Clarksville, Pa.

Clarksville Kids mid-1970s continued...

2012-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

I found another picture of some Clarksville kids from the mid-1970s. This one features my sister Kelly Ross, Lisa Jacobs and Bobby Redman. I think I can see Georgeann Mildward in the background. I'm not sure who took this picture, but I think the composition is interesting. I like it!

A Walk with Morgan

2012-01-14T08:57:00.000-08:00

Everyday when I got off of the school bus there was a little girl waiting for me to take her for a walk. My little sister Morgan couldn't wait and we would always take the same route. First, we would walk up North Street to visit Libby Lint and her brother Bill (pictured below) and their sister Lena Bell Young. They would fuss over her, give her snacks and show her vegetables in their gardens. Then we would walk over to see my friend Debbie Carter, who lived on Main Street, and then over to the other side of town to visit our grandparents Vance and Ruth Ross, and great-grandparents Isaac and Mary Brown. It took us a long time, but she loved it.
This picture is cute, but now it takes on even greater meaning. If you look closely, on the other side of Main Street (beyond Mr. Shultsky's house - not sure of the spelling here) you can see the porch of a white house. Morgan lives in this house today with her husband James Muhly and their three little boys. Jim's grandparents James and Grace McManus lived in Clarksville, in a house across the street and just beyond the left view of this photo.

Morgan is pictured here with Bill Lint in front of the house of his sister, Lena Bell Young.

Clarence Nyswaner

2012-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

I think my mother took this photo of Clarence Nyswaner, a very kind man who lived on Market Street in Clarksville for many years. On the back of the photo she wrote, "Clarence Nyswaner - Nov. 1980 - resting after chopping wood." I'm not sure how old he was in this picture, but I'm sure he was probably at least 80 years old, maybe 90. He was proof that hard work pays off! If you look closely you can see the ax in his hand.

The kids from Clarksville - mid 1970s

2012-01-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving my mom brought a box of pictures to my house for my sister Morgan and I to look through. I pulled out a few to scan and I have been meaning to add them to the Clarksville blog ever since. Most of the kids in these photos I can identify, but the dates are a little sketchy. I can only estimate at best, so I will guess they were all taken between 1974 and 1978. Enjoy!

This picture was taken on the back porch of our house on the corner of North and Factory Streets in Clarksville. That's Cindy Redman on the left, my sister Kelly Ross, Leslie Bennet, Jimmy Falcon and Dawn Carter in the background. My parents must have taken this picture about the time we moved to town, which was around 1974. I know this is an early shot of the house, because the somewhat-intact porch was later removed to make room for an expanded kitchen. The house was built by my grandfather's uncle J.L. Ross.

Georgeann Millward, who lived on Main Street, came to our house and apparently got caught up in some sort of modeling shoot.

Keith Perkins and Bobby Redman and an unidentified dog.

Kelly Ross and Dawn Carter raided the dress-up box for Halloween. I guess Kelly was some sort of beauty queen and Dawn was a baton-twirling, hat-wearing bandit.

But even more interesting is that can of gasoline just hanging out in our yard!

What the heck is that about?

Kelly Ross skateboarding on Market Street. That's Gerald Fowler's old house in the background. The date on the back of the photo is 1977.

Lynn Milward, Keith Perkins and Dwane Christy modeling some cool sweaters.

Bernard Vincent McManus was raised in Clarksville

2012-01-12T03:46:00.000-08:00

Bernard Vincent McManus passed away on January 9, 2012, after a short hospitalization. He was 67 years old, the son of James Edward and Grace Anne Boyle; the husband of Nancy Lee Reposky McManus; and father of Bernard Vincent McManus, II (Beezer) of Tampa, Florida and James Edward McManus (Jamie) of Washington, WV.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Patrick of Cleveland, Ohio. He is survived by five siblings: Eileen Muhly of Clarksville, PA, Frances Marconi and Mary Hearn Cox, both of Baltimore, MD, Joan Berwick of Elkton, MD, and William McManus of Medina, Ohio.

Upon graduation from Jefferson Morgan High School, Jefferson, PA, in 1962, “Bernie” started his career with Corning Glass in Charleroi, PA, as an apprentice mold maker. During that apprenticeship, he also attended California State College, California, PA, and was promoted to Assistant Personnel Manager. In 1972, he transferred to be Personnel Manager at SpaceTec Inc. in Bedford, MA, then a subsidiary of Corning. In subsequent years, he served as Personnel Manager at the Corning Plants in Paden City and Parkersburg. After 32 years of service, he retired in 1994 as Human Resources Manager. Following seven more years as Human Resources Manager for Schott Scientific, he finally retired professionally in 2002.

Civic causes were also important to Bernie. Among others, he served on the Board of Directors of the Parkersburg Country Club, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and raised funds as a VIP for the Wood County Society.

Bernie was a charismatic, gregarious, fun-loving Irishman. He loved Notre Dame Football, the Pittsburgh Steelers, golf, tennis and socializing with the countless co-workers, friends and buddies he so enjoyed. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his favorite mother-in-law “Annabelle” who referred to him as her favorite son-in-law.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, Friday, January 13, at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, Pike Street, South Parkersburg. Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11 AM, Saturday, January 14, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Father Eric Hall officiating. A reception will follow at the Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wood County Society-Serving Children and Adults with Disabilities.

Here is a link to his obituary http://www.lamberttatman.com/sitemaker/sites/Lamber2/obit.cgi?user=551412McManus

Obituaries

2012-01-12T03:45:00.000-08:00

I think the readers of the Clarksville blog would like to know if one of their old friends or neighbors passes away. So, I decided to start adding the obituaries of those with Clarksville connections. I will start with the obituary of Bernard McManus, the uncle of my brother-in-law Jim Muhly. If any readers of this blog have one to add, please email me at rossmarodi@bentcom.net I may even go back and get older obituaries.

Jefferson-Morgan Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 3 Christmas Program

2011-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of attending the Jefferson-Morgan Elementary Christmas Program for students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. My nephew Jimmy, a seventh generation Clarksville resident, was a drummer boy in the kindergarten show. The teachers and students did a wonderful job and should be very proud. I thought my friends from Clarksville would like to see these photos and pass them on to their friends in Jefferson, Mather, Rices Landing and Dry Tavern, etc. Enjoy!

The fifth and sixth grade chorus

Pre-Kindergarten

Kindergarten (That's Jimmy Muhly of Clarksville in the grey stripped sweater playing the drum!)

Kindergarten again!

Kindergarten

First grade

First grade boys with Santa

Kindergarten - Three blind mice!

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Second grade

Third grade

Third Grade

Kindergarten (I think)

I think I got the grades right, but I'm not certain. Let me know if I need to make any corrections.

Merry Christmas!

Jefferson-Morgan Class of 1956 Reunion Planned

2011-06-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Jefferson-Morgan High School Class of 1956 will be holding their 55th reunion on Friday, September 30, 2011, at Double Tree by Hilton, 340 Race Track Road, Washington, PA. There will be a Cash Bar from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and a sit-down dinner at 6:30 p.m. Invitations and registration forms were mailed as of Friday, June 17th. Any member of the class not receiving them should call either Jim Dollar at (479) 855-1936 or John Kokish at (410) 647-6428. We are looking forward to seeing a large number of the Clarksville graduates at the reunion.

Greene County Historical Society museum to host Bryan's Dairy reunion - Washington Greene PA News - www.observer-reporter.com

2011-06-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

Greene County Historical Society museum to host Bryan's Dairy reunion - Washington Greene PA News - www.observer-reporter.com

Pitt Gas Elementary School (Members of the Jefferson-Morgan High School Class of 1956)

2011-06-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

This photo was submitted by Ed Adams. Please feel free to start identifying the students!

(Just click on the photo for a larger view.)

Photos and Memories of Ed Adams a former Clarksville resident

2011-06-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

I love this Clarksville blog, because it helps me remember the wonderful times I spent in Clarksville. I am rewarded for this labor of love when I get emails from people who feel the same about my hometown. This being said, you can imagine how happy it made me to get these photos from Ed Adams.

"I was born in the Pitt Gas house March 10, 1936. Lived here the first six years of my life.

In the Spring of 1942 the family moved to the Quentin Arnold farm north of Clarksville. I started first grade at Lippincott. We lived here for one year then moved to a neighboring farm belonging to Alice Wade of Clarksville.

Not too far from the Arnold farm was a swimming hole in the Ten Mile Creek called Clover Rock. Spent a lot of my childhood here.

Above Clover Rock, behind the Yablonski house, and just up the hill was Panthers Cave. When roaming the hills I would stop here many times for a cool drink of fresh spring water.

I would love to go back and refresh old memories of these places of my childhood but I know I never will.

It would be nice if someone visited these places for me and take pictures then send them on to me. Many, many thanks."

Ed Adams Now living in Lufkin, Texas.

The "Pitt Gas House"

The Arnold Farm

Clover Rock

Ed's son Brian at Panther's Cave or Panther's Den in the 1970s.

Ed's daughter Dianna, his brother-in-law Greg Ramos, and Ed exploring Panther's Den or Panther's Cave. He said the cave photos were taken in the 1970s during a trip back to Pennsylvania. Ed said that if he knew the internet was going to be around he would have taken the time to snap more photos! Well, Ed, we are all thankful that you took these!

I remember going to Panther's Den once with my father and a bunch of Clarksville kids. It was steep climb. I told Ed I would love to go take some pictures of it today, but I know I would never be able to climb up that hill. I barely made it when I was 10 years old. Does anyone know if Panther's Den is still intact? Would anyone be willing to climb up and take a picture for Ed? You could email it to me at rossmarodi@bentcom.net and I would post it here. How about the other places he mentioned? Would anyone be willing to take a camera and venture out to get pictures of these places, too? I must admit I never visited Clover Rock? I would love to learn more about it. Thanks, Randi

Yablonski murderer seeks prison release - Washington Greene PA News - www.observer-reporter.com

2011-05-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

Yablonski murderer seeks prison release - Washington Greene PA News - www.observer-reporter.com

Vote for Lisa Stout-Bashioum for Washington County Prothonotary!

2011-05-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the primary election in Washington County and I am asking all of my friends to go to the polls and cast their vote for my friend Lisa Stout-Bashioum for Washington County Prothotonary. Lisa and I have served together on the board of The Bentleyville Area Historical Society for several years and I think she will be a breath of fresh air at the Washington County Courthouse. But, she can't get there if our generation doesn't get out and vote! I know you are all busy working, taking care of your families and running kids to after-school activities. But it really only takes about five minutes to vote. That's it, just five minutes! (Ok, maybe 15 if you stop and talk to your friends at the polls; a half hour if you grab something to eat!) I thank you in advance for your support for Lisa. And, Lisa, Ben, Will, Sam, Josh, her husband Bob, Jon and Brynne, also thank you!

