Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 58

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 58

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 following veterans of the war with Spain are buried in the local cemeteries:

Oak Hill Cemetery-C'lifton [ .. Dalzell, Henry G, Woolte. George W. Spigler, William S. Brown, James Edwards, John R. Williams, Jolm A. Logan, John W. Wonn. Jesse Swan- ev. Vernon Thies. Edward Wallace. Fred Krueger, George Farrow, Frank G. Wiseman, Perey Jacobs, Charles S. Wood, John Kenvin. David W. McFarlane. Roy E. Jacobs. John Tresise and Stant Westover.

Calvary Cemetery-Daniel G. Kennedy. Edward 1. MeElwain, Filward J. Conway and Bernard McBride. St. Joseph's Cemetery- Simon Flushgarten. Girard Cemetery- Wil- Tiam Williams. Hubbard Cemetery-Henry Nech. Mineral Ridge Cemetery-William A. Obl.

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CHAPTER XXVIII

THE PRESS

Newspapers and Editors of the Past and Present.

The first paper in the present territory of Mahoning county was the Olive Branch and New County Advocate which made its appear- ance at Youngstown in the fall of 1843. It was issued for the purpose of influencing pub- lic opinion in favor of changing the county seat to Youngstown. but proved but a feeble sup- porter of the cause, and its publication was soon suspended. It was followed soon after the organization of the county by The Ohio Republican, published by A. Medbury and J. M. Webb, the latter being the chief editorial writer. In politics it represented pure Jack- sonianism, and if we are to believe the business statement of its publishers contained in the last issue found in the files of the county auditor's office, private funds were drawn upon to main- tain its publication.

After the Presidential election in 1852, the Republican was removed to Canfield and com- bined with the Mahoning Sentinel under the name, Mahouing Republican-Sentinel. The Mahoning Sentinel had been established in 1852 by an association of citizens, with Ira Norris as editor. After passing through some changes of ownership and editorship it was finally purchased by John M. Webb, and in a few years removed to Youngstown. Mr. Webb made a strong fight for old line Demo- cratic principles during the campaign of 1860. but the secession of the Southern States had

broken party lines and in the fall of 1861 his paper suspended publication for lack of support. July 10, 1862, however, it again appeared, bearing the motto, "The Constitution as it is and the Union as it was;" but though ably conducted, the political effect of the revived sheet was small and it barely survived the Presidential election of 1864. "Its place as a Democratic organ was not filled until the l'in- dicator made its appearance in 186g."

"The Mahoning Courier was established just after the war by Patrick O'Connor and brother. It was a vigorous Republican paper and divided Republican patronage with the Register until 1869, when its publication was suspended."

"The Youngstown Commercial was issued by Patrick O'Connor and L. F. Shoaf, May 5, 1875. It suspended publication in about six months after that time. Patrick O'Connor began the publication of the New Star, May 28, 1879. It was continued as a weekly jour- nal, and for some time was the organ in the Mahoning Valley of the National Greenback party.

"In 1881, O. P. Wharton, formerly of the J'indicator, established the Free Press, which had an existence of a few years.

"The first daily newspaper in Youngstown was the Miner and Manufacturer, which first made its appearance as a daily in June, 1873-

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As a weekly in the interest of the laboring men, it had been published for some time previous, Mr. A. D. Fassett being the editor. During the strikes of 1873 it gained prestige by the manner in which it supported the strikers, de- spite the somewhat unwarranted attempt of a few business men to coerce it into a change of policy. The daily issue shortly after made its appearance as a five-column folio, selling at two cents, and was well received. It was soon after enlarged to six columns, and it had a circulation of about eight hundred, which it held until the Daily Tribune was started in 1874. the latter, owing to its good financial backing, being soon enabled to take the lead. The Miner and Manufacturer struggled along until November, 1874, when it suspended pub- lication, the editor being chosen to the city editorship of the Daily Register, which was started in December of that year."

THE FREE DEMOCRAT TO TELEGRAM.

