Poland was one of the earliest settled portions of Mahoning County and by 1810 had a considerable population, which consisted largely of emigrants from Pennsylvania.  The township has an uneven surface, being deeply cut in the northeastern portion by the Mahoning river and in the northwest by Yellow creek, which flows through Poland Village.  The soil is deep and fertile and in most places well adapted to farming.  Considerable coal and iron ore have been found in the township, and some small veins of coal are still worked, though, owning to the exhaustion of the best mines, that industry is not so flourishing as formerly.  Others have taken its place, however, as the busy, prosperous villages of Lowellville and Struthers fully evidence.  An account of the early furnaces may be found in the chapter on the coal and iron industries of the county.  An account of some of the most interesting events in the early history of Poland was contained in a paper read by Mrs. Mary M. Maxwell at the Columbus celebration, in Poland Oct. 21, 1892, from which we here quote extensively:
     "The first to lay out and take claims in this place was Turhand Kirtland, afterwards known as Judge Kirtland, a surveyor named Woolcott coming with him.   These men began work in 1798, remaining here during the warm weather, and returning east in the winter, until 1803, when Mr. Kirtland brought out his family and settled on the spot where Isaac Walker now lives.  This was done to the great sorrow of his beautiful wife, who declared that if she had to leave her eastern home, she would never return for even a visit, a promise she faithfully kept.
     "Mr. Kirtland and Mr. Woolcott had many strange adventures and endured many hardships during the years they spent in the forest surveying, a minute detail of which is found in Mr. Kirtland's diary, now in the possession of Hon. C. F. Kirtland, his grandson, and which is very interesting reading.  Much of the time they spent far from any habitation; a large beech tree, standing until recently near the home of Charles Kirtland, marking at least one spot where they camped, proof of which was given by the names cut in its smooth bark.  They seem, also, a have been often ill from exposure, an example of what they suffered being found in the diary under date of May, 1799, and reading as follows:  'The rain began to fall extremely hard, filling up the swamps and streams.  It rained for three days, but we kept on, reaching Burton after bridging, swimming and wading, being all one day in the water.'  No complaint, however, is ever entered, but on the contrary such notes as this frequently occur after a hard day in the swamp:  'At night we made a tent of bark and slept sweetly.'  Indeed, all the pages of this closely written diary are but records of toil, privation and dangers truly painful to read, though not unfrequently an amusing story is told, one being how he fetched, on one of his journeys west, a quantity of money in a box under the seat of his cart, marked 'Bibles,' leaving it safely wherever he stopped, no one showing any desire to rob a traveler so pious as to carry Bibles by the quantity.
     "The laying out and starting of a town on Yellow creek was a pet idea with Mr. Kirtland and Mr. Jonathan Fowler, in which they were aided by Mr. Woolcott, whose careful survey of 'Town one, Range one,' I find recorded in a beautiful manner in a large book kept with the diary of Mr. Kirtland, the site of our present village being referred to as 'very pleasing.'  The name of the young town was a matter of much thought, Poland being chosen as unlikely to be duplicated in other places, thus avoiding the annoyance of missent letters.  One of the first acts for the encouragement of his town was a gift by Mr. Kirtland of a portion of land 'to be kept for a church, school and other public purposes,' and for a graveyard.
     "May 29, 1799, Jonathan Fowler came from Connecticut on horseback, bringing his wife, a sister of Mr. Kirtland, and their child also their household goods.  The part of the journey from Beaver, then called Mackintosh. was made in a canoe.  Until a cabin was built they camped near a spring back of where John Brown now lives, sleeping at night in the hollow, but friendly, heart of a large tree.  In 1804 they left their cabin for the stone tavern, still one of our landmarks, and whose well preserved walls could, were they able, tell many an interesting tale, relating not only to the early history of Ohio, but more or less connected with that of the United States.  Mr. Fowler kept a store in part of the stone house, taking in exchange for goods such produce as the scattered settlers could furnish, once a year packing it on horses, or with an ox team, to Beaver Point, where he placed it on a raft and poled it to New Orleans, then the nearest market, the trip requiring three months' time.  At New Orleans the produce was exchanged for sugar, molasses and other needed articles.  The nearest mill was also at Beaver Point.  While preparing his raft for one of these long journeys, Mr. Fowler was drowned, his last act being an endeavor to save his assistants, all of whom escaped.  Mr. Fowler's daughter, Rachael, was the first white female born in Poland; Ebenezer Struthers being the first white male.  Indians were their only neighbors, the nearest white family living eight miles to the west, and a ten-mile swamp separating them from the nearest cabin on the east, some of the logs which later on formed a corduroy road over the swamp having been, this summer, uncovered near the home of James Sexton, and being still perfectly sound.  This road was surveyed in 1802, the one to Youngstown having been cut the year previous.
     "Mrs. Fowler was greatly tried by the Indians, who had never before seen a white babe, asking almost daily for little Rachael, frequently carrying her off, and keeping her for hours.  She dreaded risking the child out of her sight, also the condition in which its filthy nurses usually returned it, but did not dare refuse their request lest they should be made angry.
     "Rachael was married in 1820 to Thomas Riley.  A good black silk gown had been prepared for the event, but at the last moment she concluded to wear the one in which her mother had been married, a thing easily done, as fashions did not then changed with each moon.  Mr. Riley, being a good tailor, probably wore a suit of his own making, and not those of Mr. Fowler, his wife's father, which consisted of a fine blue 'swallow tail' cloth coat, with brass buttons, white satin knee breeches, and light blue stockings, the latter still owned by his grandson, Jared Riley.
     "Jonathan Fowler saw his wife but once before marriage, their courtship being carried on by letter, the following most dignified epistle being a copy of the last one sent his future wife before their marriage.

