Cumberland County History prints below excerpts from the 1912 entries in the diary of John A. Smith of Dickinson Township, taken from the original in the possession of his, the Editor. Besides giving insight into life three generations ago in the County, the entries represent an expansion of a matter mentioned in passing by Dr. Warren Gates in his article in this journal one year ago. The incident involved the visit of a presidential candidate to the Great Grangers Picnic, Woodrow Wilson. The diarist expands his own involvement in the arrangements.
Penn Township was erected 23 October 1860 when the western half of Dickinson Township was made into a separate political and territorial body. Its creation was the result of a continuing effort lasting for at least twenty years. This subdivision was but one in a series of similar moves begun at the settlement of the Province and continued in Cumberland County until 1929.