History of Venango County, Pennsylvania

That portion of the Allegheny valley included within the limits of Venango county is eminently rich in historic interest. No unimportant part of the struggle between France and England for empire in America was enacted upon its soil. It was here that the military occupation of the Ohio valley, perhaps the most comprehensive project of territorial aggrandizement ever attempted upon the American continent, was begun by the French, who thus expressed in unmistakable language the extent of their claims and the course of their future policy, attracting the attention of the English and colonial governments, and precipitating a conflict, the ultimate results of which are apparent in all subsequent American history. Here the conspiracy of the great Pontiac, almost without a parallel in its organization of a savage population for combined action, achieved one of its most atrocious and successful victories; and here was erected the last fortification for protection against Indian aggression in the state of Pennsylvania. While the county was thus the theater of events of far more than local significance in the period preceding its first settlement, the discovery and development of its rich oil deposits have rendered its recent history equally interesting and important.

The physical features of the county — its aboriginal history, and the contest for possession of its soil-the gradual progress of its early settlement, with the customs and characteristics of pioneer life-its material resources in soil and mineral treasures, and industrial activity in the past and present — the transportation facilities of river and rail — its civil administration, and public eleemosynary institutions-the patriots of the Revolution who settled upon its soil-the part taken by its citizens in the war of 1812, the Mexican war, and the civil war — the educational and religious interests of the community, with biographical mention of many of its citizens, are included m the plan of this work, and have been treated with such fairness as its comprehensive character would permit.

 

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL FEATURES 17-22

CHAPTER II.
MOUND BUILDERS AND INDIANS 22-35

CHAPTER III.
THE FRENCH POSSESSION 36-42

CHAPTER IV.
WASHINGTON'S MISSION 43-47

CHAPTER V.
FORT MACHAULT 47-57

CHAPTER VI.
UNDER ENGLISH RULE 57-60

CHAPTER VII.
UNDER AMERICAN RULE 61-67

CHAPTER VIII.
LAND TENURE 68-82

CHAPTER IX.
EARLY SETTLEMENT 83-98

CHAPTER X.
EARLY SOCIAL LIFE 98-104

CHAPTER XI.
EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE 107-112

CHAPTER XII.
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 112-152

CHAPTER XIII.
THE BENCH AND BAR 153-189

CHAPTER XIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 190-207

CHAPTER XV.
AGRICULTURE 208-222

CHAPTER XVI.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS 222-242

CHAPTER XVII.
THE PRESS 242-262

CHAPTER XVIII.
EARLY MILITARY HISTORY 262-378

CHAPTER XIX.
VENANGO COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 278-307

CHAPTER XX.
THE PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT 308-338

CHAPTER XXI.
CITY OF FRANKLIN 341-373

CHAPTER XXII.
CITY OF FRANKLIN (Concluded) 374-432

CHAPTER XXIII.
OIL CITY 432-510

CHAPTER XXIV.
BOROUGH OF EMLENTON 511-524

CHAPTER XXV.
IRWIN TOWNSHIP 525-535

CHAPTER XXVI.
ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP 535-541

CHAPTER XXVII.
SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 542-548

CHAPTER XXVIII.
SCRUBGRASS TOWNSHIP 548-560

CHAPTER XXIX.
FRENCH CREEK TOWNSHIP 561-581

CHAPTER XXX.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 582-586

CHAPTER XXXI.
CHERRY TREE TOWNSHIP 587-597

CHAPTER XXXII.
PLUM TOWNSHIP 597-604

CHAPTER XXXIII.
ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP 605-615

CHAPTER XXXIV.
PINEGROVE TOWNSHIP 615-620

CHAPTER XXXV.
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP 620-634

CHAPTER XXXVI.
CANAL TOWNSHIP 634-643

CHAPTER XXXVII.
CORNPLANTER TOWNSHIP 644-674

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
SANDY CREEK TOWNSHIP 675-679

CHAPTER XXXIX.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 680-689

CHAPTER XL.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP 689-702

CHAPTER XLI.
PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP 702-706

CHAPTER XLII.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP 706-723

CHAPTER XLIII.
OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP 723-734

CHAPTER XLIV.
MINERAL TOWNSHIP 734-739

CHAPTER XLV.
VICTORY TOWNSHIP 740-744

CHAPTER XLVI.
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRANKLIN 744-837

CHAPTER XLVII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY 838-929

CHAPTER XL VIII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF EMLENTON 930-953

CHAPTER XLIX.
BIOGRAPHIES OF IRWIN, SCRUBGRASS, AND CLINTON

CHAPTER L.
BIOGRAPHIES OF FRENCH CREEK, SANDY CREEK, MINERAL, AND VICTORY

CHAPTER LI.
BIOGRAPHIES OF SUGAR CREEK, CHERRY TREE, PLUM, CANAL, OAKLAND, AND JACKSON

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

CHAPTER LIII.
BIOGRAPHIES OF RICHLAND, ROCKLAND, PINEGROVE, AND CRANBERRY

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 1155-1164

 

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The history of Venango county has many points of special interest. It is not extensive in its geographical boundaries, and lies distant from the seaboard, yet from the earliest period it has been the scene of interesting and historic events. On its hills and its valleys there still linger the dim foot-prints of a people whose origin and history and decadence are alike enshrouded in mystery.