                    " 'Guilford, Conn., Oct. 21, 1799.
     " 'Madam: - As the time draweth near that we are to be one (God willing), suffer me to call on you once more to examine yourself by yourself, to see if your love to me is such love as will keep you constant to me before all others, in comfortable, or neglectuous circumstances; whether you feel yourself able to take the charge with me of a family so as to do yourself honor, and render you my greatest earthly blessing, and the world a useful member of society.  I believe I have carefully considered every particular myself, and hope the world will not censure my actions.  But when I consider that there is so much trouble in the marriage state, it almost discourages me to be sure.  When I see men of able heads, and I ope of better hearts, err in this, what may not I be left to do in my infirmity?  I hope this diffidence in my hart proceeds not from any jealousy of its own by nature, but from desire of doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, for we are now laying the foundation of our future happiness or misery, and for that reason we must not neglect any part of our duty.  We must first consider what is our duty to each other, and what we may reasonably expect, one from the other, and that is, true, inviolable friendship, which to each other, and, if need be, give ourselves one for the other.  If this is too much for you to submit to, then let us stop where we are now, and never suffer me to press your breast to mine, for these are the only terms I can agree to.
     " 'We have friends, and they may reasonably expect our friendship.  Then don't let us disappoint their expectations, but but show them

Page 215 -
and the world at large that we are reasonable creatures, and not made for ourselves alone, but are only instruments in the hands of Providence to distribute his bounty with liberal hand to the distribute his bounty with liberal hand to the distressed whenever they happen to fall in our way.
     " 'You may expect to see me next week, if I hear nothing from you, and it is likely that I shall bring some company with me.  Remember my duty to your mother, and all other friends, and accept my best wishes for yourself.  These from, Madam, yours,
                            " 'JONATHAN FOWLER'

     "When Mrs. Fowler lived in her cabin near the spring, she each night, after sunset, blew for a long time, a wooden horn, so that any belated travelers hearing it could follow the sound and find shelter with her, instead of spending the long, dark hours as did a man named Kidd, who, while off looking at some land he afterwards bought, was chased up a tree by a bear, near where Chauncey Lee now lives.  Horns were blown at intervals all night, with the hope that he would hear, and reach Fowler's cabin.  He heard, but could not leave his airy refuge until about nine o'clock the next morning, as the bear patiently watched him until that hour.
     "Mr. and Mrs. John McCully were the first couple married in Poland, the ceremony being performed by Judge Kirtland, the guests coming through dense forests to be present at the wedding.
     [The History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, published at Cleveland in 1882, gives the first marriage as that of John Blackburn and Nancy Bryan, about 1830.  Judge Kirtland officiating.]
     "As a sample of the weddings of that day, I will describe that of Isaac P. Cowden, of Poland, and Anne Gibson, whose home was at the well-known Gibson spring between this place and Youngstown.  This wedding took place in 1831, the young man being careful to call himself Isaac P. Cowden, second, to distinguish himself from a cousin bearing the same name.  The evening before the wedding, the groom, who lived at what is called Kansas Corners, took his 'waiter,' as the groomsman was called, and repaired to the home of the bride, where her 'waiter' was in attendance, and spent the evening practicing the ceremony for the next day.  Next morning, at an early hour, the guests invited by the groom assembled at his home and formed a procession, led by himself and his 'waiter,' and went to the home of the bride, making a point on arriving of riding in great style entirely around the cabin before alighting at the door, where they were received by the bride's friends.
     "The whole company stayed until the following morning, then accompanied the newly wedded pair to the groom's home, where they had another day and night of feasting.  The company were all mounted on horses, the procession being headed by the bride and her gallant Isaac, the ride ending with the usual circle around the cabin, though a sister of the bride marred the affair a little by falling from her horse, causing someone to shout, 'thirty-five on horseback and one on the ground,' showing that a large number not only of 'beasts,' as horses were called, but people also attended these festivities.
     "Mrs. Esther Gibson Dickson, a sister of the bride, and present at this wedding, says 'it took a great deal of time to get married those times, as three or four days were spent going from house to house feasting, closing Saturday by the 'waiters' spending the night at the bride's home, so as to aid in making an appearance at the meeting next day.
     "It was custom, also, for the owners of cabins passed by the wedding procession to fire a salute, so, when Isaac Cowden was taking his new wife home, Peter Webber, who lived where James Brownlee now resides, not seeing the cavalcade in time to get his rifle, seized a pitchfork, and hastening into the path, stopped the whole train by aiming directly at the bridal party, who, intent on themselves, did not notice what he held in his hand, and halted at once, lest so near a shot should alarm their lively steeds.
     "John Arrel, Sr., and a man named Love, owned a cart and two horses between them into the former they crowded their household

