USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1) > Part 38
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The following statement by Mr. F. F. Mur- ray. a well known writer of this county and of Pittsburgh, is worth considering in this con- nection. Mr. Murray was born and reared upon a farm in Plum township, and still has his summer home there. He is well acquainted with conditions in the northwest part of the county and has been an interested observer of other sections :
"The present population of Plum township is about one thousand-possibly slightly below rather than above that figure. There is a small oil production, chiefly from the first sand at three points in the township, in the southeast and southwest corners and in the angle between Chapmanville, Sunville and Wallaceville. There are some present operations along the north line of the township, but they are as yet without profitable returns, either as to oil or gas. It is believed that some further spots will be found productive of oil, but in this, of course, it may be. as in many other regions, that 'the wish is father to the thought.'
"There is a gristmill at Wallaceville and two or three sawmills of transient location, but no special manufacturing or industrial plants.
"In former years there were numerous coop- er shops which did a thriving business, the fine white oak timber available being manufactured into barrels for the then booming oil business along Oil creek, but these vanished long ago,
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together with the timber that supplied them. Many other activities related to both the oil business and the timber have gone, and the fu- ture of the township, like nearly all others in the county, must depend upon other activities, principally upon farming, fruit and stockrais- ing, and kindred developments. To these things attention is being turned with the de- cline of the oil interest and the exhaustion of the timber, and the next few years will witness marked progress in the direction of these hith- erto neglected resources. There are good farming and stock possibilities, and as to fruit- growing the prospects are excellent. Of apples particularly none can be grown anywhere of finer body and flavor. The present chief lack of the township is represented in the want of outlets through better roads, and when such roads have been obtained Plum township will not consider itself second to any in the county, either in the natural character of its resources or the character of their development."
Mr. Murray's statements are fittingly em- phasized by the fact that in January, 1919, four wool fleeces were sent to the agricultural exhibit at Harrisburg, through the Venango County Farm Bureau, for which three prizes were awarded. William Allen, of Wesley, won second prize in the half-blood class ; John S. Wright of Cooperstown, the third prize in the quarter-blood class, and J. H. Lusher, of Rock- land township, was awarded fourth prize in the same class. This is the first exhibit made by Venango farmers at the State agricultural show. It is believed that these results may lead to a much larger representation from here next year. Sheep ranges could be easily pro- vided upon thousands of acres now unpro- ductive except of weeds, briars and under- brush, to the great benefit of the land and of the owners' bank accounts. It is a common re- mark that the home-grown lambs furnish the most delicious meat. Suitable arrangements with dogs should not be longer delayed.
In this connection, mention may be made of the fine exhibits of cattle, swine, sheep, horses and poultry which were made at all the later fairs held in the county. Equally notable was the display of farm products-the various grains which can be grown here, and clovers, including alfalfa, valuable soil enrichers or restorers of exhausted or so-called worn out land. Simply astounding has been the display of fruits on all occasions of general exhibits, not only in the number of varieties, but in their quality. Pears. plums, cherries, the vine and brier fruits, are common ; peaches and grapes thrive on the southward-looking slope. But the
apples are a distinct class. When the trees are pruned and sprayed, and the fruit is carefully gathered and sorted, it equals in appearance the Western "commercial" apple, its chief sell- ing point. The Venango selected apple, in ad- dition to beauty of form, size and coloring, has the flavor of the best, even of the Hudson river valley apples, or of the lakeside orchards of New York and Canada, which command the highest prices in the markets of Europe.
