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
Pg. 32 -
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
Pg. 33 -
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,
Pg. 34 -
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
Pg. 35 -
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
Pg. 36 -
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
Pg. 37 -
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
Pg. 38 -
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
Pg. 39 -
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.
Pg. 40 -
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-
Pg. 41 -
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,
Pg. 42 -
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
Pg. 43 -
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.
Pg. 44 -
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
Pg. 45 -
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.
|