Erie Canal in Lockport, NY by W.H. Bartlett, 1839
On April 9,1859, Jesse Smith recorded in his journal:
”Reached the Cottonwoods on the Beaver [River] late, after traveling about 16 miles. Went to work fencing, ploughing, sowing, making water ditches, etc. I laid off the town of Minersville. A lead mining company was organized with Isaac Grundy for president; myself, secretary; T. Lewis, William Barton, John Blackburn, James H. Rollins, Silas S. Smith and Samuel Lewis, directors.”
All text and images ©Michelle Zaugg Spackman unless otherwise noted.