Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 52

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

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is entered from the vestibule, contains a Tif- fany stained glass window with a medallion of Christ blessing little children. A tablet over the open fire bears this inscription : "Hop- ing that other children than her own may rise up and call her blessed, and in loving mem- ory of Lucretia Kirtland Manning Baldwin who died in this, the city of her birth, No- vember 5, 1897, aged seventy years ; this build- ing is erected by her son, William H. and Isa- bel Cort Baldwin, his wife. All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isaiah 54:13.

What more enduring monument could be founded than a shrine in the hearts of the multitudes of little ones whose feet shall cross its threshold and whose happy laughter shall make its walls ring. Her life is not ended; it is enlarged and she will still be do- ing her part in the redeeming work of the world.

BATHS.

Near the children's entrance is a tile-lined bathroom. The kindergarten children are bathed in the morning and after 4 o'clock p. m. it is open to school children. Over thirteen hundred baths were given during the last school year and over four hundred during the summer vacation.

The second floor has a large lecture room, an overflow kindergarten room, a trustees' room, a room for the cooking class, and others.

DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

The trustees used part of the endowment fund to equip the cooking room. The classes are limited to twelve, so each has her own set of utensils and is given individual attention. A different class meets each afternoon from 4 to 6 o'clock p. m. Beside the individual equip- ment, there is a gas range for other forms of cooking, a sink, ample cupboards and supplies.

MANUAL TRAINING.

The manual training department is in the large, light basement. Mrs. John A. Logan,

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Jr., fitted this out with twelve benches and all necessary tools. Two years ago classes were ·organized by a teacher from Pratt Institute. They met from 4 to 6 p. m., and accomplished good work. At present the work is among younger children, but will eventually lead up to the bench work again.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

A large sewing school is held here every . Saturday during the winter under the direc- tion of Miss Louisa M. Edwards.

The lecture room was used by a Boys' Club, which met one winter with an attend- ance of between seventy and eighty. It was held six evenings a week. During the first summer vacation the building was used by the Council of Jewish Women for classes and clubs organized among the poorer Hebrew children.

VISITING NURSE.

One room in the building is used by the Visiting Nurse Association, who have their headquarters here. The building is used every evening by the Boys' Club under the manage- ment of the Boys' Club Association. They have evening classes in manual training, also various kinds of games. The basement is finely equipped with apparatus for a gym- nasium. Shower baths will soon be put in one room by the Club Association for the use of the older boys.

PLAYGROUND.

The opening of the playground was de- ferred until the past summer. There were over a hundred children admitted each day and about sixty present all the time.

FINANCIAL.

More funds were needed to carry on the enlarged work and the Board of Education placed four of the teachers and two janitors on the pay roll. A little later a fund was made available through the township trustees, who

decided that what is known as the Shehy Fund could be used for the kindergarten, as that alone stands for the education of the poor. Such was the purpose of Mr. Daniel Shehy when he made his will more than a quarter of a century ago.

YOUNGSTOWN TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

Before the incorporation of the city of Youngstown, all the schools in the township were included under one school system, under the provision of an act passed about 1830, at which time Jedediah Fitch was representative from this legislative district. The township then had five school districts, or sub-districts, each of which elected directors. The respec- tive chairmen of the different boards of direc- tors formed the Board of Education. The di- rectors had full control of all school matters. Before the annual school term opened it was customary for them to visit all the parents in their respective districts in order to ascertain just how many children were going to attend school. The parents were then assessed pro rata according to the amount required to meet expenses and the number of children attending from each family. The teachers "boarded around," and were not paid until the end of the term. A school then stood on the site now occupied by the Tod house. There were also the Madden district, the Connorsburg district (which included portions of the townships of Canfield, Boardman, Austintown, and Youngstown, and which corresponded with the present sub-district, No. 1I), the Hasel- ton district, and the district southwest of the city, now covered by No. 5.

