USA > Pennsylvania > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present > Part 25
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Delaware Grove was established July 30, 1840; discontinued January 21, 1876; re-established February 28, 1876, and discontinued February 5, 1886. Its postmasters were: James T. Black, 1840; James F. Satterfield, 1847; John C. Nesbit, 1849; Lewis Hanse, 1854; George Ayle, 1856; Isaiah Vandeventer, 1856; William H. Sheriff, 1863; Russell W. Weller, 1874; William Wagner, 1874; Lydia McGuire, 1876; Mary Fry, 1884.
Five Points was established July 24, 1876. Its postmasters have been: T. J. Duncan, 1876; William Cowan, 1879; James Rollinson, 1884; William Gilson, 1884; Sylvester S. Sample, 1887; James Lynch, 1888.
Forest was established September 18, 1840, and discontinued July 27, 1842. Its only postmaster was Washington P. McKee, 1840-42.
Fredonia was established August 8, 1870. Its postmasters have been: William Simmons, 1870; James M. McLain, 1885.
French Creek was established March 30, 1837, and discontinued July 20, 1876. Its postmasters were: John McCracken, 1837; Francis Dunn, 1847.
Greenville was established as " West Greenville," January 9, 1828, and changed to its present title in 1866. Its successive postmasters have been: Alexander P. Waugh, 1828; James R. Wick, 1830; Thomas W. Bean, 1831; Alexander P. Waugh, 1836; Isaac R. Bearce, 1839; Moses Varney, 1841; William P. Hanna, 1845; John B. Plumer, 1849; William P. Hanna, 1853; William Keck, 1861; Ella S. Keck, 1871; George R. Kreps, 1875; Clara E. Achre, 1883; Henry K. Reiss, 1887.
Grove City was established as Wolf Creek July 11, 1844 and changed to its present name November 23, 1882. Its successive postmasters have been: William Fleming, 1844; George W. Morrow, 1848; James C. Shaw, 1849; George Shaw, 1850; Nicholas W. Vanemon, 1856; Isaac Gillett, 1861; John Hays, 1864; James H. Black, 1865; Hannah V. Rupert, 1866; Richard L. Colter, 1867; Victor B. Williams, 1869; William P. C. Emery, 1869; Joseph W. Black, 1875; James A. Cochran, 1881; James A. Cochran, 1882; David M. Morrow, 1885.
Hadley was established May 13, 1868. Its postmasters have been: David Pattison, 1868; Hannah Pattison, 1882.
Harthegig was established March 2, 1846. Its postmasters have been:
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
James Sellers, 1846; Joseph Snyder, 1852; Henry Fulton, 1854; William Gamble, 1857; Ephraim A. Byers, 1864; William R. Byers, 1867; Oscar N. Hazen, 1870; Ambrose Hazen, 1872; William M. North, 1875; John C. Orr, 1876; James Cubbison, 1876; Charles W. Gamble, 1878.
Hazzard was established March 7, 1883. Its successive postmasters have been: Charles M. Wasley, 1883; William N. Stewart, 1884.
Henderson was established March 8, 1827. Its postmasters have been: Robert Henderson, 1827; Jonathan Henderson, 1842; William Hill, 1852; Jonathan Henderson, 1853; Robert M. Curry, 1856; Thomas Kirk, 1862; Almon C. Henderson, 1863; Matthew L. Whann, 1869; Almon C. Henderson, 1871; Walker R. Henderson, 1873; J. S. Wright, 1876.
Hermitage was established April 10, 1838. Its successive postmasters have been: Thompson Dilley, 1838; John Hoagland, 1839; Ezra T. Fish, 1863; Leander M. Ormsby, 1867; Theodore M. Ford, 1873; Leander M. Ormsby, 1875; George W. Baird, 1875; Matthias Miller, 1877.
Hill was established March 8, 1858. Its postmasters have been: Ephraim Gundy, 1858; Oliver H. Ormsby, 1871; John W. Ormsby, 1878; David Beil, 1880; John Ray, 1885.
