Oil In Manfield, 1843
 

Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Misc. Records

 
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Oil in Mansfield, 1843

source:  Mansfield Herald:  18 March 1886


KNOWN TO HAVE EXISTED IN MANSFIELD IN 1843

John Bell moved to Mansfield, from Findlay (OH) in 1840.  At that time the "flats" were without railroads or factories.  Where the Aultman-Taylor shops now stand was a corn field.  On the Allen property south of the Gilbert House on Main Street, John Bell built himself a small house.  He died and left a widow.  She married John Bradley.  Mrs. Bradley is still living at the age of 70.  A reporter had quite a talk with the old lady, who told some interesting reminiscences of early Mansfield.

She said:  "We moved to Mansfield from Findlay in 1840.  Two or three years after my husband built a house in the center of a large meadow.  Where the kitchen of the house on the Allen property is situated we dug a well.  We got plenty of water, but on top floated yellowish oily substance.  It came in so fast that it was several inches in depth.  We could not use the water, so the well was filled up.  Petroleum at that time was unknown, and we thought nothing of the peculiar stuff."

"Natural gas was known at Findlay previous to 1840.  We had a neighbor, who dug a well, and he struck gas.  I remember he put an old gun barrel down, filled the well around it and quite a strong pressure was got.  he lit it, and I remember well, that it made quite a blaze, and lighted up the neighborhood for some distance." 

Speaking of railroads, Mrs. Bradley remembered seeing the first train of cars come into this city from Newark.  "The hills", said she "were black with people, who stood at a safe distance to see the wonderful iron horse.  One lady from the country, on seeing the engine wanted to know where the driver sat."

Speaking of Hon. John Sherman:  "I remember John well at the time we moved to the city.  He was a poor law student.  His father was very poor.  My husband built him a house.  John was a hard working boy, and by dint of hard work got along.  He was always a model young man.  I often think, when I look back, that John deserves all the honors and wealth that came to him in after years." 

The oil well spoken of by Mrs. Bradley is remembered by several of our citizens.  At that time it caused no comment.


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Monday, May 14, 2012