Special Stories of Genealogy and Historical Interest
(Please share similar stories with us)
Winslow Colliery Railroad and Reuben Winslow (1796-1871)
Contributed by Bob Nay
Reuben Winslow
The Winslow family originally came to Pennsylvania at an early date
from the State of Maine. Reuben Colburn Winslow came to Benezette with two of his other brothers-
Carpenter, and Ebenezer before 1830 and is considered the official founder of the
Town and Township of Benezette. Reuben became an extensive landowner by purchasing several
hundred acres land in and near Benezette- located from Spring and Trout Runs to Austern's and
Dent's Runs. The first coal veins that were worked were the Winslow's at the location where
Spring Run empties into Trout Run. His coal veins - called the Winslow Colliery- in this area
were among the first
and the best. He was also a prominent merchant and one of Elk County's first commissioners in
1843. On April 26, 1871 Reuben C Winslow was killed in a train wreck at Cook's Run (near Lock
Haven, Clinton Co., Pa.where Reuben and family lived at that time)between
Philadelphia and Benezette. Being on business for his railroad- the Winslow Colliery Railroad-
at the time, he was the first one to be rescued. However realizing himself -he was too badly
wounded, he told the rescuers to try and instead save the lives of the other passengers.
The Winslow Colliery Railroad
Around 1862, The Winslow Colliery Railroad was incorporated by the State of Pennsylvania for the
purpose of enabling Rueben Winslow to
construct a railroad to connect his coal mines, in Elk County, with the Philadelphia and Erie railroad.
The Winslow Colliery desired to construct a
railroad that connected their lands with the Philadelphia Railroad and Erie Railroad. This act was approved but
required that it not interfere with the right of the Allegheny Valley Railroad to connect with the Philadelphia and
Erie railroads, and that the Allegheny Valley railroad shall have priority of location over the
railroad privilege. The railroad was to be constructed, with one or more tracks, from any
point on the lands indicated, to connect with the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, at
Colman's.
The Winslow Colliery Railroad Lawsuit
In the spring of 1868 Pennsylvania Railroad crews began locating the Low Grade Line along
Bennett Branch, coming into conflict with the grading crews of the Winslow Colliery
Company, which had completed about 3/4 of their work between
Driftwood and Brookville. The Winslow Colliery Company filed suit against
Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. The P & E said the Winslow Colliery Company was
trying to build a trunk line between Milton and Franklin without
proper charter authority.
Reuben Winslow Train Patents
Reuben was a very ambitious and industrous business man. He patented many products including
railroad equipment patents. Reuben C Winslow of Loch Haven and Reuben C Petrikin (his grandson) invented
a new and improved railroad car running gear and submitted the patent 115261.
More to Come
This is just a brief account of Reuben Winslow and his activities involving the reailroad industry in the Valley.
As I further research this topic I will continue to update this story. If you have any questions or comments please
contact me at bnay@mtzionhistoricalsociety.org.
All materials located on this website are the sole
property of the Mt. Zion Historical Society and its contributors. Contact us for permission to use
beyond your individual non-commercial purposes