The Hail Storm of June 16, 2008

2011-04-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Presbyterian Church on Market Street.

Jimmy inspecting the hail in his great-grandmother's yard.

I was going through some old computer files and I found some photos and a video clip of the hail storm that hit Clarksville, Pa. on June 16, 2008. This video was taken from the back porch of my Grandmother Ross' house at 377 Market Street. We were having a birthday party for my grandmother and my nephew Jimmy when the storm hit. After the hail arrived we heard there was a tornado spotted nearby, so we all ended up in the basement. I don't think there was an actual tornado, but the whole event was pretty dramatic. I blogged about this before, so I won't go into any further detail. Now that I know how to add videos to this blog I will be looking for more little tidbits to add.

Go see Beauty and the Beast at Jefferson-Morgan High School!

2011-04-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

Danielle Sullenbarger & Milton Sibanda

Tia Sullenbarger

Last night my daughters and I went to see Jefferson-Morgan High School's production of Beauty and the Beast. The kids did a wonderful job and you could tell that they were truly enjoying themselves. It is nice to see that the arts are alive and well at J-M!

Two Clarksville girls who lit up the stage were Danielle Sullenbarger, who did an amazing job as Belle, and Tia Sullenbarger, who was hilarious as Cogsworth. I'm sure their parents, Art and Brenda Sullenbarger are proud!

So, if you are a local reader with a few hours to spare, I would recommend a trip to Jefferson-Morgan to go and watch the play. The curtain will rise again at 7 p.m. tonight and tomorrow.

(Thanks, Brenda for the pictures!)

The Valleys of Wales

2011-03-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Anyone from southwestern Pennsylvania would likely feel right at home if they visited the New Tredegar Valley of Wales. The never-ending horizon of rolling hills and the little coal mining villages would seem so familiar. This picture of Elliottstown New Tredegar was taken in 1951 and is from the National Library of Wales. It was sent to me by Seth Crook, a distant cousin who lives in Scotland and is also a descendant of the Bush family.

Here is what the photo inspired Seth to write:

"I find the photo in attachment rather moving, Taken in 1951 it is view of Elliottstown New Tredegar. In the middle distance you can see the row of Powell Terrace/Tredegar Road/Duffryn Terrace. Margaret lived on Duffryn terrace when she returned to New Tredegar in 1951. On the same row was her older brother John and family and also her nephew Thomas and family. When the photograph was taken fifty years later there was possibly still a grandson of John Price – Victor Alexander – living on the row. So this is the spot where Margaret would have lost husband and three kids. Her son will I think have been killed at the Elliott mine. Samuel Hamer will have been miner her, along with the brother Edward. Also Robert Bush, Margaret’s second husband. I love the way the row trails into the hills. It is one of my favourite photographs summing up both the struggle of these lives. I got the photo from the National Library of Wales. The colliery was owned by Powell Duffryn, hence the names of the streets.

Note to Randi. This is very much the world of the mining Oddfellows who would have been important before the miners unions really got going. Effectively the whole valley would have turned around the mine. There would have been a need for the insurance/health care connected with the oddfellows. Not coincidentally this is the general spot from where the founder of our National Health Service came from who very much made it his business to found the national health service and to nationalise the mines."

The Odd Fellows and their Welsh Mining History

2011-02-23T18:29:00.000-08:00

This newspaper clipping about my Great-grandfather Brown has been in my family tree collection for many years. In a previous blog, I wrote about my Great-grandfather's connection and love of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Seth Crook of Scotland, who is a descendant of the Price branch of the family tree, did a little research and explained to me that Isaac's love of the lodge and it's principles are deeply rooted in his Welsh heritage. This is what he wrote:

"I thought I would just add a bit after reading blog on Isaac Brown on the Oddfellows. It may help illuminate what was going on. I suspect (don’t know, only suspect) that the connection with the Oddfellows pre-dated the arrival of Isaac’s family in the U.S. The society was not simply a fraternal society amongst others, but was a society greatly intertwined with welsh miners in the late 19th century and early twentieth century.

They were very active in providing mutual aid and healthcare amongst miners. I think you might be interested to look at a site that can be found if you type in “Llewellyn jones, my welsh ancestry”. There is no family connection to the person here, but the site describes – photographs and further information – some of the activities of the Oddfellows in the mining valley of the Garw Valley in the late and early 19th century.

But there is a family connection. Margaret Bush’s uncle was John Price. When she will have been a child, she and her brothers will have known her uncle and cousins (his children) because they lived in the same spot. One of those cousins was of course a miner, Thomas Price, who by 1901 had moved to the Gawr Valley in a mining boom town. I think it quite likely that many of the miners of the family, on the side of both Margaret Price your ancestor and her brother will have been involved in what was effectively a very influential group for the rights of miners to health care and insurance. If you glance at the site I think you will see the world that would have shaped the views he grew into as a young man. I think it may shed more light on what was really involved in your family connection to the oddfellows..more light than can perhaps be shed by going back to the 18th century. The oddfellow connection is intertwined with the welsh mining past."

Here's the 'Hoe' Down on Bob Brown by Steve Halvonik of the Tribune-Review

2011-02-21T17:54:00.000-08:00

This article is about my Great-Grandfather Isaac Brown's brother, Bob and his love of fiddle playing. My grandmother gave me a copy and I've had it for years. Bob used to visit his family in Clarksville every once in a while, but I don't recall him bringing his fiddle. I'm sorry to say that I don't know the date of publication. If you click on the articles you will see larger versions.

The Bush family of Wales and Fayette City, Pa. (Also the Brown, Hamer and Brewer families.)

2011-02-20T19:03:00.000-08:00

Pictured in the front row, from the left, are my great-great-great-grandfather Robert Bush (1849-1909), great-great-grandmother Margaret Bush Brown Brewer (June 27, 1879 - March 21, 1973) and great-great-great grandmother Margaret Price Hamer Bush (1847-1921.) In the back, from the left, are Edward Hamer and Samuel Hamer, her sons with her first husband William Hamer. There is no date on the copy of this photo, which was given to me by my grandmother (a granddaughter of the Bush and Brewer family) Ruth Brown Ross of Clarksville, Pa.

Update: Feb. 21, 2011 - Seth Crook and Phillis Ritson have sent me messages to correct this information. Both maintain that Margaret's first husband was Thomas Hamer, not William.

Here is what Phyllis Ritson wrote:

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Phyllis Hamer Ritson, and Margaret Price Hamer Bush was my great-great grandmother. I descend through her son Samuel Hamer, his son Samuel, my father Delbert Lee.

My information is somewhat different from other information I have seen. I have a copy of a Hamer family history, which came from someone descended through Edward. My findings do not match up with what is in the history.

All the information I have found states Margaret was married to Thomas Hamer. I have copies of their marriage certificate, his death certificate and Samuel's birth certificate that all list him as Thomas only. He is also listed as Thomas on the 1871 census. The family lived in New Tredegar. Thomas' death certificate states cause of death as "typhus 15 days" ending in "coma 18 hours". Margaret signs the certificate as present at the time of death, 2 Sept 1877. Margaret and Thomas also had an older son, Thomas, who died in 1881 and a daughter, Mary Jane, who died in 1875. Margaret married Robert Bush in 1878 or 1879.

As to when they came to the U.S., I have used the 1910 census as my source. Edward Hamer was the enumerator for the township, so I believe the dates listed are correct. Edward came to the U.S. in 1888, followed by Margaret, Robert, and Maggie Bush and Samuel Hamer in 1889. I have a passenger list for the Bush family and Samuel dated 1891, so they must have gone back to Wales for either a visit or to make final arrangements for leaving Wales.

Janice Stewart provided this update on the first Isaac Brown -

"I have information that you may be of interest to you. The family story I had heard growing up, was that Isaac had died of appendicitis. (I had appendicitis as a child, so I had found this fascinating and intriguing.) However, there is a "line" item in a volume at the Courthouse in Uniontown, that says he died of "fever". He had died exactly one month after the death of his and Maggie's, 19 month old daughter, Margaret. He died 25 Sep 1903 and she had died 25 Aug 1903, of "croup". Mostly likely they both died of the same cause, whatever that may have been. My Uncle Bill said that Isaac was buried on the Hamer plot, where you found the stone for Robert and Margaret Bush. I imagine that baby Margaret is there also. (I had thought that at sometime I would like to give them a stone.)

Also, growing up, I had heard the story from "Grandma Brewer" that she had crossed the ocean to come to the US, two times. I found Margaret Price Hamer Bush, her son, Samuel, and Maggie coming into Philadelphia on 04 Dec 1889. Port of Departure, Liverpool, England, on the ship, British Princess; Port of Arrival, Philadelphia PA. Traveling were Margaret, age 9, her mother, Margaret, and brother, Samuel "Hamer", age 14. I found them traveling 21 Dec 1891. Port of Departure, Liverpool, England, on the ship City of Chester; Port of Arrival, New York, N.Y. Traveling were Margaret, both parents, Robert and Margaret, and brother, Samuel. If you are interested, I could look for those images.

Also, if you are interested, I have a photo of Isaac's brother, Samuel Ervin Brown."

This is the Fayette County Death Record Janice Stewart referenced. I had a copy of it in my files, but had forgotten about. Thanks for the reminder, Janice! (Just click on it to see a larger version.)

And, here is what Seth Crook had to say about the picture of Margaret Price Hamer Bush, which I emailed to him yesterday. (He had asked about it several months ago and I wasn't sure where it was.)

"Randi – just came back from Edinburgh and what great news. Interested! Well, that puts it mildly. I had been hoping for nearly three years that there would be a photo of our Margaret..she was always the best candidate for photographed child of Price the Thatcher..and here she is. Wow. You are my heroine. As is your mother (my grandmother, actually) I am delighted. And a few others will be delighted as well.
Well. Well. In day or two I will write up a piece about this...and why I am so pleased.
Seth

********

The marriage license of Isaac Brown and Margaret Bush of Fayette City, Pa, who were married June 15, 1897, in Belle Vernon, Pa. Isaac Brown was born in Ohio, the son of John and Milley Brown and Margaret Bush, was born June 27, 1879, in Wales, the daughter of Robert Bush and Margaret Price Hamer. Isaac died and Margaret married a Hayden Brewer. She died March 21, 1973 at the age of 93. My father said he remembers his great-grandmother her well and she spoke with a distinct Welsh accent.

