Spring Training in the Pennsylvania Legislature

469 Forum Building The Pennsylvania House of Ar chi v es Harrisburg, PA 17120 Representatives

Representing the past SPRSummerING 2014 2013 SpringAr Training chi in the v Pennsylvania es Legislature Since the early days of the 20th century all-stars, and some lpo.0214 Commonwealth’s legislature, more recent Members as well. Pennsylvania’s Representatives For many of these sportsman- have come from a wide variety legislators, details about their Baseball (Continued from Page 1) of occupational, educational, athletic careers are hard to come and political backgrounds. Many by; we’ve compiled as much as (1926-1928), Harrisburg Giants (1928-1929), Members had other careers in we can below. and the California Giants (1930). He was active addition to their legislative service; in party committees and regional associations Ralph Tennyson Jefferson the individuals featured here had before serving in the House. represented the 21st District impressive careers in organized of Philadelphia County from Kenneth Gramley Haines studied baseball. Celebrate this year’s 1941-1942. Born in Texas and economics and sociology at Penn State in the Indianapolis ABCs, 1921 (Photo season with a look at some early educated at Atlanta University, 1920s, going on to coach baseball and football courtesy of the Negro Leagues Baseball in a few Pennsylvania high schools. From Museum) – R.T. Jefferson, who played for the ABCs in 1921, is pictured here in the 1928-1931, Haines played baseball in the New Frank E. Hoffman (Allegheny, Elmer John Kilroy (Philadelphia, first row, far left. York-Pennsylvania League before becoming 1929-1934) – unknown teams 1935-1942) – unknown teams superintendent of schools in Centre County and Jefferson was an avid sportsperson, Kenneth Gramley Haines (Centre, Gaynor Cawley (Lackawanna, serving as Director of Farmers National Bank 1939-1942) – Scranton Miners, 1981-2006) – Thomasville Tigers, active in football, baseball, track, and Trust Company in Millheim, PA. Elmira Colonels, Williamsport Modesto Colts, Moultrie Colt .22s boxing, and wrestling. After graduating from college, he became Russell P. Letterman played baseball for Grays Russell P. Letterman (Centre, the St. Louis Browns in Pittsburg, KS. Letterman Jacob A. Elpern (Westmoreland, Clearfield, Clinton & Lycoming, a journalist, going on to work as also worked as a barber 1937-1938) – unknown teams 1971-1990) – Pittsburg Browns a salesman and a cabinetmaker. Throughout the 1920s he worked before beginning his Ralph Tennyson Jefferson (Kansas) as a manager for several baseball political service in the (Philadelphia, 1941-1942) – Note: This list may not be teams in the Negro League, including legislature. (Above) This playful House Resolution from May 5, 1937, was issued as Indianapolis ABCs, Brooklyn Royal exhaustive. If we missed anyone, a challenge for House members with baseball experience to show off their Giants, Atlantic City Bacharach the Brooklyn Cubans (1924), Texas Gaynor Cawley please don’t hesitate to share with skill in a friendly game between legislators. Giants, Washington Potomacs, Eagles (1925), Philadelphia Giants attended the University of us! Cuban Stars East Scranton and worked as a (Continued on Page 4) department store manager (Left) Rep. Gaynor before picking up a career Cawley is pictured here in baseball, pitching with in Thomasville Tigers farm teams for the Detroit uniform. Cawley played Retiring and former Members of the PA House –We’d love to interview you! Tigers. He later held baseball in the 1960s. If you’d be interested in completing an oral history with us, please feel free to call or careers in public works email us with questions or to schedule an interview! and business before serving in the legislature. Special thanks to the Archives of the PO Box 202220, 469 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2220, 4 Thomas County (GA) Historical Society 717-783-3866, [email protected], www.house.state.pa.us/bmc/archives But it was not until the Pennsylvania gains its first state park: Valley Forge House approved the acquisition Did you ‘vested in the State of Pennsylvania, to be laid out, of land at Valley Forge on May 30, 1893, that it would become know? preserved, and maintained forever’ the Commonwealth’s first state park. The legislature held the Valley Forge National Historic Washington was encamped in winter and in 1877 the Valley Forge Commonwealth responsible for Park is today a popular historical quarters at Valley Forge...including Centennial Association was formed this remnant of national history for On May 26, 1764, attraction, seeing approximately