Richard Coulter, Jr.

Richard Coulter, Jr. (October 3, 1870 – September 26, 1955) was a World War I general, a businessman, and banker.

Early life and career

Richard Coulter, Jr. was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the first of six children of Richard Coulter Sr. (1827 - 1908) and Emma Welty (1841 - 1929). His father Richard Coulter Sr. was a Major General in the American Civil War, a prominent business man in Greensburg, and founder of the First National Bank of Greensburg. Son Richard Coulter Jr. attended Princeton University and graduated in 1882. After college, he worked for his father in business and banking.

Richard Coulter Jr. began his military career as a private in the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1895. In 1898 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Spanish-American War

In 1898, Coulter's Regiment was ordered to active duty in the Spanish-American War. Coulter was promoted to Colonel of the 10th Regiment in 1907 and commanded the regiment on the U.S. border with Mexico in 1916. Pennsylvanian leaders considered Col. Coulter as the Democrat candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 1916 election. ["Three Richard Coulters", by Ed Hahn.]

World War I

In 1914, Coulter commanded the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment when it was ordered to active duty in World War I. Shortly after that, Coulter was promoted to Brigadier General and transferred to the 41st Infantry Division. General Coulter Jr. was discharged from the army in January 1919. ["Three Richard Coulters", by Ed Hahn. ]

Postbellum career

After World War I, Coulter returned to Greensburg, PA where he resumed his business and banking activities in the First National Bank of Greensburg (now the First Commonwealth Bank). After the death of his father Richard Coulter Sr. in 1908, Richard Coulter Jr. served at the bank's president for more than 40 years. During the Great Depression in the early 1930s, the bank was reorganized, but continued to survive under Coulter's leadership. Coulter also headed several coal companies which owned coal mines under and around Greensburg. ["Three Richard Coulters", by Ed Hahn.]

General Coulter married Matilda Bowman (1875 - 19??).

General Coulter died September 26, 1955 and is buried in St. Clair Cemetery, east of Greensburg, PA.

References

* Hahn, Ed, "Three Richard Coulters", "Westmoreland Chronicle", newsletter of the Westmoreland County Historical Society, Fall 2007, pages 10-11.
* Van Atta, Robert, "A Bicentennial History of the City of Greensburg, PA", Chas M. Henry Printing Co., 1999.

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