the I. O. O. P. en
campment, the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of Maccabees. He was
married August 2, 1874, to Miss R. L. Crawford, a native of Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania.
Will H. Harris, editor and publisher of the Critic, mentioned in the
chapter on the press, was born September 18, 1863, in Tidioute, Warren
county, Pennsylvania. His father, Warren A. Harris, was born September
10, 1835, in Ontario, Canada. He served as postmaster at Corry, Erie coun
ty, this state, and at one time was a prosperous merchant and oil producer at

864 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
Tidioute. He died in 1870 and was buried in Canada. His wife, Anna
Celia Combs, was born November 13, 1841, in New York, and died a short
time prior to the demise of her husband. To this union were born three
children: WUl H. ; Frank L., deceased, and Warren A., deceased. The first
named was educated in the common schools of Tidioute, Fagundus, Warren
county, and Salem, this county. He began his business life at Salem by es
tablishing a job printing office, which he removed to South Oil City in 1885,
one year later. A year subsequent to this he established the Critic, and
continued his job office, being equipped with material for doing all kinds of
first-class work. He is a member of the Pirst Baptist church of Oil City,
the A. O. U. W., andL O. O. F.
J. A. Ritchey, physician and sujgeon, was born November 28, 1840, in
Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, one of eight children born to Thomas and
Mary (Calhoun) Ritchey, of Scotch-Irish extraction. Doctor Ritchey was
educated in Glade Run Academy and Jefferson College, by which the degree
of A. M. was conferred upon him in 1874. In 1861 he enlisted in Com
pany K, One Hundred and Fifty- Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three
years or during the war. On his return from the war he began the study
of medicine under the tuition of Doctor J. P. Alcorn, then of Allegheny City,
thence entering Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, where he re
mained three years, and from which institution he was graduated in 1871,
He at once began the practice of his profession at OU City, where he has
built up a lucrative business. He is a member of the Oil City Medical Club,
Venango County Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical Society,
American Medical Association, and International Medical Congress, secretary
of the Oil City board of examining surgeons for pensions, and has taken a
deep interest in education, having served twelve years or more as school
director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics is a
Democrat. ,
F., F. Davis, physician and surgeon, was born June 2, 1838, near
the village of Independence in what was then Hopewell township, Beaver
county, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of a family of twelve chUdren
born to John and Margaret Davis, both father and mother having been born
and reared in Allegheny county, this state. Our subject was educated in
the common schools and Beaver Academy. He read medicine in the office
of Doctor J. S. Elliott, now of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and entered the
medical department of the University of Michigan in the fall of 1861,
graduating from that institution in 1867. He entered the army as assistant
surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixty-Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
October 24, 1862, and was mustered out with the regiment on the expira
tion of the term of service, July 25, 1863 ; he was mustered into the service
of the state of Pennsylvania as a medical officer, August 1, 1863, and was
mustered out on or about August 27, 1863, to be mustered into the One

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 865
Hundred .and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which regiment
he served to the close of hostilities, being discharged from the service June
2 1865. At the close of the war he located in Oil City, where he has con
tinued to practice medicine and surgery ever since. During the period from
December, 1867, to November, 1871 or '72, he edited the Venango Repub
lican, the only newspaper published in Oil City during that time. He is a
member of the OU City Medical Club, the Venango County Medical Society,
the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and the American Medical
Association. He is also a member of and examining surgeon for Lodge No.
14, A. 0. U. W. , and Evans Post, G. A. R. He was appointed surgeon for
the Allegheny Valley railroad in 1871 and still holds that position; he has
also served in a similar capacity for a number of years for the Western New
York and Pennsylvania railroad, and for the Oil City and Ridgway road.
He was appointed United States examining surgeon December 13, 1873,
and filled that position from that time till the organization of the Oil City
pension board, which took place about June 26, 1884; of this board he was
made president and served as such until removed by the Cleveland adminis
tration, December 8, 1885. He was reappointed examining surgeon for
pensions, June 1, 1889, made a member of the Oil City pension board Oc
tober 15, 1889, and is secretary of the same. He is serving his nineteenth
year as school director. He has two children; the eldest, Fannie, is first
assistant teacher of the OU City high school, and John F. is a student in
the Western Pennsylvania Medical College at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A. P. Coope, physician and surgeon, was born in Scott, Cortland county,
New York, January 19, 1844. He received his literary education at Cazeno-
via, Madison county. New York. He taught one term of school. In 1862
he enUsted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth New York Volunteer In
fantry, and served three years; hewas promoted to adjutant, and received a
wound in the left hand at the battle of Winchester, Virginia. He completed
his medical studies at Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from that institu
tion in 1870. He began practice at Flushing, Michigan, and at the expira
tion of six years' successfiU business, he left there. He was married to
Miss Annie Hayes, a native of New York state, who died a short time sub
sequenUy. He then spent the winter of 1876-77 in medical schools and
hospitals of New York city. In the spring of 1877 he located in Oil City,
where he has continued in active practice ever since. He is a member of
the OU City Medical Club, the Venango County Medical Society, the Medi
cal Society of Pennsylvania, the American Medical Association, the Inter
national Medical Congress, and the Masonic order, and is somewhat inde
pendent in politics.
T. C. McCulloch, physician and surgeon, was bom April 8, 1823, in
"Westmoreland county, this state. His parents, James and Margaret (Patti
son) McCulloch, were also natives of that county, and their eight children

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
were named as follows: William; John; Samuel; Sarah; James; Joseph-
Annie, and T. C. Of these, T. C. , Annie, and Samuel are li-ving. The father
was a justice of the peace for many years, and served as major in the war
of 1812. His son, T. C. McCulloch, attended the common schools untU
the age of eighteen, when he began teaching in his native county at the
small compensation of twenty dollars per month. He subsequently attended
college at Oberlin, Ohio, and in 1845 began studying medicine under the
instruction of his brother. Doctor W. P. McCuUoch, at Apollo, Armstrong
county. He attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,
duiing the session of 1847^18, and then practiced with his brother until
1853, when he re-entered that institution, from which he was graduated in
1853. During this year he located at Leechburg, Armstrong county, and
four years later removed to Kittanning, where he built up a lucrative prac
tice. In 1877 he was induced to settle in Oil City. He was married to
Elizabeth James of Freeport, Armstrong county, and by her has the foUow
ing children, who have grown to maturity: WUliam, traveling auditor for
the New York Central raUroad; Ella J., married to W. S. Cowell, and
residing in West Virginia; Aggie, at home; Robert, who married Mollie
Wise of Franklin, and is traveling from OU City in the interest of patent
medicines ; James, traveling auditor of the Western New York and Penn
sylvania raUroad, with headquarters at Buffalo, New York, and Edgar W.,
of W^est Virginia. Our subject was surgeon for the first draft made in
Armstrong county, and served in the council of Kittanning. He is a mem
ber of the Oil City Medical Club, Venango Medical Society, the American
and Pennsylvania State Medical Associations, the E. A. U. , Royal Arcanum,
K. and L. of H. , the Presbyterian church, and the Democratic party,
J. M. Harding, physician, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania,
February 3, 1829, son of Joseph M. and Permelia (Hayden) Harding. His
mother was a first cousin of General Hayden, who surveyed the entire west
ern country gained by the United States in the Mexican war.
Joseph M. Harding was a son of Samuel Harding, one of the original
Plymouth colonists of New England. He was born on Cape Cod, Massachu
setts, was graduated from Harvard CoUege, and subsequently settled m
Bradford county in 1812 on a farm, and for twenty-one consecutive winters
taught school in Newbury, now a part of Williamsport. He was di-afted
for the war of 1812, of which his father, Samuel, was a pensioner, and
participated in the battles of Lake Champlain and Bennington. Joseph
died in 1875 in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which or
ganization he was a class leader in one church for twenty-one years. Per
melia Harding, his wife, died in 1849 of typhus fever, and was the mother
of thirteen children : Edwin; Darwin; J. M. ; Mary, married to William J.
Crane of Arlington, Nebraska; Isaac; Philemon D., and Josiah; the others
died when young.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 867
Philemon D. was a physician in New York when Governor Morton of
Indiana issued a call for surgeons immediately after the battle of Pittsburgh
Landing, and at once tendered his services to the great Indiana governor.
He was assigned to duty and remained in the war many months, going with
Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He is now practicing in Goshen,
Indiana, Joseph, the father, was married a second time to Mrs. Ross of
Troy, Pennsylvania.
J. M. Harding, our subject, was educated in the common schools and
Troy Academy. At the age of twenty years he began the study of medi
cine under the instruction of Doctor F. H. W'hite of Tioga county, Pennsyl
vania, who lived to be one hundred and seven years old. After two years
of hard study with Doctor ^^'hite he entered the office of Doctor D. H.
Sweeny of Burlington, Bradford county, where he remained three years,
afterward attending Geneva Medical College one term. He began practice
in Herrick, Bradford county, and one year later bought the office of Doctor
Parenett of Warren, where he practiced for seven years, and then located at
Apalachin, Tioga county. New York, remaining there seven years. In 1867
he removed to Oil City, where he has since remained. He has discovered
two special medicines for catarrh and lung trouble. He was married in 1852 to
Miss Thankful Slingeriand, who died in 1859 leaving three children: Frank,
Jennie, and Madora. He was again married to Miss Elizabeth Graves, and
by her had two children, Emma and Lenora. He has been a member of
the Oil City council, and became a member of the New York State Eclectic
Society in 1874, and was a charter member of the National Eclectic Medical
Society. He was graduated at the United States Medical College at New York
in 1882, is acting president of the Pennsylvania State Eclectic Medical So
ciety, and was the organizer and first president of the first Eclectic medical
society in western Pennsylvania, of which he is now an active member. He
is one of the trustees of Burton' s Medical College of Philadelphia. He
has been a member of the Masonic order since 1874, and belongs to the
chapter in Oswego, New York, and New Jerusalem No. 47 of the same city;
he is a Knight Templar belonging to Talbot Commandery, No. 43, Oil City,
and is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is an independent Re
publican, and his entire family belong to the Methodist church.
W. H. H. Jackson, physician, was born July 21, 1840, in Portage
county, Ohio, to John and Clara (Tinker) Jackson. He was educated in the
common schools and at Oberlin College. He began for himself by teach
ing school, and was appointed superintendent of the schools of Monroeville
and Defiance, Ohio. In 1862 he began the study of medicine at Aurora,
Ohio, under the instruction of Doctor Sheperd. He attended medical
coUege at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1865 and 1866, began practice in 1867
at Monroeville, but soon after entered the Western Reserve Medical College
at Cleveland, Ohio, and was graduated in 1865. He practiced at Garretts-

868 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ville, in his native county until 1872, when he came to Oil City. He is a
member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, and is local surgeon for
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad at Oil City. He married
Mary C. Blackmarr, of Garrettsville, Ohio, and in politics he is a Repub
lican. S. W. Sellew, physician, was born September 22, 1856, in Crawford
county, this state, and is a son of C. V. and H. A. (Catlin) SeUew. He
was educated in Allegheny College, Meadville, and after a period of teach
ing he began the study of medicine in 1878 under the tuition of Doctor
C. W. Parsons, of Meadville, and was graduated from the Homoeopathic
College of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1882. In the spring of that year he began
practice at Cambridgeborough, in his native county, where he remained
until 1884, at which time he formed his present partnership with W. H. H.
Jackson, of Oil City. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, P. H. C,
and I. P. A., and in politics is a Republican.
Joseph Doty, deceased, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, May 1, 1811,
son of Elijah and Catharine Doty. Elijah Doty was born at Sharon, Con
necticut, February 22, 1774, son of Doctor David Doty of that place. He
served in the war of 1812 and soon after the expiration of his term of serv
ice moved to western Pennsylvania, locating near Sugar creek, Venango
county. Subsequently he located at Tarentum, Pennsylvania, where he
died September 23, 1849. Joseph Doty received a good common school
education. He assisted his father in drilling salt wells, etc., until 1834,
when he enlisted in the United States army at Zanesville, Ohio, for three
yeal's. He reached the grade of first sergeant of Company B, Sixth United
States Infantry, served in the Seminole war, and was honorably discharged
at Fort Brooks, Tampa bay, Florida, at the expiration of his term of service
in 1837. He was married to Eleanor, daughter of Robert and Mary Bor
land, of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1840. He contracted and
drilled continuously for salt from 1840 to 1860 in various localities along
the Allegheny, Youghiogheny, and Monongahela rivers. He commenced
drilling with wooden pole-tools, and was the first to use wire cable in that
section of country when in employ of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing
Company. He soon discarded its use on account of the salt water rusting
the wire. Mr. Doty and Israel Overhall were the first to introduce the use
of rope cable in the drilling of salt wells. In the spring of 1859 Colonel
E. L. Drake -visited Tarentum for the express purpose of securing the serv
ices of Mr. Doty to drill his projected oil well at TitusviUe, and to leam his
mode of drUling salt wells. Owing to previous engagements he was unable
to comply with Colonel Drake' s request, and thus missed the honor of drilling
the first oil well. At his recommendation Drake secured the services of
WUliam Smith, a blacksmith of Tarentum. Having made arrangements to
drill some salt wells for George Plummer in Westmorland county, in 1859

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 869
he moved with his family to Sewickley creek, that county. His first drUling
for oU was in 1861, on Dry run, Ohio, near Smith's Ferry, Pennsylvania,
for John Risher, a coal merchant of McKeesport. He also drilled wells on
Little Beaver and on the Brinker and Zimmerman farms near Greensburg,
Pennsylvania, being one of the first "wildcatters" in that section. Mr.
Doty, with his sons, came to OU City in the spring of 1868, and engaged in
contracting and drilling oil wells on Oil creek and in other localities in
Venango county, being actively engaged in this business until his death in
South OU City, January 25, 1881, Surviving are his widow and the fol
lowing named children: George "W. Doty, Bradford, Pennsylvania; Mrs.
John Bly, Porterfield, Pennsylvania; Mrs. George T. Nichols; Frank;
Samuel; James H. ; Charles E. ; Josephine, and Emma, all respected resi
dents of South Oil City. Josephine Doty was appointed postmistress of
South Oil City by President Cleveland, and assisted by her sister, Emma,
has discharged the duties of her office in the most acceptable manner. An
affectionate husband and parent, Joseph Doty was an exemplary citizen,
faithfuUy performing his duties in life to his God, his family, and fellow-
men. He was held in esteem accordingly in the community of which he was
so useful a member. Passing away at a ripe age, honored and loved by
family and friends, his life work faithfully performed, his memory is one
that they can well afford to cherish and hold as one of their dearest pos
sessions, Geoege T. Nichols, druggist, was born November 12, 1845, in Clarion
county, this state, and is a son of James C. and Prances (McDermitt)
Nichols, natives of Pennsylvania, of German and Irish extraction, respect
ively, Presbyterians in religious belief, and the parents of five children, four
of whom survive: Mary, Mrs. Thomas H. Hibben, of Latrobe, Westmoreland
county; George T. ; James O., a contractor residing in Topeka, Kansas, and
Joseph, a grocer of Portland, Oregon.
George T. Nichols received a common school education before the year
1860, when he began clerking in the di-ug store of J. G. Hammar at Latrobe,
Pennsylvania. After three years of diligent application to the duties as
signed him in this business he began moving from place to place, which
afforded him a varied and beneficial experience in dispensing drugs to dif
ferent classes of people, until 1864, when he came to Oil City and accepted
employment in the store of M. L. Porterfield, one of the earliest physicians
and druggists of Oil City. Within a brief period he changed to the employ
of John A. Christy, whose business was in the Third ward, and in 1865 took
full charge of the drug store of Christy, Phillips & Company, located on
Perry street, South Oil City, In 1868 he purchased Christy's one-third in
terest in the firm, the name was changed to Phillips, Vanausdall & Company,
and Mr. Nichols was assigned to the management of the business until 1877,
when he bought out Phillips and two years later became sole owner. The

870 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
firm of Phillips, Vanausdall & Company started a branch store where
our subject is now located in 1870, and this also fell into the possession of
Mr. Nichols in 1879. In 1883 he, after mature deliberation, concluded to
consolidate the two stores, consequently the stock of drugs was transferred
from the original to the branch store-room on State street, which he had
previously enlarged, and where he has since remained, doing a continually
increasing business in the line of drugs, patent medicines, oils, window glass,
wall paper, etc. He carries a stock valued at from six to eight thousand
dollars, which together with the ample building and ground upon which it
is located, is the reward of his individual labors and careful and frugal deal
ing. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary C. Doty, daughter of Joseph
Doty, and to this union have been born five children: Harry, Josephine,
George, Gertrude, and Bessie. Mr. Nichols was the second treasurer of
Venango borough, and has represented the Sixth ward in the city councU
for five years. He is a member of the A. O. U.W., K. O. T. M., K. of H, and
Royal Arcanum, and is a Republican.
Robert Colbert, physician and druggist, was born December 28, 1830,
in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, son of Isaac and Fannie (Ramsey) Col
bert, natives of Greene county, this state, and the parents of four children,
all of whom are living. The father was treasurer of Butler county, where
he settled in 1835, and was a hatter by trade. His son, Robert, was edu
cated in the common schools, at an academy, and at Witherspoon Institute
of Butler, where he completed all of the studies taught at that institution.
He taught several winter terms of school, and began the study of medicine
in 1855 under the able tuition of Doctors Leisure and Hamilton of New
Castle. He completed his studies at .Jefferson Medical College and during
his course took private lessons in anatomy under Doctor D. Hayes Agnew.
He began the practice of his chosen profession in 1857 at Emlenton, Penn
sylvania, with Doctor A. W. Crawford, which partnership lasted until Craw
ford was appointed and accepted the consulship to Antwerp. Doctor Colbert
practiced alone until 1863, when he removed to Oil City and prosecuted his
profession in connection with the drug business until he was appointed in
ternal revenue collector by Abraham Lincoln, and continued to discharge
the duties of that important office for over sixteen years. On retiring from
his official position he resumed his profession and opened his present drug
store in 1885. He has been a member of Oil City council and a school
director, is connected with the A. O. U. W., an elder of the Sec«nd Pres
byterian church of Oil City, and votes the Republican ticket. He was mar
ried to Miss Emma M. , daughter of J. B. Reynolds, and has five chUdren:
Harry, a book-keeper for the Lamberton Bank; Mary, the efficient organist
for the Second Presbyterian church; Nita, a teacher in the OUCity schools;
Walter, a clerk in his father's store, and Fannie A. His wife is also a mem
ber of the Second Presbyterian church.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 871
M. S. Simmons, di-uggist, was born in Sharon, Schoharie county. New
York, son of Severenus, a farmer and wool carder, and Catharine (Gasper)
Simmons, who were active members of the Dutch Reformed church. They
were the parents of three children. M. S. Simmons was educated in the
common schools, began his business life in wool carding and dressing cloth
for his father, and assumed control of this branch of the business of the
latter at the age of twenty-three years. He continued this for three years
and then opened up a mercantile store in Broome county, his native state.
After ten years of successful experience in this business he left there and
removed to Pithole City, where he remained until 1867, when he began the
drug trade in Petroleum Center. From there he removed in 1872 to Oil
City, where he has continued to merit a large patronage. His first marriage
occurred in 1850 to Miss AJmira Ball, by whom he had two children: Charles,
interested with his father in the di-ug store, and Minnie, a daughter removed
by death at an early age. His second marriage was to Permilla A. Carr and
to this union has been born one son, Clyde. Mr. Simmons was township
clerk while in Broome county. New York, and assistant postmaster for five
years up to the time of removing to this state. He is a member of the
Masonic order, a Republican in politics, and with his wife is a member of
Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees.
William H. Roth, proprietor of the National hotel, was born in 1841
in Buffalo, and came to Venango county in 1863. He began operating for
oU on the farm now owned by Mrs. McClintock in Cornplanter township, and
has continued in the oil business ever since. He began keeping the Simon
house in 1870, which was burned July 4th of that year. In 1871-72 he con
ducted the Central hotel on Elm street, in 1878-74, kept the Arcade hotel,
and in 1874-75, managed the Central hotel. He then connected the Cen
tral and National hotels, and kept them until 1879, when the Taylor house
was joined, forming what is now the National hotel, which he conducts in
a creditable manner. His parents, John G. and Wilhelmina A. (Mast)
Koth, were natives of Germany, emigrated to America about 1833, and set
tled in Buffalo, New York, where the father followed his profession — that of
school teacher and musician. They were blessed with twelve children,
eleven of whom grew up : Mary, married to John Schriner, and after his
death to a Mr. Brown; Catharine, married to John Hannyof Buffalo; Caro
line, married to WUliam Danna; Victoria, married to Lawrence Steadhelm;
W. H. ; John G. ; Esther, married to Jacob Lenhart; AmeHa, deceased;
Louisa, married to Perry Thayer; Charles P., an oil producer in Warren
county, and Henry. The father died in 1873, the mother in 1866, both
members of the Lutheran church. Our subject is a member of the K. of
M,, and is a stanch Republican.
William Dwyer, proprietor of a hotel and livery, was born December
16, 1840, in Ireland. His parents, John and Judith (Davern) Dwyer, were

872 history of venango county.
also natives of Ireland and had five children: Michael, deceased; Judith
residing in the old country; William; Bridget, married to E. Manning,
and John. The father died when our subject was quite young; Mrs. D-wyer
was married to Patrick Poland, by whom she had five children, and resides
in New York, where they settled in 1866. William Dwyer was educated
in the common schools of Ireland and emigrated to America about the year
1859. He worked from that time until 1862 on a dairy farm in central
New York. During the last mentioned year he enlisted in Company K,
One Hundred and Fourteenth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served
through all the battles with his company for three years. In 1864 he re
ceived a sun-stroke during the Red river campaign. On his return from
the war he engaged in working at the landing at Oil City, but soon after went
into the grocery business as one of the members of the firm of McCauley &
Company. After two years' successful business he sold out his interest and
built the New York brick hotel, which he has since conducted. In 1873 he
established a livery business in connection with his hotel. He was married
to Margaret McGuigan, of Buffalo, New York, and has eight children, all
of whom are living: John, William H. , Mary, James, Mertie, Maggie,
Joanna, and Daniel. He has been a member of the Oil City council almost
continuously since its incorporation, and was for three years chief engineer
of the fire department of the city. He is a member of the C. M. B. A., the
Catholic Knights, the U. V. L. , and the G. A. R. He cast his first vote
for Abraham Lincoln and has ever since been an unswerving Republican.
J. B. Reinbold, proprietor of the BeUevue hotel and livery stable, is a
native of France, born August 21, 1846. His parents, John B. and Mary
(Burghard) Reinbold were also natives of France and had six children, three
of whom are living : John B. , Louise, and Charles. The father died in his
native country; the mother came to Oil City in 1871 and lives with her son,
Charles. She is a consistent member of the Catholic church. Our subiect
was educated in the common schools and began for himself in a grocery and
bakery store in Allegheny City. He came to Oil City from France in 1869
and soon after went to Allegheny City as noted; in 1871 he returned to this
place and continued the same business on the south side until 1872, when he
turned it over to his brother, Charles. In that year he assumed charge of
the BeUevue hotel, leasing it until 1880 and subsequently buying it. Dur
ing the last mentioned year he established his extensive livery business in
connection with this house. He has been financially successful, and owns a
large farm in Cornplanter township, upon which he raises stock and feed.
He was married to Mary Saltzmann, daughter of J. J. Saltzmann, and has six
children: Bertha; Emma; Clara; Laura M. ; Mary, and John. He has been a
member of the Oil City council, was assessor of the city for two terms, and
is now president of the Oil City school board. He belongs to the I. 0. O F.
and the K. of H. , and in politics is a Democrat. He served five years in the
French army.

biographies of oil city. 873
Ludwig Mayer, wholesale liquor dealer, was born in Germany, and im
migrated to New York city, in 1857. He soon after engaged in the whole
sale fancy goods business in Maine, which he continued until 1859. After
one year's experience in North Carolina at the same occupation he returned
to Maine and continued the business until 1865, when he went to New York
city and was successful during his business career there. In 1872 he came
to Oil City and established a wholesale cigar and liquor business, which he
still continues. He has had good financial success, owns considerable real
estate in the limits of Oil City and vicinity, and is one of the worthy citi
zens of the place. He was married in 1871 to Rachel Schultz, a native of
Germany, by whom he has eight children: Solomon; Joseph; Sidney; Harry;
Mabel; Maud; Josephine, and Ludwig. He is a Republican in politics, a
member of the Masonic order, and with his wife belongs to the Hebrew
synagogue. C. H. Weaver, proprietor of the Exchange hotel, was born in Clarion
county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1866, to James and Sarah (Kapp)
Weaver who reside in that county, and have ten children. He received a
common school education and at the age of fourteen years began the trade
of brick laying in TitusviUe, where he remained three years, attending in
the meantime a commercial college at that place. Leaving TitusviUe he
went to Dubois and Kane, this state, and followed his trade at each of these
places. In 1888 he came to Oil City, worked at his trade until November
15th, when in partnership with C. F. Weaver he bought the Exchange hotel,
a brick structure with accommodations for fifty guests, and with bar-room
and bUliard hall. In October, 1889, he purchased the interest of C. P.
Weaver and is sole proprietor. He conducts the house at the rate of one
dollar and a half per day, and by close attention to business is meriting a
large and growing patronage.
Joseph Stubler, proprietor of the Union house, was born March 4^
1859, in Clarion county, this state, and is a son of George Stubler, who
came from Hungary to Clarion county in 1855, and kept hotel at Fryburg
untU 1861, when he came to OU City, erected the building and started the
Union house in 1863. He continued to conduct it untU 1876, when he
withdrew, and now resides in Clarion county. Under his management the
Union house became a very popular inn and a valuable property, he having
at a time been offered twenty-three thousand dollars for it. His son,
Joseph, received a common school education, and in 1882 began for him
self in his present occupation, soon afterward joining James McGuigan in
the livery business, and continuing the latter untU 1888. He married Miss
Lizzie Siegel of Clarion county. He has served as a member of the city
councU, belongs to the Catholic church, and is a Democrat.
Speague E. Hunt, deceased, was born July 17, 1829, in New Hamp
shire, and was one of ten chUdren: Warren, Sprague, Charles, Caroline,

874 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Emma, George, Monroe, Julia, Mary, and Henry G. Our subject received
a common school education, and began business for himself in the lumber
trade. He became an early resident of Oil City, where he was married April
3, 1878, to Helen L. Gaisford, daughter of John and Mary (Arders) Gais-
ford, natives of England, and the parents of eight children, four of whom
are living: Mrs. J. B. Stitt, of Oil City; J. C. ; Walter W., a traveling sales
man for Marshal, Kennedy & Company, and Helen L. Mr. Hunt kept
books for his brother, W. G. , in Warren for a time, and in 1874 he took
charge of the Central Avenue hotel, in South Oil City, which he conducted
successfully for five years, going thence to the United States hotel, where
he remained until 1881, when he located in the Commercial hotel, where
he died in October, 1887. One year later Mrs. Hunt became the o-wner of
this property, and manages the business in an efficient manner, so as to
merit a large patronage. Mr. Hunt served as baggage master in the war,
was an upright citizen, and a Democrat in politics.
William Loots, grocer and proprietor of the Petroleum hotel, was born
in Maryland, February 14, 1843, son of Isaac and Catharine (Eves) Loots,
natives of the same state, of German extraction and the parents of ten
children, six of whom are living: W. H ; Elizabeth; Susan; John; Charles,
and Amanda. The father is dead and the mother resides on the old home
stead in Woodsborough, Maryland, both having united with the Lutheran
church at an early period in their lives. Our subject was educated in the
common schools and was brought up at farming and brick making. In 1866
he began clerking in a hotel at Woodsborough for George W. Smith, re
maining with him until 1866, when he came to Oil City and engaged in the
restaurant business, subsequently adding to this a hotel and grocery which
he still continues with excellent success. During his residence in Oil City
he has developed some oil territory with his usual success. He is a member
of the gas and water companies, of the Oil City school board, a director of the
building and loan association, and a Democrat in politics. He was married
to Mrs. Sarah Garrett nee Downing, and has three children: Libbie, married
to B. R. Clickner of the Oil City Oil Exchange; Charles, and Hattie. Mrs.
Loots and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her
father, Nelies Downing, was born in Vermont and a son of James Downing
who is mentioned in connection with a sketch of J. D. Downing. Nelies
owned land in Cornplanter township, where he lived for over fifty years and
married Susan Winger, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Fry) Winger, who
settled at an early date near Siverly and were the parents of the following
children: Samuel; Solomon; Henry; Jeremiah; Josiah; William; Susan; Lu
cinda; Sarah J., and Mary. Of these, Henry, William, Lucinda (Mrs. Kiser
of Clarion county), and Mary (Mrs. McMurdy of Clarion county), are living,
Jeremiah and Josiah served in the Union army in the Rebellion; the former
died and was brought home and buried, while the latter never returned, and

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 875
it is not known what became of him. Nelies and Susan Downing were the
parents of seven children: Daniel, who was killed in the battle of the
Wilderness; Harriet, married to D. S. Kays; Sarah, Mrs. William Loots;
Nancy, who married Amos Smith; Lucinda, married to George Shingle
decker; Susan, who married L. B. Chipman; William, a driller in Russia.
Susan Downing died in the faith of the Lutheran church. Nelies was again
married to Mary Sleppy, and had two sons: John and Charles, both mar
ried, residing in Venango county and in Tennessee, respectively. Mr.
Downing died November 29, 1879, honored and respected by all who knew
him. His widow resides at Siverly. Mr. Loots is a gentleman of long
experience in his line and is well and favorably known for his upright,
honest methods and business enterprise and spares no pains and expense
fully to merit the very large and generous patronage that his industry and
fair dealing have secured.
J. D. Downing, proprietor of the Grand Central hotel, was born October
15, 1820, at Horse creek eddy, this county. His father, James Downing,
a native of Westmoreland county, was drafted while plowing, and took part
in Perry's famous victory on Lake Erie. About three months after that
engagement he, with his wife, Nancy, (whose maiden name was Nelies),
removed to the region of Oil creek, this county, and was soon after em
ployed at Bell's furnace, which was located near the site of the.Union depot of
OU City, and he also was for a number of years engaged in burning charcoal
for use at this furnace. He died in 1862, in the faith of the Methodist church,
and was the father of seven children: Daniel; Nelies; Isabella; James; Har
riet; J, D., and Catharine. William Nelies, father of Nancy (Nelies) Down
ing, was a soldier and spy in the Revolutionary army, settled near what is
known as Walnut Bend, Cornplanter township, at an early day, and was
the father of five childi-en: Andrew; James; Nancy; Isaiah, and William.
J. D. Downing received a common school education and was early employed
at a furnace. For years he was a raft pilot of a rafting boat, which was
used from Warren to Pittsburgh and over other parts of the Allegheny
river. September 28, 1850, he was married to Amelia Myers, and has six
children : John ; Willis C. ; James ; Nathan ; Alice, and George. Soon after this
important event he began keeping hotel at Shipman eddy, Warren county,
Pennsylvania, and three years later removed to Glade run in the same
county, whence he came to Oil City and kept the Union house, in the Third
ward, and took care of the driving park for three years. He subsequently
served as policeman and constable of Oil City, three and two years, respect
ively. About the year 1886 he bought lots and built the Grand Central
hotel, together with four other adjoining houses. He is a Democrat in
politics. His wife's parents, John and Mary (Hohn) Myers, who were
natives of Maryland and New York states, respectively, became residents of
Cranberry township early in its settlement, and had the following children:

876 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Sarah; Louisa; Jeremiah; John; Ephraim; Almira; Sophronia; Florena;
Leander, and Sylvester, all of whom are living except Ephraim and Lean
der, who lost their lives in the service in the Union army. Mr. Myers
erected one of the early grist mills at Bast Sandy and managed it in con
nection with a mercantile store at that place for many years. He and his
wife were members of the Methodist church.
Charles Reinbold, proprietor of the Perry house, was born in Alsace,
France, November 8, 1851, and came to the United States in 1870. He
was educated in the old country and there learned the confectioner's
trade, which he followed in this country some years and at various places.
From New York he came direct to Oil City and subsequently alternated
between this place, Chicago, New York, Youngstown, etc. , until 1885 —
sometimes in the bakery and at others in the hotel business. In the year
last named, associated with Daniel Hill, he bought the Perry house, and in
June, 1889, he purchased Mr. Hill's interest. Mr. Reinbold' s father died
in Alsace in 1863 at the age of forty-five or forty-six years. His mother,
with whom he now lives, came to America in 1872. She is sixty-nine years
¦old. J. B. Reinbold of this city is his brother. Another brother, Joseph,
died in the French marine service, and Jacob, a third brother, died in Cali
fornia in 1887.
J. H, Connor, proprietor of the Buffalo house, is a native of Rouse's
Point, New York, and was born January 25, 1856. He was educated at
the schools of Franklin, Pennsylvania, from which place he came to Oil City
in the autumn of 1869. Here he has been regularly identified with the
botel business. The Buffalo house was established first in 1864. In 1865
it bumed do-wn and was at once rebuUt. Mr. Connor and his partner pur
chased it from George Wooster in 1880, and Mr. Connor is now and has
been for several years sole proprietor. The Buffalo house is one of the best
arranged and well kept houses in the city. The sleeping apartments are
so appointed as to admit of an abundance of light, and fresh, pure air, and
the equipments in every department are ample and complete. The building
is two stories high, well designed, centrally located, and extends from Cen
ter to Sycamore streets with a main entrance at either end.
A. Gilbert, one of the proprietors of the City hotel, is a native of Clarion
county, this state, and was born November 22, 1858. He was educated at
the common schools, and has been, since arriving at maturity, almost con
stantly in hotel business. He came to Oil City in 1882 from Blair's Corners
and here for the succeeding two years had charge of the office of the hotel
of which he is now principal owner. In 1884 he transferred to the AUegheny
hotel at Foxburg, clerked there for about one year, and returned to this city.
Here he pursued his occupation in the City hotel, the Exchange, and the
Commercial in the order named until October, 1877, at which time, asso
ciated with D. P. Fritz, he purchased the popular City hotel. Mr. Gilbert

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 877
was married in his native county February 14, 1889, to Miss Ada Kohler, the
daughter of Amos Kohler, a farmer of Clarion county.
John J. Saltzmann, of Saltzmann & Sons, brewers, was born in Alsace,
France, March 7, 1828, and with his wife came to America in 1852. He
learned the brewing business in Alsace and has followed it most of his life.
In 1853 at Warren, Pennsylvania, he bought out a brewery, refitted and ran
it about ten years. In 1862 he came to Oil City, and on Charley run erected
a brewery establishment and conducted it about six years. He then for the
succeeding twelve years gave his attention to petroleum. As an oil producer
he was not so successfiU as he had been at producing beer. He therefore,
in 1881, erected a small brewery on Palace hill. This concern was destroyed
by fire in March, 1887, and the present more capacious establishment was
at once erected upon its site. It has now a capacity of about fifty
barrels per day and the consumption of the product attests its merited
popularity. Mr. and Mrs. Saltzmann have living two sons and two daugh
ters: Mary, Mrs. J. B. Reinbold of Oil City; Helen, Mrs. H. Kiser of St.
Louis; John J., Jr., and Albert, the two latter forming the junior members
of the firm of Saltzmann & Sons. Helen, who was born in Alsace, died en
route to America at the age of about twenty-one months, and Joseph died
aged about three months. Mr. Saltzmann is a member of the I. O. O. F. ,
and in politics is a Democrat. Helen Burghard Saltzmann, wife of our sub
ject, was bom in Sigalsheim, Alsace, France, May 10, 1829, Her father,
Joseph Burghard, was a miller in Alsace, where he spent his entire life,
Mrs. Saltzmann is the book-keeper and accountant for Saltzmann & Sons,
and the skiUful and expeditious manner in which she dispatches business
attest thorough training and much native ability.
John J. Saltzmann, Jr., was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, March 19,
1858. He was educated in Oil City, for some years followed the oil busi
ness, and now gives his entire attention to the brewery. He belongs to the
I 0. 0. F. and to the Knights of Maccabees. He was married in Oil City
Januaiy 25, 1887, to Miss Barbara Schwabenbaur, and has two chUdren :
John J., living; and Barbara, deceased.
Albert Saltzmann was born in OU City May 7, 1865. He was educated
at the common schools, and has since arriving at manhood devoted his time
to the brewing business. January 1, 1889, he was married at Franklin,
this county, to Miss Emma Brecht.
William McNaie, attorney, was born August 28, 1832, in Butler, But
ler county, Pennsylvania, son of General Robert and Jane (Beatty) McNair.
General Robert McNair was weU known in Butler county as a prominent
mUler and woolen manufacturer. WiUiam Beatty, the father of Mrs. Jane
McNair, served two creditable terms in congress. William McNair was
educated in Butler Academy. He taught school for two years, and helped
to survey the route of the proposed Northwestern railroad from New

878 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Castle to Blairsville. Subsequently he read law with General John N.
Purviance, who was one time auditor general of Pennsylvania. He was
admitted to the bar in 1856, began practice at Stevens' Point, Wisconsin,
and in 1865 located in Oil City, where he has continued active in his pro
fession, five years of which time he was in partnership with H. D. Hancock.
He was the candidate of his party for president judge of Venango county in
1888. He has been a delegate to state and national conventions, was attor
ney for what was once known as the Oil Creek railroad, and is local attor
ney for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad, attorney for the
Oil Well Supply Company, and has been attorney for the United Petroleum
Farms Association for twenty-three years. He has also been the attorney
for the Oil Exchange since its establishment, and is attorney for the First
National Bank of Oil City. He was married to Mary R., daughter of
Charles Backus of New York state, and has one son, W^illiam, who gradu
ated at Allegheny College, Meadville, in 1889. Mrs. McNair died July 3,
1889. Mr. McNair is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery in
the Masonic order, and is an unswerving Democrat.
Hugh C. Graham, attorney, was born in what is now Concord township,
Butler county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1832, the fifth of a family of eleven
children, of whom all grew to maturity and nine are yet living. The two
deceased were William L. and David H. The latter died from the effects
of a fever contracted while in the service of his country in the late Rebel
lion. Edward Graham, the father, was well and favorably known as aweU-
to-do farmer at the time of his death. Hugh C. Graham remained at home
assisting his father in the various labors incident to farm life until about
twenty years of age, receiving in the meantime such advantages as the dis
trict schools of his neighborhood afforded. At the age mentioned he deter
mined upon securing a thorough education, and giving up farm life entered
Witherspoon Institute, at Butler, Pennsylvania, where he acquired what
might be termed an academic education. In the spring of 1859 he regis
tered as a law student with John M. Thompson and remained tmder his
able tuition until admitted to the bar of Butler county, March 25, 1861.
In December of that year he formed a partnership with Charles McCand
less. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Himdred and
Thirty-Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and remained inactive service un
til mustered out with his regiment in June, 1863. He was married Octo
ber 11, 1864, to Augusta Carnahan, daughter of Robert Carnahan, de
ceased. To this union have been born the following children: Charles Ed
ward, born July 22, 1865, now in business in Oil City as a member of the
hardware firm of McKerrow, Graham & Company, and Sarah Carnahan,
born October 21, 1873, a member of the Senior class of the OU City high
school, which graduates in June, 1890. Mr. Graham removed with his

^Mfte^

e^x (^

BIOGRAPHIES OP OIL CITY. > 881
family to OU City in June, 1865, and has been successful in building ni^ a
lucrative business. He is a Republican in politics, and has always been an
active politician and an ardent advocate of the principles of his party. Dur
ing his residence in Oil City he has held the office of school director and
represented his ward in the city council during the years 1877 and 1878.
He has never been an office-seeker, never having asked for any office except
as member of the legislature, for which he was nominated by his party in
1886, but owing to the utter demoralization of the party that year in the
twenty- seventh congressional district, he was defeated. Mr. Graham is at
present and has been since its organization, a member of the board of man
agers of Grove Hill Cemetery Association, and since 1877 has been secretary
of the board. To him, as much, if not more than to any other member of
the board, is due the success that the cemetery has attained.
Isaac Ash, attorney, was born December 21, 1835, in Butler county,
Pennsylvania. His parents, Sylvester and Martha (Boggs) Ash, were also
natives of Butler county, and of Scotch-Irish extraction. The father of
Sylvester Ash carried maU overland from Pittsburgh to Erie city via Frank
lin, and died when Sylvester was quite young. The last named received a
good education, was a contractor and house builder, and died in 1881, fol
lowed by his widow in 1886. His chUdren were named as follows: Joseph,
a farmer in Butler county; Isaac; Robert, an oU producer in Allegheny
county; Elizabeth, married to Lewis Gants of Evans City, Butler county,
and James A. , residing on the old homestead in Butler county. The father
was a Baptist and was well and favorably kno-wn in the community where
he so long lived. His wife was a member of the United Presbyterian
church. Isaac Ash attended the common schools and to the duties of the,
farm untU the age of nineteen years, when he entered a select school at
Prospect, teaching subsequently five terms to secure the means to pay his
expense through a two years' course at the Butler Academy. He began
reading law in 1856 with Archibald Blakely of Butler, and was admitted to
the Butler county bar in 1858. After one year's practice he formed a part
nership with John M. Thompson, and after four years' experience he with
drew from the firm of Thompson & Ash. In 1864 he removed to Oil City,
and was admitted to Venango county bar November 28th of that year. He
has been very successful in his profession. The present partnership of Ash
& Carey was formed in 1884. He was the first attorney for Oil City, and in
1873, 1884, and to 1889, fiUed the same position. In 1889 he was appoint
ed by Governor James A. Beaver as one of the trustees of the insane hos
pital at Warren. He was married in 1672 to LuoyL., eldest daughter of
Doctor C. L. Martin of AUentown, Pennsylvania, and has had five children:
Charies M,, deceased; Lucy M. ; Martha M. ; Matilda S., and Isaac M. He
is an ardent Republican, aud himself and wife belong to the Episcopal
church, of which he has been vestryman since the year of his marriage.
49

882 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
J. B. McAllister, attorney at law, was bom AprU 24, 1833, in Perry
county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (Baughman)
McAllister, were natives of Lebanon and Cumberland counties, ttis state
respectively, and had eight chUdren: Jacob and Alexander, who died young;
Elizabeth, deceased; J. B. ; Alfred U, , a machinist of Logansport, Indiana;
WiUiam R. , a physician, who was drowned in the Wabash river at Logans-
port, Indiana, while crossing in a canoe to visit a patient under his care;
David A., a merchant at Mount HoUy, Cumberland county, this state, and
Calvin J., a practicing attorney at New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. J, B.
McAllister was educated in the common schools and at New Bloomfield
Academy, receiving at the latter able instruction under Matthew B. Patter
son. He read law with W. A. Spousler, of New Bloomfield, was admitted
to the bar in AprU, 1856, and in the faU of that year was elected district
attorney of Perry county, Pennsylvania. He recruited the Seventeenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry in 1862, was sworn in as captain, but commissioned
lieutenant colonel, and served nearly two years, untU discharged because of
disability. January 28, 1865, he located at OU City, where he has prac
ticed successfully ever since April 25th of that year, when he was admitted
to the Venango county bar. He was married December 8, 1858, to Marga
ret E. Rice, a native of Perry county, and daughter of John and Margaret
(Ickes) Rice. She died in 1870, and was the mother of four chUdren:
T. A., an attorney, practicing with his father; Margaretta E. ; Marie L.,
who married C. F. Bole, and John R. , a farmer in Alabama. Mrs. McAl
lister was a member of the Lutheran church. In 1873 he was married
again, to Emma Watson, a native of Niagara county. New York. He has
served as city attorney of Oil City, and was twice nominated by the Democratic
party for state senator for the district; the same giving Hartranft fifteen
hundred Republican majority, gave Mr. McAllister's opponent only forty-
four majority. He is a member of the Masonic order. Perseverance Lodge,
No. 21, at Harrisburg, and he belongs to the Knights of Honor of Oil
City. W'lLLis J. Hulings, attorney, was born July 1, 1850, in Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, son of Marcus and Margaret (McElwee) Hulings, and the oldest
of a family of eleven chUdren: Willis J. ; Forest, (who was admitted to the
bar in 1882 and died in 1886); Arthur A. ; Margaretta; Adda M. ; Howard,
and Wade H. ; the others died in infancy. Marcus Hulings was a contractor
and builder for several years prior to 1860, when he entered the petroleum
business, in which his native force of character and remarkable energy
rapidly gave him leading prominence.
WiUis J. received an academic and legal education. Fitting himself for
admission to the bar in New York city under the tuition of Frederick A,
Ward, he came to Venango county and prosecuted his studies under the in
structions of Calvin W. GUfiUan, and was admitted in March, 1877, and

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 883
practiced his profession for several years. Having a natural taste for politics
hewas elected as a Republican to the state legislature, and twice re-elected
as a member of that body, and served with credit and ability. He intro
duced the bills in these sessions prohibiting railroad discriminations, and
became known as one of the strongest debaters on the floor. He is largely
engaged in mining and in the lumber business. He was married in 1874
to Emma G. Simpson of Brooklyn, New York, and has nine children. He and
his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian church of South Oil City.
He is colonel of the Sixteenth regiment. National Guard of Pennsylvania.
F. W. Hays, attorney and member of the legislature from Venango
county was born March 17, 1842, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, son of
Joseph C. Hays, He was educated in Allegheny College, from which insti
tution he graduated in 1861. He began the study of law in 1868 under the
able tuition of Derrickson & Brawley at Meadville and was admitted to the
Crawford county bar in September, 1870, and to the Venango county bar
in October foUowing. He at once entered upon the practice of his chosen
profession, and like all who love their vocation, has been remarkably suc
cessful. He was solicitor of Oil City from 1874 to 1884, was appointed
notary public in 1871, and held that position until elected by the Republicans
to the legislature in 1888. He is at present solicitor for the building and
loan associations of Oil City, and has been from their inception. He
was married to Miss Lizzie Lashells of MeadvUle, Pennsylvania. He is a
member of the Masonic order, and with his wife belongs to the First Pres
byterian church, of which he is a ruling elder.
H. D. Hancock, attorney, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania,
February 9, 1850, and^s a son of W'Uliam and Elizabeth (Denison) Han
cock, the parents of nine chUdren. He received his education at Wyoming
Seminary, Kingston, Lewisburg Academy, and the United States Naval Acad
emy at Annapolis. During the year 1871 he was principal of the Venango
schools of South Oil City. In 1869 he began the study of law under the in
structions of J. D. Hancock of Franklin, and subsequently studied under
J. B. McAllister of OU City. He was admitted to the Venango county bar
in 1872, and has continued the practice of his profession, having gained for
himself the reputation of being one of the ablest members of the fraternity
in northwestern Pennsylvania. He was attorney for the United Pipe Lines
from 1881 to 1884, was elected mayor of Oil City in 1878, and served two
terms as a member of the Oil City school board. In politics he is a Demo
crat. LuMAN Stephens, city recorder of Oil City, was born at Cooperstown,
New York, November 6, 1826, and is a son of Luman and Jane (Hill) Stephens,
natives of Connecticut and New York, and of English and German descent,
respectively. The family came into Pennsylvania when the subject of this
sketch was ui his fourth or fifth year, settled in Tioga county, and there the

884 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
father and mother spent the remainder of their lives. They reared two
sons; the younger, Loman, died in Missouri in 1881. Luman Stephens
was educated at Union Academy, Tioga county, and at the age of twenty-
one began the study of law at Knoxville, this state. In 1852 he was ad
mitted to the bar, and began at once the practice of law. In July, 1862, he
enlisted as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty- Sixth Penn
sylvania Volunteers, a nine months' regiment; he served out his term, came
home, raised Company G, Thirty-Fifth Pennsylvania MUitia, became its
captain, and remained in the army during the caU for troops in Pennsyl
vania. This company, soon after organization, was mustered into the
United States service and formed a part of the army detaUed to hold the
territory taken from the enemy in Maryland. With the One Hundred and
Thirty-Sixth regiment Mr. Stephens participated in the battles of Frederick
City, South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellors-viUe, and Fredericksburg.
Leaving the army he returned to Knox-viUe and to the practice of the law.
In 1869 he located at RouseviUe, was admitted to the Venango county bar
November 28, 1870, and was in the law business until 1874. In the early
part of the last named year he moved to OU City. Here he practiced his
profession untU elected recorder in 1885. He has always been an ardent
Democrat, and although the city is Republican by upward of three hun
dred, Mr. Stephens was elected recorder by a majority of thirty-five.
In 1888 he was the Democratic nominee for the legislature, and whUe
the county is largely Republican, he was defeated by only a small majority.
Mr. Stephens was married at Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1848,
to Miss EmmeUne Sawyer, who lived only a few years thereafter. In 1860
he married his second -wife, Mary Cosgrove, at Knoxville, and she died in
1872. The present Mrs. Stephens was Miss Fanny Sikes, whom he mar
ried at RouseviUe in 1874. By his second marriage Mr. Stephens had two
children: Frances, now Mrs. W. E. Bolton, and EmmeUne Veto, the wife
of Mr. James T. Riley. The family are identified with the United Presby
terian church, and Mr. Stephens is a member of the G. A. R.
Harley W. Fishek, attorney, is a native of Venango county. He re
ceived his education in the OU City high school and at CorneU University,
Ithaca, New York. He read law under H. D. Hancock, and was admitted
to the Venango county bar August 27, 1883^ from which time he has con
tinued to practice in Oil City on his own responsibility -with the success that
usually comes to a person who loves his profession and sticks to it with te
nacity. Hewas employed about one year in the solicitor's department of the
United Pipe Lines, since merged into the National Transit Company, leav
ing this to enter actively upon his profession.
John L. Mattox, attorney, was born July 15, 1859, in Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, son of Thomas C. and Huldah (Leyde) Mattox. The father
died in the service of his country, as a member of the Two Hundred and

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY, 885
Twelfth regiment. Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. His widow was
again married to James Burns, John L. Mattox was educated in the Mercer
Soldiers' Orphans' School and at Westminster College, New Wilmington,
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, being graduated from the latter institution
in 1883. Following this he taught school, and for four years was principal
of the PleasantvUle schools in this county. He registered as a law student
in 1885 at Franklin, under J. W. Lee, and at times read law in connection
-with his teaching at Pleasantville under C. W. Benedict. In 1888 he en
tered actively upon the study of law under P. "W. Hays, and August 26,
1889, was admitted to the bar. He is a member of Seneca Lodge, No. 519,
I. 0. 0. P., Eureka council of the Royal Arcanum, and Pleasantville Tent,
K. 0. T. M., at Pleasantville. He was married to Carrie L. Henderson,
daughter of D. W. Henderson, cashier of the Pleasantville Bank, September
30, 1885.
Thomas R. Cowell, merchant tailor, was bom October 23, 1838, in Dub
lin, Ireland. His father, Richard Cowell, was an officer in an East India
regiment, and was killed by falling from his horse in 1840. The mother of
our subject died in 1889. From this time he was reared by his uncle.
Doctor J. W. Cowell, with whom he came to America in 1844. He learned
the art of cutting with Develin & Company of New York city, and at the
breaking out of the war enlisted in Company H, Seventy-First New York
State MUitia, and served four months. Immediately after being mustered
out he returned to New York city and in April, 1862, was employed by G.
C, Porter as a cutter in Meadville, this state. Two years later he became
the partner of Mr. Porter and remained as such until 1868, when he came
to Oil City where he has since remained and has built up a large trade in
the merchant tailoring department, gents' furnishing goods, furs, etc. He
was a member of the Oil City council two terms and from 1887 to 1888 was
mayor of the city. He is the treasurer of the chapter of Royal Arch Masons
of Oil City, also treasm-er of Petrolia Lodge, No. 363, and a member of
Talbot commandery, of which he was eminent commander for six terms in
succession. He also belongs to the K. of H. and K. of M. societies, is past
commander of G. A. R. Post, No. 168, and a member of the Episcopal
church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is interested with Ludwig Mayer
in a considerable amount of city real estate and is one of the enterprising
citizens of Oil City.
Gustavus C. Breitschuh, merchant tailor, was born in Prussia, Septem
ber 13, 1852, and in 1867, accompanied by his mother, came to America.
His father, August Breitschuh, a tailor by trade, came to the United States
in 1866, and resided in Oil City tmtil 1884, when he removed to Detroit,
Michigan. He also was born in Prussia, there married Charlotte Hensel,
and by her reared five sons and one daughter,' all of whom except Gustavus
and Charles are in Detroit. Gustavus was educated in the old country and

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
there learned his trade of tailor. In OU City from 1867 to 1886 he worked
for various parties, and in the latter year began business for himself on First
street. Since April 1, 1887, he has been located at the south end of Petro
leum bridge in South OU City. Mr. Breitschuh is an Odd Fellow, a Knight
of Pythias, and a Knight of Maccabees. He was married in this city, March
6, 1880, to Miss Anna Reading, a native of Philadelphia, and has one
child, a daughter, Frances. His wife is a member of the Episcopal church,
while he belongs to the Lutheran church, and is a Democrat. His brother,
Charles, learned the trade of tailor in his native country, came with the fam
ily to America, and after working at various places in Oil City, he, in 1887,
joined his brother in his present business. He is a member of the Knights
of the Maccabees, the Lutheran church, and a Democrat. He was married
in 1880 to Miss Annie Reynolds, by whom he has five chUdren: Mollie;
Otto; Charlotte; Charles, and Gustavus. His wife also belongs to the
Lutheran church.
Jacob R. Young, dairyman, was born September 10, 1829, in Yates
county. New York. His parents, Abraham and Blmira Young, had nine
children: Elihu; Betsey; Hepsey; Edmund; Jacob R. ; Phear; Hannah J. ;
Zebulau, and Elmira. The father was a farmer, and died December 28,
1885. His first wife died in 1837, and he was again married to Miss Sa
mantha Reed, by whom he had four children: Abraham; Lucy; Watson,
and Cornelius. The mother of the last named children is now residing in
Ontario county, New York, where Abraham died young. He was an earnest
Methodist, and his home was the rendezvous of Methodist ministers for
many years. Our subject was educated in the common schools and at an
academy in Steuben county. New York. After teaching thirty-three terms
of school in New York and Michigan, he was employed as freight agent on
the Delaware division of the Erie railroad at Coshocton, New York, during
which connection he held various positions with that company, such as
freight conductor and tallyman of freight. He was subsequently yard-mas
ter, freight and ticket agent at Meadville, and in 1870 came to Oil City and
acted as freight reporter for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail
way Company for six years. In 1876 he established his present dairy
business, the first in Oil City. He also opened up a merchant tailoring es
tablishment, which is now conducted by his son. He was married in 1852
to Mary Renwick, of Allegany county. New York, who died in 1854. His
second marriage occurred September 2, 1855, to Amelia A. Simonds, born
December 26, 1826, daughter of James and Mary (Hungerford) Simonds,
and they have the foUowing children: Mary P., who is married to William
Boucher, and resides in Colorado; John, a clothier; Bumice A., wifeof
John H. Gross, a broker of Pittsburgh, and Carlton A., at home. James
Simonds was bom in 1788 id Massachusetts, and died October 10, 1873.
His wife, Mary H., was born November 8, 1786, and died August 10, 1854.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 887
Their children were: Mary, who died young; Cordelia L. , married to
Leonard E. Dennison, of Livingston county. New York, and Amelia A.
Mr. and Mrs. Simonds were active in the interests of the Presbyterian
church. In 1871 Mr. Young located in his present residence, on the site
where the first celebration of the Declaration of Independence was held by
the citizens of Oil City in the year 1864. He is a Republican, and with his
wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. P. Keen, so^e proprietor of Kern & Company, wholesale grocers, flour
and feed merchants, was born July 2, 1844, in Franklin county, Pennsyl
vania, son of Andrew and Nancy (Toms) Kern, natives of Germany and
Franklin county, respectively. The father came to Pennsylvania in 1830
and resided in Franklin county until 1850, when he went to Logan, Ohio,
remained there until *1868, when he removed to Kansas. In 1877 he
bought a farm near Oil City. There he now resides, being in the business
of producing oil. J. P. Kern lived with his father in Logan, Ohio, until
September 10, 1861, when in his seventeenth year he enlisted in Company
D, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years as priyate. The
regiment went to Camp Dennisson to organize, and on September 20th went
from Camp Dennisson by rail to Lexington, Kentucky, and from thence
marched to AVild Cat Gap, and on October 20tb, was in the battle of Wild
Cat, wherein the Confederate general ZoUicoffer was hpaded off and driven
back, after which during his term of service he participated with his regi
ment in the following battles: Mill Springs, Kentucky, January 19, 1862;
Corinth, Mississippi, May 17, 1862; PerrysviUe, Kentucky, October 8, 1862;
Stone River, Tennessee, December 30, 1862, and January 3, 1863; Chicka
mauga, Georgia, September 19 and 20, 1868, in which battle, on Sunday,
the 20th, he was seriously wounded by a bullet through the left knee; he
lay where he fell from the Sunday he was wounded until the following Sun
day, when he with others (who were too seriously wounded to be carried off
bythe Confederates to prison) was gathered in to Crawfish Springs, where
he was held until ambulances from the Union army were allowed to go into
the Confederate lines for the wounded, who were all then paroled and taken
into Chattanooga, from thence to NashviUe hospitals, where he remained
untU he was able to go home to Logan, Ohio, on a thirty-day furlough.
At the expiration of his furlough he was ordered to the camp of paroled
prisoners in Camp Chase, near Columbus, where after several months, he
was declared exchanged, and in August, 1864, was discharged from the
army from "disability, caused by gunshot through left knee," received in
battle, from whence he returned to Logan, Ohio, and in May, 1865, landed
in Franklin, Pennsylvania, and remained there for about six months, when
he came to Oil City, and went into the employ of J. A. Dewar & Company,
flour and feed merchants. In 1867 he made his first venture in business
for himself by opening up a retail grocery store, which he continued untU

888 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1868, when he and two partners embarked in the flour and feed business in
his present location, to which business he has added wholesale groceries,
and is now sole and only proprietor. He has an extensive business within
a radius of fifty miles, has siding that places cars within four feet of his
store door, so that in receiving his goods in carload lots he handles them
with very little expense. He was married in April, 1867, to Margret E.
Turner, and has two children living: George, fifteen, and Willie, eight years
of age. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of'William Downing
Post, G. A. R. , of which he is quartermaster. Heis and always has been
a Republican; himself, wife, and son George are members of Trinity Meth
odist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the board of trustees.
A. W. Alsbaugh, proprietor of a wholesale feed, fiour, and grocery estab
lishment, was born June 17, 1835, in what is now* Clarion, then Venango
county, son of George and Elizabeth (Kaufmen) Alsbaugh, natives of Penn
sylvania and of German extraction. His parents settled in Venango county
about the year 1826, buying land at that time five miles west of Shippen
ville, and some ten years later removing to the northern part of Clarion
county, near the Clarion river, where the village of Scotch Hill is now lo
cated and where the father purchased land and carried on farming in con
nection with lumbering and merchandising. Here the father died in 1880
and the mother in 1889. Their children were named as follows: David, who
lives on the old place; Rachel, married to P.Fitzgerald; Samuel J., deceased;
John, deceased, who was a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-Ninth
Pennsylvania Volunteers; George W. , who lives in Clarion county; A. W. ;
Levi P. , deceased, who was also in the One Hundred and Sixty-Ninth Penn
sylvania Volunteers; and Oliver P., residing in Clearfield county, who was
a member of Company E, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves. The parents were
members of the Protestant Methodist church. Our subject was educated in
the common schools and brought up on a farm till the age of eighteen, when
he was employed as a clerk in his father's store at Scotch Hill, Clarion
county, for six years. He then conducted a store on his own resources for
two years, sold the same, and engaged in oil production and lumber
ing for two years, after which he re-entered the store for a period. In
1869 he came to Oil City and became a member of the firm of Benn, Kern
& Company, later Kern & Alsbaugh, with whom he remained until 1885,
when he withdrew and went into his present business. He was married
October 24, 1876, to Vinnie Cribbs, daughter of Henry and Caroline Cribbs.
He is now a member of the city council, was one term one of the assessors
of Oil City, and has been connected with the school board. He belongs to
the Masonic order, the E. A. C, , and the K. O. T. M. , and is a Republican.
W. B. Magee, dealer in fiour and feed, was born in Butler county, Penn
sylvania, November 3, 1806, son of James and Jane (Boyle) Magee, natives
of Ireland who emigrated to America in 1794 and 1795, respectively, and

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 889
were married in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where they remained until
the latter part of 1795, when they removed to Pittsburgh. While there
Mr. Magee was offered fifty acres of land that is now in the very heart of
that great city for a horse and saddle, but refused this tempting offer which
wotdd have proven a fortune to him. He was finally pursuaded by Gen
eral Robinson to locate on one hundred acres in Butler county, where he
reared thirteen children: Isabella; Mary A. ; Elizabeth; Robert; Rebecca;
WiUiam B. ; George H ; Jane; Susanna; Lucinda; Margaret; James, and
John. Of these W. B. , John, and Lucinda (Mrs. James Boggs) are living.
The father died in 1854 and his widow in 1864. They were the grand par
ents of seventy-two chUdren, and were strict members of the Reformed
Presbyterian church. W. B. Magee received his education in the subscrip
tion schools of the period. At the early age of nineteen years he began
to leam the tanner's trade in Westmoreland county, which he followed for
six years, and then pursued his trade on his own responsibility in a tannery
located on his father's farm in Butler county. In 1836 he engaged in the
grocery business in Allegheny City and continued with good success until
the fall of 1859, when he came to Venango county and drilled the second
oU well in a neighborhood about seven miles below Franklin along the Alle
gheny river. He subsequently became interested in a number of oil wells
along OU creek, and has never ceased to invest in the production of oil. In
1876 he commenced dealing in flour and feed and has been successful. ' He
was married May 3, 1880, to Leticia A. Hamilton, daughter of William and
Margaret (Alexander) Hamilton and by her has had nine children: Jane,
married to John Love; Hugh, deceased; James, who married Fanny Robin
son; Martha, who was killed by being thrown from a buggy; Anna B., de
ceased; Mary A., married to Joseph P. Orr; William J., who married Ra
chel Edmonds; Robert B., who married Fannie Fouquet, and George H.,
who married Jennie Sproule. Mr. Magee served as school and bank direct
or whUe in Allegheny City. He became identified with the Reformed
Presbyterian church at the early age of thirteen years and with his wife
stUl adheres to that organization with the tenacity of true Christians. He
is one of the oldest and most respected citizens in this county, and has al
ways been a strong supporter of the Republican party.
Chaeles Metz, grocer, flour and feed merchant, was born July 19, 1835,
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John L. and Mary
(Orin) Metz, natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland, respectively, both of whom
are dead, and wha had two children, John and Charles. The last named
was educated in the common schools and began for himself in 1860 in a
confectionery store. In 1861 he and a friend, T. K. Humphrey, rode a
horse from Franklin to Warren, Pennsylvania, where they enlisted as pri
vate soldiers in Company D, of what was known as the Bucktail regiment,
nnder Captain Stone. The company at once went by boat to Pittsburgh,

890 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg, thence to Washington, where Mr.
Metz went into active service for a period of three years and three months.
During the thirty-two battles he participated in he was but once hit with a
minie ball, which cut off a part of the hair of his head. On his retum
from service he worked a short time at Pittsburgh as a stone mason under
his father, who had followed the vocation for twelve years in that city, build
ing, during that period, a suspension bridge across the Allegheny river.
Our subject came to Oil City again in 1865 and drilled fifteen wells along
Oil creek, after which he went to Pleasantville and conducted a news stand
with McPhan & Arnold for nine months, selling at the end of that period
and returning to Oil City. He soon after leased the island wells, shut off
the water, and pumped from them one hundred and fifty barrels per day for
one year. He then put down a number of wells, and later on purchased
what are known as the Frothingham wells, which he still owns. He began
the grocery business in 1875, and carries a general line of groceries, flom-,
and feed. He was married in 1870 to Amanda Eckman, a native of Arm
strong county, Pennsylvania, and by this union has two chUdren: Mary M.
and Edward M. He has been school director of Oil City for six years. He
is a member of the A. O. U. W. , of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church,
of Evans Post, G. A. R., and of the K. of L., No. 207. In poUtics he is a
Democrat. His residence is in the Sixth ward. No. 805 East Third street.
South OU City.
Joseph P. Ore, an enterprising and deservedly popular grocery mer
chant of South Oil City, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, May
24, 1839. His father, John Orr, an architect and builder during his life
time, was one of the pioneers of Allegheny City. He died in 1876 at the
age of eighty-three years. His widow, whose maiden name was Prances
Rogers, died in lS86 at the age of eighty-one years. The two old people
were originally from Ireland, having sailed for America the day following
their marriage. They reared a family of five children to maturity, and
buried five in infancy. Joseph P. was the third son in order of birth. He
was educated at the common schools, lea;rned the watchmaker's trade, and
was in the jewelry business in Allegheny at the outbreak of the Rebellion,
At Pittsburgh, in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-First Penn
sylvania Volunteers, and served two years and ten months, being discharged
from the service at that time on account of a gunshot wound received at the
battle of Fair Oaks. During the period of his service he participated in the
battles at Falmouth, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg) Fair Oaks, Mal
vern Hill, etc. He was wounded at W^illiamsburg, Fair Oaks, and Malvern
Hill, the one received at Fair Oaks leading to his discharge fi'om the army
via the hospital at Philadelphia. Returning to Allegheny he engaged in
business for about one year, and in 1864 came to OU City from Marietta,
Ohio, where he had spent a few months in the oil trade. Here he was the

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 891
second man to engage in the jewelry business, and he followed it until the big
fire in 1866, which destroyed his stock. After a few months in the stave
business he, in 1 875, moved to the West, and remained about thirteen years,
employed variously at farming, coal operating, dairy business, etc. In Sep
tember, 1888, he returned to Oil City and embarked in his present enter
prise. Mr. Orr was one of the organizers of the G. A. R. post at this place
and subsequently filled the various offices of the order. He is a Republican
in politics, a member of the United Presbyterian church, and of the A. O.
U. W. . He was married in AUegheny City in 1863 to Miss Mary B. Magee,
daughter of Esquire William B. Magee.
L. D. Geant, grocer, was born in Butler county, this state, November
18, 1839, and is a son of James and Nancy (Sloan) Grant, natives of the
same county. The father died in 1841 and the mother in 1854. Their
chUdren were eight in number, four of whom are living: W' illiam, residing
on the old homestead in Butler county; Robert, a farmer of the same
county; Margaret, widow of Jonathan Cornelius, who was drowned acci
dentally in the AUegheny river, his two brothers-in-law, Alexander and James
Grant, having escaped from the same sad fate, they being at the time with
him in the canoe when it capsized; and L. D. Mrs. Cornelius resides
on a farm near Utica, Pennsylvania. The parents were members of the
Presbyterian church. Our subject received a common school education and
began for himself in the oil business in Venango county in 1861. In
1868 he began manufacturing lumber along the Clarion river and continued
it for five years. He was also in the oil business from the last mentioned
date up to May, 1887, when he opened a grocery, feed, and general notion
store on what is known as the Clapp farm in the northern part of Oil City,
and is domg a good business. He was married in 1860 to Jane Masters
of Forest county, widow of Charles Masters. She is a daughter of William
Swartz and was bom in Kittanning, Armstrong county. To this union have
been born ten children: Ulysses; Sarah J. ; Alexander; Charles; Nellie;
Daisy; Harry; Alonzo; Catharine, deceased, and James, deceased. Mr. Grant
is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of L. , and with
his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
G. G. and T. A, McCracken, proprietors of the People's Tea Company,
OU City, are natives of Crawford county and are sons of George McCracken,
who came from Scotland in 1851 and lived many years in Ohio, where he
carried on the tanning business. He died in this city March 2, 1889, aged
seventy-four years. His wife was a McFeeters and her ancestors were also
Scotch. The five sons reared by Mr. McCracken are now all residents of
Oil City and connected with the People's Tea Company. This company
began business April 13, 1889, and is the only concem of the kind in this
city. Its location is No. 79 Spring street— Opera House block. The par
ticular attraction of the house is the novelty of its business method. Teas,

892 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
coffee, baking powder, and other goods are sold at standard prices and with
every sale they give the purchaser a commutation check representing a cer
tain value. The patrons of this company are not limited to Oil City, their
business extending throughout the surrounding county and penetrating the
cities and towns of other counties and states. George McCracken was born
April 3, 1864, educated at the public schools, and began life as a clerk in a
clothing house, going later into a grocery store at Erie, whence he came into
the tea company. His wife, to whom he was married May 15, 1888, was
Miss Olive Von Scott of Pittsburgh. T. A. McCracken was born in August,
1862, and has spent most of his business life as a commercial traveler.
George Porter was born in County Armagh, Ireland. His parents,
James Porter and Rachel Alexander, his wife, were descendants of that
noble band of Christians, the Scotch Covenanters, who settled in the North
of Ireland. James Porter was one of a family of ten sons (three of whom
married three sisters, the Misses Alexander). His vocation was that of a
farmer, and he died about eighteen years ago at the family homestead in
Ireland, where his widow still resides. He was the father of four sons and
two daughters. George, his youngest son, was reared in the strict doctrines
of the Covenanter church, and enjoyed the best educational advantages
which could be procured in a country district. At the early age of fourteen,
having conceived the idea of marking out his own career, he came to the
United States, under the care of his kinsman, David Gregg, who was return
ing to Pittsburgh, where he had amassed a large fortune in the mercantile
business. Mr. Porter went immediately to the home of his cousin, a mer
chant in Beaver county, where he remained for several years assisting in his
store. In 1864 he came to Oil City, then booming with the oil excitement,
and obtained a position as clerk in the hardware store of Robson & Com
pany, then one of the largest and wealthiest firms in the oil regions. One
year after he was taken into the firm as junior partner and manager. A
few months after this advance in his prospects, the destructive fire which
laid the infant city in ashes occurred, and Robson' s store with its extensive
stock vvas entirely destroyed, Mr, Porter losing in the conflagration all the
means which by economy and strict attention to business he had acquired.
With the indomitable energy which characterized the fathers of the city, the
business portion of the town was speedUy rebuilt, Mr. Porter being one of
the first to help organize the volunteer fire department of the city. For
years this company did good service in the many fires which occurred, sav
ing much valuable property for their neighbors, expecting and receiving no
remuneration. The senior partner and principal capitalist of the firm of
Robson & Company, Charles Robson, resided in Cincinnati; the second part
ner, Frederick Geigle, was engaged constantly in the machine department
connected with the store, and as Mr. Robson only visited Oil City once
a year for a few weeks at a time, the entire management of the financial in-

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 893
terests of the firm devolved^on the young partner. Securing trade, collect
ing bills, etc. , were matters which required great tact and firmness in a
business which depended entirely on speculative custom and patrons who
were rich ono week and poor the next. Honorable, generous, and fearless
in all his dealings, he was in the absence of the senior partner practically
the head of the firm in everything that required executive ability and busi
ness enterprise. Devoted to his business, he managed its interests with un
tiring energy, and the firm bf Robson & Company was for years one of the
most successful in the oil regions. During this period Mr. Porter was mar
ried to Miss Katie Thropp, daughter of Isaiah Thropp, merchant, of Valley
Forge, who like her sister (Mrs. M. E. Cone) had commenced to write for
the press in childhood and has attained considerable literary reputation.
Two daughters have been born to them: Katherine A. and Caroline V.
Porter. In 1874 the firm of Robson & Company having been dissolved, Mr.
Porter entered the oil business in Butler county, in this state, in partnership
with R. M. Waugh, the new firm being known as Waugh & Porter. His
efforts in this new field were crowned with success, and he was one of the
owners of the Great Leather well, which opened up considerable territory.
When oil was discovered in McKean county, he removed thither, and for
some years experienced the vicissitudes of the oil business, and the hard
ships of a pioneer in that bleak mountain region. Having thoroughly mas
tered all the details of field work, he conducted his new business with his
usual enterprise, until, owing to the depressed state of the oil business the
shut-down movement was inaugurated by the producers, the firm of Waugh
& Porter stopped drilling, although stiU retaining their field interests. Mr.
Porter then obtained a position in the fuel department of the Standard
OU Company, and for the last three years has traveled extensively in the
northeastern and western part of the United States in the interests of that
company. He is now engaged in superintending their field work in the
neighborhood of Oil City. Mr. Porter is a member of the Second Presby
terian church of Oil City, in politics he is a stanch Republican, and while
no aspirant for political honors himself, has always worked zealously in the
interests of his party to get the right man elected in the right place. Por
twenty years he has been a member of Petrolia lodge in Oil City, and has
assisted the brethren in many an unostentations act of charity known to the
great Master above. Such is a brief sketch of a representative, self-made
man, one of OU City's pioneers, who, by their untiring industry, ability and
persArerance through many vicissitudes, have contributed in no small de
gree to the steady growth and prosperity of the city.
John Richard Steele, commander of Grand Army Post, No. 485, South
OU City, is a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, a son of the late Stephen
B. Steele, and was born November 29, 1848. He was educated at Mount
Jackson, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and pursued his studies for a

894 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
time with a view to the medical profession. In 1864, at the age of fifteen
he enlisted as a private soldier in Company if, Seventy-Seventh Pennsyl
vania Volunteers, and served about one year. The command to which he
was attached formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland. His closing
service was with the army sent to occupy Texas in 1865. The Seventy-
Seventh Pennsylvania was commanded by the distinguished Colonel Rose,
who engineered the celebrated tunnel excavation and escape from Libby
prison. Returning from the army, Mr. Steele located at Youngstown, Ohio,
and learned the tinner trade. After working as a journeyman for some
years he engaged in business for himself at Bluffton, Ohio, going from
there to Cleveland, New Castle, and finally, in April, 1877, he came to Oil
City. Here he started the first permanent hardware store established on the
south side. Mr. Steele is now the head of the firm of J. R. Steele & Com
pany, dealers in general hardware, stoves, etc. He was one of the organ
izers of G. A. R. Post, No. 435, has held office therein from its inception,
and in 1888 was chosen commander. He is also prominent in the A. 0. U. W.
(being one of the select knights of that order), and in the Knights of Mac
cabees. In 1877 he was elected as a Republican to the select council, and
is now representing the Fifth ward in that body.
At New Castle, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1877, Mr. Steele was married
to Miss Edith P. Douthett, daughter of Joseph Douthett, and to this union
have been born three children : Regina A. ; Richa;rd Kenith, who died at
the age of two years, and Helen P. Mr. and Mrs. Steele are members of
the Presbyterian church. Stephen D. Steele was a native of Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, and there died in 1852 at the age of twenty-seven
years. His widow subsequently married a Mr. Gates, and now resides at
Morenci, Michigan. Of his two sons, John R. forms the subject of this
sketch, and William H. , the youngest, is a manufacturer in Atchison,
Kansas. Feed N. Chambers, successor to I. B. Jacobs, hardware merchant, was
bom in Tidioute, Warren county, this state, July 10, 1861, and is a son of
Wesley Chambers. He was educated at Oil City and Allegheny College,
Meadville. About the year 1882 he began clerking in the hardware store of
George Ross, whose business was in the room now occupied by J. J. Fisher
in the same line. He was subsequently a member of the firm of Steele,
Hoskins & Chambers for two years, their hardware store being in South OU
City. March 14, 1888, he became the owner of his present business, and is
one of the leading business men of Oil City. He is also a stockholder in
the OU City Tube Works. He married Bertha L. Williams of WeUsviUe,
New York, a relative of the late William S. Garvin, a veteran editor and
well-known public man of Mercer county, and the father of Mrs. Judge John
Trunkey. He and wife are members of the Second Presbyterian church, and
he is a Republican.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 895
Heney L. Dale, proprietor of a livery stable, was born in Venango
county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1867, son of A. P. Dale. He received a
common school education, and for some time was a clerk in his father's
store. April 16, 18S8, he purchased the livery stable of Thomas Lynch in
South OU City, and is doing a general livery and boarding business, having
in service about twenty horses. He was married June 16, 1886, to Miss
Alice White, and has two children: Clyde and Mabel. His wife is a mem
ber of Grace Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Cornplanter
Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. , and is a Republican.
James McGuigan, proprietor of a livery stable, -was born August 21,
1854, in Buffalo, New York, and is a son of Owen and Rosa (Gallagher) Mc
Guigan, the parents of twelve childi-en. He received a common school
education, and at the early age of nine years began making his own living
by driving a coal wagon in Buffalo, drifting from this into the huckster
business. In 1876 he began pumping oil wells in Butler county, this state,
where he remained two years. He then came to Oil City, and for four years
did a successful business in running a hack and carriage. In 1882, in part
nership with Joseph Stubler, he started a livery stable, the firm name being
McGuigan & Stubler, and retains his interest to the present time, Joseph
Stubler, however, having sold his interest to John Stubler. At a time he
was one of the proprietors of the Union hotel. He married Mary CuUan
and has two children: James and Walter. He is a member of the Catholic
Mutual Benefit Association and of the Catholic church, and a Democrat in
politics. He is the builder of his own flourishing business, having started
out in the world with only a willing heart and strong hands.
John Stubler, of the firm of McGuigan & Stubler, proprietors of a livery
stable, was bom in 1863, in Clarion county, son of George Stubler, who is
mentioned in connection with Joseph Stubler. John worked two years at
the harness making trade and in 1888 he came to Oil City and worked in the
hvery stable of Stubler & McGuigan. Four years later he became a half
owner in this business, by purchasing the interest of his brother Joseph.
He is a Democrat, and a member of the Catholic church,
David L. Trax, of the Kramer Wagon Company, is a native of Pitts
burgh, this state, and was born February 24, 1886. Louis Trax, of Stras
burg, then a French possession, was his father; and Louis came to America
when only nineteen years of age. He settled in Allegheny county on a farm
and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1888 at the age of eighty-four
years. His widow, whose maiden name was Gass, survived him two years
and died in her eighty-fifth year. They reared a family of fifteen children,
thirteen of whom are now living. Of their eight sons, David L. was the
fourth in order of birth and he grew to manhood on his father' s farm, alter
nating, with the seasons, his duties of farm life with attendance upon the
common schools. In Pittsburgh he learned the blacksmith trade and

896 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
was there in business a short time for himself when he decided to try his
luck in Oil City. He landed here in 1861 and footed his way up Oil creek
in search of a job. He drilled wells awhile, then "joured" as a black
smith, and finally bought his employers out. After carrying on general
blacksmithing for some years he sold out and embarked in oil business in
McKean county, giving his entire time to this for two years. In 1880 he
formed a partnership with W. J. Kramer in the manufacture of wagons. In
addition to his manufacturing interests, Mr. Trax is yet in oil production
and also carries on some agricultural operations. He has been once a coun
cilman, and in the Methodist Episcopal church is a trustee and class leader,
and has been steward. In Oil City, May 2, 1862, our subject was married
to Sarah Elizabeth Hogue, the daughter of Ebenezer Hogue, now of Wis
consin, and the names of his children are as follows: Harry B. ; Maxwell P.,
who died at the age of three months; Judson D. , a student; Frederick H. ;
David L. , and Lizzie, who died at the age of three months.
William J. Kramer, of the Kramer Wagon Company, was born at Sham
burg Lippe, Germany, January 2, 1840, and with his parents, Frederick
and Sophia (Witte) Kramer, qame to America in 1845. The family settled
in Butle«r county, this state, and there the senior Mr. Kramer died March
28, 1869, . at the age of sixty-three years. He was a wagon maker by trade,
and followed that business some years after coming to this country, though
at the time of his death he 'wa,s farming. , He reared to manhood ten sons,
and buried one son and a daughter before leaving the old country. The sub
ject of this sketch was educa,ted at the common schools of Butler county,
and under his father learned the trade of wagon rnaker. In October, 1861,
he came to Oil City, and in Seneca street, where the gasometer now stands,
began the manufacture of wagons in a small way. At the end of one year
he moved farther down the street to a place about opposite the present may
or' s office, was there burned out, and in 1867 located his plant, as at pres
ent, on Elm street. The Kramer Wagon Company is composed of Mr. Kra
mer and D. L. Trax. It was formed in 1879. September 1, 1863, in Arm
strong county, this state, Mr. Kramer was married to Miss Sarah Ann Fair,
and to this union have been born thirteen children: Minnie Laura, Mrs.
John Darr; Ida Nettie; Carrie Emma, Mrs. E. E. Hileman; Lizzie May,
who died March 26, 1869, at the age of ten months and thirteen days; Ed
ward Ernest; Linda Jane, who died September 7, 1874, aged two years and
three months; Margaret Ann; Ada Melissa; Harry Austin; Bertha Belle;
David Lewis; William John, and Edith Lilian. Mr. Kramer is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the Royal Templars of Temper
ance. Reverend Wilbur Fisk Wood, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church
of South Oil City, is a native of Philadelphia. He was educated at Prince
ton College and McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. He

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BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.
began his professional career by teaching a four years' term in the academy
at Trenton, New Jersey. He enlisted ' in 1862 in the One Hundred and
Twenty- Seventh New York Volunteers, and served for three years. Since
September, 1882, he has been the efficient and esteemed pastor of the
Second Presbyterian church of South Oil City. He is chaplain of the
G. A. R. Post, No. 167, and the Sixteenth Regiment, National Guard of
Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Republican.
John B. Smithman, of Oil City, is one of the most prominent oil men of
this region. He came here in 1864 and embarked in the oil business, both
as dealer and producer, aud for some years has been one of the conspicuous
characters who have left their impress upon the business of the region and
have caused it to be known as more prolific than perhaps any other for the
development of men of financial daring and ingenuity. For a period cover
ing several years he has held his own against a flood-tide of opposition, and
time and again scored success where strong men have gone down. He was
the organizer and president of the Manufacturers' Gas Company of Oil
City, and was also a director in the Columbia Gas Company, which became
the purchaser of the stock of the former company, the whole being subse
quently merged into the Natural Gas Trust. He was also connected with
the Keystone Oil Company as manager of the pipe lines owned by that
company. These pipe lines extended from Oil City to portions of Venango
and Clarion counties, and when the refinery department of the Keystone
OU Company became embarrassed Mr. Smithman purchased these lines and
operated them until they were sold in connection with the refinery under an
arrangement with the receiver of that company.
The Oil City CaU, now the Oil City Blizzard, a spicy afternoon paper,
if not original in the mind of Mr. Smithman certainly drew its first sus
tenance from his exchequer. He was also one of the incorporators of the
OU City Oil Exchange and the admirable system that governs the specula
tive oil trade is largely due to him, particular what is known as the clearing
house. The fine edifice of the Second Presbyterian church, which adjoins Mr.
Smithman' s beautiful residence in South Oil City, also largely owes its
present existence to his generosity.
Mr. Smithman was born in Clarion county, this state, December 31,
1884, and is a son of Henry Smithman, now of Piqua, Ohio. He was mar
ried to Miss Julia Hathaway, at Paterson, New Jersey, in 1874.
Wesley Chambees, oil producer, was born in Harbor Creek township,
Erie county, Pennsylvania, September 1 3, 1829, son of David and Mabel
(Nash) Chambers. He received his education in the common schools of
Erie county and at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1852
he emigrated to California and experienced the anxieties incident to min
ing life until 1860, when he settled in Tidioute, Warren county, this state,
60

900 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and in the summer of 1861 he located at Rouseville, this countv, and for
sometime was employed at teaming and boating oil to Oil City and Pitts
burgh. In 1864 he began active operation in the production of oU, which
he continues up to the present time, being interested in wells in Warren
McKean, Clarion, and Venango counties. In times past he has operated
in Armstrong and Butler counties, and at Parker's Landing, and is weU
and favorably known over the entire region of the Pennsylvania oil fields.
In 1875 he organized the Bradford Oil Company and was its first president.
He also organized the Euray Mining Company of Colorado in 1877, with
which he was connected until a few months ago. He was auditor of Corn-
planter township and merited the confidence and respect of every citizen
therein, through his efficient method of straightening up the business of
that township, which was in a loose shape before the beginning of his term.
He was tendered and declined the nomination for congress and for lieuten
ant governor of Pennsylvania by the Greenback party, to which he adheres.
In 1860 he was married to Cordelia J. Bonnell of his native township, by
whom he has three children: Fred N. , a hardware merchant of Oil City;
Anna L. , and George D. He and his wife are active in the interest of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Louis Roess, one of the successful oil producers of the petroleum fields,
came into the Oil creek district in 1861 from Pittsburgh, and located on the
old Story farm. From this farm he subsequently moved into Oil City in
1870 and has here since resided. He was born in Germany, February 8, 1837,
and in 1857, accompanied by his mother and a younger brother and sister,
came to America. His father, Martin Roess, died in the old country in
1851. Louis, after leaving school in Germany, leamed the butcher trade
and gave it his attention for several years after coming to America. He
followed it about four years in Pittsburgh and for the same period on Oil
creek. From the meat business he turned his attention to petroleum and is
now head of the firm of Roess Brothers & Company. Associated with
him are his brother. Christian Roess, and Conrad Simmons, and this firm
owns and operates some of the richest wells in the oil regions of Pennsyl
vania, New York, and Ohio. Mr. Roess was married November 25, 1862,
in Pittsburgh, to Miss Rachel Aggers, has eight children Uving, and has
buried two. The living are: George, a machinist; Henry C, a clerk;
Charles, a machinist; Louis, a college student; Ida; Lelia; Martin, and
Loretta. The family are identified with the Lutheran church.
James M. Thomas, broker and dealer in petroleum, is a native of Steu
benville, Ohio, and was born April 6, 1842. His father, James M. Thomas,
Sr., was many years a prominent and public-spirited citizen in Jefferson
county, Ohio. He died June 19, 1888, at the advanced age of seventy-
eight years. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Steubenville
hio-h school, learned the trade of machinist in that city, and followed it

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 901
altogether about twelve years. During the spring of 1862 he joined Com
pany F, Eighty-Fourth Ohio Volunteers, as a private soldier, served about
four months, and was discharged ou account of physical disability. In
May, 1863, he again entered the army, as a member of Company C, One
Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Ohio Volunteers, and served until mustered out
with the regiment, as first duty sergeant, September, 1864. With the
Eighty-Fourth regiment he served in Maryland and West Virginia, and with
the One Hundi-ed and Fifty-Seventh he was in the Army of the Potomac.
Immediately after leaving the army he returned to Ohio, finished his ap
prenticeship as machinist, and, as has been said, worked at his trade about
twelve years. In 1877 he came to Oil City from Pittsburgh, and engaged in
his present business. Mr. Thomas joined the G. A. R. in 1880, has filled
various offices in the order, and is now serving his fifth term as post adjutant.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Republican in politics.
A. M, TuENEE, oil producer, was born June 27, 1810, in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Nancy (McCurdy) Turner, both
natives, of that county and the parents of seven children: William M, , a
farmer, who died in Ohio in 1871; James B., an iron manufacturer, who
died in Indiana county, this state, in 1844; Nancy, who died when young;
Eebecca, who was married to William Connell, and died at New Castle,
Pennsylvania; John, a farmer, who died in Illinois; A. M. , and Robert M.,
who died when a young man. The parents and all of their children except
James were identified with the Presbyterian church. A. M. Turner received
his education in the subscription schools of his native county. He was
brought up at rural pursuits until the age of nineteen years, when he ac
cepted employment for three years with General Dunn at an iron furnace
located in Path valley, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. From there he
went, in 1833, to Huntingdon county, and engaged with John Savage at
his Trough Creek furnace. After three years he engaged with Samuel
Eoyer & Company at the Springfield furnace, where he remained for seven
years. In the year 1843 he began merchandising in Blairsville, Indiana
county, combining it with a foundry for eleven years, having Doctor Hamill
as partner for a portion of the time. At the end of his mercantile career he
was assigned the management of the Shade furnace in Somerset county, for
two years. In 1856 he became book-keeper for the Buffalo furnace in Arm
strong county, from which he withdrew in 1861, and moved to the present
site of Siverly. Here he began the production of oil, which he has contin
ued with varied success ever since, having at the present time a number of
producing wells. During the administration of President Lincoln he was
appointed deputy assessor of internal revenue under Joseph H. Lenhardt,
of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and held that position for three years. He was
postmaster at Springfield furnace from 1835 to 1842, and United States
¦commissioner two years. He was elected one of the county commissioners

902 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in 1872, served the term with credit, and has also been school director.
He is a Republican in politics with Prohibition proclivities. His marriage
occurred February 12, 1855, to Elizabeth T. Smith, of BlairsvUle, Pennsyl
vania, born June 25, 1823, a daughter of William and Sarah (Henderson)
Smith. Her father was a farmer and merchant and had four children:
George B. , tanner and merchant, who served many years in the revenue
department; Nancy J., married to Thomas Laughlin, who died in Anderson
ville prison; Elizabeth T., and William, now a retired physician at Spring
field, Ohio. Mrs. Turner' s parents were worthy members of the Presbyte
rian church, of which her father was an elder at the time of his death. Mr.
and Mrs. Turner are two of the original members of the First Presbyterian
church of Oil City. They are now connected with the Second Presbyterian
church of South Oil City, and he has been an elder since 1861. Their
children are named as follows: William, married to Louisa M. Diven; Sarah,
married to Archie Gayle, baggage master on the Allegheny Valley railroad;
Mary, married to Edward Laughlin; Harriet, a teacher in the Oil City pub
lic schools; Rebecca, at home; James, Nannie M., Robert B., and Charles,
all deceased. D. K. Johnston, oil producer, contractor and driller, was born October
26, 1851, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Jane
(Kennedy) Johnston, natives of Centre county, this state, and Ireland,
respectively. The parents located in Erie county before marriage and now
reside in Oil City. They have five children : Nancy J. , at home ; James H, ,
an engineer for the Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad; D. K, ;
Clark P. , and George E. (twins). The father followed farming and oil pro
duction for many years. Our subject was educated in the common schools
and brought up on a farm until the age of thirteen years, when he came
with his parents to Venango county and shortly after began drilling oil
wells, which he has followed ever since; he has drilled a number of gas wells
in different parts of the country, and several large water wells in Centre
and Huntingdon counties. He began the production of oil for himself sev
eral years ago, and now has interests in several producing wells and is
putting down more. He is also doing considerable drilling for other oU
operators. He was married in 1881 to Kate Eckman, and by her has one
child, Mary J. He bought property in South Oil City, a nice house and lot,
in 1882, where he resides; he is a Democrat in politics.
Charles H. Shepaed, oil producer, came to this place from Allegany
county. New York, in 1863, and from that date has been recognized as a
successful business man and an enterprising, public-spirited citizen. He
was bom at Mount Morris, New York, June 25, 1838, and is a son of the
late Howell Shepard, a successful merchant and farmer. Mr. Shepard is
the eldest of three sons; one of his brothers, T. F. Shepard, is a prominent
lawyer at Bay City, Michigan, and the other, E. H. Shepard, is a resident of

BIOGRAPHIES OP OIL CITY. 903
New York city. Charles Shepard was educated at Rushford Academy and
from school entered at once into business. Coming to Oil City he engaged in
the grocery trade and his store stood upon the site now occupied by No. 2
engine house in the Third ward. From 1868 to 1888 he was in the dry-goods
trade. During all that time he was producing and dealing in petroleum and
speculating in real estate. He was several years a member of the borough
council, and represented his ward in the first council after the organization
of this place as a city. He was one of the organizers of the Allegheny Bank
ing Company and its second president.. He was also one of the organizers
of the OU City Savings Bank, and the OU City Barrel Works. Mr. Shep
ard is a Knight Templar Mason, and in 1871 was one of the distinguished
Knight Templar tourists that went from the principal cities of the United
States to Great Britian and continental Europe.
Theodore Jackson Welch, superintendent of the United Pipe Lines, Oil
City, came here in 1877 from Sugar Creek, where he had, since 1869, been
engaged in the oil business. He is a native of Gloversville, New York, a
sod, of Leslie Welch, and was born December 15, 1846. Leslie Welch, a
merchant during his lifetime, came to America from Dublin, Ireland, and
lived .for several years at Amsterdam, New York. He died in Florida,
whither he had repaired for his health, in 1851, at the age of sixty years.
He was an educated gentleman, and his wife, whose maiden name was Maria
Taylor, a native of Dutchess county. New York, was a lady of culture and
refinement. She survived her husband many years, dying in April, 1888, at
the advanced age of eighty years. The old gentleman, many years before
he was old, attested his allegiance and loyalty to his adopted country. As a
member of the "Irish Greens" he participated in the war of 1812 from
first to last; at Plattsburg a piece of British shell carried away one of his
ears while he was in the act of replacing a fallen flag, and at the same time
and place a rifle ball pierced the calf of his leg. Of his three sons, Theodore
is the youngest. He was educated at Gloversville, New York. He first
visited OU City in 1865, and from here went west and spent three years on
the plains. In 1877 he began work for the pipe line company as a day
laborer, and was promoted from time to time until he reached his present
position. Mr. Welch is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 363, F. & A. M. ;
Eoyal Arch Chapter, No. 236; Talbot Commandery, No. 43, and of the
vestry of the Episcopal church. He is prominently identified with the
cause of education, and is now chairman of the text-book and supply com
mittees of the school board, and a member of both the building and teachers'
committees, while in the past he has filled the office of president and secre
tary of the board at different times. At Franklin, Pennsylvania, April 14,
1870, Mr. Welch was married to Miss Annie B. Case, and has three children:
Edwin Theodore; Frank Osmer, and Grace Norwood.
Myee Lowentritt, oil broker, came to Oil City in 1864 from Cleveland,

904 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Ohio, where he was born September 26, 1848. His father, Aaron Lowen
tritt, a native of Bavaria, was some years a merchant in Cleveland. He
afterward moved to Milwaukee and engaged in the grain business and there
spent the rest of his life. He died in 1867 at the age of fifty years. Myer,
the eldest of his two sons, was educated in Cleveland and studied both law
and medicine, adopting neither, however, as a profession. His first business
venture was as a hide and fur dealer in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and he followed
it two years. At McGregor, Iowa, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he bought
and shipped grain for about four yeafs, and from the latter place, via Cleve
land, came to the oil region. Here, being without money — his employers
having failed in his debt — he embarked in the oil business as superintend
ent of wells for the Cherry VaUey Oil Company. At the end of about one
year he became a producer — an enterprise that from 1871 to 1878 yielded
him large returns. Since the year last mentioned his principal business has
been that of oil broker. What of this world' s goods Mr. Lowentritt has is
the result of his individual efforts and industry. In leaving Cleveland he
borrowed ten dollars with which to pay his way, and upon arriving here the
sum of his fortune was four dollars. The ethics obtaining in biography of
living men forbid conclusions on the part of the writer, and a brief qutline
of facts only can be given. Mr. Lowentritt is president of the Enterprise
Milling Company and of the Home Building and Loan Association, and is
one of the directors of the Oil City Trust Company Bank and of the Oil
City Tube Works. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the I.
O. B. B. , a beneficiary society peculiar to members of the Israelitish church.
He was married January 23, 1878, at TitusviUe, to Miss Rachel Frey, a na
tive of Ohio, and has three children: Arthur; Helen, and Florence.
David S. Ceiswell, oil producer, was born January 12, 1842, in Clarion
county, this state, and is a brother of R. W. Criswell. He was educated
in the common schools of Armstrong county. He enlisted in 1863 in Cap
tain J. B. Gutljrie's independent company, and was discharged after a serv
ice of ten months with the President's Guards. Returning from the war,
he drilled what was known as the Criswell well in Cornplanter township,
which turned out one hundred barrels of oil per day, at a time when oil was
worth seven dollars and fifty cents per barrel. From 1880 to 1884 he was
promoter and superintendent of silver mines in Arizona for an Oil City com
pany. With the exception of this brief period, he has been producing oil
since beginning that business. In 1874 he drilled the first well from the
top of the ground to the fourth sand, in Armstrong county, securing a three
thousand barrel well, which flowed for eighteen months. Criswell City, of
that county, took its, name after this well, and Mr. Criswell is rightly credited
as being the originator of the fourth sand theory. He was married Sep
tember 18, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Widger, a native of OU City, and to this
union five children have been born: Robert N. , assistant book-keeper for

