The William J. Buch Papers contains photographs, scrapbook pages, and personal letters to and from William J. Buch, also known as Joe. Several letters and items pertain to his likeness to Franklin D. Roosevelt, including correspondence with the White House and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. Other items include documents and photographs of his service in World War I, Lancaster County boxers, and his son's World War II service.
Admin/Biographical History
William "Joe" Buch served in World War I. He founded Buch's Pharmacy at the corner of Charlotte and King Streets in Lancaster, Pa. and later ventured into the sporting goods business. Mr. Buch was known as a Franklin D. Roosevelt double and wrote often to offer support to the President. Mr. Buch was very active in the local and state Democratic Party. He posed as Roosevelt's twin at many political events. More information is available in Folder 17.
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
This collection has not been cataloged. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit. Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
The World War I Collection contains the contents of a scrapbook assembled by an unknown WWI veteran. Included are military draft cards, photographs of Ambulance Co. No. 111, 28th Division, photographs and programs for dedication of memorial monument to Ambulance Co. No. 111, postcards of France, newspaper clippings, and posters.
MG-28 The Society of the 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
MG-0028 The Society of the 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces
Additional Notes
The World War I Collection contains the contents of a scrapbook assembled by an unknown WWI veteran. Included are military draft cards, photographs of Ambulance Co. No. 111, 28th Division, photographs and programs for dedication of memorial monument to Ambulance Co. No. 111, postcards of France, newspaper clippings, and posters.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions are noted at the item level.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-45
Classification
MG0045
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Cataloged before 1997. Items have been added to the collection since 1997 and the finding aid has been revised accordingly. Added to database on 19 July 2017.
Tall case clock, Chippendale case with eight-day movement. Dial is painted white with rose spandrels, moon wheel, and is signed very faintly, "Peter Spycker/ Williamsburg." John Peter Spyck(h)er's clocks are rare.
Walnut case with poplar backboards is highly carved. Three flame finials rest on reeded plinths atop scroll pediment with dentils and 12-point rosettes. Tympanum is relief-carved with a central flower flanked by vining. Waist and base have vine-carved quarter columns with smooth lamb's tongues. Arched waist door accented by a deeply incised shell carving near top. Base has raised base panel with corner volutes and central shell. Ogee replacement feet.
Made by Peter Spycker (1756?-1830). Case attributed to Peter or John Rank or Daniel Arndt.
Jonestown (formerly Williamsburg), PA (almost certainly)
See Notes
Provenance
1783-1883 White Horse Tavern near Jonestown; 1883-1914 Bross family of Brosstown (near Rt 72 & 22); 1914-1963 Harry Lesher of Jonestown; 1963-1979 Donald L. Mohn, Jonestown; 1979-1981 William DuPont, Wilmington, DE; 1981 to donor. (Info from Donald L. Mohn)
Jonestown's White Horse Tavern was kept by John Rank (Peter Rank's brother) in the early years of the 19th c. (Clock is based on design sketch from Peter Rank's account book.)
Reported by Carter Harris: a #1 is scratched on front plate of movement and front of seatboard.
Inscription Type
Inscription
Object Name
Clock, Tall Case
Material
Wood, Glass, Brass
Height (cm)
256.54
Height (ft)
8.4166666667
Height (in)
101
Width (cm)
61.595
Width (ft)
2.0208333333
Width (in)
24.25
Depth (cm)
29.5275
Depth (ft)
0.96875
Depth (in)
11.625
Condition Notes
Flame finials replaced recently (copied from similar Heinselman clock at York Bank in York); ogee feet replace bracket feet which replaced earlier feet; door escutcheon replaced; severe crack in base with loss of wood; dentil molding on front replaced. Movement overhauled by Carter Harris, 1982.
Object ID
G.81.20
Notes
JJ Snyder research (in file) identifies maker as Peter Spycker, Jr., the clockmaker recorded on Tax Lists for Tulpehocken Twp, Berks Co., in 1789 as "Peter Spycker Junr. - Clock Maker". In June 1803, Spycker purchased property in Jonestown(Williamsburg) & he may have rented before this date. An 1829 deed mentions "Peter Spyker of Swatara Twp. in the Co. of Lebanon...Clock Maker..." Williamsburg (Jonestown), when founded about 1761 by William Jones, was part of Lancaster Co., then Dauphin Co. in 1785 and part of Lebanon Co. in 1816.
