ATHENS, first in alphabetical order, was the last, or one of the last townships
of Crawford County to become permanently settled. It is situated in the northeast
part of the county, and is bound by Bloomfield on the north, by Rome on the east,
by Steuben on the south, and by Richmond and Rockdale on the west. The southern
part is included within the Seventh Donation District, the northern part within
the Eighth Donation District. Between the two is a wedge-shaped " gore," extending
east and west, and having an average width in this township of about a fourth of
a mile. It was produced by carelessness and the consequent inaccuracy of the early
surveys. While in other regions surveys sometimes overlapped each other, causing a
confusion of conflicting titles, this narrow strip or gore between the Seventh and
Eighth Districts remained unsurveyed and was without claimants. It was afterward
settled as State land. There were, however, conflicting claims to the military tracts
embraced within the township. James D. Minnis, a prominent and well-informed resident
of the township, states in an historical article that two surveys had been made, the
Doe and the Herrington, which did not conform to each other, and created litigation
and much anxiety. The Nickleson heirs laid claim to a great portion of the land, by
virtue of a mortgage, alleged to have been granted them by the Commonwealth. The
tracts were advertised for sale, and great consternation prevailed, but happily for
the occupants and owners of the lands, the State intervened and protected the settlers.
Many of the tracts were owned by Revolutionary soldiers or their representatives,
scattered widely throughout the Union. Some of the land was sold at tax sale, the
validity of which was afterward successfully disputed. Altogether, the inducements
for an early settlement of the land was anything but inviting. Land was abundant and
cheap throughout the then great West, and the burden of leveling the gigantic forests
was seldom assumed without some assurance that the land thus wrested, after long-
continued fatiguing exertions, from a wilderness state, could be successfully held.
It was not until 1820, or shortly before, that the face of the country showed signs
of an approaching civilization. When the first settlers came they found in the township,
in a cabin buried in the heart of the forest, a solitary white man, by name John Smith,
living in lonely seclusion, with only the wandering Indians as companions. He had fled
his native land, Ireland, near the close of the last century, on account of political
disturbances, and from Pittsburgh made his way up the Allegheny River and Oil Creek to
near its source; then left the stream, and proceeding to the ravine on what was afterward
the Taylor Farm, Tract 1696, he erected a cabin. He made no attempt to secure the title
to land, and effected but a slight clearing. His occupation was hunting, trapping and
fishing, and at long intervals he made his way to distant posts and exchanged his peltry
for the few commodities of life he desired. He often hunted with the Indians who encamped
in this vicinity, and became their intimate friend. When the cabins of the foremost
pioneers and the incisive strokes of the woodman's ax began to encroach upon the extensive
hunting grounds, Mr. Smith, like his dusky neighbors, took his final departure for parts
unknown, probably to the deeper recesses of the wilderness, to live over again his life
of solitude and obscurity.
The Tract on which the cabin of the hermit stood became, about 1820, the home of Dr. Silas
Taylor, a prominent pioneer. He was born of Puritan ancestry, in Massachusetts, February
18, 1787, and removed to Tract 1696, in the northern part of Athens, from Genesee County,
N. Y., where he had been engaged in the practice of medicine. He at once commenced the
labor of land improvement, and at the same time followed his profession. He was the
pioneer physician of this portion of the county, his field of practice spreading over
Athens, Bloomfield, Rockdale, Sparta, Richmond, Rome, Steuben and Troy. His journeys were
made on horse-back through indistinct and rugged bridle paths, and were often protracted
late into the night or continued for days, yet his active practice yielded scarcely more
than a bare subsistence. As a citizen, Dr. Taylor took an interest in public local affairs,
and did much to improve the roads and the schools of his township. He reared a large
family, was a prominent member of the Methodist Class at Centreville, and after residing
most of his life in Athens, died at Batavia, N. Y., June 29, 1875.
Mrs. Sarah A. Taylor, the second wife and widow of Dr. Taylor, was a notable pioneer woman.
