USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 40
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 40
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north to the place of beginning-an accurate map or plat thereof is hereunto annexed-and that said village be named and called Niles, and that A. M. Blackford be authorized to act in behalf of the petitioners in prosecuting this claim.
This petition having been granted the organ- ization was effected. The first election was held January 23, 1866, when the following officers were chosen: H. H. Mason, mayor ; James Draa, recorder; James Ward, Jr., William Davis, David Griffiths, Richard Holton, and Henry Shaffer, council.
In 1867 J. B. Noble was chosen mayor to fill a vacancy.
The mayors and recorders have been as follows: Mayors : 1868, John Ohl; 1869, F. Caspar, to fill a vacancy ; 1870, J. H. Fluhart ; 1872, M. D. Sanderson; 1874, Ephraim Thomas ; 1876- 78-80, William Davis. Recorders: 1868, A. C. Allison; 1870, M. G. Butler ; 1872-74, George W. Mawby; 1876-78, B. D. Smith ; 1880, George L. Campbell.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The village of Niles has one of the best volunteer fire departments in the State. The chief engineer, who is paid by the village, de- votes his whole time to the care of the depart- ment. Two teamsters and a fine span of horses are kept on hand constantly.
The fire department was organized in 1870. Messrs. Ward and Carter procured a second- hand engine from Pittsburg, which was used until 1875, when a fine steamer was purchased. T. D. Thomas was the chief officer for ten years, and managed affairs with skill and efficiency. George W. Bear has since been in charge. The company are well drilled and well equipped, efficient and faithful.
PHYSICIANS.
Niles is well supplied with good and reliable physicians. Dr. F. Caspar is the oldest resident physician, and has been in constant practice since 1860; Dr. A. G. Miner comes next, having labored here many years. The other physicians of the town are Dr. A. J. Leitch and partner, Dr. Z. W. Shepherd, and Dr. I. B. Hargett. The two last named are homeopaths.
ATTORNEYS.
J. N. Cowdery and C. H. Strock look after the legal interests of the village.
NILES SCHOOLS.
The Union school district was organized in 1869, and the following school board elected : Josiah Robbins, Jr., and T. C. Stewart for three years ; S. D. Young and William Davis for two years ; W. C. Mason and William Campbell for one year. Mr. Robbins was elected president, and Mr. Stewart secretary of this board.
At a meeting held May 22, 1869, it was voted: First, that the board be empowered to procure a site for a school-house. Second, that the board be empowered to build upon said site such a school-house as will, in their estimation, be adapted to the wants of the district. Third, that a tax of $15,000 be levied in said district for the building of said school-house, and that said money be raised in three successive annual instalments of $5,000.
In 1870 two new members of the board of education were elected : George S. Baldwin and W. Campbell for three years. May 18, 1870, it was voted to accept the proposition of C. E. Cooley & Co., of Cleveland, to build the house for $27,950, taking the bonds of the district at eight per cent. in payment. Previous to this ac- tion, however, a vote was taken to make an ad- ditional levy of $10,000 for erecting the house. The building was completed and ready for occu- pancy in 1871. Some of the principal expenses are included in the following items : For the school site, one acre and sixty rods of land, $1,375; school desks and school furniture, $2,000; bell, $573; besides the cost of the heat- ing apparatus of the building, the wages of workmen employed in setting up the furniture, the heaters, etc. Twenty-three thousand dollars in bonds were issued, and all paid up May 15, 1875.
The school building is by far the best in the county. It is large, built in a good style of architecture, forming an ornament to the town and a monument to the enterprising spirit of the citizens of Niles. The house is of brick, three stories and a basement. There are four school rooms on the first floor, and the same number on the second. The grammar and high school use the upper floor, which is also a public hall for entertainments of various kinds. It is furnished with a good stage, scenery, etc.
In October, 1869, Rev. T. Calvin Stewart was elected as acting superintendent of the pub-
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lic schools of the district, to devote at least two days of each week to the schools, at a salary of $400 per year. In 1871 L. L. Campbell was elected superintendent and principal, and proved a very faithful and efficient teacher. In 1872 his salary was increased to $1,200. He con- tinued as superintendent until 1875, when he was succeeded by Miss M. J. Stewart for two terms. C. E. Hitchcock began his labors as superintendent in the spring of 1876; continued the balance of that year and through the school year of 1877 -- 78. T. H. Bulla, who had been the high school teacher under Mr. Hitchcock, was elected to the superintendency in September, 1878, and still continues to discharge the duties of that responsible position in a most capable and satisfactory manner. His present salary is $1,100 per year. The school has been ably managed by faithful teachers ever since the union district was formed. Among those whose long service in the schools of Niles is a sufficient testimonial of their ability and fidelity as teach- ers, we mention Mrs. Nellie B. Sanderson, Miss Lottie Bowell, and the Misses Thorne.