Page 216 -
goods, their wives and children, and crossed the mountains to this place from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, arriving in 1801, and living in a shanty made of rough logs and covered with chestnut bark.
     "Mr. Walter Arrel still owns the original Arrel farm.  Stephen Sexton, Sr., came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, also in 1801, purchasing what is still known as the Sexton farm.  After clearing and sowing a small piece of land, and partly preparing cabin, he returned home, the next spring fetching his family, also a solid black walnut door for the cabin, which he carried in the bottom of his cart.  This door was in use until recently.  Its hinges were long pieces of strap iron, fastened on by great spikes clinched quite through the wood.  The lock was a famous one, whose key is still kept as a relic.
     "Mr. Sexton, David Loveland and William Buck came to Poland inside the same the same twelve months, were born within the same year, all lived to be ninety-three years of age, and all died within twelve months of each other.  Joseph Sexton, son of Stephen Sexton, lived to be older than his father.
     "James McNabb came to Poland from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1801, feeling that he was coming to the fartherest west. He brought his family, and all his household goods, on two horses, one bearing a load that would not admit the added weight of a rider, the other having across the saddle a bed-tick opened in the center, one end being filled with bedding, the other having in the bottom a set of shoemaker's tools, over which a board was placed as a seat for three children, whose heads protruded through the opening.  On the saddle sat the brave mother holding her babe, and in one hand the head of her large spinning wheel and the flyer of her small one, that being the only way she could carry them and feel sure they were safe.  Mr. McNabb walked the whole distance, save when his weary wife begged him to take her seat, and the babe, and let her rest by walking.  When they stopped at night they asked the privilege of sleeping on the tavern floor, the pretense of economy giving them the privilege of laying down a quilt into which they had quilted their money, the children laying on the precious article, while the parents slept on either side guarding both.
     "Mr. McNabb purchased the farm on which his grandson, James McNabb, now lives, his cabin being near the site of the old furnace, the little caves in the banks of the creek being used as hiding places for the children when the Indians were about, each child having its own cave.
     "In 1800, Capt. Dunlap came here, his father having preceded him, and in 1803 he dug for Judge Kirtland the well from which Isaac Walker, a son of one of the early settlers, still refreshes himself.
     "In 1802 Jared Kirtland, father of the late Mrs. Dr. Mygatt, built the tavern that so long stood where we now see the pleasant home of Robert Walker.  The hostelry was noted for its commodious rooms whose walls and wood work were all hand-finished very handsomely; for its hospitality and choice liquors.  It was also the half-way house between Cleveland and Pittsburg, and often at night the ample yard and large stables were crowded with 'beasts' great six-horse covered wagons and four-horse coaches.  The proprietor of this famous house had two daughters who attracted the attention of a rising young physician in Youngstown, then known as a small settlement near Poland.  One day this youth called on Mr. Kirtland, saying he was looking for a wife and would like one of his daughters, it being quite immaterial to him which one he got.  Mr. Kirtland replied that he thought it appeared better for an older sister to marry first, so she being willing, the matter was soon settled, the marriage so strangely arranged proved satisfactory to all concerned.
     "The old brick store was another well constructed and handsomely finished building whose upper floors had large double parlors, dressing rooms, and other conveniences, where the lads and lassies met to dance, and where shows, lectures, and other public meetings were held.
     "For many years there lived at Poland Center a man who made splint bottom chairs,

