Dr. Leo C. Mundy, State Senator and Democraytic Leader, Dies in Hospital
Taken Ill While Driving Son to Harrisburg to Get Train to Return to Army Camp; Served as Revenue Collector and Delagate
Dr. Leo C. Mundy, 57, titular head of the Democratic party in Luzerne County and a power in Jeffersonian politics through the Stale, died in Mercy Hospital last night at 8:00 of heart trouble.
Dr. Mundy, who was the Democratic nominee for reelection for a third term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District, was the second local political leader to die within the last several days. City Treasurer Fred Goeringer. Jr., Republican leader, having succumbed in General Hospital on Friday afternoon.
Having established a reputation as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Mundy took up politics as a hobby during the regime of the late Mayor Daniel L. Hart and extended his influence through the years by holding city, State and Federal jobs and in directing campaigns which saw his followers elected to various offices in the city and county.
Dr. Mundy had not been in the best of health for several years, but carried on his extenive medical practice and was able to assist Democratic candidates in election contests.
Last week Dr. and Mrs. Mundy's only son, John Conlon Mundy, was home from an Army camp In Illinois and on Thursday Dr. Mundy drove the son to Harrisburg so he could make connections for the West and return to camp. En route Dr. Mundy suffered a heart attack. He returned home and went to bed. Yesterday morning his condition took a turn for the worse and he was removed to Mercy Hospital and placed in an oxygen tent, where he remained until he died.
During his crowded 57 years Dr. Mundy was a breaker boy, student, collegiate and professional athlete, soldier, reporter, chief surgeon at Mercy Hospital, collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and State Senator.
Father Was Merchant
He was born on June 2, 1887 in Wilkes-Barre, the son of John and Susan (Moore) Mundy. His father, who was a native of Ireland, for many years carried on a mercantile business and he and his wife were the parents of 14 children.
Educated in the public schools, Dr. Mundy was graduated from old Wilkes-Barre High School in 1904. While attending Wyoming Seminary after his graduation from Wilkes-Barre High School, Dr. Mindy was a reporter on the old Wilkes-Barre Leader. He then entered the medical college of University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1908 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, he opened an office for practice of medicine in 1911 and followed this practice continuously except for the time spent overseas as a medical officer during the first World War. He specialized in surgery.
After completing his medical course at University of Pennsylvania, he interned at St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia; City Hospital, Newark, and Altoona General hospital.
Surgeon for 60,000 Troops
In April, 1917, Dr. Mundy enlisted in the Army at Scranton. He was assigned to the Medical Training Corps, Camp Oglethorpe, Ga., as a second lieutenant, and subsequently was transferred to 313th Infantry at Camp Meade, Md., and promoted to a captaincy.
With his outfit Dr. Mundy went to France in February, 1918, where he became camp surgeon for 60,000 troops at Montour; commander of a 1,000-bed base hospital at Savernay and was commissioned a major in July, 1918. He was breveted a lieutenant colonel in 1919 and received the Distinguished Service Citation from Gen. John J. Pershing in the same year for heroism in treating and evacuating wounded soldiers under fire.
On his return from France, Dr. Mundy held the rank of major in the Army Reserve Corps and was surgeon to 109th Field Artillery, Pennsylvania National Guard, from 1919 to 1921.
City Physician 4 Years
When his brother, the late James F. Mundy, was serving as a city councilman in the regime of Mayor Daniel L. Hart, Dr. Mundy became Interested in politics, he said, as a hobby. He directed campaigns of his brother and was appointed city physician, a post he hold for four years.
Dr. Mundy was active in the campaign which saw President Roosevelt elected for the first time in 1932. He was a delegate to the Chicago convention, where he worked with United States Senator Joseph F. Guffey for the Roosevelt nomination.
Luzerne County patronage fell into the hands of Dr. Mundy following the Roosevelt election and on his recommendation James J. Law was named Wilkes-Barre postmaster. In July, 1933, President Roosevelt named Dr. Mundy Collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. At that time Dr. Mundy, Senator Guffey and the State Democratic Committee had split. Warren Van Dyke, State chairman, and Cuffev's first lieutenant, backed John Malinowskt of Hanover Township for the post. When he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, Dr. Mundy was chairman of Luzerne County Democratic Committee, but following Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau's order that employes of his department could not hold a political party post and a Treasury Department position, Dr. Mundy resigned as county Democratic chairman.
