Harris Automated Press Company

2021-01-11
Submitted by Richard K. Fleischer In 1890 jewelers and tinkerers Alfred and Charles G. Harris developed a new printing press with an automatic feeder. Their first press was a revolutionary breakthrough, delivering ten times what a pressman could feed by hand. The Harris Automatic Press…

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Waddell Park

2020-05-22
Submitted by Thelma Snyder, Niles Historical Society In July 1929 Jacob D. Waddell presented the city with 52 acres of land for a municipal park located just outside the city limits between Park and Warren Avenues and on both sides of Lovers Lane. Plans to…

Clingan, Margaretta Thomas (1869-1952)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society Margaretta Thomas Clingan (1869-1952), daughter of John R. Thomas(1834-1898), founder of the Niles Fire Brick Company, and Margaret Morgan(1834-1918) and sister to Congressman W. Aubrey Thomas. She married Thomas Omar Clingan, a medical doctor, in 1888 and the family had…

Robbins, Josiah

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society Josiah Robbins was one of the very early settlers at Niles and a forceful character in early history of the town. In 1826 a handsome and energetic young bachelor, Josiah Robbins, arrived in Niles from Youngstown and proceeded to establish…

Wilder, John (1880-1958)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society He was born in Connecticut and moved his business from Connellsville, PA to Niles in 1920. His unique contribution to Niles was that he gave unlimited time and thought to his duties as a citizen. He was a chairman…

Waddell, Jacob (1870-1939)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society Jacob Dilger Waddell (1870-1939) was born to John Waddell and Catharine Waddell (born Richert) in Trumbull County. Jacob spent his early life on a farm and his career was in the iron and steel industry. He organized and headed the…

Holloway, Bert (1873-1959)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society Bert’s great-grandfather, Ephriam Holloway settled in Columbiana County in the early 1800s. His father, Leonard Holloway was a Civil War veteran. Bert Holloway was born at Lisbon, Ohio July 1873. He obtained a grammar school education. While earning $60 a…

Thomas, Aubrey (1866-1951)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society William Aubrey Thomas, born in Wales, immigrated to the United States in 1868 with his parents John R and Margaret(Morgan) Thomas, who settled in Niles, Ohio. His siblings were: John M. Thomas, T.E. Thomas, Margaretta Thomas Clingan and Mary Ann…

Heaton, James (1770-1856)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Niles Historical Society James Heaton was the founder of the city of Niles.  He was a pioneer in the establishment of the iron and steel business in the Mahoning Valley.  He was born in Virginia in 1770 and in 1802 came with his…

Butler, Joseph

2020-05-21
Submitted by Tim Boyer Joseph G. Butler Jr. was an American industrialist remembered primarily for establishing the Butler Museum of American Art in Youngstown.  He was born December 21, 1840 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.  His family owned and operated blast furnaces in Pennsylvania and relocated to Niles when he…

Ward, James (1813-1864)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Nancy Malone James Ward came from England when he was four years old.  His father was an iron worker in Pittsburgh, PA and taught his son the knowledge of the business.  James studied engineering and science and became an authority on rolling mills.…

Thomas, John R. (1834-1898)

2020-05-21
Submitted by Nancy Malone John R. Thomas was born in Abberdale, Wales on February 24, 1834.  He worked as a salesman for a firebrick company in Binya, Wales.   Margaret Morgan was born in Carmarthenshire, South Wales on May 12, 1834.  John and Margaret were married…