Ross Township Police said in a release Thursday that the grave marker and Revolutionary War marker of Casper Reel has been located.
It was first reported missing sometime over Memorial Day weekend, however police now believe it was never stolen.
"Heartland Homes has an arrangement with an involved party who has stored the stone for safekeeping," the released stated. "There was no theft. The stone is to be returned once it is safe to do so."
Ross Township Historical Society President John Schalcosky was told earlier in the week by a neighbor walking his dog that the marker was missing.
Reel died in 1824. He, and 6 members of his family, were believed to be buried near the 18th hole of the former Highland Country Club. The new owners, who want to build 167 townhomes and 134 single-family homes on the property, had promised to preserve the area and the markers.
Who was Casper Reel?
Reel and his wife Elizabeth Wise acquired land in Pine Township (present-day Ross Township and West View Borough), where he built a cabin in 1792. He became a successful farmer, fruit culturist, constable, and the first tax collector north of the Allegheny River,” according to the Reel papers, which are part of the collection of the University of Pittsburgh Historical website, and the Historical society of western Pennsylvania.
Reel prospered as his family grew. He and his wife had 10 children. Reel owned over 800 acres in what eventually became Ross Township. He was also instrumental in the founding of Hiland Presbyterian Church in Perrysville.
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