It was postmarked 102 years ago, on April 29, 1922, in Montoursville.1 On the back, I can't make out as much of Robert's cursive writing as I'd like. I feel like that skill of mine of flagging a bit. But tidbits include "Are here for the day," "dandy," "town" and "will write tomorrow."
The riverside (creekside?) building featured prominently in this postcard has an advertisement for Geo. B. Leiter's books and paper store on Pine Street. There's a Pine Street in Montoursville, but I'm assuming Leiter's store was on the Pine Street in nearby Williamsport. Here's some information about Leiter from 1892's History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, by John F. Meginness:
"GEORGE B. LEITER, dealer in books, stationery, and wall paper, was born in Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1863, son of Jeremiah B. and Harriet S. (Wilson) Leiter. His parents were also natives of Franklin County, and removed to Williamsport in 1871, where they are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran church. They have had born to them the following children: George B.; Silas C., who was born December 18, 1865, and is a dealer in stationery, etc., at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; James W., deceased; Ida May; Seth T.; Grace V.; Betha A., and Vernie G. Our subject was reared in Williamsport, received his education in the public schools and the Williamsport Commercial College, after which he spent several years in Philadelphia. Returning to Williamsport in 1884 he entered into partnership with George A. Cohick and Fred R. Miller in the book, stationery, and bookbinding business. He retired from this connection in the following year, purchased his present business from L.S. Tilton, and has since enjoyed an excellent trade. He is the patentee and manufacturer of the game called 'Ring-a-peg,' and was treasurer of the Williamsport Passenger Railway Company for a number of years. He was married, November 24, 1885, to Miss L. Myrtle McNarney, daughter of Thomas McNarney, of Lock Haven, and has one child, Elsie Reba. He is a member of Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F., and West Branch Encampment, No. 136; is Republican in his political proclivities, and with his wife belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is librarian of he Sunday school."
Leiter lived from 1862 to 1939 and is buried in Williamsport. I'm going to do a followup post before the end of the year on Ring-a-peg, as it's too interesting of a tangent to fold into this post. Stay tuned!
Related Montoursville posts
- 1913 postcard: A melon field in Montoursville (plus ginseng farming)
- Snapshot & memories: Relocated fire engine in Montoursville
- Compassion and good will trump all else in Montoursville
- And 2018's entire series I wrote about my memories of growing up there
Footnote
1. On April 29, 1922, the Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Brooklyn Robins, 3-2. (They were the Robins and a bunch of other names before finally settling on Dodgers.) Catcher Butch Henline (1894-1957) had two hits, including a home run, for the Phillies. Dutch Ruether (1893-1970) got the complete-game win for the Dodgers. One of Ruether's claims to fame is that his roommate on the 1927 Yankees was Babe Ruth.
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