Hoagland was established February 24, 1882, and has had but one post- master: Seth Hoagland, 1882.
Indian Run was established March 8, 1858, and the following have been the successive postmasters: William J. Johnston, 1858; Robert Crawford, 1867; Adam Huffman, 1869; Thomas Bingham, 1869; Mary McLean, 1870; Austin B. Carter, 1883; Emma Carter, 1884.
Jackson Centre was established as Satterfield June 21, 1852, and changed to its present title January 31, 1876. The following have been the successive postmasters: Elijah Satterfield, 1852; William H. Carpenter, 1853; John Wharton, 1854; John Wood, 1861; George W. Washabaugh, 1864; James W. Armstrong, 1865; M. L. Zahniser, 1869; John Hughes, 1871; Calvin C. Clawson, 1874; Alfred P. Ross, 1876; William M. Knapp, 1879; James F. Baskin, 1880; William J. Graham, 1881; Alvin P. Jones, 1884.
Jamestown was established April 3, 1833, and has had the following post- masters: John Williamson, Jr., 1833; James Dowling, 1836; Benoni Ewing, 1837; William Gibson, 1839; John Carr, 1861; Joseph Carr, 1861; Wash A. Mossman, 1877; Joseph L. Dennison, 1881; Mary E. Gardner, 1885; Nelson Martin, 1888.
Keel Ridge was established February 23, 1832, and discontinued October 13, 1835. William Fruit was the only postmaster.
Kennard was established March 16, 1864, and the following have been its postmasters: William C. Keene, 1864; Abram H. Curtis, 1886.
Kile was established December 9, 1887, with Martha Anderson as post- mistress.
Kilgore was established April 12, 1883, with Oliver Beach as postmaster.
Kremis was established September 21, 1880, and George W. Hecker has since been postmaster.
Leech's Corners was established April 4, 1868. Its postmasters have been: O. B. Baker, 1868; Reuben Emmick, 1868; Geo. D. Emerick, 1869; Nancy J. Clark, 1869; George D. Emerick, 1873; William J. Clark, 1876; James M. Campbell, 1886.
Leesburgh was established as New Lodge December 3, 1836, and was changed to its present name June 4, 1845. The successive postmasters have been: Arthur Johnston, Lewis Frankenburger, Charles G. McFarland, 1845; George Clark, 1845; Samuel Anderson, 1846; McLean Thorne, 1847; James
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
Love, 1848; John Carr, 1851; Benjamin F. Gordon, 1851; McLean Thorne, 1857; Robert B. Hill, 1861.
London was established March 16, 1848. David Gilson was the first post- master, and was followed by William A. Coulter, 1850; James Neal, 1860; John Davis, 1861; Hiram Stevenson, 1866; Samuel Bell, 1867; Elizabeth C. Breck, 1868; William A. Coulter, 1870; Thomas Shaydine, 1876; William A. Coulter, 1879; Andrew W. Coulter, 1886.
Lutton was established April 9, 1884, with John G. Lutton as postmaster. Maysville was established February 16, 1852, and discontinued November 25, 1872. Its successive postmasters were: George E. Hassenpluck, 1852; Rachel H. Hassenpluck, 1868; Charles Everts, 1868; Nimrod Burwell, 1869.
Mehard was established June 3, 1886, and discontinued May 13, 1887. Its postmasters were: William Woods, 1886; Anna A. Woods, 1887.
Mercer was established July 1, 1805, as Mercer's, but the apostrophe was subsequently dropped. Its successive postmasters have been: Cunningham S. Semple, 1805; Thomas Bingham, 1810; Silas Amberson, 1816; Presley N. Amberson, 1817; Thomas S. Cunningham, 1817; Aaron Hackney, 1822; Oliver Stevens, 1829; Thomas Coffey, 1830; William S. Garvin, 1837; Samuel C. Clow, 1841; Thomas W. Sampson, 1841; Thomas S. Cunningham, 1844; John McGill, 1845; Albert G. Eberhart, 1849; John Sloss, 1853; Abram Pew, 1858; Peter J. Pierce, 1858; William D. Bell, 1861; William W. Sheriff, 1865; William S. Garvin, 1867; James McKean, 1869; Alfred B. Filson, 1878; James S. Mckean, 1886.
