Month: April 2011

CHAPTER XLV HISTORY OF BRADY TOWNSHIP THIS township was christened in honor of Captain Brady, of Indian fame. His venturesome career is so familiar to the people of Clarion county that an extended recital of his daring deeds is unnecessary. Brady township was formerly a part of Madison. In 1866 the will of the people … Read more

CHAPTER XLIV HISTORY OF BEAVER TOWNSHIP Beaver township is bounded on the north by Salem, Ashland, and Elk, on the east by Elk, Paint, and the Clarion River, which forms the Beaver- Piney line, south by the river and Licking township, and west by Richland, and Salem. It lies in the west central part of … Read more

CHAPTER XLIII HISTORY OF ASHLAND TOWNSHIP Ashland township was formed from parts of Elk and Richland townships in 1856. Ashland township is bounded on the north by Venango county; on the east by Elk township; on the south by Beaver and Salem townships; and on the west by Salem township and Venango county. The greatest … Read more

CHAPTER XLII CHURCHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH There are twenty – two churches of this denomination in Clarion county, with a membership of 1,667. These churches are attached to the Clarion Presbytery, embracing the counties of Clarion, Elk, and Jefferson, and the parts of Forest and Venango counties lying east of the Allegheny River. The presbytery is … Read more

CHAPTER XLI SCHOOLS First Schools – Free Schools – The County Superintendency – Superintendent Orr – The First Institutes – Superintendent Magonagle – Superintendent Walker – Superintendent Kelly – Superintendent Wood – Superintendent Davis – Superintendent Anderson – Superintendent McNutt – Parochial Schools. The early schools of the county have been adverted to in other … Read more

CHAPTER XL THE BENCH AND BAR The First Court – Judge Alexander McCalmont – The First Attorneys – Later Ones – Judges Buffington, Knox, and J.S. McCalmont – The Logue Trial – Murder Cases – Judges Scofield and Campbell – Additional Sketches – Judge Jenks – The Standard Proceedings – Hons. Corbett and Wilson – … Read more

CHAPTER XXXIX FROM THE OIL ERA TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1877 – 1887 Railroads – Politics – Statistics – County Finances – Civil List – Newspapers – Post – offices – Agricultural Association – Public Buildings. RAILROADS THE Emlenton, Shippenville and Clarion Railroad was built as an outlet to the rich oil territory then existing … Read more

CHAPTER XXXVIII THE LUMBER AND COAL INDUSTRIES Early Lumbering – Hahn & Metzgar – Marvin, Rulofson & Company – Penn Mill – Shoup & Siegworth – Cobb & Sons – Paint Mills – Star Mills – P. Haskell – Byrom, Minor & Gordon – Higby Tract – Arthurs Coal and Lumber Company – Blake Tract … Read more

CHAPTER XXXVII THE DEVELOPMENT OF PETROLEUM Deer Creek Oil Spring – The Pocohontas – Early Operations – Graham’s Landing – Foxburg – First Pipe Line – Grass Flats – St. Petersburg – Turkey City and Monroeville – The St. Lawrence – Edenburg – Beaver City – Elk City – Pipe Lines – Cogley Field – … Read more

CHAPTER XXXVI FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE OIL ERA – 1865-1877 Oil Mania – Apprentices – The Allegheny Valley Railroad – The Low Grade – Telegraphic – Attempt to Move County Seat – Politics – Statistics – County Finances In 1864 and 1865 Clarion county was the scene of the wildest speculation in hypothetical … Read more