Snyder states "all major elements of the design of this case are virtually identical to a design sketch for a clock case in the account book of a Jonestown joiner, Peter Rank (1770-1851). This account book is in the Joseph Downs Manuscript and Microfilm Collection of the Winterthur Museum." Snyder also notes that the handwriting of this sketch's label is not Rank's. It is possible that these sketches may have been done by joiner Daniel Arndt, whose name also appears in the manuscript."
See "Jonestown School" in Cooper & Minardi, Paint, Pattern & People, pp. 89-91.
Snyder notes it is likely that this clock case illustrates the closest relationship to a design sketch known for any American Chippendale furniture.
The white dial precludes a date earlier than the 1780s.
Place of Origin
Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Very similar carving to a Heinselman tall case clock in York Bank & Trust Co., York, PA.
Usage
White Horse Tavern, Jonestown
Credit
Gift of Herbert B. Weaver in memory of father Isaac Hoover Weaver (1864-1920), Heritage Center Collection
Eight-day tall case clock w/ cherry case & walnut inlay. White-painted arched dial has Arabic numerals, sweep seconds and calendar hands, exceptionally well painted dial w/ fan-decorated spandrels & rare rope-like border on chapter ring. Signed "Martin Shreiner" over "No. 182". Clock expert Gary Sullivan says dial was made by Samuel Curtis & Knowles of Boston who later operated out of Philadelphia (see Notes).
Bonnet has four free-standing corner columns, broken arch pediment with inlaid fylfot rosettes at terminals and three urn finials (likely replacements) on tall plinths and a central keystone medallion at the tympanum.
Above rectangular thumbnail molded waist door with hollow top corners is an inlaid eagle within an inlaid walnut oval within multi-line inlay. Eagle has wax-infilled shield and banner in his beak that reads, "Bluribus Unum," (without the initial "E" and Pluribus misspelled). Large inlaid oval on door and brass steeple butt hinges on door. Quarter columns have reeded chamfers which extend only 3/4 of the way up, terminating in lambs tongues.
Facade of base is veneered with mitered corners surrounding a large inlaid square with fan corners. At bottom is horizontal double line of string inlay. There is a drop apron and four French feet. The weights, winding key and door lock & key are not original.
Notes: J.J. Snyder has studied eagle inlaid clock cases and notes in 12/5/96 letter to HC Director, "It is virtually certain that the workshop of Emanuel Deyer of Manheim was the source of many of these..." In 12/15/96 letter he notes that two eagle types were used - symmetrical & asymmetrical, as on this clock.
Stacy Wood's 1995 article on Martin Shreiner notes on p. 580 that a Shreiner clockworks numbered #180 is dated 1815. Thus, we can safely say that this clock - #182 - would be dated about the same year.
Lancaster Borough (clockworks) and probably Manheim (case)
Provenance
Donor is great, great, great-grandson of Shreiner. Clock descended through the Cochran family to him.
Case cracked in many places, e.g.across eagle & cove molding above base. Heavily refinished. Urn finials likely replaced. Infill at cracks and separated joints. Strip added to left side of door opening where door locks, and repair at upper left corner. Wood loss at left hollow corner of door; door lock replaced; one-inch-long gouge in veneer of base at left side of front. Chipped at corners and feet; dents on base front. Dial overpainted at many places.
Object ID
G.96.31.1
Notes
See commentary on clock by John J. Snyder, Jr. in his letter of 5 Dec 1996. He notes the clock has "mediocre surface and finish, many repairs and patches, and questionable urn finials."
In 2015, clock expert Gary Sullivan stated that Shreiner used dials made by Samuel Curtis of Boston (commonly have a paper label on reverse, reading "Curtis Manufactory for Patton & Jones, Phila.) Popularity of tall case clocks lasted longer in PA, so Curtis moved to Phila. Abraham Patton & Samuel C. Jones formed a partnership in 1797 called "Patton, Jones & Co." Changed to "Patton & Jones" in 1798. Parnership failed in 1814 when they could no longer get materials from England due to the War of 1812. Tell tale sign is the banner sign spanning the globes under the moon wheel.
Works made by Martin Shreiner, Sr. (1769-1829). Case attributed to Emanuel Deyer.