Millbrook was established March 29, 1872, and the following have been postmasters : Calvin Matthews, 1872; Mary G. Matthews, 1876; John C. Matthews, 1882; Harry B. Beckards, 1883; Allison M. Clawson, 1887; Martha A. Gillam, 1887.
Milburn was established May 7, 1883, and discontinued November 13, 1886. Its postmasters were: J. M. Anderson, 1883; Andrew J. Welker, 1883.
Milledgeville was established as Deer Creek August 3, 1839, with William R. Cooper as postmaster until May 1, 1852, when it was changed to its pres- ent name. Since then the following have been postmasters: Cookson Long, 1852; Griffith C. Long, 1860; George E. Hamilton, 1868; Lucinda C. Hamil- ton, 1875.
Neshannock was established February 12, 1872, and has had the following postmasters: John Phillips, 1872; John A. Stewart, 1874; Dewitt C. Stewart, 1877; Hiram Massena, 1880; Joseph Bridget, 1885.
New Hamburgh was established September 21, 1853, and its successive postmasters have been: John George, 1853; Daniel H. Hecker, 1861; Edwin George, 1866; Hamilton D. Bean, 1866; Daniel H. Hecker, 1871; Charles Beil, Jr., 1872; Mary Ferguson, 1876; Ransom D. Hewitt, 1882; William Moyer, 1886.
New Lebanon was established December 17, 1849, and has had the follow- ing postmasters: James A. Leech, 1849; Josiah H. Cratty, 1851; Robert C. Gordon, 1853; James A. Leech, 1856; Reuben Stewart, 1856; Samuel B. Stern, 1859; Eugene A. Pierson, 1863; W. R. Conn, 1866; Eugene A. Pierson, 1867; Abram C. Grove, 1867; John C. Black, 1872; Emma E. Black, 1874; Samuel S. Overmoyer, 1874; Cyrus M. Voorhis, 1876; William C. Jones, 1878.
New Vernon was established as Sandy Creek July 20, 1837, and changed to its present name March 24, 1851. The following have been the successive postmasters: John M. Montgomery, 1837; Elkanah Holloway, 1843; Eleazer P. Haly, 1846; Archibald Montgomery, 1846; Elkanah Holloway, 1850;
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
William B. Travis, 1853; James Diven, 1862; Thomas A. Scott, 1863; William James, 1865; Daniel Holloway, David McElwain, 1876; A. J. Gallagher, 1888.
North Liberty was established January 15, 1840. Its postmasters have been: Robert Shaw, 1840; James M. Lawrence, 1847; Dawson Wadsworth, 1848; Martin Reed, 1849; Samuel Moreland, 1850; Robert McKee, 1852; John L. Pringle, 1857; Samuel Moreland and Jennie Offitt.
North Sandy was established December 28, 1868, and its postmasters have been: John A. Glenn, 1868; John Bredin, 1869.
North's Mills was established May 19, 1858. Its successive postmasters are: William J. Hamilton, 1858; Samuel North, 1864; William M. North, 1886. Osborn was established May 11, 1882, and its postmasters have been: Sam- uel R. Turner, 1882; Elmira Turner, 1886.
Otter Creek was established August 20, 1872, and John H. Bowman has, been its only postmaster.
Pardoe was established as Irishtown July 25, 1851, and Sepember 24, 1873, was changed to its present title. The following have been the postmasters :: James Miller, 1851; Robert Miller, 1853. James Long, 1854; David Hosack, 1858; Marshall Long, 1860; Mary E. Long, 1864; Robert McKee, 1865 ;; Joseph Breckenridge, 1867; Joshua S. Hammond, 1869; William H. Pardoe,. 1870; George Moore, 1872; Charles M. Derickson, 1873.
