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continued
Bethel was named in honor of
Bethel United Presbyterian Church, near by, in Hickory Township.
The Christian Church, which
for a time held its meetings near the borough, has ceased to exist,
owing to the closing of mining operations. The same Causes operated
also against the United Brethren Church.
The first school-house, a
small frame building, in the place was erected in 1871. Miss Sarah White was the first
teacher. In 1873 a larger and more commodious structure was erected.
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Coal-mining
was for years the industry which sustained the place. The subsidence of
that industry has had a depressing effect.
The
first borough election was held in October, 1872, at which time
twenty-eight votes were cast. The result was: Burgess,
John Wood; council, James Howard, D. W. Semple and Isaac Hilkirk; assessor, Hugh Bond; constable, John Carter; justice of the
peace, W. T. Reed.
The
first postmaster was S. S. Semple,
the office being called Wheeler. He continued to hold his place until
the time of his death, August 22, 1874.
The History of Mercer County,
1888, page 491.
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