Eric Schubert firmly believes in remembering the past to inform the future. The Elizabethtown College graduate, now pursuing a master's degree in history at Millersville University, especially enjoys bringing stories to light about people who may be unfamiliar historical figures but who also should not be forgotten. Barr Spangler, a noted resident of Marietta who lived in the 19th and early part of the 20th century, is one of those figures, and now the Pennsylvania Historical Association has selected Schubert's research on Spangler to be presented at the organization's annual meeting.

Schubert will discuss "Barr Spangler (1822-1922) & The Prohibition Party of Pennsylvania" at the meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 11, at Yorktowne Hotel in York. Schubert's talk, which is open to the public, will be held on Saturday.

"I first learned about Barr Spangler while a student at Elizabethtown College, as I was researching his family homes in Marietta," shared Schubert, a genealogist and public historian whose work has been featured in national media. "That was over five years ago, and I am happy to still be researching his story!"

Spangler was noted as being the oldest active bank president in the U.S. when he died at 100, and he even received birthday congratulations from President McKinley, Schubert said.

Spangler was director of the First National Bank in Marietta.

"The bank is no longer active, but the building is still preserved and in use, I believe most recently as an escape room," Schubert said. "It is believed Barr served as a director of the bank and in various roles for about 59 years!"

After learning more about Barr and doing some initial research, Schubert was so struck by Barr's productive life, business pursuits and personal values that he wanted to dig deeper.

"100 years old and actively running businesses and civic organizations, involved in nearly every aspect of town, going on long trips - Barr did everything!" Schubert said. "His life story piece by piece is just so impressive and makes you want to learn more. He started working at 14 years old and never stopped until his death at 100."

Schubert noted that in addition to being a merchant and bank director, Spangler was a political candidate.

"Barr frequently attributed his energy to dieting and abstaining from alcohol, so he actually ran under the Prohibition Party banner several times, even for governor," Schubert said. "In my PA Historical Association talk, I will be covering this political aspect of Barr's life, but I also think people should know he went with the Prohibition Party because those were truly the values he upheld in those 100 years. It was also called the Temperance Party; Barr was a supporter of the temperance movement."

Spangler served as treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Temperance Union, was a delegate to the State Prohibition Convention in 1887 and twice ran as the candidate for Pennsylvania state auditor general for the Prohibition Party. In 1885, Spangler was the Prohibition candidate for state treasurer of Pennsylvania. He was also a leader in the Marietta First Methodist Episcopal Church.

Schubert presented at last year's historical association meeting, so when he heard about this year's call for proposals, he wanted to apply.

"I have been looking for a great opportunity to share more about Barr, and this is it," he said. "It fits in one of the project themes that will be highlighted, of social change in Pennsylvania."

Schubert said that Spangler's political influence is not as well known as his commercial impact, but it's an important part of the man's story.

"I think it really taps into his essence of temperance which really dictated everything he did. That is why with this article, I am looking forward to making sure the political side of Barr is well represented," he said. "I also want to share the smaller details, the lesser-known details and larger narratives of this man's life, not just with politics, that give people a better understanding of Marietta and Lancaster County as a whole."

Schubert noted that through his work as a master's candidate and genealogist, he regularly works with firsthand, primary source materials that connect the present with the past.

"Every individual, every family, has a unique story and narrative," he shared. "I love learning about history and learning about historic figures because research has always been my passion, and history is such a great outlet for that."

He hopes others will take inspiration from what he's found and find their own passion for the past.

"Even though someone might not be your ancestor or have lived in your town, the history of those who came before us is important, and learning more about the lives people led hundreds of years ago, in our communities, in our county, is so fascinating," he said. "Historic figures like Barr should be remembered and celebrated."

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Historical Association and its annual meeting, visit https://pa-history.org/meeting/2025.