Perrine was established February 16, 1833, and has had the following postmasters: William H. Perrine, 1833; Jesse M. Perrine, 1836; Enoch Per- rine, 1842; Jesse M. Perrine, 1845; Enoch Perrine, 1854; John R. Forest, 1862; Albert G. Egbert, 1863; L. F. Egbert, 1865; Bennett Perrine, 1868; Daniel Nelson, 1869; T. D. Mackay, 1870; Bennett Perrine, 1870; M. L. Zahn- iser, 1871; William Trevitt, 1873; George W. Worrell, 1878; Nancy Thomp- son, 1882; J. H. Hamilton, 1886.
Pleasant was established January 15, 1872, and discontinued April 11, 1886. Its postmaster was William Jamison, Jr.
Pymatuning was established July 31, 1839, and discontinued April 24, 1856. Its postmasters were: Renselaer Root, 1839; Michael Byerly, Jr., 1853; David Follett, 1854.
Salem was established March 6, 1832, and discontinued April 15, 1864. Its postmasters were: William Leech, 1832; Adam Thompson, 1845; John Reznor, 1846; A. C. Riley, 1853; John A. Clark, 1853; Aaron C. Riley, 1858; Obadiah B. Baker, 1861.
Sandy Lake was established as Brownsville, January 30, 1833, and was changed to its present name November 16, 1868. Its successive postmasters have been: Thomas J. Brown, 1833; William C. Bogart, 1836; Alexander Brown, 1839; John W. Montgomery, 1843; John P. Vath, 1845; Charles J. Glenn, 1850; J. Peter Vath, 1853; James F. Brown, 1854; Alex. Brown, 1862; Austin Niles, 1866; Charles A. Bligh, 1870; Alex. Brown, Sr., 1871; James F. Johnston, 1872; Calvin Carver, 1885; J. F. Rayen, 1885; Will T. McBurney, 1888.
Sharon was established August 11, 1819, and has had the following post- masters: Elias Jones, 1819; Thomas J. Porter, 1837; Conrad G. Carver, 1841; John E. Hull, 1845; Robert A. McCleery, 1846; William N. Reno, 1849; Archibald Sinclair, 1850; Oliver H. P. Goodwin, 1853; Abner Applegate, 1856; Wash C. Malin, 1861; Lester M. Williams, 1863; Calvin W. Ray, 1879; Michael Carroll, 1887; J. J. Stitt, 1888.
Sharpsville was established as Sharpsville Furnace March 23, 1864, and was changed to Sharpsville February 21, 1871. Its postmasters have been:
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
William T. McKee, 1864; Jonas J. Pierce, 1866; Samuel Dunham, 1871; Wil- lis W. Kitch, 1885.
Sheakleyville was established as Culbertsons June 16, 1830; changed to Exchangeville January 28, 1850, and to its present name December 22, 1853. Its successive postmasters have been: Joseph Culbertson, 1830; William Furguson, 1840; Adam Weir, 1841; John W. Sheakley, 1843; William Mc- Namara, 1847: William K. Fulton, James Dunn, 1853; William McNamara, 1861; William E. Brown, 1863; Andrew Mills, 1866; Alex. McCoy, 1869; Mary E. McCoy, 1869.
Stoneboro was established April 4, 1868, and has had the following post- masters: Robert P. Cann, 1868; Samuel A. Wilson, 1874; Robert P. Cann, 1876; John P. Hines, 1885.
Transfer was established January 2, 1866, and its postmasters have been: James D. Morris, 1866; Samuel M. McClellan, 1867; George Heile, 1885.
Valley was established February 15, 1853, and discontinued March 21, 1885. John S. King was the only postmaster.
Western Reserve was established May 5, 1836, and discontinued August 28, 1841. Its successive postmasters were: I. R. Sankey, 1836; David San- key, 1840; Andrew B. Allen, 1840.
