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Archiver > SOMGEN > 2001-02 > 0982199878


From: James Weyand <>
Subject: Re: [SOMGEN] SHADS CREEK IRON COMPANY
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 17:17:58 -0800
References: <000701c09600$9d9aace0$a69eb1d1@computer>
In-Reply-To: <000701c09600$9d9aace0$a69eb1d1@computer>


Myrna,

You are possibly referring to the "Shade" Creek Iron Company. The
following is a paragraph from "History of Bedford and Somerset
Counties", page 528:

"Shade furnace was built in 1807 or 1808, and was the first
iron establishment in somerset county. It was built on the banks of
Shade Creek, about forty rods below the junction of the Clearshade
and Darkshade creeks. David Rodgers, an old resident of Shade
township, informe me many years ago that it was built by Gerhart &
Reynolds upon land leased from Thomas Vickroy. Being in debt, their
furnace and lease were sold to Charles Ogle and (Peter) Kimmell, of
Somerset. They were succeeded by Thomas Gaghegan who gave way to one
Dunlap, when the property reverted to Thomas Vickroy. In November,
1812, Vickroy advertised Shade Furnace for sale at a great bargain.
A sale was effected in 1819, to Mark Richards, Anthony S. Earle and
Benjamin Johns, of New Jersey, constituting the firm of Richards,
Earle & Co., who operated the furnace down to about 1830."
"In 1820 they built a forge called Shade, three-fourths of a
mile below the furnace, which was carried on by Eilliam Earle for
four or five years, and afterwards by John Hammer and others. In
1849 it made thirty tons of bars. The furnace was continued at
intervals by various proprietors until the close of 1858. Daniel
Weyand, of Somerset, was the last owner."


>Does anyone have info on this company. George A Clarke was to have an
>interest in it. Was it located in Somerset Co, PA or ?
>
>Myrna Clarke

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