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PLEASANTVILLE SESQUICENTENNIAL
VENANGO COUNTY , PENNSYLVANIA
1821-----1971
PLEASANTVILLE SESQUICENTENNIAL HISTORY

Far in the dim ages this section among others was inhabited by a race of red men who left many interesting evidences of their occupancy. They antedate the Eries, the original tribe here, and were probably a tribe of Mound Builders, either the Toltecs or the Aztecs, but presumably the Toltecs. Traces of there mounds have been found all over the country, but those nearest us are at Hydetown, and at Fielder, where there is a mound-shaped formation which, beyond a doubt, was left by this tribe. Arrow heads and other interesting relics have been found all through our vicinity, which show that this was a hunting and camping ground for the Indians.

One of the most interesting things in this section is the collection of oil pits in the flats below the gorge, about two miles below Titusville. These were used by the Eries and Senecas to collect oil but they had no knowledge of their being built and the supposition is that they were left by the Mound Builders. "There is a growth of timber on these pits and on the septa that divides them that shows that they antedate the era of the French, if not even the coming of Columbus. These pits are very numerous. They are generally oblong in form, about four by six feet in depth. The deeper and larger ones have been cribbed with timber at the sides to preserve their forms. This cribbing was roughly done, the logs split in halves, stripped of their bark and safely adjusted at the corners. The walls seem to have been so thoroughly saturated with oil as to be preserved almost in entirety to this day. They cover five hundred acres of land and there may be in all ten thousand pits. The great antiquity of the pits is shown by the large trees which grow in and around them." They are the evidence of a vanished race. The Senecas and Eries gathered oil from these pits in a manner peculiar to themselves. After allowing it to accumulate on the surface of the water they threw blankets in and after they had become saturated, squeezed the oil out and used it for medicinal purposes and in the performances of their religious rites. Once a year they set fire to the oil on the creek and as the flames shot up, they danced and shouted in demoniac joy.

New Light on Mystery of Oil Pits
(Published by The Titusville Herald, October 14, 1970)
When the first white man came to Oil Creek Valley around 1750s, they found thousands of pits on each side of the creek, most of them just below Titusville.
For two centuries their secret had been unbroken, despite at least two archeological digs. But in the summer of 1970 a young archeologist, Sue Ann Curtis of Oil City, opened a pit and made it do what theory said was likely , produce oil. She also found logs that had been cut and trimmed by stone instruments and woven matting to keep early oil gatherers from sinking into the clay bottom. The latest guess is that they were the work of the Mound Builders about 400 A.D.
Lewis C. Strawbridge, owner of a sand and gravel excavation at East Titusville discovered peat moss at the bottom of his sand and gravel pit in august 1962. The age of the peat moss caused a revision downward of estimated ages of geological strata in Northwestern Pennsylvania previously believed to have been part of the "Illinoian Till." The Illinoian Till, a layer of sand, gravel and boulders left by a glacier, runs across this section of the state.
The Strawbridge discovery, however , indicates that the till is not Illinoian but is "late early Wisconsinan" according to George W. White of the University of Illonois and Dr. Stanley M. Totten of the Hanover College of Indiana. The till may also be "late Altonian" of the Lake Michigan lobe of class classification.

On the basis of carbon-14 radioactive dating, a relatively new method of pinpointing the age of plant material, the peat was found to be 31,000 years old, with a leeway of 2,100 years in either direction.

In addition to the peat, Strawbridge has made a collection of other geological oddities he has found while operating his gravel pit. Among his finds are a stone about the size of a mans two fists with what appears to be petrified roots jutting in all directions.
On June 28, 1965, two geologists from the University of Illinois stated as a result of the discovery of peat in the Strawbridge gravel pit, the strata was dated by radio-carbon and found to be 31, 600 years old. The dating caused a re-evaluation of the geology of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
The first trace of oil, as the tradition goes, was found by an old Indian chief who having a painful disease and fearing that if he died his tribe would be scattered by the tribes then on the war path, asked the Great Spirit to help him and the Great Spirit told him that he would be directed to a spring whose waters would send forth healing medicine, which would last ‘till it should be descrated by a tribe of Pale Faces. It is said that he found the spring with oil bubbling up through its waters, made use of it, and was cured.

As before stated, the Eries were the first Indians known here. They were driven out by the Six Nations, a band all-conquering, and the country was taken possession of by the Senecas, who were part of this Nation. The Munceys were here at this time also, but principally Senecas. One of the best known of the Seneca chiefs was Cornplanter, or Painted Death, whose English name was John O’Bail. By an Indian marriage he was the son of a Dutch trader, John O’Bail, and a Delaware chief’s daughter. O’Bail is said to have died and been buried in this section of the country. Cornplanter was not so great a chief as Pontiac, but was noted among the Seneca. He is alleged to have been born in 1732, the same year as Washington. In the Revolution he was first allied with the French but afterward joined the Americans, to whom he remained steadfast. He was given a large tract of land near Oil City for his service, and for that reason that portion of Oil City is sometimes called O’Bail’s Flats. Cornplanter died February 18, 1836, at the ripe old age of 104. Other red chiefs were Red Jacket, Halftown and Pipe, for whom Pipetown or West Hickory was named. At that time Pipetown was the principal town, as it was the ending of the road, from Erie to Fort LeBeouf, and as it is supposed, was also the ending of the French and Indian Trail to the river.

The old Carter Farm at the head of the gorge was a camping ground of the Indians and the Iron Spring was a favorite with them.

Tradition tells of an old Indian who camped between two large rocks on the Huidekooper tract, about three miles from Pleasantville, before and during the oil excitement. he came every year and camped six months or less. Nobody knew from whence he came or where he went, as he moved silently in the manner of his race. The rocks, between which it is said he pitched his tent, are of a peculiar formation. One is about 15 feet high and the top resembles the back of an elephant. The other has perfect steps cut in and large trees growing upon it. The distance between the rocks is about 10 feet. About 100 feet from these rocks are some small flat ones with bowl-shaped indentations where it is believed the Indians ground corn. The Southern Oil Company drilled a well on this tract some years ago and in placing a drive pipe they struck what appeared to be a cave of good size. A strong draft blew the tools so that they were unable to keep them straight and when a pole four or five feet in length was put down to measure the hole, it disappeared, so it must have been a large cave and may have had silver or other valuables hidden there.

There are some interesting roads or more properly trails in our vicinity. The old French and Indian trail ran from French Creek to Pipetown or West Hickory; one to Waterford or Le Boeuf , meaning ox, as it was the strongest of the forts. Another branch of the trail ran to Presque Isle, now Erie; another to Fort Duquesne, or Pittsburgh; and still another to Franklin, which was then Fort Venango, and is nearest to us.

Broadhead’s Route may be traced very easily and we have evidence that he came very near Pleasantville, if not through this region as he marched about twenty miles above French Creek to Venango or Franklin.

But still further proof of him has been found in an old road running between Mill farm and Morrison Farm about a mile from town. When the late Judge Morrison was a small boy, he and a man named Sheldon discovered a portion of this road running through a swamp. It was made of logs, sometimes called corduroy. There was nothing to indicate that trees had been cut down around it and large sized trees covered the swamps, so it must have been a very old road. It is possible that Broadhead is the only commander who took artillery on a long march, and he insisted on taking one piece with him on his march from Fort Duquesne to Fort LeBoeuf. This road was also probably a part of the French and Indian Trail, as it may very easily traced to west Hickory, the supposed ending of that trail. The Indians have folded their tepees and silently gone to their happy hunting ground and only a small remnant remains as a memorial.

The Pithole settlement was among the first to be settled after the Revolution. In 1706 Andrew McElhaney came here, but on account of Indian troubles, returned to Center County. The Dawson family, who were probably the earliest adherents of Methodism in the country; Hugh and Michael McGerald, probably the first Catholics in the country; and Isaac Conneley, father of George W. Connelly , Probthonotary, were among the earliest settlers on the headwaters of Pithole Creek in Allegheny Township. Asper Cornwall came in 1819; David Dunham in 1821; Ebenezer Byles in 1825; John Tennent in 1826; and John Lamb in 1827. In the year 1794 four families moved into this region and settled in the forest—Wm.McCaslin and Wm.Lytle, directly from County Tyrone, and Wm. Broadhead and Wm.McNeill from Center County in this state. Wm. McCaslin settled southwest from the Bean Farm. Wm. Lytle just below the National Wells southeast of Pleasantville on the Mill Farm, Wm. Broadhead near where Mr. Siggins now lives and Wm. Neill settled at Neillsburg.

In 1816 this hilltop where our borough now stands was covered with forest trees, pines, chestnut, hemlock, oak, hickory and an occasional ash, poplar and cucumber. today we can add red and sugar maple, red and white oak, white pine, black and honey locust, butternut, black walnut, quaking aspen, balm of gilead, dogwood, juneberry, magnolia, elm, pignut, plum, prune, ash maple, peach, ginco, white ash, black cherry, fire cherry, yellow poplar, weeping willow, tamarack (larch), white birch, mountian ash, scotch pine, fir, colorado spruce, pecan, cedar and smoke tree. Along with many wild flowers, the lovely wild azalea, or honeysuckle, arbutus and many others, and inhabited by wild animals, such as bears, deer, wolves, wild-cat and foxes.

Abram Lovell, a man who roamed and visited various localities in Northwestern Pennsylvania, on his return from service in the War of 1812, was attracted to this section of the country known as Pleasantville. The abundance of spring water and a desirable location influenced him in making his choice, and here he brought his family about 1820 in a covered wagon which continued to provide them shelter until a permanent dwelling could be erected. Their land adjoined the graveyard on the west. It has been known as the Lockwood property and at the present time is owned by Walter and Robert Rabe, with Robert using it as his dwelling.

The old deed records show that Mr. Lovell bought the Sutton Farm, also known as the Lockwood Farm, and Rabe property from Jared Shattuck in 1825, which deed also shows that Mr. Shattuck had possession as early as 1815, thus antedating Aaron benedict.

The cemetery is now Memory’s Acre. These two acres of ground, long known as "The Old Cemetery," were originally given to Aaron Benedict by the Holland Land Company for a public burying ground. Alvin, Aaron Benedict’s son was the first to be buried there in February 7, 1824. The last known burials were in 1879. This cemetery was an eyesore for many years and the Pleasantville Woman’s Club took it as a project which resulted in the Pleasantville Improvement Association. August 23, 1959 on a Sunday afternoon, about 70 people gathered for the dedication service.

Abram Lovell was a member of the Presbyterian Church and rigidly Calvanistic in faith and practice. Mr. Lovell raised a family of ten children, of whom the best known to us was the late Mrs. Thomas Shugert. The Shugert property is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. George T. Forrsell.

It was Aaron Benedict who named the place Benedictown and to whose enterprise its prospertt was due. He was a native of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He was born February 17, 1779, of English parentage and as a young man , settled in New York State, where he acquired substantial business interests. When the Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike was constructed in 1818-19, he took a contract to do a considerable part of the work. this turnpike started in New York State running down the Brokenstraw to Warren and through Lamb’s farm, and while working on this division he came over to the present site of Pleasantville, and was attracted by its beautiful location and many springs. In 1819 he bought from Mr. Huidekooper of Meadville, agent for the Holland Land Company, 400 acres of land, embracing much of the present site of Pleasantville.

In the summer of 1820 Mr. Benedict’s son-in-law, Mr. West, his wife and Mrs. West’s brother , Anson benedict, a boy about 17 years of age , came from central New York with a few household goods and erected a small log house on the site of W.W.Ward’s later home and afterwards occupied by a cabinet maker named Moore. (Kenneth Stokes lived there many years and in 1971 it was sold to Louis Alexatos.)

There was an amusing incident in connection with this first season. Anson’s sister Mrs. West wanted a large spinning wheel and her goods had not arrived. She asked Anson to go to a neighbor a number of miles away to borrow one. Having procured one he shouldered it and started home through the woods. On the way home a bear came out of the woods and faced him in the path. naturally being frightened, necessity being "the Mother of Invention," he set the wheel down and started it spinning as hard as it would go. Very much astonished the bear watched it a minute, then turned and lumbered back into the woods. In the fall of the same year, Mr. West and Anson broke up six acres of ground and sowed it with winter wheat which furnished them with flour the next year. At this time there was standing one log house near Lamb’s residence (now owned and occupied by Dr. Willard D. Stewart.) This house, as far as it is known, was bought by a Danish sea Captain, named Tripkie, from the Holland Land Company, whose un prounceable Dutch names were affixed to the deed. Tripkie is thought to have been either a pirate or a smuggler. He had a wife and two adopted daughters, who bore the names of Rubitena and Aribena. He used to bring his wife and daughters beautiful silks, laces and costly fabrics. When the late Mrs. Shugert was a little girl, she used to visit there and was given by these people, beautiful pieces of cloth for her doll’s clothes. There was something very mysterious in this man who came into the wilderness to live and imported such valuable goods, which must have been secured on the high seas.

In the spring of 1821 Mr. Benedict came overland from Fabius, New York with his wife, formerly Miss Louise Webster, of Oinney Settlement, bringing his household goods. They lived in a small log house at first, but the next year contracted with a stone mason , by the name of Peter Vhreum, who lived in Meadville, for a large stone house at the cost of $1,060.00 (In the East side of what is now Main Street,) and which when pulled down years ago was seemingly as good as when built. Mr. Benedict, when he first came here was quite interested in certain veins of clay which he found and induced a potter and chemist by the name of Porter (who afterwards married his daughter Julia Benedict) to come from Rochester, and together they build the first pottery, which was situated opposite S.Q.Wilson’s residence. A few years later another pottery was built on the corner where the Holeman Block stands (now owned by John Peterson.) A Cornish miner named Gilfillan came from Clarion County to mine the clay. His wife and daughter were afterwards the victims of the famous Everhart murder. (Another paragraph on pottery will be found in this issue.) In mining the clay, drifts were run under the hill on the Reed farm. This hill supplied clay for the above-mentioned pottery and for one which was built later. This pottery was noted especially for Rockingham and Liverpool Queensware. The drifts under the hill were supported by heavy timbers, and the clay was brought out in hand cars. In the manufacture of Rockingham and Liverpool Queensware, potters came from Scotland ---- Weir, Furgeson, Billy Massey and other. This pottery was located where Mrs. Graff lived ( now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Max Thompson.)

Mr. benedict and Mr. Porter sent down to Oil Creek for some Seneca Oil and by their ingenious efforts fitted up a lamp in which they were able to burn oil, this being the first known instance of its use for illuminating purposes. The light was good, but the smoke being a detriment to its use, it was discontinued.

Wm. Porter was the son-in-law of Aaron benedict, who induced him to come to Pleasantville. He moved here from Rochester, New York, where he had been following his trade of potter, and established himself in that line at his new location, his pottery being located originally on the West side of Main Street, opposite the benedict home ( now the James Bailey Sr. and Evangelical United Methodist properties ---1971,) but later to the other side of the street below the opera house. Mr. Porter first lived in a hewed-log house which stood on a lot later owned by Dr. John Wilson (Mary Queen Wilson property---1971.)

For many years the burning at the potteries of the large kilns of stoneware was a great event of the town. About two kilns a month were burned, and large loads of pottery were carried all over Venango, Clarion, Crawford, Warren and Mercer counties. It was exchanged for coats, hats, eatables and even pins and needles. Among the earliest and best-known turners were Samuel Hatch, Daniel Parker and George Porter. the pottery, together with the blacksmith shop, was the great industry of the town until the year 1831.

An old history of Venango County says of Mr. Benedict: " In writing the early history of Pleasantville, the historian may well say, "These steps taken, this labor performed, this enterprise prosecuted, these plans executed, all received not only their momentum but also their complete guidance at the hands of Aaron Benedict." Aaron benedict was very progressive he had the first buggy, which was brought from New York, for which he gave fifty acres of land. Mr. benedict had nineteen children. he is represented by comparatively few descendants in the locality. The Benedicts in Pleasantville in 1971 are descendants.

When surveying, Mr. Aaron Benedict had been often heard to remark that this country was never intended by Providence for a farming country, that it must be good for something; that these vast upheavals of earth and rock were probably indications of wealth lying beneath; and he prayed God to prolong his days till men should find out what it was. He lived to know of the discovery of oil and then said he was ready to go. he departed this life march 20, 1860, in the eighty-second year of his age. He contributed largely to the building of the Baptist Church (now the Free Methodist Church ) which was built under his supervision and direction in the year 1847.

Austin Merrick, who arrived shortly after Aaron benedict, was a Baptist and a Whig in politics. He lived on Main Street near the Baptist Church (Free Methodist Church—1971) and seemed to have been variously occupied having taught the first school in the village, teaching twenty successive winters and acting as the first postmaster at the Holland postoffice. He also opened the first general store, besides farming to some extent. he moved to Corry when the oil excitement began. Mr. Merrick was married four times. Merrick Street was named for him.

Mr. Merrick was a brother to Mrs. Amos Hall, wife of Deacon Hall, one of the first settlers here. Their mother was Irene Alden, a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, of the original Plymouth Colony. After the death of her second husband, Mr. Churchill, she came to Pleasantville where she lived until her death. She lies at rest in the old cemetery. Amos and Lodisa Hall were parents of five children, one of whom was the late Mrs. Sophronia Newkirk.

