Wissler: Judge Joseph Wissler Collection, 1913-1974

Call number:  MG-90

2 boxes      2 folders     .25 cubic ft.

Repository:  LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)

Shelving Location:  Archives South, Side 3

Description:  Collection contains two scrapbooks and a criminal law book with records of many of Joseph B. Wissler’s court cases.

Creator:  Wissler, Joseph B., b. 1892.

Conditions for Access:  No restrictions.

Conditions Governing Reproductions:  Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.

Language:  English

Source of Acquisition:  Unknown.

Biographical History:  Joseph Buch Wissler was born in Clay Township, Lancaster County on 7 August 1892.  Wissler attended Lititz High School and later graduated from Franklin and Marshall College. He earned his law degree from Harvard University.  Wissler became a member of the Lancaster Bar Association, of which he was president in 1964 and 1965.  He returned to practicing law as a local attorney after holding the position of District Attorney of Pennsylvania from 1924 to 1928.  In 1941, Wissler was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and served in that position for twenty-nine years.  Judge Wissler served in the law profession for over fifty-five years.  Phi Beta Kappa of Franklin and Marshall College made Judge Wissler an honorary member in 1950 and the college presented him with an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1952.  He was also a member of the Lancaster Tucquan Club from 1949 to 1969.

Folder 1 Handwritten Criminal Law Book in which he collected and categorized many court cases.

 

Folder 2 Biographical Scrapbook, 1916-1949.

Certificate of Admittance to Lancaster County Courts.

 

Scrapbook  Joseph B. Wissler, Commemorated, 1950-1974. This scrapbook honors Judge Joseph Buch Wissler through his career.  It appears that either Judge Wissler or a family member compiled the book, because the volume contains a collection of letters written to him.  There are also photographs and newspaper clippings that complete the scrapbook.  The majority of the scrapbook is dedicated to the publicity of the Gibbs Trial, a murder trial in which Gibbs was executed with the electric chair.  The remainder of the book focuses on Judge Wissler’s career and his fifty-five years of service within the law profession.