Richard Coulter Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Coulter Jr.
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Brig. gen. Richard Coulter in France, june 1918.
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| Born | October 3, 1870 Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
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| Died | September 26, 1955 (aged 84) Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
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| Allegiance |  United States |
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| Service/ |
 U.S. Army |
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| Years of service | 1895–1919 | ||||||||
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
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| Unit | 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1895–1914) 41st Infantry Division (1914–1918) |
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| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Border War World War I |
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Richard Coulter Jr. (born October 3, 1870, died September 26, 1955) was a very interesting person! He was a general in World War I, a successful businessman, a professional football player, and even a banker.
Contents
Early Life and Football
Richard Coulter Jr. was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He was the first of six children. His father, Richard Coulter Sr., was a Major General during the American Civil War. He was also a well-known businessman in Greensburg. He even started the First National Bank of Greensburg.
Young Richard Coulter Jr. went to Princeton University. There, he became a founding member of a club called The Tiger Inn. He was also a fantastic football player. He finished college in 1892. After college, he worked with his father in business and banking. From 1894 to 1896, he played professional football. He was an offensive lineman for the Greensburg Athletic Association. This was one of the first professional football teams!
Military Career
Coulter started his military journey in 1895. He joined the Pennsylvania National Guard as a private. In 1898, he became a second lieutenant in the 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Spanish-American War Service
In 1898, Coulter's regiment was called to active duty. They served in the Spanish–American War. Coulter was promoted to Colonel of the 10th Regiment in 1907. He led the regiment along the U.S. border with Mexico in 1916.
Leading in World War I
In 1914, Coulter was still in charge of the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment. It was called to active duty again for World War I. Soon after, he was promoted to Brigadier General. He then moved to the 41st Infantry Division. He left the national army in January 1919. However, he continued to lead the 55th Infantry Brigade of the 28th Division in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Life After the War
After World War I, Coulter went back to Greensburg. He continued his work in business and banking. He worked at the First National Bank of Greensburg. This bank is now called the First Commonwealth Bank. After his father died in 1908, Richard Coulter Jr. became the bank's president. He held this important job for over 40 years!
During the Great Depression in the early 1930s, many banks struggled. But under Coulter's leadership, his bank managed to survive. Coulter also managed several coal companies. These companies owned coal mines in and around Greensburg.
Personal Life and Legacy
Richard Coulter Jr. married Matilda Bowman. They had one daughter named Emma.
He passed away on September 26, 1955. He is buried in St. Clair Cemetery, which is east of Greensburg.
