CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Historical Society has published the 1897 history of select Clearfield County townships.
The series was compiled by the Clearfield’s Public Spirit newspaper editor Matt Savage. The news office was located on Market Street above the present Moena Restaurant.
The series, now in book form, is a wealth of Clearfield County history, genealogy and fascinating anecdotes told by then first- and second-generation families of many original county settlers.
Unfortunately, the entire county history was never completed as necessary writers of remaining townships and boroughs could not be found to complete the task. The project was then suspended.
Family histories are a vital part of the book. Stories detail where most of the families lived before coming to Clearfield County and to where many of them later migrated.
The long-forgotten snippets of everyday life range from comical to tragic. Ferguson Township alone includes 44 pages of family histories.
“The book is an essential, yet interestingly readable, review of local families and 19th century life in Clearfield County. Many families in Clearfield County and beyond will want to read the book,” states a press release issued by David Wulderk, society president.
Townships included in the book are Huston, Goshen, Covington, Karthaus, Cooper, Morris, Pike, Knox, Jordan and Ferguson.
The historical society is forever indebted to Diane Stodart Yarger and Jim Yarger of Sinking Springs, Pa., for devoting thousands of hours of research and editing, in order to present the series for publication.
“Their effort was monumental,” the release states. “Mr. and Mrs. Yarger are formerly from Madera and Sanborn. Both are 1970 graduates of Moshannon Valley High School.”
The cost of the book is $26, plus $8 shipping. It can be ordered online by visiting clearfieldcountyhistoricalsociety.net or by contacting the Clearfield County Historical Society at 511 Van Valzah Ave., Clearfield, PA 16830.
The book is also available during museum and research center hours on Thursdays and Sundays from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.