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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF THE MAHONING VALLEY

REUNION OF 1875

William Powers, Esq., Youngstown, O.:

    Dear Sir, Your kind letter of the 17th inst. was received by yesterday's mail: with regard to the propriety of holding an old citizens' reunion on the 10th of September next, to embrace the citizens of the whole Mahoning Valley. And in reply would only say that I think such a meeting would be very enjoyable. It does seem to me that for the old people to meet, converse, and have a good time generally, once a year would have a tendency to make the harness of old age fit as well and set as easy as any thing they could do. As to the manner of conducting it, I have no suggestions to make. Only let there be as little formality, ceremony, and red tape about it as possible, as old people usually don't seem to relish any thing of the kind. Should it be deemed best to hold such a meeting at that time, I will, if health and business permit, endeavor to attend.

    I am, very respectfully, yours, James Brown

    Dear Sir, Yours of the 27th inst. is at hand, asking my opinion as to holding a meeting of old citizens

of the Mahoning Valley similar to the one called for Youngstown last year. I can only say that such

meetings almost universally produce a good and kind feeling, renewing recollections, and incidents of

olden times that are very satisfactory. Still at such a meeting you should not depend upon those in

attendance (without notice) to furnish recollections and incidents. Someone who is capable should be

appointed to go to work at once and collect all the earliest scraps of history about our valley that can

be obtained, and, if you please, have it presented in the form of an address for the occasion.

    "Youngstown was the center and mustering ground for the early proprietors and settlers of the

Western Reserve, when it was all embraced under Trumbull County. It was the point where 

three-fourths of the owners of the three millions of acres of the Reserve halted to arrange for the looking 

up of the lands that had been apportioned to them by the Connecticut Land Company. Here was a 

prominent point when Cleveland was barely known. Nearly every man prominent in Northern Ohio at the 

organization of the State Government first made his appearance in the State at Youngstown. Here 

should your history begin. And then in every town some one should be appointed to write early history. 

The proceedings of the meeting and history furnished should be published in pamphlet form to be paid 

for by subscription and sale of pamphlets. If you please, it may, in connection with this meeting, be 

continued from year to year, unless the history of the valley be written up, the whole may then be 

published in a volume that will give more satisfaction to our posterity than any records we shall be likely 

to leave them. If you start something of this kind your meeting will give inspiration for its continuance, 

and will bring out much history which will be forever lost to us without some such efforts.

 "I like the interest you are manifesting in this matter and hope some such benefits as I have suggested may result from it.

                            Yours truly, F. Kinsman

    The above sentiments are fully concurred in, in letters received from Hon. Eben Newton,  H. B.

Perkins,  B. P. Baldwin,  Nath. Mitchell,  Dr Eli Mygott,  Sheldon Newton,  Richard Fitch,  F. A.

Boardman,  and others. To carry out the above let there be a meeting of citizens at the parlors of the

Tod House, to which the proprietors have kindly consented, on Saturday evening, the 5th inst., at eight

o'clock.

    In accordance with a call published, quite a number of the old citizens of this city met at the Tod House, Saturday evening, June 5th.  John M. Edwards was called to the chair, and stated the object of the meeting, to consult as to the advisability of having a reunion of old citizens of the Mahoning Valley on September 10th next. Henry K. Wick was appointed Secretary. William Powers handed to the chairman, to be read, quite a number of letters received by him from old citizens of the valley outside the city, in answer to letters sent out by him, all heartily approving of such a meeting, and speaking in high terms of the enjoyment furnished by the meeting of last year. It was then resolved by those present to have a reunion, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee of arrangements: William Powers, Chairman. R. M. Montgomery, Youngstown;  Eli Mygott, Poland;  John M. Edwards, Youngstown;  Henry Tod, Youngstown;  T. H. Wells, Youngstown;  C. B. Wick, Youngstown;  Richard Fitch, Ellsworth;  H. B. Perkins, Warren;  Joseph Barclay, Youngstown;  B. P. Baldwin, Newton Falls; Junius Brown, Lowell;  Dr T. Woodbridge, Youngstown;  C. H. Andrews, Youngstown;  J. H. Brown, Youngstown;  H. B. Wick, Youngstown;  William S. Parmelee, Youngstown;  Hon Eben Newton, Canfield;  Hon Sheldon Newton, Boardman;  Boyd M'Clellan, Liberty;  N. Mitchell, Hubbard;  W. Porter, Austintown;  Frederick Kinsman,  Warren; R. M'Curdy, Youngstown;  John R. Squire, Youngstown; Henry K. Wick, Youngstown;  W. L. Campbell, Youngstown;  W. L. Brown, Youngstown;  L. F. Shoaf, Youngstown;  Josiah Robbins, Niles;  Jonathan Warner, Mineral Ridge;  Abner Osborn, Girard;  Joshua Kyle, Mineral Ridge;  Thomas W. Sanderson, Youngstown;  John Shields, Coitsville.  To meet on Saturday, June 12th.

    "T. H. Wells moved that the committee have power to appoint subcommittees, and add to their number as they may think best. Carried.