The original document was difficult to read, so here is the translation.

********

My great-grandfather, Isaac Brown, Robert Brown, Margaret Bush Brown Brewer and her first husband Isaac Brown. My grandmother Ross said this photo was taken in Fayette City about 1900 or 1902.

********

This is a five-generation photo taken at the 50th anniversary party of my great-grandparents Isaac and Mary Brown in 1969. Pictured (on the table) is Randi Lee Ross Marodi; her father Forrest Wayne Ross, grandmother, Ruth Elaine Brown Ross, great-grandfather, Isaac Brown and great-great-grandmother Margaret Bush Brown Brewer. (Sorry about the damage to the photo.)

Margaret Bush Brown Brewer, center in the blue dress, and her family. My cousin Glenn Miller, a great-grandson of Margaret Brewer, gave me the following information: Row one, Raymond Brewer, Great-Great Grandma Brewer and Sarah Brewer. Back row, from the left, Price (Put) Brown, Robert Brown, John Brewer, Frank Brewer and my great-grandfather Isaac Brown. John and Frank Brewer were Margaret's stepsons (the children of Hayden Brewer and his first wife.) This photo was taken in 1969 at the Mt. Summit Inn in Uniontown, Pa. Missing from the photo is a daughter Marian Brewer.

*******

Today, my daughter Kate and I went to Fayette City, Pa. to see if we could find Great-Great Grandma Brewer's grave. I remember going to her funeral when I was about eight years old and I have a vivid memory of being in the backseat of the car and my father driving up a really steep hill to get to the cemetery. That's exactly what we found in Fayette City, a steep hill leading to the cemetery. Kate took all of the following pictures while we were in Fayette City, Pa.

The hill.

The entrance to the cemetery.

Kate and I found the grave we were looking for. I explained to Kate that this was where her Great-Great-Great-Grandmother Brewer and second husband, Hayden Brewer, were buried.

Much to our surprise we found the grave of Margaret Price Hamer Bush and her second husband Robert Bush. These were Kate's great-great-great-great grandparents. According to a history of the Hamer family, given to be my Grandmother Ross, Margaret's first husband William Hamer was killed in the coal mine when their two sons, Edward Hamer (March 1, 1868 - Feb. 25, 192?) and Samuel Hamer (no dates listed.) were quite young and living in Wales. Her second husband, who was English, was working in the coal mine in Wales, when they married. She and Robert Bush had one daughter, Margaret Bush (June 27, 1879 - March 21, 1973.) According to the family history, whose author is unknown, all of the children were born in Old Tredegar, Wales.

An anniversary, a visit to Clarksville and "The Prisoner."

2011-02-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

This picture of me, my Grandmother Ruth Ross and my Great-Grandmother Mary Brown was taken at the 50th anniversary party of my great-grandparents, Mary and Isaac Brown. They were married in Fayette City on March 20, 1919, so that would mean this photo was taken in 1969. I remember it being a huge party with a lot of relatives and friends. I'm not sure where it was held though. Maybe some older relatives can clarify this for me. (That's my great-grandfather in the background.)

This photo was taken in Clarksville, Pa. at the home of Vance and Ruth Ross at 377 Market Street. That's me with the ponytails, my mother Roberta Phillians Ross, my father Wayne Ross and my sister Kelly Ross. I'm guessing this photo was taken in about 1970. At the time my family lived in Maryland and I believe we were visiting Clarksville for Easter.

I'm not sure if I posted this one before, but I always liked this photo of my cousin John, me and my cousin Glenn Miller. John is my uncle Ken's son and he was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Glenn is actually my second cousin and his parents are Mary Brown Miller and the late Glenn Miller. He lived in Braden. I call this photo "The Prisoner."

Sledding at Fudala's Field

2011-01-16T05:59:00.000-08:00

How many of you have gone sled riding at Fudala's Field in Clarksville? It's not a huge hill, but it's perfect for sledding. You just have to rememer one thing - maneuver your sled or jump off to avoid a collision with that tree at the bottom of the hill. We used to go there all the time when we were kids. The hill, which is directly behind Ruth Beglin's old house, overlooks the north branch of the Ten Mile Creek. (On the other side of the creek is the Williamstown section of East Bethlehem Township in Washington County.) I always wondered if anyone ever got their sled going fast enough to go into the creek. Anyway, these pictures show my nephews Jimmy and Ollie using their new sleds on the hill on Jan. 12, 2011. What fun!

Some of the kids who went sledding here with me and my sister, Kelly, in the 1970s and early 80s, were Debbie and Dawn Carter, Patty Kingan, Georgeanne and Lynn Milward, Duane Christy, Cindy and Bobby Redmond and Keithy Perkins. My mom was usually at home making hot chocolate for our return. When we got home we would take our jackets and snow pants off and hang them over the huge, floor register in our dining room. My mom put our hats and gloves in the dryer and as we sat around in long underwear, we could hear the sizzling of the snow as it dripped down into furnace below. We would also stand on the register, but we couldn't stay long, because the heat would burn our feet.

This is a picture of my nephews Ollie, Ben and Jimmy watching some "big boys" sled riding on the hill. I don't think Ben, who is only 9-months old, was allowed to go down the hill. Maybe next year, Ben!

Please share your sled riding stories. We would love to read them!

(My sister Morgan deserves the "Mom of the Year Award" for taking three little boys under the age of 5 sled riding. And, she managed to take these awesome pictures, too!)

The Browns of Clarksville, Pa.

2010-11-14T18:12:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite photos of my grandmother Ross' family. She posed for this picture in the 1930s when her family lived in what she always refers to as "South Clarksville." My grandmother, Ruth Elaine Brown Ross is the young lady with brown hair and dimples, standing on the left side of her mother Mary Balsis Brown. My great-aunt Margaret Brown Cott is pictured on the right and my great-great grandfather Isaac Brown is pictured with my great-aunt Mary Brown Miller.

Isaac Brown was originally from Fayette City, Pa., which is where my grandmother Ruth and Aunt Margaret were born. She always talks fondly of the days she spent in Fayette City, which is where all of her relatives on both sides of her family lived. She also vividly remembers her father leaving Fayette City to find a job in the coal mine. He ended up in Clarksville and eventually sent for his wife and daughters.

Here is a little something my grandmother wrote for the Clarksville Centennial Celebration in June of 2009.

"I moved to Clarksville during the Great Depression of 1929 with my father and mother Isaac and Mary Brown and my sister Margaret, who was 18 months older than me. Her name is now Margaret Brown Cott, widow of John Cott. My baby sister was born after we came to Clarksville. Her name is Mary Brown Miller, widow of Glenn D. Miller. We lived in south Clarksville when we came here. Our neighbors were Walter and Betty Arnold, the Kolick family, the Simmons family, who I recall was the John Simmons family, the Frank and Lena Sellers family, Raymond and Opal Rohrer and also the Perkins family. They were all wonderful neighbors.

Now, as to how Clarksville looked to me then, it was, and is, a beautiful little village. Then there were trees lining both sides of the streets. It was so lovely. The trees were cut down to make way for the highway to go through. Dr. and Mary Day lived, I believe, where the post office now is. They had a lovely flower garden in their back yard. Dr. Day delivered my sister Mary.

The Clarksville Christian Church is still there and this is where I met the most wonderful man in the world, whose name was Forest Vance Ross. This meeting, I believe, was love at first sight. We later married and we had three wonderful children: Kenneth Isaac Ross, Forrest Wayne Ross and Janet Lea Ross. We now have eight grandchildren: John Ross, Randi Ross Marodi, Kelly Ross, Shannon Ross Davis, Nikole Kiralis, Warren Blosjo, Morgan Ross Muhly and Taylor Ross; and eight great-grandchildren: Chance Ross, Abby and Kate Marodi, Natalie Davis, Taylor Ross, Lily Davis, James and Oliver Muhly. Very important to my church life was the choir, led by Margaret M. Parsons, which is now led by Janet Shumaker.

The grocery stores then were owned by John Hughes and later Denzel Young. They delivered groceries and were so good to their customers. There was a drug store operated by Charles Wortman. As I remember, he kept order, but with graciousness. Everybody enjoyed hanging out there.

Darb Craft owned a barber shop on the corner of Market and Main Street. His wife Helen B. Craft was a great elementary teacher. A service station was there, operated by William Turner. I believe that there was a Pat Kelley store. There was a Gulio Bartoth store. Vance and I lived in Clarksville all of our married life and my husband was a native of Clarksville, living with his grandmother Amy Ross and later his uncle J.L. Ross. We had wonderful neighbors when we lived on Market Street: George and Ruth Beglin, the Fudala family, Nyswaners, Turners, Remingtons, Campbells, Stanley and Gene Fowler and many others who were special to us.

Ruth Brown Ross, 89, was born in Fayette City, Pa. in 1921, the daughter of Isaac and Mary Balsis Brown. She lived in Clarksville most of her life, where she was very active with the lodge and her church. Since the death of her husband she has resided in Salisbury, Md. with her daughter, Janet Ross. (After the Centennial Celebration, Ruth was blessed with one more great-grandson, Benjamin Vance Muhly in April of 2010).

Jefferson-Morgan Class of 1983.

2010-09-22T19:11:00.001-07:00

1952 - Big News in Clarksville! A new fire plug is being installed!

2010-08-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

This photo shows the sidewalk committee overseeing the installation of a new fire plug on Market Street in front of the Craft House in 1952. That looks like my grandfather Vance Ross, second from the left, and Duke Remington, second from the right (looking at the camera.) Can anyone name the rest of the fellows in the photo? I love the old car parked at the gas station by the Clarksville Hotel!

A Clarksville Wedding: Morgan Ross and Jim Muhly - June 18, 2005

2010-08-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

The families of Morgan Ross and James Muhly after their wedding at the

Clarksville Christian Church on June 18, 2005.

The ceremony inside the Clarksville Christian Church.

Can you recognize any Clarksville guys in this photo?

What about some Clarksville girls?

Is this a gang ready for a shootout? Isn't it a nice shot of the main drag in Clarksville.

Why the Old Stuff? Today?

2010-08-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

As you can tell, I was in the mood to post a bunch of old photos on the blog today. Why? Well, I was at my daughter's cheerleading practice and I was bored. So, I took my laptop, tapped into an unsecured signal and started uploading photos from my flash drive. I hope you enjoy the photos and add information where you can.