In the latter part of the year 1852 the Free Democrat, representing the abolition sentiment of the county, made its appearance, the first number being published December 31. The Free Democrat was the first of a chain of news- papers ending with the Telegram. The editor was Edward D. Howard and M. Cullaton was the publisher. In 1853 The Democrat was a sturdy advocate of the election of Samuel Lewis as governor and in 1856 was equally as enthus- iastic in advocating the nomination of John P. Hale of New Hampshire for president. In 1853 D. S. Elliott purchased the paper, but two years later Howard was again at the helm. Early in February. 1855, the Free Democrat was succeeded by the Truc American, the edi- tors being D. S. Elliott and James M. Nash, The latter withdrew from the paper a few months later and the paper was sold to Colonel James Dumars, one of the best known political leaders of the state. The colonel liked the Mahoning county field so well that he disposed of his Warren paper and devoted his time to his new purchase, which he called the Mahon- ing Register. Colonel Dumars was a practical

newspaper man of the old school and the pub- lication was one of the brightest and best of the Western Reserve. He was an enthusiastic anti-slavery man and a Republican. John M. Edwards was the associate editor.

Colonel Dumars sold the paper to E. V. Smalley & Company April t, 1865, the colonel going south. He started a paper at Memphis, Tenn., but gave up the venture in a short time. Mr. Smalley became the editor, Mr. Edwards continuing as associate. About a year later R. E. Hull, one of the best known among the pioneer newspaper men of this section, joined the staff. In September, 1868, the firm name was changed to Smalley, Hull & Hudson, the new member being James F. Hudson, Mr. Hudson is still in the harness, being an editorial writer on the Pittsburg Dispatch. Mr. Smalley retired from the firm in 1869, going to the northwest where he was soon recognized as a leader in his profession. Mr. Hull retired in 1871, Mr. Hudson continuing as sole propri- etor until December 11, 1873, when he disposed of his interests to the firm of Vaughan, Sea- grave and Gault. The members of the firm were C. A. Vaughan, A. R. Seagrave and W. H. Gault, the latter two being local business men. In May, 1874 Walter L. Campbell. who later became known as Youngstown's "Blind mayor" purchased Mr. Gault's interests and became associate editor with Seagrave, Mr. Vanghan looking after the business end of the paper. A little later A. D. Fassett, state sena- tor, labor commissioner, etc., became associ- ated with the paper as the city editor.

On February 18, 1874. the Youngstown Tribune made its appearance, the publishers being Colonel James M. Nash, James K. Bailey and Joseph R. Johnston, afterward judge and state senator. Colonel Nash, who assumed the editorship, was succeeded by William H. Eck- man. September 6. 1874. One year later the Tribune was merged with the Register under the name of the Register and Tribune. Shortly afterwards the name was changed to the Evcu- ing Register. The editorial force at this time was as follows: W. L. Campbell and A. R. Seagrave. editors: A. D. Fassett. city editor ;

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Thomas W. Johnston and Nain Grute, report- ers. Seagrave was appointed postmaster and Mr. Campbell became sole editor.

On July 16, 1877, the Evening News ap- peared as a daily. being published by the Youngstown Printing Company, an association omstituted by R. F. Hull, W. S. Stigleman. E. K. Hull, Thomas Kerr and C. E. Kennedy, all printers. In the following January an in- corporated company took charge, John M. Webb being the editor. In July, 1879. the Notes began the publication of Associated Press dispatches. Chauncey H. Andrews be- came financially interested and a newspaper war followed between the New's and the Reg- ister. In August, 1880, the Newes annomiced that it would be Republican in politics and Mr. Webb retired. O. P. Shaffer became manag- ing editor and among his assistants at various times were "Reddy" Bowman, J. Ed Leslie. Nain Grute, T. W. Johnston, Jr., and George McGuigan. Thomp. Burton was connected with the advertising and circulation depart- ments. The fight between the two newspapers reached a bitter stage but finally consolidation was arranged, the name of the paper to be the News-Register. The New's interests had three directors. T. W. Sanderson, Mason Evans and O. P'. Shaffer, while the Register's selections were Robert MeCurdy, Thomas H. Wells and H. O. Bonnell. As managing director or the umpire of disputes Frank Williams was chosen but he soon retired in favor of W. W. Mc- Keown. In February, 1882, Editor Campbell retired and two years later was elected mayor. Following a disagreement between directors. O. P. Straffer became managing editor and an- other clash resulted in Shaffer being succeeded by F. S. Presbrey.

