FRANK B. WICKERHAM.Among the energetic, progressive and successful business men of Monongahela is the man whose name appears above. He has a splendid record as a public official, citizen and business man, his record having earned for him the admiration and respect of the entire community in which he lives.
Frank B. Wickerham was born in Carroll township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1868, and is the son of Adam and Maria (Bell) Wickerham. His father was born in Monongahela, November 23, 1831, and died in Carroll township, May 24, 1924. He was a farmer by vocation and was long numbered among the prominent and influential men of his locality. He was a veteran of the Civil war and at the time of his death was the last survivor of the original old Ringgold Cavalry, being a sergeant of Company A of the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry. Politically he was a republican and had held a number of local offices. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal church of Monongahela. He was the son of William and Mary (Phillips) Wickerham, the former of whom was born in Monongahela in 1807 and died in Carroll township in November, 1877. He was a farmer by vocation, although at one time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Monongahela. During the Civil war he sent three sons into the service and when the last call for volunteers came he went himself. He was a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who also was born in Monongahela, died in Carroll township. William Wickerham was the son of Adam Wickerham, who came from Louisville, Kentucky, and who at one time owned a large acreage in Monongahela, then known as Georgetown & Parkerson's Ferry. Maria Bell, who was born in Forward township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1836, died March 1, 1912, in Carroll township, Washington county. She was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Armstrong) Bell, of Forward township. Thomas Bell, who followed the pursuit of farming, was a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Frank B. Wickerham secured his elementary education in the public schools of Monongahela city and Carroll township, after which he attended the Iron City Business College, where he was graduated in 1889. He then entered the employ of James Jones & Sons, coal operators, as bookkeeper, remaining in that position for ten years. He was then associated with the Monongahela River Consolidated Coal & Coke Company at Pittsburgh as
accountant for thirteen years, after which he was with the Pittsburgh Coal Company of Pittsburgh until 1915. In
the latter year he was elected high sheriff of Washington county for a term of four years, serving in that office
during the World war. In 1921 Mr. Wickerham became a public accountant, being in business for himself in
Monongahela city to the present time. He is thoroughly competent in this line of work. He is also secretary and
treasurer of the Byers Oil & Gas Company, of Monongahela and is secretary of the Pyramid Development
Company, of this city.Politically Mr. Wickerham is a strong supporter of the republican party and has long taken a deep
interest in public affairs. He served a number of terms as a member of the borough council, was one of the first
commissioners of Monongahela after it became a third class city, and is now the township auditor. His religious
connection is with the First Presbyterian church. Fraternaty he is a member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge, No.
337, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Monongahela Chapter, No. 249, Royal Arch Masons; McKean
Commandery, No. 80, Knights Templar, of Charleroi; the Knights of Malta; and is a charter member of
Monongahela Lodge, No. 455, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Socially he belongs to the Bassett Club of
Washington.On December 17, 1895, in Fallowfield township, Washington county, Mr. Wickerham was married to Miss Alice Cary Cooper, who was born in that township, November 6, 1874, a daughter of John F. and Sarah (Crow) Cooper. Her father, who was born in Fallowfield township and died in Monongahela, was treasurer of the Monongahela City Trust Company, and had served two terms as register of wills of Washington county. In Freemasonry he had attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while his political alignment was with the republican party, in which he was active, having served in a number of township offices. He was a member and deacon in the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Wickerham was educated in the public schools of Fallowfield township and Washington. She is an active member of the First Presbyterian church and served as acting deputy sheriff of Washington county during her husband's term as sheriff. She is a member of the Friday Conversation Club, the Order of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Mothers Club and the Dames of Malta.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wickerham have been born four children, namely: (1) Harold F., born September 26, 1896, died March 16, 1920, at Washington. During the World war he entered the army. He was made corporal of Company A, Tenth National Guard of Pennsylvania, which became a part of the Twenty-eighth Division. He was commissioned second lieutenant, Headquarters Company, being promoted for gallantry in action October 27, 1918; and commissioned first lieutenant, March 9, 1919. He was gassed September 16, 1918; and for a time served as battalion adjutant. He was sent overseas in May, 1918, remained there a year and returned home in May, 1919, after which he acted as deputy under his father for a time. He was injured in a division football game in France, March 9, 1919. Prior to his enlistment he was a senior in Washington and Jefferson College and was one of the best players on the college football team, his last game on that team being against Pittsburgh University in Pittsburgh in November, 1919. In 1920 he was appointed chief deputy to Sheriff Alexander B. Gray, Jr., having previously served as a deputy under his father. He was married to Miss Beryl Claybaugh, of Donora, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of two children, Harold F. and James. (2) F. Eugene, born December 12, 1900, was graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1923, and is now secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Charleroi Community Savings & Loan Company, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania. His religious membership is in the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Elks Lodge of Monongahela, the Rotary Club of Charleroi; and the Phi Kappa Sigma college fraternity. (3) John A., born October 26, 1910, is a student in the high school. (4) George C., born September 13, 1912, is attending the public schools.
Personally, Mr. Wickerham is a man of pleasing address, quiet and unassuming manner, but possesses a strength of character that has impressed all with whom he has come in contact. His prominence in the community is the legitimate result of genuine ability and merit, for in every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged he has been absolutely true to every trust reposed in him. He is eminently public spirited, supporting heartily all measures or enterprises calculated to advance the general welfare of the community, and, because of his ability,
success and genuine worth he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and respect of all who know him.