Ervin J. Borth

b. August 1886, d. 2 May 1956
  • Ervin J. Borth was born in August 1886 in New York.
  • John Gottfried Borth and Christina H. Textor appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 70 Reiman Street. Other members of the household included Ervin J. Borth, Otto H. Borth and Raymond F. Borth. Also in the household was one boarder, blacksmith helperJacob Bella (age 20).
  • The following appeared on 3 October 1908 in the Buffalo Courier: [Died] October 1, 1908, Otto H. Borth, beloved husband of Blanche Kendall [sic] and father of Roy K. Borth and son of John and Christine Borth (nee Textor), and brother of John Borth, Jr., Mrs. Edward Milsap, Erwin and Raymond Borth, aged 28 years 4 months 13 days. Funeral will take place from the family residence, No. 52 Gatchell Street, Sunday, October 4, 1908, at 2 p. m., and from St. Trinitatis Church (Gold Street) at 2:30 o'clock. Deceased was a member of Admiration Lodge No. 101, B. of L. F. and E. Friends are invited to attend.
  • John Gottfried Borth and Christina H. Textor appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Buffalo, New York, at 70 Reiman Street. Other members of the household included Ervin J. Borth, Raymond F. Borth and Henry Textor. John Gottfried is identified as "Otto Borth" in this enumeration.
  • He was self-employed as a music teacher, according to the 1910 census.
  • The following appeared on 31 March 1912 in the Buffalo Courier: [Died] In this city, March 30, 1912, Christina H. Borth (nee Textor), aged 58 years, 11 months, 19 days; beloved wife of John G. Borth and mother of John, Jr., Ervin J. and Raymond Borth, Mrs. Edward Milsap and the late Otto H. Borth. The funeral will take place from the family residence, No. 70 Reiman street, Tuesday, April 2, at 2 p. m., and from Trinity Ev. church in Gold street, at 2:30 o'clock. Friends are invited to attend. Deceased was a member of the Women's society of Trinity church.
  • The following appeared on 2 December 1912 in the Buffalo Courier: [Died] November 29, 1912, John G. Borth, aged 65 years, 1 month, 12 days; husband of the late Christina H. Borth and father of John F., Ervin J. and Raymond F. Borth, Mrs. Edward Milsap and the late Otto Borth. The funeral will take place from the family residence, No. 70 Reiman street, Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 2 p. m., and from Trinity church at 2:30 o'clock. Deceased was a member of Lovejoy Tent, K. O. T. M. Friends are invited to attend.
  • He was employed as a machinist in an engine factory, according to the 1920 census.
  • Ervin J. Borth died on 2 May 1956 at age 69 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 3 May 1956 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Ervin J. Borth, dean of Buffalo's vocational teachers, collaped and died about 1 yesterday afternoon in a classroom at McKinley Vocational High School. He was 69.
         Mr. Borth was stricken a few minutes after the start of his class in basic metal work. He had just risen from his desk to demonstrate the use of a lathe for his students when he fell to the floor. A student summoned aid.
         When members of the Fire Rescue Squad failed to revive him, Mr. Borth was pronounced dead by a physician from Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
         Mr. Borth was planning to retire at the close of the school year after teaching at McKinley and the old Black Rock Vocational High School for 36 years.
         Fellow teachers characterized him as a man who worked unstintingly for the good of his students. "He always thought it was his job to make good citizens as well as good craftsmen," one faculty member said.
         During school vacation periods he often worked in local plants, and one of his greatest joys was meeting a former student on the job. "It really gave him a thrill when he saw one of his 'boys' doing a good job," a friend said.
         Mr. Borth entered the teaching profession only after lengthy consideration and a decision that he wanted to devote his life to youth. He had studied four years at the University of Buffalo and was about to receive his degree as a dentist when he changed his mind and became a teacher.
         Born in Buffalo, he attended Public School 48, Masten Park High School, UB and the old State Norman School.
         Mr. Borth joined the faculty at McKinley the day the school was opening in September, 1923. Since that day he never taught at another school.
         He taught science and mathematics classes at McKinley before specializing in machine shop instruction. As an added duty, he served as the school's certified Red Cross instructor, teaching students first-aid methods.
         His enthusiasm for teaching was imbued in his daughter, Miss Audrey Borth, who is now an English instructor at the Laboratory School of the University of Chicago.
         An avid gardener, Mr. Borth took just pride in his huge rose garden adjacent to his home at 460 Winspear Ave. He also devoted his leisure time to fishing in Lake Ontario, near Wilson.
         He was a member of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, the Buffalo Teachers Federation, the Schoolmasters Assn. and the New York State Teachers Assn.
         Only two weeks ago he was among a group of retiring teachers honored at a banquet of the Schoolmasters group. Earlier this year, students and faculty sponsored an "Erv Borth Night" in his honor.
         Besides his daughter, he is survived by his wife, the former Alice Haggerty, and a sister, Mrs. Emma Milsap. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
  • The following appeared on 3 May 1956 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Ervin J. Borth, suddenly, May 2, 1956, of 460 Winspear Ave., beloved husband of Alice Haggerty Borth; father of Audrey M. Borth of Chicato, Ill; brother of Emma Milsap and the late Otto, John and Raymond Borth. Friends received at the Reger Funeral Home, Kensington Ave., where funeral will be held Saturday at 10:45 a.m. and at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church at 11:15 o'clock. Friends are invited. Mr. Borth was a member of the Buffalo Teachers, the Buffalo Industrial, Buffalo Schoolmasters and the New York State Teachers Assns., and the Holy Name Society of St. Aloysius Church.
  • Last Edited: 27 Oct 2013