The North Mountain Historical Society

Meeting: May 2001

Monday, May 21,2001

The History Buffs met at the Brass Pelican on May 21 with 46 people present. In the absence of Jim Vance, Zane Hartman chaired the meeting. Rev. Walter Minto returned thanks before breakfast was served. The minutes of the last meeting were read.

After breakfast, Zane introduced Doyle and Donald Brewer who spoke to us on the History of Orangeville. Before their talk, the Brewers handed out copies of scenes from early Forks, including Hamson's store, the railroad depot, and cottages along the creek.

Doyle Brewer was the first speaker. He told how the first settlers who came into the area settled between Fishing Creek and Green Creek. In 1796 Abraham Kline
bought about 600 acres, timberland, which he cleared for farming. Most of the Kline's in the area are descendants of Abraham. In 1840 this land was taken into the newly formed Orange Township.

The Ricketts Family were the first people to settle in Orangeville Proper. They built a brick house that is still standing on the Main Street in Orangeville. One of the
Ricketts sons, Robert, was the founder of the town of Ricketts in Sullivan County. A post office was secured for the town in 1826 and the town was officially named
Orangeville because many of the early settlers came from Orange County N.Y. and Orange N.J.

Mr. Donald Brewer picked up the story telling us of the early industry in Orangeville. J. Russell Conner was the founder of the Orangeville Manufacturing Co. an
important industry in Orangeville for many years. Donald recalled for us his early memories of the way things were in Orangeville as he was growing up. There was always a Memorial Day parade with a local band and a carnival held on the ball field. There were Boy Scouts, Masons, Odd Fellows and the Civic Club. There was Brewer's store and a Weis store. 2 tin shops (Tin roofs were big at that time) a blacksmith shop and later a garage to work on Model Ps and Model A's.
There was a local telephone Co. with the exchange in a home. There were 3 churches, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed. There was a municipal Water Company owned by Fred Keller, a Fire Company, and 2 doctors. Dr. Stoddard and Dr. Berryhill. The Orangeville Academy was built in 1824. In 1861 a school was built which later became the Orangeville High School.

After concluding their talk the Brewer's handed around old pictures and mementos. They shared some humorous poems, which were much appreciated.
Our thanks for a most interesting presentation. The next meeting will be the third Monday, June 18, when Mrs. Vinidee McHenry Hippenstiel will talk on the McHenry Family.