At present the schools are well graded, with courses of study admirably arranged. Nine teachers and a superintendent are employed in the brick building, outside of which there are two primary schools. The school population of the district as ascertained by the enumeration of 1881 was 1,337.
The janitor of the school building, Mr. J. R. Davis, has taken faithful care of the school property for many years, and deserves honorable mention in this connection.
MERCANTILE.
Niles is well supplied with shops and stores. We have space to notice only a few of the principal firms and the dates at which their bus- iness was established.
Gephart & Co., Main street, dry goods.
S. A. Russell, Main street, grocer; began bus- iness May 1, 1881, in the store formerly occu- pied by Gephart & Co. He has a large and first-class stock of all articles in the grocery and provision line.
A. Ristedt, merchant tailor, Main street, 1881; successor to Radle & Ristedt. Large stock.
Mrs. O. S. Crandon, groceries and provisions, Lewis & Fear building, Main street; successor
to James Crandon, who began this business in 1877.
George B. Robbins, dry goods and clothing, former banking room, Main street; fall of 1880.
E. C. Moore & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in flour and feed, Main street; fall of 1880.
Dalzell & Co., dry goods, clothing, groceries, etc., successors to J. M. Bowman & Co., cor- ner of Main and Mill streets; established in No- vember, 1874.
Cook & Co., drugs, notions, stationery, cigars, etc., Mason block, Mill street, 1878; successors to Moore & Blachly. Mr. Cook, the head of this firm, is an enterprising young man and his business is constantly increasing.
Young Brothers, grocers, Mason block, Mill street, 1878. The senior partner, Mr. S. D. Young, has been in the mercantile line in Niles since 1865.
C. W. Thomas, Mill street, 1877. Mr. Thom- as began business opposite the post office, Fur- nace street. He carries a large and well selected stock of books, stationery, toys, music, musical instruments, picture frames, etc., and his store is deservedly popular. He has occupied his present location since 1881.
Taylor Brothers, dealers in buggies, sleighs, sewing machines, stoves, tin and hardware, corner Furnace and Mill streets, 1876. The business was formerly conducted by R .- G. Sykes, then by Sykes & Taylor, now by G. J. and T. N. Taylor.
Church & Coffee, Exchange block, Furnace street, 1880 ; successors to McConnell & Church, who began business in 1878. Church & Coffee run a large dry goods and grocery es- tablishment, occupying two separate store rooms, each with its own corps of clerks. Their stock is extensive, and embraces everything usually found in a first-class store. They employ a larger number of clerks than any other mercantile house in town, and are doing a fine business.
C. W. Porter, drugs, school-books, stationery, lamps, cigars, and notions, Exchange block, Fur- nace street. Mr. Porter has a commodious store, well filled with a great variety of articles. He began business in 1875, with Dr. A. J. Leitch, under the firm name of Leitch & Porter. In October, 1879, Mr. Porter purchased Dr. Leitch's interest.
John C. Kerns, jeweler, Furnace street, 1873.
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James Bowden, boots and shoes, Mill street, 1871.
C. W. Brieder, dealer in stoves, tin, and hard- ware, Furnace street, has been in business in Niles since 1874. He began in company with William C. Mann & Co., under the firm name of W. C. Mann & Co. W. C. Mann went out, and the firm then became Brieder & Co. This part- nership was dissolved in 1878, since which time Mr. Brieder has conducted the business. In 1880 Mr. Brieder bought the hardware stock of John Dithridge, his former partner, and added it to his own. He is doing a large business in roofing, job work, etc.
We have mentioned some of the principal business houses. In addition to the above stores there are a large number of groceries and provision stores, and saloons innumerable. The commercial prosperity of Niles is advancing rapidly.
HOTELS.
Niles has two hotels at present, the Sanford and the Commercial. Both are overrun with business.
In 1868 L. W. Sanford purchased from Joseph McCaughtery the hotel known as the American house. Some five years later he changed its name to the Sanford house. He has made some improvements, and his hotel bears an excellent reputation. Connected with the house is a good livery-stable, Sanford & Pierce, proprietors.
The Commercial house has been in charge of E. R. Miller since April, 1880. This was form- erly known as the Iron City house. Good livery attached.
BANKING.