On November 3, 1936, Dr. Mundy was elected to his first term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District when the Democratic ticket, headed by President Roosevelt, made a clean sweep in Luzerne County. He succeeded Laning Harvey, Republican, by defeating William B. Healey, GOP candidate, by almost 18,000 votes.
The day before he was scheduled to, take his oath as State Senator, Dr. Mundy left the office of Collector of Internal Revenue, his resignation, submitted on September 15, 1936. having been accepted at Washington. He was Succeeded by his brother, the late Jame, F. Mundy, as Internal Revenue Collector.
Reelected in 1940
On November 5, 1940, Dr. Mundy was reelected for his second term as State Senator and in the primaries in April of this year he received the Democratic nomination to be a candidate for reelection for a third term as Senator in November. In 1938, Dr. Mundy was a candidate for Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. While in the State Senate, Dr. Mundy held posts on a number of important committees and was known through the State because he was the sponsor of the Teachers' Tenure Bill which guarantees school teachers of the Commonwealth protection from indignities and coercion at the hands of unscrupulous school boards.
He was a member of the Legislature's commission to study the cancer problem in the State, was on the 13-man commission to try to cut the cost of State Government and put it on "a more scientific and equitable basis," and was on the committee which was on the committee which probed the growing and smoking of marijuana by residents of several sections of the State.
Welcomed Roosevelt
When President Roosevelt made his first visit to this city in August, 1936, to inspect the damage one by the March, 1936 floods, Dr. Mundy was the official welcomer. In August, 1939, Dr. Mundy underwent an operation in Mercy Hospital.
Despite his medical practice and interest in politics, Dr. Mundy found time for social and civic activities. He was surgeon for Hudson Coal Company, Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, Conlon Coal Company, besides being a surgeon at Mercy Hospital. He was a member of Luzerne County Medical Society, Slate Medical Society, American Medical Association, Lehigh Valley Medical Association, New England Railroad Surgeons' Association. He was a member of Holy Savior Church, East End, Elks, Knights of Columbus. active in Chamber of Commerce work and a director of Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
Because of his war record, especially for the evacuation of wounded under fire during World War 1, Dr. Mundy was a life member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Military Officers of the World War.
Noted as Surgeon
On June 2, 1922, in this city, Dr. Mundy was married to Miss May F. Conlon, daughter of John Conlon, Plains coal operator. They had one son, John Conlon Mundy, in the Army, and made their now home at 391 Scott Street, East End. Dr. Mundy maintained offices next door to his home.
Dr. Mundy's ability as a surgeon was known far and wide. He had was extensive practice and at various times took young internes under his tutelage and they developed into some of the community's leading physicians. At one time Dr. Mundy's office business was so extensive he had benches installed around the four sides of his waiting room as it was found impossible to place enough chairs in the room to accommodate the patients.
Besides his wife, the former May Conlon, he is survived by a son, John L. Mundy, U. S. Army, stationed at Camp Grant, Ill.; two brothers, Dr. C. A. Mundy, local dentist, Kingston, and Thomas A. Mundy, at home, and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Mackin, Chicago; Mrs. John Turnbaugh, West Pittston, and the Misses Sally and Susie Mundy, at home.
Funeral arrangements pending the arrival of his son John from camp. Arrangements by M. J. McLaughlin.
(Wilkes-Barre Record, 12 Jun 1944)
Taken Ill While Driving Son to Harrisburg to Get Train to Return to Army Camp; Served as Revenue Collector and Delagate
Dr. Leo C. Mundy, 57, titular head of the Democratic party in Luzerne County and a power in Jeffersonian politics through the Stale, died in Mercy Hospital last night at 8:00 of heart trouble.
Dr. Mundy, who was the Democratic nominee for reelection for a third term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District, was the second local political leader to die within the last several days. City Treasurer Fred Goeringer. Jr., Republican leader, having succumbed in General Hospital on Friday afternoon.
Having established a reputation as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Mundy took up politics as a hobby during the regime of the late Mayor Daniel L. Hart and extended his influence through the years by holding city, State and Federal jobs and in directing campaigns which saw his followers elected to various offices in the city and county.
Dr. Mundy had not been in the best of health for several years, but carried on his extenive medical practice and was able to assist Democratic candidates in election contests.