SOME NOTABLE FARMS
In those parts of the county where the most has been made of agriculture, and of all that the term broadly includes, the influence is seen of two wise men who many years ago had vision and the practical means of converting idealism into reality, a combination of facul- ties that does not too often obtain. The names of Miller and Sibley are inseparably con- nected with the best in the gradual advance- ment of Venango county farming and horti- culture. Messrs. Charles Miller and J. C. Sib- ley were owners about thirty years ago of one of the best equipped, and one of the largest and most favorably known, of any breeding establishments. There were at that time near Franklin three separate tracts belonging to this farm; the first was known as The Fair Ground Farm, comprising about 190 acres and contain- ing the principal buildings ; the Galena Farm, located on the west side of the Pittsburgh pike, between Franklin and Uniontown, contained twenty-five acres, used mostly for pasturage ; the third was called the Prospect Hill Farm, located in Sandy Creek township, six miles southeast of Franklin, containing nearly 200 acres. On this farm the first silo built west of the Allegheny mountains was erected. It had a capacity of 240 tons. This firm began its career as stock raisers after acquiring suf- ficient means to obtain the most desirable ani-
mals regardless of cost. The first purchase was a Jersey bull for two thousand, five hun- dred dollars, an unprecedented sum for that time. Shortly afterward the firm purchased from A. B. Darling, New York City, Michael Angelo, 10,116, a highly bred son of Eurotas, a calf only six weeks old, paying twelve thou- sand, five hundred dollars cash. This price was the highest ever paid for an individual of this breed, and probably is still. These are a few examples of the stock and indicate the standard of the owners. The same high stand- ard has been maintained at their present farms, T. C. Sibley's River Ridge Farm and General Miller's Rosemont Farm. The farmers of Ve-
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nango county have thus had opportunity to improve their stock and to learn without delay and expense the best methods of caring for them and getting the best results. Great ad- vances have been made by these men in the matters of seed testing, fertilizing, cropping and fruit raising. From both these farms thousands of plants have been sent out for testing, and when the war gardens were started the plants were given freely to all who would take them and use them. Land was also do- nated to be used for the supply of patriotic food. At River Ridge Farm a yearly demon- stration of methods is given. Farmers are invited to come and spend the day and the oc- casion is in the nature of a prophetic harvest picnic.
Other farmers who are making a fine dem- onstration of what can be done with the land of this county are R. G. Lamberton, who started and developed the Argeon Farm, which was afterward bought by J. C. Sibley and re- named River Ridge Farm .. Additions have been made to the property and attention has been given to horticulture as well as to other branches of industry. Many men are em- ployed, and are under the management of J. L. Hanna. R. G. Lamberton has another farm, named Argeon Hill, lying in the Sugar Creek valley. The same advanced methods characterize this new venture of Mr. Lamber- ton that made his other farm notable.
Daniel Grimm has a model farm in Sugar Creek valley, which is distinguished by the ap- plication of the methods best adapted to bring out the possibilities of the soil. Mr. Grimm gives personal attention to the various experi- ments undertaken and applies business princi- ples to the interesting work carried on at his farm.
W. W. Splane has lately turned his attention to the science of farming. He purchased a large oil farm, and believing in its possibilities decided also to develop it on the agricultural side. He engaged a superintendent and sent him to State College to take a course of study, and later supplied him with the most modern instruments used in farming. Mr. Splane's idea may easily prove an inspiration to others who have overlooked the fact that much may be done along the line of agricultural improve- ment even where oil is present underneath the soil. Mr. Splane's desire to increase the food supply comes directly from the patriotic im- pulse to help his country in the time of neces- sity.
S. Y. Ramage has several farms which he is working along modern lines. Like the others
already named, he has purchased tractors and other machinery of the latest invention. He is greatly interested in the subject and has given much attention to the various puzzling prob- lems arising from time to time.
FARM BUREAU
There are many comparatively small farms which are being carried on in accordance with the best ideas. In fact, so strong is the senti- ment in favor of going "over the top" in the food and farm drive that it was possible to establish last year a Farm Bureau with a paid expert at the head of it, Mr. H. H. Haverstick. of State College, who is beginning his second year under favorable auspices. Arthur Seep, S. Y. Ramage and other men interested have been advocates of the Farm Bureau for some time.
THRIVING VENTURES
In methods of cropping the Schruers Broth- ers are deserving of mention. They are suc- cessful market gardeners, who understand how to make their business pay. This is cer- tainly an important part of the program. They have studied the subject scientifically as well as practically. They have taken courses in State College. These young men practice the rotation of crops and the growth and turning under of green manure according to the well known fact that a farmer can raise all the nitrogen he needs for his crops. They are well established in their business and are held in high esteem.
Walter Deyoe has succeeded in his chosen work as florist and his business has become an institution of Oil City. From a small green- house begun by him as a boy his plant has grown to be a large and fine addition to the city's decorative possibilities.
