Kennerdell Additional Historical Information

Before Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) could get started, locals had to show support for the idea by joining the co-op. An investment of five dollars, known as the membership fee, was needed from each member, and CEC needed to show a certain level of support to gain approval from the Rural Electric Administration in Washington, D.C. 

So, that's what the founders did. They went out campaigning for area residents to join the co-op. 

The first individuals to join were in April 1937 and were from Parkers Landing (Clarion County); Rockland, Kennerdell, and Pittsville (Venango County). The first members to join in Armstrong County were on Sept. 15, 1937, and for Butler County were on Aug. 26, 1937. 

Armstrong County's first member was R.B. Crum of Cowansville.

Butler County's first members were: J.H. Martsolf of Slippery Rock, O.C. McCurdy of Slippery Rock, W.O. McBride of Prospect, E. F. Lindy of Slippery Rock, J.A. Lindey of Slippery Rock, S.A. Jeffrey of Prospect, N.E. Ifft of Butler, John J. Grindelly of Prospect, Howard S. English of Prospect, John J. Demmler of Butler, and C.O. McCandless of Prospect.  

Clarion County's first member was Reba E. Thompson of Parkers Landing (Parker). 

Venango County's first members were: E.E. Borland of Rockland, F.L. Borland of Rockland, I.O. Bell of Rockland, C.L. Burgwin of Kennerdell, Fred R. Bell of Pittsville, John Harley of Kennerdell, and H.T. Jolly of Pittsville.