Mr. Shaffer, in company with C. H. An- drews, Mason Evans, T. W. Sanderson and Jonathan Head, began the publication of the Daily News. On November 17. 1885. G. M. Mckelvey, William Cornelius, Lonis W. King. Henry M. Garlick and I. K. Taylor organized the Youngstown Printing Company with $40,- 00o capital. On November 26, the directors accepted the proposition for the sale of the

Netes-Register, the Daily News and the Sunday Morning. the latter being Colonel Thomp. Burton's paper. The new paper was christened the Evening Telegram. The direc- tors were G. M. MeKelvey, president; IL. K. Taylor, secretary; William Cornelins. I .. W. King. J. Craig Smith, Thomas H. Wilson and H. HI. Stambaugh. Judge King was made editorial manager. T. W. Johnston, editor, and William Cornelius manager. Mr. Johnston was succeeded by W. H. Smiley of Warren who filled the position for a short time. J. Ed. Leslie being called to the position. In turn Leslie was succeeded by Clate A. Smith. No- vember to, 18go, A. J. Halford of Washington became editorial manager. S. L .. Bowman suc- ceeding Smith as managing editor. James J. McNally on December 2. 1892, became mana- ger and on July 6, 1804, was succeeded by J. H. Edwards. Jackson D. Haag took the place of Mr. Bowman as managing editor and March 27. 1896. E. E. Wright was chosen managing editor. Mr. Wright returned to the Pittsb :: rg Dispatch, but upon the selection of George C. Phillips again assumed the position which he occupies at the present time. R. R. Sharman succeeded Mr. Phillips as manager, holding the post until the paper was sold to R. T. Dobson of Akron. Mr. Dobson retired shortly after- ward because of ill health and Samnel G. Mc- Clure of Columbus secured control. He is the present publisher and editor.

Youngstown has kept pace with the jour- nalism of the country and the Telegram of today is on a par with any, being the leading Republican daily in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

VINDICATOR.

The always-Democratic L'indicator, from a miwlest beginning in July. 1860. is today. under the business management of the Hon. William F. Mang, one of the leading papers in Ohio.

There are weekly, semi-weekly. Sunday and daily editions, the daily a paper of never fewer than twelve pages. frequently sixteen

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and at least on one week-day-Friday-twen- ty-four, the number invariably found in the Sunday issue, facts indicating the metropoli- tan character of the paper, which in business enterprise and influence is surpassed by no other journal in a city the size of Youngs- town.

Though in existence fewer than forty years the Vindicator has had a quite eventful history, the paper beginning its career in the name of Mahoning V'indicator and being start- ed by J. H. Odell. now deceased. After the paper had continued about six months Mark Sharkey was associated with Mr. Odell, but retired in August, 1870. Mr. Odell retired from the paper in September, 1873. being succceded by O. P. Wharton, an old composi- tor in the office. Then Odell and William A. Edwards bought the paper. That was in Ap- ril, 1874, Mr. Odell taking editorial charge. In February 1875, S. L. Everett purchased the plant. Col. W. [ .. Brown, noted in New York journalism and politics, now numbered with dead, purchased from Everett in July, 1875. and continued the publication until succeeded by Hon. Charles N. Vallandigham and John H. Clarke in April, 1880. O. P. Shaffer and O. P. Wharton were employed on the editor- ial staff during Col. Brown's management. Judge 1 .. D. Thoman purchased Vallandig- ham's interest in April. 1881. subsequent to which the paper was published and edited by Thoman and Clarke until they soll out to Dr. Thomas Patton, who came from Newark to Youngstown and himself practically alone con- ducted the business and peuned the editorials. For a very brief period the paper was in the hands of J. A. Caldwell, who. with Charles Underwood, also issued an experimental daily. After the death of Dr. Patton, Mr. Mang. in November, 1887, bought the plant at admin- istrator's sale. Very soon after that Mr. Maag formed a partnership with John M. Webb. a Democrat and jonmmalist of the old school, the firm name being Webb & Mang, and sie- ceeded by the Vindicator Printing Company, which was organized September 3. 1880, with a capital of $20,000 and the following officers :

President, John M. Webb; vice-president, E. M. Wilson; secretary, John H. Clarke; treasurer and general manager, William F. Maag.

The first regular daily l'indicator, a folio, was put out September 23, 1889. Mr. Webb was managing editor; William B. Dawson was associate editor and Mr. Maag was then, as ever since and now, the head of the business department.

Mr. Webb died February 2, 1893. a short time before the block now occupied by the paper was completel. His funeral services, which were attended by a large concourse of acquaintances and friends, were conducted in the incompleted building.

Mr. Webb's immediate successor was C. H. Wayne, and he in turn was succeeded as editor-in-chief by William B. Dawson, who died in 1903. The editorial chair was then taken by F. A. Douglas, by whom it is still retained.