Myron E. Hoover, of Oil City, is also doing good work along the line of raising vegetables and flowering plants. He has built up a thriv- ing business.
The Bell Floral Company of Franklin is do- ing much to help along the good taste of the people in choosing and developing the best floral and vegetable plants. The company is incorporated, Anna Bell being secretary and treasurer ; Edward Bell, manager. Their green houses are located at Niles, Pennsylvania.
A well known florist also is Gilson Shaffer, at Maple Dale.
The Oakwood Farm and Garden Company was organized by O. H. Strong, president; H.
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B. Beatty, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Strong had given much attention to rose culture in an amateur way, and in 1885 he decided to make a business of raising roses. Six hundred acres of land were purchased in Cranberry township, with the proper characteristics of altitude, drainage and exposure. Here he erected suit- able buildings and the business was established in the spring of 1886. Eight greenhouses 300 feet long and 21 feet wide, and one 100 feet long and 70 feet wide, were started in 1885; two, 300 by 15 feet, were added in 1887; and three others of the same size in 1888. These aggregated 22,300 square feet devoted to rose culture principally. The company specialized upon twelve different kinds of roses, Pearle Des Jardins, Niphetos, Bride, William Francis Bennett, Papa Gondier, Bon Silene, American Beauty, Catherine Mennet, La France, Sou- venir De Wootton, Sunset and Madame Cusin, which were grown exclusively for cut flower purposes. The success attending the cultiva- tion of these exquisite flowers was deserved. Orders came from all quarters. Washington was glad to place them in the White House for a beloved president's wife. New York hotels blossomed with them. For a number of years the largest orders for cut flowers from Chicago came to Oakwood Gardens. Locally the education in beauty was advanced. The generosity of Mr. Strong and of Mr. Beatty was in evidence on every hand. The churches were recipients of gifts not once in a while, but every Sunday. Brides carried their flow- ers and homes of grief were touched with the spirit of kindness and of comfort. On first Bird Day in the schools of America in Oil City every school room in the city was adorned with American Beauty roses, a gift from Oak- wood. As an aid to the growth of the roses a commercial dairy was found necessary. As an element of successful agriculture cows are in- dispensable. Oakwood to-day is sustaining its well earned reputation. The present secretary and treasurer is Mrs. M. L. Simpson, Mr. Strong's daughter ; C. W. Kennedy is genera! manager. Oakwood is still one of the largest growers of choice rosebuds in the country. Carnations, sweet peas, chrysanthemums, smi- lax and asparagus plumosis are also developed. Flowers are delivered to steamers sailing from all ports. The beautiful idea of Mr. Strong is still blossoming.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND FAIRS
Many efforts have been made in the years that are gone to build up agricultural societies.
As far back as 1838 one was started, and a meeting was held in the courthouse by those who favored the movement. Arrangements were made for effecting a permanent organi- zation. Nothing further seems to have been done, at all events this society held no fair. The Venango County Society was organized in 1851 at the courthouse. The president elected was David Phipps, Scrubgrass. The vice presidents were Robert Riddle, Scrub- grass ; William Short, Sandy Creek; Isaac B. Rowe, Franklin; James Hughes, Sr., Cran- berry; Joshua Davis, Rockland; Joseph Por- terfield, Richland; William Wright, Canal; John Boozer, Sugar Creek; Oliver McKissick, French Creek; W. W. Shaw, Jackson ; David Reynolds, Oakland; William Cowan, Plum; James Strawbridge, Cherrytree; William T. Neill, Allegheny; P. H. Siverly, Cornplanter ; Robert P. Elliott, President; Asbel Holeman. Tionesta ; David Elliott, Pinegrove. The cor- responding secretary was E. S. Durban, Frank- lin; recording secretary, C. P. Ramsdell, Franklin ; treasurer, R. A. Brashear, Frank- lin ; librarian, Samuel F. Dale, Franklin.
The first fair was held in Franklin in the Third ward, which was then in Sugar Creek township. The exhibit included horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, farm, garden and or- chard products, agricultural implements, and many articles of domestic manufacture. Only one fair was held at this place.
