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Venango County Map 1903

CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP

Named for Cornplanter, a prominent Seneca Indian Chief, born abt. 1750 and died in 1836. He was instrumental in maintaining peace between the new American government and the League of the Iroquois between 1784 and 1812. In 1792 the state of Pennsylvania granted him and his people a tract of land at the mouth of Oil Creek in Venango Co. The Allegheny River and the Western NY and Penna RR define the southern boundary of Cornplanter twp.

Rouseville - This tract of land was originally seated by Francis CULBERTSON. Later the area was called "Buchanan Farm" as it was then owned by Archibald Buchanan & John Buchanan. Henry R. ROUSE, from whom the town derives its name, realized the possibilities of wealth in this area at the beginning of the oil excitement, leased much of this territory and began his oil operations. He died in an oil well explosion in April of 1861.
Plumer - This town is named in honor of Arnold Plumer, Representative in Congress from the district including Venango Co., in 1837 - 39 and 1841 - 43, by Henry McCalmont, one of his ardent political supporters. The first house in the village proper was the Plumer Hotel that was built in 1843 by Henry McCalmont. The second house was built by Henry and James Turner and later occupied by John Sutton. Thomas Turner built the Stonehouse Hotel. A mill was built in 1856 - 57 by Washington Campbell. Abram S., John S. and George C. Prather were proprietors of a store.
Petroleum Center - This area became the hub of oil activity in the 1860s until the 1880s when the oil wells began to dry up and the town began to die. This area is now part of Oil Creek State Park where many exhibits and photographs of Petroleum Center may be viewed. George H. Bissell is given credit to being the planner of this town.
Pithole City -. Oil developments were begun in this area in 1864 and it became a boom town of 10,000 people -- only to be reduced to a small village by 1876. Pithole Creek is said to derive its name from a chasm on the hill at its mouth.
Siverly- In 1820 this site was settled by Abram George Siverly and in 1862 the village was laid out by Philip H. and Walter Siverly. The borough was incorporated in 1874.
Oleapolis - Was at one time an important station on the Western New York & PA railroad line and a shipping terminus on the Allegheny River.
Kane City - Located on Cherry Tree Run several miles west of Oil Creek.
McClintockville - Perpetuates the name of a pioneer family and is located upon the land settled by Hamilton McClintock.
Columbia Farm - Once a village composed principally of employees of the Columbia Oil Company.
Rynd Farm - Was an important village on the Western New York & PA railroad line which became an important village during the oil operations on Oil Creek.
Shaw Farm - Was important as an "oil town" located on the road from Oil City to Plumer.

Tax Assessment of 1834 - List of Taxables

Thomas Anderson, Joseph Anderson, William Alcorn, Robert Alcorn, John Atkinson, Robert Adams, Francis Buchanan, John Blood, James Bannon, James Crary, W. & F. G. Crary, Seary Cary, Francis Culbertson, James Culbertson, Patrick Culbertson, Robert Culbertson, Moses Davidson, James Downey, William Fletcher, James Gordon, Charles Gordon, Nancy Griffin, Samuel Hazen, Benjamin Hazen, Samuel Hays, Sarah Halyday, James Halyday, Andrew Howe, John Hewey, William Hewey, Samuel Lamb, John Lamb, William Little, Hugh Morrison, Thomas Morrison, Matthew Morrison, John Morrison, John McFate, Joseph McFate, Samuel McFate, William McCrea, John McKissick, James McClintock, Hamilton McClintock, Culbertson McClintock, Francis McClintock, Hamilton McClintock Jr., William Masterson, William Martin, Henry McCalmont, John McCalmont, Patrick McCrea, Michael McCrea, Edward McCrea, John Neill, John Noacre, Christopher Potter, Abraham Prather, Samuel Pearson, John Rynd, Ambrose Rynd, Brooks Rynd, James Rynd, James Ricketts,Thomas Ricketts, Henry Ricketts, Abraham Ricketts, Elijah Stewart, Richard Stewart, Joseph Shulze, William Story, Jane Story, A. G. Siverly, Elnathan Siverly, William Shaw, Benjamin Snodgrass, William Steen, Daniel Tuttle, Jacob Teers, Richard Willings.

Folks

  • Alfred B. ARMSTRONG - merchant in Rouseville; b. 25 Nov 1835 in Crawford Co., PA; s/o William Armstrong; m. in Saegertown, Crawford Co., to Abigail WOTRING / WOODRING; children: Mary E., m. C.A. MYERS; Frank W.; Ida E., m. Huston McCOMBS; Clara E., m. Jerry GHERING; Charles B.; William Joseph; Margaret; Alfred B.; Abigail; Nancy J.; John; Thomas.

