Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Part I: Directory
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SHENANGO SOUTH.

The original formation of the township dates to 1811. The first settlers were Hugh Fletcher, Robert McConahey, James Davis and Michael Marshall, about 1797. Robert Bennett established himself about 1798, and James Dickey arrived in 1799. The first grist mill was built on Shenango Creek in 1830, by John Clyde, and the first saw mill in 1842, by Wm. Lewis; both have long since fallen a prey to the ruthless ravages of time. The pioneer school was taught in a round-log house. The oldest church organization was begun in 1801, when the United Presbyterian Church was formed by Rev. Daniel McLean, with ten members. The first services were held in a tent, next in a log house, built in 1805; and at last in a church erected in 1818, one mile north of State road. The township contains 17,102 acres. The population, according to the census of 1870, is 1,042. It contains eight schools, with an average attendance of 168. The amount expended for school purposes is about $2000 a year. The Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad passes through the township in the western part.