Niles Daily Times April 12, 1958
As a citizen of Niles, John Wilder was many things. He was a manufacturer, a banker, a leader of War Bond drives, a church man, and a member and leader of countless groups for community improvement and service.

He was also a husband and father who had every right to be proud of his four children: Arthur B. Wilder, Milton H. Wilder, Mrs. Ann W. Helgerson and Stanley V. Wilder.

Not the type for fancy trappings or a builder of useless pyramids, John Wilder’’s memorials are living contributions in our community. But if there should be a marker placed in honor of him, it might bear the simple but exhalted inscription: “Citizen John Wilder–Father of the City Parks.”

Niles Daily Times April 22, 1952
John Wilder, president of Wilder Manufacturing Company, will be recognized for a quarter century’s civic work at a banquet of the Niles Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wilder, a past president of the Niles Chamber of Commerce and one of the oldest members still active in the organization will be a feature of the banquet.

He is being honored for his activity in many Niles civic affairs. These include membership on the Niles Park Commission for 25 years during which most of the extent of the city park system was realized.

He was active in the effort in making possible the South Main Street Viaduct, was charter member of the first District trustee of the Niles Kiwanis Club and served as its president in 1925. He has been president and director of the William McKinley Birthplace Association.

Kiwanis Camp with open air tents and wooden shower/kitchen area. PO2.372

Mrs. J.D. Waddell tosses out the first pitch at the opening of Waddell Park baseball field.

In the picture are Mrs. J.D. Waddell, William G. Llewellyn, Director of the Recreation Service; John Wilder, chairman; P.J. Sheehan and Charles Holeton, memmbers of the Park Commision.

Niles Daily Times April 10, 1958
John Wilder, whose name has been synonymous with civic enterprise in Niles since he came here in 1920, died at his home, 1236 Robbins Avenue, last night at the age of 77.

When the Niles Parks Commission was created in 1926, John Wilder was named a member and continued to serve for 25 years, most of the time as president of the board.

In 1928, J.D. Waddell donated the 75 acres of land which represents Waddell Park today. John Wilder was a very close friend of Mr. Waddell and the park was planned by them and dedicated on July 4, 1931. Several years later, the present swimming pool was erected under Mr. Wilder’s management.

In 1940 when the new lighted field was turned over to the Recreation Department of the city, it was officially named “Wilder Field” in honor of the service rendered to the city by one of her first citizens.

During the early part of his residence here, Mr. Wilder served as president of the McKinley High P.T.A. and as president of the Western Reserve Fish and Game Association.

He served as director of the Niles Bank Company following its reorganization in 1933 and in 1939 was elected president, succeeding J.D. Waddell. He served in that capacity until January 1956 when he retired.

Mr. Wilder was chairman of the committee for the erection of the present South Main Street viaduct, one of the outstanding improvements in the city of Niles.

During the past 10 years he had devoted many hours of his time to the care and maintenance of the McKinley Memorial.

He was president of the William McKinley Birthplace Association until his retirement in 1956.

Mr. Wilder was chairman of eight separate War Bond drives during World War II. Each drive went “over the top” and in practically every campaign, Niles was the leader in Trumbull County. The record made in these drives was one of the outstanding records for a community of this size. Mr. Wilder was one of 25 people in the State of Ohio to be awarded a medal by the President of the United States for is efforts in this work.

He was also one of the first directors of the Trumbull county Manufacturers Association and a member of the Trumbull County War Manpower Commission, Conservation Industrial Commission and Commission for the Blind.

1930 Waddell Park Plans.

Aerial View of Waddell Park, 1930 ca. PO1.1545

Aerial view of Wilder Field, 2024.

In August 1929 a beautiful plot of ground of 75 acres, situated on the western boundary of the city was given to the city by J.D. Waddell for park purposes. It was named Waddell Park by the Niles Park Commission and has since been used by thousands of persons.

During the summer of 1931, a picnic pavilion was erected at Waddell Park now known as Shadyside Pavilion.

