The passport photograph for Fred P. Margerum, included in his April 5, 1921 application for a U. S. Passport. The two pages of the passport application along with a third page with proof of Margerum’s appointment as a relief worker for Near East Relief, are included at the end of this blog post.
The purpose of the post today is to present news articles from Lykens Valley area and other newspapers that reported Margerum’s appointment as an administrator for Near East Relief.
From the Lykens Standard, April 15, 1921:
WILL GO TO ARMENIA
Monday evening of last week Fred P. Margerum, a prominent business man of Elizabethville, gave out the statement that he had accepted an executive position in the Near East Work, and on April 28 would start for Armenia to remain two years. Mr. Margerum’s many friends wish him abundant success in this work as a reward for the sacrifices this mission will demand.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, April 28, 1921:
Mr. and Mrs. Fred P. Margerum left for Trenton, New Jersey, last Friday and today Mr. Margerum will leave the port of New York on the America bound for Armenia. Next week when more details are available the Echo will publish a full account.
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From the Harrisburg Evening News, May 2, 1921:
Sails to Do Relief Work in Far East
Fred P. Margerum, secretary-treasurer and general sales manager of the Swab Wagon Company, of Elizabethville, sailed Saturday from New York, with a number of other business men of this country who will administer the distribution of the Near East Relief funds and food.
Margerum left his business affairs in the hands of a partner, and although his time of service is listed as four years, it is expected that conditions can be brought to the point in a year where a number of executives can be released to return home.
Charles V. Vickey, general secretary of the Near East Relief, announced Margerum’s appointment to a directorship shortly before sailing. He will serve in one of the Asia Minor districts where the suffering is reported as most acute.
Margerum is 41 years old and a business man of recognized ability. His service in the Liberty Loan campaign counted heavily in sending the Elizabethville district over the top in all five campaigns.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, May 5, 1921:
MR. MARGERUM SAILED FOR EUROPE
Mr. Fred P. Margerum, accompanied by Dr. Blythe of Cranford, New Jersey, left for New York, Saturday April 30th, on the Italian steamship America, bound for Constantinople, the journey requiring five or six weeks and the first stop en route being Naples.
A number of of our citizens were surprised when they first heard of Mr. Margerum’s intentions to go to the relief of the people of the Near East, but it is told that his interest in the Armenians dates back for a period of three years and as Superintendent of the Sunday School he was instrumental in raising a substantial sum for these persecuted people.
He has been a reader and close student of the Near East Relief conditions since then and the more he read the greater became his wonder why the Christian nations of the world did not put a stop to the awful deeds of the Turks in their ceaseless murder of the oldest of the Christian people.
Filled with a spirit of duty he offered his services to the Near East Relief organization, two years ago, but did not receive a call. Later he repeated his offer and was accepted.
Altho Mr. Margerum has not signed on for any definite period of time it is understood that he will remain in the service at least one year. Any longer period will be optional with him.
He will not receive his definite location until he reaches Constantinople, but he will no doubt look after the distribution of food, clothing and other necessities in one of the five districts into which Armenia, for the purposes of relief, has been divided. The names of these centers are: Samsown, Trebizond, Swas, Caesare, and Tiflis.
After Mr. Margerum reaches his location and has had time to become acquainted withe the Armenian life and conditions, the Echo will receive accurate and reliable information. Before his return home, Mr. Margerum will visit the Holy Land.
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From the Bristol Daily Courier, Bristol, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1921:
MORRISVILLE MAN GOES TO NEAR EAST
Fred P. Margerum Sails to Aid War’s Unfortunate People
PROVIDES FOR FAMILY
Fred P. Margerum, formerly of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, where he was born but lately a well-to-do manufacturer of Elizabethville, sailed on Saturday on the Italian liner, America, for the Levant as a member of the Near East Relief. Before sailing he said:
“I have made enough money and have provided my family with sufficient of this world’s goods to maintain them comfortably. Now I am going to try and do something for the unfortunate people of the Near East.”
This is the reason Fred P. Margerum, a well-to-do manufacturer of Elizabethville gave for sailing today on the Italian liner America for the Levant as a member of the Near East Relief.
Margerum was secretary, treasurer and sales manager of the Swab Wagon Company in his home town and had built a comfortable fortune. When he heard of the plight in which war, starvation and massacre had left the Armenian and other Christian children of the Near East he decided to help them.
Charles V. Vickey, general secretary of the Near East Relief, announced on Saturday that Margerum has been selected as director for one of the areas in interior Asia Minor, where, according to recent reports, there is still much suffering both among the children and the adult population.
Margerum, while in Morrisville, studied medicine for one year, giving it up however, to enter business. His wife and four children, the youngest only a year old, will remain in Elizabethville during his absence.
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Passport Application – Page 1:
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Passport Application – Page 2:
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Passport Application – Page 3:
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
Passport application from Ancestry.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.