Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 50

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The new church property is valued at $35,000. The membership of the congrega- tion is now 450, and has a Sunday school with an enrollment of 325 scholars. The income from all sources for the year 1906 amounted to $4,500.

Rev. Jesse LeRoy Miller, the present pas- tor, was born June 9, 1870, at Germano, Har- rison county, Ohio. He is the tenth son of John and Susannah ( Mikesel) Miller. After finishing the course of study in the common school. he entered Thiel College, Greenville, . months was the faithful pastor of the mission. Pennsylvania, in the fall of 188, from which March, 1001, he followed a call to another parish, which again left the little flock without 1 a regular pastor. Rev. Oscar Tressel, then a student of Capital U'niversity, supplied the institution he graduated cum laude in the spring of 1804. In the fall of 1804 he entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. Ayr, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and finished | field for about three months, when the present pastor, Rev. G. A. Harter, tok up the work. He was installed August 18. 1001.

his professional course there in the spring of 1807. And on August 1. 1897. he began the work of the ministry and assumed its dnties as pastor of Grace Church. On June 25. 1902. Rev. Miller was united in marriage to Miss ! the growth of the congregation. . \t the call- Ada Elizabeth Ritter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ritter.

TRINITY ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN, On10.

Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran Church, under the auspices of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and other states, was organized January 3, 1806. Rev. W. M. Kibler was its first pastor. Called by the Mission Board, he began his labors in Youngstown about Angust, 1895. at which time a number of members of the Martin Luther congregation, favoring English ser- vices, received their dismissals. At the organ- ization the "Model Constitution" was adopted and the congregation received the name "Trin- ity English Evangelical Lutheran Church, Youngstown, Ohio."

The first Sunday school was held Septem- ber 8, 1895, in the Y. M. C. A. building. The total attendance was ten. Divine service was held the same evening with an attendance of twenty-four. The congregation worshipped here for about six weeks, after which services were conducted in the City Council Chamber until November of the same year. The Town- ship Hall was then secured, where services were held until the dedication of the present church building on Wilson avenue.

November, 1897, after a faithful service of two years and three months, Rev. Kibler I was called to another field. The mission was then served by Rev. O. S. Oglesby and other neighboring pastors. The following June. 1808, Rev. G. C. Schaub, a graduate of the Theological Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, as- sumed the work and for two years and five

Services were continued in the Township Ilall. however, under great disadvantage to ing of the present pastor, a temporary arrange- ment was made granting half of the time for

Dhjazzeday Google

367

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Sunday services to the Trinity Lutheran con- gregation of Girard, Ohio, thus making the field self-supporting and the mission becoming a congregation.

During the latter part of 1902 it was de- cided to sell the Rayen lot, bought in 1899. and purchase the lot and building on Wilson ave- nue. The church built about five years pre- vious was remodeled and refurnished, and on May 24. 1903. dedicated to the service, the pastors, Revs. W. M. Kibler, G. C. Schaub and G. A. Harter officiating. Since that time the congregation has enjoyed prosperity and be- sides a thriving Sunday school, a Ladies' Aid and a Young People's Society has a communi- cant membership of 161.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

A society of Disciples was organized in Youngstown in July. 1841, with twenty-seven members, and worshipped for about a year in the old Academy on the Diamond. The con- struction of a church edifice on Wood street was begun July 20, 1872, and completed and dedicated in 1874. the total cost being $27.000. Among the early preachers were Wesley Lam- phere, John Henry, John Applegate, Henry Brocket, W. S. Gray. O. Higgins, Walter Haden, James Calvin, F. S. Whistler, Orwin Gates, Jasper Hughes, R. E. Davis, C. C. Smith, M. L. Streator and J. N. Monroe. In 1895 the church was remodeled and additions made at a cost of $17,000. It is now in a flourishing condition. Rev. John R. Ewers is the present pastor.

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHL.

Central Christian Church, of Youngstown, was organized the first Lord's Day in January. 1805, with 106 members. President Zullers, oi Iliram, assisting. Its charter, dated Novem- ber 28, 1804, was issued in the name of the Church of the Disciples of Christ, which name was later changed to that now horne-Central Christian. The church's first place of meeting was Davis Hall, on Federal street. Every- thing, even to the communion set, was rented.