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 905
the Derrick; Mabel L. ; Maude; Byron G, , and Minnie L. He is a mem
ber and past commander of Post 435, G. A. U, , and is a Rejniblican.
John W. Waits, whose oil production is on the famous ' ' Johnnie Steele ' '
farm, is a son of the late John Waits, who came hero from Buffalo in the
palmy days of petroleum, and here spent the last days of his life, dying in
1882, at the age of sixty-four years. John W. Waits was born in Albany,
New York, in 1858, and was ten years old when his father moved into the
oU region. He was educated at the common Mchools, and at Brie, Pennsyl
vania, learned the trade of machinist. Before coming on the Steele farm
he was managing wells for other parties at Bradford, and he came to this
place first as an employe. In 1884 he purchased the property upon which
he has now thirty-four producing wells, and is rapidly putting- down addi
tional ones.
Thomas Donnelly, oil producer, was born in March, 1S20, in Ireland, to
Patrick and Honora (Sexton) Donnelly, natives of Ireland, who immigrated to
New York city in 1823, where the father was engaged in selling hats until 1825,
when he retm-ned to his native country and there died. His widow returned
to America, died in 1872. and was buried in Hornellsville, New York. Bight
chUdren were born to them in Ireland, named as follows: Bridget; Mary;
Martin; Thomas; John; Kate; Winifred, and Michael. The parents were both
members of the Catholic church. In 1837 Thomas DonneUy returned to
America from Ireland, whither he had gone with the family. He was edu
cated at the subscription schools of his native country, and at the early age
of seventeen years he began learning the hatter trade in New York city.
This he followed until 1848. when he started by railroad and stage on a
trip over the country, selling ready-made clothing for three years with re
markable success. In 1849 he married Mary Gleason of Blmira, New York,
began keeping hotel in 1850 at what was then called Baker's Bridge, now
Alford, New York, and after one year removed to Hornellsville, the same
state, and kept boarders for thirteen years. From there he moved to Brad
ford and became boss of the construction of a grade for the Erie Railroad
Company for one year. Then in 1865 he came to Oil City and kept board
ers in a house on Seneca street for one year, after which he purchased an
old building located south of where the Oil Well Supply Company's shops
are situated, and conducted a boarding house for twenty -three years. In
the spring of 1889 he retired to his present residence on Pearle avenue. He,
however, gives some personal attention to the production of oil, having
seven weUs. His marriage gave him thirteen children, ten of whom died
young, and the living are: Thomas B. ; Mary A., and Josephine. Mr.
Donnelly and wife are members of the Catholic church, as are also their
children. In politics he is a Democrat. His son Thomas B. was educated in
Oil City until the age of fourteen years, at which time he entered college at
Suspension Bridge, New York, from which institution he was graduated

906 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
October 26, 1877, after a period_of nine years' diligent study. He at once
went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he preached for two years. In 1887 he
located in Chicago, where he is now pastor of a congregation,
J. S. Shively, furniture dealer, was born December 15, 1828, on a farm
in Union county, Pennsylvania, son of Christian and Maria (Stees) Shively,
natives of the same county and of German extraction. Christian Shively,
grandfather of J. S. Shively, fought the Indians at Templeton's Ford,
Union county, and his captain, Patrick Watson, was wounded at this time,
from which he died. The children of Christian Shively were named as
follows: Barbara; Rachel; John; Christian; Daniel; Georgje, and Benjamin,
all of whom died at old age. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
John Stees, the father of Maria, was a Tory, but did not take up arms
against the colonists. He was the father of seven children: John; David;
Abraham; Rachel; Maria; Sally, and Betsey, all deceased.
Christian Shively, the father of our subject, was a farmer, and died in
1857. His widow died about the year 1870, the mother of five children:
George, a farmer in Clarion county; Susan, widow of James Say; Thomas,
also a farmer in Clarion county; J. S., and Robert, a farmer in Columbiana
county, Ohio. Christian's first wife was Barbara Wise, by whom he had
five children, Betsey only surviving and married to David Reaser. The
parents were members of the Dunkard church and the father served in some •
of the small offices of the township. Our subject was educated in the log
school house with slab seats and puncheon floor, slab writing desks and
greased paper window lights. He began for himself at the age of eighteen
years and upon reaching his majority he commenced keeping what was
known as the old Stone House hotel on the Erie and Philadelphia pike in
Clarion county, which he continued for five years. He then went into the
dry-goods business at Scrubgrass and continued there and at Lisbon, once
nicknamed Fort Chisel, for seven years with good success. This he sold in
1862 and removed to Oil City, where he purchased the Oil City hotel from
James Colgin. After two years' experience in this he entered the grocery
and feed business on Main street and followed it for several years. He then
bought and built property worth forty-five thousand dollars, nearly all of
which was consumed by the great fire of 1866. He rebuilt as much as his
means would warrant and went into the furniture business on Main street,
where he remained until 1882, when he removed to his present place and
here he carries a stock of about ten thousand dollars. He was married to
Lea J. Herpst, daughter of John H. and Mary Herpst of this county, by
whom he has five children: Clifford; Florence, deceased at the age of nine
years; Laura, married to T. B. Simpson; May, deceased wif e of G. W. Darr,
and Edna, at home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , L. of H. , Royal
Arcanum, B. A. U., and T. of T. He furnished a substitute for the war, is
a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 907
Beitting & McCracken, furniture dealers — F. C. Britting, whose name
Is the caption of this deservedly popular establishment, is a native of
New York city, and a son of Conrad and Kate Britting, natives of Germany,
who immigrated to the city of New York before they were married. In
1888 they removed to Germaine, Potter county, Pennsylvania, where Mr.
Britting is engaged in farming. His children are named as foUows: F. C. ;
Annie, married to E. W. Brought on; Louisa, married to Frank Rickard;
Maggie, deceased; Conrad; Lena; Josephine, and Tillie. Of these, F. C,
the eldest, was educated in the English and German schools of New York
city. At the age of ten years he began working at the furniture store of
Freeborn & Company, New York, and subsequently worked for J. W. Lyon
in the same line of business and in the same city. He afterward was em
ployed by J, C. Hoyt in Baltimore. In 1888 he came to Oil City and
formed his present partnership. He has had thorough instructions in the
most scientific methods of embalming, and more particularly gives his atten
tion to the large undertaking department of the firm. He is a member of
the I 0. 0. F., the A. O. U. W., and Trinity Methodist Episcopal church.
John T. Parsons, manufacturer of carriages, buggies, and road wagons,
general blacksmith, etc., was born August 6, 1826, in Ontario, Canada.
His father, William, a blacksmith by trade, was born in England, and died
at the age of eighty-one years in 1877. His mother, Margaret (Trick) Par
sons, was a native of England, and resides in Canada. Her children are:
Mary A; Elizabeth; John T; JuUa; WiUiam H. ; SUas R., and Thomas J.
John T. Parsons was educated in the common schools of Canada and at a
commercial college at Fort Edward, New York. At the age of fourteen
years he began learning his trade with his father. He was married March
28, 1864, in Rochester, New York, to Roxyette Jones, daughter of T. W.
and Hester A. (Davison) Jones, natives of Canada and Herkimer county.
New York, respectively. Mr. Parsons began business for himself in Roches
ter, and has continued there and at Oil City ever since. He worked twelve
years for D. L. Trax of the latter city, and in 1880 became the owner of the
business, which has grown to be a very extensive one. His children are
Thomas W. and Silas R. The elder is overseer of an industrial school at
Bochester, New York, and the younger is with his father in the shop. He
is a Prohibitionist, with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church,
and is one of the best known citizens of Venango county.
Waeeen G. Hunt, of the firm of Hunt & Hallet, was born in Grafton
county. New Hampshire, February 15, 1827. His father, Caleb Hunt, also
a native of New Hampshire, was a mill owner and operator. He reared six
sons and three daughters, and in 1854 died at the age of fifty-five years.
Warren G. was the eldest of the family. He was educated at the common
schools and learned the milling trade, as well as that of millwright. In
1856 he migrated to Vermont, and from there to New Haven, Connecticut,

908 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
where he manufactui-ed lumber seven or eight years. He subsequently
located in New York city, and established a mahogany and rosewood busi
ness, and then returned to New Haven, whence, in 1865, he came to the
oil regions. After a brief stay at President, where he was superintendent
of the President Petroleum Company, he came to Oil City and for three
years dealt successfully in lumber. At the end of that time the oil fever
had fastened upon him, and betrayed him into its search through ' ' wUd
cat ' ' holes out of which came nothing but disappointment. Seven ' ' dry
holes " left him with one " dry " pocket-book, and he returned with increased
wisdom unto lumber. Mr. Hunt is a Mason, and retains his membership
in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, of Connecticut — thesecond established in the United
States. He is also a member of the Baptist church. He was married in
Monroe, New Hampshire, August 18, 1849, to a Miss Bennett, and has had
four children: Irene, Mrs. J. C. Holmes; Etta, Mrs. T. H. Nicholson;
Wealthy, Mrs. J. H. Hallett, and Warren G., Jr., who died at New Haven,
Connecticut, in 1S64.
John F. Hallet, deceased, was born in Buenos Ayres, South America,
August 15, 1S38. and is a son of Stephen Hallet, a native of Philadelphia.
The family came originally from France, and Stephen, a printer and pub
lisher, married Elizabeth Baldwin of New York city. They lived in the city
of Mexico when their first child was born, and from there returned to the
United States. In South America the rest of his children, six in number,
were born, and John F. was the fourth in order. In Buenos Ayres the sen
ior Mr. -Hallet was printer and publisher for the government. He died in
Brooklyn, New York, in 1866, at the age of sixty-seven years. He left
South America in 1854. John P. was educated in the schools of this coun
try and of Prance. In tbe latter country he spent three years and there
became master of the modern Latin languages. Under his father he leamed
the publishing business, and foUowed it at intervals during the lifetime of
the former. He was some years in mercantile business in Buenos Ayres,
whence he moved to New York. In 1867 he came into the oil regions and
subsequently carried on business, dealing in oil well supplies, etc. , at Scrub-
grass and Karnes City, and in 1871 moved into Oil City. Here he dealt on
the exchange awhile and then became a member of the firm of Hunt & Hal
let. He was a thirty-two degree Mason, a member of the Bloomsburg
Consistory, and of the K. of H. His widow is the daughter of W. G. Hunt.
Mr. Hallet died September IS, 1889.
Thomas H. Nicholson, of the firm of Hunt & Hallet, was born in Roch
ester, New York, October 14, 1853. He was educated at the common
schools and in youth learned telegraphy, which he followed at various places
in the Pennsylvania oil regions. He was an oil producer for a while, and
in 1877 came into Oil City as a shipper and operator. In 1886 he became
a member of the firm of Hunt & HaUet. Mr. Nicholson has been twice

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 909
married. His present wife is the daughter of Mr, Hunt, the senior member
of the firm named.
W. S. Wick, dealer in lumber, motUdings, sash, doors, windows, brick,
and paint, established his present enterprise in May, 1 887. and carries a
stock valued at about eight thousand dollars. He keeps a specially fine line
of Michigan and North Carolina pine lumber, and by close personal appli
cation to business merits a large patronage. He is a native of Butler
county, this state, and a son of H. B. Wick, who was born in Butler county
Auffuft 22, 1S25. a son of John and Maiy (Wigton) Wick, natives of Butler
county, of Scotch extraction, strict Presbyterians, and the parents of eight
chUdren, five of whom are living: H. E. : Mrs, Mary J. Stroughton; Har
vey: Lewis, a Methodist Episcopal minister, and Mrs, EmmeUne Wheeler.
H. E. Wick received a common school education and began for himself at
the age of nineteen, buying and shipping horses, drifting from this into the
general mercantUe business, which he followed in connection with the lum
ber trade for over forty-five years. For a time he was in the mercantile
business at what is kno-wn as Wick's Station on the Shenango and AUegheny
TaUey railroad, which was named after him and where he was the first post
master. He offered his services in the defense of his counti-y early in the
war, but because of physical objections made by the enroUing officer, was
refused. He, however, furnished the first substitute fi-om Butler county.
He is a Republican, and was one of the first delegates from Butler county
to the state convention which was held at Pittsburgh to effect the organi
zation of the RepubUcan party in Pennsylvania, He married Elizabeth
Smith, and to this union were bom thirteen children, twelve of whom are
living. In 1SS7 he and his -wife located in OU City, where they live a some
what retired life, after a business career surpassed by few if any citizens of
his native county.
W. Geafton Batemax. superintendent for the Prudential Insurance Com
pany of America at OU City, came here in June. 1SS9. fi-om Washington
city. He was bom in Maryland in 1S61 and was educated in the pubUc
schools. His father was a successful farmer and the son was famUiarized
with the duties of farm life. In 1SS3. whUe clerking in a mereantUe estab
lishment, his attention was directed to life instu-anee and he repaired at
once to Baltimore, Mai-yland, as the agent of the Prudential. The year
foUowing he was transfeiTed to Washington city, and soon afterward
promoted to the position of assistant superintendent. In June. IbJ^y, as
has been seen, he came here as superintendent of this district, which em
braces OU City. Franklin, TitusvUle, and the surrounding towns. The OU
City branch is in fuU operation, -with headquarters over the postoffice. The
Prudential was organized in Newark. New Jersey, in lSi6. and is based
upon the plan of the old Prudential of London, organized in lS4^, There
fore its distinctive features, though novel, are not experimental. It issued

910 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the first year of its organization seven thousand nine hundred and five
policies; its income was fourteen thousand five hundred and forty- three
dollars and paid claims one thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven dollars.
In 1888, after twelve years of uninterrupted advance in business, it issued
twenty-four thousand nine hundred and fifteen dollars in policies, received
three million seven hundred and fifty-seven thousand and eighty-four dollars,
paid claims aggregating one million ninety-six thousand two hundred and
thirty-four dollars, and has as surplus to credit of policy holders seven
hundred and seventy-six thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars. In
June, 1889, its assets were two million eight hundred and seventy-four
thousand one hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty-six cents, showing an
increase over preceding years of nine hundred and six thousand seven hun
dred and ninety-three dollars and forty-three cents. In its industrial plan
the company insures any healthy person from one to seventy years of age,
at a rate of from three cents on one dollar and ninety cents per week, and is
paying now an average of fifty claims per day. It also operates on the plans
of the old line companies at about the rate of such companies. Mr. Bate
man was married in Washington city, and has one child.
George Gates, deceased, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, a
son of Henry and Catharine (Bucher) Gates, the former being a relative of
ex- Governor Hartranft. Henry Gates settled in what is now Forest county,
on land once known as "Old Town Flats," at an early day; there he died.
His son, George, was married to Mary Downing, a native of Richland town
ship, and the children of this union were nine, eight of whom grew to ma
turity: WiUiam; John; Catharine B., Mrs. Charles Cox; Martha, Mrs,
John Shaw; Mary A., Mrs. Gilbert Jameson; George W. ; Jacob H, and
Maria, Mrs. James Lamb. George and Mary Gates were Methodists; he
was an earnest Whig, and later a Republican.
William Gates, eldest son of George Gates, was born June 19,
1818, in Venango county. He was educated at subscription schools and in
the primitive log school houses. His father being a farmer he naturally
pursued that calling during his early manhood. He taught four winter
terms of subscription and public school, and for twenty-five consecutive
years he was school treasurer of Rockland township. He served as a jus
tice of the peace for fifteen years, and was the efficient postmaster at Rock
land for twenty-five years. In 1876 he was elected to the state legislature
and served with credit. He took an active interest in the repeal of the old
and objectionable fence law of Pennsylvania, enacted in 1700, and much
credit is due him for the final overthrow of that statute. He was employed
during the earlier part of his life for three and one-half years at Slab fur
nace, in Cranberry township, and as manager of the Richland and MUl
Creek furnaces, one year at each. After selling goods for some time for
Charles Shippen, he formed a partnership with Thomas Hogue and carried

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 911
on a general store at Rockland six years, becoming at the end of that time
the sole owner of the business, and continued it with remarkable success un
tU 1865. Soon after selling his store interests he purchased his father' s old
homestead, for twenty years gave his attention to rural pursuits, and soon
became one of the most skillful farmers in Venango county. He made ag
riculture a study, just as he did every other undertaking, and by intelligent
appHcation widened his knowledge until he is recognized as trustworthy au
thority on all subjects pertaining to the farm and its products. For several
years he served as a member of the state board of agriculture, held import
ant positions in its various committees, and was recognized by that able body
of Pennsylvania agriculturalists as one of their most efficient members. He
was married in 1851 to Martha Stanton, who is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal chm-ch. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. , and the K. of P. , is a
director of the Exchange Bank of Franklin, and in politics is a Republican.
In 1885 he left the farm and settled in South Oil City, where he now resides,
somewhat retired from the cares of an active business life, and enjoying a
large competency, the result of individual efforts, economical living, and up
right, honest dealings. Being of a somewhat retiring disposition, he nat
uraUy shrinks from notoriety, yet with that degree of natural pride possessed
by every true lover of his native county, he does his part toward any enter
prise that tends to btuld up the community in which he resides.
Robeet H. Renwick, famUiarly kno-wn in Oil City and elsewhere as Cap
tain Renwick, a title weU earned by him in the late civil war, as will be
seen further on, was born at Angelica, New York, July 11, 1813. His fa
ther, James Renwick, a farmer by occupation, was an Englishman. He
came to America in 1805, located at Angelica, and there spent the rest of
his life. He was married in England to a Miss Johnson, and two of their
children were bom there. The old gentleman died in 1813 at the age of
about sixty years. Robert H. Renwick was educated at the common schools
and academy of Angelica, and there learned the painting trade. He subse
quently held the offices of justice of the peace and associate judge, read
law, and was admitted to the bar, but never entered the practice. In 1836
he emigrated to Michigan, returned four years later to Angelica, and in
1852 removed to Olean, where he dwelt thirty years, filling in the meantime
various public offices of trust and profit. He first saw Oil City— not a city
then— in 1832, whUe boating down the Allegheny from Olean to Cincinnati.
There were then no houses on the south side of the river at this place and
hut three on the north side. During the summer of 1861, at Olean, Captain
Renwick entered the United States army, at the head of Company I, Sixty-
Poui-th New York Volunteer Infantry, and remained until discharged eigh
teen months later, by order of the secretary of war on account of wounds
received at the battle of Fair Oaks June 1, 1862. Prior to being wounded
he led his company at Williamsburg, and in many skirmishes not dignified

912 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in history with the name of battle. At Fair Oaks his company entered the
fight with seventy men and on the following morning only eighteen an
swered roll-call. His regiment went into the battle eight hundred strong
and retired from the field with two hundred and fifty. Three of his sons,
James P. , Victor D. , and Alexander were in the army, the former as bri
gade ordnance sergeant, and Victor, after serving five years, left the army
with the rank of captain. Captain Renwick came to Oil City in 1865, spent
two years in grocery business, and returned to Olean. In 1870 he came
again to this place, and has here since remained. He was married at West
Alden, Pennsylvania, in 1832 to Cynthia Davis, and the children born
unto him are: Henreitte, Mrs. A. O. Parsons; Elizabeth; James F., de
ceased; Victor D., of Hyde Park, New York; Charles W., of Bradford,
Pennsylvania; Alexander, of Hamilton, Canada; Mary, Mrs. McMuUen,
and Hattie. Captain Renwick is an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and a member
of the G. A. R. Of the latter he was the first commander of Downing
post. Oil City.
James J. 'Will, a farmer in Cranberry township, was born in Cambria
county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1829. His father was Anthony Will, a
native of Huntingdon county, this state, and of Huguenot extraction; his
mother was a McDermott, and her ancestors were Scotch-Irish. The former
died in 1863, the latter in 1858. They reared three sons and five daughters,
James being the eldest of the family. He was educated principally by him
self, having received his first lessons from his mother, an e«lucated woman
of refinement and culture. He grew to manhood on his father's farm; being
of a mechanical mind he could turn his hand to anything and while yet a
young man he became proficient as a carpenter and cooper. From the age
of twenty to twenty-nine he taught in the public schools during the winters
and worked at his trade the rest of the seasons. In July, 1862, he entered
the army of the United States as orderly sergeant of Company F, One
Hundred and Thirty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, served ten months, and
left the service with the rank of first lieutenant. WhUe in the army he took
part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, and ChancellorsviUe. In
the last named battle, though then only an orderly sergeant, he commanded
his company and the record shows that he did it skillfully. After the war.
Captain Wells farmed a while but soon turned his whole attention to
mechanics, carrying on business in Pittsburgh and Johnstown. He came
into the Oil creek country in 1865 and in 1867 took charge of the New York
and Allegheny pipe lines at Tidioute as manager and was with the company
seven years. Afterward he was with the Relief Pipe Line Company two
years. In 1880 he came into Oil City and purchased a farm and became an
oil producer for three years. In 1884 he located on the farm he now owns
and manages in Cranberry township.- In company with his son he wasin-
terested in a steel plant at Johnstown at the time of the great flood and lost

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 913
thereby several thousand dollars. Mr. Will was married at Johnstown in
1864 to Miss JuUa Seigh, a very accomplished lady. She died in 1872,
leaving one son and two daughters. The former, Edwin C, , is a well-known
inventor and greatly distinguished himself at his peril, in rescuing thirty peo
ple from the floating debris of the great flood at Johnstown, Pennsylvania,
May 31, 1889. Mr. WiU is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R.
Doctor E. M. Wolfe, dentist, was born October 27, 1847, in Cranberry
to-wnship, this county, to Solomon and Catharine (Miller) Wolfe. He was
educated in the common schools and at an academy at Clarion, Pennsyl
vania. He began the study of dentistry in 1869 with J. D. W^ingate, then
of BeUefonte, this state, and was subsequently graduated from the Penn
sylvania CoUege of Dental Surgery. April 1, 1871, he located in OU City,
where he has remained actively engaged in practice, and holds a high rank
among the profession in Pennsylvania. He was married by the Reverend
J. S. Elder, December 21, 1871, to Margaret Orr, of Clarion, Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, and to tlfts union have been born four chUdren : Linden W. ;
Catharine I. ; an infant, deceased, and John M. The doctor has served one
term as a member of the Oil City council. He is a member of the Lake
Erie Dental Association, the Pennsylvania State Dental Asssociation, the
American Dental Association, and the International Medical Congress. In
politics he is an earnest Republican.
J. H. Heivly, dentist, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, June 17,
1842, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Raignel) Heivly, the former a native of
York, and the latter of Lebanon counties, Pennsylvania, and the parents of
four chUdren: Jacob A., a merchant of Williamsport; J. H. ; Mary M. ,
married to WUliam Swallow, and D. P., real estate dealer in Newton, Kan
sas. The father died in 1883 ; he was favorably known as a merchant of
WUliamsport, where his widow resides. Our subject was educated in the
public schools of his native city and Dickinson Seminary of that place. In
1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-First Pennsylvania Volun
teers and served eleven months. On his return from the war he was em
ployed for three years in the United States treasury under F. E. Spinner.
He then engaged in the dry-goods business in Williamsport for one year
under the firm name of Kingsbury & Heivly. In 1871 he came to Titus
vUle, and being qualified to survey, was employed with a civil engineering
corps in surveying the New York pipe line from Hickory Station to the Al
legheny river. He soon after began the practice of dentistry at Petroleum
Center, this county, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to Oil
City. In 1876 he re-entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which
he was graduated in the term of that year. He is a member and treasurer
of Lake Erie Dental Association and a member of the Pennsylvania Dental
Society, belongs to the Masonic order, chapter, and commandery, and is a
Republican. He was married October 13, 1881, to S. Alice, daughter of

914 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Daniel and Harriet (Reiter) Gothers, who came to Oil City in 1864, where
the mpther subsequently died, leaving three children: Clara, married to
Edward Byoung; William C, and S. Alice.
C. J. Reynolds, dentist, was born August 1, 1856, in Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, and is a son of J. B. Reynolds of this city. He received his
education in the Oil City schools and Beaver Academy. He was employed
for a period as book- keeper of the firm of Hunt & Reynolds, and in 1 886
began the study of dentistry with Doctor E. M. Wolfe, with whom he
remained for two years, after which he entered the Pennsylvania Dental
College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1878. He soon
after began the practice of dentistry in Pawnee City, Nebraska, coming
thence to Oil City in 1881 where he has since continued in the active duties
of his profession. He married Miss Lizzie Atwood of Nebraska. In politics
he is a Republican. '
John S. Klein holds with the National Transit Company the position of
superintendent of machinery, and as such has the supervision of all that
company's machinery and shops in Pennsylvania and all other oil-producing
states. He was born in Nassau, Germany, April 26, 1849, and when but a
few weeks old was brought by his parents to America. The family settled
in Buffalo, New York, and there, in the shops of the New York Central
railroad, he learned the trade of machinist. In 1868 he came to this state,
and for the succeeding four or five years followed his trade at Plumer,
Rouseville, Bredinsburg, St. Petersburg, etc. In 1872 or 1873 he began
work for the United Pipe Lines Company at Petrolia, and in l«ss than two
years was made the foreman of their shops. As he came into his present
position in 1882, it will be seen that, unaided by any outside influence,
dependent at all times on his individual efforts and industry, he arose in
less than ten years from the rank of a journeyman machinist to one of the
most important positions within the gift of a great corporation. Mr. Klein
was married at Buffalo, New York, when about twenty-six years of age, to
Miss Emily Ernst.
Louis Walz, general manager of the Penn Refining Company, was
born in Gammalsbach, Germany, August 11, 1846, and came to America in
1867. He was a carpenter and millwright by trade, and worked thereat
after coming to this country until 1887. In that year he came to Oil City
from TitusviUe, where he had lived since 1868, and accepted the position of
manager of the Independent Refining Company. He remained with this
company about three and one-half years, then sold out and erected the
Continental refinery. At the end of about one year he retired from the
Continental, and in July, 1886, formed a partnership with Messrs. Suhr and
Justus. With Mr. Walz as general manager, this company proceeded to
erect the Penn Refining Works, one of the most thoroughly equipped con
cerns of the kind in the Oil creek country. They have a capacity for, and are

' ^rKi

"JS*»

\

', f

z^^Aj-i^ijiyf

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 917
handling now, about two hundred thousand barrels of crude oil per annum,'
and employ from sixty to eighty men. Mr. Walz was married at TitusviUe,
Pennsylvania, in ISTI. to Miss Frederika Teege. To this imion eight chil
dren have been born. The first-born, Louisa, died when about seven or
eight months old; the living are: Emma, George, Albert, Jennie. MatUda,
Edwai-d, and an infant not named. Mr. Walz and family are identified
with the Lutheran church.
Hbnkx Suhr, president of tUe Penn Refining Companj-, was born in
Hardegsen, Germany. October 11. 18-14. His parents. Christian and Hen
rietta (Prohne) Suhr, reared three sons, of whom Henry is the eldest.
Charles, the youngest, is dead, and Louis is engaged in the oil business at
Bradford, Pennsylvania. The parents came to this country in May, 1877.
remained about six years, and returned to Germany. The subject of this
sketch came to America in July, 1S6S. He was a locksmith by trade, and
worked at that business some months in New York and Buffalo. From
Pittsburgh, where he worked about six mouths in a machine shop, he came
to Oil creek, landing here in 1869. For six years he was employed by oU
producers in various capacities, and in 1875 began business for himself in
OU City. From that to the present time he has been a successful oU
producer. In 1SS6. associated with Messrs. Walz and Justus, he organ
ized the company of which he is now the popiUar president. As oil pro
ducers, the history of this company shows that they own and operate about
one himdred good weUs in Pennsylvania and New York, and that as refiners
they handle about two hundred thousand barrels of crude oil annuaUy.
Mr. Suhr is a self-made man. The recipient of no gratuity, the legatee of
no estate, he has depended solely on his individual effort and industry, and
that fortune has smUed upon him is amply attested. He was mai-ried in
OU City in 1S75 to Miss Louisa Schorman, and the four chUdren bom to
him are named, respectively, Charles, Elizabeth, Lena, and Henry. Mr.
and Mrs. Suhr are members of the Lutheran church.
John E, Hackenberg, book-keeper for the Penn Refining Company, OU
City, was bom in Union county, Pennsylvania, October IS, 1827. He was
educated in Easton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in his father' s store, where
he learned book-keeping, the vocation to which his Ufe has been devoted.
He came to Oil City in 1SS6, and has since been in his present position
with the Penn Refining Company. Mr. Hackenberg was married at
McEwensvUle. Pennsylvania, May 2, IS 54. to Miss Mary Finney, who died
February 14, \S70. leaving the foUo-wing chUdi-en: LUy, Mis. R. C. Baugh
man, of Omaha, Nebraska; Grace, and Charles. One son, WUUam. died in
1S6S, aged about eight years. Mr. Hackenberg is a consistent member of
the Pre-sbyterian church.
James M. McLavghlin. superintendent of the Penn refinery, was born in
Crawford county, Pennsylvania, August 10. 1S39. He was educated at the

91S mSTOBT OF TEXAXGO GOrXTI.
common sehools in his native coiuity. and there spent most of lik life He
was eight years at Clean. New York, as saperintendent of the Acme Bon
ing Company and in Atignst, 1S6S. came into his present positxHo. Odob»
24. 1S62, at Tirnsville, he enlisted as a private soldier in a campanr sabse-
qnently known as Company C. Second District Regiment. Washington eftr,
and served until November 21. 1S63. Mr. McLaughlin -was first married in
Crawford comity to Miss EUzabeth KeUogg: both she and a seciHid wife,
who -was a Mrs. Carringer. are dead. The present Mts. McLanohlin. to
whom he -was married at Olean. New Tort. May 27. 1SS4L was Mrs. M.
Libbie Ashby. By his first -wife Mr. McLaughlin had six chUdren. by his
second two. He is a Republican in poUtics, a member of the L O. O. F..
and of the A. L. of H.
TnoiLi^s -LsTKRTox. treasurer of the Continental Refining Company, tras
bom in Lancashire. England, in IS45. and came to America in Jnly. 1862.
In OU City, whither he came iu 1S65. he was for about five years in the
mereantUe trade; the rest of the time he has been in the petroleum bad
ness. He was one of the organizers of the Continental Refining Companj
and has been actively identified -with its interests fiom its inception. Mr.
Anderton -was married in this city when about thirty-ei^t years of age to
Mrs. Mary Stubler net Huster. and the children that have been bom to
biTvi are named, respectively, Thomas; Mary; Joseph, and Charles.
Johs W. Davis, president of the Nonpariel Refining Company located
at Ronse-riUe, is a citizen of Oil City and came here from de-reland in Jan
uary. 1873. In Cleveland he was connected with the Continental Oil Works.
and coming here as a member of the Economy Refining Company, he had
charge of their works for five years. From that he became a producer, and
was interested in the Bradford, Allegheny, and Yenango oil fields. In 1888
he organized the Nonpariel Refining Company and became its presid«it.
Mr. Davis was born in Chester county. Pennsylvania, January. 1831. He
was educated at the common schools and as a yotuig man studied chemisfacj
and dispensed drugs. In 1S62 he turned his attention to petroleum and
¦was engaged in refining oU when he decided to enter the army. In 1863
he raised Company B. Forty-Third Pennsylvania Yolunteeis. became its
captain, served a few months, resigned, and returned to Pittsburgh, where
during part of 1864 and 1865. he -was refining oU; thence he went to Cleve
land, and, as has been seen, to OU City. A history of the Nonpariel Re
fining Company -wUl be fotmd in this volume. Chapter X Mil.
Albert H. SiirrH, superintendent of the Eclipse Lubricating Oil Com
pany, Limited, is a native of FranMin, this county, a son of Da-rid S. and
Mary (WaUace) Smith, and was born April 28. 1S62. He was educated at
the Franklin high school and CorneU University. Immediately after leav
ing the latter institution he entered the employ of this company at Frank
lin, and has remained -with it ever since, working his way up from the bot-

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 919
torn rung in the ladder to a first-class superintendency. He came to his
present position July 15, 1888, and has under his supervision thirty-five to
forty men, and handles, approximately, three hundred thousand barrels of
crude oU a year. iL-. Smith is a member of the popular society familiarly
known as the Elks, and of several college fraternities.
Geokge S. Oberly, secretary of the Oil City Tube Company, was born in
Berks county, this state, December 4, 1858. and is the son of J. H. Oberly.
Mr. Oberly was about ten years of age when his parents moved into Oil City,
and his education, so far as scholastic training goes, was completed at the
common schools of this place. September 24, 1887, he was appointed to his
present position. Prior to that time he was for several years book-keeper for
the Oil City Trust Company and confidential secretary to M. Geary, the
president of the Oil City BoUer Works. At this writing, June, 1889, he
yet fiUs the latter position in addition to that of secretary of the tube com
pany. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, in which order he
holds the office of collector. He was married in this city September 21, 1887,
to the daughter of George Steffee.
Louis ScHWARTZcop, Superintendent and one of the principal owners of
the Independent Refining Company, was born in Lancaster, New York, Oc
tober 28, 1846. His father, Frederick Schwartzcop, a farmer by occupation,
was a native of Germany, and died in Wellsville, New York, in 1886, seventy
years of age. Louis was educated at the public schools of Wellsville, and
brought up as a farmer boy until he had attained his majority. After spend
ing some time with an engineer corps in the survey and location of railways
he drifted into the Allegheny oil fields, where he spent about three years
variously employed in the operation of petroleum wells and their products.
He came to OU City in 1883 and was employed by the Independent refinery
uatU 1884, when he purchased the interest of John Theobold in the concern
and at once became manager and superintendent of the shipping department.
He was married at Wellsville, New York, in September, 1885, to Miss Caro
line MUler, and has one daughter, Clara. Mr. Schwartzcop is a member of
the Lutheran church and the Order of Tonti, and is a Republican.
Joseph Reid, machinist and manufacturer of mill machinery, stationary
engines, etc., North Seneca street. Oil City, came to this place from Phila
delphia in 1876. Here he became an oil producer for a few months only,
and then turned his hand to that with which he was much better acquainted
—machinery. In 1887, having purchased the plant of a defunct concern,
he engaged in the business to which he has since adhered. He has been
twice bm-ned out, once in 1882 and again in 1887. His plant is now upon
the site of the old skating rink, and he employs fifteen to twenty men in
the manufacture of all sorts of steam saw and grist mill machinery, station
ary engines of the latest improved patterns, drilling tools, steam hammers,
etc., and carries on a brass and iron foundry. Mr. Reid is the patentee of

920 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the now famous Reid hydro-carbon oil burner — a device which promises to
bring into popular use as a fuel the cheaper grades of crude petroleum —
notably the Lima, Ohio, product. Joseph Reid was bom in Ayrshire,
Scotland, in 1843, and was about twenty years of age when he came to
America. He was educated in his native country, and there learned the
trade of which he is an acknowledged master. Since coming to this place
he has served the city creditably as councilman, and has established an en
viable reputation as a citizen. He is a Knight Templar Mason.
Charles Husteb, of the Continental Refining Company, Limited, whose
works are located on Oil creek, one and one-half miles from Oil City, is a
native of Rhine Hessen, Germany, and was born March 29, 1856. He came
to America with his parents in 1872 and the following year was in Oil City.
From here he moved to Brie, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in work
ing at the carpenter trade for a few years, then learned the finishing trade
in an Erie boot and shoe factory, and worked at it for three years, then
started a hotel business and was at it until 1886. From there he moved to
Oil City and with others established the Continental refinery, himself being
at the head of the organization. The youngest of four sons, he was edu
cated in the old country, and although in this country comparatively but a
short time his English is as pure and thorough as a native's. Mr. Huster
is a member of the Catholic church and the beneficiary order known as the
C. M. B. A. He was married in Erie May 13, 1879, to Miss Annie W.
Eichenlaub and has two living children: KatharinaM. , and Margaretha M,,
and has buried one, Rosa Anna, who died in 1888 aged two years. His
father, Jacob Huster, died in Erie in 1885 at the age of eighty-two years,
and his mother, now about seventy- seven years old, lives in Erie.
Cyrus R. Levier, in charge of the Eclipse pumping station, came to Oil
City from Franklin, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1888. He was born in Rich
land township, Venango county, March 15, 1844, and was educated at the
common schools. August 21, 1862, he enlisted in Company P, One Hun
dred and Twenty- First Pennsylvania Volunteers, and with that command
served two years and ten months in the Army of the Potomac, participating
in all the battles with his regiment up to October 18, 1864. After the war
he lived three years in Clarion county ; the rest of the time he has spent in
the Venango oil regions and in charge of and operating machinery. He has
been with his present employers, the Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company,
Limited, for the past eight years. Mr. Levier is a member of the G. A. R.,
A. O. U. W. , E. A. U. , and the Methodist Episcopal church. He was mar
ried in Rockland township, this county, November 21, 1867, to Miss Mary
Elizabeth Smith, and to this union have been born six children: Burton
William, who died aged about seven years; Myrtel May, who died aged
about six years; Frank Leroy, associated with his father at the pumping
station; Martha Grant; Daisy May, and Frederick Read.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 921
Michael Dobson, superintendent of the OU City water works, came to
this place from Reno in April, 1867. He is a native of Lockport, New
York, and was bom May 15, 1844. His father, Thomas Dobson, came from
Ireland when a small boy, grew up and married at Lockport, and there lost
his life by accident. Michael, the only son now living, was educated at the
common schools of Lockport, and there began his trade of machinist. He
came into Venango county in 1863, and at Rouseville finished his trade,
working there with one firm nearly sixteen years. Coming into Oil City, he
was made foreman of the fire department, and subsequently served two
years as assistant chief engineer. In 1883 he was placed by the board of
water commissioners in his present position. Mr. Dobson was married Sep
tember 28, 1868, at Callensburg, Clarion county, this state, to Miss Rachel
A. McCamant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dobson are members of the Catholic
church, W. J. Sutherland, foreman car inspector for the Lake Shore and Michi
gan Southem Railway Company, was born August 15, 1841, in Kingston,
Canada. His parents, William and Mary (Joyce) Sutherland, had seven
chUdren: James; Mary; John; Esther; Elizabeth; W. J., and George A.,
who was in the United States navy during the war for three years and nine
months. The father was a contractor, and he and his wife died, members
of the Scotch Presbyterian church. Our subject received a common school
education, and at the age of fifteen began for himself. He learned the cop
persmith trade in Kingston, Canada, and after following that for three years,
he came to Akron, Ohio, and was employed at the Atlantic and Great West
ern railroad shops at that place, where he remained one and one-half years.
He then returned to Canada, sold some property there, and went to Auburn,
New York, where he worked for six months in an agricultural implement
shop. He repaired to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, where he took a position
with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company, and came
to OU City in 1870 in- the capacity of car inspector for that company. He
was married in 1866 to Margaret Connors, a native of Canada, and by whom
he has had ten children: George A., deceased; William J., a bright, intel
ligent, and promising young man, who was drowned while bathing in the
Allegheny river; Cora B. ; Georgenna, deceased; John; Alexander; Kate M. ;
Anthony; Charlotte B., and Elsie. Mr. Sutherland is a member of the
I. 0. 0. P., at Cleveland, and of the A. P. A. of Oil City. He and his es
timable wife belong to the Presbyterian church ; he is a Republican, and
one of the honest, upright, and intelligent citizens of Venango county.
P. W. Sharp, superintendent of the Penn Refining Company's barrel
works, was born February 14, 1846, in Germany, and is a son of Frederick
and Amelia (Hagerman) Sharp, natives of the same country, who came to
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1871, where they both died. They were the parents of
eight children, five of whom are living: Joseph, an employe of the barrel

922 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
works; Maria, married to Charles Bankey of Cleveland, Ohio; John, a farmer
living in Nebraska; F. W., and William, a resident of Cleveland. The pa
rents were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Their son, P. W.,
received a common school education in the German schools and what English
education he has he gathered through the every day walks of life. He learned
the trade of a gardener in his native country, which vocation he followed
until 1869, when he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at anything
he could get to do. In 1870 he took his first employment with the Standard
Oil Company and remained with that great corporation for fourteen years.
In the year 1877 he was transferred by them to Oil City and remained in
their employment until 1885. At this time he built a shop and manufactured
barrels for one year and then took charge of the business which he now
superintends. He was married in 1869 to Maria Stark, a native of Germany,
and has five children: Anna; Lizzie; Rosy; Georgie, and Freddie. He is a
member of the Royal Templars of Temperance and of the K. of L. ; with his
wife he belongs to the Evangelical church, and in politics he is a Republi
can. He is deservedly popular in the position he holds among the twenty-
eight employes under his charge.
John A. Lewis, architect, contractor, and builder. South Oil City, was
born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1838, and is a son of
Zachariah Lewis. At the common schools he acquired a fair education, and
while yet in his teens tumed his attention to carpentering, architecture, and
drawing. In May, 1861, he joined the volunteer army as a private soldier
in Company E, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served something over
three years. While carrying the musket he participated in the battles of
Drainesville, West Virginia, the Seven Days' fight around Richmond, the
second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Mead's Mardi Gras cam
paign, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Cold Harbor. At
Spottsylvania Court House May 8, 1864, he fell into the hands of the enemy*
but at Beaver Dam the following day his friends overhauled the enemy and
released him. From the first to the last of his service Mr. Lewis took part
in all the engagements of his regiment. He was never off duty for any
period, never spent a day in the hospital, was but once a prisoner, and but
once slightly wounded. He was mustered out of the army at Pittsburgh, in
June, 1864; and came almost at once to Oil City. Here he began the occu
pation to which, with the exception of a year or two given to the oil busi
ness, he has since adhered. He has been seven years a member of the city
council and was one of the prime movers in the adoption of the now popular
Wallace charter. He is a member of the G. A. R. post at this place, was
seven years its quartermaster, and in 1887 its commander. In fact he was
one of the organizers of Post 435, and is rightfully credited as one of its
most ardent workers. Mr. Lewis was married in Oil City in 1868 to Miss
Porter, who has borne to him six children: Theron Victor, Rena Agatha, Ora
Cecil, Lester Leroy, Walter Everett, and an infant, not named.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 023
Feedeeiok Eichner was bom in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 20,
1834, and came to America in 1853. His parents, John and Louisia
Frederica (Bachman) Eichner, had borne unto them nineteen children, only
four of whom, three sons and one daughter, are now living. The senior
Mr, Eichner died in Germany in 1864; his widow is yet living (1889); their
three sons are in the United States and their sister remains with her mother
in Grermany, both being widows. The subject of this sketch was educated
in his native country, where he also learned the tanning trade. When
eighteen years old he came to America with his elder brother, worked here
and there wherever he could get work for a few years, and then engaged in
the tanning business in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, for nine years.
WhUe a tanner Mr. Eichner was married in Clarion county, February 17,
1859, to Anne Elizabeth Hugus, a native of Westmoreland county, Penn
sylvania, and has had borne unto him six children, as follows: Samuel H.,
of the firm of Eichner Brothers, dealer in boots, shoes and gents' furnishing
goods, in South Oil City ; Louisa C. ; William C. , a partner of his father
in the meat business in South Oil City; T. Edgar, a resident of the state of
Washington, who is also a member of the firm of Eichner Brothers; Lilly
May, and Florence Edna. In 1863, having fully determined to remain in
this country, and to become an American citizen, he took out his naturaliza
tion papers and placed himself at the country's service, at a time when
others, native born, were fleeing to Canada. In 1866 Mr. Eichner located
in OU City, and engaged in the meat business, which has received the most
of his attention with a few exceptions. He has been a producer of petro
leum at various times, and for two years a farmer, after which he again
embarked in the meat business. He is a man of excellent business habits,
and as demonstrated by his success as a merchant, he embraces the essen
tials that too few men in his business have. He has a large circle of friends
and patrons both in and out of Oil City. The family belong to the
Presbyterian church, and Mr. Eichner is a member of the A. O. U. W.
H. H. Fair, dealer in general merchandise and proprietor of the Oil
City mUl, South Oil City, came to this place from the United States army
in 1863. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was engaged at driUing oil
wells at Walnut Bend, Pennsylvania, and on the 10th of September, 1861,
at Erie, enlisted in Company A, Eighty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers.
With his regiment he took part in the battles of Hanover Court House and
the subsequent engagements of the command in the retreat from before
Eichmond. In March, 1863, he was discharged from the service on account
of physical disability, leaving the army with the rank of a non-commissioned
officer. Coming at once to OU City he engaged for a while in the oil busi
ness, and later on at carpentering — as a contractor and builder. In 1871
he embarked in mercantile business, and in 1885 purchased the Oil City
flouring mills. Mr. Fair was born in Indiana county, this state, July 14,

924 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1836, was educated at the common schools and at West Freedom Academy,
and while yet a young man leamed the trade of millwright. He is a
member of the G. A. R. , one of the trustees of the International Progress
ive Association, and a director in the Oil City Trust Company Bank. At
Clarion, in 1866, he was married to Miss Frances Gilger. She died in
1876, and in 1878, at Oil City, Miss Augusta Rogers, of Jackson, Michi
gan, became Mrs. Fair. By his first marriage Mr. Fair has one son, Fred,
and by his second two sons and a daughter: Albert; Harry, and Mary.
George Kaui-mann, a prosperous dealer in meats. South Oil City, was
born in Eichenbuhl, Bavaria, April 25, 1844, and came to America in June,
1867. His father, Ambrose Kaufmann, came three months later and located
in Baltimore, where he died in 1888, aged about eighty-six years. His
mother died in Bavaria when he was but six years of age. The senior Mr.
Kaufmann was a farmer in Europe; in this country he engaged in no busi
ness. George was brought up a farmer and when twenty-one years of age
was pressed into the army, where he remained one year, participating in
five different battles of the Austro-Prussian war. Knowing when he had
enough of a good thing he took "French leave " of the German army and
forthwith became a citizen of the United States. In Baltimore he learned
the butcher's trade, and in December, 1870, came to Oil City. From 1873
to 1876 he lived again in Baltimore, and in the latter year returned to this
place. Mr. Kaufmann is a member of the Catholic church, and of the C. M.
B. A. He was married in Oil City August 1, 1872, to Mary Steelpflug, and
has five children living: Francis Joseph; Magdalena Rosalie; Emma Wal-
burge; Ferdinand Urban, and Henry Philip. The first-born, George, died
at the age of six months.
George Gootmillbe, an enterprising and popular dealer in meats, came
to Oil City in 1869, fpom Brady's Bend, where he had worked at mining
coal, and for the three succeding years followed tailoring. He was born in
Baden, Germany, April 2, 1845, and with his sister came to America in
June, 1868. They landed in New York and from there George migrated to
Illinois, where he spent a few months. He next made his home awhile in
Pittsburgh, moving thence to Brady's Bend and from there, as has been
noticed, to Oil City, where he is now, and has been since about 1872, en
gaged in the meat business. Mr. Gootmiller was married in this city Au
gust 2, 1870, to Miss May Koebel, and has five children: Lena, Elizabeth,
Maggie, George, and Gustave.
Harry Naylor, for the past seventeen years the familiar collector at the
north end of the Oil City Petroleum bridge, was the second man in the
United States to engage in the manufacture of carbon oil. He came to
this place from Pittsburgh in 1863, dealt in coal a few months, and engaged
in petroleum as producer and operator. Having at the end of three years'

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 925
unfortunate investments wrecked his surplus, he accepted employment from
the borough as charge d ' affairs at the Oil creek bridge. So soon as the
Oil City and Petroleum bridge' was completed he was appointed by the com
pany to his present position, and that he has held it so many years without
interruption attests fully his faithfulness in guarding the interests of his
employers. Mr. Naylor was born in England March 29, 1836. He there
received a common school education, and learned the trade of pattern maker.
His father, John Naylor, was for many years the agent of Lord Ward, and
had charge of that gentleman' s vast estate in England. Harry Naylor was
twenty-three years old when he came to America. After a short stay in
New York he moved to Pittsburgh, where he was employed by his brother-
in-law, William Smith, then proprietor of the Ninth Ward foundry, as pat
tern maker. From that he turned his attention to petroleum, and, as has
been said, was one of the pioneers in the manufacture of carbon oil. Mr.
Naylor is not only a skilled machinist; he is ingenious. One of the first
brick machines ever made was his invention; the most popular bottle bot
tling machine of its day was the project of his ingenuity, and in 1888 he
patented an auger handle which is acknowledged by experts to be the most
complete, simple, durable, and unobjectionable appliance of the kind so far
brought out. It is said that ' ' the inventor always dies in a hovel ; the
manufacturer in a palace. ' ' This is probably too broad; but there is enough
truth in it to prove a proverb, and the case before us promises to be an ex
ception. Realizing nothing from his earlier inventions, Mr. Naylor is pur
suing a different course with the latter. He is manufacturing the tools
himself, and though only in a small way, success is assured. The handle
can be instantly attached or detached, can be applied to any sized auger bit,
and holds with equal firmness any shape of shank whether square, triangu
lar, conical, or straight. These features, together with its cheapness and
diirabUity, warrant its popularity. Mr. Naylor was married in Allegheny
City, AprU 20, 1863, to the daughter of Doctor J. D. Baldwin, and the chil
dren born of this union are: Hari-y B., Mazy, Adelia, James D., Annie M.,
John A., and Bernice E. Mr. Naylor is a member of the Baptist church,
the A. 0. U. W., and the K. of L.
Edward Lewis, superintendent of bridges and buildings on the Alle
gheny Valley railroad, is a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was
born April 11, 1834. His father, a farmer, was a native of Pennsylvania.
He died when Edward was about ten years of age. After acquiring at the
public schools a fair English education, the latter learned the carpenter
trade in PhUadelphia and followed it about one year after arriving at his
majority. Since that time he has been regularly employed as bridge builder.
At Easton, Pennsylvania, he superintended the construction across the
Delaware river of the first heavy iron span erected in this state. He was
next employed by Piper & Sheffler and remained with them and their sue-

926 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
cessors, the Kingston Bridge Company, seventeen years — twelve years of
this time as their assistant superintendent. In 1871 he returned for a short
time to carpenter work; then for a few months he was with the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Company, from which he went to the Oil Creek railway as
master carpenter. In 1874 or 1875 he was appointed to his present position
with the Allegheny Valley railway. Here he has under his supervision the
construction of bridges and buildings on two hundred and sixty-four miles
of road, the work employing in all of the departments about one hundred
and fifty men. Mr. Lewis was married in Northumberland county, this
state, December 28, 1856, to Miss Jane T. Wenck, and has had borne to
him the following children; G. S., in the employ of the pipe line; E. C, a
physician; T. S. , a druggist; Charles, railroading; Harry, a student;
Claud; Jennie, and Sally; Eliza S., died February 1, 1864; John P., De
cember 23, 1866, and Fred A., May 5, 1871.
Glenn T. Braden, general superintendent of the National Transit Com-
,pany, United Pipe Lines division. Oil City, was born at Waterford, Erie
county, Pennslyvania, June 1, 1856. He was educated at the common
schools, and in 1873 began work with the Union Pipe Line Company. In
1876 he came with the United Pipe Lines Company as ganger; in 1882 he
was promoted to division foreman at Cherry Grove and Thorn Creek; in
1886 he was made superintendent of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Pipe
Lines with headquarters at Washington, Pennsylvania, and in July, 1888,
was appointed to his present position. Mr. Braden is a Knight Templar
Mason, and a member of the Pittsburgh consistory. He was married in
Washington, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1888.
John H. Evans, prothonotary of Venango county, was born in Ebens-
burg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1839, and is a son of
David J. and Jane (Jones) Evans. His parents were natives of Wales and
came to Cambria county in childhood, where they were married. The
mother is dead but the father is still a resident of that county. Our sub
ject -was reared and educated in his native county. He entered a store in
boyhood, and was engaged in the mercantile business in Cambria county
until 1861. He came to Oil City in 1863, and soon after became a member
of the firm of Reynolds, Brodhead & Company, afterward Brodhead, Evans
& Company, and followed the mercantile trade until 1876. He was then
elected city comptroller and filled that office twelve years. He was also a
member in the first council of Oil City, elected in 1871, and served two
terms. In the fall of 1887 he was the Republican candidate for prothon
otary, and was elected without opposition from the Democratic party. He
took office January 1, 1888. Mr. Evans was married January 21, 1868, to
Miss Catharine B. Wheeler, of New York city, who has borne him two sons:
Alvin M. and George K. By her paternal grandmother Mrs. Evans is a
descendant of Governor Winthrop, of the Massachusetts colony. The fam-

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 927
ily belong to the Second Presbyterian church of Oil City. Politically Mr.
Evans is a Republican, and was chairman of the county committee in the
presidential election of 1888. He is past master of Petrolia Lodge, P. &
A. M, , of which he was a charter member, and belongs to the chapter and
commandery. During the invasion of the state by Lee's army he served in
the Fourth Pennsylvania militia.
Horton C. Sweeney occupies the quadruplex position in Oil City of
comptroller, clerk of the common council, clerk of the select council, and
clerk to the board of water commissioners. In October, 1888, he was
oaUed to the comptroller ship to fill out the unexpired term of his pre
decessor, and in April, 1889, as the Republican candidate he succeeded
himself by a majority of seven hundred and twenty-six of the popular
vote — running several hundred ahead of the general ticket. To the clerk
ship of both the common and select councils he was also chosen first to fill
out unexpired terms — in the faU of 1888 — and for the regular terms,
beginning in the spring of 1889, he was the choice of the majority of
both assemblies. As clerk to the board of water commissioners he was
chosen by that board March 22, 1889. Mr. Sweeney was born in Sacra
mento City, California, July 29, 1860, and is the only son of the late
James Sweeney, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to the "Golden State" in
1854, and died in Sacramento in 1862. His mother moved with him to
OU City in 1866, and here he has since made his home. He was edu
cated at the public schools of this place and at Chamberlain Institute,
Eandolph, Cattaraugus county. New York, With a view of adopting the
legal profession, he read law some years in the office of William McNair,
of OU City, but his eye-sight failing him, he was forced to abandon his
studies and seek other pursuits. For four years he followed the fortunes
of the OU Exchange, of which he is yet a member, and in 1888, as has
been seen, he came into the public service. November 30, 1882, Mr.
Sweeney was married in this city to Miss Catharine Jamison, and to this
union has been bom one child, Horton Jamison Sweeney.
Thomas Nolan, agent for the Adams Express Company at Oil City, was
born December 21, 1835, in County Tipperary, Ireland, son of Michael and
Annastasa (McCormick) Nolan, natives of the same county. The family
came to Syracuse, New York, in 1852, where the father was engaged as a
book-keeper. His children were sixteen in number, eight of whom died in
Ireland; eight came to America and four are now living. The parents were
members of the Catholic church. Thomas Nolan was educated in the com
mon schools of his native country and learned the trade of chandler, begin
ning at the age of fifteen years. He immigrated to America in 1857, set
tled in Syracuse, New York, and there worked in a hotel for two years. He
then came to Pennsylvania and after a few more years' experience in hotels,
te was appointed to the general baggage department at Dunkirk, Chautau-

928 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
qua county. New York. After two years at this, in 1865, he was made
United States Express agent at the same city. Four years later he was
withdrawn ft-om this position, and appointed express messenger on the Erie
and Pittsburgh railroad, which position he held four years. After this he
was employed on the Allegheny Valley railroad as express messenger from
Pittsburgh to Oil City. Four years later he took charge of the Adams Ex
press office in OU City, coming thither in 1874. He was married in 1886 to
Miss Mary McDonnough of Dunkirk. He is now a member of the Oil City
select council, serving his third consecutive year. He is a member of the
C. M. B. A. and Catholic Knights; with his wife he belongs tothe Catholic
church, and is a Democrat.
James N. Lewis, locomotive engineer, AUegheny Valley railway, is a na
tive of Usk, County Monmouth, South Wales, and was born on April 6, 1845.
His parents both died when he was but an infant and he was placed under
the care of a relative, from whom he ran away before he was a dozen years
old. Making his way to the harbor he shipped in a sailing vessel in the East
India service and subsequently served an apprenticeship of two years and a
half as cabin boy and sailor. From the East Indiaman he was transferred
to a merchant ship which landed him some time afterward in New York
city. Here the civil war was then raging and young Lewis readUy found
ample scope for the gratification of his love of adventure. In March, 1863,
he enlisted as a private soldier in Company C, Ninth New York State
National Guard, subsequently known as the Eighty- Third New York Volun
teer Infantry, and served until Jtme 8, 1865, when, as the record shows, he
was mustered out at Fairfax Seminary, Virginia, on account of disabUity
from wounds received in action. As a member of the Eighty- Third regi
ment. Second division. First army corps, he participated in the battle of
Mine Run. He was next on duty with the Fifth corps on the Rapidan
river in the winter of 1863 and spring of 1864. In May he was transferred
to the Second brigade. Second division. Fifth corps. With this command
he fought in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, LaudhUl, North
Ann River, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. In front of Peters
burg, June 18, 1864, a minie ball struck him in the breast, passing through
his right lung and shattering three of his ribs. Prom the Eighty-Third he
was transferred to the Ninety-Fourth New York, but saw no service with
that regiment. He arrived at Pittsburgh June 18, 1865, and soon afterward
began work as a laborer on the Allegheny Valley railway. He next took a
job as fireman, and in March, 1868, was placed in charge of an engine.
Thus it will be seen he has been over twenty-four years in the employ of
this company, twenty years of the time as an engineer, and scores the re
markable record of not one accident during that period. Mr. Lewis is a
member of the G. A. R. , was delegate to the grand encampment in Febru
ary, 1889, and in March, 1889, was appointed aide-de-camp to the command-

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY. 929
er in chief of the G. A. R. for the state of Pennsylvania, and delegate to
the national encampment at Milwaukee. He is also a member of the Royal
Arcanum, A. 0. U. W. , and Knights of Maccabees, and has represented the
Sixth ward in the select council of this city continuously since 1884. Mr.
Lewis was married in Pittsburgh November 16, 1865, to Miss Sarah Thomas,
and the chUdren born to them are: Mary Alene, Mrs. J. H. Crum; Alfred
Gilmore; Edgar Martin; William J. ; Sarah Leona; Edith Viola, and Charles
Price. L. R. Reed, manager of the Enterprise MiUing Company, was born in
Mercer county, this state, December 21, 1855, and is a son of the late Ed
ward Reed. He was brought up to the milling business and, beginning at
Leech's Corners, in his native county, has followed it all his life, working
at various places in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, etc. He came to Oil City
in 1879, and for upward of two years had charge of the City mills. Sever
ing his connection with the City mills and* associated with a Mr. McConnell,
he constructed the property now known as the Enterprise mills, in 1883.
Mr. Eeed was married in Troy township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania,
Jtme 23, 1881, to Miss Ida E. Jennings, and has three children: Merle, Kate,
and an infant, not named.
John E. S. Macdougall, agent of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
raUway at OU City, was bom in Greenock, Scotland, March 20, 1845, and
came to the United States in 1863. He was educated in his native country
and there began raUroading. In New York city, in February, 1864, he en
listed as a private soldier in Company (J, One Hundred and Fifteenth New
York Volunteer Infantry, and served until July, 1865, most of the time de
taUed as clerk at Camp Distribution, Alexandria, and New York harbor
(Hart's Island). He has worked for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
raUway, serving in various capacities at Raymilton and Franklin. He was
appointed agent at Oil City in 1884. Mr. Macdougall was married at Frank
lin December 16, 1880, to Mrs. Nancy C. Deets, nee Richey, and has three
chUdren: Helen, Kenneth, and Jean. Mr. and Mrs. Macdougall are members
of the Presbyterian church, and the former is connected with several of the
beneficiary societies.

930 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XL VIII.
BIOGRAPHIES OP EMLENTON.
JUDGE JOHN KEATING, deceased, was born in Center county, Penn
sylvania, December 24, 1804, of Irish parentage. His early education
embraced the rudiments usually taught in the common schools. He was
reared upon a farm, and by careful observation and extensive reading accu
mulated a fund of valuable information ere reaching manhood. He removed
from Center county to Murrinsville, Butler county, when about eighteen
years of age. He was married in 1835 to Miss Catharine, daughter of
Michael McCuUough, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, who bore him the
following children: Hugh; Henry, deceased; Ann CecUia, wife of N.
Mackin, of Emlenton; Lizzie, wife of C. A. McCafferty, of Pittsburgh;
Michael, deceased; Mary, deceased, and John, deceased. In 1836, Judge
Keating removed to Emlenton and began merchandising. He was prominent
in the early progress and development of the town, and promoted the erec
tion of the Emlenton bridge across the Allegheny river. In 1846 he built
the Keating furnace about seven miles east of Emlenton, and ran it success
fully whUe others failed, having one thousand acres of land to support his
enterprise. This property finally became his permanent homestead. Having
removed to Clarion county, he was, in 1866, elected an associate judge
thereof, and served one term. In 1870 he became an oil producer, in which
capacity he was very successful. His one thousand acres became a good
field and his royalty was quite large. Judge Keating was a progressive,
enterprising, and charitable man, a kind father and husband, and thoroughly
respected by a large circle of friends. He was paralyzed in August, 1880,
from the effects of which he died. He was a stanch Democrat, and through
out his life an earnest member of the Catholic church, giving largely of his
means toward the support of that faith in western Pennsylvania.
Jacob Truby, deceased, was born at Warrior Mark, Centre county, Penn
sylvania, June 5, 1807, a son of Andrew Truby. His father and grand
father both came from Germany about the opening of the century. Jacob's
early life was spent on the farm and working at an iron furnace, in both of
which positions he acquired considerable practical skill. At the age of
twelve he removed with his parents to a farm in Scrubgrass township, Ve
nango county, where he remained until the time of his marriage, at the age

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 931
of twenty-five. During the winter months he was permitted to attend the
country school, and acquired the elements of an English education. He
was married September 22, 1832, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Jesse and Abi
gail (Thrasher) Hotchkiss, natives of Connecticut. She was bom in Mid
dlesex, Genesee county. New York, June 29, 1816. Of this union were
born the following children : Margaret, who married R. A. Porterfield, of
Tidioute, Pennsylvania; Abigail H. , wife of Andrew Weller, living near
Tionesta; Katharine Jane, married to Samuel W. Crawford, of Emlenton;
George W., deceased; Florence, wife of James Brice, of AUentown,
New York; Mary E., and Cynthia, both deceased; Jacob M., of Florida;
Lucy A., deceased; John P., a resident of Bolivar, New York, and James
Orson, oil producer, Emlenton. On the 1st of April, 1834, Mr. and Mrs.
Truby removed from Scrubgrass to Emlenton, to superintend the hotel and
ferry. He continued in the hotel business nine years, and then built the
Truby warehouse, stUl standing on Water street, froip which were supplied
the stores for the furnaces in the adjacent country during a period of ten
years. Mr. Truby was a captain of militia for seven years. Politically he
was a Whig, and then a Republican. He was identifi^ with the Methodist
Episcopal church, and died April 17, 1884, in his seventy- seventh year.
His widow resides on the old homestead in Emlenton, and though past the
aUotted period of life, still retains her primitive vigor to a wonderful degree.
James O. Teuby is the youngest son of Jacob and Lucy Truby, and was
born in Emlenton, July 18, 1856. He attended its public schools, and in
1875 commenced the oil business, which he has since continued. November
20, 1879, he was married to Miss Mila A., daughter of Elias and Mary E.
(Rickenbrode) Hennage, of Centerville, Venango county. They have two
children: Jessie G. , and Btoil. Mr. Truby is a Republican and a member
of the I, O. O. F.
Joseph Weller, deceased, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, Oc
tober 6, 1814, the son of John and Katie Weller. His father was married
twice. By his first wife, Katie, he had seven children, five sons and two
daughters, the daughters dying young. The names of the sons are: Adam;
George; Benjamin; Joseph, and Peter, all of whom except George and
Joseph are still living. By his second wife, Mary (Smith) Weller, he had
seven children: Nathan, deceased; Andrew; Samuel; Caroline, married to
William Hagerty; Jane, married" first to Charles Zeigler, and after his
death to Albert Shered of Emlenton ; EmmeUne, and John, deceased. John
Weller died in Emlenton, whither he removed from Berks county in 1852,
on the 22nd of October, 1873, in his eighty- seventh year. His second wife,
born iu Berks county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1803, is living in Em
lenton, and is in her eighty-sixth year.
Joseph Weller came to Emlenton in 1837, his capital consisting of about
one hundred dollars in money, a tailor's goose and shears, a few needles.

932 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and industrious habits. For a number of years he kept a store in a frame
building on Water street. He then erected a stone distiUery, the second
one in the town. This structure was finally converted into a dwelling house,
but now stands unoccupied, Mr. Weller cleared away the timber occupy
ing the east end of the site of Emlenton for the proprietor, Joseph Fox,
and received as pay the crops for the ensuing three years. He raised wheat,
rye, and corn in succession, and thus began to accumulate money. The dis
tillery was erected during the second year of the clearing. When the war
of the Rebellion broke out he had on hand a large supply of whiskey, from
the duty of which he realized handsome profits. He was a successful busi
ness man whose every venture turned to gold.
Mr. Weller was married twice, the first time to Miss Katie Hoover, who
bore him five children, only one of whom, Henry WUliam, of Forest county,
is living. She lived eight years of married life, and was then laid to rest
in the village graveyard. In May, 1846, he married Miss Angeline Will of
Clarion county, who became the mother of ten children: Catharine and
Sarah, both of whom died in infancy; John Adam, married to Mary E.
Kerr, of Emlenton, and now residing in Richland township; Mary Ellen,
wife of Jacob Truby, of Florida; Charles E., mariried to Sarah Reifsnyder,
of Oil City, and residing in Emlenton; Edwards S., married to Effie Mc-
Ginness, now in business in Emlenton; Joseph Franklin ; Emanuel D. , mar
ried to Hulda Sloan, and residing in Emlenton; George Calvin, who mar
ried Anna Swan, and Emma A. , now a student in the Boston Conservatory
of Music. Mr. Weller was a member of the Reformed church, and politi
cally an unswerving Democrat. His death occurred in Emlenton May 14,
1884, in his seventieth year. His widow resides in the commodious brick
residence in Emlenton erected by him, and enjoys good health.
Henry Allebach, deceased, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
November 5, 1800, the son of Jacob and Verona Allebach. His early life
was spent in his native county, engaged for a time in a woolen mill, and
subsequently at Reading where he followed the jewelry business. In 1837
he removed to Beaver township, Venango county, now Clarion, to which
place his parents had previously come. There he bought a farm and car
ried it on for a period of three years. In 1840 he located in Emlenton and
engaged in the jewelry business for a number of years. He subsequently
went into merchandising, but after four or five years returned to the jewelry
line and continued in it until he retired from business in 1872. He was
married November 30, 1823, in Berks county, to Miss Sarah, daughter of
Christian Shaner. Their children are as follows: Maria, deceased wife of
George Truby, deceased; Sarah, widow of John Sloan; Levi; Susan, wife
of John C. Porterfield, and Henry H. , deceased. Mrs. Sarah Allebach died
in Emlenton January 3, 1888, aged eighty-six years, eleven months, and
twenty days, her husband surviving her until September 25, 1888, and

i^5-^

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 935
dying in his eighty-eighth year. They were members of the Lutheran
church and among the organizers of the Emlenton congregation.
Elias Widle, deceased, was born in Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pennsyl
vania, September 25, 1809, the son of George and Sarah (Lasher) "Widle.
He resided in his native place until he reached his nineteenth year, when he
removed to WiUiamsville, near Buffalo, New York. Prior to his removal
from Lebanon and subsequently at WiUiamsville, he obtained a common
school education, and likewise learned the plasterer' s trade which he subse
quently followed. On the 25th of January, 1838, he married Miss Louisa
M., daughter of Robert and Margaret (Minor) Burts, of WiUiamsville.
From this union sprang the following children: William E., baker and con
fectioner, Emlenton; Henry Jerome, who died in the army ; Eugene E,, con
tractor and driller, Emlenton; John W,, engineer in the Emlenton flouring
mUls; Benjamin .J, ; George XV. , and Mary Louisa, both deceased; Loren Burt,
mUler, Emlenton flouring mills, and Emanuel O. , deceased. A few months
subsequent to his marriage Mr. Widle removed to Perry county, Pennsyl
vania, where he resided about eight years. He then lived successively in
Lancaster, Juniata, Union, and Venango counties; in the last named he
dwelt for a time at Mariasville, and finally established himself in Emlenton,
in 1854, where he resided to his death, November 26, 1866. It ought to be
said that Mr. Widle, about 1841, learned the foundry business and pros
ecuted it until the oil excitement began, after which he was an oil producer
and speculator. He was first an old line Whig, with strong anti-slavery
sentiments, and subsequently entered the Republican party. During the last
thirty years of his life he was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr.
Widle was a liberal, public-spirited, and useful citizen of the community.
His wido^ still survives him and is a resident of Emlenton.i
Chauncey Hamilton. — We are unable to trace, at present, the history of
the Hamiltons back farther than the middle of the last century, though good
reason exists for believing that the original stock came from Scotland shortly
after the landing of the Pilgrims. In some of the family records we find
this simple memorandum: "Joseph Hamilton, born September 7, 1760.
PriscUla HUl, born September 7, 1762. ' ' "When the Revolutionary war broke
out Joseph gave his services to his country, a portion of the time as an ordi
nary soldier, and also as a commissary. In the latter capacity he supplied
the American army with meat, A large supply being on hand in Boston
when the war closed, he sustained a heavy pecuniary loss. Joseph and
PriscUla had a family of twelve children.
Chauncey, the subject of our sketch, was the second child. He received
his education, which was considered excellent in those days, at an academy
in Boston, which he attended four years. He was specially noted as a superi
or penman, specimens stUl in existence exhibiting aU the neatness and system
of copperplate. In 1821 Chauncey came west and stopped for a time at
52

936 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Franklin. Shortly thereafter he began to teach school near what was then
called Anderson' s furnace, but latterly Kennerdell. After completing one
term he went to the neighborhood of Clintonville, where he spent some four
years as a pedagogue.
On the 26th of August, 1825, he was united in the bonds of matrimony
to Miss Jane Yard, daughter of John Yard, a former resident of New York
who removed to Venango county at the close of the war of 1812. After his
marriage, Mr. Hamilton removed from near Clintonville to Harrisville, Butler
county, where he spent some six years in teaching and other pursuits. At
the expiration of this period he purchased in Irwin township one hundred
and sixty acres of ' ' donation land ' ' from an old soldier named Pemnan for
two hundred dollars. In 1834 he removed to this land and began to improve
it. His first residence was a quaint rectangular inclosure about twelve by
sixteen feet, made by nailing boards to four trees fortunately placed, and
covering the space with boards. The chimney was simply an open space
inclosed by boards, but not covered. The door was made by suspending a
quilt over an opening. This tabernacle answered the purpose from spring
till autumn, when a round-log house took its place. It in turn was sup
planted about 1844 with a frame house which still stands and is occupied as
a residence. Mr. Hamilton spent twenty-four years upon his farm, when,
having sold it, he returned to Harrisville and engaged with his son, Joseph,
in the foundry business. In this he continued until his son's entry into the
Union army during the Rebellion required him to close out his interests. Sub
sequent to that time he never kept house, but resided with his children until
the day of his death.
His services as a teacher commanded the highest encomiums. The state
school report for 1877 contains this just compliment: "He was a man of
learning and ability, and a fine educator. ' ' He established one of the pioneer
schools taught in Irwin township. The pupils came from adjoining districts,
so popular was his work. As illustrative of his pedagogical experience, it is
stated that while he was on a certain occasion about to punish two overgrown
boys, they escaped from the school house. He pursued them two miles,
captured and returned them to the building, where he administered the
promised castigation. He was, under the school system of 1834, the first
examiner for Irwin township, a position he continued to hold for about twenty
years. It has been stated that Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Jane Yard.
This union resulted in the following children: Julian, born August 22, 1826;
Hannah, born November 21, 1828; Joseph, born October 6, 1830; Ann Eliza,
born October 18, 1832; and Benjamin Franklin, born June 21, 1838, prac
ticing physician in Emlenton. Mr. Hamilton died in Emlenton at the home
of his son. Doctor Hamilton, on the 2nd of November, 1874, in his eighty-
eighth year. His wife survived him until September 22, 1884.

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 987
Joseph Hamilton, retired, was born at Harrisville, Butler county, Penn-
Bvlvania, October 6, 1830, and is the third child of Chauncey and Jane
(Yard) HamUton. At the age of about four years he removed with his
parents to Irwin township, Venango county, where he principally resided
for about twenty-two years. He attended school in a log cabin under the
direction of his father and others, and subsequently the Clintonville Academy.
From his twentieth to his twenty-sixth year he taught school in Irwin and
adjoining townships, and then removed to Harrisville. Mr. HamUton has
been twice married, first in 1853, his wife dying a year later. He was
nest united in matrimony to Miss Sarah A. , daughter of James and Rachel
(Hall) Cummings, formerly of Maryland, but then residents of western
Pennsylvania. Four sons and one daughter were the fruits of this union,
the daughter and youngest son being dead. Of the remaining sons, Edwin
C. and Frank E. are clothing merchants in Emlenton, while Henry A. is
the postmaster of the borough, having been appointed by President Arthur
and re-appointed by Harrison. Mr. Hamilton spent a portion of his later
life in merchandising and the oil business. During the Rebellion he served
as a member of Company I, Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, fi-om July,
1864, to July, 1865. He and wife and family reside in Emlenton. He
has been identified with the Whigs and Republicans in politics, and the
Methodist Episcopal church in religion.
James W. Rowland, banker, was born in Mahoning township, Law
rence county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1838, the oldest son of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Murdock) Rowland. He is of Scotch-Irish and German extrac
tion. His paternal grandparents, William and Mary (Stillwagon) Row
land, were natives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. The former was of
Irish desgent, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was of
German ancestry. Their family consisted of the following children:
Henry; Jacob; Ann, married to George Kelly; Mary, married to I. P. C.
Murdock; Thomas; WUliam; John, and James. Mr. Rowland's maternal
grandparents were James and Naomi (Mitchell) Murdock. Their family
consisted of Ann, who married W. P. Byles; Elizabeth, who married
Jacob Rowland, and I. P. C. James Murdock was of Scotch descent and
a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Naomi Mitchell was born
and reared aear Pinleyville in that county. She was first married to
George McWilliams, by whom she reared a family, and after his death
married James Murdock. She was compelled to make several trips in the
pack-saddle to Philadelphia and retum with salt and flour to support her
family. Jacob Rowland, the father of our subject, was a farmer, and removed
to Lawrence county, then Mercer, in 1829, and assisted his father to open
a farm in the dense forest. He afterward established a home for himself
on the adjoining tract. He was an industrious, public-spirited citizen, and

938 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
during the war was one of the county commissioners who saved a large sum
of money to his constituents by refusing to levy a tax and pay interest on
what they considered fraudulent railroad bonds. He died February 17,
1885, in his seventy-foirrth year. His widow still survives him, and is living
at present on the farm near Pulaski station. Their family consisted of
seven children: James W. ; Naomi, deceased; Rebecca; Mary, deceased;
Seraphina, deceased; Mahlon, and George K.
James W. Rowland was educated in the common schools of his native
county, and subsequently took a course of training in Duff's Commercial
CoUege, Pittsburgh. He lived on a farm until he was twenty-five years old.
In 1863 he removed to Oil City, and soon thereafter engaged with W. A.
Cooper, of Franklin, in the grocery and express business. In 1868 he
entered the First National Bank of Franklin as book-keeper and afterward
teller, but after one year embarked in merchant tailoring. In 1873 he
came to Emlenton to open the Emlenton Bank, of which he has since been
cashier, and from that date has been a resident of the borough. Mr. Row
land has been interested in many of the enterprises of his adopted town,
and in many others even beyond the limits of the state. He became
interested in the Emlenton and Shippenville RaUroad Company, and for
many years was a director, secretary, and treasurer of that corporation. He
was one of the projectors of the OU City Fuel-Supply Company, in which
he stUl holds the position of director; he became equally interested in the
Emlenton Gas Light and Fuel Company, and is its president. He is also
president of the Union Light and Heat Company of Foxburg and of the Union
Improvement Company, Morgantown, West Virginia. Since 1888 he has
been a stockholder and director in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Railroad
Company, which is the owner of the seaside resort near Norfolk, Virginia.
Mr. Rowland was married February 20, 1868, to Miss Sarah P. McDowell,
of Franklin, daughter of Parker and Livinia (Titus) McDowell, of the
same town, and granddaughter of Jonathan and Mary (Martin) Titus, the
former of whom was the founder of Titus-vUle, Pennsylvania. Parker
McDowell was a son of Colonel Alexander and Sarah (Parker) McDowell,
who removed from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and thence to Franklin in
1794. For a more particular account of Colonel McDoweU the reader is
referred to Chapter XXI of this work. This union has been blessed with
two chUdren: Harry W., and Fred J., both of whom are assisting their
father in the bank. Mr. Rowland is an active member of the Masonic
order and an earnest Republican.
Alexasdep, B. Cra-wford, retired, is the eldest son of Ebenezer and Jan
nette (Grant) Crawford. He was born in Perry township, Armstrong
county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1815. Being the eldest member of the
famUy his services were required on the homestead farm until he was twenty-
three years of age. Meantime, however, he attended the old-fashioned pio-

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 939
neer log school house at intervals, and there acquired a rudimental English
education. At the age of twenty-three he began to learn the carpenter' s trade,
and pursued that calling without interruption in Venango and adjoining
counties for half a centui-y. On the 15th of September, 1842, he married
Miss Margaret, daughter of John Anderson of Scrubgrass township, Butler
county, and the same year became a resident of Emlenton, which at that
time contained only about half a dozen families. From this union have
sprung three children: Sarah, who married John McCombs, of the firm of
Porterfield & McCombs of Emlenton, and died December 13, 1875; E. J.,
an oU producer, and John Anderson, who married a daughter of James
Bennett, president of the Bank of Emlenton. In 1836 Mr. Crawford cast
his first presidential ballot for Harrison, and in 1888 he voted for Benjamin
Harrison, the grandson of "Tippecanoe," All his life he has been identi
fied with the Whig and Republican parties, and has followed the general
bent of the Crawfords in adhering to the Presbyterian faith. The evening
of their days he and his wife spend in their quiet Emlenton home.
E, J. Crawford, second child of Alexander B. and Margaret (Anderson)
Crawford, was born in Emlenton May 27, 1845. He attended the schools
of his native village and learned the carpenter's trade with his father,
which he foUowed until 1870. He then engaged in the furniture business
in Confluence, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Closing out in 1874 he
went into oil producing in Venango county, and has continued that busi
ness ever since. He was married January 9, 1867, to Miss Alice J.,
daughter of Roland and Harriet E. (W^hitehill) Patton, then of Emlenton.
They have had nine children : Horace P. ; Harriet B. ; Maggie V. ; Maud L. ;
Ida Blanche; Alexanders., deceased; Roland, deceased; Birdella, deceased,
and Colonel E. J. Mr. Crawford is a Republican, and a member of the
I 0, 0. F.
Samuel W. Crawford, oil producer, is the eleventh child and sixth son
of Ebenezer Crawford, and was born August 20, 1829, at the old homestead
in Armstrong county. His education was such as the country schools af
forded. He learned the carpenter' s trade but never followed it for any
length of time. In 1854 he went to California and engaged in mining for
eight years, mainly in Calaveras, Merced, and Tuolumne counties. In 1862
he went to Idaho, and remained several years. In 1865 he returned to Em
lenton, and for four years engaged with his brothers Eben and A. H.,
George Livingston, and D. D. Moriarty in the foundry business, then fell
into line with the community and began oil producing. On the 19th of
April, 1866, he was married to Miss Jane Catharine Truby of Emlenton.
As a result of this union they have had four children: Harry J. ; Edwin O.,
and Gertrude B., stUl living, and Louie L., deceased. Politically Mr.
Crawford is a Republican, and like most of the name a member of the Pres
byterian church.

940 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
A. H. Crawford, Jr., oil producer, is a son of Ebenezer and Jannette
(Grant) Crawford. He was born February 15, 1835, in Armstrong county,
Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and he at
tended the country schools during the winter season. In 1 861 he located
in Franklin, Pennsylvania, and for fifteen years was engaged in the oil busi
ness. In 1876 he removed to Emlenton where he has since resided. In
January, 1858, he married Miss Martha J. , daughter of William and Rebecca
(Davidson) Ross, of Rockland township, Venango county. From this union
have sprung seven children: Evan, Jeannette, and Edwin, all deceased;
Louis G. , infant, deceased; Lily; Mary, and Frank E. Mr. Crawford is an
independent Republican and has served in the borough council for several
years. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. His wife is a member of
the Presbyterian church.
T. A. Mohan, deceased, was born November 29, 1846, in County Mayo,
Ireland, and was a son of James Moran, a native of the same county. He
came with his parents to America when but a small boy. His father' s family
consisted of T. J., first husband of Mrs. Mackin; Mary, married to Austin
Cannon; Anna, married to John Munhall ; Cecilia, married to Martin Howley;
T. A., subject of this sketch; James; P. H., and Ella, married to P. Moran,
of Pittsburgh. Mr. Moran was married in Richland county, Wisconsin,
February 4, 1869, to Miss S. C. Loughney, daughter of Roger and Maroella
(McDonald) Loughney. Roger Loughney was a native of County Mayo,
Ireland, where he was born February 4, 1802. His family consisted of five
daughters and two sons : John, a resident of Wisconsin ; Mary, wife of Owen
O' Malley of the same state ; P. J. , a resident of Pittsburgh ; Sadie C. , widow
of T. A. Moran; Anna, married to John Timlin, of Kilborn City, Wisconsin;
B. P., deceased; and Jennie M., wife of T. S. Flynn, of Pittsburgh, Mr,
Loughney immigrated to America with his family in 1864, and located in
Ironton, Wisconsin, where he purchased an excellent farm upon which he
resided until his death. May 9, 1889, at the age of eighty-seven years and
three months. His widow still survives him, and is a model of vigor and
health. Mrs. Moran was born in Ireland September 29, 1847, and received
her education in the schools of her native land and Wisconsin. At the time
of his marriage Mr. Moran was a merchant of Pittsburgh, and came to Em
lenton in 1870 where he engaged in merchandising. His store was burnt
down in September, 1871, and he went into the hotel business, commencing
in the Valley house. In August, 1876, he purchased the Crawford house,
a four-story building, and intended to occupy it as a hotel the following
AprU, but his death occurred October 10, 1876, and thus frustrated his de
signs. The building was destroyed by fire in February, 1877. With com
mendable zeal and energy his widow undertook the erection of the present
commodious and comfortable brick structure in April, 1877, and opened it
to the public the following November. She has since managed it in a highly

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 941
successful manner. Five children were born to T. A. and S. C. Moran:
Mary CecUia, deceased; James Edward; Roger William, deceased; Blanche,
and Genevieve. The whole family on each side of the house are members
of the Catholic church, in which faith her husband lived and died.
Thomas Butterfield, deceased, whose widow and two sons are residents
of Emlenton, was a member of a family whose connections have attained
considerable distinction in this country. In their ranks were General Daniel
Butterfield, of Lookout Mountain fame, and Butterfield Brothers, who or
ganized and operated the Butterfield overland express. Thomas was the
oldest child of Giles and Margaret (Waddle) Butterfield, and was born in
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1814. His father was a
native of Vermont; his mother, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
The remaining members of his father's family were: Mary; Lavinia; Clark;
GUes, and Sarah Jane. Our subject received a common school education,
subsequently learned the trade of miller, and followed successfully through
Hfe the business of conducting a merchant flouring mill at Livermore, in his
native county. A barrel of his flour, made by the old process and exhibited
at the World's Fair in London, England, in 1851, took first prize. Though
a strong Republican he attended scrupulously to his personal affairs, and
never permitted himself to be a candidate for any office. He was a member
of the Presbyterian church, and an elder in that organization for thirty
years prior to his death, which occurred October 10, 1880.
Mr. Butterfield was married September 28, 1837, to Miss Nancy, daugh
ter of Jacob and Margaret (McLaughlin) Bush, of Blairsville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Bush was a native of Baden, Prussia, and his wife of Chester county,
this state. The fruit of this union was six children : Taxeina, married first
to John G. Hart, who was killed in the battle of Gaines' Mills, and next to
Conrad Mixner, of Pittsburgh; Thomas H. , member of Company E,
Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, and afterward a practicing physician who died February 20,
1876; Israel G., agent of the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company, at Em
lenton; GUes, merchant at Tionesta; Margaret, married to WUliam Walton,
of Moorestown, New Jersey, and Sylvester, assistant agent at Emlenton.
Mrs. Nancy Butterfield nee Bush, was born at Blairsville, Pennsylvania,
July 26, 1817. She still survives her husband, and is a'consistent member
of the Emlenton Presbyterian church.
Thomas J. Eakin, oil producer, was born December 19, 1840, on the
old homestead in Clinton township, the fourth child of David and Rebecca
EaMn. He lived at home until June 5, 1866, when he married Miss M. A.
Coulter and began to farm on adjoining lands. This he did until 1874,
when he bought the old homestead and occupied it until 1886, and then
selling his land removed to Franklin. He remained in the county seat until
April 1, 1889, when he removed to Emlenton, his present home. Septem-

942 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ber 9, 1862, Mr. Eakin enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and served with it in the Army of the Potomac. He was detailed
in the commissary department, and participated with his regiment in the en
gagements at ChancellorsviUe, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold
Harbor, Petersburg, and Appomattox. He was mustered out at Lynch
burg, Virginia, June 17, 1865. Mr. Eakin held several of the minor
offices in his native township, among the number being justice of the peace,
and served as county commissioner from January, 1882, to January, 1888.
From his marriage to Mary A. Coulter ten children have been born to them :
Mary Alice; Charles P. ; Elizabeth May; Sarah A. ; Howard J. ; David B. ;
Thomas J., Jr. ; Martha; Marshall, and Caroline, deceased. Mr. Eakin
belongs to the K. of H., and is an active supporter of the Democratic party.
He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and
their four oldest children are also Presbyterians.
L. M. Hale, oil and gas producer and supplier, is a son of Daniel and
Caroline (Fritz) Hale, and was bom in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, Octo
ber 26, 1855. His father was born on the same farm; his grandfather, Ja
cob Hale, was one of the pioneers of that county, whence he came from the
eastern part of the state. In those days the people received their supplies
from Franklin, to which place they had to go along a trail, exposed to the
dangers of frontier life. His family consisted of his wife, who was formerly
a Miss Knight, seven sons, and four daughters: Jacob; John; George;
Daniel; Gideon; Joseph; Jonah; Katie; Mollie, and two daughters who died
young. Jacob died in 1871, in his eighty-third year. His son Daniel,
father of our subject, was married to Caroline Fritz in 1850, who bore him
the following children: FranliUn F. ; Lyman M. ; Ursinus, deceased; Mary
F. , wife of Lewis W'olfe, of Akron, Ohio ; Livina, married to Charles Way,
of Akron; William E. ; Cora I., and Albert. He was a farmer, and died
Septeiiiber 23, 1883, aged fifty-seven, and his widow is still a resident of
Emlenton. Our subject was educated in the country schools, and then took
a course in the Iron City College, at Pittsburgh. Soon after leaving school
he engaged in the news and stationery business at Turkey City, then a thriv
ing oil town. Subsequently, from 1875 to 1877, he resided at Sacramento,
California. Returning in the latter year, he engaged in the oil business,
and has pursued it ever since with varying success. In 1883 he located in
Emlenton, and united insurance business with his other affairs. He was
married Jui^ 5, 1878, to Miss Lizzie Depue, of near Conneautville, Craw
ford county, who has borne him five children: Homer D. ; Gay; Jessie M. ;
Lyman M. , and Edward B. He is a member of the Masonic order, and po
litically independent.
G. M. Sheffer, manufacturer, was born in Venango county, June 19,
1847. He is the second child of Jacob and Sarah (Lynn) Sheffer, both of
whom are still living in Rockland township. They are natives of West-

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 943
moreland and Lycoming counties, respectively. Their family consists of the
following children: Mary, married to Henry Webber; G. M. ; John B. ; Bar
bara Ellen, deceased wife of Clark Cummings; Hannah M. , wife of William
CrisweU, of Iowa; Charles M. ; Benjamin P.; William M, deceased, and
Ulysses Gary. Jacob Sheffer came to Venango county with his parents,
John and Barbara (Best) Sheffer, in 1822, at the age of eight years, his birth
having occurred January 20, 1814. They located in that part of Clarion
formerly included in Venango. With the exception of two years he has been
living in this county over since. Our subject was reared a farmer and re
ceived his education in the country schools. February 17, 1864, he enlisted
in Company L, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and joined the Army of the
Potomac at Arlington, in June following. Before getting into active service
he was taken down with typhoid fever and sent to the hospital at Gysbor-
ough Point. Recovering he spent some time at home on furlough, and re
turned to his command, and was put on duty in Washington. He was
discharged in June, 1865. After the war he worked on a farm for several
years, then engaged in driUing oil wheels until 1878, when he began his pres
ent business of engine repairing, first at Pickwick, Clarion county, whence
he removed in 1882 to Emlenton. Mr. Sheffer was married April 22, 1875,
to Miss Sarah Eleanor, daughter of WiUiam N. and Jane (Armstrong) Myers.
They have had six children: Hattie L., deceased; Bertha P. ; J.A. G. ; Stella;
Plumer N., and William O. B. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffer are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and also of the Royal Templars of Temperance.
He is an Odd Fellow, and in politics a Prohibitionist.
J, R, Donnelly, grocer, son of James and Maria (Frew) Donnelly, was
bom in Chartiers township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1842.
His father was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1817. He was
the second in a family of four sons and three daughters: Hugh; James;
John; Charles; Martha Jane, deceased wife of William Davis of Ashta
bula, Ohio; Maggie, married to Mr. Sykes of the same city; and Eliza, who
married Joseph Lenhart of Meadville, Pennsylvania. The only survivor is
Maggie, The family of James Donnelly consisted of three daughters and
one son, as follows: Martha Emma, married to Benjamin Day of Olmstead
county, Minnesota; J. R., of Emlenton; Eliza Jane, deceased wife of John
LyUe of Franklin, Pennsylvania, and EUzabeth Ann, who died in Cleveland,
Ohio. J. R. Donnelly Uved on a farm in Allegheny county until eight years of
age, then removed with his parents to Butler county, three years afterward
to Mercer county, and finally to Venango. His primary education was ob
tained in the common schools of these several counties. He also attended
New Lebanon Academy for about a year and a half, and likewise took a
commercial course at Iron City College, at Pittsburgh, after the war, his
funds being the savings of his army life. He entered the Union service

944 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
AprU 27, 1861, and spent several months at Camp Dennison, Ohio. On the
12th of July, 1862, he entered Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-First
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the following important engage
ments: Fredericksburg, ChancellorsviUe, and Gettysburg. He was at Ford's
theater in Washington at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln,
and witnessed that terrible tragedy. His discharge bears date August 28,
1865. He taught in the schools of Mercer and Venango counties from 1858
to 1862, and subsequent to the war from 1866 to 1872. In the latter year
he began business in Emlenton, where he has since continued.
In July, 1873, his partnership with D. D. Moriarty ceased to exist on
account of the destruction of their business house by fire. In the autumn
of the same year he started in business for himself and carried it on till
March, 1888, when he was again burned out, but has since rebuilt. Mr.
Donnelly was married September 26, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Calvert of
Venango county. Four children are the fruits of this union : Charles Dixon,
deceased; Lynn Otis; Maggie Amelia, and Mattie Cecilia, twins, the first
being dead. Mrs. Donnelly died May 26, 1882. .Politically he is a Repub
lican, a member of the G. A. R., I. O. O. F. , and A. O. U. W., and the
family belong to the Presbyterian church.
Ernest L. Godfrey, grocer, was born in New York city, February 14,
1854. His father was Louis Godfrey and his mother Anna (O'Neal) God
frey. The former was born in Paris, France, in 1816, and his wife in Bel
fast, Ireland, in 1832. She died in Broad township, Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, in 1862, aged thirty years. Louis Godfrey fled from France
in 1850 to avoid the persecution of Louis Napoleon, he being Republican in
sentiment and consequently obnoxious to the new ruler of the French people.
Arriving in America he began business in New York city, and was very suc
cessful in increasing the liberal sum of money with which he came to this
country. While in New York he met and married Miss O'Neal, in 1852 or
1853. He died in New York in 1854, from heart disease brought on through
a sudden shock from the loss of his wealth by unwittingly lending a large
sum of money on Sunday, thus invalidating the claim. Ernest L. , the sub
ject of this sketch, removed with his mother at the age of one year to
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he lived with her until her death
in 1862. He then worked as a miner for twenty -two years, with the excep
tion of a brief period in 1864-65 when he carried bread from Charlestown to
Camp Piatt in West Virginia, for the Union soldiers. He then came to
Venango county in 1874, and has been a resident thereof ever since, a por
tion of the time as a farmer, and during the last few months as a grocer in
Emlenton. He was married June 10, 1879, to Miss Sarah, daughter of
William Hagerty, of Emlenton. They have had four children, three of
whom are living: Agnes B. ; Martha Pearl, and William Earl. Mr. God
frey and wife are members of the Reformed church and politically he is a
Republican.