Some Old Stuff: Paving Main Street

2010-08-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure of the date of this photo, but it shows some workers paving Main Street. That's my sister Morgan's house on the left. The bridge in the background crosses Ten Mile Creek into Williamstown in Washington County.

Some Old Stuff: Ross Woolen Mill

2010-08-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

I was very excited when Ida Mary Haftmann showed me this postcard, which was given to her by Elizabeth Lint. I knew my family, The Ross family, had owned a woolen mill, but I had never seen a really good photo of it. The next photo will show the mill after it was really run down. The house near the mill, on the left, was built by my great-uncle J.L. Ross and was later owned by my parents.

Some Old Stuff: Pitt Gas Coal Company

2010-08-05T16:09:00.001-07:00

Some Old Stuff: 1949 Parade (Clarksville Hotel in the background)

2010-08-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

Some Old Stuff: Clarksville 1930s

2010-08-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Some Old Stuff: Chartiers Bridge

2010-08-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

Some Old Stuff: Inside Wortman's Drug Store

2010-08-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

This photo, from the collection of Ida Mary Wortman Haftmann was taken inside her father's drug store. It's a great photo of Bill Black, Jim Sherbondy, Frank Largent and Chuck Wortman.

Some Old Stuff: Boy Scouts 1952

2010-08-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun photo from the collection of Stanley Fowler. Can you identify any of these Boy Scouts from 1952? It's a clear photo, so I'm sure you can spot someone you know. I think I see my dad, but I will have to double check with him. I can't wait to see the responses on this one.

Some Old: Construction of the Bridge between the borough and Braden

2010-08-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

Ida Mary Haftman posed for this picture during the construction of the bridge that spans Ten Mile Creek between Clarksville Borough and Braden Plan. This photo is from her family collection.

Some Old Stuff: Building Pitt Gas

2010-08-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

This photos was taken during the construction of Pitt Gas. I believe it is from the collection of Stanley Fowler. I will look up the date.

Some Old Stuff: The building of Teagarden Homes (also known as G.I. Town)

2010-08-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo that was taken during the construction of G.I. Town.

Some Old Stuff: Business Directory from Caldwell's Atlas

2010-08-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

This is a copy of the business directory from the Caldwell Atlas, I will look up the year a.s.a.p. This is a favorite of mine, because it shows my ancestors and those of my best friend Kim Arnold Mariscotti. Her ancestors, M., W.S. and J.B. Arnold, were in the blacksmith and carriage business, while my family, T.B., David and Eli J. Ross, were the proprietors of a woolen mill.

Some Old Stuff: Clarksville Softball Team

2010-08-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

I think it's time to share some more old photos with my faithful readers. Please feel free to add names and any other information you might have for each photo. Some of these photos were used in the Clarksville Centennial book which was published last year. Some didn't make the cut. Nevertheless, there are a lot of people who weren't able to get a copy of the book, so they can just enjoy the photos on-line.

Also, if you have a photo you would like to share, just email it to me at rossmarodi@bentcom.net I would love to hear from you!

This photo must have been given to me by Larry Durdines. Unfortunately, I only have it labeled as "Clarksville Softball Team."

Clarksville Memory: James Arthur Bertram Muhly, Jr.

2010-08-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

This photo of Jimmy Muhly was taken in Clarksville in April of 2009.

His grandparents’ store and restaurant are pictured in the background.

This story and several other Clarksville Memories were published in the Clarksville Centennial book in June 2009. The proceeds from the book were used to raise money for a the community's 100th anniversary and a new war memorial.

ames Arthur Bertram Muhly, Jr, 2 ½, likes living in Clarksville with his mommy and daddy and his baby brother Oliver. He loves to go for walks.

“We walk on the rocky road. We see cars on it,” he said, while sitting on his porch swing with his cousin Abby.

He also likes to throw rocks into the creek by the train tracks.

“We saw a train on the train track,” he said. “My likes Clarksville.”

Jimmy Muhly was born in Monongahela, Pa. in 2006 and has lived in Clarksville all of his life. He is the son of James Arthur Bertram Muhly, Sr. and Morgan Ross Muhly. His family tree includes many Clarksville connections, including: grandparents William and Eileen McManus Muhly, Wayne Ross and Roberta Phillians Ross; great-grandparents James and Grace Boyle McManus, Forest and Ruth Brown Ross and George and Blanche Shipley Phillians; great-great-grandparents Forest Eli and Lelia Sanders Ross and Isaac and Mary Balsis Brown; and great-great-great-grandparents Eli and Amy Prior Ross. (Since the publication of this story, Jimmy has added a new brother to his family tree, Benjamin Vance Muhly.)

Clarksville Memory: Larry J. Durdines ~ 1952-2010

2010-07-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

Larry J. Durdines posed with his first electric guitar when he was 11 years old.

This story was written by Larry J. Durdines and published in the Clarksville Centennial book in June 2009. The proceeds from the book were used to raise money for a the community's 100th anniversary and a new war memorial.

grew up in Williamstown and I was born in 1952 in the house that my grandfather had built in 1925. Our home was between the patch and the north fork of the creek. When asked how it was we came to have a big frame house, large porch and outbuildings, even a small barn, my Aunt Rose Durdines said her father always saved his money, never drank and was then able to afford to build.

They kept chickens and a cow, which would have been hard to do in a patch house. I can remember many times that for days on end the creek below my house was bright orange from sulphur and other mine waste. The slate dumps behind the company store smoldered and we never walked on them. Indeed some had spots that smoked and glowed a dull red year round.

I can remember five or six boxy little Baldwin S12's hooked together pulling coal trains through town. The diesel Sharks were my favorite, very shiny black and the toothy MRy grin under the nose.

The old mine homes next to the swinging bridge we called Shantytown, but by the late 50s early 60s no one lived there anymore. There were a few foundations showing, some sidewalks and broken lumber lying around that we used to fuel fires for all night fishing parties. In the summer, this overgrown area would produce rose bushes that would burst with huge flowers. Even as a kid I thought it was kind of sad - all the bright red roses returning and the people so long gone.

Our company store was large and modern and everything could be bought there - clothes, food, hardware, Gulf gasoline. I once saw Aunt Jemima there on a PR tour and ate a pancake that she made. Everyone who was ever in there remembers the pulleys and wires for sending receipts to the central cash office from the different counters. You could get only two cartons of cigarettes at a time on credit because miners would trade them for drinks at the bars in town. When the annual carnival came to Clarksville it was set up in the field behind and just north of the store.

All the black miners, and many whites, lived on the hill above town. Some of the streets and most of the alleys were unpaved up there as opposed to the paved patch down below. There were around forty some families living in brick patch homes. It was the company's plan when they built those houses on the hill, away from the "white" patch. It was like most of America at the time, the so called "separate but equal" concept. In Clarksville I remember that black and white were all taught respect for each other and I recall no trouble over race. Men working side by side in the mine was somewhat of an equalizing influence as was too the Union. Many were fast friends and all respected each other.

When a miner died at work, whether by accident or natural causes, a good friend of that man would bring his hat, belt, bucket and other personal effects home to the deceased's family. When my father, John L."Hoss" Durdines, died of a heart attack in Clyde, it was his friend Mr. Columbus Smith, a black man, who brought my Dad's gear to our house after work that day. Between the patch and the hill there was a black church (Church Of The Living God) and the singing was wonderful. The school was further uphill between the two patches, a huge two story white frame building. Mr. Blackburn, the principal, was tall and gaunt, wore rusty black suits and was very stern. He was a fixture at the school and taught my father and brother there years earlier. On the playground he would blow his nose between his thumb and finger, and we were amazed at that. He walked the tracks from Fredericktown every school day and only rode the school bus in the most severe weather.

A big event was Mitchell day - a miner's holiday with speeches, patriotic and Union readings and talent shows. The church picnics were also very popular. St Thomas's had gambling and beer and whiskey and all the young and old miners would be out in white shirts, standing under the trees at makeshift counters and drinking. Father Mihok used to occasionally go to the bars and have a few beers with the other men and he was very much admired for that. There were five very busy bars and a couple speakeasies in Williamstown and Clarksville alone.

Ever since the patch was built there was a baseball field behind the company store in the shadow of the slate dumps. In 1960 we had four teams of Little League players just from Clarksville, Williamstown, Besco and Pitt Gas. The older guys had a Pony League team.

There were a lot of other things to do, too: potato roasts, fishing or swimming at the forks of the creeks or at Clover Rock, visiting Panther’s Den or the little pond above Yablonski’s, raiding cornfields for "tic-tacking" corn to torture our neighbors on Halloween. It was a wonderful place to grow up.

Larry Durdines, the son of the late John L. “Hoss” Durdines Jr. and Elizabeth Krencik Durdines (now Mrs. John Sevec), was a life-long history buff who graduated from Beth-Center High School in 1969. He worked on the railroad and on the rivers, sold antiques and is a musician. He died at age 58 on Friday, July 23 and was buried in Greene County Memorial Park on Thursday, July 29th. Click here to read his blog, Ten Mile Creek Country.

Clarksville has lost a good friend...

2010-07-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Larry Durdines, 58, the author of another Clarksville blog Ten Mile Creek Country, died unexpectedly. Larry, who prided himself in being a student of local history, will be missed by his readers and by me.

I didn't know Larry when I lived in Clarksville, because he was older than me. However, I met him about two years ago after I read his blog and gave him a call. I was working on the book for Clarksville's Centennial Celebration, I needed information and he agreed to meet me at Laverne's Restaurant in Jefferson to share photos and stories. I found out that he knew a lot about the Williamstown patch and the local coal mines. His help with the book was invaluable and I will be forever thankful to him.

If you have the time, please look at Larry's blog, which "features images and stories of the towns and people along and near Ten Mile Creek in southwestern Pennsylvania." I know you will enjoy it, because he took a lot of time to post photos and write stories about the area we all love so much. We should all be thankful for what he has done.

Click here to read Larry's obituary.

G.I. Town's Jake is featured in the Washington Observer-Reporter

2010-07-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

In November it was reported here that a goat was roaming the streets of G.I. Town. Click here to read all about Jake the Goat in today's Observer-Reporter. This photo was provided by Cindy Moore of G.I. Town in January.

In Memory of a good friend...

2010-06-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

2010-06-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

I was just looking through some old photos when I found this one taken at my friend Debbie Carter's house in Clarksville. She lived across the street from Brichetti & Trout's store and right next door to the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department. That's my sister Morgan on my lap. She went everywhere with me when I was in high school. She would sit on the front porch everyday and wait for the bus to come down the road and then she would beg me to take her for a walk. We would always end up at Debbie's house. Debbie is pictured with her cousins Jon and Jennifer. (P.S. if you look real close you will see evidence that Debbie's mom was and is a really big fan of The King!)

