DUBOIS – Author James Baumgratz of St. Marys entertained 65 members and guests at the DuBois Area Historical Society’s 41st dinner held recently at Christ Lutheran Church, DuBois.
He is the author of seven books including: Missing in the Pennsylvania Wilds, Elk County Murders and Mysterious Deaths: Volume I, Elk County Murders and Mysterious Deaths: Volume II, Elk County Murders and Mysterious Deaths: Volume III, and McKean County Murders & Mysterious Deaths: Volume I.
The seven books relate 200 homicides researched by Baumgratz. For many of them, he gained information from relatives of the people involved on both sides of the homicides.
“Many times, I have reached out to people and I have never had a negative response, even from the relatives,” he said.
In his presentation, Baumgratz explained two murder cases, both involving famous Clearfield County attorney Charles J. Margiotti, one in DuBois and the other in Punxsutawney, as examples of his research.
Baumgratz was born and raised in St. Marys and graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a B. S. degree.
He has worked in factories, Straub Brewery and spent 20 years as a Xerox sales manager with Way Copy Solutions in DuBois. He is presently working in the human services field. He began writing earnestly in 2017.
He has been fascinated with true crime since his early teens and has devoted his writings to historic murder/mysteries that took place in the not-so-distant past.
He is also a professional juried artist with the Pennsylvania Wilds Cooperative and is always working on one or two book projects.
His next published work will be about the ghosts and ghost towns and interesting locales located in the Pennsylvania Wilds, where he maintains a writing cabin.
Elected during the annual elections for two-year terms were: Donna Cholllock, second vice president; Gene Aravich, secretary; Allen Minns, treasurer; Dick Castonguay, director of genealogy; Caitlin Kalgren, director of museum and curator; Denise Katchmarchi, Falls Creek representative; Emma Milller, Bloom/Brady Townships representative; and Betty Lou Cook, Treasure Lake representative.
Also approved was the proposed budget for 2025. Society President Kathleen Clement was the mistress of ceremony. Donna Chollock gave the invocation. Catering by Paulette prepared the meal and dessert was provided by Martin’s.
Upcoming events include:
Oct. 5 – 16 Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk, “More People You Should Meet” First tour at 5 p.m. Admission $5 adults, $3 students and children sixth grade and under are free. Reservations requested; telephone 814-371-4627 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Oct. 14-15 – Dining for a Cause fundraiser, Buck’s Pizza, DuBois, all day. Voucher required.
Nov. 7 – Veterans presentation talk by Dick Castonguay, “George Milliron, Army Air Corps WWII”, 7 p.m., E. D. Reitz Museum, free and open to all.