David Dunham, a Revolutionary soldier, was one of the earliest settlers here. In 1819 he bought 288 acres of land near Pleasantville and in 1821 settled here with his family. Mr. Dunham with Abram Lovell, took a contract from Aaron benedict for the breaking up of 13 acres of land embracing some of the site of Pleasantville. This they broke up with great difficulty for the consideration of 20 shilling per acre.

David Dunham’s son, Edwin, married Jane C. Cornwall, the daughter of Aspinwall Cornwall, a New York merchant, who settled near Pleasantville in 1819. She was a woman of high character and fine intellect.

Captain Ebenezer Byles, who acquired his title in the War of 1812, came here in 1825 and settled on the Clark Farm. the family was one of great culture and refinement.

John Lamb, a well-known and respected man, came here in 1827 and settled on the Lamb Farm. he was a merchant, lumberman and tanner and had a post -office at his home called Lamb Town.

E.R. Beebe, a nephew of Aaron Benedict, came to Pleasantville in 1831 and established a tannery opposite the R.M.Davidson home. The tannery was fully equipped with a bark mill, vats and a show shop. The remnants of some of the old vats might yet be traced. It was one of the most important industries of the pioneer town. In 1833, E.R.Bebee married Louisa Watkins and built a small house on the corner of State and Chestnut streets, which after many years was remodeled by his son-in-law Benjamin Corwin. At that time people thought him foolish to build, as they said "in such a wilderness." A fish story is told about Deacon Beebe as follows: " Before he located here he came on a visit to Mr. Benedict and one day went fishing. he made a good catch and on the way home met a bear; not knowing what else to do he threw the whole string and took to his heels, not seeming to care whether the bear enjoyed them or not."

In 1883 the town received a great impetus from the arrival of Mr. john brown, the first merchant. Up to this time all goods had to be brought from Erie, not even a cracker could be had in town. Mr. Brown’s goods came from New York by way of the Erie Canal to Erie and from there overland to Pleasantville. It required thirteen teams to transport the merchandise and household goods. Mr. brown located in a little log house on State Street which he bought from Tripkie, the Danish sea captain, and built a frame store in connection with it . He built several barns which extended nearly to the corner of what is now State and Main streets. In the upper barn which was new , the Democrats held a convention in the Harrison-Van Buren campaign. So politics was an issue then as now.

John F. Brown had three brothers, Alexander W., William and Samuel Queen, composing the once famous firm of Brown Brothers, whose reputation as merchants was of the highest character, and whose operation in the realm of oil production made the name a household word. John Brown, the father of these four brothers was esteemed and influential in his generation as his sons became in their day. Born in the north of Ireland in 1789, he was of Scotch origin, coming to America about 1817 to possess land in Pennsylvania. he was one of the little colony of settlers who came to this section at the same time. But the agent, instead of choosing sites for his clients in one neighborhood as they desired, had procured widely separated tracts, and that selected for Mr. Brown was in the wilderness, several miles north of Titusville. He came out alone in 1833 by way of Harrisburg leaving Mrs. Brown to follow with the family and household goods, as well as the stock of merchandise with which to start a store. He was so disappointed in his land that he proceeded on to Pleasantville. When the family joined him, the outlook was so discouraging that they decided to return to new York and part of the household goods were not unpacked, but the stock of merchandise had to be disposed of before the return trip. It had to be sold on credit and by the time he had received his money, they had become so attached to the place and their neighbors, they had no desire to leave. Mr. Brown was thus the first merchant of Pleasantville. He erected the first brick store in the village and it was the only business house left standing after the great fire of 1871. He served as burgess of Pleasantville in 1857. He died July 31, 1861, at the age of 72. He always attributed much of his success in life to his wife Mary Ann (Queen) whom he married in New York about 1820. She was born in 1805 in the north of Ireland, came to America in infancy and lived to the ripe old age of 80 years, dying October 16, 1875, at Pleasantville.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown were Convenanters although she united with the Presbyterian denomination when it absorbed the Convenanter Church in Pleasantville. Their family consisted of the four sons mentioned and one daughter, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Dr. John Wilson and whose son was Samuel Q. Wilson, father of Mary Queen Wilson, now residing in the homestead in Pleasantville.

Alexander W. Brown married Minerva M. Mitchell on July 11, 1865, daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Lamb) Mitchell and sister of John and David Mitchell. They had four children: Dr. Alex McLeod Brown, a practicing physician at Franklin, Pennsylvania; Donald W. Brown of the Tidewater Oil Company at Robinson, Illinois; Jane M. who was the wife of Frank Haskell of the Pleasantville Haskells, and Roland who died at the age of twenty years.

Moses Porter, a brother of William Porter, came to this region with his brother. He married Louisa, a daughter of Aaron Benedict, and built the house long occupied by John F. Carll, the well known geologist, and then occupied by Mrs. Catherine Schaffner (now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Petroski). A furniture factory built by another brother stood near the Hatch Curtis place on the Enterprise road.

William Broadhead Newkirk came to Pleasantville with his family in 1832 coming from Ulster County, New York in a wagon. He was the father of a large family. Three sons Edgar, William and Henry were old residents of Pleasantville.

At this time there were only two houses on what is now know as Chestnut Street ---- Deacon Beebe’s at one end, and Deacon Blackman’s at the other extremity. The Blackman home is now the site of the Gordon Atkins residence.

Mr. Walter Dodge built the first hotel in 1843. Up to that time there had been no accommodations for travelers except the hospitality offered by the residents. Mr. Dodge was a tailor, and he made to order Aaron Benedict Jr.’s wedding suit of black broadcloth. The hotel was located where the H.C. Mapes residence now stands (the hotel has since burned down and a house was built in its place in 1872 and is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Waychoff and family.)

The earliest physician in Pleasantville, of whom we have any knowledge, was Doctor Marvin Webster who lived for a time on the Loveless farm on North Main Street. After Doctor Webster left, for some time Pleasantville was without a physician and old residents remember having to go to Neilltown in the night for a doctor, Doctor John Wilson. He and Doctor Thomas Shugert will be remembered as later physicians by many of the residents. (A special page on doctors will be found later in this issue.)

Greeley Davis, a veteran of the War of 1812, and his wife Lucy (Dow) Davis, married in Reading, N.Y. in 1811, moved to what was regarded as "The wilds of Warren County," Pennsylvania, several years later.

In 1841, he moved to a farm, purchased from the Huidekooper heirs, at Jerusalem Corners, near Pleasantville, Pa. In 1852, he moved to the Mill Farm where he lived until his death in 1863. His Mill Farm holding, near Neilltown, is known to this day as "Skunk Hollow," where the fetid odor of these small animals seemingly has prevailed.

Of the twelve children born to Greeley and Lucy(Dow) Davis, three remained in this corner of Pennsylvania: Alpheus Johnson Davis, in Warren, Pa.; Polly Mary, who married Flavius benedict, in Pleasantville; and hon. Ephraim Lemuel, the youngest of the 12, in Tionesta.

Flavius Benedict was born at Thompkins County, New York in 1822 and came to Enterprise in 1843. He was a wheelwright by occupation. In 1847 he married Mary Davis and moved to Venango County where he engaged in farming and later in the oil business.

The children of the Flavius Benedicts were : the sons Greeley and Orville, and a daughter Lillian, who married Mr. George Bugbee.

In 1847 John Kelley established the first harness shop. He bought two lots on what is now Second Street, but as the street was not laid out, he refused to build until it was done. In this way Second Street became a recognized street and here Mr. Kelley erected his house and shop. The first meeting of the Odd Fellows of Pleasantville was held in Mr. Kelley’s shop. Minutes of the meeting of the year1853 show that on March 13th a resolution was passed that our lodge withdraw from the Enterprise lodge. At this time they considered the building of a lodge and school house together. this was reported unfavorable. They later contracted with A. W. Dawson for the use of his residence on Chestnut Street, later occupied by A. W. Brown. Some of the members of the lodge were: A. Dawson, B.F.Lyon, John Benedict Jr., M.C.Beebe, E.R. Beebe, Thomas B. Shugert, Sam hatch, John G. Kelley, D. W. Henderson, Aaron Benedict Jr., Andrew Burrows, M.C. Benedict, George Cortez, Lafayette Darron, G.W.Fleming, Thomas Holmden, D.W.parker, A.D. Marvin, G. Hubbard, D.N. Tyrrel and Aaron Gates. These are only a few of the early settlers, but they were many others equally prominent. (There will be a lodge report found in this issue.)

A charter for the borough of Pleasantville was applied for in the winter of 1849-50 and it was incorporated by a special act of legislature on March 22, 1850, with 250 inhabitants, being second in the county.

The act of incorporation named Aaron Benedict, William Dawson and M.C. Beebe, commissioners to survey, define and mark the boundaries which included a square mile, from Jerusaleum Road to the Old Byles Road, east and west, and from Stony Hollow Road below Wege’s Hill to the Armstrong Farm, north and south. The first burgess was William Porter; the councilmen: A. Merrick, A.Dawson, J.W. Henderson and J.W. Parker.

The first board sidewalk of any length was built in 1850. As far as is known it was the first in the county and extended from the corner of main and State streets up Main to the Baptist Church. There was no subdivision of streets, the two principle streets, Main and State, being the only laid out. The other divisions were made later.

The same year the second store was built by John Henderson, brother of David Henderson, and was situated where the Eagle House stood, owned by H.C. Mapes (now Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Company).

Two acres of land were given by the Holland Land Company to Aaron benedict for use as a public burying ground. This ground is familiarly known as the "Old Cemetery." The first interment was that of Alvin, son of Aaron and Louisa Benedict, in 1824.

This brings the history of Pleasantville down to the year 1855. Between this time and the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861 there is little of interest to record. When the call of troops was sounded, the Hutchins and David Rogers were the first to enlist, walking to Titusville, to do so. Many others followed. The families left behind were generously looked after by the citizens who remained that many of the soldiers were able to save their money and start in business when they returned home. M.C. Bebee received a commission from Governor Curtin to visit camps and look after Pennsylvania men in hospitals or elsewhere who were in need of attention, thus being able to alleviate much suffering.

Oil was discovered in the vicinity of Pleasantville in 1865 and a few wells were pumped with a small return for two or three years, when in the fall of 1868 the rocks "poured out rivers of oil." Abram James driving with friends from Pithole to Titusville, claimed his "spirit guide" assumed control, hurried him to the northern end of a field in the William Porter farm, and hinted that streams of oil lay beneath and extended in a certain direction. He thrust a penny into the ground, negotiated a lease, borrowed money to drill, and on February 12, 1868, at eight hundred and fifty feet, Harmonial Well No. 1 pumped one hundred and thirty barrels of black oil.

It would be difficult to give a pen picture of the intense excitement that prevailed. The "spirit guide" was also known as a "divining rod. It was used to make a location for the well which set off the boom at Pithole. today the divining rod is still in use. A forked twig is used, usually hazel. the man who is seeking an underground vein of water, before digging a well, carries the forked twig in his hands and when he presumably is over a water spot, the stick twists and switches then the fork of the rod pulls downward.

Thousand of arrivals could be seen in Pleasantville weekly. Land was often sold at $5oo and sometimes as high as $4000 an acre. Many newcomers had to seek lodging in barns, sheds and stables. Buildings of all kinds were erected without delay, for hotel, store and bank accommodations, as well as all other wants of business and inhabitation. Many buildings were moved from Pithole, which had reached at that time a period of decline.

Thirty-two stage lines were operated daily from Pithole City and with the prospect of good transportation facilities, added to the natural healthfulness of the location, Pleasantville seemed in a fair way to becoming one of the larger towns of the oil country. The production reached three thousand barrels in 1868, but dropped to one thousand five hundred barrels in 1870. As the wells declined, the floating population moved to new fields. The Great Fire which occurred on the morning of December 23rd, 1871, consumed the greater portion of the business section, breaking out in the New York Hotel on South Main Street, burning the Germer Hardware Store, the St. Nicholas Block which occupied the present side of the Holman block, and consisted of nearly a dozen places of business, clothing, boot and shoe, and drug stores, with various offices. the fire crossed to the north side of State Street, burning the McKinney House on the site of the Eagle Hotel, Corwin’s Hardware, Deutsch’s Clothing Store, and two or three other business blocks. The Chase House, a three story frame building with one hundred fifty front, which had been moved here from Pithole, succumbed to the flames. Brown’s store, on the site of the present Odd Fellow’s Block, was saved by almost superhuman effort. These buildings were most of them replaced by substantial brick structures, and the life of the town resumed its normal course. Oil production took on a new lease of life, in the eighties, giving business a new impetus, and a number of profitable leases are still being operated in the vicinity.

Manufacturing has never held an important place in the history of our development. Mr. Chris Netcher, in 1867, built a cooper shop on the present site of the United Brethren Church, the largest shop ever here, having a double fireplace. Later he built another one at the rear of Mrs. Herbert’s lot which was run by Mr. Fred Propheter.

Wege’s store was built by Mr. henry Wege in 1867. He kept a bakery and grocery store. ( Mr. Lawrence Watson presently have their residence at this location).

The Eagle Iron and Mill Works established in 1868 by J. Locke and son on State Street was removed in 1876 to Grand or Shamburg Street, where flour and lumber mills were erected and the manufacture of oil well machinery, wagons, etc. was carried on until the early eighties.

The House and Duell Shop, afterwards House and Boss, then House and Kelly, was located on State Street, west of the MacMillan blacksmith shop. This contained a wagon, blacksmith and paint shop, where very fine carriage painting was done.

The business element now consists largely of those engaged in the oil business, dealers in oil well supplies, and the merchants who supply the borough and surrounding territory.

The people of Pleasantville have always been noted for their generosity and helpfulness, and when the Great World War became a terrible reality, many of our young men answered the call. The Pleasantville Branch of the Titusville Red Cross Chapter was organized on May 29, 1917. Mr. R.M. Davidson, a most public-spirited man, and one always vitally interested in the affairs of the town, served as chairman. The enthusiasm of the workers continued through the war and membership increased to 479 members in 1919, Pleasantville going over the top in all of the drives, and contributing a large number of Knitted garments and supplies.

The woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Pleasantville was organized February 22, 1882, with a membership of ten, including officers. Mrs. J.F.Carll was president. Their meetings were carried on for many years. this Union maintained for two years a temperance hotel in the house later occupied by Alfred Lamb. J.H. Dunham was the landlord, succeeded by N.R.Wilbur. This house is now owned by Dr. W.D. Stewart. This society at one time held a Carnival of Nations which netted over two hundred dollars. The Allegheny Union was formed at Bean Farm August 10, 1891, afterwards uniting with the Pleasantville members. In 1921 this Union had 135 members in good standing

Many men prominent in public life name Pleasantville as their birthplace or were there during the oil excitement; one made famous by the World War id Frederick Palmer, war correspondent and author, whose birthplace was situated on the Enterprise Road. The house is no longer standing but the site has been marked. Lena Gilbert Ford, who wrote "Keep the Home Fires Burning," and who met her death in London by a German bomb, was born near the Armstrong Farm, now owned by Elmer Lindquist.

The residents of Pleasantville numbered about seven hundred in 1921. They were justly proud of their beautiful borough, with its many municipal improvements. There was a chance of obtaining a state road, which would add to the population and status of the town. They had their own water works, sewage disposal plant, concrete walks, a volunteer fire department, street lights, school advantages second to none in the county, and a class of citizens of highly moral and intelligent standing, who, working in a spirit of harmony promoted the Centennial Celebration held on August 24-25-26, 1921 which was an event unprecedented in the history of the town. Never before was anything so pretentious undertaken, but with the cooperation of all loyal citizens it was carried to a most successful finish. Perfect weather favored the three gala days and the town was beautiful in her holiday garb.

Wednesday, August 24 was set aside for registration Day, and by many was voted the most interesting part of the celebration. A room in the I.O.O.F Building was used as a museum and headquarters, which was open for six days. here old residents registered in a Ledger which occupied the place of honor on the old oak desk which was used in the first oil exchange located on the Armstrong Farm. "Fortunes were made and lost" on that desk. It was in this corner of the museum that friend met friend and old acquaintances were renewed. Considering the size of the town and the facilities at hand for displaying relics, the museum was truly remarkable. The exhibits included old books, newspapers, furniture, wearing apparel, dishes, linen, firearms, portraits, spinning wheels, cover lids, one made in 1758, pieces of stoneware, made in old pottery, and a wonderful display from the collection of Mr. E. C. Bell, of Titusville, showing the development of the oil industry and the evolution of oil lamps.