BIOGRAPHIES OP EMLENTON. 945
Andrew Crumley, oil producer, was born in Frederick county, June 13,
1845, the son of Henry and Adaline Crumley. He has been a resident of
Venango county for eight years, and of Emlenton one. Mr. Crumley was
mai-ried July 15, 1879, to Miss May, daughter of Addison and Mary Hud
son, of Clarion county, Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of
three children: Annie, Alonzo, and Allen. Mr. Crumley's ancestors were
Quakers. He is not a member of any church, but his wife is a Methodist.
He is a Republican, and one of the well-to-do citizens of the borough.
J. M. McClelland, medicine dealer, was born near Apollo, Armstrong
county, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1833. His ancestry is Irish Presby
terian, his grandparents being representatives of that stock. His paternal
grandparents came from the Eastern part of the state in 1798, and located
in what is now Indiana county, between Saltzburg and Elder's Ridge.
Their family consisted of four children : Samuel; John; James, and Rachel.
John, the second child, was married to Hannah Kerr, by whom he had
these chUdren: Elizabeth Ann, deceased; .J. M. ; Margaret, married to Samuel
Alcorn; Martha B., wife of John Shoemaker; William K. ; Hannah M., mar
ried to Joseph Fulton, and Thomas, deceased. The father died in September,
1873, in his eightieth year. Our subject is the second child of John and
Hannah McClelland, and received a limited education in the rural schools
of his native county. He lived on a farm until 1864; from 1864 to 1869
he was engaged in the grocery business in Indiana, Pennsylvania; from
1869 to 1877 he followed farming on the old homestead, and since the latter
date has been a resident of Emlenton, traveling much of his time for the
Emlenton Medicine Company. He was married March 22, 1856, to Miss
Julia A., daughter of John G. and Jane E. (Jamison) Thompson, of
Clarksburg, Indiana county. John G, Thompson was the oldest son of
Moses Thompson by his first wife, Jennie Jamison, the second son being
Eobert. John G. was married twice; by his first wife, Eliza (Kincaid)
Thompson, he had two children: William M., and Edwin B. By his
second wife, Jennie (Jamison) Thompson, he had eight children: Julia A. ;
Emma J.; Martha L. ; Jessie J.; Harriet R. ; Maria L. ; Nancy J., and
Teresa K. Mrs. Thompson died in 1881 in her seventieth year, and her
husband in 1883, in his eighty-fifth year. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
McCleUand has been blessed with six children: Lou E. ; J. T. ; Ida M, ;
Howard J, ; Jennie F. , and J. B. The family are adherents of the Pres
byterian church. Mr. McClelland is a member of the I. O. O. P., and
politically an ardent Prohibitionist.
John R. Cobbison, carpenter, was born in Venango county. May 1,
1835, the son of Alexander and Sarah (RUchey) Cubbison. His parents
were early settlers of Richland township where his father was a miller by
trade. Our subject was married January 10, 1856, to Miss Addaline Mid
dleton of Scrubgrass township. The result of this union is the birth of

946 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
eight chUdren, two of whom are dead. The living are: Mary, married to
Edward BirtcU of Franklin, and B. H. , editor of the Emlenton News; Fi
delia, married to S. H. Fowler; Alice; Lizzie, and Blanche. Mr. Cubbison
is a Republican in politics.
E. H. Cubbison, editor and publisher of the Emlenton News, was born
August 7, 1863, and educated in the public schools. He learned the print
ing trade in his native town and started the News, which he has since
edited and published. May 14, 1885. He married Miss Alice Pendlebury
April 10, 1886. Mr. Cubbison is recognized as one of the enterprising, en
ergetic, and successful young journalists of the Allegheny valley.
Uriah Sloan, lumber dealer and manager of planing mill, was born in,
Venango township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1840. He
is a son of Joseph and Eleanor (Leslie) Sloan. His father was a member
of a family consisting of nine sons and two daughters: Samuel; James;
John; David; Henry; Robert; Joseph; Thomas; Andrew; Elizabeth, who
married Alexander Grant, and Jane, married to James Jolly. The family
of Joseph consisted of five sons and three daughters: Marilda, married to
Robert Crawford; George; James Washington and Samuel Ephraim, twins;
Uriah; Mary Ann, married to B. C. Parks; Eliza Jane, married to WiUiam
Scott; Finley, and Ephraim, killed at Five Forks, Virginia, in March, 1865.
Uriah Sloan received his education in the schools of Cherry Valley, Butler
county, and lived on a farm until 1858, when he learned the trade of wagon
making. In 1859 he began to drill for oil, and continued in the business
until the breaking out of the Rebellion. He entered the Union service Sep
tember 24, 1861, as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Third
Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served in the Army of the Potomac and in
the sub-district of the Albemarle, North Carolina. He was with McClellan
in the Peninsula campaign, 1862, and subsequently participated in the
battles of Kingston, Goldsboro, and White Hall, North Carolina. April
20, 1864, his entire regiment was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina,
and he suffered a loathsome imprisonment at Andersonville, Georgia, and
Charlestown and Florence, South Carolina, until February, 1865. His time
having expired he returned to his home in Butler county. He was married
y May 6, 1868, to Miss Sarah, daughter of David E. Perry, of Scrubgrass
township. The fruit of this union is eight children: Frank L. ; Norman P. ;
Warren L. ; Hattie E. ; Hill and Forrest, twins; Alonzo, and an infant
daughter. In 1867 he began miUing in Emlenton, and in 1875 he bought
the old Presbyterian church and converted it into the factory which he has
since operated. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, a Republican
in politics, and belongs to the G. A. R.
Isaac Shakely, blacksmith, born August 21, 1842, in Parker township,
Butler county, Pennsylvania, is a son of John and Catharine (Reep) Shakely,
natives of Butler county, of German descent. His father's family con-

BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON. 947
sisted of five brothers and two sisters: David M. ; Isaac; John C. ; Solo
mon R. ; Fannie E. ; Sarah Jane, and Simon M, His father died on the
homestead in April, 1852, and his mother in November, 1884, Our subject
lived on the farm with his parents until he went to leam the blacksmith's
trade in Middlesex, Armstrong county, in 1859. During his youth he at
tended the country school and secured the rudiments of an education. He
continued to work at his trade until he went into the army, in August, 1862,
as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volun
teers. His army life was quite eventful. Enlisting at Kittanning he was
sent to join his regiment at Suffolk, Virginia, where it was serving under
Generals Gilmore and Foster, in the department of North Carolina. He
was with his regiment in the engagements at Black Water, Virginia; Kings
ton, Whitehall, and Goldsboro, North Carolina, and was finally captured
with his entire brigade at Plymouth, North CaroUna, April 20, 1864, an ac
count of which appears in another chapter. He was taken to Andersonville
prison, where he remained until September 10th, thence to Charleston, South
Carolina, thence to Florence, where he was paroled December 10th of the
same year. When he entered Andersonville he weighed one hundred and
eighty-eight pounds, but when he left Florence he tipped the scales at sixty-
two pounds. His health was much impaired by his prison life. After pa
role and recuperation in parole camp at Annapolis, Maryland, he rejoined
his regiment at Newbern, North Carolina, in April, 1865, and was mustered
out June 21st of that year. Retui-ning from the army, he located in Em
lenton and resumed his trade. Mr. Shakely was married February 14,
1867, to Miss Sarah Jane Shoup, of St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania. From
this union have sprung twelve children, eight of whom are still living:
NinnaV. ; Carry E. ; Frederick Morton; Nettie N. ; Frank Z. ; Wade B. ;
Chester A. A. , and Meade E. He has served as constable, councilman, and
school director in the borough, and is an ardent member of the Republican
party and an adherent of the Reformed church.
N. Mackin, oil producer and proprietor of the Moran house, was born in
Oneida county, New York, November 22, 1836, his parents being Michael
and Mary (McLaughlin) Mackin. Both his father and his grandfather,
whose names also were Michael, came from County Longford, Ireland, his
parents arriving in this country about 1825. Mr. Mackin' s early Ufe was
spent on a farm. He attended the common schools for a time and then took
special training in a select school under Professor H. P. Willard, of Boone-
ville, Oneida county. New York. From 1860 to 1865 he taught in Weston,
Oneida county. In 1869, after having spent four years as assistant clerk in
the Continental hotel, PhUadelphia, he came to Pithole, Venango county,
and has ever since been engaged as an oil producer in Venango, Warren,
Clarion, Bradford, and Butler counties, Pennsylvania, and Allegany county.
New York. Mr. Mackin was married November 25, 1880, to Mrs. A. C.

948 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Moran, widow of Timothy Moran, founder of the Moran' house, Emlenton.
Mrs. Mackin is a daughter of Judge John Keating, one of the most promi
nent pioneers of the town, where he resided many years. Politically Mr.
Mackin has always acted with the Democratic party, his first vote having
been cast for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. On the 10th of December, 1888,
he was appointed postmaster of Emlenton by President Cleveland, but the
senate failing to approve the appointment, he never held the position. He
bears strong testimonials from Governors A. G. Curtin and Horatio Sey
mour as to his personal worth and ability. Mr. Mackin has always been a
strong friend and advocate of education, and both he and wife are members
of the Catholic church.
Patrick Craton, proprietor of St. Cloud hotel, Emlenton, was born in
County Clare, Ireland, January 18, 1840, the son of John and Margaret
(Killin) Craton. In 1844, the entire family came to America and settled in
East Troy, New York. In 1853 the family removed to Lock Haven, Penn
sylvania, where they kept a hotel. In 1864, John died leaving a widow
who still survives him and is now a resident of Napoleon, Pennsylvania,
likewise six sons and two daughters: Michael; Mary Ann; Thomas;
Johanna; John; Patrick; James, and Cornelius. Two had died in Ireland:
Daniel and Margaret. Of those who came to America, all except Mary Ann
and James are still living. Patrick, our subject, left Lock Haven in 1866,
and came to Emlenton. Por six years he was in charge of a section on
the Allegheny Valley raUroad. In 1872 he purchaced the old Exchange
hotel, which had been erected by James S. Hagerty some twenty years pre
viously. It burning down in 1879, he at once began its rebuilding under the
name of the St. Cloud hotel, a larger and grander structure on the same site.
It has been o-wned by him ever since, and except the years 1883 and 1884,
has been managed by him. January 31, 1869, he was married to Miss
Bridget Casey, of Franklin. They have had eight children, five of whom
only are living: John M. ; Margaret B. ; Thomas M. ; Patrick H., and Cor
nelius. Mr. and Mrs. Craton are both members of St. Michael's Catholic
church. He was formerly a Democrat, but cast his first Republican vote
in 1888 for Harrison and Morton.
H. K. Stevens, oil producer, was born in Tarentum, Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, February 6, 1843, the second child of L. M. and Mary
(Tingley) Stevens, of Tarentum. His father's family consisted of five chil
dren: Emaline, married to Thomas Wellsby, of Rockland, Venango county;
H. K. ; Henry Louis, deceased; Lawrence, and Robert. The parents are
both living in Tarentum, the father being extensively engaged in the lum
ber business. Our subject lived in Tarentum, and attended the high school
until June 3, 1863, when he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-First Pennsylvania
Volunteers. He served with the Sixth corps in the Army of the Potomac,
participating in the following engagen;ents : Rappahannock Station, WU-

BIOGRAPHIES OP EMLENTON. 949
derness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. The corps was then
placed under command of Sheridan and served with him around W^ashinc^-
ton and in the Shenandoah valley, engaging in the battles of Fort Ste
phens, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek. It then returned to
Petersburg, engaging in the remaining battles of the east. Mr. Stevens
was wounded twice, first in the Wilderness and next at Cold Harbor. Dur
ing the latter part of his service, he held the rank of sergeant. He was
discharged at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1865. In 1867 he went to
Pleasantrille and engaged in tank buUding for some twelve years. During
the last ten years he has been operating in oil in McKean, Venango, and
Butier counties. June 8, 1876, he was joined in marriage to Miss Lizzie
Maybee, daughter of James and Ellen Maybee, of Great Valley, New York.
Mr. Stevens is connected with the G. A. R. , and affiliates strongly with the
Republican party.
H. E. Bradley, supervisor on the Allegheny Valley railroad, son of
Henry and Mary A. (Leet) Bradley, was born in North Haven, Connecticut,
May 16, 1833. The original Bradley family came from the North of Eng
land early in the last century, and consisted of four brothers, who settled
in Connecticut. The paternal ancestors of our subject were Henry, the son
of Whiting, the son of James, the son of Nathaniel Bradley. James Brad
ley married a Miss Alcott, an aunt of Bronson Alcott, of national fame as
author and philosopher^ The father of our subject was a son of Whiting
and Elizabeth (Parker) Bradley, whose family consisted of the foUowing
chUdren: Jesse; Henry; Harriet, who married L. L. Bishop, and Abijah.
Henry Bradley was married to Miss Mary A. Leet, daughter of George
Leet, of Leet' 8 island, Connecticut, who was born in the original house in
which Governor Leet lived, and of whom he was a direct descendant.
From this union sprang four children : ' a daughter who died in infancy ;
Henry E. ; Annie B. , married to Nelson W. Hine of New Haven, and Fred
erick C.
Our subject lived in the village of North Haven, where he attended the
public schools and assisted his father in a general store until the breaking
out of the Rebellion. In August, 1862, he joined Company D, Fifteenth
Connecticut Volunteers, and served with various commands in Virginia for
fom'teen months, when he was discharged for disability at Portsmouth.
During the latter part of his service he acted as foragemaster, receiving and
shipping the feed for six thousand animals. When the war closed Mr.
Bradley took charge of a part of the work of building Fort Hale, in New
Haven harbor. In December, 1867, he came west, and was appointed super
visor on the Allegheny Valley railroad in January following, which posi
tion he has ever since held. His successive residences have been Kittan
ning, Franklin, and Emlenton. April 13, 1870, he married Miss Sarah B.,
daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Graham) Henry of Kittanning, Penn-

950 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
sylvania, who has borne him the foUowing children: James Harry, Nellie
Graham, and Bessie Hine. Mr. Bradley has served as burgess of Emlen
ton one term, and fourteen years as councilman. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, a Republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to
the Presbyterian church.
A. D. Gates, liveryman, is a son of Jacob and Jane (Downing) Gates,
and was born at Gates' Landing, Venango county, February 28, 1835. His
father was a native of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Clarion
county, and they were married in Venango county. Jacob was a great
hunter and made much money shipping furs to Pittsburgh, returning in his
canoe with salt and flour. In later years he was a lumber and shingle
dealer. He had two brothers and four sisters: John; George; Jane; Nancy;
Polly, and Mary. His family consisted of the following children: Mary
Ann and William, deceased; Martha; John, deceased; Catharine; G. W.,
deceased; Jacob R. ; A, D. ; Nelson, deceased; R. D., and S. T. Mr. Gates
lived at Gates' Landing until the day of his death, which occurred about
1844. Our subject from early youth was accustomed to life on the AUe
gheny river, finally became a pilot, and served in that capacity until the
decline of steamboating on that stream. When the oil excitement began he
was caught in the craze, he and his brother sinking a well on the old home
stead and securing sufficient oil to produce a sale of the farm for thirty-five
thousand dollars. He followed farming until 1871, since which time he has
been a resident of Emlenton. He dealt in real estate and oil lands for three
years and then opened a shoe store. He continued in the business about
nine years, was afterward in the oil business about two years, and then
bought the livery stable of J. A. Boozel, and is still engaged in that busi
ness. He was married April 26, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Sam
uel and Rachel McKinney, who has borne him one child, John P. Mr.
Gates is an Odd Fellow, politically a Republican, and a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Joseph Baish, shoemaker, was born in York county, Pennsylvania
October 17, 1830, the second child of Garrett and Susan (Pentz) Baish. His
father was born in Adams county; his mother, in York. Both were of Ger
man descent, their ancestors of several generations ago having come from
Germany. They were the parents of ten children: Elizabeth; Joseph;
Catharine, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Mary Ann; William and Sarah, twins;
Ephraim; Eliza Jane; and Garrett. Mrs. Baish died December 21, 1855,
her husband surviving her until April 25, 1879. Our subject was reared in
the village of Franklintown, Pennsylvania, where he attended subscription
school, and learned his trade with his father. He resided in that vUlage
until 1858. On the 16th of September, 1852, he married Miss Leah,
daughter of Reverend Samuel and Elizabeth (Stump) Bnterline, a native of
Berks county. In 1858 he removed to Clearfield county, and in 1862 en-

a-'v~\ycL'

BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN. 953
Usted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-Ninth Pennsylvania Volun
teers. He served with the Army of the Potomac in the battles of Chancel-
lorsvUle, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad,
and Hatcher's Run, besides numerous skirmishes. He was captured at
Gettysburg, July 1st, and paroled July 3, 1863, was wounded at Laurel
HUl May 8, 1864, confined in hospital for two months, and discharged June
24, 1865, In 1864 his family removed to Orrstown, Franklin county, and
in 1871 he came to Emlenton where he has since resided. Mr. Baish' a
famUy consists of four children: Samuel Garrett, deceased; Jeremiah J. ;
Martha Jane, and Curtin B. He is an Odd Fellow, a member of the G. A.
E., and votes the Republican ticket. His family are identified with the
Methodist Episcopal church.

CHAPTER XLIX.
BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN, SCRUBGRASS, AND CLINTON.

THE McMUEDY FAMILY are among the descendants of one of the
early settlers of Irwin. Isaac McMurdy and his son George came
to Irwin township in the spring of 1797. They selected a tract of land
containing five hundred acres in Venango and Butler counties, three- fourths
of it in Venango. They cleared a patch and planted it with potatoes,
built a log cabin, and returned to Huntingdon county, from whence they
had come. In the fall they came back, dug the potatoes, planted wheat,
and again returned. In February, 1798, they returned, bringing the family,
moving their worldly goods on a wagon drawn by a pair of oxen, which
is claimed to have been the first in this section of the country. Isaac's
family consisted of his wife, Ellen, and four children: George; Isaac, Jr.;
John, who remained in Huntingdon county, completed his trade of carpen
ter, and subsequently came to Venango, and one daughter, who married
Jacob Izel, and remained in Huntington county, Pennsylvania. Isaac, Sr. ,
was a taUor by trade and lived in Baltimore, Maryland, before settling in
Huntingdon county. He remained on the place of settlement in Irwin until
within a year of his deatSi. when he went to Butler county, and died at the
home of his sister in 1849, his wife having died a few years previously.
Geoege McMurdy, who made the settlement with his father, bought in
1819 one hundred acres of a settlement of four hundred, and subsequently
purchased the entire tract. This land now forms a part of the village of
53

954 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Barkeyville and the balance is in the possession of his sons, John and
James. He built one of the early hotels, which was opened in 1812, and
built the first distillery in this part of the county. It was located close to
the hotel, which stood where Beatty' s store is now located, at McMurdy' s
Comers. George married Polly Martin, daughter of David Martin; they
had thirteen children, six of whom lived to maturity: John; Isaac; Polly,
who married Michael McFadden; Nancy, married to James McFadden; Mat-
tie, wife of Craft Walter, and James.
John McMurdy was born on the homestead November 25, 1809.' He
spent his early life on the farm. In 1832 he built a distillery on the home
stead farm, which he operated for a few years. He then engaged in farm
ing upon a part of the old place, where he has spent his life. He married
in 1836 Jane Gilmore, who died in 1845, by whom he had five children:
George, deceased; Nancy, deceased; Isabella; Sarah, Mrs. Robert Shaw,
and Joseph, deceased. His second wife was Nancy, daughter of Francis
Vogus, who is deceased. By this marriage he had two children: Annie,
Mrs. Thomas Shavv, and Martha, Mrs. Daniel Joseph. Mr. McMurdy is
the oldest living representative of the pioneer settlers of Irwin. He is a
Democrat, having cast his fii'st and last vote for that party. He has filled
the offices of school director and road commissioner.
James McMurdy was born December 25, 1818. He resides on part of
the homestead. He was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Porter, and
they are the parents of eight children: Louisa, Mrs. Thomas Kimes; Ada-
line, Mrs. Isaac Yard; Nancy J.; Margaret, Mrs. James Enfield; Martin;
Ambrose; Calvin, and Curtis. ,
The Gilmore Family. — Joseph Gilmore, a' native of York county,
Pennsylvania, settled on the line of Butler and Venango counties at an
early date, but very little is known of his history by his descendants. His
children were as follows : William; James; Maria; Jane; John, and Thomas.
John, the third son, was born October 15, 1804, and from him have de
scended the Gilmores of this county. He was one of the enterprising pio
neers of Irwin township and built the second grist mill erected in that part
of the county. He was also extensively engaged in farming. He com
menced his settlement in Irwin township in 1823, was appointed justice of
the peace by Governor Shunk in 1840, and filled that office up to his death.
He first located on the land now occupied by Simon Beighlia. He married
Nancy Peters, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, who was the mother of
eight children: Angeline, married to Daniel Hoffman; Lucy A., 'married to
Craft Walter; Esther, married to James Kimes; Eusebia, married to Walter
Hoffman; Joseph, deceased; Alexander, deceased; Jefferson, and WUliam
H. The parents died February 28th and May 15, 1844, respectively.
Alexander Gilmore, the second son of John Gilmore, was born in 1833,
and reared and educated in his native township. He followed farming and

BIOGRAPHIES OP IRWIN. 955
miUing, and in 1870 located near the mill where his family now reside, and
continued the milling business untU his death, August 17, 1888. He was
engaged in repairing the dam when he fell into the stream and was drowned.
In his death Irwin township lost one of its most enterprising citizens and a
man who always commanded the respect and confidence of his neighbors.
Hewas twice elected justice of the peace and was filling his second term when
his death occurred. He was also at one time a county auditor, took an act
ive interest in educational matters, and filled several of the minor offices in
his township, Mr. Gilmore was married in 1851 to Nancy, daughter of
Amos Shontz, of Irwin township, who bore him twelve children, ten of
whom are living: John; Amos; Eleanor, wife of Samuel Hoffman; Lysan-
der B. ; WiUiam; Catharine, wife of Lewis Martin; Meona; Alexander;
Lizzie, and Merty. Mrs. Gilmore survives her husband and resides at the
old place. Their son, Lyeander B. , was bom in 1860, learned the milling
business, and in 1884 engaged on a saw mill, which occupation he followed
for two years. He then entered the employ of Lewis Martin in Warren
county as an oil pumper, but on the death of his father returned to take
charge of the mills, in which he has since been engaged.
Jefferson Gilmore, the oldest surviving son of John Gilmore, is also a
native of Irwin township and was reared on the old homestead by his uncle,
Thomas GUmore. He learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for
some years, and in 1866 located on his present farm and has since been en
gaged in agriculture. He was married in 1857 to Miss Nancy, daughter of
Benjamin R. Yard, of Mechanicsville, and is the father of eight children,
two of whom are living: Margaret, wife of William B. Beach, and Benja
min H. Mr, Gilmore is a member of Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal
church, and has filled several of the minor offices of his township. His
son, Benjamin H., was born in 1859, and in 1884 married Marilla, daugh
ter of Samuel Baker, who is the mother of two children: Bert R. and Eva
C. He lives with his father upon the old homestead, which he assists in
cultivating. William H. Gilmore, the youngest son of John Gilmore, was born in
Irwin township in 1843, and was reared upon the old homestead. In 1861,
at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Third Pennsyl
vania Volunteers and served until July, 1865. He participated in the follow
ing engagements: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Weldon Railroad,
Charles City Cross Roads, Harrison Point, Kingston, North Carolina;
Goldsboro, North Carolina; Black Water, Virginia; Southwest Creek,
Williamstown, North Carolina; Poster's Mills, North Carolina, and Ply
mouth, North Carolina. At the last mentioned battle, April 20, 1864, he
was shot in the right hip, the bullet passing through his body. He was
taken prisoner and sent to Raleigh, North Carolina, thence to Saulsbury,
and afterward to Columbia, South Carolina, and from there to Libby prison.

956 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
where he was paroled October 22, 1864, after spending six months in South
ern prison pens. At the close of the war he engaged in the milling bus
iness with his brother Alexander, which he continued until 1876, and then
located upon his present farm. Mr. Gilmore was married January 15, 1862,
to Miss Martha L. , daughter of David Walter. PoliticaUy he is a Repub
lican, a member of the G. A. R., and with his wife belongs to Amity Pres
byterian churcli. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace and filled
that office one term. He has also held some of the minor offices in his
township. The Bakeb Family.— W^illiam Baker, a native of Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, removed to Irwin township, Venango county, in the year
1805. He was married in Westmoreland county and reared the following
family: John; Peter and W^illiam, twins; Philip; Eva, who married Jacob
Hoffman; Polly, who married Robert McConnell; Elizabeth, married to
Philip Surrena; Katie, married to Francis Vogus; and Nancy became the
wife of Jacob Jacobs. William Baker, Jr., was born in Westmoreland
county in 1790, came to Venango county with his parents, and about the
year 1829 purchased the land whereon his son Samuel now lives. He
served in Captain McManigal' s company in the war of 1812. He married
Polly, a daughter of Peter Walter, and they became the parents of thirteen
children: William J., deceased; Samuel; John; Philip; Martha, wife of
Israel Beach; William; Polly, who married William Daniels ; Clark; David,
deceased; Walter, deceased; Rosanna, wife of William Beach; Betsey, wif e
of William Walter, and Lewis.
Samuel Baker, eldest living son of William Baker, was born August 13,
1813, on the farm of his grandfather, Peter Walter, in Clinton township,
where he also spent his youth. He followed shoemaking for some years,
but has principally been engaged in farming on the old place, which he
purchased in 1859. He was^married in the year 1838 to Miss Sarah, daugh
ter of Stephen Whited Beach, and the fruits of this union have been ten
children: John J. ; Alva, who was a member of Company K., Fourth Penn
sylvania Cavalry, and died April 6, 1864, from disease and exposure in the
Confederate prison on Belle Isle; Ezra, deceased; Martha J., deceased;
Walter, deceased; Euphemia, married to John H. Lovell; William A., de
ceased; Marilla, wif e of H. B. Gilmore; Hattie, and S. Boyd. Mr. Baker
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics he
is a Republican.
John J. Kilgore, deceased, was of Scotch descent, his grandfather, James
Kilgore, having been born in Scotland in 1720. He came to America in
1736 and settled in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where Patrick Kil
gore, father of John J., was born in 1766. Patrick removed to Westmore
land county, Pennsylvania, and settled on the banks of Sewickley creek,
eight miles from Greensburg, where John J. was born September 20, 1796.

BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN. 957
In 1800 the family removed to the northern part of Mercer county, near
Sandy Lake. Here John J. married Dorcas McClelland February 7, 1815,
and in October of the same year removed to Irwin township, where he re
sided untU his death, November 25, 1883. He was a man whose kind and
jovial disposition gained him many friends. He was twice elected justice of
the peace, served one term as county commissioner, and represented the
county in the legislatures of 1852-53 and 1853-54. He rekred a family of
eleven children, of whom six were daughters: Margaret, wife of John Gilmore;
Jane, deceased wife of John Glenn; Elizabeth, deceased wife of WUliam
McKee; Sarah, deceased wif e of E. Davis; Mary, who married James Martin,
and Matilda, wife of David KeUy. The five sons were John, deceased; Sam
uel; WUliam; James, and Andrew J. At the time of his death the descend
ants of Mr. Kilgore numbered about two hundred. His settlement originally
comprised two tracts of four hundred acres each, one of which he subse
quently sold. He was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian church, of
which he became a member at the age of seventy. He was a man of re
markable energy, and always took great interest in public affairs.
Andrew J. Kilgore was born August 17, 1840, on the homestead where
he now resides. He early engaged in the oil business and spent a number
of years in the employ of various companies as superintendent of oil refiner
ies. In 1888 he returned to the homestead and has since been engaged in
farming. In 1873 he married Miss Susan, daughter of John Baker, of
Worth township, Mercer county. They are the parents of the following
chUdren: Araminta, wife of Charles Smiley; Idolletta; John C. ; Bmyrtie,
deceased; Ira E. ; Nellie P. ; Cochran L., and Frederick J. Mr. Kilgore is
a member of Amity Presbyterian church.
The Beach Family. — A large part of the history of the Beach family in
the United States is gathered only by tradition. Joseph Perkins Beach of
Boston, a son of the founder of the New York Sun, has been engaged in
writing a history of this family, and has succeeded in getting the names of
two thousand seven hundred and fifty-three descendants of two brothers
who came to this country from Scotland in 1639. From that year up to
1735 little is known of the family, though there are accounts of valuable
services rendered by its members to their country, who filled responsible
positions both in mercantile and public life. About the year 1730 one of
the famUy moved from New York city to Sussex county. New Jersey. His
son, James, remained in New Jersey and reared a family of nine children,
four sons aud five daughters. James Beach was twice married, first to a
Miss Peck, whose father remarked he had a bushel of girls because he had
four Pecks. His second wife was Betsey Morehouse. He died in 1820 at
the age of sixty-two. His son, Jared, remained on the homestead but the
others removed to different parts of the country. Stephen Whited Beach,
the leading subject of this sketch, learned the shoemaker's trade, and in

958 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1809 married Miss Sarah Simpson, whose grandfather came from Scotland
in 1700 and settled in New Jersey. Her grandmother, after whom she was
named, was of German descent. Stephen Whited Beach and wife, Sarah,
lived seven years on the homestead. Four chUdren were born to them. Mrs.
Sarah Beach, who in after years was known as "Mother" Beach, at the
earnest request of her brother, John Simpson, who settled on the head
waters of Wolf creek, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, persuaded her husband
to immigrate to western Pennsylvania, where land was cheap and a home
could be secured. In November, 1816, they started for the West, and on
reaching Dutch Valley, New Jersey, were persuaded to remain there and
open a shoemaking shop. They did so and lived there two years, when they
again started westward. They chose their route via Easton, Scranton, and
Harrisburg, and on reaching the summit of the AUeghenies met an acquaint
ance, Henry Darr, a blacksmith, who persuaded Beach to remain in his
neighborhood over night, and then resumed their journey westward, his
good wife urging him against his will to keep on toward the setting sun,
with the intention of reaching her brother John's home in Mercer county.
In due time they reached Pittsburgh without serious mishap, and spending
the night with a number of other movers, crossed the Allegheny river the
^following morning, and finally arrived at the house of James Brannon on
' Muddy creek, Butler county. Here ' ' Mother ' ' Beach' s energy gave out,
having walked all but fifty miles of the distance. Mr. Brannon gave them
a hearty welcome, and after a few days' rest, they pursued their journey to
the home of John Simpson, on Wolf creek, their whole capital on arriving
consisting of but twenty-five cents. The winter of 1818-19 they passed at
the home of Samuel Waldron, in the meantime looking around for a suita
ble location. Mr. Beach returned to the home of Henry Darr for a portion
of a load which they had left behind. In 1819 they bought a farm of one
hundred and fifty acres in Irwin township, Venango county, now owned by
William Beach, at one dollar per acre, and immediately settled upon it.
Here they endured the toil, hardships, and trials of pioneer life, but from
the time their settlement was completed, unsullied happiness prevailed in
their household. On the 28th of May, 1865, Mr. Beach died in the seventy-
ninth year of his age, having been born February 15, 1787. He was a life
long member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and died as he had
lived, a faithful member thereof. His wife was born September 10, 1789,
and survived him until February 6, 1888, living to the advanced age of
nearly ninety-nine years.
The emigration and prosperity of the Beach family was largely due to
the energy of this pioneer lady. She was sagacious and farseeing, and the
good fortune of the family was undoubtedly due to those qualities. Though
none of the family have occupied prominent positions, yet when the flag was
insulted by the English in 1812, Stephen Whited Beach went out in defense

BIOGRAPHIES OP IRWIN. 959
of his country. And when the throes of civil war convulsed the land many
of the family entered the ranks of the Union army to battle for the old flag.
Stephen Whited and Sarah Beach were the parents of thirteen children:
Caroline, deceased wife of James McConnell ; Bffie, deceased wife of Azor
Bagley; James, a resident of Indiana; John, who died in Indiana; Susan,
deceased wife of Patrick McDowoU; Israel, of Irwin township; Sarah, who
married Samuel Baker; Stephen, of Indiana; 'William, of Irwin township;
Oliver, of Worth township, Mercer county ; Henry, who died in Irwin town
ship; Jane, deceased wife of Andrew Lyons, and Daniel, of Butler county.
Israel Beach, farmer, was bom March 14, 1819, son of Stephen W.
and Sarah (Simpson) Beach. His educational advantages were exceedingly
limited. He commenced life by clearing a farm, and as the result of indus
try and frugal living, now has a fine farm of two hundred acres. For the
past twenty-five years he has been successfully engaged in farming and
stock raising. December 25, 1839, at the house of his wife's parents in
Irwin township, he was married to Martha Baker, born March 13, 1820,
daughter of William and Mary (Walters) Baker, natives of Bedford county,
Pennsylvania. The former, born in 1790, died February 2, 1869; the latter,
born in 1794, died January 13, 1888. They are the parents of twelve chil-
di-en: Julana; Mary; Maria; Sarah J.; W^heeler W. ; John; Keller; Lewis;
Samuel B. ; Israel; Martha, and Ellen. Mr. Beach is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics a Prohibitionist.
Benjamin R. Yard, retired farmer, was born in Mercer county. New
Jersey, in 1802. He is a son of John and Harriet (Benson) Yard, natives
of New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, respectively. John Yard
was a descendant of an old New Jersey family who came from England and
were active participants in the Revolutionary war. In 1812 he brought his
family to what is now Scrubgrass township, and left them with Thomas Ja
cobs while he sought employment at his trade of cabinet-making in Pitts
burgh. In 1813 he settled upon a farm in Scrubgrass, and three years
afterward removed to Irwin township and purchased the Captain McMani
gal property, where he died in 1858, his wife having preceded him two
years. Their family consisted of the following children: Theodosia; Ben
jamin; Jane; John S. ; Stephen; Zachariah; Sarah; Robert; Rufus, and
Benson. Our subject learned the cabinet-making and carpenter's trades,
which he followed for several years, and finally relinquished to go into
farming. Mr. Yard has been a member of Pleasant View Methodist
church and the church at Mechanicsville for nearly forty years. He mar
ried Catharine, daughter of John Hovis, who bore him the following chil
dren: John; Elijah; Nicholas; Ezra, and Mary, who married Jefferson
Gilmore. Mrs. Yard died in 1858, and he subsequently married Miss Mar
garet, daughter of Alexander Porter.
Joseph Alexander Allen was born in Penn's valley. Centre county.

960 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Pennsylvania, May 24, 1809, and is a son of Joseph Allen, a native of Ire
land, who immigrated to this country in 1785 and married Mary Biggs, a
native of England. Seven chUdren were born to them: James, deceased;
Robert, deceased; Joseph Alexander; William, deceased; Polly, deceased
wife of Patrick Davidson; Nancy, deceased wife of Jesse Carroll, and
Margaret, deceased wife of James Osborn. Joseph Allen, Sr. , died in
1824, his widow surviving him twenty-six years, He was a tanner by
trade, but after coming to Venango county engaged in farming. Our sub
ject obtained a limited education in the schools of his native township and
was brought up to farm labor. He was united in marriage in 1836 to Miss
Sarah Coleman, who died in 1845 leaving three children: Joshua Coleman;
Mary Jane, who married J. Wesley Henderson, and John Munson. Mr.
Allen married for his second wife Juliet, daughter of Judge McKee, who
died in 1848, having home to him one child who lived about six months.
He was again married in 1850 to Caroline Cossett, daughter of Doctor Coul
ter, who is the mother of five children; Juliet Achsah, wife of Milton
Glenn; Martha Ann, wifeof John WiUiams; Cyrus Glenn; Sarah Caroline,
and William Elliott, Mr. Allen has been a member of Amity Presbyterian
church for fifty-six years, and for fifty-one years of that time a ruling
elder. He was elected and served as captain First company Seventy-
Eighth regiment of mUitia, from 1842, being commissioned by Governor
D. R. Porter. Mr. Allen is a stanch Republican in politics, has always
taken a leading part in school interests and progress in his community,
and has been prominently identified with the material development of the
county. Henry Barkey was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1810,
son of Abraham and Catharine Barkey, who removed to Butler county, where
our subject was reared. He grew up on the homestead farm, and followed
farming for many years, and afterward engaged as a clerk in a general store.
In 1851 he located on the site of Barkeyville and engaged in mercantile
business in partnership with Abraham Hunsberger. He followed mercantUe
pursuits until 1885, when he retired from business. Mr. Barkey was mar
ried in 1833 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Latchaw, and reared one
daughter, Catharine, wife of Abraham Hunsberger. He was an elder in the
Church of God, and in politics a Republican.
Hezekiah Mays was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, a
son of William and Ellen (Watson) Mays. At the age of ten years he came
to Venango county with his parents, who settled upon the Allegheny river
in Victory township. His father was a tailor, and followed his trade in
connection with his farming. He was the father of sixteen children, seven
daughters and nine sons, and died about 1828. Hezekiah was the seventh
son, and passed his early life in various occupations. In 1830 he married
Mrs. Jane Cochran of Irwin township, and for many years conducted the

BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN. 961
tavern at May's Corners. He has filled most of the township offices, and
held the postmastership at May' s Corners for several years. Mr. Mays was
one of the early members of Bullion Methodist church, and later of the
Pleasant View Methodist church. His wife was the mother of five children,
and died in 1888. Their names are as foUows: Mary J. ; Ellen; John, de
ceased; Robert, deceased, and Ezra W.
John Henderson, deceased, was a native of Ireland and came to this
country with his father, who settled in "Worth township, Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, about 1798. Our subject located in Irwin township at an
early date, where his son Judas now lives. He served in the war of 1812,
in a company from Mercer county. Mr. Henderson married Mary Karl of
Mercer county, and was the father of the following children: Robert; Will
iam; Jonathan; Joseph; John F. ; Wesley; David W. ; Mary; Margaret, and
Leslie. He died about 1855, his widow surviving him about six years. His
son, Joseph, whose descendants now live in Irwin township, was born in
Mercer county, married Jane Bagley, who at her death left one child, Jane.
He subsequently married Rebecca Hawthorne by whom he had four children,
three living: Helen; Wilber, and Julius. He died in 1872.
Richard Henderson, justice of the peace and farmer, was bom on the
homestead in Irwin township in 1847. He is a son of George and Laura
(Wilson) Henderson, natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. George
Henderson came from W'estmoreland county about 1830 and purchased part
of the Morris tract, upon which he yet resides at the advanced age of eighty-
five years. He has been twice married, first to Eliza Freeland, who bore
him four chUdi-en: Freeland, in the United States service; Elizabeth, wife
of John Atwell, both deceased; James, of Mercer county, and Laura J., mar-^
ried to Alfred Hardwick, of Scrubgrass. His second wife, Laura Wilson,
became the mother of five children: Caroline, wife of Perry Beebe of Mer
cer county; Eliza J., who died in childhood; Richard; Alexander, residing
on the homestead in Irwin, and Angeline, wife of John Smith of Warren
county. In 1877, our subject purchased his present homestead and has
since resided thereon. He was married in 1867 to Miss Clarinda, daughter
of A. D. Bonner, who has borne him seven children: WUliam A. ; Laura J. ;
George A. ; Susie B. ; Harry R. ; Isaac V. , and Francis A. Mr. Henderson
,is a member of Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal church, is politically a
Democrat, and in 1889 was elected justice of the peace, which position he is
now fiUing.
Stephen Jones, one of the early settlers of Venango county, settled m
what is now Scrubgrass township, afterward removed to Irwin township,
and located south of Mechanicsville. He served in Captain Witherup's
company in the war of 1812. He married Margaret McCool of Scrubgrass
township, who bore him the following children: Robert; EUza; Margaret;
Nancy; George; WUliam, and Keller. He was a member of the Methodist

962 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Episcopal church, class leader in that society for many years, and died in
1864, his widow surviving him until 1883.
Robert Jones, son of Stephen, was born in Scrubgrass township in
1819, and followed farming until 1863. He then enlisted in Company K,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was commissioned second lieutenant.
After six months' service he resigned because of disability, but afterward
re-enlisted and served until the end of the war, when he settled in Michigan
and engaged in farming. His wife died in 1876 leaving the following chil
dren: Kate, wife of Ira Marsh; Jane, wife of James Mansfield; Lizzie, wife
of Weslie Mansfield; Albert; Stephen; Jackson, and George. He married
as his second wife Mrs. George McMurdy, by which union two children
were bom to him: James and Mary A. He died in March, 1886.
Albert M. Jones, farmer and coal operator, is a son of Robert Jones.
He was born in Irwin township, in 1842, and spent his early life upon his
father's homestead. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company K,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and at the end of eighteen months' service
was discharged for disability. He re-enlisted in October, 1863, in the same
company, with which he served until the war was ended, being wounded at
Dinwiddie Court House, March 31, 1865. Returning to his home he pur
chased his present farm, and in 1868 developed thereon a coal mine which
he worked extensively for several years. Mr. Jones married Miss Sarah
Edmiston of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, who is the mother of five chil
dren: Robert; Frank; Katie; Annie, and Sadie. Politically he is a Prohi
bitionist, a member of the G. A. R. , and an adherent of the Church of God.
John Hovis, farmer, is a son of Ernest and Margaret (Hoffman) Hovis,
and grandson of John Theodore and Nancy (Baker) Hofius. Ernest Hovis
was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1794, was a stone
mason, and worked at his trade when he first came to Venango county.
About 1818 he purchased a farm of one hundred and six acres on the line
of Butler county which is now the property of William Cross. About 1838
he bought a farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Irwin township, where
his son John now lives. He served at Erie in the war of 1812. He was
married July 2, 1811, to Margaret Hoffman, who bore him the following
children: Nancy, married to Martin Fritz; Mary, deceased wife of Joseph
Fritz; Catharine, married to Adam Vogus; Adam, deceased; George; David;
Elizabeth, married to Joseph Vogus; Julia Ann, married to Henry Sutley;
Sarah J., married to William Hunter; Susanna, who became the wife of
James Beatty; Michael, deceased; Ernest T., deceased, and John. The
father died February 28, 1867, and was buried in the Methodist church
yard at Clintonville. His widow survived him until July 22, 1885. John
Hovis was born in Clintonville in 1816, learned the stonemason's trade, and
followed it for some years. In 1844 he settled on the part of the homestead
farm where he has since resided. In 1836 he married Amanda, daugh-

BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN. 963
ter of Henry Sherrard, of Rockland township, and their children are as fol
lows: WiUiam; Nicholas; Mary A., married to Robert Campbell; Caleb G. ;
John T. ; David; Lyman H. ; Sarah J., married to John Keer; Amanda, mar
ried to Daniel Layton, and James B. Politically Mr. Hovis is a Democrat;
he is a class leader in the Methodist church, and has always taken an active
interest in the public affairs of the township.
Daniel H. Cassidy, farmer, is a son of William and Sarah (Hoffman)
Cassidy. WilUam Cassidy was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl
vania, and a miller by trade. He came to Venango county in 1823 for the
purpose of running the Phipps grist mill in Clinton township. He after
ward buUt and operated a small pottery in that township, and eventually
purchased a farm in Irwin. His wife died in 1864, and he in 1866. He
was one of the early members of the Church of God, of Barkeyville. His
chUdren were as follows: John H. ; Daniel H. ; Carlisle; Elizabeth, who
married Curtis Rook; James; Mary Ann, who married Abraham Lamer;
Thomas; Walter, and William. Our subject was born in 1817, came to
Venango county with his parents, and in 1839 engaged as a driver on the
stage line between Pittsburgh and Butler, and followed various occupations
up to 1843, when he located in MechanicsvUle. He was engaged in rafting
for some years on the Allegheny river, and in 1869 settled on his present
farm, where he has since resided. He was married in 1847 to Miss Julia A.,
daughter of Chauncey HamUton, an early school teacher of Venango county.
Mr. Cassidy votes the Republican ticket, has filled several of the offices in
Irwin township, and in 1865 was elected county commissioner, and served
one term.
Robert M. Sterritt, farmer, was born in Beaver county, now a part of
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania,' in 1827, and is a son of Alexander and
Margaret (Montgomery) Sterritt. The former was a native of Beaver
county, and the father of six children: Rebecca, wifeof William Simpson,
of Mercer county; John, deceased; Robert M. ; William, of Ohio; Matthew
D., of Colorado, and Thomas, deceased. Mrs. Margaret Sterritt died in
1837, her husband surviving her until 1844. Robert M. lived in Beaver
county until eight years old, when his parents settled in Irwin township,
Venango county. He there grew up, and served an apprenticeship with
Abner Gibson, of Wilmington township, Mercer county, to the tanning
business. After his time was out he worked about two years at his trade,
and then leased a part of the land he now lives upon. He subsequently
purchased it and adjoining lands, until he now has a finely improved farm
of three hundred and sixty acres in Irwin township, also one hundred and
six acres in Cranberry township, upon which there are three producing
weUs. In 1860 Mr. Sterritt engaged in the oil business, which he con
tinued for several years in the counties of Venango, Armstrong, and Clarion.
He is largely interested in the breeding of Clydesdale horses and the

964 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
finer grades of sheep and cattle, and deals extensively in wool. Mr. Ster
ritt is an ardent Republican, and in 1881 was elected a commissionier of
Venango county. He also takes a deep interest in the progress of educa
tion in his township, and has been largely instrumental in having many of
the new brick school houses erected therein. He was married, in 1852,
to Miss Mary, daughter of Henry Karnes, of Mercer county, who has borne
him a family of seven children, five of whom are living: Melissa, wife of
John Riddle; Fulton B. ; Zonie; Blemme, wife of Sherman R. Smith;
Sadie, wife of Wilbur Yard, of Colorado, and U. G. , who resides upon the
homestead. In 1887 Mr. Sterritt organized the Mount Irwin Cemetery
Company, and is its president. Mr. Sterritt' s grandfather, John Sterritt,
was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, married Eliza Pat
terson, and settled in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where in the old West-
field churchyard their remains were laid to rest. Mr. Sterritt and family
are members of Amity Presbyterian church, and he is one of the most sub
stantial and enterprising citizens of his adopted county.
Robert Woods, merchant and justice of the peace, Mechanicsville, is a
son of John and Margaret (Anderson) Woods, natives of County Cavan, Ire
land, where our subject was born August 29, 1852. He was reared and
educated in his native land, and early engaged as a clerk in a mercantile
house. In 1870 he immigrated to the United States and located in Titus
viUe, Pennsylvania, where he entered the employ of N. R. Bates, oil pro
ducer, as a driller. He was engaged as employe, contractor, and oil pro
ducer for about eight years, and then settled in Martinsburg, Butler
county, where he carried on a store, thence removing to Bullion, where he
continued the same business. He afterward went to Chicago and followed
merchandising, and in 1886 purchased his present property in Mechanics
ville, where he has since conducted his business. Mr. Woods was married
in 1873, to Miss Margaret J. , daughter of James and Margaret Clinton, of
Omah, County Tyrone, Ireland. Politically he is a Republican, and was
elected justice of the peace in 1887, which office he now holds. He is a
member of the Episcopal church.
Francis McConnell, farmer, is a son of John and Christina (Taylor) Mc
Connell. The father was a native of Ireland, and settled in Wolf Creek
township, Mercer county, about 1810, and was married in 1811. His wife
was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he had resided a
short time previous to his location in Mercer county. He was with Captain
McCoy, in 1813, at Erie. His death occurred in 1869, his wife dying a
few days before her husband; but both lived to the ripe old age of eighty
years. Their family consisted of ten children: George; William; Eleanor,
who married Reverend Isaac Scoefield; Francis; Hettie, married to Patrick
Dunn; Susan, who married William Barr; Elizabeth; .James; Christina,
Mrs. George Kinder, and John T. , all of whom are dead excepting Francis,

BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN. 965
WiUiam, Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Kinder, and John T, Our subject was born in
1819, in Mercer county, where he^ lived until 1842, when he settled upon
the place where he now resides. He has always followed farming. He
married, in 1842, Eleanor J., daughterof Captain James McCoy, who died
March 27, 1889. By this marriage they were the parents of six children,
three of whom are living: James T., of Butler county; Hettie, Mrs. SUas
Montgomery, and Margaret, Mrs. James Baker. Mr. McConnell is one of
Irwin's enterprising and respected citizens, and has been a life-long Demo
crat. C, M. Wilson, physician, is a son of John and Sarah A. (Savage) Wil
son, natives of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and England, respectively.
Doctor Wilson was born in Worth township, Mercer county, in 1854, and
received his primary education in the common schools of that locality. In
1876 he entered the Cincinnati Medical CoUege, and graduated in 1878.
He commenced practice at Mill Brook, Mercer county, but soon afterward
located at MechanicsvUle, Venango county, where he has since practiced
his profession. Doctor Wilson was married in 1883 to Miss Ann, daughter
of John and Mary A. Shelly, and by this union has two children: Ralph
and Iva. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and votes
the Republican ticket. •
Millard F. Smith, farmer and stock dealer, is a son of Samuel and
Eliza (McMullen) Smith. He was born in 1856, on the homestead farm in
Ir-win, and received his education at the public schools of the township.
His early life was spent upon the farm. In 1886 he settled upon his pres
ent place, situated three-quarters of a mUe northwest of May's Corners.
Mr. Smith is engaged in general farming and the purchasing of all kinds
of stock for the Eastem markets. He was married in 1887 to Miss Nettie,
daughterof Joseph Matthews, deceased, of Irwin township, and by this union
they have one child, EUa M. Our subject is one of the enterprising young
farmers of the to-wnship, and in politics a Republican.
Erastus F. Loucks, A. M. , principal of Barkeyville Academy, was born
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1857. He is a son of
the Eeverend Peter and Anna (Pox) Loucks, the former a minister of the
Church of God. Professor Loucks received his primary education in the
common schools, and then entered Mount Pleasant Institute, Westmoreland
county, where he remained three years, subsequently entering the Lewis
burg University, and graduated in 1881 from Rochester University in New
York state. He taught in the schools of Westmoreland county, and in 1883
was appointed an assistant teacher at Barkeyville, and in 1885 promoted to
the prmcipalship, which position he has since filled in a highly creditable
manner. Professor Loucks was married in 1887 to Henrietta Hunsberger,
of BarkeyvUle, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Loucks is a daughter of Abraham
Hunsberger, a merchant of Barkeyville.

966 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Sherman R. Smith, breeder of fine stock and proprietor of Fairfield
Stock Farm, is a son of Samuel and Eliza (McMullen) Smith. His father
was a native of eastern Pennsylvania, and son of Valentine Smith; he was
married in 1840 to Sarah Arnest, a native of Germany. Valentine Smith
settled in Irwin township and was the father of the following children: John-
William; David; Francis M. ; Samuel; Sarah, who married Samuel Park;
Susan; Eliza, and Kate, all of whom are dead excepting Kate, wifeof Philip
Walter; David, and Francis M. He died in 1867. Samuel Smith was a
carpenter, and followed that business about twenty years. In 1849 he pur
chased the farm whereon our subject now lives, and engaged in farming and
stock breeding. He afterward bought lands in Irwin township until he
owned six hundred and thirty acres. He was one of tho justices of the
township, and took an active interest in educational affairs. Though com
mencing life comparatively poor, by close attention to his business he accumu
lated a handsome competence. He died in 1879, and his widow still sur
vives and resides with his son on the old homestead. They were the par
ents of eight children: John; Valentine; Millard. P.; Sarah, wife of E. 0.
Riddle; David, deceased; Clayton; Alice, wife of Rillie McDowell, and
Mary, wife of D. W. W' alter.
Sherman R. Smith was bom July 27, 1865, was educated in the common
schools, and reared to his present occupation. He was married in 1885 to
Miss Zonie E,, daughter of Robert M. Sterritt, who is the mother of two
children, Karl and Sadie E. In 1887 he engaged in breeding Clydesdale
horses, and has among his stud Monarch Derby, No. 3314, Volume IV, im
ported in August, 1888 ; Bloomsberry, registered 5556, Volume IV, imported at
the same time; Monarch Derby, No. 3314, Volume IV, and the thoroughbred
mare, Ethel the Second, registered 4284, Volume IV. These are thoroughbred
Clydesdales, imported from Scotland, with the exception of Monarch Derby,
which was bred in Lawrence county. Mr. Smith is also an extensive breeder
of Shropshire sheep. He is a stanch Republican, and one of the enterpris
ing young men of his township. scrubgeass.
The Crawfords are one of the most numerous and best known families
in the southern part of Venangp county. John Crawford, immediate ances
tor of this branch of the famUy, was born November 1, 1748. He was one
of the first settlers of Greene county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to
Butler county, where he died February 18, 1812. His wife, Isabella (Park
er) Crawford, was bom August 21, 1756, and died December 30, 1839.
They were the parents of twelve children, of whom the names in order of
birth are as foUows: William, James, John, George, David, Alexander,
Arthur, Samuel, Ebenezer, Polly, Rebecca, and Robert .J. The family immi
grated to this section in 1798. The first year, assisted by several of his

BIOOSAPHIES OF SCBrUOE-tfiB. 967
spiH, tiie fatiie*' made a small clearing and planted a crop oq what &ft«-w&rd
]y^caxae the bOTm«tead farm, two mile»f bontb of Emlentf/n, uow tL*:^ hon.': of
VflBaui T, Crawfenrd- Tb« following year h<f T^inruttd with Lir fatailv. and
alflKmgii sereral married eons remained for a tim«i in Gr«r^ii(r coar.ty. all 'Ex
cept Alesaader ereotnally secured lM/m<:-s in th* vicinity of the pat';r.'j&l rf?;;!-
JHiee^ Wflliam located on th*; farm now- owned by Lis sou, David M , in
Slerd^ra^ tf^wnship; .SsmiueL on th'j west end. and Ei/eij«rzer. oii t'L'? "ra-t
«adaf flie homeetead tract: DaTid and Ge-vrgti, on^ mflt- eart of .Six Po5ijt=.
Botkr eoontf, now tk*: property of Granb, Dam'-li and Sloan: John and
Jama^ the same distance fjonth of that rillage, now th'i Fowler and Cra-w
ford fam^; Alexander, a physician- r'^moved bo Wa-hingtoii county, and
dkd tbefe; Bcpbert J. lived first on the old homestead, then removed to
^ttMaad twwn«bip, this county. George, David, aud John afterward .i^-
tkd in 'BMiHaad eotaatj, Ohio, The family is Pr^byterian in faith, and ha,s
teen tepreeeaied in the session of Scrubgra^ Presbyterian chttrch .-inc--^ its
oigaaization- Wtllux Ceawtobd, son of John and Isabella (fParker^ Crawford, set
tled in SenihgrasB township at the present residence of hi-; son, David Ml,
in 17&9, and was among the pioneer of the coonty. November 2<^, 1796,
Iw married Nancy, dan^ter of James Eeed, of Fayette county, the officiat-
JDg do^yman being BeT^end David Smith. Their children were a=- fol
lows: Ibbey, bom September 30, 1797, died March 18, 1870: -John, bom
Seeouber 10, 1799, died May 19, 1877: .James, horn September 12, 1801,
fiedJuly 19, 1820; Jane, bom November 29, 1803, died October 1, 1881:
Saamd, bom Kovember 28, 1805, died September 9, 1849; Polly, bom .Jan-
nay 1, 1808, died in 1856; WiUiam, bom March 15, 1810; George B.,
born Hov^nber 10, 1812, and David Mitchell Mrs. Xanc-y (Ht^j Craw
ford was bom February t, 1774, and died XoTeml-»er 20, 1 *;49.
Eexsezee Cbaweoed, son of John aud Isabella (Parker) Crawford, wa?
bom Ifoeh 14, 1789, and died January 31, 1859. He married .Jannette,
daog^bter of Alexander jmd Elizabeth 6Tohn.sonj Grant, both natives of Scot-
Jand Alex^ider Grant built the first stone honse in liancaster, Pennsyl
vania; tiience he removed t» Butler county, and died in Armstrong county
aboot 1833, the death of his wife having occurred some year-; previonsly.
Ebaiezer Crawford was the father of thirteen children: Alexander B., liv
ing at J^silentoD; .John P., of Scrubgrass township; Eliza, -who died in in-
fmejr; Isabel, married 1» Harvey Gibson, of Martinsburg, Butler couiity:
WilKam E-, ex-sheriff of Venango countv: Ebenezer, of Emleiitoa, who
Married Elizab^h Wilson; Eobert J., deceased; MatUda J., laarried to
AaMo Hi»Tey Crawford, of Emlenton; Samuel ^\'. , of Emlenton, who mar-
ned Jane Tmby; Emmeline Louther, widow of George ^>V. Livingston, of
Starft, Florida; Elizabeth J., who died in infancy; Aaron Harvey, of Em-
iMton, married to 3Iartha J. E<^, and Elihu €., who at the age of eigh-
***o was Mled by acscident in a coal mine.

968 HISTOBT OF VENANGO COUNTY.
John P. Ceawfohd, born October 12, 1816, was reared in Armstrong
county, and attended a district school two miles from his early home. In
1837-38 he engaged in farming and lumbering with his father. Subse
quently he learned the trade of carpenter, and pursued this calling from
1840 to 1851 at Brady's Bend. After an absence of fifteen months on the
Pacific coast, during which time he was interested in several mining vent
ures with fair succe^, he opened a store at Harrisville, Butler county. In
1860 he removed to Crawford's Corners, his present residence, and since
1867 the oil business has received much of his attention. He married, Oc
tober 10, 1843, Barbara E., daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Thomas)
Hicks, who was born at Machin, Wales, June 17, 1822, and lived at Nantes,
France, until the age of ten years, when her parents immigrated to Orange
county. New York. She became the mother of twelve children: Arthur
Hicks; Alonzo Grant; Amelia Janet; Annetta Margaret, deceased; Smiley
Parker, deceased; Cora Ella, deceased; an infant daughter, deceased; Mead
Satterfield, of Six Points, Butler county, who married Amanda Kuhns, of
Emlenton, and has one child, Bessie Barbara; Carlisle J., register and
recorder of Venango county; Ida J., widow of B. L. Kohlmeyer, and the
mother of three children: Haldine and Beulah Lavina, deceased, and Ralph
Waldo; Mary A., and Barbara Estella. Mrs. Crawford died February 24,
1888. Politically Mr. Crawford is a Republican. The family, like all the
ancestry, are adherents of the Presbyterian church.
David Mitchell Crawford, farmer and oil producer, was born March
28, 1821, the youngest child of William and Nancy (Reed) Crawford. He
was reared in this township, and had small educational advantages. In
1851 he began farming, having been associated with his father several years
previously. The house in which he lives is one of the old style buildings,
and was erected in 1824. Mr. Crawford was married July 18, 1843, to
Nancy F. , daughter of Thomas Anderson of this township. Their children
are: James Reed, oil operator; Elizabeth, who died in 1881; Thomas A.,
a resident of Butler county; Nancy B. , who died in 1858, and Clara E.,
wife of S. W. Phillips of Emlenton. The family is Presbyterian in church
connection and Mr. Crawford is a Republican in politics.
Carlisle J. Crawford, register and recorder of Venango county, was
born at Harrisville, Butler county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1855, son of
John P. Crawford, subject of the foregoing sketch. He was reared and
educated in Scrubgrass township, Venango county, and is a graduate of
Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh. In the fall of 1884 he was
elected on the Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1887. Mr. Crawford
was married December 27, 1877, to Miss Mary M. , daughter of James and
Janet McClelland of Balm, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and has two
children: Flora B. and Milo H.
John Lowrie and family in the year 1792 immigrated to the United

J«5 i'stfe..

m/..

BIOGRAPHIES OF SCEUBGBASS. 971
States from Edinburgh, Scotland, where he had been engaged in the bank
ing business. They first located in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, but
shortly afterward removed to the border of Venango and Butler counties,
where they made their permanent home. They were intensely Presbyterian,
and John Lowrie was for many years a prominent figure in the Scrubgrass
Presbyterian church. In its cemetery he and his wife are buried, both hav
ing attained the age of nearly one hundred years. His eldest son, Matthew
B. Lowrie, married and moved with his family to Pittsburgh, which he
made his permanent home. He soon became an important factor in the
govemment of the city and was so frequently elected mayor that he received
the cognomen of ' ' Mayor ' ' Lowrie.
Matthew B. Lo-wrie's eldest son, Walter H. Lowrie, was a lawyer of
eminence and well-known in this community. He was for many years
judge of the courts in this commonwealth, was judge of the supreme court
of the state from 1857 to 1863, six years of this time as chief justice. He
•was judge in the Crawford county district at the time of his decease. Rev
erend John M Lowrie, D. D. ; James A. Lowrie, M. D. ; Mrs. Hervey
OhQds; Mrs. Doctor Courtney, and Mrs. Reverend Wiley were members of
this family. Walter Lowrie, the second son of John Lowrie, was the most
generally known throughout the country. When twenty- seven years old he
was elected state senator, which place he filled for seven years. He was
then elected to the United States senate. At the expiration of his term, in
1825, he was elected secretary of the United States senate, which position
he filled for twelve years. At that period he was elected secretary of the Pres
byterian board of foreign missions. He resigned his place in the senate
and accepted this position, which he filled thirty years, till the time of his
decease at the age of eighty -four. The eldest son of Walter Lowrie, John
C. Lowrie, D. D. , and wife were two of the first foreign missionaries sent
by the Presbyterian church to India. After the lapse of two years impaired
health compelled him to return to this country. He was then elected as
sistant and is now senior secretary of the board of foreign missions. Rev
erend Walter M. Lowrie of the same family went as missionary to China
and in 1847 was murdered by Chinese pirates. A younger brother. Rever
end Reuben P. Lowrie, went as missionary to China, where he spent the
remainder of his life. Recently a son of Reuben P. Lowrie, a clergyman,
returned to China as a missionary, accompanied by his mother and sister.
Of this family there were three other members: Matthew S., attorney-at-
law, of Butler, Pennsylvania; Robert J., attorney- at-law, Huntingdon,
Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Samuel Baird, of Pittsburgh.
Anne Lowrie, eldest daughter of John Lowrie, was born and reared to
adult age in Edinburgh, Scotland. She immigrated with her father and
was married to Andrew Porter, of Richland township, -where they resided
during his life. Their son and daughter, Andrew and Anne (also the
54

972 HISTOEY"OF VENANGO COUNTY.
mother, though over seventy-five years old), went as missionaries to the
Chippewa Indians. John L. Porter, eldest son of Andrew and Anne Porter
was a mill owner and surveyor. He married Nancy Stevens and reared a
family, making this locality their permanent home.
Mary Lowrie, daughter of John Lowrie, was married to Andrew McCas
lin, of Emlenton. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits many years, and
was at one time sheriff of Venango county. He built and operated the
Rockland furnace, in Rockland township, Venango county.
Elizabeth Lowrie, daughter of John Lowrie, was born in the city of Ed
inburgh, Scotland, and was twelve years old when the family immigrated to
this country. She was married to John Stevens, of what is now Sandy
Creek township, Venango county, who built the first mUl on Big Sandy, at
the crossing of the Franklin and Pittsburgh road. They made that locality
their home during his lifetime. They had two children: Nancy and John
L. ; Nancy was married to John L. Porter, of Richland township, and John
L. died at the residence of his mother when a young man. The widow,
Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens, was married to Robert S. Whann, of whom an ac
count is given in connection with Mineral township.
The McQuiston family were among the pioneers of Venango county.
The progenitor of the Venango county McQuistons was a native of Ireland,
whence he emigrated to Delaware. Three of his sons, David, John and Alex
ander, subsequently settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and in
1802 John and Alexander came to Venango county and located upon the
land now occupied by C. E. McQuiston, in the northwest corner of the town
ship, upon the Allegheny river. The tract originally contained four hundred
and forty-four acres. Alexander McQaiston was twice married; his first
wife was a member of the Crawford family, and his second, Abbie Sloan.
He had two sons : Clark, who died in the West, and Alexander, a resident
of Biitler county. He sold his interest in the farm in Scrubgrass township
and removed to Butler county, where he spent the remaining years of his life.
John McQuiston was born in 1776, in Delaware, and remained upon the
land settled by himself and brother in Venango county. He married Nancy
Harper of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1802, and died April
4, 1849. His widow survived him until June 27, 1865, and died in her
eighty-first year. They reared a family of nine children: Peggy T., who
married David Davison; Polly, deceased wife of John McMillin; David H.,
deceased; Rachel, wife of George Dickson; Jane M., deceased wifeof Elijah
Williams; Nancy, deceased; Betsey, wifeof Hiram Gheer; Martha, wifeof
John Gordon, and Sarah B., wife of James Cranmer. Mr. McQuiston was a
carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade, and carried on that business in con
nection with farming. He was an elder in the Scrubgrass Presbyterian
church for many years.
David H. McQuiston, his only son, was born September 25, 1805, and

BIOGEAPHIES OP SOBUBGEASS. 978
received such education as the common schools afforded. His early life
was spent on the farm, upon which he subsequently erected a tannery, and
for many years carried on that business. In 1837, in connection with George
Dixon, he built a grist mill on the lands of William Burns, which they oper
ated about eight years and then sold to William Brown. He was married
January 13, 1826, to Mary, daughter of William Davidson, of Irwin town
ship, by which union eleven children were born to them: Reverend John, of
Kansas; WiUiam, of Mercer county; James, deceased; David H., deceased;
Alexander, of Kansas; Joseph, of Scrubgrass township; Davidson; Ira, of
Kansas; Robert, a resident of the same state; Cyrus E., and Hiram G. , de
ceased, who served in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry during the late
EebeUion. Mrs. McQuiston died in 1862, and he was again married June
13, 1863^ to Martha Ramsey, who bore him no children. He died July 1 ,
1877, and his widow February 23, 1888.
CvEus E. McQuiston, the tenth son of David H. McQuiston, was born
upon the homestead where he now resides, received a common school edu
cation, and has always been engaged in farming. He was married May 19,
1870, to Miss Hannah A. , daughter of William Parker of Scrubgrass town
ship. Politically he is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of
the Church of God of this township.
James Anderson, farmer, was born June 30, 1825, upon the old home
stead where he now resides. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Pollock)
Anderson, the latter a daughter of Charles Pollock (A), who came from Ire
land to Westmoreland county, and thence to Venango township, Butler
county, about 1800, where he was killed by the fall of a tree about 1806, at
a wood chopping on the farm of Eobert Leason. They were married May 25,
1820, and were the parents of six children: Jane, wife of J. P. Riddle;
Elizabeth, deceased; Mary; Sarah, deceased wife of Shadrach Simcox; Lu
cinda, who married D. C. McKee, and our subject. James Anderson, Sr. ,
died J^ovember 21, 1872. The paternal grandfather, James Anderson, was
a descendant of John Anderson, who married Margaret Cook, removed from
Tuscarora valley, Pennsylvania, and settled in Butler county in 1801. James,
grandfather of our subject, purchased from David Irvine a tract of four
hiijidred acres of land in 1814, situated on Little Scrubgrass creek, in this
township, for which he paid two thousand one hundred dollars — three hun
dred dollars in cash, two hundred gallons of whiskey, and the balance in des
ignated installments. He was largely interested in grist, saw, carding, and
woolen mills. He was born in 1761, married Janet Bailey, and died Janu
ary 19, 1842. Their chUdren were: Sarah; Thomas; Mrs. Margaret Gibson;
James; Mrs. Nancy Perry; Samuel; John, and Elizabeth. James Anderson,
Jr., was reared a farmer, and educated in the schools of the township. He
has followed farming all his life, and has been largely interested in the
breeding and purchasing of stock. He married Uretta, daughter of Samuel

974 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Phipps, who has borne him six children: J. S. P.; Edwin; Samuel P.;
James L., deceased; Shadrach A., and Charles, deceased. Mr. Anderson
is an ardent Democrat, and was once the Democratic candidate for the legis
lature. He has always taken an active interest in the schools of his town
ship, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of the community.
James Leslie, deceased, was born in County Derry, Ireland, immigrated
to America, and married Hannah Reddick in this state. He lived for a
time in Westmoreland county, and February 12, 1817, received a patent
for a tract of four hundred and forty -two acres originally warranted by
John White, December 31, 1794, and surveyed May 11, 1795. He was
among the early settlers of Scrubgrass township, and reared the following
family: John, who lives in this township; Jane, wife of William Sloan;
James, who lived on a part of said farm until his death; Elizabeth, wife of
James Morrison; Hannah, wife of David Morrison; Esther, wife of David
Say; Ellen, wife of Joseph Sloan; Mary Ann, and George H. James Leslie
was an elder in Scrubgrass Presbyterian church and is buried in the old
graveyard at that point.
H. R. Leslie, farmer and oil producer, was bom in 1840, aud is a son
of James and Sarah (Say) Leslie, and grandson of James Leslie. His father
was bom in 1802 in Scrubgrass toyynship, and followed farming throughout
his life. His children were as follows: David; John; Alvina; James; Eliza
beth, who married George Gates; Hannah, deceased; Margaret, who mar
ried Montgomery Say; George; H. R. ; Sarah, deceased wife of C. Say, and
Emma, deceased. The mother died in 1857, and the father in 1881. H
R. Leslie was reared upon a farm; in 1868 he engaged in teaming through
the oil country, and in the transportation of oil upon OU creek In 1876 he
returned to the homestead, and has since been engaged in farming and oil
producing. He was married in 1864 to Miss .Jane Gibbs of Clarion, Penn
sylvania, who has borne him six chUdren: Orris; Carrie, wife of Zenis Clay;
Fred; Walter; Delia, and Frank. Mr. Leslie is a supporter of the Re
publican party, and a member of the I. O. O. P.
William B. Sloan, deceased, was born February 26, 1796, and was a
son of Samuel Sloan, who lived and died near Farmington, Butler county.
WUliam B. married Jane, daughter of James Leslie, September 11, 1817.
She was born June 20, 1799, and died December 20, 1866, her husband sur
viving her untU April 4, 1871. They were the parents of eleven chUdren,
as follows: Hannah, born October 11, 1819; Samuel, December 18, 1821;
Leslie, December 1, 1823; Harvey R., February 4, 1825; HamUton, Decem
ber 5, 1826; Elizabeth, November 21, 1829; WUliam B., August 24, 1832;
Eli, July 28, 1834; Mary J., July 21, 1836; Clara, August 31, 1838, and
JohnN., July 30, 1840.
Leslie Sloan, oil producer and farmer, son of William B. and Jane
(Leslie) Sloan, was born December 1, 1823, on what is kno-wn as the Stub-

BIOGEAPHIES OF SCEUBGBASS. 975
ble farm, Scrubgrass township, and here he was brought up, attending the
common schools. In 1844 he went to live with his maternal grandparents,
James and Hannah (Reddick) Leslie, for whom he oared until their death,
nine years later, receiving as evidence of their appreciation a farm of eighty-
six and a half acres. In 1858 he married Clara, daughter of Robert Por
terfield, of Richland township. They are the parents of two children:
Ira, married to Estella La-wrence, and Myi-a, wife of A. E. Newton, of Em
lenton. David Russell, who settled in Scrubgrass township upon the lands now
owned by the Middleton family, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
He was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and married Isabel
Harper of the same county, who bore him seven children: James, Samuel,
David, John, Caleb, Jane, and Catharine, all of whom are dead. Samuel
was born in 1780 in Butler county, Pennsylvania, where his parents had
hved previous to their settlement in Venango county. In 1824 he set
tled upon a farm where his son, David, now lives, on the Allegheny river,
one mile northeast of Emlenton. He married Margaret Thompson who bore
him five children: James, Christina Ann, Isabella, Mary, and David. His
wife died in 1810 and he married Rachel Haggerty, by whom he had four
children: James, John, Thomas, and Margaret. On the death of his sec
ond wife he married Betsey McAfee, to whom four children were born:
Caleb, Samuel, Jane, and Matthew B. Samuel Russell, Sr. , was a lieuten
ant in a company from Butler county in the war of 1812. He died in that
county in 1877.
David Russell, Jr., was born August 31, 1810, and lived with his
grandparents until reaching manhood. He has always lived upon the old
homestead. He was married in 1835 to Sarah, daughter of Reuben Searls,
of Butler county. They are the parents of seven children: Josiah; Mary
E. ; Annie, wife of Thomas Jolly; Samuel; Alonzo 0. ; Pearsley, and Lean
der, all dead excepting the last mentioned and Mrs. Jolly. Mr. Russell
learned the gun and cabinet making trade, but followed carpentering for
many years.- In 1868 he leased his farm to WUliam Baum, and there
have been eleven producing wells drilled upon it. Mr. Russell is a mem
ber of the Presbyterian church and a Democrat in politics.
MosES Perry came to Scrubgrass township, Venango county, near the
close of the last century and settled upon a two hundred acre tract of land
where his son David now resides. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of
William Russell, a native of Ireland and an early settler of this township.
They were the parents of the foUowing chUdren: William; Polly, who mar
ried EU Williams; Margaret, who became the wife of John Parker; James;
Phosbe, who married Samuel Marshall; John; Elizabeth, who married
Ephraim Galbraith; Martha, who became the wife of Charles Stewart, and
David. The last mentioned is the only survivor and was born in 1811 on

976 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the old homestead upon which he has lived for seventy-nine years. Moses
Perry died about 1840, his widow surviving him some two years.
William Perry, eldest son of Moses and Sarah Perry, was born near
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in January, 1792; he came to Venango county
with his parents before the dawn of the present century and spent the re
mainder of his life in Scrubgrass township. He was twice married, first to
a daughter of James Anderson, who died without issue; as his second wife
he married Elizabeth Craig, a daughter of James Craig. They were the
parents of nine chUdren, seven of whom, four sons and three daughters,
grew to maturity; only two of these are now living: Mrs. Norman Patter
son and Mrs. R. K. McBride. Mr. Perry was a man of recognized abil
ity, and a prominent figure in local public affairs fifty years ago. In 1838
he was elected on the Democratic ticket county commissioner, and several
years afterward he represented Venango county in the legislature. He
was a substantial, well informed man, and is still kindly remembered by a
large circle of friends. He died upon his farm in Scrubgrass township
April 29, 1877, in his eighty-sixth year. His son, William Perry, Jr., sur
vived him ten years and died on the old homestead, now the property of
Miss EUzabeth Riddle, June 21, 1887.
Francis A. Middleton, farmer, is a son of John and Mary (Phipps)
Middleton, the latter a daughterof Nathan Phipps, of Clarion county, Penn
sylvania. The grandfather of our subject was James Middleton, a nativa
of Ireland, who immigrated to Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 1792, where
he married Jane Anderson, by whom he had three children: John; James,
and Mary, who married Thomas Arters. He subsequently removed to Tio
nesta, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1834. His widow afterward married
Girard Hunter, of Warren county, Pennsylvania, after whose death she
removed to Venango county, and died at the home of her son, John, in
1856. James, the second son, remained in Forest county, where he died in
1885. John Middleton, father of Francis A. , was born in 1799, removed to
Scrubgrass township in 1836, where he purchased one hundred acres of
land, which he subsequently increased to three hundred. In early life he
was engaged in the lumber business, and, in connection with Isaac Ball,
built a saw mill on Tionesta creek, in what is now Forest county, and named
it Balltown. He was one of the enterprising men of his day, took an act
ive interest in public aifairs, and built the Methodist Episcopal church
located at Big Bend, Scrubgrass township. He was an ardent Democrat,
and died on the 4th of January, 1881, while attending a funeral in St.
Michael's Catholic church, at Emlenton. His widow survives him, and
resides with our subject upon the old homestead. They were the parents of
fourteen children: WUliam S., deceased; Julia Ann, deceased; Jane; Emme
line, deceased; John A. ; Isaac S. , deceased; Martha A., wife of John Cub-

BIOGEAPHIES OF SCRUBGEASS. 977
bison, of Emlenton; Caroline, deceased; James H., deceased; Wilber; Chris
topher C, ; Francis A. , Henry B. , and Mrs. J. H. Reed. Our subject was born
in Scrubgrass township, was educated in the common schools, and reared' a
fai-mer, in connection with which he is now engaged in the oil business,
having had twenty-nine wells upon his own farm. He was married in 1870
to Catharine, daughter of John and Jane Burns, natives of England. Po
litically Mr. Middleton is a Democrat. His mother is in her eighty-third
year, and for the past sixty-nine years has been an active member of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
W. B. Lovell, farmer, is a son of Peter and Mary (Brisbane) Lovell.
The former came from Centre county in 1819, and settled in Rockland
township, where he died in 1835. He was the father of eight sons: Per
kins, John, Jackson, -Jesse, Peter, James, David, and W. B. The last
mentioned was bom January 24, 1820, in Rockland township. His early
life was spent at farming and the manufacture of charcoal. In 1858 he
purchased his present farm upon which he has since resided. He was mar
ried March 29, 1849, to Miss Jannett B. Anderson, who died in 1887.
She was the mother of the following children: Lizzie, deceased; Amanda,
deceased, and Thomas A. Mr. Lovell is a Prohibitionist, and a member
of the Presbyterian church.
Samuel A. W. Phipps, farmer, was born on the farm where he now
lives July 13, 1837. He is a son of Eli and Rebecca Phipps, the parents
of three children: Ann E., who married Lucian Brown; Merelda, wife of
Dunham Stacy, and Samuel A. W. The father died in 1841, his widow
sm-viving him until September 30, 1871. The paternal grandfather,
Nathan Phipps, was a native of Westmoreland county, and settled in
Scrubgrass township about 1796, upon a portion of the farm where his
grandson now lives. He married Edith Updegrath, of Westmoreland
county, who bore him eleven children: John, James, Elijah, Samuel, Mar
shall, Nathan, Eli, Jacob, Annie, Mary, and Betsey, all of whom are dead,
excepting Mary, widow of John Middleton, who resides with her son in
Scrubgrass township. Our subject was reared and educated in this town
ship, and has always followed farming. He was drafted in 1862 and
served nine months. He was married December 5, 1868, to Miss Sarah C,
daughter of Judge Jacob Hale, of Clarion county. Five children are the
fi'uits of this union: Edwin L. P., Homer E. J., Edith E., Harry K., and
L. E. Mr. Phipps is an ardent Prohibitionist, a member of the G. A. R.
and A. 0. U. W. , and belongs to the Methodist church of Clintonville.
James P. Riddle, farmer, is a son of Robert and Catharine (Phipps)
Riddle, the latter a daughter of John Phipps. The paternal grandfather
was Matthew Riddle, the progenitor of the Riddle family of Venango
county, and one of the pioneers of what is now Clinton township. Our
subject was born in that townsnip in 1819, spent his early life therein, and

978 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
received his education in the common schools. He was married in 1845 to
Miss Eleanor, daughter of William Perry of Scrubgrass township. She
died in 1851 leaving three children: Franklin, of Kansas; Elizabeth, who
resides upon the farm which she inherited from her uncle in the northern
part of Scrubgrass toyniship, and Eleanor, wife of Hugh M. Hay, of Oak
land township. He married for his second wife Miss Mary, daughter of
Joseph Parks of Scrubgrass township, who has borne "him five children:
Robert L., of Kansas; Joseph; Mrs. Sarah C. Anderson, of Butler county;
Mrs. Emma Fleming, of Mercer county, and Ann. Mr. Riddle is one of
the enterprising farmers of the community, and served as county commis
sioner one term.
William B. Moore, farmer, was bom March 7, 1843, in Scrubgrass
township. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Riddle) Moore, and grand
son of Robert Moore, a sketch of whom appears in connection with Clinton
township. Samuel Moore was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and in
1829 purchased a farm of two hundred acres iu partnership with his brother
William on the line of Scrubgrass and Clinton townships, where he died in
June, 1883, and where his widow still resides. They were the parents of
seven children, all of whom lived to man and womanhood: James N., of
Clinton township; Robert A., of Scrubgrass; William B. ; Mary A., wife of
Marvin McKinley; Jane, wife of Hugh McBride; Caroline, and Eliza L.,
wife of Montgomery Allison. Samuel Moore took a deep interest in public
affairs and filled most of the township offices. William B. Moore was reared
upon the homestead, received his primary education in the public schools,
and afterward attended the academy at Clintonville. On reaching his
majority he engaged in the oil business, working for different companies
until 1872, when he purchased his present home in the northwest part of
the township, and has since followed agriculture. He was married in 1869
to Miss Mary, a daughter of John Ghost of Clinton township, who has borne
him two children: India A., wife of C. D. Carringer, and Kittie E. Mr.
Moore and family are members of the United Presbyterian church, and
politically he is a Republican.
Alonzo P. Perrine, oil producer, is a son of Enoch and Catharine (Cal-
pus) Perrine, and a descendant of William, who came to this valley from
New Jersey in 1800, being a member of one of the oldest families of Mon
mouth county. He settled at what is now known as Perrine Corners in
'\^'orth township, Mercer county. The grandfather of A. F. Perrine was
Enoch Perrine, a son of William. Our subject was bom in 1848 in Mercer
county, where he was reared and educated. His early manhood was spent
in farming and school teaching. In 1875 he entered the employ of the
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company as telegraph operator
and was located at Franklin for a time and subsequently at Oil City. In
1 876-77 he engaged in the mercantile business at Albion, Brie county, Penn-

BIOGEAPHIES OP CLINTON. 979
sylvania, and in 1878 removed to Sandy Lake township, Mercer county,
and engaged in the lumber business. In 1881 he located at Bullion, Ven
ango county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the oil business, and in 1885
setUed upon his present place. He has six wells in operation, besides own
ing a farm near Raymilton, Venango county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Perrine
was married in 1873 to Miss Prudence, daughter of Sampson Wright of
Sandy Lake township, Mercer county, and is the father of six children:
Jennie, Prank, Charles, May, Clyde, and Roy. Politically he has always
been a stanch Republican. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., K. of
L., and K. O. T. M. lodges and in religious views a Methodist.

The Phipps Family. — Among the pioneers of Venango county, who de
serve prominent mention in its history is John Phipps, who came from
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1797 and purchased a four hun
dred acre tract in what is now Clinton township, upon a part of which
Robert Witherup now resides. His ancestors came from Bristol, England,
with William Penn and settled in Chester, Pennsylvania. Joseph Phipps
was one of the nine members elect, who represented Chester county in the
first assembly convened at Philadelphia on the 10th of January, 1683.
Samuel Phipps, Sr. , born in Chester county, in 1735, was a man of remark
able vigor, and lived to the age of one hundred and three. He had eight
children: John, a pioneer of Clinton township, Venango county; Sarah, who
married William Wise; Samuel, who served under General Wayne and lost
his life on the Maumee in the last campaign against the Indians; Rachel,
who died unmarried; Joseph, who was accidentally killed; Mary, married to
John Duncan; Robert, who married Miss Half er day, and Nathan, who mar
ried Edith Updegraff.
Prior to the time when Joseph Phipps embarked with the Quakers for
the proprietaries in Pennsylvania, Solomon Phipps had cast his lot with the
Pui-itans at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and James, the father of Sir Will
iam Phipps, had with others founded a colony near the mouth of the Ken
nebec in Maine, and as a gunsmith and shipbuilder was practically adapted
to the necessities of the time and circumstance of his surroundings. As the
father of twenty-one sons, of whom Sir William was the youngest, and five
daughters, the blood of this remarkable man has been transmitted through
many of the old New England families for more than two hundred and
fifty years, and has contributed its vital force to the history and develop
ment of his adopted country.
When John Phipps first came to Venango county it was a wUderness, and
he suffered the privations and hardships of early pioneer days. He mar
ried Catharine Haney of Westmoreland county, who bore him a family of
thirteen children, ten of whom lived to maturity, five sons and five daugh-

980 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ters: David; Samuel; John; Robert; Joseph; Mary, who married Levi Will
iams; Sarah, who married Allen McDoweU, and after his death became the
wife of a Mr. Sloan and removed to Ohio; Catharine, married to Robert
Riddle; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Captain Abraham Witherup,
and Nancy, married to George McKinley.
David Phipps, the eldest son of John Phipps, was born in Westmore
land county in 1793, and married Margaret Stewart of Butler county. He
was one of the progressive men of his day, and erected one of the very first
furnaces in Venango county, in Clinton township. He also built the first
woolen mills and saw mills at Kennerdell, and was engaged in the manu
facture of woolen goods and lumber for the surrounding country. He was
a Democrat in politics and once the candidate of his party for congress. In
1854 he was elected associate judge, and was filling that position at the time
of his death in 1857. Of the union of David Phipps and Margaret Stewart,
eleven children were bom: Catharine, wife of John Dilley, deceased; An
drew, John, and Jesse, all deceased; Mary, wife of Doctor J. B. McMillan,
of Clintonville; William and Eli, both deceased; Sarah, wife of Doctor
John FiUton, Beatrice, Nebraska; David, who died in childhood; Margaret,
wife of the late Ephraim Parker, of Parker City, Pennsylvania, and David
deceased. Of Mr. Phipps' union with Mrs. Rebecca Eakin, second wife,
there was bom one daughter, Etta, of Idaho Springs, Colorado.
Samuel Phipps, second son of John Phipps, was bom in Westmoreland
county November 25, 1795, and was but two years old when his father re
moved with his family to Venango county. He received only such educa
tional advantages in his youth as could be obtained in the primitive schools
at that early day, walking several miles morning and evening to secure even
that. In later life, when looking back through ' ' three score years and ten"
he recalled with delight the days spent in the rude log school house, when
his teacher, Isabel Craig, was his favorite friend. With an excellent mem-
oiy, and a passion for reading rarely known in those days, he became well
informed in history, both ancient and modern, and was especially at home
in the political events of his own and other countries, becoming a promi
nent member of the debating societies that served the purpose of the
higher literary schools of to-day. Books selected with taste and good
judgment from the best authors in natural and moral philosophy, history,
biography, and the sciences, constituted his library, from which he always
derived great enjoyment. Farming in summer and shipping lime and lum
ber for buildings and bridges at Pittsburgh, Wheeling, and Cincinnati in
the winter, employed his early years, but later in life he turned his chief
attention to his farm, where he had subdued the forest, built the home to
which he took his bride on their wedding day, contributed the best years of
his life to his family and his friends, and August 9, 1879, in his' eighty-
fourth year, went to his last, long sleep, fully comforted in the faith of his
fathers.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 981
Of the union of Samuel Phipps and Amelia Halyday, of Cornplanter town
ship, thirteen children were born: Sarah H. , married to Robert P. Whann,
who died leaving, two sons, and by second marriage wife of William Ray
mond, of Raymilton; Mary, widow of Robert Brigham, deceased; Catharine,
widow of John H. Craig of Denver, deceased; Uretta, wife of James Ander
son; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Eliza, wife of A. G. Egbert of Frank
lin; John, who died in infancy; Susan C, wife of Doctor Thomas McMil
lan, both deceased; Francis Halyday, deceased; Samuel E. of Edinboro,
Erie county; Cyrus D., of Franklin; Nancy McK. , wifeof William Cross,
and Hervey C. , of Leadville, Colorado. In politics Mr. Phipps was a Dem
ocrat, and served one term as sheriff of Venango county.
Major John Phipps, third son of John Phipps, was born on the old home
stead in 1806. He was a justice of the peace for several years, and also a
public auctioneer. Major Phipps married Barbara Hoffman, who bore him
a family of twelve children, of whom John died at the age of twenty-seven;
David married Isabella MitcheU ; Catharine married Joseph Martin; Philip
died in childhood; Nancy became the wife of John Wareham; Van Buren
married Emily Carnes; Sarah was twice married, first to Peter Walters, who
was killed in the Rebellion, and then to A. Sopher; Joseph died in child
hood; Ghost died aged twenty-seven; A. Jackson married Annie McKean;
Barbara died ip. childhood, and Christina married Henry Beatty. Major
Phipps died in 1876, aged seventy.
Robert Phipps, fourth son of John Phipps, was bom on the old home
stead, February 6, 1809. He married Ann Canan of Lawrenceburg, Penn
sylvania, and died in 1862, his widow surviving him until January 2, 1872.
They were the parents of six sons and five daughters: William C. and Por
ter, of Clinton township; James, the second eldest son, who died on the
homestead; John W., of Colorado; Simeon, of Butler county; Robert J., a
minister of Allegheny county; Mary; Maria, wife of William Tiffany; Mary,
Grace, and Sarah, all of whom died in infancy.
Joseph Phipps, fifth son of John Phipps, was born October 12, 1812, and
followed farming throughout his life. He remained upon the old homestead
until he was a middle aged man, when he purchased the place where his
widow and two sons and daughters now reside. He always took great inter
est in the public affairs of the township, and continuously filled some local
oface. In 1837 he was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Whann, of Scrubgrass
township, who died in 1852. Six children were born of this union: Cath
arine M., Robert J., John M., WaUer W., Abraham M., and Elizabeth.
The eldest and three youngest died in childhood, and John M. in 1862, from
disease contracted in the army. Major Robert J. , the only survivor of the
family, is a resident of Franklin, and one of the enterprising citizens of his
native county. Mr. Phipps married for his second wife. May 5, 1854, Miss
Jane B., daughter of Samuel Anderson, of Butler county, Pennsylvania,

982 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
who bore him six children: Samuel, deceased; Walter A., attorney at law,
Douglass, Kansas; George T. ; Melvin; Vilena, and Imelda, wife of William
Curtis, of Oil City. Mr. Phipps died in 1872, and his widow is living on
the old homestead, which is being farmed by her sons, George T. and Mel
vin, both of whom were born and reared thereon. The latter was married
June 24, 1885, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas MUford, of Crawford's
Corners, Scrubgrass township. Two children, Alice C. and Mabel E., are
the fruits of this union.
William C. Phipps, eldest son of Robert and Ann (Canan) Phipps, was
born in this township October 22, 1834. Hewas reared upon the old home
stead, and received his education in the common schools. He was engaged
in the lumber business and employed on the'bome farm until the commence
ment of the war, when he enlisted in Company B, Sixteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and served until the close of the struggle. He participated in
thirty-four engagements, and was wounded just previous to the surrender
of Lee. On the close of the war he returned to Clinton township and en
gaged in the oil business for two years, and then resumed farming, which he
has followed up to the present. He is a member of John M. Phipps Post,
G. A. R. , of Clintonville, of which he has been commander two terms, and
is the present quartermaster of the post. Politically he is a Republican.
He was married November 18, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Will
iam Douds, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and has seven living chil
dren: Benton Mc. ; Ella, wife of William Richards, of Mercer county; Will
iam T. ; Harry F. ; Freddie L. and Lydia, twins; and John.
Porter Phipps, third son of Robert and Ann (Canan) Phipps, was born
November 30, 1842, and grew up on the homestead farm, receiving his edu
cation in the public schools of his' native township, and the Clintonville
Academy. In early manhood he engaged in teaching, and in 1862 enlisted
in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the sur
render of Lee. He participated in forty engagements, and at the close of
the Rebellion resumed farming and stock raising, and now owns a farm of
two hundred and sixty acres. In 1878 he engaged in the oil business, and
has since been an oil producer. He is also one of the stockholders of the
Bradford Orange Company, which has extensive orange groves in Florida.
Politically he is a Republican, and in 1876 was elected justice of the peace,
fiUing the oifice five years. He has always taken a deep interest in the
progress of education in his native township. He is a member of the Pres
byterian church, and in 1885 was a delegate to the Presbyterian General
Assembly held at Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a member of Alexander Welton
Post, G. A. R., of which he has been commander. He was married Janu
ary 26, 1869, to Miss Sarah J. , daughter of James Baird, of Clinton town
ship, who has borne him six children: Lyman S. ; Robert B. ; John H. ; Mary
A. ; Eva M. , and Grace M. Mr. Phipps is one of the enterprising citizens
of his township.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 983
Judge Thomas MoKee was one of the first settlers of what is now Clinton
township, Venango county. He was born in Franklin county, Pennnsyl-
vania, in 1771, and removed to Westmoreland county in boyhood, where he
resided until 1796, when he came to this portion of the Allegheny valley
and took up a tract of four hundred acres of land then covered with the
primeval forest. A portion of this tract is now embraced in the borough of
ClintonvUle, and the balance is principally owned by his descendants. In
1805 he was chosen as one of the first associate judges of Venango county,
and fiUed the office with credit and ability over thirty years. He was also
a justice of the peace in his township for a long period. Judge McKee was
one of the most enterprising men of the county throughout the earlier years
of its history. He erected one of the pioneer saw mills of his locality and
carried on quite an extensive local lumber trade. He was also interested
largely in real estate, and accumulated a great deal of valuable land.
Judge McKee married Mary Parker, a native of Westmoreland county,
and they were the parents of eleven children: William P., of Iowa; Wash
ington, who died in Missouri in 1889; James, deceased; Thomas and De-
W^itt C. of Clintonville; Susan, deceased wife of James P. Agnew; Mary
Ann, deceased, who married James Harris of Harrisville; Clarissa, deceased
wifeof P. G. HoUister; Jane, deceased wife of James Russell; Barbara,
who died iu girlhood, and Juliet, deceased wife of J. A. Allen. Judge Mc
Kee was an honored resident of Venango county for more than sixty years,
and died in September, 1857, at the ripe old age of eighty-six. His widow
survived him nearly ten years, and died in February, 1867, also aged eighty-
six years. They were Presbyterians, and Judge McKee was for many years
a ruling elder in the Scrubgrass church. He also was one of the organizers
of the ClintonvUle church, and one of its first ruling elders. He was a stanch
Democrat and one of the most widely known citizens of the county during
pioneer days. He was a gentlemen of the old school, polite, affable, and
kind, and was recognized as a man of strict integrity and unimpeachable
character. His descendants are still numerous in this section of the state.
Thomas McKee, banker and farmer, is a son of Judge Thomas McKee,
and was born on the site of Clintonville, Venango county, Pennsylvania,
March 15, 1821. He attended the common schools of his township and has
followed successfuUy farming, stock dealing, merchandising, and banking.
On the 4th of January, 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth Anderson, daughter
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Grant) Anderson, pioneers of Scrubgrass town
ship. Nine children are the fruits of this marriage, all of whom are living:
Elizabeth, wife of Reverend J. P. Barbor; Jennie, wifeof Reverend Robert
McCaslin; John M. ; Frank P. ; Arthalinda, wife of Reverend R. J. Phipps;
Ida, wife of R. L. Riddle; Thomas P. ; WiUiam C, and Maggie. Mr. Mc
Kee is an elder in the Presbyterian church, to which denomination the
family adhere. He is a stanch, unswerving Democrat, and has served four

984 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
years as county commissioner and filled the office of justice of the peace
several years. ' Squire McKee is one of the most successful and substantial
business men of his native county.
William P. McKee, ganger, is a son of James and Mary (Cochran) Mc
Kee, and was born July 7, 1845, in Clintonville, Venango county. His
father was the third son of Judge Thomas McKee, and was born in this
township in 1812. He early engaged in the furnace business, afterward in
the stock trade, purchasing for eastern markets. He was a prominent
member of the I. O. O. F. , and filled some of the important offices in that
order. He died March 31, 1851. His wif e survived him and married Hugh
Craig, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our subject was the oldest of a family
of three children, two sons and one daughter. He was educated in the
schools of ClintonviUe, and at the age of eighteen went to Pittsburgh,
where he learned the machinist trade. In 1863 he engaged in the oil busi
ness, which he followed until 1873, when he entered the employ of the
United Pipe Lines Company as a gauger, which position he has since filled.
He was married March 20, 1876, to Miss Sadie, daughter of Doctor J. B.
McMillan, of Clintonville, and by this marriage they have five living chil
dren: Mary A. ; Maggie L. ; John D. ; Katie, and Blanche. Our subject has
filled the office of burgess twice, served as school director nine years, and
held other offices in Clintonville. He is a member of the Masonic order,
also of the I. O. O. F. , and was district deputy grand master of Venango
county in 1886. Politically he is a Democrat.
The Riddle Family. — Among the pioneers of the southern part of Ve
nango county was Matthew Riddle, who served in the Revolutionary war,
and came from Westmoreland in 1795, selected lands in this township, and
brought his family to his new home in 1796. He afterward acquired about
twelve hundred acres of land which at his death he divided among his four
children. He was one of the chain bearers for Thomas McKee, an early
surveyor of the county. His family consisted of two sons, John and Rob
ert, and two daughters: Annie, who married James Pollock, and Elizabeth.
His wife died in 1817, and he survived her three years, dying in 1820.
John, his eldest son, was born in Westmoreland county, and married
Esther Crawford, who bore him four sons and two daughters: Matthew;
Robert; John W. ; William C. ; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Moore, and
Mary, who became the wife of George Cross. His son, Robert, was bom
in Westmoreland county in 1788, came with his parents to Venango county,
and served in a company of militia in the war of 1812. He was married
in 1816 to Caroline, daughter of John Phipps, who bore him ten children:
John P. ; James P. ; Samuel; Robert; Wilson; David; Matthew; Elizabeth,
who married James Calvert; Sarah A., and one who died in infancy. He
was one of the enterprising citizens of the township, and served as justice
of the peace at an early day.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 985
John K. Riddle, farmer and oil producer, was born January 29, 1848,
in Clinton township, and is a son of Matthew and Mary (Moore) Riddle.
He attended the common schools of the township, and completed his edu
cation at Westminster College in Lawrence county. For many years he
dealt in produce, which he sold at Foxburg and Parker City. His father
was born in 1814, in early life was a teacher, and at one time filled the office
of county surveyor. Matthew Riddle was the father of six children: Julia,
wife of John Donaldson; Josiah R. ; Levina, wife of Joshua Hoffman;
John K. ; Reverend Clinton, of Nebraska, and Marilda J. John K. was
married in 1882 to TUlie, daughter of David G. Shaw, of Parker City,
Pennsylvania. Major Philip Ghost, a native of Germany, who served in the Revolu
tionary war, came fi'om Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to what is now
Chnton township, Venango county, in 1796, and settled on the farm now
occupied by Ghost Hoffman, which he purchased from a man by the name
of Jamison. He married Barbara Keltz, of Westmoreland county, and was
the father of three sons and five daughters, all of whom are dead. His son.
Craft, was born in Westmoreland county, and came to Venango county about
the same time, settling in Irwin township. He was a miller by occupation,
a man of good education, and taught school for many years. He also filled
the position of county commissioner. He married Elizabeth Pritz, who bore
him ten children: John; Philip, deceased; Christina, wife of Nathan
Phipps; Barbara, wife of William Carroll, of Illinois; Sarah, wife of
Thomas Galloway, of Irwin township; Charlotte, wife of William McCon
nell; Mary, deceased; Susanna, of Irwin township, and Betsey, deceased
wife of John Coleman. The parents both died in this county.
John Ghost, eldest son of Craft, was bom March 2, 1806, was reared
upon the homestead, and lived there until 1834, when he settled upon his
present farm in Clinton township. He was married November 7, 1833, to
Catharine, daughter of Philip Surrenna, of Clinton township, and by this
marriage is the father of the following chUdren: Clinton; Philip, deceased;
Elizabeth, wife of Perry McFadden; Craft W. ; WilUam S. ; Mary Ann,
wife of Benton Moore, and Nancy, deceased. Mr. Ghost has been a mem
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty years. His sons, Craft W.
and William S., were born July 18, 1842, and AprU 21, 1844, respectively,
upon the old homestead. The former was married November 24, 1870, to
Miss Harriet A. , daughter of Davidson McWilliams, who is the mother of
one child, Annette. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. WiUiam S. Ghost has spent his entire life upon the old homestead,
and is now caring for his parents in their declining years. He was married
May 3, 1887, to Miss Barbara, daughter of James Hoffman, of Clinton
township, by which union one daughter, Christina, has been born. Mr.
Ghost is a Republican, a member of the K. and L. of H., and with his wife
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Clintonville.

