Francis Fochler (husband of Anna Ergler) born 1869 at the age of 12 came to Altoona, Pennsylvania from Austria with his sister Minnie; after two years (1883) he sent for his parents Frank J. Fochler Sr. and Filomena (Folsner). Frank Fochler was born 1841 and died 1926 and is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Altoona, PA. Filomena was born 1845 and died 1913. Francis Fochler worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad - Altoona and Juanita Shops as a boilmaker. Francis Fochler has the following brothers and sisters: Henry, Charles, Fred, and Minni.

An excursion train went from Huntingdon, Penna. to the top of Cresson Mountain for picnics and berry picking; the train picked up passengers in Altoona, Penna. This is were Francis Fochler met Anna Ergler.


Extract from The Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA 'Fifth Ward Area News', date unknown ... "The family honored this week from this section is Frank Fockler, Jr., family of 2412 Fifteenth avenue. He was the oldest of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fockler, Sr., who came from Austria. Frank, Jr., was born in Austria 1869, came to America ahead of his family at the age of 14 years, went to work at this age at the PRR (Pennsylvania Railroad) round house at Tenth avenue and Twenty-fourth street. Four year later he had saved enough money to bring father, mother, and the rest of the family to America and settled in the Fifth ward at 3131 Fifteenth avenue. Frank, Jr., married Anna Erger in 1893, moved to 2527 Fifteenth avenue. In 1902 bought the home 2412 Fifteenth avenue and lived here until his death. One of his daughters Mrs. Mary Shortencarrier still lives there. Sixteen children were born to the union, seven died in childhood and one, John, in manhood. Living are William M., Harry G., Mrs. Mary Shortencarrier, Mrs. Anna Scholly, Mrs. Margaret Sockhorn, Mrs. Getrude Chamberlin, Walter and Mrs. Agnes Wertz. Mr. Fochler worked the last 42 years of the PRR service at Juniata boiler shop where he retired in 1938 with 55 years of service. He died 1953 and his wife died 1946."