This is information researcged for others that I thought I'd paste into an email and make available to other GATES and/or VENANGO, PA researchers. The following information is from a two volume book set, "The History of Venango Co., Pennsylvania", originally published in 1890 by Brown, Runk & Co., and reprinted for the Venango County Historical Society in 1990 by Walsworth Publishing Co. Marceline MO Vol. 2 page 974, Biographies of Scrubgrass) "H.R. Leslie, farmer and oil producer, was born in 1840, and is a son of James and Sarah (Say) Leslie, and grandson of James Leslie. His father was born in 1802 in Scrubgrass township, and followed farming throughout his life. His children were as follows: David; John; Alvina; James; Elizabeth, who married George Gates; Hannah, deceased; Margaret, who married Montgomery Say; George; H.R.; Sarah, deceased wife of S. Say; and Emma, deceased. The mother died in 1857, and the father in 1881. H.R. Leslie was reared upon a farm; in 1868 he engaged in teaming through the oil country, and in the transportation of oil upon Oil Creek. In 1876 he returned to the homestead, and has since been engaged in farming and oil producing. He was married in 1864 to Miss Jane Gibbs of Clarion, Pennsylvania, who has borne him six children: Orris; Carrie, wife of Zenis Clay; Fred; Walter; Della; and Frank. Mr. Leslie is a supporter of the Republican party, and a member of the I.O.O.F." Vol 1 page 517 chapter Borough of Emlenton section Borough Organization 1873--A.D. Gates is listed as a member of the council Vol 2 page 950 chapter Biographies of Emlenton bio of A.D. Gates "A.D. Gates, liveryman, is a son of Jacob and Jane (Downing) Gates, and was born at Gates' Landing Venango county, Feb. 28, 1835. His father was a native of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Clarion county, and they were married in Venango county. Jacob was great hunter and made much money shipping furs to Pittsburgh, returning in his canoe with salt and flour. In later years he was a lumber and shingle dealer. He had two brothers and four sisters: John; George; Jane; Nancy; Polly, and Mary. His family consisted of the following children: Mary Ann, and William, deceased; Martha; John, deceased; Catharine; G.W. deceased; Jacob R.; A.D.; Nelson, deceased; R.D. and S.T. Mr. Gates lived at Gates' Landing until the day of his death,which occurred about 1844. Our subject from early youth was accustomed to life on the Allegheny river, finally became a pilot, and served in that capacity until the decline of steamboating on that stream. When the oil excitement beg! an he was caught in the craze, he and his brother sinking a well on the old homestead and securing sufficient oil to produce a sale of the farm for thirty-five thousand dollars. He followed farming until 1871, since which time he has been a resident of Elmenton. He dealt in real estate and oil lands for three years and then opened a shoe store. He continued in the business about nine years, was afterward in the oil business about two years, and then bought the livery stable of J.A. Boozel, and is still engaged in that business. He was married April 26, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Rachel McKinney, who has borne him one child, John F. Mr. Gates in an Odd Fellow, politically a Republican, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Vol 2 page 1140 chapter Biographies of Cranberry biography of Samuel McKinney "deceased pioneer of Cranberry Township", (born 31 Oct 1786, Chester County PA) married to Rachel McKinney of Sunbury PA. Andrew Gates of Emlenton is listed as the husband of their daughter Imelda Vol 1 page 260 The Press "The Oil City Blizzard was founded by three young men from the Derrick staff whose confidence in the success of an evening paper led them to issue their first number on the 22nd of May 1882. F.W. Bowen, whose humorous pen had long found exercise on the "Stray Sand" column in the Derrick, was editor-in-chief; H.G. McKnight had charge of the mechanical part, and B.F. Gates was intrusted with the job department as it afterward developed in 1885. Notwithstanding the incubus of a small capital and other obstacles, the paper was enlarged from a five to a six-column folio about a year later and a six-column quarto weekly edition was started on the 1st of January, 1885. Mr. Gates withdrew in November, 1886, and the publication has since been in the hands of Bowen and McKnight. ..." page 261 same chapter "The Venango Democrat" , B.F. Gates, editor and proprietor, made it's debut June 8 1887, but suspended after the issue of the fourth number. Vol 1 page 477 chapter Oil City Secret, Social and Professional societies "Mutual Lodge, No. 488, K of H., was chartered October 15, 1877..." "After about two years in Cornplanter lodge room, they spent probably three years in Masonic hall, and have since occupied Tinker's Hall. Their hall was crowded to the full on the night of July 26, 1881, when the famous temperance reformer, Francis Murphy, was initiated. Their dictators have been as follows: ...B.F. Gates, 1886; ..." Vol 