President, 

William Powers.

Vice-President, 

Timothy Woodbridge.

Corresponding Secretaries, 

John M. Edwards,  A. B. Cornell.

Recording Secretary, 

W. A. Beecher.

Treasurer, 

H. K. Wick.

Directors, 

Hugh B. Wick,  R. M'Millan,  A. W. Jones,  A. J. Packard,  Henry Tod.

Editorial Committee, 

John M. Edwards,  F. Kinsman,  William Powers,  R. M'Millan.

INTRODUCTORY

    In this centennial year of the Republic this volume is offered to the world. Although treating, mainly,  of a locality, we trust that it will prove interesting to persons residing outside of the Mahoning Valley as well as to our own citizens. It does not purport to be complete, but is the first volume published by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society of the reminiscences of the pioneer times; and, as it is expected that the Society will issue other volumes at occasional intervals, it is hoped that the publication and circulation of the present volume will further excite such an interest of antiquarian research that the Society will be able to present, in the succeeding volumes, full and complete histories of each township, biographies of the early settlers and of the pioneers in every branch of industry and business, together with other interesting matter relating to the settlement and subsequent history of the valley.

    A country can be cleared of the primeval forest but once, sometimes by the gradual overflow of civilization, and at other times by the spirit of conquest. The pioneers of the Western Reserve were actuated by that spirit. They approached the wilderness as conquerors, and the result of their labors we see around us to-day. Athletic, brave, aggressive, and generous to each other, each one cleared his field, from which we are now reaping the harvest, and, although many are forgotten and unknown, each one is worthy of honor and an enduring place in the gratitude and respect of the successors.

    The history of this valley does not extend back as far even as portions of the older States, but within eighty years are crowded all the necessary events of civilization, through which it has taken other countries and localities centuries to pass, and, to-day, the Mahoning Valley stands the peer of all in its natural and still undeveloped wealth, the intelligence, morality, industry, and enterprise of its people.

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, May, 1876.

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