Page 217 -
one set having been ordered by Sally Blackman, who was sent through the forest by her mother on an errand.  One of this set of chairs I have owned for several years, it being still in good condition.  As long as she lived Miss Sally used for herself the chair on which her mother sat in a wagon, carrying her babe, while the young father walked beside guiding the team as they came to this place from Connecticut.
     "The 'old furnace,' the ruins of which are on the creek below the village, was the first blast furnace in the now noisy and smoky Mahoning valley.  This furnace was abandoned about the year 1835.
     "The first blacksmith was a man named Pitt. Hoadly, whose forge was where the school property now stands, John McCully working with him, having learned his trade at Fort Pitt.  These men were often annoyed by wolves howling about their shop at night, and twice James Barclay, a son-in-law of Mr. McCully, was chased by the festive creatures, from whom his fleet horse enabled him to escape.
     "Dr. Issac Cowden was the first settled physician in this region, living to be very old.  Dr. Jared Potter Kirtland also practiced here for a considerable time, afterwards removing to Cleveland, where he died a few years since one of the most extensively known men in the profession in the state, while Drs. Eli Mygatt and Joseph Truesdale are still held in kindly memory, the former practicing here for more than fifty years, and the latter nearly as long.
     "Squire Drake's name also appears as one of the early citizens of our famous village, many yellow documents existing to which his signature as justice of the peace is attached, while the late venerable brothers, George and Billions Kirtland, were worthy a high place among scientists.
     "The Presbyterian church was organized in 1802 by Rev. Joseph Badger, who was sent to this benighted region by the Connecticut Missionary Society.  For sometime previous to his coming there had been a strong desire to have a church organization, so when an evening was set apart for the purpose a little band of men came to the meeting from a log-rolling, all covered with soot, having worked until too late to go home and 'slick up.'
     "Among the first to put their hands on the roll of membership were James Adair, Sr., John McClelland, Josiah Walker, Thomas Cullough, Robert Smith, Stephen Sexton, Sr., John Hunter, Joseph Porter, David Justice, and others whose names I did not learn.
     "The first house for worship was erected din 1804 on the land donated by Mr. Kirtland near which, in 1828, the white frame church, which preceded the present brick one, was built, it being considered a fine structure, with its three galleries and high pulpit.
     "The earnest worshippers came to their first log temple by foot-paths, bridle-paths and corduroy roads, the women wearing homespun gowns (calico cost four dollars for eight yards, the amount needed for a dress), and the men hunting shirts, made of linen and reaching to the knees.  Each man carried a rifle, and often a tomahawk, the former being stacked in one corner of the church ready for use should a desirable deer or bear come in sight for food or an undesirable Indian or wolf appear behind some tree.
     "Rev. James Wright was the first settled pastor of the Presbyterian church, holding the office in connection with the society at Westfield, just over the state line.  Mr. Wright lived in what is known as the Rohrbaugh house.  He was married three times, two of his wives being buried in the old graveyard in Poland, a few steps from the Presbyterian church; his own grave, and that of his third wife, being near the pulpit in Westfield, where he lived and worked so many years after leaving here.  He was a good man whose faithful service was rewarded by the princely sum of two hundred dollars a year, his 'steepens,' as his salary was called, being collected by him self as best he could, he gladly taking pigs, corn, grain, wool, and not unfrequently good, old rye whiskey, the latter being then the chief circulating medium, as well as the chief part of the diet of many respectable persons, as was proven at least once at good father Wright's own home, the occasion being a wood-bee giv-   

Page 218 -
en him by his neighbors, at which several be came so tired and limber as to be unable to do their share of work.
     “The Rev. Algernon S. MacMaster, D. D., succeeded Mr. Wright at Westfield, afterwards being pastor of the Presbyterian church here for twenty-four years.
     “The old Seceeder church, now the well known United Presbyterian, was organized in 1804, the first pastor being the Rev. Mr. Douglass, a good young man, who died early, and it is to be hoped his heavenly estate was rich in proportion to the meagerness of his earthly one, his personal property being found to consist of a saddle, bridle and two barrels of whiskey.
     “A few Covenanters were scattered among the early settlers, to whom Rev. George Scott, sometimes preached, using the Presbyterian church about eight Sabbaths in the year, that being all the gospel privileges they felt able to pay for.
     “A Methodist church was not established here until 1834, at which time a meeting was held in the school-house where the Presbyterian church now stands, and a society formed; Mr. and Mrs. William Logan, Sr., Mrs. Elizabeth Barclay, Herman Blackman, and his sister Sally, being among the first who joined.  Services had, however, been previously held in a log school-house at Cook’s Corners, and once a camp-meeting was held in Elkana Morse’s orchard, at which a great revival took place.  Another remarkable revival was held in Josiah Beardsley’s barn in Boardman.  The upper part of the present Methodist church was the first building erected for public worship by this society, and has been in constant use ever since.  The faith and good works of many of the first members of this church, and its hard toiling pastors, are still held in affectionate memory, notably one of its earliest ministers - the Rev. Mr. Preston.
     “Mrs. Anna Diantha Detcheon, who was one of the first workers in the Methodist society, says she always felt an interest in her church but did not personally know many of the Poland people in her young days as she lived out of the village and ‘somehow did not get from home much, having the care of four children under five years of age, and spinning  the first year after her marriage yarn for seventy yards of woolen cloth, besides linen threads for sheets, towels, and other things, and doing her own housework.’
     “The first school-house stood on the spot where the Presbyterian church is now located.  The state had then no control of public schools, the ‘master,’ as the teacher was called, taking a school for a certain sum of money and dividing the amount among the families who patronized him, according to the number each sent, lost time sometimes being filled in by persons not in regular attendance, John Barclay recalling one young man whose educational advantages consisted of two days’ study, obtained in this way.  A favorite method of punishing pupils in these schools was to compel them to hold an arm out at full length until it could be held so no longer.
     “Mrs. Kirtland allowed the children to come from the old school-house to drink from her famous well, near which she one day emptied a vessel that contained cherry-bounce.  The children picked up and ate a quantity of the rich berries, and so did a flock of mother Kirtland's turkeys.  The teacher could do nothing with his pupils the rest of that day; but the poor turkeys had a bitter lesson, for they soon fell over, apparently stone dead, and Mrs. Kirtland, thinking some fell disease had killed them, thought she would at least save the feathers, so at once plucked them carefully, being greatly surprised an hour or two later to find her birds walking about the yard, calling in the sad way peculiar to their kind.
     “The first select school in Poland was held over what is now Mr. Koontz’s store, by a man named Bradley, who afterwards sold out to Mr. Lynch, the owner, builder and principal of the Academy, now used by Mrs. Gheehan as a dwelling.  John Barclay says he hauled stone and mortar on a slip with a horse, for this building, in that way paying for his tuition.  The masons for whom he worked were John Wishard and Joseph Stacy.

