Eugene Thomas Giering I

Seriously ill for the last month, Eugene Thomas Giering, Editor of the Wilkes-Barre Record since 1905 and a member of the staff of this newspaper for 46 years, died at 9:30 last night on his 67th birthday anniversary. His death occurred at his home, 88 East North Street, and was the result of a prolonged illiness of complications.

Regarded as one of Pennsylvania's most learned and forceful editors, Mr. Giering was a brilliant scholar and student, an authority on several subjects, a man, who, despite his arduous newspaper duties, was not too busy to engage in numerous civic and welfare movements, and a foremost citizen of Wilkes-Barre. For years he had accepted many responsibilities as a citizen and took useful part in the life of Wyoming Valley.

Early in January of 1930, Mr. Giering was stricken at his editorial desk. He was forced to his bed and for four months he hovered between life and death.

In the summer of 1930 his condition improved so he was able to go to his summer home at Falls. He gradually regained his health and on September 9, 1930 hearts of thousands of Record readers were gladdened when Mr. Giering, through an editorial column, announced "I hope to be able to resume my editorial work before very long.

Mr. Giering returned to his desk on September 23, 1930 and received the well wishes of his many friends. His return was the occasion for the sending of bouquets and for the exchange of congratulations.

Since his return to work in 1930 until his recent serious illiness, Mr. Giering prepared the Record editorials and attended to his many civic connections. On frequent occasions in the last several years he wrote the dramatic and musical criticisms for the Record.

About one month ago, Mr. Giering was seriously stricken for the second time. He was forced into retirement and was compelled to forget about the work he so thoroughly enjoyed.

Several physicians were called in consultation, from time to time, including experts and diagnosticians and numerous electric theraapeutic treatments were given him. He responded following such treatments but several days ago hopes for his recovery were abandoned.

Mr. Giering was born in Emaus, near Allentown, Lehigh County, April 9, 1867, the son of James O. and Matilda Giering. He was a descendant of German, French and Quaker stock, his ancestors having come to America in 1746, the earliet of his forebears having emigrated from Germany. They were among the founders of the town of Emaus.

Receiving his early education in the public schools of Lehigh County, Mr. Giering, when a young boy, moved with his parents to Emlenton, Venango County, where he studied in a private school. In 1888 Mr. Giering entered the employ of Wilkes-Barre Record as a reporter and in 1889 he was advanced to City Editor. He remained as Cty Editor until 1905 when he was made Editor, which position he held until he died. he was a member of the board of directors of the Wilkes-Barre Record Company.

When he first came to Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Giering worked as a printer and compositor In Yordy's and other printing establishments. While in the mechanical department he decided to enter the news-writing profession.

Mr. Giering was a trustee and president of Luzerne County Schooll for Boys at Kis-Lyn; was vice-president and director of United Charities of Wilkes_Barre; vice-president of Community Welfare Council; director and chairman of the executive committee of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital; vice-president of interracial commitee, and a member of the advisory board of Wyoming Valley Women's Club.

Helping to assist in management Kis-Lyn School for Boys was one of Mr. Giering's pet hobbies. Method of housing the boys in individual cottages with a caretaker in charge of each cottage and responsible for the conduct of the boys was one of Mr. Giering's ideas.

He was alsays an advocate of proper feeding of the boys at the school, and often, in advancing reasons for his humanitarian stand that the boys be given food of most nurshing quality, he declared that "poor food makes bad boys." He was vitally interested in the welfare of the boys of the school, and in several instances, after boys were discharged from the institution he took them in hand and helpedshape their destinies. He was the last living member of the original board of Directors of the school.

Several years ago, Mr. Giering was appointed by Luzerne county court to fill a vacancy on the Wilkes-Barre city school board and in November 1929 was elected for a six year term. He had been active in the affairs of Wilkes-Barre -Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and served as president of that organization in 1925. In 1923 Mr. Giering was first vice-president of Chamber of Commerce.He was prominent of Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club and frequently at the weekly meetings, delivered eloquent talks on various subjects.

At the time of his death he was chairman of the finance committee of Wilkes-Barre School Board. In january of this year, when Attorney Paul Bedford was elected president , Mr. Giering was reelected vice-president of the community welfare federation.

In addition to his editorial dutieson the Record, Mr. Giering, for the last fifteen years, compiled the Record Almanac and Year Book, one of the most comprehensive and valuable annual publications in Pennsylvania.

Several yaers ago he collaborated with other editirs of Pennsylvania in writing and compiling the book of Biographies entitles "Eastern Pennsylvanians." Assisting Mr. Giering in compilation of this valuable book were Charles H. Eustes of Philadelphia, eidtor-in-chief, Philadelphia Inquirer; E. J. Stackpole of Harrisburg President and editor-in-chief of Harrisburg Telegraph; L. B. Tyler of Scranton; Col Clarence J. Smith of Allentown, vice-president and managing editor of Alolentown Morning Call, and A. E. McCullough of Lasncaster, managing editor of The Intelligencer-Journal of Lancaster.

Many learned lawyers and professional men often referred to Mr. Giering as a human encyclopedia. He was an inveterate reader of the finest literature; a great student of world politics and economics and had a mind that was brilliant and keen. His memory was beyond comprehension. In a flash he was able to answer questions on almost any subject including history dates or notables, geographical conditions or questions which required presentation of statistics. During his long period of illness, his children, nightly, in an effort to cheer him up, would ask Mr. Giering questions from a book purchased at newstands and covering all matter, but it was reported that it was a rare instance if Mr. Giering was unable to to give the correct answer.

He was active in settling the nine months' coal strike, when president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1925 and made a trip to Philadelphia to help bring the miners and operators together.

He was one of the few residents of Wilkes-Barre listed in Who's Who in America.

A bitter foe of corrupt politicians and grafters, Mr. Giering stood for rightousness and a square deal at all times. He was a great home lovig man and despite his arduous newspaper duties and his connection with numerous civic and welfare activities trhe welfare of his family was always his first consideration.

On Dec 15, 1898, Mr. Giering was married to Miss Agnes Fleming of Pittston. He leaves his widow, together with the following children, Herbert James, an insurance adjuster; Eugene Thomas Giering, Jr., advertising manager for Bergman's; Frances Clair, wife of Dr. Emmett Burke of Scranton, and Dr. John Giering of this city.

He also leaves one sister, Clara Snyder decauur, Ill, who had been at Mr. Giering's bedside for some time.

The return of Mr. Giering to his editorial desk in September 1930 was responsible for editorial comment in the local and Scranton newspaper and brought letters of congratulations from many persons.

Mourns passing of
2 Kis-Lyn Directors

Charles F. Johnson, supertendent of Luzerne County Industrial School for Boys at KIS-LYN, expressed his grief in the loss of two members of the board of managers within 24 hours, the other being James B. Harris. He Said:

"In the death of Eugene T. Giering I have lost a most intimate and loyal friend. As a member of the KIS-LYN Board of Managers from the inception of the institution he was always faithful t every duty and steadfast in helping to guide the affairs of this school in the right channels. His wise council and seasoned judgement will be sorely missed by the remaining members of the board and by the employees at KIS-LYN.

"He was the last of the original board of managers appointed in 1911 and was keenly interested in every activity of the school during all those years."

Frank E. Parkhurst , president of the board of directors, General Hospital: "I have lost a mighty good friend, one whose advise, help and cooperationwas always most wonderful. His activities in all of the various organizations, including the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital will always be remembered, and his death is to be sincerely regretted.