Perhaps the events of the greatest to the oil men were exercises Wednesday afternoon held in the free Methodist Auditorium, and Drake Day on Thursday. In Wednesday’s gathering Hon. George E. Mapes of Philadelphia a former resident, was the principal speaker, and he spoke most interestingly on Reminiscences of Early Oildom. A history of Pleasantville from the settlement in 1821, including the oil excitement, and down to the present day, was read by Miss Mildred Beebe, one of Pleasantville’s native daughters, and in the Open Forum, brief, reminiscent remarks were made by George C. Priestly of Philadelphia a former resident and then connected with one of the largest independent oil concerns in the world; by Reverend Foster a former pastor of the M.E.Church; and by Harvey J. Hopkins, of Buffalo, N.Y. The singing was led by William Corwin of Robinson, Ill. and the exercises were in charge of E.D.House, President of the Centennial Committee, and a descendant of Aaron benedict, founder of the town. The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to baseball and sports on the athletic field, where a new grandstand had been erected.

From a social standpoint the reception Wednesday evening, under the auspices of the Woman’s Club, was a most important and enjoyable event. It was held on four lawns facing Chestnut Street, the following residents opening their houses and grounds for the occasion: Mr. and Mrs. J.E.Oyer, now occupied by Collage Inn, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Sutton, now owned by Lloyd Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Skinner, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. David Lehman and Mr. and Mrs. Ed House, parents of Frances House Deiter. Of all these former residents, Mrs. House is the only one still living. The lawns were artistically lighted with electric lights, covered with Japanese lanterns and the houses were beautifully decorated. An orchestra from Titusville played throughout the evening and large bowls of punch were conveniently placed on the lawns. A receiving line of the officers of the Woman’s Club and the Centennial Committee was formed on the Oyer lawn, and after all had been greeted a general handshaking and good time ensued. Over a thousand people were present and the general opinion was expressed that the reception was a most auspicious opening for the celebration.

On Thursday August 25, Drake Day, automobile trips of interest in Pleasantville to the Drake Well, Shamburg, Pithole, Plumer, Red Hot, Tight Pinch, Cashup, Skunk Hollow, Wagerforth City, Bean Farm and Clark Farm were enjoyed by oil men, returning at one o’clock for a dinner at Fieldmore Hotel, given by the Centennial Committee to the officers of the Drake Day Association. Several addresses were made and the men returned to Pleasantville in time for the baseball game at four o’clock. At eight o’clock a band concert was given by the National Transit Band of Oil City on the athletic field.

Friday, the "Big Day" of the Centennial, dawned clear and bright, and it was perhaps on this day more than on any other that all the weeks of preparation and willing cooperation reached their culmination. the Historical Parade, with the efficient leadership and untiring efforts of Mrs. J.E.Oyer, Chairman, assisted by the loyal sons and daughters of the town, was a great success, and caused favorable comment from persons who had witnessed similar affairs in large cities and declared they had never seen a more wonderful demonstration. The parade, consisting of over one hundred floats, told far better than words the life story of the little town, all its joys and sorrows, ups and downs, from the time of the turning of the first spadeful of earth and the felling of the giants in the forest primeval to the day when the little town lived to see all modern improvements and could hold up her head in pride for the hundred years she had lived nobly and well. The parade moved promptly at ten o’clock and the line was so long that it was nearly noon before the last vehicle arrived at the athletic field where the parade disbanded.

Col. R.Bruce Gamble, of Meadville, was a most able chief marshal, while the military aides consisting of ex-servicemen of the town and the state police, gave an impressiveness to the demonstration which otherwise would have rendered it much less attractive.

All through the parade were woven the ideals of this town, depicted in floats by the sons and daughters of the younger generations----- The Herald, History ,Memory, Faith, The Cross, Patriotism, Valor, Victory, Peace, Community Spirit. In one division we see the industries of the pioneer town ----The Cobbler, The Cooper, The Wool Producer, The Potter, Modes of Travel from the Pillion Riders and the Old Carriages to the Bicycles and the First Automobile, Methods of Farming, and Progress of the Cross Cut Saw. patriotism was depicted by the Battle Scars left on the town by Spirit of ’76, Spirit of 1812, Veterans of ’76, Spanish War Veterans, The G.A.R., and the D.A.R. Town organizations such as the W.C.T.U. the Woman’s Club, and the Red Cross were represented. the future generations were shown in Child Welfare and the babies’ Floats, and perhaps the most interesting to old timers, were the Oil Industry, Through Three Score and Ten, From the Discovery of the Indians Using Blankets to Take Oil Off the Water, Pioneer Drilling, Spring Pole Derrick, The Drake Well, The Prospector, Modern Drilling, including methods of transportation and refining, up to the modern highly improved methods. One derrick shot confetti when a lever was pushed and one well visibly pumped oil. "Main Street," Pleasantville was occupied by the merchants and business institutions of the town. Many more excellent floats occupied their appropriate places. The disbanding of the parade left each citizen with a feeling of reverence for their beloved town and a renewal of loyalty in each heart.

At twelve o’clock an ox roast was enjoyed at the athletic field. From two o’clock to four o’clock, field sports and the Grand Finale were enjoyed. A Mardi Gras in the evening, also held at the athletic field, was ably managed by Mrs. J.L.Wilbur, and was a remarkable display of originality and versatility procurable in home talent.

Thus Pleasantville’s Centennial, the greatest celebration the little one-hundred year-old town had ever attempted, closed amid the cheers of perhaps in all 10,000 visitors, who during the three days came and went among friends, renewed their youth, and with a greater measure of all joy gleanable from the ups and downs of life, returned to their home, glad that theirs was the privilege to be present at this celebration.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN-THE OIL INDUSTRY OF THE PLEASANTVILLE AREA.
According to Paul H. Gidden’s book Early Days of Oil, "one day late in the fall of 1867, Abram James, an ardent spiritualist, was driving from Pithole to Ttitusville with three friends. A mile south of Pleasantville the "spirit guide" caused him to jump out of the conveyance and leap over the fence into a field on the William Porter farm. Hurrying to the north end of the field, James fell to the ground, marked the spot with his finger, thrust a penny into the dirt and fell back, pale and rigid. Restored to consciousness, James told his friends of a revelation that streams of oil lay beneath the soil. He leased the property, borrowed money, raised a derrick over the spot where the penny lay and commenced drilling amid the scoffs of unbelievers. When down 700 feet and past the third sand rock, he became a laughingstock, but kept on drilling. Early in February 1869, James struck oil and his well, called the Harmonial in honor of the spiritual philosophy, pumped 130 barrels a day. The usual hurly-burly followed. Each new strike increased excitement.

In a short time experienced oilmen were willing to pay $500 to $1250 an acre. Scores of wells were being drilled in the Pleasantville field, and they turned out to be very good. By the spring of 1868, the oil scenes of Pithole were being reenacted in Pleasantville. In two months time, during the summer of 1868 the population of the borough jumped from 1,000 to 3,000. What had been a quiet village was transformed into a bustling oil town; however, Pleasantville was unique in the fact that while it possessed many characteristics of pioneer oil towns, it had none of the repulsive features. An established civilization preceded the oil rush and the high moral standards of the residents kept the community free from vice of all sorts."

It may be of some additional interest that instead of erecting new buildings, people moved many of those at Pithole to Pleasantville. The Chase House (hotel) was one of these.

John F.Carll, a Pennsylvania state geologist, was a resident of Pleasantville during the 1860s, living in what is now the Raymond Petroski home on East State Street. He served as burgess of Pleasantville in 1869 and 1870. He was very well known for his early geological work in the production of oil in Venango County, also for his archelogical interests in area Indian life.

Means of transportation in the early oil period was by horse-drawn vehicles over dirt and later, plank roads. One such road existed between Pleasantville and Titusville and carried regular stage coach runs. At a later period, the main method changed to electric trolley. This conveyance brought in the necessary oil supplies in freight cars called "Deweys."

Pleasantville services, such as stores and banks, prospered as the production of oil continued to increase. Oil supplies were sold by the two general hardware stores in town, Benjamin Corwin and H.C. Mapes. later others served the need at various times.

After the initial excitement died down and production lessened, many left the community, but those who remained continued to work on their own, but by the 1920s and ‘30s many sold their rights to large companies.

From 1868 to 1926, mainly primary production (natural flow of oil from the sand) was used. In 1926 secondary recovery (using re-pressuring with air and gas to force oil out of the sand) was begun in the Pleasantville field. This revived interest in the production of oil

The depression time of the ‘30s left its mark on the local oil industry as it did on many other business enterprises. The price of oil declined from a high of $6.10 a barrel in 1920, sliding to $5 and $3 during the ‘20s, continuing to as low as $1.42 and $1.22 per barrel, in the ‘30s. Also in the era wages of $2.00 and $3.00 a day for twelve-hour days were usual.

World War II with its need for more oil brought venturesome operators and new capital into the local area. This resulted in new drilling and more extensive use of secondary recovery methods. Since that time new methods have been developed which have been very successful

Some of the residents in the Pleasantville area who were active in early oil production activities included the following men and many of their descendants.

John Brown, owner of a general store, and his three sons, John F., Samuel Q., and Alex W. acquired properties and increased their fortunes in oil. Samuel Q. Brown was later President of Tidewater Pipe Company.

Harvey M. Haskell moved from Pithole to Pleasantville, very early in the Pleasantville strike. His four sons followed in his career , with Frank becoming prominent in the early development of Tidewater Oil Co. Wm. A., Fred M. and Harry H. Haskell carried on their father’s original interests.

Other very early producers were Isaac Doolittle, Alfred Lamb and Charles Wait. Dr. John M. Wilson also held properties; later carried on by his son, Samuel Q. Wilson.

Following this era, R. M. Davidson, James L. Wilbur, George P. Herbert, Emmett Smith, Wilbur Scofield, George Shaw and George West (partners), and Homer Bryner, who sold his holdings to South Penn Oil Co., operated properties in the area. Still other operators were Daniel Beason, William Fields, Frank Keeley, Milton S. Carnahan, Ed Skinner, Benjamin Corwin, H.H. Noyes, Nelson A. Shelmadine and Orb and Greeley Benedict.

Those of a later period were Bailey Bros. (James M., Domer J. and Roy E.), Burrows Bros. (David N. and W.Earl), Frank Williams, Charles and Arthur Carson, Theodore Kingsley, C.C. Hogg (President, National Petroleum Co.), Oscar Johnson, Lytle Bros. (William T. and John A.), Roy and John Holtz and Percy Arnold.

Present day operators in the Pleasantville field are less numerous; however, there are a few local producers and quite a number of contractors still actively engaged.

PLEASANTVILLE ----- AN OIL BOOM TOWN

There can be nothing more exciting in any town than the discovery of mineral deposits. The inhabitants are literally "wild" and people from all parts of the earth come to invest money trying to make more money. Thus in 1859 the first oil well was put down five miles west Pleasantville near Oil Creek and in Venango County. The BOOM hit Pleasantville in 1871 with the drilling of the Harmonial Well, a well that flowed oil as a result of pressure in a thin sand horizon about 900 feet below the surface. Photos taken my Mather of this 50-acre spot show drilling rigs drilling the new oil wells were so close together that a person could walk from one well to the next without stepping on the ground.

Excitement? It goes without the question mark----just plain exclamations and plenty of them. A railroad was started into the town. five hotels were built, people flocked in to share in the Liquid Gold. Large homes were built and the taverns did a lush business. The hotel register books at the Eagle House show that many prominent people of the day stayed there. Oil equipment shops lined the streets especially South Main Street where the major excitement started. (Oil seekers who could not afford expensive drilling tools often "kicked down" a well.) The dirt roads were planked to eliminate the mud holes and sidewalks were built-----all improving the town. It should be mentioned that these wood-planked roads were usually Toll Roads, the toll money being used for their maintenance.

Within five years this initial excitement died, many wells were drilled inside the borough limits but they did not produce large quantities of oil and thus did not give the expected quick wealth that speculators were looking for. Yet the town prospered, the citizens owned or worked on properties in the immediate area and made a small but honest living. Naturally there were a few promoters who always tried to live high on someone else’s money, but they were few in number.

The oil from the first wells was hauled in wooden barrels by horse and wagon. The teamsters had to drive through deep mud to gather the oil at the well tanks. It must have been a great feeling to see a plank road ahead of them probably similar to our driving the side roads to reach the super highway. Soon the pipelines reached each individual well and the teamster was out of work, progress was in the making. Until about 1940 seventy five percent of the citizens either owned or worked in the oil fields. Today probably ten men spend their time producing oil in one capacity or another.
The second excitement started with the secondary recovery methods of producing oil. The natural pressures in the producing sands having been so reduced that little oil came into the well other methods were tried. First was a method devised to pull the oil into the well, a suction pump was devised to do this work. This method worked wonders on some wells but did nothing for others. Later air or gas was injected into special "intake " wells. This forced the oil from the intake well into surrounding producing wells. This method kept many citizens employed until the early 1960s when oil production again declined to the "non-economical" status that required another engineering marvel. The new method was Hydro-Fracturing and is at present the hope of the oil producer.
The future of Pleasantville as an oil industry town looks unlikely at the present time but anything can happen especially if everyone is looking for work and has to return to our so-called depleted oil fields. There is plenty of oil in the sand reservoirs even in the borough of Pleasantville. A better price per barrel might enliven our staid town to a boom town again.
Natural gas was found in small quantities in the Third Sand at a depth of approximately 950 feet below the surface. A well drilled during the first oil excitement was the "Say Well" located in the backyard of the Dr. Shugart (now George Forssell) residence. The gas gushing from this well could be heard downtown, or so the record reports. Gas from these few wells furnished light and heat for many homes and shops. The "Corwin Well" located just east of the borough is still furnishing heat for one home. This well supplied gas for a large home and a large business establishment in the borough for many years.
Very few towns can boast of a former opera house, business buildings with balconies displaying the latest styles from New York and Paris, and an early-dated water and sanitary system. Oil developed the town but it also brought the headaches of the boom area. One of these was an outbreak of fever that ravaged through the area, the cemeteries telling the story. This fever was undoubtedly caused by the waste materials dumped at the rear of the new hotels in huge piles along side the natural spring water sources. The ecology changes and always for the better. We hope another oil boom rejuvenates the town.
MAINTENANCE OF OIL WELLS
The early oil well sites were surrounded by mud, oil and salt water from the wells mixing it into a "gooey" mess . The drilling rig of the early well was left in place so that tubing and rods could be pulled if necessary. Later the rig was torn down timber by timber and moved to the next drilling location. This left no derrick to lift the thirty foot joints of pipe and rods. A three pole derrick approximately forty feet in height was then erected to assist in this work. This derrick had an iron pin through the top with a clevice and a wood step ladder up one leg for the men to climb and attach the block and line to the clevice. The three pole was gradually abandoned in favor of a single pole that had guy wires attached to the top. These wires ran to the ground and were tied to stakes, supporting the pole in an upright position. This pole also had steps for climbing to the top, sometimes wood and sometimes steel pins. The permanent derrick pole disappeared and was replaced by a portable jointed pole that was hauled from well to well, a much speedier and safer method. A team of horses hauled the men and their equipment from well to well. The helper always did the climbing and the hard work while the teamster drove the team and supervised and tried to run over the helper’s lunch pail when it fell off the wagon. The teams were outdated and a farm tractor with a pulling winch took over the work. Progress appeared again and a truck, carrying the pole or mast and a winch with motor, backed up to the wellsite. The pole was raised by winch line or hydraulically, the men pull the pipe and rods, make repairs and put them back in the well. Strange as it seems the early pulling crews in this area of shallow wells consisted of two men. Today two men still operate the equipment, the difference being that these men can now repair twice as many wells in a day as formerly . The helper still does the harder work but with more assistance from the operator.
The horse-operated pulling crew required a pair of horses that were well trained. They worked together and stopped immediately when the reins were slackened, also standing still when reins were dropped whether with a heavy load or not. Rarely were two young horses worked together; one older better trained horse was always teamed with the young horse until he learned how the work was to progress. Accidents did happen and many a string of pipe was dropped due to hornets or wasps stinging the horses so badly that they could not be controlled.

Some well-pulling crews specialized in pulling deeper wells, while a few specialized in abandoned wells. These crews carried more equipment with them on the wagons, the former taking extra and heavier pulling sheaves or blocks and extra lines. The abandoning crews always had heavy lift jacks to pull the casing and the heavy drive pipe. It was a beautiful sight to see teams leave town in the early morning, the heavy draft horses prancing as they hauled the wagons and men to work and the men calling back and forth with the latest news. Now the crews leave pulling machines on the lease and drive to work in their cars.
"THE GRETA FIRE OF PLEASANTVILLE"
The fire broke out in Pleasantville at ten o’clock on the morning of the 23rd day of December, 1871. The origin of the fire was in the garret of the New York Hotel and was discovered by Mary Devlon. It consumed all the main portion of the block, which consisted of the New York Hotel, Genner’s Hardware Store, the St. Nicholas Block, which extended about one hundred feet on lower main Street and the same on State Street. This block occupied the present site of the Holman Block.

The fire destroyed Mallet and Wares Shoe Store, Henry Stahl’s Clothing Store, J. Taylors Barber Shop, D. Monon’s Meat Market, D. Robinson’s Cigar Store and Shanks Fruit Stand.

The fire crossed over to the North side of State Street and destroyed the Chase House opposite the New York Hotel and swept off the McKinney House, which occupied the site where the Eagle Hotel used to stand. This now is the corner occupied by the Pennsylvania Bank & Trust Company. The flames swept on to consume the Corwin’s Hardwaree Store and Deutch’s Clothing House.
The fire then blew over from the new York hotel and burned the Chase House opposite the Hotel, which was a three story frame building. The Brown’s Store was saved by almost super-human effort.