West Middlesex was established August 30, 1839, and has had the follow- ing postmasters: Robert B. Young, 1839; William G. Henderson, 1845; Jacob Brinker, 1849; John W. Veach, 1849; Louesa Canon, 1856; George W. Veach, 1857; Horatio N. Warren, 1866; Henry H. Newkirk, 1866; Horatio N. War- ren, 1866; Henry H. Newkirk, 1867; Horatio N. Warren, 1868; William Jones, 1876; Benjamin J. Haywood, 1877; Albert E. Randall, 1885.
West Salem was established August 11, 1851, and discontinued November 4, 1875. Its postmasters were: James W. Mossman, 1851; John S. Mossman, 1855; Cynthia Judy, 1873; David Fratshen, 1875.
Wheatland was established as Wheatland Furnace July 15, 1864, and changed to Wheatland November 8, 1872. Its successive postmasters have been: John G. Walker, 1864; Jacob A. Breneman, 1871; Charles H. Small, 1871; John E. Hillier, 1872; Anna E. Shaffer, 1886.
Wheeler was established July 26, 1871, and has had the following post- masters: Samuel S. Sample, 1871; Thomas J. Marshall, 1874; Charles H. Sargent, 1876; David W. Sample, 1878; William H. Swogger, 1884; William Jamison, Jr., 1886.
Willow Brook was established May 4, 1855, and discontinued December 9, 1856. William W. Pool was the postmaster.
Worth was established July 5, 1848. Its successive postmasters have been: Israel Garretson, 1848; John V. Hays, 1848; William Gallagher, 1849; Thomas Jones, 1861; Robert Gallagher, 1867; Henry H. Byers, 1869; Robert S. Allen, 1874; Henry H. Byers, 1875; Rebecca Jones, 1886.
Post-offices existing at the present time in Mercer Co. : Balm, Carlton, Centretown, Clark, Clark's Mills, Five Points, Fredonia, Greenville, Grove City, Hadley, Harthegig, Hazzard, Henderson, Hermitage, Hill, Hoagland, Indian Run, Jackson Centre, Jamestown, Kennard, Kile, Kilgore, Kremis, Leech's Corners, Leesburgh, London, Lutton, Mercer, Millbrook, Milledge- ville, Neshannock, New Hamburgh, New Lebanon, New Vernon, North Liber- ty, North Sandy, North's Mills, Osborn, Otter Creek, Pardoe, Perrine, Sandy Lake, Sharon, Sharpsville, Sheakleyville, Stoneboro, Transfer, West Middle- sex, Wheatland, Wheeler, Worth.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI.
IRON, STEEL AND COAL INDUSTRIES-PIONEER FURNACES OF MERCER COUNTY -CLAY-WEST MIDDLESEX-OREGON-BIG BEND-ESTHER-GREENVILLE- HAMBURG-SHARON-SHARPSVILLE-MAZEPPA-PRESENT IRON AND STEEL INTERESTS-GREENVILLE ROLLING MILLS-FURNACES IN SHARPSVILLE- IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRIES OF SHARON-IRON STATISTICS FOR 1887-A QUESTION OF. CONTROVERSY-COAL INTERESTS OF TIIE COUNTY-FIRST COAL DISCOVERED AND USED-OTHER EARLY BANKS-GROWTH AND DEVELOP- MENT OF THE COAL INDUSTRY IN THE VICINITY OF SHARON AND WEST MIDDLESEX-DAILY OUTPUT IN 1864 AND 1865-MINES NEAR STONEBORO, PARDOE AND GROVE CITY-OUTPUT FOR 1887-PRODUCT NOT REPORTED.
T THE industries or occupations of mankind are usually classified under the head of agriculture, mining, manufactures and commerce, To these might be added, to represent the present condition of things, the professions, day labor, mercantile occupations, politicians and office-holders. In this article attention will be paid to only two distinct heads-iron and steel enterprises and coal mining. The development of the iron interests of the county is comparatively recent. In the town of Mercer is a frame building which was erected by Mr. Amberson in 1804. The weather-boarding was split out by the process of riving, and the nails were all wrought nails-that is, nails that were made from bar iron by the use of the hammer in the blacksmith's hand. All such iron had to be packed into the county from afar, the native ore not having been discovered or put to practical use at that time. In the Western Press of November 13, 1846, occurs this local editorial note: "A friend informed us last evening that the light of ten furnaces could be seen from the cupola of the court-house." These ten furnaces are thus specified by Mr. Francis Allen, of Hickory Township, a gentleman most thoroughly informed relative to the coal and iron interests of the county:
1. Clay Furnace, two and a half miles southeast of Clarksville, built by Vincent & Himrod. 2. West Middlesex Furnace, West Middlesex, built by Sennett, Clark & Co.