Credit
Gift of Paul A. Mueller, Jr., Heritage Center Collection
“An hour at Wheatland.” A 1929 transcription by U. Henry Heilman of a circa 1860 Lancaster newspaper account of a congratulatory visit to James Buchanan by Franklin & Marshall College students on November 26, 1856. 7 p.
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
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Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
JBMS1995.257
Other Number
JBFP Part 1, Series 6, Subseries 2, Folder 21
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Birth & baptismal certificate on laid paper. Printed form with central textblock in German within a multiple line border. Infilled and decorated around textblock by Speyer; cross-legged angel at top, pelicans feeding young at sides and flowers at sides and bottom. Watercolors are red, blue, yellow, green and brown.
Infilled for Johannes, son of Valiendein (Valentine) and Eliesabetha (Elisabetha) Bohmer of Brecknock Township in Lancaster Co., born Dec. 13, 1788.
Georg Friederich Speyer (active 1774-1801) used this printed form produced c. 1789 by Barton & Johnson of Reading. See Notes.
General wear with numerous creases and wrinkles; one pronounced vertical centerline crease. Repaired tears, esp at left edge. All edges are ragged and uneven, esp. at right.
Conserved by CCAHA in 1989 (see report in file). Hinged into window mat & back mat. Relaced in its original frame using UF-3 Plexiglas and acid-free cardboard on reverse with a taped mylar dust shield.
Object ID
G.77.50.1
Notes
Printed form by Reading printers Thomas Barton and Benjamin Johnson, circa 1789 (see Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth & Baptismal Certificates of the Pa. Germans, v. 4, p. 84). Speyer used this printed form for Johannes Bohmer who was born the previous year in1788.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Birth Record in German for Nancy Haberstich is hand executed on laid paper. The folksy design is a central heart with rope-like edging. Within is written Nancy Haberst / ich Ist Gebohren den 22 den / October 1799 Conostogo / Town Ship." Letter colors vary from black to red to yellow. Below text is a running stag and a nearby tree. Resting atop the heart is a large crown with red, yellow and green bands. Painted into the yellow band is "AM US 1812", perhaps indicating an artist w/ date of execution. Flanking crown are two angels with black wings, additional red wings on footheels and a snake-like object encircling their loins. Each angel extends a leafy branch toward the crown as in homage. Large red tulips with black leaves fill sides of fraktur, sheltering a pair of confronting birds standing at bottom.
Mounted in a modern brown natural wood frame with white window mat. Kraft paper dust paper on back has "#3" written in lower right corner. Inscribed at top left in pencil is "Anna ? " Inscribed in pencil on back is "#3".
Paper has light acid burn overall with several darker brown stains such as one above right tulip.overall yellowed from age and acid burn. Strong fold lines, especially the three vertical ones at center. Cellophane tape mends tears in fold lines at center and left. Fold lines are breaking and one is separated and curling. Several scattered brown stains. Paper losses, particularly at right top corner, some at top left corner and top center. Small holes at various points and tears extend into paper from edges. Bottom edge particularly damaged. Strong losses and breaks especially at bottom center and at left.
Object ID
2017.999.7
Notes
Appraisal conducted by Pastor Fred Weiser, Sept. 2, 1988.
Framed fraktur birth & baptismal certificate (taufschein/B&BC) for Elisabetha Elser, drawn, lettered and colored by hand on laid paper. Symmetrical, horizontal design is attributed to the "Ehre Vater" artist. Fraktur is mounted on thick paperboard with beveled edges, and is float-mounted on a buff-colored matboard within a modern black frame.
At center is a large circle painted red and green. Inside the circle, set onto yellow ground, is a heart with blue border and pinkish interior. Interior text states Elisabetha Elser was born in Warwick Twp, Lancaster Co. on 19th Nov 1803. Her parents were Peter Elser and wife Elisabetha, born a Wachter. Baptism was held by Pastor Schulz and the sponsors were Georg Wachter and his wife Margaretha (believed to be a sister of Peter Elser). Below circle are two lines of religious verse, translated by Weiser as "A heart that loves Jesus knows no worries -- much cross, need and pain are his days of joy."
At lower right and lower left are two large compass-drawn spheres colored with green, yellow, red, blue and pink. Out of each sphere is a flowering plant on which large parrot-like birds perch, similarly colored.
Attributed to the "Ehre Vater Artist" (active c. 1782-1828).
Some surface soil. Good color retention. Needs to be removed from backing board and conserved.
