OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS


A Part of Genealogy Express

 

Welcome to
Mahoning County, Ohio
History & Genealogy


Source:
Youngstown
Past and Present

Containing A
History of the Settlement of the Mahoning Valley;
Rise and Progress of its Mining and
Manufacturing Industries,
with an Exhibit of the Trade and Commerce
of Youngstown, for 1873-4

Edited and Published by Wiggins & McKillop,
Cleveland, O., and Pittsburgh, Pa.
1875

-------------------

 

CHAPTER III -

YOUNGSTOWN PRESENT
 

     In the preceding chapters we have traced the rise and progress of the village of Youngstown, from the time the first white man settled in the Valley to the organization of a village, with the incidents connected therewith, and the population of the village, at different times, till the year 1847.  Prior to that date the growth of the village was slow.  The opening of the Ohio and Pennsylvania Canal was the first public project taken hold of for the benefit of the settlers in the Valley.  This canal was completed in 1840, and formed a channel of communication between the Ohio river and Lake Erie, and did a good business in the Valley; transportation of produce along its line, and in the transportation of heavy ordnance.  About this time Gov. Tod became engaged in experimenting with the bituminous coal, then discovered to exist at different points in the Valley, for the purpose of testing it for heating purposes.  This project proved to be a success.  Small quantities of coal were mined and shipped to Cleveland in boats.  This was the beginning of what now forms the basis of the great industries of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.  In the year 1846 it was accidentally discovered that ore could be reduced by the use of the raw coal thus obviating the necessity of coking.  The attention of Iron Manufacturers was turned in this direction, and furnaces for the manufacture of pig iron sprang up at various points in the rolling mills and machine shops followed in rapid succession, and Youngstown soon presented the appearance of a manufacturing city.
     Another event in the history of Youngstown which gave fresh imputus to its growth was the opening of the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad, a great through route to develop more fully the mineral and agricultural resources of Trumbull and

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Mahoning, and to find a market for their products at Cleveland.  Accordingly by a special act passed Feb. 22d, 1848, a charter was procured for the construction of a road from some point in Cleveland to some point in or near the village of Warren, with State; the right to continue the road eventually to the east line of the also with power to connect with any railroad in this State, running in the same direction, or with any railroad incorporated by the State of Pennsylvania; and to continue the road into Pennsylvania to any point authorized by the General Assembly of said State.
     The company was incorporated under this charter in 1851, and a Board of Directors elected, of which Dudley Baldwin, of Cleveland, was one.  Negotiations were opened with the Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad, and the Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad, with a view to connection with their roads, but without success.
     Great expectations were formed by the original projectors of this road as to the amount of local trade that would be se cured.  The iron trade of the Mahoning Valley was rapidly growing into importance.  Seven furnaces were in operation, producing 300 tons of iron per week, three large rolling mills for the manufacture of iron were in existence and others projected, and it was believed that the iron business alone would soon amount to 100 tons per day, a large share of which would pass over this road.  The coal trade was likewise very extensive and rapidly increasing, having risen from 26,000 tons, shipped by the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal to Akron, and thence by Ohio Canal to Cleveland, in 1849, to 185,000 tons in 1852, and it was estimated that this quantity would swell up to 250,000 tons, or 800 tons per day, by 1856, the bulk of which would ultimately pass over this road.  These anticipations have been more than realized.  The road was also to run through the great cheese making region of Ohio, which was then growing into rapid proportions, while the amount of flour manufactured on the line of the road would not be less than 350 barrels daily.  Besides, there would be the miscellaneous trade of a rich and densely peopled agricultural region, interspersed with flourishing villages.
     Finally these considerations led the directors to decide on laying out the road, beginning at Cleveland, on the west side, and running through Scranton's hill to Newburgh, Bedford, Aurora, Mantua, and Warren, fifty-three miles, and thence