  • Isaac ANDERSON - oil production; b. 13 June 1851 in Sweden, s/o Andrew Anderson; came to America in 1869 and later resided in Rouseville; m. 9 Apr 1875 to Carolina JOHNSON, born in Sweden, d/o John Samuel Johnson; children: Julia, m. Charles W. WYNNE; Lillian K., m. William R. DAUGHERTY; Emma, m. Dr. Andrew J. SHERWOOD.

  • Jacob BANEY - b. abt 1819, d. 8 Nov 1894; came to Cherrytree Twp. with parents and then moved to Oakland Twp., and to Petroleum Centre, Cornplanter Twp.; m. 1 to Mary Magdelena TARR and had children: Barbara, b. abt 1842; Susannah, b. abt 1845; William, b. abt 1846; Catherine Nancy, b. Oct 1848, m. John WINTERS; John Wesley, b. 11 Mar 1849, m. Elizabeth KLUTZ; Eliza Jane, b. 28 Aug 1852, m. Hermon J. GREEN & Russell CAUVEL; Matilda, b. abt 1855, m. R.E. DEVORE; Lydia, b. abt 1860. Jacob married 2. Sophia __; children: Amanda; Alicia; Eldorado, b. 8 Oct 1874, m. George HECKATHORN; Robert J., b. abt 1883, m. Rilla Emma SINNER.

  • John Wesley BANEY - b. 11 Mar 1849, s/o Jacob & Mary TARR Baney; m. Elizabeth KLUTZ; childen: Alice; Mary Catherine, b. Feb 1873, m. Lewis Newton CRAWFORD; Arkanza Jennie, b. Apr 1877, m. Fieldy Harry CRAWFORD and lived in Cherrytree Twp.; John W., b. 1877, m. Mabel Olive SMITH; Victor James, b. Aug 1879; Rachel M., b. Sep 1880, m. Joseph FARREN; Milton J., b. Feb 1883, m. Nellie May HUNT; Bertha, b. Mar 1886, m. Daniel BROWN; Harry H., b. Feb 1887, m. Venona WINTERS and lived in Cherrytree Twp.; Charles A., b. Feb 1888, m. Anna EMERSON; Ernest L., b. 20 Feb 1892; Lucille Marie, b. Aug 1893, m. P. L. HESS; Hazel May, b. 5 Dec 1895, m. Edward RODGERS.

  • Peter BERRY - lived in Plumer, oil producer, b. 15 April 1846 in Erie Co., NY, s/o John Berry; m. 28 Sept 1882 to Annie L. MARDENS of Lockport, NY; known children: Leland T. and Ada I.
  • David T. BORLAND - oil producer; b. 4 Apr 1839 in Allegheny Co., PA, s/o Thomas Borland; came to area of Siverly from Westmoreland Co. in 1864 and was superintendent of the Eldorado Oil Co.; m. Mary A. KENNEDY of Westmoreland Co.; children: Bertha, m. C.W. DOWNING; William K.; Emma; Walter; Anna.

  • Dr. Elliott P. CROOKS -physican & oil producer; b. 22 May 1842 in Crawford Co., PA, s/o Aaron R. & Esther E. HELLYER Crooks of Jackson Twp.; m. 23 Feb 1871 in Petroleum Center to Margaret J. ALEXANDER; children: Martha Elva; Frank A; Harry P.; Daisy May.

  • Nathan Head CROOKS, b. 16 May 1833 in Crawford Co., PA, s/o Aaron R. & Esther E. HELLYER Crooks; m. in 1853 to Margaret COXSON, d/o William & Mary Catherine SCHELL Coxson; they kept the Plumer Hotel for two years and then lived just east of Petroleum Centre; children: Amanda, m. __McGinley; Effie Arallilla, m. __Owen; William Lafayette; two infants.
      • A short story by Karl Gray:
      • Margo and Nate took off by train to the prairies of Kansas and were later chased out by grasshoppers. They returned home penniless by covered wagon. Uncle Jim McCray, owner of the Plumer House, hired them to run it. Then in the spring of 1880 both fell ill. Margo died on a Monday; Nate died the following Monday -- leaving three scared youngsters in the wilds of oil country.