Remembering Brent M. McClellan of Clarksville this Memorial Day

2010-05-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Forty-four years ago in February a young Clarksville man was gunned down in South Vietnam. Yesterday, he was honored at the Memorial Day service in Rices Landing and his sister was given a gold star award.

Brent A. McClellan, PFC-E3, was serving in the Army with the 1^st Cav Division when he became a casualty of the war. His sister Pam McClellan Swan of East Liverpool, Ohio said the loss of her brother is something she will never forget.

She and her husband Bill Swan, her sister and brother-in-law Natalie and Bobby Greenlee, and her niece Mary Jane and husband Eddie Spruell, all stood under a pine tree in front of Hewitt’s Presbyterian Church during the ceremony organized by the Brooks-Crago American Legion Post 816 of Rices Landing.

Our Girl Scout Troop 54138 of Bentworth was invited to the ceremony after I posted on facebook that we were going to D.C. to visit the monument and to look up names of veterans. I explained that I would be looking up McClellan, because he was the only Vietnam casualty from my hometown of Clarksville. Within minutes of my posting, an old classmate and friend, Mary Jane Maize Spruell, wrote to tell me that McClellan was her uncle. Shortly after, Scot Lippencott, another old classmate and the commander of the Brooks–Crago American Legion Post, invited us to participate and raise the P.O.W. flag. He also invited the McClellan family and arranged for the auxiliary to present Swan and her family with the gold star award.

Our troop also gave Mrs. Swan a little something to honor her brother: a scrapbook from the Vietnam War Memorial. Mrs. Swan, who said no one in the family has visited The Wall in Washington, D.C., was touched to receive photos from our trip and a pencil-rubbing of McClellan’s name, which is located on panel 05-line 88, on the memorial.

Each girl in our troop, and their parents, researched the Vietnam War and found a name to search for during our visit. It was a sad learning experience for them all. We would like to thank Mr. Lippencott and the members of the Brooks-Crago American Legion for inviting us to participate in their beautiful ceremony. I believe the trip to D.C., our visit to The Wall, and the ceremony created memories these girls will never forget.

The program from the ceremony.

Girl Scout Troop 54138 of Bentworth.

The Jefferson-Morgan Band.

Troop 54138 raising the P.O.W. flag.

The crowd at Hewitt's Presbyterian Church.

Pam Swan and Girl Scout Troop 54138.

Some Photos from our trip to Washington, D.C. in April:

Clarksville Kids - circa 1977

2010-04-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what happen to this old Polaroid photo taken at my house in Clarksville sometime around 1977, but it looks like someone took a bite out of it! If you lived in Clarksville at this time then you probably remember some of these kids. That's me, Randi Ross, in the back with Georgeanne "Snitzel" Milward, and in the front it's Lynn Milward, Keith "Keithy" Perkins and Duane Christy. We, along with Jody Dusha, Debbie and Dawn Carter, my sister Kelly Ross, the Jacobs kids and a bunch of others, spent most of our time riding bikes, playing tag football and building haunted houses in the Milward's old barn. What fun we had. They were times that I will never forget.

Clarksville Pa. during this week's Huge snow storm!

2010-02-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

The power went out Friday night in Bentleyville so on Saturday afternoon I put my girls in the car and we headed for the warmth and comfort of my sister's house in good old Clarksville! It's telling that in times of need we always head home! On Sunday morning I took a walk around town with my camera. Here is a photo of the bridge that crosses Ten Mile Creek connecting Greene and Washington counties. Please share your Clarksville-area snow pictures if you have some. You can email them to me at rossmarodi@bentcom.net. Enjoy the rest of my photos and stay warm!

A beautiful scene on North Avenue.

Some downed wires on Market Street. I sure hope the person who wrapped them around the street sign did so carefully!

A drive-by shot of Pitt Gas and Ten Mile Creek.

A view of Fudala's field. This was a close as I could get to the hill where we used to go sled riding as kids.

A snowy view of the borough building.

This is how the Clarksville Christian Church looked on Sunday morning. I doubt if they had services.

A south view of Factory Street.

Market Street - the view toward the center of town,.

A north view of Market Street.

My sister's house.

The Presbyterian Church on Market Street.

The Tallarico family of Clarksville

2010-01-31T17:27:00.000-08:00

Antoinette Tallarico Madosky of Madison Heights, Mich. went through a lot of trouble to get this photo on to the Clarksville blog. In December she dropped it into the mail and sent it to the Clarksville Post Office. I haven't lived in Clarksville for over 20 years, but somehow the photo ended up at my desk in Bentleyville, Pa. (Thanks, Morgan!)

The note that accompanied the photograph states that it is a copy of an original photo taken in about 1930 when she was six years old.

On the back of the photo she provided the following identification: “Frank and Clara Tallarico family, taken in 1930. Clara (mother) on the left of the picture, Antoinette (six years old), Lena, Mary, Jennie and brother Saro.”

Does anyone know where this house was located? Antoinette’s sister Eadie Jarvis said she doesn’t remember much about the house.

“All I remember about the house is that we had an iron fence around the house. We don't remember the street but do they not have the address on records somewhere? I only went to the first grade there when we moved to Washington so I don't remember much,” she wrote. “I do remember the fire which burned down the business my father; the Palettas and the Frontiers were in. I believe it was on the main drag.”

Please send me an email if you have any information about the location of the house. I’m sure Antoinette and Eadie would appreciate the help.

G.I. Town Goat Still on the Lam

2010-01-04T04:28:00.000-08:00

  About two months ago it was reported that an apple-eating goat was roaming about the streets of G.I. Town. Well, we now have photographic proof that he is still on the lam.
  Cindy Moore of G.I. Town was able to capture him (on film) and provide an update.
  "I hear the game commission or someone, maybe the owner is attempting to catch it, but he keeps alluding them," she wrote.
  Thanks for the update, Cindy!

Visit my new blog

2009-12-19T06:19:00.000-08:00

Click here to visit Porch View. Send the view from your porch to rossmarodi@bentcom.net and I will post is as soon as I can.

Clarksville Merchants, circa 1950s, submitted by Ralph Horner

2009-12-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

This photo of the Clarksville Merchants was submitted by Ralph Horner of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He doesn't know who everyone is in the photo, but he said his uncle Jim Mathews, husband of Cleo Horner, is the first man on the far left in the front row and his uncle Bill Horner is the second man from the right in the same row. Please send me the information if you can identify anyone else. My email address is rossmarodi@bentcom.net

UPDATE: "I can identify 2 of the players. VINCE HUSOVSKY is in the back row near the fence. He is all the way on the right next to the fellow in the black shirt. Vince has no "C" on his cap nor can you see any lettering on his uniform. He was my track coach and business teacher at Jefferson in 1955. He left Pennsylvania to teach in Connecticut. ROBERT "BUTCH" SALKO is kneeling in the front row all the way on the left next to the fellow in street clothes. Bob was married to Helen Kuzlinski and went to my church. It might help to number the fellows in the picture to make identification easier. Great picture!" - John "Mickey" Kokish

UPDATE: "Just noticed your blog. I'll make a couple of stabs at ID'ng some of the people. In the top left the man in the tie I think is Nick Hayden (sp?). The player in uniform standing next to the older gentleman with the scorebook might be "Sonny" Petrovic. The player in uniform standing at the end of the second row I believe might be "Duke" Remington. I'm sure someone else can correct this if its wrong. I used to live across the road from the ballpark where this team played. Thanks for the memories." George "Jim" Livingston

UPDATE: "I believe this photo hung in the old Kensic's Hotel in Clarksville. I have wanted a copy of it for a longtime. what a surprise when you posted it. The tall fella in the back row, fourth from the left, is my dad, Steve Tyukodi. Some called him Jeep and to some he was Tiny. Thanks." - bikercin

The Pitt Gas Encounter

2009-12-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

Ralph & Gladys Horner in Pitt Gas 1948

This photo was also taken in Pitt Gas in 1948. Picture, from the left, are Ralph's grandfather James Horner, James' daughter Cleo, his youngest son Dale, Ralph's little sister Diane and his father Ralph. His mother Gladys can be seen in the background.

This photo of Pitt Gas was taken during the summer of 2009.

by Ralph Horner, guest blogger

It was the summer of 1946 and my father had just returned from the Navy and the war in the Pacific. His parents lived in Pitt Gas and my mother and father and I were staying with them while my parents were trying to figure out what they were going to do with their lives. My father had no appreciable skill other than being a Radar Man on a Navy LST. He was pumping gas and earning about seven dollars a week for working a twelve hour shift seven days a week. My grandfather was a coal miner, presumably at one the Clyde Mines, and forbade his four sons to take up that vocation. For my father and his three brothers that meant leaving Green and Fayette counties where they were raised to migrate to an area where jobs were more plentiful. The brothers all relocated to Cleveland and found work in the many thriving factories of the time.

An unusual, to say the least, occurrence took place Pitt Gas before we moved to Cleveland. One evening my father decided that he was going to treat my mother and me to a movie in Brownsville. He borrowed my grandfather’s car and we were off to the movies. I have no memory of what movie we saw but I will never forget what happened afterward. Coming home, we turned left off the highway, crossed the bridge and started up the hill to Pitt Gas. As the car climbed the hill we noticed a lot of people outside of their houses. When we got out of the car at my grandparents house my grandparents and all the neighbors were outside looking at the sky. My father asked what was going on. My grandfather didn’t say anything he just pointed at the sky. The moon was out and it was a very bright night. There was a large cloud bank to the left and one to the right with a big open area in between. As we were watching the sky we saw a round luminous object come out of the left cloud bank, travel quickly across the open area and disappear into the right cloud bank. It happened over and over, luminous round objects shooting left to right. After a while the objects stopped coming. The adults stayed outside for a while speculating on what they saw. I don’t know if what we saw was natural phenomenon or something else but it scared the bejeebers out of five-year-old me. I didn’t sleep well that night because I had visions of green Martian invaders terrorizing the population in the hills of Pitt Gas.

Ralph Horner, who currently lives in Shaker Heights, a surburb of Cleveland, is the son of Ralph and Gladys Horner. He was born in Republic, Pa., upstairs from Dillios Barbershop. His family moved to Cleveland when he was five years old. He is a U.S. Army veteran who did a tour in Vietnam and he attended Cleveland State University and worked at corporate headquarters for several retail companies including Revco Drug. He recently retired from Officemax Corporate HQ. He spends his time doing whatever he feels like doing and at times that consists of writing and doing research. He just finished writing his first book and he has written several articles for Cleveland Public Library.