Last week Dr. and Mrs. Mundy's only son, John Conlon Mundy, was home from an Army camp In Illinois and on Thursday Dr. Mundy drove the son to Harrisburg so he could make connections for the West and return to camp. En route Dr. Mundy suffered a heart attack. He returned home and went to bed. Yesterday morning his condition took a turn for the worse and he was removed to Mercy Hospital and placed in an oxygen tent, where he remained until he died.
During his crowded 57 years Dr. Mundy was a breaker boy, student, collegiate and professional athlete, soldier, reporter, chief surgeon at Mercy Hospital, collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and State Senator.
Father Was Merchant
He was born on June 2, 1887 in Wilkes-Barre, the son of John and Susan (Moore) Mundy. His father, who was a native of Ireland, for many years carried on a mercantile business and he and his wife were the parents of 14 children.
Educated in the public schools, Dr. Mundy was graduated from old Wilkes-Barre High School in 1904. While attending Wyoming Seminary after his graduation from Wilkes-Barre High School, Dr. Mindy was a reporter on the old Wilkes-Barre Leader. He then entered the medical college of University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1908 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, he opened an office for practice of medicine in 1911 and followed this practice continuously except for the time spent overseas as a medical officer during the first World War. He specialized in surgery.
After completing his medical course at University of Pennsylvania, he interned at St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia; City Hospital, Newark, and Altoona General hospital.
Surgeon for 60,000 Troops
In April, 1917, Dr. Mundy enlisted in the Army at Scranton. He was assigned to the Medical Training Corps, Camp Oglethorpe, Ga., as a second lieutenant, and subsequently was transferred to 313th Infantry at Camp Meade, Md., and promoted to a captaincy.
With his outfit Dr. Mundy went to France in February, 1918, where he became camp surgeon for 60,000 troops at Montour; commander of a 1,000-bed base hospital at Savernay and was commissioned a major in July, 1918. He was breveted a lieutenant colonel in 1919 and received the Distinguished Service Citation from Gen. John J. Pershing in the same year for heroism in treating and evacuating wounded soldiers under fire.
On his return from France, Dr. Mundy held the rank of major in the Army Reserve Corps and was surgeon to 109th Field Artillery, Pennsylvania National Guard, from 1919 to 1921.
City Physician 4 Years
When his brother, the late James F. Mundy, was serving as a city councilman in the regime of Mayor Daniel L. Hart, Dr. Mundy became Interested in politics, he said, as a hobby. He directed campaigns of his brother and was appointed city physician, a post he hold for four years.
Dr. Mundy was active in the campaign which saw President Roosevelt elected for the first time in 1932. He was a delegate to the Chicago convention, where he worked with United States Senator Joseph F. Guffey for the Roosevelt nomination.
Luzerne County patronage fell into the hands of Dr. Mundy following the Roosevelt election and on his recommendation James J. Law was named Wilkes-Barre postmaster. In July, 1933, President Roosevelt named Dr. Mundy Collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. At that time Dr. Mundy, Senator Guffey and the State Democratic Committee had split. Warren Van Dyke, State chairman, and Cuffev's first lieutenant, backed John Malinowskt of Hanover Township for the post. When he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, Dr. Mundy was chairman of Luzerne County Democratic Committee, but following Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau's order that employes of his department could not hold a political party post and a Treasury Department position, Dr. Mundy resigned as county Democratic chairman.
On November 3, 1936, Dr. Mundy was elected to his first term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District when the Democratic ticket, headed by President Roosevelt, made a clean sweep in Luzerne County. He succeeded Laning Harvey, Republican, by defeating William B. Healey, GOP candidate, by almost 18,000 votes.
The day before he was scheduled to, take his oath as State Senator, Dr. Mundy left the office of Collector of Internal Revenue, his resignation, submitted on September 15, 1936. having been accepted at Washington. He was Succeeded by his brother, the late Jame, F. Mundy, as Internal Revenue Collector.
Reelected in 1940
On November 5, 1940, Dr. Mundy was reelected for his second term as State Senator and in the primaries in April of this year he received the Democratic nomination to be a candidate for reelection for a third term as Senator in November. In 1938, Dr. Mundy was a candidate for Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. While in the State Senate, Dr. Mundy held posts on a number of important committees and was known through the State because he was the sponsor of the Teachers' Tenure Bill which guarantees school teachers of the Commonwealth protection from indignities and coercion at the hands of unscrupulous school boards.
He was a member of the Legislature's commission to study the cancer problem in the State, was on the 13-man commission to try to cut the cost of State Government and put it on "a more scientific and equitable basis," and was on the committee which was on the committee which probed the growing and smoking of marijuana by residents of several sections of the State.