But the little band was active and aggressive, and grew rapidly from the first. Soon a church building became a necessity. Available prop- erty was inspected, and finally the Thomas Brown homestead on Market street was pur- chased at a cost of $15,000. It was a burden- some obligation, but its weight was carried gladly by those who saw in it the future of a splendid church home. The building was re- modeled at a cost of about $3,000 and was occupied as a place of worship by the congre- gation. Here, as before, the church prospercd, and in November, 1904, it was declared that there was not one penny of debt on the prop- erty. During the ten years of its existence au average of $5.000 a year had been raised for all purposes. But soon the home was once again too small. Increased facilities were needed, and in July. 1905, work was begun upon the present building. The first service in the new auditorium was held January 28, 1906. The pipe organ was installed the second week in February, and on February 18. 1906, the new church home, with all its splendid equipment, was dedicated to the "Glory of God and the Good of Men." The church now has a membership of abont 600. A remarkable feature of its work has been that accomplished along missionary lines. It has contributed largely to both home and foreign missions, and supports a missionary at Osaka, Japan. The church organization is good in all departments and all ages are represented in church work. At different times successful revival meetings have been held, as well by the pastors as by evangelists of wide fame. The present pastor of the church is Walter S. Goode. T. V. Shrock is the Sunday school superintendent.

Rev. Walter S. Goode was born in Pal- myra, Illinois, in 1860. son of Rev. G. M. Goode, a minister of the Church of the Dis- ciples, and Mary E. ( Nevins) Goodde. He was educated at the Illinois State Normal School. where he was graduated in 1893. For some five years subsequently he was engaged in teaching school. He then studied theology at Chicago U'niversity, and was ordained at Nor- mal. Ilinois. September 17. 1800. His first regular charge was at Palestine, Ilinois, where

Diazed by Google

368

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

he remained for three years, Then for nearly three years he was pastor of the Christian Church at Antioch, Illinois, during which per- iod he pursued further studies at Chicago Uni- versity. In April, 1900, he came to Youngs- town as pastor of the Central Christian church, where he has since remained. Mr. Goode was married, June 24, 1903, to Miss Minta Fitch, a daughter of John H. Fitch. of Austintown, Mahoning county, Ohio.

The churches of Youngstown, and her pub- lic spirited citizens, co-operate in the Young Men's Christian Association to provide for the men of the community a centrally located building, well equipped for various fines of educational, social, physical and religious work. This building, open daily, represents an investment of about $120,000 and is the gift of a large number of contributors. Its constituency numbers from a thousand to twelve hundred annually and includes men and boys of all creeds, as well as some who are affiliated with no church.

The present organization was effected in 1882. and incorporated in 1884, and for about a year it had its meetings and other lines of work in Reading Room Hall, then about No. 114 Fast Federal street.

The present building, which was dedicated September 11, 1892, has proven itself a very useful center in the life of the conununity, and is daily the resort of hundreds of men and boys. So valuable and so important has its work been proven that each year public spir- ited citizens contribute the proportion of its expenses which must be secured in order to keep the membership fees within the reach of young men of moderate income.

From the beginning the association had been fortunate in having sympathetic interest and guidance of prominent men of affairs, many of whom have served as trustees at vari- ous times. Its committees, too, have been well manned, and the Youngstown association has been widely known as one of the most pro- gressive and effective organizations of its kind in the country. It includes in its membership .men of all classes, and its extensive work

along physical, educational, social and relig- jous lines is a useful contribution to the citi- zenship and the character of the community.

Mention of the work of this association which did not include a few representative names would be incomplete. From the begin- ning Mr. Richard Brown was a liberal friend of the organization; his was the largest single gift. Another man, who gave liberal gifts of money, but was pre-eminent in giving time to the supervision of the work and for securing contributions from others, was Mr. Robert McCurdy. Mr. McCurdy was for years more closely and more prominently identified with the association than any other citizen. The character of the work was determined in no small measure by the competent executive of- ficers who served the association. These men had much to do with the character and ef- ficiency of the work, as they were instrumental in determining its policy during its formative period, and especially when it first occupied its new building.