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through the northwestern part of Mahoning county to Poland, and from that point to Enon, a station on the line of P., F. & C. R. W., and a considerable amount of stock was purchased by the citizens of Poland an dvicinity, as an inducement to the company to complete and road upon their survey.  This route would have left Youngstown and the coal producing region of the valley several miles east of the line, and the construction of a branch road from Youngstown to Poland seemed an improbable event, hence the chance for an outlet for the coal trade would have received no improvement from this enterprise.
     Matters were in this shape, when the late David Tod, then a resident of Brier Hill, returned from his mission as United States minister at Brazil, and who was working his mines at Brier Hill.  At once forseeing the error of this survey, he was instrumental in having it changed by continuing from Warren down the Mahoning Valley, thus penetrating the heart of the iron and coal producing region.
     On the 11th of February, 1853, the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act incorporating the Company in that State, granting the full and entire assent of that State to all and each of the provisions of the Ohio act of incorporation.  Two other acts were passed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in which the Company is recognized as a corporation of that State, on the same terms as are granted by the State of Ohio.  Pursuant to these acts repeated attempts were made to carry the road into Pennsylvania, but owing to the opposition of the Pittsburgh and Erie Road, and especially of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Road, the desired extension was not accomplished.  Serious embarrassments growing out of the altered condition of the money market had also to be encountered by the Company, which nothing but the determination and self-sacrifice of the directors could have overcome; and at length, in 1857, after five or six years of persevering effort, and almost perplexing difficulties, the road was opened through to Youngstown.  A branch road from Youngstown to the State line between Ohio and Pennsylvania, in Hubbard township, called the Hubbard Branch was also built.  The coal and iron of the Mahoning Valley were thus made accessible by a quick and easy route.
     On the 7th of October, 1863, the Company leased its road and Hubbard Branch, for the term of ninety-nine years to the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad Company, in New York,

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the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad Company of Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad Company of Ohio, said three Companies being known in the aggregate as the Atlantic and Great Western Railway Line, (subsequently consolidated into the Great Western Railway Company), and the same is now known as the Mahoning Branch of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway.
     The benefits accruing from the enterprise were greater than the bold projector ever anticipated.  Although competing lines have been built from Youngstown to the Lake Shore, the traffic is increased by the continued development of the coal trade, and the rapid increase in manufacture, trade and commerce.
     The city of Youngstown as it is to-day contains all the advantages of cities of the first class.  The City Directory published by Wiggins & McKiIlop, in the fall of 1874, contains 4,121 names making an estimate of 3½ to each name, we make a population of 14,323.
     The public buildings, in point of architectural beauty and permanence in construction, are of the highest order.  Recently several new and handsome business blocks have been erected, and others are in contemplation; which are and will be standing monuments of enterprise and prosperity.  The opera house, erected at the north-west corner of the Diamond, is built in the most modern style and finish, artistically designed, second to none in the State.
     There is no inland city in the country that can offer to the public better Hotel accommodations than Youngstown.  The Tod House was built during the years 1868-69, by Messrs. Stambaugh, Crandall & Tod, at a cost of $125,000.  The house contains sixty-five rooms, which are supplied with all the modern improvements for the comfort and convenience of guests.  The building was leased in 1874 by Messrs. Henkle & Bowman, the present proprietors.  The Maitland House is one of the oldest hotel buildings, and recently has been enlarged.  There are several other houses conducted on a smaller scale some of them figured as the leading hotels in town in days gone by.
     The streets are mostly laid out east and west and north and are wide and graded and paved, and supplied with a good system of sewerage.  Rents are reasonable, taxes are even less than are imposed in other cities of the same class, when

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the fact is taken into consideration that most of the improvement in streets and public buildings have only recently been made, and are now in process of construction.
     A charter has been granted to the Youngstown Street Railway Company to build a street railway, beginning at Hazelton and extending through Youngstown to Briar Hill, a distance of four miles.  The projectors of this enterprise are H. Tod, R. Montgomery, George Wilson, Samuel McCartny, and Samuel Wallace.  The contract for the construction of the road is under the management of Messrs. Mackey Brothers, and the work will be pushed to completion at an early date.
     The following table shows the indebtedness, funded and unfunded, of the principal second class cities in the State, in September 1st, 1873:

CITIES Valuable of
Property
1873.
Rates of
taxation
for all
purposes
Amount of Debts,
1873
Second Class      
Akron...... $6,685,997 21.6 $51,862.00
Canton...... 5,011,180 23. 218,357.77
Chillicothe ... 4,542,917 35.1 36,750.00
Columbus ... 25,279,700 25.2 1,031,848.75
Dayton .... 19,956,470 22.2 894,170.00
Hamilton ... 5,836,065 26.2 229,518.25
Lancaster .... 2,524,700 26.3 18,568.00
Mansfield ..... 4,799,150 23.5 57,400.00
Marietta ..... 2,595,725 26.5 182,000.00
Massillon ..... 2,710,560 21.1 ---
Mt. Vernon ..... 2,229,139 23.0 ---
Newark ..... 3,870,138 23.6 8,000.00
Portsmouth  ..... 5,607,213 28.5 248,710.00
Sandusky  ..... 4,141,854 30.0 28,500.00
Springfield ..... 8,390,736 19.0 64,692.42
Steubenville ..... 5,618,150 24.6 86,000.00
Warren ..... 2,487,462 18.0 12,482.75
Xenia ..... 3,330,548 19.6 77,250.00
Youngstown ..... 4,610,569 23.8 629,543.18
Zanesville ..... 7,370,569 23.8 629,543.18

    A means for supplying the manufactories and private residences with water, and also to provide against calamities by fire, became a necessity as the population and business of the town increased, which led to the erection of the present water works, which were completed July 18, 1872.  The works are erected on the Holly system, and have a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons every 24 hours against a pressure equal to 150 feet head. The machinery consists of one set of double cylinder, crank

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vailable, cut-off, condensing engines, cylinder 14x24 inches, connected to one crank in such a manner that both may be run at the same time, or either separately, and are erected on a heavy ornamental arched iron frame.  The works are driven by one of Holly's Patent Rotary Steam Engines, of 150 horse power.  The works are located on the Mahoning river, west of the city, and are among the finest in the State.  The entire cost of their construction was $150,000.  There are now about twelve miles of main pipes laid through the streets in the city, and 4,300 feet are now being laid.  There are about 539 connections made for private purposes.
     In 1866 a company was formed for the purpose of establishing works to supply the city with gas, and on the evening of Jan. 14th, 1867, Youngstown, for the first time, was lighted with gas.  The consumption of gas during the month of March, following, was 116,000 cubic feet, and for the same month in 1868, 291,200; 1869, 547,300; 1870, 582,900; 1871, 800,600; 1872, 1,404,000; in 1873, 1,091,000 cubic feet.  There are 40,000 feet of main pipe laid through the various streets, and the company have five hundred meters out, and one hundred and forty-eight street lamps erected.  During the year 1872 the works were rebuilt and enlarged, having now a capacity for supplying 130,000 feet per day.

YOUNGSTOWN CHURCHES.

     One of the first acts of the early pioneers of the Western Reserve was to arrange a place for holding Divine services.  And prominent among these settlers was the pioneer missionary, whose toils, privations and vicissitudes should not escape the historian's pen.  The evidence of religious sentiment among the first settlers was quite consistent with their New England culture, and was adhered to with a jealous affection throughout their early struggles that merits the warmest admiration.  Social religious services, held in primitive log or frame buildings, appear to have been quite common in those days, notwithstanding the smallness of the population and the poverty of the people, although they must have had to encounter many difficulties on these accounts, as well as from the diversity of religious opinion, and the hostility of influential men, who were opposed to religious institutions.  Undeterred, however, by these adverse influences, the early pioneers adhered faithfully to their convictions, and persevered with their meetings in the

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school-house or dwelling until they were able to construct halls or buildings, or could make arrangement to organize religious societies and build churches.  The inducements set forth to influence young men to enter the ministry and labor among the pioneer settlers were not of a very promising nature, and indeed it seems as if nothing but a sincere sense of duty would influence in choosing a life and calling fraught with so many hardships.
     As the fruit of the labors of these early Christians, Youngstown at this time enjoys the privileges of eleven churches: two Presbyterians, one United Presbyterian, one Methodist Episcopal, one Methodist Protestant, one Christian, one Baptist, one Welsh Baptist, one Welsh Presbyterian, one Episcopal, one German and one English Lutheran, one Catholic Church and Cathedral.