Forts Washington and Huntingdon by prominent local businessmen over 80 years. In 1976, the state’s Benjamin Franklin was 1.2 million visitors annually. and the entrenchments adjacent and officials to commemorate the holdings at Valley Forge were given Schoolchildren across the United thereto.” Ten commissioners for historical, political, and military A souvenir badge from the “unanimously chosen as a gift from the Commonwealth park, circa 1965. States are regaled with tales of the the park were accounted for in the significance of the land surrounding to the United States as part of the Speaker and storied past of the ground where legislation, to be appointed by the the Revolutionary War encampment bicentennial celebrations that year. accordingly Washington walked and patriotism Governor for a 5-year term. site. Interest peaked in this period Since then, Valley Forge National More information can be was born. The winter that the largely as a result of the nation’s placed in Local officials and history Historic Park has been managed by found at www.nps.gov/vafo/. Continental Army spent at Valley enthusiasts had recognized the value centennial commemoration of the National Park Service. the Chair,” Forge was notoriously difficult, with the war for independence, and of the land at Valley Forge as a according to harsh weather and scarce provisions. memorial for those who served the the associated surge in popularity This excerpt from The George revolutionary cause. One of the most of President Washington as the Legislative a figurehead of the “patriot Individuals who Washington papers at the Library well-known supporters of preserving donated to the Valley Journal of that generation.” of Congress (below) discusses the grounds at Valley Forge was Forge Memorial day. He would efforts to keep track of the army’s Dr. Isaac Anderson Pennypacker, Association in the late meager supplies. But it took over eminent physician and educator in 1870s would have serve one term 100 years after the 1777 encampment southeastern Pennsylvania, who received a certificate of donation like this as the 23rd Speaker of the that made it famous before it began advocating for the formation one in recognition of Provincial Assembly. In was officially preserved. In 1893, of a park there in 1842. their contribution to former Speaker of the Pennsylvania Dr. Pennypacker solicited backup preserving the land at total he spent 14 years as a House of Representatives Henry K. from recognizable 19th century Valley Forge. member of the House and Boyer put forward House Bill 727, figures William H. Seward, 15 years as its Chief Clerk. “providing for the acquisition by Daniel Webster, and Henry Clay. Washington’s Headquarters at Valley the State of certain ground at Valley Pennypacker did not live to see his Forge are pictured here during the state’s Forge for a public park, and making ambitions become a reality, but his management of the national landmark. an appropriation therefore,” which son later acted as one of the first was passed successfully and became commissioners for Valley Forge State The Centennial Association, Act 130 of 1893. The act covered the Park. however, was unsuccessful in Recent Acquisitions for the House Archives Library grounds, “on which the Continental After Dr. Pennypacker’s death, its petition to the Pennsylvania Army under which General George interest in the project continued, House of Representatives for an If I’m Still Around, I Can’t Be Dead by Harris Ominsky (2000) (Biography of Joseph Ominsky, Philadelphia, appropriation to create a park 1935-1940) at Valley Forge in 1878. Private

fundraising efforts continued, and Memorial Services…of Herman P. Eberharter (1959) (Allegheny, 1935-1936) did facilitate some caretaking of the Autobiography of Philip H. Dewey (1933) (Tioga, 1921-1922) grounds. Valley Forge had its fair “Read this and Sing!: For voice students, chorus and choir singers” (1945) (Clyde R. Dengler, Delaware, 1957- share of distinguished patrons, such 1966) as wealthy Pennsylvania native Mary E. Thropp Cone, founder of the Report of the Committee Appointed to Investigate the Railroad Riots in July 1877 Valley Forge Memorial Association. Personal Papers of Martha G. Thomas, 1923-1926 (Chester, 1923-1926), Barbara McIlvane Smith, 2006-2010 Head Quarters, Valley-Forge, December 24, 1777. Parole --. Philadelphia businessman (Chester, 2007-2010), and Jeff Coleman, 2001-2004 (Armstrong, 2001-2004) Countersigns -- Every regiment is to draw provisions, to complete their rations, Francis M. Brooke, descendant of for to morrow; and the whole army being supplied up to that time, the Issuing Revolutionary War veteran General Commissaries are then to make return, to the Commissary General of Issues, of all the provisions they have on hand. Original held at the Library of Congress, Anthony Wayne, also petitioned the Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania Legislature to establish Do you know of any intriguing House stories that haven’t been featured yet? a state park there in 1892. Please share! 