Salvation Army

Major John Osborne.

Rumors that the Salvation Army of Sunbury would close its doors due to the lack of funds to carry on its work were emphatically denied today by Commandant John Osborne.

Shamokin Daily News (Shamokin, Pennsylvania), February 18, 1933

Today a man who was discharged from a Syracuse hospital cold, hungry, and clad in clothes for summer wear, six hundred miles from home with no friends found the Salvation Army a friend in need as always it has proven itself to be.

When an overcoat could not be found to fit him, Commandant John Osborne, the corps officer, promptly gave him one of his own and with a warm breakfast sent him on his way rejoicing. This is an example of a few of the things the local Salvation Army is doing behind the scenes. When you support the Salvation Army you are supporting a worthy cause, one of Sunbury's charity as well as religious organizations.

The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), February 10, 1934

It's tough sledding, insofar as birthdays are concerned, for those born on February 29.

A group in Sunbury born on this date had birthdays last year, which was leap year, but they lack calendar evidence in 1934 of their anniversaries. There are also several couples with wedding anniversaries on February 29 (a real break for the husband, who has only one fourth as many anniversaries to remember as the average man.)

Leap year or February 29 anniversaries which will bring a flood of congratulations and good wishes include:

Alexander M. Ray, 117 Church street, who is seventy two; Harry R. Wheeland, 205 South Fourth street, a P.R.R. employee; Melville Kaufman, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kaufman, 26 North Front street, a student at Cornell University who is 18; Mrs. James W. Leeser, 317 Race street; Walter T. Mapstone, 1018 Wolverton street; Mrs. Thomas Rinehart, Eighth and Line streets; Commandant John Osborne of the local Salvation Army barracks; Charles Michaels, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Michaels, 1150 Susquehanna avenue, who is ten; Glenn Riland, ten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Riland, 952 South Front street; C.M. Bower of Shamokin Dam, former tax collector of Monroe township; John D. Kehres of Rebuck, who is six yeas of age; Mrs. James Umholtz, New Berlin; Harvey S. Burgess, 56 North Sixth street; J. Wilson Zerbe, Dalmatia and Mrs. and Mrs. William L. Stroh, 311 South River avenue, who were married on February 29 forty six years ago.

The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), February 28, 1934

Miss Elizabeth Titman, cadet of the local detail of the Salvation Army, was one of twelve cadets of the Scranton division who leave for the Salvation Army Training School at the Bronx, New York City, following a farewell given them Tuesday evening at Scranton.

A delegation from Berwick detail attended the farewell and included Commandant and Mrs. John Osborne, new officers who recently arrived to take charge of the work in Berwick. Others were Mrs. Fred Briggs, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Spohrer and children, Mr. and Mrs. Seger, Miss Moharter, mrs. Beaver, Miss Beaver and Mrs. Bowers.

Cadet Titman has been a member of the Salvation Army here since childhood and has been actively interested in the Sunday school and general work of the Army.

Lieut. Seger, a Salvation Army worker who went out from Berwick, now located at Stroudsburg, attended the farewell and is spending a vacation of three weeks at her home here.

Lieut. William Finan, who is associated with the social activities department of the Scranton division, was a visitor here Tuesday while enroute from Sunbury where he had been on several days of special work.

Berwick Enterprise (Berwick, Pennsylvania), September 12, 1935

Mrs. Leonard Harmon, of West Front street, and Comdt. John Osborne, of the Salvation Army, are included in the group whose birthdays come only once every four years.

Others who are celebrating their birthday today are Miss Grace Harter, of East Front street, and Eliah Southwick, of Fairview avenue.

Berwick Enterprise (Berwick, Pennsylvania), February 29, 1936

Several awards were made last night at Salvation Army Hall as the third and final day of Young People's Anuual was brought to a close. A large audience attended the concert by the Columbia County WPA band that preceded the awards made by Commandant John Osborne.

Awards given included ones for activity in young people's work given Ruth Ruhmel and Kathryn Moharter. Sunday school attendance awards, based on attendance, behavior and punctuality, were given to six young people with first prizes given to Lydia Davenport and Wilbur Augustine and second prizes given Leonard Davenport, Robert Augstine, Bessie Augustine and Eris Briggs.

A gift will be given each member of the Sunday school Sunday afternoon during the regular period. A series of interesting activities and events were held for the young people during the past three days as the successful annual was held.

Berwick Enterprise (Berwick, Pennsylvania), February 2, 1937

Officers of the Salvation Army here thirty years ago will conduct the regular services at the local Citadel Sunday, Major and Mrs. John Osborne, retired officers, will officiate at the Army services in the absence of Major and Mrs. C.A. Satterley, who were called out of town by the death of Major Satterley's sister.

Services are held at ten-thirty o'clock in the morning and in the evening at eight o'clock.

Times Herald (Olean, New York), January 3, 1942

Major John Osborne, retired, will conduct the evening service at the Salvation Army Sunday night at eight o'clock. Major Osborne was formerly stationed in Olean and since his retirement has made Olean his permanent residence.

Times Herald (Olean, New York), August 20, 1948

Services for John Osborne of 162 Forest St., Kearny, will be held today at 8 p.m. at the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny.

Mr. Osborne, 92, died Sunday at West Hudson Hospital. He was born in Gambo, Newfoundland. A Salvation Army officer for 37 years, he retired 27 years ago.

Surviving are a daughter, Ethel of Kearny, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey), August 6, 1968

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