PRESBYTERIAN.

     The First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown is the oldest church organization on the Western Reserve.  The early records of the society having been lost, it is difficult to arrive at the correct date of its organization.  It is probable that it was organized about the year 1800, by the Presbytery of Ohio.  Upon the organization of the Presbytery of Erie, April 13th, 1802, this congregation was included within its bounds.  Its Presbyterial connection was again changed in 1808, upon the organization of Hartford Presbytery, when it remained until the division of 1837.  The Presbytery of Beaver, successor to the Hartford Presbytery, adhered to the Old School branch.  After the separation, it deciding to unite itself with the New School wing of the Church, this congregation, by request, was admitted to the care of the Trumbull Presbytery, and remained so until 1870, when the Presbytery itself was dissolved and the Presbytery of Mahoning formed, and it is, in point of membership and wealth, the strongest Church in that Presbytery.
     The first church edifice was erected probably as early as 1802, near the north-west corner of Wood street and Wick avenue, immediately opposite the present church building.  A new building was erected in 1835, on Federal street, and occupied until 1866, when the present house was opened for service.  The first regular pastor of this church was the Rev. Willian Wick, who graduated at Cannonsburg, Pa., in the year 1797, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Erie in 1799, was installed into the pastorate of this church in 1890, to preach half

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of his time, and continued to be its pastor until his death, which event occurred the 26th day of March, 1815.  The second pastor was the Rev. John Core, who was installed June 25th, 1817, and was also pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Brookfield and Vienna.  After serving the congregation faithfully for six years, his relations with this church were dissolved, which occurred April 10th, 1823.  From this date to the year 1830, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Enoch Bolten and Nathan Harned.  Rev. Ward Stafford was installed as the third pastor, Apr. 5th, 1830, and continued till 1837, when he was released.  Mr. Stafford's successor was the Rev. Charles A. Boardman, whose pastoral relation was dissolved by request in 1854.  For five years succeeding this date the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Frederick Brown.  Rev. Levi B. Wilson was installed as the fifth pastor of this church Nov. 9th, 1859, and remained in charge till 1869, when the relations were dissolved.  The sixth and present pastor, Rev. Daniel H. Evans, was installed May 5th, 1870.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

     Prominent among church enterprise in the pioneere days, were representativs of the Methodist faith, who began their labors here, with the beginning of the present century.  the Baltimore conference was responsible for the supply of this part of the work, with the ministry of this early day.  At its session in the city of Baltimore, Apr. 1st, 1803, Shaadrick Bostwick was appointed a missionary to Deerfield circuit, under Rev. Thornton Fleming, Presiding Elder of the Pittsburgh District, who had been in the same field two years preceeding.  Mr. Bostwick was a practicing physician, but had given twelve years almost exclusively to the preaching of the Gospel in Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and the New England States.  On his appointment to this work, he erected a house in Deerfield, Ohio, and located his family there; he penetrated the forests in different directions, establishing appointments and organizing societies, in which he accomplished much good among the people.  Rev. Gregg, in his history of Methodism, says of Mr. Bostwick: "He was induced to visit Youngstown, Mahoning county, Ohio, where he found a small log house, built by the citizens, and ocoupied occupied by the Presbyterians for a church, in which he asked permission to preach, but was promptly and positively refused.  Judge Rayen, a prominent citizen of the place, though not a professor of religion, invited the Doctor to