Banking was begun in Niles, in 1869, by Wick, Bentley & Co. The firm was soon changed to Bentley & Crandon, and in 1871 was succeeded by the Citizens' Loan & Saving Association. The association continued to con- duct the business until October, 1880, when it was succeeded by A. G. Bentley & Co. This firm do a large general banking business.
INDUSTRIES.
THE WARD ROLLING MILL.
This mill, one of the most extensive in the Mahoning valley, has played a prominent part in the history of Niles, and during its existence has brought both prosperity and disaster to the town.
The works were begun in 1841 by James Ward, Sr., and finished and put in operation in 1842. We have the statement made by a prominent citizen of Niles, whom we consider the very best of authority upon the subject, that the first rolled iron ever made in the Mahoning valley was pro- duced in 1842 at this mill. This important fact should add another laurel to the memory of the enterprising spirit of the man whose business career was so long inseparably connected with the growth and development of this thrifty town. James Ward & Co. operated these works suc- cessfully from the time they were built until the death of their originator in 1864. In 1866 the works were rebuilt. Since then they have been much enlarged and the capacity greatly increased by the introduction of much costly machinery of the most improved patterns. James Ward & Co .- the James Ward being the son of the original proprietor-carried on the business suc- cessfully a number of years until the great finan- cial panic came, when the firm failed and conse- quently nearly every business interest in Niles received a shock from which the recovery has been slow and painful. The mill is now running under the control of the Ward Iron company, and turning out larger and more valuable prod- ucts than ever before. James Ward is the gen- eral manager. He is a man well fitted by nature and training for the important position.
The works comprise twenty puddling furnaces, six heating furnaces, and five trains of rolls. The products are bar, plate, and sheet iron, the annual capacity being about fourteen thousand net tons. Over two hundred men are employed in this rolling-mill, and the pay-roll amounts to about $15,000 per month.
THE RUSSIA SHEET IRON MILLS.
Mrs. L. B. Ward is the proprietor, and James Ward gencral manager of these works. The mill was built in 1864, but since that date many changes, repairs, and improvements have been made. The works consist of twelve puddling and four heating furnaces, and three trains of rolls. The products are sheet iron in widths from twenty to forty-nine inches, shingle bands, Sykes' improved metallic roofing, plate iron, etc. The annual capacity is about four thousand five hundred net tons. About two hundred and twenty men are employed and the pay-roll amounts to between $10,000 and $14,000 per
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month. This mill was formerly a part of the works of James Ward & Co.
THE ELIZABETH FURNACE.
This furnace was erected in 1859. It had one stack 65x1432 feet. After a few years its name was changed to the Mahoning Valley Iron com- pany's works. It was removed from Niles to Youngstown some time ago.
THE THOMAS FURNACE.
This furnace was built in 1870 by William Ward & Co., and operated by them until 1875, when it passed into the hands of the trustees of the creditors of the original owners and remained out of blast until 1879. It was then purchased by John R. Thomas, who gave the plant a thor- ough repair, preparatory to putting in blast. Since that time the furnace has been in success- ful operation, turning out about one thousand tons of iron per month. The furnace is fifty-six feet high and fourteen feet at the boshes. The motive power consists of one blast engine and two large steam pumps for water supply-with two batteries of boilers of three large boilers each. The owners are at present placing another large, new blast engine to work in connection with the one now in operation, and making other impor- tant improvements in the plant.
GLOBE FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS.
These works were built in 1858 by Thomas Carter and run by him until 1873. James Ward & Co. then managed the business for about two years. In 1875 John Carter took charge and has since been operating the works. He man- ufactures and deals in iron and brass castings, engines, pumps, and machinery, also Carter's patent ore pulverizer ; and, in fact, makes and repairs all kinds of machinery used in coal banks, blast furnaces, etc. Employment is given to about fifty men on an average. The original buildings have been enlarged several times and at present a larger business than ever before is carried on.
NILES IRON WORKS.
In 1865 the project of building a rolling mill in Niles was conceived by William Davis, George Harris, and James Harris. They were joined by Corydon Beans and Thomas Jose, and on the Ioth of August the works were completed and set in operation. Atter the company had been organized, A. M. Blackford, and subsequently
James Russell, became members of it. Busi- ness was carried on under the firm name of Har- ris, Davis & Co. The mill cost $50,000. The works at first consisted of three boiling furnaces, three heating furnaces, one sheet mill, and one ten-inch train of rolls. While under the man- agement of this firm, the capacity of the works was considerably enlarged. The product was six tons of sheet iron, or sixteen tons of sheet and bar iron per day. In 1870 Mr. Davis dis- posed of his interest, and the fitm then became Harris, Blackford & Co. This firm failed and made an assignment. The works then came in- to the hands of C. H. Andrews & Co., who re- built and enlarged the mill in 1872. The works have since been run by the Niles Iron company, producing bar, sheet, rod, skelp and band iron, the annual capacity being twelve thousand net tons. L. G. Andrews is president of this com- pany and L. E. Cochran secretary. The pud- dling department has been removed to Youngs- town, and we understand that the remainder of the works will follow.
