Guide to the Wise Family Papers and Photographs 1854-1988
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Wise Family Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Wise Family (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- MSS 848
- Extent
- 1 linear feet (1 boxes)
- Date
- 1854-1988
- Abstract
- The Wise Family Papers and Photographs document four generations of the Wise family of Pittsburgh, Pa. The collection contains records of military service, photographs, and correspondence, as well as materials related to David N. Wise's fifty-year career at Mine Safety Appliances Company.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
David N. Wise was born in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1937, after graduating from Central Catholic High School, he began working for the Manufacturing Division of Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA). During the next twenty years, he advanced through the ranks of MSA, becoming a manager in 1957. He served as a manager until his retirement in 1987, during which time he published articles and gave professional presentations throughout the U.S.
James David Wise, son of David N. Wise, served the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was killed in action on 17 September 1967, and was awarded a Bronze Star and two medals.
David N. Wise was married to Myra Cummings Wise, who graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Both were active supporters of the Catholic Church. Josephine Cummings, mother of Myra Cummings Wise, was born in 1885 and died in 1960. Edward Cummings (b.1877), father of Myra Cummings Wise, served in the Spanish-American War and died in 1956.
Other members of the Wise family include Grace Vaughan, who attended Schenley Evening High School in 1941, and her father, John Vaughan (b.1854), an Englishman who served in the U.S. Navy from 1876 through 1879.
Scope and Content Notes
The Wise Family Papers and Photographs contain business papers, records of military service, photographs, correspondence, and other materials documenting four generations of the Wise family of Pittsburgh, Pa. The majority of the collection is comprised of papers, correspondence, drafts, and other materials from David N. Wise's fifty-year career at Mine Safety Appliances Company. The oldest materials consist of John Vaughan's official U.S. Navy documents, as well as U.S. Army records of Edward Cummings. Additional materials include a Schenley Evening High School laboratory report from 1941, photographs of Grace Vaughan, articles pertaining to Sister Mary Ferdinand Clark of Mercy Hospital, and cemetery records for Josephine Cummings. The collection includes photographs from James David Wise, taken during his years of service in Vietnam, where he died in 1967, as well as correspondence from fellow soldier David Ramsey to the parents of James David Wise.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Mary Kay (Wise) Schnare in 2001.
Archives accession # 2001.0106
Preferred Citation
Wise Family Papers and Photographs, 1854-1988, MSS 848 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Patrick R. Dunn on 9/26/2012.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Mine Safety Appliances Company.
- United States. Navy.
- United States. Army.
- Wise Family (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)