   "On motion of Joseph Barclay, adjourned to meet at the Tod House on Saturday evening, June 12, to complete arrangements.

    "A full attendance of the members of the committee is desired.

                                                                                              "Henry K. Wick, Secretary."

    Meeting of the committee was held on the 12th inst. at the Tod House, Wm. Powers, Chairman, Henry K. Wick, Secretary.

   On motion of Dr T. Woodbridge a committee on historical reminiscences was appointed, as follows: John M. Edwards, Esq., Youngstown, Chairman; Prof. J. T. Kirtland, Cleveland; Hon. Eben Newton, Canfield; Hon Frederick Kinsman, Warren; Jacob H. Baldwin, Esq., Kinsman; Dr T. Woodbridge, Youngstown.

    On motion, said committee was authorized to add to their number and appoint township committees.

    Meeting adjourned, to meet at Youngstown Savings and Loan Association, on 22d instant.

    At the adjourned pioneer reunion committee meeting, held at the Youngstown Savings and Loan Association, there was a very fair representation from the valley. Among those present were Hon. Sheldon Newton, of Boardman;  William Porter, of Austintown;  Abner Osborn, of Girard;  Boyd M'Clelland, of Liberty;  John Shields, Coitsville;  Dr T. Woodbridge,  William Powers,  John M. Edwards, John Stambaugh, and Joseph Barclay, of Youngstown.

    It was decided to hold a meeting in Wick's grove on September 10th.

    On the suggestion of William Porter it was decided to be the better plan to have a basket picnic, neighbors and friends joining in making up baskets of refreshments.

    It was moved by Boyd M'Clelland that parties having interesting relics be invited to bring them on for exhibition. Mr. Osborn suggested that a short description of the articles sent for exhibition be sent to the secretary or attached to the article.

    The order of exercises determined upon was somewhat similar to that of last year.

    The following committee was appointed on Toasts: Sheldon Newton,  Thomas H. Wells,  Robert M'Curdy,  Walter L. Campbell, and  William M. Osborn.

    Committee on Ground and Tables: Boyd M'Clelland,  J.D. Barclay, and H. B. Wick.

    Committee on Music: L. F. Shoaf,  C. B. Wick, and W. L. Campbell.

    Committee on Finance: William Powers,  Robert Mackey,  H. K. Wick,  H. O. Bonnell, and George Margerum.

On the 25th of June the following call was published:

    "The 10th of September, 1813, is remembered by the oldest class of citizens, as a memory of dread 

and anxiety followed by an evening of victory and security. Some are among us who participated in the 

struggles and joined in the shouts of relief and joy that day. A very few are still among us whose 

recollections reach back full and distinct into the last century, while a large class have clear and vivid 

memories of pioneer life, with its hardships, its penalties, its labors, its sympathies, amusements, and 

merry-making. It seems fitting and proper that these should all come together to meet old friends and 

quicken the memories of their youth, recount some of their experiences, and instruct by giving some of 

their life histories. To attain this object, a Committee of Arrangements has been appointed by a public 

meeting in the city of Youngstown, who now cordially invite all persons of the Mahoning Valley to meet 

at Youngstown on the 10th of next September, at ten o'clock in the morning, then and there greet their 

old friends and accept the congratulations of their new acquaintances. The committee also invite all the 

younger class of citizens to meet them on that day arrangements will be made for the accommodation 

of all. Those having relics of bygone days are requested to bring them for exhibition. Knowing the 

impossibility of accommodating, by a public dinner, such a number as may reasonably be expected to 

be present, it is thought best that the "noon meal" be taken as in olden time from the basket, and it 

seems that the hour thus devoted could be pleasantly spent by neighbors and friends at emptying the 

baskets by them previously filled.

                                                              "Chairman Committee Arrangements

Youngstown, June 25, 1875

"TO THE PIONEERS OF THE MAHONING VALLEY AND THEIR DESCENDANTS:

    "You have been already notified in our city and valley papers that a reunion of the early settlers of the valley and their descendants will be held in Youngstown on September 10th, next, and a general invitation has been extended to all the citizens of the valley to attend and participate with us in the exercises and festivities of the occasion. It is our desire to collect facts and reminiscences of the settlement and history of the valley including pioneer enterprises in coal mining and iron and other manufacturing, canal, railroads, etc. John E. Edwards, of Youngstown; Dr J. T. Kirtland, of Cleveland; Frederick Kinsman, of Warren; Jacob H. Baldwin, of Kinsman; Eben Newton, of Canfield; and Dr T. Woodbridge, of Youngstown, were appointed a Committee for that purpose. To enable us to perform our duties we earnestly ask your assistance in our work. We request you to prepare as full sketches as you are enabled to do from your knowledge or from tradition of the biography of the early settlers, your own and others, ...the date and place of their birth; marriage, and date of their removal here; incidents of their journey; experiences in the new country; after history of themselves and families; date of their decease, if dead; and all incidents of interest or importance in their history or that of their fellow pioneers in connection with their own. We request also township histories, and generally narratives of any important events which may have occurred in early or later times. We are aware that there is a vast fund of traditional history as yet unwritten, which is interesting, and as time passes will increase in interest, and which may now be collected; but if not soon collected will be lost. This we desire to collect, and as many of the contributions we receive as time will permit will be read at our reunion. We desire to publish them all. And the manuscripts will be preserved with the records and papers of the Historical Society, which, it is proposed to organize at the reunion. 