The following places of business were also destroyed. Barnes’ Hardware Store, to the south and then returning to the southeast corner of Main and State Street, the flames consumed C.R. Sharback’s Store, E. Eakin Grocery, Loey and Roses Machine Shop, N. Honey’s Livery Stable, C. Seymour’s hardware Store and J. Wilson’s Blacksmith Shop.
The fire continued on the north side of State Street. , the flames consumed C.R. Sharback’s Store, E. Eakin Grocery, Loey and Roses Machine Shop, N. Honey’s Livery Stable, C. Seymour’s hardware Store and J. Wilson’s Blacksmith Shop.
The fire continued on the north side of State Street. Dr. Shugert’s Drug Store, E. Seutcher’s Clothing Store, J. Feldman’s Dry Goods, J. Corwin’s Tin Store, Mrs. McNeill’s Millinery Store and Squire Haiglet’s Law Office. All were completely destroyed.
All the stores were full of goods and when the teamsters came along they were invited to load their wagons and haul goods away from the burning buildings. Some of them did and were never heard from afterward.
Losses amounted to $150,000. One man, H.H. Locke was injured in a fall from the top of a building, but no human lives were lost.
Losses amounted to $150,000. One man, H.H. Locke was injured in a fall from the top of a building, but no human lives were lost.
This history was taken from the Joseph A. Caldwell’s History of Venango County, published in 1879 and also copied from The Titusville Herald.
(Picture of Free Methodist Church Building in Pleasantville, PA.)

(Noted for the classic simplicity and beauty of its Colonial architecture.)
This beautiful church with its simple classic lines and quiet dignity, was selected by the advisory committee of the Historical American Building Survey as possessing sufficient historic and architectural interest to be recorded in the Library of Congress and worthy of preservation, and a tablet is installed in the church which testifies to the fact.
The church is believed to be the oldest church in the oildom area and the only historic building of its nature from this area that is mentioned in current history books.
At the present time, the Pleasantville society is encouraged to uphold the standards that Free Methodism originally founded upon, committed to the task of spreading Scriptual holiness.
HISTORIC EDIFICE
(123 years old this year)
The beautiful and historic Free Methodist Church built in 1848 (dedicated January 6, 1848) is located at the junction of North Main Street and the Enterprise Road.
The 100th anniversary of this beautiful, historic edifice was observed September 22-25, 1949. The present minister, Rev. D. N. Thomas, who was then District Superintendent and rev. George Oglesby, present Western Area Superintendent have been most helpful in furnishing much of the following information concerning the ministers who have served the circuit.
  • Rev. F.E. Glass
  • Rev. Clara Ingram Goodwin
  • Rev. Helen Critchlow
  • Rev. R.M. Whitcomb
  • 1907.Rev. E.L.Monroe
  • 1910. Rev. C.E. Weaver
  • 1913. Rev. H.D.Call
  • 1914. Rev. C.O. Whitford
  • 1917. Rev. F.B. Smith
  • 1920. Rev. B.P. Hogan
  • 1922. Rev. D.A. Davidson
  • 1925. Rev. B.J.Hall
  • 1928. Rev. J.E. Kiffer
  • 1929. Rev. J.F. McClelland
  • 1933. Rev. J.J. Ginader
  • 1934. Rev. T.W.Murrary
  • 1937. Rev. Lyle Donnelly
  • 1941. Rev. J.F. Collins
  • 1943. Rev. F.W. Parks
  • 1947. Rev. R.E. Allinger
  • 1948. Rev. A.C. Thompson
  • 1952. Rev. Samuel Stimer
  • 1956. Rev. E.E. Jacobs
  • 1959. Rev. D.M.Kiffer
  • 1963. Rev. D.N. Thomas
  • 1966. Rev. David Fye
  • 1969. Rev. Dallas McKendree
  • 1969. Rev. D.N.Thomas

Originally this building, according to the history of Venango County published by J.A. Caldwell and edited by J.H.Newton in 1879, was the property of the Allegheny Baptist Church, which was organized by Aaron Benedict, founder of Pleasantville, in 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Tenant, Mrs. Copeland, 90 years old, and probably Mrs. West, sister-in-law of Mr. benedict, and Aaron Benedict and his wife were six original members. Elder Blake was the first minister.

The next minister, of which there is any record, was E.M.Miles, and at a business meeting (May 1, 1837) it was voted to give $200 a year, or more, as long as he should remain. Five of the benedicts subscribed $120, Mr. Porter $20. On May 1, 1838, Samuel Miles took the place of E.M.Miles. On December 4, 1843, the church voted to engage Elder Hicks as pastor for the ensuing year.

On February 22, 1845, I. Hicks asked for and obtained letters of dismissal, but Elder Hicks seems to have continued, for in 1856-7, he was still with the church.

On August 21, 1847, Aaron Benedict Sr., presented two deeds to the church one for the site of the church and one for the parsonage "when" the congregation completed the church and parsonage, and not before then. On July 22, 1848, the church decided to release Elder Hicks.

The new church was dedicated January 6, 1848. On July 21, 1849, the church voted to engage Elder Spratt for one year. On August 26, 1843, Elder Spratt resigned. On April 20, 1854, the church voted to hire Elder Wilcox, for one year. On February 23, 1856, the church voted to give letters of dismissal to "Brother and Sister Wilcox", and April 26 voted to circulate a subscription to support Elder hicks while he remained with them.

On April 25, 1857, Elder Bingham, resigned and on May 26, 1860, Elder Green was elected pastor. On April 26, 1852, the church called Haskell to preach for one year. He remained for eleven months. On April 30, 1854, the church called Elder Willoughby to the pastorate. On May 26, 1866 Elder Davis and wife handed in letters of recommendation from the Springfield church. On March 21, 1868, letters of dismissal were granted to elder Davis and wife. On March 28, 1869, Elder Hurlbert began his labors with the church.

In July, 1871, elder Trowbridge was called to the pastorate and on July 5, 1873, he resigned . On October 3 , 1874, Brother Pierce was invited to occupy the parsonage and was ordained February 28, 1875. On, November 7, 1875, he preached his farewell sermon. In 1879 the church had no pastor.

From the now deceased Glenn Wilcox of Titusville, custodian of papers of importance to the Free Methodist Church, the following information was furnished.

"The church was bought by the Free Methodist organization from the Baptists in 1909 for $700. From a larger tract of land designated on the map of an early survey by the Holland Land Co. as No. 129, the same property was deeded by the Allegheny Baptist Church to Oil Creek Baptist Association, the deed being dated June 6, 1894."

This leaves a gap of about 15 years----1879-1894. There is also a gap of 15 years from 1894 to 1909. There is no information about the buildings being occupied, but general opinion seems to be that it was unused.

The deed to the trustees of the Free Methodist Church reads as follows.
"By and between Oil Creek Baptists Association, Inc., of Erie, Pa., by trustees, J.V.B. Smiley, D.L. Woods, L.J.Dyke, W.H. Dennis, W.G. Carll, B.H. Miller, to Trustees (Free Methodist) T.W. Zuver, C.C. Howard, John Botsford, D. Strang, Charles Latshaw, Jefferson Dean, and John Walbridge, Jr. Price $700."
Mr. O.B. McIntyre and Mr. T.U. Zuver were instrumental in planning the purchase of the church.

Members of the congregation are justly proud of their lovely, historic building which they have kept in excellent repair. the wall to wall carpeting, and much of the present furnishing were gifts to the church by well-wishers, friends, and in memoriam gifts.

This beautiful edifice in a most picturesque setting is recorded as one of Pennsylvania’s State Landmarks in Venango County.

The welcome mat is always out to any visitors who may wish to worship in this lovely historic church. We bid you a warm and welcome in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. We invite you to participate in our Ritual of Friendship so that we may come to know each other better. Especially we hope you will come to know Christ better in these moments of worship. Before the service begins, speak to Him in prayer. During the service let Christ speak to you, and afterwards let us speak to each other. may God help each of us to "Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set."----Proverbs 22:28.

THE PLEASANTVILLE CAMPGROUNDS OF THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH

From information available it appears that the first camp meeting to be held at Pleasantville was in 1899, in Brown’s Grove, under the direction of D.B. Tobey, District Elder of the Oil City District.

Brown’s Grove with its fine young growth of white oak, pure spring water, natural slope affording good drainage, and its central location, made an ideal camp ground. However, at that time it was not deemed wise, for the best interest of the work, to have a permanent location, so for the next two years camps were held at other points in the district. they did return to Pleasantville for the 1902 camp, but in 1903 went to Oil City. because it was becoming increasingly difficult to secure satisfactory sites, in January of 1904, a number of the leading laymen and clergy of the district organized the Pleasantville Camp meeting Association, Incorporated. Six hundred shares of stock were issued at $5.00 a share, and with these funds the brown Grove at Pleasantville was purchased and given to the Oil City District Quarterly Conference. beginning with the summer of 1904, fifty-five successive camps have been held there.

In 1912 and in 1914 additional land was purchased by the Oil City District, increasing the original ten acreage to twenty-five.

The camp witnessed rapid growth, 120 tents being necessary to shelter the campers. It was estimated that as many as 5,000 were in attendance on Sunday. The first permanent building to be erected was the main tabernacle with a seating capacity of nearly 2,000. This has been followed by the erection of a dining hall seating 300, and seven dormitories with facilities to accommodate 200 people. In addition there are 50 privately owned cottages, and from 35 to 40 tents are in use each year.

The camp is piped for gas and water and also adequately lighted with electricity . Two wells furnish the water at the present time. Complete sewage and septic systems are in operation.

In 1943 the Oil City Conference entered into an agreement with the Oil City District Quarterly Conference, in view of holding the annual conference sessions on the campgrounds, and proceeded to erect the large brick dormitory, known as the B.J.Hall Memorial Building.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PLEASANTVILLE PA.

It is somewhat difficult to gather up the fragments of the history of the First United Presbyterian Church, and yet when all is pieced together we find that we have had to go back many years before, in order to keep from confusing the names of the Concord and the Mt. Vernon churches.

In the year 1794, over 176 years ago, four families moved into this region. William McCaslin, William Broadhead and William Lytle directly from County Tyrone, Ireland, and William Neill from Centre County, Pennsylvania. these people settled in the areas which became known as the Tyrrell Farm, the Mill Farm, the Siggins Farm and Neillsburgh. No settlement was made in what is now the borough of Pleasantville until 25 years later. These families just mentioned built their homes in the forest, and conscientiously maintained the religion of their fathers. For years they worshipped God in their homes taking turns about on Sundays until all had shared in this privilege. It was a joyous time when a circuit minister would occasionally come among them and they could hear God’s word proclaimed by a minister of their faith and have the sacraments administered.

These early settlers did not neglect the education of their children . A few years later they built a log school house southeast of Pleasantville – a short distance from the present Fred Holtz home. This was a central place among the families. It was here they met for prayer and worship and an occasional Sunday School. Here, the minister, when he came, held communion Services which with other services lasted from Friday until Monday.

Here was organized in the year 1822, 28 years after the first settlement, the old Concord Church. About this time, H.I. Huidekooper, general agent of the Holland Land Company, deeded for the sum of $1.00, two acres of land near the log school house to be forever used for church and burying ground purposes. Here all the neighbors came together and with their own hands and the little money they could contribute, built a church and gave it to the Lord free of debt. In 1826 the first sermon was preached in this new church building. During the next decade, this church increased in numbers and in interest. many times the little meeting house was full to overflowing. People came from Tionesta, Tidioute and Rynd farm. Then sad havoc came to this church as well as many other churches in this region. The storm had been gathering for years. The best authorities are of the opinion that the main issues which divided the church were those relating to constitutional law and to general missionary policy.

Father Tait of Mercer came to hold communion services in the little church in the woods. He preached Friday and Saturday and before administering the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, took the four elders aside and asked them to sign the Test Act. upholding the General Assembly in its course. Two signed it and two did not. The one party could not be induced to give way under any circumstances. To accentuate the strained position an old feeling existed among some of the families now took definite shape. Nothing would reconcile the two groups and the Concord Church was divided into the Old and the New School. Most of those who adhered to the Old School branch lived in the neighborhood of Neillsburgh, later to be known as Neilltown. After a few years they built a church there and transferred the organization of the Concord Church to Neillsburgh. Thus was given the name Concord to the church at Neillsburgh and the church in the woods was left without a name.

That part of the membership which clung to the New School worshipped for a time in the old building. In 1850 services for the New School branch begin to be held in what was then called Covenanter Church which is now the Presbyterian Chapel.This part of the old Concord Church took new life and organized itself into the New School Presbyterian Church of Pleasantville and bought the Chapel then owned by the Convenanters. However, after a brief ministry under a Mr. Allison during which many of the staunch supporters of the branch died, the church itself died a natural death and the property was purchased by the United Presbyterian Society which was then organized in Pleasantville.

Now before going on to the organization of the present church, let us go back for a moment to the Old Concord Church structure. By 1876, nothing remained of the building but the sills and the church which had been built 54 years previously and in which 50 years of service were held, tumbled down and became prey to oil men who used it for fuel or carried it off to build engine houses. The last use made of the building was to shelter a man who had smallpox. Today there is nothing left of the church property except the cemetery which is overgrown with weeds, briars and thornbushes.

Now we come to the present church, the First United Presbyterian Church of Pleasantville, which was incorporated in 1910 as the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasantville when Mr. Bucher was the minister. It is not, as some say, the child of the Concord Church at Neilltown, but rather a child of the Old Concord Church in the woods, or more properly the Mt. Vernon Church. In 1859 out of the ruins of the old Concord Church a new church arose. It was organized in the old Presbyterian Church. This newly organized church prospered for only about a year.

In the fall of 1866 a Reverend J. J. Smith became stated supply of the Concord Church at Neilltown preaching alternately between there and Pleasantville. There was no organized Presbyterian Congregation here at that time, neither did they have a house of worship, but the trustees of the United Presbyterian Church Society permitted the use of their building when not occupied by themselves.

In 1867 the Presbyterians in and around Pleasantville proposed to ask Erie Presbytery to organize a church a Pleasantville. A few days before the meeting of Presbytery, as many members of the Mt. Vernon Church as could be gathered together, met at the United Presbyterian Church building and there they resolved that the Presbytery of Erie be respectfully requested at its next meeting to change the name of Mt. Vernon to the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church, thus avoiding a new organization. This request was granted.

Soon after the organization in 1867 the members of the church and congregation felt the need of a house of worship of their own. This feeling took definite form in the midst of the oil excitement around 1868. In the month of June 1869, the foundation was laid, and the whole structure was completed on the following first of January, 1870. The 8th day of January was solemnly set apart for dedication of the church building.

The afternoon before dedication, it was found that there was a debt of over $4,000 to be paid. Dr. Cyrus Dickson of Baltimore, who was present to preach the dedication sermon, insisted that the whole debt be paid before giving the church to the lord. So a few friends started out that afternoon and before night the debt had been cancelled. Thus the church building was dedicated January 8, 1870.

The First United Presbyterian Church of Pleasantville, Pa. has been served by the following ministers:
Reverend: J.Jones Smyth 1866 - 1873
Reverend: L. McLachlan 1873 - 1882
Reverend: S.B.Stevenson 1882 - 1888
Reverend: S.T. Lewis 1889 – 1892
Reverend: J.A. Cunningham 1893 – 1898
Reverend: Robert Murray, Supply 1899 - 1899
Reverend: Roger Charnock 1900 - 1906
Reverend: Robert Murray, Supply 1906 - 1907
Reverend: Victor Bucher 1907 - 1943
Reverend: Arland V. Briggs 1943 – 1948
Reverend: Joseph G. DuCoer 1949 - 1951
Reverend: Geo. Doremus, Supply 1951 - 1952
Reverend: George H. Kehrli 1952 - 1958
Reverend: Curtis Shaw 1958 - 1965
Reverend: Donald Byers 1965 - 1968
Reverend: David A. Lingle 1969 –

In the summer of 1870 a bell weighing 800 pounds and costing $400 was purchased by the Sewing Society and placed in the belfrey. A new organ costing $500 was set up in the rear of the church about January 1, 1874. This was replaced by a pipe organ which was installed in 1906 at a cost of $750. The electric pumper was presented by the original Westminster Guild and dedicated on August 1940. In 1955 the church organ was completely rebuilt at a cost of $2,584.

In 1954 through the efforts of the men of the congregation and the minister, ably directed by a carpenter who was a member of the trustees, a balcony was built in the main classroom of the chapel, making it possible to add six new class rooms for Sunday School.

Through the years other improvements and renovations have been made to the church property.

In September, 1970 the Centennial service of rededication was observed with friends, members and former ministers participating. In the words of Henry W. Longfellow, it can truly be said,


"The church, unshaken as eternal hills
Immovable she stands;
A mountain that shall fill the earth,
A House not made with hands."

