The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-02-11
OBITUARY..
MARIEN BLOOD HUNT.

Every true citizen of Forest county has
paused, during the past week, in deep
veneration, as the tidings reached them
that one of the best and bravest of the
historic characters of our county had
passed beyond the veil that hides the
seen from the unseen-time from eterni-
ty. In the lands be, ond the sea, beauti-
ful spirits illumine the pages of history,
but it has been reserved fNr the pioneer
daughters of America TO show the world
Arrest excellence and worth and of these,
in the history of our own county, none
deserve greater honor or more lasting
tribute than the subject of our sketch
Mrs. Marien f. Hunt. Claiming her as
the eldest of the pioneer daughters of
Forest county, we may safely say of her
"Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them ALL"
In the early part of the past century
two brothers of good New Hampshire
family sought and obtained a classic edu-
cation in the hest schools of Massachu
sets. The elder, Samuel Blood, after
graduating from Harvard College, became
principal of the Chambersburg Academy,
in Franklin county, Pa, and later was
Joined by his brother Cyrus. In 1920,
Cyrus Blood was married to Miss Jane
McAnulty of Chambersburg, and about
this time took charge, as principal, of the
Hagerstown Academy in Maryland. 1t
was there, on September 7th, 1921, in
the midst OF the loftiest environment,
that the eldest daughter, Marien Fuller
ton Blood, was born to these good people.
Later Mr.. Blood accepted and served as a
professor in Dickinson College, Carlisle,
Pa, but the confinement of the school
room not agreeing with him, he Travelled
for some years. While travelling he
found that the northern portion of Jefier
son county was then ar unbroken wild
ernsss, and conceived the idea of found
ing new county and finally purchased a
tract on which Marienvilleis now located.
1t was understood when Mr.. Blood pur-
chased this tract of wooded land, that a
road would be opened into it for him,
but as in the case of many such promises
the land company failed to do so, and in
1888, "when he arrived where Corsica now
is, on the Olean road, he found to his an
noyance that no road had been made.
Leaving his family behind him, he start.
ed from what was then Armstrong; mill,
now Clarington, with an OK team, sled,
and men to cut their way, step by step
through the wilderness twelve miles to
his future home. Every night the men
camped on and around the OK sled.''
Quoted from DR.. Mex nights History OF
Jefferson Coz In October of the same
year, Mr.. Blood and his five children
took possession of their forest home.
Marien was then but twelve years old,
yet on ner fell the responsibility of house
keeper, home-maker, teacher and COM
panion in this wilderness home. Up to
this time she had been reared in an at
mosphere of culture and refined Chris
tian influences, and although she Kecnly
felt the loss of the superior advantages OF
her early childhood, she never murmur-
ed, but with the fortitude of Roman
matron she bravely met the untold hard
ships and privations of pioneer life. The
enforced limited library of their log g-cabin
home was cherished and the treasures il
contained, with the fathers instruction,
helped Marien to continue her education.
A room was soon set apart for a school
room and here Marien Blood taught the
fl st school in what is now Forest county,
almost 20 years ago. She continued teach
ing for some years. The true heroic spir-
1t Of the Lord OF the Forest" as Mr..
Blood was pleasantly known by his
friends, and of his daughter Marien, was
manifest in the unbOunded faith and
courage to meet the dangers and privs-
tions of those early days in the history oi
eur county. Wild beasts reigned supreme
and the tracks of the Red Man had moi
disappeared. Settlements were miles
distant from each other and panthers were
so plenty that they played like dogs in
their door-ysrd. At times in the year
money could not buy the nee, ssities OF
Ii e that had TO be brought from Kittan-
ming and Brookville on foot, and Mr..
Blood frequently found it necessary 10
leave his little children in the care Of his
daughter Marien and journey thence for
| flour, groceries and the mail.
The hearts of those pioneers were kind.
Their hospitality was unstinted, and their
courtesies extended alike to all who cross
ed their threshold. Piety went hand in
hand with their benevolence and they de-
lighted in relieving the wants of theil
fellow creatures. As the settlement grew
TO the poor they became benefactors, tC
the rich examples, even to the day o
their deaths.
Not long after Mr.. Blood settled on hi,
new possessions i'm the forest, a sturdy
young man by the name of John d. Hunt
lett his home TO seek his fortune in tn,
| Pennsylvania wilderness. He soor