3. Oregon Furnace, two miles west of Mercer, built by Alexander Hutch- inson & Co.
4. Big Bend Furnace, Big Bend, built by John King and James Mc- Farland.
5. Esther Furnace, Greenville, built by Himrod, Woodworth & Co.
6. Greenville Furnace, Greenville, built by Power, Waugh & Reed.
7. Hamburg Furnace, Hamburg, built by Mills & Lowry.
8. Sharon Furnace, one mile north of Sharon, built by Shoenberger, Agnew & Co.
9. Sharpsville Furnace, Sharpsville, built by Joseph and John McClure and Vincent & Himrod.
10. Mazeppa Furnace, one mile east of Mercer, built by Garrett, Mc- Gaw & Co.
From this enumeration it will be seen that Clay Furnace is the pioneer of the kind in Mercer County. It was built by B. B. Vincent and David Himrod, of Erie, under the firm name of Vincent & Himrod, in the spring of 1845. Francis Allen came from Erie in February of the foregoing year, and acted as
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
their manager in its construction and operation. It was a small furnace, eight foot-bosh and forty-five feet high. It was built for the purpose of working native ore with charcoal, and produced seven gross tons of pig iron per day-a wonder to the people. The name, Clay Furnace, was given to the plant in honor of Kentucky's eloquent statesman, Henry Clay. It has already been stated that Mr. Allen, now of Hickory Township (Hermitage Post-office), was . general manager. Carson Davis came from Erie two months later than Mr. Allen, and was employed as founder, which position he held about a year, when he removed to Sharon Furnace, and occupied a similar position there. In the spring of 1848 he returned to Clay Furnace, and occupied his old place for several years, when he bought a farm, distant about a mile from the furnace. On it he is still living.
Clay Furnace was put in blast July 19, 1845, using charcoal and native ore. Vincent & Himrod continued to run the furnace until 1851, when they sold it to the Sharon Iron Company. This company finally sold it to individual stockholders of said company, who were organized under the style of the Iron Mountain Furnace Company about 1854. In 1861 they abandoned it, selling the whole plant to Francis Allen for $5,000, who sold it out by tid-bits, thus saving himself financially. This furnace could not compete successfully with other establishments along the lines of communication. At present scarcely a vestige of the old pioneer remains to tell its interesting history.
The West Middlesex Furnace was built in 1845, and went into blast Sep- tember 15 of that year, the projectors being Sennett, Clark & Co. After a short time the Buffalo Engine Company was accepted as a partner, being repre- sented by Horatio N. Warren. This firm continued until 1854, when Warren bought the Buffalo Engine Company's interest. The firm of Sennett & War- ren (other parties having previously dropped out) continued until 1858, when it failed. G. W. Tift, of Buffalo, bought the plant, which he sold in Septem- ber, 1859, to Mr. Ely, of Rochester, N. Y. He ran the institution a year, and likewise failed. It then passed into the hands of H. B. Tuttle, of Cleveland, who, after a year, sold it to Martin B. Wilson, by whom it was sold to William Jones, of Greenville, in whose hands it died about 1875. It was torn down, and the material sold to various parties.
It is not known when Oregon Furnace started, although one authority fixes it as early as 1839. This is doubtless a mistake, if authorities can be believed as to the origin of Clay Furnace. It was the property of several firms, but never paid heavy dividends.