The first very notable step in advance in business was made in 1893. May 1, that year, the Vindicator plant, with new equipment, in- cluding an eight-page perfecting press, put out the first issue in the new building on the pres- ent site, the southwest corner of Boardman and Phelps streets, the building being a sub- stantial three-and-a-half story structure of brick and stone. From then until now the L'indicator has made rapid progress. being among the first to install Merganthaler lino- types, now having eight such, among them machines provided with the very latest im- provements. About four years ago the eight- page perfecting press was superseded by the most modern twenty-four page perfecting color-printing and fokling machine with a ca- pacity of 24,000 folded papers an hour.

The officers of the Vindicator Printing Company are: President. John 11. Clark ; vice- president, Charles E. Ducasse : secretary. Jolin W Smith: treasurer and general manager, William F. Maag.

In the Vindicator block and controlled by the Vindicator Printing Company are an up- to-date job department, a book bindery, The

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Art Engraving Company and the Vindicator with its weekly, semi-weekly, Sunday and daily editions.

In fourteen years Youngstown has made remarkable progress in many directions and in a large number of enterprises, but in none has progress been more uniform more rapid and more conspicuous than in the continuous prosperity of the concerns controlled by the Vindicator Printing Company.

RUNDSCHAU.

For a third of a century the Youngstown Rundschau has been the only German news- paper published in the territory between Cleve- land and Pittsburg. During all but one year of that time it has been under the same con- trol.

Established in the summer of 1874 by Henry Gentz, the Rundschau appeared for the first time on August 1 of that year with Ru- dolph Wilbrandt as editor and manager. In July of the next year William F. Maag bought it, the first issue under his charge coming out just twelve months after the initial number. The paper was then a small folio with sheets about half the present size. Two years later the number of pages was doubled and as time went on and circulation and interest in the paper grew with the coming of more Germans to this territory, the size was gradually in- creased until, after being issued every week for thirty-three years, it now contains sixteen pages of the regular newspaper size. It is set almost wholly by machine. Since Mr. Maag took over the Vindicator the two papers have had offices together.

The aim of the Rundschau is to give all the important general and local news of the week, to print weekly letters from various parts of Germany and from places in the vicin- ity of Youngstown, and to publish good and entertaining literature. In politics it is indepen- dent. In editorial charge of it have been Fred Riederer, Gustav Schiller, Emil Braun, A. Sparkuhl, Frederick Oertly, Otto Glus, Theo- dore Schuele, and the present editor, Theodore Lange. William F. Maag has been manager

since the paper came into his possession. The Rundschau has attained to considerable in- fluence through being the only German paper in a territory where large numbers of Ger- mans have settled, but its greatest service has probably consisted in maintaining among the Germans in this country interest in the lan- guage and thought and customs of the Father- land.

THE ROMA.

The Roma is a weekly Italian newspaper in Youngstown, and was established as a liter- ary paper in New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1902. under the name of La Farfalla Umana, with a weekly circulation of 500 copies. Sub- sequently its name was changed to L'Emi- grante Italiano, and its publication was thus . continued for several years. It was then re- moved to Youngstown and enlarged, and has since been published here under the name of The Roma. Under the capa- ble editorship of Elpidio Buonpane, who is also the publisher, the paper is now in a flourishing condition, having a sub- scription list of 3500. It is issued every Sat- urday.

THE YOUNGSTOWN LABOR ADVOCATE.

The first issue of the Youngstown Labor Advocate appeared the first week of June, 1903, with David G. Jenkins as editor, and W. W. Paramore, manager. The paper was first published by a partnership composed of those two gentlemen. In September of the same year the Advocate Publishing Company was incorporated, and continued the publica- tion of the Labor Advocate. Mr. Jenkins se- vered his connection with the paper as editor in September, 1905, to devote his whole time to the study of law. John Slayton, Henry O. Nelson, Sedge Reilley and Byron Williams, all well known newspaper men and labor writ- ers, were connected with the paper as editors. The Labor Advocate was the organ of the la- bor unions of the Mahoning Valley and en- joyed a large circulation and influence. Pub- lication was suspended in January, 1907.

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YOUNGSTOWN JOURNAL.

The Youngstown Journal, a weekly devoted to local industrials and labor almost exclus- ively. made its initial appearance February 1, 1907. and is practically the successor of the late Labor Advocate. The new labor organ is owned, edited and published by Byron Wil- liams, a well known and versatile local news- paper man, who successfully wrote at different times for the two local dailies, and who did his last work, before branching out for him- self, on the deceased Labor Advocate.