Welcomed Roosevelt
When President Roosevelt made his first visit to this city in August, 1936, to inspect the damage one by the March, 1936 floods, Dr. Mundy was the official welcomer. In August, 1939, Dr. Mundy underwent an operation in Mercy Hospital.
Despite his medical practice and interest in politics, Dr. Mundy found time for social and civic activities. He was surgeon for Hudson Coal Company, Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, Conlon Coal Company, besides being a surgeon at Mercy Hospital. He was a member of Luzerne County Medical Society, Slate Medical Society, American Medical Association, Lehigh Valley Medical Association, New England Railroad Surgeons' Association. He was a member of Holy Savior Church, East End, Elks, Knights of Columbus. active in Chamber of Commerce work and a director of Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
Because of his war record, especially for the evacuation of wounded under fire during World War 1, Dr. Mundy was a life member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Military Officers of the World War.
Noted as Surgeon
On June 2, 1922, in this city, Dr. Mundy was married to Miss May F. Conlon, daughter of John Conlon, Plains coal operator. They had one son, John Conlon Mundy, in the Army, and made their now home at 391 Scott Street, East End. Dr. Mundy maintained offices next door to his home.
Dr. Mundy's ability as a surgeon was known far and wide. He had was extensive practice and at various times took young internes under his tutelage and they developed into some of the community's leading physicians. At one time Dr. Mundy's office business was so extensive he had benches installed around the four sides of his waiting room as it was found impossible to place enough chairs in the room to accommodate the patients.
Besides his wife, the former May Conlon, he is survived by a son, John L. Mundy, U. S. Army, stationed at Camp Grant, Ill.; two brothers, Dr. C. A. Mundy, local dentist, Kingston, and Thomas A. Mundy, at home, and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Mackin, Chicago; Mrs. John Turnbaugh, West Pittston, and the Misses Sally and Susie Mundy, at home.
Funeral arrangements pending the arrival of his son John from camp. Arrangements by M. J. McLaughlin.
(Wilkes-Barre Record, 12 Jun 1944)
Dr. Leo C. Mundy, State Senator and Democraytic Leader, Dies in Hospital
Taken Ill While Driving Son to Harrisburg to Get Train to Return to Army Camp; Served as Revenue Collector and Delagate
Dr. Leo C. Mundy, 57, titular head of the Democratic party in Luzerne County and a power in Jeffersonian politics through the Stale, died in Mercy Hospital last night at 8:00 of heart trouble.
Dr. Mundy, who was the Democratic nominee for reelection for a third term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District, was the second local political leader to die within the last several days. City Treasurer Fred Goeringer. Jr., Republican leader, having succumbed in General Hospital on Friday afternoon.
Having established a reputation as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Mundy took up politics as a hobby during the regime of the late Mayor Daniel L. Hart and extended his influence through the years by holding city, State and Federal jobs and in directing campaigns which saw his followers elected to various offices in the city and county.
Dr. Mundy had not been in the best of health for several years, but carried on his extenive medical practice and was able to assist Democratic candidates in election contests.
Last week Dr. and Mrs. Mundy's only son, John Conlon Mundy, was home from an Army camp In Illinois and on Thursday Dr. Mundy drove the son to Harrisburg so he could make connections for the West and return to camp. En route Dr. Mundy suffered a heart attack. He returned home and went to bed. Yesterday morning his condition took a turn for the worse and he was removed to Mercy Hospital and placed in an oxygen tent, where he remained until he died.
During his crowded 57 years Dr. Mundy was a breaker boy, student, collegiate and professional athlete, soldier, reporter, chief surgeon at Mercy Hospital, collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and State Senator.
Father Was Merchant
He was born on June 2, 1887 in Wilkes-Barre, the son of John and Susan (Moore) Mundy. His father, who was a native of Ireland, for many years carried on a mercantile business and he and his wife were the parents of 14 children.
Educated in the public schools, Dr. Mundy was graduated from old Wilkes-Barre High School in 1904. While attending Wyoming Seminary after his graduation from Wilkes-Barre High School, Dr. Mindy was a reporter on the old Wilkes-Barre Leader. He then entered the medical college of University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1908 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, he opened an office for practice of medicine in 1911 and followed this practice continuously except for the time spent overseas as a medical officer during the first World War. He specialized in surgery.