  • Francis CULBERTSON - b. in 1767 near Chadds Ford, Chester Co., PA; m. in 1805 to Mary STEEPLES, b. 1786 in York Co., PA, children: James, b. 1806, d. 1840; Patrick, b. 1807, d. 1850; Jane, b. 1808, d. 1899, m. in 1872 to James BANNAN, s/o Jeremiah & Nancy Bannan; Robert, b. 1812, d. 1852; Samuel, b. 1815, d. 1866; John, b. 1818, d. 1846; Betsy, b. 1821, d. 1907, m. Joseph ANDERSON; Alexander, b. 1823., d. 1906, m. Ellen SMITH; Hamilton, b. 1825, d. 1886.

  • Alexander CULBERTSON - farming & oil production; b. 1823 in President Twp., Venango Co., d. 1906; s/o Francis & Mary STEEPLES Culbertson; m. Ellen SMITH, of President Twp., d/o Dennis & Rebecca ARTERS Smith; lived at No. 210 Petroluem Street in Oil City; children: Francis, b. 21 Dec 1857; & Edith, m. Samuel JUSTUS of Oil City.

  • George P. ESPY - farmer & oil producer; b. 9 Dec 1817 at Kittanning, Armstrong Co., PA; s/o Josiah D. Espy; m. Apr 1853 to Mary JEWELL; children: Kate D., m. W.P. McCRAY; George R.

  • Frank L. FRY - grocery merchant in Rouseville; b. 8 July 1862 in Shenango, Mercer Co., PA, s/o Joseph T & Jane McALLEN Fry; m. 18 Jan 1885 to Dora M. DULL; known child: Josephine.

  • J.W. GARDINER - b. 14 Mar 1842 in Sharpsburg, Allegheny Co.,PA, s/o Thomas Gardiner a native of Ireland; came to this area in 1861 and was engaged in the business of the production of petroluem; m. 25 Dec 1863 to S. J. SIVERLY of Siverly; children: H.H; Maude; Grace: Florence; Donald.

  • William GIBSON - b. 31 Oct 1842 in PA, d. 20 Aug 1889, s/o James & Mary GREGG Gibson; m. Elizabeth McNUTT, b. 7 Dec 1846, d. 25 Nov 1939 in Rouseville; children (all born in Rouseville): James M., b. 15 Apr 1868; Ida G., b. 4 Nov 1873, m. _TURNER; Jesse, b. 1 July 1882; & a daughter b. abt 1900.

  • H. T. GILLESPIE - farmer & oil production; b. 5 Aug 1846 in Canada, s/o William & Hannah RODHOUSE Gillespie; m. 27 Jan 1870 to Annie J. SHAW, d/o Robert & Frances BARTHOLOMEW Shaw; children: Robert W.; Charles F.; Harry P., Lilian P.

  • Charles William GOODEMOTE - oil operator; b. 20 Dec 1866 in Cattaraugus Co., NY, s/o Adam & Eveline FALLER Goodemote; m. Cara Annie STANDING d/o John & Clarissa HARDING Standing of Kansas; children: Ray W., b. 2 Oct 1888; Florence G., b. 19 apr 1892, m. J.R. FLINCHBAUGH; Elmer D., b. 28 Sep 1895, m. Genevieve FRISBEE; Alice M, b. 26 Sep 1902; Esther A, b. 14 Nov 1905; Bertha E. , b. 9 Jan 1908.

  • John GROSER - born in Switzerland; well-known as a preacher in the area of Cornplanter Twp.; m. Sophia LAMEY; children: Mary Ann, m. William MANSON; Margaret , m. Wm. BAKER; Etta; Frank Ephraim., b. 1 Nov 1856, m. May Irene TURNER, d/o Amasa F. Turner; Alfred, b. 20 Mar 1859; Amanda; Jennie R., m. William S. WELKER.
  • John Groser is buried in Brown's Cem., Oakland Twp. Sophia Lamey Groser is buried in Rynd Farm Cem, Cornplanter Twp.

  • Philip M. HATCH - farmer and saw mill operator; b. 25 May 1833 in Crawford Co.,PA, s/o Lucien & Varnera BLY Hatch; after numerous moves he purchased the Prather farm in 1879; m. 20 March 1856 to Mary P. PRATHER, d/o Abraham & Sarah McCLAMONT Prather; children: Emma J., m. Dr. S.B. HOTCHKISS of Erie Co., PA; David M., m. Katie L. HARRINGTON; Sarah E., m. John R. ROBERTSON, of Cooperstown.

