Collection consists of family records of Mary Leaman Schlemm. Includes Sunday school booklets, property deeds, military booklets, invitations, telegrams, flower pictures and photographs, baptismal and marriage certificates, telegrams, and a Stehli Silk Mill booklet.
Admin/Biographical History
Debra Smith, former Executive Director of the Lancaster County Historical Society, conducted an interview with Mrs. Schlemm and compiled this biographical information:
Mary Leaman Schlemm's father, Isaac D. Leaman, Sr., came from England. He had 11 children, five died at birth including two sets of twins. Her siblings who were still living at the time of the interview were Alverta Leaman Miller, Isaac Leaman, F. Pauline Leaman, and Lester Leaman.
Mary was born in 1900. Her brother, Lester, was born in 1895 and was a member of the 42nd Rainbow Lodge. She started working at the Conestoga Cotton Mill No. 1 at the age of 13. Her father let her quit school to begin working there, under the condition that she continue her education in the evenings at Wade's Business School. She was a good friend of Wade's daughter so she was able to go to school free of charge. Young workers at the Cotton Mill were required by Pennsylvania law to take a minimum of two hours of schooling until age 16. Mary took four every evening at Wade's school in order to get her high school diploma. She met her husband, Raymond A. Schlemm, at the Cotton Mill. He later worked 33.5 years at the Stehli Silk Mill, and then at Dewalt.
Mary worked at the Cotton Mill five years and then married in 1918. She left when she became pregnant and went to work at Leinbach's Department Store after the birth of her son, James. One of the pictures in this collection is of the Leinbach employees at a company picnic at Accomac Park in 1921. Mr. Leinbach is in the center of the picture with his girlfriend at his right shoulder. His wife is down the line above the "D" in Darmstaetter, the girl wearing white nylons.
Mary's son, James, served during World War II. The orientation lecture and WW II photo are his. Several pictures are of conventions of the Golden Eagle Lodge, an auxiliary which met across from the Moose Lodge on E. King Street. The family was a member of First Reformed Church in Lancaster and the Sunday School papers in this collection were her children's.
Crowd gathered on rear lawn of Wheatland for a garden party on Wheatland Day. Two copies of photograph. Photograph taken for the Pennsylvania State Department of Commerce.
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives.
From front of photograph: "(NY1) WASHINGTON, Jan.24--LEADERS ALL--Three United States presidents stand solemnly on inauguration stand in front of Capitol last Tuesday during singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" in ceremony in which Dwight D. Eisenhower was made president. In foreground is Vice President Nixon. Immediately behind him is President Eisenhower. At left is ex-President Truman and at right is ex-Presidnet Hoover. In background behind Truman and Eisenhower are Maj. John Eisenhower, the president's son, and Forrest Harness, senate sergeant-at-arms. This picture was made by a free-lance photographer who chanced to get a seat in the presidential stand where there were no authorized camera positions. (APWirephoto)
Front facade of Wheatland. Note on back: "Dignity and grace are notable in the mansion Buchanan bought for $6250 in 1848 while Secretary of State in Polk's cabinet. With his niece Harriet Lane who was his White House hostess and companion to the end of his days, he entertained here frequently. Problems of state were dealt with during conferences in the spacious library. Buchanan died at Wheatland on June 1st, 1868 at the age of 77. Many original furnishings remain."
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives.
Front facade of Wheatland. Cropped with the following caption: "Wheatland, the gracious 19th century mansion of President James Buchanan, is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hoop-skirted guides and much of Buchanan's furniture, china, and silver greet today's visitor at the home, open daily April through November and during selected witner dates. wheatland in one of eight historic homes open to visitors in Lancaster County." Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Dutch Visitors Bureau.
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives.
