BIO: Frank W. ESTRICHER, 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 426 & 427.
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  FRANK W. ESTRICHER, who is engaged in the blacksmith's business at New 
Washington, Burnside township, was born in this locality, son of Christian and 
Emily (Orr) Estricher.  He is a grandson of Adam Estricher, of Hesse-Darmstadt, 
who came to this country in 1849 at the age of 37 years, but who, being taken 
sick while on the voyage over, died not long after landing in America.
  Christian Estricher, father of our subject, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, June 
26, 1840, and was therefore about nine years old when he accompanied his 
parents to America, they settling in Burnside township, Clearfield county, Pa., 
where the father died.  Though this sad event left the family for a time in 
somewhat straitened circumstances, young Christian found means to attend school 
until reaching the age of 16 years, after which he was engaged for a short time 
in agricultural pursuits.  At the age of 17 he began to learn the blacksmith's 
trade, and subsequently - about 1865 - opened a blacksmith's shop at New 
Washington, which he carried on for many years, though now retired.  He is a 
member of the Masonic lodge at Curwensville, and of the Odd Fellows' lodge at 
New Washington.  For many years he has been a member of the Methodist church at 
New Washington, serving as steward.  He is a Democrat politically and has at 
various times rendered active service to his party.  He has frequently held 
local office and since 1908 has been burgess of the borough.
  Christian Estricher married Emily Orr, a daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Baker) Orr, natives of Cumberland county, who subsequently settled in 
Clearfield county.  She was born in 1837 and died in September, 1898, at the 
age of 61 years.  The children of this marriage were as follows:  Ora Matilda, 
who is the wife of J. Day, residing in the state of Washington (has one child); 
Catherine Elizabeth, wife of Henry Campbell of Braddock, Pa.; Edith, wife of J. 
C. Harper of Big Run, Pa., who has two children; Alice Maud, wife of Hugh C. 
Mitchell, of New Washington, and mother of three children; Frank W., whose name 
appears at the head of this sketch; Charles C., of Braddock, Pa., who is 
married and has two children; and Adaline, wife of C. King, residing in 
California, who is also the mother of two children.
  Frank W. Estricher after attending school in his native township, began to 
learn the blacksmith's trade under his father, with whom he was associated 
until the latter's retirement.  Since then he has conducted the shop alone and 
is doing a thriving business, the shop having an established reputation 
throughout this section.  He married Elizabeth Cummings, whose father, John M. 
Cummings, born in Lycoming county, Pa., came to Clearfield county in 1850, 
locating at New Washington, where for some years he followed farming.  In 1858 
he opened a general mercantile store at New Washington, but subsequently sold 
it and resumed agricultural operations, which he carried on until his death.  
He married Elizabeth Mahaffey, daughter of Thomas Mahaffey, of the well known 
Clearfield county family of that name.  Our subject and wife are the parents of 
two children.