2 3 But it was not until the Pennsylvania gains its first state park: Valley Forge House approved the acquisition Did you ‘vested in the State of Pennsylvania, to be laid out, of land at Valley Forge on May 30, 1893, that it would become know? preserved, and maintained forever’ the Commonwealth’s first state park. The legislature held the Valley Forge National Historic Washington was encamped in winter and in 1877 the Valley Forge Commonwealth responsible for Park is today a popular historical quarters at Valley Forge...including Centennial Association was formed this remnant of national history for On May 26, 1764, attraction, seeing approximately Forts Washington and Huntingdon by prominent local businessmen over 80 years. In 1976, the state’s Benjamin Franklin was 1.2 million visitors annually. and the entrenchments adjacent and officials to commemorate the holdings at Valley Forge were given Schoolchildren across the United thereto.” Ten commissioners for historical, political, and military A souvenir badge from the “unanimously chosen as a gift from the Commonwealth park, circa 1965. States are regaled with tales of the the park were accounted for in the significance of the land surrounding to the United States as part of the Speaker and storied past of the ground where legislation, to be appointed by the the Revolutionary War encampment bicentennial celebrations that year. accordingly Washington walked and patriotism Governor for a 5-year term. site. Interest peaked in this period Since then, Valley Forge National More information can be was born. The winter that the largely as a result of the nation’s placed in Local officials and history Historic Park has been managed by found at www.nps.gov/vafo/. Continental Army spent at Valley enthusiasts had recognized the value centennial commemoration of the National Park Service. the Chair,” Forge was notoriously difficult, with the war for independence, and of the land at Valley Forge as a according to harsh weather and scarce provisions. memorial for those who served the the associated surge in popularity This excerpt from The George revolutionary cause. One of the most of President Washington as the Legislative a figurehead of the “patriot Individuals who Washington papers at the Library well-known supporters of preserving donated to the Valley Journal of that generation.” of Congress (below) discusses the grounds at Valley Forge was Forge Memorial day. He would efforts to keep track of the army’s Dr. Isaac Anderson Pennypacker, Association in the late meager supplies. But it took over eminent physician and educator in 1870s would have serve one term 100 years after the 1777 encampment southeastern Pennsylvania, who received a certificate of donation like this as the 23rd Speaker of the that made it famous before it began advocating for the formation one in recognition of Provincial Assembly. In was officially preserved. In 1893, of a park there in 1842. their contribution to former Speaker of the Pennsylvania Dr. Pennypacker solicited backup preserving the land at total he spent 14 years as a House of Representatives Henry K. from recognizable 19th century Valley Forge. member of the House and Boyer put forward House Bill 727, figures William H. Seward, 15 years as its Chief Clerk. “providing for the acquisition by Daniel Webster, and Henry Clay. Washington’s Headquarters at Valley the State of certain ground at Valley Pennypacker did not live to see his Forge are pictured here during the state’s Forge for a public park, and making ambitions become a reality, but his management of the national landmark. an appropriation therefore,” which son later acted as one of the first was passed successfully and became commissioners for Valley Forge State The Centennial Association, Act 130 of 1893. The act covered the Park. however, was unsuccessful in Recent Acquisitions for the House Archives Library grounds, “on which the Continental After Dr. Pennypacker’s death, its petition to the Pennsylvania Army under which General George interest in the project continued, House of Representatives for an If I’m Still Around, I Can’t Be Dead by Harris Ominsky (2000) (Biography of Joseph Ominsky, Philadelphia, appropriation to create a park 1935-1940) at Valley Forge in 1878. Private