Breaking News!!! Apple-Eating Goat in GI Town!

2009-11-11T17:50:00.000-08:00

Larry, a regular reader of this blog, wants all Clarksville residents to be on the lookout for the goat that is on the loose in GI Town. The latest dispatch from Greene County states that the goat has been roaming around town for about a week.

"No one can get near him, but he comes around cause people throw him apples etc.," Larry wrote in an email. "He runs when approached by people. I think that's hilarious."

So, here's the deal, we want someone to snap a photo of the GI Town goat and email it me so we can post it on the blog. I will try to think of some sort of a prize. Any suggestions?

Also, let us know if you have any information on the goat, such as it's history, name and owner.

All information and photos can be sent to rossmarodi@bentcom.net

For all the Bulldogs out there!

2009-10-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

The Beth-Center Bulldogs were at the Halloween Parade in Bentleyville on Saturday. I took a picture for all of my Clarksville friends and family members who went to Beth-Center!

Another Mystery Photo...

2009-10-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

This photo was snapped during a recent trip to the Clarksville area. Can you guess where this is located? I would really like the background on this, because I don't have any memories of it. Good luck!

The Clarksville Braves 1976

2009-10-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

Clarksville Braves ~ Front row: Robbie Sloan, Billy Angelo, _______, Dennis Dickey, ________and ________. Back row: Mrs. Yanak, Randi Ross (that’s me), John Guibello, Denny Angelo, Jack Lightner, Mike Myers, Del Nyswaner and ____________.

One day, back in 1976, my friend Jody Dusha and I decided to try out for baseball instead of softball. This was unheard of because girls didn't play Little League in Clarksville. We didn't care and we went over to the ball field behind the company store and signed up. I was drafted to play with the Braves and Jody was sent to one of the other three teams. I guess having two girls on one team was too much of a burden to put on one group of boys. I remember playing second base and having a great time. I remember boys from the other teams trying to hit me with the ball when I was up to bat and I remember getting a homerun on errors. I remember Art Sullenbarger, who played on another team, teasing me on the bus and constantly telling me how horrible the Braves were. (I forgave him for this a few years later and we became good friends.)
Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of everyone on our team - but I did include the names written on the back of this photo. I apologize in advance to anyone whose name I left off this list or if I misspelled any names.
(Check out that cool digital watch I was wearing. My parents were cool and always bought us the newest gadgets and trendy things. I think some of my friends were jealous of this watch. Really, I think they were!)

What's this?

2009-09-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

Here is another photo from a recent trip to Clarksville. Any guesses as to what it is?

Wow, that was fast... someone answered this one correctly within an hour of posting. Yes, it's the swingin' bridge between Clarksville and Pitt Gas.

A Blast from the Past?

2009-09-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is located outside the borough limits, but I thought it was picture worthy. Can anyone tell me what it is? And the story behind it, because it wasn't there in 1983. Once someone correctly identifies it I will post the un-cropped version of the photo.

The answer is.....(posted Sept. 19, 2009)

The Jefferson-Morgan Rocket. Does anyone know when this was installed? Anyway... GO ROCKETS!!!!!

Can you guess? Or, do you know? Part III

2009-08-29T07:30:00.001-07:00

This photo was submitted by Larry Durdines, a fellow blogger who also hails from Clarksville. You can visit his blog at http://www.tenmilecreekcountry.blogspot.com/ Now, I know plenty of people will recognize this place, but this time I am looking for stories to go along with it. So, give it your best shot. This time, I will let Larry pick the winner and the prize!!!

Prominent Clarksville House Damaged by Fire

2009-08-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

This morning I learned that there was a fire at the old Craft House at the corner of Center and Market streets in Clarksville. It is very fortunate that everyone in the house was able to escape unharmed. These photos show the damage that was done.

Anyone who ever lived in Clarksville will quickly recognize the house, as it sits prominently in the middle of town. I remember Mrs. Helen Craft, the former owner of the home. She was a sweet little lady who wore a hat and spent a lot of time sitting on the back porch. I never had the honor of having her as a teacher, but many people in town did. One of my friends recalls visiting the house to get a haircut by her husband Mr. Darb Craft, a local barber.

If you have any other memories the house or the Crafts, please feel free to share them here.

Once I find out any additional information about the fire I will post it here.

Where and What is this?

2009-08-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Guess this one and get extra points if you can tell me what is at the end of this road.

Can you quess this one?

2009-08-21T05:21:00.000-07:00

This one is a little tricky because it isn't in Clarksville. It is, however, nearby. Hint - some couples might know where it is. Once someone guesses correctly, I will post the uncropped, original photo to this entry and the name of the winner.

And, the winner is......

Larry the Kidman who guessed that this is the bridge at Pollock's Mill.

Judy Bartus is 2 for 2...

2009-08-21T05:14:00.001-07:00

Judy Bartus was correct in identifying both pictures I posted. She (and Jamie Carter) knew the "S" was on the back of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church. Judy also knew that the yellow spring was on the mining machine in the middle of town (shown here along with my nephew Jimmy, the driver.)

Congratulations, Judy!

Can you guess? Or, do you know? Part II

2009-08-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok. I'm almost certain that everyone should be able to guess what this is.

Answers, please...

2009-08-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

I received the History book and found it to be interesting. I lived there until I got out of 1st grade but I wonder about what all went on before I left. Do you have the address of the Clarksville Hill School which I attended? I remembered that I lived within walking distance but don't know the street we lived on. My father Frank Tallarico was in business with the Palettas and the Frontiers but could not find anything in the book about that. All I remember was that the business they were in had been burned down. We moved to Washington, PA, and so did the Palettas to find work there.

You did a good job in getting this book completed. I just did a research from 1970 to 2006 on our dance club and found that the work I had done was pleased by so many of our members.

If you have any info which will help me, please let me know. Okay!

Edith (Eadie) Tallarico Jarvis

Update:
My father, Frank Tallarico, the Paletta, and the Frontiers, I believe were in the food business, because when my father and Mr. Paletta moved to Washington, they worked in a Grocery Store. At first, they worked together and then my father opened up his own store. Maybe this would help the search.

I don't remember what the name of the store was but sister Antoinette said that she thought it was some kind of a merchandise store where they had a variety of items. All I remember is the big fire which left us homeless and that is why we all moved to Washington. This happened when I was about 7 years old. I was born in Clarksville in 1925. I remember going into 3rd grade when we moved to Washington. I would assume the Library keeps records of the past. Anyway, I hope to hear from you if you find something.

Thanks Randi, you are doing a wonderful job.

Can you guess? Or, do you know?

2009-08-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

Can you name this building? I took this picture while taking a walk in Clarksville on Sunday. Let's see just how well you Clarksvillians know your little borough. Good luck!

Visiting Clarksville today...

2009-08-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

I am going to Clarksville today to visit my sister. I'm going to take my camera so I can take some pictures. Any suggestions? Requests? Maybe I will take a picture of something and make it into a contest. Check back soon!

Can you name this cabin?

2009-08-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

A friend and fellow Clarksville blogger Larry Durdines is wondering about the name of this cabin, located below the black spot in this pre-1919 photo of Clarksville. (Click on the photo to make it larger and then look at the bare hillside above the town.) He recently received an email from a Dorothea Boyd Johnson who said it was known as the "Stull or Stall cabin." It looks to me as if this cabin would have been located on the land where G.I. Town is now located.

Also, is this same cabin pictured in the second photograph?

If you know anything about this cabin, please let me know so I can pass the word on to Larry. You can reach me at rossmarodi@bentcom.net

By the way, Larry's blog is http://www.tenmilecreekcountry.blogspot.com/ Check it out!

Like the Grumpy Old Editor Says, "Whine, whine, whine..."

2009-07-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

I read on the Grumpy Old Editor blog of A. Parker Burroughs, the editor of the Observer-Reporter, that complaints were filed about the way the newspaper covered last month's centennial celebration. This shocked me, because I thought they did a heck of a job by dedicating most of the June 1st front page and half of another to the story, which included about 26 inches of copy, three large photos and a brief schedule. What more could a little borough ask for? OK, the story may not have contained a complete list of the activities, but the reporter and editors were working with the information they had received. And, to be quite honest, the Observer was under no obligation to cover the event at all. I believe that if the committee wanted a complete list of events, they should have purchased an ad, which would have been very costly. I certainly don't want to offend anyone from my hometown, but I don't think free advertising on the front page of the area's most prominent daily newspaper is anything to gripe about. (You could have been given a free two-inch notice.)

I'm not sure why the Observer didn't send a reporter to cover the event, but that's the way things go and life isn't fair. Now, I don't always agree with the way things are done at the newspaper, but I know that a lot goes on in the newsroom that we, the readers, aren't aware of. For example, maybe there was a bigger story to cover; maybe the weekend photographer from Washington didn't know how to get to Clarksville; or maybe they thought they had already given the small borough enough ink for one week. Whatever the case, I personally would rather have a front-page story prior to the event as opposed to after-the-fact coverage. (F.Y.I. - If it was after-the-fact coverage only, people would have picked up the newspaper and said things like, "Gee, I wish I would have known about this earlier, because I sure would have liked to have gone to that Clarksville celebration. It's a shame it happened yesterday.")

Anyway, I would like to thank Jon Stevens and the staff at the Observer-Reporter's Greene County office for giving this story their consideration and time; Holly K. Hildreth for writing a great story; and Jack Graham for driving to Clarksville to take photos of the veteran's memorial. You did a great job!