Big Bend Furnace was started in 1846, by McFarland & King. On the 1st of April, 1850, they announced that they had erected a foundry in connec- tion with their blast furnace, and were "ready to fill all orders from a needle to an anchor." They exchanged castings for wheat, rye, corn, oats, bacon, etc. They were enterprising men, and did a general shipping business on the canal. McFarland died, and business was continued a few years by King. When mineral coal was introduced, he found the business unprofitable, and abandoned the furnace.
The Esther Furnace at Greenville was built in 1846 by Power, Waugh & Reed. After a time these gentlemen sold to Messrs. Stewart, States & Co., who had also purchased the Greenville furnace. After a number of unsuc- cessful attempts to produce iron at a profit, the business was abandoned, and to-day no traces of the old building are to be seen.
The Greenville Furnace was built in 1846 by Vincent, Himrod & Wood- worth. Joseph Woodworth was the manager. It ran a few years, and failed because its management did not return profitable results. It was then sold to
.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
Gen. Irvine, of Centre County, and three of his brothers. Lot Irvine was the manager, but the General furnished the "sinews of war" for the business. As long as he did this business seemed to be prosperous. Failing to do it, business lagged, and Lot, the manager, becoming greatly discouraged, com- mitted suicide by hanging himself. This circumstance and general business depression soon led to the abandonment of the enterprise.
Hamburg Furnace was built by Mills & Lowry about the same time as the one at Big Bend. It did not prove remunerative, and was soon sold out by the sheriff, and its site is even a matter of conjecture, all vestiges having been removed.
Sharon Furnace, located nearly midway between Sharpsville and Sharon, on the line of the Erie & Pittsburgh Railroad, east of the Shenango River, was built in 1846 by the firm of Shoenberger, Agnew & Co. The firm embraced Dr. Peter Shoenberger, David Agnew, George S. King and W. W. Bell, by whom it was conjointly operated until 1852, when the senior partner, having previously secured the interests of King and Bell, purchased the right of David Agnew, and thus became sole proprietor. He continued business for a year, and then suspended operations for two years. After the death of Dr. Shoenberger the plant became the property of Boyce, Rawle & Co. The stack, 12x60, was rebuilt in 1882, and adapted to the burning of coke and the smelting of Lake Superior hematite. Originally coke and charcoal were con- sumed in smelting native ores, producing about 1,200 tons of pig metal annu- ally, and employing fifteen men. The present annual capacity is about 25,000 net tons. Until his election to the national House of Representatives, Norman Hall was manager. In July, 1888, J. J. Spearman, of Sharon, and Col. James Collord, of Pittsburgh, leased the plant. The firm of Spearman, Collord & Co. fitted up the property in first-class order, changed the name of the brand from "Sharon " to " Vernon, " and began operations September 25, 1888, with the brightest prospects of future success.
The Sharpsville Furnace was built in 1846 by Vincent, Himrod and Joseph and John McClure, under the firm name of Vincent, Himrod & Co. It was then called the "Blanche Furnace." It was built larger than the Clay furnace, being ten feet bosh and forty-eight feet high. Joseph McClure was its man- ager. The furnace ran for several years, and was then closed until 1853, when it was bought by David and John P. Agnew. They ran it two blasts, when it failed, and passed into the hands of Gen. James Pierce, who took it in pay- ment of a coal debt. He refitted the furnace, supplying modern conveniences and making it one of the best in the Shenango Valley. It resumed operations in 1859, with John J. Spearman as manager. Mercer County block coal and Lake Superior ore were used, and it is claimed that then for the first time in Mercer County a distinctive red short iron was successfully manufactured. In 1862 Jonas J. Pierce became manager of this furnace, and the firm of James Pierce & Sons was subsequently formed. In 1870 the furnace was rebuilt, except the old stone stack, and in 1882 the latter was torn down and its place taken by a new one of modern construction, thirteen foot bosh and sixty-five feet high, which was blown in October 15, 1882. The annual capacity of the Sharpsville furnace is 30,000 tons of pig iron. The present firm is composed of Walter Pierce, Frank Pierce and James B. Pierce, with the last mentioned as manager of the furnace.
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