Page 219 -

     "When the present Presbyterian church was built the old school-house was removed to where it still stands, next the dwelling of Mr. Stewart, and in the room now used by our Italian friend as a shoe shop, Miss Eliza Blakely, now Mrs. Henry K. Morse, taught the first school for girls, having about twenty pupils, who awarded their teacher the same loving regard offered her by scores of others in after years.  B. F. Lee, who did so much for higher education in our village, organized this school, its influence, and that of its successors, being still felt far and wide."

EARLY TAX RATE.

     In 1803, Poland paid a tax of $48.24, which was assessed upon the fifty-five property holders of the township. Thurhand Kirtland also paid $17.55, and Jared Kirtland, $5,08, leaving an average of about forty-eight cents apiece for the rest of the inhabitants.  And this was a larger tax than was paid by any other township in what is now Mahoning county.

MILITIA.

     A militia company was enrolled in 1802, with John Struthers as captain, and Robert McCombs as first lieutenant.  There were eighty-seven names on the roll.  In 1805 the eastern part of the township formed one company and the western another.  The two companies met at the village for drill, and a shooting contest was arranged between the two best marksmen of each company, the competitors  being Tom Clees of the eastern company and one Garner of the western company.  No decision was rendered, as each marksman hit the exact center of the target.

POLAND VILLAGE.

     The village of Poland, picturesquely situated on Yellow Creek, about the middle of the west line of the township, was first known as "Fowler's" taking its name from the tavern of Jonathan Fowler, built in 1804.  The village was once a trading place of some importance, being in this respect ahead of Youngstown, the stages to Pittsburg, both from the north and west passing through it.  The building of the canal which passed two and one-half miles from it caused it to suffer a loss of trade, which was proportionately increased, later when it was similarly isolated fro the railroad.  It is, however, a quiet pleasant village, free from the noise and dirt of the great business centers, with a widely-famed educational institution, and a fair proportion of stores, shops, and other industries.

POLAND UNION SEMINARY.

     In 1835, Mr. John Lynch, a pupil of Mr. Bradley, erected a building and opened an academy, which was conducted for about ten years, when it was discontinued.  For a few years thereafter Poland was without an educational institution devoted to the higher branches of learning.  But in 1848 a new academy (referred to in Mrs. Maxwell’s article already quoted), was founded on the west side of the town by Mr. B. F. Lee, a student just from Allegheny College, and was opened in the fall of 1849.  About the same time, or shortly after, the Presbyterians opened an academy on the east side of Yellow Creek, which was conducted successfully for about six years until the buildings took fire and were destroyed and the school was afterwards discontinued.
     Mr. Lee’s school, which was known as Poland Institute, was the germ from which sprang the present Poland Union Seminary.  After being continued at the same location for about six years, the school was removed to a more commodius commodious building, a three story brick edifice, 60x80 feet, on a near-by site, the management having in view at the time a prospective endowment from the Pittsburg and Erie animal Methodist Episcopal conference.  As only a portion of the sum expected was secured by the conference, it never became available and the school became dependent upon the tuition fees from students and contributions from

Page 220 -
the citizens.  The first building, erected by Mr. Lee, was purchased by Judge Hayden and M. A. King Esq., and used by them for a law school.  This school, however, was subsequently removed to Cleveland.
     The “Institute” or college, as it is now called, struggled along until 1862, being kept up only by the earnest efforts of the citizens, and the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Lee, until in the year just mentioned the religious denominations of the town united and raised funds for the benefit of the institution, which was at that time chartered as Poland Union Seminary.
     In 1871 an effort was made to secure an endowment of $15,000, from the Presbytery of Mahoning county.  Mr. Lee was appointed the financial agent of the presbytery, into whose control the school was to pass when $10,000 had been secured.  Mr. Lee’s canvass was successful and the school passed into the hands of the presbytery, close affiliation, how ever, being maintained with other religious organizations.  Five thousand dollars was subsequently added to the endowment by a bequest of hit.  George P. Miller, now deceased.  Among the students have been many young men and women who have filled important and responsible positions, including the late President William McKinley.  Miss Ida M. Tarbell, the well known authoress and magazine writer, was formerly an instructor at the Seminary.
     About ten years ago one of the brick partitions in the old building gave way, rendering the building unsafe.  It was therefore razed, and a new two story brick building of smaller dimensions erected on the site of the old building.
     Two teachers are employed, with an occasional third assistant.  The school aims to fit its pupils for college, or to become teachers in the public schools.  There are from thirty to fifty students in attendance.  The present principal, T. S. Orr, has had charge of the school for several years.  Other recent principals have been H. J. Clark, Rev. William Dickson, D. D., W. B. McCarthy, Walter Houston, and Harvey Gault.

POLAND TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.

