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Collection
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Title
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Object ID
MG0019
Date Range
1850-1993
) Letters (LHo-LOC sh 85076240) Search Terms: Aeronautics Air mail service Airships Aviation Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Correspondence Finding aids Hindenburg (Airship) Hot air balloons Letters Manuscript groups Newspaper clippings Obituaries Reconnaissance aircraft �230 North President Avenue
  1 document  
Collection
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Title
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Description
The John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection contains material about John Wise, a pioneering balloonist from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the history of ballooning. Articles written by and about John Wise provide information about the man and his career. The bulk of Series 1 is correspondence, research notes, and drafts of "The John Wise Story," by John H. Andrews. Series 2 contains material about the ballooning hobby, other early aircraft, and the history of air mail.
Admin/Biographical History
As an adventurous and inquisitive young boy, John Wise was drawn to the skies above his native Lancaster County. He was fascinated by aerial pursuits and began to conduct experiments. He tied his cat to his homemade parachute and observed the cat's safe descent from a local church steeple.
A keen interest in ballooning developed and Wise became a famous aeronaut. Although balloon ascensions were common at county fairs and carnivals he had never observed an ascension before he made his first one in Philadelphia in 1835. John Wise completed 462 balloon ascensions including Lancaster ascensions from Penn Square and the prison yard.
In the nineteenth century many ascensions were made just for the novelty of the event, but John Wise's approach was from a scientific perspective. Each ascension gave him a chance to conduct scientific investigations of the atmosphere, pneumatics and hydrostatics.
It also gave him the opportunity to develop a more advanced flying machine. Wise was the first to observe the "great river of air which always blows from west to east" in the higher regions of the atmosphere. Today we call this phenomenon the jet stream. He also developed the ripcord safety mechanism.
John Wise promoted the advantages of balloon transportation. In 1843 he conceived a project for crossing the Atlantic Ocean and asked Congress to appropriate $15,000 for the project. Congress rejected the appropriation. Wise suggested a plan to bomb the Castle at Vera Cruz during the Mexican War and during the Civil War the Bureau of Topographical Engineers requested his services as a balloonist. He is credited with the first airmail transportation in 1859.
Detailed descriptions of his ascensions and experiments are found in his book, Through the Air, published in 1873. The last ascent of John Wise took place on September 29, 1879 from St. Louis, Missouri. This flight ended disastrously in Lake Michigan where his balloon fell and his remains lie.
Prepared by the Lancaster County Historical Society, ca. 1995.
System of Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1 John Wise
Series 2 History of Ballooning
Date Range
1850-1993
Creation Date
1850-1993
Year Range From
1850
Year Range To
1993
Date of Accumulation
1850-1993
Creator
Andrews, John H.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
People
Albertson, Catherine
Andrews, John Henry
Atkinson, S. C.
Bache, Hartman
Ball, Charles I.
Bartlett, Mrs. R. A.
Batchelder, Robert C.
Beckwith, A.
Beller, William
Black, J. W.
Blanchard, Jean Pierre
Blitzstein, Madelin
Bradbury, Ray
Brown, Elizabeth B.
Bruce, George
Burlingame, Roger
Burr, George
Byars, W. W.
Casey, Louis
Cessna, Clyde
Coffman, Ramon
Cornish, Joseph Jenkins, III
Cox, Palmer
Douty, Esther
Douty, Esther M.
Drepperd, Carl W.
Edwards, Vincent
Elvin, Thomas
Evans, William
Field, Francis J.
Fischer, Hans
Fleck, Glen
French, Melvin
Galzer, Emmett J.
Gambetta, Francis Leon
Greeley, A. W.
Grimm, Janet
Gryzewski, Tad
Halmi, Robert
Harrell, D. Tudor
Hautrive, M.
Hayden, F. Stansbury
Hopkins, Philip S.
Hunt, E. F.
Ingle, Harold E.
Kehr, Ernest A.
Keith, Barbara
Kessler, F. W.
Klein, Frederic S.
Kouwenhoven, John A.
Kreider, Ira
Kriebel, Robert C.
Kriebel, Robert G.
Lamorisse, Albert
LaPaz, Lincoln
Lindbergh, Charles
Lindquist, H. L.
Long, Elmer R.
Lundgren, Laura May Gross
Madsen, Peter
Maier, Alfred D.
Maxwell, George T.
McCloskey, Lores
McDevitt, William
Mills, James
Myers, Wilfred
Naves, Glen W.
Nicklin, John
Pasquarella, Gus
Peers, W.
Prevost, John W.
Roland, John
Rosenfeld, Albert
Sanabria, Nicolas
Schatvet, H. C.
Serviss, Garrett P.