1 page 485 chapter Oil City "Canton Oil City, No. 13, P. M., I. O. O. F., was formed Sept. 13 1886.... On Oct. 13th, Col. W.A. Witherup and Lieutenant Col. J.B. Nicholson mustered in these first officers: ... B.F. Gates, clerk...." Vol 2 page 695 chapter Jackson Township "Company E, 16th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, known under the local name of Cooperstown Guards, was organized October 1, 1872, with James S. Gates, captain; R. E. Van Naten, first lieutenant; Daniel Jones, second lieutenant, and a full complement of men. Capt. Gates resigned in August, 1878, and was succeeded by R. E. Van Naten, but in 1880 he resumed his former position, retiring in May, 1885, in favor of Leonard L. Rany, present captain." "Albert H. Jackson Post, No. 299, G. A. R., was mustered in January 9, 1883, with the following comrades as members: ...J. S. Gates ..." page 697 same chapter 1875 J. S. Gates is listed as a council member Vol. 2 page 910 Chapter Biographies of Oil City "George Gates, deceased, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Catharine (Bucher) Gates, the former being a relative of ex-Governor Hartranft. Henry Gates settled in what is now Forest county, on land once known as "Old Town Flats," at an early day; there he died. His son, George, was married to Mary Downing, a native of Richland township, and the children of this union were nine, eight of whom grew to maturity: William; John; Catharine B., Mrs. Charles Cox; Martha, Mrs. John Shaw; Mary A., Mrs. Gilbert Jameson; George W.; Jacob H.; and Maria, Mrs. James Lamb. George and Mary Gates were Methodists; he was an earnest Whig, and later a Republican." Vol. 1 pages 287-292 chapter The Civil War 64th Regiment, 4th Cavalry: Co. H, Private George W. Gates Co. I, Private George W. Gates Co. K, Corporal David R.P. Gates Co. L, Private James Gates page 283 same chapter 63rd Regiment Co. G, Private James Gates Vol 2 page 612 chapter Rockland Township section Village Growth "Freedom is situated in the midst of a pleasant and fertile agricultural district. The site was originally owned by Enoch Battin and John Donaldson, and the first person to live here was John Gray, whose house was on the west side of the road at the spring. The first merchant was Joshua Davis, and among his contemporaries were William Woodburn and George Gates & Brother. ..." Vol 1 page 94 Chapter Early Settlement According to the 1805 assessment books Henry Gates was among the taxables in Allegheny Township. Vol 1 page 134 Chapter Organization and Administration section State Representatives "... Since 1874 Venango has composed a district and elected representatives in the following order: ...;1876, ...William Gates...; ...1882, ...James S. Gates; ..." Vol 1 page 598 chapter Plum Township section pioneers One of the daughters of Samuel Proper, of his nine children, one was a daughter (whose name is not listed) married to John Gates of Indiana. Vol 2 page 892 Chapter Biographies of Oil City The widow of Stephen D. Steele (a native Lawrence county, Pennsylvania and died in 1852) "married a Mr. Gates, and now resides at Morenci, Michigan." Vol. 1 page 596 Chapter Plum Township Cherry Tree Village section churches "Cherry Tree United Brethren Church--Petter Bennehoof built a church edifice for a small society formed in Oakland in 1858, and the first sermon was preached by a clergyman named Cadman. In 1880-81 the place of worship was changed to Cherry Tree village." Reverend Gates is listed among the pastors "in recent years". Vol 2 page 737 Chapter Mineral Township section Settlement Archibald Henderson of Mineral (whose family settled in Mineral in1796) "married Sarah Gates in the state of Ohio, a woman of more than ordinary education and intelligence, who was one of the first school teachers and is still remembered as a fine writer." Vol 2 pages 1073-1074 chapter Biographies of Jackson Arvilla Fetterman, daughter of John Fetterman and Levinah Grove Fetterman, is listed as Mrs. William Gates. Vol 2 page 613 Chapter Rockland Township "Davis' Corners-- Jacob Smith originally owned the site of this hamlet. He sold to John S. McKean, from whom the place derived its first name, McKean Corners. Charles Shippen established the first store. William Gates succeeded to his business, and then for a time the name was Gates' Corners. The next merchant was H. M. Davis, ..." Vol 1 page 227 Chapter Internal Improvements section Roads "The Salina and Laytonia Turnpike Company was incorporated March 25, 1864, the projectors being Thomas M. Parker, William Gates, Henry Mays, William L. Lay, C. B. McKinney, James S. Johnston, W. H. Steffee, and William Cartwright. A macadamized road was constructed between the designated termini and is still continued as a toll road. The is the only turnpike in the county, as the plank-road from Titusville to Pleasantville is the only one of that description." Vol 1page 403 Chapter City of Franklin William Gates is listed among the "present directory" of the Exchange bank (incorporated June 20, 1888, under the state law, and with a capital of $100,000).