FALCON IRON AND NAIL WORKS.
These works were built in 1867, and then had twelve single puddling furnaces, three heating furnaces, forty-four nail machines, and three trains of rolls (one eight, one eighteen, and one twenty-one inch). The products are nails and guide-iron. The capacity was formerly eleven thousand tons annually, but has been in- creased. Two puddling furnaces are now building, and a new train of rolls has been put in. The officers of the original company were James Ward, superintendent, and J. Key Wilson, secretary and treasurer. In 1875 the company was reorganized. The present officers are John Stambaugh, president; Henry Wick, vice-president, and Myron I. Arms, secretary and treasurer. Two hundred hands are employed, and the pay roll amounts to about $12,000 per month. The products of the Falcon Iron and Nail company go to all parts of the country.
NILES BOILER WORKS.
These works, the only manufactory of the kind in Trumbull county, were built in 1871 by Jeremiah and George Reeves, who still continue to operate them. They manufacture all kinds of portable and stationary steam boilers, oil tanks, blast furnace stacks, and sheet-iron work.
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They also deal in brass goods, pipes and fittings. The Reeves Brothers employ thirty-five men in their works, and sixty men in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, who set up work shipped from the factory. They have in progress the erection of additional works which will double the present capacity and necessitate a large in- crease in the number of workmen.
NILES FIRE-BRICK WORKS.
These works were built in 1872 by John R. Thomas, the present manager, and excepting about one year, have been in operation since that time. In 1876 Mr. Thomas invented a composition for fire-brick and obtained a patent upon it. Since then the improved bricks have been manufactured in large quantities and shipped to nearly all parts of the country where fire-brick is used. The manufacturers make a specialty of fire-brick of various shapes and sizes suitable for rolling-mills and blast furnaces.
The present capacity is between two and three thousand per day, but the owners expect to greatly increase the amount of brick manufact- ured at an early date. About fifteen men and boys are at present employed.
SAW-MILL AND PLANING-MILL.
In 1878 the Erwin Lumber company built a saw-mill 100 x 40 feet, with a planing-mill 60 x 50 feet. The mill was run one year by this company. The proprietors are now C. P. Sou- der and David Erwin,-firm name C. P. Souder & Co. The mills give employment to six men and manufacture all kinds of building lumber. These mills are near the New York, Pennsyl- vania & Ohio depot.
NEWSPAPERS.
The history of the press in Niles represents a career of numerous, though not unusual or un- natural, vicissitudes.
The first paper started in this place was the Niles Register, begun in the summer of 1867, by Edward Butler and E. E. Moore, publishers, and Rev. William Campbell, editor. It was of about the same size as the paper at present pub- lished here. After six months it was suspended on account of a lack of support.
In the spring of 1868 J. H. Fluhart began the publication of the Niles Independent, and ran it with varying success until June, 1871, when M. D. Sanderson succeeded him as editor and pro- 30*
prietor. Mr. Sanderson and his immediate suc- cessors had all of the paper printed at home, and made it a very neat local journal. November I, 1872, Fred C. McDonald assumed the manage- ment of the Independent, and at the end of one year sold out to Dyer & Sanderson. This firm changed the name of the paper to the Niles Home Record, and continued publication until November, 1874, when as a result of the panic and of the failure of the leading business of the village, they were compelled to suspend. Pre- vious to the panic the paper attained a circula- tion of about nine hundred copies, and appeared to be on the road to prosperity. October 1, 1875, M. D. Sanderson revived the paper and brought it out as the Trumbull County Inde- pendent, a six-column quarto. He published but four numbers, then sold out to N. N. Bart- lett, who continued to publish under the same name and in the same form. Soon after enter- ing upon the management of the paper, Mr. Bartlett took J. H. Fluhart into partnership.
In May, 1876, the present proprietors, Mc- Cormick & Williams, bought the paper from Bartlett & Fluhart. The Independent is now a seven-column folio, well printed, and liberally patronized by business men as an advertising medium. It is independent in politics, and de- votes the most of its space to local news and the encouragement of home industries. The pro- prietors are young men and bid fair to make the paper permanently prosperous. Under their management the circulation has largely increased.
