The Republican journal., 1900-04-19

Ernest l.. BOyntOn, who was elected May
or of Niles, Ohio, April ., 1900, is another
one of the many Maine boys who have achiev-
ed success away from their native State.
Born in Augusta, Maine, in 1861 he was
thrown upon his own resources at the early
age of nine years and for three years he
worked as chore boy on farm in White
field, Maine, for his board and clothes, and
three months schooling in the winter. At
twelve years old. being ambitious to earn
something beside his mere keeping, he left
farm work and went to Boston, where he
soon obtained work in a broom factory. He
worked there for some time, when finding
the work was telling on his health, he gave
it up, and secured a position as Office boy in
the law Office of Arthur l.. Mems of Boston.
While working there he made the acquaint-
ance of the Hon. Geo. ID. Robinson, then
Governor Of Massachusetts, who took a
kindly interest in the lad, and inspired him
with the idea of eventually becoming a
lawyer.
During the time he was working in the
broom factory, and later as office boy, he
was attending the night school of Boston,
studying the common branches for two
nights in a week, ana taking an art course
in the other four. After studying architec-
ture IN this way Tor a few years, he was so
fortunate as to get Il place as draughtsman
in the office of the famous Boston architect,
George A. Clough. and here he remained
until 1887, and succeeded in gaining a fair
knowledge of architecture,
During all this time he had persevered in
his studies at the night schools, and in 1887,
having saved some money, he left Boston for
Ann Arbor, Michigan. where he began the
study of law at the State University He
attended school there as long as his money
held out, and then started for Boston. where
his old position in Nh Clough's office was
still open to him. He stopped en- route at
Warren Ohio, to spend a few days with
relative, and court being in session his
inclinatons naturally led him to the court
house, where he was much impressed by an
argument made by Attorney Geo. p Hun
ter, of Warren. Almost without money,
but with undiminshed courage. he went
neXt day to Mr.. Hunters office, and laid his
and as a result entered his office as a law
student, and after the usual term of study
applied for admission, and was duly admit
ted to the Bar. Shortly after this he opened
a law Office in Niles, Ohio, then a village of
about five thous and nha bitants. From the
first he was successful. and in the second
year of his practice he was married to Miss
Dencie L. Mudgette of Belfast, Maine, and
three children have been born of this union.
In the spring of 1898, after spirited con-
test, he received the nomination and was
duly elected as City Solicitor of Niles, and
among his first official acts was the advance
ment of the corporation from the grade of
village to that of city. lie has been re
elected City Solicitor three times, each time
with an increased majority
In the spring of 1900 he received the NOM
natiOn for Mayor of Niles. after the hottest
political contest ever known in the place,
there being six candidates out for the NOM
ination. The nomination in Niles is equiv
alent to an election. there having been no
Democratic ticket in the field for many years,
SO Mr.. Boynton was duly elected as Mayor,
April >. 1900.
Niles is now city of nearly ten thousand
people, with all of its industries rushing
night and day, and everything looks bright
for a prosperous term for the newly elected
Mayor.