A few more interesting tidbits from today’s research:

I uncovered four Commencement Programs from Schuylkill Township Schools/Phoenixville HS.  The first is from June 1909 where my great uncle John Whitby delivered an essay entitled “Wordsworth, A Poet of Nature.”  Through further research, John attended Oak Grove School in 1909 and was a stellar student.  He scored high marks in reading, writing and spelling.  (Ironically: he scored 70’s and 80’s in math and he would eventually work for the gov’t in inspections and used numbers all the time).

The second program is from June 191.  My grandmother (listed as Gertrude Whitby) would have been in 7th or 8th grade and was “graduating” on this program.  She delivered a recitation at the beginning of the event.

The third program is from Phoenixville HS Class of 1912.  37 graduates including my great uncle John Franklin Whitby.  Interesting to note:  only 8 faculty members listed.

The final program is from 1918 at Phoenixville HS.  I cannot find a connection to any of my relatives for this one.

I am searching through letters and such from Great Uncle John Whitby…I found giving receipts from The First Presbyterian Church in Phoenixville.  The four groups of receipts are giving/offering report from John Whitby, Walter Whitby, Mrs. William Whitby, and E. Gertrude Whitby.  They are dated 1920-21.  Many of the receipts show that monies were received for a pledged amount and amount rec’d for COAL.  Several receipts show that the giver paid in advance (overpaid for a certain quarter or month).

Also included in same envelope were four receipts for the building fund totally $60.  It states that the money went to purchase a “window.”  I’ll need to investigate this further…

Here is Frank Showalter Sr.’s wallet from the 1920’s.  I know this because several of the receipts contained behind his ID card are dated in the 1920’s.  for example the receipt shown from a $550 payment to Phoenix Auto Sales and another to same company for $600.  There are several promisary notes to different entities from the National Bank of Phoenixville.  There were also two receipts for a “calf”.  I can only surmise that he bought to calves in 1922–one that weighed 165 lbs. and another that weighed 171 lbs.  The wallet looks worn and frayed.

One-of-a-kind piece of Showalter memorabilia.  This thermometer shows some wear and rusting but it still works!  Nice lettering and  a great look!

Thermometer top

Thermometer bottom

sideways shot

This is a key pouch that was given to Russell W Showalter as a Christmas gift from a local business man named D. Frank Black, Jr.  It is of course unused (Russell just stuck these kind of gifts in a drawer upstairs in his bedroom).  The box is intact and the business card of Black inside.

no picture available at this time

Found this postcard in a box of two ledgers from the late 1877-1878.  These ledgers appears to be from the Williams’ family (Russell’s mother’s family).  They include several pages with long lists of expenses and receipts.  Cool handwriting and payees (Buckwalter, Sarah Willaims, Pennypacker, etc).

The postcard is dated May 27, 1908 and is from the Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions.  Davis served in the Civil War with his brothers. He was a farmer and he died in 1912.

another recent find was a small snapshot photo of Russell Showalter.  While there was no name on the photo, Grace identified it as her father Russell.  The photo measures 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ and is faded.  The back is an ad for Pickard’s Penny Photographs.

During a recent clean out at my parents’ house, I found four postcard related to Nobel Prize winner Philip Showalter Hench.  The first card is a card featuring Third Presbyterian Sunday School in Pittsburgh.  The message is written by a 13-year-old Philip Hench to Master Russell Showalter (age 13).  Hench writes that his father Jacob Hench was the superintendent of the church and that he (Hench) was using “your pencils” and “they are fine.” The card is dated 2/21/1909.  It appears that Philip and Russell were quite chummy at a young age.

The second card is a Christmas/New Year card from Philip to Russell from 1914.  They would have both been 18 years old.  Philip wishes Russel (one l) “Xmas wishes Your cousin P.S. Hench.”  While both of these cards contain signatures they are both “juvenile or under 18 years old” signatures.  Nonetheless–both unique and cool.

Two more postcards from Clara Hench (Philip’s mother)–one to Russell and the other to Mrs. Frank Showalter (Russell’s mother).  One is from the Ridgeview Park Hotel in Pittsburh from August 17, 1908 (or it could be 1903).  The other is from Highland Park in Pittsburgh dated Oct. 9, 1914.   She mentions Atcheson and Philip in her message.

My great Uncle John Whitby graduated from Penn State College in 1916.  I have a letter from Dr. Sparks announcing John’s impending graduation plus two unused grandstand tickets.

Another awesome find–last will and testament of James Showalter–Sept. 9, 1901.