986 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Thomas Baird, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and a sur
veyor by profession, purchased a tract of land where his grandsons now live
in Clinton township, for which he paid six hundred dollars, and settled
upon this land about 1796. He served in Captain McManigal' s company in
the war of 1812, and was one of the pioneer justices of the peace of this
part of the county. He married Martha McKee, a sister of Judge MoKee,
who bore him the following chUdren: John; James; William; Thomas;
Hugh; Susan, married to John VanDyke; Mary; Elizabeth, who married
Doctor Coulter, and Matilda, wife of Gibson Vincent. Thomas Baird died
in 1864 at the age of eighty-six.
James Baird, born in 1807, son of Thomas and Martha (McKee) Baird,
was a surveyor by profession and laid out many of the principal roads of
the township. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church and
an elder for many years. He died February 24, 1864, leaving a widow,
who resides in Clintonville, and seven children: Martha, wife of John Vin
cent; Ann E. ; Susan, deceased wife of Doctor J. M. Foster; Sarah, wife of
Porter Phipps ; Mary, wife of J. A. Porter ; J. M. , and William A.
J. M. Baird, farmer, was born in Clinton township October 29, 1848,
son of James and Mary (Kilpatrick) Baird, was educated in the common
schools, and on the death of his father took charge of the home farm upon
which he still resides. He was married October 5, 1871, to Miss Mary G.,
daughter of David Hovis, of Clinton township, and is the father of six
children: Susan M. ; David E. ; James C. ; Frank P.; Meda P., and Jesse
Hays. Mr. Baird is one of the enterprising citizens df the township, polit
ically a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian church. His brother
William A. also resides upon the old homestead, where he was born Sep
tember 12, 1851, and is engaged in farming and oil producing. He was
married June 14, 1888, to Miss Jennie, daughter of William Courtney, of
Grove City, Mercer county, Pennsylvania.
The Eakins. — In 1799 Samuel Eakin came from Juniata county, Penn
sylvania, and located in what is now Clinton township, Venango county.
Two years prior, in 1797, he emigrated from Ireland to Juniata county. At
the time of their arrival in Venango county his family consisted of his wife,
Mary (Reilly) Eakin, and two children : Mary, who married Robert Moore,
and William. Subsequently there were born: James; Jane, who married
James Scott; Samuel; Elizabeth; Margaret, who married a Mr. Moore,
and David. Soon after Samuel's settlement his brother William and sister
Margaret, the latter the wife of a Mr. Curry, located in the same region and
developed farms. Samuel settled on one hundred and fifty acres of land,
and held various township offices. His wife died in 1821, and he survived
her until September, 1851, passing away at the age of eighty-four years. All
of his sons and daughters became settlers of Venango county, and all of
them are dead, the last one, Samuel, dying in November, 1888, at the age

:/ -y
'^y
(j%M^ [j^n^^/^r
BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 989
of eighty- two. The other members of the family also lived beyond middle
age. The old homestead, after the death of Samuel, Sr., became the prop
erty of his youngest son, David, who died October 11, 1851, aged forty-one
years. David was married to Rebecca Stalker, daughter of Thomas Stalker,
and was the father of nine children: Rachel, who married S. D. Porter;
Samuel; Thomas, deceased; Thomas J. ; Mary Jane, who married S. M.
Lockhart; Martha L., wife of William Witherup; Elizabeth, married to
John Fabian; Sarah Ann, wife of John Myers, and David V. The father
dying, Mrs. Eakin was married to David Phipps, of Clinton township, by
whom she had one daughter, Henrietta, married to a Mr. Thero, of Colorado.
Mrs. Phipps died in February, 1878.
The Witherup Family. — John Witherup was a native of England who
immigrated to Trenton, New Jersey, and from there went to Philadelphia,
and subsequently to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was employed in the
transportation of freight between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, which in
those days was done by wagon. In 1800 he came to Venango county and
settled in Scrubgrass township. WhUe in Pittsburgh he had the contract
to supply the lumber for building the first court house erected in that city,
and always spoke with pride of being the man who cut the first piece of
timber used in its erection. His settlement in this county was made on a
tract of four hundred and forty acres near the mouth of Big Scrubgrass
creek, upon which he erected the first saw and grist mill in the township.
He was engaged in farming, milling, and lumbering for many years. In
1805 he was elected the first sheriff of Venango county,^ was one of the early
justices of the peace, and filled that office for twenty-five or thirty years.
He married Mary Brockingham, a native of England, who bore him the fol
lowing children: Abraham; David, who died in Missouri; William, who
died in Virginia; John, deceased; Alexander, who died in Scrubgrass town
ship; Martha, who married Colonel William W. Shorts, of Sandy Creek
township, and Robert, who died on Red river. Mr. Witherup died in 1843.
Captain Abhaha.m Witherup, eldest son of John, was born in Philadel
phia, in 1787, and came with his father to Venango county. He lived for
a time in Rockland township, and then settled upon the old homestead,
where he followed farming and the lumber business. He was one of the
early oil producers of the county, commencing in 1865, wells to the number
of forty having been drilled upon his farm, which, with the exception of a
few, averaged from two to one hundred and sixty barrels daily for the period
of seven or eight years. Captain Witherup commanded a company from
Venango county in the war of 1812. He was a life long Democrat, filled
the office of justice of the peace for twenty years, and was one of the enter
prising men of his day.- He married Elizabeth, fourth daughter of John
Phipps, Sr., who bore him thirteen children, and lived her four- score years.
The children are: Mary, deceased wife of James Haslett; Catharine, de-

990 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ceased wife of Nathaniel M. Wasson; Sarah, wife of O. D. McMillin; Mar
tha, wife of Elliott Davis; Elizabeth; John, deceased; Robert; David de
ceased; Joseph; Abraham; Samuel P.; James B., and William. Captain
Witherup died in 1875, loved and respected as a patriotic citizen.
His youngest son, William, was born August 24, 1832, on the old home
stead and received such education as the common schools afforded. He has
always been engaged in farming and the lumber business. Politically he is
an ardent Democrat. He was married November 19, 1863, to Miss Martha
L. , daughter of David Eakin, of Clinton township, and by this union is the
father of ten children: Forest F. ; Melda M. ; David P. ; Harry K. ; Joseph
A.; Lewis H. , deceased; Samuel B. ; Jesse L. ; William V., and Bessie P.
Alexander Porter, an early settler of Venango county, was a native of
Washington county, Pennsylvania, and of Irish parentage. He located on
a tract of four hundred acres, where his grandsons, Samuel and Thomas V. ,
now reside. He was a blacksmith, and carried on this business in connec
tion with farming. He married Margaret Braden, whom he brought to his
home in the forest of Venango county, in 1798. She bore him twelve
"> children: Joseph; Mary; Elizabeth; Isabel, who married WUliam Coulter;
Nancy, who married William Osborn; James; Annabel, who married James
Kerr; Samuel; John; Margaret, who married Benjamin Yard; Lucy, and
Alexander, all of whom are dead excepting Annabel, Margaret, and Alex
ander. He died September 26, 1847, his widow surviving him until 1850.
James Porter, the second son, was bom December 21, 1801, on the old
homestead, where he Resided until about 1828, when he purchased an adjoining
farm in Butler county, upon which he lived until 1857. He then purchased
the old homestead in this township, where he resided until his death.
While a resident of Butler county he filled the office of justice of the peace.
He was an ardent supporter of the temperance cause, and prominent in
> temperance circles. Mr. Porter was twice married, first to Sybella Coulter,
who died, leaving two sons: Levi and James C. He subsequently married
Harriet, daughter of James Vincent, of Butler county, who bore him two
sons: Samuel and Thomas V., and died May 31, 1863. James Porter died
June 18, 1887.
Samuel Porter, third son of James, was bom June 18, 1854, in Butler
county, Pennsylvania, and grew to manhood upon his present homestead,
in Clinton township. He was married in March, 1879, to Miss Tabitha,
daughter of Richard Van Dyke, of Butler county, who is the mother of five
children: Harriet A. ; Richard; James B. ; Mary R. , and Benjamin Alexan
der. In 1884 Mr. Porter and brother, Thomas V. , engaged in the produc
tion of oil upon their farm, and have met with fair success. They also have
in operation a saw and chop mill.
Thomas V. Porter, fourth son of James Porter, was born December 31,
1856, in Butler county, and was reared upon the homestead in Clinton town-

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 991
ship. He received his primary education in the common schools, and
completed his studies in Westminster College, in Lawrence county, Penn
sylvania. He was married in 1881 to Miss Eva, daughter of Robert Long,
of Harrisville, Butler county, who has borne him two children: James Clay
ton and Margaret L. Mr. Porter is a member of the United Presbyterian
church, and politically he is a Prohibitionist.
John A. Porter, torpedo operator, was born April 17, 1842, in Irwin
township, Venango county, and is a son of John and Julia (Black) Porter
and a grandson of Alexander Porter, an early settler of Clinton township.
His youth was spent upon a farm, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company I,
One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was the first man
from Clinton township to enter the service. He participated in the battles of
Wijliamsburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg (first and
second), and at Salem Heights was made a prisoner and confined on Belle
Isle until his parole a month later, when he returned to his regiment. At
the battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864, he was wounded in the left leg,
and was confined for a little over one year in various hospitals. He was
color bearer of his regiment when wounded, and while in the hospital was
promoted to the first lieutenancy, but never was able to return to his regi
ment, yet ranks as lieutenant in his discharge, which occurred in 1865. In
1867 he engaged'as a clerk in a drug store in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and
afterward followed farming until 1887, when he engaged in his present
business. Mr. Porter was married in 1868 to Miss Mary R. , daughter of
James Baird, by which marriage he is the father of eight children: James
B. ; John J. ; Fred ; Arthur ; Utillis A. ; Anna M. ; Ella A. , and Ada P. WhUe
a resident of Lawrence county Mr. Porter filled the office of county treasurer,
and since returning to Clinton township has held some minor offices. He is
a member of John M. Phipps Post, G. A. R. , and of Union Veteran Legion,
No. 45, and with his -wife belongs to the Presbyterian church.
The Hovis Family, of Venango county, are descendants of John Theo
dore Hofius, a native of Prussia, and a minister of the Reformed church.
His first settlement was in Bedford county, Pennsylvania; thence he re
moved to Washington county, where he married Nancy Baker, who bore
him four sons and one daughter: George, who settled in Hickory town
ship, Mercer county, about 1800, where his father died in 1808, at an ad
vanced age; William, who settled in West Virginia near Wheeling; Ernest,
who located in Irwin township, Venango coimty; Barbara, who married
Henry Koonce, of Clarksville, Mercer county, and John, who settled in what
is now Clinton township about 1808, where his mother died in 1820. She
was buried in the old graveyard upon the Hoffman farm.
John Hovis was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and located
upon a four hundred acre tract in this township, where David Hovis now
lives. He served in Captain McManigal' s company in the war of 1812. He

992 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
married Susanna Cogan, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, who bore him
eleven children: William; John; George; Nicholas; Jacob; Ernest; David;
Catharine, who married Benjamin R. Yard; Nancy, who married Philip
Boker; Elizabeth, who married William Campbell, and Sally, wife of Eob
ert Cannan.
David Hovis was born on the homestead, where he now resides, March
19, 1813, and is a farmer and oil producer, having had ten producing wells
upon his own farm. He was married in 1838 to Miss Margery J., daughter
of James Cannan, of Clinton township, and by this union has eight children:
Charles W. ; John N. ; William J. ; Thomas C. ; Lester A. ; Maria L. ;
Mary J., wife of John M. Baird, and Susan B. Mr. Hovis has been elected
justice of the peace and has always taken a deep interest in the public af
fairs of his township. He was at one time a captain of a militia company,
and has been an ardent Democrat all his life. He has been a member of
the Methodist, Episcopal church for fifty-five years, and has served as stew
ard and trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday school for many years.
John N. Hovis, oil producer, was born October 7, 1847, upon the old
homestead, where his early life was also spent. He is a son of David and
Margery (Cannan) Hovis. He received his education in the township
schools, and followed the carpenter trade for some years. In 1878 he
entered the employ of Phillips Brothers, and in 1882, ia connection with
Hosea Beighlea, he purchased a well located (jn the Vanderlin farm, two
on the Daugherty farm, and one upon the Surrenna farm, from Phillips
Brothers. In 1884 his partner died, and the widow sold his interest to 0.
B. Cross, and in partnership with him Mr. Hovis has since carried on opera
tions. Our subject is also connected with HoUister & Cummings in other
wells. He married Ellen, daughter of John and Margaret Ray of Butler
county, and by this union has five children: Frank; Annie; Minnie V.;
Charles E., and Arthur. Mr. Hovis is a member of the Methodist Episco
pal church, and in politics a Republican.
M. Z. Hovis, justice of the peace and oil producer, was born May 9,
1850, in Irwin township, Venango county, and is a son of Samuel and
Eliza C. (Welton) Hovis, and grandson of William Hovis. His great-grand
father was John Theodore Hofius, who settled in Hickory township, Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and there died in 1808. Samuel Hovis was
born in Clinton township, Venango county, and is at present a justice of the
peace of Victory township, where he resides. His children are as follows:
Lydia L., wife of John B. Henderson of Clinton township; Bmmerilla, wife
> of Isaac R. Eakin; William J. ; Sadie E., wife of James A. Osborn; Samuel
H. ; Joseph C. ; Chester L. ; Margaret C. ; John D., and M. Z. The last
mentioned was reared and educated in Victory township, Venango county.
He farmed in summer and taught school in winter until his twenty-third
year, and then entered the employ of Barkey & Company, merchants of

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 993
Barkeyville, this county, as a clerk. About 1877 he returned to Victory
township and engaged in the mercantile business, and established the post-
office known as Pearl, of which he was postmaster for several years. In
1881 he retired from business and removed to ClintonviUe, and formed a
pai-tnership with J. C. Hovis in the pr(Kluotion of oil. Their wells are
located in Butler county, but he has one well upon his father's farm in
Clinton township. In the spring of 1889 he was elected justice of the
peace, and is also the auditor of ClintonviUe. Mr. Hovis was married in
1873 to Miss Susanna, daughter of John Shelly, of Irwin township, who
died April 15, 1880, leaving two children: Susie P. and Henry B. Polit
ically Mr. Hovis is a Democrat, and a member of the Church of God.
The Henderson Family. — One of the early settlers of Venango county
was Andrew Henderson, who came from Westmoreland county about 1816
and located in what was then Scrubgrass township. He married Mary Elder
of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1844. His children were as
follows: Joseph; William, deceased; Jacob, of Sandy Hill, Pennsylvania;
Thomas, of Clinton township; Andrew, of Irwin township; Charles, of Sandy
Greek township; Mary, wife of John Lockard; Eliza, wife of Benjamin
Brink of Clarion county, and Margaret, wife of David Moore of Washing
ton city.
Thomas Henderson, third son of Andrew Henderson, was born in West
moreland county, and came with his parents to Venango, where he was
reared to a farm life, and educated in the pioneer schools of the township.
He married Catharine Bonner, who bore him ten children, four of whom are
living: John B., of Clinton township; Andrew J., of the same township;
Elizabeth, wife of Robert Hutchison of Clinton township, and Amanda,
wife of Marion Blair of Victory township, Venango county. Mrs. Hender
son died in September, 1864.
John B. Henderson, son of Thomas, was born in 1838 upon the home
stead farm, where he also grew to manhood. In 1860 he engaged in the
oil business, being one of the pioneer operators, and has continued in that
line to the present. He is also engaged quite extensively in farming, and
resides upon his homestead of two hundred acres, about three miles north
of ClintonvUle. This farm was originally owned by the Davidson family,
who were among the pioneers of the county. Mr. Henderson was married
January 13, 1863, to Miss L. L., daughter of Samuel Hovis of Victory
township. He and wife are members of the Church of God, and politically
he is an ardent Prohibitionist.
Andrew J. Henderson, son of Thomas, was born February 2, 1845, was
reared a farmer, and subsequently engaged in oil operating. In 1883 he
returned to agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1867 to Miss Julia,
daughter of David Clay of Clinton township, who is the mother of one
child, DelUah J. Mr. Henderson is a member of the K. and L. of H. , and
politically a Democrat.

994 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Richard Kennerdell was born at Bolton, Lancashire, England, March
19, 1817, and died at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, AprU 17, 1878. His father,
Edward Kennerdell, and five of his father's brothers, were officers in the
British army, and sons of a leading physician of Bolton, Edward married
Miss Mary Wiles, a native of Bolton, who bore him a family of twelve chil
dren, seven of whom grew to maturity — five sons and two daughters: James,
who died in Philadelphia; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Henry Martin, of
SheakleyviUe, Pennsylvania; Richard, deceased; Thomas, who died at Ken-
nerdeU; John, who died at Kittanning; Anna, wife of Isaac Firth, of Worth
ington, Armstrong county, and Edward, who lives at Kittanning. In 1826
the family came from England to Philadelphia, and in 1837 removed to
Pittsburgh, and soon after located at Craig's MUls, Armstrong county.
While there Richard Kennerdell manufactured the first woolen goods made
in that county. In 1844 the Kennerdells removed to Agnew's MUls, Rich
land township, Venango county, which Richard had previously leased for
nine years, and carried on the manufactui-e of woolens during that period.
In 1852 they purchased the property on Big Scrubgrass, since known as
Kennerdell' s mUls. They improved the buUdings and operated saw, grist,
and woolen mills, and also conducted a large general store. Edward Ken
nerdell and wife spent the remaining years of their lives at this point. In
1859 Richard Kennerdell bought the interests of the other members of the
family, and with characteristic energy he gradually improved the property
until KennerdeU became quite a flourishing little hamlet.
Mr. Kennerdell was married December 30, 1835, to Miss Jane, daughter
of WUliam Hare, a native of Scotland. She was born in the city of Lon
donderry, Ireland, and came to PhUadelphia at the age of eighteen, where
she soon after met her future husband. They were married in that city and
became the parents of nine chUdren, six of whom grew to maturity: Mary
Ann, deceased; James Craig; Anna Elizabeth, -wife of W. J. Welsh; Jane
K., wife of Doctor W. A. Nicholson; Mary Ann, who died August 23, 1886,
and Sarah Elvira. The parents were reared in the Protestant Episcopal
church, but having no body of that faith near them in this county, they
united -with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Kennerdell erected and supported,
largely at his own expense, for many years a church and school at Kenner
deU. In March, 1878, he removed to Philadelphia, intending to make that
city his future home, but the following month, whUe on a business trip to
his old home he was taken Ul and died at Pittsburgh. His remains were
interred in the public cemetery of Franklin, where a handsome shaft marks
the last resting place of himself and wife, who survived him untU January
19, 1881. Politically Mr. Kennerdell was a Democrat, but took little inter
est in public affairs. He was a man of wonderful energy and rare business
tact, and through unflagging industry and fortunate investments he accumu
lated a handsome competence. Upright and honest in aU his dealings, char-

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 095
itable and kind to a remarkable degree, and affectionate in his home rela
tions, it is not indeed strange that he went down to his grave possessing
hosts of friends and de('[)ly mourned by tho community where so many
years of his life were passed.
William Cross, who is well remembered as one of the pioneer iron man
ufacturers of Butler, Venango, and other counties, was a son of Samuel
Cro,sh, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to eastern Pennsylvania, and
thence to CenterviUe, Butler county. Samuel Cross was twice married, and
reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. Joseph,
one of the sons, was elected to the asHembly from Butler county. All the
members of the family remained in that county, except our subject, who
served in tho commissary department during the war of 1812. He removed
to Franklin in 1831, leased a forge, and engaged in the manufacture of
iron. In July, 1835, he located at ClintonviUe, where he erected a resi
dence and store. Individually, or in partnership with others, he erected
and operated the following furnaces: Slab furnace, in Cranberry; Sandy,
in Victory; Van Buren, in Cranberry; Bullion and Jane, in Clinton;
Forest, near Tionesta, and Pleasant Grove, in Lancaster county. He was
also interested in grist and carding mUls, and was one of the energetic men
of his time. He married Jane, daughter of Robert Weakly, of Butler '
county, who bore him nine children: Samuel W. ; Robert; Wilson; William
C. ; Harriet, wife of Thomas Hoge, who was a member of the state senate
and mayor of Franklin; Sarah Jane, who married Nathan Davis; Matilda,
who married John Maxwell, and two daughters named Caroline, one of
whom died young. William Cross died at Clintonville November 24, 1861,,
in his seventy- sixth year.
Judge Robert Cross was one of the most prominent and enterprising
citizens of Clinton township for many years. He was born in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, May 3, 1811, son of William and Jane (Weakly) Cross. He
looked after his father's business for many years during the lifetime of the
latter, and then engaged in merchandising in Clintonville. He was the first
postmaster of the town, and filled that position about thirty years. He
also engaged in farming, and continued in agricultural and mercantile pur
suits up to within a short time of his death, which occurred at his home in
ClintonviUe, June 22, 1874.
Judge Cross was married December 25, 1835, to Miss Hannah McKissick,
daughter of Aaron and Mary (Means) McKissick, natives of Maine, who set
tled in Franklin, Pennsylvania, about 18 18, and thence removed to Sandy
Creek township, where both resided until death. Mrs. Cross was born in
Portland, Maine, AprU 15, 1816, and is the mother of nine children:
Caroline, deceased; Mary J., deceased wife of E. P. Newton; Hattie, wife of
Major Robert J. Phipps; Lovisa, wife of Reverend J. M. Foster; WiUiam; O.
Byron; Emma P., wife of 0. M. Riddle; Alice, wife of Doctor H. Jackson,

996 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and Henrietta, married to David V. Eakin. Mrs. Cross is still a resident of
Clintonville, and has lived in Venango county for the past seventy-two years.
She has watched its gradual development from a comparative wilderness to
its present prosperity.
Judge Cross was an elder in the Presbyterian church and a very liberal
supporter of churches and schools. Generous and charitable to a remarkable
degree, and upright and honest in all his affairs, he was recognized not only
as a good man, but the leading business man of ClintonviUe during the
greater portion of his active business career. Politically he was an ardent
Democrat and served as associate judge of Venango county several years.
He went down to his grave respected and honored by the whole community,
wherein more than fifty years of his life were passed.
William Cross, eldest son of Robert Cross, was born November 19,
1845, in Clintonville, and was educated in the schools thereof. He was
reared a farmer, and in 1875 purchased his present homestead. He was
married in 1867 to Miss Nannie, daughter of Samuel Phipps, and eight chil
dren have been born to them: Effie M. ; Frank; Fred A. ; Hannah; William
R. ; Florrilla; Hattie, and Robert P. In 1888 Mr. Cross was appointed mer
cantile appraiser. He is a member of the K. and L. of H. , and politically
a stanch Democrat.
William- C. Cross, fourth son of William Cross, was born in Butler
county, January 22, 1823, and was associated with his father from an early
age until the death of the latter in 1861. In 1881 he was elected treasurer
of Venango county, and filled the position one term. He was married in
1848 to Isabella Cummings, who died May 21, 1867, leaving seven children:
William C. ; Sarah A.; Mary; Jane; Isaac H. ; Eva, and John C. He
married for his second wife Mrs. Mary J. Ford. Mr. Cross is now en
gaged in the mercantile business in Clintonville, with which he has been
identified for a number of years, and* is one of the well-known citizens of
the township.
J. B. McMillan, physician, Clintonville, is a representative of one of
the pioneer families of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in
Wolf Creek township in 1824, His paternal grandfather, Daniel McMUlan,
was a native of County Derry, Ireland, who immigrated to the United States
about 1793, and settled near Pittsburgh. His wife died on the voyage to
this country, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters, two of whom,
William and John, subsequently settled in Mercer county, Pennsylvania.
William purchased a tract of four hundred acres of land in Wolf Creek
township, and the records of Mercer county show him as a tax payer in
1802. He was one of the three commissioners appointed to lay out the
county seat of Mercer county, and for forty years filled the office of justice
of the peace. He served at Erie in the war of 1812, and was one of the
progressive men of his day. He was a pronounced temperance advocate.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 997
and prominent in temperance work during his life time. His death oc
curred in 1843. His wife, Mai-gai-et (Robb) McMUlan, bore him a family ¦
of four sons and four daughters: Daniel; Robert; Andrew J.; John B. ;
Margai-et, who mai-ried M. Elrod; Matilda; Eliza, who married John Mc
MiUan, and at his death Robert Hutchison; and ]Mary, Mrs. Samuel Thomp
son. Doctor McMillan spent his early years on the homestead, and received
his primary education in the log school house of that period. At the age
of twenty-two he came to ClintonviUe, where his brother, Doctor Andi-ew J.
McMillan, had located in practice, and commenced the study of medicine iu
his office. In 1850 he commenced the practice of his profession, but after
a few years his brother removed to Butler county, and subsequently to
Kansas where he now resides. Our subject was married in 1851 to Miss
Maiy, daughter of Judge David Phipps, which union has beeu blessed with
sis children: Amlrew J., of Kansas; Margaret, wife of William Tribby, of
Sharpsville, Pennsylvania; Sadie, wife of William McKee, of Clintonville;
Almira; Blanche G. , and Austa N, Doctor McMiUan has been in contin
uous practice in Clintonville for thirty-seven j'ears, and has been closely
identified with social and material interests throughout this period. He is
a stanch Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
K. M. Hoffman, physician, Clintonville, was born December 15, 1836, in
what was then Scrubgrass township. He is a a son of James and Christina
(Monjar) Hoffman. His grandfather, James Hoffman, was a native of Penn
sylvania, of German ancestry ; his father immigrated to this country and set
tled in this state. On the maternal side the ancestry was from Prance.
immigrated to Maryland, and thence to Venango county. Doctor Hoffman
spent his early years upon the homestead, and received a good common
school education. He then entered Allegheny College, Meadville, where he
remained for six months; returning to his home he engaged in teaching for
the purpose of raising means to prosecute his studies. In 1S51, having accu
mulated sufficient means, he attended school at Harris-ville, Butler county,
where he spent two years. Retiu-ning to his home he continued his stud
ies in the Clintonville Academy, and remained in that institution for two
years. In 1857 he commenced to study medicine with Doctor John B. Mc
Millan, of Clinton-ville, and subsequently under Doctors Mc¬MiUan and
Powler at HarrisvUle, Pennsylvania. In the -winter of 1S65-66 he attended
lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and in the latter year formed a part
nership with Doctor J. M. Poster of ClintonviUe, and commenced the prac
tice of medicine. In 1872-73 he entered Cleveland Medical CoUege and
graduated in the latter year. In 1873 he associated himself with Doctor
Homer Jackson of Utica, Venango courtty, Pennsylvania, which partnership
continued five years, and the subsequent five years was a partner of Doctor
George Parr of PerrysviUe, Ohio, Since the dissolution of the last partner
ship he has continued to practice alone. Doctor Hoffman is an active

998 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Republican, and in 1886 was elected burgess of Clintonville, and at the
present time is a member of the borough council. He was married in 1864
to Miss Mary Miller, who has borne him one daughter, Berdie, wife of John
P. Craig, of Clintonville.
R. M. Hoffman, oil producer, is a son of James and Christina (Monjar)
Hoffman, and was born October 15, 1835, in Clinton township. The pater
nal grandfather was James Hoffman, a German, whose parents emigrated
from Germany and settled in Westmoreland county. He was born in 1773,
and came to Venango county in 1797 and settled on the land where Andrew
Hoffman now lives, in Clinton township. He was a wagon maker, and en
gaged in the making of agricultural implements for the farmers. He mar
ried Mary, daughter of Major Philip Ghost, one of the early settlers of
Clinton. Their children were : Barbara; Mary; John; James; Daniel; Adam;
Philip G. ; Jacob; Elizabeth; Christina, and Catharine. He died about
1848, and his wife in 1848. James' family consisted of five sons: Doctor
K. M. ; R. M. ; Coulter; Samuel, and Philip; and four daughters: Caro
line; Clementina; Mary, and Barbara. Our subject was reared on the
homestead and educated in the schools of the toyvnship. In 1861 he enlisted
in Company K, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of
the war; he participated in all of the battles fought by the Army of the Po
tomac; at the battle of Sulphur Springs all that reported of his company of
the rank and file were one officer and two privates, he being one of them;
at the battle of Hatcher' s Run he was the color bearer, and received from
General Gregg a furlough for standing to his colors when the regiment
broke, his action causing them to rally. After the close of the war he
farmed until 1876, when he engaged in the oil business. He also operated
a hotel near Clintonville in the oil excitement of 1876. He at present is en
gaged in operating five wells, in connection with his son. He married, in
1859, Miss Elizabeth Martin, of Irwin township, and by this union they
have three chUdren: Martin R., Minnie, and Claudia C. He is a member
of the Church of God, and politically a Republican.
> William Moore, farmer, son of Robert and Mary (Eakin) Moore, and
grandson of William Moore, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in
1815. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland and settled east of the
mountains. His mother, Mary Eakin, was also a native of Ireland, and by
her marriage to Robert Moore had a family of seven children: William;
Samuel, a resident of Scrubgrass township; Sarah; Mary, wife of Matthew
Riddle; Elizabeth, who married John McKinley; Jane, deceased, and
James, of Clinton township. Her husband died in 1826, and she survived
him until 1864. At the age of ten years our subject went to live with his
grandfather, Samuel Eakin, where he resided seventeen years. In 1839, in
connection with his brother Samuel, he purchased two hundred acres of land
on the line of Clinton and Scrubgrass townships, where he has ever since

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 999
lived. Politically he is a Republican, a life-long member of the United
Presbyterian church, and one of the respected citizens of the community.
Snowden D. Porter, farmer, was born March 15, 1833, in Cranberry
township, Venango county, and is a son of Aaron and Rachel (Delong)
Porter. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Porter, came to this county and
settled in Cranberry township, near Franklin, where he died about 1840.
He married Margaret Shorts, who bore him the following children: Jesse;
Aaron; Richard; Sarah, who married John Gordon; Elizabeth, who married
Charles Jacobs; William, and Margaret, who married Thomas Sarver, all of
whom are dead. Aaron Porter was born March 25, 1801, was a farmer by
occupation, and removed to Ohio, where he died June 17, 1875. He was
thrice married. His first wife, Mai-y, died June 28, 1828, leaving two
children: George and Mary. He married for his second wife Rachel
Delong, who died September 9, 1845, leaving five children: Snowden D. ;
Jesse, deceased; Hannah, wife of Henry Hughes; Sarah, deceased, and
James L., of Ohio. His third wife, Catharine, died December 15, 1883,
leaving six children: John; Clarinda; Amanda; Margaret; Jason, and Elias.
Our subject was reared in Ohio and Pennsylvania, received his education in
the public schools, and when thirteen years old began boating on the Alle
gheny river, which he followed for some years. He then purchased his
present farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was
twice married, first to Retta McClafferty, who died May 1, 1855, leaving
two children: William, deceased, and George. He was again married Feb
ruary 12, 1857, to Miss Rachel, daughter of David Eakin, one of the pio
neers of Venango county, and by this union is the father of six children :
Warren; Martha, wife of Findley Griffin; Isabella, wife of L. Dille; Eliza
beth; Anna, and Samuel. Mr. Porter is a Democrat, and a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church.
James Voeus, farmer, was born in Clinton township July 31, 1834, and
is a son of William and Eleanor (Allison) Vogus. The progenitor of th©
Vogus famUy of this county was Jqjm Vogus, a German, who settled on the
land where WiUiam Vogus lives about 1796. He had one son, Francis, from
whom the present Vogus family are descended. Francis was married to
Catharine Baker who bore him the following children: John; Catharine;
William; Jacob; Adam; Philip; Francis; Mary; Nancy; Peter, and Joseph,
of whom six are dead: John; Catharine; Jacob; Philip; Nancy, and Joseph.
He lived upon the old homestead until old age, then removed to Irwin town
ship and there died. His son, William, was born in 1813, and was twice
married. His first wife died in 1866 leaving three chUdren: James; Sarah,
who was twice married, first to George McMurdy, and then to Robert Jones,
and EUen, wife of Philip Stoopes, of Missouri. His second wife was Mrs.
Sarah (AtweU) Jamison who has borne him one son,William B. Our subject
was born on the old homestead, and in 1868 removed to OU City and engaged

1000 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in teaming. In 1876 he located on a farm in New Vernon township, Mercer
county, where he remained until 1886 and then purchased his present home
stead in Clinton township. He was married in 1862 to Miss Freelove, daugh
ter of Jacob P. Hoffman of Irwin township, who is the mother of two chil
dren: John W., engaged in the sale of agricultural implements for Walter
A. Wood & Company, of Hoosick Falls, New York, and Hezekiah. Politi
cally Mr. Vogus is a Democrat.
Cyrus R. Coulter, farmer, was born August 26, 1843, and is a son of
John and Elizabeth (Baird) Coulter. His grandfather, Patrick Coulter, was
a native of County Derry, Ireland, and settled in Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, whence in 1804 or 1805 he removed to what was then Scrub-
grass township. He was three times married, his first wife being Nancy
Finley, by whom he had two sons : John and William ; and three daughters,
all of whom are dead. John Coulter was born in Huntingdon county, Penn
sylvania, June 15, 1787, studied medicine with Epaphroditus Cossitt of
Mercer, and was one of the first practicing physicians in the coanty. He
was also one of the leading pioneer farmers. He was twice married, his
; first wife being Achsah (Riggs) Coulter, who bore him six daughters, three
of whom are living: Eliza, wife of William Moyn; Caroline, wife of Joseph
A. Allen, and Achsah, wife of James B. Witherup. By his second wife he
"^ had three chUdren: Mary A., wife of Thomas J. Eakin; Martha, who resides
at home, and Cyrus R. Mr. Coulter died June 13, 1849, and his widow re
sides with her son. Our subject lived upon the homestead farm until the
beginning of the war, when he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsyl
vania Cavalry, and served until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, which
he witnessed. He is a member of Alexander Welton Post, G. A. R. , and in
politics a stanch Republican.
James McKinley emigrated from Westmoreland county about 1837, and
- located in what is now Clinton township, upon a tract of land west of Clin
tonville where his descendants now reside. He was a descendant of an
Irish Presbyterian family of Westmoreland county, and was born in 1791,
He was a carpenter and followed that business for a number of years in
connection with farming. He married Elizabeth McKelvey, who died in
1871, and he followed her to the grave the next year. They were the parents
of eight children, two of whom died young. Those living to maturity are
as follows: Martha, who married Robert C. Weakly; Mary, married to
Thomas Baird ; John ; James ; Nathaniel H. , and Marvin A.
Nathaniel H. McKinley, farmer, was born November 26, 1826, grew
up and has followed farming all his life on the homestead where he now
resides. He was married in 1857 to Miss Catharine Daugherty, of Clinton
township, by which union one son, H. J., was bom in 1860, and is now
engaged in farming. The family are members of the United Presbyterian
church.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CLINTON. 1001
Solomon Thorn was born three miles from Sunbury, Butler county,
Pennsylvania, November 23, 1823. He is the son of George and Catharine
(Barnhart) Thorn and grandson of John Thorn, a native of Dauphin county,
Pennsylvania, and one of the early settlers of Butler county. George
Thorn was born in 1796, spent his early life upon the homestead farm,
and in AprU, 1823, located on a farm on the line of Armstrong and But
ler counties, on the head- waters of Sugar creek, where he died in 1868.
He was twice married, his first wife dying in 1830, and leaving five chil
dren. His second wife was Catharine (Stewart) Thorn, by whom he had
four children. At the age of seventeen our subject was apprenticed to
Henry Barnhart, of Millerstown, Pennsylvania, to learn the mill-wright
trade. After he acquired a knowledge of his trade Mr. Thorn engaged in
the business and for many years was employed in erecting mills throughout
northwestern Pennsylvania. He was also a partner of Amos Dotterrer in
equipping furnaces, saw and grist mills with machinery. In 1850 he located
in Scrubgrass township, and built a saw mill on Little Scrubgrass creek
which he operated for sixteen years. In 1866 he purchased the hotel in
CUntonville, enlarged it, and for sixteen years was its landlord. In 1882 he
was appointed steward of the county farm, and filled that position for
eighteen months, resigning it on the death of his son again to take charge
of the hotel. Mr. Thorn was married February 1, 1849, to Miss Alvira,<
daughter of Thomas Perry, an early resident of Scrubgrass township.
Eight children have been bom of this union, three of whom are living:
Willaim N. ; Harry, and Emma, wife of S. C. Prye. Mr. Thorn is an enter
prising citizen, has led an active business life, and has always taken an act
ive interest in the social and material interests of ClintonviUe. He is a
member of the Presbyterian church, and a firm adherent of the Republican
party. *
William N. Thorn, proprietor of the Clinton house, is the eldest living
son of Solomon Thorn, and was born July 19, 1853. At the age of twenty-
three he engaged with Phillips Brothers, and was in their employ for
nine years. In 1883 he purchased the Clinton house, and has since con
ducted the business. He was married June 25, 1884, to Miss Olive, daugh
ter of James Osborn of Clinton township, and has three chUdren: Clarence
R.; Lewis A., and Cora. In 1886 Mr. Thorn was elected a member of the
borough council, which position he has since filled, and is also president of
the school board. He is politically a Republican, a member of the I. O.
0. P. , and an adherent of the Presbyterian church.
George W. Beringer, farmer and oil producer, was born March 23, 1837,
in Franklin, Pennsylvania, He is a son of George and Margaret (Davis)
Beringer. George Beringer, Sr., was born in 1809 in Bedford county, and
is a son of John and Jane (Leim) Beringer. In 1836 he came to Venango
county, and was employed at the old Van Buren furnace. In 1840 he

1002 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
removed to Clinton township and engaged in farming. In 1850 he pur
chased the farm where he now resides, in Clinton township. He was the
first road commissioner elected in Clinton township. He is the father of
twelve children, six of whom are living: Elizabeth J,, Mrs. James' Shiner;
George W. ; David, of Crawford county; Sarah, Mrs. David Hovis; Jesse,
and Martha, Mrs. Jacob P  . Our subject was educated in the common
schools, and his early life was spent upon the farm. In 1860 he engaged
in the construction of derricks for the oil producers; later on he commenced
operating for himself, and at the present time he has eleven producing
wells, and also conducts a farm of four hundred acres. Politically Mr.
Beringer and his father are life-long Democrats. Our subject was married
in September, 1862, to Miss Nancy J., daughter of Andrew Shiner, of
Sandy Creek township, and by this union they have nine children : Andrew
C, born November 17, 1863; Margaret J., bom March 21, 1865, the wife
of WiUiam J. C. Bumgardner; Artlyssey, born February 26, 1867, wife of
Francis Davis of Clinton township; George B., born November 21, 1868;
John P., born December 12, 1872; Amelda M., born December 1, 1874;
James W., born October 4, 1879; Grace S., born December 24, 1882, and
Grover Cleveland, born August 17, 1884.
Robert A. Hutchison, oil producer, was born in Butler county, Penn
sylvania, Februaiy 4, 1843, and was reared and educated in that and Venango
counties. He is a son of Robert and Ann (Seaton) Hutchison, natives of
Westmoreland and Butler counties, respectively, and of Scotch Presbyterian
ancestry. He early engaged in the oil and lumber business, and on the
breaking out of the war enlisted, September 13, 1861, in Company L, Fourth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until February 8, 1865, when he was
mustered out of the service. He participated in all of the battles along the
peninsula, at Antietam, Fredericksburg, ChancellorsviUe, and Gettysburg;
and on the retreat fi-om the battle of Sulphur Springs, October 12, 1863,
was captured, with three hundred others of his regiment, and taken to Belle
Isle, and subsequently to Andersonville prison, where he remained from
March, 1864, until the following September. He was then sent to the
prison at Millia, Georgia, and there paroled, November 20, 1864, forwarded
to Savannah, Georgia, and subsequently discharged from the service. He
returned to Venango county, and located in OU City, and for three years
was engaged in the oil and lumber business. He then commenced oil pro
ducing in Butler county, where he remained until 1883, when he returned
to Venango, and purchased some wells close to his present location, and one
year later bought the five wells he is now operating. He was married in
1870 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Henderson, of Clinton town
ship, who has borne him eight children: A son who died in infancy; Luella
A. ; Bessie B., deceased; Delilah A. ; Mary E. ; Thomas A. ; William J., and
Loyd L. Mr. Hutchison is a member of the G. A. R. , politically a Repub
lican, and an adherent of the Church of God.

BIOGRAPHIES Of CLIXTOX. 1003
H. J. McGnx, oil produoer, was born in Butler county. Pennsylvania.
lngost, 13, 1843. His parents, James and Eliza Jane (Watt) McGUl, were
bominBuiler county. Pennsylvania, and Trumbull county. Ohio, respectively.
Our subject was reared and educated in Butler county, and there leamed
Uie bla«5ksnuth trade. In 1861 lie enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and
Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which the history is given in a previous
dumpier of this work, and was discharged August, 11, 1S64. for disabiUtv.
Betoniiog to Ms home he engaged in the oU business, and -vyas employed
bvrarious companies in Venango and Butler counties. In March. 1S83, he
purchased wells Nos, 11 and 12. Plumer farm, which were driUed by W. B.
Farsffl^ and Beuben Bligh. They originally produced about four hundred
bairds daily, and are still in successful operation. Mr. McGfll was married
in 1879 to Miss Bdna D. Anderson, of Spartansburg. Crawford county.
Pennsylvania, and daughter of G«orge M. Anderson, by which union thev
hare four children: Iiois A. , G«orge E. , jUlen L. , and James R. PoUticaUy
Mi. McGill is a Republican. He is a member of John M. Phipps Post. G.
A. B., and dso of the A. O. U. W.
D. W. Ault, oQ producer, was born in Lawrence county. Pennsylvania.
Decanber 28, 1841, and is a son of the Be-verend J. C. and Catharhie
(9ierTard) Ault. "His grandfather, Adam Ault. -was an officer in the Rev-
oIiitiiHiaiy war, and married a sister of Ciolonel William Crawford, who was
bumed to death by Qts Indians at Sandusky Plains in 1782. He -was a
picneer of Mertser county. The birthplace of his maternal grandmother is
put of flie battle field of "Winchester, "Virginia. The mother of our subject
was bom upcHi the land whereon -was fought the battle of Gettysbui^. He
atteDded the common schools of his native county, and at the age of seven
teen, September 7, 1861, enlisted in the One Hundred and First Pennsyl-
Tuia Volunteers and served three years. At the expiration of his term of
enlistiafint he re-enlisted and served until the dose of the war. Mr. Ault
psrtieipsted in the battle of WiDiamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Seven
Dijs' %ht, Malvern HSU, Black Water. Kingston, White EfaU, Goldsbooro.
IVister IffiOs, Wilmington and Plymouth, North Carolina, where he was
taken prisoner and sent to Charleston, and thence to AndersonvlUe- At
fl» tame of his entrance into Andersonville it contained only four hundred
pnsoners, but ere he left it there were thirty-six thousand -within its picket
line. He was sent from there to Florence. South CaroUna. where he re
mained until &.6 dose of the war; he was paroled at CharlestoiL South Caro
Bna, and mustered out at Annapolis, Maryland. Returning to his home, he
»<» Afterward entered Iron City CoUege, Pittsburgh, where he graduated.
He Otea engaged in the ofl bushier, spending several years in Butler and Ve-
Mngo eonnties, and from 1S69 to 1S72 foUowed contracting in New Castle,
fennsyiTania. He subsequently engaged in the ofl business in Builer
rawnty, and in 1876 came to Yenango county and entered the employ of

1004 HISTOKV OF -VENANGO COUNTY.
PhUlips Brothers at Bullion, with whom he remained four years. In 1883
he purchased the Alshouse well No. 23, and Shirley No. 112, and has since
drilled another, all of which are now producing. Mr. Ault was married
November 4, 1869, to Miss Charlotte Greir, of New Galilee, Beaver county,
Pennsylvania. Her father, George Greir, being the only son of George
Greir, the founder of what was once Greirsburg, now Darlington, Beaver
county; her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth (O'Brien) Holmes, was
a daughter of Commodore Richard O'Brien of Revolutionary fame. Com
modore O'Brien was captured by the Turks in 1785, and held in the service
of the dey of Algiers for seven years. He was the father of eight children,
four of whom were born while he and wife were captives, Mrs. Holmes be
ing one of the number. He was the first United States consul to Barbary.
In 1810 he settled in Carlisle, Penpsylvania, and was a member of the leg
islature from that place. He died in Washington city in 1824. Mr.
Ault is a member of the G. A. R. , the I. O. O. F., and Union Veterans'
League. Samuel Beatty, pumper and oil producer, was born in 1845, in the city
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Mary (English)
Bei^tty, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. William Beatty was a member of a regi
ment that was raised in Pittsburgh to serve in the Mexican war, and was
killed in one of its hardest battles. Our subject received his education in
the public schools of his native city, and was employed in the iron mills
there until March 29, 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred
and Sixteenth Volunteer^, and served until the close of the war. He was
wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864, and on recovering was transferred
to Compa'ny I, Sixteenth Reserves. After being mustered out he returned
to Pittsburgh and engaged in farming in the vicinity of that city, subse
quently removing to Lawrence county. In June, 1877, he came to Venango
county, and engaged in coal mining for Findley Surrenna, and afterward
worked for the Phillips Brothers, oil producers, with whom he remained
four years. In 1882 he entered the employ of J. N. Hovis, with whom he
has since remained, being interested in two producing wells. He was mar
ried in 1863 to Sarah B. Haslet, who died in 1873 leaving four chUdren:
William J. ; Andrew S. ; Samuel W., and Thomas J. In December, 1876,
he was married to Mrs. Miranda E. Jacobs nee Surrenna, and by this union
has one son, Edward E. Mr. Beatty is a Republican and a member of John
M. Phipps Post, G. A. R.
Daniel C. McLean, oil producer, was born in Allegheny county, Penn
sylvania, September 29, 1853, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Ewer)
McLean, natives of Columbiana county, Ohio, and Butler county, Pennsylva
nia, respectively. Our subject is a native of Allegheny county, received a
good common school education, and at the age of eighteen the family re
moved to Monroe county, Ohio, where his father died. Mr. McLean fol-

J^jco y^ fit^i^ ^^7

BIOGRAPHIES OF CLINTON, 1005
lowed farming until 1874, when he went into the oil fields of Butler county,
and engaged as a tool dresser and driller. In May, 1877, he -came to Ve
nango county and entered the employ of the McCalmont Oil Company, with
which he remained three years. He then engaged with T. P. Thompson
as pumper on the lease, where he now is working, and October 18, 1883,
purchased the wells, and is now operating five producers. He was married
in 1876 to Miss Bella Kirkwood, daughter of John Eckles, of Westmoreland
county, and by this union five chUdren have been born to him, two of whom
are living: Algernon D. and Alma E. Mr. McLean is a member of the
JMasonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W., and belongs to the Presbyterian
church of ClintonvUle.
Absalom Bumgahdneb, blacksmith, was born September 5, 1821, in But
ler county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John Bumgardner of that county.
At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, and served
until his majority. In 1846 he located in Franklin, where he worked at his
trade four years, and then opened a shop in Scrubgrass township. In 1856
he removed to Findley township, Mercer county, where he carried on busi
ness until 1859 and then returned to Scrubgrass township. In 1860 he
engaged in making tools for oil operators, and in 1861 enlisted in Company
H, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He
then located at Kennerdell, where he carried on business until 1877, and
then removed to his present location. He was married in 1846 to Elizabeth,
daughter of Peter Earner of Franklin, Pennsylvania. They have four living
children: EUzabeth, wife of Peter Walter; George, of Butler county; Will
iam, and John E. Mr. Bumgardner is a member of the Cumberland Pros
byterian church, and also of John Welton Post, G. A. R. , of Kennerdell.
Henbt L. Cunningham, farmer and shoe manufacturer, ClintonviUe, is a
son of William and Margaret (Wymer) Cunningham, and was born in Law
rence county, Pennsylvania. His father removed to this county in 1855
and purchased the Walter farm in Clinton township. He was three times
married, and is the father of seven children. He died in 1878. Our subject
was the second child of the second marriage. He received a common school
education, and was afterward apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade. In 1870
he formed a partnership with E. Borland of Franklin, Pennsylvania, and
engaged in the boot and shoe business in that city. In 1875 he sold his
interest and went to the Black Hills. Returning the following autumn he
settled in Bradford and carried on the shoe business in that city for two
years, when he returned to his farm. In the spring of 1889 he engaged in
the shoe business at Clintonville, which he still carries on. Mr. Cunningham
was married in 1878 to Elizabeth, daughter of Eli Hovis of Clintonville,
who is the mother of two chUdren: Prank W. and Paul E. Politically
he is a Republican, and a member of the K. and L. of H. lodge of Clin
tonville, 58

1006 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
RicHAKD B. Major, farmer, was born in 1858 and is a son of Richard S.
Major and Mary (McClaran) Major. His paternal grandfather, James
Major, was born September 10, 1782, and married September 9, 1802, to
Elizabeth Shorts, who bore him nine children: William; Sarah; Richard S. ;
Jane; Mary; Nancy; Elizabeth; Julia A., and Margaret, of whom all lived
to be married, the death of the father being the first in the family. He died
May 18, 1844. At present the children are all dead except two: Elizabeth
Davidson, of Iowa, and Margaret Arnold, of Ohio. Mr, Major was a Ger
man who came to Venango county at an early date and conducted a tavern
known as the "burnt house" in what is now Victory township. He was S
veteran of the war of 1812 and a great hunter. Richard S. Major was born
September 24, 1807, and married January 19, 1830. He died April 24,
1875, and was the father of eleven children, four of whom are now living:
Martha; Elizabeth; Mary A., and Richard B. His widow lives on the home
stead of her father, the late John McClaran. She was bom April 9, 1812.
Our subject, the youngest of the family, was reared and educated in the town
ship. December 18, 1879, he was married to Nancy L. Welton, the mother
of five children of whom three are living: Henrietta E, ; Margaret J,, and
Martin F. Mr. Major is a member of the Church of God and politically a
Democrat.

BIOGEAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1007

CHAPTEE L.
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK, SANDY CREEK, MINERAL,
AND VICTORY.
FRENCH GREEK.
DOCTOR CHRISTOPHER HEYDRICK.— The career of Doctor Hey
drick as a physician belongs not so much to the history of Venango
county as to that of the city of Philadelphia and of the county of Mercer, in
which sketches of his life are found. But as a pioneer, in the sense that he
visited Venango county before it was fuUy organized, and acquired property
therein, and caused one of the oldest and best farms within its borders to
be opened up and improved, he is worthy of notice here. He was born in
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of April, 1770. His father,
Abraham Heydrick, was a farmer and merchant in Springfield township,
Montgomery county, near Chestnut Hill, now a suburb of PhUadelphia.
His grandfather, Balthasar Heydrick, to escape religious persecution, fled
from SUesia to Saxony in 1726, and emigrating to Pennsylvania in 1734,
settied in Montgomery county, where he bought land of the Penns. Doctor
Heydrick was educated privately at home, under the direction and with the
friendly assistance of David Rittenhouse, the eminent philosopher, mathe
matician, and patriot. He studied medicine with Doctor Benjamin Say, of
PhUadelphia, and was graduated from the medical department of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania in 1792. After his graduation he was physician to
the Philadelphia hospital, and a member of several of the most prominent
leamed societies of the time. He continued his practice at Chestnut Hill
nntil 1819.
In 1802-3 he made a visit of inspection to lands owned by his father in
the third, fifth, and sixth donation districts. Delighted with the tract on
Prench creek at the mouth of Deer creek, then the site of an Indian viUage
known as Custaloga's To-wn, he purchased it from his father, intending
some day to make it his home. In 1819 he removed to Mercer and there
practiced his profession. Part of his French creek tract had been for years
cultivated by the Indians, and he gave an improvement lease to James Mar
tin, son of John Martin, Sr. Martin erected buUdings and enlarged the
Indian improvement. The farm had been fairly opened to cultivation, and
was now in possession of his son, Charles H. Heydrick. Advancing years

1008 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
admonished the doctor that he must soon abandon his profession. So he
removed to the farm and passed the remainder of his days with his son.
Doctor Heydrick, April 13, 1793, married Mary, daughter of Captain
Peter Case, Sr. , of Philadelphia. His death occurred on the Oth of February,
1856. His children were Harriet, married to Nathaniel P. Hood, of Phila
delphia; Caroline, married to Thomas J. Brown, of Mercer county, and
Charles H. To a mind vigorous and receptive by nature, the subject of our
sketch added the thorough culture of the schools and that wisdom which
comes from observation and contact with his fellow men. He lives in the
memory of those who knew him as a genial old gentlemen, ripe in knowl
edge and experience, which he was always willing to impart for thff benefit
of those around him. —A. P. W.
Chaeles H. Heydrick, son of Doctor Christopher Heydrick, was born at
Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, March 5, 1799. He was educated at the Univer
sity of Pennsylvania and studied medicine with his father, but never prac
ticed. He came to Mercer, Pennsylvania, with his parents in 1819. Seven
years later he removed to his farm on French creek, where he resided until
his death on the 16th of November, 1883. In 1826 Mr. Heydrick married
Mary, daughter of James Adams, who owned a large tract of land at the
mouth of Mill creek, a part of which is now the borough of Utica. Six
children were the fruits of that union : James A. , Christopher, Jesse, Peter
C. , Charles W. , and Harriet. Mrs. Mary (Adams) Heydrick died in 1838.
The sons are all living. His second marriage with Ann Adams, daughter
of Jesse Adams, of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, gave him four chUdren:
Mary, Joseph H., Caroline, and Thomas B. The two latter are dead.
In 1842 he was elected county auditor. January 22, 1845, he was
appointed by the surveyor general of Pennsylvania deputy surveyor for
Venango county, and reappointed May 29, 1845, holding the office until
it became elective. He was elected in 1853, and again in 1856, and his
official records during all of that time are models of neatness and accuracy.
Although eminently qualified to perform the duties of any public posi
tion, Mr. Heydrick had no particular taste for official life. For him rural
life had its charms. The splendid domain which came into the possession
of his ancestors more than a hundred years ago, and descended to him,
was his pride. There, surrounded by his flocks and herds and fertile fields
he loved to greet his friends and dispense warm hospitality to all who
came. There he was seen at his best, and there the visitor could feel the
truth of the old phrase — ' ' God made the country, and man made the
town. ' ' This old farm, beautified by more than half a century' s intelligent
culture, is also historic ground. On it Custaloga, the tricky Indian who
gave Washington so much trouble, buUt his town. There beneath the old
trees, still standing, the Redmen held their councils, and there lie the
remains of Guyasutha, a renowned and powerful chieftain. In caring for

BIOGK-iPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1009
Guyasutha' s grave and preventing all desecration of the old chiefs last
resting place, Mr. Heydi-iek erinced the kindly side of his own natui-e.
God permuted him to live to a ripe old age. measurably free from its usual
attendant cares and infirmities. As the years came upon him he lost none
of his early interest in human affairs. The happiness of those around him
was happiness for himself. When alone his cultured mind found company
in books and recreation in thought. His strong hold upon the regard of his
neighbors and friends, acquired by years of kindly intercourse, was his to
the last. Growing old gracefully, he reaped the recompense of that rare
but happy condition in the continuous cai-e and affection of his children,
and escaped the neglect which accompanies, more or less, querulous and
complaining old age, Venango has had no better citizen than Charles H.
Heydrick.— A. P TT.
Rkvekexi> Robert Glenn was bom on the 22nd of March, 1S02, in Wolf
Creek to>vnship, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, to which place his father.
Samuel Glenn, had removed fi-om York county prior to the year 1800.
Graduating from Jefferson CoUege in 1S2S he entered the Western Theo
logical Seminary at AUegheny, and on the 2nd of February, 1S31. at a
meeting of the Presbj-tery of Erie, held in Mercer, Pennsylvaida, was
heensed tq preach. The ensuing year and a half he spent chiefly in preach
ing to the vacant congregations at Amity. MUl Creek, and Sandy Lake. A.X
a meeting of the Presbytery of Brie held at Mill Creek September 12. 1S32.
he was ordained and instaUed pastor of the congregations of MUl Creek and
Amity for two-thirds of his time, the remaining thu-d being spent as a
stated supply in the church of Sanely Lake. The relation to the church at
Amity was dissolved AprU 3, 1S50. and about the same time that to the
church at Sandy Lake was suspended. A caU fiom the congregation of Big
Sugar Creek was then accepted, and on the ISth of June, 1S50, he was
instaUed as its pastor, and until the time of his death, which occni-red Sej:*-
tember 6. 1857, he spent his time in the congregations of MUl Creek and
Big Sugar Creek.
In educational matters Mr. Glenn was partictUarly active. Select
schools -with competent teachers were organized, and when no more suita
ble plEice could be secured, the church buUding at MUl creek was made to
do double duty — an innovation not looked upon vrith any special mark of
favor by the stem old Presbyterians who worshiped there: and to his efforts
principaUy was due the erection, in 1855. of the then commodious buUding
known as the Utica Academy, recently destroyed by fire. To his faithful
ness and zeal as a pastor many old citizens of the county gladly testify.
Mr. Glenn was thrice mai-ried. His first -svife. Miss Rebecca Wycoff, of
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, died fifteen years after their marriage, leav
ing the foUo-wing chUdren to sur-vive her: WUUam Wycoff. now of Coos
county, Oreo-on: Samuel M., now a Presbyterian minister at ZanesvUle.

1010 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Ohio; John B., a physician of Franklin; Eliza B., wife of Reverend W.
W. McKinney, of Baltimore, Maryland; Sarah J,, who died in 1878, the
wife of Thomas Alexander of Mercer, Pennsylvania, and Caroline P., who
died June 8, 1863. His second wife. Miss Mary Ann McCracken, lived but
eight months after her marriage. On the 10th of December, 1849, Mr.
Glenn was again married to Miss Harriet Finley of Evansburg, Crawford
county, Pennsylvania, with whom he happily spent the remaining years of
his life. His remains lie in the old grav6-yard at the Mill Creek church,
where he passed the whole of his ministerial career. Three children of his
third marriage survived him: Robert P., residing in Franklin; Harriet A.,
and George Stuart, born August 12, 1855, who died February 18, 1873.
His widow still survives, and is now a resident of the borough of Utica.
William Ddtfield, the ancestor of the Duffield family, of Venango
county, was a native of Ireland, born in 1743. He immigrated to America
about 1760, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania, removing to Centre county
in 1773, where he married Elizabeth Hasson. In 1800 he removed to Ve
nango county, and located one mile below Utica, on French creek, where he
died in 1827, his wife surviving him until 1838. They were the parents of
ten children, all born in Centre county, viz. : Jane, who married D. John
ston, and afterward John Cochran; John; Mary, married to Thomas Smi
ley; Armstrong; William; Isabella, married to John McQuaid; Esther,
married to John Cooper; James; Margaret, married to John L. Hasson,
and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Charles L. Cochran. All of the
children are dead. Armstrong Duffield was the fourth child of William and
Elizabeth Duffield, was a farmer by occupation, and resided about two miles
below Utica, on French creek, where he died in 1851. He married Eliza
beth Gilmore, who was born and reared in Utica, and also died in 1851.
Their chUdren were as follows: James; John G. ; Brice; Mrs. Nancy Cram;
David; Mrs. Ruth Cram; Elizabeth, deceased; Robert; Jane, and Charles,
deceased. John G. Duffield was born in Venango county. May 24, 1823, and
grew to manhood on the homestead. Attaining his majority he engaged in
the lumber business at Tionesta, Forest county, Pennsylvania, which he con
tinued about ten years, and then began the mercantile business at Polk,
Venango county, which he carried on for about the same length of time.
Disposing of his store he opened a hotel in the same village, of which he is
still proprietor. He was married March 3, 1848, in Forest county, to Miss
Frances Heshman, who has borne him five children: Mary E. ; Eddy H. ;
Thera; Charles, and Laura E., all deceased except the last named, who is
the wife of F. C. Rand, ticket and freight agent at Polk. Mr. Duffield
united with the Presbyterian church of Franklin in 1859, and is now a rul
ing elder in the Polk congregation. He is a member of the I. O. O. F,,
and a firm adherent of the Democratic party.

BIOGRAPHIKS OF FRENCH CREEK. 1011
John L. Di-i-i-n;Lii, farmer, eldest s(m of Janics and Jane (Lindsay) Duf
field, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1821). His
father was a native of Wi'stmoroland county, and a son of William Duffield,
and his mother was born in Centre county, and a dauglitir of John Lindsay,
one of the piom-iTs of Pi-eiicli (Jrcok townsliip. Thcur children are as fol
lows: JohnL. ; William, deceased: M. S. ; llUen, deceascfd; James; Charles,
and Harvey. John L. Duffield was roared on the Itwun place in French
Greek township, and recciveil his education in the common schools. He
remained under the parental roof until twenty-tbreo years of ago, when he
began farming for himself, and in iSfiS purchased his present place a short
distance south of Utica, whei-e he bas since residi'd. He was married April
7, 1840, to Miss Harriet E., daughter of James and Eliza Adams, a union
blessed with nine children, six of whom are living, viz. : Montrose; Lavinia
H.; Lewis (J.; Annette, married to H. W. Wilson, of NfJjraska; J. C, and
Ernest L. The names of tho deceased children are Albert W. ; Lizzie J.,
and Cora C. Politically Mr. Duffinld is a Democrat and cast his first ballot
for James K. Polk for the presidency,
John Ha.nna. — John Hanna and his wife .Jane, whose maiden name was
Stewart, were born in County Down, Ireland, Tliey came to America in
17!Jfi, landing at New Castle, Delaware, and settling in Lancaster, Pennsyl
vania, where they remained two years. From Lancaster they went to Lew
istown, Miffin county, Pennsylvania, and from thence the family arrived in
Venango county December 25, 1802. They located on a tract of four hun
dred acres in French Creek township five miles west of Franklin. The place
of their settlement is now known as ' ' Hanna' s gap. ' ' The country was then
a wilderness, and -lohn Hanna was one of the earliest pioneers. He had
gained a knowledge of the weaver's trade in his native country, and soon
after settling in French Creek township he engaged in the manufacture of
carpets, and woolen and linen goods. He was a member of the Presbyterian
church and took a deep interest in religious matters. Seven children were
bom to John and Jane Hanna: William; James; Stewart; John; Mary,
who married John Gilmore; Jane, who became tho wife of William Hays,
and Nancy, who married Isaac Tallman — all of whom are dead. The par
ents both diecl in Venango county many years ago. — A. P. W.
The Gilliland Family. — Among the pion«er families of French Creek
township were the Gillilands, a name familiar throughout the county from
its earliest settlement to the present time. The ancestry came from Ireland
and settled in Pennsylvania, east of the mountains. James GUlUand came
to Venango county in 1802, when a young man, and made a settlement on
Little Sandy creek, about a mile north of Polk, where he resided until his
death in 1860, at the age of eighty-si.x years. He is remembered as one of
the leading citizens of the community in which he lived, was an earnest
member of the Presbyterian church, and it was largely through his efforts

1012 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
and liberality that the congregation at Polk was organized and a house of
worship erected. His wife, Margaret, was a daughter of James McClaran,
one of the early settlers in the vicinity of Polk. She survived her husband
seventeen years and died in 1877, aged eighty-four years. Five children
were bom to her: James; Mrs. Jane Billingsly; Mrs. Mary Hughes; Joseph,
and A. C. , the last two being the only survivors. By a previous marriage Mr.
GiUiland was the father of two children: Hannah and Eliza, both deceased,
Joseph P. Gilliland was born on the old homestead December 4, 1818,
and there grew to manhood. He chose agriculture for his life's calling and
began on the place where he now resides, about two miles northeast of Polk,
in the year 1842. He has added to his original farm from time to time, and
now owns two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, the greater part of
which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. GiUiland has made farming
and stock raising a business, and as an agriculturist ranks among the suc
cessful men of the township. He is a representative Democrat of the old
school and takes pride in the fact that his first and last presidential ballots
were cast in opposition to William Henry and Benjamin Harrison, respect
ively. He was married November 4, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Isaac and Ellen (Cannon) BunneU, natives of Ireland. Twelve children
were born of this union: Lewis; Samuel I. ; Ellen M. ; Ursula J. ; John A. ;
Frances E. ; Joseph P. ; William B. ; Daniel B. ; Rankin S. ; Ada B., and
Robert L. , all of whom are living except the eldest, Mrs. GiUiland died
on the 5th day of July, 1888.
John Adams, retired farmer, Polk, is the oldest member of the Adams
family now living in Venango county, and is a son of Welden Adams, who
settled in French Creek township in 1796. The latter was a son of James
Adams, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, born October 30, 1734. James
Adams was married April 26, 1756, to Isabel Welden, born September 22,
1736. They died in October, 1824, and in September, 1825, respectively,
and were the parents of the following children: Joseph; Jacob; William;
Jonathan; Jesse; David; Lydia; James; John; Isaac; Welden; Eli, and Levi.
Welden Adams was a man of some local prominence, served as county
commissioner, and carried on a hotel in Franklin several jee^s. He mar
ried Mary Miller, daughter of Thomas Miller, an early settler of the Kish
ocoquillas valley, Mifflin county, and reared a family of ten children:
Mary, deceased; John, deceased; James, deceased; John (second); Lydia,
deceased; Mrs. Rebecca McCutcheson; David, deceased; Thomas; Mrs.
Elizabeth Best, and Isabel, deceased. Mr. Adams died May 9, 1849.
John Adams, fourth child of Welden and Mary Adams, was born in
French Creek township, .Venango county, February 2, 1807. He was
reared on a farm, received his educational training in the schools of Frank
lin, and on attaining his majority located near the village of Polk. He sub
sequently purchased a farm in Sandy Creek township, where he resided

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK, 1018
until 1882, when he sold his place and retired fi-om active life, purchasing a
home in the borough of Polk. Politically Mr. Adams has. always been a
stanch Democrat; he cast his first presidential ballot in 1828 for Andrew
Jackson, and his last for Grover Cleveland in 1888. He was elected sheriff
of Venango county in 1850, and served one term. He has filled the office of
justice of the peace for a number of years, and has always taken an active
interest in the public affairs of his township and county. Mr. Adams was
married May 2, 1833, to Miss Sarah Whann, daughter of Francis and Jane
(Smith) Whann, who has borne him the foUowing children: Mrs. Sarah
Whitaker; Francis W. ; William S. ; John E., postmaster of Franklin, and
Hannah M., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Method
ist Episcopal church, with which they have been identified for many years,
Mr. Adams having been first class leader of Center church in Mineral
to-wnship, William S, Adams, farmer, was born in French Creek township June
17, 1827, and is a son of James and Letitia Adams, natives of Venango
county, James Adams was a son of Welden Adams, a farmer by occupa
tion, and held several positions of trust, among which were those of county
commissioner and commissioner of the French Creek canal. He died in
Ulinois, to which state he removed a number of years ago. His wife,
Letitia, was a daughter of James and Eleanor (McElheny) Cannon, and
died in 1851. They were the parents of twelve children: William S. ;
James C. ; Mrs. Eleanor Griffith; Welden, deceased; John, deceased; Arnold
P.; Mrs. Mary A. Murphy; Harvey H. ; Mrs. Eliza J. Woods; Thomas;
Charles B. , and Mrs. Caroline M. Patrick.
William S. was reared on the old homestead in Sandy Creek township,
attended the common schools at intervals until twenty-one years of age, and
soon afterward pui-chased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In
1877 he moved to his present farm of one hundred and seventy-seven
acres on Mill creek, about two miles west of Utica, where he has since
resided. Mr. Adams is a successful farmer and representative citizen of
the community in which he lives. He was married April 23, 1850, to
Martha, daughter of John and Mary (Foster) Martin, who bore him one
son, WiUiam M., now a resident of Ashtabula, Ohio. Mrs. Adams died
January 25, 1851, and he was again married March 18, 1852, to Martha,
daughter of Wilson and Isabel (McMaster) Russell. Their chUdi-en are as
follows: Charles; Henrietta M., wife of Leander Cousins; James W.,
deceased; Caroline I., wife of W. H. Hulburt; AngeUne, and one who died
in infancy. They also have an adopted son, James P. Politically Mr.
Adams has always been a stanch Democrat, and in religion a member of
the Presbyterian church, to which faith his wife also adheres.
James R. Adams, farmer, Utica, is a native of Venangp county, Penn
sylvania, and son of James Adams, whose father, James Adams, Sr., was

1014 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
the first settler on the present site of Utica. James Adams, Jr. , was reared
in this county, was a farmer by occupation, in connection with which callino-
he carried on the manufacture of woolen goods at Utica for a number of
years. His wife. Eliza, was the daughter of John McDonald, one of the
pioneer settlers of Venango county in the vicinity of Franklin, They were
the parents of the folio-wing children: Mrs. Elizabeth Duffield; Mrs. Mnry
McCracken; James E. ; IMrs. Jane Williamson; John, and Rachel, the last
three deceased, Mr. Adams died in August, 1880, aged eighty-five years,
his widow surviving him nearly four yeai-s, and dying in January, 1SS4,
having reached the same advanced age. James R. Adams was born June
1. 1836, and grew to manhood on the home place, within the present limits
of I'tica, which he still owns. His early educational advantages embraced
the branches taught in the schools of Utica, and later he attended a select
school at Salem, Ohio, and the Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh,
where he completed a business course. He then accepted a position aa
book-keeper with the firm of Mason & Company, Pittsburgh, but soon severed
his connection with this house for the purpose of making a tour of the
southern and southwestern states. Returning to Venango county, he en
gaged in the oil business, but abandoned it a few months later, aud in the
faU of 1S62 entered the army as first lieutenant of an independent company
of infantry known as the Keystone Rifles, with which he served for a period
of ten months. Before the expiration of his term of service he was elected
captain of a volunteer company from the District of Columbia, but on ac
count of poor health was obliged to decline the promotion and returned to
his home. For four or five years after quitting the service Mr. Adams
operated a woolen factory in Utica, and in 1869 engaged in farming, which
he still carries on. In connection with his farming interests he is engaged
in the stock business, making a specialty of fine blooded horses, Mr. Adams
was married July 3, 1864, to Miss Jane Pinkerton of Venango county, who
died the following year, leaving one child, John B. On the 31st of Decem
ber, 1867, he was again married to Miss Sarah, daughter of William and
Jane Gilmore, who has borne him the following children: Quinton, de
ceased; Harriet; Charles; Ralph, deceased; Edgar; Eliza J. ; William, and
Mabel L. In politics Mr. Adams was formerly a Republican, but of late
years he has been a supporter of the Greenback party,
Thomas Nesbit was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 19„1835, son
of John and Anna (Matthews) Nesbit, the former a native of Maryland and
the latter of Ireland. In 1842 they removed from Ohio to French Creek
township, Venango county, Pennsylvania. John Nesbit died in Utica,
whither the family had removed from the farm, in 1871, and his widow in
1875. Both were Presbyterians and died in that faith. Thomas came with
his parents to Venango county, and has resided in Utica and vicinity during
the past forty- ei^ht years. He received a good education, and began teach-

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1016
ing at the age of seventeen, and continued teaching, clerking, and working
on the home farm at intervals until after his majority. In 1857 Mr. Nesbit
engaged in merchandising at Utica, and followed that business actively until
1875, and finally disposed of his interest in the store in 1885. For several
years prior to the latter date he was interested in the Utica flouring mills,
and is still connected with them, and also engaged in farming. Since 1880
he has been a stockholder in the Exchange Bank of Franklin, and vice-pres
ident of that institution for the past three years.
Mr. Nesbit has been twice married. His first wife, Mrs. Clara Nesbit
nee Leasher, died in 1876, leaving two children: John and Clara. His
second marriage was with Miss Effie Gallagher, who has borne him one
daughter: Ethel. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion a Presby
terian, Beginning in early manhood on a very small capital, Mr. Nesbit
has gradually accumulated through the passing years a handsome compe
tency. He is recognized as one of the most safe, energetic, and substantial
business men of his adopted county.
B. F. Chain, merchant, Utica, was born near Cooperstown, Venango
county, December 3, 1835. His paternal ancestors were of Irish and
Scotch descent, and among the early residents of Pennsylvania, members of
the famUy locating in the eastern part of the state, a number of years before
the opening of the present century. About 1800 WilUam Crain, grand
father of B. F, , settled not far from the present site of Cooperstown, Ve
nango county, A son, James Crain, father of the subject of this sketch, came
to Venango county when three years old, and was an honored and respected
resident of the same until his death in 1871. His wife, Julia (Snyder) Crain,
was the daughter of Henry Snyder, who moved to Sugar creek valley, this
county, from the eastern part of the state, as early as 1830. Mrs, Crain
died about 1858. James and Julia Crain had a family of six children, of
whom the following are living: B. F. ; Lucy, wife of Charles Bowman; Hul
dah J., wife of Abram Argrave, and Amanda, wife of John G. VanOrman.
B. P. Crain was reared in this county, and in the common schools re
ceived a practical English education. He began life for himself as a farmer
and after following this calling in Venango county until 1868 emigrated to
Iowa, locating near Ottumwa, Wapello county, where he resided three years.
On his return to Venango county in the fall of 1870, he took service with
TJbomas Nesbit in the mercantile business at Utica, and four years later
opened a store of his own, making the hardware trade a specialty. Subse
quently he added boots, shoes, and groceries to his stock, and took in his
son, Thomas Crain, as partner. The firm thus constituted still continues,
being one of the most substantial and well-known business houses of Utica.
He entered the army in September, 1864, as a member of Company I,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he served until honorably dis
charged on the 2nd of July, 1865. During his period of service he was with

1016 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
his command in several campaigns in Virginia, and participated in a number
of battles, among which were Hatcher's Rim, Stony Creek, High HUl
Bridge, and was present at the sm-render of Lee at Appomattox. After the
sui-render his command returned to Petersburg, Virginia, and from that time
until mustered out did patrol duty at Lynchburg. ^L. Crain was mai-ried
February S, 1866, to Miss Mary E., daughter of John Nesbit. of Venango
county. Mr. and Mrs. Crain have two children: Thomas S. and Ethel
Grace. Mr. Crain was formerly a Republican, but of late years has been
identified with the Prohibition party. He is an active member of the Pres
byterian church, as is also his wife, both belonging to the Utica congre
gation. S. O. Stevenson, merchant and miller, Utica, was born in Mercer, Penn
sylvania, March 16, 1840. and is a son of Thomas and Sai-ah (Devore)
Stevenson, natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. His paternsd an
cestors came from Scotland and were among the early settlers of Virginia,
in which state his grandfather, William Stevenson, was living at the time
of the Revolutionary war. William Stevenson was an ardent pati-iot dm-ing
that stmggle, and served under Washington. Shortly after the close of the
war he removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he died about
1850. Thomas Stevenson, father of S. O. , was born in Washington county,
and was a merchant by occupation. He canied on a successful business for
some years in the city of Pittsburgh, and later operated a large stOre in Mer
cer, where he died about 1847. His wife, Sarah Stevenson, was the daugh
ter of S. Devore, whose ancestors were among the pioneers of Washington
county, and were of French ancestry, Mi-s. Stevenson died in Franklin,
Pennsylvania. The following are the names of their childi-en: Margaret,
wife of William Hanna; S. O. ; W^iUiam, and Mary, the last two deceased.
S, O. Stevenson spent his early years in Mercer, Franklin, and Meadville, in
the schools of which he received his early educational training. While still
young he accepted a clerkship in a mercantile house at MeadviUe, and after
tnree years spent in that city was similiarly employed in other places untU
the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he entered the army as a private in
the First West Virginia CavaUy. and served with his command in many of
the bloodiest battles of the war, including Winchester, second battle of Bull
Run, Gettysburg, Cedar Mountain, Port Royal, Fisher's Hill, Blue Gap,
Cedar Creek, and numerous other engagements, in all about sixty. , ffls
term of ser-vice extended over three years, during which time he never lost
a day from duty, and although in the thickest of the many battles in which
his command participated never received a wound or injury of any descrip
tion. After his discharge in the fall of 1864, he returned to Pennsylvania,
and for about one year thereafter clerked in the store of Devore & Nesbit.
at Utica. He subsequently effected a copartnership in the business with
Mr. Nesbit, and the fUm thus formed still continues, and is one of the sub-

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1017
stantial mercantUe houses of Venango county. In connection with mer
chandising the firm operates a flouring miU at Utica, Mr. Stevenson was
married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Shannon of Utica, and is the
father of four children, three of whom are living: Blanche; WUliam D., and
Ward T. Politically he is a Republican and one of the well-known citizens
of the county.
The Gaston Brothers, merchants, Utica trace their paternal ancestry
back to an old family which settled in Connecticut in colonial times. Their
grandfather, Ebenezer Gaston, was a native of New York, where he lived
and died, and their mother' s people were early residents of the same state,
having resided for many years in Livingston county. Their father, B. W.
Gaston, was born and reared in New York state, and for a number of years
followed the occupation of carpenter and builder in New York and Pennsyl
vania, and later engaged quite extensively in the lumber business, which he
carried on for some time with success and financial profit. He died in
Crawford county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1880. His wife, Phylinda
(Burden) Gaston, whom he marrie.d in New York state, died in Crawford
county in 1878. B. W. and Phylinda Gaston were the parents of seven
children, of whom the following are living: W. G. ; Athelston; Arthur B. ;
Frank D., and Eunice, wife of H. S. Bro-wn. The names of those deceased
are: E. H. and Aseltha.
Arthur B. Gaston was born near the Genesee river in Allegany county,
New York, December 7, 1843, and at the age of ten years accompanied his
parents to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood amid
the active duties of farm life. His early educational advantages were such
as the common schools afforded, but later he increased his knowledge by at
tendance at the Meadville Academy and Edinboro Normal School, in both
of which institutions he spent several terms. Having early manifested a
strong liking for telegraphy, he began studying the same in 1863, at Lines-
vUle, Pennsylvania, and the following year was intrusted with an office on
the Atlantic and Great Western, now the New York, Pennsylvania and
Ohio raUroad, with which company he continued about sixteen years as
operator and agent at various places on the line.
During his period of service he became a very skillful operator, securing
several important promotions, and was recognized as one of the trusted em
ployes of the road. In 1881 he abandoned his profession, and in partner
ship with his younger brother, F. D. Gaston, engaged in the lumber busi
ness at Utica, where the firm still continues a large and lucrative lamber,
mercantUe, and stock business, being among the substantial business men of
Venango county. Mr. Gaston is a liberal and public-spirited citizen. He
was originally a Republican, but having always been a strong advocate of
temperance reform is now an ardent Prohibitionist. He has been a Mason
since 1873, and is an active worker in the A. O. U. W., belonging to the

lOlS HISTORY OF VENANGO COrXTT.
lodge at Atlantic, Cra-wford county, Mr, Gaston married Miss Hannah J..
daughter of James and Sarah McMaster, of Crawford county. Pennsvlvania,
a union blessed with six children: Winnie: Sarah P.; James E. ; Harold:
Mattie, and Donald, deceased.
Frank D. G.^stox. youngest son of E. W. and PhyUnda G;iston. is a
native of Allegany county. New York, bom January 26. IS 53. When he
was but nine months old his parents moved to Crawford county, Pennsvlva
nia, whei-e, upon a farm in Sadsbury township, he passed his youth, attend
ing the common schools at inter-vals and acquuing the elements of a practi
cal EngUsh education. At the age of thirteen he began working at the
carpenter trade with his father, and after becoming proficient in his caU
ing foUowed the business a number of years in Crawford and adjoining
counties. About 1874 he abandoned mechanical pursuits and entered the
employ of what is now the New York. Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad
Company, and one year later located at Utioa in the lumber trade, thus lav
iug the foundation for what has since become one of the substantial busi
ness firms of the county, Mr. Gaston enjoys the confidence of the com
munity, and in his transactions as a dealer iu fine blooded horses is weU and
favorably known throughout the counties of western Pennsylvania, He
married Miss Clara L., daughter of Samuel and Sarah Henry, of Craw
ford county. Pennsylvania, who has borne him the foUowing chUdren:
Edna G. : Ethel C. : Phylinda G. : Audley B. . and Marie, aU of whom are
living. Mr. Gaston is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, belong
ing to Sandy Lake lodge, Mercer county. He is also an Odd Fellow, a
member of the R. T. of T.. and politicaUy an ardent Prohibitionist
W. A. McKay, station agent of the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio
railroad, Utica, is a native of Mifflin count}-, Pennsylvania, and a son of G.
W. and Jane E. (^Close) McKay. Paternally Mi-. McKay is descended from
Irish Presbyterian ancesti-y, and on the mother's side comes of German and
Ii-ish stock. His grandfather, William McKay, was an early resident of
Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. His maternal
grandfather. Adam Close, was a native of Center county, this state, and
about 1851 came to Venango county, and subsequently removed to Mercer
county, where his death occurred in 1865. D. W. McKay was a miller by
occupation, sei-ved in the late war, was eapitured at Miu-fresboro, Tennessee,
and died from the effects of his imprisonment the same year. His widow
remarried and resides in Kansas, Four children were bom to Mr. and
Mrs. McKay: W. A.; James C. : Mrs. Nancj' Morrow, and Mrs. Emma
Bradley, all of whom are living.
W. -^. McKay was born September 7. 1847. and came to Mercer county
in 1S5S. where he resided with his grandfather. Adam Close, until 1863,
In the latter year he entered the office of the Democratic Register at Mercer
for the purpose of learning the printer's trade, but after spending a short

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1019
time in that office he enlisted in the Fifty-Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers
and served from June until the following August. In Sei)tember, 1863, he
entered the office of the Oil City Register, where he remained until Febru
ary, 1864, at which time he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fif
tieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which he served until the close of the
war. He was with his regiment in a number of battles, and in the Wilder
ness was severely wounded three times, which necessitated his retirement from
further duty. From that time until his discharge, July 25, 1865, he did
garrison duty at Camp Distribution and Washington city, and on leaving
the army returned to Mercer county, where for several years he was engaged
in farming. In the meantime, by home study and attendance at New
Lebanon Academy and the Edinboro Normal School, he fitted himself for
the teacher' s profession. He followed teaching for several years in Venan
go county, and during this time studied telegraphy, in which he soon be
came proficient. Mr. McKay took charge of Geneva station, on the New
York, Pennsylvania and Ohio railroad, April 1, 1871, and in 1874 was trans
ferred to Utica, of which office he has since been in charge. Since locating
in Utica he has served as justice of the peace, member of the school board,
secretary and treasurer of the borough. He is also a skillful civil engineer,
and is frequently employed in that capacity in this and other counties. Mr.
McKay imited with the Methodist church a number of years ago, and for
some time has been a local preacher of that denomination. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has risen to the thirty-second degree,
and also belongs to the G. A. R. On the 11th of February, 1871, he mar
ried Miss Louisa, daughter of Reverend R. E. and Angeline Anderson, of
Ohio, a union blessed with four children: David, deceased; Frank D., de
ceased; James C, and William R.
Frank M. McClelland, physician, Utica, was Ijorn in Mill Creek town
ship, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1859, and is a son of
William B. and Sarah (Craw) McClelland, natives of Pennsylvania and New
York, respectively. WiUiam B. McClelland was born in Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, but grew to manhood in Mercer county, where he still resides,
being one of the representative farmers of Mill Creek township. The
doctor's paternal ancestors were among the sturdy Irish Presbyterian set
tlers who came to the western part of Pennsylvania early in the present cent-
niy, his grandfather, John McClelland, locating in Mercer county about the
year 1825. He was a farmer by occupation, is remembered as a man of
energy and sterling integrity, and was drowned in the Allegheny river about
1829, whUe rafting timber to Pittsburgh. On the maternal side Doctor Mc
CleUand is descended from English ancestry, and traces his family back to
the early settlement of Vermont, from which state his grandfather removed
to New York state and froin thence to Pennsylvania about 1844, and settled
in Utica, Venango county, where for some time he was in the employ of A.

1020 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
W. Raymond, the leading business man of the place. He also carried on
farming for some years, and died about the year 1858. WiUiam B. and
Sarah McClelland are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living:
Maggie, wife of Charles H. Adams; Prank M. ; Amos E. ; Bessie I. ; Hattie
A. , and Cora. The names of the deceased members of the famUy are Maurice
and John.
Doctor McCleUand passed his youth on the home farm in Mercer county,
attending such schools as the county afforded, and later pursued his studies
in the Utica high school, McElwain Institute, Mercer county, and at Edin
boro, Erie county, in all of which he made substantial progress in the
higher branches. In 1878 he began teaching in the public schools of
Mercer county, and followed that calling about seven years, reading medi
cine in the meantime under the instructions of Doctor D. S, Brown, of
Utica. In 1885 he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in the
spring of 1887, taking the class prize in materia medica and therapeutics.
After graduation he located at Utica, where he has since buUt up a lucra
tive practice in the counties of Venango and Mercer. Doctor McClelland
was married July 4, 1888, to Miss Flora M. McQuiston, daughter of Andrew
and Evaline McQuiston of Mercer county. He is a member of the Venango
county Medical Society, a Prohibitionist in politics, and with his wife belongs
to the United Presbyterian church.
I. H. Davison, merchant, Polk, son of W. W. and Bithiah (Van Dyke)
Davison, the former a native of Mercer county, and the latter of Butler
county, Pennsylvania, was bom in Venango county, Pennsylvania, May 19,
1843, and here grew to manhood, first attending the common schools, and
later obtaiuing a practical knowledge of the higher branches in Allegheny
College, Meadville. In July, 1863, he enUsted in a state company with
which he served for three months, and in July, 1864, he entered the naval
service at Erie, Pennsylvania, and was soon afterward assigned to duty on
the United States steamship Moose, commanded by Captain Leroy Fitch.
He spent one year in the naval service, during which time his ship took part
in a number of engagements. At the close of the war he returned to Ve
nango county and engaged in farming and the mercantile business at SunvUle
in partnership -with two brothers. This firm continued about two years, at
the end of which time he engaged in agricultural pursuits exclusively untU
1878, when he was elected by the Republican party county treasurer, the
duties of which position he discharged in a creditable manner untU the close
of his official term, when, at the solicitation of his successor, W. C. Cross,
he accepted the deputyship and served as such until 1884. In that year he
was again the Republican candidate for the same office, and after an exciting.
campaign against a popular competitor was again elected. At the expira
tion of his second term Mr. Davison engaged in the mercantile business in

...^.^^f-!^..

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1021
the borough of Polk, where he has since carried on a succcessful trade. He
was married December 1, 1866. to Miss Adaline E., daughter of R. R. aud
Harriet Grove, of Venango county, who bore him four chUdren: Georo-e E. ;
Harry M.: William W., and Floyd. She died in September, 1885. Mr.
Davison has been amember ofthe Presbyterian church since chUdhood, and
belongs to the congregation at Polk. He is an active member of the I. O.
0. F. fraternity, and also of Mays Post, G. A. E., of Franklin.
James J. Hats, hai-dware dealer, Polk, is a son of James and Eliza
Hays, natives of Huntingdon and Venango counties, Pennsylvania, respect
ively. Samuel Hays, the grandfather of James J., was bom in Ireland,
came to the United States when seventeen years of age, and settled in Hunt
ingdon county, this state. In 1835 he located in Plum township, Venango
county, where he died about 1871, at the advanced age of ninety-five years.
His son, James, was born in Huntingdon county, September 2, 1810, came
to Yenango county with his parents, and foUowed farming until his death
August 18, 1884, aged seventy-six years. His wife, Eliza (Gilliland) Hays,
was a daughter of James and Eliza (McClaran) Gilliland. She was the
mother of sis children: David S. ; Mrs. Sarah Hughes; Mrs. Mary Leason;
James J. ; Samuel, deceased, and William B. , deceased.
James J. Hays was born in Plum township, Venango county, Novem
ber 20, 1844. He spent his youth and early manhood on a farm, attended
the common schools at intervals, and on attaining his majority engaged in
agiiculture, which he foUowed until 1884. In that year he abandoned
farming and went into the lumber business at Polk, and three years later,
February, 1888, opened a general hardware store which he stUl carries on
successfuUy. He was married May 19, 1870, to Miss Rose, daughter of
Adam and Ellen Carnahan, of this county, a union blessed with five chil
dren: Minnie, William B., George B., Harvey J., and James N. In pol
itics Ml-. Hays is a Democrat, and an active member of the I. O. O. F.
Jaites Lee, farmer, was born in the to-wn of Macclesfield, Cheshire,
England, AprU 26, 1817, and is a son of James and Charlotte (Birtenshaw)
Lee. His grandfather, Samuel, was a native of Scotland, and a silk weaver
by occupation. He served in the British navy under Lord Nelson, was
woimded at the battle of Trafalgar, and on quitting the service shipped on
a whaler, which business he followed four- years. He afterward engaged
in the manufacture of silk at Macclesfield, which he followed for a number
of years. He met with a mysterious death while on a visit to his family in
the United States, having been last seen on the Erie canal near the city of
Utica, New York. It was supposed that he was murdered and his body
hidden, as nothing was ever heard of him after the night of the mysterious
disappearance. James Lee. Sr. , foUowed silk weaving in his native land,
and worked at the same trade in Boston, where he landed in 1826. After
a year and a half spent in that city he went back to England, but in 1830

1022 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
returned to the United States and settled in Mercer, Pennsylvania. His
wife, Charlotte, was a daughter of William Birtenshaw, a native of Ireland.
James and Charlotte Lee died in 1845 and 1878, respectively. Their chil
dren were as follows: William, deceased; James; Mary A., deceased;
Charles; Hannah, deceased; John H. ; Samuel, deceased; Robert Mc, and
Samuel (second).
James Lee, Jr. , passed the first fourteen years of his life in England,
during a part of which time he worked in a silk factory, and attended the
schools of his native town at intervals. He came to the United States with
his parents, grew to manhood on a farm in Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
and on attaining his majority engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1844 he
came to Venango county and purchased a part of his present farm in French
Creek township, one and one-half miles west of Utica. Since coming to
this county Mr. Lee has taken an active part in public affairs, served one
term as county auditor, and filled different official positions in the township.
He cast his first ballot for Harrison in 1840, and since the dissolution of the
Whig party has voted the Republican ticket. He has been identified with
the United Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. Lee was married Feb
ruary 28, 1838, to Susan, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Zover, by whom
he had a family of seven children: Alexander; James; Andrew, killed in
the battle of the Wilderness; Annas, deceased; Brice G. ; WilUam S. D.,
deceased, and John A. Mrs. Lee died May 22, 1888, and was laid to rest
in the old Mill Creek cemetery.
Alexander Lee, oldest son of James and Susan Lee, was born in Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1838. He was reared principally in
Venango county, educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-
one began life for himself in the city of Pittsburgh, He afterward worked
in New Castle and Meadville, and in 1865 engaged in the manufacture of
sucker-rods at Utica, Venango county, which he followed until the spring
of 1887. At that time he took charge of the old homestead, where he has
since resided. Mr. Lee was married December 6, 1859, in Venango county,
to Anna A., daughter of Thomas and Jane Blair of Mercer county. Three
children were born of this union: W. E., married to Kate Ribb, and now
living in Washington county; U. E, , and Nellie, deceased. Mrs. Lee died
at the age of thirty-four years, and December 26, 1878, he married Miss
Florence, daughter of Jacob and Susan Pellman, who has borne him one
child, Dora.
H. Clulow, farmer, is a native of England, born in Staffordshire, Octo
ber 18, 1817, and is a son of William and Sarah (Smith) Clulow. His
father was a farmer and sawyer, and died in England about 1838. His
grandfather's name was also James Clulow, and he spent his life in
England. His mother, Sarah Clulow, died in her native land about 1835.
She was the mother of two children: H. , and a daughter who died while

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK. 1028
quite young. Mr. Clulow immigrated to New York city in the fall of 1833.
From there he came to the vicinity of Sandy Lake, Mercer county, where
for some years he was employed at farm labor, attending the common
schools at intervals. He afterward pursued his studies in the Allegheny
CoUege at Meadville with the object of entering the teacher's profes
sion, and subsequently taught several terms in Mercer county. In the
spring of 1845 he came to Venango county and settled on a farm near
Polk, but later purchased his present homestead about four miles from that
borough. He began life with no capital save a determination to succeed,
and is now one of the substantial citizens of the community. He is Re
publican in politics and has served one term as auditor of Venango county,
the duties of which he discharged in a satisfactor}' manner. He has been
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a number of years, and
with his -wife belongs to the Reynolds congregation. In 1844 he married
Mary, daughter of William and Prances Nicklin, of England, who has borne
him five children: James; Thomas; Daniel, deceased; Sarah F., wife of
John Snyder, and Mary A. , deceased wife of Milton Ohler.
James J, Hurd, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Delaware, born in
the town of Smyrna, January 1, 1820. His father, William Hurd, was a
descendant of an old Irish family which settled in Delaware at an early
date, and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Johnson, was born in
PhUadelphia, Pennsylvania, and came of English ancestry. William Hurd
immigrated to Pennsylvania many years ago, settling in Penn' s valley, Cen
tre county, and in 1825 removed to Wilmington township, Mercer county,
and settled about six miles southwest of Mercer. He was a successful farm -
er and a substantial citizen, and died about 1846, at the age of sixty- five.
Mrs. Hurd preceded her husband to the grave, dying about 1839. Their
children are as follows: James J.; Henry, deceased; Francis; William;
Alfred, and Mrs. Sarah Barrett. By a previous marriage with a Mr. Mur
ray, Mrs, Hurd had two children: Elizabeth, widow of Isaac Reed, and
Lucinda, deceased.
James J. Hurd was three years of age when his parents removed to this
state, and five years when they settled in Mercer county. His early educa
tional advantages were limited to a couple of months' attendance each year
in the common schools, and amid the rugged scenes of farm labor his youth
and early manhood were passed. While still a youth he took up the car
penter's trade, and for a period of twenty-five years followed that occupation
in Mercer and adjoining counties. In 1864 he moved to Venango county
and purchased a part of his present farm, located about two miles west of
Utioa, but a short time afterward he rented his place to his son, and moving
to Franklin, resumed his trade in connection with rig and tank buUdmg.
After a few years at the county seat he returned to his farm, upon which
te has since resided. Mr. Hurd has been thrice married, the first time

1024 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
April 14, 1842, to Mary, daughter of William and Hannah Johnson, a union
blessed with six children: Nancy, deceased; Sarah A., deceased; William;
Frances J. ; Daniel, deceased, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Hurd
died in 1863, aged forty years. His second marriage was solemnized with
Miss Isabel Reed of Mercer county, who died in 1871. Mr. Hurd was mar
ried to his present wife, Mrs. Ellen (Hibler) Hurd, widow of Daniel Hibler
and daughter of Alexander and Nancy Montgomery, April 14, 1872. In
politics Mr. Hurd is an earnest Republican, and a warm friend of temper
ance reform. He has been a member of the United Presbyterian church for
more than twenty- five years.
James Russell, farmer, is a son of Alexander Russell whose father,
Thomas Russell, was one of the pioneers of French Creek township, having
located about one and a half miles above Utica as early as 1800. Alexan
der Russell was a farmer and mechanic, and died in 1883 at the age of
eighty-four years. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Allen and Eliz
abeth (Hamilton) Dunn, early settlers of Mercer county. She died about
1867. They were the parents of ten children: James; Margaret; Thomas;
Elizabeth; Allen; Alexander; Samuel; David; Sarah, and Matilda. James
Russell was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1821, and was
reared in Venango county. His education was obtained in the schools of
Utica, and at the age of twenty-five he began farming where he now lives
near the center of French Creek township. Mr. Russell was married
December 24, 1846, to Miss Julia A., daughter of John and Polly (Poster)
Martin, who died in 1852. She was the mother of two children: George,
and Jerome, deceased. In 1853 Mr. Russell married Margaret, daughter
of William and Esther (Ewing) Steele, who died June 15, 1887, leaving two
children, John and Landis, both of whom are living. He was again mar
ried to Mrs. Samantha Gordon, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mumford)
Moore, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Politically Mr, Russell was for
many years a Democrat, but is now an adherent of the Greenback party.
In religion he is a member of the United Presbyterian church.
David Leyda, farmer, is a son of James and Jane (Reed) Leyda, and
was born August 14, 1832, in Mercer county,. Pennsylvania. His grand
father, David Leyda, removed from Washington to Mercer county in 1808.
He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died about 1874. James Leyda
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, temoved with his
parents to Mercer county four years afterward, and resided there until about
1869, when he removed to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he still lives.
His wife, Jane, was a daughter of William Reed, a pioneer of Lawrence
county. She died in 1856. Their children were as follows: David; Re
becca A., deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Bleakley; Mrs. Hulda C. Burns; Mrs.
Sarah Rahouser, deceased; John G., deceased; Mrs. Jennie Mitchell, and
Mrs. Margaret Hays. By a subsequent marriage with Elizabeth Evans Mr.

BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH GREEK. 1025
Leyda had a family of several children. David Leyda was reared a farmer,
educated in the common schools, and remained with his parents until his
twenty-sixth year, when he commenced farming for himself. In 1868 he
came to Venango county aud located in French Creek township, about two
miles southwest of Utica, where he purchased the farm upon which he has
since resided, and has been a successful farmer. On the 8th day of May,
1856, he married Eliza Jane, daughter of Stephen and Jane Reed, of Mer
cer county, a union blessed with the following children : Jennie, deceased
wife of Addison Lupher; Odessa, wife of Albert Thordpson; James A. ;
Sarah, wife of Joseph McCandless; Lottie; Laura L. ; Alice, deceased;
Cora M. , and Benny. Mr. Leyda is a Republican in politics, and the whole
family are members of the United Presbyterian church.
James P. McClellan, farmer, is a native of Venango county and son of
Samuel and Hannah McClellan, the father born in Mercer county, Penn
sylvania, and the mother in Orange county. New York. John McClellan,
father of Samuel, was a native of Ireland and an early settler of Mercer
county, where his death occurred many years ago. Samuel McClellan lived
in Venango county the greater part of his life and was a farmer by occupa
tion. He returned to Mercer county in 1863, and was a resident of the
same until his death, which occurred March 5, 1888, at the age of seventy-
three years. His wife, Hannah (McMullen) McClellan, is a daughter of
Galbreath McMullen, who died in Venango county in the fall of 1884 at the
advanced age of one hundred and four years. Mrs. McClellan is still living
in Mercer county. Samuel and Hannah McClellan had a family of eleven
children: John J., deceased; Zura A., deceased; James P. ; Mrs. Martha J,
Turner; Mrs. Mary B. Wise; Mrs. Rebecca J. Dean; Mrs. Margaret Arm
strong; Archibald; L. G. ; Mrs. Ambrett Smith, and Mrs. Dorcas Ray.
•James P. McClellan was born June 18, 1842, and grew to manhood on a
farm in Venango county, attending the common schools. He remained with
his father on the farm until his twenty-first year, at which time (1864) he
entered the army as private in Company G, One Hundredth Pennsyl
vania Volunteers, with which he served fourteen months, having been
discharged in April, 1865, on account of disability resulting from a serious
wound in the foot received in the battle of Spottsylvania. On leaving the
army he returned to Mercer county, where he followed agricultural pur
suits until 1868, when he purchased his present place in French Creek town
ship, upon which he has since resided. Mr. McClellan is a successful farmer
and one of the most extensive stock dealers in Venango county, buying for
both local and general markets. He is a Democrat in politics, belongs
to the I. 0. 0. P. , and for a number of years has been identified with the
Methodist Episcopal church. March 24, 1864, he married Miss Ann E. ,
daughter of Enoch and Catharine (Kelpes) Perrine, who has borne him the
following chUdren: Samuel P. ; Anna B., and Mary G.

1026 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

SANDY CREEK.

James Foster, farmer, was born in Sugar Creek township, February 14,
1810, son of John and Mary (Martin) Foster, both natives of Maryland, the
former a son of Ross Foster, who came to Franklin at an early date, whence
he removed to the vicinity of Pittsburgh and died. Mrs. Foster was a
daughter of James Martin, a pioneer of Sandy Creek township, where he
first improved the Kephart farm, upon which he planted an orchard of five
hundred trees, one of the first in this section. He removed to Indiana at
an advanced age." John and Mary Foster reared a family of seven chil
dren. The sons are Ross, James, Caleb, and John, of whom Caleb was a
Methodist preacher in the Pittsburgh Conference and in the western states;
the others were farmers. The daughters were as follows: Polly, wife of
William Dewoody; Julia Ann, wife of John Temple, and Elizabeth, wife
of Seth Temple. James Foster removed with the family of his father to
this township in 1812, and has lived here ever since-. He obtained a limited
education at the pioneer schools, and in 1833 engaged in farming, which he
has since followed. He was married in 1832 to Catharine Smith, who was
the mother of two children : James M. , a Methodist preacher, and Mary,
wife of Jackson Gordon, of Scrubgrass township. Some months after the
death of his first wife he married Margaret Armstrong, to whom five chil
dren were born: Catharine, wife of Robert Graham; Robert A., of this town
ship; John P., of Sugar Creek township; Wesley B., of Pittsburgh, and
William S., of Sandy Creek. His second wife also died, and he was mar
ried in 1853 to Mrs. PriscUla Burns, nee Robinson, and they are the parents
of two children: Joseph, and Margaret H. , wife of Reverend W. H. Bunce,
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Poster has been a mem
ber of that church more than sixty years, and was largely instrumental
in the erection of the church at East Grove. In politics he is a Repub
lican. Robert A. Foster, son of James jand Margaret (Armstrong) Foster, was
bom in this township November 11, 1841. His education was obtained in
the common schools, and he was reared a farmer, which calling he followed
until 1864, but since the development of the oil interests in this section he
has been actively identified with that industry. He now controls the pro
duction of several farms in addition to his own. In 1863 he married Mary
Ann, daughter of Theodore Haslett of Rockland township, later of Cran
berry. They are the parents of eight chUdren: Olive A. ; James E. ;
Arthur T. ; Robert A. ; Mary L. ; George W. ; Etta M. , and Daisy B. The
family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically
Mr. Foster is a Republican.
Essington Kephart, farmer, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsyl
vania, July 9, 1807, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Epley) Kephart, of
English and German descent. In 1827 Mr, Kephart came to this township

BIOGRAPHIES OF SANDY CREEK. 1027
and bought two hundred acres of laud from Aloxandor McCalmont, upon
which he now resides. He married in 1830, Mary Ann B. Moiss, and they
are tho parents of four cliildren: Henry and George E., deceased; Mrs.
Katharine Domer, and Mrs. Sarah E. Meyers. Mr. Kephart is a local
preacher in the Methodist church, and politically a Republican.
William E. McElhaney, farmer, was born June 11, 1808, the sixth of a
family of nine children born to Ab^xander and Mary Ann (Dawson) McEl
haney: John; Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin; Mrs. Eleanor Griffin; Mrs. Martha
Phillips; Mrs. Phcebe Durning; William; James; Mrs. Mary Ann Vincent,
and Alexander. Alexander Sr., settled at Pithole in 1796, and then
returned to the Bast. Some years later he came back, but within a short
time removed to the vicinity of Waterloo. He came into Sandy Creek in
1819. In 183<j William E. made a journey down the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, returning by way of Chicago, then a small village. In 1838 be mar
ried Caroline, daughter of Isaac Haslett, who is the mother of seven
children, three of whom are living: Isaac H. ; John A., and David W. In
1882 he married Mrs. Maria L. Sankey, nee Cooper. He is a member of
the Methodist church, and politically a Prohibitionist.
James McElhaney, farmer, was born June 8, 1813, son of Alexander
McElhaney. He began farming in 1839, upon a farm included in the four
hundred acre tract originally secured by his father in this township, and in
the same year married Catharine Kephart. Eight children are Uving:
Naugle; Mrs. Elizabeth Graham; Mrs. Mary J. Stewart; Mr.s. Susanna
Marshall; Henry E. ; Mrs, Laura Gould; Mrs. Viola Pettit, and Estella.
John Graham, farmer, was born May 9, 1825, at the mouth of Sandy
creek in Victory township, son of Robert and Margaret (Gordon) Graham,
of whom the former was born December 25, 1797, tbe latter September 29,
1802, and they were married December 22, 1819. They were the parents
of thirteen children: Eliza, wife of John Smith, now of Osage county, Kan
sas; Samuel G. ; John; Jane, who died in infancy; Robert; Hiram; WUliam
J., who enlisted in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry and died at Anderson
ville; James; Alexander; Jesse, who died in childhood; Florinda, wife of
W. B. Houser: Madison M., and Nathaniel D. S. Prior to 1830 Robert
Graham removed to the farm in which the Graham graveyard is located, and
here lived untU his death. Here John Graham was brought up, and in
1841 went to Franklin, where he learned the trade of carpenter. He was
engaged at this continuously some years. In 1856 he bought the farm upon
which he now resides. He was married in 1852 to Jane, daughter of John
Black, and they are the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living:
Benjamin, Clinton, Jesse, and William, in the oU business at Alton, McKean
county; Laura A., wife of James Spangler; Mattie E., wife of John Smith;
Maggie L. ; Edward, and Orrin P. The family is connected with the Meth
odist church. Politically Mr. Graham is a Republican.

1028 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Robert Graham, farmer, was born September 2, 1828, son of Robert and
Margaret (Gordon) Graham. He was brought up in this township and ob
tained a limited education. In 1851 he began farming. In 1856 he mar
ried Catharine, daughter of James Foster, and they are the parents of
twelve children, of whom the following are living: Mrs. Mary P. Siefer;
Kiefer M. ; Mrs. Ruth E. Lynn; Harry A. ; James F. ; Arrin H. , and Cora
B. The family is connected with Bast Grove Methodist church. Politic
ally Mr. Graham is a Prohibitionist.
Samuel Gordon, farmer, was born in Richland township September 28,
1826, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Gordon, who came to this county from
Centre and in 1826 removed to Sandy Creek township, where Samuel Gor
don secured a tract of two hundred and fifty acres, including the farm now
o-wned by the subject of this sketch. Here they lived until death and are
buried in the old Franklin cemetery. They reared a large family, of whom
Samuel, Jr., was next to the youngest. He obtained a common school edu
cation. In 1846 he engaged in farming and has since followed this calling.
He married in 1843 Melvira, daughter of Peter Houser; they are the parents
of eight children, six of whom are living: Margaret, wife of George Steb-
bins; Elizabeth; Jennie; C. P.; W. B., and A. C. Politically Mr. Gordon
is a Democrat.
George W. Mays, miller, was born in Richland township, April 23,
1819, son of Thomas W. and Henrietta (Myers) Mays. Thomas W. was a
son of Thomas, a veteran of the Revolution, and by occupation a miller and
mill-wright. The family is of Scotch descent, and first settled in this coun
try in the state of South Carolina, Since Thomas Mays, Sr., came to this
country, his descendants have always been identified with the milling inter
est. Thomas W. Mays reared a family of twelve children: Mrs. Polly Karns;
Henry; James; Mrs. Sarah Shaw; George W, ; Mrs. Nancy White; Mrs.
Henrietta Shoup; John; Jesse; Louis A. ; Mrs. Emily J. Morrow, and Oliver
P., all of whom grew to matui-ity and reared famUies. Thomas W., in
partnership with John Myers, built the original predecessor of Giering' s
mill, in Richland, the first in that township. Pour of his sons chose milling
as a business: George W. ; John, of Mill Village, Brie county; Jesse, of
Rockland, where he owns a mill near Slab furnace, and Henry, deceased.
Of his sons-in-law, Barney Shoup was a miller, and David Shaw established
the first carding mill in Rockland township. George W. engaged in the
business in 1848' at Pine run, Rockland township, where he built the first
and only mill on that stream, still operated by his son. In 1880 he pur
chased the site of old Sandy mill, and erected the present mill, on one of
the oldest milling sites in the county. In 1845 he married Juliet, daughter
of Thomas Elder, of Clarion county, who was the mother of five children:
James P., engaged in the milling business in Rockland; Brena, wife of
William Smith; Emily, married to Thomas Dorsey, of New Mexico; Charity

BIOGRAPHIES OF SANDY CREEK. 1029
A., widow of P. Dorsey, also of Socorro, New Mexico; and Julia, wife of
Albert Smith, of Toronto, Ontario. As his second wife he married Lucinda
Askey, in 1858. Their children are Henrietta and Cora L. , wife of Tracy B.
Pettit, of Victory township. PoliticaUy, Mr. Mays has been a life-long
Democrat, inheriting in this respect the jnoclivities of his father and grand
father. Thomas A\'. Mays served in the war of 1812.
John Dout, farmer, was born January 11, 1826, in Butler county, Penn
sylvania, son of Reuben and Annie (Stopp) Dout, of German descent, who
removed to Butler county in 1824 and there brought up a family of eleven
children to maturity: John; Reuben; IMrs. Annie Lytle; Jacob; Mrs. Cath
arine Stopp; Abraham; Samuel; Mrs. Sarah Cook; Daniel; Polly, and Levi.
John Dout had a common school education. He learned the trade of car
penter, which he followed nine years. In 1852 he removed to the vicinity
of Springville, this county, and in 1865 took up his residence on his present
farm. He was married in 1847 to Susan, daughter of Andrew and Nancy
Zeigler, of Butler county, and they are the parents of nine children: An
drew; Sidney; Mrs. Ellen Sechler; Nathan; Alfred J. ; Mrs. Lavinia Ross;
Noah; Austin, and Elmer. Mr. Dout is school director and road commis
sioner in Sandy Creek township and Democratic in politics.
Washington B. Hoqser, farmer, was born October 15, 1837, on the farm
he now occupies, son of Peter and Margaret (Hill) Houser. The Houser
family was among the pioneers of the county, and its first representative
here was John P., a veteran of the Revolutionary war and after that a resi
dent of Centre county, whence he removed to Coal Hill, now Mt. Washing
ton, near Pittsburgh. In 1800 he went to Franklin, where he established a
fen-y between the Big Rock and Allegheny bridges. He lived in Cran
berry township. Afterward he removed to the Tarkiln neighborhood, where
he resided until his death. He had five sons: Philip; Jacob; Cornelius;
Peter, and David; and four daughters: Mrs. Sarah Stover; Mrs. 
Huey; Mrs. Mary Cox, and Mrs. Susan Martin. In 1836 Peter removed to
Sandy Creek township, where he reared a family of seven children: Mary
J., wife of T. H. Martin; Mrs. Samuel Gordon; Hugh P.; Andrew, and
Cornelius, deceased; Washington B. , and Margaret, wife of Immanuel
Herman. Washington B. was married in 1860 to Florinda, daughter of
Robert Graham, a pioneer of this township. They are the parents of
eight children: Mrs. Mary E. Hoults; Mrs. M. J. Foster; Mrs. EUa
G. Smith; George W. ; Frederick P. ; Maud (deceased); Catharine A., and
Charles A. The family is connected with Pleasant Grove Methodist church.
PohticaUy Mr. Houser is a Democrat with Prohibition proolivUies.
John P. Hatch, oil producer, was born in Sparta township, Crawford
coimty, Pennsylvania, son of Levi and Sarah Eliza (Brown) Hatch. The
ancestry on both sides is traced through a period of two hundred and sev
enty-five years, when the first representatives came from England to Massa-

1030 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
chusetts and Vermont. The paternal grandfather of John P. lived and
died at Whitehall, New York, from which place Levi Hatch removed to
Crawford county. Here he reared a family of six children, all of whom are
living: Smith F. ; Ann Eliza, wife of Martin Porter; Charles R. ; John P. ;
Maria C, wife of Lester Fish, and Edwin B. Our subject obtained an
academic education at Waterford Academy and Edinboro State Normal
School, and also attended Duff's Commercial. College at Pittsburgh. Since
the age of ten years he has been engaged in business, having received at
that age fifty sheep from his father, from which he accumulated three thous
and dollars before reaching his majority. In 1869 he engaged in the oil
business at Woodcock station on the Allegheny river. He was one of the
original members of the Pleasantville Oil Exchange, and has been largely
interested at Fagundus, Parker's Landing, Petrolia (where he drilled the
first well), and Butler county, experiencing all the vicissitudes of fortune
incident to the business. In 1877 he came to this township, aud has since
been engaged in oil production. On the 29th of February, 1864, he en
listed in Company C, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was in
the service seventeen months, until the close of the war Politically he is
a Republican, and has held the offices of justice of the peace, township
clerk, constable, assessor, and collector in this township. He is connected
with Pleasant Grove Methodist church, in which he has served as steward,
class leader, and trustee. He was married July 16, 1881, to Belle B.,
daughter of Thomas Gregory of Franklin. They are the parents of three
children: John P., Jr. ; Irene M. , and Elizabeth P.
MINERAL.
* The Whann Family immigrated at an early date from Scotland or the
North of Ireland to Chester and Northumberland counties, Pennsylvania,
whence, in 1798 or 1800, William Whann removed to French Creek, now
Mineral township, Venango county. Within a brief period he went farther
westward, locating with his son John in Harrison county, Ohio, where he
resided the remainder of his life. William Whann, Jr., settled at Wells-
burg, West Virginia, while two other sons, Robert S. and Francis, remained
in this county.
Robert S. Whann lived to the age of seventy-five. He served in the
war of 1812 and was for many years a ruling elder in the Presbyterian
church, first at Amity and afterward at Mount Pleasant. Elizabeth, wife
of Robert S. Whann, lived to the age of eighty-two, dying in 1862. They
reared a family of four sons and two daughters: William, Matthew L.,
Elizabeth L. , Eleanor C. , Walter L. , and Robert F. , of whom the following
record is preserved:
William passed the most of his life in Venango county, where he
was born and reared. He married Tamar Williams, daughter of Eli

BIOGEAPHIES OF MINERAL. 1031
William-H of this county. Early in life he eiiga;_'<-d in the furnace and mer
cantile bu-ine-ss and afterward in farming. He now resides in Franklin
and with his son, Walter L., ii engaged in oil producing. Matthew L.
marri'.-l SHrafi Williams, daughter of Eli Uilliam.s, and tbey reared a larjre
famfly; after her death he married Matilda Raymond, flaughter of A. W.
Raymond of Pranklin, and sh'- survives him. He was a ruling elder in the
Mount Pleasant Pr'ftbyti-rian church and justice of the peace at H' r. lerson-
vOle. M<rrc<?r county, at his death in 1877. Elizabeth L. married Josej^h
Phipps of Scrabgrass, and they were tbe parents of a numerous family, all
of whom die'l in 1852 with the exception of Robert J. and -John M. , -who
enlisted for ser.ice in the late war, the former rising to the rank of major
and the latter dyiag from illness caused by the hardships of army life.
Eleanor C. married WUliam Lyons of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. They
resided a number of years at New PhUadelphia, Ohio, and then removed to
Kansas, where the family now reside. Robert F. engaged in the cabinet-
making businesrs. He married Sarah Phipps. daughter of Samuel Phipfjs
of Scrubgrass, and they made Raymilton their home until his decease. He
served as justice of the peace when l)Ut a young man. They had two rsons;
one died in chUdhood, the other, Walter L., resides in the West. The
widow marri<-d WUliam Raymond of Raymilton, Pennsylvania. A sketch of
Doctor Walter L. Whann appears in the chapter on the medical profession.
Fbasci-s Whasx, youngest of the family of WUliam AV'hann, with whom
he came from Northumberland county, married .Jane Smith, who came from
Greene county, Pennsylvania, at the age of seven years, riding the entire dis
tance on horseback. Her father settled upon a farm in Mineral township,
where he sjjent the remainder of his life. After his decease this farm was
pnTcha-sed by Francis Whann, who resided thereon untU his death at the age
of eighty-eight years. His wife died at the age of seventy-nine. Their
famUy was as follows: Hannah, who married .John P. Henderrson, both
deceased; Sarah, wife of John Adams of Polk; WUliam, who married Cath
arine Wood; Jane, deceased wife of Thomas Hoge; Francis, who married
Nancy Walker and resides in Mineral township; Andrew, who married
Sarah Woods; EUen, married to Reverend J. M. Gallagher, who preached
a number of years in the Cumberland Presbyterian congregations of Rock
land and Cranberry and is the present pastor of Bethany church, Mercer
county; Daniel, married to Leah Hauk, both deceased, and John, married
io Sarah Griffin, now residing at Tipton, Iowa. Francis Whann was a
soldier in the war of 1812.
Seth Guilisgek, fanner, was \xjm in Harrison county, Ohio, October 20,
1811, son of Martin and Eve (Hendricksj Guilinger. Martin Guilinger was
a native of ea.stem Pennsylvania, and was left au orphan at an early age by
the death of his father. His first permanent residence was in Harrison
county, Ohio. From here he went to Pittsburgh, thence to New Castle,

1082 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
thence to Mercer county, Pennsylvania. He then came to this township,
and from here removed to Marion county, Indiana, and afterward to Pulaski,
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Marietta, Ohio, where he
died. He had a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters.
Seth, the third son, came to Venango county in 1837, from Sharon, Mercer
county, and has lived in this township ever since. He married Susan,
daughter of Charles Cooper, then of Mercer county, afterward and at the
time of his death a resident of Marietta, Ohio. They are the parents of ten
children: Martin; Charles; James; Jacob; John; Albert; Mrs. Elizabeth
Ritchey, and Amanda, living; and Maria and Washington, deceased. Mr.
Guilinger has been engaged at various times in charcoal burning and brick
making, but principaUy in farming, Por two years he was employed by
Everhart Lytle to superintend the mining of ore. He and wife are mem
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a Demo
crat. William Adams, farmer, was born near the village of Polk, March 27,
1813, and is a son of Welden Adams, an early and prominent settler of
Venango county, and at one time a commissioner thereof. A sketch of the
Adams family will be found in the chapter on French Creek township. Our
subject was brought up at Franklin, and in French Creek township, and
began farming in 1837, in Muskingum county, Ohio, where he lived seven
years. He then removed to the adjoining county of Perry, and subse
quently to Edgar county, Illinois. Returning to Venango county in 1864,
he engaged in the oil business, and in 1866 purchased his present farm in
this township. He was married in 1838 to Miss Susanna McElhaney, who
was the mother of ten children. In 1862 he married Mary Bartlett, who
bore him three children. After her death he married Mrs. Martha Allen,
nee Simcox. Six children are living: Mrs. Henrietta Marshall; Mrs.
Susanna LeFevre; Mrs, Sarah Croan; Mrs. Maud Mosier; Georgie, and
William. Mr. Adams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Samuel W. Reagle, deceased, was born October 29, 1814, in Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, the son of John Reagle, who was born May 2, 1779,
and died June 27, 1873, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. He was
brought up in Lawrence county, and obtained such education as the common
schools of that day afforded. While yet a' young man, he came to what
was then French Creek, now Mineral township, where he bought a tract of
uncleared land. His sister acted as housekeeper, and in this manner he
lived, gradually clearing and improving his farm. October 15, 1841, he
married Sarah Amon, and they were the parents of eight children: John A. ;
Mrs. Eliza M. Barnes; Samuel A.; Sarah M. ; Cyrus L. ; Mrs. MatUda J.
Cole ; Mrs. Hannah Hays and Charlotte, of whom John A. , Eliza M. , Cyrus
L. , an(J Samuel A. are now living. Mrs. Reagle having died, he married
Miss Mary E. Long, November 16, 1864, and she is the mother of three

BIOGRAPHIES OF MINERAL, 1083
children: James Marshall, farmer and general manager of the Reagle Oil
Company, who obtained his education at the common schools and at Grove
City College, and has been engaged in active business since his father's
death; William G., a graduate of Grove City College, and student of Alle
gheny Theological Seminary, now engaged in home missionary work in
Nebraska, and Christina, a student of Grove City College. Mr. Reagle
died March 27, 1883. He was a man of good business qualifications, and
beside the work of his farm he was interested in various mining, lumber, and
oil ventures with fair success. Ho was an active member of Mount Pleasant
Presbyterian church, and a strong temperance advocate, Hc^ was called
upon to assume various local offices, and in politics was an ardent Repub
lican, John J, Barnes, deceased, was born in Mercer county, six miles from
the town of Mercer, November 14, 1817, son of James and Mary (Alexan
der) Barnes, of Scotch-Irish descent, and early settlers of that vicinity. He
was brought up at the home of his parents and obtained such education as
the schools of that day afforded. December 5, 1839, he married Eliza Jane,
daughter of James and Sarah (Fulton) Montgomery, of Sandy Creek town
ship, Mercer county. They were also of Scotch-Irish origin. James Mont
gomery was three times elected to the legislature of Pennsylvania and served
in the constitutional convention of 1837. He was also an officer in the war
of 1812. For two years our subjeet worked as a tailor, and then engaged in
farming on the property now owned by his widow. They made their home
here in July, 1847. He served as constable two years in Mercer county,
five years for French Creek township, and four years as justice of the peace
in Mineral after its formation. In 1874 be became blind, but recovered the
sight of one eye ten years later. After a long and painful illness, which he
bore with the fortitude of a spirit sustained by divine grace, his death oc
curred July 8, 1886, and he is buried at Oak Hill cemetery, Mercer county.
He was the father of twelve children (ten sons and two daughters), four of
whom died in infancy. Those living are George A. ; Archibald; William A. ;
Thomas J, ; Matthew; Oliver W. ; Jennie E. ; and Sarah G., wife of La Pay
ette Perrine. In poUtics Mr. Barnes was a Democrat. He was a meml)er
of the United Presbyterian church, with which Mrs. Barnes and four of the
children are now connected. *At his death he left a valuable estate, tbe ac
cumulation of years of honest industry. One son, Archibald Barnes, enlisted
in Company H, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, February 27, 1864,
and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
G. C, Cutchall, farmer, was born in Sugar Creek township, Venango
county, January 8, 1820, son of John and Emily (Livermore) Cutchall, of
German and English descent, natives respectively of Lancaster and Mercer
counties. The father of Mrs. Cutchall was Jeremiah Livermore, who lived
within four miles of the town of Mercer. The father of John Cutchall

1034 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
moved from Lancaster to Westmoreland, and thence to Crawford county,
where he was a resident during the war of 1812 and until his death. His son,
father of the subject of this sketch, removed from Venango county to Ran
dolph township, Crawford county, where he also lived until his death. G.
C. Cutchall was brought up until the age of twelve in that township. He
was then taken into the family of his maternal grandparents and obtained a
common school education in Mercer county. His first business was farming,
after which he was employed in a grist mill and distillery. March 11, 1841,
he married Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Reagle. They removed to Crawford
county in 1842, where he was engaged in farming and carpentering twelve
years. In 1854, having purchased his present residence, he removed thereto
and continued the same business. Of a family of fourteen children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Cutchall eight are living: Mrs. Elizabeth Wise; John; Mrs.
Sarah Irwin; Mrs. Mattie V. Thompson; Isaiah; Jerome; Mrs. Laura Beil,
and Mrs. Nettie Dean. Mr. Cutchall has been elected to every office in the
township except constable and is Democratic in polities.
Archibald McMullen, farmer, was bom in Mercer, now Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1827, son of Galbreath and Mary
(Park) McMullen, the father a native of Berkley county, Virginia, and the
mother of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where her parents settled about
1800. Her father, James Park, removed from Virginia to a tract of land.
embracing the site of Edenburg, Lawrence county, and still in possession of
the family. Galbreath McMullen was twice drafted for service in the war
of 1812. He had a family of thirteen children, and was twice married.
Archibald McMullen was brought up until the age of twelve in Lawrence
county, his father removing to what is now Mineral township, Venango
county, in 1838. Here he obtained a common school education. At the age
of twenty- one he engaged in farming, but has since been interested in other
pursuits to a limited extent. In 1849 he married Maria J. , daughter of
John Amon, of this township. They have an adopted child, A. L. McMul
len. Mr. McMullen' s father died September 23, 1883, at the age of one
hundred and four years, five months, and eight days. Mrs. McMullen is a
member of the Presbyterian church, and he has always voted the Demo
cratic ticket.
George W. Raymond, merchant, Raymiltoil, was bom August 4, 1828, at
Troy, New York, and came to this county with his father, the late A. W. Ray
mond of Franklin, in 1836. He was brought up at Utica, Venango county,
and obtained a limited education at the common schools thereof. He was
early associated with his father's business interests. From 1853 to 1858
he had charge of a furnace at Raymilton; in 1863-64 he was engaged in
oil production on OU creek, and in 1867-68 he was in Montana, as superin
tendent of a gold mining company. Since 1868 he has been a member of
the firm of Raymond Brothers and has charge of the oil interests of his

BIOGRAPHIES OF MINERAL. 1035
father in this vicinity. ^Ii-. Raymond was married September 29, 1874, to
Miss Mary Adams, who died October 4, 1SS2. Sbe was the mother of one
child, Florence, who was born August 23, 1S75, and died January 26, 1S82.
Charles H. RAYMONr,merchant,of the firm of Raymond Brothers. RaymU-
ton, was born Februai-y 3, lSo2. at Utica, Venango county, Pennsylvania, the
son of A. W. Raymond, whose sketch appears in the biographical chapter
of Pranklin. He was brought up there and had limited educational advan-
tatres. -At an early age he was called upon to assist his father in his various
business operations, clerking in the store at Utica, and doing various other
kinds of work, and was thus associated until August, 1862. He then enlisted
in Company F. One Hundred and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers,
was elected second lieutenant, and served about one year, participating in
the campaigns of 1862-63, and being engaged at the battles of Prederieks-
burg and ChanceUorsville, commanding his company in the latter engagement.
He was wounded in the former. In July. 1863, owing to impaired health,
he was compeUed to resign. Upon his return to Venango county, he
engaged in the oil business, and was interested in the developments at
Pithole and elsewhere. He continued at this several years. In 1S6S. in
company -with George and Aaron W. Raymond, Jr. , he entered into busi
ness at Raymilton, and has been so engaged continuously ever since. In
1871 Mr. Raymond was married to Jennie S. , daughter of Frederick Ives.
of Herkimer county. New York. They are the parents of two chUdren:
EUzabeth and Dora. They are connected with Mount Pleasant church, of
Mineral township, of which Mr. Raymond has been an elder some years.
He was the first postmaster at Raymilton, appointed in 1S6S. and is one of
the weU-kno-wn citizens of his to-wnship.
James Simcox, farmer, RaymUton, was born in this township, February
29, 1S32, son of William and Jane (MarshaU) Simcox. The former was
born in Mai-yland, June 14. 1794, son of Shadrach Simcox, thefirst repre
sentative of the family in this county, who served in the war of 1S12; the
latter was born February 14, 1804, the daughter of James MarshaU, of
Mercer county. They were the parents of twelve children : Mis. Eleanor
Amon; Mrs. Martha Zink; Mrs. Mary Whitaker; Nancy; John; WUUam:
James; Mrs. Jane Gibson; PhUetus R. : John L. : Hugh M., and Lester
M. WUliam Simcox died September 5, 1850. and his -widow. June, 12.
1860, both at the age of fifty-six. James Simcox was brought up in this
township, and obtained a limited education at the common schools. He
engaged in farming in 1854, on the farm he now occupies, and has resided
there continuously ever since, with the exception of a year in Ohio and two
in Mercer county. In 1854 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel
Henderson, of Worth township, Mercer county. They have one adopted
child, Mrs. Carrie Woods, Both are connected with the Center Methodist
church, Mr. Simcox has held various local offices, and is a Democrat in
politics. Two brothers, John and Hugh, served dm-ing the civU wai-.

1036 HISTORY OP VENANGO COUNTY.
Alexander Wright, justice of the peace and farmer, was born in Mercer
county, near Hendersonville, August 21, 1839, son of Thomas and Sarah
(Powler) Wright. Thomas Wright was from Bleakley Lane near Whitley
Rocks, Lancashire, England. He was born there and reared to maturity,
emigrating to America when a young man. He came to Mercer county im
mediately, with a family of Fowlers from the same locality. Here he mar
ried a daughter of Richard Fowler and settled on an uncleared tract of
land. He lived here until his death in 1850, and is buried at Zion church.
Worth township. His wife lived to an advanced age, dying in 1885, and is
buried at the same place. She reared a family of six children: Mary, wife
of William Trevitt, of Perrine' s Corners, where they occupy the first house
erected by John Forest in 1838; Alexander; G. W. Wright, of Mercer, ex-
member of the Pennsylvania legislature; R. R, Wright, of Frankel &
Wright, merchant tailors, Mercer; J. S, Wright, merchant, Henderson
ville, and T. J. Wright, on the old homestead in Worth township, where
he has twice served as justice of the peace. Alexander had but limited
education, and at an early age took his father's place at the head of the
family. In 1865 he engaged in farming in this township, and in 1869
bought the farm of one hundred and ten acres upon which he now resides.
He married Mary L. , daughter of Augustus Giebner of Worth township, in
1865, They are connected with Center Methodist Episcopal church.
He has held various township offices and has been justice of the peace three
years. William M. Glenn, oil producer and lumber dealer, Raymilton, was
bom September 8, 1848, near Grove City, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, son
of John and Jane (Kilgore) Glenn. The paternal grandfather, Samuel
Glenn, was from Ireland, and an early settler of French Creek township,
where he was for many years a justice of the peace. He was the father of
a large family, of whom John was the oldest. He was engaged in the mill
ing business at various points in this and Mercer county, and died at Sandy
Lake in March, 1885, at the age of seventy-five, His wife was a daughter
of John J. Kilgore, once a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, whose
history is given in connection with Irwin township. She was the mother of
> seven children: Mrs. Elizabeth Coulter; Mrs. Dorcas Finley; Mrs. Jane
Baker; John; Samuel; William M., and Amanda. Our subject was reared
in this county. Not long after oil was discovered he went to Oil creek and
has been engaged at the wells and refineries ever since. In 1880 he located
at Raymilton, where he built the Globe refinery, and managed it about five
years. During this time he became interested in production, and since his
retirement from the refinery in 1885 he has given his attention to this and
lumbering. October 29, 1874, he married Juliet A., daughter of Joseph A.
Allen, of Irwin township. They are the parents of two children: Earl C.
and Loyal B. They are connected with Mount Pleasant Presbyterian

,l''r

J^oo^^ li ^ol^^^

BIOGRAPHIES OF VIOTOliY. 1()37

church, of which Mr, Glenn is an elder. Ho is a Republican in politics,
and is now tilling thi< office of justice of tho poni-(>.

VICTORY.
Tee Dewoody Family of Victory township is ilosconded from John De
woody, a nntivo of Ireland, wlio emigrntod to America, anil removed from
Pittslnu-gh to the valley of Sandy crook in 1 79('). At Chartier's creek,
Allegheny county, bo had mot and married Ania Mct'uUough, daughter of
a captain in the American Uovolution from Dauphin county, Pennsylvania,
who removed to the wost to receive payment in lands for his services. The
original Dewoody settlement was made on the old Pittsburgh road in this
township, where a portion of the tract is now owned by John Dewoody, sou
of the first settler, who kept hotel here many years. John Dewoody, Sr. ,
served in the war of 1812, and died on the old homestead in 1842. He was
the father of eight chUdren: Goorgo; WiUiam; Robert; John; Andrew;
Benjamin; Mrs. Sarah Ford, aud Mrs. Nancy Kilgore.
John Dewoody, fourth son of the original settler, was born in November,
1806, upon the farm whore he now resides. Here he grew to manhood, and
Pebrnary 21, 1S39, married Margaret, daughter of George Kilgore, who
emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1833, and died in 1S65, at the age
of eighty sov on. They are the parents of five children: George A. ; Mrs.
Anna M, Hill; John; Sarah E., and Margaret, deceased. Mr. and Mrs.
Dewoody have been members of the Presbyterian church at Polk since its
organization. John C. Dewoody, sou of Robert and Elizabeth (McBride) Dewoody,
was born in Sandy Creek (now Victory) township, April 15, 1838. His
father, Robert, was the third son of John Dewoody, Sr. , and died June 19,
1860. He is buried iu the old Sandy graveyard. His widow still sur
vives. Our subject was brought up iu Sandy Creek, and obtained a fair
common school education. By the death of his father he was, at an early
age, compelled to assist bis mother in the support of the family. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
He participated in the campaigns of Blarylaiid and Virginia, was under
Sheridan at \\'inchost(>r, aud within a short distance of Gettysburg during
that memorable eno-aeement. He was also in the battles of Stony Point
and Stony Gap, Virginia. After the grand review at Washington, he was
discharged, IMay 29, 1S()5, and returned to his home. August 22, IStUi, he
married Agnes -A. , daughter of William Henderson of Victory township.
The family numbers eight: Mary A., wife of Clayton Park, of Franklin;
Sarah E, ; Effa J. ; Margaret M. : Myrtie A. ; Orvil G. ; Howard, and Will
iam E., deceased. The family ia connootod with tbe Evangelical church of
this township, in which Mr. Dewoody is Sunday school superintendent.
He is secretary of the township school board, and politically a Republican.

1038 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
William Shorts, deceased, was born July 8, 1805, in Butler county,
Pennsylvania, son of Robert and Mary (Porter) Shorts, aud grandson of
Richard and James (Johnson) Shorts, the former of England. His wife was
Martha Jane Witherup, born May 10, 1803, in Venango county, daughter
of John and Mary Witherup. John Witli erup, first sheriff of Venango
county, was born in England, came to Scrubgrass, Venango county, and was
there engaged in the lumber business. His wife's maiden name was Brock
ingham, and her parents came from England to Philadelphia. William
Shorts came to Venango county when a young man and engaged in the
lumber business two years. After his marriage he removed to Ohio, stayed
there but a short time and returned to Victory township, Venango county,
where he secured the tract of two hundred acres still known as the old
Shorts farm. He was elected colonel of militia, from which he derived
his title. When the Rebellion broke out he raised a company and went as
captain of Company K, served two years, and was discharged on account of
sickness. After the war he moved to Hunnewell, Missouri, with all of the
family except Robert. They lived there a number of years, and then all
returned to the old Shorts farm in Venango county. He died December 13,
1885, at {he age of eighty in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the father of
seven children: Robert C. ; John; William, deceased; Mrs. Henrietta Mc
Kissick; Elizabeth; Mrs. Ann H. Balliett, deceased, and Abraham, now
living in Franklin.
Robert Crispen Shorts, son of William and Martha J. (Witherup) Shorts,
was born September 7, 1826, in Trumbull county, Ohio. He removed to
Pennsylvania in the year 1830, where he has lived the greater part of his
life to the present time. He attended the schools of the neighborhood and
received only a limited education. His occupation has been farming. He
was married in 1853 at the age of twenty-seven to Catharine Bunnell,
daughter of Alfred and Rachel Bunnell of Venango county; they are the
parents of six children, the oldest of whom, Elwilda Viola, died at the age
of one year. The five living are: William Lawrence; Floretta Florence,
wife of Leonadis Heasley, of Franklin; Martha Maud, wife of Robert Blair,
of Mercer county; Buena Kate, wife of William Beaver, of Switzerland, now
residing in Franklin, and Mary Ellen. His wife, Catharine Bunnell,
daughter of Alfred and Rachel Bunnell, was born in 1834. Her grand
father, Bunnell, came from England, lived in Maine for a number of years,
then came to reside in Venango county, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather.
Cannon, came from Ireland and settled on Sandy creek when it was an un
broken wilderness, inhabited by wild beasts. He made improvements and
lived there the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Shorts are con
nected with the Church of God. He has been a Republican since the organ
ization of the party and is a man of very decided views on general matters.
Samuel Hovis, farmer and justice of the peace, was born June 19, 1822,

BIOGRAPHIES OF VICTORY. 1089
in what was then Irwin township, this county, son of WilUam and Sarah
(Baker) Hovis. WiUiam Hovis was born, it is thought, in Clinton town
ship, and was a son of John Hovis, the original progenitor of the family in
this county. He was a descendant of John Theodore Hofius, a minister of
the Reformed church and one of the pioneers of Mercer county, Pennsyl
vania. William Hovis followed farming all his life. During the war of
1812 he joined a company of mUitia and marched to the defense of
Erie. He died at an advanced age and is buried in the Methodist Episcopal
grave-yard at Clintonville, of which denomination he was long a member.
Hewas the father of nine children: John, of Irwin township; Peter; Will
iam; Mrs, Clarinda Moore, and Nancy, deceased; H, P. and A. J., of Clin
ton township; Mrs. Susanna Bonner, and Samuel, the subject of this sketch.
The last mentioned married Eliza C. Welton of Cattaraugus county. New
York, in 1842, and they are the parents of ten children: Lydia L., wife of
J. B. Henderson, of Clinton township ; Bmmerilla, wife of Isaac R. Eakin, of
Emlenton; WUliam J., of Butler county; Monroe Z., of Clintonville; Sarah
E., wife of James Osborn, of Mercer county; Samuel H. , merchant and
postmaster of Pearl; Joseph C. , of Butler; Chester L., of ClintonviUe; Mar
garet C. , and John D, The family is connected with the Church of God in
this township, in which Mr, Hovis has served as elder since its organization.
He has been a life-long Democrat, has filled various local offices, and takes
an active interest in public affairs.
Philip Heckeet, farmer, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania,
January 18, 1805, son of John and Catharine Heckert. In 1829 he mar
ried Juliana Erb, and has resided in this township since 1835. Of a family
of twelve chUdren born to Philip and Juliana Heckert, ten are living. One
son, John, enlisted in Company E, Sixty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
died in the service.
John H. Blair, farmer and merchant, was born in County Derry, Ire
land, in May, 1823, son of Robert and Nancy (Eakin) Blair, who immi
grated to Pennsylvania in 1828, locating in Scrubgrass township, Venango
county, whence they removed the following year to Butler county. John
H. obtained a limited education in the schools of that county, and began
life as contractor at Buchanan and Jefferson furnaces in Clarion county.
In October, 1848, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Vic
tory township, his present homestead, and moved thereon in 1851. He en
gaged in merchandising in 1876 and still foUows that line of business. He
was married January 2, 1849, to Amelia, daughter of WiUiam Griffin, of
Irwin township, who has borne him ten children. The family- is connected
with Hebron church of the Evangelical Association and politically Mr. Blair
is a Democrat.
William Gather, farmer, was born July 18, 1821, in Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, son of John Cather, a native of Cecil county, Maryland.

1040 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
The latter was an early settler of Wolf Creek township, Mercer county, and
one of the first school teachers of that locality. He was also at one time
employed at the old furnaces in Scrubgrass township, Venango county. In
1831 he came to Springville, Victory township, and two years later took up
a tract of three htmdi-ed and fifty acres of land. His death occurred in
Ohio, and was the result of an accident in an iron mine. WiUiam Cather
mai-ried Mary, daughter of John B, Smith, in 1873. They have had seven
children, four of whom are living. ,
John Wabeham, farmer, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania,
September 3, 1831, the youngest of a family of six childran born to John
and Elizabeth (Stevens) Wareham, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
and of German origin. They subsequently removed to the vicinity of
Mechanicsville, Irwin township, Venango county. The subject of this
sketch obtained his schooling in that township, where he commenced farm
ing in 1853. In 1865 he became a resident of Victory. November 14,
1861, he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served
until disabled in the following year. In 1853 Mr. Wareham married
Nancy, daughter of John Phipps, and they are the parents of ten children.
The family is connected with the Church of God, of which Mr. Wareham
was the second elder of the society in Victory township.
Joseph H, McMillin, farmer and hotel keeper, was born January 15,
1841, son of John and Mary (McQiUston) McMillin. The former was born
June 18, 1794, and died August 13, 1876. He was a son of Daniel McMUlin,
one of the pioneers of this township, and the eldest in a large f amUy. Both
John and his father served in the war of 1812. John McMUlin was the
father of ten chUdren, of whom Joseph H. is the oldest now li-ying. The
latter was brought up in Rockland township, and obtained a limited educa
tion. At an early age he engaged in rafting, and fi-om this time until 1876
he farmed with his father, and then became a resident of Victory township.
March 27, 1880, he removed to SpringvUle, and in the following year was
appointed postmaster at that point. Mr. McMUlin was married July 3,
1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Neff, of Clarion county, who has
borne him thirteen children, nine of whom are living. His political affilia
tions are with the Democratic party.

BIOGRAPHIES OF SUGAR CREEK. 1041

CHAPTEK LI,
BIOGRAPHIES OF SUGAR CREEK, CHERRY TREE, PLUM,
CAN-AL. OAKLAND, AND JACKSON.
SUGAR CREEK.
WHITMAN FA:\nLY.— Among the early famUies of Sugar Creek
to-wnship was that of Jacob Whitman and his three sons: John,
Jonathan aud WiUiam; of the two last named, nothing is kno-wn by
the present membei-s of the family. They came from one of the Sus
quehanna river counties, and settled within the former limits of Sugar
Creek. John, the oldest son, settled upon the lands now owned by the
McLaughlin family. He married Jane Davis, and they were the parents of
the foUowing chUdren: John; Gabe: Samuel; Jonathan; George; Jane;
Margaret, and Jacob, Margaret married Benjamin Nock. Jacob was born
in 1797, and in early Ufe was engaged upon the farm, later in boating and
in the construction of boats for river transportation. At the time of the
war of 1812, he was employed in transporting military stores intended for
the construction of Perry's fleet at Lake Erie. He married Mary M. ,
daughter of Abraham Bean, to whom the following children were bom:
Abraham B. ; John; WUliam; James; Leonina, wife of Jonathan Blyler;
Jane, deceased wife of Henry VanDusen, and Ellen, wife of John Lindsey.
The father died in 1S72. his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1S53.
Abraham B. Whitman, eldest son of Jacob and Mary (Bean) Whitman,
was bom in 1S25 on the homestead farm. His education was obtained at the
district schools and his early life spent upon the farm. Although princi
paUy engaged in farming, he has also been interested at other times in
various enterprises. In his native township he has served as constable and
coUector, and fiUed various other local offices. In 1846 he mai-ried Miss
Joanna, daughter of George Wilt, and they are the parents of seven living
chUdi-en: Annie, wife of Christopher Seber; Louis; Louisa, wife of Austin
Whitman; Lizzie; Lemuel: Samuel, and Lucy, Mr. Whitman is independ
ent m poUtics. He is one of the most respected and infiuential citizens
in his township.
John J. Whitman, second son of Jacob and Mary (Bean) Whitman, was
born in 1S29 upon the homestead farm, upon a portion of which he resides.
Jn eai-ly life he spent his time in rafting, but since that has been engaged in

1042 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
farming exclusively. In 1854 he married Miss Sarah Coxson. Of ten chU
dren born to them seven are now living: John; Eliza A. ; James McPar-
land; Addie, wife of James McElhaney; Lizzie, wifeof Thomas Halett, and
Francis P. Mr. Whitman affiliates with the Democratic party.
James ^V hitman, youngest son of Jacob and Mary (Bean) Whitman, was
born in 1832 upon the homestead farm. He has always been engaged in
farming. He was married December 23, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. , daughter
of William Chrispin of Sugar Creek township, and they are the parents of
five children: Jane, wife of Arthur Sboflstall of Crawford county, Penn
sylvania; Charles; Adelia, wife of J. R. Davis; Bertha, and Walter. Po
litically Mr. Whitman is a Democrat; he has been a member of the local
school board and has filled other township offices.
McQuaid Family. — William McQuaid, a native of Ireland, emigrated to
this country in 1764. He settled in Perry county, Pennsylvania, where he
died. He was twice married, and his family consisted of four children:
William; Jane; Betsey, and John, the last of whom was the progenitor of
the McQuaid family of this county. He was born in Perry county and set
tled in what is now Sugar Creek township about 1802. He was a mill-wright
by trade and followed it in connection with his farm of two hundred acres.
He was at the defense of Erie in 1812. He married Isabella, daughter
of William Duffield, and by this union they had thirteen children, six of
whom grew to man and womanhood: William, deceased; John, of Cali
fornia; Jesse, of Sugar Creek township; Armstrong D., of Sugar Creek;
Mary, wife of William Hastings, of Canal township; and Harriet, wife of
Archibald Foster. John McQuaid died upon his settlement in 1850, his
wife surviving him until 1858.
Joseph McCalmont, deceased, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth
(Conard) McCalmont, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, November
23, 1798, and came to this county with his parents in 1803. He was reared
in Sugar Creek township. In 1829 he purchased the farm upon which he
resided until the time of his death, April 22, 1874. He married Margaret,
daughter of John Linn of Centre county, and they were the parents of eight
children: Jemima, deceased wife of Andrew Johnson; Emily, wife of Sam
uel Cooper; Sarah J,, who married T, W. Brown; James P., of Nebraska;
Murray L., of Sugar Creek; Susan, deceased; Margaret E., wife of Doctor
H. M. Crapper, and John L., of this township. Mrs. McCalmont died
February 7, 1873.'
Henry Homan, a native of Maryland, of German descent, removed to
Centre county, Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1837; he then came to
Venango county, and settled upon the land now in possession of his sons,
Thomas R. and Andrew -J. He married Catharine Armagost, a native of
Maryland, who bore him twelve children : John, deceased; Samuel, deceased;
Sarah, who married David Homan; Hannah, deceased wife of William

BIOGRAPHIES OF SUGAR CREEK. 1043
Fleming; Henry, deceased; Catharine, doooasod; Susanna, deceased; Mary;
David, who resides at Cooperstown, and married Catharine McKinzie; Re
becca, wife of William Canan; Thomas R., and Andrew J. In early life
Henry Homan was a member of the Lutheran church, but in later years he
was connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He filled various
township offices, and died in 1S72, his wife having died ten years previously.
Thomas R. Homan was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 1834,
was reared in Sugar Creek township, received a common school education,
and has always foUowed farming. He has taken a deep interest in the
afPairs of his township, and in 1878 was elected county commissioner, serv
ing one term. He has filled the office of constable and collector for eight
years, and school director six years. Politically he is a Democrat, and one
of the respected citizens of the township. He is a member of the Wesleyan
Methodist church.
Andrew J. Homan, youngest son of Henry Homan, was born upon the
homestead, in Sugar Crook township, in 1837, and has spent his entire life
thereon. He received a common school education, and has always followed
farming. He was married in 1870 to Miss Rachel, a daughter of Frederick
Devere, of Sugar Creek, and by this marriage they have one son, Charley,
Mr. Homan has filled the office of school director, is a Democrat, and a
member of the Wesleyan Methodist church.
John Culberson, farmer, is a native of County Donegal, Ireland. He
was born February 14, 1811, and is a son of John and Isabella (Davis) Cul
berson, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1834, where they resided until
their death. Our subject was one of a family of nine children, five sons and
four daughters, and was the second son, all of whom are dead excepting one
sister, Mrs. James Davis of PhUadelphia. Our subject came to Venango
county in 1832, having emigrated two years previous to his parents. He
found employment with Thomas Anderson of Cornplanter township, where
he remained one year. He then rented a farm, which he worked for two
years, when he entered the employ of Samuel Bell, furnace proprietor,
where he remained one year. In 1838 he purchased one hundred and six
acres where he now resides, adding to his farm until he has two hundred
and thirty- two acres. He has been three times married; his first wife was
Lucy McFate, a native of Ireland, who died in 1845 and bore him four
childi-en: Samuel, deceased; Robert; Mary J., deceased, who married Mark
Ward, and John. He married for his second wife Esther Lamberton, who
died in 1868, by whom he had no children. His third wife was Margaret
Rossman, who died in 1886, leaving six children: Melvin; Ann J.; Nancy
B.; Renwick; Sarah E., and Harvey. Mr. Culberson joined the Presby
terian church in Ireland; after his settlement here he joined the United
Presbyterian church and has been a member and an elder for thirty-seven
years. Politically he is a Democrat.

1044 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Bean Family. — Abraham Bean, a native of one of the eastern counties
of this state, came to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, about 1800. He set
tled on the line of Canal township and subsequently purchased the farm in
Canal to-wnship where his grandsons, John D. and Andrew, now live, where
he died about 1839. He had two sons, Samuel and Henry. From Samuel
have descended the Bean family of Canal township. He was born in 1793,
reared in Canal township, and lived his life upon the farm, engaged in
farming. He married May 23, 1822, Jane, daughter of James McCune, one
of the early settlers of Canal township, and by this marriage they had thir
teen children: Elizabeth, wife of Silas Thompson; Susan, deceased, who
married Abraham Hart; Adaline, wife of Henry Hare of Crawford county;
James, of Canal township; Martha, deceased, who married Michael Brown;
William; Samuel, deceased; John D. ; Mary A., deceased, who married
Samuel Whitman; Andrew of Canal township, and Thomas P., deceased.
Samuel died upon the farm May 5, 1872, his wife having died in 1865.
David Rossman, deceased, a native of Centre county, Pennsylvania, came
to Venango county in 1839, and settled in Cranberry township, where he
lived two years. He then removed to Sugar Creek township and settled
upon a farm on the river. In 1844 he purchased the farm where his son
David now lives. He married Elizabeth Fife of Centre county, Pennsyl
vania. They were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are now
living: John; Henry; David; William, and Susanna, who married George
Frank. Mr. Rossman died in 1855, his wife survi-ying him until 1882.
Henry F. James, oil producer, son of Edwin and Sarah G. (Sandsbury)
James, was bom in Nantucket, Massachusetts, December 3, 1841. He
learned the cooper trade, and subsequently engaged in the whaling busi
ness. In 1861 he came to Venango county; in February, 1865, he located
at Pithole as superintendent for A. R. Williams. In 1871 he removed to
Sugar Creek township to accept the position of superintendent for the Frank
lin Pipe Line Company, and soon afterward leased one hundred and fifty
acres of the McCalmont farm, and engaged in oU operating. Mr. James
has developed sixty wells upon this farm and has thirty producing wells at
the present time. He was married in 1866 to Miss Susan Hunter of Nan
tucket, Massachusetts, who has borne him two children : Bertha and Frank.
Politically Mr. James is a Republican; he has always taken a deep interest
in the progress of education, and at present is secretary of the school board
in his district. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and the
K. of P., and one of the well-known and enterprising citizens of his adopted
county. Francis McDaniel, miller and farmer, son of Francis and Mary (Thomp
son) McDaniel, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. He
received a common school education, and his early life was spent upon the
farm. In 1854 he engaged in the lumber business, and was subsequently

BIOGBAPHLKS OF SrO-AR CREEK. 1045
engaged in ihe manufacture of sash and blinds and in the flouring mill
business, at Jefferson, Ohio, also in the mercantile business at Dorset, Ohio,
In 1881 he located at his present place and purchased the McKinzie mUl,
iriiich he operates in connection with farming. He married Miss Mary Ev
eritt. who died in 1874. lea-ring three chUdren: Samuel A. ; Margaret, -vrife
of Frank Buggies, and Frank P. In 1S76 he was united in marriage with
IBss Elisabeth, daughter of the late John McKinzie. In poUties he is a
Democrat, and at the present time is a member of the local school board.
Jambs E. Adams, superintendent and one of the directors of the Reno
Oil Company, "was bom May 15, ISJrS. in the town of WUton. Saratoga
county. New York, and is the only son of Charles and Emmeline E. (Deyoel
Adau^ In the faU of 1859 his father came to OU creek. foUowing the ex
citement incident to the striking of the Drake weU. In the foUowing year
he commenced operating for ofl on the John P. Hays farm, on the AUegheny
riTBt, two miles below the month of Ofl creek, where he resided for many
jeais, subsequently removing to Ofl City, where he now resides. From boy
hood Mr. Adams has been connected -with the ofl business. In the spring
of 187S he -was eniployed by the Nobel Brothers to go to the Caspian sea
oU fields to introduce the American method of operating for oil .Lfter
spending one year in the Baku district he joined Doctor H. W. C. Tweddle
and spent a year in his employ, developing that part of the Black sea ofl
fields known as the Cuban district, returning to OU City in the summer of
1880. In 1881 he accepted the position he now holds. He was married in
1885 to Sarah E., eldest daughter of John Coyle. of OU City. By this
union they have one daughter, Ruth E. He is a member of the Masonic
ord«, L O. O. P., and the A. O. V. W. PoUticaUy, he is a RepubUcan,
¦with strong Prohibition proeUvities.
OuvEB P. Boss, justice of the peace and ofl producer, is a son of George
and Bachel (Calvin) Boss. He was bom in Mercer coimty, Pennsylvama,
in 1839, and was reared in Crawford cotmty. Pennsylvania. In 1S62 he
altered the employ of Hozen A: Trunk, as foreman on the construction of
the Jamestown it Franklin railroad, afterward engaged in the teaming busi
ness, and subsequently engaged in the manufactnre of boots and shoes at
Turner's Comers, Mercer countv. In 1S65 he came to Ofl creek and was in
the employ of various parties. In 1S74 he settled in Sugar Creek and en
gaged in teaming. In ISSO he entered the employ of Tates i: Grant, with
whom he remained five years. He then entered the employ of J. Hurley.
in whose employ he now is. and is operating some production of his own.
Bb married in March. 1S63. Miss Jones, daughter of WiUiam -Jones, of Mer
cer county, Pennsyl-rania. They are the parents of five Uving chUdren:
John W. ; Margaret R. ; Flora : OUver P. . and Elsie. He has tilled the onice
of road commissioner six years, was elected justice of the peace m i 
and re-elected in 1S89, He is a member of the K. of H. and in poUtics a
BemocraL

1046 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Heney Alexandee, farmer, was born March 17, 1848. He is a son of
John and Margaret Alexander. The father of our subject was a native of
Centre county, Pennsylvania, came to Venango county, and settled in
Sugar Creek township in 1846, where he died June 22, 1880. He was
twice married, his first wife dying June 14, 1852, leaving three children?
two of whom are living: Henry, and Catharine, wife of Thomas Naylor.
His second wife was Mary Duffield. Our subject was reared in Sugar
Creek township, and has always followed farming as an occupation. He
married in 1874 Miss Ellen Norden, of Sugar Creek township, and by this
marriage they have two children: Hardenia and Ralph H. Mr. Alexander
politically is a Democrat. CHEEKY tree.
Jonathan T. Cueey, farmer, was born on his present homestead July
18, 1809. His father was Robert Curry, of Huntingdon county, who came
to TitusviUe as a young man. He married Miss Alevia Titus (a sister of
Jonathan Titus) and took up a tract of land in Cherry Tree township,
which he cleared and improved. He was drafted in the war of 1812 but
was excused from serving. He was a Whig and afterward a Republican in
politics. He died in Franklin while attending court, and his wife died on
the homestead farm. They reared four sons and four daughters. The liv
ing are: Jonathan T. ; Robert, of Cherry Tree township, and Peter, of
Clarion county. Our subject received but a limited education, as he was
early put to work in assisting his father with the farm duties. In 1840 he
married Miss Margaret Elder, daughter of Moses Elder of Cherry Tree.
She died in 1877. They reared two children: Robert, living with his
father, and married to Miss Celia Bucklin, and Eliza, Mrs. Samuel Ed
wards of Vinton, Iowa. Mr. Curry is a member of the Republican party.
Robeet Curey, farmer, was born on his present homestead July 25,
1814, son of Robert and Alevia (Titus) Curry, He received his education
at the early log school houses, and has always lived on his present farm, ex
cept five years spent in the gold and silver mines of California. In 1856
he married Miss Elizabeth Curry, daughter of Samuel Curry. She died in
1880. They reared two children : Cassius, living at home, married to Miss
Lizzie Moyer of Troy Center, Crawford county, and Dora, Mrs. Fred Gib
son of Cherry Tree, mother of one child, Ralph David. Mr. Curry is a
member of the Republican party.
E. W. Hamilton, farmer, was bom on his present homestead, July 6,
1833. His grandfather, James Hamilton, was a native of Ireland, who im
migrated to America in 1775, and settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
where he remained a short time, thence removing successively to the vicinity
of Carlisle, Cumberland county, and to Centre county. In 1801 he came
to Venango county and took up a tract of government land in Cherry Tree

BIOGEAPHIES OP CHEBBY TEEE. 1047
township. Here he lived untu his death. His chUdren were: Cynthia, Mrs.
Carson Graham, deceased; John, deceased, who served as sherifl' of Venango
county and judge of Warren county, this state, for many years; Richard,
deceased; Hugh, deceased, and James, deceased. The father of our subject
-was born near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 16,
1789, and came to Venango county when about twelve years of age. In
1832 he married Miss Margaret HamUton, a daughter of Thomas Hamilton,
and settled upon the present farm of our subject. He was a soldier in the
war of 1812, In politics he was a Democrat, and served one term of three
years as county commissioner. He died in 1853. His wife survives and
lives with her son, E. W. Her nine children are named as follows: E.i W. ;
Mary Jane, Mrs, C, W. Bean of Edinboro ; -James M. , deceased, who was a
soldier of Company I, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and died in Fortress
Monroe; John C, who died at the age of seventeen years; Lizzie A., a
maiden lady; Margaret E. , Mrs. G. B. Shering; Thomas O. ; Cynthia C,
and Mrs. S. A. Ware. Our subject was reared on the farm where he now
resides and has always followed rural pursuits. He is a Democrat, has held
some of the township offices, and was elected justice of the peace in 1889.
Michael Purtill immigrated with his wife from County Limerick, Ire
land, to America in 1827. They first located in the famous Conemaugh
valley, near Johnstown, their settlement being in Westmoreland county.
Michael held a position under the canal commissioners and helped to build
the Pennsylvania canal, after the completion of which he had charge of a
section for many years. He finally removed to Pymatuning township, Mer
cer county, this state, where he died April 3, 1845. He was a Democrat,
and a prominent member of the Catholic church. After his death his widow
purchased the homestead farm now owned and occupied by James Purtill
in Cherry Tree township, this county, and settled thereon in 1857. There
tie mother died January 27, 1880. Her children were: Joanna, Mrs. Joseph
McCann; Ella, Mrs. James McCann; Thomas; James; Margaret; Mary, Mrs.
J L. Sloan; Catharine, Mrs. Thomas Bennett; Nancy, Mrs. Hugh O'Hara;
Michael, and Augustin, who died in 1877.
Thomas Pdetill, farmer, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl
vania, February 28, 1833, son of Michael and Joanna (Dealey) Purtill. He
was reared and educated in Westmoreland county, this state, and has prin
cipally been engaged in farming. For a number of years he and his brother
James were engaged in the production of oil in Cherry Tree township. In
1875 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres
and has improved it until it is one of the finest in the township. In 1869
he married Miss Sarah Lavery, daughter of Hugh Lavery, by whom he has
six chUdren. He is a Republican and he and family are members of the
Catholic church at TitusviUe.
James Purtill, farmer and oil producer, was born in Westmoreland

1048 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1834, son of Michael and Joanna (Dealey)
Purtill. He was educated in the township schools of Mercer county and on
removing to Venango county he settled where he now resides. Since 1865
he has combined the production of oil with farming and has been successful.
He now operates eight wells. In 1881 he married Miss Jane Sloan, daughter
of John Sloan, of Crawford county, this state, by whom he has two children:
Louis Edwin and Mary Frances. Mr. Purtill is an active member of the
Knights of Labor, being identified with TitusviUe Local Assembly, No,
6921, and District Assembly, No. 69. He is a strong Republican and an
earnest anti-monopolist. He and family are members of the TitusviUe
Catholic church.
James Peebles, deceased, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in May,
1800. His father was a very extensive farmer, who owned a township of
land. James was brought up on a farm, and was educated in Baregh, his
native town. Here he lived until he was twenty-five years old, when he
married Margaret Orr, whose father was a second cousin of President
Buchanan. Margaret was born February 22, 1807. Shortly after their
marriage they left Ireland, and came to St. John, New Brunswick, where
he worked at ship building for two years. In 1827 they moved to Phila
delphia, and there remained a short time; he then removed to Juniata
county, Pennsylvania, then a part of Mifflin county, where he purchased one
hundred acres of land, on which he lived until 1837. Prom this place they
moved to Plum township, Venango county. He bought a farm of two hun
dred acres, of Samuel Dale, of Franklin, and continued to buy land adjoin
ing until he had one thousand acres. In 1869 he retired from farm life,
and located in Wallaceville, where he died July 25, 1881. His widow died
August 30, 1886. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a consistent
member of the Presbyterian church. His children were ten in number:
Robert, of Cheri-y Tree township; Stewart C, of Cherry Tree township; Anna
Belle, Mrs. Jesse Alcorn, of Cherry Tree township; William 0., who died
in February, 1889; Catharine, Mrs. John Pastorius, of Crawford county;
James L. ,of Plum township; John M., of Cherry Tree township; Ellen, Mrs.
William R. Mcintosh, of Jackson township; Mary, Mrs. Doctor Charles Van
Sickle, and Martha O. , Mrs. R. O. Carson, of Forest county.
Robert Peebles, farmer, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, February
23, 1826. He came to Venango county in 1836, and in 1849 he married
Miss Mary Breed, daughter of John Breed, of Breedtown. She died in
1870, the mother of ten children: John B. ; Margaret, Mrs. David E. Lan-
das; James O. ; Jennie, Mrs. Archibald Mack; Robert R. ; WUliam Stewart;
Benjamin W. ; Franklin E. ; Albert, and George. He was again married,
in 1874, to Mrs. Caroline Ketner, daughter of John Thomas, of Mifiiin
county. In politics he is a Democrat.
Stewart C. Peebles, farmer, was born in Juniata county, this state,

BIOGEAPHIES OF CHEBBY TEEE. 1049
March 1, 1828, and settled in Plum township, Venango county, in 1837.
He received a limited education, and has been engaged in farming, with the
exception of five years, during, which he was dealing in real estate in Titus
viUe. In 1854 he married Miss Margaret D. Alcorn, daughter of A. B.
Alcorn, and settled upon his present farm in the same year. They have
six chUdren: Margaret Jane, Mrs. H, B. Miles, of Cherry Tree township,
who has five children: Charles S., Harry T., Moble D. , Maude E., and
MiUieO. ; James B., who married Ida E. Young, in 1881, daughter of David
Young, of Cherry Tree township, and has four children: AVarren Lee, David
C, Jennie, and H^ry AV. ; Andrew T. ; Mary B. ; Martha O., Mrs. H. D.
Carter, of Sugar Creek to-wnship, and Robert L. James B. has served as
township treasurer. Mr. Peebles is one of the representative farmers of
the cotmty, owning over three hundred acres of land. He is a Democrat,
and school director of Cherry Tree township. With his family he attends
the Baptist church.
James L. Peebles, farmer, was born on his present homestead, in Plum
township, March 9, 1838, and has always lived thereon. In 1871 he mar
ried Miss Mary B. Greene, daughter of Thomas Greene, of Plum township,
and has four chUdren: Thomas V., Wert L., Sylvia M. , and Nellie M. He
is a Democrat, and a member of Dempseytown Lodge, I. O. O. P.
William O. Peebles, deceased, was three times married. By his first
wife. Miss Mary A. VanDresser, he had two children: Ella, Mrs. Jacob
Young, of Rochester, New York, and James Nelson; and by his second wife,
Tabitha Ritchey, four children: Mrs. Edward Thomas; John S. ; Gaylord O.,
and Clayton J. His third wife was Miss Mattie Pastorius. His death
occmTed in February, 1889.
John M. Peebles, farmer, was born in Plum township, April 15, 1840,
and was reared and educated in the to-wnship. He has always followed
rural pursuits. June 18, 1865, he married Miss Margaret Billig, daughter
of WiUiam Billig, of Plum township. Soon after this he settled on his
present farm, in Cherry Tree township. He enlisted in defense of his coun
try in the late RebeUion, but, being under the age required by the govern
ment, was refused. His famUy consists of eight children: William J.,
George A., Jesse A., Roxsie M., Esther O., Blanche, Catharine, and Mattie.
In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as school director for five
years. His wife and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church.
RoswELL Breed, farmer, was born at Stonington, Connecticut, Septem
ber 21, 1815, son of Charles and Mary (Hancox) Breed, natives of that state,
who came to Venango county in 1818 and settled on the present farm of our
subject. Joseph Breed, a veteran of the Revolution, with his sons Nathan,
John, and Charles, and son-in-law, Amos Hancox, settled in Cherry Tree m
1818, giving to the locality in which they resided the name of Breedtown,
which it continues to bear although our subject is almost the only living

1050 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
representative of the family. Here he was reared and has passed the whole
of his life since the age of three years. In 1840 he married Amelia Flem
ing, who died in 1841, and in 1842 he marrie,d Ann Lamb, who has borne
four children. The famUy has been uniformly Baptist in its church con
nection and Democratic in politics.
Samuel C. Wilson, farmer, was born February 24, 1823, at the farm
upon which he now resides. His father, WiUiam WUson, was a native of
Centre county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Cherry Tree early in the pres
ent century. His son John served in the war of 1812. He was twice mar
ried, and was the father of fifteen children. His death Recurred September
8, 1849. Our subject was married in 1850 to Emily C, daughter of Joel
and Lucinda (Davis) Marsh. They have reared eight children. Mr. AVil-
son is a Prohibitionist in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church.
Geoege W. Tare, farmer, was bom at his present residence March 23,
1826, son of Martin and Elizabeth (Ferry) Tarr, and grandson of George
Tarr, of German descent, an early settler in Cherry Tree, where he died
April 1, 1845. He was the father of five sons: Matthias; John, who served
in the war of 1812; Martin; Jacob, and George; and three daughters, two
of whom died young. They have been among the most respected families
of the township. Our subject was married in 1850 to Adelia, daughter of
Isaac Rose, and they are the parents of seven children. He is a Republican
in politics and has served as school director, etc. The famUy is Presby
terian in church connection.
William S. Reynolds was born January 11, 1835, in this township, son
of Joshua T. and Nancy (Hamilton) Reynolds, and grandson of WUliam
Reynolds, a native of Yorkshire, England, and a pioneer of Venango county.
Our subject leamed the milling business and followed it for some years.
He married in 1870 Miss Mary F. , daughter of John L. and Mary (Palmer)
Fillmore. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a
Republican. John Marsh, farmer, was born in Plum township, this county, July 10,
1833, son of WUliam and Mary (Sterling) Marsh, natives of AVestmoreland
county, and among the early settlers of Cra-wford county, Pennsylvania.
About the year 1832 they moved to Venango county and purchased a farm
near WaUaceviUe. The father was a blacksmith by trade and later returned
to Crawford county, locating near TitusvUle. He was a Democrat in his
early manhood but became a Republican before his death, which occurred
in August, 1881. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church for over forty years, and his estimable widow, who survives, residing
with her son John, is also a Methodist. Her children are named as foUows:
John; James: Maria, 'Mis. S. A. Bromley; William Henry; Ira; Mary Jane,
deceased wife of Simon Proper; Samuel, and MatUda, Mrs. Henry Whitner.
Our subject received his education in the common schools and leamed the

BIOGEAPHIES OF CHEEEY TEEE. 1051
carpenter" s trade, which he has followed in connection with farming ever
since. He located on his present farm in ISSo. January 17, 1S5S. he
married Miss Amplies Proper, daughter of Daniel Proper of Crawford
county, and has three ehUdren: Maiy, Mrs. AVUliam Carter: Huldah C. ,
ilrs. Frank McClelland, and Nettie, Mi-s. G. W. Strawbridge. Mr. Marsh
has always been identified -with the Republican party. He furnished a sub
stitute for service in the late war. He has been a member of Dempseytown
Lodge, No. 632, I. O, 0. F,, twenty-one years.
S. W. Lascastek. oU piroducer. was born in England, AprU 16, 1S43,
son of WUliam and Keziah (CnU) Lanc;ister. who came to Canada in 1S50
and StiU reside there engaged in farming. Our subject -was educated in
Canada and came to the United States in 1-^62. He fotmd employment on
the boats plying between Ogdensbnrg. New York, and Chicago, and also
on Lakes Huron and Ontario. He subsequently went to Nash-riUe, Ten
nessee, where he was employed in the government blacksmith shops, and
remained there untU 1S65. In 1S66 he engaged in driUing in the Canada
oil field, removing in the following year to Shamburg, this county: in IS 76
he made his present location and has operated from six to ten weUs. In
1ST2 he married Miss Kate Auxand, daughter of George Aurand of Demp-
seyto-wn, who were the parents of five children: AVUUam: Elizabeth; Susan;
Kate, and George, The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster consists of three
children: ilaud; Mabeh and Augustus. He is a Democrat, and one of the
school directors of Cherry Tree township.
Isaac Cru, oU producer, was born in Saegerto-wn, Crawford county.
Pennsylvania, August 19, 1S45. son of Benjamin and Eva (Zimmerman)
Culp, of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and among the early set
tlers of Crawford county, of which the father is stiU a resident, and promi
nent farmer. He is president of the Farmers' Cooperative Bank of Saeger
town and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His first wife,
Mrs. Eva Culp, died in 1S65 and he was again married, to Miss Mai-garet
Flough. The chUdren by the first wife are seven in number; Heni-y A.,
superintendent of the county poor farm: Isaac: Israel, of Cherry Tree to-wn
ship: SUas. of Franklin: Frank S. . secretai-y of the Y. M. C. A. of OU City :
Sarah, Mrs. John WUUams, of MeadviUe, and Mary, Mrs. Joseph Biink,
of Saegertown. There is one chUd by the second marriage, Charles, of
MeadvUle. Mr. Culp engaged in oil producing in 1865 and has since con
tinued in the business. He now has eleven weUs in operation. He has put
down sisty-seven weUs in Cherry Tree township. In 1^'J7 he married Miss
Mary Flesher, daughter of Daniel Flesher, of Crawford county, by whom he
has one chUd, Albeit. He is a RepubUcan in politics, and has served as
school director for nine years. In 1S63 he enUsted in Company D. Fifty-
Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served untU the close of the war. He
is a member "of the G. A. R.. I. O. O. F., K .v L. of H. and Order of Tonti,

1052 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
all of TitusviUe, Mr, Culp also owns a fine farm and is a stockholder in the
Farmers' Cooperative Bank.
Joseph Gordon, oil producer, was born in Erie county, New York, Sep
tember 26, 1851, and is a son of Thomas and Rosetta (Pettitt) Gordon, na
tives of Ireland and Canada, respectively, who came to Venango county in
1868 and engaged in keeping a boarding house in Cherry Tree township. The
father died in 1880 and the mother lives with our subject. Her children
are named as follows: Sarah, Mrs. Charles E. Cross of TitusviUe; Joseph,
and Sophronia, the wife of William Lewis of TitusviUe. Our subject was
reared and educated in his native county, and for three years he was a rail
road boss at Memphis, and at Fort Dodge. He settled in Venango county
in 1872 and has since been engaged in the production of oil. In 1876 he
married Miss Lizzie Harris, daughter of Charles and Melvina (Jacobs) Har
ris, by whom he has one child, Joseph. He is a Republican, a member of
the K. & L. of H. and the Order of Tonti.
William Edgar Stewart, farmer, was bom on his present homestead,
June 3, 1853. His father, John F. Stewart, was born in Cherry Tree
township, in January, 1820. Elijah Stewart, the father of John F. Stewart,
was born in Pennsylvania east of the mountains and was among the early
settlers of Cherr}- Tree. John F, Stewart married Barbara Crain and set
tled on the farm where our subject now resides. He became one of the
prominent citizens of the community in which he resided, and took an act
ive interest in the Republican party. He died in 1871 and his widow
resides with her son, William Edgar. They reared two daughters, both
deceased, and two sons, William Edgar and Frank. The former of these
sons was married in 1882 to Miss Nellie Mclntyre, daughter of WiUiam Mc
lntyre of Armstrong county, this state, and has one daughter, Vernie
Annetta. He is a Republican, and holds the office of road commissioner.
His brother Frank married Miss Lizzie Stevenson, daughter of George W.
Stevenson, and has one child, Ralph. He is engaged in farming a part of
the homestead.
Frank Lincoln Harris, oil producer, was born in Niagara county. New
York, November 25, 1864, and is a son of Charles and Melvina (Jacobs)
Harris, natives of that county. His father was a carpenter by trade and
died in Niagara county in 1871. The mother still resides there and her
children are: Daniel, of Buifalo; Emma, Mrs. Edwin Lacy, of Buffalo;
Elizabeth, Mrs. Joseph Gordon of Cherry Tree township; B. E., of Buffalo,
and Frank Lincoln, who received his education at Buffalo, New York. He
came to Venango county, in 1876 and in May, 1889, established the firm of
Gordon, Harris & Company, oil producers. He is also engaged in farming.
He is a RepubUcan, belongs to the Royal Templars of Temperance, and the
Order of Tonti,

\

,.i?^*fft'

BIOGEAPHIES OF I'LUM. lUoo
PLUM.
John Richet, farmer, was born in Ireland, June 3, l^ito, son of WiUiam
and Margaret Richey. The father died in Ireland in ]8t>6. and the mother
emigrated in 1S12, first locating in that part of Mifflin county which is now
Juniata, whence she removed about the year 1820 to Butler county, Pennsyl
vania. The chUdren were five iu number, of whom William settled in
Oakland to-wnship, and became one of its leading citizens: Samuel remained
a bachelor; Jane married John GUI and died at Oakland: Sarah married in
Butler cotmty and died there, and our subject located upon his present farm
in 1S32, reducing the land to ctUtivation and developing the farm from
its primitive state. In 1S27 he mai-ried Elizabeth, daughter of Robert
Job, of Mercer county. Ten chUdren were born to this union, of whom
nine arrived at maturity: -Julia Ann, deceased wife of Daniel Welsh;
Margaret, Mrs. Charles Thomas: Isabella, deceased -wife of Thomas Brown;
Tabitha, deceased -wife of WUliam Peebles; John C, of SunviUe; Andrew
W., farmer. Plum to-wnship; Cyrus D., deceased; Martha M., and Alice
E. Mrs. Richey died March 6, ISSl. Our subject was road commissioner
and pathmaster of the to-wnship for forty years. Politically he was formerly
a Democrat, but for some years past has been a strong supporter of the
Prohibition party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which
he has been an elder forty years, and is one of the oldest and most
respected citizens of the county.
Jacob G, Proper is the grandson of Samuel Proper, a pioneer of German
descent who emigrated from Schoharie county. New York, in the year iSOl
¦with a family of six sons and three daughters, and settled on a farm of two
hundred acres at the present site of the Diamond, Venango cotmty. At
that time aU was a dense wUderness: the nearest neighbors were six mUes
distant, Indians and wild animals were plentiftU, and many were the hard
ships endA-ed by this early pioneer in his efforts to establish a home in
Venango cotmty. Daniel Proper, father of Jacob G., was born in 1 iW i and
was consequently four years old at the time his father came to this coimty.
As a hoy he shared the hardships and labors of the family, and when the
war of 1812 broke out, though a mere youth, enlisted as a soldier and for
many years in his old age drew a pension for honorable service in that con
test. At the age of twenty he maixied Margurite Archer, daughter of John
Archer, and settled on a large farm adjoming his father's. From this union
were bom seven sons and three daughters. Jacob G. Proper, born January
3, 1820, was the second son. At an early age, with several of his brothers.
he engaged in the lumber business on Tionesta creek. Forest county. At
the expiration of eight years, having succeeded well in the lumber mdustry,
he returned to his old homestead, man-ied Esther Kightlinger. and settled
on a fine farm at the Diamond, where he stiU resides. A famUy of three
children blessed his home, all of whom are married and Uving in this county.
59

1054 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
During his long residence in Venango county Mr. Proper has had the con
fidence and esteem of the community in which he has lived, and has held
several positions of trust, being a justice of the peace for ten years and
postmaster for a long term. He has been a stanch Republican ever since
the founding of that party. Mr. Proper's six brothers are all living. The
oldest of the family, J. A. Proper, resides in Tionesta, Forest county. He
is associate judge of the county, and largely interested in oil and timber
lands. Joseph R. , Daniel D. , Isaiah, and William H. are aU well-to-do
farmers, residing in this county. James L. is one of the prominent physi
cians of TitusviUe, where he enjoys a successful practice.
W. W. Davison, deceased, was one of the leading citizens of Plum town
ship and favorably known throughout the county. Descended from Irish
Presbyterian ancestry, the family were early residents of the central counties
of Pennsylvania, from which part of the state Isaac Davison, father of
our subject, moved many years ago to Mercer county. W. W. Davison was
born in Mercer county, and in early life followed the potter's trade. About
1835 he moved to Venango county, settling in Plum township, where he
engaged in farming. He subsequently followed the mercantile business in
the village of Sunville, of which he was founder, and at one time served as
associate judge of the county. He was for many years justice of the peace,
was a leading Republican, and one of the pioneers of that party in western
Pennsylvania. He was a public-spirited citizen and for many years an in
fluential member of the Presbyterian church. He died May 17, 1862, aged
fifty years. His wife, Bithiah Davison, was the daughter of Richard Van
Dyke, one of the early settlers of Butler county, who bore him a family of
seven children: Elizabeth J., deceased; Isabella, wife of John G. Jennings;
J. A. , merchant of SunviUe ; Cyrus R. , who enlisted in Company I, Fourth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, but returned disabled after one year' s service and
engaged in mercantile pursuits at Sunville in partnership with 9. A., retir
ing from active business several years since; Sarah, wife of Stephen Davis
of Erie county; Mary, who married AA'illiam J, Cooper, and I. H., mer
chant of Polk, Venango county.
J. A. Davison, merchant, Sunville, was bom in Plum township, Decem
ber 27, 1836, son of AVUliam Wilson and Bithiah (VanDyke) Davison. He
was reared on the homestead farm and educated at the township schools.
His present business was established in 1865 and has since been success
fully continued. He has also been postmaster at SunvUle for some years.
He was married in 1860 to Rachel V., daughter of Philson Cooper of Coop
erstown, and has one son, O. C. Davison, farmer, of Plum township. Our
subject is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Republican.
James F. Davison, farmer, was born in Plum township, June 16, 1836,
son of John and Eliza (Weekley) Davison, natives of Butler county, this
state. In 1829 they came to Venango county and purchased two hundred

niOGEAPHIKH OF PLUM, 1()55
acres of land in I'kim township at a coHt of thred dollars per uor(\ a lanre
portion of which was well tinib(U'(Hl with fine oak. They becume amoii<r
the wealthiest farnKu-s of the township, and wero prominent members of the
Presbyterian church at Sunvillt^. Mrs. Davison died in 1853, leaving seven
children: Isabella, Mrs. Lal'uyette Straight; Isaac, \V.; James P.; Eliza
beth Jane, wife of David Matbors; Patiuict, Mrs. Samuel WiUiams; Sai-ah
Amanda, wife of Edward Scliultz, aud Martha A., wifeof Robert Battin.
Mr. Davison was again uuii-ried, to Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, and by her had
one child, Mrs. John Zeigh'r. He died in 1870, und his widow survives
him, residing on tin* hoiuestnad. Our subject received his education at the
township schools and has followed farming. In bS60 he married Miss Lu
cinda Mathers, daughter of Samuel Mathers, and has four living children:
Lottie L.; ElmaE., Mrs. Frederick Bumpas; Fred H, and Annie BeUe.
In 1802 Mr. Davison enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cav
alry, in which ho served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner
March 31, 1865, at Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia, and held until Lee's
surrender. He is a stanch Republican, and has been school director, town
ship auditor, and commissioner. He is a member of Union Veteran Union,
No. 10, of ChapmanvUle, also of Andrew Jackson Post, No. 199, G. A. R.,
of Cooperstown, and is an elder of the Presbyterian church of SunviUe.
Since July 1, 1889, he has conducted the United States mail route from
Bradleytown to Pranklin in connection with his farm duties.
William K. Gilliland, drawer of deeds, conveyancer, surveyor, etc.,
Sunville, was born in Potter township. Centre county, Pennsylvania, March
11, 1828, son of Joseph A. and Nancy (Kerr) Gilliland. His grandfather,
Joseph Gilliland, was born in New Jersey in 1770, moved to Chester county,
this state, in 1796, and subsequently to Union county. In 1805 he moved
to Spring Mills, Centre county, where he kept a hotel. He was an active
Presbyterian and was elected an elder in the Sinking Creek church in 1815.
He reared seven sons and two daughters, the only one of whom now living
is Samuel of Centre county.
Joseph A. Gilliland, father of our subject, was born in Chester county
in 1796. In 1805 his father moved to Centre county, where he was reared,
married, and followed farming. In Octob(u-, 1833, he removed to Venan
go county, locating in Canal township seven miles west of Franklin on the
Meadville and Suscpiohanna pike, where he purchased a large farm and in
connection with its cultivation kept a tdinperance hotel. His wife's dc^ath
in 1844 broke up bis home and Ik^ gave up the farm to accept the superin
tendency of a section of that turnpike. He subsequontly moved to Frank
lin, where lui died March 10, IS*) I. He was a Democrat, and an elder of
the Presbyterian church. His children were named as foUows: Mary J.,
Mrs. Smith Kelley of PleasantvUle; Catharine C, Mrs. Isaiah Corbitt of
Franklin; Margaret I., Mrs. Johnson Alexander, who died June 14, l.sri2;

1056 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
William K., Joseph S., who died at Davenport, Iowa, in January 1853, and
John Mc. , of Pranklin.
Our subject came to Venango county when five years of age; he ob
tained his education at the log school house, and in 1838 received one year's
instruction at a select school taught by his uncle in Centre county. He
served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, after which he worked in
Franklin and various other places until 1854, when he settled in Sunville.
On account of an accident that made him a cripple for several years he aban
doned his trade in 1859. In 1851 he traveled through the western states,
Illinois, and Iowa. In 1863 he was elected a justice of the peace and has
since held that position. In 1871 he was elected county auditor; in 1883
he was appointed by the court to fill a vacancy, and was re-elected to the
office in 1884. He was married in 1852 to Miss Nancy Foster, daughter
of .John Foster of Canal township, by whom he had ten children, seven of
whom are living: Levi S. , a school teacher; Foster W, , also a teacher;
Effie G. , wife of Professor J. D. Goodwin; John A., who is employed at
farming; Cyrus A., a teacher; Mary A,, and William K, Mr. Gilliland
has been an earnest Republican and with his wife belongs to the Sugar
Creek Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder.
William M. Goodwin, farmer, was born in the portion of Jackson town
ship formerly included in Plum, February 27, 1826, son of Daniel and
Sarah (Mcintosh) Goodwin, both natives of Pennsylvania, who moved with
their respective parents to Ohio. There they were married, and in 1825
came to Venango county and purchased the farm where our subject was
born. They subsequently removed to the farm now owned by Ira Good
win, where they lived the remainder of their days; the death of Daniel
Goodwin occurred February 4, 1862, and that of his wife January 1, 1879.
The father was a prominent farmer, and held many of the township offices.
For several years he was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church,
and was highly respected by all who knew him. His children were six in
number, four of whom are living: William M; A. J. ; David W., and Ira R.
Our subject received his education in the common schools and passed one
year at Allegheny College. He taught school for a number of terms. In
1863 he was married to Miss Sarah B. Holder, daughter of George Holder
of Ohio, by whom he has two children: Edwin D. and John Nelson, both
at home. After marriage Mr. Goodwin settled on his present farm. He is
a Democrat. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
James R. Grove, farmer, was born in the portion of Centre county now
included in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1828, son of Peter
Grove, who was bom in the same county, December 25, 1791. Peter Grove,
grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany and immigrated to
America in time to participate in the Revolutionary war. A boon companion
of the famous Brady, he was a great hunter and trapper and was familiarly

BIOGEAPHIES OF PLUM. 1057
known as the "Indian hunter of the Bald Eagle." He was drowned
in attempting to cross the Susquehanna river. He left five sons and five
daughters; one of the latter, Mrs. P. Reed of Armstrong county, is yet
living. Peter, the father of our subject, was the fifth child. He leamed
the blacksmith trade, which occupation he followed many years. In 1822
he married Miss Fannie, daughter of James Bruce, of Scotch-Irish extrac
tion and a settler in Centre county, this state. In the spring of 1835 they
moved to the farm where James R. Grove now resides, then a dense wilder
ness, but which under his management rapidly developed into a productive
farm. Here the father died in December, 1887, and his widow in 1888, after
. a life of usefulness and a married relation of sixty -five years. Seven
of their chUdren grew to maturity and four are yet living: Robert; Amanda;
Sarah; and James R. , who came to Venango county when seven years of age
and has since resided on the farm. April 1, 1869, he married Miss Rebecca
Ann Foster, daughter of James Foster of Plum township. She died in
1883, leaving three children: William R. ; Kate, Mrs. Jasper McClelland,
of Crawford county, and Ella. Mr. Grove is independent in politics, is
serving his twenty-first year as school director, and is a member of Dempsey
town Lodge, No. 632, I. O. O. F.
T. J. MoIntosh, merchant, was born in Plum township, September 6,
1847, son of A. J. and Mary (Gillispie) Mcintosh. The father was a native
of Franklin county, Ohio, and the mother of Crawford county, this state.
The former came to this county with his parents, who settled near the pres
ent site of Cooperstown at an early date, purchasing there a tract of land
which the senior Mcintosh and his family improved, and in addition operat
ing a distillery and grist mill located on the same for a number of years.
The grandfather, William Mcintosh, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and
of his children but three are living: A. J. and Clemuel, of Cooperstown, and
Millicent, wife of Thomas Green, of Plum township. A. J. Mcintosh
after his marriage settled on his present farm and has become one of the
prominent and representative farmers of the community in which he resides.
Mary, his wife, died in 1879 and two of her three children are living : W.
E. of Cooperstown, and T. J., our subject, who was educated at Edinboro
Normal. He was engaged in the production of oil in Butler county for a
number of years, after which he became a member of the firm of Miller
Brothers & Company, of TitusviUe and Oil City, and established his present
store in March, 1889. He was married in 1870 to Miss Sue Bowman,
daughter of James Bowman of Jackson township, and has three children,
Charles C, Ralph D., and MUdred. He is a member of Queen City Lodge,
I 0. 0. P., of TitusviUe, and the E. A. U. of WaUaceviUe, a Democrat in
politics, and has filled various township offices.
R. P. Seely, farmer, was born in Oakland township February 18, 1838,
son of Alva and Margaret (Andrews) Seely, who located in Oakland soon

1058 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
after their marriage. Here the father died in 1845, and the mother died in
1879 in Cherry Tree township. Five of their seven children are living:
William A., of Crawford county; Sarah Jane, wife of Michael Spangler;
Phoebe EUen, Mrs. John Loker; R. P., and Eli H., of Oakland. The
mother was again married, to James Watt, by whom she had one child, Re
becca Jane, wife of Charles Shaffer. Our subject was reared and educated
in Plum township. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Fourth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, participating
in all the battles of the army of the Potomac, except the battle of the Wil
derness. In 1861 he married Miss Sally Ann Starling, daughter of Elisha
Starling, and has four living children: Elisha D. ; Mary M. ; Cora A., and
Zula P. Mr. Seely was formerly a Republican but is now a Prohibitionist.
He has filled the office of school director, and is a member of Union Vet
eran's Union, No. 10, and of Andrew Jackson Post, G. A. R., of Coopers
town. He settled on his present farm of fifty acres in 1865, soon after his
return from the war, and is the o-wner of a fine English stock breeding
horse. He and his family belong to the Second Advent church. In 1885
he purchased fifty acres adjoining his previously acquired landed property.
R. M. Strauss, physician, was born in Moshertown, Crawford county,
Pennsylvania, May 24, 1849, son of Henry and Susanna (Long) Strauss,
of Lehigh and Crawford counties, respectively. Henry Strauss, his grand
father, settled on the farm now occupied by the Crawford county poor farm
in 1832. Henry, his father, was then nine years of age. He was educated
at the public schools, and remained on the homestead for some time, after
which he engaged in keeping hotel in Woodcock. He was elected auditor
of Crawford county in 1850 and served one term. He was a director in the
Peoples' Savings Bank of MeadviUe. He died in 1877. His wife survives
him, and resides in Woodcock borough. They reared five children, four
of whom are living: Mary M. , a maiden lady; Georgie Annie, Mrs. Doctor
C. H. Harvey, of Erie, Pennsylvania; Addie J., and R, M., our subject,
the oldest, who received his literary training at \he township schools and
the academies of Woodcock and Saegertown, He read medicine with Doc
tor A. Logan of Woodcock, and graduated from the medical department of
Wooster University, at Cleveland, in 1878. Since then he has practiced at
TryonviUe, Crawford county, and Evansburg, locating at Plum in 1882.
June 1, 1876, he married Miss Clara F. Higby, daughter of D. B. and
Mary N. (Crabb) Higby, natives of New York state and settlers in Craw
ford county. They have two chUdren: Charles Henry Logan Strauss and
Georgie Annie Strauss. Doctor Strauss is a charter member of the Evans
burg Lodge, I. O. O. P., a member of the A. O. U. W. of Evansburg,
the K. of P. , a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees of Plum,
and with his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs.
Strauss graduated from the state normal school at Buffalo in 1874, She

BIOGE.VPHIES OF CANAL. 1059
is one of the organizers of the W. C. T. U. iu Plum township and president
of the same.

The Johnston F.amily were the first permanent residents of Canal
township, locating there as early as 1797. Hugh Johnston, the ancestor
of the famUy iu this cotmty, was a native of Ireland, came to Amer
ica in the colonial times, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania, Later he
came to A'enaugo county, accompanied by his nine children, five sons and
four daughters, and located in what is now Canal township, about one mile
east of Utica. Alexander Johnston, Sr., son of Hujb, accompanied the'
latter to the township and died here many years ago, leaving a family of
sons and daughters, among whom was Anthony Johnston, who married
Polly Ray, daughter of Thomas Ray, and reared a family of four children:
Alexander; Thomas; Mrs. Sallj- Douglass, deceased, and Mi-s. PoUy AVilcox.
By a subsequent marriage with Polly Elderkin Mr. Johnston had a famUy
of eight chUdren.
Alexander Johnston, Je., was born in Canal to-wnship August 4, ISIS,
and was the eldest son of Anthony and Polly (Ray) Johnston. He early
became familiar with the rugged duties of farm life, attended the pioneer
schools of the county during his minority, and at the age of twenty-one
purchased a tract of woodland on which in due time he cleared and de
veloped a good farm. He subsequently added to his first pui-chase. and is
proud of the fact that he has cleared in aU over three hundi-ed acres in Canal
township alone. He early displayed good business tact, which he turned
to advantage in buying and selling lands, and succeeded in accumulating a
handsome competence, including some of the most valuable real estate in
Canal township. In 1S76 he located on his present homestead near Hanna
ville, one of the best improved farms in the county. OriginaUy an Aboli
tionist, and later a Republican, Mr. Johnston for the past fifteen years
has been a sh-ong advocate of political prohibition. Ever an opponent of
all secret societies, he has been a member of the Wesleyan Methodist
church for over forty vears, has filled various official positions in that denom
ination, and has been liberal in conti-ibuting toward the erection of church
buUdings in various pai-ts of the country. He was man-ied in 1S41 to Delia
A., daughter of Samuel Hammond of New York, by whom he had a fanlily
of eight chUdren, four now living: Franklin H. : Samuel AV. ; Mrs. Delia A.
Brown, and John AA". The deceased ai-e Mrs. Elmeretta Flemmg; Melvin
A., a soldier in the late war-: Anthony L., and Lewis S. Mrs. Johnston
died October 5. 1SS5. and he was again married October 7. lb'^6. to Mrs.
Laura L. Spear, -widow of the late Reverend James Spear. One chUd is
the fruit of this union: Lam-a ZeUa. By her previous marriage Mrs. John
ston had nine children, seven of whom are living.

