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"The Fombell Story" appeared in the 1976 publication, "History of the Northeastern District of the County of Beaver", compiled by Jeanne McMillan.
Lucien Fornbelle (spelled with an "e" on the end in the Genealogical and Biographical History of Beaver County, 1914), came to this country sometime after the Revolutionary War and became a large land owner in this area. The Beaver County history reports that he bought 1,400 acres of land in Franklin Twp. and another tract near Wampum. He had been a vineyard owner in France and the proprietor of a jewelry business. Religious unrest and persecution drove him from his native France to this country with a band of Huguenots. Lucien Fornbelle attempted to establish vineyards here, but discovered that the soil was not suitable. Two of his sons, Alexander and Lucien, married sisters. Alexander married Delilah Magaw and Lucien married Eunice Magaw. Both of Lucien's children died, but Alexander had nine children who grew to maturity.
Gabriel became an attorney, a member of the judiciary in Illinois, died in Denver, Colo. Gabriel could speak five languages. James became a farmer in central Illinois. Alexander a farmer near Decatur, Ill. Justin was a merchant in southern Illinois, later moved to a 320 acre farm near Decatur. Victoria married Joseph Phillis, who later bought much of the Fornbelle estate. Fannie married Charles Wooster, and later moved to Missouri. Jane married James Fornbelle, a first cousin. Elvira married Henry Metz of Pittsburgh and Louise married Robert Strobridge of New Brighton.
Beaver County Courthouse records report that Theopolis Fornbell, (without "e') died Sept. 27, 1900 in Franklin Twp. at the age of 80. Hazen's 1908 "History of Lawrence County" reports that Agnes Fornbelle (with the "e") married John Wesley Wilkinson. That history book reports that she was the daughter of Theophilus and Elizabeth McGaw Fornbelle (with the'le').
The General Store closed July 4, 1972 after over 80 years in business. The stock and equipment in the store were sold at an auction held on July 8, 1972. The story of the store, the post office and Fornbell, Pa. weaves a fascinating tale of history, and the families Phillis and Fornbelle. The Phillis family were descendents of Joseph Phillis who was born in England in 1694, and the Fornbollc brothers, Lucien and Gabriel, came here from Fornbelle, France in the Argonne Forest. The first Joseph Phillis lived to be 106 years old and is buried in Mill Creek Cemetery, Raccoon Township, Beaver County. There was a Joseph Phillis in each generation. Joseph Phillis, co-owner of the store, is the last to bear the name. He, with his brother Thomas were partners, but Thomas was employed at the Sahli Motor Co. in Beaver Falls as sales manager.
The above two are not the original Phillis Brothers for whom the store was named. Their father, Omar G. Phillis and his brother Frank I. started the store in the 1890s. Frank died and Omar was in charge until his death in 1927. His wife, Louise managed the
store until Joseph and Thomas took over. Their grandfather, Joseph Phillis was the first postmaster, then their father Omar. Later their mother, Louise was postmistress. In July, 1944, Joseph's wife, Jane, became postmistress. She retired in 1971 and for the first time the postmaster, David Berm, was from outside the Phillis family.
The Phillis and Fornbelle families were united when Victoria Magdalena, daughter of Alexander Fornbelle married Joseph Phillis who came from Phillis Island near the Shippingport area, where he was a barge builder. Victoria inherited her father's house, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillis. A doorway has the initials "A.F." carved over it, but there is no date.
The first post office was in the room now used as a dining room. Later a lean-to shed was built. The present store building was built in 1894 and merchandise was moved from a 170 acre farm owned by Omar and Frank. The brothers continued to operate both store and farm. Chauncey Boots, who carried mail in the area, also was a descendent. His grandmother, Mrs. J.W. Boots, was the former Jane Fornbelle, a cousin of Victoria.
The Phillis' all are members of the Camp Run United Presbyterian Church, Fombell.
Indians also existed in the Fornbell area. An Indian mound has been found on the Dambaugh property and one near the Carl Daufen saw mill. The mounds are believed to have belonged to the Hopewellian Culture. They lived from the time of Christ to about 800 A.D. They used spears, made tools of flint and polished stone, and tempered pottery with limestone fragments.
The area has one of the first charcoal blast furnaces in western Pennsylvania, the Bassenheim Furnace.
The Fornbell area has a Revolutionary War Cemetery, Y.M.C.A. Camp, Girl Scout Camp, and Pine Valley Association.
For 74 years, residents trekked to the old General Store in Fornbell to pick up their mail and buy stamps. While there, they could buy groceries and penny candy from "the largest selection in Pennsylvania." On Saturday, Nov. 23, 1974, the post office was moved to Moncrief's Service Station on Route 288, Zelienople-Ellwood Road, Franklin Township.
The post office services a 60 mile mail route with close to 2,000 persons in Marion and Franklin Townships.
Once inside the store, one could imagine a little of life in the past. A pot bellied stove stood in the middle of the floor, glass candy cases worn by generations of small hands pointing to their choices of the candy displayed there, shelves stacked 15 ft. high with all kinds of canned goods and other staples, and the "Wanted" posters hanging on the Post Office wall.
At one time, the trains stopped right outside to bring in supplies which had been ordered.
A part of the past is gone.
Chauncey Boots, rural mail carrier for the Fornbell Post Office, retired June 22, 1973 after nearly 32 years of service. Boots began working at the post office Sept. 8, 1941. He holds a citation not given to many mailmen, a 32 year safe driving award.