Mouse over for marker text
Name:
Speechley Gas Pool Well
Region:
Lake Erie Region
County:
Venango
Marker Location:
Rte. 157 & Twp. Road 60028, Pine Grove
Dedication Date:
October 28, 1999
Behind the Marker
Samuel Speechley received a common school education in England, and at the age of fourteen, engaged in learning locomotive technology and marine engineering in Newcastle-on-Tyne. At the age of twenty, he was sent to China by the firm of Robert Stephenson and Company to join a steamer plying between Hong Kong and Calcutta in the opium trade. From 1855-56 he was employed by the Chinese.
In 1857 Speechley started an engineering firm in China. In 1872 he visited the United States and eventually settled on a 100-acre-farm in Pinegrove Township. Nearly thirteen years later, Speechley completed one of the first successful natural gas wells. The "Speechley Well" gave rise to a system of wells that became known as the Speechley gas district.
A head and shoulders portrait of Samuel Speechley.
In 1857 Speechley started an engineering firm in China. In 1872 he visited the United States and eventually settled on a 100-acre-farm in Pinegrove Township. Nearly thirteen years later, Speechley completed one of the first successful natural gas wells. The "Speechley Well" gave rise to a system of wells that became known as the Speechley gas district.
