John E. Gable's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.1194

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History of Cambria County, V.2

1194 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY

    F. W. Eicher received his education in the public schools of Queens Township and in Portage. At the age of 13 he began working in the mines at Portage with his father, and at the age of 16 began doing clerical work. He then worked as a brakeman on the Pennsylvanian Railroad, later taking a position as manager for the Keystone Supply Company's store in Portage. In 1901 he founded the Portage Press, a small newspaper at that time and printed on a small hand press. He sold his newspaper and assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Portage and remained with this institution for several years. He organized the Portage Auto and Machine Company and held this position for 10 years. In 1921 he returned to the newspaper and organized his present business, which is one of the best plants of its kind in the county.
    On Feb. 14, 1900, F. W. Eicher was married to Miss Lillian Henderson, born in New Florence, Pa., Jan. 26, 1875, the daughter of Robert and Hannah (Henderson) Henderson. Mr. Henderson was born in Westmoreland Township, and the greater part of his life followed railroading. He was 59 years of age at the time of his death. His widow, a native of Westmoreland County, died June 18, 1910, aged 75 years, and they are both buried at West Fairfield. They were the parents of six children, two of whom are now living: Harry F. Henderson, resides in Johnstown, and Mrs. Eicher. To Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Eicher six children have been born: James Robert, born Nov. 7, 1906, died in 1908, buried in Prospect Cemetery, Portage; Hazel N., born in 1901, a graduate of Portage High School; Ray L., born Aug. 23, 1902, a graduate of Portage High School, married Doris H. Collis of Chicago, is associated with his father in business; Hannah Elizabeth, born Oct. 21, 1903, a graduate of Portage High School, married Carl Gibson, and they have one child, Carl Joan, born June 5, 1923; James, deceased, Frieda Grace, a graduate of Portage High School, married David O. Jones of Wilmore, Pa., Oct. 9, 1925; Lea Angeline, born Aug. 28, 1909, attending high school; Lillian Mae, born Feb. 23, 1912, a student in the Portage High School. The Eicher home, located on Farren Avenue, is one of the attractive homes in Portage.
    Mr. Eicher was burgess of Portage in 1903 and has held many offices of trust in civic affairs in Portage. He is an active church worker, although holding no offices in same. He is a man whose wide business relations have brought him into touch with many people, and he is among the best known citizens of the county.

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1194	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY
F. W. Eicher received his education in the public schools of Queens Township and in Portage. At the age of 13 he began working in the mines at Portage with his father, and at the age of 16 began doing clerical work. He then worked as a brakeman on the Pennsylvanian Railroad, later taking a position as manager for the Keystone Supply Company's store in Portage. In 1901 he founded the Portage Press, a small newspaper at that time and printed on a small hand press. He sold his newspaper and assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Portage and remained with this institution for several years. He organized the Portage Auto and Machine Company and held this position for 10 years. In 1921 he returned to the newspaper and organized his present business, which is one of the best plants of its kind in the county. On Feb. 14, 1900, F. W. Eicher was married to Miss Lillian Henderson, born in New Florence, Pa., Jan. 26, 1875, the daughter of Robert and Hannah (Henderson) Henderson. Mr. Henderson was born in Westmoreland Township, and the greater part of his life followed railroading. He was 59 years of age at the time of his death. His widow, a native of Westmoreland County, died June 18, 1910, aged 75 years, and they are both buried at West Fairfield. They were the parents of six children, two of whom are now living: Harry F. Henderson, resides in Johnstown, and Mrs. Eicher. To Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Eicher six children have been born: James Robert, born Nov. 7, 1906, died in 1908, buried in Prospect Cemetery, Portage; Hazel N., born in 1901, a graduate of Portage High School; Ray L., born Aug. 23, 1902, a graduate of Portage High School, married Doris H. Collis of Chicago, is associated with his father in business; Hannah Elizabeth, born Oct. 21, 1903, a graduate of Portage High School, married Carl Gibson, and they have one child, Carl Joan, born June 5, 1923; James, deceased, Frieda Grace, a graduate of Portage High School, married David O. Jones of Wilmore, Pa., Oct. 9, 1925; Lea Angeline, born Aug. 28, 1909, attending high school; Lillian Mae, born Feb. 23, 1912, a student in the Portage High School. The Eicher home, located on Farren Avenue, is one of the attractive homes in Portage. Mr. Eicher was burgess of Portage in 1903 and has held many offices of trust in civic affairs in Portage. He is an active church worker, although holding no offices in same. He is a man whose wide business relations have brought him into touch with many people, and he is among the best known citizens of the county.