She emigrated when a little girl with her father, Theodore Scowden, from the Susquehanna
to what is now Union Township, this county, in 1800. At an early age she married Capt.
John Minnis, a soldier of the war of 1812, and settled with him in Mercer County. He was
a carpenter by occupation, and his business often detained him from home till late at night,
or sometimes for days, and she was sometimes left alone in a large unfinished cabin standing
near the border of a dense and dismal forest. One evening, after awaiting her husband's
return, and he not coming, she at last retired and composed herself to sleep. In the course
of the night she was awakened by the noise of a large animal climbing the side of the house.
Soon after she heard it spring to the loft above, which was only partially furnished with a
floor. Apprehending her extreme danger, she sprang from the couch and sought to rekindle
the dying embers, and thus keep off the ferocious animal, but only a few faint sparks remained,
and the growls of the hungry intruder attested its displeasure at this procedure. Retreat-
ing to the farther end of the room, Mrs. Minnis took refuge in a large tea-chest which
fastened with a spring-lock. Remembering the fate of Genevra, she kept her fingers between
the chest and lid. An instant later the savage creature leaped upon the box, crushing her
fingers. She fainted and remained unconscious until morning, then with difficulty withdrew
from her cramped position, and finding the animal gone, hastened with her frightful story
to the nearest neighbor. The panther, for such it proved to be, had devoured a quantity of
fish and meat suspended near the fireplace from a beam. Mrs. Minnis married Dr. Taylor in
1836, and remained a resident of Athens Township until her death, which occurred at the
residence of her son, November 15, 1883. Among the earliest settlers of Athens were: Abraham
Wheeler, Samuel Willis, Joseph King, Elder Hutchinson, John Shaubarger, Henry Hatch, Jonah
Edson and Thomas Delamater. Abraham Wheeler was born in New Hampshire August 13, 1793, and
in 1819 emigrated with his family, from Genesee County, N. Y., and settled on Tract 1597 in
the northern part of the township. He was a man of great determination and force, which he
expended in clearing a large farm. Late in life he removed to Sparta Township, where he
died March 17, 1876, leaving a large family. Samuel Willis settled in the northern part of
Tract 1695. He was somewhat eccentric in his manners, and on that account dreaded by some
of his superstitious neighbors. Mr. Willis in a few years removed elsewhere, and Bartlett
Fuller, from Whitehall, N. Y., succeeded him in the possession of this land, and remained
its occupant until his death. Joseph King settled on the "gore," about a half mile east of
Little Cooley. He died a few years later and was buried on the farm. Mrs. Sarah King, his
widow, remained a resident on the place, and there died in extreme old age. Elder
Hutchinson was one of the earliest pioneers. He settled north of Little Cooley on a tract
of waste land, which is in the Eighth Donation District, but was left unnumbered, and
consequently undrawn, on account of its marshiness. The quality of the land has since
improved by clearing and drainage. Mr. Hutchinson died here about 1837, and his descendants
still occupy the farm. He was a life-long farmer and a Presbyterian. John Shaubarger,
originally from Germany, emigrated from Westmoreland County to Tract 1324, in the south-
central portion of the township. He was a rough and rugged German, well fitted physically
to cope with pioneer obstacles and endure privations. By industry he cleared a large farm
which his descendants yet possess. Jonah Edson settled on Tract 1692, in the northeast
part of Athens, prior to 1820, and remained there until his death in 1848, at a ripe old
age. Henry Hatch settled on Tract 1319 in the south part of the township, where he still
resides in the vigor of a hale and hearty old age.
Other pioneers of Athens were: Charles Loop, William McCray, Elihu Root, Michael Dobbs,
Timothy Higley, Robert Cage, Ephraim Fuller, Samuel Rice, John Vancise, Thomas Bloomfield,
Luther Merchant, William Clements, James Drake and Lewis Warren, all of whom were here
prior to 1836. Charles Loop came from New York State and settled on the gore about a half
mile east of Little Cooley. He was an early Justice of the Peace, and moved to Erie County.