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preach in his barn, which he consented to do until a better place was provided.  Soon after the doctor commenced preaching in Youngstown, he formed a class, consisting of Moses Crawford and wife, John Hogue and wife, Isaac Powers, and Mr. Braden, six in number."
     The faithfulness of Moses Crawford and wife was indeed commendable.  Prior to the organization of a class in Youngstown, one "Father Crawford" was conducting a class in Hubbard, about six miles distant.  It was the custom of this old couple to attend services and class at that place every Sunday, walking there and return, often carrying an infant with them.  The Youngstown class was held for some time in the old log school house which stood on or near the north-west corner of the Diamond.  this place of meeting, however, was abandoned and the private residences of the pioneer members substituted.
     In the year 1804 Thornton Fleming was again appointed Presiding Elder of the District, and Shadrick Bostwick, preacher on the Dearfield circuit, and in charge at Youngstown.  At the expiration of this year, Dr. Bostwick located and began the practice of medicine, officiating meanwhile in the capacity of local preacher.  He removed to Canfield, Ohio, 1807, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1837.
     Mr. Gregg, in his history of the Erie Conference, says of this charge in 1805: "The Erie and Deerfield circuit at this time was more than four hundred miles in circumference.  And this journey, to be accomplished every four weeks, was along blind paths, formed by marked trees, across swollen, unbridged streams, over rugged precipices and high hills, now winding around steep, rocky mountain sides, and then plunging through deep, miery morasses, sometimes camping in the woods all night, wearied and hungry, resting his back upon the root of some forest tree, while his faithful horse stood tied up without a mouthful to eat, and not unfrequently encountering wild beasts, rude savage men, and venomous serpents."
     The first house of worship was built by this society about the year 1810.  The lot upon which it was built was on Phelps street, near where the present church building stands, and cost the sum of twenty dollars.  Later this building was enlarged, and about the year 1818 it was removed to its present location.  During the year 1820, a Sunday School was organized, which was the first regularly organized Sunday School in the place.

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     The society was somewhat damaged during the year 1830 by a split in the Church; about fifty, members representing the greater portion of the society, seceded and formed a new society - the Methodist Protestant Church.  This division was keenly felt by the remaining members, but although the most active and influential of its members withdrew from the old Church, yet the indomitable energy which characterized the early members, still predominated among the remaining few, who commencing the battle anew, soon succeeded in repairing the breach that had been made in their ranks, and as a trophy of their labors the society to-day enrolled a membership of over five hundred, and has a flourishing Sunday School.  Their house of worship has been enlarged and improved from time to time, and at present is far too small to accommodate the wants of the membership.  The erection of a new building is in contemplation, and will be commenced at an early day, which, when completed, will be one of the finest church edifices in the city.  The Rev. John Peat was appointed pastor by the Conference in 1872; and re-appointed in 1873, and also in 1874.  Rev. John Lytle is the Presiding Elder.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.
(Martin Luther's Church)

     Among the early settlers who, at the beginning of the present century, came to Mahoning county, were many Germans, whose ancestors were members of the Church of the Reformation, - that is, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Anxious to retain in their midst the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments according to the confessions of their ancestors, they, in different parts of the county, called pastors and organized congregations.  Thus many years ago Lutheran congregations were organized in Boardman and Crawford townships.  Ministers served from ten to fifteen congregations, and some traveled over several counties.  The few German Lutherans in Youngstown attended services in the surrounding Lutheran churches.  The first attempt to gather a Lutheran congregation in Youngstown was made by Rev. G. Kranz, in 1857.  Then living in North Lima, he visited this place, and frequently preached here, in connection with a Lutheran congregation which he served in Boardman.
     In 1858 the Lutherans and some members of the German Reformed church called the Rev. Fair as their pastor in Youngs-

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town.  He was a reformed minister, but he proposed to the two parties that they should build a Union Church.  The church was built, but afterwards was claimed to be a Reformed church.  The Lutherans finding themselves deceived resolved to organize themselves as a German Evangelical Lutheran congregation.  This was done August 1st, 1959, they numbering at that time twenty-two members.  Rev. F. C. Becker, from Jackson, served them temporarily.  Rev. L. Creps, of Brookfield, was called to be their pastor July 31st, 1859.  After the congregation had held its services in different localities in town for some time, they bought the lot where the church now stands.  The lot is 45x120, and is located at the corner of east Wood and Champion streets.  Mar. 2d, 1862, the corner stone was laid, and an ordinary brick was built 35x50 and sixteen feet high, and fifteen feet more of ground was purchased in order to enlarge the yard.  In the spring of 1862 the corner stone of the present building was laid, and Nov. 2d, 1862, the church was dedicated.  The congregation then numbered fifty members, the Rev. L. Kreps moved to Youngstown in 1862 and served them as their regular pastor.  He left in 1868, the congregation then numbering one hundred members.
     Jan. 1st, 1869, the congregation called their present pastor.  During this year a piece of ground near the church was purchased and a parsonage erected thereon.  There are now 200 families embraced in the congregation.  It is proposed as soon as possible to build a school house, in which a Parochial School is to be kept, for the christian and churchly training of the children.  Since the fall of 1873 an English Lutheran Mission has been commenced in Youngstown, by the Rev. C. S. Baechler.   An organization has been effected counting about ten families, under the name of the English Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's congregation.  The society has thus far held its services in the German Church.  Rev. S. Baechler, resides on west Wood street, and also serves one congregation in Boardman, and two in Beaver townships.