1060 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
John Foster, deceased, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1768,
and immigrated to Maryland in 1787, where he remained until 1798, when
he came to A" enango county and settled in the Sugar creek valley. In 1800
he purchased the farm whereon his son William lives. He was a weaver by
trade, and followed that business in connection with farming. Mi-. Foster
was twice married, his first wife being Miss Rebecca Lee. of Centre county,
to whom were born the foUowing children: James; Mary, who married
James Morrison; Elizabeth, who married James Rogers; Archibald; Sarah,
who married David Taylor, and Rebecca, who married Da-vid McCuloy, all
of whom are dead. He married for his second wife Isabella Beatty, who
bore him five children: Lilah, wife of Andrew Lupher; William; Samuel,
deceased; Nancy, wife of AA^. K. Gilliland, and Levi. Mr. Foster was one
of the founders of the Sugar Creek Presbyterian church, of which he was
an elder for many yeais. He took an active interest in educational matters,
and donated the land for the old Foster school house. He was a soldier in
the war of 1812. Politically he was a Democrat. He died January 26,
1844, his widow surviving him until 1867.
William Foster, farmer, was born February 24, 1827, in Canal town
ship, Venango county, upon the farm where he now resides; he is a son of
John and Isabella (Beatty) Foster, was reared to farm life, and has foUowed
that occupation up to the present. He married, in 1854, Miss Amelia P,,
daughter of Eli Crowther, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, They are
the parents of four living children : John H, ; Dwight H, ; Gertrude, and
Alice, wife of D. D. Duffield. Mr. Foster was elected justice of the peace
1874 and re-elected in 1879. He has also filled the office of county auditor.
He is an elder in the Sugar Creek Presbyterian church, and in politics a
Democrat, AA'illiam McCune, deceased, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania,
May 15, 1806, His father, James McCune, was a pioneer of Canal town
ship, where he located before the birth of his son AA'illiam. He opened a
fai-m near French creek, still in possession of his descendants, and died in
the year 1840. William McCune was reared in this township, and became
one of the well known farmers and substantial citizens of the community.
His -wife. Keziah, was a daughter of Thomas Paxton, of Mercer county,
and bore him two children: James and Thomas. She died August 27,
1865, aged sixty-four years, her husband stirvi-ving her until May 18, 1889.
James McCune, eldest son of AVUliam and Keziah McCune, was born on
the old homestead June 16, 1831, and there grew to manhood, attending
such schools as the country afforded. On reaching his majority he began
farming on a part of the home place, and is now the owner of a fine farm
of two hundi-ed acres. Mr. McCune was married August 19, 1852, to Miss
Margaret, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Black, who bore him six chil
dren: William; Samuel; Thomas; Robert, deceased; Elizabeth, and Alex-

BIOGE.iPHIES OF C.\NAL. 1061
ander. Mrs. AlcCime died March 23, ISiiO. He was again married,
December 23, iSSl, to Miss Margaret Ann, daughter of James Smith of
Mercer county.
Barnett Lupher, fai-ijjer, is a son of Jacob Lupher and grandson of John
Lupher, who emigrated from eastem Pennsylvania to Allegheny county
early in the present century. John Lupher was a native of Germany and
emigrated to eastern Pennsylvania, where his son Jacob was born in 17S2.
The latter became a resident of Allegheny county when a young man, com
ing to Venango county about ISIS, and locating in Canal township where
the widow of Andrew Lupher now resides. He was married in 1S15 to
Miss Martha Hill, of Pittsburgh, who bore him eleven children: John:
Ehza, deceased; Andrew, deceased: Barnett: James W., deceased; Hiram:
Alfred B. ; Jacob P., who died in the army; Mrs. Martha Hawthorn: Syl
vester M. , and Mrs, Elmira J, Colt. !Mr. Lupher was a prominent farmer
and became the owner of much valuable real estate in A'enango county.
His wife died March 14. 1S60. and he sui-vived her until July 24, 1S74.
Barnett Lupher was born in Canal township May IS. 1S23. and has always
resided in the county. He was educated in the common schools, lived with
his parents untU twenty- tive years of age, and then engaged in farming for
himself. His farm of one hundred and eighty acres near the center of
Canal to-wnship is one of the best in the cotmty. He is also largely engaged
in stock dealing, in which he has been quite successful. Mr. Lupher has
been justice of the peace for fifteen years, and for twenty consecutive years
has been class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1S61 he enlisted
in Company I. Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he served two years.
participating as sergeant in a number of battles, including the Seven Days'
fight, Malvern HiU. and Antietam. Upon his discharge in the spring of
1S63. he retm-ned to his home in Canal township, where he has since resided.
He is a Republican in poUtics and an earnest supporter of the principles of
that party. On the 15th of Januai-y, IS50, he man-ied Miss Jane, daughter
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hays) Brown, of eastern Pennsylvania, who has
borne him the following chUdi-en: Addison: Robert B. : Frett. -wife of
George K. Riddle: Amanda J., and Avilla, deceased.
Alexan-der Frazier, farmer, is a grandson of John Frazier, and son of
James Frazier, both natives of Scotland. The latter came to the United
States when twenty-six years of age and located in New Y'ork, where he
worked at his trade of stone- cutting and buUding. He subsequently moved
to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and was employed in the construction of a large
viaduct at that place, and later removed to Venango county where he was
engaged upon the constmction of the French Creek canal. Alter the com
pletion of the canal he engaged in farming in this county, which he carried
on in ^nneetion with his trade, and later removed to Michigan where he
died. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Angus and Christina (Frazier)

1062 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
AlcKiazie, both of Scotch descent and among the pioneers of Venango countv.
The McKinzie family settled in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, at an early
date, and later Angus McKinzie came to Venango cotmty and settled in Sno-ar
Creek township, where he died in 1S46, at the advanced age of one hundred
and ten years. His -widow died in 1851, aged ninety-three years. Their
chUdren are as foUows: Angus, deceased; Alexander; WUUam: Angus S. .
deceased; John H. , deceased; Christina, deceased, and Adelaide, vrife of
H. H. Ware.
-Alexander Frazier was bom in GreenvUle. Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
November 29. 1S3S. He was reared in Venango cotmty, and received a
good English education in the common schools and at Cooperstown Academy.
He enUsted in company I, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, October 14. 1S61,
and served three years. He participated in many of the bloodiest battles
of the war-, including the Seven Days' fight on the Peninsula, Antietam, Get
tysburg. Fredericksbui-g, Cold Harbor, WUderness. Spottsylvania Court
House and numerous others, in all eighty-seven, through which he passed
without serious injury. In 1S62 he was promoted to the Ueutenancy of his
company, and later took command of the same. He was honorably dis
charged in October, 1S64, and rettrrning to Venango county engaged in the
oU business, which he prosecuted vrith fair success nntU 1870. and then
moved to his present homestead in Canal township. Mr. Frazier was mar
ried Jtme 17, 1874, to Miss PriscUla, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Por
terfield of Venango county. Three chUdren have been born of this marriage,
only one of whom, James W, , is living. PoliticaUy Mi-. Frazier is a Demo
crat and takes an active pai-t in the affairs of his party. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the G. A. R.
Philip D. Cutshall. fanner, is a native of Venango cotmty, Pennsyl
vania, born November 3, 1S46, and a son of Jacob and Sarah CutshaU.
PaternaUy Mr. Cutshall was descended from German ancestry. His grand
father, Philip CutshaU, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvama, in 1767, and
came from Cumberland to Venango county in 1S03, settling six miles west
of Franklin, Subsequently he moved to Crawford county. Jacob CutshaU
was seven years old when the family located in Venango cotmty, moved vrith
them to Crawford, where he resided until 1S30, and in that year located
where his son, Philip D, , now resides in Canal township. Here he died on
the 29th of May. 1872, at the age of seventy-two years, dying as he had lived
in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Sarah, was the
daughter of Chi-istian Sutley, an early settler of Canal township and soldier
of 1S12. She died AprU 21, 1SS7, aged seventy-three. They were the
parents of the foUovring children: Nancy J., deceased; Esther J,, wife of J.
H. Ray : PhUip D. , and Sarah E. , deceased. By a prerious marriage vrith
WUliam Oliphant, Mrs. CutshaU had one child, EUzabeth, now the ^ife of
A. 0. Burns of Canal township.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CAN.VL. 1068
PhUip D. CutshaU was born and reared where he now resides. In earlv
life he attended the common schools, obtaining a good English education,
and on the death of his father took charge of the home place. He has
always been a resident of this township, and is one of the substantial citi
zens thereof. In 1S74 he united with the AAVsleyan Methodist church, and
has been an official member of quarterly conferences, a delegate to a number
of annual conferences, and twice to the general conference of that denomina
tion. Mr. Cutshall is a licensed preacher, and for three years served as
pastor of Mount Pleasant church, near Meadville, besides preaching for other
congregations in Venango and adjoining counties. He was a Republican
nntil 1S76, but since that year- has voted independently, and was identified
¦with the Greenback party. He is an earnest advocate of temperance reform
and took an active part in the amendment campaign of 1889. Air. Cutshall
was married September 3, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and
Maggie (Galbraith) White, of Sugar Creek township, A'enango county, a
union blessed with seven chUdi-en: Myrtle M.,wife of William K. Deets:
Ada F, : Cora M. ; Harland B. ; Maud L. ; Leonai-d R. , and PhUip D.
John Duteield, a deceased pioneer of Canal township, was born in cen
tral Pennsylvania, August 12, 17S1, eldest son of William and Elizabeth
(Hasson) Duffield, of whom mention is made in the biographical department of
this work in connection with French Creek township. He came to this county
early in the first decade of the century vrith his parents and settled in the
southeastern part of Canal township. There he was a pioneer, and although
not identified vrith the public affairs of the county, was one of the respected
and substantial citizens of the community in which he lived. He married
Nancy Johnston, and they were the parents of nine children: John, retired
farmer, Cochranton; PhUip, manufacturer, Corry; WilUam, farmer. Plum
township; EUza, deceased wife of John Mawhinney; Jane, deceased wife of
AVfiliam Myers; Esther, deceased; Isabel, deceased vrife of Samuel McAlevy;
PoUy, vridow of Johnston .AJexander, and Nancy, wife of Ezra Wright, of
Crawford county. The death of John Duffield occurred June 20, 1849; his
widow surrived him nntil 1866 and died on the old homestead. Mr. Duf
field was a successful business man and left to each of his chUdi-en an im
proved farm.
John Mawhinney, deceased, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, March
14, 1800, one of a famUy of five chUdren, the names of the others being
Henry, Mary. James, and Rachel. He was a son of John and Alary (Ham
mond) Mawhinney, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scot
land, He immigrated to the United States in 1820, and being a stone
mason by occupation, found employment on the constmction of the Beaver
and Erie canal. About the year 1829 he settled in Canal township, where
he married Eliza Duffield in 1832. They were the parents of five sons and
six daughters: John, of Dakota; Elizabeth; Alary J., wife of Jonathan

1064 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Rossman of Franklin; Nancy, deceased; WUliam H. , of Canal to-wnship;
Rachel, wife of James McCracken; James D., of Canal township; Esther,
vrife of Hiram Mead; Catharine, wife of James Dunbar of Kansas; Andrew
S. , and Samuel A. , both of Sugar Creek township. Mrs. Mawhinney was
born in what is now Canal township, AprU 11, 1809, her parents, John and
Nancy (Johnston) Duffield, being pioneers of that locality. Mr. Mawhin
ney was for some years manager of a salt works in the Conemaugh vaUey,
and interested in contracts for bridges, etc. , at various places. He was an
ardent Republican from the organization of that party. He died January
7, 1867, his vrife surriving him until October 9, 1872. In reUgious faith
they were Presbyterians,
Andre-w S. Mawhinney, farmer, was bom April 6, 1849, son of John and
Eliza (Duffield) Mawhinney. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and
was educated in the common schools. He taught for ten years in the schools
of A'enango county. In 1870 he was appointed agent for the Howe and Singer
Sewing Alachine Companies, which business he foUowed about four years.
In 1875 he engaged in the oU business, and five years later located upon the
farm where he has since resided. In 1887 he was elected one of the county
auditors, which position he still holds. Mr. Mawhinney was married in
1871, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Andrew Lupher, and by this union they
have four children: John AI. : George L. ; Lura B., and Florence L. He
is a member of the Alethodist Episcopal church, superintendent of the Sun
day school, and in politics is a Republican.
Henry Hart, deceased, was a native of Pennsylvania. He moved from
York to Crawford county, thence abotrt 1814 to Venango county and settled
in the northern part of Canal township, where his son Isaac now lives. He
was a successful farmer, and accummulated a valuable property. He died
about 1859. Mr. Hart married Alary, daughter of Abraham Bean, an early
settler of Canal township, and reared a family of eight chUdi-en: Conrad;
Abraham; Samuel; Susanna; Mollie, deceased; Julia A., deceased; Lu
cinda, deceased; Isaac, and Mrs. Sophia Brown, Mr. Hart was a soldier in
the war of 1812, and a member of the Baptist church up to his death. Of
his sons, Abraham, Samuel, and Isaac are residents of Canal and among
the substantial residents of that township.
The Hasson Family were among the early settlers of Venango county,
locating first in French Creek township and later removing to Canal, where
a large number of the descendants stUl live. Hugh Hasson, a native of Le-
land, came to America and settled in eastern Pennsylvania, where he en
gaged in farming. He served in the war of the Revolution, and about 1800
came to Venango county and located in French Creek township, where he
died about 1815. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth McClair,
was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in 1843. John L. Hasson, son of
Hugh Hasson, was born in the eastern part of the state and accompanied

BIOGEAPHIES OF CANAL, 1065
his parents to A^enango county, where he spent the remainder of his life,
Hewas married February 16, 1816, to Margaret, daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Hasson) Duffield, early settlers of Irench Creek townshiij, and
reared a family of eleven children: Elizabeth, deceased; AA'ilUam; Mrs. Jane
Black, deceased; Hugh; John C, ; Mrs. Mary AVright, deceased; Sarah A.;
Jackson; James S; Mrs. Angeline Boughner, and Samuel D. Mr. Hasson
became a resident of Canal township in 1824, settling where his son John
C. now lives, where he resided until his death February 5, 1885, at the age
of ninety-fotu- years. He followed farming all his life, and served in the
war of 1812. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying in May, 1870, aged
seventy-four. AViLLiAM BLasson, oldest son of John L. and Margaret Hasson, was- bom
in French Creek township, February 22, 1819, and since 1824 has been a
resident of Canal. He remained with his parents until after his majority,
when he began farming and teaming, purchasing his present homestead in
the spring of 1854. He was married February 23, 1843, to Rachel, daugh
ter of Samuel and Elizabeth Black, and has a family of six children, all
liring: Barbara J., vridow of Ira Davis; Marvin P.; Robert E. ; Emily;
Samuel B., and John McC. Mr. Hasson was originally a Whig and has
been identified with the Republican party since its organization.
Samuel Deets, farmer, was born in Venango county in 1822. His par
ents, Joseph and Sarah (Cousins) Deets, were natives of Pennsylvania, and
moved here from Westmoreland county, first settling in Sugar Creek town
ship, and later removing to Canal,where Mr. Deets subsequently became the
owner of a valuable farm. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died
in Canal township, February 5, 1877, aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Deets
died March 10, 1865, at the age of sixty-two. They had a family of twelve
ehUdren, of whom the foUowing are living: Samuel; Mrs. Jane Johnston;
Mrs. Sarah Record; Adam; Joseph; Jackson, and Mrs. Louisa Kefard.
Samuel Deets was born in Sugar Creek township, remained with his parents
untu attaining his majority, and at the age of twenty-nine began farming
for liimself, which business he has since followed. He is a member of the
AVesleyan Methodist church, and votes the Republican ticket. His wife.
JuUa Ann, is a daughter of AVUliam and Elizabeth Ketnar, and the mother
of the following chUdren: Zidand, deceased; MiUigan, deceased; Teresa,
deceased; Mrs. Sarah Budman; Emeranda, deceased, and David.
Edward C. Stevens, farmer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
October, 20, 1811, and is a son of David and Teresa Stevens, natives of
Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively. David Stevens was educated
for the law, subsequently took a course in a theological institution, but
eventually engaged in business in Philadelphia, where he followed merchan
dising for some years. He also carried on business for a time in Baltimore,
and about 1830 removed to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, engaged in farm-

1066 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ing, and there died about 1854. He was the father of five children, the sub
ject of this sketch being the only survivor. His vvidow died a few years
later. Edward C. Stevens resided in Philadelphia tmtil his sixteenth year.
He accompanied his parents to Mercer county, and in 1857 came to Venango
county and settled on his present homestead in Canal township. He was
married November 16, 1838, to Miss Eliza, daughter of James and Nancy
Cosgriff, to which union three children were born: Barbara, deceased;
Teresa, deceased, and Clara, wife of Charles Beightol. Mr. Stevens is a
Republican in politics, and a member of the Episcopal church.
Geoege Baker, farmer, was born in Genesee county. New York, Septem
ber 14, 1821, and is a son of Ambrose and Sallie (Barnes) Baker, natives of
Massachusetts and New York state, respectively. Ambrose Baker went to
New York when quite young, and in 1844 came to Canal township, Venango
county, where he resided until his removal to Iowa in 1867. His wife was
a daughter of Solomon Barnes, a native of Canada, who was killed in Erie
county, Pennsylvania, a number of years ago. She accompanied her hus
band to Iowa, where both died. They were the parents of six children:
George; Phoebe; Ambrose; Solomon; Emily, and Henry. George Baker
learned the paper-maker's trade in youth, and at the age of thirteen went to
Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he resided untU 1848, when he located
near Mount Pleasant church, in Canal township, and in 1867 removed to his
present home where he has since resided. He was married September 10,
1842, to Clarissa, daughter of Chauncey and Madaline Hart, who has borne
him the following children: Ambrose; Mrs. Elizabeth Rifenberg; Joshua,
deceased; Phoebe, wife of Elias AA'aters; Waterman, deceased; Hiram; Mag
gie, wife of J. N. Morrison; Parker; Lewis; Joseph, and Frank. Mr. Baker
is a Republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the United Breth
ren church.
RoLAN Daily, farmer, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, August
17, 1832, and is a son of John and Nancy (Cousins) Daily, natives of Vir
ginia. The paternal grandfather, John Daily, came from Ireland before
the war of the Revolution, in which struggle he bore a part, and later moved
to Alercer county, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred, ' The maternal
grandfather, WUliam Cousins, was also a native of Ireland, and an early set
tler of Venango county. -John Daily, father of Rolan, located in this county
about 1829, settling in Canal township. He died in 1863, aged fifty-nine
years. His wife died five weeks before him at the age of fifty-four. They
were the parents of twelve children, Rolan being the second eldest. The
latter was reared in Canal township, and remained with his parents looking
after their interests untU nearly thirty years of age. He resided on the
home place until 1876, when he purchased his present farm near Hanna
vUle, where he now resides. Air. Daily was married June 25, 1863, to Eliz
abeth, daughter of AVinslow Burdick, of Crawford county, a union blessed

BI0GR-4.PHIES OF OAKLAND. 1007
with four- chUdren: .Vlbert E. : Harriet E.: Charles, and Georcje. Politic
ally Mr. DaUy is a Democrat, and a stanch supporter of the principles of
that party,
Charles B. Hood, farmer, is a native of A'enaugo county, bom April
16, 1S39. and is a son of Darid and Elizabeth (Hasson) Hood, natives of
Virginia. His paternal grandfather, AAilliam Hood, was one of the
pioneei-s of Canal township, and located about three miles fi-om Utica on the
Black fai-m, Darid Hood was a farmer and shoemaker, and died in this
township in 1S59, His vrife was a daughter of Hugh Hasson, and died
about iSlO. They were the pai-ents of tive childi-eh: WiUiam; Moses.
deceased; Mrs. Almira Moore: John, and Charles B. The last mentioned
£;rew to manhood in Canal township, was reared a farmer, and received his
education in the common schools. From the age of thirteen untU his
majority, he followed, principally, lumbering in Forest county, whence he
retnrned to his eai-ly home, and after two years spent in French Creek
township, removed to Canal, where he has since resided. He purchased
his present farm north of Utica in 1S70, and is one of the substantial citi
zens of the community. On the sixteenth of January, 1S62. he was maiTied
to Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Mary Beightol, who has borne him
two chUdren: Oscar C. , and Mary Ellen, the wife of Samuel Thompson, of
Kansas, OAKLAND,
Joseph Kean was bom December 22, ISOl, in Mitflin county, Pennsyl
vania, and was brought to this township in 1S03 by his parents, his father
being George Kean, born at Germantown, Pennsylvania, AprU 7, 1766,
son of ComeUus Kean, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America about
the year 1757. George Kean risited Venango counfv. in iSOl, settled
permanently in Oakland in June, 1S03. and resided there untU his death.
May 3, 1S61. Although otu: subject received but Umited education, he was
one of the pioneer school teachers of this part of the county. He was also
interested in early Sunday school work, and was a school dUeetor forty
years. He was married to Mesopotamia Fetterman, November 12, 1S29,
and they reared five children: Martha: EUza: Barbai-a, wife of Darid E.
Thomas; Columbus C, and John M. Mr. Kean is one of the oldest citizens
of the county, in which he has resided longer than any other of. its present
poptdation. George K. Weber, taUor by occupation, was born at Rebersburg, Centre
county, Pennsylvania, March 30, ISSlX and is a son of George and Barbara
(Ereitzer) Weber, natives of York and Dauphin counties, respectively. His
father, a wagon maker by trade, was born in 1797. He married in Centre
county and reared eleven chUdi-en of a family of thirteen, of whom nine,
ax sons and three daughters, are now liring. He died in lS'3ii at the home
of George K., a member of the Reformed church. The death of his wife.

1068 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
who was connected with the Lutheran church, occurred two years previously.
George K. Weber obtained an ordinary education at the public schools of
his native town. He learned the trade of tailor, and pursued that vocation
for thirty years. In April, 1851, he came to Venango county, and a year
later to Dempseytown, where he was in business until 1887, associated with
different parties at various periods, and part of the time individually. Since
1887 he has virtually retired from active life. Mr. AVeber was married in
Oakland township, October 17, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Michael
Homan. of Centre county, and is the father of nine sons and one daughter:
Newton, who was born January 4, 1853, and died October 15, 1862;
Emerson, who was born July 16, 1854, and died October 24, 1862; Pira,
who was born February 28, 1856, and died April 5, 1858 ; James, farmer
in Colorado, bom September 30, 1857; Charles, farmer in Colorado, born
December 17, 1860; Howard, physician in Forest county, born October
28, 1862; Judson, merchant in Dempseytown, born September 26, 1864;
Edgar, blacksmith in Oregon, born May 6, 1866; Norton, telegrapher in
Oregon, born October 6, 1871, and Duff, at home, born July 28, 1873.
Mr, Weber is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a self-made man in the
fullest sense of the word. The competency upon which he retires from
business life is entirely the result of individual effort and industry,
John H, Hazen, physician and surgeon, was born in Crawford county,
Pennsylvania, February 7, 1857, His parents, Benjamin G. , Sr. ,and Rachel
(McClintock),Hazen, were natives of New York and Venango county, respec
tively. Their children were six in number: P. Monroe, Benjamin G. Jr.,
.JohnH, , Elizabeth, wife of Francis Brown; Mary, wife of Doctor D, H.
Foster of New York, and Rachel, wife of H, H, Doyles. The father, Ben
jamin G. , Sr. , is a farmer and lives in Crawford county. He served ten years
as justice of the peace and has always taken an active interest in the Repub
lican party. Our subject was educated at the high school located at Venango,
Crawford county, at Edinboro Normal School, and at Allegheny college,
Meadville. He began the study of his chosen profession with his brother-
in-law. Doctor D. H. Foster, in 1878, and was graduated from the Eclectic
Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1881. In the spring of 1881 he
began his practice in Venango borough in his native county, and one year
later remoyed to Dempseytown, where he now enjoys a lucrative practice.
He is a member of the National Eclectic Association, the State Medical Asso
ciation, the Burton Medical Association of Philadelphia, and the Eclectic
Medical Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, being the secretary of
the last named. He is also medical examiner for the E. A. U. He was
married March 8, 1881, to Sarah E. Taylor of New York and has two chil
dren: Meri Victor and Elma May.
R. B. Neely, farmer, was born at Youngstown, Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, in 1822, son of Joseph and Martha (Bell) Neely, who were

"i!;:'^,

BIOGEAPHIES OF OAKLAND. 1069
man-ied in 1807 and had the foUowing children : William ; EUza ; John ; R.
B. ; James R. ; Joseph; Martha J. ; Samuel, and A. J., all of whom are now
living except W'illiam, Eliza, and Samtu^l. The father of Joseph Neely was
a soldier during the war of 1812; he was wounded at the battle of Browns-
town and was at Detroit when General Hull surrendered that post. He was
one of a family of five sons and two daughters, all of whom except himself
became residents of Ohio. Their parents emigrated from Ireland about 1770
and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The grandson of the latter,
and the subject of this sketch, has been a farmer by occupation. In 1847
he married Mary Anne Bear, daughter of Martin Bear of Centre county,
Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of fifteen children: Mary Jane; Lois
E. ; John M. ; Margaret A. ; Joseph; Mai-tha M. ; R. C. ; Sarah L. ; Emma C. ;
Elizabeth M. ; Samuel E. ; Eva M. ; Ina B. ; James M., and Wilson A., all of
whom are living except Sarah L. Mr. Neely immigrated to Oakland in 1827
and settled at his present farm in 1847.
Christopher Seber, farmer, was born in Wittenburg, Germany, July 9,
1827, son of Christopher and Louisa (Eberly) Seber. The grandfather of
our subject was principally reared in America, although his father returned
to Germany for a period and then came back to this country; he finally set
tled in Venango county, where he reared eight children. He died in 1839
and his widow two years later. His son Christopher was educated in Ger
many and the common schools of this county. He was married September
29, 1849, to Sarah Hoahn, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and to
this union were born four children: Fred; John, deceased; Louisa, Mrs.
Benjamin Fedeler, and Annie. Mrs. Seber died in July, 1864, and he was
again married, to Miss Annie Whitman, March 6, 1865. They are the par
ents of four children: Louisa, Mrs. Henry Snyder; Emma; Jacob, and
Samuel. Mr. Seber served three terms as poor director of Butler county
and has been school director. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Frank
lin, and a Democrat.
John J. Reynolds, farmer, was bom in this county, April 25, 1840, to
Daniel and Eliza Reynolds. Daniel came from Centre county, Pennsyl
vania, with his parents, served in the war of 1812, took part in Perry's vic
tory on Lake Erie, and his father served in the Revolutionary war. He lo
cated on the farm where our subject now resides in 1841, and began to clear
a farm from the woods. He reared a family of four children: Martha J. ;
Elizabeth W. ; WiUiam C, and John. Daniel died July 25, 1875, and his
widow in March, 1883. Our subject was educated in the common schools.
Hewas married September 6, 1869, to Louisa A., daughter of Christopher
Covnel, a pioneer of Oakland, and has five chUdren: Atlantic; Charlotte;
Hattie; Bessie J., and John E.
C. A. McClintock, stave and lumber manufacturer, was born December
7, 1846, in Dempseytown, this county, son of James R. and Jerusha (Ten-
60

1070 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
nent) McClintock. He received his education at the common schools, Edin
boro Normal, and Allegheny College, MeadvUle, Pennsylvania, afterward
teaching two terms. He began his business career as a farmer in Oakland
township. In 1877 he commenced the production of oil and dealing in the
same. This he continued for about one year. He then began the present
business in Clarion and Venango counties. In 1889 'he moved to Hunting
ton, AA'est Virginia, where he is doing an extensive business in the manu
facture of staves and lumber, employing regularly about one hundred men.
He was elected a justice of the peace at Dempseytown in 1875 and served a
term of five years. For some ten years during his residence in Dempsey
town he was the organizer and leader of an exceUent band, which will long
be remembered by the citizens of that village and surrounding country. He
was married October 6, 1870, to Adaline Richey and has six children: James
Pliny; Berber DeWitt; William Richey; Emma; Mabel, and Laura. He
is an active Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. of Dempseytown,
and the F, & A. M. at Pleasantville. The family is Presbyterian.
William T. Richey, farmer, was born in Oakland township, February
25, 1852, son of Thomas H. and Mary (Nole) Richey, natives of this
county. The father was a farmer of Oakland township, and reared a family
of five chUdren: WilUam T. ; L. W., deceased; Mary, Mrs. C. H. Wright;
James H. , and J. D. , deceased. The parents of Thomas Richey immigrated
from Ireland to this country at an early date. William T. Richey was edu
cated in the common schools. He was married October 10, 1872, to EmUy
A. Kitner, and their family consists of four children : Lyman B. ; Charles
E, ; Israel R. , and Chloe E, Mr, Richey is a member of the I. 0. 0. F.
W. H. Hill, farmer, was born in Cranberry township, this county,
son of Hugh and Eliza (Bell) Hill, natives of Ireland and of Butler county,
Pennsylvania, respectively. Hugh Hill came from Ireland with his parents
to this country when ten years of age. He learned the mason trade, but
during the latter part of his life followed farming. He was the father
of twelve children: W. H. ; Sarah A., deceased; J. P. ; Catharine E. ; Simon,
deceased; Rebecca J., deceased; Isabella, Mrs. Bert Chapel of Warren;
Martha E., Mrs. Thomas Conard; J. O. ; Almena, Mrs. Curt Irwin; an
infant, deceased, and Cora A., Mrs. John Barsock. The father died in
January, 1884. Our subject was married September 28, 1876, to Ruth
Thompson and to this union have been bom three children: Maude E.,
deceased; Oliver B., and Edwin F. JACKSON.
Doctor Robert CRAvra-ORD was bom in County Tyrone, Ireland, May 14,
1817, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Crawford, who immigrated to
America in 1821, the father, however, dying on the voyage across the ocean.
The mother and her family located in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylva-

BIOGEAPHIES OF JACKSON. 1071
nia, and William, tho oldest son, is now living in Mercer county; John,
another son, became a noted physician and practiced iu Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia. Our subject was educated in an academy at Allegheny City
and read medicine with Doctor Wilson of Allegheny county. He was grad
uated from the Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1845, and from the
University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, in ISIiO. For twenty years he
has been one of the censors of the Cleveland Medical College. He began
the practice of his profession at Cooperstown, Venango county, in 1837 —
fifty-two years ago — and has ever since been ia active service. Heis amem
ber of tho American, state, and county medical societies, having been one of
the prime movers in the organization of the latter. In 1 838 he married
Miss Sarah P. Kelley, daughter of John Kelley, of Centre county, Pennsyl
vania. She died July 21, 1888, and was the mother of four sons and four
daughters: Elizabeth B., wife of Hugh Smith of Cochranton, Pennsylvania;
Joseph K., physician, of Cooperstown; James R., farmer, of Mercer county;
AV. A., merchant, of Cooperstown; Homer C, a resident of Jackson town
ship; Emma, Mrs. F. A. Curtis, of Cochranton; Etta, and Sarah Ella.
Doctor Crawford has always beeu an active Democrat. He is one of the best
physicians of the county and holds a high rank among the medical frater
nity of the state. He has been pension surgeon four years, and finds time
aside from his practice to attend to some fine farms in Venango and Mercer
counties, with other financial interests of a varied character,
Edward Sweeny, deceased, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and immi
grated to America about 1810. His parents had educated him for a Catholic
priest, but, as he did not desire to enter the priesthood, he left home and
came to this country. He first obtained employment as a book-keeper in
Philadelphia, and from there he went to Butler county, thence to Venango,
and accepted the position of sub-manager of the Oil Creek furnace, at Oil
City. In May, 1821, he married Miss Rebecca Jennings, and purchased
the farm otvned by oUr subject, but did not settle thereon until 1828, when
he built a log cabin for shelter, and engaged in improving the farm. He
was considered a leader in the Democratic party for many years. He held
the office of justice of the peace for thirty-five years, and other local offices.
He was never attached to aay church, but donated the ground upon which
the Cooperstown Presbyterian church is located, and gave liberally to its
support during his residence there. He began for himself in this country
with no means, and by hard labor, economy, and frugal dealings, he accu
mulated a large property. He died in 1871, and his widow in 1875. His
children were nine, but five of whom are living: Juliet, Mrs. Chester Phillips,
of Jackson township; Jemima; Sarah; Rebecca, and Edward.
Edward Sweeny, farmer, Cooperstown, was born September 13, 1838.
He was roared and educated in this township, and has always lived on his
present farm. December 29, 1869, he married Miss Mary F. Kightlinger,

1072 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
daughter of Jacob Kightlinger, one of the pioneers of Crawford county.
To this union have been born two children: Duane E. and Pearl F. Mr,
Sweeny sent a substitute to the late war. He has been justice of the peace
for fifteen years, and school director for several terms, and was a member
of the borough council of Cooperstown. In politics he is a Democrat. He
belongs to the A. O. U. AV. and the K. and L. of H. of Cooperstown. He
and his wife are members of the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee.
He owns a fine farm, which is well stocked with Jersey cattle.
Heney Booth, deceased, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1809, son
of James Booth, a clothier of his native town. His education was obtained
at night schools, and necessarily limited. In 1826 he immigrated to Amer
ica, first locating at Philadelphia, where he remained for some time, but,
on the breaking out of the cholera, he went to the country, finally drifting
to Lycoming county, where he became associated with  Rich, a manu
facturer of woolen goods. About the year 1839 he came to Cooperstown,
as a member of the firm of Rich, Booth & Hillier, and was in active busi
ness until his death, in 1872.
Joseph Hillier, retired woolen manufacturer, was born in Wiltshire,
England, December 25, 1810, immigrated to America in 1821, and settled
in Centre county, Pennsylvania, He early learned the art of manufacturing
woolen goods and came to Cooperstown in 1835, where he became a mem
ber of the firm of Rich, Booth & Hillier in the erection of the woolen mills
now operated by S. B. Hillier.
S, B, Hilliee, proprietor of the Cooperstown woolen mills, was bom in
this county, December 24, 1843, a son of Joseph Hillier. He has been en
gaged in manufacturing during all of his active life. He was married April
2, 1870, to Elizabeth Beachdel.
David Ray, blacksmith, was born in Saegertown, Crawford county, this
state, October 28, 1825, a son of Alexander and Lydia (Eldercon) Ray; he
removed with his parents to Canal township, Venango county, -^en a chUd,
learned the blacksmith trade with his father, and followed it in various parts
of the state. November 14, 1848, he married Miss Elizabeth Puskey,
daughterof Storffel Puskey, by whom he has seven children: Milton B. ;
Leonard L. ; Mary Ella, Mrs. Frederick Foster; David C. ; Melvern A.;
Jennie, and Louisa A. October 26, 1861, he enlisted in Company H,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was honorably discharged July 1, 1865.
He was sergeant of the company and received wounds at Harper's Ferry.
He is connected with Andrew Jackson Post, No. 299, G. A. R. , of Coopers
town, and a member of the borough council,
L. L. Ray, sheriff of Venango county, was born in Cornplanter town
ship, December 15, 1852. He received his education at Cooperstown Acad
emy. He learned the blacksmith trade with his father and has since fol
lowed that business. In 1878 he married Mary Etta Strohecker, daughter

BIOGRAPHIES OF JACKSON. 1073
of Colonel T. S, Strohecker, of Jacksou township. To this union has been
born one daughter, Emma Grace, He is an active member of the Demo
cratic party, and in 1889 was elected sheriff of Venango county. He has
served as burgess and councilman of the borough of Cooperstown. May 29,
1885, he was elected captain of Company B, Sixteenth Regiment National
Guards of Pennsylvania. He belongs to the A. 0. U. W., the K. and L.
of H. , and the Methodist Episcopal church.
John Boal, deceased, came from Centre to Venango county in 1838 and
purchased a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres in Jackson township.
He was a carpenter by trade, and combined that vocation with farming. In
politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian
church. He died March 20, 1885. His widow (formerly Miss Isabella
Huey), survives, and six of her seven children are living. Elizabeth, the
eldest, married AA^. AV. Andrews of Crawford county and is the mother of
seven children. WilUam married Caroline Record of Crawford county, by
whom he had five children. He was a soldier in the Fourth Pennsylvania
Cavalry during the civil war. David C. , who served in the Sixth United
States Cavalry three years, married Sarah Fetterman and they have one
chUd. George, a physician of Beaver county, married Miss M. E. Doyl
and they are the parents of six children.
R, N, H. Boal, farmer, was born August 21, 1842, and is a farmer of
this township. Politically he is a Democrat with strong Prohibition pro
clivities, and has filled various township offices. August 22, 1878, he mar
ried Mattie Harvey, and they are the parents of four children: Rachel B. ;
Bertha L. ; Lizzie A. , and Laura O. He is an elder in the Cooperstown
Presbyterian church, John M. and Mary I. Boal reside with their mother
on the old homestead. The former was born April 13, 1846. He received
his education in the common schools and has always been engaged at rural
pursuits. He is a Democrat with temperance sentiments. He has been
school director and auditor of the to-wnship, and belongs to the Presbyterian
church. John Fetterman, farmer, was born in Plum township, this county, De
cember 24, 1808, son of John and Barbara (Frank) Fetterman, natives of
Juniata county, Pennsylvania, who were among the early settlers of Plum
township. John Fetterman was a soldier of the war of 1812, a Democrat,
and for many years a justice of the peace. He and wife belonged to the
Lutheran church. Both died in Oakland township. They reared a family
of ten children: Hannah, wife of Robert Russell; Rachel, wife of Jonathan
Lesh; John; George, and six others who are deceased. Our subject was
reared in Plum township and assisted in the clearing of the homestead. In
1836 he married Miss Levinah Grove, a daughter of Jacob Grove, and
.settled upon" his present farm which he has brought to a productive state.
To this union ten children were born: Julia, Mrs. Henry Weber; Mary Jane,

1074 HISTOEY OP VENANGO COUNTY.
Airs. David Buchanan; Angeline, Mrs. R. W. Davison; Arvilla, Mrs. AVUl
iam Gates; M. B. L. ; Electa, who died at the age of eighteen; Joseph;
Marian; Sarah, deceased wife of David Boal, who left one daughter, Alice
Boal, and she has been reared by hor grandfather, John Fetterman; and
Loretta, Mrs. John Pritchard. Mr. Fetterman is a Democrat, and has
filled various township offices. His wife has been long a member of the
Sunville Methodist Episcopal church. His son M. B. L. was born on the
homestead May 9, 1853, and was educated at the township schools. In
1883 he was married to Miss Ellen Ray, daughter of John Ray of Polk.
He is a strong Prohibitionist, a member of the I. O. O, F,, and with his
wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church,
AViLLiAM Cowan, deceased, was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia.
Before leaving Virginia he was married to Catharine Pickering, who died in
Trumbull county, Ohio, leaving two children, one of whom is Uving, Ro-
hannah, widow of P, G. Welsh, of Plum township. He married Catharine
Mcintosh, his second wife, in Trumbull county. In 1823 he came to
Venango, where he purchased a farm in Plum township. He began for
himself with little else save a willing heart and strong hands and ere his
death became one of the well-to-do farmers of his neighborhood. He was a
Democrat, and served one term as county commissioner. He was twice
elected as a justice of the peace, but refused to serve. His wife died in
1872 and himself in 1875. Three of their children are living: Mary Jane,
Airs. James Richey, of Plum township ; William H. F. , and Andrew Jackson.
AViLLiAM H. Cowan, farmer was born in Jackson township, December 13,
1828, son of William and Catharine (Mcintosh) Cowan. He attended the
common schools of his neighborhood and remained on the homestead until
thirty-three years of age. In 1862 he married Mrs. Isabella Brown,
daughter of John Richey, and she died in 1863 without issue. He was
again married, to Miss Sarah Ehrhart, daughterof Jacob Ehrhart. In 1861
he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served a short
time. He is a Democrat in politics and has served in various township
offices. He is a member of Andrew Jackson Post, No. 299, G. A. R., of
Cooperstown, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife is
attached to the Presbyterian church.
Samuel O. Small, farmer, was born in Jackson township February 22,
1828, son of Samudl C. and Isabella (McLaughlin) Small, natives of Ire
land, who immigrated to America, locating successively in Philadelphia,
Dauphin county, and Venango county. The father was a man of fair edu
cation and became a teacher after locating in this township. He was a
member of the Baptist church, and a Democrat in politics. His death oc
curred April 3, 1880, his wife having died September 6, 1869. Of seven
children bom to them five are now living: William C, of Bradford; Mary, ,
wife of H. R. McClintock, of MeadvUle; R, A., of Pleasantville; Samuel 0.,

BIOORAPHIES OF .TACKSON, 107B
and Moses G,, of Ovawfovd county. Our aubjtH>t was roared to farm life,
fttteading tbe distiiot .schools nt iutorvals. In 1S50, ho luavriod Miss Alice
Weber, daughter of C>tx->rgo Weber, a native of Ooutro oiumtv. niul has
roftvedthe foUo-wing children; Mary E., wi to of WiUiam Bradley; Lincoln
H., of GlenMd, A]lojj;-houy county, Pouusylvnnia; Curry S, ; HamUton G.,
and John AV, He has boon a Republioau siuco the orgaiuznfciou of the
pftj'ty, and is a uiombor ot tho I'resbytorian chravh,
T. S. Stkohkckku, ftu'inor, was born Mav 12, 1829, at Lowisburc,
Pennsylvania, sou of .Vacoh and Snaauua (^Snyder) Strohockor, the former
aaati-TO of Berks oouuty, boru in 1800, a faruior and brick mnkor. smd now
deceased; the latter still resides at Lewisburg at. the ndvaucod age of ninety
yeara. Our stibjwt received his ediunitiou at tho Lewisburg Academy.
In 1858 he moved upon his present farm. In 1861 ho recruited Company
t, Fifty-Seventh Peuusylvnnia A'oluuteers, of which he became captain,
and was subsequently promoted to the lieutounnt colonelcy. He retired
hxm the service iu consevpieiu'e of a wound received at the battle of Fred-
erioksbnrjiC, aud has since devoted hi.s attention to farming aud oil producing.
He is a well-knowu writer on agrioult.nriU subjects and ranks with the most
pi^ogressiv© and successful farmers of the eouuty. Colonel Stroheolvei- was
married in 1850 to Catharine Baebtuan, of Middleburg, Snyder oouuty,
Pennsylvania, and they ai-e the parents of four ehildren: Wiufiold S,, of
Cranberry to-wnship; Susan M,, wife of G, AV, Bower, of RouseviUe; Mary
E., -wife of L. L. Eay, of Cooperstown, and Gertrude. He is a member of
the G. A. R.. and was the first eoiumauder of the post at Coopei-stown.
RoEKET AV, D.\visON, farmer, was boru in Butler oouuty. this state, sou
of Isaac M, Davison, At tlie agt> of three years be was taken into the fouu-
ily of his grandmother ArmstTOng of Lawrence oouuty, with whom he lived
until fourteen years old. He then joined his father in A'enaugo oouuty.
In September, 1862. he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Pemisvlyania A\il-
nnteers, and -was honorably disoharged June 14. 1865, He was corporal of
Ms company. Since the close of the war he has been engaged iu fsu-ming
aud rnuning a threshing niaobiue. In July, 1867, he married Miss Ange
line Fetterman, daughter of John Petterniau, by whom he has four children:
Gertrude B,; Hattie May; John Harrison, aud Cora. He is an active Repub
lican, and has sei-ved as assessor of the township. He belongs to Albert H,
Jackson Post, No. 290. G, A, U,, of Cooperstown, mid the L O, O. F. of
that borough. He and family are members of Suuville Presbytoriau obundi.
ISA.ve M. Davison, fanuer. was born in Meiver county, this stat>e. July
8, 1816. son of Isaac aiid Jane Oveuuey) Darison, natives of Huntiugxlon
eomty and of Irish exti<action. About tbe year 1819 they nuueved to Biit-
ht county, and there purehased a ftmu. Our subject was marriixl iu litt
ler county in 1S40. to Margaret Jane Armstwug, daughter of ArehibaUl
Armstrong of Lawiwiee eounty; she died heaving two sous: W . H, and E.

1076 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
W. August 19, 1850, he was again married, to Miss Rebecca Hays,
daughter of Samuel Hays, a native of Ireland, who settled in Plum town
ship in 1835. The children by this marriage are: Maggie I; Mary E. ;
Fannie S. , wife of Charles Gray of Franklin ; Wilson S. ; Elmer H. , of
Franklin, and Edwin E, Mr, Davison is a Republican and with his family
is connected with the Presbyterian church.
Israel Feeeingee, farmer, was born in Clarion county, this state,
December 25, 1837, son of John and Magdaline (Hannah) Ferringer, natives
of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and among the early settlers of Clarion
county. They subsequently removed to Cranberry township, where they
died, the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living: Lydia; Caro
line; Bli; Jessie; Matilda; Israel; Paul, and Emanuel, Our subject was
reared in Clarion county. February 9, 1864, he married Miss Hannah
Keister, daughter of John Keister of Clarion county, by whom he has eight
children: Emma May; William; Charles F. ; Harry; Ettie; Lena; John, and
Lilly. In 1877 he located in Sugar Creek township, this county, where he
resided until 1887, when he purchased his present farm in Jackson and
settled thereon. He and family are members of the Lutheran church.
He is a Democrat and one of the school directors of the township.
A. P. Miles, oil producer and lumberman, was bom in this county
March 4, 1845, to Thomas and Catharine (Proper) Miles. His great-grand
father, Thomas Miles, a soldier of the Revolution, emigrated from Mary
land to Plain Grove, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and from him the
family in Mercer cojinty is descended. Louis, third son of Thomas, Sr.,
and grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Thomas
Miles, father of our subject, came to this county in 1839. Of his family
of ten children seven are living: Audelia, Mrs. J. D. Grove; L. M, ; Rachel,
Mrs. John Peoples; James; Lizzie, Mrs. James Miles; Mattie, and A. P.
Their mother died in February, 1875. Our subject was educated at the
public schools and Edinboro Normal. He began his business life by farm
ing. January 13, 1869, he married Miss Lizzie, daughter of James Davison
of Plum township. Three children have been born to them : O, B, ; Nellie,
and Elda. Mr, and Mrs. Miles are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Heis connected with thei. O. O. P., A. O. U. W., and E. A. U.
He is a Republican in politics, and has served as member of the borough
council at Cooperstown.
William A. McKinzie, farmer, was born on the farm where he now lives
December 24, 1845, son of Alexander and Isabella (Wilson) McKinzie,
natives of this county. The parents of Alexander McKinzie immigrated
from Scotland in 1796 and first settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They
afterward removed to Crawford county, thence to Venango, and are men
tioned in the history of Sugar Creek township. Alexander, the father of
William, died in 1847 and his widow in 1867. They were the parents of

BIOGEAPHIES OF ALLEGHENY. 1077
three children: Christina A., Mrs. Doctor J. J. Looney of Utioa, this county;
William A., and Jennie, Mrs. A. M. Gay of Michigan. Our subject was
educated in the common schools, academy of Cooperstown, Edinboro Nor
mal, and Commercial College of Wheeling, West Virginia. He began his
business life as a farmer, kept a feed and provision store on Oil creek, and
was in the oil business for some time on that stream. He was clerk to the
county commissioners for three years, and was a candidate for county treas
urer on the Democratic ticket, when, although defeated, he ran ahead of
his party vote. At the present time he is serving as justice of the peace.
January 17, 1874, he married Maggie Black of Canal township, who died
June 17, 1888, and was the mother of four children: Jennie; Mary; Edith,
and Drew. Mrs. McKinzie was a member of the Presbyterian church, to
which organization he is attached. He belongs to the A, O. U, W. and is
a stanch Democrat.

CHAPTER LII.

BIOGRAPHIES OF ALLEGHENY, CORNPLANTER, PRESIDENT,
AND OIL CREEK.

ALLEGHENY,
ISAAC CONNELY, a pioneer of AUegheny township, was born in Ire
land in 1747. He acquired a classical education and became a teacher of
languages. Emigrating in early manhood, he located at Philadelphia, where
he kept the well-kno-wn Black Horse hotel on Market street between Fourth
and Fifth during the Revolution, after which he removed to Centre county,
where he engaged in merchandising, and thence in 1803 to Venango, where
he resided until his death, July 4, 1 823. He was three times married. By
his first wife, Mrs. Rebecca Garrigues Robinson, he had six children:
William, Susan, Rebecca, Hannah, Isaac, and Rachel. His second wife,
Mrs. Margaret Robinson,, died without issue. His third wife, Rachel Huey,
was the mother of seven children: George, Eliza, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Rob
ert, and Nancy,
John Lamb, deceased, was bom near Bellefonte, Centre county, Pennsyl
vania, June 13, 1806. His parents, John and Nancy (Sparks) Lamb, were
of Scotch- Irish descent and were among the first settlers of Centre county,
John was the youngest of eight children, three sons and five daughters.
His father died when he was about fourteen years old. He was appren
ticed and learned the tanner's trade. In 1829 he came to Allegheny town-

1078 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ship, Venango county, and purchased a small piece of land in the woods,
on which he built a log house, started a tannery, and began clearing up a
farm. He began with no capital but strong hands and an energy and spirit
of determination to succeed. The farm grew to be one of the largest and
finest in Venango county, the little home to be a popular, well-known way
side inn in the old stage-coach days, and the tannery expanded into an ex
tensive mercantile and lumber business. On the discovery of oil he en
gaged in the production and refining of that commodity in a limited way,
as the oil business was only in its infancy at the time of his death. He was
zealous and active in political affairs, and was a Democrat until Lincoln's
nomination for president, when he became a Republican.
In April, 1833, he married Mary Bailey Smith, daughter of Captain
William Smith, of AVaterford, Pennsylvania, to whom were bom five sons
and two daughters. She died in November, 1849, and he was again mar
ried, in 1851, to Miss Annie May, daughter of Reverend Hezekiah May, of
Tionesta, Pennsylvania, to whom was born a daughter, now Mrs. W. J,
Bleakley, of Pranklin, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Annie May Lamb died in No
vember, 1877, Of the first family, William, the eldest, died when an in
fant; Henry R, died in 1887; the others are all living — John, at Silver
City, Idaho; David, at Pleasantville; Mrs. Sam Q. Brown, in New York;
Miss Sarah K. , in Philadelphia, and Alfred, on the old homestead.
Mr. Lamb was a man of fine presence and genial disposition. He was
prominent and well known for his enterprise and business qualifications, and
everything that had a tendency to build up the community in which he re
sided received his encouragement and support. A member of the Presby
terian church, a school director, and an active business man, he did much to
build up the moral, educational, and material interests of the county. His
house was a welcome home to friends and strangers alike, and his hospitality
knew no bounds. He died in November, 1863, in the fifty-eighth year of
his age.
John Haworth, retired miller, was bom in England, May 5, 1797, and
came to America in 1820, leaving his wife and one son behind. After secur
ing a farm in Venango county, Pennsylvania, he went back to his native
land for his family. Soon after reaching them his young wife sickened and
died. Her maiden name was Nellie Whitworth and her only son, WiUiam,
some time subsequent to her death accompanied his father to America and
is now a resident of Kansas, In 1825 Mr. Haworth was engaged in the coal
business in Pittsburgh, in which city he was married to Susan Short, and to
this union six children were born: Thomas; George; John; Jane E., Mrs. S.
W. Stewart; and two other daughters, who are dead. The second wife of
Mr. Haworth died and he was married for a third time, to Mrs. Harriet
McCuUough, and now resides near Pithole where he was for many years en
gaged in the milling business.

BIOGEAPHIES OF ALLEGHENY. 1079
Asa Lovell was born in- Tompkins county, New York, December 7, 1809,
son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Crosby) Lovell, the former a native of New
Jersey and the latter of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. They settled at Pleasant
viUe in 1819, cleared a large farm, and reared ten children, six of whom are
liring; Sarah, widow of Aaron Benedict, of Pleasantville; Asa; Jane. Mrs.
Daniel McCaslin, of Crawford county; Abraham, of Warren, Pennsylvania;
Elizabeth," Mrs. J, Chase, of Crawford county, and Joanna, widow of Doc
tor Thomas B, Shugert, of Pleasantville, Our subject has resided in this
county since the age of ten years, and has been principally engaged in farm
ing. He was married in 1835 to Eliza Irwin, daughter of Samuel Irwin of
Cherry Tree township, who died September 1, 1851, and has one surviving
child, Eliza Jane, He subsequently married Rachel E, Allen, daughter of
Charles Allen of Crawford county, who died February 10, 1885, and was
the mother of one daughter. May I. Mr. Lovell was fifteen years school
director and has filled other township offices. A strong Prohibitionist, he
has been active in the advocacy of that party, and is a member of the Pres
byterian church.
Samuel AV. Stewart, farmer and oil producer, was born in Venango town
ship, Butler county, this state, June 29, 1820, and is a son of William B . and
Isabella (Craig) Stewart. His father was a native of Butler county and his
mother of this county. John Stewart, his grandfather, settled in Butler
county about 1810, and was later appointed a justice of the peace by the
govemor of the state. In 1820 he moved to Harrison county, Ohio, where
he lived until his death. His son, William B, Stewart, remained in Butler
county, purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and improved the
same, buUding the first frame house in that county. He died in 1822 and
his widow was again married, in 1830, to Thomas R. Kerr. She removed
with her husband to Venango county, where she lived until her death. Three
chUdren were bom to her first marriage, two of whom are living: William
B., a Presbyterian minister and secretary of the American Tract Society,
who resides in PhUadelphia; Samuel W. is the other. The childi-en of her
second marriage are Mrs. W. R. Crawford and Miss Elizabeth Kerr of Frank
lin, Our subject, after the death of his father, remained with his grand
father Craig, and afterward with his step-father, until sixteen years of age,
when he was apprenticed to McNair Brothers of Butler and learned the
mill-wright trade. In 1840 he returned to Venango county and built several
mills in various parts of the same. He located on his present farm m
1850 and erected the mill known as Stewart's mill, which he operated suc
cessfully for many years. He has been an oil producer fi-om the beginning
of its discovery and now owns one thousand acres of oil land and several
acres in the Bradford field. In 1851 he married Miss Jane Elizabeth Ha
worth, daughter of John and Susan (Short) Haworth, natives of England
and settlers of Washington county. By this union they have three sons and

1080 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
two daughters: Belle, Mrs, William H. Wood of TitusviUe; Ferris C, at
home; William B., in a Warren savings bank; James B., a physician of
Bradford, and Mary, at home. Mr. Stewart is an ardent Democrat. For
many years he was president of the Oil Creek Agricultural Association, and
is a director and stockholder in the Pleasantville Bank. His family are
members of the Presbyterian church, and he is one of the wealthiest and
most influential men of the county, enjoying the respect and confidence of
the community in which he lives.
James Vanderlin, farmer, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania,
April 14, 1829, and is a son of Stephen and Eliza (Seaton) Vanderlin of that
county. He was reared on the homestead, and learned the trade of a
plasterer and bricklayer, which he followed for twenty-six years. He set
tled on his present farm in 1857. In 1852 he married Miss Nancy Kerr,
daughter of John Kerr of Butler county, and has six children: Matilda,
Mrs. Robert Graham of Forest county; Stephen, of Butler county; Willie,
at home; J. M. ; Bli, and Effie. Politically he is a Democrat, and was
elected commissioner of Venango county in 1875. He has also filled town
ship offices. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Albert Tyrrell, farmer, was born in Ulster county, New York, Decem
ber 20, 1830, son of James N. and Maria (Dewitt) Tyrrell, who came to
Venango county in 1844, and located on the farm where our subject now
resides. John N. Tyrrell was a carpenter and joiner and in partnership with
two brothers buUt a mill on Pithole creek. He was a Whig and Republican
in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and held various
township offices. He died in 1877 and his wife in 1864. They reared six
children, four of whom are living. Our subject conducted a sash and door
factory at Pithole Center seven years, but has been principally engaged in
farming. He was married in 1854, and has three living children: Emma
P.; James H. , and Ernest A. He is a Republican in politics, served as
township clerk and postmaster for some years, and in 1878 was elected
county commissioner, serving three years. He is a member of the I. 0.
O. P. and F. & A. M.
H. J. Dunham, farmer, was born in Warren county., Pennsylvania, June
18, 1842, and is a son of WilUam and Susan (Knight) Dunham, natives of
Cayuga county. New York. His father moved with his parents from the
state of New York, and settled in Allegheny township, this county, when a
young man. After his marriage he settled in Warren county, and there
engaged in the lumber business. Our subject was their only child, except
one by adoption — Lina Steele, Mrs. G. B. Spangler of Pleasantville, H.
J. Dunham was reared and educated in Warren county, and settled on his
present farm in 1868. He was married in 1863 to Miss Nancy E, McCaslin,
daughter of John McCaslin of Oil Creek township. To this union have
been born four children : Myrtle ; Herbert M, ; Mary Edna, and Jennie Belle.

BIOGRAPHIES OF ALLEGHENY, 1081
He is a Republican, and has filled various township offices. Ho is rulinw
elder in the Presbyterian church of Neillsburg, and is a member of the
Knights of the Maccabees.
James H. Clark, farmer and oil producer, was born in Cambridge,
Washington county. New York, May 11, 1836, and is a sou of Jerothman
and Dorcas (Smead) Clark, natives of New York and Connecticut, respect
ively. The parents moved from AVashiugton to Brio county. New York,
whei-e the mother died and the father still resides. James H. Clark was
reai-ed iu his native county until eight years old, and lived in Franklin
county, the same state, uutil nineteen years of age. In 1864 he came to
Oil creek and was employed as general superintendent of the Perry Oil
Company for three years. He then returned to Erie county and managed
a saw mill for three yours; in 1870 ho located in Allegheny township upon
his present homestead, and has three producing oil wells. He was married
ia December, 1865, to Miss Alzada V, Dean, daughter of Joseph Dean, of
Erie county. New York. The fi-uits of this union are four children: Ida
May; Cora Bell; Roy Manley, and Carey A. Air. Clark is an active mem
ber of the Republican party and has held his present office, that of consta
ble and collector, eleven consecutive years. He belongs to Seneca Lodge,
No. 519, I. O. O. F. , and the Knights of the Maccabees.
J. W, BoTSFORD, farmer, was born in Allegany county. New York, Sep
tember 18, 1841, His father, E, H, Botsford, was a native of Cayuga
county. New York, and his mother, Lydia Franklin, a native of Steuben
county. New York. His grandfather, Ezra Botsford, was a native of Blassii-
chusetts and a soldier in the war of 1812. He settled in Cayuga county at
an early day. The father of our subject, after his marriage, located in
Allegany county. New York, where he became a prominent farmer, and also
served as county treasurer. He died in that county in 187() and his wife in
1887. They reared five children, three of whom are living: Alarion, Airs.
J. T, Severance, of Genesee county. New York; Harriet, Mrs. C. F. Mason,
of Rushford, Allegany county. New York, and our subject, who was reared
and educated in his native county and has followed the occupation of a
fai-mer. In 1862 he enlisted in Compauy F, First Now York Dragoons, aud
served until the close of the war, after which he came to A'enango county
and located in Pinegrove township. AprU 12, 1S()(>. ho married Airs.
Susan McBride, daughter of Jacob Karrs, of Pinegrove, and settled ou his
present homestead in 186S. Seven children wore bom to this union: Lydia,
Mrs. J, S. Sacorcy, of Zeno, Butler eouuty: Ezra H. ; Blanche; Jennie;
Maud; Mamie, and Floyd. Mr. Botsford is a member of TitusviUe Post,
No, 50. G, A. R. Politically he is a Republican.
DoANE Bderows, fai-mer, was boru in St. ClairviUo, Chautauqua oouuty.
New York, July 4, 1845, and is a son of Andrew and Alary (Bronson) Biii--
rows, natives of that county. His parents came to Venango county in 184 r

1082 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COONTY.
and located in -Allegluniy township, wliore the father was oiigiigod in farm
ing and working at his trade, that of oabiiiet maker. The mother died iu
1850 and Atr, Burrows was agaiu uuirried, to Nmioy \\'oodoooU. In IS(U)
he movod to Erie oounty, whore he still resides. Two children woro lioni
to Andrew and Mary (^Pronsou) Burrows: Doaiio and AVilliu'd, tln> lattor a
rosidont of Erie oounty, Ohio, Our subject was roared imd eduoatod iu tbo
common schools of this oounty, aud has liovoloil his principal time to farm
ing. In 1867 he married IMiss Catharine Shelmadine, daughter of Nelson
Shelmadine, by whom he bas throe obildron: Arthur K. ; Nathan N. , aud
AVUliam Earl. He is a liopublioan, a member of tho E. A, P., aud of llio
Knights of tho Maccabees.
Nklson a. SiiEniAiuNK, farmer aud oil prodnoor, was born ou his prosout
homestead, February 3, 1S59, aud is a son of W(>sloy und Rlargin-ot
(IMoC^luuo) Shelmadine. His father was born and reared near Titusvillo,
aud sot tied where our subject, now lives about tlu> year 1857. 1U< (>nl ist od
in Company 1, t)ue Hundred and Forty Seooud Poinisylvania A'oluntoors,
and was probably killed at Goityslnng, as he was novor afterward heard
of from the time of that battle. Our snbjooti was tbe only child, and was
educated at Pleasantville aud a oonunort-ial ooUogo at Pittsburgh, Uo
resides ou the old homo place with his luothor, and now oporat.os six oil
wells. He is a Hopublicau in politics with Prohibition proolivitios, aud for
six years has boon auditor of the towusliip.
OOKN PLANTER.
John Wallace, doooasod, was born July 12, 1839, in Ireland, son of
Haneo aud Jane (Soott) AVallaoo. Tho father came to Anu>iioa in KS5t), and
now resides in Cornplanter township. John, our subject, saw sorvioo in
tho English army in the war with Russia, befcu-o eiuigrMting to America, iu
1857. He first located for some time at Pittsburgh, whore* ho was (Mupleyod
at hauling coal by Francis Oi-d(>rly. Fioni thoro bo wont to Cinoinunti, and
there worked in the moulding do|)nrtmoid. of au iron foundry for ouo your,
coming thence in 1859 to Franklin, this oounty, aud after a period of
oinployment as a Inboror, ho startod a grocery store at Ivyud Kami, wliioli
he continued until 1871, soiling out at that (iiuo, and giving his ontii-c*
attention to tbo produotion of oil, wliiob he had also foilowiHl iu oonnootion
with tlu> stor(> bnsini'Hs. Ho ln-gan bis husinoss oar(>oi- with littib* uu>aus,
but by oarol'ul doaliug he booiiuui Iho possessor of a larg(\ I'ort.uuo Ixil'in-o
his death, July 31, ISSO. Ho was luai-tiod Novombor 10, 1S63, lo .\.nua
J. Young, to which union woro born six oliildi-on: William 11., married to
Lizzio (\)ojior; infant, di<(H>nsod; rb)bu S. ; Jonuio A'. ;• Daisy R, , und
Kobert L.
\\ illiam A'oung, tho father of IMrs. Wallace*, was a native of Donegal,
Ireland, and came to this country at an early day. He k(*pt a store aud

BIOGEAPHIES OP OOENl'LANTKlt. 1088
the postoffice where Oil City now stands, about tho your 1S3N, and was tho
father of five chUdron: Nancy R. ; Anna; Udhort; Jaim^s, chicoased, aud
AVilliam, deceased. \ViUiam Young died iu 1849, aud his wife iu 18 13.
George P. Espy, farmer and oil produo,(\r, above Petroleum Centor, was
burn at Kittanning, Armstrong oounty, this state, Decouil)er 9, 1817, and
his father, who died in 1863 at tho age of soveiity-five years, was Josiah D.
Espy, a farmer by occupation. The senior Mr. Espy was an early settlor
of Venango county, coming here from Crawford county. He reared three
sons and three daughters, and the subject of this sketch was his second son.
George P. was reared on the farm, alternating the seasons of his boyhood
with attendance at the public schools. He was thirty-six years of age when
he moved upon the farm where he now resides. In 1860 he started his first
drill in search of oil and early in 1861 he struck a " gusher " in the Buckeye
well— one among the first great flowing wells on Oil creek. During 1861
and 1862 he had wells producing an aggregate of fifteen hundred barrels
per day, and he is now pumping wells drilled in 1869. On his farm he has
but eight or ten wells in operation, while he has at least one hundred and
fifty acres of as fine oU land as can be found in the county wholly untouched.
Ah an agriculturalist he is painstaking, careful, and successful, as is evident
from the condition of his farm. Mr. Espy was married in Franklin, Penn
sylvania, in AprU, 1853, to Miss Mary Jewell and has two children: Kate
D., wife of W. P. McCray, and Geo. R. , student at Philadelphia.
Joseph Ross, oil producer, was born in Pittsburgh July 7, 1812. His
parents, Daniel and Mary (Phillips) Ross, were natives of Scotland and
Pennsylvania, respectively, aud had eight children, Joseph is the only one
living and was educated in the common schools and a college at Pittsburgh.
After teaching school eight years he went into the grocery business in his
native city. He was elected prothonotary of Allegheny county in 1868 and
served a term of three years with credit and ability. Five years of his life
were spent in Kansas and he bought the farm where he now lives during
the summer seasons, in Cornplanter township, this county, in 1863. He
however did not begin to spend his summers on this farm until 1880. Upon
this farm are twenty-one producing oU wells. He was married October 17,
1844, to Jane Brown, a native of Pittsburgh, by whom he has had the fol
lowing children: James; Emma J. ; Anna M., wife of George Robinson of
Pittsburgh; WiUiam, a clerk in the Pittsburgh postoffice ; Thomas, deceased;
Elizabeth, deceased; Joseph, a professor of music, and Edward, who enlisted
as a soldier in the United States army. Mrs. Ross died Alay 7, 1869. Mr.
Ross has always been an acrive member of the Republican party; he is a
consistent, member of the Presbyterian church and an honest, upright
citizen. James Leaoh, merchant and justice of the peace, Plumer, was bom in Lan-
oaatorshire, England, November 16, 1825, and came with his parents to Amer-

1084 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
ica in 1843. His father. Reverend Daniel Leach, was a superintendent of
print works in England; in the United States he became for a time a farmer.
He settled first in Frankford, Pennsylvania, and thence removed to Block-
ley, where for four years he superintended a print works. From Blockley
he moved to Jefferson county and foUowed farming untU 1865, In January
of that year ho moved to Plumer, and here died September 24, 1873. He
was fifty years a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. His
wife died in Jefferson county in 1864. Of their two sons and two daughters
James was the eldest. He was educated in England and at the schools of
Philadelphia, In Jefferson he foUowed farming until 1865, and in March
of that year came to Plumer in charge of some oU wells. In 1873 he em
barked in the mercantile business; in 1875 he carried his merchandise to
Beaver City, and built the fu-st storehouse of that place, sold goods there
fifteen months and returned to Plumer, where his family had remained.
He was first elected justice of the peace in 1877, and his present term expires
in 1891. He was married in this place February 24, 1866, to Mary Ewing,
and their children are: Daniel J.; Elizabeth M. ; Sarah Grace; Frank C. ;
John AV. ; Margaret J., and AVillie M. Mr. Leach is a stanch Republican
and temperance advocate.
Adam Weber, merchant and oil producer, Plumer, was born in Kirch-
berg, near the river Rhine in Prussia, December 31, 1825, and in 1851 came
to America. He was educated in his native country and served three short
terms in the Prussian army. His parents, Francis Jacob and Charlotte
(Schueler) Weber, reared six sons and one daughter, aU of whom except
Adam are in Europe. The senior Mr. Weber died in 1862, aged sixty-five
years; his wife died in 1839. Adam Weber spent his first two years in the
United States in Wisconsin, and in 1853 and 1854 worked in the press
rooms of the Young American (Chicago) and the Chicago Tribune. From
there he went to Pittsburgh; he visited Germany in 1856, but returned to
Pittsburgh and engaged in the hotel business in 1858, 1859, and 1860, and
October 3, 1862, enlisted in Battery H, Pennsylvania Volunteer Artillery,
and served to the close of the war in the Army of the Potomac. He was
discharged at Camp Reynolds, June 19, 1865, as a corporal. He returned
to Pittsburgh and in the same year came to Plumer to work on the Hum
boldt refinery. This, then the largest refinery in the world, soon after
ward closed and he gave his attention to masonry, working thereat in the
employ of H. Wilbert for some years. We next find him for five or six
years manufacturing cigars at Plumer, a business which merged, in time,
into merchandising. Since 1877 he has been producing oil, Mr. Weber
married in Pittsburgh, August 1, 1859, Miss Eliza Frasch, and has had
borne to him nine children. The living are: Lotta, a teacher in the public
schools; Adam, a mechanic; Anna, and Florence. The deceased were: an
infant daughter; George, aged six months; Louisa, aged three and one-

BIOGB.\PHIES OF COENPL.VNTEE, 10^5
half years: Francisca, aged one and one half years, and Laiu-a, aged one
year. The family belong to the Lutheran church, and Air. AVeber is a mem
ber of the G. A. R.
Philip Al. BUtqh, farmer, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania,
May 25, 1833, and is a son of Lucien and A^amera (Bly) Hatch, the former
a native of AVashington county. New York, born August 24, 1S08, the lat
ter born in February, ISll, in Chautauqua county, New York. The father
received a common school education and moved to Crawford county in 1818,
with his parents, Philip and Arethusa (Snow) Hatch, who had the foUowino-
chUdren: Lucien: Horatio; Flavy: Elijah; CaroUne, and Cordelia. Philip
and Arethusa Hatch were members of the Baptist and Congregational
churches, respectively.
Lucien Hatch Uved in Crawford county untU 1844, when he was employed
at the Clapp furnace, located at the mouth of Hemlock creek in Venango
county, whither he removed his famUy and remained seven years. He then
settled on a farm along AUender mn, in Cornplanter township, where he
lived several years. He and his -wife now reside in Cattaraugus county.
New York; their chUdren were ten in number: Myron B., living in Dakota;
PhUip M. ; Mary L., deceased; -Arethusa, married to Otis Copeland, who
was kiUed in the late war; Henry S., residing in Kansas; Eunice E.,
deceased; WUlis M. , a resident of Georgia; Lucien H., living in Potter
coimty, Pennsylvania; Tryphenia M. , who married James Gibson, of Alead-
vOle, and Herbert W. , Uving in Cattai-augus county. New York. The par
ents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
PhUip M. Hatch was educated in the common schools, receiving the
larger portion of his instruction after reaching his majority. He came to
Venango county in Febmary, 1S51, and remained with his parents until
March 20, 1856, when he was married to Alary P. , daughter of -Vbraham
and Sarah (McCalmont) Prather, who are mentioned in the historical chap
ter on Cornplanter township. Air. Hatch settled immediately after mar
riage on his father's original farm on AUender run, where he remained
nntU 1879, at which time he moved to the homestead of Abraham Prather
and is the o-wner of that valuable property. During the time he lived on
the AUender run farm, he was engaged under the firm name of Prather
Brothers & Hatch in operating a saw mill; he also conducted a refinery
at Oleopolis, situated at the mouth of Pithole creek, for three years, the
firm being Hatch .1- Prather Brothers. He built the first frame building in
Pithole City, it being a store and dwelling house. After keeping a line of
general store goods in this house for one year, he removed to New WUmiog-^
ton, Lawrence county, this state, bought a hotel and farm, and four years
later returned to Plumer and purchased the Prather farm. Here he resided
until 1883, when he removed to Dakota, and there engaged in fai-ming and
stock raising until the fall of 1SS9. when he returned to Plamer. His

1086 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
children are as follows: Emma J., wife of Doctor S. B. Hotchkiss, of Edin
boro, Erie county; David M., married to Katie L. Hamngton, of St. Joe,
Missouri, and residing in Dakota, and Sarah B,, wife of John R. Robertson,
of Strabane, Ontario, Canada, a resident of Cooperstown, this county. Mr.
Hatch has been school director and road commissioner; he is a member of
the P. & A. M., at Rouseville, and of the G. A. R. ; he was postmaster at
Plumer from 1878 to 1885, and was a trustee for some time of Plumer
Methodist Episcopal church. He enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and
Forty- Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after seven months' service was
discharged because of physical disabilities. In politics he is a Republican.
Henry Wilbert, hardware merchant, of Petroleum Centre, was born in
Germany, December 9, 1834, son of Peter and Katharine Wilbert. The
father died in June, 1887, one year after celebrating his golden wedding.
Henry was educated in Germany, and learned the mason's trade in that
country and Lewis county. New York. He came to this county in 1862,
and worked at his trade about ten years. In 1864 he had his first experi
ence in the oil business. He opened a hardware store in Petroleum Centre,
in the year 1879, and has since enjoyed a prosperous business. He is the
owner of five hundred acres of land in this county, including the site
whereon Petroleum Center is located, with twenty-five producing oil wells
thereon. He was married in November, 1865, to Barbara Strahl, a native
of Germany, bom December 4, 1846, and who came to America when six
years old. To this union nine children have been born: Caroline, John,
Lizzie, Peter, Mary, Maggie, Charley, Barbara, and Henry Lawrence. Mrs.
Wilbert died August 10, 1889, in her forty -third year, and was laid at rest
in the Catholic cemetery, at Erie, Pennsylvania. She was a worthy mem
ber of that church, to which faith Mr. Wilbert also belongs. He is a mem
ber of the C. M. B. A. , and one of the most active, enterprising citizens of
the township.
Cyrus Dickson Rynd, an oil producer on the Rynd farm, and at the
station of that name, is the great-grandson of Ambrose Rynd, the grandson
of John Rynd, and the son of John Rynd the second.
Ambrose Rynd, a native of Ireland, was born in 1738, came to America
in 1799, and located, first, in Westmoreland county, this state. He was a
woolen factor in Ireland, and brought with him to this country, as the
product of the sale of his plant, one thousand two hundred dollars in gold.
In Westmoreland he labored for his daily bread, hoarding carefully his
small fortune for investment when opportunity should present. In the
year 1800 he found his way to the mouth of Cherry Tree run, aud there
purchased of the Holland Land Company a tract of land, containing five
hundred acres, and lying on both sides of Oil creek. He here erected his
cabin, and, as far as known, spent the rest of his life in contentment. The
wife of his early manhood died in Ireland, and his son, JohUj was ever after

BIOGRAPHIES OF COENPLANTEE. 10n7
his only household companion. He lived to be ninety-nine years of ao-e,
and left behind him a name and reputation that reach down to the third
and fourth generation of his house, and softens and brightens their lives as
they recount the legend of his manifold virtues.
John Rynd. his only son, was born in 1777. He married Nancv Mc-
CasUn, of -Allegheny township, reared five sons and three daughters, and
died in 1S49. In transmitting the estate of his father to his o-wn chUdren,
the old homestead on the west side of Oil creek fell to his son, John, whom
for the sake of identity, we denominate John the second. The elder John
was a thrifty man; he added much to the estate of Ambrose, and gave unto
his sons each a good farm, and to his daughters an equivalent in money.
The daughters are all dead, and only two sons are living: James, in his
eighty-sixth year, at Tarentum, and John, in his seventy-fourth year, at
PerryvUle, this state.
John Rynd, the second, lived at the mouth of Cherry Tree run untU
1S65. He was born in the old log cabin, in 1S15, and at the age of thirty
married his cousin, Nancy McCaslin, the name of his mother. He reai-ed
three sons and four daughters: but two of the latter are living.
Cyrus D. Rynd, his eldest son, was bom in Cornplanter township,
Venango county, and the common schools of Pittsburgh, Beaver Academy,
and Duff's Commercial College, supplied him -with an ample education.
He began business in Pittsburgh, as a general agent for the WUson Se-wing
Alachine Company, remained -with them sis; years, farmed two years in
Payette county, and in ISSl took charge of the Rynd farm. Here he was
five years a merchant, and from 1SS2 to 1SS7 the postmaster. He was
married in Pittsburgh, AprU 30, 1S74, to Miss Eliza Blair, who has borne
to him two chUdren: Nancy, bom July 23, 1S76, died December IS, 1S77,
and John Dickson, bom January 5. 1S7S. The Rynd famUy are Pres
byterian in faith.
Walter Siveelt, of the borough of Siverly, has been many years a
famiUar figure around the OU Exchange of Oil City and is known as an en
terprising and successful petroleum broker. His father, PhUip J±. Siverly,
now about eighty- six years of age, resides in PhUadelphia; an tmcle, MUton
T. Siverly, now about eighty-foui- years of age, lives in Davenport, Iowa,
and Elhanan W. Siverly, another uncle, is over eighty-two years of age and
resides at Morning Sun. Iowa. An aunt, Alzira Maiy i Siverly) WUherspoon,
over eighty years of age, resides at Siverly, Ohio, and anothei aunt, Ann
Dorothy (Siverly) Purdy. more than eighty years old, resides in Rockland
township, this county. His grandfather, Abram G. Siverly, came fi-om New
York city m 1S19 and settled in Pinegrove township, this county. In
1S20 or 1821 he located m the immediate vicinity of the vUlage of Siveriy
and it was for him the place was named. In 1S39 he emigrated to Iowa and
there spent the rest of his life, dying near the town of AYapeUo at the age

1088 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
of about seventy years. He reared a large family of chUdren, the only sur
viving members of whom are enumerated in this sketch, Philip H. Siverly
married Mary Elderkin on Tionesta creek, resided at Siverly from 1848 to
1865, and reared one son and three daughters. Mary Elderkin Siverly died
in 1884. The Siverlys came originally, and at an early date in the history of this
country, from Germany. The nationality of the Elderkin family is not
known to the writer; but it is evident that they were among the pioneers of
New England. Walter Siverly was bom at Newton, then Venango county
but now Forest county, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1832. He was educated
at the common schools, followed farming as a boy, subsequently dealt in
lumber some years, and later on became an oil producer. For the past ten
years he has been an oil broker. He is one of the most proficient mathema
ticians of the state. His contributions to scientific papers published both
in America and Europe, on problems and solutions in higher mathematics,
have attracted the attention of the learned and won for him the honorary
degree of Doctor of PhUosophy. This distinction was conferred upon him
in 1888 by the North Carolina College of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
He is therefore at this time entitled to supplement his name with Ph. D.
He was married at Oregon, Chautauqua county. New York, December 8,
1870, to Miss Lucy Dimond.
William Charles Tyler, M. D,, Rouseville, Pennsylvania, was born at
Hiram, Ohio, January 6, 1838, and is a son of Calvin Tyler, a native of
Greene county, New York, a farmer by occupation during his active life,
and descended from English ancestors. The family name of the doctor's
mother was AVhite and her first ancestor in America came over in the May
Flower. The doctor's father, now ninety- two years old, lives with the son;
the mother died in 1886 aged eighty-two years. They reared three sons
and two daughters. William C. received his literary education at Hiram
College, Ohio, and while there was at one time a student under James A,
Garfield. Leaving college he taught school in Ohio for about five years.
In 1862 he entered the University of Michigan and was graduated there
from in the following year with the degree of M. D, He began the prac
tice of medicine at Munson, Ohio, and from there in 1864 came to Rouse
ville, where he at once took rank as a first-class physician. In addition to
his professional practice he is interested in the production of oil, and has in
RouseviUe a first-class di-ug store. Though an ardent Republican he is no
place seeker; the only office he has ever held is that of township commis
sioner, in which office he is now serving his second term. Doctor Tyler is a
thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Bloomsburg consistory. He was
married in Rouseville June 4, 1873, to Ella Conant, who died on the 6th of
July following. The present Mrs. Taylor, to whom the doctor was married
at Morenci, Michigan, October 19, 1875, is Angle, a sister of his former
wife. The doctor has three children: BUa, Rowena, and Edith.

BIOGEAPHIES OF COENPLANTEE. 1089
Doctor E. P. Crooks, Plumer, is a native of Crawford county this state,
a son of Aaron R. and Esther B, (Hellyer) Crooks, and was born May 22,
1842. His father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Chester June 26,
1798, and his mother in Bucks county, this state. With their eldest child,
then one year old, they removed from Doylestovm, Bucks county, to Craw
ford county in 1827. The family came from Crawford county to Venango
in 1850 and located in Jackson township. The father died in July, 1883,
at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, to whom he was married January
20, 1824, was bom July 4, 1804, and died October 17, 1879. Both are in
terred in the Franklin cemetery. They reared four sons and four daughters
of whom three sons only are living: Anderson B. , in Jackson township; An
drew Wilson, in Crawford county, and B. P., the subject of this sketch,
Nathan H, died May 24, 1880, aged fifty-three. Of the daughters, Martha
G., wife of James S. McCray, died March 4, 1889; Mary Jane, wife of
Walter Bell, died May 12, 1884; Sarah Ann, wife of Charles Coxson, died
March 2, 1877, and Araminta died October 9, 1843, aged four years, three
months, and three days.
E, P. was educated at the common schools, read medicine in Petroleum
Center, completed his professional education in Canada, and began practice
in Cornplanter township where he has since remained. From 1873 to 1875
he dealt extensively in oil at Petroleum Center, also had a production in
Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and in 1877 moved to Plumer, Here he
kept the Plumer house ten years and is now proprietor of the Stone House
hotel. During all these years he has kept up his practice of medicine not
withstanding the other various lines of business in which he has been en
gaged. The doctor was married in Petroleum Center, February 23, 1871,
to Miss Margaret J. Alexander, and has four children: Martha Elva, an ac
complished teacher of select schools; Frank A, , Harry P. , and Daisy May.
John N. Maetin, superintendent of the Imperial Refining Company at
Siverly, was born in Beaver county, this state, March 27, 1844, and his
parents were Jesse and Eliza (Moore) Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, of
Irish and Scotch extraction, respectively. He was educated at the common
schools, and at the outbreak of the late war was working at the blacksmith
trade. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Lawrence oounty as a private
soldier in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-Fourth Pennsylvania Vol
unteers, and served nine months in the Army of the Potomac, participating
in the battles of Fredericksburg and ChancellorsviUe. In 1872 he came
to Oil City as stUl-man for the Imperial (then but just built by Mr.
G-racie), was soon afterwards made foreman, and in 1879 was promoted to
his present position. Mr. Martin has been twice married, first in 1864 at
New Brighton to Miss WUey. She died in 1870, and in 1874, at James
town, this state, Miss Anna Rankin became the present Mrs. Martin. By
his first wife Mr. Martin has four chUdren: Robert J.; Antoinette M. ;

1090 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Gertrude J., and Sadie A. The family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and Mr. Martin belongs to the G. A, R.
Charles B. Clarke, foreman of the Tidioute and TitusvUle branch of the
National Transit Company, Rouseville, was born in Monroe county. New
York, December 9, 1844. He received a common school education and
January 10, 1862, at Rochester, New York, enlisted in Company C, Fourth
New York Heavy Artillery. He served three years in the Army of the
Potomac, taking part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold
Harbor, and Petersburg. At the end of the term of his artillery service, he
joined Company I, Sixty-Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served
from April 6, 1865, one hundred days, leaving the army as orderly ser
geant. Soon after leaving the service, Mr. Clarke came to the oil region
and has been here ever since, excepting, perhaps, about two years spent in
Butler county. Here he has operated in oil for himself and other parties,
and in 1878 accepted the position he now occupies. He was married in
Ontario, New York, July 4, 1871, to Miss Hattie Sanders. Mr. Clarke is a
member of OU Creek Lodge No. 303, F. & A. M., of TitusviUe; OU City
Chapter, No. 236; Talbot Commandery, No. 43,- and Captain William
Evans Post, No. 167, G. A. R.
Alfeed B. Armstrong, merchant, Rouseville, was born in Crawford
county, this state. November 25, 1835. His parents are William and 
(Hickernell) Armstrong, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and German
extraction, respectively. The senior Mr. Armstrong, now residing in Craw
ford county, in the seventy-third year of his age, was formerly a carpenter
and joiner. His wife is now seventy-two years old. They reared five sons
and five daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters are now living.
The subject of this sketch, the eldest of the family, and a brother, Will
iam L., were in the army during the Rebellion; the latter is now an oil
producer in Clarion county. In regard to his education, Alfred B. is prin
cipally self-taught, and that he has made the best of his opportunities is
manifest. In early life he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed it
about ten years. In October, 1862, he enlisted at Meadville, in Company
H, One Hundred and Sixty-Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine
months in the Army of the Potomac as second lieutenant. Prior to 1870,
at which time he engaged in mercantile business at Rouseville, he was vari
ously employed at Shamburg, Rynd Farm, etc. Mr. Armstrong is a K. of
P. and a Mason, He was married in Saegertown April 21, 1855, to Abi
gail Woodring (originally spelled Wotring), and has twelve children: Mary
E., Mrs. C. A. Myers; Frank W. ; Ida E., Mrs. Huston McCombs ; Clara E.,
Mrs. Jerry Ghering; Charles B. ; William Joseph; Margaret; Alfred B. ;
Abigail; Nancy J; John, and Thomas.
Joseph T. Fry, was bom in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 28,
1836, and his father, George Fry, was born in 1811, where the town of

BIOGEAPHIES OF COKNPLANTEB. 1091
Green-riUe now stands. The old gentleman spent his Ufe in Mercer countv,
dying in iSSS, at the age of seventy-seven years. His -wife, whose family
name was Moyer, died in 1>53, They reared three sous and three daughters.
Joseph, the seooud son, was brought up to farming, and at the common
sciiool acquired the rudiments of an English education. -At the a^e of
twenty-one years he engaged in the coal business at ClarksviUe, and fol
lowed it untU IS'io. In that year he came into the petroleum country, pur
chased an oU weU on Moody run, and became a producer. In lS'>Ohe came
to Rtiuse-riUe and engaged in mercantUe business. At the present time he
is associated with his son in the grocery business. He is a Mason, an Odd
PeUow, and a Republican, He -was married March 22. IS'jO. at Sharon.
Pennsylvania, to Miss Jane McAUen, and has one son, Frank L.
pRAXK L. Fry. merchant, RouseviUe. was bom in Slienango. Mercer cotmty.
this state, July S. 1>'''2. and is a son of Joseph T. Fry. He was educated at
the common schools and at the age of eighteen years began the grocery
business at RousevUle as a clerk. In 1SS3 he embarked in business for
himself and so far has met with flattering success. He is a member of the
Royal Arcanum, holding the office of collector, of theE. A. U. . and of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He united with the church when fourteen
years of age and is now its secretary and treasurer aud superintendent of
its Sabbath school. Mr. Fry was married in RousevUle January 13. 1^^5. to
Miss Dora M. DuU and has one chUd, Josephine.
Liscoi_s PL WiLLiTT. proprietor of the Rathburn hotel, RouseviUe, was
born in Erie county. New York. May 25, 1S60, and his father was Homer
WiUitt, a hotel man, who came to RouseviUe and purchased the Rathbtrm
house in 1S79. Though he subsequently sold the hotel to his son. he con-
tinned with it as manager imtU the time of his death, January 5, IbSo. He
was lirst associated -with his son, John L. , in the hotel, and after seUing his
interest to Lincoln H., the two brothers ran it tUl 1SS5. The widow WUl-
itt purchased the property, and through her it comes into the hands of our
subject at this time. The hotel has twenty-four sleeping rooms and is oth
erwise amply equipped for the entertainment of both "man and beast.
In addition to his hotel business. Mr. AViUitt. our subjeet. is one of the pro
prietors of the OU City Chautauqua lee Company, and is largely interested
¦with others in valuable real estate property at RousevUle. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Royal Arcanum. His vrife. to whom
he was married at Franldin. Pennsylvania, in IS^l, was Miss Alta Sparks.
daughter of John Sparks, of RouseviUe. They have two children: Homer
and Hariey.
F. J. Haxxa. deceased, was born m Ireland November 1. 1^31, immi
grated to America with his parents m 1S34, and located m Philadelphia.
where he leamed the machmist trade. In 1S66 he opened a machine shop

1092 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in Petroleum Center, in company with a Mjr. Murphy, which enterprise was
burned, and rebuilt by Hanna & Company. He moved to Kane City, where
he died February 8, 1889. While at Kane City he was interested in oil pro
ducing. He took an active part in educational matters, having been at
various times connected with the school board, and was a member of the
Masonic order of Philadelphia. He was married October 27, 1856, to
Elizabeth McKinley, a native of Philadelphia, and by herhad two children:
John F. and Joseph. The former of these sons married Clarissa J. Dodds,
and has the following children: Francis J. ; Elizabeth J., and Albert J.
H. B. AVhittlbsey, valve-cup manufacturer. Petroleum Center, was born
June 11, 1833, in Massachusetts, to Federal and Caroline (Churchill) Whit
tlesey. He received his education in the common schools and began his
business career as a grocery merchant, drifting from that into the shoe busi
ness. In 1865 he came to Venango county and began the oil production.
He bought the valve-cup factory in 1875 from A. Leggett and in 1879 was
joined by D. K. Jones in the business, which partnership continued until
1885 when Mr. Whittlesey became the sole owner and still continues the
manufacture of this important article, together with casing cups and steam
pump cups, making the majority of each used in this part of the oil country.
Mr. Whittlesey enlisted in May, 1861, in Company G, Sixty-Fifth New
York Volunteer Infantry, subsequently being transferred to the Ninety-
Eighth New York Volunteer Infantry. In November, 1862, he was mus
tered into the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry as second lieutenant, was pro
moted to first lieutenant, then to captain, and during battles had three
horses shot from under him. He was married in 1855 to Isabel Cram, a
native of New York, by whom he had two children: Harry C. and Mary R.
His wife died September 20, 1865, and he was again married in 1869, to
Elizabeth Wilson, a native of Albion, New York, and to this union were
born three children: Federal E. ; Seward C, and Clara I. Mr. Whittlesey
is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the E. A. U. ; in politics he is a Re
publican and with his wife belongs to the United Presbyterian church.
Edward G. Twitchel, postmaster and farmer, was born in England, Jan
uary 10, 1831, to Edward and Mary (George) Twitchel. Edward, Sr., was
a weaver by trade while in England; he immigrated to America in 1832 and
worked at joining in the carpenter trade. Our subject was educated in the
common schools and learned the trade of shoemaker. He came to this
county in 1862 and in 1876 he opened a general store in Pithole, which he
conducted until 1887. He has been postmaster at this place since 1876. He
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. W. Gardiner, of the firm of McCoUom & Gardiner, coal miners and
operators. Oil City, came from Sharpsburg, Allegheny county, to this place
in 1861 and engaged in the production of petroleum, a business in which he
has since been regularly interested. In 1863, as a member of the firm

BIOGEAPHIES OF COENPLANTEE. 1093
of Reynolds, Brodhead & Company, he entered the mercantUe trade, and
followed it about five years. From 1868 to 1876 he devoted his whole time
to oil production and in tho latter year formed a partnership in the lumber
and coal traffic with B. T. Borland. In 1882 he organized the OU City
Lumber and Coal Company, from which he withdrew in 1887 and organized
the Venango Lumber & Coal Company. Retiring from the latter concem in
March, 1889, he embarked in his present enterprise. In addition to his
coal interests he is largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Cran
berry township, and is the special agent for the Erie City Iron Works. In
the last named line he is handling specially the famous boiler and engine
known to the trade as the " New Economic. " Mr. Gardiner was born at
Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1842. His father, Thomas Gardiner,
a merchant in his life-time, was a native of Ireland. He died at Sharpsburg
in 1850, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving a widow, one son, and three
daughters. The widow succeeded to her late husband's business and in it
brought up her son, the subject of this sketch. She yet resides at Sharps
burg. Mr. Gardiner was married December 25, 1863, to Miss S. J. Siverly,
of Siverly, and has five children: H. H. , a grocer at Siverly; Maude; Grace;
Plorence, and Donald. He and his family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal chui-ch.
H. T. Gillespie, farmer, was born in Canada, August 5, 1846, son of
William and Hannah (Rodhouse) GiUespie. He came to Venango county in
1865, and like the greater portion of the incomers, commenced to assist in
the production of oil. He was united in wedlock January 27, 1870, with
Miss Annie J. , daughter of Robert and Frances (Bartholomew) Shaw of this
county, and the result of this union has been four chUdren: Robert W. ;
Charles P. ; Harry P. , and- Lilian P.
Robert Shaw was a native of Sugar Creek township, Venango county.
His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Robert Shaw was a AVhig and
took an active interest in the Underground railway in the transportation of
colored fugitives to Canada. He cleared up a farm which afterward was famil
iarly known as the Shaw farm— noted for its great oil production. He was
the father of eleven chUdren: James AV. ; Robert L. ; Adelia A. ; Sylvester I. ;
Anna J. ; Emeline U. ; Sarah E. ; Frances A. ; AViUiam P. ; Margie, deceased,
and David, deceased. James W. , the eldest, served in the late war as a mem
ber of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers and lost his
right arm at the battle of Gettysburg. He served as recorder of Venango
county nine years and held the same position for three years in AIcKean
county. He is now practicing law at Bradford. Robert, Sr. , died Decem
ber 25, 1884, and his widow died in 1887.
H. B. HixoN, retired oU operator, was born AprU 1, 1818, in Emmitts-
burg, Maryland, His father, Henry Hixon, was of English extraction, a
native of Maryland and a soldier of the war of 1812; he was with General

1094 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Jackson on his campaign through Florida. Mary (Blackburn) Hixon, the
mother of our subject, was also a native of Maryland and of German ances
try. She had only one child, H. B. The father was married a second time,
to Mary Crabster of Taneytown, Maryland, and had one child, William. H.
B. Hixon was educated in the common schools and at the age of twelve
years began working in a woolen mill in his native town; at eighteen he
removed to near Winchester, Virginia, and there continued his trade until
reaching his majority, when he went to Franklin county, this state, and
worked there for one year, afterward following the same business at Quincy,
in that county, for another year. At the close of the last mentioned period
he took charge of a dyeing and carding establishment for John Cavode of
Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county, then a resident of Chambersburg,
whose business he managed in the Ligonier valley for two years. January
3, 1839, while at the last mentioned place, he was married to Eliza, daughter
of Irvin Elliott, and to this union were born nine children: Henrietta,
deceased; Mary A. ; William H. H. ; Augusta; Edward; Lucius, an oil oper
ator in the West Indies; Florence L., and two others who died in infancy.
The mother died August 19, 1885, and was buried at Oil City. After mar
riage Mr. Hixon' s whereabouts became somewhat transient, one of the prin
cipal locations being at Johnstown, where he erected a large brick woolen
factory, which withstood all attempts of the late flood to wreck its walls, and
is still standing. In 1863 he came to the oil country, from Kinsman, Ohio,
and in 1865 began the production of oil, to which he gave his attention for
fourteen years. He then retired to the Shaw farm in Cornplanter town
ship, where he yet resides. He served as collector and assessor of Corn-
planter township for eleven years and held other township offices. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, located on the Shaw farm. For
many years he was class leader of this organization and at the present time
is assistant superintendent of the Sabbath school. He became one of the
early members of the AVhig party and drifted from that to the Republican
party. He is one of the upright, intelligent, and worthy citizens of Corn-
planter township.
C. C, Dale, oil producer, was bom in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, to
David and Catharine (Henlen) Dale who immigrated to this country in
1859, Our subject began his business life in oil producing. He was mar
ried in 1869 to Henrietta Hixon and had three children: L. G. ; Loe, audi
Floridale. Mrs. Dale died in April, 1882, and he was again married to
Lizzie Irwin of Plumer, this county, by whom he has three children : Handle ;
Roscoe, and Catharine. A mention of his father's family will be found
elsewhere. William J, McCeay, oil producer and farmer, was bom on what is known
as the ' ' McCray Hill ' ' about one mile from Petroleum Center, June 6, 1834.
His father, William McCray, one of the pioneers of Cornplanter, improved

