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DAIRY FARM INDUSTRY |
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Ad from the Oil City Derrick, grand opening of the Over dairy farm |
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Large cow statue on the Vern Over Farm that became somewhat of a landmark figure in the vicinity. |
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Vern Over Barn - Completed in the early part of 1970, this barn and dairy store (at left) is owned by Vern Over and is located on Route 58 South of Clarion, near Sligo. Fire destroyed the original barn which was located closer to the highway. To compound the bad luck, wind leveled the roof trusses of the new barn when partially built.
1/30/1971 Oil City Derrick - Dairy Farming Ranks As a Major Industry. (Not the complete article - merely excerpts regarding the Sligo area) Another large operation is that of Vern Over of Sligo RD, located on Route 58 between Clarion and Sligo. The barn built in 1970, is 40 by 200 foot with an attached dairy store which was opened in August 1979. The Over farm is milking around 52 cows. There are 30 stanchions in the barn and room for 100 cows. GEORGE FARMS of Rimersburg RD, on Route 68 between Rimersburg and Sligo, have added an addition to their dairy barn. This barn also has a dairy store which was opened over five years ago. [Some of the other dairy farmers are]: Arthur Forest of Sligo RD1, who purchased the Harold Myers Farm by the Clarview Rest Home and is making an addition - Forest also purchased another farm back of Curllsville. Carl Dessinger of Sligo RD2 will be building.
DAIRY FARMER OF SLIGO SUCCUMBS — Edward John Dougherty Sr., 87 — BOARDMAN – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Austintown, preceded by closing prayers at 9:30 a.m. at Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, for Edward John Dougherty Sr., 87, who passed away Friday evening at Briarfield at the Ridge. Edward was born Nov. 21, 1920 in New Bethlehem, Pa., a son of the late Thomas R. and Clara R. Fiscus Dougherty. He retired from General Motors in 1985 as a skilled tradesman, and previously was a machinist in New Brighton, Pa., and ran a dairy farm in Sligo, Pa. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Austintown, a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Castle, a member of the Men’s Club at St. Joseph Church, both in New Castle and Austintown, the St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Joseph Church, in both New Castle and Austintown, VFW Post No. 9947 in Cornersburg, UAW Local 1112, and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Edward served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger, and then served in a Railroad Battalion after being injured. He is survived by his wife, the former Betty Marie Bish, whom he married Sept. 23, 1944; five children, Carol Ann (Evan Lloyd) Dougherty of White Hall, Pa., Janice Marie (Paul Deak) Dougherty of Austintown, Edward J. Dougherty Jr. of New Castle, Pa., Catherine Jean (David Hogue) Dougherty of New Castle, Pa., and William R. Dougherty; two sisters, Marie Reynolds of New Cumberland, Pa., Nancy Brocious of New Bethlehem, Pa.; one brother, Paul Dougherty of Titusville, Pa.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and was called “Uncle” by 86 nieces and nephews. Beside his parents, Edward was preceded in death by six siblings, Vincent, Henry, Helen Radaker, Thomas Jr., William, and James; and his son-in-law, Joseph Roth III. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, family and friends. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel. |