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

In 1821, while clearing the forest, our ancestors conceived the idea of a place to worship God. That year classes were started in a log schoolhouse north of town. In 1846, William Dawson and David Henderson headed a drive to build a church at the rear of the present structure. Zachariah Paddock became pastor. This was in use until 1867 when a new building was begun ion the site of the present church. It was dedicated in 1870. A bell was donated by the ladies and the pulpit furnishings were given by Judge Connelly and his wife. This building was valued at $11,000.

The first building at the rear of this church served as a chapel until the 1880s when it was torn down and used in the construction of a home on North Main Street.

The ministerial records contain the names of John VanHorn, William Monks,T.G. McCreary, Peter Burroughs, F. J. Boyle, John Wiggleworth and numerous other names since most of them served only a year or less. In 1867 E.A.Squire came to Pleasantville. he was followed by R.N.Stubbs, C.N. Hurd, A.J. Lindsey, F.A. Archibold, F.W. Scofield, William Martin, J.C. Rhodes, H.H. Moore, A. Bashline, J. R Rankin, J.H. Clemons, J.A. Hume, W.D. Clemmons, J.M. Foster, E.W. Springer, V.F. Dunkle. Rev. Dunkle left to take up missionary work in California. G.W. Chapin came next, followed by S.L. Whiteman, J.P.Lambert, D.D. Sleppy, E.C. Rickenbrode, F.S. McKnight, L.E. Elbel, M.I. Harding, V.L. Bloomquist, L.A. Shingledecker, K.B. Liniger, Harold Hinderliter, J.N.Shaffer, R.K.Rumbaugh, W.F.Hess, S.J.Schmittle, Loy C. Matthews, Walter Herron, John Clark, Harold Himes, Richard Dickey, Henry Zimmerman and Richard Snyder.

Years ago baptisms were by immersion in the creek in Enterprise and also by effusion by pouring.

In 1922 Reverend McKnight became enthusiastic about erecting a new church. his ideas were contagious. On April 23, 1923, the first spade of dirt was turned up by Bishop Berry. On April 29th Reverend McKnight preached his last sermon in the old building. By prodigious efforts of the men of the church, the building was razed the next day and the ground broken for a new edifice, designed by the late Manly Beebe. It was dedicated in July 1924. The church debt was cleared during the ministry of the late Reverend Elbel. An organ was purchased under the pastorate of Reverend Bloomquist. On the 15th anniversary, new hymnals were dedicated and in the ministry of Reverend Liniger the church was decorated and a new carpet laid.

There have been three parsonages. The first was one across the road from the church and now is the home of Keith Newton. The second was beside the church and was purchased during the pastorate of reverend E.C. Rickenbrod. It has been purchased and converted into an apartment dwelling by Mrs. Marian Tobin. The present one was built during the ministry of Reverend L.A. Shingledecker.

In 1967 a program of remolding was undertaken by the congregation with Reverend Henry C. Zimmerman as pastor. Many changes were made including new stair towers, moving the kitchen to the old boiler room, extension of the dining room, electric heating, remodeling of the choir loft and the pulpit, a communion table placed beneath the Gethsamne window, new church parlor and library shelves were installed in the prayer room. New carpet was installed in the sanctuary, narthex, and parlor and new tile was laid in the dining room. Also the balcony was widened to provide a department for young people.

During the past two years through the faithful efforts of the congregation, pastor and loving friends, the church debt has been reduced considerably. Tile was laid in the kitchen and carpet was acquired and placed on the stairways. New steps leading to the basement poured and a public address system installed.

Our records are far from complete but we believe the following persons still reside in our area and still belong to the church as they did in 1924, namely Mr. and Mrs. Amos Archer, Mrs. Mary Coulter Bickel, Mrs. Nell Rumbaugh Bryner, Mrs. Luella Bailey Dunham, Mr. Roy Confer, Mr. Ralph Confer, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hogg and Mrs. Pearl Scott. Our sincerest apologies to anyone whom we have missed for it was unintentional.

There are three four-generation members as follows:

Raymond Arnold---- great-grandson of David Henderson,

Mrs. Joyce Hughes Beck---great-granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Newkirk,

Alfred Scott---great-grandson of Mrs. J.J. McGahey.

God has been good throughout the years and it is our prayer that our church becomes a beacon light to this community.

THE EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The Evangelical United Methodist Church, formerly known as the United Brethren Church, was the outcome of a great revival in Carsonville, Venango County. Those conducting this revival were Rev. William Carmen, Rev. Charles Carter and Rev. Nelson Shelmadine. In this revival a noted infidel by the name of Ashbel Holman was converted and later became a minister. He was a native of Pleasantville and with the help of Rev. Brazee started the first United Brethren Church in Pleasantville.

The first services were held in the Holman Opera House, located on the second floor, at the rear, above what is now known as Peterson’s Golden Dawn. this building was called the Holman Block. The first class was organized in the year 1874 by Mrs. R.J.White, then Eugenia Lockwood. She was one of the charter members of the church.

Services were conducted for awhile in the Baptist Church, until the year 1883. This is now the Free Methodist Church.

The present edifice, at 281 N Main Street in Pleasantville, was built in 1884. The pictures of Reverend and Mrs. R.J. White still hang in the church today. The pictures of Reverend and Mrs. Ashbel Holman hung there also for some years, in tribute to the Godly life of this man. Later they were moved to the Carsonville Church Museum at Findley Lake, New York. The parsonage was built during the ministry of reverend and Mrs. N.J. McIntyre, 1892-1904. Since then many improvements have been made. It is a fine home for the minister and his family.

The basement was put under the sanctuary during the pastorate of Reverend F.L. Barber, 1915-1920 and was dedicated April3, 1921.

The educational annex was begun in the pastorate of Reverend Ivan Hunsberger, 1939-1945, and was completed during the pastorate of reverend Harold Lindquist, 1945-1947.

In December 1947 automatic gas floor furnaces were installed in the parsonage and in February 1952 the hot water heater was also installed.

The Wurlitzer organ was purchased November 14, 1951 and was dedicated on January 13, 1952. The new carpet was laid in the auditorium in 1960.

The parsonage kitchen was remodeled in 1954 and again was completely modernized in 1969, along with repairs and renovations of the entire parsonage.

A new pulpit, pews and cushions were purchased at this time for the auditorium. Reverend Howard Markel was the pastor.

On November 15, 1964, the Pleasantville Evangelical United Methodist Church celebrated its Ninetieth Anniversary with reverend David Ostrander, pastor in charge. The guest speaker was reverend LeRoy Casler, one-time resident of Pleasantville and father of Reverend Robert G. Casler, the present pastor of the Evangelical United Methodist Church.

The following is a list of our pastors who served the United Brethren Church, now the Evangical United Methodist Church, faithfully and well, as dedicated men of God :

    1. Rev. Hager
    1. Rev. White
    1. Rev. Ashbel Holman
    1. Rev. Weaver
    2. Rev. I. Bennehoff
    1. Rev. Perry Smith
    1. Rev. N.J. McIntyre

1906 Rev. W.L.Knapp

1906 Rev. Meeker

Rev. W.L.Bennet

Rev. J.H. Higley

    1. Rev. Edward Smit

1915Rev. F. L. Barber

1920Rev. W.P.Hanks

1922Rev. J.L.Strong


Rev. S.R. Parret
Rev. Hoffman
Rev. E.W. Mattison
Rev. I.G. Hunsberger
Rev. Harold Lindquist
Rev. Leon H. Tickner
Rev. Robert Smith
Rev. I.G. Hunsberger
Rev. David Ostrander
Rev. Howard Markel
Rev. Harry Bauer
Rev. Robert G. Casler

This church history has been made possible by much research by faithful members who recorded these past events as they happened and by the fond memories of several generations. We pray that our church will prosper and will be remembered for the real gospel that was preached from the time of its beginning until the present day. May we, the members today and those in the future remember, "that all things work together for good, to them that love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

HISTORY OF PLEASANTVILLE SCHOOL

Taken from 1950 Yearbook, Spirit of 76.

From early days, Pleasantville citizens were school minded. By the way of background, the earliest school known as the Methodist schoolhouse, was built about three quarters of a mile east of town.

In 1823, Aaron Benedict, who was perhaps most interested in the founding of our town, built a log schoolhouse, east of town, presenting it to the settlers and reserving the right for its use as a Baptist Meeting House. In 1844, it was moved to the corner of School and State Streets, which is the present location of the Carlyle Sheldon residence and was in use until 1847. Austin Merrick, the first teacher, taught twenty years.

Classes were also held for many years in the old Methodist Church, built in 1846, near the location of the present church. In that year, M.C.Beebe came from Fabius, N.Y. and taught until 1854, when he was elected the first County Superintendent. He was the first principal with two teachers when the new Union School was built in 1853. This school, near where our present grade school building stands, was a two-room frame building, and in 1861 a second story was added. The enrollment at this time was one hundred and eighty.

In 1869 the school had one hundred and fifty pupils. The two upper rooms, the high school, were taught by Professor Davis and Miss Mary Haslett. The two lower rooms were taught by Miss E. Byles and Miss J. McKenzie.

In 1877 it was sold to the borough for the price of the transfer, and moved to main Street, where it served as the Town Hall. It had a cell for the prisoners and a council room. After the construction of the new Municipal Building on State Street in 1935-1936, the Main Street building was presented by the borough council to the young people of the town. This building was later sold to the United Brethren Church and dismantled.

In 1872 a contract was awarded for a fine new building, which was erected in 1873. Professor A.T. Stewart was the first principal in the new building. For several years after, according to older citizens, classes did not graduate, "They just finished and had a celebration."

Members of the first class of which we have a record finished on December 22, 1876, and received diplomas.

Approximate dates of the terms of the principals were A.T.Stewart,1873-76;H.F.Morton, 1876-78; W.C. Gorman, 1878-80; C.G.Kingman, 1880-81; George B. Lord, 1881-83; John L. Mattax, 1884-88; J.W. Lackey, 1889-92; J.L.Hadley, 1892-94. Under Professor Hadley, in 1893 the second year was added to the high school. Following Professor Hadley was Professor John D. Humphrey, 1894-96. Professor P.E. Hovis was here from 1896-1900 and Floyd Atwell 1901-05.

The class of 1901 under Professor Atwell was the first to be honored by a Baccalaureate sermon, delivered in the Methodist Church. This class was also first to have honor students chosen by high marks; heretofore they were chosen by popularity vote of the class members.

From 1905 to 1909 the principal was Louis E. Cross, and under him in 1907, the third year was added. There were no graduates in 1908 as they went back for post graduate work after the third year was added.

First class to graduate from the three year course was the class of 1909. Because the class of 1910 consisted of only two members, Ella Weekley (Robinson) and Charles McIntyre (deceased), the class of 1911 was graduated with them with the understanding they must return the following year to make up their third year credits. The class of 1910 was the first to entertain the seniors at the Junior-Senior Banquet.

Mr. Cross, a man of vision, made many permanent improvements in the school system. He was the founder of the Alumni Association.

Mr. Cross was followed by Mr. T.E.Kingsley, a young man just out of college, and full of enthusiasm for his work. Under him in 1914 the Fourth Year was added to the high school making it equal to any of the best.

The first basketball team was organized in the school year 1909-1910, with the following as members: Arthur Dutton, F.O. Rooker, Clarence Murling, Harold Folwell, La Vern White, and Standley Shelmadine. (all deceased).

Other fine principals followed in order, 1918, Miss Marguerite Shelmadine (living on Chestnut Street); 1919, V. Blaine Leffler; 1920-21, P.M. Woodward; 1922-23, W.L.West; 1924-33, A.L.Jeffrey; Neil Kunselman 1934.

Miss Jesse Stodard taught music which was first financed by the Pleasantville Woman’s Club. This was done from 1911 to 1918. In the fall of 1920, Miss Edna E. Binner was elected to be permanent music teacher.

Arthur J. Matteson was Supervising Principal from 1935-1947. In 1942 Home economics and Industrial Arts were added to the curriculum. Latin was dropped in 1947. In the fall of 1947, under Mr. Matteson and sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association, a fine cafeteria was established in the grade school building.

On May 28, 1940, the gym was totally destroyed by fire of undetermined origin, but the grade school building was not damaged. It was decided to construct a new high school building.

The school boards of Pleasantville Borough, Oil Creek, Allegheny and Southwest Townships, met and discussed possibilities of building a consolidated school. As it would be necessary to finance it by issuing bonds, a special election was held August 15, 1940, and all districts except Southwest voted favorably.

On April 4, 1941, the cornerstone was laid for the new consolidated building. The schools of Tyrell Farm, Cattaraugus, Fleming, Shamburg, and Redfield , little red schoolhouses, would soon be no more.

The formal laying of the cornerstone was conducted by john Kantor, president of the Allegheny School Board. Contents of the box to be placed in the cornerstone were announced by George Waddell (deceased) as follows: Names of present students, instructors, school boards of Pleasantville and three townships, (typed on vellum by William Spence, Pleasantville School History by Robert Smith; copy of Oil City Derrick, October 29, 1940; copy of Titusville Herald, April 4, 1941, copy of information sent to bidders on bonds sold by districts; and condensed reports of financial status of districts; number of coins in current circulation; bottle of sand from oil wells. Pleasantville district; postage stamps of 1941 to date, and key to the proposed building.

"In a simple but sincere ceremony, February 23, 1942, witnessed by more than 500 persons, the new school building of the Pleasantville Joint School District was dedicated. C.C. Hogg made the address dedicating "this building to the advancement of youth------mentally, morally, physically and socially to the pursuit of education; and in memory of Robert W. Clark Jr., who gave his life for his country at Pearl Harbor. Henceforth, the school will be known as The Robert Clark memorial High School.

Interested citizens who saw the school bell after the belfry was removed September 3, 1955, from what is now the grade school building (built in 1873 at a cost of $25,000) inform us that the date on the bell was 1888 and the place of Manufacture was troy, N.Y. This left a gap of fifteen years between the building of the school and the date on the bell, which necessitated further research.

Having lived close to the school all his life we thought William Haskell might have the answer, and such was the case. He says that when the grade school building was erected in 1873, the "Old Brown Building" was moved to the rear of the grounds and the bell from it was placed in the belfry of the new building, where evidently it hung until replaced by the new bell made in 1888. Mr. Haskell’s father , the late Harvey Madison Hadskell, bought the old bell and had it around his home for several years, later giving it to Edward Skinner for a dinner bell on his farm east of town. It is remembered by other residents as hanging on top of his house. We have tried to trace its present location, but it is feared that after the house burned on the Skinner place it may have been stolen or sold for junk.

Mr. William D. Igoe came as supervising principal in 1948. The grade school enrollment at this time was 198; the high school, 119, making a total of 317. Mr. Igoe resigned on November 1, 1952, at which time Mr. E.C.Stillings became principal. Mr. Delmar Montgomery became principal following Mr. Stillings’ resignation. Mr. Montgomery resigned in 1957 and was followed by Dr. Ben Marshall, who served as supervising principal until the Pleasantville Area Schools merged with Titusville Area Schools in 1969.

From 1905 to 1909 the principal of the Pleasantville School was Louis E. Cross. During his principalship he founded the Alumni Association. At the present time we have a borrowing fund which is equal to a good amount and used each year by graduate students who in turn return their borrowed amount 90 days after they have finished their schooling.

PLEASANTVILLE BANKS

Several banks have been successively conducted here, the first being established in 1868 by D. H. Mitchell and Samuel Q. Brown. Mr. Mitchell retired in 1871 in favor of Richard Irwin . This house was superseded by the Pleasantville Banking Company, organized in December of 1872, of which Mr. Brown became president, filling the position for thirty years. He later moved to New York, where for many years was president of the tidewater Oil Company.

The Citizen’s Bank was organized December 21, 1872 with a Capital of $100,0000 and with individual liability. The president was James S. Connelly; R. Merrick, cashier; and a Board of Directors composed of H.M. Haskell, D.W. Henderson, Otto Girmer, Jaes Skinner, James Connelly, M.C. Beebe, William Newkirk, A. Holman, and Theodore Marlin. Business was discontinued about 1885.

In the early nineties, H.J. Hopkins started a bank which continued for a few years, since which times we were without banking facilities, until organization of our Citizen’s Bank on October 6, 1920.

On September 24, 19928, a bank robbery, arson, forgery and embezzlement were discovered in the Citizen’s Bank of Pleasantville. The blaze was extinguished by fireman, but investigation by bank officials revealed the bank’s vaults had been robbed and the fire purposely started. E. L. Flick, cashier of the bank, plotted with Sylvester Watson, both of Oil City, to rob the bank and set fire to the records and building.

The Citizen’s Bank of Pleasantville became a branch of the Titusville Trust Company October 1, 1960. In March 1962 workmen broke ground for the construction of a new bank where the Eagle Hotel (Mapes building) formerly stood. This new building is now the headquarters for the Pleasantville Office of the Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Company. The advisory committee of the bank----- J.M.Bailey, W.H.Fleming, J.M. Kelly, L.W. Peebles and H.C. Wasson. The employees are------- G.A.Fogle, Vivian Schnell, Shirley Stewart, Ralph Nichols and Florence Peterson.