Ground was secured on Buffalo street in 1853, where the Union school building stands, and exhibitions were held there until October. 1861,, when the oil excitement occupied the public attention. The minutes of the meetings, containing the names of the officers, disap- peared. The society, considering the condi- tion of the county at that time, was highly creditable to the management, and was help- ful to the agricultural interests.
Various counties united to form an associa- tion called the Emlenton Union Agricultural Society. It did not exist long, but held one creditable fair in 1858. The Venango county men who served as vice presidents were : Elias Widdell, Emlenton; Joshua Davis. Richland ; Daniel Smith, Rockland ; J. Craig, Scrubgrass ; William Christy, Clinton; John J. Kilgore, Irwin. The recording secretary was W. W. Patton, Emlenton; corresponding secretary, Dr. J. McMichael, Emlenton ; treasurer, A. B. Crawford, Emlenton ; librarian, H. Gormley, Emlenton.
The Venango County Agricultural Associa- tion was incorporated Aug. 22, 1872. Grounds were leased in the Third ward of Franklin and
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suitable buildings erected thereon at a cost of eight thousand dollars. It might have been called a driving park association with more propriety, as trials of speed constituted the leading features of the exhibitions. Financially it was not a success; the lease, privileges, etc., were sold at sheriff's sale and purchased by a comparatively small number of the citizens of Franklin. At a meeting of representative cit- izens of the different townships and boroughs of the county, Feb. 18, 1874, they offered to surrender all the franchises of the association to an agricultural society for the sum of two thousand dollars cash and the payment annu- ally of half the rent, reserving the right to use the driving course when the grounds were not occupied for exhibitions. This proposition was favorably considered and measures taken for the formation of the proposed new association. A second meeting occurred April 15, 1874, Alexander Frazier, Canal township, presiding, when a variety of matters connected with county fairs were considered and discussed. The agitation was continued throughout the following summer, and in January, 1875, at a public meeting in the courthouse, a permanent organization was effected with the following officers: President, Alexander Frazier ; vice president, Justus Egbert; secretary, R. L. Cochran ; directors, S. M. Lupher, H. Clulow, John Bell, W. C. Barber, Thomas McKee, R. S. Bonnett, Calvin Ritchey : auditors, J. P. Byers, T. W. Smiley, G. A. Mckinley. Two fairs were held under the auspices of this as- sociation, in the autumn of 1875 and 1876, respectively, and both were regarded as fairly successful.
Venango County Agricultural Society .- The county fairs held by the County Association in 1875 and 1876 met with moderate success, but for some reason the association entered upon a period of suspended animation. In 1880 the agricultural fair idea was again resusci- tated. An association was organized at Han- na's hall Jan. 6th, known as the Venango Coun- ty Agricultural Society, whose duties were dis- tributed among the following officers: Pres- ident, A. G. Egbert, of Franklin; vice presi- dent, William Bean, of Canal; secretary, Hen- ry H. Ware, of Franklin; assistant secretary, C. A. McClintock, Dempseytown ; treasurer, J. L. Hanna, of Franklin; directors, James Anderson of Scrubgrass, James Russell of French Creek, G. W. Mays of Rockland, W. R. Crawford of Franklin, E. E. Clapp of President, William Foster of Canal, and Henry F. James of Sugar Creek.
A tract of land was purchased in Sugar
Creek adjacent to the Third ward of Frank- lin by the president, and suitable buildings were erected, at an expense of several thousand dol- lars. to which the society contributed one thou- sand, paying five hundred dollars rental annu- ally and leasing the grounds for a period of ten years.
A new and very interesting feature was in- troduced in 1882, by holding the fair under the joint control of the officers of the society and of a committee appointed by the Teach- ers' Institute of the county. An educational exhibit, to which all the schools of the cities, boroughs and country districts contributed, aroused the most intense interest ever noted at a Venango fair before or since that time. Vegetables and fruits, horses, swine, sheep and cattle from the hills, the tempting products of the churns and of the cook stoves, the magic webs of the housewife's loom and of the needle, the quilt of a thousand pieces in flamboyant colors, chickens, ducks, geese and little pigs most delightful-all these were there and re- ceived attention; but the main interest was focused upon the exhibition of the work done in the schools by the children. The State su- perintendent of public instruction, E. E. Hig- bee, and the president of the Grove City Col- lege, Rev. J. C. Ketler, marched to the fair grounds at the head of five thousand school children, where after the school exhibits had been inspected these educational leaders made addresses. Prizes amounting to over a thou- sand dollars were distributed for excellence in school work.