BIOGEAPHIES OF COENPLANTEE. 1095
and developed the agricultural resources of the well-known McCray farm.
He was first married to Elizabeth Story, by whom he had eight children:
James; Elizabeth, married to Henry Sedors; Nancy A., married to Joseph
McCaslin; Mary E., naarried to J. M. Goudy; William J.; Margaret, de
ceased wife of John AVilson; Isabelle, deceased wife of Gilson Eakin; Rachel ^
H., who married Robert Eakin and after his death, C, M. Carmer. The ^
mother died in 1841 and the father married Miss Mary Prather, who died
in 1867 without issue. The senior McCray died in 1861 at the age of sixty-
four years; he was a Democrat and a life-long member of the United Pres
byterian church of Plumer.
William J. McCray, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, is the
youngest of the sons. He was educated at the common schools and trained
to manual labor as a farmer's boy. During the autumn of 1860 he turned
his attention to the production of oil and on the well-known Buchanan farm
struck a "gusher " which led to the development of that prolific field. He
is now operating a number of paying wells and is a farmer of more than
average success. He was married in Erie, Pennsylvania, in October, 1867,
to Miss Annie McCray, daughter of John McCray, and has had the follow
ing chUdren: Clara Emma; James B., deceased; Lora May, deceased; Edna
and Earle (twins), deceased; Anna Mary; WiUiam L. ; John, deceased;
Martha B. ; George R., ^nd Robert S. Mr. McCray once owned and oper
ated a refinery at Petroleum Center which he sold to the Standard Oil Com
pany in 1876. He is a Democrat and with his wife belongs to the United
Presbyterian church at Plumer, of which he has been an acting trustee for
over twenty-one years. He is also a member of the E. A, U,
W. P. McCray, oil producer and farmer near Petroleum Center, was
born on the old McCray farm November 2, 1857, and is a son of James S.
McCray, late of Franklin, this county, and at one time one of the most ex
tensive oil operators and producers in the world, W. P. McCray, the eld
est of two sons, was educated at Franklin, and in 1874 engaged in the pro
duction of oil on the old homestead. From that time to the present he has
been in the oil business, though not exclusively; for three or four years he
was postmaster and engaged in mercantile business at Petroleum Center.
In 1879 he purchased and moved upon the place he now occupies, known
as the McElhaney farm. He now has eight wells in operation and about
two hundred acres of promising undeveloped territory. On his place are
wells producing forty barrels each per month that have been in operation
twenty-two years. In 1881 he became owner of a half interest in the lands
formeriy in possession of the Central Petroleum Company, but two years
later disposed of this to Henry Wilbert. Mr. McCray was married March
20, 1879, to Miss Kate D., daughter of George P. Espy, and has one chUd,
Lottie May. . ^. „ -.it.,,
Henry R. Davis, oU producer near Petroleum Center, is a native of WUl-

1096 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
iamsburg, Blair county, this state, and was bom February 23, 1835. His
father, Andrew Davis, removed to Iowa from Clearfield county, Pennsylva
nia, some twenty years ago, and his mother, whose maiden name was Susan
Hoover, is not living. Henry, the eldest of nine children — five sons and
four daughters — after his school days worked in the blacksmith shop with
his father. At the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the lumber busi
ness at Lumber City, and in 1861 came to TitusvUle. Later he came to Pe
troleum Center, and about here has remained. Mr. Davis was married in
Lumber City, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1864, to Miss Ruth J, Thompson,
who was born February 10, 1847, and has two children living: Emma and
Clara. Flora died May 28, 1871, at the age of seven years. Mr. Davis
and family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Jacob F. Neely, oil producer, was bom in Clarion county, this state,
November 22, 1837, to Paul and Elizabeth (Myers) Neely. Paul Neely
was a native of Westmoreland county, moved to Clarion county about 1830,
and to Venango county in 1847. He served in all the regimental offices of
the state mUitia and was orderly sergeant of the Fourth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, enlisting in 1861 and serving eight months. He was fifty-two
years of age at the time he entered the war and the father of eight chil
dren: AVilliam; Samuel; John; Joseph, deceased; Mary A ; Jacob P.;
Clara, deceased, and Mahala. He died in November, 1883, his wife having
preceded him to the grave in 1875. Our subject received a common school
education and began fcir himself in the lumber business in Elk county, this
state. In 1861 he caught the oil fever and now has a farm of one hundred
and twenty-four acres with thirty producing wells thereon. He is a mem
ber of the Masonic order, was a charter member of the first I. O. O. F,
lodge of Oil City, and has served as to-wnship committeeman for the Demo
cratic party. He was married January 1, 1862, to Matilda Milnor, a native
of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and to this union there have been born
seven children: Tona; Dora; Murdith; Maud; Nevoda; Frank P., and
Herbert. A. Jackson Kirkwood, oU producer, was bom in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, March 12, 1839, to Isaac and Elizabeth (Kaple) Kirkwood,
natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Isaac Kirkwood died Octo
ber 12, 1874, and his wife preceded him to the grave about the year 1849,
Our subject was married in 1858 to Charlotte Mortimore, a native of Butler
county, and to this union have been born eleven children: Levina, wife of
John W. Kirkwood; Sadie; Andrew; John; David; Al; Anna; Charley; James;
Prank, and Willis. In company with his son, Andrew, ahd son-in-law,
John W. Kirkwood, he owns a farm of one hundred and six acres of land
with nine producing oil wells thereon.
David T. Borland, oil producer, Siverly, came to Oil City from AVest
moreland county in 1864 and the two succeeding years was superintendent

BIOGEAPHIES OF COENPLANTEE, 1097
of the Eldorado Oil Company. From that he turned his attention to the
production of oil, and followed it exclusively for some years. From 1876
to 1884 he was in the lumber and coal business; since the latter date he has
been a producer. Mr. Borland was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania,
April 4, 1839, and is a son of the late Thomas Borland. He was educated
in the common schools and reared to manhood on the farm. In June, 1862,
he entered the army from his native county as a corporal in Company F,
One Hundred and Twenty-Third Pennsylvania A^olunteers, and served nine
months in the army of the Potomac, participating in the battles of Antietam
and Fredericksburg. At the latter place, December 14, 1862, he received
a gun-shot through the thigh. Leaving the army he soon afterward
migrated to Kansas, returning thence to Westmoreland and later to Oil City.
When about twenty-two years of age Mr. Borland married Mary A. Kennedy,
of Westmoreland county and has had borne unto him five children, viz.:
Bertha, Mrs. C. AA^. Downing; AA'illiam K. ; Emma; AA' alter, and Anna.
Mr. Borland belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, is an active mem
ber of the Sons of Temperance, and, together, with his famUy, worships at
the Methodist Episcopal church.
A. B. Steaub, oil producer, was born in Appalachicola, Florida, Novem
ber 13, 1839, to Nicholas and Dorothea (Babst) Straub, natives of Germany.
Nicholas Straub died in May, 1888, and was the father of nine childi-en,
only three of whom are living: Elias, hotel landlord at Sheldon, New York;
Sophia, wife of Bernard Fisher, of Buffalo, and A. B. The last named
was educated in the common schools and came to Venango cotmty in 1865,
purchased the Rochester house of Squire & Greely, which was located on
the famous Johnnie Steel farm, and conducted it for two years. He then
came to where he now lives and has since been producing oil. He has also
a lumber and coal yard at Rynd Farm. He was married January 7, 1862,
to Mary J. Kuster, a native of New York, and to this union have been born
seven chUdren: Charles A. ; H. Frank; Andrew T. ; Clara B. ; John W. ; George
B., and Lena M. Mr. Straub and wife are members of the Catholic church.
R. E. Knapp, oil producer near Kane City, was born in Hamburg, New
York, AprU 18, 1844. His father, Gershum Knapp, a native of Connecti
cut, farmer by occupation, is now seventy- two years old and resides at Ham
burg; and his mother's family name was Gvrinn. She died in June, 1889,
aged sixty-five years. The old people reared seven sons and five daughters
and our subject, the eldest of the twelve, was reared on the farm and schooled
at the public institutions. He came to the oil country in 1865, worked two
years in the refinery at Petroleum Center, and five years at drilling and
tool dressing in that vicinity and at Pithole. In 1872 he came to where he
now lives, a place then known by the euphonious name of AUemagoozaleum
and a viUage of some pretensions. Here he began the production of oU as
a business and thereat has been reasonably successful. Mr. Knapp is a

1098 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
*
member of the F. & A. M., A. O. U. AA^, E. A. U., and the Royal Arcanum.
He was married at Boston, Erie county, New York, December 12, 1872, to
Miss Hortense Lake, daughter of the late Samuel Lake of that county.
David Barcroft, oil producer, Kane City, was born in Pittsburgh in
1844 and is the fourth son of William Barcroft, a carpenter, who reared five
sons and a daughter, and died in Pittsburgh. David attended the public schools
of Allegheny county when a boy and early in life started out for himself.
He came to the oil region in 1865 from Ohio and was first employed as a
tool dresser on the Columbia farm. Up to 1877 or 1878 he was operating
wells for others. At that time he formed a partnership with J. W. Kirk
wood and began business in earnest. They purchased several fine produc
ing farms in rapid succession and are now reckoned among the leading pro
ducers of the township. He located at Kane City about 1879. He was
married in Sherman, New York, in 1885, to a Miss Kirkwood and has one
child, Grace.
J. W. Kirkwood, of the firm of Barcroft & Kirkwood, oil producers,
Kane City, and treasurer of the Producers' Torpedo Company, is a native
of Butler county, this state, a son of James Kirkwood, a farmer of this
township, and was bom June 13, 1853. He was educated in the common
schools, and has been in the oil business since he was seventeen years of age.
His family moved into Venango county in 1867. From here he went to
Forest county in 1870, and there drilled unsuccessfully for petroleum. Four
years later he tried again for oil, this time with better results and he sold
his interest to his partner, Anderson. From 1874 to 1877 he followed drUl
ing, farming, and mining, and in the latter year turned his attention again
to producing oU. Soon afterward the partnership existing with Barcroft
was formed, and the firm own and operate some of the richest oU lands in
the county. Mr. Kirkwood is a Mason and a K. of L. He was married in
RouseviUe September 30, 1885, to Miss Lovina J. Kirkwood and has two
children: Minnie May and John Howard.
W. H. HoFT-MAi,-, manager of the Columbia farm, near Petroleum Center,
was born in Birmingham, now a part of Pittsburgh, April 7, 1845. He
learned the trade of nail cutting and followed that occupation for a number
of years. He came to this cotmty in 1869 (the time of the location of the
Columbia Company in this and AlcKean counties), and has been its man
ager for the last nine years. He was married in Pittsburgh in August, 1869,
to Mary Slocum and has seven children: George; Joseph; Ralph; Thomas;
Charley; May, and Guy. He is a member and secretary of the A. O. U. W.
J. P. McCracken, oil producer, was bom in Mercer county, December
31, 1845, son of Alexander and Eliza (Setley) McCracken. Alexander was
born in Alercer county and was the father of four children: Theodore, de
ceased; Joshua ; Mary, wif e of D. L. McQuiston, and Alexander. Our sub
ject was educated at common schools and began life in the oil business. He

BIOGEAPHIES OF PEE8IDENT. 1099
was married June 13, 1877, to Adelia Dodds, a native of Butler county,
Pennsylvania. To this union there have been born five children: Elizabeth-
Lee: Milo, decea.sed; Eliza, and Mamie. Mr. AlcCracken has fourteen pro
ducing oU wells and is agent for the Painter, Leightty & Shupe Oil Com
pany. He is a member of the school board, the 1. O. O. P., and A. O. U.
AY, and has been master workman of the last mentioned. He is an active
and enthusiastic Democrat.
Peteb Beery, oU producer, was born in Erie county, New York, April
15, 1846, to .John and Elizabeth (Bergtold) Berry, natives of Germany.
John Berry was a weaver by trade, immigrated to America in 1832, aud set
Ued in Clarence, New York. Here he pursued his avocation in connection
with farming until his death in 1 878, his wife preceding him in 1863. Our
subject was educated in the common schools and Fredonia Academy, Chau
tauqua county. New York. In 1868 he began dressing tools at Tidioute,
Warren county, Pennsylvania, and became first interested in the oil business
m 1872 at Fagtmdus, and in 1870 became associated with Grapdin Brothers
and J. M. Clapp. They opened up the famous BaUtown field in 1882, drill
ing nine weUs before getting oil, and then struck a well that produced one
thousand barrels a day. He is yet interested in the fields spoken of and
other territory in Forest and AVarren counties. He came to this county in
AprU, 1889, and purchased six hundred and one acres of land upon which
developments are in progress. He was elected to the legislature from For
est county in 1884, receiving the largest majority ever given any man for
that position by the voters of that county, .and that, too, during the year of
the Republican defeat for president. He was married September 28, 1882,
to Annie L. Maidens, a native of Lockport, New York and has two children:
Leland T. and Ada I. He is a member of the Masonic order and a stanch
RepubUcan. president.
Reverend Ralph Clapp was bom in Middlefield, Massachusetts, in 1801,
and died at President, Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1865. He was a
Methodist minister of great ability and considerable celebrity. He enjoyed
and retained the intimate, unreserved, and warm friendship of the late
Bishop Matthew Simpson, and many other noted and eminent ministers of
the Methodist Episcopal church. July 4, 1853, he addressed the citizens
of Franklin, Pennsylvania, and then predicted the buUding of a railroad to
the Pacific coast, and though this assertion was then looked upon by many
as chimerical and visionary, his prediction has long since been verified by
the completion of no less than three raUways to that distant coast. In 1854
he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania legislature and served in that
ofBce during the session of 1854-55. During the war of the Rebellion he
was one of the Union's most earnest and able advocates and supporters,
never flagging in his fidelity to its cause and faith in Us complete and satis-

1100 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
factory success. His wife, Sally Hubbard, was bom in Steuben, New York,
and died in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1886, She was an eminently
faithful Christian woman, respected and loved by all her extensive acquaint
ance. They were married in Champion, New York, January 2, 1824, and
settled in Venango county in 1846. They had a family of six children:
Edwin Emmett; Charles Carroll; Emeline Frances; Caroline; John Martin,
and Ellen Gennett.
Edwin E. Clapp was born in Watertown, New York. He has lived in
Venango county during the last forty years, except a short time that he
resided in Dubuque, Iowa. He has been a large producer of petroleum,
and is still engaged in that business, living at President, near where his
father resided and died.
Charles C, Clapp died in 1843, aged sixteen years.
Emeline F. Clapp was married to E. R. Shankland, and died in Dubuque,
Iowa, in 1865, leaving a family of four children.
Caroline Clapp was married to J. L. P. McAllister, and they have a
family of five children. They now reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
John M. Clapp was married in 1865 to Anna M. Pearson of New Castle,
Pennsylvania. They had four children, three of whom are now living,
John M. Clapp recruited a company for the army in 1862, and went out as
captain in Colonel Chapman Riddle's regiment, the One Hundred and
Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, where he won for himself a first-
class record as a soldier and an able and worthy officer. He would no doubt
have been promoted to higher position and rank had he not been compelled
by failing health to resign and leave the service, which he did in August,
1863. He has been extensively engaged in business, and proved his ability
in that line by his successful management of whatever he undertook. He
is now a resident of Washington city.
Ellen G. Clapp was married to James McLain. They had a family of
five children, three of whom are now living. They now reside in New York
city.— -B. E. C.
Hugh McCrea was born June 24, 1813, son of Patrick and Flora (McGir
rel) McCrea, both natives of Ireland. His education was obtained principally
under his father, for whom he worked until the age of twenty-five, when
he began farming and has lived all his life upon the land originally seated
by his father, except 1864 and 1866, when he resided near Williamsport,
Pennsylvajiia. He now owns one hundred and eighty acres of land. His
present house was built in 1861. It is the third he has built; the first was
burned two days before his marriage, which occurrred in 1844, his wife being
Patience, daughter of Samuel McGirrel of Warren county. Five children
are living: John W. ; S. P. ; Mrs. Charity Masterson; Mrs. Clara O'Brien;
Mrs. Margaret Dykins, and Mrs. Matilda McGirrel, deceased. The famUy
adhere to the Catholic faith, and Mr. McCrea is a life-long Democrat,

&. ^-Alt^i^-

BIOGEAPHIES OF PEESIDENT. HOI
John AV. McCeea, merchant, postmaster, and station agent. Eagle Rock,
was born at Eagle Rock, September 15, 1853; son of Hugh and Patience
McCrea, His grandfather, Patrick McCrea, was the first settler on the
river between Franklin and Warren, John AV. was brought up here, and
attended the local schools. At the age of seventeen he taught one term in
this township. In 1874 he went to the West and Southwest, visiting Colo
rado,- Texas, Arkansas, and other localities. He taught one term of school in
Comanche cotmty, Texas, and another in the vicinity of Hot Springs, Arkan
sas, and worked for some time on a cattle ranch, returning in 1878. He at
once learned telegraphy and entered the employ of the Western New York
and Pennsylvania RaUroad Company. At the same time he bought the gen
eral store of Patrick Masterson, and assumed the duties of postmaster. In
1878 he married Effie, daughter of Robert Adams, and has a family of five
children: Lilian; Alice; Lawrence; Patience, and Grace. Mr. and Mrs.
McCrea are members of the Catholic church, and he is a Democrat in
politics, Isaac Bakee, farmer, was born in Massachusetts, January 9, 1811, son
of Artemus and Sarah (Nichols) Baker. The father was a farmer and
cooper in Worcester county, where Isaac Baker was brought up. In 1853
he removed to Cattaraugus county. New York, and in 1865 came to this
oounty, where he engaged in keeping a boarding house, working at the
various branches of the oil trade, and acting for some years as superintend
ent of the Walnut Bend Shoe-Leather Petroleum Company. He then en
gaged in farming, and in 1878 bought the farm of sixty-five acres upon
which he now resides. He was married in 1850 to Martha Hinsdale.
Robert Adams, farmer, was bom in Armstrong, now Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, October 18, 1820, son of John and Jannet (Young) Adams.
John M. Adams was born in 1796 in Penn's valley, Pennsylvania, and
came to Clarion county in 1804 with his father, William Adams, who was
one of the first four settlers between Red Bank creek and the Clarion and
Allegheny rivers. Robert Adams has been engaged in lumbering, and
in the various branches of the oil business. He has now been farming for
fifteen years. He married in January, 1845, Annie Day, daughter of John
Day of Clarion county. Bight children are living, three dead. Three sons
are in Dakota, one in Iowa; three daughters and one son are in this town
ship. George Fox, farmer, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, De
cember 19, 1822, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Harpst) Pox. They moved
to Cranberry township and.died there. Both are buried at the Ten Mile
Bottom church. George Fox was brought up in Lawrence county, where
he attended school, and at the age of twenty-three, having moved to Venan
go county, he was employed at President by Eobert Elliott. Several years
later he bought a hundred acres of land, all uncleared, paying two dollars

1102 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
per acre. He first built the log house still standing, and gradually reduced
the farm to cultivation. His present house was built in 1887. In 1846 he
married Rachel, daughter of George Heckathorn. Six children are living:
Amos; Charles; George; AAilliam; Melissa, and Rachel.
P. AV. O' Donovan, farmer, was born in County Cork, Ireland, October 9,
1837, son of William and Hester (Tobin) O' Donovan. They immigrated to
America in 1856, coming to. this county in 1862, where two hundred aud
eighty acres of land were secured, now owned by P. W. O' Donovan, who
has lived here ever since. He was married in 1867 to Elizabeth, daughter
of John O' Hara, a native of Londonderry. Of a f amUy of eight children,
five are living: William; Patrick; Daniel; James, and Timothy. The family
is connected with the Catholic church. Mr. O' Donovan is a Democrat. In
1883 and 1884 he traveled through the West.
J. A. FoED, farmer, was born in Grafton county, New Hampshire,
September 4, 1832, son of Cyrus and Jerusha (Bullock) Ford, The grand
father on the father's side, Elisha Ford, was of Irish descent. He Uved
and died in New Hampshire. Cyrus Ford died at Portsmouth. George
Bullock, the maternal grandfather, was also of Irish origin. J. A. Ford
was the third of a family of six children. He was brought up in New
Hampshire, and in 1853 began farming in his native county. From 1860
to 1865 he was employed in a gun factory at New Haven. In 1865 he was
employed by a New York firm to perform certain duties in connection with
their interests in President to-wnship. From 1872 to 1888 he superintended
E, E. Clapp' s road construction in this township, and in this capacity
twenty miles of the best road in the county were built under his supervision.
In 1885 he bought the farm of one hundred and fifty acres upon which he
now resides. In 1884 he married Miss Fatilda Mimm, and has one child,
Roy E. , bom November 3, 1885, Politically he is a Republican. He has
been constable, assessor, and collector of President township twelve years.
John Booher, farmer, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania,
August 27, 1832, son of Daniel and Susan Booher. Daniel Booher was
brought up in Huntingdon county, this state, and in that locality .his father
lived. The maternal grandfather, David Crosby, was a Revolutionary
soldier, and died in Lawrence county. John Booher was brought up six
miles from New Castle, and had small educational advantages. After be
coming of age he leamed the trade of carpenter, pursuing this calling for
more than thirty years. He lived in Sandy Lake township, Mercer county,
from 1852 to 1888, when he bought the farm of four hundred acres upon
which he now resides. He married Hester Ana, daughter of Thomas Mar
tin, and has a famUy of five chUdren: Alena, wife of Peter B. Adams of
Mill Creek township, Mercer county; Thomas; Charles; Thaddeus, and
Leonora. Mr. and Mrs. Booher are Methodists, and he is a Republican.
Bartholomew O'Brien, foreman of construction. National Transit Com-

BIOGEAPHIES OP PEESIDENT. HOB
pany, was bom in Vermont, January 7, 1850, son of John and Johanna
(Harrington) O'Brien. John O'Brien was a native of Ireland, son of John
O'Brien; he emigrated at the age of twenty-eight, locating at Rochester,
New York. He was engaged all his life as foreman in the construction of
canals, raUroads, etc. In this capacity he was employed on the Erie canal.
For seventeen years he was section foreman of the A\'arren and Franklin rail
road, now known as the AVestern New York and Pennsylvania. He is now
living in retirement at Millerstown, Pennsylvania. Bartholomew O'Brien
formed his first acquaintance with the oil business in 1868 at Pleasantville,
this county, working as a laborer, from which he has advanced successively
to the positions of gauger, field foreman, and foreman of construction. He
has been stationed at Millerstown, in the Bradford fields, at PleasantviUe,
at Lima, Ohio, and since 1887 in this county. In 1889 he married C.
Clara, daughter of Hugh McCrea. Politically he is a Republican, and is
connected with the Catholic church.
T. J, Richards, gauger, was born at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, August
8, 1864, son of James and Mary (Loftus) Richards. He had a common
school education. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of the
American Transfer Company in Lycoming county, and has been engaged at
the various branches of the oil trade ever since, principally in loading oil,
walking lines, operating pump stations, etc. In the latter capacity he has
been stationed at Four Mile and Ashford, New York, Tally Ho, Rockland,
and since May, 1889, at President. He married in 1882 Miss Hettie,
daughter of Enos Tilden, and has two children: Winfield and an infant as
yet unnamed.
C. C. Joy, oil operator, was born at Gratton, Tompkins county. New
York, May 16, 1857, son of Thaddeus and Emmeline (Clark) Joy. His
father removed to TitusviUe in 1865, where the subject of this sketch
received a common school education. Since attaining his majority he has
been engaged in the various branches of the oil industry with the fluctuating
fortunes characteristic of the business. He has been associated with the
development of new territory in various portions of the oil regions — among
others, the Grand Valley district; the Tiona district, near Warren, of which
he opened an extension; the Sugar run district, in AVarren county; the
Shamburg district, which he was among the first to reopen, and where he
demonstrated for 'the flrst time the feasibility of heavy charges in stimu-
latmg the flow of oU from deep wells. Here also he developed his theory
as to the existence of oil in paying quantities in districts supposed to have
been exhausted years ago. The correctness of his views has been prac
tically established by the success of the Walnut Bend enterprise, of which
a detailed account is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. Joy was married
in 1878 to Miss EUa J,, daughter of Reverend P. L. Senour, a Presby
terian clergyman of Pittsburgh.

1104 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
OIL CREEK.
S. L. Fleming, farmer and oil producer, was born in what is now Oil
Creek township, Venango county, May 25, 1829, and is a son of Samuel
and Jane (McClintock) Fleming. John Fleming, the grandfather of our
subject, was a native of England; he came to America, participated in the
Revolutionary war, and finally settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
where he died about the year 1780. His widow and six sons came to Ve
nango county prior to 1800 and took up a tract of land in what is now Oil
Creek township. Here Samuel Fleming grew to manhood and married
Jane, daughter of Hamilton McClintock, Sr. , an early pioneer of the county.
All the other brothers died in Venango county except two, one of whom re
moved to Missouri and the other to Ohio. Samuel, after marriage began at
once to clear up the farm and became a prominent farmer and lumberman.
He was drafted in the war of 1812 but was released on account of sickness.
He was a Democrat, and he and his wife were pioneer members of the
Pleasantville Baptist church. His death occurred in 1859 and that of his
wife in 1865. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom the fol
lowing are living: Sarah, Mrs. Lytle of Oil Creek township; Louisa, Mrs.
Edward Seeley of Kansas; G. W., of this township; S. L., and John S., also
of this township.
S. L. Fleming, by his own efforts and the aid of the township schools,
secured a fair education, after which he engaged in teaching and also worked
in the lumber business. He may be considered a pioneer oil man, having
been through various ''excitements." In 1881 he located on his present
farm and is producing oil from eleven wells. In the last mentioned year he
married Miss Hannah Stahl, daughter of Enos Stahl of Union county and
has one child, Maud May. Politically he is a Democrat, and is one of the
school directors of his township. He was elected a justice of the peace in
1886, and has filled other minor offices. He is now serving as township
treasurer and holds the same position on the school board. He is a member
of Phoenix Lodge, No. 153, A. O. U. W, His wife was born November 11,
1848, in Union county, this state. Her parents, Enos and Hannah Stahl,
had two children: Leah and Hannah. The mother died in Union county;
the father was again married to Lydia A. Johnson and with her removed to
Mercer county about the year 1859, where he settled on the farm now owned
by the Devlin Brothers in Jefferson township. In 1865 "they came to Ve
nango county, where the father died October 7, 1884, and his widow lives
in Bradford. To this second union were born twelve children, ten of whom
are living: John N. ; J. C. ; Anna C. ; James E. ; Ida E. ; DoraE. ; Fannie A. ;
Charles E. ; Harry E. , and Ulysses G. The father was a member of the Evan
gelical Association, his first wife of the Lutheran church, and the last of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
John S. Fleming, oil producer and farmer, was born in this township,

BIOGEAPHIES OF OIL CEEEK. 1105
October 5, 1830. Here he was reared and educated and has been engaged
in farming, lumbering, etc. In 1853 he married Miss Hannah Rebecca
Jamison, daughter of James and Hannah Jamison of Venango county. To
this union have been born seven children: S. P.; Joseph; Lily, Mrs. R. J.
Heald; George; John L. ; Gilbert, and WUliam. He is a Democrat with
Prohibition proclivities and has filled various township offices. He is a
member of the Royal Templars of Temperance and the A. 0. U. VV. and
with his family belongs to the Baptist church.
G. W. Fleming, farmer, was born in Oil Creek township October 20,
1821, where he was reared and educated. So far he has spent his life in
farming and lumbering. In 1848 he was married to Miss Hannah Stewart,
daughter of Elijah Stewart of Cherry Tree township. She died leaving one
child: George S., now a resident of Montana. Mr. Fleming is a member
of the Royal Templars of Temperance and is a Republican.
William Poor, a native of Massachusetts, migrated to Crawford county
in 1817 and thence in May, 1818, to Allegheny township, Venango county.
He married Ritta Ann Dart, a native of Connecticut. They purchased and
settled a homestead in Oil Creek township. He was a shoemaker by trade
and followed that in connection with farming, and by his earnest efforts he
made a financial success. At the beginning of the oil excitement he sold his
farm and removed to Ohio, settling in Jefferson county, where he and his
wife died. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and filled various township
offices. He was a member of the Baptist church. Seven of their ten chil
dren are now Uving: Alonzo; Pomeroy, of Ohio; Nancy, married to Richard
Watson of TitusvUle; Lovisa, married to Henry Gillon of Erie city; Levi,
of Illinois; Lydia, married to J. P. Henderson of Ohio, and J. B., of Pitts
burgh, Pennsylvania. Three daughters are deceased.
Alonzo Poor, farmer and oil producer, was born near TitusviUe, Craw
ford county, January 1, 1818, and removed with his parents, WUliam and
Ritta (Dart) Poor, to this county in May of the same year. He received an
ordinary education and learned the carpenter trade. He settled on his pres
ent farm in 1841, and two years later was married to Miss Elizabeth H.
Henderson of OU Creek township, Crawford county. She died March 3,
1882, and was the mother of three children : Cornelius L. , who married Sarah
M. Goodbau, March 20, 1867, and is an attorney of Buriington, Iowa;
Mary, married to C. C. Matheson of TitusviUe, AprU 29, 1879; and WiUiam
B., who married Ellen Nash, April 1, 1879, and has two children: Lee and
Glenn. Mr. Poor has always been identified with the Republican party,
and served one term as county auditor. He has also been a school director
for over thirty years. He is a member of Oil Creek Grange, No: 400, P. of
H, and of the FreewUl Baptist church.
Geoege McBride, deceased, was bom January 11, 1806, in the Mohawk
valley, Montgomery county, New York, son of Alexander and Tryphena

1106 HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
(Ladd) McBride, the parents of five children: George; Fannie; Margaret;
Betsey, and Mary A. John Ladd, the father of Tryphena, was a popular
Presbyterian minister for many years. George McBride was educated in
the common schools and brought up at rural pursuits. September 27, 1831,
he was married to Matilda Soules, bom September 10, 1803, in Albany
county. New York, daughter of Nathaniel and Catharine (Coonly) Soules,
natives of New York state, who were Baptists, and died in Madison county,
New York, the parents of nine children: Phcebe; Polly; Ruth; Matilda;
Malissa; Julia A. ; Nelson; Gilbert, and Amelia. Mrs. McBride received a
common school education. Five days after marriage she started with her
husband for Chautauqua county. New York, making the journey by canal
and wagon; they located in the green wood, improved a farm for seven
years, and then removed to Cattaraugus county, the same state. Three
years later they came to what is now Oil Creek township, where they rented
and then bought one hundred acres. There they remained until 1865, when
they returned to Chautauqua county, New York, locating at Sheridan Cen
ter, where he died August 17, 1872. He was buried at Sheridan by the
Masonic order, of which he was a prominent member. He was a man hon
ored and respected by the community in which he resided. His widow sur
vives (October, 1889), in her eighty- seventh year, retains her memory to a
remarkable degree, and expresses her faith in the doctrine of the Close Com
munion Baptists. In 1 887 she removed from Sheridan, New York, back to
the old homestead in Oil Creek to-wnship, Venango county, to spend the re
mainder of her days with her daughter, Catharine A. His children are:
Henry G., who was born June 15, 1833, enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Cav
alry, after which the family lost all trace of him ; Davila, who was born De
cember 4, 1834, enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth New York Vol
unteers in 1861, was fatally shot by sharpshooters in the battle of Atlanta,
while in the discharge of his duties and defense of his country; Franklin
G., who was born January 15, 1837, and died December 29, 1853; Cathar
ine A., who was born September 5, 1838, married John M. August of
Youngsville, Warren county, this state, son of William H. and Elizabeth
(Gregg) August, who was born July 16, 1835, received a common school
education, and enlisted in Company K, Eighty- Third Pennsylvania Volun
teers, in August, 1860, was wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill, and sub
sequently honorably discharged. In 1872 he settled on the George Mc
Bride farm, and is operating seven wells. His children are named William
G. and Nellie. He is a member of Aaron Bendict Post, No. 429, G. A. R,,
and of the E. A. U.
John Wilson, M. D., Pleasantville, was bom in Jackson township,
Venango county, in 1820, son of John and Catharine (Sutley) Wilson, the
former a native of Ireland and a pioneer in the valley of Sugar creek. His
literary education was obtained at Allegheny College, Meadville, and his

BIOGEAPHIES OF OIL CliEEK. 1107
professional studies, begun under the supervision of Doctor Samuel Axtell
of Mercer county, were pursued at the Cleveland Medical College, from
which he graduated in 1843. He has since practiced at Pleasantville and
in the vicinity, and is well known in northwestern Venango and the adjoin
ing counties. In 1851 he married Elizabeth Brown, a native of New York
state. The doctor is Democratic in his political affiliations.
John F. Carll, geologist, Pleasantville, was born in Brooklyn, New York,
May 7, 1828, a son of John and Margaret (Wallace) Carll, natives of Suf
folk county. New York. His education was principally obtained at Union
Hall Academy, Jamaica, Long Island. He formed his first acquaintance
with the oil regions in 1865. In 1874 he became engaged upon the second
geological stu-vey of Pennsylvania, and from that date has resided at Pleas
antville. The results of his investigations are embodied in the published
state reports and are a valuable contribution to the scientific literature of the
oil regions. B. Corwin, merchant, Pleasantville, was born in Orange county. New
York, March 6, 1838, son of AVilliam and Lydia A. (Smith) Corwin, natives
of that county and the parents of six chUdren, of whom our subject was the
fourth in order of birth. He was reared on the homestead farm and learned
the tinsmith trade, but after an experience of three years in the hardware
trade at AVai-wick, New York, came to Pleasantville in March, 1865, where
he has since been engaged in his present business, dealing in general hard
ware, oil well supplies, etc. He is also interested in oil property and tim
ber lands, and in 1887 established the Commercial Record, which has since
been published at this borough with fair success. Mr. Corwin was married
«in 1864 to Sarah V. Dolson of Orange county. New York, who died in Octo
ber, 1866. In 1868 he married Martha A. Beebe, and they are the parents
of one daughter, Martha Heleu. Mr. Corwin is an elder in the Presbyterian
church, a member of the borough council, a Democrat in politics, and is
connected with the F. & A. M. and Royal Arcanum. He is one of the en
terprising and successful business men of his adopted town.
W. F. House was born in Cortland county, New York, August 20, 1839.
His parents, Chester and Elizabeth (Webster) House, were also natives of
that county. In 1854 his father removed with his family to Pleasantville,
where he engaged in manufacturing carriages and wagons. Here the mother
died in 1853 and the father was again married, to Susan Mayhew. He died
in 1863, and was the father of five children by his first marriage: AVarren,
of PleasantviUe; Marinda, wife of Lot Nye of Cortland county. New York;
WiUiam F. , and two deceased. Two chUdren were born to the second mar
riage: Emma and Louisa, the last named being Mrs. VanWike of Grand
VaUey, Warren county, Pennsylvania. Our subject learned the wagon maker
trade with his father and has since followed that occupation. In 1861 he
enlisted in Company A, Eighty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served

1108 HISTOEY OF VENANGO OOUNTY.
two years, receiving wounds at Gaines' Mills, Virginia. In 1865 he was
united in marriage with Miss Mary A, Benedict, daughter of Aaron Bene
dict, Jr. , a son of Aaron Benedict, Sr. , a native of Massachusetts, and
one of the pioneers of PleasantviUe. By this union they have four chil
dren: Frank, of Colorado; Jessie; Ella, and Ed. Mr. House is a mem
ber of Aaron Benedict Post, No. 429, G. A. R. Politically he is a Repub
lican, and is the present postmaster of Pleasantville, having been appointed
in 1889. His family are members of the Presbyterian church.
R. M. Davidson, merchant, Pleasantville, was born in Buffalo, New York,
September 28, 1852, and is a son of Charles and -Jane (Milne) Davidson,
natives of Scotland, who immigrated to America in 1850 and located in
Buffalo, New York. His father was a cooper by trade and about the year
1859 removed to Pleasantville, where he established the first cooper shop in
that town and also made the first iron-hooped oil barrels ever manufactured.
He was a Republican in politics, and the organizer of the Presbyterian
church of Pleasantville, Pennsylvania. He died in 1876, preceded by his wife
in 1858. Their children were nine in number, three of whom are living: Jane
H. , Mrs. Alexander Asher; Margaret, Mrs. John Hamilton, and R. M. The
last named came to Pleasantville when six years old and attended the town
ship schools until the age of fourteen, when he entered the mercantile store
of Brown Brothers, subsequently engaging in the business for himself, hav
ing succeeded one of the brothers and become a member of the firm of Sam
Q. Brown & Company. In 1879 he became sole proprietor. In 1878 he
was united in marriage to Miss Clara H. Willoughby, daughter of C, A.
Willoughby of Pleasantville, and by this union has one living child, Clara.
Mr. Davidson is also afi oil producer and at the present time owns several*
oil properties near Pleasantville. He is a prominent member of the Pres
byterian church, being an elder and Sabbath school superintendent of the
same. He is a strong believer in temperance and is an ardent worker in
the cause of prohibition.
D. M. Lockwood, of the firm of Lockwood & McCulloch, merchants,
Pleasantville, was born in Oil Creek township, January 24, 1862, and is a
son of Henry and Rachel (Shelmadine) Lockwood, residents of Pleasant
ville. He received his education in the Pleasantville schools and in 1883
established his present grocery business under the firm name of Main &
Lockwood, which continued for some time. At the withdrawal of Main he
conducted the business individually until March, 1888, when the present firm
was established. He also produces oil from five wells. His marriage oc
curred in October, 1887, to Miss Kittie Connely, daughter of Isaac Connely
of Pleasantville; they have one child, Donna. He is a member of Seneca
Lodge, No. 519, I. O. O. P., and of the E. A. U. Politically he is a Re
publican, and is at present auditor and school director.
John Gregg, farmer, is a son of Richard and Mary (Ward) Gregg, who

BIOGEAPHIES OP OIL CEEEK. 1109
emigrated from Ireland to America about 1812 and first located on a farm
near Dempseytown, Venango oounty, this state. They took up a tract of
land, which they cleared and improved, and became one of the prominent
famUies of the township. They were the parents of eleven children, of
whom the following are living: Martha, Mrs. John Fink; Sarah, Mrs. Han
cox; Ann, Mrs. Robert Moffett; Eliza, Mrs. Joseph McNutt; Martin;
Robert, and John. Mr. Gregg was born March 2, 1836, and remained on
the homestead farm until sixteen years of age, when he started his business
life as a laborer, sawing and farming. He was drafted in the war of the
Rebellion, but furnished a substitute. He was married in 1857 to Miss
Sai-ah, daughter of Frederick Redfield of Oil Creek township, and in 1861
they ptu-chased the farm where they have since resided. They have reared
two children: WiUiam, who lives at home, and Caroline, Mrs. John Mc
Laughlin of TitusvUle, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gregg is a Democrat in poli
tics. A. M. Barnard, farmer, was born in Livingston county, New York, Sep
tember 9, 1842, son of Jacob and Olive (Dodge) Barnard, natives of that
county, both of whom died there. Mr. Barnard was reared and educated
in that county. In 1863 he came to Venango county, engaged in drilling
'oil wells, and experienced the " ups and downs" of the oil excitement, after
which he settled upon his present farm, in Oil Creek township. In 1867
he married Miss Sarah Twining, daughter of Chester Twining, of Yates
county. New York, and has one child, Bertram. He is a member of the
Royal Templars of Temperance, and politically a Republican. He and
family are members of the Baptist church, of which he is a trustee.
G. H. Dunham, oil producer, was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania,
October 27, 1854, and is a son of M. B. and Mary AI. (Pearson) Dunham,
now residents of Warren county, the father being a prominent oil producer
and lumberman. Our subject received his education at Chamberlain Insti
tute, Randolph, New York, and Mount Union College, Mount Union, Ohio.
He began his business life in the lumber trade in Warren county, which he
contmued until 1888, when he came to Pleasantville, Venango county, and
engaged in the production of oil. He operates forty wells, and has an
interest in as many more. In January, 1885, he married Miss Fannie E.
Crosby, daughter of Benjamin Crosby, of" Steuben county. New York.
She died October 4, 1889. He is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 241,
P. & A. M., of Warren, of the AVarren Commandery, K. T., and of I. O. O.
P., No. 339.
C. L. Wait, oU producer, was born in Allegany county. New York,
August 2, 1838, to C. L. and Miranda (Dorritt) Wait, natives of New Yoi-k
and Connecticut respectively. Our subject was reared and educated m his
native county, and at the age of sixteen years went to Michigan and found
employment as a laborer. In 1863 he married Miss Martha Cole of Saline,

1110 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
AA^ashtenaw county, Michigan, came to Venango county, and has since been
producing oil. In 1869 he settled upon his present homestead and now
reaps the benefit from eight producing wells. Mr. AVait is a Republican,
and has filled various township offices.
William AVhite, oil producer, was bom in England, February 12, 1841.
His parents, Uriah and Hannah (Orm) AVhite, were natives of that country
and died there. Mr. AVhite was educated in England, where he was mar
ried in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Moss, and in the year 1868 immigrated to
America. For the first six months they lived in Providence, Rhode Island,
where he was employed in the Providence Engine Works at his trade, that
of engine building. In July, 1869, they came to Venango county and
located at Shamburg, in Oil Creek township, where he established a machine
shop and conducted the same for one year. He than became superintend
ent of the machinery department for Emery Brothers of Bradford, Penn
sylvania. He subsequently became interested in oil production, which he
has continued to the present time, and is one of the prominent well-known
oil producers of his township. His children are named as follows: James
William; Lena Alice; Nellie Harriet; Elizabeth Louisa, and Jesse Henry.
He is a member of Pleasantville lodge of the Masonic order and the coun
cil and chapter at TitusviUe. Politically he is a Democrat, and with his
family attends the Episcopal church.
David S. Oilee, oil producer, was born in Cumberland county, Penn
sylvania, September 21, 1852, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Shover)
Oiler, of that county. He was reared and educated in his native county
and learned the carpenter trade. He came to Venango county in 1869, and
began pumping oil and running engines. He then became an oil producer
and is now the owner of nine wells. In 1874 he married Miss Catharine
Taylor, daughter of Erastus Taylor of Union county. New York, She died
April 13, 1889, leaving five children: Fred; Carl; Clayton; George, and
Ida. He is a Democrat, constable and school director, and a member of
the A. O. U. W.
S. A. Lytle, oil producer, was born in Oil Creek township November
8, 1852, son of WiUiam and Sarah (Fleming) Lytle, John Lytle, his
grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and was one of the early settlers of
Venango county. He took up a tract of land which he cleared and im
proved, and also erected a saw mill on West Pithole creek. WUliam Lytle
was a carpenter by trade and followed that in connection with farming.
He was a Democrat, and a prominent member of the Baptist church of
Pleasantville. He died November 12, 1865. His widow still survives him
and lives on the homestead farm. Three sons were born to their union:
S. A., our subject; Mortimer, of Edenburg, Clarion county, and William,
of AVarren county. Our subject was reared and educated in the township,
and for several years has been engaged in the oil business. . November 25,

BIOGEAPHIES Ol' lilCII IjAND. UU
1875, he married Atiss Emma J. Folwt'll, daughior of Nathan Folwell of
Venango county. They have uno child, Lootu. He is a DouKjcrat iu pol
itics and has fiUed various local offices. Ho is a member of the A. O. U. W.
W. P. Black, oil pi-oduoor, Ploasantvillo, was boin in Tidioute, War
ren county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1855, son of William and Sariib A,
(NeiU) Black, who now rosido in Balltown, Forest: county. Mr. Black
moved to Pithole when six yoars of ago with bis parents. His father was
oae of the pioneer oil producoi-s, aud he was virtuaUy r(^arod to the bus
iness. He received the benefit of a common school education, and for eight
years engaged in mining for gold and silver in the vicinity of Denver and
Salt Lake City, in which he was quite successful. In 188() he returned to
Pleasantville and has since drilled one hundred and fifty-eight wells, deal
ing extensively in oil production and territory. February 17, 1885, he mar
ried Miss Edith H. Harris, daughter of James Harris of Creston, Iowa. He
and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. PoliticaUy he is a Re
publican.

CliAPTEK LIII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF RICHLAND, ROCKLAND, PINEGROVE, AND
CRANBERRY. RICHLAND.
WILLIAM NICKLE, deceased, was born May 12, 1807, and was
long a prominent citizen of southeastern Venango county. He
served as justice of the peace, as postmaster at NicklevUle a score of years,
and in other responsible capacities. He was the founder of the village that
bears the name of his family, and a resident of that place at the time of his
death, June 1, 1884. He married Elizabeth Anderson, and of thirteen chil
dren born to them eight lived to maturity : Hannah J. ; John A. , who en
listed in Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
was kiUed at the battle of the Wilderness; Emily, deceased; Glenn M. ;
Mary E., deceased; Ann Eliza; WiUiam S., of Chicago; and Joseph M.
Joseph M. and Glenn M. are engaged in tho mercantile business at Nickle
ville. Daniel D. Niokle, farmer, was born April 15, 1818, in Centre county,
Pennsylvania, son of William and Hannah (Auld) Nickle, natives of Ireland
who came to America in 1801, and settled in Clarion county (then Venango)
in 1821. AViUiam Nickle died in 1843, his wife in 1863. They were the
parents of twelve chUdren, four of whom are now living: Elizabeth, wife of

1112 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
William B. McDonald; Andrew, of Mercer county; Hannah, who married
Robert Criswell, and Daniel D. Our subject received his education in the
common schools, and has been a farmer since engaging in business on his
own account. March 18, 1845, he married Mary A. Myers, and has had
eight childi-en: George S. ; Ellen B. ; Jane, wife of John Donaldson; Will
iam M. , a merchant of Brookville; O. H. and Solomon M. , Methodist
Episcopal ministers, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Nickle is a Prohi
bitionist in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church.
Thomas K. Gaednee, hotel keeper and farmer, Nickleville, was born
June 27, 1815, in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, son of George and Cath
arine (Karnes) Gardner, who settled near Nickleville in 1831, and were pio
neers of that locality. Our subject was married May 10, 1839, to Betsey
Jolly, who died in 1838. In 1839 he married Sarah Donaldson, who died
in 1882, having been the mother of one child, Mary E., deceased. In 1884
he married Josephine Kames, daughter of Abram and Mary (Mays) Kames.
They are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a
Republican. Maurice B. Shannon, farmer, was born February 3, 1818, in this county,
son of John and Jane Shannon, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, re
spectively. They came to this county in 1817 from Centre county. John
Shannon was a shoemaker during his early manhood, but followed farming
while in this county. He cleared up a farm of one hundred acres, and
served in the war of 181 2. He died October 22, 1872, at the age of eighty-
five, and his wife died January 11, 1852, in her sixty-ninth year. His
father was a Revolutionary soldier. The children of John and Jane Shan
non were named as follows: William M. , deceased; John; Alexander, de
ceased; Maurice B. ; James; Jane, wife of James H. Borland; Elizabeth,
deceased, and Sarah, deceased. Our subject received his education in the
subscription schools of this county. He was married December 15, 1842,
to Sarah Ann Borland, who died February 6, 1846. He was again married
August 6, 1847, to Mary Singleton, a native of this county, and to this
union there were born fifteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity:
Sarah A., wife of Joel Home; Alexander B., of Kansas; Mary J., wife of
John P. Wigton, of Kansas; John W. ; Araminta E., wife of John A. Ne
vil; G. W. ; Carrie C, wife of C. B. Mortimer, of Kansas; Irena V., wife
of Thomas W. Marshial; Emery B. ; Ada I., wife of W. T. SamseU; Cora
V. ; William W. , and Maurice B. , Jr. The mother of these children died
November 8, 1876, and he was married a third time, to Sarah J. Campbell,
December 6, 1877. He has filled the office of county commissioner one
term, and has been a justice of the peace for twenty-three years. He has
also filled all of the township offices except constable and road commissioner.
He is a member of the Evangelical association, and has always been an act
ive worker in the Democratic party.

BIOGEAPHIES OF EICHLAND. 1113
A. G. Downing, farmer and stock raiser, was born June 6, 1816, in this
township, to James and Ann (GUchrist) Downing. The former, bom in
Ireland in 1773, immigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in
1780, with his parents; the latter was born in AA'estmoreland county in
1774, and they came to Venango at an early date. They reared eight chU
dren, three of whom are living: Jane, born in 1797, and now residing at
Emlenton; Ann, wife of Samuel SuUinger, and our subject, who was mar
ried March 5, 1839, to Leanna Walters. They have had five chUdren:
Walter, deceased; James D. , president of the Bank of Eldred, McKean
county; George; Charles, and Mary, wife of James Cribbs. Mr. Down
ing is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Republican.
Samuel Jones, manufacturer of stoneware, brick, aud tile, was born June
6, 1820, in Vermont, His parents, Alpheus and Harriet (Davenport)
Jones, were natives of the same state, and the former came to this county
in 1824; he settled on a farm and devoted his time to rural pursuits and
blacksmithing. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1844. Their children
were six in number, three of whom are now living: Timothy S., who has a
pottery in Akron, Ohio; Sarepta, and Samuel. The last named received a
common school education and began for himself as a miller. However, at
the age of twenty-one he turned his attention to making stoneware. In
1850 he purchased a half-interest in a pottery at Pleasantville, this county,
which he and his partner, Daniel H. Parker, managed until the oil excite
ment, when he began producing this fluid, at which he continued until he
established his present business. This he operates by the use of natural
gas, and during each year manufactures about one hundred thousand brick,
twenty-five thousand feet of tile, and fifteen thousand gallons of stoneware.
He was married in 1847 to Eliza Jolly, a native of this county, who has
blessed him with five children, but one of whom is living: Julius M., born
February 17, 1854, and married to Martha J, Davidson, daughter of WUl
iam and Hettie (Shaner) Davidson, by whom he has had four children:
Victor H, ; H. Myrtle; Florence M., and Willie C. Julius M. is an elder in
the Presbyterian church of NicklevUle. Samuel Jones, our subject, has
served twelve years as school director, and with his wife is also connected
with the Presbyterian church. He is a strong Prohibitionist.
Alexandee Geant, farmer, was born September 23, 1824, in Butler
county, Pennsylvania, to Alexander and Elizabeth (Say) Grant, naUves, the
former of eastern Pennsylvania, and the latter of this county. Their chil
dren were thirteen, ten of whom are living: David; Alexander; Margaret;
Elizabeth; James; Johnston; Ebenezer; Mary A.; Cynthia, and Sarah.
The other three died in infancy, the father in 1877, and the mother in
1847. Our subject was educated in the common schools and began his
business life as a carpenter, which vocation he followed for six years. In
1855 he went to CaUfomia and there worked at gold mining for eighteen

1114 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
months. He then returned to his farm in Richland township, where he
located in 1849, and has since resided. He was married in 1849 to Jane
Jolly, a native of this county, by whom he has had eleven children: Ermi-
nie, wife of John Bashline; Crawford, oil producer in Clarion county, this
state; Samuel A., of Grand Valley, Pennsylvania; James R., of Findlay,
Ohio; Thomas B. ; Lulu J., wife of W, M. Nickle; Nannie, wife of J. W.
Long; William A., merchant at Sharpsville, Pennsylvania; Charley; Nellie,
and an infant, deceased. Our subject has served as justice of the peace
for nine years and for six years was school director. He and wife are mem
bers of the Presbyterian church, and he is a Republican.
Samuel Donaldson, farmer, was born July 29, 1825, in this county, son
of John and Nancy (Adams) Donaldson, natives of Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, and among the pioneers of southeastern Venango county.
They were the parents of nine children: William; Andrew; John; Samuel;
Josiah; Isabella, deceased; Ann, deceased; Sarah, deceased, and one who
died in infancy. Our subject has been a farmer all his life. February 13,
1850, he married Sarah B. Myers, and to this union were born nine chil
dren: Ermina; James A. ; Aldine; Emery B. ; PriscUla; Mary A. ; Laura B. ;
Samuel P., and Jessie M. Their mother having died in 1875, he married
Mary J. Gardner, March 21, 1878. She is the daughter of David Gardner,
who came to this county in 1831. Mr. Donaldson is a member of the
Presbyterian church, and in politics a Republican.
W. L. Keefer, merchant and woolen manufacturer, was born July 28,
1828, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, son of Solomon and Elizabeth
{Long) Keefer, natives of Germany and Huntingdon county, respectively.
The father died in 1838, and the mother in 1835, and their children were
named as follows: William; David; John, deceased; Eveline; Blmira, de
ceased, and Moses. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and
at the age of twenty years engaged on the coverlet and carpet business in
Huntingdon county. He spent about two years in Illinois, returned to his
native county, and was married March 31, 1853, to Mary A., a daughter of
Reverend Andrew Spanogle, and to this union were bom two children:
Catharine E. and Delia S. His wife died February 1, 1859, and he was
again married, May 7, 1862, to Mary A., daughter of William David
son, a native of this county, and to this union were born seven children :
Benjamin F. ; Virginia W. ; William E. ; Maria B., deceased. ; Willis J; James
R., and an infant, deceased. His second wife died June 2, 1887. Mr.
Keefer built the Good Intent woolen mill in 1856, and has carried on the
business ever since. He spent one year in the oil business. He has fUled
the office of school director for six years, and is serving his fourth term as
township treasurer, having been elected by the Republicans. He was post
master at Porterfield postoffice a score of years,
John Davison was one of the county commissioners during the con-

BIOGRAPHIES OF EICHLAND. 1115
struction of the court house and the county poor house. He has served as
director of the Venango County Agricultural Society a number of years,
was a delegate to the state convention of 1888, and at the present time is
president of the school board of Richland township. He and his estimable
wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of Nickleville. He is one of
the representative citizens of Venango county, and in politics is a Repub
lican. William Hageety, farmer and oU producer, was born naar Anderson's
MUls, in Scrubgrass township, Venango county, September 29, 1834. His
father, James S. Hagerty, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July
17, 1806, and at the age of twelve years removed with his parents to Rock
land township, Venango county. In 1844 he located in Emlenton. His
father was a mUl-wright, and from him James S. learned the trade which
he followed for more than half a century. He was married October 18,
1832, to Miss Sarah AVebster, who bore him nine children: Ann; Miranda,
married to Matthew McCasland, of Colorado; William; George, married
first to Sarah McCain and next to Lizzie Gault; Adaline, wifeof James Pat
rick; Miles, married to Mary Coax, and three who died in infancy. Mr.
Hagerty is still living, retired, in Emlenton. At the age of seven William
Hagerty removed with his parents to FaUing Springs, Venango county, and
thence to what is now Giering' s. In 1844 he removed with his father to
Emlenton, where the latter erected the Exchange hotel, on the site of the
present St, Cloud. Our subject attended school both in the country and
Emlenton, and worked for a time at the carpenter's trade, assisting his
father. In 1857 he engaged in lumbering in Forest county, and continued
at the same until 1870, in which year he removed to the farm where he now
resides. In December, 1858, he married Miss Caroline Weller, of Emlen
ton, From this union have sprung seven children: Carrie M. , wife of
Christopher Malt; Sarah A,, wife of E, L. Godfrey; Curtin A., married to
Libby Calvert; Mary E,, wifeof Harvey A. Robertson; Harry W. ; Maud
M. , and James S. Mr. Hagerty is a Republican, and a member of the K.
of L. He is actively engaged in farming, oil producing, and coal mining.
John Peesing, farmer and oil producer, was born February 18, 1839, in
this county, son of Abram and Mary (Walters) Persing, natives of eastern
Pennsylvania, who came to this county about the year 1829. They settled
on a farm and became the parents of ten children: Daniel; Susan; Mary
A. ; Sarah J. ; Hannah; AmeUa; John; Levina; Rachel, and WiUiam. They
moved to Kansas in 1869, taking with them seven of their children, some of
whom returned. Our subject was educated in the. common schools and has
devoted the greater part of his busy life to farming, and threshing grain
during the season. He has also devoted some time to the sale of farming
implements. He was man-ied in 1860 to Anna Eliza, daughter of Henry and
Frances Weeter, of Clarion county. By their union they have had ten

1116 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
children: William, married to Agnes Wenner; Mary, wife of H. G. Weaver;
Emma, widow of P. Q. Myers; Alice, deceased; NoraE., deceased; Cora;
Luella; Bertha; Myrtle, and Florence C.
Cyrus R. Poeterfield, farmer, was born August 7, 1833, in this county,
son of Joseph and Hannah (HaU) Porterfield, the former a native of West
moreland and the latter of Venango county. They were the parents of seven
children: John C. ; James; William; Cyrus R. ; PrisciUa; Samuel, deceased,
and Sarah, deceased. Cyrus R. was married in 1856 to Nancy Davidson,
daughter of AAilliam Davidson, and they have had seven children: Clinton;
Frank; Grant; John; Carrie; Effie, and Flora. Otu- subject is a Democrat
in politics and has served as constable of this to-wnship. He is a member of
the Masonic order, and his wife of the Presbyterian church.
AA'. K. McMurdy, a farmer and mason, was born August 7, 1836, in this
county, son of Samuel and Mary (Karnes) McMurdy, natives also of this
county. Samuel and Mary McMui-dy became the parents of three chUdren
that are now living and five that are now deceased. The living are: John;
Annie, wife of James A. Caldwell, and AVilliam K. Mrs. McMurdy died in
1866 and Samuel was again married in 1867 to Maria Hale, a native of this
county and to which union were born four chUdren; F. P., deceased;
Amanda, wife of Charles King; Mary A., wife of William Burrel, and
George. The father of the above named children was one of the leading
Democrats of this township for many years. His son, W. K. McMurdy, re
ceived a common school education and began his business life as a stone
mason. He was married February 16, 1862, to Mary E. Wingar, a native
of this county, and to this union five children have been born: Louisa, wife
of Elmer Mangel; Sarah A,, wife of J, T, Stover; Samuel H,, married to
Jennie, a daughter of AA'ilUam Frye of Clarion county; J. J., and Berdie
E. M. Mr. McMurdy has filled most of the township offices and is now
serving as constable. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , No. 644, and in
politics he is a Democrat. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Epis
copal church.
S. F. Weeter, farmer', was bom March 26, 1838, in Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, son of Henry and Prances (Frey) AA'eeter, natives of the same
county, who still reside where our subject was born. Their children are as
follows: Samuel P. ; Sarah, wife of E. B. Shafer; Anna, wife of John Per
sing; AVilliam; Harriet, wife of John AA'ingard; L C. ; Frances, wife of
Joseph Shiery; John; Ellen, wife of Harry King; Amanda, wife of Reuben
Laugher, and Mary. S. F. Weeter was married February 29, 1860, to
Susan, a daughter of S. J. aud Tena Knaus, and to this union there have
been born eight children: Frances C, wife of B. M. Kribbs; Sarah P., wife
of John Beris; John J., deceased; Mary E., wife of R. Pierce; William H. ;
Laura B. ; Harvey F. , and Lizzie M. Air. Knaus was born in Lehigh
county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, came to this county about 1832, and is the

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BIOGEAPHIES OF EICHLAND. 1117
father of seven chUdren: Freitta, wife of Robert Shively; Amanda and
AVUliam James Franklin, twins, deceased ; CaroUne deceased ; Margaretta;
Mary, deceased, and A. J., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weeter are members
of the Reformed church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
D. B. Levier, farmer, was born in this township AprU 10, 1839, son of
John and Jane (Maitland) Levier. The former was bom at Slippery Rock,
Butler county, in 1799, son of Daniel Levier, a native of France. The
mother was a daughter of Andrew Maitland, one of the early settlers of
Rockland township. John Levier came into this township in 1827 and
bought land of the Bingham estate. D. B. was brought up on the farm
where he now resides; he had limited educational advantages. In 1862 he
enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volun
teers, and was in the service until the close of the war, participating in the
campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. He was successively promoted to
the position of first lieutenant and captain, serving in the latter capacity
when mustered out. After several years in the oil regions, he engaged in
farming in 1867. In 1869 he married Miss S. M. Gardner, a school teacher
in Oil City, and a native of Callensburg, Clarion county. Of five children
born to them, three are living: Clifford, Herbert, and Helen. The family
are connected with the Presbyterian church of Nickleville. James Levier,
who was born in 1796 and died in 1887, also settled in Richland about the
year 1828.
Christopher C. Middleton, farmer, was born October 26, 1843, in this
county, son of John and Mary (Phipps) Middleton, natives of Centre and
Clarion counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. Mrs. Mary Middleton is a
full cousin of the celebrated Matthew Simpson. She was married in 1823,
and to her were born twelve children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Mid
dleton was one of the first settlers of the locality in which he lived, an ear
nest worker in the Methodist church, did much for the advancement of so
ciety, and died January 4, 1881. His son, Christopher C. Middleton, re-
-ceived a common school education, and was married January 31, 1870, to
Anna M., daughter of Robert G. Porterfield of this county, and to this
union have been born three chUdren: Myrtle M. ; Lucy W., and AViUard
Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton are members of the Methodist Episco
pal church of Emlenton. He was a charter member of the Royal Templars
of Temperance of Emlenton, and is an active worker in the Prohibition
cause. W. Martin Porterfield, farmer, was born July 21, 1844, in this county,
to Eobert G. and Lucy (Lyon) Porterfield. Robert Porterfield was born in
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county about the
year 1805, Here he followed lumbering in the eariy part of his life, then
engaged in farming, and became the father of a family of eleven children:
63

1118 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
Sarah M,, who died in 1851; T. James; Clara C. ; Lucy J. ; Robert A., who
died in 1888; Annie; Joseph, who died June 23, 1838; Mary L. ; John AV.,
who served four years in the war of the Rebellion and died June 22, 1876;
W. Martin, and Albert W., who died September 1, 1851, The father built
the first frame house in Richland township. He died February 19, 1875.
Our subject was educated in the common schools. He was married Septem
ber 21, 1870, to Cynthia J. Grant, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania,
and to this union have been born six children: Ernest R. ; Blanche; Aus
tin T. ; Clyde H. ; Emoy M. , and Clair L. Mr. and Mrs, Porterfield are
members of the Presbyterian church. He is a Democrat, and belongs to
thei. O. O. P., No. 644.
Montgomery Ceiswell, farmer, was bom September 20, 1848, a son of
Robert and Hannah (Nickle) Criswell, the former a native of Centre county
and the latter of Venango. He was married September 28, 1874, to Ellen
Weaver, and of four chUdren born to them three are living: Pearl E. ;
Blanch P. , and Royal G. Mr. Criswell is a Republican and a member of
the I. O. O. P, He has served as township collector and school director.
Silas Ceiswell, farmer, is a son of Robert and Hannah (Nickle) Cris
well, and was born February 6, 1852. He was educated in the public
schools, taught school three terms in this county, and has foUowed farming
ever since. March 30, 1876, he married Lucinda Reath, and they are the
parents of six children: an infant, deceased; Myrtle; Fleming; Nellie; Mary,
and Edith. Mr. Criswell is a Republican in politics and with his wife a
member of the Presbyterian church.
Charles W. Shanee, farmer, was born in Beaver township. Clarion
county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1845, the son of Charles and Mary (Biery)
Shaner, native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. The brothers and sisters
of Charles, Sr., were: Henry; Samuel; Dinah; Susan; Hettie; Sally Ann, and
Jeremiah, all of whom are dead except Hattie and Jeremiah. Charles came
with his mother's family from Lehigh county early in the thirties and
settled in Richland township, his father having died in the East, In 1840
he was married to Mary Ann Biery, from which union sprang these chil
dren: Henry H. , deceased; John B. ; C. W. ; Milton B. ; Susanna; Mary M. ;
Francis A. , and James O. The parents located in Clarion county after
marriage, but in 1857 returned to the farm on which Charles W. now lives,
where the father died July 5, 1874, and his widow November 3, 1887. Our
subject enlisted in Company M. , Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, February 23,
1864, and served until August, 1865, when he was discharged. He was
married July 26, 1866, to Mary G. , daughter of Philip Crotzer of Richland
township and has five living children: AViUiam H. ; Ida B. ; Harry H. ; Clem
ent C, and Minnie. Mr. Shaner was engaged in'the oil business until 1870,
then followed butchering until 1878. During 1876-79 he was constable,
collector, and assessor of his township, and mercantile appraiser of the

BIOGEAPHIES OF EOCKLAND. 1119
¦county in 1879-80. He acted as deputy sheriff from 1880 to 1883. He is a
member of the G. A. R. and votes the Republican ticket.
TiLGHMAN A, Gieeing, miller, was born September 16, 1845, in Lehigh
county, Pennsylvania, to Lewis and Louisa (Knass) Giering, who came to
Venango county in 1855. They had five children: Sophia C, wife of Ab
salom Beary; Herman L. ; Tilghman A. ; Mary M., wife of AVilliam Bishop,
and Albert E. The mother died in 1884, the father May 29, 1888. Our
subject was married in 1870 to Eva Levier, daughter of John Levier, and
they had five children, three of whom are living: Louie J. ; Lewis H. , and
Irene. Mr. Giering has been identified with the milling business nearly
all his life, his present mill having come into possession of his father in
1857. He is a Democrat in politics, and the present postmaster at Porter
field. Mr. and Mrs. Giering are members of the Presbyterian church.
John Adam AVelleb, farmer and oil producer, was born in Emlenton,
Pennsylvania, January 10, 1853, and is a son of Joseph and Angeline Weller,
a sketch of whom appears in the biographical chapter on that borough. He
attended the public schools of his native village and spent his early life in
the store and on the farm aiding his father. He was married November 11,
1873, to Miss Mary B., daughter of WilUam and Catharine (BiUingsley)
Kerr of Pittsburgh. Five children were born to this union, four of whom
are living: AAilliam J. ; WaUace W. ; Harry E., and NeUie G. Mr. Weller
is a stanch Democrat and with his wife belongs to the Reformed church.
EOCKLAND.
Andrew Maitland, a deceased pioneer of Rockland township, removed
from Butler county early in the present century to a farm now in the pos
session of John Hetzler near the village of Freedom, and later located in the
vicinity of Barr's Corners, where he died at the "age of seventy-seven and is
buried in the cemetery of Rockland Methodist Episcopal church. He reared
the following family: John; Andrew; Alexander; Nancy, Mrs. John Gra
ham; Ann, who married John O'NeU; Margaret, who became the wife of
SUas Brown; Sarah, Mrs. John Webster; Polly, who married James Redick,
and after his death John Hendershott, all of whom are deceased except
Alexander, still a resident of the township.
Andrew Maitland, Jr., married Jane, daughter of WiUiam Elliott of
Callensburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania; he died May 12, 1883, at the
age of seventy- one, and was preceded to the grave by his wife January 26,
1871, her age having been sixty-two. They reared six children: Major John
B,, of OU City; Sarah J. , wife of Stephen Burgwin of Clarion county, Penn
sylvania; WUliam A.; Sylvester, who died in childhood; Caroline, wifeof
William Moore of Salem City, Cranberry township, and EUen.
William A. Maitland, county commissioner, was born in Rockland
township, June 22, 1842, son of Andrew and Jane (Elliott) Maitland. He

1120 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
obtained a common school education. In 1866-68 he resided in Richland
township, part of that time engaged in the store of Shippen & Maitland at
Stapley furnace. In 1869 he located permanently in Rockland and engaged
in farming. In 1887 he was elected county commissioner, and is president
of the board. He has also held various township offices, and is a Repub
lican in politics. In 1867 he married Miss Anna N. , daughter of Samuel
Echelberger, then of Rockland later of Mill Creek township, Mercer
county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of three children: Cora J., a
graduate of McElwain Institute, New Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Samuel E.,
and Avanella H. The family is Methodist in faith.
John Sullinoer, a deceased pioneer of Rockland township, was a native
of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He married Lovina Judge of that
county, and in 1805 came to Venango county and settled upon a four hun
dred acre tract of land in this township. In 1813 he brought out his wife
and family, consisting of twelve children: John; Alexander; Peter; Samuel;
James P.; Jacob; Andrew; Daniel; Annie, who married Captain William
Karns ; EUzabeth, who became the wife of Adam Karns ; Mary, who married
James McDonald, and Catharine, who became the wife of James Hoffman.
All are dead excepting Jacob, who resides in Elizabeth, Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania. John, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolution, and followed
the trade of weaver. He died about 1845, at Warren, Ohio, at the ad
vanced age of ninety-one years. His wife died some years previously.
James P. Sullinger, fifth son of John, Sr., was born in 1808. He
learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked in early life, subsequently
removed to Richland township, where he purchased a farm and engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He was constable and collector of that township some
twenty years. He married Susan Christy, of Westmoreland oounty, daugh
ter of James Christy. The children bom of this union were: Andrew,
of Rockland township; Jane, widow of Alexander McDonald; Francis D.,
principal of the Third Ward school, of Franklin; Lovina, wife of Thomas
Hyland; Daniel; Alexander H. ; James C. ; Samuel; Leanna, deceased wife
of James Robbins, and Zila, deceased wife of James Cox. The mother died
in February, 1886, her husband surviving her until the foUowing July.
Elihu Chadwick, deceased, was born in New Jersey, September 8, 1805.
The ancestry of the family is traced to John Chadwick, of England, who
died June 20, 1739, and Johanna Reynolds, his wife, who was born in Ber
muda and died September 20, 1739. Their son, John Chadwick, bom March
12, 1713, immigrated to America and was killed April 18, 1783, by Hessian
refugees. His wife's maiden name was Ann Martha Jackson, who was born
December 29, 1713, and died October 22, 1799. They had seven sons and
four daughters, one of whom was Elihu Chadwick, born in New Jersey,
May 27, 1759. He served through the Revolutionary war, being succes
sively promoted from the rank of lieutenant to that of lieutenant colonel of

BIOGEAPHIES OF EOCKLAND. 1121
a New Jersey regiment. He died August 30, 1837, at Smethport, McKean
county, having moved to that part of the state and settled at the mouth of
North creek within the present limits of Cameron county in 1812. He was
twice married and was the father of sixteen children. Rebecca Jeffery, his
second wife, was born February 1, 1774, and died May 18, 1841, the mother
of fourteen children. The subject of this sketch, a son of Elihu and Rebecca
(Jeffery) Chadwick, was born in New Jersey and came to Pennsylvania with
his parents at the age of seven years. He was educated in the common
schools and at an academy in AVilliamsport, Pennsylvania, then in charge of
his older brother, Richard Chadwick. He studied more particularly survey
ing and civil engineering, acquiring a high degree of proficiency in these
branches. In 1834 he came to Venango county in the employ of the general
agent of the Bingham estate to make re-surveys of their lands in Venango
and adjoining counties. Within a few years he was appointed local agent
for the sale and survey of the Bingham lands, and acted in this capacity until
aU their holdings in A^enango county had been disposed of, discharging the
duties of this responsible position in a spirit of fairness to all concerned. In
1836 he married Isabel, daughter of John Jolly, his predecessor as agent for
the Bingham estate and a pioneer of Rockland township. They were the
parents of nine children, six of whom arrived at maturity and are now living:
James D. , attorney at law. Pranklin; Francis C. ; Miles B. , municipal judge,
Owatonna, Minnesota; Clara; Bingham Hale, of Jacksonville, Florida, lately
connected with the Times-Union of that city, and Leroy Shippen, physician,
Cleveland, Ohio. In 1866 Mr. Chadwick removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where
he resided until his death, October 3, 1882.
AVilliam Smith, retired farmer, was born in Centre county, Pennsylva
nia, in 1813, and came to this county with his parents, Daniel and Mary
(Leasher) Smith, pioneers of Rockland township, where Daniel Smith was
postmaster at Rockland postoffice and an early justice of the peace. They
were the parents of a large family, twelve of whom grew to maturity. The
father died January 13, 1874, at the age of eighty- three, and the mother
May 20, 1875, at the age of seventy-five. Our subject received his educa
tion at the schools of the neighborhood, and engaged in farming on his own
account at his present residence, when this part of the township was yet a
wilderness. He has been identified with the schools of the township, both
as teacher and director, has served as justice of the peace, and as county
commissioner. He was married November 20, 1834, to EUzabeth Arm
strong of Clarion county, and has had eleven chUdren: Mary J., wife of
James H. Askey; Robert; Daniel S., who served during the late war in
Company F, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry; WiUiam T. ; Charies W. ; Sarah
E., wife of Charies Collingwood; Miles B. ; Steadman A. ; Annie M. ; John
R., and George W., deceased. Mr. Smith is one of the oldest members of
the Methodist Episcopal church in this county.

1122 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
John D. Smith, farmer, was born April 25, 1820, in this township, son
of Daniel and Mary (Leasher) Smith, and of their numerous family the fol
lowing are now living: William; John D. ; Daniel; Martha; Maria; EUen;
Jane, and Henrietta. Our subject was married March 24, 1842, to Nancy
Hughes, a native of this county, and to this union were born fourteen
children: Sarah; James K. ; Mary A. ; Nancy J. ; Daniel W, ; Maria; Foster
O. ; Lovina; Walter L. ; John D. ; Frances E. ; Jennie M. , and two who died
in infancy. John Hetzler was born May 12, 1818, in Monroe county. New York,
son of John and Elizabeth (Troutner) Hetzler. The former was bom in
Centre county, Pennsylvania, of German origin. He was the father of four
children: Mrs. Elizabeth Bly; John; Frederick, and Daniel. The family
located in this township in 1819; from 1832 to 1837 they lived in Monroe
county, and with this exception Mr. Hetzler has passed his entire life in this
township. Here he obtained a common school education, and during his stay in
New York studied surveying. He was engaged at the furnaces of this
vicinity for a number of years. In 1845 he began farming on the farm
originally settled by his father and now owned by himself, in addition to
which he owns four other tracts in this township, the home farm being in
the well known Red Valley oil district. In 1843 he married Maria, daugh
ter of Daniel Smith, one of the early settlers of this township. They are
the parents of three children: Elizabeth, wife of A. P. Dale, of Oil City;
Daniel, and Henry, farmers in this township.
Mr. Hetzler was elected to the office of county auditor on the Republican
ticket, the first person elected by that party in this county. He was also
elected to the offices of constable, assessor, collector, and school director,
and served in each with credit and ability. He was appointed deputy sher
iff by P. R. Gray, and retained by the two succeeding sheriffs, Henry
Herpst and C. S. Marks, and discharged the duties assigned to him with en
tire satisfaction to all concerned for three full terms. He was also ap
pointed and served two terms as mercantile appraiser and as tipstaff of the
court under Judges Campbell and Trunkey. At the breaking out of the late
civil war he was beyond the age required by the government, but showed
his loyalty to his country by taking his team and spring wagon — the only
vehicle of the kind in his neighborhood — and hauling soldiers to distant
railroad stations. He transferred in all about seventy-five men — those
from Captain Duncan's company, to Pittsburgh; from Captain Clapp' s com
pany, to Kittanning; from Captain Hosey' s company, to Callensburg, Clar
ion county, and from Captain Ridgeway' s company to Franklin and other
places. During these trips Mr. Hetzler often paid his o-wn expenses. Of
these seventy-five men all returned from the service but ten. He was com
missioned captain of a Pennsylvania militia company by Governor David R.

BIOGEAPHIES OF EOCKLAND. 1123
Porter, and held the same until the old militia organizations of the state
were abandoned. He has been engaged in surveying io this locality for
some years, and has made a map of the Red A' alley oil district. It has been
copyrighted. John Hetzler, Sr., was a soldier in the war of 1812; at the battle of
Black Rock he was captm-ed by the British, and after three months' impris
onment at Alontreal, exchanged.
James Jolly, farmer, was born in this township May 22, 1824, son of
David and Elizabeth (Adams) Jolly, the former bom September 4, 1787,
the latter in January, 1796. They were among the early settlers of the
township, and the parents of eleven children: AVilliam A.; Mrs. Eliza
Jones; Thomas; James; Mrs. Rebecca Shannon; David; Mrs. Isabella
Stout; John N. ; Mrs. Nancy J. Graham; Mrs. Rachel Karnes, and Emme
line Barr. He had a common school education, and lived on the farm with
his parents until their death, inheriting the farm originally settled by his
father, from which he has never been absent more than a month at one
time in his life. March 30, 1871, he married Eliza C. Ross, daughter of
Samuel Ross, formerly of this township. They have one son, Howard
Thomas, born May 30, 1872. Mr. Jolly is an elder in the Presbyterian
church of this township.
Abraham D. Koch was bom in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, August
29, 1807, and died June 9, 1867; Harriet (Fritz) Koch, his wife, was bom
in Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1817. He was a miller by
trade, and in 1840 moved from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Clarion
county. He followed the milling business there, and during 1846 moved to
Venango county, Pennsylvania, and built a mill at East Sandy. He was
postmaster at East Sandy for a number of years. Their chilclren were ten
in number: Caroline, who died in infancy; Hannah, who was born January
10, 1837, and died May 20, 1860; John, who was born September 29, 1839,
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
was promoted to second lieutenant, and died May 19, 1864, at Belle Plains,
Virginia, whUe in the service; Alfred, who was born August 20, 1842, en
listed in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volun
teers, and served through the war, was married to Elizabeth Schmelzly,
July 4, 1867, is a miller by trade, and followed that business untU 1887,
wheii he was appointed United States gauger and store -keeper, and is now
ranning a mill in Clarion county, Pennsylvania; WUliam, who was born
September 15, 1844, a mUler and distUler by trade, married to Mary E.
McCaU, September 17, 1874; George, born AprU 6, 1847; Sarah, who was
born September 13, 1849, and died June 16, 1864; Aaron, born Febru
ary 9, 1852; Jerry H., born June 21, 1854, and married to Mary J. Ewer,
September 1, 1886, who died November 17, 1887; and OceUa I., born Sep
tember 14, 1857, and educated in Carrier Seminary. George, Aaron, and

1124 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Jerry H. were educated in common schools and at Duff's Commercial Col
lege of Pittsburgh. George has followed the oil business since old enough;
in company with his brother William and Doctor Knight he drilled thirty -
one oil wells in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and in company with his
brothers William and Jerry H. , and in several cases with others, has drilled
seventy-four wells; making one hundred and five wells, ninety-six of which
were good producing wells. He edited the Fern City Weekly Illuminator,
and was a candidate for the Pennsylvania legislature in 1886; he is the in
ventor and holds a patent on the full sized drill, doing away with the rimmer,
which lowered the cost of drilling three-fourths, and in company with his
brother AVilliam, has a patent on solid rim bull-wheels, which has been of
great service to the trade. He and his brother William have eight United
States patents, mostly relating to the oil business.
Chaeles Linn, farmer, was born AprU 18, 1826, in Lycoming county,
Pennsylvania. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Batholomew) Linn, had
sixteen children, nine of whom are living: Elias; AVilliam; Silas; Charles;
Annie; Sarah; Leah; Hester, and Eliza. The family came to this county
about the year 1845, and the father followed farming untU he died. Our
subject had the advantage of a common school education, and began for
himself as a stone *mason. He was married August 30, 1848, to Catharine
Eumberger, a native of this county, born in 1830, a daughter of Levi and
Nancy Rumberger, who were born in the eastern part of this state. Her
father died in 1863, and her mother resides with our subject. Mr. and
Mrs, Rumberger have had five children: Catharine; Cunningham; Mary
A. ; Margaret, and George, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Linn are the parents
of nine children: Elizabeth, deceased; Jeremiah; Mary J. ; Martha, wife of
Reverend Oliver Nickle ; Beatty P., a Methodist minister; Maggie D. ; Frank;
Boyd, and Minnie, deceased. The entire family are members of the Meth
odist Episcopal church. Mr. Linn has been ten years a school director,
and is a Republican in politics.
John H. Stare, farmer, was born August 28, 1831, in this county. His
parents, Michael and Catharine (Cook) Starr, were natives of Maryland,
came to Armstrong county, this state, and thence to this county at an early
day. They reared a family of eleven children: Elizabeth, deceased; Jane;
Daniel; Michael, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Mary A, ; Eva, deceased; Polly,
deceased, Rachel ; infant, deceased, and John H. , who has been a farmer all
of his life. He was married to Sarah Mitchell, daughter of William and
Peggy Mitchell, both of Clarion county, and to this union have been born
eight children: John T. ; William J. ; Daniel W. ; Mary A. ; AA'esley S. , de
ceased; George H., deceased; Michael Emilius, deceased, and Charles V.
Our subject and wife are members of the Evangelical church, in politics he
has been a Republican, but now throws his interests and influence with the
Prohibitionists.

BIOGE.VPHIES OF EOCKLAND. 1125
Franklin Flowers, minister of the Church of God, Coal Clity, was born
in 1833 in Union county, this state, son of John aud Hanuah (Solomon)
Flowers, John Flowers came to this county in 1S45, and was the father of
nine children: Abraham; Polly, doooasod; John, deceased; llharles; Honry;
Peggy, deceased; Samuel; Franklin, aud Elizabeth. Pranklin Flowers was
educated in the common schools. In 1S61, he enlisted in Company L,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he was engaged three years and
nine months. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Susan Snyder, a native
of this oouuty by whom he has had ton ohUdreu: Absalom I. ; Johnnie, de
ceased; Lizzie; Frank M. C. ; Jennetta: Charles A. ; Pomelda; Charles B.,
deceased; Alinuio, and Jacob Al. Air. Flowers is pastor of the Church of
God at Emericksvillo, Jefferson county, Peuusylvania, of which church he
and wife are members. In politics he is a Republican, and one of the
worthy citizens of A'enango county.
Eenest E. Fichte, farmer, was born Alay 1, 1833, in Dresden, Saxony,
Gei-many, to Godfried and Dorothera Fichte, the parents of three children:
Herman, Amelia, and Ernest E. The last named, by occupation a cutler,
immigrated to America in 1854, and settled in Pittsburgh until 1859, when
he came to this oiuinty. He located on the farm in Rockland township
where he now resides and has since remained. He enlisted in Company P,
One Hundred and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, in August, 1862,
and was in active service for three years. He was married in 1858 to Sarah
R. Nunemacher, daughter of George and Sarah Nunemacher, natives of
Clarion county, Pennsylvania. Her father died in bis native county, and
her mother in Venango. Their children were twelve in number, eight of
whom ai-e living: Henry; Emmeline; Sarah R. ; Charles; George; Alary:
AVilliam E. , and Alvin. Our subject is the father of two chUdren: M. Emi
lius, residing on the farm with his father, and Emma S. , wife of Charles
Rossman, in Emlenton. Air. Fichte is a member of Koch Post, G. -A. R.,
and is a Republican in politics.
D.AyiDSON McElphatrick, oU producer, was born December 5. 1833. in
this county, to John and Margaret (McClaran) AIcElphatrick, natives of
Centre and A'enango counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. John McEl
phatrick was born in the year 1804. and oame to this county in 1820. He
was engaged for a number of years in the iron business, and was the father
often children, six of whom grew to maturity: John; James: Davidson;
Robert M. ; Mary, wife of Martin Bensinger, and Martha. The father died
in 1S57, and his widow in 1879. Our subject received a common school
education, and was employed at iron works in his younger days. In No
vember, 1862, he enUsted in Company I, One Hundred and Third Pennsyl
vania Volunteers, and after serving nine months was discharged because of
disabUity, He was married in lS(i5 to Margaret, daughter of John Morn-
son, of this county. To this union there have been born three chUdren:

1126 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Mary, wife of George B. Witherup; John, deceased, and Gustie D. Mr.
McElphatrick is a member of the Good Templars' and Protected Home
Circle. He is a Prohibitionist, and, with his wife, belongs to the Church
of God. Wilson Cross, merchant at Scrubgrass, was born in 1843 in this county,
son of Samuel W. and Jane (McCutcheon) Cross. He started in business
where he is now located in 1867, and has had a remarkable patronage ever
since. His main building is twenty-four by one hundred feet, and the
attachment is thirty six by fifty, both being well filled with the general
stock demanded by a country community. He does a business of about
twenty-five thousand dollars a year. He has also dealt largely in railroad
ties for the use of the Allegheny Valley RaUroad Company. He is a mem
ber of the K. of H. and K. & L. of H. He is quite active in the interests
of the Democratic party, and has been the efficient postmaster at Scrub-
grass for thirteen years. He was married in 1866 to Emily West, a native
of this county, and has eleven children: Maude; Sadie; John P. ; Charlie
E. ; Flora B. ; Rosa; Addison; Walter; Samuel M. , deceased; Clarence,
deceased, and an infant, deceased. He and wife are members of the Cum
berland Presbyterian church.
James H. Cross, merchant, is in partnership with his brother Wilson in
the general mercantile business at Scrubgrass. He was born in 1854 and
was married in October, 1874, to Bunavista Pout, a native of Indiana, and
to this union there have been born five children: Hessie; Ralph; Dora; Roy,
and Homer.
Robert A. Myees, farmer and oil producer, was born March 3, 1850,
in this county, son of William and Jane (Armstrong) Myers, the former
born in 1816 in Venango county, the latter in 1820 in Clarion county, Penn
sylvania. They had the following children: John; James; Robert; Plumer;
Sarah E. ; Cynthia A, , and Mary F. AVilliam Myers died in 1884, Our sub
ject was educated in the common schools and was brought up at farming.
He was married April 30, 1874, to Mary Jane Linn. To this union have
been bom three chUdren: Charlie; Celia, deceased, and Maude. Mr. and
Mrs. Myers are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he
adheres to the Democratic party.
Marion A. Myers, miller, was born December 16, 1854, in this county,
son of Solomon A. and Catharine J. (AA^eaver) Myers, both natives of this
county and the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom are living: Clara
M. ; Marion A. ; Eleanor E. ; Vernon J. ; Ora B. ; Jennie B. ; Solomon K. ;
John S., and Edith Grace. Our subject received his education in the com
mon schools of Venango county, at Reid Institute, Reidsburg, Clarion county,
this state, and at Smithfield (George's Creek Academy), Fayette county,
also in this state. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , No. 952, Rockland.
For two years he taught school in this county, and is now serving as school

BIOGEAPHIES OF EOCKLAND. 1127
director. He has followed the milling business since 1875, and is a stanch
Democrat, David K. Buchanan, ferryman at Scrubgrass, was born May 12, 1856, to
WiUiam M. and Henrietta (Kling) Buchanan, in Chester county, Pennsyl
vania. William M. Buchanan was the father of six children, but two of
whom, J. C. and David K., reside in Venango county. Our subject came
to this county in 1872, and engaged in the oil business. In 1884 he pur
chased the ferry across the Allegheny river at Scrubgrass. He was elected
justice of the peace in 1883, and has served with ability and credit, being
re-elected in 1888. For five years he has been serving as school director,
and for four years has been president of that board. He has also gained
some fame as a writer, his contributions to the columns of the Oil City
Derrick under the nom de plume of " Uncle John" and "The Corporal "
baring elicited considerable favorable comment. He was married January
27, 1876, to Marietta McElroy, a native of Ohio, and to this union seven
children have been born: Henrietta M. ; William C. ; Bertha E. ; Edna H. ;
Herbert B. ; Ethel F. , and Leonard J. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan are mem
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Addison H. Bowser, physician and surgeon, was born February 18,
1862, in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, son of D. S. and Lydia (Mc-
Colum) Bowser, natives of Armstrong county, and the parents of nine
daughters and three sons. He was educated at Worthington Academy,
Armstrong county, and Reid Institute, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, taught
school several terms, and began the study of medicine in 1882 under the
instruction of Doctor S. C. Johnston, of Greenville, Clarion county, Penn
sylvania. He was graduated from the Western Reserve Medical University
of Cleveland, Ohio, February 25, 1885, and first located at Salina, this
county, in March, 1885. From there he went to Centerville, this county,
where he practiced for two years, and November 22, 1887, he located at
Freedom, Rockland to-wnship, where he now enjoys a lucrative practice.
He is a member of the Venango County Medical Society, and also of the
alumni of the Western Reserve University. July 6, 1882, he married
Sadie H. Booth, a native of GreenvUle, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and
by her has had two children: Ira D. and Bertha E. Both he and wife
are consistent members of the Baptist church.
William E. Askey, professional teacher, was born November 1, 1862,
son of Harrison and Mary J. (Smith) Askey, natives of Centre and this
county, respectively. They were the parents of the following children:
Clara, wife of L. Stroup; Mary, deceased; WiUiam E. ; Edwin N., also a
professional teacher; Jennie, deceased; Burton, and Ida. Harrison Askey
came to this county with his parents about the year 1836, is descended from
Scotch-Irish ancestry, aud was a farmer by occupation. His son, William
E., was married October 3, 1886, to Jessie W., a daughter of Major J. B.

