BIO: Lawrence M. COUDRIET, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 910 - 912.
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  LAWRENCE M. COUDRIET,* the popular host of the Central Hotel, situated at 
Coalport, was born in Covington township, Clearfield county, Pa., May 23, 1878, 
and is a son of Leon M. and Gonpiere (Guenot) Coudriet.
  Coincident with the settlement of Covington township, Clearfield county, was 
the founding here of the Coudriet family, of French extraction.  This settlement 
was effected between 1830 and 1840.  Francis Coudriet and wife were natives of 
France and they came to America in 1831.  They stopped for a short time at 
Lebanon, Pa., and it was during this pause that Leon Mitchell Coudriet, father 
of Lawrence M., was born, May 10, 1831.  As soon as mother and babe were able to 
travel, the family came on to Bellefonte, Center county, where, for a time, 
Francis Coudriet worked in a furnace.  He was not quite satisfied, however, and 
during this time made several trips to what were known as the Keating lands, as 
Covington township was then styled, and after careful selection purchased fifty 
acres in this region, receiving as a bonus, twelve additional acres.  Shortly 
afterward he had established his family at Clearfield town, and from that point 
daily walked to his newly acquired property, ax in hand, and without assistance 
cleared off sufficient timber to enable him to put up a log house into which the 
family then moved.  He was an industrious man and was also one of high 
character.  He was a devoted Catholic and contributed the stone from his farm 
which was used in the erection of St. Mary's church at Frenchville.  He became a 
man of considerable importance in that village and for eighteen years served in 
the office of postmaster.
  Leon Mitchell Coudriet was the second born of eleven children.  He took charge 
of his father's business after the death of the latter in 1877 and proved a man 
of much ability, although he had already been concerned in business for himself.  
He worked in the woods from early years, having but little chance to acquire an 
education.  Five of his brothers still survive:  Prosper, Serdon, Lewis, Frank 
and Napoleon Coudriet.  He was married in 1853 and for about one year afterward 
lived with his parents, working for his father, after which he moved to Girard 
township, opening a store on Buck Run.  This business he conducted successfully 
until 1866, when he succeeded to the business formerly managed by Capt. P. A. 
Gaulin, at Mulsonburg, and then moved to that place.  He was also extensively 
engaged in the lumber business and acquired a great amount of real estate, 
together with some of the most valuable timber lands in Clearfield county, 
hundreds of acres being also underlaid with a fine quality of coal.  Through the 
division of his father's estate he became the owner of the greater part of it by 
purchasing the interests of the other heirs.  He owned a flour and grist mill at 
Frenchville, also a saw-mill there and at other points he was interested in 
mills, at one time having three on Sandy Creek.  His land possessions reached 
10,000 acres.  In addition he financed many enterprises and owned a large 
factory for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, at Middletown, in Dauphin 
county.
  Leon M. Coudriet married an orphan, Gonpiere Guenot, who was born January 6, 
1833, in France, and came to America after the death of her parents.  She died 
November 1, 1908, having survived her husband from April 25, 1888.  There were 
twelve children born to this marriage, namely:  Francis, who is deceased, lived 
on the old homestead; Prosper, who lives where his father settled and built the 
stone house which is still standing; Alpheus, who is also a farmer on the old 
homestead; Anne J., who lives at Pittsburg; Hillary J., who is  manager of the 
grocery department of a large store at Philipsburg; Felicia, who is the wife of 
James Gormount, a farmer in Covington township; Jane, who is the wife of A. L. 
Picard, lives at Frenchville; Kate A., who is deceased, was the wife of Dr. 
Newling; Celestia, who is the wife of F. J. Liegey, a justice of the peace in 
Covington township; Elizabeth and a sister, who both died about nine years of 
age; and Lawrence M.
  Leon M. Coudriet always took an active interest in public affairs but declined 
to serve in office, making an exception when he succeeded his father as 
postmaster at Frenchville, where he served thus for eight years.  He contributed 
liberally to the support of St. Mary's Catholic church and through advice and 
money forwarded many movements which assisted in bringing prosperity to this 
region.
  Lawrence M. Coudriet was the youngest of his father's family and was given 
many advantages of every kind.  He attended school in Covington township, and 
afterward the Central State Normal School at Lock Haven, Pa.  His mother built a 
saw mill on Deer Creek about 1901 and he looked after that and her other 
interests and remained at home until 1903, when he moved to near the mouth of 
Deer Creek, where Condley is now situated and there entered into a general 
mercantile business, soon after applying for the position of postmaster, and 
receiving the appointment in 1904.  He continued to be interested at Condley 
until 1909, the name of this village having been constructed from the two 
earliest business men of the place - Lawrence M. Coudriet contributing the first 
part and Albert Stanley the second part of the name.  In addition to his 
mercantile interests there, Mr. Coudriet was also in the lumber business and 
operated a saw-mill.  On October 15, 1909, he purchased the Central Hotel at 
Coalport and has carried on business here ever since.  This house is conceded to 
be one of the best hotels in Central Pennsylvania, having attractions for those 
who demand real comfort, an excellent table and attentive service at a 
reasonable price.  Mr. Coudriet has the reputation of having been successful in 
whatever he has undertaken and his management of the Central Hotel justifies it.  
He makes his guests so comfortable, whether permanent or transient, that he 
grows in popularity as a host and has a wide circle of warm friends.  His 
building is modern in every particular and lighted by electricity and heated by 
steam.
  Mr. Coudriet has never been active in politics nor was his father nor 
grandfather, but in all matters concerning the best interests of the sections in 
which they have made their home, they have been foremost in fostering laudable 
enterprises and have been especially liberal in the cause of religion.  Like his 
ancestors he is a Roman Catholic and is a member of St. Basil's church.
  On May 22, 1901, Mr. Coudriet was married to Miss Julia M. Donovan, a daughter 
of John and Rosa Donovan, now of Grampian but formerly of Hawk Run.  They have 
three children:  Paul B., Leona M. and Earle.  The only fraternal organization 
with which he is connected is the Royal Order of the Moose.