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The Young Women's Christian Associa- tion of Youngstown was organized un- der the American Committee in No- vember. 1904, with a pledged member- ship of over eight hundred-this num- ber being increased to eleven hundred at the end of the first year. From the begin- ning the work has met with the hearty co- operation of churches, business houses, wom- en's clubs and the young women themselves, for whom all the work was planned.

The officers for the first year were: Mrs. L. A. Woodard, president ; Mrs. Fred Jones, vice-president : Miss Bessie Creed, secretary ; Miss Isabel MeCurdy, treasurer; Miss Annie Mcleod. general secretary : Miss Emily Law- rence, physical director; Miss Annas Sone- (lecker. office secretary ; Miss Jean Stewart, cafeteria director.

To meet the various needs of its members the work was organized under four different departments-the physical, social, educational

Ulgived by Google

369

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

and religious. Under the supervision of the religious department there have been organ- ized Bible classes; at present (1907) two large classes are meeting weekly at the rooms-one in the Gospel of Matthew-another in Old Testament History. Neighborhood classes have also been organized in different parts of the city, where it has been impossible for as- sociation members to reach the central rooms conveniently. Sunday .sper services, ad- dressed by leading clergymen of the city, have been under the supervision of this committee.

The educational department has offered classes within the means of anyone who might wish to take advantage of the opportunity. Classes of a purely practical nature have found favor when those of a cultural nature went hegging. Since the sewing classes were or- ganized in November, 1905, over seventy-five young women have learned how to make their own garments and the millinery classes, too, have been well patronized. Classes have been formed in Italian and English for foreign- born girls, also classes in paliamentary law, etc.

The gymnasium has always been one of the most popular features. During the first year over two hundred were enrolled in classes. Miss Lawrence, the first director, was followed by Miss Bertha Hopkins of Oberlin and Miss Hopkins in turn by Miss Mary Thomas, a graduate of the New Haven School of Phys- ical Training. Gymnasium rallies, basketball games, and other interesting events, serve to keep up the interest in a department that means so much for the physical welfare of young women.

In the cafeteria, lunch is served each noon during the week. An average of one hundred or over are served each day, and the average price paid per meal is seventeen cents. Read- ing rooms and rest rooms are at the disposal of all members of the association.

Besides these regular lines of work the association adapts itself to the needs and de- mands as they come. Young women who are coming to the city for the first time are pro- vided with safe boarding places and the asso- ciation is always ready to help girls who are ont of employment to find work.

THE SALVATION ARMY.

It was on a cold day. December 23, 1883, three curiously dressed individuals en- tered the city of Youngstown and startled the people in the midst of preparations for the Christmas festivities by appearing upon the streets with a large bass drum and proclaiming to a curiosity-seeking crowd that they were embassadors of the "meek and lonely Nazar- ene" and "were endeavoring the carry out the injunction to 'go into all the world and preach the gospel to every living creature.'" Natur- ally the apparent boldness on the part of this strange people brought forth criticism from many of those high in society and the ignor- ance of the city officials as to their aim and the latter's reluctance to give protection per- mitted of some persecution, but, this served to bring some public-spirited men forward, foremost among them being the late Robert McCurdy, who showed himself a champion of the cause until his death; thus while petty per- secution was rife, the hall was being crowded nightly with some of the worst characters in the city and many were led to a better life. Needless to state that many of those converted have since affiliated themselves with the vari- ons churches and have become useful mem- bers in the cause of Christianity, while not a few have gone into the field and some are holding high rank in the organization; others have gone to their heavenly reward, while un- fortunately a number have fallen by the way- side.

While there was some persecution and suf- fering of the Salvationists, yet, it should be said to the credit of the citizens that the "glad hand of fellowship" was extended here far more readily than in many other places of equal size and less foreign population.