About 1852 a new constitution was adop- ted, the school board being reorganized in the following year substantially upon its present basis. The Board of Education now consists of five members who are elected by the town- ship at large, and who have full control of the township schools and school property, with power to engage teachers. There are now twelve sub-districts, each with a schoolhouse of one or more rooms. A teacher is provided for each room. Those sub-districts having

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one room only are No. 1, Park Hill; No. 3, Holmes Road; No. 5, southwest of the city limits ( formerly a special school district) ; No. 6, west end of Mill Creek Park; No. 7, west of Brier Hill; and No. 12, west of Lansing- ville, on the Foster and Haselton road. The schoolhouse in the last-named district being crowded, it may soon be necessary to provide another room. The following sub-districts have schoolhouses of two rooms each: No. 2, Crab Creek; No. 4, east of Kyle's Corners ; No. 9, Perkins Corners ; No. 10, southwest of city and adjoining No. 5; and No. II, known as the Connorsburg sub-district, which, as above mentioned, includes parts of other town- ships. The school house of the last-named 22

sub-district is situated in Youngstown town- ship; only one room is at present in use. Sub- district No. 8, Kyle's Corners, has a school- house of four rooms, built last fall ( 1906), three of the rooms being now in use. It has 120 scholars, and the attendance is increasing so rapidly that it will probably be necessary to make use of the fourth room next year. Al- together eighteen teachers are now employed. The present school board consists of John Mitchell, president; Wade E. Simons, Edward Ipe, L. T. Foster, and Myron Wehr. The clerk of the board is James Parfitt. Since 1853 the board has met in the old Town Hall at No. 268 West Federal street, Youngstown.

CHAPTER XXV

FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS

Free Masons- Odd Fellows-Elks-Knights of Pythias-Knights of the Golden Eagle- National Protective Legion-Other Societies.

The first Masonic Lodge in Mahoning county was instituted at Canfield, June 8, 1813, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, applied for in the pre- vious year by the following named citizens : Charles A. Boardman, Elisha Whittlesey, George Stilson, Francis Dowler, Arad Way, Trial Tanner, Isaac Newton, Henry Ripley, Charles B. Fitch, Richard Fitch, William Lo- gan, Archibald Tanner, Lewis Hoyt, and John Winthrop. These brethren had all attained to the Third degree in Masonry, and being resi- dent more than twenty miles from any regular lodge of Masons were anxious to have a lodge instituted in which they could participate in the ceremonies and enjoy the privileges of their ancient craft. The new lodge was called Western Star Lodge, in accordance with the wishes of the petitioners and took rank as No. 21. It was instituted on the date named by Judge Geo. Tod as deputy for John Leavitt, master of Erie Lodge, at Warren, who was unable to attend on account of sickness.

The records contain the following entry of the consecration ceremonies :

Canfield, June 8, 1813.

The original petitioners, together with a number of brethren from adjacent lodges, met agreeably to appointment at the house of Zal- mon Fitch, from which place they proceeded to

the schoolhouse, where a very appropriate dis- course was delivered by Brother Darrow of Vienna, after which they returned to the house of Mr. Fitch, when Brother Tod proceeded to consecrate the lodge and install the following officers :

Elijah Wadsworth, master; Trial Tanner, senior warden; Isaac Newton, junior warden; Elisha Whittlesey, treasurer; John H. Patch, secretary ; John Northrop, senior deacon ; Rich- ard Fitch, junior deacon ; George Stilson, Arch- ibald Tanner, stewards; Charles B. Fitch, Charles A. Boardman, tylers.

Although of slow growth during the war period of 1812-1815 the lodge made its use- fulness felt in caring for the families of its members. It was chartered in 1816. Meetings were held with regularity and for a number of years were of more or less convivial charac- ter, as was then customary upon social oc- casions. With the advent of modern ideas on the subject of temperance, this feature gradu- ally disappeared, the lodge giving evidence of the progressive character of its members by being one of the first social organizations to abandon the use of ardent spirits at meetings.

Owing to the wide spread hostility against Free Masonry which arose from the reputed murder of John Morgan in 1828, this lodge in common with most others in the United

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States suffered a long period of depression. At the last meeting in that year held at Boardman, November 19th, there were present : John Northrop, Daniel Titus, Henry Hubbard, Isaac Newton, Thomas T. Payne, Philo Cook, Elisha Blake, and Harmon W. Austin.

No further meetings were held until May, 1848, when the following brethren convened at Canfield : John Northrop, I. Chidister, I. Newton, A. Collar, William Schmick, William S. Reed, Isaac N. Lane, and Isaac Brookhart, the last four being visitors. "Interest in the or- der revived, and the lodge grew somewhat in membership, though it had a small territory to draw from. Youngstown Masons belonged to Erie Lodge at Warren. Though small in numbers, the Canfield Lodge was composed of prominent and highly respectable men. It continued to hold its convocations at Canfield until the fall of 1852.