William McCray, a native of Ireland, settled on Tract 1689, in the northeast portion of
the township, where at his death he left two daughters and three sons. Elihu Root obtained
from the State a farm in Tract 1567, in the northwest part of the township. He remained
its resident until death, and was buried on the place. Michael Dobbs was born in Canada
near Lake Champlain, crossed into the United States to avoid conscription in the English
army, was an expert hunter and trapper, and accoutred in huntsman's garb, passed much of
his time in days gone by in the pursuit of game. He still resides on his old farm on Tract
1567, settled by him in pioneer times. Timothy Higley, who hailed from Connecticut,
settled in the south part of Tract 1797, where until death he followed farming. Robert
Cage, a native of Harper's Ferry, in April, 1824, settled on Tract 1718 in the northwest
part of the township, where he died in August, 1869. Ephraim Fuller came, an aged man,
and resided until his death, with his son-in-law, Luther Merchant, who dwelt in the
northeast part of the township on Tract 1689. Samuel Rice subsequently moved to the site
of Riceville. John Vancise occupied the south part of Tract 1597, and later removed to
Venango County. Thomas Bloomfield, Jr., of Bloomfield Township, settled on Tract 146 in
the eastern part. William Clements occupied Tract 1735, and died at Riceville. Lewis
Warren dwelt on Tract 1690, and later removed to Richmond Township.
James Drake was born in Seneca County, N. Y., December 14, 1795; served as a private in
the war of 1812; married Sallie Marvin in 1818, and in 1831 purchased 100 acres in Tract
1360, this township. He did not at once occupy it, but by contract with Ebenezer Felton,
of Boston, who owned several hundred acres in the southern part of the township, he built
for him a saw and gristmill on Muddy Creek in Tract 1357. A carding-machine and
blacksmith shop were also added. Mr. Drake remained in charge of Felton's Mills about
twelve years, then moved to his farm on Tract 1360, where he remained engaged in farming
until his death, January 25, 1876. Felton's Mills was an important place for a time. A
flourishing business was transacted, and employment was given to about fifteen persons,
among whom were: Levi Burdsley, Warren Terrill, Joseph Sair, Warren Fairbanks and Carlton
Eaton. The mills suspended soon after Mr. Drake left them. Ebenezer Felton, the
proprietor was a resident of Boston, and spent a portion of his time in Athens Township
managing his affairs.
The township was settled slowly. It was formed in 1829, the place of holding elections,
by act of Assembly approved April 23, 1829, being fixed at the house of Ebenezer Felton.
The original bounds included the greater part of what is now Steuben. It is said that at
the first election but twelve votes were cast, seven of the votes constituting the Election
Board. The population in 1850 was 928; in 1860, 1,192; in 1870, 1,317, and in 1880, 1,419.
The township has an area of 17,156 acres, valued on the tax duplicate of 1882 at $230,737.
It is well-watered by Muddy Creek, which, flowing northwesterly with its tributaries, drains
the central and western part, and Oil Creek which flows southeasterly through the eastern
part. The Union & Titusville Railroad follows the course of the latter stream. The surface
is hilly and rolling. Along Muddy Creek some swampy land is found which has proved amenable
to drainage. The forests were composed of hemlock, pine, black oak, red oak, white oak,
cherry, beech, cucumber, white wood, soft maple, hard maple, lime or bass wood, chestnut,
elm and ash. The soil is of good quality.
In early times shingles were about the only staple article of trade. They were made in
large quantities and shipped by water to Pittsburgh and other cities. Quantities of black
salts were then produced, and their sale at Meadville furnished many pioneers with the
means through which to pay their taxes. Lumbering is still carried on to some extent.
Among the saw-mills now in operation may be mentioned Thomas Smith's water-mill on Muddy
Creek, a mile above Little Cooley; Bidwell's water-mill, a mile below the village, and
Stockwell's steam-mill in the northern part.