This peculiar people had made splendid headway in the matter of converts and soldier- ship when the panic came upon the country and many who had spent the better portion of their lives in the mills left for other parts of the country where opportunities for work seemed to be more promising, thus, the ranks were rapidly depleted and financial conditions

(igm.ced by Google

370

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

were such that for a number of years the offi- cers in charge of the local work struggled for existence in common with the people whom they sought to relp, meanwhile conducting services and visiting among the people, bring- ing cheer to many that were despondent ; until, finally, the sunbeams of prosperity in the coun- try burst through the clouds of adversity which had hung like a pall over the city and the smoke began to circle heavenward from the tall smoke-stacks in the Mahoning Valley and once more the working men went to their daily toil. But ere this occurred large indebted- ness had been incurred by them and the Salva- tion Army could expect but little support from those amongst whom it labored, but struggled on with the meager means at its command un- til the public recognized its value for dealing with the social problems confronting the coun- try. At the time a portion of a large build- ing was obtained at a cheap rental and beds were installed, thus, it was possible for a poor man to obtain lodging at a very small cost and if he did not have the price he could work for the bed. This plan has succeeded admira- bly and the institution is still in existence, al- though at a different address (329 E. Board- man street).

During the past two years, or to be more explicit, since the beginning of 1905, an in- dustrial system has been in vogue that has en- abled the public to benefit to a very great ex- tent ; by this, reference is made to the free employment bureau, through which nearly 1.500 temporary and permanent positions are filled per annum. Waste paper, cast-off cloth- ing, cast-out furniture, etc., is gathered and prepared for sale by unfortunate men who have reached the lowest rung in the ladder of society and need a helping hand. About 125 tons of waste paper is being gathered, assort- ed, baled and shipped annually.

burg, while a number of juvenile cases have been entrusted to its care.

The present status of the Salvation Army in Youngstown is fifty enrolled members (adults), and fourteen junior soldiers, and a number of recruits (probationcrs). It has an Industrial Home for men, located at 329 E. Boardman street, also employment bureaus, a second-hand store for the benefit of those unable to pay more than a small sum for their needs. These institutions are presided over by Staff Captain and Mrs. George Maltby.

The corps and relief offices are located at 13 E. Front street, where services are held nightly and Sunday school with other meet- ings are conducted for the benefit of the young folks: a general relief work affecting practic- ally every phase of misfortune to which hu- manity is subjected in undertaken, cases which cannot possibly be dealt with here, owing to lack of facilities are generally forwarded to the larger centers to be looked after by com- petent people. The Medical Aid department is presided over by Dr. Frank T. Hamilton. while the Legal department for the benefit of those unable to pay is taken care of by At- torney Theodore A. Johnson.

The affairs of the local corps, for the past two years, have been looked after by Adjutant U. T. Webb, assisted by his capable and ener- getic wife, and Captain Ona Hayes. The ad- jutant having forsaken a promising future in the commercial world to engage in this line of work, has bent every energy towards solid- ifying and building up the local organization ; in this he has been eminently seccessful, and today the Salvation Army is respected by all classes.

JEWISH1 ORGANIZATIONS.

The purpose of this article is to furnish a brief sketch of the share which the Jews of Youngstown (numerically but a small frac- tion of its cosmopolitan population ) have had in the religions, moral and material upbuild- ing of the city. As far as historical evidence is now available. Hebrew immigration into

This system includes investigations of all cases of destitution reported, and the supply- ing of such relief as may be necessary, this re- lief consists mostly of fuel, food, clothing. medical aid, employment, ctc. Unfortunate girls are also sent to Rescue Homes conducted by the organization in Cleveland and Pints- | this valley dates back seventy years. The