  • George Pierce HERBERT - oil production; b. 17 June 1867 at Petroleum Center, s/o Christian Wilhelm & Elizabeth BEESON Herbert; m 15 May 1894 to Phebe E. HUTCHINSON, a teacher at Petroleum Center, d/o Robert M. & Catherine MORGAN Hutchinson; built a home at Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp. ; children: George L; & twins, Margaret E. & Catherine I.

  • H.B. HIXON - oil operator; b. 1 Apr 1818 in Emmittsburg, MD; s/o Henry & Mary BLACKBURN Hixon; m. 3 Jan 1839 to Eliza ELLIOTT, d/o Irvin Elliott; children: Henrietta, m. C.C. DALE; Mary A. William H.H.; Augusta; Edward; Lucius; Florence L. & two who died in infancy.

  • James LEACH - merchant in Plumer & Justice of the Peace; b. 16 Nov 1825 in Lancastershire, England, s/o Rev. Daniel Leach; m. 24 Feb 1866 to Mary EWING; children: Daniel J; Elizabeth M; Sarah Grace; Frank C.; John W.; Margaret J.; Willie M.

  • Francis McCLINTOCK - shoemaker; b. 4 April 1775; came to Venango Co. in 1797 and located at the site of Petroleum Center where he built a cabin; M. Rachel HARDY of Harrisville, Butler, Co., PA; children: Hugh H., James R., John, Hamilton, Francis, Alexander, William P., George W., Andrew J., Rachel, Ann and Nancy.

  • Hamilton McCLINTOCK - came to Venango Co. in 1795 from Chester Co. PA; settled on a farm which became the village of McClintockville; m. Mary CULBERTSON, sister to Francis Culbertson who came with them to Venango Co.

  • William McCRAY - developed the resources of the McCray farm that was well-known in the early 1800s; married first to Elizabeth STORY, and had children; James; Elizabeth, m. Henry SEDORS; Nancy A., m. Joseph McCASLIN; Mary E., m. J.M. GOUDY; William J., m. Annie McCRAY, d/o John McCray; Margaret, m. John WILSON; Isabelle, m. Gilson EAKIN; Rachel H. m. Robert EAKIN & C.M. CARNER; after the death of Elizabeth, William married Mary PRATHER who died in 1867 without issue.

  • Samuel N. MOYAR / MOYER - b. 26 June 1860 in Armstrong Co.,PA, s/o John R. Moyar; in business of oil well supplies under name of Rouseville Supply Co.; m Mary R. SMITH, d/o Wilson Smith; children: Eugene Smith; Mary Evangeline; Samuel Wilson; Garnet Jane; Sarah Helen; Mabel Catherine; William Hunter.

  • Jacob F. NEELY - oil producer; b. 22 Nov 1837 in Clarion Co., PA, s/o Paul & Elizabeth MYERS Neely who came to Venango Co. in 1847; m. 1 Jan 1862 to Matilda MILNOR of Mercer Co., PA; children: Tona; Dora; Murdith; Maud; Nevoda; Frank P.; Herbert.

  • Samuel Glenn ROBBINS - b. 9 Jan 1841in Allegheny Co., PA; married (1) to Jennie ALEXANDER of Mercer Co. and had one child: Mary Evangeline. married (2) to Nancy SHINER, d/o Chester Wells SHINER of Victory Twp.; they settled in Siverly abt 1880; Nancy died at age 24 of TB; children of Samuel & Nancy: Alice M., m. Charles M. COUGHLAN; & James Louis, b. 30 Apr 1878 at Sandy Lake, Mercer Co., m. Lena R. LICHTENBERGER, d/o John W. & Nancy ELDER Lichtenberger. Samuel married (3) to Grace LONGWELL who died without issue; Samuel married (4) to Emma CROSS and had daughter, Glenna. Samuel died 30 Jan 1900 after being struck by a tain and falling from the Allegheny Valley bridge into the icy water. He was able to push Emma, who was pregnant, to safety.

  • Joseph ROSS - oil producer, b. 7 July 1812 in Pittsburgh, PA, s/o Daniel & Mary PHILLIPS Ross; resided in Cornplanter Twp. in 1863; m. 17 Oct 1844 to Jane BROWN; children: James; Emma J; Anna M, m. George ROBINSON; William; Thomas.

  • Henry ROSSMAN - b. in Venango Co.; gave land from his farm for site of Rossman school; director of the Shaffer Run School; m Mary Jane FRANK; children: Catherine E., m. Joseph Albert ANGROVE; Stella, m. Frank COLLINS.