After completing his medical course at University of Pennsylvania, he interned at St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia; City Hospital, Newark, and Altoona General hospital.
Surgeon for 60,000 Troops
In April, 1917, Dr. Mundy enlisted in the Army at Scranton. He was assigned to the Medical Training Corps, Camp Oglethorpe, Ga., as a second lieutenant, and subsequently was transferred to 313th Infantry at Camp Meade, Md., and promoted to a captaincy.
With his outfit Dr. Mundy went to France in February, 1918, where he became camp surgeon for 60,000 troops at Montour; commander of a 1,000-bed base hospital at Savernay and was commissioned a major in July, 1918. He was breveted a lieutenant colonel in 1919 and received the Distinguished Service Citation from Gen. John J. Pershing in the same year for heroism in treating and evacuating wounded soldiers under fire.
On his return from France, Dr. Mundy held the rank of major in the Army Reserve Corps and was surgeon to 109th Field Artillery, Pennsylvania National Guard, from 1919 to 1921.
City Physician 4 Years
When his brother, the late James F. Mundy, was serving as a city councilman in the regime of Mayor Daniel L. Hart, Dr. Mundy became Interested in politics, he said, as a hobby. He directed campaigns of his brother and was appointed city physician, a post he hold for four years.
Dr. Mundy was active in the campaign which saw President Roosevelt elected for the first time in 1932. He was a delegate to the Chicago convention, where he worked with United States Senator Joseph F. Guffey for the Roosevelt nomination.
Luzerne County patronage fell into the hands of Dr. Mundy following the Roosevelt election and on his recommendation James J. Law was named Wilkes-Barre postmaster. In July, 1933, President Roosevelt named Dr. Mundy Collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. At that time Dr. Mundy, Senator Guffey and the State Democratic Committee had split. Warren Van Dyke, State chairman, and Cuffev's first lieutenant, backed John Malinowskt of Hanover Township for the post. When he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, Dr. Mundy was chairman of Luzerne County Democratic Committee, but following Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau's order that employes of his department could not hold a political party post and a Treasury Department position, Dr. Mundy resigned as county Democratic chairman.
On November 3, 1936, Dr. Mundy was elected to his first term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District when the Democratic ticket, headed by President Roosevelt, made a clean sweep in Luzerne County. He succeeded Laning Harvey, Republican, by defeating William B. Healey, GOP candidate, by almost 18,000 votes.
The day before he was scheduled to, take his oath as State Senator, Dr. Mundy left the office of Collector of Internal Revenue, his resignation, submitted on September 15, 1936. having been accepted at Washington. He was Succeeded by his brother, the late Jame, F. Mundy, as Internal Revenue Collector.
Reelected in 1940
On November 5, 1940, Dr. Mundy was reelected for his second term as State Senator and in the primaries in April of this year he received the Democratic nomination to be a candidate for reelection for a third term as Senator in November. In 1938, Dr. Mundy was a candidate for Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. While in the State Senate, Dr. Mundy held posts on a number of important committees and was known through the State because he was the sponsor of the Teachers' Tenure Bill which guarantees school teachers of the Commonwealth protection from indignities and coercion at the hands of unscrupulous school boards.
He was a member of the Legislature's commission to study the cancer problem in the State, was on the 13-man commission to try to cut the cost of State Government and put it on "a more scientific and equitable basis," and was on the committee which was on the committee which probed the growing and smoking of marijuana by residents of several sections of the State.
Welcomed Roosevelt
When President Roosevelt made his first visit to this city in August, 1936, to inspect the damage one by the March, 1936 floods, Dr. Mundy was the official welcomer. In August, 1939, Dr. Mundy underwent an operation in Mercy Hospital.
Despite his medical practice and interest in politics, Dr. Mundy found time for social and civic activities. He was surgeon for Hudson Coal Company, Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, Conlon Coal Company, besides being a surgeon at Mercy Hospital. He was a member of Luzerne County Medical Society, Slate Medical Society, American Medical Association, Lehigh Valley Medical Association, New England Railroad Surgeons' Association. He was a member of Holy Savior Church, East End, Elks, Knights of Columbus. active in Chamber of Commerce work and a director of Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
Because of his war record, especially for the evacuation of wounded under fire during World War 1, Dr. Mundy was a life member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Military Officers of the World War.