NILES CHURCHES.
METHODIST CHURCH.
In 1814 a Methodist class was formed at the house of Ebenezer Roller, who lived where the village of Niles now stands, by Rev. Samuel Lane, a circuit preacher. It was a small class, but was soon enlarged, and from it the Niles Methodist Episcopal church has grown. From the fact that there are none of the early mem- bers of this church now living, we are able to give but little information as to the progress and growth of this church.
The churches, like everything else in Niles, felt the evil effects of the panic, but this church has been steadily gaining ground since good times returned. It is mainly supported by workingmen. The present membership is one
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hundred and thirty. The church edifice now in use was erected in 1870. Though its exterior is unpretentious and devoid of any trace of beauty, the audience-room is tastefully furnished, large, and capacious.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In 1838 application was made to the presby- tery of Beaver by certain inhabitants of Weath- ersfield and vicinity for the action of that body to recognize them as a congregation, and to take measures for organizing a church to be known as Weathersfield church. After some initiatory steps in that presbytery, since by the division made by the synod of Pittsburg the petitioners resided within the presbytery of New Lisbon, the petition was committed to the latter presby- tery and granted by it. The congregation was taken upon the rolls of the New Lisbon presby- tery in 1839, and Rev. William O. Stratton was appointed to organize into a church so many among them as were members of sister churches at the time, or who wished to connect themselves with the church. The following persons were received at a regular appointed meeting at the brick school-house in Niles, as members in good and regular standing : Miller Blachly and Phebe, his wife, Eben Blachly, Anna Blachly, Robert Quigley, Catharine Reiter, Andrew Trew, Margaret Biggart, Elizabeth Biggart, Miller Blachly, Jr., and Mary, his wife, James Mc- Combs and Elizabeth, his wife, and Eleanor Bell. Eben Blachly and Miller Blachly, Jr., were ap- pointed to the office of ruling elders, and at the same time were ordained and installed. In February, 1842, William Dunlap, third, was ordained a ruling elder. This office has since been held by Ebenezer G. Stewart, George Campbell, William Ward, Robert Moffatt, Ephraim Thomas, J. C. Southard, and A. J. Leitch. Revs. Stratton, Kerr, Dickey, and others, including several stated supplies, acted as pastors until July 11, 1867, when Rev. T. Calvin Stewart was installed, and continued as pastor until 1876. During his pastorate seventy- one members were added on examination and forty-three by certificate. Rev. S. T. Street was pastor from 1877 to 1880, and Rev. A. A. Mealey in 1880-81. At the present writing there is a vacancy. The church numbers one hundred and fifty members, and has a commodi- ous and well-furnished house of worship.
DISCIPLE CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1840 by Elder John Henry, an evangelist. The members at the time of organization were as follows: Elder Joshua Carle and his wife Margaret, Elder A. Jackson Luse and his wife Eleanor, Deacon Ja- cob Robinson and his wife Dorcia, Deacon Sam- uel Burnett and wife, Deacon Lewis Heaton and his wife Milly Ann, Nancy Carle, Mrs. Battles, Josiah Dunlap, Polly Dunlap, William Winfield, Seymour Hake, and others. Early members: Elihu and Rachel Draper, Benjamin and Louisa Goodheart, J. R. and Elizabeth Noble, John and Laura Draper, Stephen and Hannah Dunlap, No- ble T. and Adeline Robbins, Polly Sheeler, Eliz- abeth St. John, Ambrose and Jemima Mason, Matilda L. Cleveland, Jerusha Stoddard, Hiram T. and Margaret C. Mason.
The church edifice was erected in 1843-44, and dedicated in 1844, with services conducted by Rev. John Henry. The ministers who have labored here are as follow: Revs. Hervey Brock- ett, John Henry, John T. Smith, John Applegate, William Winfield, William Higby, F. S. Whitzler, Theobald Miller, Thomas Hallock, Gideon Ap- plegate, Walter Hayden, Mathias Christy, S. B. Teagarden, Orrin Gates, J. M. Monroe, W. H. Rogers, C. C. Smith, E. W. Wakefield, N. N. Bartlett, C. L. Morrison, and L. W. Shepherd, the present pastor. The present membership is over one hundred. The present church officers are: Elders, Benjamin Leach, Hiram T. Mason, and Lewis Reel; deacons, Hiram Ohl, George Battles, and Lewis N. Young.
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