PLEASANTVILLE NEWSPAPERS

The first newspaper at Pleasantville was the Evening News, a daily, established in January 1869 by Dodd and Colgrove. Its career was brief and uneventful. The next venture was the Gas Light, also a daily, of which O.H. Jackson was proprietor. It flickered for a short time and then failed entirely.

The Commerical Record, with B. Corwin, proprietor, H.C.Mapes, editor and publisher, was a five-column quarto and appeared semi-monthly. The first number was issued Feb.1, 1887. It was originally designated as a local advertising medium and served its purpose, being well supported by the business men of the town. It presented a creditable typographical appearance and the local columns were well sustained.

Listed below are some advertisements from The Commercial Record of Pleasantville, Pa., published in the issue of September 1, 1894.

Special attention given to Undertaking and Embalming.

R.D.Stoelzing.

In the Harness Department we furnish the best handmade goods at low prices. For proof of the above statements, Call on R.D. Stoeltzing.

March 15, 1887----- Advertisement from the Commerical Record------
Blue Front! Boot and Shoe Store—Caspar Schott, Proprietor. Boots, Shoes, and rubbers—My Stock of Leather Goods is large and complete. Repairing a Specialty.

Ask for the "Pearl Top"—B.Corwins -----Pearl Top Lamp Chimney. Don’t growl about chimneys breaking until you have tried these. They cost but little more than a poor grade chimney, a trial will convince you.

Dr. W.J. Proper of Pleasantville, Pa. Is curing Cancer by the use of a mild vegetable remedy, which he discovered. It acts directly upon Cancer, causing them to Separate from the healthy tissues, leaving a simple sore, which readily heals.

The Pleasantville Merchants Association in 1930, published "The Pleasantville Messenger," newspaper.

he Messenger carried a fine editorial on the Pleasantville schools. Advertisers were the Citizens Bank, Poor’s Department Store, B.Corwin (the oldest mercantile house in Pleasantville); the Pleasantville Meat Market, Ed Leasgang, propietor (the Ardell Rooker residence); E.M. Korb, grocery; Filegar Yellow and Black Store (Holman Block) ; Kingsley’s fancy groceries and mill feed; L.A. Way, decorating; Pleasantville Garage, Don McCalmont (beside the Odd Fellows Building); L.M. Ward, insurance (Spangler building west of Corwin);Max A. Thompson, decorating; Chas. Umstead, insurance; and W.J. Arnold, harness and sewing machines. Mr. Arnold was also the funeral director.

POST OFFICE, PLEASANTVILLE ,PA.

Pleasantville was originally called Benedictown, and the post office, Holland, was located in a small room in the Merrick House now Lee Edward’s. Austin Merrick was the first postmaster.

One day the Honorable M.C. Beebe, grandfather of Dorothy Hughes, chanced to be in the post office department in Washington and overheard a clerk say that the post office at Berks County by the name of Pleasantville was discontinued, so he applied for the name, came home and circulated a petition among the people of the town, which was duly signed, and the name legally changed from Holland to Pleasantville.

The following have served our post office.
Austin Merrick---1830
David W. Henderson –Jan.25, 1854
John Brown –Sep. 11, 1857
Alexander W. brown –May 2, 1861
Mrs. Olive B. Watson
J.L. McGill Nov.4, 1868
Thomas E. Gordon --Dec.9, 1868
Edwin A. Kelly –March 13, 1869
Myron P. Barber –Feb.3, 1870
James H. Cornwell –Feb.20,1882
James H. Cornwell –July1, 1884
George L. Haworth –Nov.2, 1885
William F. House –May 2, 1889
David W. Henderson –July 21, 1893
Lyman L. Shattuck –August 3, 1897
Thomas McQuire –July 10, 1913
Edward D. house –April 17, 1921-1932
Miss Virginia Kingsley (Mrs. John Cairrig)-1932-1943
Mrs. Mary Carll Twombly –1943-1945
Manley C. Beebe --Aug. 1945-Dec.11, 1945


Manley C. Beebe served until his death Dec. 11, 1945, caused by an auto accident on an icy road on his way to the post office. Mrs. Helen Holtz, who was his assistant, carried on the work until Reverend Gordon Abrams bought from the Beebe estate the post office equipment in March, 1946 and served until November 1946. Vern Coe served from Nov. 1946 to July 19, 1951. C. Chester Calvert has served since 1951 to the present time.

A modern post office was dedicated June 28, 1961, located on South Main Street, on the property of Dr. and Mrs. W.D.Stewart and leased by them to the government.

For a number of years the post office was in the corner room of the Odd Fellow’s Building. When Virginia Kingsley, now Mrs. John Carrig, became postmaster, the rent was raised and the government refused to meet the demand, so Virginia was forced to find a new location for the post office. She secured a room in the Holman Block, which continued to be the location until June 28, 1961.

EDIFICES

The Merrick house occupied by Austin Merrick from whom Merrick Street derived its name, built between 1830 and 1840 is located on North Main Street, north of Merrick Street intersection.

It was since rebuilt by Ed Lane, then owned by Burt Sowles, sold to Gordon Atkins who in turn sold it to Mr. And Mrs. Lee P. Edwards who presently reside there.

The house once occupied by the William Lytle family was built in 1839 or 1840 and is located on the northeast corner of Main and Second Streets.

The Spratt House built in the ‘40s is on North Main Street, opposite the Pleasantville School. It is now owned by Mr. And Mrs. Elmer Lindquist and is rented to Mr. And Mrs. Victor Houghtling.

What was known as the Garland House in the early days was later the residence of J.E. Rooker, and is occupied by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Frank Rooker.

The E.R.Beebe home was built in 1833 on the site of the Oyer residence (now Collage Inn) 0n the corner of State and Chestnut Streets.

In 1868 J. Locke and son came to Pleasantville and started in the machine and blacksmith business on State Street. In 1876 they purchased a site on Shamburg Street and enlarged their trade by adding a flour mill, saw mill, planing mill and cider mill.
The cheese factory was situated on Shamburg Street and at one time did a flourishing business. It was managed by a man by the name of Irons.

E.R.Beebe, a nephew to Aaron Benedict, came to Pleasantville in 1831 and established a tannery opposite the R.M.Davidsons residence which is now the Sharp Convalescent Home. It was one of the most important industries of the pioneer town. It was fully equiped with a bark mill, vats and shoe shop.
The first oil well was drilled in 1868 in back of the Graff residence (Max Thompson residence) on South Main Street. It is said a Mr. James driving from Pithole to Titusville became moved by a divine or supernatural agency. He alighted from his carriage and located the spot where later he drilled in a 100 barrel well.

The House and Dwell Shop located on State Street west of the MacMillan blacksmith shop contained a wagon and blacksmith shop and a paint shop where very fine carriage painting was done. This is the site of the Colonial Machine Company.

J.A. Dunham’s store was on the corner of main and Second Streets. Around 1908 this building was used as a store and a dwelling. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Burrows and family lived upstairs. Ed Leasgang used the front for his butcher shop. Later the building was torn down.
Anson Benedict’s house was a log house built in 1820 where Wiley Ward lived (grandfather of the reverend Robert Casler, pastor of the Evangelical United Methodist Church). It was owned by Kenneth Stokes for many years and sold to Louis Alexatos in 1971.
The Town hall built in 1872 was the German schoolhouse built by subscription at a cost of $2,300 and was used for school purposes for eighteen months. Because of hard times and many German families moving away, the remaining families were unable to keep up the school and in 1877 it was sold to the borough for just enough to make the transfer legal and moved to Main Street where it was used as a Town Hall and later by the Young People'’ Council and Scouts under the guidance of Miss Clara Monroe, Miss Minnie Wilbur and Victor Monroe. The building was later torn down and the ground sold to the Evangelical United Brethren Church for a parking lot.

In 1867 Mr. Chris Netcher built a cooper shop on the present site of the Evangelical United Methodist Church, the largest shop ever here, having a double fire place. Later he built another cooper shop on the rear of Mrs. Phoebe Herbert’s lot (Roy Bailey’s residence) which was run by Mr. Propheter.
Pleasantville is one of the very few oil towns that started with a boom and is still in existence.

The first hotel was built by Walter Dodge in 1843 on State Street opposite the present Presbyterian Chapel. It is now the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Waychoff. Up to that time there had been no accommodations for travelers except that offered by residents.
St. Nicholas Hotel burned December 23, 1871, and stood on the present site of the Holman Block.

The McKinney Hotel December 23, 1871. It stood on the opposite corner from the St. Nicholas Hotel where the Eagle Hotel stood. It is now the site of the Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Company.

The Chase House burned December 23, 1871. It was a three story frame building located on South main Street, south of the Odd Fellows block, now a vacant lot owned by Dr. W.D. Stewart. These three hotels burned the same day.

The D. W. Henderson store on the opposite corner from the Eagle Hotel was later occupied by the J.E. Rooker restaurant. The Pennzoil gasoline station, is now located on that site, operated and owned by James Rumbaugh.

On August 8, 1863, S.S. Sandford, Theatrical and Minstrel Manager, received a contract for refitting of a large building on State Street for an Opera House, which was called the Nicholas Block. On December 23, 1871, fire destroyed the Nicholas Block, which extended one hundred feet on lower Main Street and the same on State Street. According to Jos. A. Caldwell'’ History of Venango County, published in 1879, the following businesses were consumed by this fire in this particular building: C.R.Sharbuck'’ Jewelry Store; E. Eakin'’ Grocery; Shank'’ Fruit Store; Robinson'’ Cigar Store.

Later the block was rebuilt by A. Holman. It was written in a Titusville paper (1877), "The Holman building was one of the finest brick blocks in Northwestern Pennsylvania, being three stories high and covering a large area." Mr. Holman, not only was engaged in merchant tailoring, gent’s furnishing goods, but was also a Justice of the Peace. In 1873, Harvey J. Hopkins, formed a co-partnership with Mr. Holman (whose daughter he afterwards married), under the firm name, Holman & Hopkins, and did a very large business, having stores in Pleasantville, Tionesta and Tidioute, Pennsylvania. In 1876, dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes were added to their business. The United Brethren Church held their first services in 1874, in the Opera House on the second floor.

In the former Pleasantville paper, The Commercial Record, dated June 1, 1888, we find the following businessman, etc. in the Holman Block; John L. Mattox, attorney-at-law; Drs. Lupher and Nason, Physicians and Surgeons; Samuel Chestnut, Boot & Shoe Dealer; in 1898, C.M. Vincent, grocer, had his business in No. 1 and 7 Holman Block.
In reading the school history, it stated the Opera House was used for the high school graduating exercises of which the Class of 1913 was the last class to graduate, because it was condemned and unsafe, even though basketball games were held there afterwards.
Other occupants of No. 1 and No. 2 store rooms were: Homer E. Bryner, hardware on the first floor and furniture on the second (1914); Fenton Bros.; Waddwll Bros. Grocery Store (Clyde and James) (1921-1924); Swanson Bros.; Leon Kingsley, Grocery and Meat Market; Wiley Ward, Dry Goods; Lee Poor, Dry goods; Confers Restaurant; "Red" Wescoat Restaurant (1954-1955); Smith’s Red & White (1942-1958); Hilltop restaurant (1955-1959).
In 1941, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Smith moved their meat market to the Holman Block, combining groceries and meat and operated under the name Smith’s Red & White. After the death of Mr. Smith, Mrs. Ella Smith continued to operate the business until she sold it to John Peterson and Eugene Gifford in 1958. In 1959, Norman Peterson, John’s brother, bought out Mr. Gifford and continued as Peterson’s Red & white until 1961, when the store was completely remodeled and doubled in size, extending to the corner formerly occupied by the Hilltop Restaurant (owner, Mrs. Adda Johnson) Smith). Then the store became Peterson’s Golden Dawn , completely self-service. Norman Peterson is no longer affiliated with the firm. The block is now called the Peterson Block, Peterson having purchased it from the Citizen’s Bank who were the owners after Mr. Holman.
The present tenants in the building are: Peterson’s Golden Dawn; Sandy Peterson’s Beauty Shop; Mary Nosko (Mrs. Steve), Justice of the Peace; Hammermill Paper Co. (Douglas Ostergard, manager); Lou Spencer, Barber; Mr. Walter Rabe, living quarters on second floor.

BAKERIES AND GROCERIES

Mr. Henry Wege and his wife Minnie opened a bakery in 1864 on what is now known as the Lawrence Watson property. They still call it Wege Hill.
They had a huge oven to bake the bread, which Mr. Wege peddled to Pithole. They closed it down in 1870 and started a grocery store, which some of our citizen’s remember, especially when they had visions of penny candy that could be bought. They also sold feed and delivered around Shamburg and other close areas. About 1920 or 1922 they closed it and moved.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wege have a daughter, Mrs. Nellie Wege McKie, still living and a son Mr. John J. Wege who resides at 417 North Kerr Street, Titusville, Pa.
John Wege is 94 years young and recalls a great deal of Pleasantville in days of yore.

Squire Haiglet had a law office in a former building at the same site, then later it was owned by a Mrs. McNeils who ran a millinery.
On December 23, 1871, Pleasantville’s big fire wiped out it and the rest of the business section. A new building was built in its place about 1872 or 1873.
The old streecar ended its line in front of this store. On the return trip to Hydetown, a mechanism was used to pivot it and to head it back for another run.
The Ottoway Brothers owned the store and sold it to George Bugbee about 1909. Mr. George Bugbee, who was a squire, was married to Lelia Benedict.
Mr. Bugbee sold the store to Mr. Bert Curtis who ran it from 1920 to 1921, when he took ill. They had an old Model T Ford truck which was used for delivery.
Mr. Curtis’ daughter, Mrs. Muriel Curtis Benedict Fauzey, lives at East Titusville, Pa.
Mr. Bert Curtis sold the store to Dave and Duff Swanson in 1921 and they sold it to Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Korb in 1923.
They had a huge ice refrigerator in the back of the store. Harry Carson of State Street delivered the ice.
They had a feed store along with the grocery business and delivered to Pithole, Neilltown, Shamburg and Enterprise. In winter they used a big team of horses to deliver and in summer they used a truck. Arlia Grant delivered and took care of the horses.
Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Korb had six children, five girls and a son, and were firm believers of education for their children.
Mr. Korb died in 1936 and Mrs. Korb continued to operate the store until 1947. She now resides at 906 West Spring Street, Titusville, Pa., in an apartment in her daughter Edna’s home. The store was sold to Dan Klinger in 1947.
The Klinger’s remodeled the store and still had delivery service.
Mr. Dan Klinger is now retired and they live at R.D. 2, Pleasantville, Pa. They have a large vegetable garden and a small green house which Mrs. Wilda Klinger enjoys. Mr. Klinger raises Hereford cattle.
The Dan Klinger’s had two sons and a daughter. They sold the store in May 1951 to Mr. Arthur V. Reagle.
Mr. William Coe, who now resides in California, managed the store for two years.
Mr. Arthur Reagle later sold the store to reverend Paul R. Splitstone in July 1953. Mr. Reagle now lives at 158 Second Street, Pleasantville, Pa. He is chief of Police for the borough of Pleasantville, Pa.
Reverend Paul R. Splitstone , now a chaplain of a convalescent home at 8900 Sandmark Avenue, San Diego, California, sold the store to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Vincent in February 1955.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Vincent remodeled the store and operated it until April 1966. The Earl Vincent family resides on Second Street, Pleasantville, Pa. They sold the store to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Wells of 120 East State Street, Pleasantville, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Wells are owners of Wells Drive-In which is adjacent to the store.
The Wells sold the store September 1970 to the present owners Mr. and Mrs. Ervin gates, who reside in the apartment over the store.
It is now known as Erv’s market.

INDUSTRIES

The Eagle Hotel was used by different businesses. H.C. Mapes had a hardware store in the middle section for a number of years. The section of the hotel running along North Main Street was used at different times as a drug store, a variety store, a beauty parlor and a dentist office. The back section was used as a storage place and at one time auction sales were held there every week.
Lloyd Weekley (deceased) had a dentist practice in the corner section. In addition to running the hardware store, Mr. Mapes had two lumber yards and two saw mills on South Main Street.
H.C. Mapes also manufactures nitroglycerin. His plant was located on the Mill Farm Road. Frank reed and Albert Patten worked for him, making nitroglycerin at the plant and bringing it into an abandoned pottery located on South main Street.
In 1901 Albert Patten delivered a shot to a lease in the vicinity of Fagundas. While at the well, preparing for the shooting something went wrong and Mr. Patten’s life was taken.
February 15, 1895, R.D. Stoeltzing had and undertaking and embalming business.
In 1901 W.J. (Watt) Arnold left Townville and settled in Pleasantville, Pa. In 1902 he bought out Mr. R.D. Stoeltzing and remained in Pleasantville until 1927 when he moved his funeral business and his son Raymond Arnold is still carrying on the business at Titusville, Pa.

