To Virginia Burke vyburke@earthlink.net and others researching MINIUM in Crawford County. Here are the references to that surname I found in the "History of Crawford County, PA, 1885." On pages 703 and 704, in the history of Woodcock Township, Borough of Woodcock: "Woodcock Borough is located in the valley of Gravel Run, in the northern part of Woodcock Township. It had in 1870 a population of 220, which in 1880 had decreased to 184. The village owes its origin to Henry MINIUM, by whom it was laid out and christened Rockville in the spring of 1819, thus making it one of the oldest villages in the county. The Meadville & Erie Turnpike was constructed in 1818, and it was owning to t his fact that Mr. MINIUM, owning land through which it passed, conceived the idea of founding a village. He was then a miller at the site of Saegertown, and did not remove to Rockville until about 1824. Jacob Kepler had in 1818 purchased a lot from him, and was the only resident on the plat when it was surveyed in 1819. Mr. Kepler was a shoemaker, and cobbled for the settlers in his locality. After Rockville was started he erected the first hotel and kept the first postoffice, and in view of his local prominence, the place was known as Keplertown. Mr. MINIUM made a public sale of the village lots, and under the persuasive accents of the auctioneer, Derk Jan Newenhausen, "Dutch John," as he was familiarly known, the lots were nearly all disposed of at a handsome figure for those times. The travel on the turnpike was then prodigious. It was the main thoroughfare, and the route pursued by hundreds of incoming settlers seeking Western homes. Daniel Shaffer was the first blacksmith. John Scott and Mr. Whitley kept the first stores, which at first were very small. The village thrived, but by the construction of the plank road on the opposite side of French Creek, it received its first check, the travel being drawn thitherward. The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad passes within a mile of the village, but has proved of little service in developing it. "Rockville was incorporated as a borough and named Woodcock by an enactment of the Assembly in 1844. George Pond, a chair-maker, was its first Burgess. Recent Burgesses have been as follows: 1868, S.S. MINIUM; 1869-70, A. Logan; 1871, D. Rupert; 1872, S.S. MINIUM; 1874, David Rupert; 1875, C. Schultz; 1876-77, S.S. MINIUM; 1878, D. Rupert; 1879-82, S.S. MINIUM; 1883, C.W. Knerr; 1884, C.C. Stalker." On pages 783 and 784, in the Biographical Sketch section for Athens Township: "Henry L. MINIUM, druggist, Little Cooley, was born in Cambridge Township, this county, February 28, 1851; son of Jacob and Susan (Saeger) MINIUM, the former of whom died recently; the latter still lives in Venango Borough, this county. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, acquiring his education at the district schools. When eighteen years old he engaged with the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company (now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio), and while in their employ, by an unfortunate accident, he lost his left arm. He then obtained the position of agent and telegrapher for same road, at their office, Mill Village, Erie Co., Penn., and there he remained till the spring of 1883, when he resigned to accept the office of Appraiser of Merchandise, Erie County. May 28, 1883, he purchased the only drug store in Little Cooley and is doing a prosperous business. He was married September 22, 1875, to Amanda F. Sherrod, of Mill Village. Mr. Minium is an enterprising young man of good business ability, respected by all." On page 889, in the Bio Sketch section for Hayfield Township: "George W. Watson, farmer, PO Hayfield, was born in Hayfield Township, this county, June 2, 1824, son of William and Magdalena (Cole) Watson. William was a native of Killymallaugh, County Derry, Ireland, and settled in Hayfield Township in 1818. He was a son of George Watson. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Conrad Cole, who settle din Hayfield Township in 1802. William Watson was a linen weaver by trade, and came to America with the determination to better his condition, and in 1825 he settled on the farm now occupied by our subject, which he cleared and improved with the assistance of his boys. He was a man of stern convictions; an upright citizen. He died in 1858 at the age of sixty-seven. The subject of this sketch was married July 4, 1850, to Mary, daughter of Israel and Catherine (MINIUM) Berlin, by whom he has four children: Adelia (Mrs. William A. Selby), John C., Alvira (Mrs. Edgar S. Harroun) and Charles A. Israel Berlin was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father, Isaac Berlin, a soldier in the Revolution. He settled in Woodcock Township in 1807. Our subject resides on the old Watson homestead, where he has always lived with the exception of ten years. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and the State Police; has held nearly all the offices in the gift of his township; was elected County Commissioner in 1872, serving one term; in politics he is a Republican." More to follow! Kathy Brubaker Volunteer Genealogist Linesville Historical Society kbrbkr@toolcity.net