"The initial steps towards forming a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons were taken in Youngstown in the year 1851. A dispensa- tion was issued by the grand master, March 18, 1852, to Mahoning Lodge, in which Theo- datus Garlick is designated grand master, John M. Webb, senior warden, and Thomas H. Wells, junior warden.

"A charter was never granted to Mahon- ing Lodge, instituted under the dispensation of March, 1852, when the proposition came before the grand lodge at Chillicothe at the regular meeting in October. A charter would have been granted, but the application was withdrawn upon the 'occurrence of the facts and proceedings.'

"That W. N. Prentice, worshipful mas- ter of the Western Star Lodge and the (lele- gate from the said lodge, in compliance with the wishes of the members of Western Star Lodge and of a resolution passed unanimously therein, offered the following resolution for adoption :

".Resolved, That Western Star Lodge No. 21, now holding its regular communications in Canfield, Mahoning county, be removed to. and hereafter hold its meetings in. Youngs-

town, provided the following be agreed to and adopted by the grand lodge :

" 'Resolved, That the petitioners for a new lodge at Youngstown have leave to withdraw their petition, provided the foregoing resolu- tion be agreed to.'

"These resolutions were adopted, and Western Star Lodge was accordingly removed to Youngstown, where its membership was consolidated with Mahoning Lodge." It now has a membership of 545. After the removal of the charter and effects of Western Star Lodge to Youngstown, it was the only society of Master Masons in the county till Hillman Lodge No. 481, F. & A. M., was chartered on October 21, 1874. The latter has 181 members.

There are now in Youngstown two blue lodges, F. & A. M., a chapter R. A. M., com- mandery, K. T., and Lodge of Perfection, A. A. & S. R. Youngstown Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M., was chartered October 13, 1866, and now has 348 members. The charter of St. John's Commandery No. 20, K. T., which has a present membership of 200, was issued Octo- ber 15, 1869. Both the chapter and command- ery draw their membership in part from Hub- bard, Canfield, and other neighboring lodges.

On February 4, 1904, a dispensation was asked for a Lodge of Perfection of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the U. S. A. The first officers were Geo. E. McNab. 33rd degree, thrice potent master; John P. Hazlett, 33rd degree, deputy master ; B. Frank Thomas, senior warden; Mason Evans, junior warden.

On September 20, 1905, a charter was granted to the petition for a lodge known as Hiram Lodge of Perfection 14 degrees. The membership at this time is considerably over 100, and the officers serving under the dis- pensation have been re-elected and are serving under the charter.

ODD FELLOWS.

Odd Fellowship began its existence in Youngstown with the institution of Hebron

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Lodge No. 55, December 2, 1845, by some members of the Warren Lodge who had peti- tioned for dismissal and obtained from the grand lodge a charter. These charter mem- bers were William Braden, Theodatus Garlick, John C. Grierson, R. G. Garlick, Frederick S. Smith, and Daniel J. Wick. The first noble grand was William Braden.

The lodge was instituted in the Mansion House, where meetings were held until 1849, and during that period enjoyed a healthy growth, numbering some of the most promi- nent citizens among its members.

In 1865, the lodge took up its quarters in the Porter block, which in June of that year was totally destroyed by fire, the lodge losing all its property, including records, regalia, fur- niture, and charter. This untoward event was not allowed to cast any blighting effect on the future of the order in Youngstown. The bene- fits of Odd Fellowship were at that time par- ticularly in demand owing to the large number of soldiers returning from the army, and soon a subscription paper was circulated, new quar- ters in Chapman's Hall, were, with all the ne- cessary appurtenances, ready for occupancy.

By 1868 the growth of the order had been such that the establishment of a new lodge became a necessity. The Grand Lodge was petitioned, and Youngstown Lodge No. 403 was instituted July 9, 1868, with the following charter members. John M. Edwards, Charles C. Chapman, Ezriah Pratt, Phillip A. Palmer, L. R. Roberts, Isaac Fellows, James Luck, Nelson Crandall, Geo. B. Converse, Elmer O. Woodford, Henry Slawson, Hamson Keen, P. N. Wilder, J. M. Silliman, and James Predmore. The first officers were: John M. Edwards, noble grand; C. C. Chapman, vice- grand; P. A. Palmer, secretary ; E. O. Wood- ford, permanent secretary; Isaac Fellows, treasurer. The lodge now has a membership of about 650, and is the largest I. O. O. F. lodge in the state. Three of its original mem- bers are still living,-James Hillman, James Predmore, and Dr. H. Slawson, though not now connected with the lodge. Its present of- ficers are : E. S. Dickson, noble grand; A. V. Hinman, vice-grand; C. S. Miller, recording

secretary ; Jacob Oppenheimer, financial secre- tary.

