Paul Leroy Whitely was the son of Dora E. (Smith ) and Josiah Whitely born on Dec 31, 1893 in Fairmont, Indiana. In the 1900 Federal Census, Paul is found with his parents; Dora and Josiah and Dora’s Uncle, John Smith. In the 1910 Federal Census, Paul is still with his parents in Grant County, Indiana. He is attending school. His father is a farmer. In his 1918 WWI draft registration, Paul Leroy claims an exemption (due t religious beliefs) stating that he is a member of Quaker Church known as the “The Friends Church”.

In 1919, Paul Leroy Whitely is granted a student passport to study abroad. The passport application, dated February 10, 1919, states that he would be in Bordeaux, France for seven months of study. He departed Bordeaux, France returned through the port of New York on the ship “SS Chicago” on September 7, 1919. Paul Leroy obtained his Bachelors Degree in 1920 at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. In the 1920 Federal Census, Paul Leroy is recorded with his parents in Grant County, Indiana. The census states that he is working with is father on the farm.

An Quaker College Alumni Directory states that Paul Leroy went on to obtain his Master’s Degree at the University of Chicago in 1923 and his PHD in Psychology in 1927.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Paul Leroy is living in New York. It is a boarder living with Charles Sanford and his wife. He is a teacher at a university according to the census record but that same year, Paul Leroy took a position at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a Professor of Psychology.

1932 Franklin and Marshall Directory

Paul Leroy married Esther Ruth Risser on October 26, 1934 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  In the 1940 Federal Census, Paul Leroy and Esther are found in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is a professor at Franklin and Marshall College. They have one son, James Lowell Whitely.

Franklin and Marshall College

On April 27, 1942, Paul filled out a WWII Draft card. In it he states that he lives in 519 State Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Esther and that he works for Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

On July, 1952, Paul, Esther and their son James, left New York Harbor bound for Southampton, England on the SS Veendam for a one and a half month trip. Once they arrived in England, they stayed in London at the Friends House on Euston Road.

Thirty two years ago today, Paul Leroy Whitely died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the age of ninety five years old. He was buried in Sadsbury Friends Burial Grounds in Christana, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Rest in peace, Paul Leroy!

Love, Jan

Paul Leroy Whitely is my second cousin 2 times removed.