Situated
near the corner of Hickory, Shenango and Lackawannock Townships is the
village of Bethel. It was incorporated as a borough May 22, 1872. Prior
to that time there had existed a little village known as Sempletown, or
Semple’s Mills. At the time of incorporation, however, a regular
tract, taken from the three townships already mentioned, was laid out in
the form of a rectangle.
The
first settlement in the place was made in March, 1846, when S.
S. Semple, its first resident, erected a small frame
dwelling-house. His father, David Semple,
had, some years previous, purchased the land from David
Kitch, but had made no improvements.
In
1862 James McConnell and Thompson
Hyde had erected a steam saw mill, which rapidly swept away the
woods. In 1811 S. S. Semple erected a
second mill, of grander proportions, which added much to the business of
the village.
Semple,
Thompson & Co. erected, in 1863, a large grist-mill, a three-
story
building with three sets of burrs, and intended mainly for custom work.
it became a source of great interest and prosperity to the vicinity.
A
store was also needed. This want was supplied in 1868 by S.
S. Semple, the enterprising godfather of the place, who was ready
to take hold of every enterprise. He erected the building subsequently
used by T. J. Marshall & Co., and put
in a stock of goods well adapted to the trade. It passed through various
changes to accomplish its purpose as a permanent business of the place.
continued
Map and driving directions to Bethel
Landowners
Map of Bethel from the 1873 Atlas of Mercer County
If
you're looking for your ancestors in Bethel, try the Census for Shenango
Twp 
has long since been torn down, but
the cemetery's there
