The County Farm.—On the 17th day of April, 1861, Hon. Henry R. Rouse,
of South West township, Warren county, was so severely injured by the unexpected
ignition of gas and oil at the well of Lytle & Merrick, near Titusville,
that he died within a few hours. Before his death he bequeathed the greater
portion of his estate in trust to the commissioners of Warren county, the
interest thereof to be expended one-half on the roads and one-half for the
benefit of the poor of the county. He had taken an active interest in the
development of petroleum when it first appeared in such abundance on Oil
Creek. He had also been successful in other business enterprises; therefore
the amount of the bequest realized after the completion of arrangements found
necessary to make it available, was about $186,000.
The county commissioners then serving, viz.—Erastus Barnes, of Sheffield,
Alden Marsh, of Youngsville, and Melancthon Miles, of Farmington, at once
took measures to make the fund of the Rouse estate practically beneficial.
They bought a farm of four hundred acres, i. e., two hundred and fifty acres
from John McKinney, and one hundred and fifty acres from James Short,
adjoining the pleasant little village of Youngsville, on the Brokenstraw Creek,
at a cost of $13,500. The tract stretches across the valley, is well watered.
and is as capable of high cultivation and productiveness as any in the county.
The poor-house, erected thereon during the high prices prevailing in 1865, cost
$25,000. It is a large, plain, but imposing two-story brick building with a
stone basement, the main part being 100 by 37 feet, and the L, or wing, 36 by
20 feet. From its tower a fine view is obtained of the farm, the village of
Youngsville, the picturesque valley of the Brokenstraw, and the hills beyond.
Postcard image courtesy of Warren County Historical Society, Warren, Pa.
Near the house stands a marble monument, erected in memory of
Mr. Rouse, at a cost of $2,100. It is inclosed by an iron fence, on the gate of
which is cast the word "charity." On each side of the monument's base in
large letters is the name "Henry R. Rouse." Higher up on one side is the
following inscription: "In memoriam, Henry R. Rouse, the founder of this
Charity, born at Westfield, N. Y., October 9, 1823; died from injuries received
at the burning of an oil well April 18, 1861. He represented Warren county
in our Legislature two years, and was a pioneer in the development of petroleum
in Northwestern Pennsylvania." On another side is an extract from
his will, thus: "I bequeath the residue of my estate in trust to the commissioners
of Warren county, the interest thereof to be expended one-half on the
roads, and one-half for the benefit of the poor of said county."
| Note the monument to Henry Rouse on the left side of the postcard. |
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| Postcard image courtesy of Warren County Historical Society, Warren, Pa. |
The advantages derived from the Rouse estate are hardly appreciated by
the people benefited. True, the sum distributed annually is not large, but it
is a perpetual insurance against a poor-tax, unless the people shall become
much more numerous than at present. The different townships, also, are
materially aided by the road money, not for a single year, but for all time.
Present and future generations should warmly commend the liberality of one
who was so suddenly stricken down in the midst of his prosperity and usefulness.
Mr. Rouse was a single man and had few relatives, hence he made the
county his principal legatee. As a legislator he was intelligent and trustworthy.
As a citizen he was a public-spirited, sagacious, and useful. As a
friend he was a little eccentric and nervous, but faithful, agreeable, and true.
He has a monument, as we have described, at the home of the county's poor,
but his most enduring monument will be in the hearts of a people who will
learn to appreciate his beneficence and worth.
| Photograph, below, was most likely taken in the 1930's. |
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| Postcard image courtesy of Warren County Historical Society, Warren, Pa. |
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