Hebron Lodge has about 425 members. It may be considered at the mother of four other lodges-Niles, Girard, Hubbard, and Mineral Ridge. Niles, however, was formed of mem- bers of both Hebron and Mahoning Lodge of Warren. Its present officers are: Benj. C. Miller, noble grand; H. H. Stafford, vice- grand; L. M. Hahn, recording secretary ; B. P. Shook, financial secretary; Henry Onions, treasurer.

Fernleaf Rebecca Lodge, No. 564, is in a flourishing condition having a membership of about 200. The growth of Odd Fellowship in Youngstown has been such that by the open- ing of the present century it was deemed ad- visable to erect a building wherein the various lodges might meet to transact their business, and steps were accordingly taken for that pur- pose. The spring of 1903 saw the realization of these plans in the dedication of the fine I. O. O. F. Temple at No. 115 Boardman street, which was accomplished with appro- priate ceremonies. The building which is a fine brick structure with stone foundations is admirably fitted for the purpose for which it is designed, and was erected at a cost of $25,- 000.00. It has the distinction of being the only building in the state devoted entirely to the purposes of Odd Fellowship.

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS.

Among the prominent fraternal organiza- tions of the city, known throughout the United States by reason of the prominence it has at- tained, is Youngstown Lodge No. 55, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Owning a magnificent club-house which is the perfection of architecture, and the interior not excelled in any city in its appointments and furnshings, it is a matter of just pride to the high character of the membership, and to the officers who have by the sacrifice of their time and means made it one of the finest temples devoted to the cardinal virtues upon which the order is founded.

More than twenty years ago, when the Or-

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der of Elks was in its infancy, a party of prom- inent men of the city, none of them wealthy but all engaged in the practice of the charity which believed in aiding without ostentation those less fortunate, decided to apply for a dispensation and organize a local lodge. With thirty-eight members on the charter list Youngstown Lodge was instituted on Saturday evening, October 23, 1886, by the late Daniel A. Kelly, who was then grand exalted ruler, and who installed the following officers: Exalted ruler, Clate A. Smith; esteemed leading knight, A. J. Woolf; esteemed loyal knight, Eugene Rook; esteemed lecturing knight, J. P. Wil- son; secretary, Charles J. Smith; treasurer, Samuel Cornell; tyler, Daniel H. Arnold.

As with many other fraternal organiza- tions, the first year proved a critical period in the life of the lodge, and its being placed upon a substantial foundation is largely due to the able and untiring assistance given the first exalted ruler by the other officers and mem- bers. A cardinal principle adopted by the members of No. 55 was quality and not quan- tity in the selection of its members

Modest quarters were secured in what was the Union Veteran Legion hall, and later the top floor of what is now the Weil-Hart- zell Company building was secured. The growth of membership made larger quarters necessary, and two floors of the Gallagher block were leased for a term of years.

Up to that time the lodge rooms of the growing organization were considered the fin- est in the city. Steady increase in the prosper- ity of the lodge, and a larger acquisition to its membership roll resulted in a concerted effort of officers and members to have a handsome home for the lodge that would be not only a credit to them but to the entire order of Elks. and at a largely attended meeting it was unani- mously decided to formulate plans, and organ- ize a company, the stockholders to be limited to members here, to purchase a site and erect and furnish a magnificent club.

The Elks Building Company was organ- ized, the handsome site at the corner of Wick avenue and Wood street purchased, and on this

was erected the elegant edifice which has been the home of the order for the past five years. The commodious quarters are elaborately furn- ished not only for the comfort and entertain- ment of the members but also for the ladies. On the first floor opening from an attractive arcade is an elaborate library, and adjoining it is the Turkish room furnished with appoint- ments of the latest designs and a piano for the ladies. Adjoining this is the billiard room with three tables, and leading out from it is the grill room, decorated and furnished in Flemish oak, where the wants of the inner man are supplied. On entering the arcade from the Wood street entrance, to the right is a mag- nificent parlor for the ladies, and leading out of it is a large private dining-room. Next to this is a magnificent dining-room decorated in a superb manner to charm the eye, while the happy guest is being served with a menu that would delight an epicure.

