Vandals Steal Grave Marker of Ross Township Founding Father

The grave marker and Revolutionary War marker of Casper Reel was stolen sometime over the Memorial Day weekend, according to Ross Township Historical Society President John Schalcosky.

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.

Shalcosky first learned it was missing by a neighbor who had been walking his dog on the old golf course.

"This is a shame and a real mystery," said Shalcosky. "The marker is solid bronze and had to weigh at least 75 pounds, and it was bolted to the stone behind it. At the same time, very few people knew of its exact location."

Shalcosky filed a report with Ross Township police. 

"It's real piece of Ross Township history," he said. "It was placed there in 1934 by the Daughters of the American Revolution and survived all these years. I guess someone wanted it for scrap. What a shame."

If you have any information, you are asked to call Ross Township Police at 412-931-9070.

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.