     The early schools of Poland were very much the same as those in other parts of the county.  A small log school house was started as early as 1801.  Another school was started in Struthers at an early date.  At Poland Center there was a small school house, that in early days had an average of about forty scholars.  On special occasions, such as singing school or other meetings, it was made to accommodate one hundred.  Among the early teachers were Perly Brush, Rev. Mr. Cook and James Anderson.
     The present superintendent, M. A. Kimmel, took charge of the public schools of Poland village in April, 1880.  At that time there were two teachers employed.  A third teacher was added to the force at the beginning of the winter term in 1880.  In 1882 and 1883 a four room brick building was constructed at a cost of $10,000, including furniture.  In 1884 the schools were graded and a fourth teacher was employed.  In 1888 a three years’ high school course was added, and a fifth teacher was secured.  The attendance is from 125 to 160.  The high school numbers from fifteen to twenty students.  Fifty-two graduates in all have gone out from the institute.  Miss Lizzie McNabb, afterward Mrs. J. R. Stewart, for fourteen years a most successful and beloved teacher, died about ten years ago.

LOWELLVILLE.

     Lowellville is a thriving village situated on both sides of the Mahoning river, in Poland township, and with picturesque hills on either hand.  It has excellent transportation facilities, both steam and electric, being on the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Pittsburg & Lake Erie, the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Mahoning Valley Electric Railway Co.  Its growth began at about the time of the completion of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal, and was much accelerated by the mining of coal, and by the erection of the Lowellville furnace by Wilkinson, Wilkes & Co. in 1846.  The village had

Page 221 -
been laid out about ten years previously by Mr. Wick and others.  In 1840 the postoffice was established, with S. H. McBride as the first postmaster.
     John McGill built the first gristmill in the place, and Robert McGill was proprietor of the first sawmill.  A larger gristmill was erected in 1838 by William Watson and John S. Hunter, and was operated by them until 1866, when is passed into other hands.  The Hope flourmill was established by James Brown about 1857 and after his death came into possession of and was conducted by his heirs.  A tannery was started by Wilson and Crawford about 1844, and was rebuilt two years later by William Moore, who carried on the business until 1874, after which it went out of operation.
     The Mt. Nebo coal mine was opened about 1828 by Elijah Stevenson, and subsequently passed through various hands, at one time being extensively worked by the Lowellville Furnace Company to obtain coal for use in their iron works.  It was finally abandoned because the water became too deep for successful operations.  Other mines have been successfully worked at different times in the history of the village.
     The Lowell Coal Mining Company, employing about thirty-five men, are now engaged in the mining of block coal, their output being about seventy tons per day.  Jacob Stambaugh is president and C. N. Clingen secretary and treasurer.
     The Meehan Boiler and Construction Company was organized in 1897 by Robert Gray, Patrick, Paul, and James Meehan, and John Meehan, a nephew of the other three Meehans.  The business, which is incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000 was at first a partnership, and was known as the Meehan Boiler Co.  The five partners purchased the present site of their factory, upon which stood an old sawmill, which they also purchased together with the creamery which stood on the adjacent lot.  They at first employed about 25 or 30 men, which number has since been increased to 200.  Their principal output is the Meehan boiler, but in addition they do a great deal of iron and steel construction work, including the building of blast furnaces, the business amounting to about $200,000 per year.  The present officers of the company are, Patrick Meehan, president; Robert Gray, vice-president and general manager; James Meehan, Jr., secretary and treasurer.
     The Ohio Iron & Steel Company, of Lowellville was established about 1842, by Wilkinson, Wilkes & Co., and was the first furnace in the United States to smelt iron ore with raw coal.  In 1879 Henry Wickmade an examination of the furnace plant located at Lowellville, then owned by William McCreary the estates of Thomas Bell and J. S. Dillworth, at which time an option was taken on the property, and later the plant was purchased.  The organization was effected with directors and officers as follows:  Directors - Paul Wick, John C. Wick, Myron C. Wick, Thomas H. Wells, Henry Wick and Robert Bentley.  Mar. 11, 1880, the following officers were elected: Thomas H. Wells, president; Henry Wick, vice-president; Robert Bentley, secretary and treasurer.  The executive committee was Thomas H. Wells, Henry Wick and Myron C. Wick.  The present officers are, Robert Bentley president and general manager; David Davis, secretary; Fred H. Wick, treasurer.  The directors are, Robert Bentley, Myron C. Wick, Samuel Mather, John C. Wick, W. S. McCombs, David Davis, F. H. Wick, T. F. Woodman and Richard Garlick.  The company is extensively engaged in the manufacture of Bessemer pig iron.  About 180 men being employed.
     The Lowellville Savings and Banking Company was incorporated Mar. 8, 1906, with a capital of $30,000, the company taking over the business of the Lowellville Bank, which had been founded in 1905 by a few New Castle (Pennsylvania) capitalists.
     The Bessemer Limestone Company, whose plant is situated just outside the limits, are engaged in the quarrying of limestone for furnace use and ballast, having a capacity of 5,000 tons per day.  They employ about 500 men.

Page 222 -

SCHOOLS.