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SLIGO'S DAIRY FEST THE CREAM OF WEEKEND EVENTS By Paul Frederick, Derrick Correspondent SLIGO - The Burns family hosted a few guests at their farm near Sligo this weekend. Over 5,000 guests, to be exact. The occasion was the 23rd annual Town and Country Day sponsored by the Clarion-Venango Holstein Club, an organization of dairy farmers from the two counties formed to promote dairy products. Town and Country Day, held each year at a different farm in Clarion, Venango or Forest counties, is the club's primary promotional event. Saturday's version featured exhibits and displays of farm products and farm machinery, music and dancing and agriculture-related games such as Bossie Bingo. In this unique contest, people guess in which square a cow chooses to leave her "deposits." There also was a petting zoo, provided by Willis Elliot, an antique tractor show, hayrides and free samples of milk, ice cream and cheese. In the evening, the Jimmy Dittman Band provided music for country and square dancing, held in the farm's maintenance building. Earlier in the day, entertainment was provided by the Boone Mountain Singers, and Janet McCauley and "Nitetrain." Throughout the day, Dr. Roy Breniman, a nutritionalist with Agway, and Greg Cox of Agway Crops Services provided narrated tours of the Burns Farm barn. "We're trying to show the public how farmers relate to their everyday needs," said Tim Brown, president of the Clarion-Venango Holstein Club. "Many people just don't realize how much work has to be done to bring farm products to the grocery shelves." Midway through the day's proceedings, Steve Burns looked at the massive crowd traipsing around his barnyard and wondered in amazement. "We knew we were going to be the hosts a year ago, but it really didn't sink in until just a couple of weeks ago," said Steve, one of three sons who together operate an agriculture conglomerate that covers 2,500 acres on several farms (some rented, some family-owned) in southern Clarion County. Altogether, the Burns boys and their 33 employees milk 180 cattle, and they operate a 24-vehicle trucking business. The family also manages a small trailer park and several other rental properties. Their mother, Norene, said the whole business was started by her husband Tom Sr. nearly 50 years ago. "We started with nine cows," said Norene, who credited the growth of the family's various business enterprises to "lots and lots of hard work." Tom Sr., 70, is still involved in agriculture, but now works in a supervisory capacity because of health problems, according to Norene. Tom Jr. and Steve operate the farms, while Randy operates the trucking portion of the business. Town and Country Day was actually held on Steve's farm a few miles south of Sligo. Submitted by Pamela Grewell, unknown date/place of publication.
3/7/1957 Clarion County Holstein Breeders To Hold Annual Meeting March 21 CLARION - The Holstein Breeders of Clarion County will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:15 p.m. in the Reformed Church at Curllsville. All persons interested in the Holstein Breed are urged to attend this meeting. Speaker will be Arthur W. Nesbitt, Secretary Field Manager for the Pennsylvania Holstein Association. He will show slides on subjects related to the Holstein Breed. In order that the ladies of the Curllsville Church will know how many to prepare for, reservations must be made by Friday, March 8, with any of the following: H.L. Smith, Mayport, RD; Grant King, Summerville RD; C.J. Snyder, West Monterey; Paul Kirkpatrick, New Bethlehem RD; Dale Rhoads, Emlenton, RD; L.L. Neely, Jr., Emlenton, RD; Raymond McCall and the County Agent's office, Court House, Clarion, Pa. The annual banquet for the Senior Extension Club will be held Wednesday evening, March 13, at 7 p.m. in the Murphy Grange Hall on Route 68, located 4 miles north of Sligo or 8 miles south of Clarion. Speaker for the evening will be Rev. Howard Edgar, Punxsutawney, who in addition to being minister is a magician and will perform along these lines also. Reservations must be made by March 9 with any of the following: Donald Platt, New Bethlehem RD; Rudell Henry, New Bethlehem, RD; Nancy Lou Mong, Knox, RD; James Elder, Strattanville RD; Joyce Whitehill, Van RD; Lorraine Smith, Mayport RD; William McCall, Parker RD; Wilson Marshall, New Bethlehem RD; Jerry Brown, New Bethlehem RD; Marilyn Barlett, Clarion; Ralph Minnich, Fairmount City, RD; Gale Minnich, New Bethlehem RD; Flora Swartzfager, New Bethelehem RD; Mark Weaver, Clarion RD2; Walter Whitling, New Bethlehem RD; Dean Wiant, New Bethlehem RD; Thelma Over, Sligo RD; James Fiscus, Summerville RD; Peggy Beers, Clarion and the County Agent's Office, Court House, Clarion, Pa.
2/28/1962 Milk Price Hearings in Pgh Continue Source: Indiana Gazette, Indiana, Pa. Transcribed by Pamela Myers-Grewell.