Here is the link to the G.O.E.'s original blog if you want to take a look http://grumpyoldeditor.blogspot.com/2009/06/whine-whine-whine.html#links. Or, you can simply scroll down and read the exchange between Burroughs and his readers.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Whine, whine, whine
A couple of weeks ago, we published an article about Clarksville's centennial celebration. Clarksville is a little borough that straddles the Washington County-Greene County line. Not too much of note has happened there since the Yablonski murders 40 years ago.It was a nice little story about Clarksville's history and the veterans memorial they would dedicate during the festivities. It was a cheery story about a town that rarely gets much attention, so we decided to run it on the front page. We weren't ready for the negative reaction we received from Clarksvillians.My phone started ringing off the hook the next day, with people - including the mayor – complaining that we had published an incomplete list of all the centennial activities. We apologized, and we published a complete list of all the activities in the very next edition.Next day, the calls started coming in again. This time, the complaint was that we hadn't placed the schedule on the front page of the paper, but rather on Page 2, and that no one would ever see it there.This morning, we received an angry letter from Clarksville, blasting us for not sending a reporter and photographer to cover the unveiling of the memorial.I think from now on we ought to let that sleeping dog lie.
Posted by Park Burroughs at 9:11 AM
Labels: Complaints

6 comments:
Ellipses said...
"Clarksvillians" Sounds like it should have been "Clarksvillains"Now I have to go there and see if the town really is full of piss and vinegar.
June 18, 2009 11:26 AM
Anonymous said...
Are you serious? You gotta be kidding me...
June 19, 2009 6:30 AM
Anonymous said...
There is a reason the train stopped going to Clarksville. In fact, the last one probably departed some four decades ago. Any surprise?
June 20, 2009 12:54 AM
Anonymous said...
Screw Clarksville. When the only thing of note that has happended in a town for 40 years is a homicide, that tells you all you need to know about the town.
June 20, 2009 3:36 PM
Anonymous said...
I'm surprised that, following the lead on the Bonnie & Clyde memorialists, Clarksville didn't re-enact the Yablonski murders and charge admission.
June 21, 2009 7:13 PM
randilee said...
This complaint shocked me. I was raised in Clarksville and I thought the Observer did an amazing job promoting the Centennial Celebration. The story on the front page was more than I expected and everyone I spoke with had positive things to say about it. We couldn't have asked for a better promotion and it was free!!!This is proof that you just can't please everybody. Sorry!
July 27, 2009 9:15 AM

Here's to the Odd Fellows of Clarksville...

2009-07-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

George Beglin, Isaac Brown, John Saunders, Clarence Nyswaner and Stanley Fowler on the steps of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge (I.O.O.F.) in Clarksville circa 1980.

This photo, from the collection of Gerald Fowler, surfaced prior to the Clarksville Centennial Celebration. There was already a nice photo of some Odd Fellows in the centennial book and I didn't think it warranted another. (The second photo is at the end of this entry.)

While looking through my digital photo files yesterday I found the photo and decided to add it to the blog. I really like it, because my great-grandfather Isaac Brown is the second man on the left and he was a life-long lodge member. The Odd Fellows Lodge, which was directly behind his house in Clarksville, was very important to him. He dedicated a lot of time to lodge activities. Although I never really knew what the Odd Fellows were all about, I did know that the organization was a part of his being. His branch of the family were "lodge people" carrying cards to the I.O.O.F., the Rebekahs and the Masons.

My great-grandfather Brown, who was 84 years old when he died in 1983, once served as the Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the state of Pennsylvania. I have an undated newspaper clipping which stated that "the installation ceremony was held Wednesday, June 21 with Mr. Brown receiving his gavel from Mrs. Stella Ely, Waynesburg, wife of James Ely, who is the only other Greene countian to hold the office of state grand master." According to my cousin, Glenn Miller, who was the Bible bearer at the ceremony, the installation was in 1972, during hurricane Agnes.

"A native of Fayette City, Mr. Brown resided in Clarksville for the past 38 years. Prior to his retirement, he was transportation foreman at the Clyde mine, Fredericktown, of the Republic Steel Co. Mr. Brown has been very active in I.O.O.F., having served in all branches of the order, including the subordinate and encampment. He served six years as district grand deputy grand master, and has held all chairs in the Triad lodge at Clarksville. He is also a member of the Rebekahs."

Just this morning, I decided to research the I.O.O.F. to find out why the members of the lodge were willing and proud to be considered "odd." Here is what I found on the fraternal organizations official website http://www.ioof.org/

"The Independent Order of Odd Fellows began in 18th Century England, it was deemed odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need without recognition and pursuing projects for the benefits of all mankind. Our deep history began in North America, with the United States and Canada in 1819, and is continually expanding throughout the World where we are a worldwide fraternity in 26 countries. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs are striving to make the world a better place in which to live, seeking To Improve and Elevate the Character of Mankind.

The members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows are sometimes referred to "Odd Fellows" or "Rebekahs." Odd Fellows have also become known in many areas as "The Three Link Fraternity" which is evidenced by our world wide "Three Link Emblem" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth. These three links symbolize the chain that binds our members together and illustrates that our Communities, States, Provinces and Nations are strongest when joined together."

I'm not sure when the I.O.O.F. lodge in Clarksville disbanded, but there is no longer a lodge in the borough. I believe the Lady Rebekah's disbanded about 10 years ago.

Here are some of the Clarksville members of the I.O.O.F. in 1945. Pictured in the back row are: Gerald Turner, Pete Sabo, Chuck Wortman, Tom Leichliter and Pete Young. Front row: unknown, H. Taylor, Sam Nyswaner, Clarence Nyswaner and Isaac Brown. (This photo is included in The History of Clarksville, Pennsylvania, In Honor of its 100th Anniversary, June 2009.)

We have more books...

2009-07-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

The extra copies of the Clarksville Centennial Book are back from the printers and ready to be shipped. I just mailed out seven copies to people who have been patiently waiting for weeks to get a copy. If you are interested in getting a copy, just send me an email at rossmarodi@bentcom.net and I will send you the information. Or, if you are in Clarksville, stop by and see Ida Mary Haftman or borough secretary Sandee Dusha Shimo and they can get you a copy.

Some photos of the Centennial Celebration - submitted by Joy Bartus Brooks

2009-07-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

These photos are from Joy Bartus Brooks from Mentor, Ohio.

She and her 5 sisters grew up in Braden.

Their mother Hazel, age 94, still resides in Braden.

Hazel Bartus in front of the new Veteran's Memorial in Clarksville, Pa.

A photo of the Centennial Celebration church service.

A group of residents at the church service: front row, from the left, Eileen Meadows, Doris Williams and Ida Mary Haftman. Back row, from the left, Richie Teegarden, Patti Bartus Young and Judy Bartus.

The Bartus family brick at the Clarksville Veteran's Memorial.

Joy Bartus Brooks at the car show.

The Jefferson-Morgan High School Marching Band.

Please be patient if you ordered a book...

2009-06-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I don't have any Clarksville History books for my loyal readers. But, don't despair, because I received word from the Clarksville borough secretary that she ordered another 100 copies. The bad news is that it will be another four weeks before they arrive.

So, if you sent me money, you will have to wait a few weeks before your order is filled. (I did hear that five copies were set aside for me, but they are currently locked in the borough building. Once I find a way to get them I will be sure to mail them to some of the people who have already mailed their checks.)

Drop me a line if you have any questions.

A Video of the Centennial Celebration

2009-06-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

I was experimenting here. Just a few snippets of the day's events.

Books Going Fast...Nearly 300 sold so far!

2009-06-12T04:22:00.000-07:00

The sale of the Clarksville centennial books are going well and the last check revealed that there were only about 20 left. However, the borough secretary informed me that she will be ordering about 100 additional copies. So, if you want one you had better place your order soon. Just drop me a line at rossmarodi@bentcom.net for more information.

The Centennial Church Service - Sunday, June 7, 2009

2009-06-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

Rev. Dom Sgro

Clarksville Pennsylvania's New Veteran's Monument

2009-06-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

Just click on the individual photos to get a better view. More names can be added to this monument. For more information, contact Tom Shumaker at tdshu176@windstream.net

A few pictures from today's celebration in Clarksville

2009-06-06T18:21:00.001-07:00

Here is my favorite photo of the day. This little boy was impressed with the men from the American Legion. He was so cute that Donald Arnold couldn't help but give him a little smile.

Dan Benyi driving one of Clarksville's fire trucks in the parade.

State Sen. J. Barry Stout and state Representative William DeWeese after the dedication of the new veteran's memorial.

Some of the people who attended the dedication of the new veteran's memorial.

James Muhly, president of Clarksville Borough Council, state Sen. J. Barry Stout and state Rep. William DeWeese during the ceremony.

Take Some Pictures, Please!

2009-06-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

If you take any pictures during the Clarksville Centennial, please email them to me at rossmarodi@bentcom.net. I will post them on the blog.

Hot off the Press: The History of Clarksville

2009-06-04T14:14:00.001-07:00

I picked up the Clarksville book at Brodak Printing Co. in Carmichaels this afternoon and I was very pleased with the end result. The quality of the photographs is great! On the way home I stopped at the Fredericktown Butcher Shop, where I saw Rita Hritz of Clarksville. She was buying food for Friday night's dinner dance and she said she was excited about the book. I told her about the copies I had in the car and she handed over $15.00. So, Congratulations, Rita, and thanks for being our first official customer. Now, we only have 299 more books to sell!

Clarksville is getting ready for the big day...

2009-06-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

One of the two signs that currently stretch across Main Street..

The new veteran's memorial is ready for the unveiling.

This is one of two tents that have been erected for the celebration.

Clarksville Little League - 1961

2009-06-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

This photo, owned by Larry Durdines, shows some of the boys who played Little League in 1961. The field where the boys played was located in Williamstown behind the old company store.

Larry had this photo on his blog Ten Mile Creek Country along with the following information: "From Left to right : First row: Billy Murphy. John Chesney, Larry Durdines, Bert Kiefer. Second row : Wally Meyers, Bruce Hager, Nick Vuckovich, Dave Saunders , * Harris Third row : Phil Knapik, Russ Deems, Monk Santucci, Bobby Garrett, Phil Rebottini, Mickey Beringo. Back Row : Coach John L. "Hoss" Durdines."

Visit Larry's site http://tenmilecreekcountry.blogspot.com/ if you are in the mood for some great information about the Clarksville area.

Remember to visit the cemeteries..

2009-06-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery on Market Street.

The grave of Civil War Soldier William H. Teegarden, son of R. & H. Teegarden. Died June 8, 1864 at the age of 29 years, 7 months and 15 days. He was a member of Company _____ Pa. Vol. He died of wounds received in the Battle of the Wilderness May ____ 1864.

James C. Burson who was born Sept. 27, 1825 and died Sept. 5, 1897.

A view of some of the graves in the cemetery behind the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church.

On Saturday people will be visiting Clarksville to celebrate its 100th anniversary. They will watch the parade, dedicate a new veteran's memorial and visit with old friends and neighbors.
The weekend will focus on the small borough's history and the many people who once made their home there.

Those searching for some history should be to visit the two little cemeteries in the village. The one pictured here is located behind the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church on Market Street. The other, the Walton Cemetery, is on the other side of Market Street.

Baseball field, Company Store and the Fire

2009-06-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Here is an undated photo of the baseball field in the Williamstown section of Clarksville.

