Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Part I: Directory
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VENANGO TOWNSHIP.

Venango township is located on the north border of the county, west of French Creek. It contains 8,971 acres, and had, in 1870, a population numbering 623, all of whom are white, 571 being native, and 52 foreign born. Settlement was made here as early as 1794 by Thomas Campbell and Christopher Siverling, who emigrated from Westmoreland county. The former located upon the Jacob Kepler farm, and the latter one mile further up the Creek, upon what is known as the Tarr farm. Other settlements quickly followed. Thomas Coulter and Robert Logue came in 1796; Samuel Quay and Henry and William Boyle in 1798; Jacob Hogelburger, in 1799, Isaac and Christain [sic] Blystone, in 1800; James Skelton, in 1801, and Goss & Torry in 1802. The first frame house erected in the vicinity was built by Christopher Blystone. The Zion Church, which was erected in 1816, was the first church building erected within the limits of the township. The first white child born in the township was Robert Coulter, who was born in 1797. The average number of pupils attending the various schools of the township during 1878 was 121, the tax levy for school purposes for the same year was $575.32.