Leading up from the arcade is a broad stairway to the lodge room, which is one of the largest and finest of any secret organization in the country, and furnished with commodious ante-rooms. To the right of the lodge room are seven bachelor apartments which are occu- pied by resident members, and transient mem- bers while in the city, and who prefer the quiet quarters and superb service not found in any hotel.

On the third floor is a magnificent banquet hall which is occupied during the winter sea- son by dancing parties of the Elks, their ladies and invited guests.

On the first floor leading from Wick avenue are rooms for business purposes which are held by desirable tenants on long leases. To the rear of these rooms, and leading from the Wood street entrance are the gymnasium and bowling alleys, with all the furnishings to make them attractive.

The Elks building complete with its furn- ishings cost $100.000 and is a substantial mon- ument to the energy and spirit of fraternity which is exemplified in such a high degree by the officers, and those who have succeeded them and to the sterling character of its membership.

Among the factors contributing to the rec-

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ord of success attained by No. 55, is that it was the first lodge of the order in the world to banish intoxicating liquors from its social sessions, and also the first lodge to adopt a rule to hold no lodge meetings on Sunday, except the annual lodge of sorrow. Since the action taken by the local lodge others have followed its example and the result has proven beneficial in many ways.

According to an addition to the by-laws of Youngstown Lodge members of No. 55 who have been in good standing in the lodge for twenty years, are eligible to election as life members of the order, it being conditional that a petition to that effect is signed by five mem- bers, and adopted by the lodge; such members will not be liable to further dues or assessments. Of the number on the charter list eligible to retirement, the list contains fifteen members. Some five have been placed on the list of life members, and others will be added to the roll as they become eligible.

The present membership of No. 55 is 440.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

Mahoning Lodge No. 52, K. P., was organ- ized May I. 1873, by the following-named as charter members: John T. Gray, J. C. Bren- nemar, Wm. H. Gault, John L. Alexander, L. J. Jacobs, Asa W. Jones, Henry Onions, R. Shurtleff, J. M. Silliman, C. T. Meadsker, Philip Eberhart, A. Kingsbacher. D. C. Dan- iels, David Baker, A. H. Rice and A. D. Fas- sett. Since the organization, they have ad- mitted about 400 members of whom quite a number have died, some have dropped out of membership while a large number have affili- ated with the other K. of P. Lodges that have been organized in the city. The present mem- bership of the lodge is about 150. Its present officers (1907) are: A. V. Hinman, C. C .; M. Goldstine. V. C .; Thomas McGinnis, P .; James E. Froom, M. W .: John P. Mercer, M. F .; Charles Fredenberg, M. E .; John P. Mer- cer. K. R. S .: Wm. J. Henry, M. A .; H. G. Stambaugh, I. G .: James Morgan, O. G. The lodge meets in Bushnell Hall, 127 W. Federal street.

Starlight Lodge No. 224, K. P., organized August 26, 1886, with I. K. Ilgenfritz of Youngstown, Ohio, as instituting officer. The charter members were as follows by card: A. B. Howe, E. Morgan Faust, F. H. Martin, Wm. Eckert. I. O. Kridler, L. W. Scholl, H. J. Bishop, W. H. Knesal. H. W. Sipe; initi- ated : L. M. Hahn, D. W. Emery, O. L. Miller, H. H. Shafer, Alvin Welker. John Beitler, D. Livingston, A. S. Warner, Wm. E. Auer. W. S. Raub, W. R. Martin, W. E. Emery, E. M. Whittenberger, Joseph Coleman, A. C. Grise, D. F. Seiter. The following were the first officers : A. B. Howe, P. C .; F. H. Martin, C. C .; Wm. Eckert, V. C .; E. M. Foust, prel ; H. H. Shafer, M. of Ex. ; A. S. Warner, M. of F .; L. M. Hahn, K. of R. & S. ; O. L., Miller, M. at A .; I. O. Kridler, I. G .; E. M. Witten- berger, O. G.

The present membership of the lodge is seventy-three.

Haselton Lodge, K. of P., No. 456, was founded November 18. 1890, with eighty-six chartered members. The present membership is 142. Its officers for the present year are : Rodger Howells, C. C .; Wm. Mason, V. C .; W. H. McMillen, M. of W .; Wm. Morrow. prelate : John Hunter, M. of F .: I. M. Watt, K. of R. S .: W. P. Kerr, M. of Ex .; A. R. Brightman, I. G .; H. H. Haggarty, D. G .; Joseph Miller, D. G. C.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 52

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074