Noted as Surgeon
On June 2, 1922, in this city, Dr. Mundy was married to Miss May F. Conlon, daughter of John Conlon, Plains coal operator. They had one son, John Conlon Mundy, in the Army, and made their now home at 391 Scott Street, East End. Dr. Mundy maintained offices next door to his home.
Dr. Mundy's ability as a surgeon was known far and wide. He had was extensive practice and at various times took young internes under his tutelage and they developed into some of the community's leading physicians. At one time Dr. Mundy's office business was so extensive he had benches installed around the four sides of his waiting room as it was found impossible to place enough chairs in the room to accommodate the patients.
Besides his wife, the former May Conlon, he is survived by a son, John L. Mundy, U. S. Army, stationed at Camp Grant, Ill.; two brothers, Dr. C. A. Mundy, local dentist, Kingston, and Thomas A. Mundy, at home, and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Mackin, Chicago; Mrs. John Turnbaugh, West Pittston, and the Misses Sally and Susie Mundy, at home.
Funeral arrangements pending the arrival of his son John from camp. Arrangements by M. J. McLaughlin.
(Wilkes-Barre Record, 12 Jun 1944)
Taken Ill While Driving Son to Harrisburg to Get Train to Return to Army Camp; Served as Revenue Collector and Delagate
Dr. Leo C. Mundy, 57, titular head of the Democratic party in Luzerne County and a power in Jeffersonian politics through the Stale, died in Mercy Hospital last night at 8:00 of heart trouble.
Dr. Mundy, who was the Democratic nominee for reelection for a third term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District, was the second local political leader to die within the last several days. City Treasurer Fred Goeringer. Jr., Republican leader, having succumbed in General Hospital on Friday afternoon.
Having established a reputation as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Mundy took up politics as a hobby during the regime of the late Mayor Daniel L. Hart and extended his influence through the years by holding city, State and Federal jobs and in directing campaigns which saw his followers elected to various offices in the city and county.
Dr. Mundy had not been in the best of health for several years, but carried on his extenive medical practice and was able to assist Democratic candidates in election contests.
Last week Dr. and Mrs. Mundy's only son, John Conlon Mundy, was home from an Army camp In Illinois and on Thursday Dr. Mundy drove the son to Harrisburg so he could make connections for the West and return to camp. En route Dr. Mundy suffered a heart attack. He returned home and went to bed. Yesterday morning his condition took a turn for the worse and he was removed to Mercy Hospital and placed in an oxygen tent, where he remained until he died.
During his crowded 57 years Dr. Mundy was a breaker boy, student, collegiate and professional athlete, soldier, reporter, chief surgeon at Mercy Hospital, collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and State Senator.
Father Was Merchant
He was born on June 2, 1887 in Wilkes-Barre, the son of John and Susan (Moore) Mundy. His father, who was a native of Ireland, for many years carried on a mercantile business and he and his wife were the parents of 14 children.
Educated in the public schools, Dr. Mundy was graduated from old Wilkes-Barre High School in 1904. While attending Wyoming Seminary after his graduation from Wilkes-Barre High School, Dr. Mindy was a reporter on the old Wilkes-Barre Leader. He then entered the medical college of University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1908 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, he opened an office for practice of medicine in 1911 and followed this practice continuously except for the time spent overseas as a medical officer during the first World War. He specialized in surgery.
After completing his medical course at University of Pennsylvania, he interned at St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia; City Hospital, Newark, and Altoona General hospital.
Surgeon for 60,000 Troops
In April, 1917, Dr. Mundy enlisted in the Army at Scranton. He was assigned to the Medical Training Corps, Camp Oglethorpe, Ga., as a second lieutenant, and subsequently was transferred to 313th Infantry at Camp Meade, Md., and promoted to a captaincy.
With his outfit Dr. Mundy went to France in February, 1918, where he became camp surgeon for 60,000 troops at Montour; commander of a 1,000-bed base hospital at Savernay and was commissioned a major in July, 1918. He was breveted a lieutenant colonel in 1919 and received the Distinguished Service Citation from Gen. John J. Pershing in the same year for heroism in treating and evacuating wounded soldiers under fire.
On his return from France, Dr. Mundy held the rank of major in the Army Reserve Corps and was surgeon to 109th Field Artillery, Pennsylvania National Guard, from 1919 to 1921.
City Physician 4 Years
When his brother, the late James F. Mundy, was serving as a city councilman in the regime of Mayor Daniel L. Hart, Dr. Mundy became Interested in politics, he said, as a hobby. He directed campaigns of his brother and was appointed city physician, a post he hold for four years.