1128 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Maitland, of Oil City, and to this union have been born two children:
Edgar; Ernest, and John Maitland. Mr. Askey began teaching in 1880,
and has continued ever since with remarkable success, being considered one
of the most efficient teachers in Venango county. He and wife are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of the Sabbath schools of
which organization he has been superintendent for five years, and of which
he is class leader. pinegrove.
Samuel Speechley, farmer, was born November 1, 1832, in England
and is a son of Samuel and Maria (Webster) Speechley, natives of the same
country and the parents of five children: Adelaide; Samuel; Emma,
deceased; Maria, and Charles, deceased. The father was for many years
engaged in the hotel business in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, England,
and with his wife belonged to the Episcopal church. Samuel, our subject,
received a common school education in his native country, and at the age
of fourteen years he began learning locomotive building and marine engi
neering in Newcastle-on-Tyne; at twenty he was sent to China by the firm
of Robert Stephenson & Company to join a steamer plying between Hong
Kong and Calcutta in the opium trade. He continued at that for about
three years, then entered the Chinese government service for the purpose of
putting down piracy on the coast of China, which was very rife at that time
(1855-56); in 1857 he started the first engineering business in China at
Hong Kong and conducted it for thirteen years. In 1872 he visited Amer
ica, and after one year's residence in Cranberry township decided to stay.
He settled on his present farm of one hundred acres — the seat of the great
Speechley gas district, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was married
in China (1864) to Margaret Galbraith, a native of Ireland, and has two
children: Emily, born in China, and Adelaide, born in America. Mr.
Speechley was brought up in the faith of the Episcopal church. Mrs.
Speechley' s parents, James and Janet (Patterson) Galbraith, were of the old
Scottish Covenanter faith, in which they reared their children.
George W. Powell, farmer, was born February 5, 1819, the son of
Samuel Powell, and first white child born in Pinegrove township. He
engaged in farming on his father's place at the age of twenty- one, and was
also employed at surveying and school teaching. In 1852 he went to Cali
fornia and remained until 1858, working at lumbering and mining. In
1860 he went into the oil business, continuing at this until 1877, when he
resumed farming. In 1861 he married Maria Williams, daughter of Rich
ard WiUiams, who is the mother of six chUdren: Samuel; Elizabeth; Nettie;
EUen; William, and May. He is recognized as one of the most intelligent
men of the township, succeeding in this respect to the position held by his
father. The latter was exceptionally well informed considering the time
and circumstances in which he lived. He corresponded with Jackson, Clay,

BIOGRAPHIES OF PINEGBQ-VE. Hog
Calhoun, and other prouunent public men, and represented the township in
the first public school convention ever held in Venango coxmtv.
James MoKissicx was born in Center township, Butler county. Pennsyl
vania, January 10. 1S20. son of John and Sarah (McCandless) McKissi^.
He was brought up on a farm and had limited educational advantag««. Ih
1844 he began fanmng in SUppery Rock township, and removed to Pme-
grove township eight years later. Here he bought land, of which but five
acres were cleared, and now o-wns two hundred and forty-seven acres, of
'rfikJi nearly one hundred are under ctUtivation, In 1844 he married Eliza-
betii, daughter of J. W, Turk, born July 2, 1S22, who is the mother of
eleven chUdren, of whom nine are U-ying: Samuel, who was injured two
years ago cutting timber; Robert, who studied medicme at Cleveland and
Tdedo, aad has a promising career before him; Margaret: Sarah, wife of
WilUam McKissick; Rebecca, wife of George Lanffer: Elizabeth, wife of A.
F. Korb; Marietta, wife of C, C. Stover; Martha, wife of Thomas McLaugh
lin, and Mary H,, at home. Two sons are dead — J. H., who did not Uve to
maturity, and John, a lawyer of Frauklin, who died at Marietta. Georgia,
March 18, 1883. Mr. McKissick vras justice of the peace and school direetor
many years. In poUtics he is a Democrat.
J. S, McPbdksson, farmer, -was born in Armstrong county, now Clarion
April 11, 1825, son of David and Hannah (Anderson) McPherson. Joseph
McPherson, father of David, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and settled in
Northumberland county, where David McPherson was bom. In 1804 the
latter removed to Armstrong county. He was drafted during the war of
1812. He helped to lay out the piie from BeUefonte to Waterford. and
while en^ged at this work learned at Clarion of sickness in his famUv. He
hastened home, to fi^nd a daughter dead of consumption. He and -wife died
in 1851 and are buried in the town of Clarion, His mother was Mary Steele.
of French descent. Our subject had such education as the district schools
afforded, and at the age of eighteen began work at iron furnaces in Clarion,
foUowing this two years, when he learned the moulding trade, and pursued
ttus vocation untfl obliged to qtUt it three years later on account of his eyes.
He then went into the lumber and boat buUding business on Clarion river.
In 1855 he removed to Venango county and kept hotel at President f our
years. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, ha-ving Uved at his
present residence twenty-one years. He was one of the first coroners of
Clarion county, served as borough constable of the town of Clarion seven
consecutive terms and as deputy sheriff six years, also as school director in
Prreident township, and has been justice of the peace in Pinegrove to-wn
ship since 1S73. June 23, 1S53, he was married to Susan E. McCalmont.
dsn^hter of John B. McCalmont, the first, school teacher of the township.
^o removed to Illinois in 1859. where he died February 24, 18S2, in his
seventy-seventh year. The ehUdren of Mr. and Mrs. McPherson with dates

1180 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
of birth are as follows: John, 1854; Elliott, 1856; Edwin, 1858; AViUiam
L., 1861; Samuel, 1863; Alfred, 1865; Byron, 1867; Annie May, 1869;
Frederick, deceased, 1871, and Blucher, 1875. Mr, McPherson is con
sidered a fine performer on the violin, and is known and esteemed by a
wide circle of friends. An uncle of his father was president judge of North
umberland county a number of years.
Isaac Fertig was bom July 27, 1807, in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
the son of Abraham and Susan Fertig. His father removed to Schuylkill
county in 1809, and died there some years later. Isaac Fertig' s schooling
was very limited. At the age of seventeen he began boating on the
Schuylkill canal, and also worked on the Susquehanna canal. In 1832 he
crossed the mountains, and worked at his trade of carpenter in Tionesta.
In 1834 he removed to this township, then a wilderness, where he bought
land, improved and cleared gradually, working in various other- ways in the
meantime. He was married in 1832 to Hannah Stover, daughter of John
Stover, an early settler in this neighborhood, buried at the Centerville
cemetery. Of a family of twelve the children now living are : Joseph, of Hyde-
town; John, of TitusviUe; Samuel, of TitusviUe; Peter, in Kansas; Jane, at
home; Frank, at Toledo; Caroline, wife of John MUlikin, in Kansas; Amanda,
wife of M. W. .Quick, of TitusviUe; Sarah, wife of Sebastian Henne, and
Charles. The oldest, Rebecca, wife of Jacob Kinch, died of consumption,
and the youngest, Hannah (Jones), was burned in a railroad wreck at Brad
ford. The postoffice at Centerville, which bears Mr. Fertig' s name, was
established largely through his efforts. Mrs. Fertig has been a consistent
member of the Methodist church more than forty years.
Henry Kapp was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September
15, 1810, son of George and Hannah (Kuntz) Kapp. He was brought up
on a farm, with no educational advantages. At the age of nine years he
moved with his father' s family to Fryburg, Clarion county. When he be
came of age he returned to Lancaster county, and worked at various pur
suits more than a year. He then returned and entered into partnership
with his father in the purchase of one hundred and sixty-five acres of land,
and upon his father's death succeeded to his interest. He also bought sixty
acres adjoining. In 1882 he opened a store at Lineville, and in 1884 re
moved to Centerville. He was married in 1832 to Catharine Rickenbrode,
daughter of an old resident of Clarion county, and of a family of ten chil
dren born to them, eight are living: Mrs. Leah Rankin; George F. ; Henry
W. ; EU; Mrs. Sarah Weaver; Mrs. Minnie Male; Samuel, and John, aU of
whom are residents of this or the adjoining county. The two children dead
are Jacob, who died in childhood, and Mattie, wife of Daniel Kinch, who
left a large family. Mr. Kapp gave his children liberal assistance in estab
lishing themselves in life. His death occurred in 1889.
Thomas A. Fulton, deceased, was born in 1817 in Centre county, Penn-

BIOGEAPHIES OF PINEGEOVE, 1131
sylvania, the son of John aud Margaret Fulton, He was brought up near
Bellefonte and attended the schools of the neighborhood. In 1841, at the
age of twenty-four, he came to A'enaugo county, where he had relatives, and
stayed with his uncle, Samuel AloKinney, several months, workino- at his
trade as a collier, at which he continued until the furnaces be^an to use
coke. February 25, 1862, haying enlisted in Company H, One Hundred
and Third Pennsylvania A'oluntoors, he left home to join the regular
army. He was engaged in the severe fighting around Richmond, and served
through the campaigns of this and the following year. In 1864 he re-en
listed in Company K, One Hundred and Third Penns3dvania A'olunteers, and
May 21st of this year with his whole regiment he was captui-ed at Plymouth,
North Carolina, and consigned to Andersonville prison. Letters written
there in Alay did not roach Airs. Fulton until the following winter. After
undergoing all the hai-dships of gradual starvation he died June 17, 1864,
and rests in an unmarked grave under the southern sun. April 30, 1844,
he married Phoebe A. , daughter of AA'ilUam and Catharine (Lovell) Dixon
of Rockland township, formerly of Centre county. Their family is as fol
lows: Mrs, Mattie J, Aiken, who lives at Richburg, New York; James
Hutchison, who served in the army sixteen months, and is a farmer in this
township; Mrs. Amanda Goodman, who resides at Lineville; AVilliam O.,
of Washington; Curtis C, of AVashington, Pennsylvania; Thomas A., and
Mrs. Dorleska Booth, of AA'ashington. Mrs. Fulton owns one hundi-ed
acres of land in her own right and receives a government pension.
James Anderson, farmer, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania,
March 31, 1819, son of John and Jane (Welsh) Anderson, the former a
native of Washington county, the latter the daughter of Valentine AVelsh,
who lived south of Pittsburgh. They removed to V^enango county about
1830, locating in Rockland township, but afterward removed to Pinegrove
where James was brought up, attending the schools of the district. At the
age of twenty-one he began work at iron furnaces, lumber mills, etc. In
1845 he bought one hundred acres of land, upon which he now lives, paying
therefor two dollars and twenty-five cents per acre. He now has more than
fifty acres under cultivation. His present house was built in ISSl, the barn
in 1884, to replace one erected in 1S72 and burned by lightning in July,
1884. In 1860 he married Rebecca Stover, widow of Daniel Stover, and
daughter of George Blosser, an early settler. Four chUdren are living:
WUliam A.; Mary J.; John H., and Francis L. Mr. Anderson served as
constable in 1852-55, and has held various other local offices. Politically
he is a Republican,
H. H. Schwab, farmer was born December 21, 1829, in AVashington
township. Clarion county, Pennsylvania, son of Henry and Catharine (Liliah)
Schwab. The grandfather on the father' s side was born in this country, and
on the mother's side in Germany. Mr. Schwab had limited educational ad-

1132 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
vantages. At the age of twenty- one he learned the trade of carpenter,
working at this four years, when he began farming on the Knight farm,
this township. He sold this place during the first oil excitement and bought
lots in Lineville with the intention of starting a store, but never carried out
this idea. In 1866-67 he bought the Johnston farm; eight years later his
present farm of one hundred and fifteen acres was secured, and has been
brought to a high state of cultivation. He was married in 1856 to Margaret,
daughter of Adam Greaer, of Ashland township. Clarion county, and of a
family of ten children eight are living: William P., a farmer; Mrs. Fannie
Sigworth; Andrew C, school teacher; Agnes L. ; Wesley M. ; Albert N. ;
Seward v., and Lily N. The family is connected with the Lutheran church
of Fryburg. In politics Mr. Schwab is a Republican.
George Smith, farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 3, 1830,
son of Casimir and Appolonia Smith. His grandfather was eighty-two at
death, his father eighty-four. The latter served eleven years in the armies
of Napoleon, and was at the burning of Moscow. He immigrated to Amer
ica in 1840, landing in Baltimore, whence he proceeded to Pittsburgh,
Here the family stayed over winter, and George, a boy of ten, heard Presi
dent Harrison make a speech, of which he could not understand a word,
and shook hands with him. In March, 1841, the father having bought a
farm in this township, the family removed thither. At the age of twenty
George began life for himself, cutting cordwood, and in the course of five
or six years had earned enough to buy one hundred and fifty acres of land,
half of which is now under cultivation, with large orchards. The barn,
built in 1875, and the house, built in 1879, are among the most substantial
in the township. Mr. Smith was married in 1856 to Annie Silzle, daughter
of John M. Silzle, a native of Germany, who died in September, 1878, at
the age of seventy-five. Hannah Laufer, his wife, was born in Wurtem-
burg, and died August 28, 1879, aged seventy-four. Of a family of nine
children six are living: John, a well driller. Canton, Mississippi; Cornelius,
derrick builder; George; Anna; Mary, and Alfred. Henry Smith, brother
of George, enlisted in 1861 in company I, One Hundred and Fifth Penn
sylvania Volunters, and died in a hospital at Alexandria in January, 1862.
Geoege W. Miller, merchant, was born .January 27, 1849, in Washing
ton township. Clarion county, son of Adam and EUen (Halt) Miller. The
former was born in Germany. The paternal grandfather was Andrew Mil
ler, who emigrated to the vicinity of Fryburg, where he is buried in the
Lutheran cemetery. George W. attended the schools of his native town
ship until the age of sixteen, when he learned the trade of carpenter, work
ing at this thirteen years. In 1881 he removed to Unionville and built his
present residence. He also owns about one hundred acres of land. He en
gaged in mercantile pursuits in 1881, and has built up a flourishing trade,
averaging seven thousand dollars a year. The stock consists of general

BIOGEAPHIES OF PINEGEOVE, 1133
merchandise to the amount of about three thousand doUars. Mr. Miller was
married in 1876 to Elizabeth Fraihn, daughter of Jacob Fraihn of this
county. The family consists of four children: Edward A, ; Julia A. ; Mary
M., and Frances May. Mr. MiUer' s political affiliations are with the Re
publican party,
Mallory Beothees, contractors for drilling oil, gas, and artesian wells.
Coal HiU, Pennsylvania. — The business firm under this name came into ex
istence in 1880. Operations were begun in the Bradford oil fields in Mc
Kean county, with seven sets of tools, and continued here* two years with
fair success. During this period the firm also leased oil territory to a
limited extent. In 1882, attracted by the promising prospects of the
Speechley gas field, they moved to Venango county, drilling the first well
for the OU City Fuel Supply Company, then recently organized. The opera
tions of the firm have gradually extended from year to year. About twenty
weUs were drilled in 1882; at the present rate of progress (May, 1889) the
number will reach one hundred during the present year. The total num
ber drilled during the seven years the firm has been in Venango county is
about two hundred and twenty-five, of which more than a hundred have ap
proximated two thousand feet in depth. In March, 1889, the number of
sets of tools was increased from eight to twelve, and the working force
from forty-four to eighty. The monthly pay roll aggregates seven thou
sand dollars and the daily expenses average six hundred dollars. The firm
builds its own derricks, selling the same to the contracting company.
Frederick Eugene Mallory was born at Cambridge, Erie county, Penn
sylvania, February 25, 1851, the son of Truman and Charlotte (Phelps)
Mallory. John Mallory, grandfather of Frederick E., was born in Erie
county in 1799, and died there in 1888. His father was one of three
brothers who immigrated from England; he was among the very earliest
settlers of this section of the state. Truman Mallory was born April 6,
1825, and resides upon a farm four miles west of Waterford. Frederick E.
never attended school after passing the age of fifteen, when his father intro
duced him to the oil business at the Sherman flats, Crawford county, where
he was at work pumping. AA'ithin a few months he was promoted to the
work of a driller, following this until he became strong enough to dress
tools, at which he become proficient in a short time, earning four dollars
and a half per day. His first contracting venture was made in 1870 at
Scrubgrass, Venango county, in partnership with L. E. Mallory, a brother.
They drUled fifteen weUs before realizing a doUar, and within a year Fred
erick E. returned to day's labor twenty-five hundred doUars in debt. In
1873, in company with his father and brother, he invested in productive oU
property, and in the autumn of 1876 his daily income was more than two
hundred dollars. An offer of one hundred thousand dollars was refused for
their property, which sold four years later for four thousand. From this

1134 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
date he has been senior partner of the firm of Alallory Brothers, whose
operations have been detailed in the preceding sketch. November 1, 1876
he' married Miss Jennie Rittenhouse, daughter of Mr. A. Rittenhouse, of
Crawford county, who died in 1883 at Aspen, Colorado. The family con
sists of two sons: George, aged five, and Roy, aged two. The former of
these children was threatened with permanent blindness some months since,
but has entirely recovered his sight.
John F. Mallory was born October 2, 1858, near Waterford, Erie
county, Pennsylvania; the family genealogy is given in the sketch of Fred
erick B. " His education was obtained at the public schools. In 1871 he
began work as a pumper at Monroeville, continuing at this until 1880, when
he became interested in productive oil territory in Clarion county. In 1880
he became a member of the firm of Mallory Brothers. He was married
March 2, 1879, to Susan, daughterof Samuel Shaffer, of Armstrong county.
Mr. Shaffer died in 1885. Mr, and Mrs. Mallory have one son, Ernest,
Ml-. Mallory is connected with the Masonic order.
Sidney T. Mallory was born November 24, 1862, near MillvUlage, Erie
county, Pennsylvania. After attending public schools and Waterford Acad
emy, he entered the oil business at the age of sixteen in the capacity of a
pumper, continuing at this four years. In 1880 he became associated with
his brothers in the firm whose history is given in a foregoing sketch,
S, M, Thacher was bom November 9, 1834, in Chautauqua county,
New York, the son of Charles and Anna (McConnell) Thacher, the third of
a family of four, of whom the other three were daughters. Such education
as he received was obtained at the district schools. At the age of twenty-
two he went to Iowa and Minnesota, working on the farms and in various
other ways. He had previously taught school in Chautauqua county, at the
age of seventeen, and in Lake county, Ohio, and naturaly drifted into this
profession in Olmstead county, Minnesota. In the spring of 1860 he started
over the plains to California, being five months on the road. He remained
five'years, working at mining principally. In February, 1865, after an ab
sence of nine years, he was called home by the illness and death of his
father. In May following he came to Rouseville on Oil creek, engaged
in the oil business as a pumper, and has since had a varied experience in
many parts of the oil regions. In 1883 he entered the employ of the Oil
City Fuel Supply Company, as field superintendent, and has charge of the
gas interests of this concem (since merged in the Standard), in the Speechley
gas field — from twenty to thirty men working under his supervision. Mr.
Thacher was married in 1868 to Miss Augusta E. Brown, who is the mother
of five children, four of whom are living: Charles; Frank; Winnifred, and
Jessie. James A. McKeever, contractor for drilling oil and gas wells, was bom
June 1 1, 1843, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, the son of John and Rosanna

BIOGEAPKIES OF PINEGEOVE. H35
(McElroy) McKeever. His grandparents were both born in Ireland. The
paternal grandfather, John MoKoover, was an early settler in Union county,
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the furnace and inm business. From
here he removed to Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he died at the age
of eighty-four. The father of James A. Uved to the age of seventy. The
maternal grandfather, Patrick McElroy, came to this country at the age of
twelve, and made his home in Pennsylvania, farming all his life. He also
located in Butler county, where he died at the age of one hundred and
nine years. Ho is described as a man of powerful frame, never suffered
from ill health until within a few years of his death, and at the age of one
hundred could cut wood and do other light work. In the early history of this
section he was a great hunter, and pursued game with a caution and cunning
rarely equaled. James A. attended the schools of Butler county. In 1862,
at the age of seventeen, he engaged in work at oil wells in the vicinity of
Oil City. The following year he began drilling, continuing at this for four
years, and earning four to five dollars and a half per day. Since 1866 he
has been contracting and operating on an individual basis, with the fluctuat
ing fortunes characteristic of the business, and, on the whole, with fair suc
cess. Never having received assistance from any one, his success has been
the result of individual efforts. His present field of operation is in the
vicinity of Lucinda. Since 1878 he has resided in Unionville, where his
residence, one of the most attractive in the township, was built in 1887.
July 1, 1869, he married Miss M. A. Powell, daughter of J. W. Powell, of
this township, formerly of Clarion county, who, during the late war, was
adjutant of the Seventy-Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving three years
in Sherman's campaigns. He died May 27, 1888, at the age of seventy-
one. Of five chUdren born to Mr. and Mrs. McKeever, four are now living:
Maud; Francis; Alberta, and Edna. Politically Mr. McKeever is a Democrat.
A. J. Keverline, of the firm of A. J. & N. P. Keverline, lumbermen and
farmers, was bom in 1862, son of A. P. and Kate (Rapp) Keverline; the
latter is a daughter of Peter Rapp, of Clarion county. A. J. Keverline
attended the local schools, and, having attained his majority, engaged in
the lumber business with M. A. and N. P. Keverline. He has since oper
ated in Clarion and Forest counties. In 1886 be became associated with
his father, under the firm name as given above, and has conducted the pur
chase and sales department with gratifying success. Tho timber bandied
is principally white oak, the product consisting of shingles, staves, and lum
ber, which find a ready market at OU City. The plant consists of a thirty-
horse power engine, fifty-two-inch saw, forty-inch shingle saw, twenty-four-
inch stave machine, etc., representing a capital of six thousand dollars. N.
P. Keveriine owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of land in this town
ship, and does a business of eight thousand doUars a year. Twenty teams
are sometimes employed about the mill and in delivering lumber.

1186 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
CRANBERRY.
John Milton, deceased, was bom in Scotland, March 16, 1804, and re
ceived a good education in the schools of his native land. He learned the
trade of a damask weaver in Dunfermline, Scotland, and in 1827 immigrated
to the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He eventu
ally engaged in the manufacture of woolen and linen goods, by which he ac
quired considerable means. In April, 1840, he removed to Cranberry town
ship, Venango county, where he had previously purchased a farm of four
hundred acres, and settled down to agricultural pursuits. Upon this farm
was subsequently developed a large number of oil wells, some of them among
the best producing wells of the county. Through this stroke of good for
tune he became quite a wealthy man. He was an ardent Democrat, and was
often urged by his friends to accept office but refused. While a resident of
Cranberry township he took a deep interest in the growth and progress of
education, and filled the position of school director of his district. Before
coming to this country Mr. Milton was connected with the Presbyterian
church, but though an attendant of the church here he never attached him
self to any religious body. He was, however, a liberal supporter of every
denomination irrespective of faith. In 1880 he removed to Franklin, where
he died October 9, 1887. He married May 20, 1831, Miss Agnes, daughter
of Thomas and Agnes (Ralston) Brown, both of Paisley, Scotland, the latter
a daughter of John Ralston, the laird of Paisley. Mrs. Milton was born in
Edinburgh, Scotland, November 26, 1812, and was a resident of Pittsburgh
at the time of her marriage, whither her parents had removed from their
native land in 1823. Thirteen children blessed this union: John H., of
Virginia; Thomas S., of Fern City, Clarion county, Pennsylvania; Agnes
N. , wife of S. O. Nicklin, of Franklin; Victoria A., deceased; Ossian, de
ceased; James O. , of Scrubgrass township; Annie Jean, wife of William
Earnest of Virginia; Leander, who resides on the old homestead in Cran
berry township; Marion, wife of John Cummin of Oil City; Margaret, wife
of John Stewart of Pittsburgh; Flora H. M. , deceased; Seneca G. , of Frank
lin, and Cecelia O., wife of Samuel St. Clair of Franklin. At his death
Mr. Milton left to each of his children, and to one of his grandsons. Miles
Sage Milton, whom they had adopted, five thousand dollars. He is buried
in the Franklin cemetery, and a handsome monument marks his last resting
place. He was an upright, honest man, a kind and loving father and hus
band, and a highly respected citizen. He was recognized as a good man,
and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends. His widow resides
in Franklin, is a member of the Presbyterian church, and a lady of strong,
vigorous mind and wide information.
Leander Milton, farmer and oil producer, was born December 13, 1844,
on the farm where he now resides, son of John and Agnes (Brown) Milton.
He was reared on his present homestead, and was married December 13,

BIOGEAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY. 1137
1882, to Loretta Ardery, a native of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, born
May 28, 1852, daughter of John A\'. and Mary J. (Monks) Ardery, natives
of Centre and Jefferson counties, Pennsylvania, respectively, and the parents
of three children: Ida F. ; WiUiam, and Loretta. Mr. Milton is the father
of one child, John B. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the
Democratic party.
O. H. Strong, principal owner of Oakwood Rose Gardens, was born Sep
tember 11, 1832, in Chautauqua county. New York. His parents, Orrin and
Lucinda (Shepardson) Strong, had the following children: O. H. ; MatUda
E. , Laura L., and B. O. H. Strong received a common school and academic
education. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventh New York Independent Sharp
shooters and served until the close of the war. On his return from service
he engaged in keeping books for an oil company, subsequently engaging in
the production of oil with reasonable success. In 1854 he -married Manira
L. Treadway, a native of Chautauqua county, who died in September, 1886,
the mother of two children: May L., Mrs. H, B. Beatty, and Minnie L.,
the wife of Reverend J. W. Simpson, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Strong was
a consistent member of the Second Presbyterian church of South Oil City.
For a few years following his marriage, Mr. Strong was engaged in farming
in Kansas, In 1885 he established Oakwood Rose Gardens, mentioned in
the chapter on agriculture in this volume. He is a member of the 1. 0. 0. F. ,
Royal Arcanum, American Legion of Honor, i^oyal Templars, and Grand
Ai-my of the Republic, a stockholder of the First National Bank of James
town, New York, secretary of the Oil City Fuel Supply Company, a stanch
Republican, and one of the representative self-made men of Venango county.
H. B. Beatty, junior proprietor of Oakwood Rose Gardens, was born
August 16, 1857, in Mercer county, son of E. S. and Agnes (Braham)
Beatty. The father was born in 1824 in Butler county, near the Venango
line, and his parents, Henry and Margaret Beatty, had the following chil
dren: Elizabeth; Jane; Ebenezer S. ; Annie; Mabalah; Henry; David;
John; Margaret, and Valentine. E. S. Beatty was the father of nine chil
dren: Melvina; Ralph; Mary; H. B. ; Calvin; Viola; John; Agnes, and
Le Roy. H. B. Beatty was educated in the public schools of Rouseville,
State Normal School at Edinboro, and Business University of Rochester,
New York. He began for himself in producing oU. July 28, 1879, he was
married to Miss May L., daughter of O. H. Strong, and has four children:
HoUis S. ; Minnie A. ; Lorraine, and Eda Lois. Mr. Beatty was once clerk
of Cornplanter township, is a member of the Second Presbyterian church,
and votes the Republican ticket.
John Standley, farmer," was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania,
September 1, 1826, to Andrew and Elipbeth (Heckathorn) Standley. An
drew Standley was born in New Jersey May 23, 1797, and came to Law
rence county in 1819. He served an apprenticeship of eleven years in New

1188 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Jersey, learning the cabinet maker's trade, and after coming to this state
worked at his trade in New Castle, but later bought a farm and spent the
remainder of his days thereon, dying in 1873. Mrs. Elizabeth Standley
was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Heckathorn, and died June 19,
1886, aged eighty-two years, seven months, and two days. Her grandfather,,
Michael Sadler, came from Germany when about six years old and settled
in Maryland. He was a tanner by trade and moved to Westmoreland
county, thence to Beaver county, where he died. Her father was married
in Westmoreland county to Elizabeth Sadler, and with her removed to near
Georgetown, Beaver county, this state, settling along the Ohio river. From
there they went to the part of Beaver county that is now included in Law
rence county, settled not far from the present site of New Castle, and were
among the earliest settlers of that locality. New Castle being at the time a
small village. .Two of her brothers are deceased, both having passed the
age of eighty years, and four are yet living, the oldest at the age of eighty-
five and the youngest at the age of seventy-seven years. Andrew Standley
died in the eastern part of Lawrence county in 1873, after which his widow
took up her residence with her son near Oil City, at which place she died.
For over forty years she was a member of the Zion Baptist church of Law
rence county, located near Grant City, and was buried in the quiet grave
yard at that church. Her children were: Sarah; John; Elizabeth; Annj
Mary; Andrew; Jane, deceased; Rachel, and James C. John Standley was
educated in a log school house then located in Lawrence county and was
brought up on a farm. He was married to Barbara C. Fox, February 26,
1852. She was born in Lawrence county, October 17, 1830, daughter of
Michael and Elizabeth (Herpst) Fox, who came to Venango county in 1849.
Michael Fox was born March 2, 1794, in Westmoreland county, Penn
sylvania, and removed to Beaver county, this state (the portion now included
in Lawrence county) when a young man. He was drafted in the war of
1812, and was at Erie during a part of his term of service. His wife, Eliz
abeth Herpst, daughter of George and Barbara Herpst, was bom May 24,
1802, and the children born to this union were as follows: Lydia; George;
Jacob; Daniel; Michael; Barbara C. ; Ann; Abram; Joseph; Betsey, de
ceased, and Sarah, deceased. Mr. Fox died June 14, 1871, and Mrs. Fox
died May 13, 1876.
Mr. Standley was twice drafted for service in the Union army ; the first
time he paid his commutation fee and Lee surrendered before the time to
report on the second occasion. Mr. and M.rs. Standley have had eleven
children: William; Elizabeth; Mary; George; John P.; Andrew; James
C. ; Sarah; Etta, deceased; Emma, and Ida, He is a Republican in pol
itics, and is one of the representative citizens of the county, honest and
upright in all his dealings,
Andeew j, Standley, farmer, was born December 28, 1838, in Lawrence

BIOGEAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY. 1139
county Pennsylvania, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Heckathorn) Standley
whose sketch appears in this work. He was married February 14, 1867, to Isa-
beUa S.Wood, daughter of Gideon H. and Rebecca (Ewing) Wood. Mr. Wood
was a blacksmith at Harlansburg, Lawrence county, and by a previous mar
riage he was the father of ten children: Adaline E. ; Mary T. ; SUas, deceased;
Chai-les,deceased;BUC. ; LimanC, deceased; Edward, deceased; Martha, de
ceased; Harriet S, , deceased, and Gideon M. By his second marriage he had
six children: John A. ; Hannah C, deceased; Isabel; Henry, deceased; Samuel
E. , deceased, and James S, , deceased, of whom Henry, Samuel, and James
entered the war in Company E, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Regiment,
known as the Pennsylvania Roundheads. Henry was killed May 6, 1864,
at the battle of the AVilderness; Samuel S. died August 16, 1863, at a Cin
cinnati hospital; James was taken prisoner June 2, 1864, and died in An
dersonville prison, Mr. Wood died July 7, 1861, and Mrs. Wood died June
4, 1860. Our subject was educated in the common schools, enlisted in the
war September 18, 1861, in Company A, Fifty-Third Ohio Volunteer In
fantry, was discharged September 31, 1863, re-enlisted in the field as a vet
eran, and was discharged the second time, August 11, 1865. He was with
his regiment in all of its engagements. He is the father of five children:
Alonzo N. ; Stewart XV. ; Rebecca E. ; Louie E., and Jennie B. Mrs. Stand-
ley is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Standley belongs to William E.
Downing Post, G. A. R. , and is a Republican.
Henry J. Sayers was born August 28, 183 1,> in Armstrong county, now
a part of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, the eldest son of John and Ruth D.
Sayers, natives of Armstrong county. John Sayers died March 28, 1836,
and Ruth D. January 27, 1883. They had four children: Henry J. ; Will
iam A. ; John P., and Emily J. Henry J. received a common school edu
cation and learned the carpenter trade, but never followed it. He came to
Venango county in 1852 and on the 22nd of AprU, 1855, was married to
Sarah J. Vance, who was born December 16, 1833, in County Cavan, Ire
land, a daughter of William and Maria Vance, who came to this country
about 1838. Mr. Sayers followed farming untU 1870 when he engaged in
the real estate and oil business with I, H. Hilliard at Franklin. This has
been his business to the present time. His wife died June 11, 1883; by her
he had five children: John H., deceased; Anna L. ; Francis A., attorney at
law; WiUiam H., merchant, and L. Emma, teacher, P. A. being a gradu
ate of Allegheny College, W. H., of Iron City CoUege, Anna L. and L.
Emma, of Edinboro State Normal School.
Feanois A. Sayers, attorney at law, Franklin, was born in Rockland
township, September 27, 1861, son of H. J. and Sarah J. (Vance) Sayers,
He was brought up in Cranberry township and received a common school
education. After attending the State Normal School at Edinboro, Pennsyl
vania, two terms, he began teaching in 1877 in Cranberry township, con-

1140 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
tinning at this work seven years. In 1882 he entered the preparatory de
partment of Allegheny College, at Meadville, graduating from that institu
tion June 26, 1887, representing the Athenian society on that occasion. In
the Junior year he took the prize in declamation in that society, and was simi
larly honored as orator of the society the following year. After leaving
college he entered the office of Lee, CrisweU & Hastings and read law two
years under their preceptorship. In August, 1889, he was admitted to the
bar of Venango county. Mr. Sayers is a member of the Methodist church,
and a Republican in politics.
S-AMOEL McKinney, a deceased pioneer of Cranberry township, was born
in Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1786. His father, a soldier
of the Revolution, emigrated from the North of Ireland and settled in that
county, where he reared a family of which the subject of this sketch was
one of the older members. The latter enlisted for service in the war of
1812, and volunteered on board the American squadron which Commodore
Perry led to victory on Lake Erie September 10, 1813. In compliment to
his patriotism and bravery on that occasion he was awarded a silver medal
by the legislature of Pennsylvania in 1819, which, with the letter of Gover
nor William Findlay, conveying the thanks of the government in compliance
with the directions of the legislature, is stUl preserved as a valued family
heirloom. At that time he was a resident of the Nittanny valley. Centre
county, where he farmed and operated a fulling mill. In 1833 he removed
to Cranberry township and secured two hundred acres of land near the vU
lage of Salem City. There he passed the remainder of his life and died on
the 20th of September, 1871, having done much to promote the material
improvement of his township and to encourage its religious and educational
institutions. He was married in Centre county May 23, 1816, to Rachel
McKinney, of Sunbury. Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of twelve
chUdren: Rebecca, deceased; John, of Nebraska; Isaac, deceased; Marga
ret, wife of Joseph Chambers, of Rockland township; Mary J., wife of
Doctor Edwin Oppelt, of Loogootee, Indiana; Louisa, deceased wife of
Benjamin McGee; Alacada; Samuel H. ; Charles B., of Bradford; Alvina;
Imelda, -wife of Andrew Gates, of Emlenton, and Henry, deceased. Airs.
McKinney still resides in Cranberry township at an advanced age.
Samuel H. AIcKinney, county commissioner, was bom November 2,
1835, in Cranberry township, where he was reared and attended the public
schools. He also obtained a fair academic education at the Franklin Acad
emy, and a select school at PleasantviUe, after which he taught school sev
eral terms. Since that time farming has been his principal occupation, with
the exception of a brief interval of oU producing. He was elected township
clerk at the first election at which he cast a vote, and since that time has
served the public in some official capacity almost continuously. For a num
ber of years he was school director of Cranberry township. In 1887 he was

BIOGEAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY, 1141
elected county commissioner by a majority of nine hundred and ninety -nine,
probably the largest ever received by a commissioner in this county. In
this responsible position Mr. McKinney has proven an efficient and capable
official. Although occupied with the duties of his office he continues to re
side in Cranberry, where he has a fine farm, and is also interested in oil ter
ritory. He married Rebecca Ann, daughter of J. H. Borland, an early
resident of Cranberry in the vicinity of the old Cumberland Presbyterian
church, of which he was long an elder. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are the
parents of four sons and eleven daughters, all of whom are living and in the
enjoyment of good health. In politics he is a Republican, and a member of
the R. T. of T.
Solomon Wolfe, deceased, was born December 16, 1810, in Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, He was educated in the subscription schools and
early learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for many years, working
at ten dollars per month. In 1839 he purchased an unimproved farm in
Cranberry township, this county, and one year later located thereon, where
he remained until his death, June 8, 1887, He was married in 1846 to
Catharine Miller, born November 21, 1819, a daughter of Tobias and Cath
arine (Snewer) Miller and sister of George Snewer, a wealthy banker of
Selin' s Grove, Pennsylvania. The children of Solomon and Catharine Wolfe
ai-e as follows: B. M. ; Catharine A., who married L. P. Drebelbis; John
D,, an extensive oil producer; Tobias P., oil producer; George, who died in
1878; Lucy A., married to Doctor R. V. Leech of Oswego, Indiana; Simon
L., and D. Elmer, both engaged in the oil business. The parents early
became identified with the Evangelical Association, in the faith of which
Mr. AA'olfe died. His widow resides on the old homestead and now worships
at the Methodist Episcopal church, because of its convenience. Mr. Wolfe
and his entire family have adhered strictly to the principles of the Repub
lican party.
Pateick Goemley, deceased, was born in County Derry, Ireland, March
17, 1810. He emigrated about 1820, settled first in Butler county, Penn
sylvania, and thence removed to Venango in 1851. He married Mary Con-
ley, also a native of County Derry, and they are the parents of four children:
Gust; Francis M. ; Sarah, and James. Their father died November 13, 1877,
James Goemley was born July 18, 1854, By his marriage with Emma
Finger July 6, 1887, he is the father of one child, Olive. He is a Demo
crat in politics and a member of the Catholic church.
Jacob M, Boyle, who died at his home in Cranberry township, Septem
ber 8, 1889, was born in Ireland in 1816, son of Owen and Mary (Brogan)
Boyle, He immigrated to the United States with his parents, who first
settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, subsequently resided in Lebanon
and Centre counties, and about 1834 removed to Venango county, and set
tled on a tract of two hundred and fifty acres in Cranberry township. The

1142 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
parents both died on this farm. They had a family of eight sons and two
daughters: Michael, who died in Ireland; Mrs. Rosanna Byrns; John, who
died in Illinois; Owen, a farmer -of this township; Jacob M. ; Mrs. Sarah
King; Michael, deceased; Charles, a resident of Kansas; Timothy, who
died in the Mexican war, and Francis, of Allegheny City, Jacob M. had
but limited schooling, and worked at different furnaces for ten or twelve
years, and then began farming. He was twice married, first to Isabel
Daugherty, and after her death to Catharine Kennedy. He was the father
of seven living children : Theresa ; Mary ; Rachel ; Isabel ; Rosanna ; Catha
rine, and William D. ; and three deceased: John T. ; Constantine, and Jacob.
Mr. Boyle was an industrious and energetic man and an honest, worthy
citizen. He possessed a generous disposition, and was always ready to con
fer an act of kindness. The family belong to the Catholic church, in which
faith Mr. Boyle lived and died.
J. W. Smullin, justice of the peace, was born at Brandywine, near Wil
mington, Delaware, September 20, 1832, son of William S. Smullin, a native
of Donegal, Ireland, who was born in 1811, came to America in 1829, and
settled in Philadelphia. He and his brother-in-law, William Richards of
Philadelphia, came to Cranberry township in 1833 and erected the Jackson
furnace on East Sandy creek. In 1835 Mr. Smullin bought Richards' in
terest and carried on this industry until 1844, when he sold out to Hatch
Brothers of Pittsburgh; but he continued in the iron business at different
places until 1851, when he went to Texas. From 1852 to 1858 he was en
gaged in a mercantile business at Placerville and Sacramento City, Califor
nia. At the time of the gold excitement in British America he emigrated
to Vancouver island and afterward located on Frazer river near Fort Yale,
where he mined until 1860, at which time his whereabouts became unknown
to his relatives and it is thought that he was killed by the Indians. Martha
A. (CoUom), his widow, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and now
resides in Clarion, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. She became the mother of
eight children: J. AA^. ; Thomas, deceased; William S., deceased; Adelaide,
deceased; Henry C. ; Charles, deceased; Mary J., and Helen,
J. W. Smullin was educated in the common schools and taught one term
of school before reaching the age of sixteen years, when he entered the
printing office of the Clarion Democrat. After three years' experience
at this he began clerking and keeping books at Slab furnace. December
13, 1850, he was married to Mary J. Curtis, who was reared by her uncle,
James Allison of this county, her parents having died when she was young.
In the spring of 1852 Mr. Smullin joined his father in Missouri on a trip
overland to California. Here he engaged in mining and after eight years
returned and assisted AA'. R. Johns on the Register of Oil City. He subse
quently published the Monitor for a time at Oil City. In 1864 he engaged
in the mercantile business and continued until 1866, afterward pursuing the

BIOGEAPHIES OF CItANBEUEi'. 1143
same business at Nineveh, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. He has been .an
acting justice of the peace sinco 1870. His children are named as follows:
Horace L. ; Martha L., married to A. J. Shiner, an oil producer of Salina-
LillianL., married to H. L. Shafer, a contractor of Salina, and Laura L.
Mrs. Smullin is a member of the Froo Metliodist church and Mr. Smullin
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic order
and a Democrat in politics.
Horace L. Smullin, oil producer, was born December 25, 1852, and is
a son of J. W. Smullin. He received his education in the common schools of
Cranberry township, and at the age of sixteen years was employed as an oil
driller, which vocation he continued for twenty years. He was married
July 28, 1879, to Florence A. Jones of Sharpsville, Mercer county, Penn
sylvania, one of twelve children born to her parents: Benjamin A. ; Florence
A. ; Charles C. ; Dora L. ; Ida L. ; RiUa J. ; William P. ; Clara N. ; Frank;
Jennie; Ellis, and Ernest. Her father died at Sharpsville in 1S82 and his
widow still resides at that place. Mr. Smullin is the owner of several pro
ducing oil wells. His children are: Mary J. ; Sanford W. ; Wilde L., and
Martha. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.
Roland Hughes, farmer, was born .June 7, 1814, in Scrubgrass town
ship, the son of James Hughes, a native of Maryland and a miller by trade,
who settled on Scrubgrass creek in 1806, built a mill, and opened one of the
first stores in the county. In 1839 he bought Slab furnace and removed to
Cranberry township. His wife was Nancy Shorts, and they were the
parents of thirteen children, two of whom, Roland and Samuel, are resi
dents of this township. The former was engaged in lumbering in his early
manhood; in 1840 he began farming at his present residence and has
achieved fair success. In 1839 he married Susan, daughter of Samuel
Ridgeway; of a family of ten chUdren, five are living: Lovina, wifeof George
E. Ridgeway of Franklin; James R. ; W. Harvey; Charles M., and Peter
T. Mr. Hughes has served as road commissioner more than twenty years.
He has also been identified with the educational interests of his township.
AV. Haevet Hughes, farmer, was born January 18, 1847, in Cranberry
township, son of Roland and Susan (Ridgeway) Hughes, both natives of this
county. He was educated in the common schools and at the age of twenty-
one years entered the refining business in Franklin. In 1875 he sold his
interest to his partner, Owen Lyons. He was married April 17, 1873, to
Flora Mays, a native of this county, daughter of Henry and Lovina Mays.
Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have had borne to them five children, two of whom are
living: Lovina M. and Audley AV He has served as school director and
fiUed other township offices. At the present time he is engaged in farming
and producing oil. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the
I. 0. O. F., having filled all the offices in that order. He was elected
county auditor in the autumn of 1872 and served three years.

1144 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
•. William Aaeon Hughes, farmer and oil producer, was born April 23,
1838, in this county, to William and Sarah (Cousins) Hughes, both natives
of this county. His father was a miller by trade. Their children were as
follows: Nancy, wife of James Bennett, of Emlenton; Elias; James; David;
William A. ; Miranda, wife of A. Gordon; John; Harrison, deceased; Sarah,
deceased; Roland; Marsh; Allen, deceased; Hattie, wife of William Strand,
of Mercer county, Pennsylvania; Jane, wife of John Harry, of Mercer county,
and Minnie, deceased. The mother died in 1877. Our subject was edu
cated in the common schools. He was married February 10, 1861, to Mary
Deeper, daughter of James and Margaret (Goodman) Leeper. Mr. Hughes
has served as school director and fUled other minor offices. In politics he
is a Republican. Mrs. Hughes is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. William A. Hughes, driller, was born August 28, 1860, to Samuel and
Ann (Campbell) Hughes, of Cranberry township. Samuel Hughes leamed
the blacksmith trade at the age of fifteen and has followed this and farm
ing all his life. He is the father of ten children: James; Briggs; Richard;
Ella; William; Andrew; Lovina; Wilda, deceased; Sylvester, deceased; and
Roley. Our subject was educated at common schools, began drilling oil
wells at the age of twenty-one, and has followed it all his life. He was
married September 10, 1885, to Mary E. Shiner, born December 12, 1864,
to John and Nancy E. (Hovis) Shiner, both natives of this county, and they
are the parents of seven children: Andrew J. ; Peter H. ; Mary E. ; Fulton
B. ; Irene L, ; Alice, and John W, Mr, and Mrs, Hughes have had one
child, Russell B. In politics he is a Republican.
Joseph G. Hill, farmer, was born August 4, 1842, in New York state,
to George J. and Esther (Riley) Hill. The former was a native of Connect
icut, born August 21, 1805, and the latter was bom in Vermont, September
1, 1804. Each moved to New York with their parents at an early day;
he died November 2, 1876, and she December 16, 1861, the parents of three
chUdren: Mary A., deceased; Stilson E., of Philadelphia, who enlisted in
Company H., Fiftieth New York Engineers in August, 1861, and served
three years; Joseph G., who enlisted in August, 1864, in Company F, One
Hundred and Forty-First New York Volunteers, and served till the close of
the war, marching with Sherman to the sea. Our subject was married April
30, 1880, to Isabella Shannon, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Smith)
Shannon, natives of Centre county, Pennsylvania. They became residents
of this county in 1832 ; both died in Cranberry township, the father February
4, 1878, in his eighty-ninth year, the mother April 23, 1856. They were
the parents of twelve children: John; Mary A., deceased; Jane, wife of
James McCutcheon; Peter S. ; Barbara A., wife of Samuel Hoy, of Mercer
county, Pennsylvania; Alexander D. ; Elizabeth, wife of Reverend A. D.
Davis of Delaware; Nancy, deceased; Isabella; Jacob W., deceased; Han-

BIOGEAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY. 1145
nab, deceased, and Samuel, deceased. Joseph G. Hill came to Venango
oounty in 1866 and has been farming and producing oil ever since. In
politics he is a Republican; Mrs. Hill is a member of the Salina Baptist
church. Samuel R. Hill, oil producer and farmer, was born January 4,' 1850,
son of William and Mary J. Hill, old respected residents of Venango county,
and brother of W. E. Hill. He was educated in the common schools and
Edinboro Normal, and was married January 23, 1876, to Lydia Ann Stuck,
born 1856, daughter of Joseph and Hattie (Haynes) Stuck of this county,
the parents of six children: Henry; Simon; William; John; Andrew, and
Lyda. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have had three children bom to them: OUie,
Bertha, and Ora. He is a member of the Select Knights of the A. O. U. W. ,
and politically is a Democrat. He has been engaged in the oil business for
a number of years, in connection with which he also owns and manages a
farm. He is at present a member of the Meadow and Hill oil companies
operating for and producing oil in the famous Tarkiln oil district.
AA'. B. Hill, oil producer, was born February 14, 1860, in Cranberry
township, son of W. M. and Mary Jane (Maxwell) HUl. W. M. Hill has
eighty-three acres of land in Cranberry township upon which thirty-eight
wells have been drilled, thirty -seven oil producers and one a gas well. Mr.
and Mrs. Hill have had fourteen children: Sarah; Hughy, deceased; Samuel;
Pnellopy; Margaret; James; W. E. ; David; Lizzie; Sophia; Mary; Robert;
George, deceased, and Elmer. Our subject was educated in the common
schools and was married October 18, 1885, to Lizzie Corll. She was born
May 26, 1865, to William F. and Mary Corll of this county, who are the
parents of ten children: Amanda; Phoebe; Olive; May; Lizzie; Charles;
Amos; Willie, and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. HiU are the parents of two
children: Harry and Roy. In politics he is a Democrat.
Thomas Lawley, farmer, was born August 19, 1819, in Staffordshire,
England, son of Joseph, a gold miner, and Sarah (Ford) Lawley, both of
whom died in England and were the parents of seven chUdren: Isaac; Mary;
Margaret, Joseph; John; Samuel, and Thomas. The last named was edu
cated in the common schools of his native country and began his business
Ufe as a japanner. He came to America in 1841, settled in Bunting Falls,
New Jersey, and mined coal for a living. In 1851 he settled on a farm in
President township, this county, where he remained twelve years, moving
thence to the farm where he now lives in Cranberry township. In the year
of his removal to this county he was married to Martha Morehead, daughter
of John and Jane (Crawford) Morehead of this county. Mrs. Lawley was
born March 27, 1825, and has had seven chUdren: John, married B. M.
Mushrash; Samuel, who married Margaret Finefrock; Nancy J., married to
George Phillip; Margaret, who married Turner Hayes; Isabel; Martha, and
Ida, Mr, Lawley is independent in politics.

1146 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
AA'iLLiAM H. Miller, farmer, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania,
March 25, 1825, to T. F. and Catharine (Schnurej MiUer, the former born
in March, 1796, the latter in July, 1798, in Union county. The father was
a carpenter and served as constable for a period in his native county. He
came to Venango county in September, 1835, and bought a farm of one
hundred acres, wholly uncultivated, which he subsequently cleared, and also
one hundred acres adjoining. He was killed March 24, 1853, accidentally.
His widow died in 1887, the mother of fifteen children : Elizabeth, deceased;
Catharine, wife of Solomon Wolfe; Fannie, wife of Jacob Zeigler; George,
who married Christina Shoup; Joseph, deceased, who married Susan Zeig
ler; AA'illiam H. ; Simon, married to Emily Sayers, deceased, and whose
second wife was Mary Walters; Sarah, wife of David Zeigler; Margaret,
deceased wife of Jacob Wilt; Henry, married to Mary Dewoody, deceased,
and whose second wife was a Mrs. Hayes; Mary, wife of David Pryer;
Susan, wife of Paul Stover; Emily, wife of John Seager; Lucy, wife of
AA'illiam Folwell, and Hannah, who died young. Our subject was educated
in the common schools and began for himself working at a furnace, char
ring wood. He married Sarah M. Houser, August 11, 1853. She died
January 12, 1855, the mother of one child, Howard W. He was married a
second time. May 6, 1858, to Lucinda Allison, by whom he had two ehil
dren: Eveline, who was born December 3, 1860, and died May 15, 1865;
Allison, the other child, died May 16th, of the same year. Mr. Miller has
been administrator for six estates and held a number of township offices.
AA'ith his wife he belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In poli
tics he is a Republican.
Joseph Hogue, farmer, was born in La-wrence county, Pennsylvaniaf,
February 12, 1835, son of John and Christiana (MUler) Hogue. John
Hogue was a native of Northumberland county, and his wife of Centre
county, this state, both coming to Lawrence county when chUdren, thence
together to Venango county April 5, 1843, where they were engaged in
farming for many years, and where she died, after which he removed to
Mercer county, and died in 1877. They were the parents of nine children:
AVilliam; Ebenezer; John; Jonathan; Mary; James; Joseph; Samuel, and
Harrison. Of these Samuel and Harrison enlisted in the war in the One
Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers and died in the hospital.
Joseph Hogue was educated in a log cabin with its slab benches for
seats and began his business life as a farmer. He was married October 16,
1864, to Alary Roberts, daughter of John and Arminda (Snow) Roberts,
natives of Maryland and Oneida county, New York, respectively, who mar
ried in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and became residents of Venango
county in 1851. They were the parents of the following children, all of
whom were bom in Butler county: Mary; Eliza J. ; Permelia; Jonathan S. ;
John W. ; Dikeman T. , and AA'illiam S.

BIOGRAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY, 1147
John Roberts died in Ohio about 1879, and his widow is living with our
subject. Mr. and Mrs. Hogue have bad five children: Annie; Charlie, de
ceased; Miunira; John E., and L. Berta, deceased. Mrs. Hogue is a mem
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Hogue is a Republican.
James Shaffer, farmer and hotel-keeper, was born August 7, 1835, to
John and Hannah (Johnston) Shaffer, in Lawrence county, Pennsjdvania.
John Shaffer came to Venango county in 1853 and now lives in Cranberry
township. Mrs. Shafl'er is the mother of twelve children: Jane, deceased;
Hiram, deceased; James; Jacob; Catharine; Elias; John; Martha; Hannah;
AVilliam B. ; Calvin, deceased, and Margaret, deceased. Our subject was
educated in the common schools and was married May 22, 1862, to Miss J,
Anna Stine, daughter of Jacob Stine. Her mother died when she was but
two years old and she was reared by Harry Jenkins of Clarion county, Penn
sylvania. She died February 13, 1885, the mother of eight children: Elias
W. ; AV. E. ; Frank E. ; SteUa M. ; J. M. ; John E. ; Jennie B., and Josephine.
Mr. Shaffer is a Republican in politics.
AVilliam C. Biglee, farmer and lumberman, was born December 27,
1835, in York county, Pennsylvania, son of Philip and Eliza (Smith) Bigler.
Philip Bigler owned a woolen factory in York county. He moved to
Venango county in 1838, settled in Irwin township, and operated a woolen
factory in Wolf Creek township, Mercer county. About the year 1850
he purchased a farm in this county and spent the remainder of his life
thereon, dying in 1880. His wife died in 1856 and was the mother of
six ehildren: Simon, deceased; William C. ; Martin, who entered the army
in 1861 in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was captured in December,
1863, and died in Andersonville prison ; Sarah R. ; John T. , and Mary
J. Our subject was educated in the common schools and began life
for himself in the lumber business. September 20, 1861 he enlisted in the
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry; he was wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill
in August, 1864, was transferred to the Twentieth regiment. Veteran
Reserve Corps, in April, 1865, and discharged by general order of the war
department at WheeUng, West Virginia, in August, 1865. He was married
November 21, 1865, to Harriet A. Wilson, a native of this county and daugh
ter of Nathan and Mary (Coats) Wilson, the former a physician of high
standing. Mr. and Mrs. Bigler are the parents of nine children: Mary E.,
deceased; Harry N. ; Laura N. ; John P. ; Charies AV. ; Lon P. ; Harriet F. ;
Waid H, and Zella B. Mr. Bigler is a member of AViUiam Downing Post,
G. A.R., of South OU City. He has served as constable of Cranberry town
ship for a number of years, and is independent in politics. He and his wife
are active members of the Baptist church of Salina, of which he is a deacon.
Jacob Karnes, farmer, was born October 26, 1837, in Pinegrove" town
ship, this county, son of James and Mary (Stroup) Karnes, who came to
this county at an eariy day. The former died in 1871, and the latter in

1148 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY,
1884; the children born to them were ten in number: AVilliam; Adam;
Eliza; Isaac; Clarissa; John, deceased; James, deceased; Jacob; Sarah,
and Henry. Our subject was educated in the common schools and was
brought up at rural pursuits. He was married August 2, 1860, to Frances
Stewart, born April 9, 1841, daughter of Charles and Catharine (Stover)
Stewart, natives of this county and the parents of twelve children, three of
whom are living: Samuel; Mary J., and Frances. Jacob Karnes is the
father of fourteen children: Henrietta; James E. ; Mary J., deceased; Em
ma A. ; Charles XV. ; Sarah C. ; Frances M. ; Wales P. ; Alice L. ; Eliza W. ;
Jacob F. ; an infant, deceased; Stella M. , and Savilla G. Mr. and Mrs.
Karnes are members of the Free Methodist church, and he is independent
in politics. J. C. Rembold, farmer, was born February 15, 1839, in Wurtemburg,
Germany, to John and Margaret Rembold. John Rembold and wife had
twelve children, five of whom came to America: Lewis, who entered the war
of the Rebellion, and it is supposed that he was killed; Henry; J. C, ;
Charley, and William, all of whom were educated in Germany, J. C. emi
grated to America in 1865 and began working in an oil refinery at Oil City
soon after his arrival. He was married in 1870 to Mary Miller, daughter of
Peter and Sarah Ann Miller. Mrs. Miller is dead and was the mother of six
children: William; Margaret; Peter; Mary; Sarah, and David. Mrs. Rem
bold, wife of J. C. Rembold, is the mother of eight children: Margaret L. ;
D, C. ; Charles H. ; James A. ; Lewis D. ; Freddie P. ; Mamie, and George
H. Mr. Rembold is Democratic in politics.
J. T. McCormack, farmer, was born in 1850 to John and Ellen (Gib
bons) McCormack. John McCormack was bom in 1809 in Westmeath,
Ireland, and immigrated to America about 1849. He first settled in New
York, and located in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1847. He
resides in Cranberry with his wife, who was a native of the same place, and
was born in 1819. Their children are named as follows: James; J. T. ;
Hugh; Anna; Matt; Mary, and Dan. Otu- subject was educated in the com
mon schools, and began his business life in drilling oil wells. He was mar
ried February 12, 1888, to Rachel Boyle, daughter of J. M. and Isabel
(Daugherty) Boyle. James, the eldest brother of our subject entered the
war in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served eighteen months.
Our subject and wife are members of the Catholic church. He is a Democrat.
Simeon W. Lawrence, dairyman and farmer, was bom December 20,
1853, in Scrubgrass township, this county, to Samuel and Celinda (Mor
rison) Lawrence, natives of Clarion and of this county, respectively, and the
parents of eight children, five of whom are living: Hannah, wife of J. M.
Delaney, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; Clara, wife of S. A. Crawford,
of Franklin ; Hortense E. ; Osborn D. , of Seattle, AVashington, and Simeon W.
The last named was educated in the common schools of this county. He

BIOGEAPHIES OF CKASBEKKY. 1149
was married November 16, 1S76. to Huldah L. MaUory. a native of Erie
county, Pennsylvania, born June 4. 1S56. Her parents, WiUiam and Dra-
Mlla (Stafford) Mallory, were the parents of four chUdren: Adaline, de
ceased; Adelaide: Huldah L., and Hiram J. In 1872, at the age of nineteen,
our subject began in the oU business and foUowed it tmtU 1SS2, He is the
fattier of five ehildren: Leona B. : Annie M, : Ethel M. : Elria B., and J.
Osborn. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He is a member of the I. O. O. P. . and is one of the representa
tive business men and ardent Republicans of Venango county.
Geokgs D. Nicklix, merchant, farmer, and oU producer, was bom Jtme
15, 1S20, in Staffordshire, England, son of WUUam and Prances (Moore)
Nicihn. The former was born October 2, 1796, and immigrated with his
family to America in 1S33. They settied on a farm in Mercer cotmtv,
Pennsylvania, where he died November 11, 1868. and his widow September
16, ISSl. They were the parents of eleven chUdren: Mary, who married
Henry Clxdow and Uves in French Creek township, Venango county; Frances,
married to H. B. Rice of GreenviUe. Pennsylvania : Geoige D. : -Joseph, de
ceased; Fliza. who remained in England, married Samuel -Jackson, and died
December 5, 1SS3; William N,, of Mercer cotmty; Daniel T.. of French
Creek. Venango county; Thomas, deceased: Simon J., of Franklin. Venango
county; EUen J., married to Thomas jimitt of Franklin: and Charles S.,
who lives at the old homestead in Mercer cotmty. The parents of these
children were Catholics and are buried in the grave-yard of that organization
north of Mercer. Our subject -was educated in the CathoUc schools in Eng
land and taught a number of years in Mercer and Venango counties. He
married Mary M. Eble April 14, 15^41, a native of Germany who came to
America -with her parents when she was six years old. There have been
bom to this union eleven ehUdren: an infant, deceased: Lambert P., who
entered the war in Company I. Forty- Second Pennsylvania Volunteers in
1861 and -was kUled May 6. 1S64, at the battle of the WUderness: EUza -J.,
wife of Adam Snyder of Dakota; Eusebius B,. of Cranberry, Venango
cotmty: Francis E,. who died July 4, 1S6S: Clarissa B.. deceased wife of
H. C. Baird, of Coleridge, Nebraska, where she died April 2S, 18SS: John
R, of Dakota; JuUa, wife of A. D. Cole of Nebraska; Amanda, wife of
J. C, Q' Connor of Nebraska: Charles W., deceased, and Hattie B .teacher.
of Cderidge, Nebraska.
Mr. Nicklin served as assistant revenue assessor under -Joseph Lenhart
dnring the war and for a number of years was a school director and held
ottieir township offices. Mrs. NickUn is a member of the Methodist Episco^
pal church and Mr. NickUn. though formerly amember of the same church,
ha&for many years been unconnected with any church organization. VMiUst
professing a firm beUef in the essentials of Christianity he is opposed to de-
nominationaHsm. He claims to be a RepubUcan of the LmcoUi, Greeley.
65

1150 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
Seward, Webster, and Clay type, but has for many years been independent,
interested only in effecting political reform.
David H. Coffman, merchant, was born February 7, 1852. His parents,
Daniel and Mary (Herstine) Coffman, were born in Lawrence county and
Centre county, respectively, and have had eight children: John H. ; Abram;
Ellen; David H. ; Lucinda; Maggie; Daniel, and William. Mrs. Coffman's
father was a worthy merchant of Centre county, Pennsylvania, and was the
father of the following children: Fannie; Mary; Eve; Barbara; John;
Susanna, David H. ; Abram; William J.; Sarah, and Lizzie. John, the
eldest of Daniel Coffman's sons, enlisted in 1863 in the Sixteenth Pennsyl
vania Cavalry, and served eighteen months. David, the fourth, was edu
cated in the common schools and was brought up at rural pursuits. He was
married October 19, 1882, to Catharine M. Nolf, born January 29, 1848,
daughter of Isaac and Christina (Potts) Nolf, the former a native of Clarion
county. Pennsylvania. To this union there have been born eight children:
Eliza; David; PriscUla; Catharine; Sophia; Eva A. ; Ezra T., and Rachel E.
In 188- they settled in Cranberry township, where they now reside. Mr.
Coffman is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Prohibition party.
John B. Galey, oil producer, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
January 7, 1842, son of John and Eliza (Burnside) Galey. John Galey
came to Venango county in 1847 and settled on a farm in Irwin township,
where he died in 1865. His wife Eliza died in 1842 and was the mother of
seven children; Edward, deceased; Mary J.; Ellen, deceased; Burnside;
MarsaUe; Smith, and John B. Mr. Galey was again married, to Elizabeth
Barber in 1846, who died in 1887, the mother of four children: Samuel;
Sarah; Catharine, and WilUam C.
John B. Galey was educated in the common schools and began for him
self by drilling oil wells. December 24, 1868, he was married te Elizabeth
J. Brandon, born November 12, 1848, in Venango county. He enlisted in
Company L, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, September 15, 1861, for a term
of three years; in 1863 he was discharged, but re-enlisted while yet in the
field as a veteran for three years more and served tUl the close of the war.
On his return he contracted and drilled oil wells. He is the father of two
children: Nellie A. and Jesse B. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and
Knights of Maccabees, a Republican with strong Prohibition proclivities,
and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
A. J. Benninger, oil producer, was born October 31, 1850, in Clarion
county, Pennsylvania, to Nathaniel and Sarah (Blaney) Benninger. Our
subject at the early age of one year experienced paralysis of his right side.
He was educated at Reid Institute in Clarion county and Edinboro State
Normal School. He taught school ten years in this county. He is a Re
publican, and adheres strictly to the principles of that organization.

BIOGEAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY, 1151
M, L, Benninger, oU producer and farmer, was born January 31, 1852,
in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Nathaniel and Sarah A.
(Blaney) Benninger, settled in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, thence
moved to Pittsburgh, where Mrs. Benninger died in AprU, 1864. She was
the mother of seven sons: A. J. ; M. L. ; John, and four who died in in
fancy. The father and his children settled in Oil City, where he married
Miss Hettie Jane Houser. After a three years' residence here they returned
to Armstrong county, but two years subsequently again came to Venango,
and settled on a farm in Cranberry township. Our subject was educated at
the common schools and began a business life at lumbering. He was mar
ried November 10, 1872, to Alice Morehead, who was born August 3, 1853,
daughter of AA'illiam and Margaret (Craig) Morehead, natives of this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Benninger have had nine chUdren : Sarah A. ; William M. ;
Nathaniel; John; Nora B. ; Samuel T. ; Alvin J. ; Richard E. and Jesse M.
Mr. and Mrs. Benninger are members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and he is a Republican.
R. C. Morrison, oil pumper, was born April 27, 1851, at Franklin,
Pennsylvania, to John H. and Eliza (Erskine) Morrison, natives of Dunferm
line, Scotland, who immigrated to America in 1844 and settled in Cranberry
township. When he arrived he had about ten dollars in his pocket and a
family to support. He worked at his trade, shoemaking, until he had saved
enough money to buy a farm of one hundred acres, for which he paid one
dollar and a half per acre. Mrs. Morrison is a descendant of the noted
Erskine family of Scotland. Our subject was educated at the common
schools and began life as an oil pumper in 1868. He was married March 12
1879, to Eleanor C. Shiner, daughter of James and Mary (Kane) Shiner,
natives of Kerry, Ireland, who immigrated to America with their parents.
The parents of Mrs. Shiner first settled at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, about
the year 1800, and took up a tract of four hundred acres in 1820; thence
they removed to Venango county, where the father died in 1867, and the
mother in 1879. The age of the latter was eighty-three. Having acquired
her " second sight ' ' she could see to read without glasses, and her memory
was unimpaired. Mr. and Mrs. Shiner were both born in this county, he in
1829, and she in 1833. Eight chUdren were born to them: Margaret;
Eleanor 0. ; Sidney J. ; Mary C. ; Sarah C, deceased; Nannie; Annie, and
James, deceased. The wife of our subject is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. She has been the mother of seven children, of whom
three are liring: Maud; George C, and Bernice L.
Samuel Reese, contractor, was born October 21, 1851, on the farm in
Cranberry township where he now lives, son of Peter and Susan (Weaver)
Reese. The father was born June 29, 1809, and the mother September 28,
1818, both in Centre county, Pennsylvania, They came to Venango county

1152 HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
in 1832 and settled where they now live. Their children are named as fol
lows: Robert, who enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty- First
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three years; Mary J,; Sarah; Sophia;
Solomon; Harriet, deceased; John; Samuel; David; James; Rebecca; Will
iam, and -Joseph. Our subject was educated in the common schools and
began for himself as clerk in a store. He was married April 28, 1873, to
BUa Dreifeldus, daughter of Moses and Mary (Engel) Dreifeldus, natives of
Cranberry township. Mr. Reese laid the gas lines under contract, leading
to Meadville, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio, supplying said towns
with fuel, and helped to drill nine oil wells, each proving non-productive.
Mr. and Mrs, Reese are the parents of four children: Minnie, Harry, Hat
tie, and Eddie. Mrs. Reese is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is an active member of the I, O. O. F, and K, of P. , and is a Republican,
J. S. Long, contractor and driller, was born September 2, 1852, in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, to Andrew and Jane (Sloan) Long, both
natives of Mercer county. Our subject was educated in the common schools,
came to Venango county in 1878, and went into the oil business. In 1883
he engaged in contracting and driUing in partnership with other parties,
and has run as many as five strings of tools at one time; at present, in com
pany with L. R. Kerstetter, he is running three strings of tools. He has
drilled about two hundred wells in this and Clarion county. He was mar
ried June 21, 1883, to Lutitia, daughter of John and Sarah (Demeling)
McBride of this county. Our subject is a member of the Knights of the
Maccabees, and a Republican in politics,
J, L, Tucker, oil producer, was bom December 8, 1852, in Cranberry
ownship, to Allen and Ellen (Rose) Tucker. Allen Tucker was an early
settler of this county, and died in 1885, His widow is still living and bore
him eleven children: John F, and W. Q., who entered Company F, One
Hundred and Twenty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers and died of typhoid
fever while in the service; Clara; Hester,, deceased; Ephrama N, ; J. L. ;
L. B. ; Lizzie; Mary; Nancy, and Jefferson, deceased. Our subject was edu
cated in the common schools and began his business life in oil production.
He was married December 16, 1876, to Louisa Oaks, daughter of David and
Mary (Heckathorn) Oaks, of this township. David Oaks was the father of
one daughter, Louisa, by his first wife; after her death he was married a
second time, to Maria Davis, who is the mother of the following children:
William; Wilda; Jennie; Lizzie, and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are
the parents of four children: Floyd; John; Ella, and Lamont. Mr, Tucker
is a Prohibitionist.
J. M, Deiteich, oil and gas producer, was born in Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, December 13, 1856, to William and Catharine (Busany) Deit-
rich. The father was born in 1826 and died in 1871, He and his wife emi-

BIOGEAPHIES OF CEANBEEEY, 1153
grated from Prussia to America in 1849 and were the parents of eleven chil
dren: Lizzie; Minnie; John M, ; WiUiam F, ; two infants, deceased— Charles
H, and Mary; Jacob, deceased; Katie, and August, deceased. Our subject
was educated in the common schools of Clarion county, and was married
September 24, 1886, to Louie, a daughter of John R. Lindsey, a farmer of
Clarion county, Mr, Deitrioh began the oil business in 1884 by drilling the
first well in the Cogley oil field of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and came
to Venango county, in September, 1886, where, in company with G. H.
Kline, H. M. Hess, Jacob Sneidley, and a Mr. Myres, he drilled the first
well in the gray sand oil field, near Salina.
He subsequently bought the interests of the other members of the firm
and has drilled twelve wells, seven of which are good producers. At pres
ent he owns six producing wells and two gas wells. He is a member of the
I. 0. O. F. , and in politics a Republican.
James H. Ross, oU producer, was born February 22, 1858, in Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, son of John H. and Isabella (Stright) Ross, natives
of Mercer county, John Ross was bom November 2, 1829, and was the
father of ten children: Fannie; James H. ; William J. ; Charles W, ; Hattie;
Clement; Nellie; Lydetha; Frank M., and Hortense, Our subject was edu
cated in the common schools and at Edinboro Normal. At the age of nine
teen he came to Venango county and went into the oil business, which voca
tion he has followed ever since. He was married September 26, 1878, to
Susan Shaffer. Her parents had the following children: Sarah E. ; Mary
G.~, Susan; Elsie; JtUia; Charles; Lizzie, deceased, and Warren, deceased.
Mrs. and Mrs. Ross have had five children, two of whom are living: King
J. and Edna, Mrs, Ross is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Ross is a Prohibitionist.
J. H. Williams, contractor and driller, was born October 11, 1858, in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, son of Samuel P. and Elma (Ross) Williams,
also natives of Mercer county and the parents of the following children: J.
H. ; W. W. ; J. L. ; E. H. ; H. L. ; Vinton, deceased; Claud, and Frank.
Our subject was educated in the common schools. He was married August
1, 1882, to Sadie Smith, daughter of John and Margaret (McNutt) Smith,
natives of this county. Her father died in 1888. She is the mother of one
child. Bertha Mlaynard. Mr. Williams came to this county in 1879, and
went into the oU business. In 1882 he began contracting and drilling and
has drilled about one hundred and fifty wells. He belongs to the Knights
of Maccabees and is a Republican, Mrs. Williams is connected with the
Methodist Episcopal church.
W. M. Stanton, petroleum gauger, was bom May 28, 1859, in AVar
ren county, Pennsylvania, to Hamilton and Sarah (Wilson) Stanton, the
parents of nine children: Wilson, deceased; John; Charies; Susanna;

1154

HISTOEY OF VENANGO COUNTY,

Laura; Adelaide; Mary; Eveline, and W. M, Our subject was educated in
common schools and began life as a telegraph operator. He was married
July 2, 1883, to Joanna Bremley, a native of Clearfield county, Pennsyl
vania. To this union there have been born two children: Harry and Ger
trude, Mrs. Stanton is a member of the Catholic church, and Mr, Stanton
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic order
and Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics a Republican.

^ Biographical Index,

A Page.
Adams Family  563
Adams, James E  1013
Adams, James E  104,5
Adams, John  1013
Adams, John E  820
Adams, John Q  ;  424
Adams, Eobert  1101
Adams, Welden  1013
Adams, -n-iUiam  1033
Adams, -Wmiam S  1013
Addison, -Alexander  156
Alcorn, James  590
Alexander, Benjamin  765
-Alexander, Henry  1046
Allebach, Henry  933
Allen, Joseph  .537
Allen, Joseph A  959
AUender, Joseph  649
Allison, Thompson  184
Allison, ¦William  634
Alsbaugh, A. W  SSS
Anderson, James  553
Anderson, James  973
.\nderson, James  1131
Anderton, Thomas  918
Archer, Elisha  590
Armstrong, Alfred B  1090
Ash, Isaac  881
Askey, -Virilliam E  1137
August, Benjamin  598
-iult, D. W  1003
-\yres, Jonathan  '  176
Ayres, Eobert  364
B
Bailey, Samuel  355, 763
Baird, James  986
Baird, J. M  986
Baird, Thomas  709, 986
Baish, Joseph  950
Baker Family  527, 956

Page.
Baker, George  io66
Baker, Isaac  hqi
Baker, Samuel  956
Barcroft, David  1098
Barkey, Henry  960
Barnard, A.M  1109
Barnes, John J  1033
Bateman, W. Grafton  909
Bates, Samuel  199
Battin, Enoch  606
Beach Family  957
Beach, Israel  959
Bean Family  1044
Beatty, H.B  1137
Beatty, Eobert  689
Beatty, Samuel  1004
Beebe, E. E  737
Benedict, Aaron  725
Benninger, .A.. J  1150
Benninger, M . L  1150
Beringer, George W  1001
Berry, Peter  1099
Bigler, William C  1147
Bishop, Fid  8.53
Bissell, George H  660
Black, W. P  1111
Blair, John H  1039
Blanck, Jacob  539
Bleakley, James  .355, 785
Bleakley, John  691
Bleakley, VPilliam J  786
Boal, John  1073
Boal, John M  1073
Boal, E. N. H  1073
Booher, John  1103
Booth, Henry  1073
Borland, David T  1096
Borland, I. H  836
Borland, John E  816
Botsford, J. W  1081
Bowen, Frank W  859
Bowman, Andrew  350

1156

BIOGEAPHICAL INDEX,

Page,
Bowser, Addison H  1137
Boyle, Jacob M  1141
Boyle, Owen  624
Boyle, Patrick C  858
Braden, Glenn T  926
Bradley, H. E  949
Bradley, Eobert  691
Brandon Family  633
Brandon, Thomas  676
Brecht, Christian  837
Bredin, James M  803
Bredin, Stephen L. C  814
Breed, Joseph  363, 593
Breed, Eoswell  1049
Breitschuh, Gustavus C  885
Brigham, George  355, 763
Britting, F. C  907
Broadfoot, John  349
Brown, John  7'37
Bro-ivn, William  363, 636
Buchanan, David K . . . .^  1137
Buffington, Joseph  162
Bullion, Thomas  526
Bumgardner, Absalom  .-.  1005
Burrows, Doane  1081
Bushnell, N. E  181
Butterfleld, Thomas  941
Byles, Ebenezer  539
Byles, M. M  '  200
c
Cain, John H  797
Calvert, Eobert  709
Campbell, James  164
Campbell, John E  846
Carll, JohnF  1107
Carr, Hugh  798
Carter, Francis  263, 684, 690
Cary, G. W  200
Cary, Nathaniel  349
Cassidy, Daniel H  963
Cather, William  1039
Chadwick, Elihu  1120
Chambers, Fred N  894
Chambers, Wesley  899
Chapman, John  563
Chickering, Kenton  S54
Church, Gaylord  158
Clancy, Jeremiah  360, 763
Clapp, Edwin E  1100
Clapp, John M  1100
Clapp, Ealph  704, 1099
Clark, James H  1081
Clarke, Charles E  1090
Clulow, H  1022
Cochran, Charles L  766
Coffman, David H  11.50

Page.
Colbert, Eobert  870
Cone, Andrew  842
Connely, George ^Y  193
Connely, Isaac  536, 1077
Connely, -William  350, 760
Connor, J. H  876
Coope, A. F  865
Cooper, Charles A  849
Cooper, -WilUam  ,  363, 691
Cornplanter  29
Cornwell, Aspenwall  .*. , . .363, 536
Corwin, B  1107
Coulter, Cyrus E  1000
Coulter, John  199
Cowan, William  ¦  1074
Cowan, "William H  1074
Co-ivell, Thomas E  8S5
Craig, James  550
Crain, B. F  1015
Crain Family  690
Craton, Patrick  948
Crawford, A. H., Jr  940
Crawford, Alexander B  938
Crawford, Carlisle J  968
Crawford, David M  968
Crawford, Ebenezer  967
Crawford, E. J  939
Crawford Family  966
Cra"wlord, James  606
Crawford, John P  968
Crawford, Robert  199, 1070
Crawford, Samuel "W  939
Cra-ivford, -William  551, 967
Crawford, -William E  819
Criswell, David S  904
Criswell, George S  810
Criswell, Montgomery  1118
Criswell, Robert W  859
Cris-jvell, Silas  1118
Crooks, E. P  1089
Cross, James H  1136
Cross, Eobert  ^  995
Cross, -William  995
Cross, ¦William  996
Cross, ¦William C  996
Cross, "Wilson  1126
Crumley, Andrew  945
Cubbison, E. H  946
Cubbison, John E  945
Culberson, John  1043
Culp, Isaac  1051
Cunningham, Henry L  1005
Curry, Jonathan T  1046
Curry, Eobert  1046
Custaloga  26
Cutchall, G. C  1033
Cutshall, Philip D  1063

BIOGEAPHIOAL INDEX,

1157

D r,\.;K.
Daily, John  ISO
Daily, Rolan  ¦. .KiCiC)
Dale, (J. C  1094
Dale, David I  sn:i
Dale, Henry L  ,S9.5
Dale, Samuel  373, 353, 745
Dale, Samuel F   747
Dauglijrty, Constantine  (\-H
Davidson, Arcliibald  7(i,s
Davidson, Patrick  7()S
Davidson, R. M  1108
Davidson, ¦William  ,536
Davis, F. F  Sii4
Davis, Henry E  10115
IJavis, John W  918
Davison, I. H  1020
Davison, Isaac M  1075
Davison, J.A  1054
UavWon, Janics F  1054
l)a\is(iii, John  1114
Davison, Eobert W  1075
Davison, W. 'W  599, 10.54
Dawson Family  .536
Dccts, Joseph  637
Deets, Samuel  1065
Deitricli, J. JI  11.53
Dcnip^cy, Lawrence  680
Dewoody, Andrew  ,3.50
Dewoody Family  670, 740, 1037
Dewoody, John  1037
Dewoody, John C  1037
Dc"H'oody, Perry  ,S39
Dickson, Cyrus  776
Dickson, "William  623
Dille, J. .M  199
Dinsmore, Adam  .525
Dobson, Michael  !)21
Dodd, Levi  ;351
Dodd, S. C. T  ISO
Donaldson, John  5S3, 60(i
Donaldson, Samuel  1114
Donnelly, J. R  943
Donnelly, Thomas  905
Doty, Joseph  Slis
Douds, John M  sis
Dout, John  1 039
Downing, A. (i  1113
Dowiiini;-, J. D  W5
Dublis, .Jacob  705
Duffield, John  1003
Duffield, John 6  1010
Duffield, John L  1011
Duffield, William  .563, 1010
Dunham, David  2(K, 5;-i6
Dunham, (i. H  1109
Dunham, U. J  1080

PA..K.
Dunn, Robert W  sio
Diirlian, E. S  248
DwyiT, William  sn
E
Eakin Family  oso
Kakiu, Thomas J  im
Eaton, James  033
Ealoii, S. J. M  776
Eichner, Frederick  933
Eldred, Natliiiniel B  1,58
Elliott, William  7(;{;
Emery, W. N  834
Epley, W. M  833
Espy, George P  1083
Espy, (icorge R  191
Espy, Thomas S  176
Evans, John  343
Evans, John H  936
F
Fair, H. H  933
Farr, Elial  590
Fassett, Lewis H  795
Faulkner, Peter  191
Fearis, .James  .551
Ferringer, Israel  1070
Fertig, Isaac  1 130
Fetterman, John  599
Fetterman, Jolin  1073
Fichte, Ernest E  1135
Findlay, A. Y  831
Fisher, Hariey W  884
Fleming Family  7;34
Fleming, G. W  1105
Fleming, John  1104
Fleming, John S  1104
Fleming, S. L  1104
Flowers, FrankUn  1135
Forbes, WilUam 11  813
Ford, J. A  1103
Foster Family  635
Foster, James  1 036
Foster, John  1060
Foster, Robert A  10'36
Foster, William  1060
Fowler, George  85, 345
Fox, George  1101
Fox, Michael  1138
Frazier, Alexander  1061
Frewen, Thomas J  830
Fry, Frank L  1091
Fry, Joseph T  1090
Fulton, Thomas A  1130

1158

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

c Page.
Galbraith, David C  814
Galbraith, John  171
Galey, John B  1150
Gardiner, J. W  1092
Gardner, Thomas K  1112
Gaston, Arthur B  1017
Gaston, Frank D  1018
Gates, A. D  950
Gates, George  910
Gates, WilUam  910
Geary, Michael  855
Ghost, John  985
Ghost, Philip  363, 709, 985
Giering, Tilghman A  1119
Gilbert, A  876
Gildersleeve, Samuel  734
GilflUan, Calvin W  187, 788
GiUespie, H. T  1093
GiUett, Buckland  192
Gilliland FamUy  565, 1011
GiUiland, Joseph A  1055
GiUUand, Joseph P  1012
GilUland, WiUiam K  «  1055
Gilmore, Alexander  9.54
GUmore Family  954
Gilmore, Jefferson  955
Gilmore, WiUiam H  955
Glenn, John B  817
Glenn, Robert  1009
Glenn, ^pbert F  813
Glenn, WiUiam M  1036
Godfrey, Ernest L  944
Goodwin, William M  1056
Gootmiller, George  934
Gordon, Isaac G  165
Gordon, Joseph  1053
Gordon, John  563
Gordon, Samuel  1038
Gormley, James  1141
Gormley, Patrick  1141
Gowe, James  513
Graham Family  677
Graham, Hugh C  878
Graham, John  1027
Graham, Robert  1028
Grant, Alexander  1113
Grant, James R  834
Grant, L. D  891
Greenfield, A. J  853
Gregg, John  1108
Grieshaber, George  360
Grimm, Daniel  794
Grossman, Philip  837
Grove, James R  1056
GuiUnger, Seth  1031
Guyasutha ,  27

H Page.
Hackenberg, John E  917
Hagerty, William  111.5.
Haggerty, John  607
Hale, Edward  85, 347
Hale, L. M  943
Hallet, John F  908
Halyday, Francis  850
Hamilton, Chauncey  ^ . . . 935
Hamilton, E. W  1046
Hamilton Family  589
Hamilton, James  589'
Hamilton, Joseph  937
Hancock, H. D  883.
Hancock, James D  805.
Hanna, F.J  1091
Hanna, John  .564, 1011
Hanna,-John L  775
Harding, J, M  866-
Hare, Michael  263
Harris, Frank L  10.52
Harris, WUl H  863
Hart, Henry.  1064
Hartwell, Charles F  856
Hasson Family  564, 1064
Hasson, Hugh  264
Hasson, William  1065-
Hatch, John P  1039
Hatch, Lucien  1085
Hatch, PhUip M  1085
Haworth, John  1078-
Hays, Alexander  277
Hays, F. W  883
Hays, James J  1021
Hays, Samuel  347
Hays, Samuel  599-
Hays, WiUiam  684
Hazen, John H  1068
Heckert, PhUip  1039
Heivly,J. H  913.
Henderson, Andrew J  993.
Henderson Family  737
Henderson Family  993
Henderson, John  961
Henderson, John B  993
Henderson, Richard  961
Henderson, Thomas  993
Henry, John  703
Heron, James G  85, 170, 264, 343
Hetzler, John  607
Hetzler, John  11-23
Heydrick, Charles H  1008
Heydrick, Christopher  1007
Heydrick, Christopher  18.5-
HUands, WUliam  818
HiU, Joseph G  .1144
HiU, Samuel R  114.S

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

1159

Page.
HiU, W. E  1145
Hill, W. H  1070
HiUier, Joseph  1073
HiUier, S. B  1072
Hixon, H. B  1093
HofEman, James  710
Hoffman, K. M  997
Hoffman, R. M  998
Hoffman, W. H  1098
Hoge, Thomas  831
Hogue, Joseph  1146
Homan, Andrew J  1043
Homan, Henry  1042
Homan, Thomas R  1043
Hood, Charles B  1067
House, W. F  1107
Houser, Cornelius  633
Houser, John P  264
Houser, Washington B  1029
Ho-ris, David  992
Hovis FamUy  991
Hovis, John  710, 991
Hovis, John  *  962
Hovis, John N  992
Hovis, M. Z  993
Hovis, Samuel  1038
Howe, John W  173
Hughes, Henry M  794
Hughes, William A  1144
Hughes, William Aaron  1144
Hughes, W. Harvey  1143
Hughes, Roland  1143
Hulings, Marcus  85, 349
Hulings, WiUis J  882
Hunt, Sprague E  873
Hunt, Warren G  907
Hurd, James J  1023
Huster, Charles  920
Hutchison, Robert A  1003
I
Irvine, David  ^'^'^
Irwin Family  ^^^
Irwin, H. May  803
Irwin, James  5°9
Irwin, John  1™, 589
Irwin, Ninian  ^^^
Irwin, Richard  170,353, 757
Irwin, Samuel  ^^^
«
J
Jack, M. A  ^^6
Jackson, W. H. H  8'''''
James, Henry F  1044 ^Q8
Jennings, Jacob  •^''°

Page.
Jewel, Seth  264
Jewel, Zelotus  623
Johns, Walter R  8.57
Johnson, Robert  553
Johnson, Samuel P  175
Johnston, Alexander, Jr  1059
Johnston, D. K  902
Johnston Family  635, 1059
Jolly, David  606
JoUy, James  1123
Jolly, John  606
Jolly, Samuel  551
Jones, Albert M  962
Jones, Robert  962
Jones, Samuel  1113
Jones, Stephen  961
Joy, C. C  1103
K
Kahle, Frederick L  813
Kapp, Hem-y  1130
Karnes, Jacob  1147
Karns Family  824
Karns, SamuelT  837
Kaufmann, George  924
Kean, George  684
Kean, Joseph  1067
Keating, John  .513, 930
Keefer, W. L  1114
Keene, James P  800
Kees, PhUip  264, 684
Kennedy, Joseph  622
KennerdeU, Richard  716, 994
Kephart, Essington  1026
Kern, J.P  881
Kerr, James K  184
Keverline, A.J.  H^S
KUgore, Andrew J  957
Kilgore, John J  •'5'.37, 956
Kingsley, James  691
Kinnear, Francis D  1*3
Kinnear, James  171) 350
Kinnear, Robert  ^64
Kinnear, William  ^54
Kinsley, Nathan P  §30
Kirkwood, A, Jackson  1096
Kirkwood, J. W  1098
Klein, John S  91*
Koch, Abraham D  11^3
Knapp, R.E  1097
Knox, John C  1^3
Kramer, WiUiam J  8^6
L
La Fever, David  1^1
Lamb, John  539, 1077

1160

BIOGEAPHICAL INDEX.

Page.
Lamberton, Edwin H  784
Lamberton, Henry W. .*.  185
Lamberton, Eobert  354, 781
Lamberton, Eobert G  784
Lamberton, WiUiam H  184
Lancaster, S. W  10.51
Lane, David T  833
Lawley, Thomas  1145
La-n-rence, Simeon W  1148
Leach, James  1083
Leadenham, Joseph W  815
Lee, Alexander  1023
Lee, James  1031
Lee, James W  809
Lee, SUas  806
LesUe, H. R  974
Leslie, James  974
Levier, Cyrus R  920
Levier, D. B  1117
Lew-is, Edward  935
Lewis, James N  928
Lewis, John A  922
Leyda, David  1024
Lindsay, John  563
Lindsay, Samuel  264
Linn, Charles  1124
Lockwood, D. M  1108
Long, J. S  1152
LongweU, W, H  848
Loomis, Charles M  848
Loots, William  874
Lord, George B  822
Loucks, Erastus F  ' 965
Lovell, Abraham  735
LoveU, Asa  1079
LoveU, Peter  606
LoveU, W. B  977
Lovett, Samuel  364
Lowentritt, Myer  903
Lowrie, John  968
Lupher, Barnett  1061
Lupher, Jacob  637
Lupher, John  3.59
Lvtle, S. A  1110

M
MacdougaU, John E. S  939
Mackey, Charles Washington  768
Mackey, Charles W  770
Mackey, James F  770
Mackin, N  947
Magee, W. B  888
MagUl, Thomas F  365
Maitland, Andrew  606, 1119

Page.
Maitland, Andrew, Jr  1119
Maitland, WiUiam A  1119
Ma.ior, Richard E  1006
Maloney, George  833
Mallory, Frederick E  1133
MaUory, John F  11.34
Mallory, Sidney T  1134
Manson, Patrick  364, 676
Marsh, John  10.50
Martin, David  537
Martin, James  676
Martin, John  ;  562
Martin, John N  1089
Mattox, John L  884
Mawhinney, Andrew S  1064
Ma-whinney, John  1063
May, Hezekiah  364
Mayer, Ludwig  873
Mays, George W  10-38
Mays, Hezekiah  960
Meehan, James  835
Merrick, Austin  726
Metz, Charles!  889
Middleton, Christopher C  1117
Middleton, Francis A  976
Middleton, John  976
Miles, A. P  1076
Milford, Thomas  553
MiUer, Charles  791
Miller, George W  1133
MiUer, WiUiam H  1146
MUton, John  1136
Milton, Leander  1136
Minich, John  836
MitcheU, Forster W  787
MitcheU, John L  787
MUcheU, Robert  171
Moffett, Byron  8-39
Monjar, Eichard  536
Monnin, Joseph  830
Moore, E. W  815
Moore, Jesse  157
Moore, WiUiam  .'  350, 7.59
Moore, William  998
Moore, WiUiam B  978
Moran, Daniel 0  852
Moran, John F  853
Moran, T. A  940
Moran, Thomas  .851
Moran, Thomas J  8.53
Morgan, D. W  »2?j
Morris, ,K)nathan  526
Morrison, R. C  1151
Myers, Henry  2I>1
Myers, James S  179
Myers, Marion A  1126
Myers, Robert A  1120

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

1161

Mc Page.
Mc.VUistcr, J. B  8s3
McBride, George  U05
McCall, Ezra  349
McCalmont, Alexander  101, 173, 350
McCalmont, Alfred B  183
JtcCalmont Family  545
McCalmont, Henry  650
ilcCalniout, John  364, 760
McCalmont, John 8  163, 181
McCalmont, Joseph  1042
McCalmont, Samuel P  1S3, 761
McClaran, John  710
McCleUan. James P  1035
McClelland, Frank M  1019
McCleUand, Geor^¦c  741, 749
McClelland, Gcoryc C  775
McClelland, J. M  945
McClintock, C. A  1069
McQlintock, Fru neis  1)47
ilcClintoclc, Hamilton  Ml
McClintock, Homer  803
McConnell, Francis  904
McCool, John  6-33
McCormack, J.T  1148
McCormick, Robert S  181
McCracken, G. G  891
McCracken, J.P  1098
McCracken, T. A  891
McCray, WUliam J  1094
McCray, W. P  1095
McCrea, Hugh  1100
McCrea, John W  1101
ilcCrea, Patrick  703
McCuUoch, T. C  865
McCune, James  636, 1060
McCune, WiUiam  1060
McCurdy, James  "204, 690
McDaniel, Francis  1044
McDoweU, Alexander  344, 346
McElhaney, Alexander  530, 677
McElhaney, Jamc^  10'37
McElhaney, WiUiam E  1037
McElphatrick, Davidson  11'25
McFadden, Edward  537
McGarry, James S  8-28
McGiU, H.J  1003
McGough, Thomas  811
McGuigan, James  895
Mcintosh, WUliam  691
Mcintosh, T.J  1057
McKay, W. A  »  1018
McKean, Thomas  552
McKee, Thomas  170, 708, 983
McKee, Thomas  9,S3
McKee, WUliam P  984
McKeever, James A  1134

Pai.e.
Mclviiiley, James  1000
MiKinley, Nathaniel H  1000
Mc Kinney, Samuel  6:34, 1140
McKinney, Samuel II  1140
McKinzie, -\ngus  544
McKinzie, Williain .V  1076
McKissiclc, .\aron  077
JIcKissick, James  1139
McKnight, Hem-y G  .son
McLaughlin, James M  917
Ml Lean, Daniel C  '.  1004
McManigal, Hugh  537
Mc JUlIan, Andrew J  199
McMiUan, J. B  996
McMiUin, Daniel  741
McMillin, Joseph H  1040
McMuUen, Archibald  1034
McMurdy FamUy  .535, 953
McMurdy, George  953
McMurdy, Isaac  .5-35
McMurdy, James  954
McMurdy, John  954
McMurdy, W. K  1116
McNair, WUliam  s77
McPherson, J. S  1139
McQuaid FamUy  1043
:McQuiston Family  553, 973
McQuiston, Cyrus E  '.173
McCJoiston, David H  973
McQuiston, John  973
N
Naylor, Harry  9-34
Neely, Jacob F  1096
Neely, E. B  1068
Nesbit, Thomas  1014
Nichols, George T  869
Nicholson, Thomas H  908
Nickle, Daniel D  UU
Nickle, WUUam  583, 1111
NickUn, George D  1149
Nolan, Thomas  9-37
o
Oberly, George S  919
Oberly, J. H  855
O'Brien, Bartholomew  1102
O'Donovan, P. W  1102
OUcr, David S  lUO
Orr, Joseph P  890
Osmer, James H  804
P
Paden, John  360
Parle, M yrou  354
Parsons, John T  907
Patchel, Edward  356-

1162

BIOGEAPHICAL INDEX.

Page.
Patterson, Peter  565
Payne, J. H  856
Pearson, John J  173
Peebles, James  1048
Peebles, James L  1049
Peebles, John M  1049
Peebles, Robert  1048
Peebles, Stewart C  1048
Peebles, William 0  1049
Perrine, Alonzo F  978
Perrine, J. N  863
Perry, Moses  553, 975
Perry, William  976
Persing, John  1115
Petit, James  200
Phipps, David  980
Phipps Family  709, 979
Phipps, John, Sr  709, 979
Phipps, John  981
Phipps, Joseph  981
Phipps, Porter  982
Phipps, Robert  981
Phipps, Eobert J  •  797
Phipps, Samuel  980
Phipps, Samuel A. W  977
Phipps, WiUiam C  982
Plumer, Arnold  749
Plumer, Benjamin A  171, 756
Plumer, Samuel  185
Plumer, Samuel  690
Poor, Alonzo  1105
Poor, WiUiam  1105
Porter, Alexander  710, 990
Porter, George  892
Porter, James  990
Porter, John A  991
Porter, Samuel  990
Porter, Snowden D  999
Porter, Thomas V  990
Porter, WUliam  726
Porterfleld, Cyrus R  1116
Porterfield, W. Martin  1117
Powell, George W  1128
PoweU, Samuel  617
Power, George  84,264, 343, 744
Prather Family  648
Prather, Henry  590
Printz, A  830
Proper, Jacob G  1053
Proper, Samuel  265, 598
PurtiU, James  1047
PurtiU, Michael  1047
PurtiU, Thomas  1047
R
Ramsdale, Robert  831
Eay, David  1073

Page.
Eay, L. L  1072
Eaymond, Aaron W  767
Raymond, Charles  184
Raymond, Charles H  1035
Raymond, George W  1034
Raymond, PhUetus W  764
Raymond, William  354, 763
Reagle, Samuel W  1032
Reamer, Jacob W  799
Reed, L. E  929
Eeed, WiUiam  684
Eeese, Samuel  1151
Eeid, Joseph  919
Eeinbold, Charles  876
Reinbold, J. B  872
Rembold, J. C  1148
Reno, Jesse L  377
Eenwick, Eobert H  911
Eeynolds, C.J  914
Eeynolds, John J  1069
Eeynolds, WiUiam  587
Eeynolds, WiUiam S  1050
Eichards, T. J  1103
Richey, John  10.53
Richey, William T  1070
Rickards, WUUam  817
Ricketts, James  ,  644
Riddle FamUy  984
Riddle, James P  977
Riddle, John K  985
Riddle, Matthew  265, 708
Riddle, Robert  185
Riddle, Samuel  182
Riesenman, Joseph C  827
Eitchey FamUy  582
Ritchey, J.A  864
Roberts, Ebenezer  544
Rodgers, L. D  184
Roess, Louis  900
Ross Family  607
Ross, James H  1153
Ross, Joseph  1083
Ross, Oliver P  1045
Rossman, David  1044
Both, WiUiam H  871
Rouse, H. R  666
Rowland, Jacob  937
Rowland, James W  937
Runninger, Jacob  564
RusseU, David  265, 975
Eussell, David, Jr  975
Russell, James  1034
Russell, Thomas  564
Eynd, Ambrose  647, 1086
Rynd, Cyrus D  1086
Eynd, John  1087
Rynd, John, Jr  ,1087

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

1163

S PAfii-:.
Saltzmann, Allicrt  H',7
Saltzmann, John J  S77
Saltzmann, John, Jr  S77
Say, David  .551
Sayers, Francis A  Ii;i9
.Sayers, Itcnry J  1139
Stliwali, II. H  1131
Schw-artzcop, Louis  ',119
Scotleld, (ilcnni \V  164
Scott, James  5.50
Seber, (Jliristoplicr  1009
Seely, R. P  1057
Sliders, Abraham  ... ;i-l9
Sellew, S. W  SOS
Shaffer, James  1147
Shakely, Isaac  946
Shaner, Charles W  Ul s
Shannon, Alexander  633
Shannon, Maurice B  1113
Sharp, F. W  9;il
Shaw, Robert  1093
Shaw, WiUiam  .545
Shaw, WiUiam  650
Sheffer, G, M  943
Shelmadine, Nelson A  1082
Shepard, Charles H  902
Shively, J, S  906
Shippen, Henry  1.57
Shorts, Robert C  10.38
Shorts, William  1038
Shoup, Charles E  819
Shugert, John W  346
Shugert, Thomas B  200
Sibley, Joseph C  792
Simcox, James  10.35
Simmons, M. S  871
Simpson, Robert  860
Singleton, John  359
Siverly, Abram G  668
Siverly, Walter  1087
Sloan, Leslie  974
Sloan, Uriah  940
Sloan, William B  974
Small FamUy  690
Small, Samuel 0  1074
Smiley, E.W  801
SmUey, Thomas  636
Smith, Albert H  918
Smith Family  607
Smith, George  1132
Smith, James  '"^34
Smith, John D  -  U22
Smith, Joseph H  824
Smith, Millard F  '¦>'"
Smith, Patrick J  534
Smith, Sherman R  '-'06

l'A..K,
Wnii 111, Thomas  igi
Smith, William  ]12I
Smithman, John B  s99
SmuUin, lloraeu L  1143
SmuUin, J. W  1142
Snowden, James R  174
Snowden, Nathaniel R  IMH
Snowden, Xallianiel D  191
Snowden, S. (iustine  193
Speechley, Samuel  1 13s
Spencer, Theodore  1H6
Spofford, II, G  ¦  617
Standley, Andrew J  1138
Standley, John  1137
Stanton, W, .-VI  11.53
Starr, John H  11;M
Steele, John R  ,893
Steele, O. B  799
Stephens, Luman  SS3
Sterritt, Robert M  963
Stevens, Edward C  1065
Stevens, H. K  948
Stevens, John  676
Stevenson, Charles  26.5, 683
Stevenson, S. O  1016
Stewart, Elijah  .590
Stewart, Samuel W  1079
Stewart, William  176
Stewart, William E. .,  1052
Stover, John  606
Stover, Matthias  600
Strain, Alexander  623
Straub, A, B  1097
Strauss, R. M  1058
Strawbridge, John  588
Strohecker, T. S  1075
Strong, O. H  U37
Stubler, John  895
Stubler, Joseph  873
Suhr, Henry  917
SuUinger, F. D  821
Sullinger, James P  11:20
SuUinger, John  365, 606, 1120
Sutherland, W. J  921
Sweeney, Horton C  937
Sweeny, Edward  '.  691, 1071
Sweeny, Edward  1071
Sweet, Henry  799
Symonds, T, (i  190
T
Tarr, George W  10.50
Taylor, Charles E  167
Taylor, Frank H  ^•''8
Temple Family  •''65
Tennent, John  5)39

1164

BIOGEAPHICAL INDEX.

Page.
Thacher, S. M  1134
Thomas, James M  900
Thomas, Luther  636
Thompson, James  169, 173
Thompson, WiUiam  544
Thorn, Solomon  1001
Thorn, WiUiam N  1001
Trax, David L  895
Truby, Jacob  513, 930
Truby, James 0  931
Trunkey, John  165
Tucker, J. L  1152
Turner, A. M  901
Turner, Samuel  684
Tuthill, James  588
Twitchel, Edward G  1092
Tyler, WiUiam C  1088
TyrreU, Albert  1080
V
Vandergrift, Jacob J  838
Vanderlin, James  1080
Vogus, James  999
Vogus, John  708
w
Wachtel, Moses  829
Wait, C. L  1109
Waits, John W  905
WaUace, John  1082
Walz, Louis  914
Wareham, John  1040
Watt, John.  605
Weaver, C. H  873
Weber, Adam  1084
Weber, George K  1067
Weeter, S. F  1116
Welch, Theodore J  903
WeUer, John A  1119
WeUer, Joseph  931

Page.
Welsh, Walter S  813
Whann Family  737, 1030
Whann, Francis  1031
Whann, Robert S  1030
Whann, Walter L  197
Whitaker, Albert P  800
White, J. H  835
White, William  mo
Whitman, Abraham B  1041
Whitman FamUy  1041
Whitman, Jacob  544, 636
Whitman, James  1042
Whitman, John J  1041
Whittlesey, H. E  1092
Wick, W. S  909
Widle, Elias  935
Wilbert, Henry  1086
WUl, James J  912
Williams, Benjamin  710
WiUiams, J. H  II53
WUlitt, Lincoln H  1091
Wilmot, Edward P  816
Wilson, Edwin C  181
Wilson, CM  965
WUson, John  200, 1106
Wilson, Samuel C  1050, 1106
Witherup, Abraham  374, 989
Witherup FamUy  989
Witherup, John  359, 709
Wolfe, E. M  913
Wolfe, Solomon  1141
Wood, John D  199
Wood, Wilbur F  896
Woods, Eobert  964
AVright, Alexander  1036
Y
Yard, Benjamin E  959
Young, Jacob E  886
Young, W. J  847
Young, WUliam  1082

YALE