A view of the small pavilion at Waddell Park taken in May of 1976.

PO2.502

1931 picture of the Niles City Band in Central Park in the Thomas Pavilion. Band directed by Arnold Campana. PO1.14

Swimming Pool, Waddell Park, 1934 ca. PO1.1070

Niles Daily Times September 4, 1930
Central Park, one of the most beautiful spots in Niles has been a source of enjoyment for local people since its completion.

Up until 1927, the need for a park was one of Niles’ most serious problems. On August 20, 1927 the Board of Education deeded the land to the city for park purposes, the land where the old Central High School building once stood. The building had been torn down for some time before the land was turned over to the city.

The city had the land but no money available for the purpose of making the site suitable for park purposes. The problem of passing legislation was a difficult one. It was George O. Marshall, now mayor of Niles, at that time a member of city council, that finally suggested a possible way of obtaining money for park purposes.

A half-mill levy was voted on at the election in November 1926, this being Mayor Marshall’s suggested plan and it was passed. The money obtained through the levy could only be used for maintenance of the park, none could be spent for the purchase of land.

The Park Commission was appointed, this included John Wilder, president; P.J. Sheehan, vice-president; Charles L. Holeton, secretary; George Marshall and Fred MacDonald, the latter two being council members. This board was appointed January 8, 1927.Due to a technical error it was discovered that the legislation did not provide for the appointment of a park commission.

To put the improved legislation before the voters once more, it was necessary to circulate a petition with 187 signatures needed before the question could be put on the ballot. After garnering 346 signatures, it was voted on in the August primary and passed with flying colors.

Harvey C. Kistler, mayor at that time, appointed the first park commission September 1, 1927. The members were: John Wilder, three-year term as president; P.J. Sheehan, one-year term as vice-president; Jack Stafford, two-year term; Reba Howells, secretary appointed April 5, 1928. Charles Holeton was appointed to fill the place of Jack Stafford who had resigned. Stafford was later appointed as superintendent of the parks and personally supervised all work.

Niles Daily Times September 1, 1934
John Wilder oversaw the building of a pavilion in July 1928 in Central Park for band concerts, public speaking, and more. This was a gift of Mrs. J.D. Waddell and Mrs. T.O. Clingan and was named “The Thomas Pavilion” by the Park Commission.

In August 1929 Mrs. T.E. Thomas presented a beautiful fountain, “Spirit of Education”, now located in Central Park’s wading pool.

View of the band pavilion and wading pool with fountain.

Viaduct Project

Mr. Wilder was chairman of the committee for the erection of the present South Main Street viaduct, one of the outstanding improvements in the city of Niles.

The general plans were approved and adopted in 1927 and a permit was secured from the War Department for the construction of the bridge over the Mahoning River which was still classified as a navigable stream.

The height and span of the planned viaduct would require the railroad tracks to be moved from their location near Water Street to a location closer to the Mahoning River. This relocation would require the purchase of several businesses located close to Water Street.

Building that formerly housed the Wilder Metals on South Main Street Extension.

Wilder Metals, Inc. had as its main feature an exclusive coating method. The factory was located on South Main Street Extension and was at one time the only plant in the country using aluminum coating with steel. The process was invented by John Wilder who held the patent for the process.

Steel processed here was used in the manufacture of gas ranges and other sheet metal products where corrosion and heat resistant steel was necessary.

In 1920, the company was moved to Niles when John Wilder relocated his family to Niles. It had been located in Connellsvile, PA for 30 years. First known as Wilder Coating and Manufacturing Company, it later became Wilder Metals. Niles was chosen for the site because of its advantageous distribution and transportation facilities and close sources of needed materials.

Also manufactured at the plant were brightly finished pipe called “Wilder Gloss” and nickel-plated and aluminum-plated pipe. About 25 men worked at the plant, but indirectly a large number worked in area mills producing steel for Wilder Metals. The plant is no longer in production.