  • William RUSSELL - born in Scotland and moved to Canada; in 1864 came to area of Plumer where he purchased a farm; m. Rachel PLEWS, a native of Canada; children: Elizabeth; Alice; Innis; Mary, m. John L. ROBINSON; James P., m. Ada MISENER, d/o W.J. & Martha O'BRIEN Misener.

  • Cyrus RYND - agricultural development & merchant; b. 2 Apr 1849 in Cornplanter Twp., s/o John & Nancy McCASLIN Rynd & grandson of John (1) & Nancy McCASLIN Rynd; great-grandson of Ambrose Rynd who purchased the Rynd farm area from the Holland Land Co.; worked for Wilson Sewing Machine Co. in Pgh. and in 1881 took charge of the Rynd farm where he was a merchant and postmaster; m. 30 Apr 1874 to Eliza BLAIR, d/o John Blair of Allegheny City; children: Nancy, b. 23 July 1876, d. 18 Dec 1877; John Dickson, b. 5 Jan 1878, m. Mary E. THOMAS, d/o H.B & Lucy FILSON Thomas.

  • Abram George SIVERLY - b 26 July 1769 in NYC; settled in this area in 1820 and is the person for whom the village of Siverly was named; m. 7 Oct 1793 to Susanna THAYER; fourteen children, among whom were: Walter, m. Lucy L. DIMOND; Philip H.; Milton T.; Elhanan W.; Alzira, m. _WITHERSPOON; Ann Dorothy, m. _PURDY.

  • Walter SIVERLY - petroleum broker; b. 29 Jan 1832 in Forest Co.,then Venango Co.; s/o Philip H. & Mary ELDERKIN Siverly, g/s of Abram G. & Susanna THAYER Siverly; honorary degee of Doctor of Philosphy for his contributions in higher mathematics; m. 8 Dec 1870 in NY to Lucy L. DIMOND.

  • Fernando C. SLINGERLAND - oil producer and band leader; b. 10 July 1844 near Syracuse, NY; came to area of Rouseville in 1862; m. Mary J. POTTER, d/o Eli S. and Catherine McQUIRE Potter; children: Philena, m. Harry L. BLISS; Florence M., m. George M. LYNCH; M.Ina, m. R. Iran CLARK.

  • Augustus Bernard STRAUB - oil producer; b. 13 Nov 1839 in Apalachicola, FL, s/o nicholas & Dorothea BABST Straub; lived at Sheldon, NY & came to Venango Co. in 1865; purchased the hotel known as "Rochester House" near Rouseville; later went into oil production on the Rynd Farm; in 1890 he purchased the McClintock homestead in Rouseville; m. 7 Jan 1862 to Mary Jane KUSTER, d. of Andrew & Margaret Kuster; children: Charles Augustus, b. 29 Mar 1863; Henry Frank, b. 28 Feb 1865; Andrew Thomas, b. 16 Jan 1868; Clara Belle, b. 28 Sep 1871, m. D.J. CAVANAUGH; John William, b. 14 Apr 1876, m. M. Gertrude WILKINS ; George Bernard, b. 31 Jul 1881; Lena May, b. 13 Aug 1884, m. Joseph E. LEROUX.

  • Robert TURK - farmer; b. in Butler Co.,PA; s/o Robert Turk of Butler Co., PA; located at Plumer in 1866; m. Matilda SUTTON of Butler Co.; children: William; James; Samuel Wesley, b. 11 Sep 1858, m. Leah J. FUREY, d/o John Furey; Thomas C.; Emma; Elizabeth; John; Ada; Robert.

  • Oma Wesley TURK - oil industry; b. 29 Aug 1883 at Plumer, s/o Samuel Wesley & Leah J. FUREY Turk; m 23 Nov 1907 to Ada Irene BERRY, d/o Hon. Peter Berry; children: Jack, b. 13 Feb 1910; Richard, b. 22 Mar 1913.

  • Amasa F. TURNER - farmer; b. 7 May 1827 in NY, s/o Enoch & Lucinda FITCH Turner; lived at Rynd Farm & Rouseville; m. Jane LANG, d/o John Lang of Crawford Co.; children: Eugene; Omas; Don; Burton; Wesley; May Irene, m. Frank Ephraim GROSER.

  • John WALLACE - b. 12 July 1839 in Ireland, s/o Hance & Jane SCOTT Wallace; emigrated to America in 1857; located in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & in 1859 to Franklin; started a grocery store at Rynd Farm until 1874 & then went into the oil business; m. in 10 Nov1863 to Anna J. YOUNG, d/o Wm Young; children: William H., m. Lizzie COOPER; infant, deceased; John S.; Jennie Y; Daisy R.; & Robert L.