THE PLEASANTVILLE POTTERY INDUSTRIES

The historical significance of the Pleasantville Pottery Industry is important as it follows the earlier settlers as an industry to the opening of the Oil Boom days. Aaron Benedict, one of the earlier area settlers, having lived here for about two years wrote his son-in-law, William Porter, telling him of the clay deposits that were located on land near the southern line of the present borough. William Porter had been working in a pottery and was classified as a chemist as he understood the art of glazing.
The first kilns and turntables were probably located across the street from Aaron Benedict’s home on Main Street. Mrs. James Bailey Sr., now living at this address states, When we built the garage we dug up many loads of fired clay test pieces. We know that this same pottery building was in existence until at least 1851 as it was being used as
classrooms for a private school. Other work sites are reported to have been at East State Street near the borough line and at South Main Street near the spring run that originates in the eastern part of town. This latter site may have been the source of all the clay as many ditches were dug along the surface to strip the clay. As the elevation of the ground became greater, and thus the clay beds deeper, the clay was mined, the roofs of the mines being supported by wooden posts.
As the industry died out about the time of the Civil War, James Reed (a wounded Civil War soldier) bought the mined out area and started farming. He spent much time filling the old mines and ditches, some of these not being filled until the 1900s as his son Frank Reed told of much time spent as a boy hauling fill and stone so that the land would be suitable for crops.
At this South Main Street Location many test pieces are found by present residents as they work in their gardens. Checking the fired pieces, the clays were greyish-blue and yellow to brown in color. The glaze applied varied in shades from tan to dark brown, and from blue to green. It is reported that the finest of Rockingham and Liverpool Queens ware was made from these clays. The trade Names originated in England from pottery made in that country. Men trained in mining were brought here to mine the clay, and men trained in pottery making were hired to do this work, it being reported that some came from Scotland.
All evidence indicates that crockery was the main product. No records tell of dinnerware although various products were undoubtedly experimentally made as a fired clay pipe bowl was found in a garden plot this week.

John Henry Rabe was born in York, Pa. As a youth he learned the trade of hand making cigars.

He came to Titusville in 1881, and for two years worked in a local cigar factory.
In 1883 he came to Pleasantville. He was married to Mary Morris of Pleasantville in August 1887. They were the parents of five children. Two died in infancy, Charlotte died August 24, 1925, and Walter and Robert live in Pleasantville.P>
Mr. Rabe manufactured handmade cigars in a little factory in his home. Mrs. Helen Waddell has some of the molds he used. This kind of a mold was also used by Edward Propheter. In using the mold the veins had to be removed from the tobacco leaves, then were rolled very tight and placed in the mold, weighted down and dried. Cigar making was the livelihood for the Rabe family.

Mr. John Henry Rabe died on January 9, 1936, leaving an invalid wife who was cared for until her death by her devoted daughter, Charlotte.

NITROGLYCERIN

George W. Van Vliet, of Pleasantville, had the distinction of being the oldest professional oil well shooter in the world. Ordinarily the life of a well shooter covers but six or seven years, but Mr. Van Vliet retired after a career of thirty years. He shot thousands of wells without injuring anyone and never paying a dollar in damages for personal injury or destruction of property.

George W. Van Vliet, at the age of nineteen, shot his first well on Oil Creek, in Venango County, in 1864, with a four- pound charge of black powder in an iron shell sealed with wax, and let down into five hundred feet of water with a clothesline. His remuneration was five hundred dollars-eloquent testimony of the danger attending the work.

Powder was the explosive used for nearly three years, until the employment of nitroglycerin. This was the most effective charge known to loosen the sand until recent years.

In the early years the ordinary compensation for placing and setting off a four-quart charge was one hundred dollars, but later this was reduced to one dollar a quart, the charge generally consisting of seventy-five to one hundred quarts.
In 1856 a man named Roberts was granted a patent for the very process employed by Mr. Van Vliet, and sued the later for infringement. The case was carried into the district court, before Federal Judge McCandless, but never came to trial. Mr. Van Vliet’s priority of use so well established that he was left to operate undisturbed in certain territory.
At two different times his magazine was destroyed, with considerable loss to himself. After one of the Dupont employees delivered twenty-eight hundred pounds of nitroglycerin at the magazine an explosion occurred which destroyed two horses and a wagon as well as the magazine. A few remnants of garments were gathered up, a funeral was held at Salina, and a tombstone was even ordered by the supposed victim’s brother, who later acknowledged that he had heard from his brother. The man having se off the magazine with a fuse in order to cover his disappearance, which he wanted to effect because of domestic troubles. He never returned.
Possessing keen enjoyment of the excitement of good sport. Mr. Van Vliet for many years indulged his taste for speedy horses and frequently appeared at the courses on the circuit from Detroit to New Orleans. In Pleasantville, he and Mr. L.L. Shattuck exercised their horses at the race track in Oil Creek township.
In the old days newly opened oil territories, often the resort of speculators with no desire for permanent investment and with their get-rich-quick allurements attracted throngs of gamblers and similar characters. Mr. Van Vliet recalls the time when poker was played in the oil fields for stakes as high as any which characterized the game on the famous old Mississippi steamboats.
His interesting recollections include a keen memory of the first pipe line leading from Pithole to a refinery at Miller Farm on Oil Creek, some seven miles distant, and of the two plank roads that previously had served as an outlet for the oil from Pithole. He had personal acquaintance with every important oil man of the balmy days at Pithole, Shamburg and Petroleum Center. He was a guest at the banquet given at the Morey Farm Hotel, Pithole ( a mushroom town of ten thousand population) by the owners of the railroad. Negro waiters were brought in for the occasion, rare wines were served in abundance, and speeches were made by orators of national fame.
Although, Mr. Van Vliet reported the first nitroglycerin explosion planned as a cover-up for one man’s escape from his marital, torpedoing oil wells was a hazardous business. Many shooters were killed either in hauling or handling the shot.
Adam Cupler was driving a team of horses hitched to a light wagon from East Titusville to Enterprise with only ten quarts of the explosive. When the stuff let go Mr. Cupler was instantly killed on October 12, 1903, but, strange to say, his two horses escaped alive.
In November 1914, Ralph Tubbs, a shooter of the Cupler Company, was blown to atoms when the magazine near East Titusville exploded. Several hundred quarts were stored in the magazine at the time. The effects of the explosion were felt within a radius of five or six miles. Only small fragments of Mr. Tubbs’ body were found.
Shortly after midnight on March 2, 1928, the magazine again blew up. The cause has never been satisfactorily ascertained. It was at first thought that someone might have been attempting to steal some explosives but there was no evidence of persons killed.
Another employee of the Cupler Company, Worthy Sullivan, was blown to pieces while driving a truck of nitroglycerin. There was a heavy snow at the time and traffic had to go through the fields around the deep drifts. The nitro let go as Mr. Sullivan was driving through the field in the vicinity of Dempsey Town.
On January 1, 1924, five men and a woman were killed when fifteen quarts of nitroglycerin exploded at Semples Corners in Sugarcreek Township, Venango County.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1924, there was an explosion of nitroglycerin at Rynd Farm but no one was injured.

The tragic death of August Bond by an unexpected explosion of nitroglycerin, March 11, 1937, occurred just outside Pleasantville near the Free Methodist Camp Grounds. The blast broke scores of windows in Pleasantville. Parts of Mr. Bond’s body were scattered about 400 yards in all directions. The motor of the truck was blown 150 yards toward Neilltown while the coil of sand lines was found in about ‘foot long’ strips toward town. The cause of the explosion was unknown. The road over which he was driving was a Pinchot black-top type and it is possible the truck may have hit a bump to detonate the load.
Since the 1960s, the less hazardous process of hydrofracturing has replaced the nitroglycerin shot in most cases.

INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS

One of the most attractive, up-to-date appliance stores in the area is Pleasantville’s Hilltop Electric. It is owned and operated by the Augusts who have been in business for 25 years. They are glad to be a part of this historical town.
The Sharp Convalescent Home has served the area since March 1959. Dr. David Sharp purchased the building and remodeled it. The home accommodates nineteen patients. The state has licensed it as Skilled Care Nursing Home.There are ten employees and two registered nurses on staff.
The house was originally build by John Brob Jr. for the sum of $10,000 in the early 1860s. For many years it was the R.M.Davidson home.
The Magistrate Office for Northern Venango County was opened in the Peterson building on East State Street on January 3, 1969. Donald G. Bell, newly elected magistrate was operator until his death on December 9, 1970. Mrs. Mary Nosko was appointed by Governor Raymond Shaffer to serve the unexpired term of Mr. bell.
October 1970, the polling place for votes was moved from the Municipal Building to the Magistrate’s office in the Peterson Building on East State Street.
Daley Enterprises started April 1959. It progressed and in 1967 Daley Mobile Homes was established which later became Daley’s Trailer Court in 1968. Further expansion occurred in April 1969 when Campers Sales and Service was instituted.
On March 1, 1968, a new seed was planted in the economic soil of Pleasantville. Glenn Mallory, the owner of Colonial Machine Company, opened for business with one man and one machine. Nurtured by intelligence, imagination, determination, confidence and unflagging effort, it took root and grew rapidly. Starting with nine hundred square feet, it doubled its living space to eighteen hundred square feet in 1969 and then spurted ahead to ten thousand square feet in October, 1970. Its thirty-five machines and busy office give work to twenty-three persons, 85% of whom are Pleasantville residents. The equipment is the latest and best, requiring the service of skilled machinists, welders, and crane operators.
The company supplies its high quality specialized products primarily to the piping industry in the nuclear field.
Colonial Machine is proud and happy to be a part of the community of Pleasantville. While joining with its fellow residents in the celebration of past achievements it looks forward to even greater accomplishments for Pleasantville and the Colonial Machine Company.

OTT0-CUPLER TORPEDO CO.

The Otto-Cupler Torpedo Company, whose present factory is located on Enterprise Road, provided the oil industry in its infancy with one of the greatest booms to increase production-the "torpedo" which explodes underground strata pierced by a drill. The company, founded in 1865 by Edward A. L. Roberts and Walter B. Roberts as Roberts Petroleum Torpedo Company, played its biggest role in the early days of oil in bringing abandoned well back to life and boosting production of marginal wells.
In the beginning gun powder was used to shoot wells but was not powerful enough. Liquid nitroglycerin was adopted and is still used by Otto-Cupler today.
The company began manufacturing nitro in a plant west of the old Titusville Fairgrounds. An explosion destroyed the plant in 1869 and the operation moved to Trout Run and then to Enterprise Road. Over the years the company has had several names. From Roberts Petroleum Torpedo Company, it became High Explosives Company, Limited. By 1893 it was A Cupler Jr. and May 1, 1894, became A. Cupler Jr. & Company and later A. Cupler Jr. Torpedo Company.
Today’s Otto-Cupler Torpedo Company was chartered April 21, 1937. In addition to its shooting business, the company manufactures nitroglycerin, shells for shooting and bridges to set shots on for sale to other companies. Officers are Paul Kahle, President, from Duke Center, Pa., Gordon A. Fogle, Vice president and Secretary, Garland Archer, Treasure, both of Pleasantville.
The personnel consists of Lawrence Howard, Charles Burt, Edward Kinnear, P.J.O’Brien and Theodora Williams.

PLEASANTVILLE BARBER SHOPS

Having been here a short time we had to depend on the memory of others for what information we could garner about the barber shops in Pleasantville. Garland Archer recalls that at approximately the age of 6 years he went to the barber shop of Sherm Chapman. It was located at the site of the present barber shop. He also recalls that earlier Harry Bodine had a shop on the north side of State Street over the old tin shop, which was located on the property between the present location of the Pennsylvania Bank and trust Company and the Laundramat. Mr. Bodine was also affectionately know as "Boedy" by his friends. From another source I learned that Mr. Bodine had his shop during the years 1910-1914. Mr. Kelly followed Mr. Bodine and barbered during the years 1920-1922. Following Mr. Kelly, Percy Coe took over the shop and ran it for a period of time. Bill Clark followed Percy Coe and after a time Percy returned to once again take over the shop. Following Percy, Alfred "Pete" Proper, Bernard Bolang, Jerry Stockton and Lynn Rathburn, assisted by Robert Miller and an apprentice ran the shop.
For a short time Mr. Foley opened the shop but didn’t remain long. It was closed for approximately two and one half years until it was purchased in 1970 by the present owner, Louis Spencer, who has enlarged it to include sporting goods.

HAIRDRESSING IN PLEASANTVILLE

Hairdressing is the art of arranging the hair by combing, curling, cutting or other means. People have dressed their hair in various styles since ancient times. In the 1900s women began to "bob" their hair.

At the time of the bobs the women would go to the regular barber shop-Harry Bodine, Percy Coe and later William Clark. When the Marcel Wave and Machine Permanent became popular, Grace (Emert) Beck operated a Beauty Parlor located on West State Street. Following the Machine Wave, Marie Switzre (Hall) operated a beauty shop at the corner in the Eagle Hotel building. Later she sold to Eleanor Davis and Betty Foult. Mrs. Ann Tarr also had a shop on West State Street at this time. At the present time there are three shops in Pleasantville. The owners are: Mrs. Vesta Reis—North Main Street; Mrs. Hazel Keating—Third Street( Hazel’s Beauty Shop); Mrs. Sandy Peterson – State Street (Sandy’s Beauty Shop); Mrs. Ardelle Matkovich—Titusville Road (Matkovich Beauty Salon).

THE CORWIN BUILDING

Mr. Corwin and his son-in-law, Joe Oyer, conducted a hardware store for several years in this building. George Folwell was his secretary and Charley Brown was the clerk.
In 1944, the hardware store was sold and the Northern Ordinance bought the building for office and storage space.
In 1947 it was bought by the Pat Oil of Cities Service.
Around 1950 Earl Barker bought the building and made it into apartments.
In 1960 Mr. barker sold it to Lowell Beck who established the first laundramat in the front of the building.
In 1971 Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Wells bought it from Lowell Beck. They replaced all equipment in the laundramat and were continuing with the apartments.
The Collage Inn is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. William Collage. Twenty-seven years ago, they bought the "Hawthorne Hedge" from Mrs. Joseph Oyer (Martha Corwin Oyer).
For twenty-five years they have extended their catering service, traveling to Brookville, Marionville and from Franklin to Warren, Pennsylvania.
Each year their business has improved as well as the appearance of the dwelling. They have practically rebuilt the inside of the home and made it very attractive in Early American Colonial.
They are the parents of Connie C. Sheeder of Miami, Florida and Jack of Rochester, N.Y.
Bruce and Arlene Meabon have been in the Mobil business for 26 years. First they were on the point of land between Merrick and State Streets. Just across the road on the opposite corner, Orpha and Levern Redfield started a gasoline station, selling out to Rodger and Judy Oiler.
After a few years Bruce and Arlene bought out their business and moved the Mobil business across the road. They continued with the restaurant.
In 1956 they opened a trailer court.
For 22 years Bruce drove bus but at the present time he and his wife are busy with the station work.
Some years ago harry Nelson started a filling station in the neighborhood of the Julia Herron property. Later, he sold to "Bud" Weldon and in 1943 Bill Sparks bought the Wolf head business from Weldon. Bill has continued with the business which makes him the oldest business man in the town with Meabon and Collages running a close second. In addition to running the station and distributing oil, Bill runs a store.
In 1950 he built a store on the property which at one time was where the Dutton Livery Barn was established. After a number of years, he sold his goods and the store is now occupied by the Hilltop Electric.
Bill has built at least four houses and in 1958 he built four classrooms which he rents to the Titusville Area Schools.

RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS

General Information
Boor incorporated April 28, 1850.
Work of laying water mains begun September 21, 1908.
The Water Works and the system of supply shall be under the control and management of a Committee of the Borough Council, consisting of three members, which committee shall be styled the Water Board, and shall be elected by said Council at the first meeting in January of each year.


The Burgess and Council shall have the right, whenever in their judgment the public exigency requires it, by proclamation, to partially or wholly suspend the use of water for fountains, street or lawn sprinkling, washing windows, verandas and carriages, or for any such purpose.


The annual rates for the use of water shall be as follows:

Year
Automobiles -------------------------------------$2.00
Barbershop, 1st chair, including basin----------------4.00
Each additional chair in use------------------------- 2.00
Bath-Private----------------------------------------------3.00
Each additional bath----------------------------------1.50
Public---------------------------------------------------5.00
Each additional bath----------------------------------2.50
Blacksmith shop, 1 04 2 fires--------------------------3.00
Churches-----------------------------------------------special
Cows—no fractional charge—each-------------------1.00
Horse—private, including carriage wash, each------1.00
House—1st spigot, including one extra for
hot water---------------------------------------------15.00
Each additional spigot---------------------------------.25
Hotel---1st spigot, including one extra for
Hot water--------------------------------------------15.00
Water rates herein established shall be payable quarterly in advance in January, April, July and October of each year. If paid on or before the 10th of the month due, a discount of ten per cent.