Dr. Mundy was active in the campaign which saw President Roosevelt elected for the first time in 1932. He was a delegate to the Chicago convention, where he worked with United States Senator Joseph F. Guffey for the Roosevelt nomination.
Luzerne County patronage fell into the hands of Dr. Mundy following the Roosevelt election and on his recommendation James J. Law was named Wilkes-Barre postmaster. In July, 1933, President Roosevelt named Dr. Mundy Collector of Internal Revenue for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. At that time Dr. Mundy, Senator Guffey and the State Democratic Committee had split. Warren Van Dyke, State chairman, and Cuffev's first lieutenant, backed John Malinowskt of Hanover Township for the post. When he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, Dr. Mundy was chairman of Luzerne County Democratic Committee, but following Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau's order that employes of his department could not hold a political party post and a Treasury Department position, Dr. Mundy resigned as county Democratic chairman.
On November 3, 1936, Dr. Mundy was elected to his first term as State Senator from the 21st Senatorial District when the Democratic ticket, headed by President Roosevelt, made a clean sweep in Luzerne County. He succeeded Laning Harvey, Republican, by defeating William B. Healey, GOP candidate, by almost 18,000 votes.
The day before he was scheduled to, take his oath as State Senator, Dr. Mundy left the office of Collector of Internal Revenue, his resignation, submitted on September 15, 1936. having been accepted at Washington. He was Succeeded by his brother, the late Jame, F. Mundy, as Internal Revenue Collector.
Reelected in 1940
On November 5, 1940, Dr. Mundy was reelected for his second term as State Senator and in the primaries in April of this year he received the Democratic nomination to be a candidate for reelection for a third term as Senator in November. In 1938, Dr. Mundy was a candidate for Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. While in the State Senate, Dr. Mundy held posts on a number of important committees and was known through the State because he was the sponsor of the Teachers' Tenure Bill which guarantees school teachers of the Commonwealth protection from indignities and coercion at the hands of unscrupulous school boards.
He was a member of the Legislature's commission to study the cancer problem in the State, was on the 13-man commission to try to cut the cost of State Government and put it on "a more scientific and equitable basis," and was on the committee which was on the committee which probed the growing and smoking of marijuana by residents of several sections of the State.
Welcomed Roosevelt
When President Roosevelt made his first visit to this city in August, 1936, to inspect the damage one by the March, 1936 floods, Dr. Mundy was the official welcomer. In August, 1939, Dr. Mundy underwent an operation in Mercy Hospital.
Despite his medical practice and interest in politics, Dr. Mundy found time for social and civic activities. He was surgeon for Hudson Coal Company, Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, Conlon Coal Company, besides being a surgeon at Mercy Hospital. He was a member of Luzerne County Medical Society, Slate Medical Society, American Medical Association, Lehigh Valley Medical Association, New England Railroad Surgeons' Association. He was a member of Holy Savior Church, East End, Elks, Knights of Columbus. active in Chamber of Commerce work and a director of Wyoming Valley Motor Club.
Because of his war record, especially for the evacuation of wounded under fire during World War 1, Dr. Mundy was a life member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Military Officers of the World War.
Noted as Surgeon
On June 2, 1922, in this city, Dr. Mundy was married to Miss May F. Conlon, daughter of John Conlon, Plains coal operator. They had one son, John Conlon Mundy, in the Army, and made their now home at 391 Scott Street, East End. Dr. Mundy maintained offices next door to his home.
Dr. Mundy's ability as a surgeon was known far and wide. He had was extensive practice and at various times took young internes under his tutelage and they developed into some of the community's leading physicians. At one time Dr. Mundy's office business was so extensive he had benches installed around the four sides of his waiting room as it was found impossible to place enough chairs in the room to accommodate the patients.
Besides his wife, the former May Conlon, he is survived by a son, John L. Mundy, U. S. Army, stationed at Camp Grant, Ill.; two brothers, Dr. C. A. Mundy, local dentist, Kingston, and Thomas A. Mundy, at home, and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Mackin, Chicago; Mrs. John Turnbaugh, West Pittston, and the Misses Sally and Susie Mundy, at home.
Funeral arrangements pending the arrival of his son John from camp. Arrangements by M. J. McLaughlin.
(Wilkes-Barre Record, 12 Jun 1944)
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