  • Adam WEBER - merchant & oil producer; b. 31 Dec 1825 in Prussia, s/o Francis Jacob & Charlotte SCHUELER Weber; came to America in 1851; after numerous moves to Wisconsin, Chicago & Pittsburgh, he entered merchandising at Plumer and in 1877 began producing oil; m. in Pgh. 1 Aug 1877 to Eliza FRASCH; children: Lotta; Adam; Anna; Florence; George; Louisa; Francisca; Laura.

  • Henry WILBERT - hardware merchant ; b. 9 Dec 1834 in Germany, s/o Peter & Katharine Wilbert; in 1879 he opened a hardware store in Petroluem Center; m. Nov 1865 to Barbara STRAHL, b. 4 Dec 1846; children: Caroline; John; Lizzie; Peter; Mary; Maggie; Charley; Barbara; Henry Lawrence. Mrs. Barbara Wilbert d. 10 Aug 1889 and is buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Erie, PA.

  • Lincoln H. WILLITT - proprietor of the Rathburn Hotel in Rouseville; b. 25 May 1860 in Erie Co., NY; s/o Homer Willitt who first purchased the hotel in 1879; m. in 1881 to Alta SPARKS, d/o John & Mary Amelia MORGAN Sparks of Rouseville; known children: Homer & Harley.

Early Business Establishments

  • * James Ricketts built the first mill on Cherry Run.
  • * General Samuel Hays had a mill as early as 1810 at the mouth of Cherry Run.
  • * Francis McClintock built one of the first saw mills on Oil Creek.
  • * Abram C. Prather established a tannery near Plummer abt. 1815.
  • * A small distillery was located at Rynd Farm.
  • * The Humboldt Oil Works, in Plumer was originated by two German men: Ludovici & Bruns.
  • * Henry Whittlesey had a valve - cup factory and W. L. Betts owned a machine shop in Petroleum Center.
  • * Forster W. Michell established a bank in 1869 in Rouseville.
  • * Dr. and Mrs. Elliott Crooks were proprietors of the Plumer House in the 1880s.
  • * Two newspaper, The Evening Bulletin and the Pennsylvanian were published in Rouseville in the early 1870s.
  • * Smith & Enos owned a machine shop in Rouseville.
  • * The Bonta House in Pithole was erected in 1865 by James W. Bonta at a cost of $60,000.
  • * F. W. Jones, J. Nelson Tappen, James Faulkner and I. N. Frazier founded the United States Petroleum Company at Pithole in 1864.
  • *Emma Fenton was the proprietor of the Florence Restaurant on First Street in Pithole in 1866.
  • * The Chase House once located at Pithole was moved to a new location in Pleasantville. It was built in 1865 at the cost of $100,000 by H. Patchen and S. H. Allen and opened as the Patchen House.

Early Churches

  • Plumer United Presbyterian Church - Was known as the Associate Reformed congreation of Cherry Run at the earlies period of its history. The organization was effected by Rev. Daniel McClain and among the earliest members were: Mr. and Mrs. LAMB, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton McCLINTOCK, Mr. and Mrs. Robert McFATE and Mr. and Mrs. Henry McCALMONT. Two acres were given by Henry McCALMONT for church and school purposes and a log building was erected in 1828. A later frame edifice was built in 1862- 63. Elders at an early date were: Joseph McFATE, William STORY, Robert McFATE, William McCRAY, Thomas ANDERSON and Hamilton McCLINTOCK.

  • Rouseville Methodist Church - The erection of the building was begun in 1863 and dedicated in January, 1864. The land was deeded to John McCLINTOCK, William ASHBAUGH, Noah METZ, William ORR, Sr., and J. P. BENN, trustees in December, 1864, by the Halderman Oil Company at a nominal consideration. The building was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in 1889 and a new church was built.

  • Petroleum Center Methodist Church - The church and parsonage were built in 1865- 66 at a cost of $9,000. In 1880 the materials of the church were removed to Galloway and the parsonage sold.

  • Petroleum Center Catholic Church - This church was built during the prosperous period of history of this town by Father SNYDER and by his successor, Father VANNUKIN.

  • Petroleum Center Presbyterian Church - This church was organized in 1865.

  • Plumer Methodist Episcopal Church - The building of this church was erected in 1865 on land given by Thomas DUNCAN and George C. PRATHER.

  • Pithole City Catholic Church - The church was dedicated on January 21, 1866, by Bishop Young of the Diocese of Erie. Rev. James L. FINUCANE was the pastor.

  • Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church - This church was organized in 1866 and was dedicated on Thanksgiving day, 1879, by Reverends CRAFT and HARREN.

  • Pithole City Presbyterian Church - The church was organized in 1866.

  • Pithole City Methodist Episcopal Church - Thomas DUNCAN left a legacy amply sufficient to keep the building in repair.

  • Shaw Farm Methodist Episcopal Church - Meetings were conducted here in 1870. An acre of ground was given by Forster W. MITCHELL and a church edifice was erected in 1872.

  • Rouseville Presbyterian Church - This church was dedicated in 1870, but was later sold and removed.

  • St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church - Rouseville - The corner - stone was laid August 26, 1870 and dedicated January 22, 1871. The building was removed to Bradford after the membership declined.

  • Rouseville Baptist Church - This church was constituted March 26, 1871, and recognized April 18th of the same year. The building was later owned by the Masonic Order.

  • Rouseville Catholic Church - The first mass was celebrated in the opera house by Father Kelley in May, 1872. The church edifice was built in 1872 -73.

  • Kane City Methodist Church - Rev. J. CLYDE formed the first class here in 1877.

Early Schools

  • * The first school house was built in the woods near the road leading from Plumer to Petroleum Center and it is probable the first teacher was David TYRRELL. Among families who attended were: RICKETTS, McCALMONT, McFATE and LAMB.

  • * The second school house stood upon the site of Plumer United Presbyterian Church. Among early teachers in this school were: Mrs. Letitia CULBERTSON, Moses WARD, Ellen BRUCE, James NEILL and Luther WOODS.

  • * Another early school was located at the mouth of Oil Creek.

  • * In 1839, school buildings were erected at Petroleum Center, also known as McCray's School; Ricketts Farm area and a third at Humboldt. Alfred TAYLOR was the first teacher at Rickett's. Alexander HAYS was probably the first teacher at Humboldt.

Cemeteries

The numbers on this list correspond with the map in the Heritage Room of the Oil City Library which is staffed by the Venango County Genealogy Club.
Listings of people have been contributed and there may be errors. Please check additional sources for verification.

  • R36 Balltown -aka Prather City

  • R37 Calvary - Oil City, Cath.

  • ---- Clapp Farm - gone -
    Oil City Semi-Weekly Derrick – April 27, 1894
    The old grave yard at Clapp Farm has been neglected for years and lately the residents of the city and vicinity have been removing bodies of friends from this cemetery to Grove Hill. On Wednesday, C. E. Heuston employed undertaker Fred Paul to remove the bodies of his father-in-law, John Barr, who died 30 years ago, Mrs. Benton, who died 32 years ago and two infant sons of Mr. Heuston who had been buried 29 and 27 years respectively. The bodies of the children and Mr. Barr and crumbled into dust, but when the men tried to lift the remains of Mrs. Benton, the coffin was so heavy that they had to secure help …. lower limbs and lower portion of the body were petrified, not the least shrunken and perfectly retained their shape. In life Mrs. Benton was unusually heavy and at the time of her death weighed fully 300 pounds.

  • R39 Columbia Farm

  • R40 Grove Hill - Oil City
    • *Fernando C. Slingerland, 10 July 1844 - 29 Feb 1896
    • *William Angrove , d. 1909
    • *Alexander Culbertson, 1823 - 1906
    • *David Ready, 1 Oct 1839 - 26 Mar 1913
  • ____ Jewish Cemetery

  • R43 Old St. Joseph's - Oil City

  • R44 Petroleum Centre
    • *Robert Crawford, 1820 - 1894
    • *Catharine Crawford, 1827 - 1900, w/o Robert
    • *Walter H. Lawrence, Jan. 16 - Aug. 19, 1877, s/o G.F. & J. H. Lawrence
    • *George F. Lawrence, 1840 - 1916
    • *William McCray, d. 28 June 1861
    • *Mary A. Briggs, 1852 - 1927
    • *Edward J. Betts, 1864 - 1893
    • *Sarah J. Betts, 1840 - 1915
    • *William L. Betts, 1835 - 1919
    • *Mary McGoldrick, 1851 - 1887
    • *Eliza Smith, 2 Apr 1814 - 6 Sept 1890, w/o Patrick
    • *Michael Brophy, 12 Nov 1866 - 29 Mar 1871
    • *Edward Brophy, 1 Jan 1874 - 16 Aug 1875
    • *George H. Davis, 1859 - 1946
    • *Jennie Lewis Davis, 1863 - 1896
    • *Alden J. Lewis, 1840 - 1896
    • *Samuel H. Wilson, 1841 - 1879
    • *Grace A. Wilson, 1847 - 1879
    • *Victor G. Proper, 1882 - 1951
    • *Phoebe J. Shaw Proper, 1896 - 1954
    • *Marie M. Proper, 1912 - 1937
    • *Lavina Wilcox, d. 5 Oct 1877 or 1871?
    • *Josaphene Kelly, d. 25 July 1868, d/o M.F. & M.A. Kelly
    • *Rachel McClintock, d. 31 July 1848, w/o Francis
    • *Francis McClintock (unreadable)
    • *Michael Griffin ?, d. 9 Aug 1876, s/o J. & M.