                                                                       "Chairman of Historical Committee

AT YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, SEPTEMBER 10, 1875

    "As it is expected a large number of elderly persons will be present on this occasion, and to provide 

for their comfort in the best manner, the committee have concluded to hold all the exercises in the 

Opera house, thus furnishing all comfortable seats and a better opportunity of hearing than in the open 

air. The ladies have arranged for the use of the basement of the Baptist Church for dinner, and have 

appointed suitable persons to take charge of baskets as they are brought in, and to wait upon visitors. 

This place being so convenient to the Opera house, with no stairs to climb either at Opera house or 

church, the day can be spent by elderly people with as little fatigue as ordinary days at homes. Should 

there not be accommodation for all in the basement of the church, to have their basket picnic, the grove 

will be open and free for all that can not be accommodated there, or in case of bad weather, sufficient 

hall room will be secured, and hot tea and coffee furnished at all places, whether in grove or hall: bring 

your cup and spoon along, the older the better. The time allowed for dinner will be from twelve to two 

o'clock sharp. The citizens of each township are requested to select one person from their own number 

as a general director, and to act as Vice President during the day. All are cordially invited to attend; 

drop your cares and troubles and come and meet your friends. As there are no special invitations issued to attend this gathering the committee trust that not one will feel slighted, but that all will feel free to come and participate and enjoy the festivities of the day. The ladies of this city met in the Opera house, Saturday, August 28th, and appointed the following committee for the occasion:

    Miss Grace Tod, Chairman; Mrs. Richard Brown, Mrs. Mary Bentley, Mrs. John Besore, Mrs. William Breaden, Mrs. M. T. Jewell, Mrs. William Barclay, Mrs. James Ford, Mrs. W. H. Wick, Mrs. A. J. Williams, Miss Lute Van Fleet, Miss Eliza Powers, Miss Sarah Reno.

    The ladies wish it understood that single persons without baskets need have no hesitation in joining 

in the picnic dinner, as there will be plenty for all.

    Visitors may rest assured that this committee of ladies will do all in their power to make their visit 

pleasant and agreeable at this reunion. In addition to the above Committee on Reception the following 

named gentleman have been selected to assist: John Kimmell, Chairman; Joseph H. Brown, R.

M'Millan, W.W. M'Keown, William Pollock.

Meeting will assemble at the Opera house, and will be called to order at half past ten o'clock. H. B. Wick, Chairman; John M. Edwards, Secretary.

Music by the Mechanics' Band - Auld Lang Syne.

Prayer by Benjamin Stevens, of Warren, Ohio.

Music.

Welcome Address by John M. Edwards, of Youngstown, Ohio.

Music.

Reports in History by the committee: John M. Edwards, Youngstown, Ohio; Jared T. Kirtland,         Cleveland, Ohio; Eben Newton, Canfield, Ohio; Jacob H. Baldwin, Kinsman, Ohio; Frederick Kinsman, Warren, Ohio; T. Woodbridge, Youngstown, Ohio.

Music.

Reading of Communications.

Music.

Intermission for dinner and handshaking until two o'clock. Reassemble at two o'clock, sharp.

Toast: "The First White Settler - James Hillman". Respondent, Roswell M. Grant, Mayslick, Kentucky.

NOTE: After the regular respondent to each toast, except the last, volunteer five minute speeches are requested.

Music.

Toast: "The Bells and Beaux of Early Times". Respondent, Fletcher Hogue, Sandy Lake, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

Music - "The Girl I Left Behind Me".

Toast: "The Stage Coach, Horseback, and Afoot". Respondent, Matthew Birchard, Warren, Ohio.

Music.

Toast: "Our Sacrifices and Privations". Respondent, Sheldon Newton, Boardman, Ohio.

Music - "Perry's Victory".

Toast: "The Houses and Home Life of Pioneers". Respondent, Alexander M'Kinnie, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Music.

Toast: "The Latch String". Respondent, Tod Ford, Akron, Ohio.

Music - "Yankee Doodle".

Toast: "Manufacturers of the last Seventy five Years". Respondent, Thomas Struthers, Warren, Pennsylvania.

Music.

Toast: "This Day". Respondent, Eben Newton, Canfield, Ohio.

   NOTE: The meeting will adjourn immediately after this response. Interspersed through the proceedings of the day will be exhibitions of relics and mementos and their history read. The committee will exhibit the articles brought in, provided a written description be attached, with owner's name. This they insist upon, as it will be impossible to remember a verbal description. Articles brought in prior to the day can have descriptions written by the committee. Those having joined and those wishing to join the Historical Society to be formed that day, are requested to assemble in the dress circle of the Opera house at eight o'clock, P.M., to perfect an organization of the Society, after which there will be an old fashioned cotillion, to commence at half-past eight o'clock.

Music - Germania Band, of Cleveland, Ohio.

                                                                                          Chairman Committee of Arrangements

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