| Notes |
- This article (ref link below) published in The Charleroi Nail(Charleroi, PA) newspaper on 20 Oct 1944 mentions several family members of Gilbert Elmer Koedel and is a lengthy article about his life including a photo of him:
http://search.ancestry.com/browse/view.aspx?dbid=7503&iid=NEWS-PA-CH_MA.1944_10_20_0001&rc=1378,2987,1581,3024&pid=495276033&ssrc=&fn=&ln=drollinger&st=g
Records of St Luke's, Hannahstown, 66th Baptism, Kodel, Gilbert Elmer Dec 10 1873, bapt Jan 1 1874
The Charleroi Mail (Charleroi, Pennsylvania)
20 Oct 1944
article on Gilbert Elmer repeats below article
page 640 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
GILBERT E. KOEDEL.
The history of a community is but a record of the doings of its people, and the story of the plain, common people who compose the moral bone and sinew of the community should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the lye story of Gilbert E. Koedel there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and one which has played its part in the development and prosperity of the locality.
Gilbert E. Koedel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of December, 1873, and is a son of John L. and Louisa (Drollinger) Koedel. The father was born in Pittsburgh in 1847, and he spent practically his entire life there, dying in 1876, at the early age of twenty-nine years. He was a glass worker by occupation, a republican in his political faith and a member of the Lutheran church. His wife was born at Hannastown, Butler county, Pennsylvania, and is now making her home with her son, Gilbert E. John L. Koedel was the son cf Henry I Coedel, a native of Germany, who was born in 1821 and died on his farm in Hannastown, Pennsylvania, in 1916, at the age of ninety-five years. He was a stanch republican in his political belief and a great admirer of Theodore Roosevelt. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran church. Gilbert E. Koedel was educated in the public schools of Jefferson township, Butler County, after which he took a course in the Iron City Business College, at Pittsburgh, where he was graduated. He then accepted a clerkship in an iron and steel brokerage house, where he remained until November, 1892, when he went to work for the Kremble Iron Company, remaining there until April, 1899. During the ensuing year he was with the Colonial Iron Company and from July 1, 1900, to January 1, 1901, he was with the Pressed Steel Car Company at Pittsburgh. From that time until June 8, 1902, he was in the employ of the Saxton Furnace Company, at Saxton, Pennsylvania, and on the latter date he entered the employ of the American Steel & Wire Company, at its Neville Island works, near Pittsburgh. On November 1, 1908, Mr. Koedel was transferred to the plant at Donora, where he has remained to the present time, filling the office of chief clerk. He is also chief clerk of the Donora Southern Railroad Company, and is a director of the First National Bank of Donora. His long retention in his important position with the American Steel & Wire Company evidences his thorough qualification for the position he holds, and he is held in high esteem by his business associates. Since locating here he has taken a commendable interest in public affairs and has been a prominent factor in the town's development and welfare.
Politically Mr. Koedel gives his support to the republican party and has served as a member of the Donora borough council for eight years, being president of that body for three years of that time. At the September, 1925, primaries he was nominated for the office of burgess, being supported not only by his own party but also by democratic and prohibition voters as well. He has also served as a notary public. During the World war he was secretary of the draft board; reorganized the Red Cross in Donora; and was an ardent supporter.of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives in this community. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally Mr. Koedel is a member of McKinley Lodge, -No. 318, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Pittsburgh; is a thirty-second degree member of the Pittsburgh Consistory of the Scottish Rite; belongs to Syria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Pittsburgh; and Donora Lodge, No. 1265, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler, and is also district deputy for southwestern Pennsylvania and a trustee in that body. He is a member and past president of the Americo Club.
On June 15, 1904, at Pittsburgh, Mr. Koedel was married to Miss Edith Von Dera, a native of that city and a daughter of Louis and Mary (Wohler) Von Dera. Her father was born in Germany, was long engaged in the retail shoe business in Pittsburgh, but was retired at the time of his death, which occurred in that city. He was a republican and a member of the Lutheran church. His wife also was born in Germany and passed away in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Koedel was educated in the public and high schools of that city; is a member of the Presbyterian church; is president of the Unity Club; and belongs to the Donora Woman's Club and the Order of the Eastern Star. To! Mr. and Mrs. Koedel have been born two children, namely: John G., born November 23, 1905, was graduated from the Donora high school, attended the University of Pittsburgh and is now a law student in Washington and Lee University, at Lexington, Virginia; Samuel E. born May 10, 1907, was graduated from the Donora High Schooland is now a student in the University of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Koedel's prominence in his community is the legitimate result of genuine merit and ability, and in every relation of life, whether in the sphere of private citizenship or as a trusted official, his many excellencies of character have won for him an enviable reputation as an enterprising, progressive and representative citizen.
Koedel, Gilbert E. ? of Pennsylvania. Republican. Candidate for House of Representatives 24th District, 1944.
WWI Draft Registration Card lists occupation as clerk American Steel & Wire Donora PA, grey eyes black hair
The Donora Story
by John P. "Moon" Clark
Added to these are many local men admitted to the bar. Among these are Paul Neal, George Frazier, John Koedel, Nicholas Polkabla, Malcolm and Dwight Anderson, Daniel E. Cannon, Arnold and David Hirsch, Achilio D?Emedio, and Leonard Greenvalt.
Thomas and A.F. Rood sent the first packages from Donora. G.E. Koedel received the first package by parcel post in Donora.
November 1, 1939
Hollywood, California
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1873 - 1972 (99 years)
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