     Lowellville is a special school district, with two schools.  W. C. Dickson is the present clerk of the Board of Education.  The North Side school is the larger, having eight rooms.  The principal is D. W. Mumaw, with Auley McAuley as assistant.  There are besides four other teachers, Misses Ibbie Dickson, Lizzie Houston, Maude Lotz and Clara Elliott.  The South Side School, which has two rooms, is taught by Margaret McCabe and Edith Ferguson.

CHURCHES.

     Lowellville has now four churches, the Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Christian.  The two last named having no regular pastor, the Methodish church being supplied from Youngstown, and the Christian church from Warren.
     Holy Rosary Mission Church. - The erection of a Catholic church at Lowellville was first proposed about 1867, some twenty Catholic families having taken up their residence in the place, owing to the building of the Ashtabula & Pittsburg Railroad, and also the starting of a furnace.  The foundation was begun in 1868, but owing to the failure of the above named furnace most of the Catholics left Lowellville, and the building of the church was indefinitely postponed.  It was not resumed until 1882, when the village began to revive from its long period of financial depression, the furnace was reopened and two new railroads were commenced.  Father Franche then took up the work commenced in 1868, collecting funds along the railroads, at the furnaces, and in the neighboring stone quarries.  The church was built in 1884.  It is a neat brick structure, 26x56 feet.   Mass was celebrated in it for the first time Christmas day, 1884.  It was dedicated Aug. 15, 1888, by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G. Father P. F. Obyrne is the present pastor.
     The origin of the Lowellville Presbyterian church is found in the Free Presbyterian church, which was organized by Abolitionists who were dissatisfied with the attitude of the Presbyterian church on the subject of slavery.  It was the first congregation of that denomination organized in this vicinity, and was attended by the anti-slavery people of Poland, Mt. Jackson, New Bedford, Coitsville, and the intermediate country.  The first meetings at Lowellville were held by Rev. John D. Whitham, in the summer of 1848, in the old McGillsville school-house, on Jackson street.  In the winter of 1848 the place of meeting was changed to Liggett’s warehouse, on Canal street, and early in 1849 the church was organized.  Rev. John D. Whitham was the first minister.  James S. Moore and John M. Porter were the first elders, and Elias King, John McFarland and James S. Moore were the first trustees.  On. Feb. 5, 1850, the present site was purchased from James Duncan, and the church building was raised May 9, 1850.  Rev. Whitham continued as pastor from 1849 to 1857.  Rev. W. Bushnell was stated supply for six months, and was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Bingham, stated supply, from October, 1858, to December, 1864, after which a Rev. Mr. McElhaney was stated supply until the disbandment of the Free Church, on the adoption of the Fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  In 1865 or 1866 most of the Lowellville congregation united with the new school branch of the Presbyterian church, North, and were placed under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburg Presbytery.  The Rev. J.  Franklin Hill was pastor for two or three years during the time that the congregation was under the jurisdiction of the New School Presbyterian church.  He was followed by a Rev. Mr. Johnston, stated supply, after which all religious services by this denomination ceased until 1876,  when the church was revived and reorganized by Rev. Mr. Wishart.  Rev. J. C. Kreusch was stated supply from June of that year until 1882, and was followed by Rev. J. H. Jones, from April, 1883, to April, 1884.  In 1884 the church again became dormant.  A Union Sunday-school by Presbyterians was, however, continued until 1888, when it was

Page 223 -
divided, part going to the Methodist church and part remaining in the Presbyterian church and becoming the Sabbath school of the present congregation, which may be said to date from the revival and reorganization of 1888.  In this year revival meetings were held and the church greatly strengthened and built up.  Rev. Robert Stranahan was stated supply from April, 1889, to April, 1893, and was followed in 1894 by Elmer E. Patterson who continued for two years.  During his charge the old church building was practically rebuilt and refurnished and many new members received in to the church.  Just as the improvements were finished the building was wrecked by a storm, but was immediately repaired and fitted up as it now stands.  In 1895 the Sunday school was reorganized on its present basis, with Mr. D. A. Pence as its first superintendent, who continued in office until 1901.  June 3, 1896, the congregation was incorporated under the style of "The First Presbyterian Church at Lowellville, Ohio,” the first meeting of the members of the corporation being held in the Town Hall, June 18, 1896, when the corporation was organized and a temporary board of trustees chosen.  In October, 1896, all the real estate and property of the conregation congregation was transferred to the congregation.
     Rev. James W. Harvey became regular pastor, May 18, 1897, of the Lowellville and Coitsville congregations, at which time the church had a membership of sixty-seven.  During his pastorate a large number were received into the church.  The present pastor is W. D. Harrell.
     The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized in 1897 with Mr. W. B. Moore as its first president.  The Woman's Missionary Society came into existence in 1897; Mrs. Jane McCombs was its first president.  Both societies have done good and effective work along the lines for which they were organized.
     Lowellville has a Volunteer Fire Department, established in 1903, and consisting of twenty-five men.  A. E. Schrader, police-officer, serves also as chief of the fire department.  The present mayor is Thomas F. Varley. 

STRUTHERS.