Editor Williams, in his first issue, had the

following to say by way of editorial or salua- tatory :

"The Youngstown Journal is devoted to the publication of news pertaining to the in- dustries and labor of Youngstown and vicin- ity, and for the dissemination of general in- formation. It will be the aim to keep the pub- lic well informed in regard to these matters in a thorough and impartial manner. We most respectfully ask the support of the public, and will at all times endeavor to merit it."

The Journal is neat in appearance and an eight-page paper with six columns to the page, each one of which is alive with advertisements.

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Representative Citizens

R OBERT MCCURDY. For more than a quarter of a century the late Robert McCurdy was the president of the First National Bank of Youngstown, one of the most important institu- tions of northern Ohio. "He was much more-an honorable, upright citizen, a man of sterling worth in every relation of life, and a stanch supporter of everything that related to the well-being of the city of Youngstown. He was born at Castle Finn. County Donegal, Ireland, June 24, 1842, and was a son of Dr. Robert McCurdy, who came to America when Robert, Jr., was a child of 11 months. Settling on a small farm near Crab Creek, Mahoning County, Ohio, he prac- ticed his profession as opportunity offered. and also cultivated his land, in order to pro- vide for the needs of his eight children. Of these still three survive, namely: Dr. John McCurdy, Mrs. Mary Bentley and Samuel D. McCurdy.

Robert MeCurdy had very little of what may be termed a helpful childhood. His sur- roundings were not those to encourage leisure as soon as he became self-supporting. and probably he was earning his own keep in the world when other lads, not much better off, were scarcely thinking about it. In after years Mr. McCurdy was disposed to look upon his early trials as good discipline, and it is certain that in his case habits of industry and econo- my were so early implanted that they greatly assisted him through life. From the public

schools he sought self-supporting work in the neighborhood, and, in August, 1861, he accepted a position in the old Mahoning County Bank. While he retained this humble place, he performed its duties with the same thoroughness that later characterized his management of the First National Bank.

In becoming even a humble accessory to an important business, a certain standing is as- sured, and so well did Robert perform the duties assigned him that he attracted the at- tention of his employers, among whom were some of Youngstown's most eminent citizens. Before long a clerkship was found for him when the First National Bank was organized on June 2, 1863. On June 20, 1865, he was made cashier, in which position he served with such ability and fidelity that when changes came about in the management of the bank, early in 1877. Mr. McCurdy was elected presi- dent. in which office he served continuously from that time until his death. During this period, covering some twenty-seven years, Mr. McCurdy gained for the bank a reputation which increased its usefulness and added ma- terially to its strength.

Although Mr. McCurdy's primary busi- neess was banking. he was on numerous occa- sions interested, for a short time, in some of the city's various important industries, and had a few tentative interests at other points. He was, however, a citizen devoted to Youngstown and took more interest in for- warding her enterprises than in investing else-

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where, however flattering the outlook might seem.

During the Civil War Mr. McCurdy was an active supporter of the Government. At its outbreak he enlisted as a member of the 155th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three months in Virginia before he was stricken with typhoid fever, which resulted in his being discharged for disability. He was always a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and took an active part in its campaign work. On many occasions he served as a delegate to various important conventions.

On September 19, 1878, Mr. McCurdy was married to Isabella Porter, a daughter of the late William Porter. Mrs. McCurdy and their three children still survive. They had two daughters, Isabel and Florence, and a son, Robert H. The eldest daughter, Isabel, is the wife of J. L. Grandin, a business man of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. McCurdy re- sides in one of Youngstown's finest residences, at No. 726 Wick avenue.

From early manhood Mr. McCurdy was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, serving its needs in many capacities-as Sunday school teacher, as clerk of the session and as elder for the twenty-six years preceding his death. In re- calling Mr. McCurdy's many spheres of use- fnhtess, his fellow citizens must always asso- ciate his memory with the Young Men's Christian Association, the Reuben McMillan Public Library Association, and the Rayen School. In 1869 Mr. McCurdy became a member of the first committee that met to organize a branch of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. Throughout the remainder of his life never did he lose his enthusiastic interest in the organization, over which he presided as president for five consecutive years. At the time of his decease, Mr. Mc- Curdy was one of the trustees of the Reuben McMillan Public Library Association and it was mainly through his efforts that Youngs- town acquired the fine library that it now possesses. Ile served from 1877 as one of the trustees of the Rayen School and was con- tinually concerned in its improvement and in

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 58

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