Mary Jane Morrow was a teacher and married fellow teacher Frederick Renwick Mitten about 1896. After initially living in Herrick Township, they moved to the "big city," Towanda, Bradford Co., PA. They raised four wonderful children, and eventually Fred was elected Sheriff of the county. When he died in 1925, "Hundreds of Bradford Countians signed petitions demanding that Mary be appointed to complete her husband's term of office. Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot was impressed, and his letter offering her the appointment clinched the deal."
Thus Mary Morrow Mitten became the FIRST WOMAN SHERIFF IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Mary was also President of the American Legion Auxiliary; an officer in the Bradford Country Federation of Woman's Clubs; Past Worthy Matron of the local chapter of the Eastern Star; member of the Delphian Club; and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
After her retirement as Sheriff (1925-1927), Mrs. Mitten was appointed Probation Officer for Bradford County, a post she held from 1928 until her death in 1938.
"Few if any residents of Towanda (were) more highly regarded than was Mrs. Mitten. She was possessed of a charm that drew people to her constantly and her quietness, her patience, her loyalty held their friendship always. No task was too difficult for her to undertake; she gave freely of her time, her energy, her physical welfare for the advancement of those causes she esteemed, those people she held dear. Her love for her family, her friends, her community was boundless, and Towanda in her passing ... lost that which cannot be replaced."
Sources:
Obituary from the Daily Review (newspaper), Towanda, Bradford Co., PA, Jan. 1938
Rocket Courier (newspaper), Wyalusing, Bradford Co., PA, 25 March 1999
The Secret Life of the Lawman's Wife, B. J. Alderman, 2007
Thus Mary Morrow Mitten became the FIRST WOMAN SHERIFF IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Mary was also President of the American Legion Auxiliary; an officer in the Bradford Country Federation of Woman's Clubs; Past Worthy Matron of the local chapter of the Eastern Star; member of the Delphian Club; and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
After her retirement as Sheriff (1925-1927), Mrs. Mitten was appointed Probation Officer for Bradford County, a post she held from 1928 until her death in 1938.
"Few if any residents of Towanda (were) more highly regarded than was Mrs. Mitten. She was possessed of a charm that drew people to her constantly and her quietness, her patience, her loyalty held their friendship always. No task was too difficult for her to undertake; she gave freely of her time, her energy, her physical welfare for the advancement of those causes she esteemed, those people she held dear. Her love for her family, her friends, her community was boundless, and Towanda in her passing ... lost that which cannot be replaced."
Sources:
Obituary from the Daily Review (newspaper), Towanda, Bradford Co., PA, Jan. 1938
Rocket Courier (newspaper), Wyalusing, Bradford Co., PA, 25 March 1999
The Secret Life of the Lawman's Wife, B. J. Alderman, 2007
Mary Jane Morrow was a teacher and married fellow teacher Frederick Renwick Mitten about 1896. After initially living in Herrick Township, they moved to the "big city," Towanda, Bradford Co., PA. They raised four wonderful children, and eventually Fred was elected Sheriff of the county. When he died in 1925, "Hundreds of Bradford Countians signed petitions demanding that Mary be appointed to complete her husband's term of office. Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot was impressed, and his letter offering her the appointment clinched the deal."
Thus Mary Morrow Mitten became the FIRST WOMAN SHERIFF IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Mary was also President of the American Legion Auxiliary; an officer in the Bradford Country Federation of Woman's Clubs; Past Worthy Matron of the local chapter of the Eastern Star; member of the Delphian Club; and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
After her retirement as Sheriff (1925-1927), Mrs. Mitten was appointed Probation Officer for Bradford County, a post she held from 1928 until her death in 1938.
"Few if any residents of Towanda (were) more highly regarded than was Mrs. Mitten. She was possessed of a charm that drew people to her constantly and her quietness, her patience, her loyalty held their friendship always. No task was too difficult for her to undertake; she gave freely of her time, her energy, her physical welfare for the advancement of those causes she esteemed, those people she held dear. Her love for her family, her friends, her community was boundless, and Towanda in her passing ... lost that which cannot be replaced."
Sources:
Obituary from the Daily Review (newspaper), Towanda, Bradford Co., PA, Jan. 1938
Rocket Courier (newspaper), Wyalusing, Bradford Co., PA, 25 March 1999
The Secret Life of the Lawman's Wife, B. J. Alderman, 2007
Thus Mary Morrow Mitten became the FIRST WOMAN SHERIFF IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Mary was also President of the American Legion Auxiliary; an officer in the Bradford Country Federation of Woman's Clubs; Past Worthy Matron of the local chapter of the Eastern Star; member of the Delphian Club; and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
After her retirement as Sheriff (1925-1927), Mrs. Mitten was appointed Probation Officer for Bradford County, a post she held from 1928 until her death in 1938.
"Few if any residents of Towanda (were) more highly regarded than was Mrs. Mitten. She was possessed of a charm that drew people to her constantly and her quietness, her patience, her loyalty held their friendship always. No task was too difficult for her to undertake; she gave freely of her time, her energy, her physical welfare for the advancement of those causes she esteemed, those people she held dear. Her love for her family, her friends, her community was boundless, and Towanda in her passing ... lost that which cannot be replaced."
Sources:
Obituary from the Daily Review (newspaper), Towanda, Bradford Co., PA, Jan. 1938
Rocket Courier (newspaper), Wyalusing, Bradford Co., PA, 25 March 1999
The Secret Life of the Lawman's Wife, B. J. Alderman, 2007
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