Crawford County, Pennsylvania
History
1876 ATLAS 1
"HISTORY OF THE VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY."
WEST SHENANGO TOWNSHIP.
West Shenango was formed from South Shenango on August 14, 1863. Peter Royal, Jeremiah Yokes, B. Snodgrass, Thomas Loughey, and Robert French were the pioneer settlers, about the year 1800. Andrew Betts and his son John were the first to make settlement; the former built the first hewed- log house in that section, and the latter began the first clearing on the farm now owned by Henry Betts, on Road 6. Not long after his arrival, Betts erected a small grist-mill, with a capacity for neighborhood grinding. Water was furnished by a spring bearing their name. On the completion of the State road, Betts also erected a saw-mill. No store till the establishment of one at the present village of Turnersville, in the east part of the township, founded by one Turner, who, following advice, laid out a town; failed to sell lots, and finally settlement began. Charles Davis was the first storekeeper and Postmaster, and sold to Peter Royal. John Betts was the pioneer preacher, and expounded the doctrines and faith of Methodism. The first organization occurred in 1819, with fourteen members. Rev. E. Morse was the preacher in charge, and the society was known as the State Line Methodist Episcopal Church. Edward Hatton is regarded as the teacher of the first school, on the place now owned by his son, Leonard Hatton. First marriage was that of Francis Royal to Elizabeth White. John Ralston was the first resident doctor at Turnersville. Andrew Betts was the first to die, and, as was the semi- barbarous but unavoidable custom, he was buried on the farm. One among many marked changes is that of transition from the scattered grave-yards alone, or about a church, to the tasteful cemetery and enduring monument: not that grief was less nor disposition altered, but from the ability which convenience gives.
