Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Part I: Directory
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SPRING TOWNSHIP.

Spring township was formed from Beaver in 1830. It borders upon Erie county, and contains 26,102 square acres. The soil is very fertile, and seems especially adapted to dairying purposes. It is well watered by Conneaut and Cussewago creeks, the latter emptying into French creek at Meadville. The first settlement in the township was made by Alexander Power, who, accompanied by his brother, located on the present site of Conneautville in 1795, taking up a tract of 800 acres. He built the first grist mill in the township, and the first saw mill west of French creek. Among the other early settlers in this locality, prior to 1796, were Justus Ross, Rob't Temple, Isaac Thayer and James Patterson. Following in their footsteps were John Foster, Robert Nelson, Samuel Thompson, Rob't McCoy and Thomas Foster. The first white child born in this vicinity, of which record has been made, was William R. McCoy in 1803. The first church edifice built in the township was erected about a mile north of Conneautville, by the Presbyterians, and John Boyd was its first pastor. The first pedagogue of whom mention is made was Josiah Brooks, of whom many anecdotes are related to this day. The population of the township in 1870 was 1,522. During the year ending June 1, 1874, the township contained 22 schools. The total number of pupils attending school last year was 335, with an average attendance of 253. The tax levied for school purposes in 1878 was $1,905.12.