Smith, Philip R., Jr.
Stehling, Kurt R
Steinmetz, Rollin
Stilphen, George F.
Taylor, Florence
Thompson, Howard
Topping, A.D.
Waitt, Robert
Warner, B. H.
Watson, Marion A.
Wetherill, Richard B.
Whipple, A. W.
Wilbur, W. H.
Wise, John
Wiseman, Frederick J.
Wolcott, Charles
Wolf, Constance
Woodruff, J. C.
Wright, Wilbur
Young, Pearl
Other Creators
Lancaster County Historical Society (Pa.)
Subjects
Hot air balloons
Hot air balloons--Launching
Airships
Aeronautics
Letters
Air mail service
Hindenburg (Airship)
Reconnaissance aircraft
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Search Terms
Aeronautics
Air mail service
Airships
Aviation
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Finding aids
Hindenburg (Airship)
Hot air balloons
Letters
Manuscript groups
Newspaper clippings
Obituaries
Reconnaissance aircraft
Extent
3 boxes, 40 folders, 1 scrapbook, 1 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0019
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
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-19
Classification
MG0019
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
This collection was cataloged prior to 1997; added to database on 28 February 2018.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Mayor James H. Ross Collection
Title
Mayor James H. Ross Collection
Object ID
MG0058
Date Range
1933-1937
  1 document  
Collection
Mayor James H. Ross Collection
Title
Mayor James H. Ross Collection
Description
The Mayor James H. Ross Collection documents Ross's political career from 1933-1937. James Ross, a businessman and civic leader, served as mayor of Lancaster from 1934-1938. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and a scrapbook. The letters are related to his mayoral election and responsibilities, the James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store, and personal matters. The scrapbook, compiled by his wife, contains information about his political career, the department store, and other local merchants, and provides a good background on the housing issues that threatened Lancaster City. The collection gives a fragmented picture of life in Lancaster in the 1930s, including commercial transactions, the Depression, religious charitable organizations, politics, and the Democratic Party.
Admin/Biographical History
James H. Ross was born in Green County, Ohio. When he was six, Ross's family moved to Monroe County, West Virginia where he attended school until he was seventeen. His family moved back to Ohio where he finished his schooling at Bowersville High School. After graduating, Ross moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and began working for M. T. Garvin & Co. Ross left M. T. Garvin & Co. in 1928 and established his own store, James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store, in December of that same year. James H. Ross was elected Mayor of Lancaster as a Democrat in 1934.
Date Range
1933-1937
Year Range From
1933
Year Range To
1937
Date of Accumulation
1933-1937
Creator
Ross, James Hubert, 1875-1962
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
People
Ross, James Hubert
Ross, Ethel E. Dietrich
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Other Creators
Ross, Ethel E. Dietrich, 1892-1977
Subjects
Business records
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Lancaster (Pa.)--Politics and government
Letters
Local elections
Local taxation
Mayors--Pennsylvania--Lancaster County
Photographs
Scrapbooks
Speeches, addresses, etc.
Search Terms
Business records
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Elections
James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store
Letters
Milton J. Brecht Elementary School
Mayors
Newspaper clippings
Politics
Schools
Scrapbooks
Speeches
Taxes
Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster
Wheatland
Young Men's Democratic Club
Manuscript groups
Finding aids
Extent
2 boxes, 10 folders, 1 scrapbook, 1 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0058
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please make an appointment with the Research Center staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org to view the scrapbook.
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-58
Classification
MG0058
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Scrapbook, Career of James Ross, Former Merchant and Mayor, was previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 121. Scrapbook, Career of James Ross, Former Merchant and Mayor, was cataloged and preserved with funding from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
William J. Buch Papers
Title
William J. Buch Papers
Object ID
MG0658
Date Range
1917-1958
  1 document     5 images  
Collection
William J. Buch Papers
Title
William J. Buch Papers
Description
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.
Date Range
1917-1958
Year Range From
1917
Year Range To
1958
Date of Accumulation
1917-1958
Creator
Buch, Stanley Jay, 1924-2016
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 13
People
Bowman, Lester
Brodbeck, Andrew R.
Buch, Stanley Jay
Buch, William Joseph "Joe"
Cantor, Eddie
Gott, Peter
Graves, David Bibb
Hauck, Johnny
Nutt, Carl
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Smythe, J. Henry, Jr.
Wise, Robert P.
Other Creators
Buch, William Joseph, 1893-1962
Subjects
Boxers (Sports)
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Democratic Party (U.S.)
