History book aids Eighty Four Lions
When membership in the Eighty Four Lions Club continued to dwindle, Kenneth Britten figured he had to come up with some alternate fundraising so members could continue to help residents in need.
And the perfect opportunity presented itself, he said, when the family of Francis Wylie donated to Britten numerous boxes of newspaper clippings documenting the history and happenings of Houston and Chartiers Township that Mrs. Wylie had saved throughout her 90-plus years.
After sifting through the clippings, Britten compiled a spiral-bound book, “Houston & Chartiers Township,” published by Arcadia Publishing that includes news articles, obituaries, tributes to soldiers, anniversary announcements, sports photos, May Day queens and advertisements dating back to 1943.
“If you got the book, I wanted to pique your curiosity,” said Britten, 68, of Houston. “Maybe you would go back through some old newspaper collections.”
The book contains eight chapters: Our Volunteer Fire Department; Business and Industry; Transportation; Education; Library; Called To Serve; Religious History; and Faces Around Town.
Among the clippings are:
• The founding of the Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department and its response to its first fire call in 1958.
• An “alphabetical” chicken that laid an unusual egg in 1950.
• The 50-year celebration in 1961 of I.C. Patsch and Sons as a Dodge dealership in Houston.
• The passenger list of the last trolley run in 1953.
• The dedication in 1959 of Chartiers Elementary School.
• A letter from Capt. John A. Johnston Jr., son a prominent attorney, that outlines the best care for wounded soldiers.
“One lady who bought the book was thrilled. She found her father. He was the first fire chief,” Britten said.
Another woman, he said, recognized a photograph of little kids – and she was one of the kids.
Britten, who is president of the Southwestern Genealogical Society and the Beaver Falls Historical Society, also has published two books about his native Beaver Falls: “Beaver Falls Gem of Beaver County” history book and “Beaver Falls” photo history book.
To purchase a “Houston & Chartiers Township” book or for more information, call Kenneth Britten at 724-745-7713. Cost is $22. Proceeds benefit the Eighty Four Lions Club.