This society held nine exhibitions including that of 1888, and in all the educational feature was present. though not to the same extent as in 1882. The society was incorporated April 20, 1882. Sometime prior to 1888 the grounds were purchased from Dr. A. G. Egbert by Messrs. Miller and Sibley, who assumed the obligations of the society, and liquidated all claims against it, amounting to about five thou- sand dollars. The lease, which would have ex- pired in 1889, was canceled in 1888. No fair was held in 1889, though the organization con- tinued for some time. Charles Miller was the last president, elected in 1886, and James Mil- ler was also elected secretary the same year. E. W. Echols served as the treasurer from 1885. It is difficult to determine just when the dissolution of an agricultural association oc- curs; it has no common breath with which to expire at a given moment. One function after another ceases, till finally none are left. This society, however, deserves the gratitude of the whole county for its inspiring effect upon the
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work of the schools. It is true that its influ- ence upon them was unique in the history of such institutions, here or elsewhere.
Franklin Centennial
The grounds were preserved under the gen- erous ownership of Messrs. Miller and Sibley in shape to answer all the desires of the public for exhibition purposes. In 1895 was staged on the Miller and Sibley grounds one of the greatest exhibitions ever given by a city the size of Franklin. This was the Centennial of the town of Franklin, just one hundred years after the first lines were drawn by the sur- veyors to represent her streets and parks. The story of every one of those years was told graphically by silent objects preserved and still followed by tender care as they were brought into the present. There were articles of wear- ing apparel, household utensils, ancient farm- ing tools, the paraphernalia of frontier life,- all having power to make vivid pictures of the past. More than a hundred of the children of the forest were present to add to the reality of the look backward. A sham battle was held. Through the hundred years their battle yell continued to the present, its echoes still answering one another from the banks of French creek and of the Allegheny. Their method of attack upon the settlers, by creep- ing stealthily upon them, while they were in the fields at work, was fully shown ; refuge was found in the block house, and the white men succeeded in driving off their savage foes. It is a grievous thought that this was a common experience of the frontiersmen of Pennsyl- vania and of the neighboring States for seven- ty-five years; truly those people often "ate their bread in tears." In this battle, the whites have the advantage of a century, and one of their number, Henry F. James of Franklin, was a chief newly made, of the tribe of the Wolf; but there was realism enough in the play to recall with startling emphasis past dan- gers and horrors.
From the speakers' stand the orators pic- tured the beginning and development of the city, its harsh environment in the wilderness. its strangle-hold upon difficulties, its slow growth in civic life, its rapid advancement to the proud present. Mayor Forbes welcomed the visitors to the city "busy with most of the various pursuits of advanced civilization," in striking contrast to a century earlier, when there was scarcely a white man living within the nearest hundred square miles. His pleas- ing introduction was followed by the carefully
prepared and valuable historical address of Judge Heydrick, and by the speech of J. H. Osmer, glowing with patriotism. Upon the second day, the speech makers were Hon. Charles W. Mackey, upon the theme "The Men Who Have Made Franklin Famous"; Hon. George Criswell, whose basic thought, that amid all progress "Manhood is the one immor- tal thing, Beneath time's changeful sky," was sustained by the supreme audience; Logan, the Indian orator, who acknowledged his debt to those responsible for the entertainment, noting that the contrast made by the hundred years showed what- a wonderful people the whites are, and hoping that Mayor Forbes and Chief Henry F. James may be present at the next centennial; Harry W. Lamberton, who came all the way from Minnesota, and was gladly received by his former townsmen; Father Lambing, president of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, noting the presence of the aborigines and discoursing in- structively upon the fact that we have learned a great deal from them, the great Romans of America ; Hon. Alexander McDowell, whose relationship to Venango county he denied with little success, by hoping that in the future "all may meet once more in the better land of Mercer."
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