The Coughlin (4th Generation) story
Written on behalf of Richard John Coughlin. Born in Philadelphia in November 1892, he was part of the 4th generation of folks who were 100% Irish and living in America.
He grew up in a family of successful businessmen and with the help of his father Bartholomew (Bart), his uncle Frank, uncle Cormac, uncle Cathal and cousin Michael, moved the family business from 9 blacksmith shops, 4 metal forging shops, a black iron foundry, a brass foundry, and 2 small horse harness making shops and transformed them into the Central Forge Company, the Erie Steam Shovel Company, the Climax Locomotive Manufacturing Company and The Central Foundry Company. All were in Pennsylvania, notably Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Corry, and Erie. They moved their focus from the horse-and-buggy world to steam locomotives, steam shovels, steam-generating boilers, and auto parts manufacturing with more than 1,100 employees.
Playing off the burgeoning American Industrial expansion, they also acquired the first Ford dealership in the Philadelphia area and grew it into 4 locations, becoming a major part of the blossoming American auto explosion.
In 1926, at the age of 34, Richard John ventured to Aubagne, near Marseille, France, to enlist at the main post of the French Foreign Legion. Following his training as a recruit, he was posted to a Fort in the Moroccan desert. The "Regiment of Morocco": Formed in 1920 from units stationed in North Africa, this regiment (4e REI) built strategic outposts, carried out "pacification" operations against rebellious tribes, and is deeply celebrated in Legion history. As a newly posted “bled,” he was marched, run, crawled, and dug into the desert endlessly, all the while fighting off hostile Berber tribes as well as bugs, sand, and endless heat.
During his 5-year enlistment under his new name, Michel Forestier, he served with distinction, eventually earning promotion to Corporal and section leader of 11 soldiers, 4 mules, and 2 camels. He loved the adventure that mirrored almost every bit of BEAU GESTE, the novel that had captured his heart. He also loved the hearty singing that accompanied the daily life of the Legionnaire and allowed him to share his Irish Heritage with them in song as they sang of their multinational heritage.
He returned home in 1931, during the height of the Great Depression, to a business world in severe distress. With tremendous energy, grit, and determination, the family leaders survived the economic disaster of the 1930s and, with the advent of WW2, grew the family business to an even greater scope.
Richard lived to be 75 years old and, despite his advanced age, thrilled his young Grandson with heroic adventure stories, took him to visit many foreign countries, and Ireland, best of all. His storytelling was legendary, and when he passed, his wake at Kelly’s Bar took 5 days to wind down. HUNDREDS attended his funeral, and the Guinness, Harp, and Jameson flowed like water to the many who attended the wake.
Tim Coughlin Proud 100% Irish 7th Generation American