  • R46 Plumer
    • *Robert Turk, age 60
    • *William Russell, d. 1904
    • *Rachel Plews Russell, d. 1895, w/o William
    • *Mary Steeples Culbertson, 1786 - 7 Sep 1843, w/o Francis
  • History of Venango Co., 1890 edition lists the following as being buried in the old burial ground in the village of Plumer.
    • *Francis Culbertson, 1767 - 9 Aug 1853
    • * William Shaw, d. 7 Nov 1851, aged 67y 11m, 19da
    • *John McCalmont, 11 Jan 1750 - 3 Aug 1832
    • *Henry McCalmont, 16 Mar 1776 - 5 Feb 1855
    • *Moses Davidson, d. 4 Feb 1858, 64y
    • *Robert McFate, d. 28 July 1829, 64y
    • *Walter S. Russell, d. 31 Mar 1861, aged 69
    • *Joel Sage, d. 14 Feb 1861, 86y
    • *James Carey, d. 29 Nov 1862, age 67y, 10m 21da
    • *James Ricketts, d. 6 Mar 1856, aged 89y 9m 18da
    • *William McCray, d. 28 June 1861, 63y - also listed at Petroleum Center
    • *James B. Skinner, d. 27 Aug 1869, aged 67y 8m 2da
  • R47 Polish Independent - Oil City

  • R48 Rynd Farm
    • *Cyrus Dickson Rynd,- 2 Apr 1849 - 8 Dec 1902
    • *Charles William Goodemote, 20 Dec 1866 - 20 Aug 1917
    • *John Westley Baney, 11 Mar 1849 - 11 Apr 1922
    • *Elizabeth Klutz Baney, May 1855 - 6 Apr 1926, w/o John Westley
    • *Henderson Thompson, 1833 - 1900
    • *Catherine K. Thompson, 1837 - 1912, w/o Henderson
  • R49 Shaw Farm

  • _____ Holmden Cemetery, Pithole - contributed by Linda Dill < ldill@icubed.com >
  • ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/venango/cemeteries/holmden.txt
  • See above site for listings. Directions: To get to this cemetery, take Rte. 227 and turn onto SR 1006 - follow the sign to Pithole. Go past Pithole about a mile, where there is a little
  • place on the right side of the road where you can park one car. There may be a home made "Cemetery" sign there. Follow a little path leading through woods to a stream, where the Holmdens buried their family. The residents of Pithole also buried their dead in that area, but the Holmdens and Rookers enclosed their family graves with an iron fence. You can still see the posts of this fence. The graves of the residents of Pithole are mostly unmarked.

Sources

    History of Venango County Pennsylvania, Its Past and Present , Chicago, IL; Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers; 1890; pp. 644 - 674; 1082 - 1099
    Venango County Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People, Vol II, Chicago, J.H. Beers & Co.,1919
    Venango County Pennsylvania Death Book Summary & Index 1893-1905, compiled by Joan Search Hanson, C.G. and Kenneth L. Hanson, Ph. D. This book may be purchased from the Venango Co. Historical Society, P.O. Box 101, Franklin, PA 16323 or from Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, PA 15613 - 9208. Price: $35.95 + $4.00 postage/handling. PA residents add 6% sales tax.
Note: Extractions & transcriptions may have errors and are missing portions of the original source material. You will want to refer to the original source material whenever possible.

Contributors

Ken Gibbons - Crooks Family

Nancy Whipple Erbland - Robbins, Shiner

Kathy Goodman - http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~master03/ - Goehring/Ghering, Crawford, Baney

Joyce Grill(i) Neidich - Ancestral & Historical Research Venango County

Pam Gibson Bingham - Gibson

Karen S. Golden Rodgers

Penny Haylett Minnick - transcriber

Disclaimer:there may be errors due to transcription ofinformation from both early and late (current contributors) work.

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