The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-01-04
JOHN X. TENER's RISE.
The Story of His Life Reads Like a
PAGE of Fiction.

The Governor-elect of Pennsylva-
mia, John X. Tener, is an Elk of ma
tional reputation, member of
Charleroi Lodge and Past Grand
Exalted Ruler of the order. 1t is the
first time that a man once holding
such a position has been chosen as
Governor of any state, and naturally
the officers of the order from all
quarters have sent congratulations
Port Jervis Lodge was among the
first to perform this duty, Secretary
Percival sending a suitably-worded
message, conveying the congratula-
tions of the Lodge, on the day after
election, and on the 25th he receiv-
ed a reply from Bro. Tener in per-
son in which he says: 81 thank you
for your words of congratulation and
hope l may continue to merit your
good will"
From a baseball pitcher to Gov
ernor of the second greatest and
most populous state in the country
is the story of John X. Tener's life.
To some this may read like a page
from the Arabian Nights, but it is
true, and illustrates to what emf
nence poor man, possessing ability
can rise in this country. He started
in life on the ball field and was a
favorite with the fans" who fol-
lowed the game in the SOS, and in
the following years Brother Geo. w.
Moen, the fourth Exalted Ruler of
Port Jervis Lodge, and now a resi-
dent of Lake Grove, L. l., played
with him and against him on many
occasions in Brooklyn. Later, he
became professional, playing with
many of the League teams, and fin
ally reached the pinnacle of base
ball fame when Capt. Arson selected
him as one of the Cubs" he took
around the world in 1SS9-90, when
he astonished many assemblages in
other lands by his ability as base
ball player. This remarkable tour
was the only one of it's kind ever
attempted and resulted in introduc-
ing the American national game in
every quarter of the globe. If it
was not successful in a financial
way, it certainly was from an edu-
cational standpoint and resulted in
broadening the views of the mem
bers and John X. Tener profited by
the lesson it taught. Wherever they
appeared they were met by great
multitudes. The throngs that
greeted them in Rome were as
large as those that welcomed the
| Caesars, while the people of the land
of the lotus followed them about as
their forefathers did Pharoah's char
! lot when they played in the shadow
of the Pyramids where Napoleon
once marshalled his legions. In the
fiowery kingdom they were feted and
entertained at every place and the
geisha girls converted their bats in
to chop-sticks. In the land of the
kangaroo they were lionized, and the
same story was repeated in every
other country. When they returned
home they came as conquering he
roes and the wave swept Tener into
public office. He was raised from
one position to another and finally
reached Congress, where he display
ed remarkable ability. In 1887 he
was chosen Grand Exalted Ruler oi
the Elks and his term was character.
lied by the same wisdom and eau.
tion that marked his course as g
public servant.
And this is the story of the life
of the Governor-elect of Pennsylva.
mia, who started in life as a base.
ball pitcher 80 years ago without
a dollar. In what other country in
the world is such a thing possible?
-TriStates Elk.