C. GILBERT WOLFENDEN

C. GILBERT WOLFENDEN

Charles Gilbert Wolfenden was a prominent and well known politican and business man in Indiana County. Born to Charles and Nelle Hanforth Wolfenden, he was born Feb. 15, 1894, in Minneapolis, MN(Munson, Clearfield County, Pa).

Wolfenden graduated from Peabody H.S. in Pittsburgh 1912, and then went on to graduate from Syracuse University 1916, playing Football and baseball in both high school and college. A veteran of World War I, he enlisted in the field artillery of the 37th Division in 1917 and was discharged an adjutant at the end of the war.

He received a BS and LLB from the University of Pittsburgh where he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He met Edith Buchanan in 1914 and would later go on to marry her in 1920. They were married for 68 years and had 3 sons, Gilbert, George and Richard (all of whom worked in the family business). He began work for the George T. Buchanan Co. in the Summer 1920 for his father-in-law. In 1932 he became CEO of the company, a position that he would hold for 32 years. He served as president and chairman of the board for the Savings & Trust Company of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the board from 1931 to 1974.

He also served as president of the former FairView Supermarket in Indiana. Until 1965 he was president of the board of directors of Indiana Hospital, serving on the board for more than 35 years. He also served as President of S&T Bank between 1968 and 1972 and Chairman of the Board at S&T between 1972 and 1976. Wolfenden also maintained a political career while still excelling in business. He was elected to the State Senate between 1936 and 1940. A lifelong Republican and Protege of Gov. Fischer, Wolfenden’s sponsorship of pre-natal and pre-marital health laws were considered among his most noteworthy contributions as a senator.

Outside of his senate position, he also served as a civil servant to the people of Indiana County in different capacities. During the Depression, he was Civil Works Administrator of Indiana County, dealing with roads, water supplies, sewers, and improved flood prevention facilities. During World War II, he was a county chairman of U.S. Savings Bond campaigns. His work for the campaigns earned him the “100 Percent Club” Medallion, an award from the U.S. Treasury .

Mr. Wolfenden was one of the originators of the Indiana Community Chest, which was the precursor of the United Way. He was also the first chairman of the Industrial Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and in was voted the Chamber’s Man of the Year and was the recipient of the Indiana Junior Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Service Award in 1951 (1954) and 1966 respectively.

He was also a member of the White Township Municipal Authority. His organizational memberships included: Ingleside, Ben Franklin F.& A.M. Royal Arch Chapter, Coudersport Consistory, Jaffa Temple Shrine, American Legion, Kiwanis Club of Indiana (where he served as president), Indiana County Grange, United Commercial Travelers, Indiana Country Club, Presbyterian Men, and Republican Men.

Mr. Wolfenden, a religious man, was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church of Indiana for more than 55 years, serving as an Elder and on many church boards and in administrative capacities. He passed away July 24, 1988, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

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