The first school in the township was taught in 1826 by Chelous Edson, in a cabin which
stood in the ravine on Tract 1692 in the northeast part of the township. Mr. Edson as
teacher was followed by his wife, Miss Elvira Sizer, Joseph Langworthy, Darwin Taylor
and Lydia Taylor. Six or eight years later Aaron Ellis, Columbus Edson and Charlotte
Crouch were instructors. Daboll's Arithmetic, the English Reader, Webster's Spelling
Book, with a little writing, embraced the course then taught. The next school was held
in a log ashery on the Felton farm in 1831. Miss Wooster was the first teacher here;
then Miss A. Curtis, and in 1834 Delos Crouch, a very noted teacher, gave instruction.
The next school was held in the Langworthy settlement, then one was taught on Post Ridge,
and afterward one at Hutchinson's, on Muddy Creek. The first good school building was
erected in 1840, in the Taylor Subdistrict, through private contributions. It was
clapboarded on plank, ceiled within, and was well lighted and seated. Among the teachers
of this school were: Prof. Bunham, of Rochester, N. Y., Chauncey B. Sellers, of Meadville,
and James D. Minnis.
The first postoffice within the township was Taylor's Stand, established about 1830.
Dr. Silas Taylor was Postmaster for twenty years, and, except several years, during
which Mr. Southwick held the office, James D. Minnis has been Postmaster since 1850.
This office originally supplied Athens, Bloomfield, Troy and parts of Richmond, Sparta
and Rockdale. The mail was received once a week from Meadville, and was carried on
horseback. At first scarcely half a score of newspapers were taken throughout this
region. The postage on letters varied from 6 to 25 cents, according to the distance
of their destination.
Little Cooley, the only village of the township, is located in the western part, near
Muddy Creek. It contains two stores of general merchandise, two groceries, one hardware
and one drug store, one hotel, a water grist-mill, a broom-handle factory, a cheese
factory, two shoe shops, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, a United Brethren Church, a
schoolhouse erected in 1884, and about twenty-five dwellings. Charles Loop and Rev.
Steele first settled here and engaged in the manufacture of shingles and tubs. Their
sojourn, however, was only temporary. Isaac A. Cummings was the first permanent settler,
commencing the demolition of the forest here about 1851. Nathan Southwick a little later
opened the first tavern. George Fleek and L. J. Drake successively pursued the same
genial avocation. Mr. Drake started the first store about 1852. Hosea Southwick a
little later erected a saw-mill. He subsequently converted it to a gristmill, which has
ever since remained in operation. The growth of the settlement gradually continued until
it attained its present proportion.
The United Brethren Church at Little Cooley was formed about 1860, and among its early
leading members were: Joseph Barlow and wife, William Wright and wife, Horace Wright and
wife, and William Bennett and wife. Early meetings were held in the schoolhouse until
about 1867, when the present substantial house of worship was erected under the supervision
of this society, many of the citizens in this vicinity, regardless of church affiliations,
contributing to its construction. The society now numbers about thirty members, and is a
part of French Creek Circuit, which includes four other appointments: Wilkin's and Maple
Grove in Bloomfield Township, and Brown Hill and Kellogg's in Rockdale. Early pastors of
this circuit were: Revs. H. Bedow, Joseph Hoyt, N. R. Luce, F. H. Herrick, Lansing
McIntire, George Hill, D. C. Starkey and W. Robinson. Recently the following have filled
this circuit: Rev. Lansing McIntire, 1876-77; R. Smith, 1878: N. C. Foulk, 1879-80; E.
E. Belden, 1881-82; W. H. Chiles, 1883.
The " Church of God," an Advent congregation, was organized with three members in 1855,
by Elder Charles Crawford. John Root, Alva S. Gehr and Mr. Bush were early members.
The society has no church edifice, but meets in a schoolhouse in the northwest part of
the township in winter, and in the grove, " God's first temple," in summer. Elder John
T. Ongley, of Bloomfield Township, is the present pastor.
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