9/2/1966 Clearfield Progress—Violence Feared in Milk Price War at Clarion CLARION, Pa. (AP) - Mayor Charles Patterson of Clarion says there is a feud among some dairy farmers over milk distribution in this Northwestern Pennsylvania area. Patterson blames the reported feud for several incidents, the latest a $20,000 dairy farm fire. The mayor said Thursday night the blaze was set deliberately. It destroyed a farm equipment shed of Thomas Burns of Sligo RD1. A father and his son watching the fire early Thursday were killed by a passing auto which went out of control. They were J.C. Stantz, 50, and Raymond Stantz, 18, of Sligo RD1. Patterson said increasing trouble has been reported between members of the Dairymen's Co-Operative Sales Association and the United Dairy Farmers. He said there have been reports of telephone threats, and farmers who had been friends for years aren't speaking. "We have had reports of tires on farm machinery being slashed," he added. "Some farm machinery has been torn up." Referring to the fire Patterson said: "The Burns' dog put up an awful howl and Burns and his son went to the barn to investigate. When they were gone Mrs. Burns said she saw a man running around the nearby farm implement shed. "Burns heard the gasoline pump running. It had been turned on and 43 gallons of gas had run out. Then there was an explosion. "Burns and his family and neighbors managed to save two trucks with which he has been hauling milk for himself and other farmers to a cheese factory in Clearfield. He also saved a tractor. "But another tractor which cost him $8,000 last year was destroyed. It was no question, the shed had been set on fire..." the mayor said. An auto driven by Alex G. Miller, 20, of Sligo RD1 hit three parked cars and a tree before hitting Stantz and his son, Patterson. Miller and his brother, Ira, 24, a passenger, were hospitalized in fair condition. Earlier this week, Patterson said, the spigot on a bulk milk tank was turned on during the night on a farm at Reidsburg. He said 600 to 700 gallons of milk were drained out. In another incident, he said, a milk truck was stopped at Gallensburg and the driver was not permitted to make a delivery. |
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Burns farm, Curllsville
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Otto Milk Plant - Curllsville
Friday evening January 10, [1930] the patrons of Sligo Milk plant and Sligo business men who assisted in accuring the milk plant were guests of the Otto Milk Co. at the milk plant at an oyster supper. The company gave away many prizes.
John Dixon Barto, Sr. (1906-2001) was a retired manager of the Otto Milk Plant in Sligo. He was a self-employed dairy farmer.
Excerpt describing operations of the Otto Milk Co. New Bethelehem/Curllsville: The farmer with dairy cows separated milk and shipped his cream by railroad in five gallon cans to Fairmont, West Virginia. Then in the late 1920's a representative from the Otto Milk Company from Pittsburgh met in New Bethlehem with the area farmers and asked if they would sell whole milk in a milk plant was established in New Bethlehem. This was a big decision for the farmer. Would he really be able to make money doing this? Would it be profitable for him to increase his number of cattle? Could he raise enough feed to winter a large herd? After much discussion they decided to give it a try. Contracts were signed and the milk was hauled in ten gallon cans by truck to the New Bethlehem Plant. Harry Jack was the first milk hauler. Within a few years the Dairying industry greatly increased. In recent years, the bulk tank was introduced to the farmer. The trucker purchased a truck with a bulk tank and the milk was pumped directly into the truck from the tank which introduced a more sanitary method of handling milk today. Source: Porter Twp. History by Linda M. Stitt, 2002. |
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HISTORY 1887 Toby’s 67th anniv. Of 4th of July with Fox Hunt Clarion Co. Historical Society (Facebook)
INDUSTRY
HISTORIC MAPS Sligo Boro [1877 Atlas] Churchville [1877 Atlas] Geological Description of Clarion Co. [1885]
SCHOOLS
NEWS (HISTORIC)
NEWS (CURRENT)
RESIDENTS Censuses & Historic Directories News 1869; 1877-1893
Clubs/Organizations Civil Conservation Camp1930’s]
UTILITIES & SERVICES
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