Frederic A. Godcharles [1872-1944]
Frederic A. Godcharles [1], Republican, [PA State Representative] of the Twenty-seventh District, comprising Northumerland, Union and Snyder counties, was born in Northumberland, Pa., June 3, 1872. He was graduated from the Milton High School May,1888, and entered Lafayette College, and was graduated therefrom as an electrical engineer June, 1893. From the time of his graduation until November 1895, he was assistant superintendent of electrical construction in City Hall, Philadelphia, a position he resigned to become associated with his father and brother in the manufacture of nails. Mr. Godcharles is the title member of the firm. He has been earnestly interested in the promotion of the interests of the Republican party since he attained his majority and in 1896 was president of the McKinley-Hobart Sound Money Club of Milton, where he resides, and did active political work in the campaign of that year. In recognition of his effective work in his party's ranks he was nominated as one of the Republican candidates for the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania in 1900. After a hotly contested fight he was elected, defeating Hon. Peter J. Cristie. who had in part represented Northumberland county in the session of 1899. Although a young member Mr. Godcharles made a highly creditable record in the House in 1901. He was industrious in committee and gave his best thought to the perfection of legislation. In 1902 he was nominated by the Republicans of the Sixteenth District for Congress and made a fine run. Although defeated by a plurality of 848 he put up one of tie best fights in the history of Pennsylvania politics, carrying Northumberland county and also obtaining a small plurality in the Democratic county of Sullivan. Having shown his racing qualities in two political contests Mr. Godcharles became a candidate in 1904 for the Republican nomination for Senator in the Twenty-seventh District. I-Ton. Benjamin K. Focht, of Lewisburg, who had represented the district at two sessions of the Senate, was an aspirant for the second term, but after a long-drawn out contest Mr. Godcharles was chosen the party nominee by obtaining the support of the Republican conferees of Northumberland and Snyder counties. A hard battle followed, but Mr. Godcharles carried every county in the district by decisive majorities and obtained a total plurality of 2,249. Mr. Godcharles is a son of a veteran of the Civil War, a soldier of the Spanish-American War, has served on the noncommissioned staff of Brigadier General Gobin and is ordnance officer of the staff of Colonel Clement, Twelfth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, with rank of Captain. At the session of 1905 he was chairman of the Committee on Inland Navigation and also served on the Committees of Public Roads and Highways, Forestry, Game and Fisheries and Military Affairs.