     John Struthers, from whom this village is named, arrived Oct. 19, 1799, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and bought land on which a large part of the village of Struthers is now situated, which he converted into a farm.  He was accompanied by his family, and in 1801 became the father of a son, Ebenezer, who was the first white male child born in the township.  Mr. Struthers built a flouring mill on Yellow Creek, the first in the township, and one of the first on the Western Reserve.  He was also engaged with Mr. Montgomery in building and operating a blast furnace on the same creek, a short distance from its mouth, which was operated until the war of 1812.  His son, Lieutenant Alexander Struthers, died in Detroit, in 1813, while in the service of his country.  Two other sons, John and Thomas, were long respected residents of the community.  An account of the early furnace above mentioned may be found the chapter on the coal and iron industries.  In February, 1826, two daughters of John Struthers, Drusilla and Emma, who were then residing with their father in Coitsville, were drowned while attempting to cross the Mahoning river, near the mouth of Yellow Creek, in a skiff, being carried over the dam, owing, it was thought, to a defective rowlock.  The body of Emma, the younger daughter, was not found for six weeks afterwards.  They were members of the United Presbyterian Church at Poland Center, and their tragic death, naturally cast a gloom over the community.

MANUFACTURES.

     The Struthers Furnace Co. was established Apr. 1, 1869, by Thomas Struthers, John Stambaugh, Thomas W. Kennedy, and John Stewart.  Subsequently Daniel B. Stambaugh and H. T. Stewart were admitted as partners.  The firm was known as “Struthers

Page 224 -
Iron Company," and was so operated until Feb. 1, 1882, at which time the plant was sold to the Brown-Bonnell Iron Co.  In 1896 another change of ownership was made, the plant coming into the possession and under the control of "The Struthers Iron Company."  The company also has a plant in Struthers which manufactures cements for all kinds of concrete and similar work.
     The Morgan Spring Company, of Struthers, was organized in 1905, with a capital stock of $700,000.  In the main factory at Struthers are manufactured wire rods, wire nails, staples, and other wire articles.  About 250 men are employed at the works.
     The J. A. and D. P. Cooper Co. was established, in 1888, by J. A. and D. P. and John Cooper, the last named being an uncle of the two firt partners mentioned, all being residents of Coitsville.  In 1892 the concern was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000.  The directors include the officers of the company with the addition of Charles R. Truesdale.  The company is engaged in the manufacture of carriage gear-woods and ironed parts, its product being shipped to all parts of the United States and Canada.  The works give employment to about 100 men.
     The Struthers Savings and Banking Company, was established in July, 1902, with a capital stock of $50,000, paid in.  The company, which is in a prosperous condition, owns its own building, a brick structure, 33x80 feet and two stories high, the upper floors being used for lodge purposes by the Knights of Pythias and other fraternal orders

SCHOOLS.

     The Struthers school district embraces, besides the village, a small portion of the country territory, but all the school buildings are located in the village.  Of these there are now five, four being small buildings of a single room each that have long been in use.  The other is a large, new brick building of eight commodius commodious rooms, which is just being completed at a cost of $40,000.  Upon its occupation, two of the other school buildings will be continued in use, and probably three of them, thus furnishing ample accommodations to the scholars in the district.  The school ennumeration shows a total of 750 pupils, while the actual school enrollment is about 500.  The new building will be used as a high school, besides, including the common grades.  Two, and possibly four, new teachers will be engaged this fall (1907).  W. P. Moody is the superintendent.
     St. Nicholas Mission Church (Catholic). - Struthers was first attended as a station, from 1865 to 1870, by Rev. J. J. Begel from New Bedford, Pennsylvania.  In 1870 a lot was secured, and on it the present frame church was built, in 1871, by the Rev. H. D. Best, then resident pastor of St. Joseph’s church, Youngstown.  The Rev. P. McCaffrey, of Brier Hill, was the next priest in charge of the Mission, until April, 1872.  He was succeeded by the Rev. F. J. Henry, who also attended it from Brier Hill until November of the same year.  It was attached to St. Columba’s, Youngstown; for some months in 1873. and later again to St. Joseph’s, Youngstown, whence it was visited monthly.  In July, 1881, the Rev. N. J. Franche, chaplain of the convent at Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, was given charge of Struthers as a Mission.  In October, 1888, Struthers was made a mission of the church at Haselton (now Sacred Heart church, Youngstown) and has been attended since then by Rev. G. Leeming.
     The Poland United Presbyterian Church, at Struthers, was founded as long ago as 1804, the first church building being erected about 1812.  About 1830 the original building gave place to a brick structure, which in turn was superseded by the present structure in 1849.  All these buildings were located first at Poland Center, the present building having been taken down and removed to Struthers in 1884.  The church has a membership of 240; Rev. J. A. C. McQuiston is pastor.  Other officers are as follows: Members of session - Alexander Gault, H. T. Cowden, Edward Ryan, John J. Hill, Edward Robinson and D. H. Stewart; trustees - E. C. Harris, John L. Becker, John Shafer and R. M. Cooper;

Page 225 -
president of the church organization - D. P. Cooper.

END OF POLAND TOWNSHIP -