The History of Knox

By Chris, Class of 2004

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About 100 years ago, the first habitation of Knox was the town of Edenburg. It was located in Beaver Township, Clarion County Pa. To understand Knox history it is important to give an overview of some of its leading men before it became a borough.

J.G. Mendenhall a Quaker, came here with his wife from Chester County Pa. He bought a tract of land known as the Kiser farm, where Elk City is now located, he got the land for 700 dollars; he kept the land for 6 years. He then proceeded to buy 20 acres of wood over the site of present day Edenburg (Knox); he later made 2 other purchases giving him a total of 188. The land was rich in oil.

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The next man to come to Knox was Mr. P.F. Kribbs, who was a merchant. He and his son Brenton, were into the grocery business and supplied the surrounding counties.

Mr. J.I. Best was another early settler. In 1895 Mr. Best built a house on his property, which was loaded with oil, and granted leases that lead to a large production of oil. Charity hill was a point on the Best farm where good water could be found. Tanks were built which supplied water to Edenburg (Knox) and protected it against fire.

The very first Hotel was called Edenburg house. Robert Orr, of St. Petersburg secured the site and had it refitted for public accommodation.

The Wine-Brinarians were the first to erect a church. 2 years later it was sold to the Presbyterians. In 1876, the first Methodist church was built and dedicated. In less than 7 years the Methodists built 3 churches, parsonages, and also purchased a church that had already been constructed.

In autumn 1876, Edenburg (Knox) was organized and decided to procure a charter. Both the Mendenhall farm and the Best farm combined together made up the towns limits. The charter was procured at the cost of two hundred and eighty eight dollars. With a charter, Edenburg could be considered a borough, which means that it would be considered to be a community instead of private property.

J.M. Gifford started the first newspaper in 1876 called the Edenburg Daily Herald. This was the first daily newspaper published in Clarion County. After the Edenburg herald, a new paper, the Evening news, which was changed to a morning paper, referred to the Edenburg Sprit.  This paper did not stay in publication for long.

Not many know that Knox was once known as Edenburg. Those that do know probably don’t know the reason for the name change. In spring of 1873, the first oil well was drilled in the vicinity. In 1876, a charter was made to organize the borough of Edenburg. The post office had to be renamed because there was already another Edenburg in Pa. The name Knox came from the Honorable John C. Knox, the presiding judge of Clarion from 1851 through 1853. In 1933, a request from the borough of Edenburg to have the name changed to Knox was granted

Bibliography:
Mrs. Mugar, Edgar / History of Knox Borough, August 26th to September 2nd 

Hess, M. E. transcribed by Gene Shirey / History of Edenburg Borough Chapter LI.   History of Clarion County, edited by A. J. Davis, 1887

Clarion County and its Beginnings, Helen Williams, Urban Editor,  Published by The Clarion County Historical Society, 1975 reprinted in 1999