I remember watching quite a few baseball games at this field and even playing in a few. My friends and I would walk on the railroad tracks to get to the field and we would always take some money for a quick trip to the company store. Once inside the store we were tempted by the wide variety of candy that was displayed neatly in glass cases. We were always amazed by the pulley system that sent our money sailing up to the cashier on the top floor. Seconds later, the container with our change would come whooshing back down to the clerk. If I close my eyes right now I can imagine exactly how it looked and smelled inside the store.

The picture below was taken in 1996, the day the company store was destroyed by a fire. The photo is owned by Diane Furman of Clarksville.

A more detailed schedule of events...

2009-06-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Friday June 5

* Dinner / Dance at the Clarksville VFD - Tickets $20.00 per person ..Dinner 7-8pm..Dancing 8-11pm BYOB - Music by Scott Griedel’s Band For tickets or info phone 724-377-0217

Saturday June 6, 2009

*Car Show…. $5.00 registration fee. Must register by 11am. Participant judging, dash plaques given out to first 50 vehicles, trophies will be given out approx. 2pm ……for more info phone 724-377-0217

*Vendors, Food, Crafts and more…

*Children's activities….Clown, horse rides, face painting, games, Alpacas and much more…….throughout the entire day.

*Parade…….starts at 11am

*Centennial Dedication…12 noon…100 years of incorporation for Clarksville Borough

*Dedication of the new Veteran’s Memorial - Immediately following Clarksville Borough dedication…..Political dignitaries, American Legion, etc will present for the dedication.

*Amateur Talent Show… approx. 2:00pm immediately following the presentation of car show trophies.

Sunday June 7

Outdoor Church service 9:30 to 10:30and Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at church 10:30 to ???

The agenda for the celebration

2009-06-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

If you can't read the small print on the flyer, just click on the image to make it larger.

My Clarksville Memory...

2009-06-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

While working on the Clarksville book I asked people to write short little stories about their memories of growing up in town. I received several and I even wrote one myself. However, I eventually decided not to run my story, because I was mentioned in some of the other stories written by my friends and family members. Even though this story didn't make the final selection for the book, I decided to run it here.

If you purchase the book, you will be able to read the memories of James Muhly Jr., Abigail Marodi, Warren Blosjo, Kelly Shumaker, Kim Arnold Mariscotti, Debbie Carter Corson, Charles Nyswaner, Larry J. Durdines, Sandee Dusha Shimo, Diana Furman, Tom Shumaker, and Ruth Brown Ross.

A photo of me and my grandmother Ruth Brown Ross, circa 1969

St. Louis is where I was born, but Clarksville has always been my home.

Even though I lived in many different places, there was always some sort of magnetic pull that drew me to this tiny village in the hills of Greene County. It was the pull of history, ancestors, family and friends.

As a child my family moved around a lot and I never really felt connected to the places where we lived. I was always the new girl in school or the kid in the neighborhood who had to win over friends. In Maryland we lived in a suburban-type of neighborhood, where there was no connection between neighbors. People moved in, people moved out and life went on.

Once, when I was about five years old, I was visiting Clarksville and my Grandmother Ross asked me if I wanted to run some errands with her. We walked down Market Street, we visited the post office and we went shopping at Pete Young’s Store in the town square.

Everywhere we went people knew my Grandmother’s name.

“Hi, Ruth, how are you today?” they would ask. “Is this your granddaughter, Ruth?”

I couldn’t understand how everyone knew her name. During our walk back up the street I decided to ask about her popularity.

“Are you a movie star, Grandma?” I asked, convinced that she must be famous if everyone new who she was.

She assured me that she was far from famous, but that this was normal for a small town like Clarksville. After all, she had lived in this community all of her adult life.

It was at that moment that I decided that I really liked small towns. And, it was a red-letter day for me in 1975 when my parents announced that we were moving to Clarksville. It was a pilgrimage home. Here I would be able to see all four of my grandparents, my great-grandparents, aunts and uncles and my very best friend, Keith Perkins. After that everything was pretty much perfect.

Done!

2009-05-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Clarksville history book is done! If I had a party to go to I would surely celebrate!

I made three minor changes this afternoon and signed off on the project. I walked out of the print shop and left the fate of the book to the printing gods! So, if you plunk down $15 to buy one of the 300 books, please be kind. And, most importantly, enjoy it.

Tucked inside the 90 or so pages are some great old photos and interesting facts about the history of our town. But, my favorite part of the book is the "Clarksville Memories" section, which includes stories written by locals, past and present, who range in age from 2 1/2 to 87 years of age.

Almost ready for print...

2009-05-27T20:16:00.001-07:00

I spent three hours at the printer today and we still aren't done with the Clarksville book!!!

My problem is that I want the book to be perfect and I keep making changes. But, this is it, the changes I made tonight will be the last. I have to let it go and pray that it turns out OK.

Even though the centennial celebration will soon be over, I plan to keep adding to this blog. So, don't forget about me once you are done celebrating!

See you on June 6th!

P.S. The books will be sold for $15 each and they will be available at the celebration. If you can't make it to Clarksville, just send me your name, address, and a check for the books made out to Clarksville Borough. Add an extra $2 for each book to cover the shipping and I will make sure you get a copy. You can mail it to 112 Warren Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314

From Chuck Malanosky who grew up in Pitt Gas...

2009-05-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hi! I grew up in Pitt Gas - Went to the Pitt Gas Grade School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1951 and now live in Willowick, Ohio east of Cleveland, Ohio.

I had this class photo of the 1943 5th grade class of Pitt Gas Grade School. This wasn't my class but I had the picture from my cousin Mary Dolores Semancik Teluch who was in the class. The names are on the reverse so I am also sending those.

The other photo is of the "Swinging Bridge from Pitt Gas to Clarksville. I didn't see it on the blog Site so I am sending it along.

Good Luck on the Centennial. I am bringing my 1950 Chevy to the car show on the the 6th.

Chuck Malanosky

(Just click on the photos or the names to make the photos larger and get a better view.)

Clarksville and Pitt Gas Schools

2009-05-08T04:53:00.000-07:00

Here are two photos submitted by Sally Bartus a former resident of Braden.

Main Street, The Tornado and the School on the Hill...

2009-05-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Clarksville Hill School

I took the Clarksville Centennial book to the printers yesterday and today I received another envelope full of photos. These three will be added - somehow.

The first photo shows just how quaint Main Street looked in 1955. I wish someone would have lobbied on behalf of those beautiful trees. Manfredi's Appliance Store is pictured on the left.

The second photo shows the Clarksville Hill School, which sat (on the hill) above Williamstown in Washington County.

The third photo shows some of the devastation that remained after a tornado ripped through the Chartiers Top area of Clarksville on June 23, 1944. The company store and two rows of company houses were demolished. More than forty houses were destroyed, and at least eleven of the twenty-three persons killed in Greene County were Chartiers residents.

Flash Drive to Carmichaels

2009-04-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

I finished the rough draft of the Clarkville book and I needed to get it to the printer in Carmichales before the shop closed at 4 p.m. I had exactly one hour and a quarter of a tank of gas.
A quick stop at the gas station and I was on my way with my bright red flash drive filled with 90 or so pages of words and pictures. This tiny little gadget, which hasn't left my sight in weeks, contained just about everything you ever wanted to know about Clarksville.
As my car raced down Black Dog Hollow Road it dawned on me that I was traveling right through the early homesteads of the Hupps and Teagardens, two of the early families who settled in the Clarksville area.
These families probably didn't realize their importance. They probably didn't think that someone would be writing about them in 2009. And, I'm sure they would be amazed to know that their stories were written with a computer and not a pencil; that the words were stored on a microchip and not paper; and that the book was being carried across the countryside in a fast-moving car and not by a horse-riding messenger.
And while time has changed many, many things, I couldn't help but notice the trees, the rocky hillsides and Ten Mile Creek. These, I thought, might still look a bit familiar to the Hupps and the Teagardens.

The Winners!

2009-04-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

OK. I guess I should have published a disclaimer that prohibited my relatives from entering the "Test Your Clarksville Knowledge" competition. (I didn't, because maybe my relatives are the only ones who read my blog on a regular basis.)

Anyway, a big congratulations goes out to my mother ROBERTA ROSS and my sister MORGAN MUHLY!

The both correctly identified the communities of Clarksville!

Snow on Main Street

2009-04-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

On Saturday another Clarksville Centennial Planning meeting was held and I was handed another pile of old photographs to scan in for the book. I like this one because it shows the sign in front of Manfredi's Appliance Store. My sister's house is pictured in the middle of the photo and her in-laws house is on the left. Looking at this photo will surely make you feel cold.

Do you recognize this man?

2009-04-22T06:23:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know who this gentleman is? And, do you know anything about the Clarksville U.M.W.A. Band? If you do, please let me know as soon as possible so the information can be added to the Clarksville history book.

A Test of Your Clarksville Knowledge...

2009-04-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

A. _______________

B._________________

C. ________________

D.________________

E.____________________

Can you identify these Clarksville communities? Give it a try and we will see who gets it right! Just click on the comment box and add your guesses! The winner will have their answers and their names added to this blog in a really big font! Isn't that exciting! And, if I feel like it I may just put it in bold print! Good luck!

A Postal Easter Gift

2009-04-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Last week my mother started handing out Easter gifts. My daughters and nephews got marshmallow peeps and stuffed bunnies and she gave candy to my sisters. When she handed me my gift I was expecting something chocolate. What I found inside the bag was a truly unique gift - an old combination box from the U.S. Post Office in Clarksville, Pa.
I must admit that this is my favorite Easter gift of all time!

I took the box home and started messing with the combination lock, but I couldn't get it to work. My husband shook his head, but when he tried it still wouldn't open. He discovered that the combination was wrong. He tinkered with the lock for an hour or so and he finally got the box to open. He told me the correct combination, but I have forgotten it already.

My mother said they are revamping the post office and selling the old boxes for a few dollars each. So, if you want one, I would suggest that you contact the post office right away.

I'm guessing that someone had already purchased our old box, which was 262. Nevertheless, I love this gift. Thanks, Mom!

More stones from the Walton Cemetery in Clarksville

2009-04-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

ME...

Priscille Steven...

departed th...

August 14th

55 y

??? & P.S.

Joseph N. Burson

Co. D. 85, PA Vol

Born

June 21, 1843

Died

March 17, 1865

(GAR Marker & Flag - 1861-1865)

Unknown

(GAR Marker 1861-1865)

Unknown - "J" ???