THE BURGESSES OF PLEASANTVILLE

    1. William Porter

1852 Aaron Benedict

1853-1854 M.C.Beebe

    1. John Brown
    2. John W. Henderson
    3. John Kelly
    4. Edward Byles
    5. Marshall Corbin
    1. J.C.Benedict
    1. M.C.Beebe
    1. John F. Carll
    1. H.M.Haskell
    2. T.A. Morrison
    1. Thomas Chattle

1877 L.L.Benedict

1878 Thomas Chattle

    1. Benjamin Corwin
    2. T.C.Gould
    1. M.C.Beebe
    2. Isaac Doolittle
    1. J.R.Amsdell
    2. W.E. House
    3. W.F.House (resigned office in 1889 before termed ended to retire)
    4. Mr. Stoeltzing
      1. No record
    1. G.H.Dunham
    1. W.A.Haskell
    1. W.J.Proper
    1. Benjamin Corwin
    1. H.Harrison Haskell
    1. S.Q. Wilson

No borough elections in 1912,1914 and 1916, owing to legislative changes official holding over those years.

    1. E.D.House

1917-1921 John Dack

1922 no record

    1. F.A. Williams
  1. no record
    1. E.D.House
    1. Wilbour Scofield
    1. Stanley N. Shelmadine
    1. Bert Sowles
    1. Don S. McCalmont

After the death of Mr.McCalmont, Mr. Ralph Archer was appointed to finish his term. At the next election Mr. Archer was voted the first Mayor for Pleasantville.

PLEASANTVILLE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

The Pleasantville sewage treatment plant about a half mile southwest of the borough was built at a cost of $ 40,0000 and was first used in September 1955.
Pleasantville was forced to find a new source of water when the Sanitary Water Board issued an order to the community to solve its water problem. For several years the borough had been plagued with the presence of oil, sand and other minerals. A number of new wells were drilled in an effort to relieve the situation, but each well showed the same impure water.
The borough accepted the water purchase agreement with Titusville to furnish Pleasantville with a minimum yearly gallonage of water at a specific rate. The contract will run for 40 years.
About 21,000 feet of line has been laid to connect Pleasantville with the Titusville water system. The connection was made October 1, 1954.

DOCTORS OF PLEASANTVILLE, PA.

The list of Pleasantville doctors was furnished by Dr. C. M. Sonne of 117 East Walnut Street, Ttusville, Pa.
The first doctor to come to Pleasantville was Dr. M. Webster in 1840. Dr. T.B. Shugert came in 1849 and resided in what is now the Forssell home on School Street and had his office in the small home on the property now occupied by Mrs. Ella Weekley Robinson. He was here from 1849-1886.
The following have served since:
Dr. R.F.Dunlap----1868-1872
Dr. J.H.Pickett----1868-1875
Dr. T.G.Christie----1868-1869
Dr. E.C.Abbey---- 1869-?
Dr. F.J.Wells----1868-?
Dr. J.S. Chick----1869-1872
Dr. A.K.McMullen----1869-1874
*Dr. J.Wilson----1869-1890
*Dr. Wilson was the father of Sam Wilson and the grandfather of Miss Mary Queen Wilson. His office was where Miss Wilson lives now.
Dr. F.E. Reynolds----1872-?
Dr. W.F. Richey----1872-?
Dr. G. Tibbets----1872-?
Dr. U.G. Mease----1873-1881
Dr. D.E. Matterson----1873-?
Dr. J.E. Blaine----1878-1892
Dr. J.M.Lupher and Dr. W.A. Nason had a joint practice. They were Physicians and Surgeons, and had their office in Room 3 over Deck’s Drug Store in the Holman Block, which is now owned by john Peterson. Dr. Lupher was here from 1881 to 1916 and Dr. Nason from 1887 to 1891.
Dr. W. J.Proper was Physician and Surgeon. His office and home was on State Street, which is now the Marion Allis family home. He had a daughter Lena, and a granddaughter, Helen McMullen Walker, who now resides in Warren, Pa. He was here from 1883 to 1939.
Dr. M.C.Smith----1888-1890
Dr. J.K. Bowers----1889-1890
Dr. L.A. Barber----1891-1895
Dr. A. W. Goodwin----1893-1900
Dr. F.G. Blanchard----1895-?
Dr. Hatch was here from 1901-1916. He had two daughters. Mrs. Lenore Walker, who now resides in North Seneca, New York and Mrs. Lucille Golladay of Romney, West Virginia.
Dr. J.W. Irwin was here from 1916-1919. He replaced Dr. Lupher who went to Townville. Dr. Irwin’s children, John, Gwendolyn and Lenore, all attended Pleasantville School.
Dr. R.L. Redfield was a native of Pleasantville, his parents were Vern and Orpha Holman Redfield. Dr. Redfield was here from 1935-1937.
Dr. W.D. Stewart came in 1937. His practice was interrupted, as he enlisted in the Medical Corps. During his enlistment, he was replaced by Dr. M. Mabon, who was here from 1942 to 1943. Dr. Stewart returned to his practice after his time in the service and is presently the town doctor.

AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR AREA RESIDENTS

January 1969, the Titusville local funeral directors, Gordon B. Garrett, Theodore W. Kuhns (sold out to Gordon Tracy) William M. Curtis, Willis E. Tracy (deceased), and Raymond W,. Arnold signed an agreement to terminate ambulance service effective April1, and made plans to bring an ambulance service to Titusville and the vicinity.
Three thousand ten dollar memberships were sold by April 1, 1969 and J.C. Bowman of Meadville established the Titusville Area Ambulance Service.
The $10 membership fee is for families which include basically, a husband and wife and children living at home who are under 21 years of age; others will pay a $10 individual fee for one year.
January 15, 1970, the Titusville Area Ambulance Service reported for the first year of business they had 659 calls which included 169 emergency calls, 82 out of town trips, 15 dry runs when the ambulance wasn’t needed and one false alarm.
The Titusville Area Ambulance Service have been in the business since the beginning and can be called today at 639 West Spring Street---phone 827-3123.
Harry E. Jordan bought the Willis E. Tracy Funeral Home at 120 East main Street, Titusville, Pa. Mr. Jordan joined the other directors in terminating ambulance service.

ORGANIZATIONS OF PLEASANTVILLE

February 1, 1951, Mrs. Wilma Grant and Mrs. Eleanor Peterson met with members of the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department for the purpose of organizing a Ladies Auxiliary. Their first meeting was February 14, 1951, and the following were elected to office:
President-------------------------------Mrs. Violet Brady
Vice-President------------------------Mrs. Eleanor Burt
Recording Secretary-----------------Mrs. Gwennie Hauptman
Assistant Secretary--------------------Mrs. Jane Kunz
Financial Secretary-------------------Mrs. Sara Nichols
Treasure--------------------------------Mrs. Eva Bauer
Trustees--------------------------------Mrs. Ida Lore, Mrs. Jane Dean, Mrs. Irene Mallory.


Auditors picked at the end
Of the year were----------------------Mrs. Josephine Taft, Mrs.Cora Dunham, Mrs. Myoma Carson.
This auxiliary existed until 1966.
February 16, 1971, the second Ladies Auxiliary of the Pleasantville Fire Department was organized, just in time to help with the Pleasantville sesquicentennial. The meeting nights are the first and third Tuesday of each month.

The following were voted into office:
President--------------------------------Ginger Mangel
Vice-President--------------------------Blanche Karris
Secretary--------------------------------Anna Grace Waddell
Assistant Secretary-------------------- Silvia Steadman
Treasure---------------------------------Judi Mangel, Vickie Rumbaugh , Pat Emerson.


Auditors---------------------------------Darlene Watson, Helen Waddel and Helen Confer.

The projects thus far: selling of cook books, having a bake sale and sponsoring dances.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Anyone who pays $5.00 is a member of the fire department which entitles them to fire protection without cost. The firemen have a new building on State Street erected in 1969, thus holding one room in the Municipal Building.


Their officers are:
President-----------------------------------Edward Waddell
Vice-president-----------------------------James Waddell Sr.
Secretary-----------------------------------Donald Mangel
Treasure------------------------------------Leo Schnell

PLEASANTVILLE ORGANIZATIONS

THE ODD FELLOWS LODGE

The Odd Fellows organization was chartered in 1858.
They are a small group who meet every Monday night in the building on Merrick Street owned by the Seneca Association.
Clyde C. Waddell received his fifty year certificate ten years ago. Lewis Watson who lives at Venango County Manor has also received his certificate.

FAIRVIEW CEMETERY

The first burial made in the Fairview Cemetery was in 1884. Since that time there have been about 1900 burials.

SCOUTS

Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops and Brownies are active in Pleasantville.
These groups meet in the winter months in the First Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Chapel and the Municipal Building. These boys and girls enjoy scouting. Besides the training, camping and being together, they have community clean-up days and do kind deeds for the elderly and handicapped residents.

PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION

In 1947 the Parent-Teacher Association sponsored the first cafeteria in the school. Over the years this organization has been very active.
The purpose of a Parent-Teacher Association as set up by the National organization is to be helpful to teachers, parents and pupils.
Pleasantville has been noted for their up-to-date programs and for sponsoring a safety patrol group. As a reward for patrol students are bussed to Pittsburgh each year to a ball game.

HOMEMAKERS

Homemakers are guided by the Venango County Home Extension Agency with offices in the Franklin Court House. During the winter months this group meets periodically according to their projects. Home extension work is another step in education.

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCATION

The Pleasantville Woman’s Club sponsored the Improvement Association. Its project was the improvement of the Old Cemetery in the heart of Pleasantville.

The first meeting of this organization was held April 30, 1957.
This organization is still interested in Memory’s Acre.

PLANNING COMMISSION

This is a zoining committee for the borough.
This committee or group which is organized with officers are a help to the Borough Council and to the citizens who want to speak or present a problem.

SPORTSMEN’S CLUB

The Pleasantville Sportsmen’s Club was organized on March 21, 1957, with William Mangel as President. Since that time turkey and skeet shoots have been held on the lands north of Pleasantville.
Assistance is given to the Fish and Game Commission in the stocking program.
The local Volunteer Fire Department, The Little League, Titusville Hospital Building Fund, Red Cross and other community projects are supported.
The present membership is 45.
The officers are as follows:
President-------------------------------William Ensle
Secretary-Treasure--------------------Jim Waddell Sr.

THE PLEASANTVILLE LIONS CLUB

Through the efforts of the Tionesta Lions Club, the Pleasantville Lions Club was organized in April 1950.
James L. Wick, President of the Tionesta Lions Club, presented the new organization with a gavel, gong and a large felt Lions Club banner.
There were thirty charter members, most of whom are still active. Their present membership numbers 52.
The park at the east of the school ball diamond was developed by the lions in 1967 and is still maintained and improved by them.
The bank corner and Dr. Stewart’s corner each year are decorated by Christmas trees through the efforts of the Lions, the Firemen and the Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Company.
The Lions conduct a broom sale each year for the blind association.
Their annual Hallowe’en parade are enjoyed by all the citizens, young and old.
The Lion’s Club is a growing ambitious organization and folks come from far and near for their barbecues.

THE PLEASANTVILLE WOMAN’S CLUB

The Pleasantville Woman’s Club was organized in 1911 and federated in 1915. The following women have served as presidents:
Miss Mary S. Newkirk 1911-1912
Jessie H. Wilson (Mrs. Samuel Q.) 1912-1914
Hetty S. Scofield (Mrs. Wilbur) 1914-1915
Minerva M. Brown (Mrs. Alexander W.) 1915-1917
Miss Caroline M. Zittel& 1917-1919
Martha C. Oyer (Mrs. Joseph) 1919-1921
Alice H. Wilbur (Mrs. James) 1921-1923
Anna W. Weekley (Mrs. George) 1923-1925
Miss Mary C. Lamb 1925-1927
Mabel D. Bryner (Mrs. Fred) 1927-1929
Desa B. Keeley (Mrs. Frank) 1929-1931
Clara S. Lytle (Mrs. William) 1931-1933
Luella B. Poor (Mrs. Lee) 1933-1935
Mary Seward (Mrs. Sidney) 1935-1937
Deane James (Mrs. Ralph) 1937-1938
Helen C. Waddell (Mrs. Clyde) 1938-1940
Luella B. Poor (Mrs. Lee) 1940-1942
Ardell Fogle (Mrs. Gordon) 1942-1944
The club was inactive but State Federation dues were paid during the years 1944-1949.
Betty Bryner Hauptman(Mrs. P. Coughlin 1949-1951
Helen C. Waddell (Mrs. Clyde C.) 1951-1954
Hazel Stilllings (Mrs. Elmer) 1954-1955
Dorothy B. Hughes (Mrs. H. Merrill) 1955-1957
Viola Johnston (Mrs. Roe S.) 1957-1959
Joan Smith (Mrs. William) 1959-1961
Virginia McCluer (Mrs. Morris J.) 1961-1962
Jean Greathouse (Mrs. Paul) 1962-1964
Vergil McCauley (Mrs. George) 1964-1966
Grace Scott (Mrs. Walter) 1966-1968
Helen C. Waddell (Mrs. Clyde C.) 1968-1970
Rosemary Waychoff (Mrs. Ronald) 1970-1972
Some of the accomplishments of the Pleasantville Woman’s Club:
Developed the Music Department in the Pleasantville School and also paid the director’s wages. Miss Jessie Stoddard was the director.

Established the first library in the Pleasantville School. Mrs. Hattie Scofield a club member, was librarian.
Planted 80 trees along the Fairview Cemetery in memory of the World War I boys.
Shared clean-up days with the council.
Cared for the old cemetery and established the Pleasantville Improvement Association which developed Memory’s Acre.
Erected a steel flag pole for the school and furnished a dentist’s chair.
Wrote letters to the soldiers of World War II every month. The letters written numbered 126 or more.
Erected street markers for the town and numbered the houses.
Gave and continues to give contribution to the Firemen and Scouts annually.
Contributed and continues to contribute to the Alumni Association Scholarship and places memorial books in the grade school library. Previously essay honors and an English awards were given.
Established a circulating library for the town. The librarian was Miss Agnes MacMillan.
Participated in the Oil Centennial.
Cultivated a Memorial Rose Garden in the triangle fronting the Free Methodist Church.
With the Lion’s Club sponsored the Christmas lighting contest for several years.
Adopted and supported a Vietnamese orphan for two years.
Yearly entertained at the Venango County Manor.
Were hostesses for the opening of the Vocational Technical School at Oil City, Pa.
At the present time the Woman’s Club is very active and has a membership of forty-four.

MISS ANNA BENDER

Every village has had s character who many remember as one having a significant place among its dwellers. Miss Anna Bender of Rattlesnake Corners, about six miles from Pleasantville, is well remembered by every child who attended the Morrison School or lived in that vicinity. Many times the scholars of the school were frightened when they were enjoying the game of Anti-Anti-Over and Miss bender appeared. She would use unbecoming language and threaten each child’s life.
Annie cut her own wood, never being particular about the size and length for she put it in the stove and let it burn away until it fit. Her ceiling was covered with creosote from the open fire.
One time the Pleasantville Woman’s Club and other interested citizens induced Harry L. Carson and Fred Fogle to take a Christmas basket to her home. They feared their trip but Annie was very thankful and appreciated a pair of gloves.
One night as Clyde Waddell was on his way home from Plummer where he worked on a drilling rig, Annie was out in the field with a brand of fire wood swinging it around and yelling and the next day as he came back the same way, she was cultivating the ground.
Miss Bender was a peculiar looking woman, being tall and broad shouldered. She wore her hair clipped short and could have been taken for a man if she had dressed in men’s clothing. She wore boots and it was reported that she carried a knife and a gun in them.
Neighbors were troubled by her cattle running wild and she was ordered to keep them fenced in.
In 1914 she appeared before Justice of the Peace E.A. Myers of Rouseville saying enemies had burned her home down. A Mr. Popeney built her a stone house after the fire.
In later years she became more mellow and welcomed people with food and even permitted folks from the Shamburg Christian Church to make repairs on her home.
In the year 1933 it was reported that Annie had not been seen and those interested could not locate her in her home. So a big search was on. Mrs. Mattie Daugherty Griffin said they found her April 24th.
From all appearances she had stopped to rest on a stone on her way to the spring and just slid off.
She is buried in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Oil City.
At the time of Anna Bender’s death she owned property and held a bank account in Denver, Colorado. This statement is verified by a grandneice who received her share.
Submitted by Helen Carson Waddell

TRAGEDY BY FIRE

On May 14, 1963, fire completely destroyed the home of John and Mary Theuret. The early morning fire took the life of both Mr. and Mrs. Theuret. He was 87, she was 79. Cause of fire was not known.
On January 19, 1947, a tragic fire took the lives of a complete family of seven. The father, James L. (Bus) Emerson, age 35, and his five children, Marceline 11 years of age, James Jr. 9, Carolyn 7, Hazel 4, and Billy 2, died almost instantly following an explosion. The mother, Charlotte Annette Emerson, age 34, died nearly a week later. The fire was most likely caused by a can of gas exploding.
On Nov 5, 1942, fire caused by an over heated gasoline motor of a washing machine took the lives of Mrs. Fred Wright, 27, and her five children. Sally Lou 5 years old, Elaine 4, Bruce 3, Thomas 2 and Richard 3 ½ months.
On November 21 , 1907 fire caused by an over heated gas stove claimed the lives of five of the eleven children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Zuver. They were Emery 12, Roland 11, Martha 9, Lottie Jane 7, and Nellie Ruth 5.
The last three fires mentioned, Zuver, Emerson and Wright all occurred within a mile of each other and each claimed five children.

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