Drugstores
Letters
Lookalikes
Pharmacists
Scrapbooks
Veterans
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Search Terms
Boxers (Sports)
Buch's Drug Store
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Democratic Party
Drugstores
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
Newspaper clippings
Pharmacies
Pharmacists
Photographs
Veterans
World War I
World War II
WWI
WWII
Extent
2 boxes, 18 folders, 1 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0658
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images 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.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-658
Other Number
MG-658
Classification
MG0658
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by KB, July 2014. Photographs transferred to the Photograph Collection, 6 October 2017.
Added to database 24 May 2021.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Geist Family Papers
Title
Geist Family Papers
Object ID
MG0294
Date Range
1865-1961
Avenue • Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633 • www.LancasterHistory.org Search Terms: A. Geist and Son Adams County, Pennsylvania Albert Pick Company Births Bismarck, North Dakota Blue Ball Bank Blue Ball, East Earl Twp. Calling cards Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Coatesville, Chester
  1 document  
Collection
Geist Family Papers
Title
Geist Family Papers
Description
The Geist Family Papers include correspondence, tax records, legal documents, and other items related to the Geist family. Some correspondence is personal, while other letters relate to legal proceedings concerning estates and inheritances. A number of wills and associated materials, generally related to adjudications involving family members. Numerous local tax notices and federal income tax returns largely pertain to Daniel W. and Bertha W. Geist. Other materials include notebooks and receipts from Daniel W. Geist's time at Millersville State Normal School, visiting cards, and newspaper clippings.
Date Range
1865-1961
Year Range From
1865
Year Range To
1961
Date of Accumulation
1865-1961
Creator
Geist family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 08
People
Alexander, James K.
Anderson, Howard
Bachman, Julie C.
Bard, Bertha
Brown, George
Bulleit, Edward Banister
Dague, Isaac W.
Dague, Lily C. Geist
Diller, Luther R.
Eshleman, John H.
Fox, Christian, Jr.
Geist, Adam
Geist, Agnes
Geist, Bertha Wanner
Geist, Daniel W.
Geist, Ettie G.
Geist, Everett S.
Geist, Harry Kohler
Geist, Lilly Kate
Groff, John M.
Heisher, Daniel
Hobson, Jesse
Hobson, Maria
Horst, Jacob G.
Kjorlien, Alvin C.
Leaman, William
Lyte, Eliphalet Oram
Martin, Luke W.
Milledge, Stanley
Miller, Helen Mildred Diller
Miller, Leon H. B.
Miller, Ruth
Ott, Janet F.
Overly, Herman Witmer
Overly, Richard Geist
Pond, B. C.
Pool, Virginia L.
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Rush, Charles William
Rush, Harriet Geist
Shaub, Sadie
Shirk, H. S.
Shirk, Henry
Shirk, Lawrence
Stoner, H. K.
Weaver, C. R.
Weaver, George A.
Werner, John Thomas
Witmer, Clara
Wolf, Lemon A.
Wolfe, Helen
Subjects
Decedents' estates
Estates (Law)
Letters
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Taxation
Search Terms
A. Geist and Son
Adams County, Pennsylvania
Albert Pick Company
Births
Bismarck, North Dakota
Blue Ball Bank
Blue Ball, East Earl Twp.
Calling cards
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Correspondence
Death
Decedents' estates
Earl Twp.
East Earl Twp.
Ephrata
Estate settlement
Farmers National Bank
Finding aids
Florida
Franklin Twp., Adams County, Pennsylvania
Funerals
Gap, Salisbury Twp.
Grand Forks Herald
Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota
Health
Hotel Gladstone
Hunters
Inheritance
Internal Revenue Service
Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota
Johnson City, Broome County, New York
K. Aslesen Company
Lancaster
Lancaster New Era
Leland-Parker Hotel
Letters
Manuscript groups
Masons
McClure House
Miami, Florida
Millersville
Millersville State Normal School
Millersville University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minot, Ward County, North Dakota
Mountville Farm Women's Society
New Berlin, Ephrata Twp.
New Holland
Newspaper clippings
Ocean City, Cape May County, New Jersey
Parades
Patterson Hotel
Pennsylvania State Normal School
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Postage stamps
Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Receipts
Republican Party
San Francisco, California
Schools
Stamps
Stevens, East Cocalico Twp.
Stocks
Tax returns
Taxation
Trusts and trustees
United Commercial Travelers of America
Vienna Bakery Company
Visiting cards
Washington, DC
West Cocalico School District
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wills
YMCA
Young Men's Christian Association
Extent
1 box, 12 folders, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0294
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Original documents may be used by researchers--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit or request at Reference Desk.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this collection must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Accession Number
2002.Hawbaker
Other Numbers
MG-294
Classification
MG0294
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Added to database 19 January 2022.
Documents
Less detail