A photograph taken around 1976 of the Blanning Hardware Store, Williamstown, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania.
The following biographical sketch appeared in a 1976 Williamstown history:
Roy “Scratch” Blanning was born in Lykens, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1923. He was the son of William Blanning Sr. and Daisey [Ramsey] Blanning. Scratch graduated from Lykens High School in 1941. He graduated from Temple University in 1950. He also went to Service School and Radio School in Philadelphia, Air Borne Radio and Telephone in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He worked for AMP Inc., as assistant traffic manager. He went into business in 1952 when his father retired.
“Scratch” is a member of many organizations. He belongs to Liberty Hose Company No. 1 and was also a past president of the Rotary Club, President of Chambers of Commerce and he played in the Military Band.
Scratch got his nickname from Nicholas Fedetz, the son of a Russian priest. The two boys were friends and the mother of Nicholas didn’t like he son being called “Scratch” and told him to call Roy “Scratch.” Nicholas left town and “Scratch” was the last “Scratch” around. Nicholas became a priest and we don’t believe his nickname is still “Scratch.”
“Scratch” Blanning was also a member of our school band for many years. His only brother William Herbert Blanning III lives at Washington, D. C.
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From: A Sesquicentennial History of Williamstown and Williams Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 1826-1926. For availability of this book and other materials on Williamstown history, contact the Williamstown Historical Society.
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