Gigi10ed by Google

371

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

first Jew, so far as known, to direct lis course to the Western Reserve, was Jacob Spiegel, a native of Alsace (France), who about 1837 settled with his family at Ohltown, where he kept store until he transferred his business to this thriving town, where he died in 1881. A little later than Spiegel, though the exact time cannot be fully determined, David Theobald, a native of Rhine Hessia, established himself as a merchant in Canfield, from which place he afterwards moved to Youngstown. From Hessia arrived also, about the year 1838, two other Jewish lads, namely, Emanuel Herzog, who settled in Girard, and Simon Lowenstein, who found employment in Brier Hill. For a decade or two, Jewish immigration made but slow progress; at any rate the members of that faith were too few in number to form the nucleus of a religious community. During this period most of them attended Divine serv- ice at some Protestant church, while their chil- dren were enrolled in the Christian Sunday schools. However, on the great Jewish holi- clasy in the fall of the year, a private prayer service was generally held at the home of the late Mr. and Mrs. Theobaldl. Early in 1867 the number of Jewish arrivals having in the meantime somewhat increased, preliminary steps were taken towards the formation of a Jewish congregation. At an adjourned meet- ing. held on May 12th of that year, the con- stitution and by-laws for Rodef Sholem con- gregation were read and adopted, and the fol- lowing names enrolled as charter members: Emanuel Guthman, Emanuel Herzog, William Jonas, S. J. Lambert. Simon Lowenstein, A. Printz, Ferdinand Ritter, Ed. Ritter, Chas. Ritter. Ab. Schaffner, David Theobald, H. Theobald, M. Ullman. A. Walbrun, to which were afterwards added the names of A. Gold- stein and A. Schwab. At the first election held in conformity with the new constitution, D. Theobald was elected president, and E. Guthman, secretary. Free will offerings made by the members at the first two meetings amounted to $590. A room was rented in the Porter block, on W. Federal street, to be ased as a place of worship and for Sunday

school purposes, while somewhat later, there was purchased a property along the road to Brier Hill, suitable for a cemetary. Some time in August, 1868, Mr. L .. Liebman, now of Hamilton, Ohio, was engaged as reader and teacher. The early history of the congrega- tion was marked by a generous sentiment pre- vailing among the men and women and the best of fellow feeling, which was never seri- ously impaired by the special difficulties that beset all small congregations. As an indica- tion of the pleasant inter-denominational re- lations prevailing at the time. mention must be made of the fact that in February. 1869, the Methodist church was used for a benefit lecture delivered by Rabbi Mayer of Cleve- land.

From the Porter building the congregation moved, early in the seventies, to 105 W. Fed- eral street, where they continued to worship for many years, until in 1885 they concluded to purchase a lot, corner of Lincoln and Holmes streets, and erect there the present Temple, which was completed and solemnly dedicated on June 4, 1886. Thought owing to these building operations the financial circum- stances of the congregation were temporar- ily somewhat straitened, yet in a short time, and more particularly as a result of a success- ful fair given early in 1888, matters improved and the congregation entered on a new course of prosperity which has continued to this day.

The business management of the congre- gation consists of a president, vice-president, treasurer, financial secretary, recording secre- tary, and four trustees. The officers at pres- ent are: President, Isaac Strouss; vice-pres- ident, E. I .. Guthman; treasurer. Emanuel Hartzell; recording secretary, H. Katz; finan- cial secretary, Roy Guthman; trustees. B. Hirshberg, Louis Liebman. E. Mittler, Simon Weil.

The business management of the Sunday school is in the hands of a board, of which Mike Guggenheim is at present chairman, while the following act as members: Mrs. E. I .. Guthman. Miss Minnie Weil. L. Cahn. I. Strouss and J. B. Grossman. This latter gen-

Diga.ced by Google

372

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

tleman is the spiritual leader of the congre- gation, who first entered upon his duties in the spring of 1887, left Youngstown for an- other charge in Philadelphia in 1893, and re- turned in 1899.

The best of relations have always existed in this community between Christians and Jews, the latter being respected as a peacea- ble, square-dealing, loyal and patriotic part of the population. Among the departed mem- bers of Rodef Sholem some had seen active military service in the army during the Civil war, namely: Adolf Louer on the Federal side, Emanuel Guthman and Sammuel Weil in the Confederate armies, the latter rising to the rank of captain.

A marked characteristic of the Hebrew people generally are its charities, which come forward cheerfully and are never restricted to sect. This philanthropic work he recognized by their public institutions that depend on gen- eral voluntary contributions by inviting vari- ous Jewish representatives to the direction and management of affairs. The first claims on Jewish charity are, however, made in behalf of the poor and distressed of its own people. especially those who have come here as vic- time of foreign oppression and persecution. This work is done in part by the Ladies' Be- nevolent Society of Rodef Sholem congrega- tion, who accomplish their task through com- mittees looking personally after the needs of the indigent. Its officers are at present : Mrs. Mike Guggenheim, president : Mrs. L. Cahn, vice-president ; Mrs. 1. Strouss, treasurer ; Mrs. Henry Weinburg, secretary.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 50

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993