Arthur G. Trimble, 31, clerk, saved Michal Banaszewicz, 30, laborer, from drowning, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1912. Banaszewicz, who could not swim, and a companion fell from a flimsy raft into the floodwater of a creek. Banaszewicz was left helpless by his companion, who swam to a railroad siding. Banaszewicz struggled at a point 15 feet from the siding but sank twice. Trimble jumped from the siding into the cold water and swam to Banaszewicz, who rose and seized Trimble and struggled feebly. Trimble was dressed, was a poor swimmer, and weighed much less than Banaszewicz. He seized Banaszewicz and swam for the siding but became fatigued and sank. He rose and struggled to a point five or six feet from the siding. A man, whose hand was held by others on the siding, then jumped into the water and grasped the free hand of Trimble. Trimble was practically unconscious and unable to proceed but was still holding to Banaszewicz, and he and Banaszewicz were drawn out of the water. Trimble suffered from nervous chills, but neither he nor Banaszewicz was seriously affected. 8218-1229
8218 – 1229
8218-1229Obituary
Arthur Garfield “A.G.” Trimble was born in Scottdale, Pa., on Nov. 2, 1880, election day of that year. The Republican ticket of James Garfield was elected president and Chester Arthur was elected vice president. Trimble’s father wanted to name him Garfield Arthur, but his mother didn’t like the “ring” of that combination.
Trimble quit school in the sixth grade and did clerical work for a number of industries in Fayette and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania until 1913, when he went to Pittsburgh. With just $20 in capital, he started in business in the Jenkins Arcade, imprinting wood case pencils until discovering that pencils could be produced for a third of the cost in the South. As a result, the company switched directions to become middlemen between local customers and out-of-state manufacturers.
Trimble entered political advertising in 1920 when Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge opposed James Cox and Franklin Roosevelt. He designed and sold Harding-Coolidge buttons and profited handsomely, while ignoring the Cox-Roosevelt ticket. Trimble had never voted Democrat and was unsure of the idea of promoting the candidacy of one.
The “Button Baron,” as he was known, had several other notable accomplishments. He originated the Kiwanis Club International emblem. He was also the recipient of the Carnegie Medal for saving a man from drowning in a flood.
(Edited from a profile of the A.G. Trimble Co. at agtrimble.com.)