ROMAN CATHOLIC.

     About twenty years ago Father Callahan, a Roman Catholic clergyman, made a visit to Youngstown, and organized a Catholic society.  The entire Catholic population at that time did not number twenty-five or thirty persons.  The first meetings of the society were held at the private residence of James Moore,

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at Briar Hill. The Catholic population was greatly increased by emigration of laborers and workmen to fill the various positions in the rolling mills, furnaces, and railroad enterprises, which led to the erection of a house of worship.  The lot upon which this edifice was erected was donated to the society by the late David Dod.  The congregation used this building for several years, until a larger one became a necessity, when the present house, located at the corner of Wood and Hazel streets, was built; it is known as St. Columba's Church.  The Rev. Father P. H. Brown is the present pastor.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN

     The society of the United Presbyterian Church of Youngstown was organized Oct. 10th, 1859, by Rev. J. W. Logue, of Northfield, Ohio.  The number of members, at the time of the organization of this society, was about twelve.  The Rev. G. K. Ormond was installed as the first pastor, which event took place soon after its organization, who continued faithfully in his labors until Feb. 1st, 1870, at which time he resigned his charge.  During his pastoral career with this people the congregation increased to one hundred, and their present church edifice, located at the corner of Wood and Walnut streets, was erected.  Rev. J. M. Wallace, the second pastor, was installed Feb. 7th, 1871, the congregation having had but two pastors since its organization.  In doctrine this church agrees in the main with the Re-united Presbyterians of to-day.  They differ from them, however, in the exclusive use of Scripture Psalms, and the exclusion of instilments in praise and in opposing oath bound societies.

DISCIPLES CHURCH.

     This society was organized July 18th, 1841, with twenty seven members.  Their house of worship was an academy building fitted for church purposes, and situated on the south west corner of the Diamond.  This building was dedicated as a place of worship, July 4th, 1811, and used by this society for thirty-two years; within its walls transpired nearly all these scenes sacred to the memory of the church, and in the spring of 1873 it was vacated for the basement of their new building, then in process of erection.  But two of the originial original twenty six are members now, and but one present on that occasion.
     The building now occupied by the society was commenced in July 1872, and was dedicated July 1, 1874, and is situated on Wood street, between Phelps street and Wick avenue, and

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cost $27,000.  The present membership of the congregation numbers two hundred and thirty.
     Those who have been pastors or preached for the church are in the order in which they have labored as follows:
      Wesley Lamphere, John Henry, John Applegate, Henry Brocket, W. S. Gray, O. Higgins, Walter Haden, James Calvin, F. S. Whitslar, Orwin Gates, Jasper Hughes, R. E. Davis, and C. C. Smith who is the present pastor.

METHODIST PROTESTANT.

