Benjamin Corwin and Sarah V. Dolson

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Husband Benjamin Corwin ¹

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           Born: 6 Mar 1838 - Mount Hope, Orange Co, NY 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 26 Dec 1913 - Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp, Venango Co, PA 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: William Corwin (      -      ) 1
         Mother: Lydia Ann Smith (      -      ) 1

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       Marriage: 1864 2

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   Other Spouse: Martha A. Beebe (1846-1918) 2 - 16 Jun 1868 - Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp, Venango Co, PA 2

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Wife Sarah V. Dolson ²

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Oct 1866 2
         Buried: 

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Benjamin Corwin

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He was reared on the homestead farm and educated in the schools of the vicinity, later serving a four years' apprenticeship to the tinner's trade. He learned it thoroughly, beginning to work at the rather meager wages of a dollar a week, with board and clothing, and receiving more as his usefulness increased. Being ambitious he started a place of his own as soon as possible, having a shop and hard­ware store at Warwick, in his native county, for three years before he decided to come to Pennsylvania. Selling out, he proceeded to Venango County, walking from Titusville, and first inspecting a location at Pithole, but changed in favor of Pleasantville, where he commenced business on a small scale at once, in March, 1865. The establishment then founded was operated without interrup­tion for more than fifty years, always conducted under his name, and it became one of the oldest business houses in the county in point of continuous operation. His stock consisted of general hardware and oil well supplies, and he worked at the bench himself be­sides employing others as patronage grew, all tinware being then made by hand. It was not long before he yielded to his desire to try his fortune in oil lands, taking an interest in an oil lease which proved a disastrous investment, Mr. Corwin losing every cent he owned. With the indulgence of dealers of whom he bought he was enabled to continue the hardware line, however, and within a comparatively short time he found himself literally on the highway to fortune. His early experience had only deepened his determination to get into the oil game, and as soon as he could stand the neces­sary investment he again secured a lease and began operations, this time meeting with such success that he never again was out of the production line. For over thirty years his efforts were centered on the Clark farm, where he obtained a lease that included producing wells some of which yielded a steady output for over fifty years. He was frequently in partnership with others, but always operated in the local field, which he felt afforded sure and steady returns, even if no great strikes were made. Though he contin­ued his mercantile establishment he gave his oil interests a large share of his personal at­tention, most of his wells being sunk under his direct supervision. His faith in that section was based on its agricultural possibilities as well as the oil production, and its desirability as a residence locality. His readiness to make local investments never slackened, and because of his good judgment was a great influence in sustaining the confidence of many other successful oil men in that region.
Mr. Corwin also had valuable timber interests. In order to bring local business opportunities system­atically before the public, he established the Commercial Record in 1887, published semi­monthly at Pleasantville and really intended as a publicity medium to arouse activity among men seeking profitable investments. He did all in his power to obtain a favorable admin­istration of public affairs in the borough, and as burgess for one year (elected in 1879) and councilman for two years (1884 and 1887) took a direct part in establishing the govern­ment on a sound basis, both for the protec­tion of local interests and the attraction of solid business enterprises. Politically he was a Democrat.
Mr. Corwin took delight in the companion­ships formed in church and social associations, and was as faithful to his obligations in those relations as he was in material things. He was one of the founders of the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church and was ordained an elder therein Oct. 5, 1867, continuing to hold official position throughout his life. Ever thoughtful and considerate of others, all he possessed was at the service of his fellow men, his principal gratification in his worldly success being the opportunity it afforded him of helping those in need. He was constantly doing quiet acts of benevolence, many of which were not even known to his family until after he passed away. Though he had little time for recreation he never lost his pleas­ure in fishing, seldom missing an excursion at the opening of the season and always coming home with a good catch. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. [HVC 1919, 535]

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General Notes: Wife - Sarah V. Dolson

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from Orange Co, NY

1 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 534.

2 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 535.