Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Part I: Directory
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CONNEAUT [TOWNSHIP].

The first settlement of the township was made about 1798, and among the earlier settlers were William and Thomas Rankin, Samuel Paterson, Robert and William Latta, the latter building the first frame structure in the township. Many others settled about this time, but owing to an alleged breach of faith of the Holland Land Company, from whom they derived the grants, they soon left. The township was founded in 1811 [sic], and derives its name from a lake of the same name.
It is situated on the western border of the county, north of the centre, and contains 23,896 square acres. The population in 1870 was 1729. The soil is well adapted to the production of grass, grain, and to stock raising and dairying, the principal avocation of the inhabitants. The Erie & Pittsburg[h] Railroad passes through the eastern part. The first school house was built in 1818, and the first teacher was a Mr. Smith. Another school house was built at Penn Line, in 1820, and the following year one was built at Summit station. At present there are 16 schools, with an average attendance of 410 pupils, conducted at an annual expense of about $2,400.