     The Methodist Protestant Church was organized under the auspices of the Muskingum Conference, in the year 1828, and is located on front street, between Champion and Market.  Owing to the loss of the church records, it is difficult to give a very accurate history of the society.  It is probable that Rev. Wm. Reeves was the first regular pastor.  The society was reorganized in 1865, and the Rev. H. Palmer appointed pastor.  The present membership number about one hundred and fifty.  By an act of Assembly in 1860, the church was transferred to the Pittsburgh District.
     The First Baptist Church, situated on South Market street.  The society is in a flourishing condition, having recently erected an elegant brick church edifice, sufficient for the accommodation of a large congregation.  Rev. C. F. H. Meiser is the pastor.
     The Welsh Baptist Church, Rev. DeReese, pastor, is situated on North Walnut street.
     The St. John Episcopal Church, situated at the corner of Wood and Champion Sts.  The Rev. Samuel Maxwell, pastor.
     The Second Presbyterian Church, situated on Covington street, was recently organized, and the result of a mission Sunday-school enterprise.  The pastorate care of the society is under the direction of Rev. R. D. Scott.
     The German Protestant Church, situated on Mahoning Avenue.  The Rev. J. Seybold is pastor.
     The First. African Methodist Church, east side of Mill street.  The Rev. Ashbury is pastor.
     The Welsh Methodist Church, Hazel street, between Federal and Wick streets.  The Rev. E. Evans is pastor.
     The German Reform Church, Wood street.  The Rev. John Biery is pastor. 
     The Welsh Congregational Church, Elm street, between Wood street and Rayen Avenue.  Rev. D. S. Davis, pastor.

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YOUNGSTOWN SCHOOLS.

     One of the most important among the institutions of Youngstown, are the public schools.  The education of their children was not entirely neglected by the early settlers, but the advantages to obtain such were meagre.  In the history of the early settlement of the valley, reference is made to the school facilities of that time, which were conducted as individual enterprises; the teachers procuring the signatures of the parents to a contract binding them to pay a certain sum of money monthly for each scholar.  The country being thinly settled, the distance to be traveled by the scholars was so great as to prevent the attendance of the smaller children during the winter months, and in the opening of the spring and during the summer months the assistance of the larger boys and girls could not be dispensed with at home.  Such we find to have been the school advantages of not only this section but through out the west at the beginning and during the first forty years of the settlement.
     The Union School system, introduced by the law of 1849, known as the Akron law, was inaugurated in Youngstown in 1851, and has been in successful operation for nearly 24 years.  The first entry made on the school record, is as follows:
     "Personally appeared before me, a master commissioner in chancery, Henry Manning, Theodatus Garlick, Miland J. Edwards, Wilson S. Shorn, Jesse Baldwin and A. D. Jacobs, School Directors elected for the borough of Youngstown, and solemnly swore to discharge faithfully according to the best of their skill and ability, the duties of the said office.
                    E. S. Hubbard,
                              Master Com. in Chancery."

May 5th, A. D., 1851.
     The board elect met on the evening of May 3d, 1851, and organized by electing Dr. Manning, President, and Wm. J. Edwards, Secretary.  Homer Hine, P. J. Powers and P. W. Taylor, were chosen as the first board of examiners. 
     The first assessment for tax for the Union School was three mills on the dollar, and was made by the Board, June 7th, 1851.  At a meeting of the Board, May 19th, Samuel Cooper was unanimously elected to fill the position of Superintendent, and to Mr. Cooper belongs the honor of organizing the first school in the town under the Akron School Law, and judging from the

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condition of the schools two years subsequent, it may be inferred that he proved to be a faithful and efficient Superintendent his wife, who assisted him, was one of the most popular and successful teachers that ever taught in Youngstown.  The first corps of teachers consisted of Miss Kirk, (now Mrs. Gen. Grierson,) Eliza Powers and Hulda Malcomb.
     Schools opened on Monday morning, Sept. 15, 1851.  The first pay-roll of the teachers dates December 24, and is as follows:
     S. F. Cooper and wife, $200.00; W. S. Gray, $94.00; Alice Kirk, $47.60; Eliza Powers, $47.60; Hulda Malcomb, $47.60; Miss Chapman, $33.60.
     The progress of the schools kept pace with the rapid growth of the city.  A new building has been erected on Front street, having ample accommodations for the fast increasing attendance.  The present Principal is Mr. B. McMillan.
     The Rayen School, so named from the late Judge Rayen, was organized in 1866, with Prof. E. S. Gregg, Superintendent.  The grounds were purchased and the building erected by the increase of the legacy of the late Judge Rayen.  The school is under the control of a Board of Trustees, and by an agreement with the Trustees of the Union School Board, this is made the High School of the city and township.  The course of study is complete, and the classes at this time contain over eighty students.  Mr. Gregory continues as Principal.

 

 

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