Object ID
2017.999.1
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. He attributes fraktur to the Ehre Vater artist, a prolific artist who travelled far and wide producing fraktur for many years. This fraktur likely related to Johannes Schnierer B&BC, 2004.718, due to Johannes Schnierer (b. 1786) later marrying an Elser (Catharine).
Papers for Birth Dayes notes on page 227 that this fraktur was exhibited as #38 in the , Allentown Art Museum show in Allentown, PA, "Pennsylvania Folk Art," October 20-Dec. 1, 1974.
The Elser, Weidman/Weydmann, and Wachter families were intermarried.
Nearly square printed fraktur mounted in a window mat and a modern flat black frame. This three-heart design made by Friedrich Krebs has his name "F. Krebs" printed at the bottom of the large central heart. Likely custom-printed in Reading at Adler's. Text within large heart is "Geburts- und TaufSchein." Standard main text has blanks infilled by Krebs. A daughter Elisabetha Miller was born 21 Feb 1809 in Cocalico Twp. to parents Peter Miller and wife Anna, born a M-caale(?). Daughter Elisabetha was baptised 14 May 1809 by Rev. Nuszky(?) and the sponsors were Peter Ellser and his wife Elisabetha. Smaller hearts below have religious verse.
Folksy decorations include coloring the heart border lines and adding many pasted-on cutouts, six of which are imprints of well dressed medieval people, two are pattern embossed paper urns/vases at bottom and two are small birds at top (right one missing). Extensive use of ink and watercolor to portray flowers, 4 suns/moons with faces and an unusual butterfly/moth drawing at top center. Borders of hearts are embellished with watercolors.
Printed in Reading, likely by Adler's Print Shop. Infilled and decorated in Cocalico Twp by Friederick Krebs (c. 1749 - c. 1815).
Fred Weiser, "The Mad, Lovable World of Friedrich Krebs," Der Reggeboge, 1988.Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 49-88.
Alfred Shoemaker, "Notes on Frederich Krebs, The Noted Fractur Artist," The Pennsylvania Dutchman, Nov. 1, 1951, Vol. 3, No. 11.
Klaus Stopp, The Printed B&BC of the German Americans, Vol. 1, 1997, pp. 77-78 and pp. 140-144.
Height (cm)
31.75
Height (ft)
1.0416666667
Height (in)
12.5
Width (cm)
39.37
Width (ft)
1.2916666667
Width (in)
15.5
Dimension Details
Measurements are estimated based on what is visible in window mat.
Dimensions of frame are H: 15.375" W: 20.25"
Condition
Fair to Poor
Condition Date
2017-06-20
Condition Notes
Overall age yellowing with slight foxing. Multiple fold lines and other wrinkles. Large areas in right and left corners have heavy losses (holes), folded over edges and mending with cellophane tape adhered to back and staining the paper. Many pasted-on paper cutouts are detaching with folded-over edges. At least one cutout of bird is missing at top and perhaps additional missing cutouts where holes exist at upper corners. Abrasions on lower left cutout as well as some painted motifs.
Object ID
2017.999.8
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser in Sept. 1888. It was numbered # . See another B&BC by Krebs, 2017.999.28.
Johann Jacob Friederich Krebs was probably born April 3, 1749 and probably died in July 1815, according to Russ & Corinne Earnest's Papers for Birthdayes, pp. 460-467, He was active circa 1784-1812 in most counties of southeast PA and even New Jersey. He is considered the most prolific of all fraktur artists. He lived between Hummelstown and Harrisburg, Dauphin Co. and was a Schoolmaster in Swatara Twp.
He went through phases of decoration such as pasted-on cutout paper, stamped-on birds, his own freehand sketches, etc. He purchased large sheets of colored Augsburg brocade paper having Baroque decoration with pictures of Saints, animals and flowers. He cut out these figures to paste on fraktur as well as cut out his own shapes.
He used Adler's printshop in Reading for most of his printed B&BCs, often supplying the paper himself. He preferred 3-heart prints having no decoration, since he provided his own decoration.
A Peter Miller was a West Cocalico Twp. Supervisor in 1850 (Ellis & Evans, p. 722). The 1860 Atlas shows two "Pr. Miller" properties in East Cocalico Twp. just south of Knops Ridge. The 1869 Co. Directory lists 14 Millers in E. Cocalico, including a Peter Sr., a Peter Jr. and a Peter K. Miller, all in Reamstown or Swartzville.
