Ellwood City Area Historical Society Membership Meeting

The Ellwood City area Historical Society met for their monthly membership meeting on April 9. Thirty-five people attended and door prizes were won by four. Everett Bleakney welcomed everyone to the meeting and The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jim Houk.

Everett asked for a moment of silence for three Society members who had passed away since the March meeting; Sam Mullin, Lois Richards and Carl Sammons.

Everett advised the essays for the Robert and Janice Barensfeld scholarships must be in by April 12 and encouraged members to pass this on to any graduating students they may know.

Ron Geddes noted that two display cases in the showroom have recently been changed.  The new displays showcase (1) the Hospital Auxiliary through the years and (2) various Boy Scout items.  He encouraged everyone to review the new displays.

Everett then introduced Louise Carroll who spoke to those in attendance as Mrs. Martha Greene, wife of Mr. Merritt Greene the gentleman who Henry Hartman summoned to set up a new town in Pennsylvania called Ellwood.

Martha took us through her life from her birth in 1849, her marriage to Mr. Merritt Greene in 1870, Merritt’s calling to Ellwood by Henry  W. Hartman in 1889 and then to their eventual departure from Ellwood in 1891.

When Mr. Greene arrived in this area, he purchased 600 acres from various farmers and began the birth of this new town.  During their time here, it was realized there was another Ellwood in Pennsylvania which was receiving goods that were to be delivered here.  To solve this serious problem, the town became Ellwood City.  Mrs. Greene spoke of their love of this area that they considered the “town child of ours”.  After the town was well started, Mr. Greene moved on to become President of Bridgewater Gas Company in Pittsburgh.

Following Louise’s presentation, she was presented with the book “Houses of Ellwood City”.

Helen Bowers had with her a 1948 After Prom Party Program.  The event was held in the Elks Ballroom which was located in the area where Denny Schill Manor now stands.  She also had with her a pencil sharpener from the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Door Prizes were won by Dr. DiBiagio, David Barensfeld, Diane Neyman and Caleb McQuaid.

The next meeting will be 7:00 May 14 when the Robert and Janice Barensfeld scholarships will be awarded.