USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > Bradford > Illustrated history of Bradford, McKean County, Pa. > Part 3
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This unique railroad train in the course of time attracted the attention of the Erie railroad officials. Charles Minot, superintendent of the Erie, and a personal friend of Mr. Newell took a trip over the road and was impressed with the possibility of profits from the traffic. He organized a new company, placed Mr. Newell in the directorate and gave him sole charge of the operation of the road. He retained this position for about a year and then retired.
FIRES.
CHAPTER I.
RADFORD has been several times devastated by fires. One of the first recorded occurred May 30, 1868, on which occasion the old Brad- ford house, valued at $10,000 was burned.
Eight years later lightning set fire to gas from the Olmstead well on the Sanford farm. The flames quickly communicated with the Mc- Kean county pipe line tank, thence with the P. C. . L. & P. Company's tank, P. T. Kennedy's mill, Prentiss and Co.'s tanks, Jackson and Walker's well and tank, J. B. Farrel's well, forty empty wooden car tanks of Prentiss and Co. and Riley's dwelling, causing at a total loss of $90,000. November 15- 16, 1878, fire swept from Boylston street on the north to Corydon street on the south, easterly to the Erie railroad tracks and westerly on Main strect to Osgood's dwelling house on the north side and Burgess' green grocery on the south side. Forty buildings, large and small, including the Riddell house, machine shops and foundry of Bovaird and Seyfang, the planing mills and tank shop of Stewart, the United States Express Company's building, as well as saloons, stores, boarding houses, etc., of all descriptions were destroyed. The total loss of this fire was placed at $150,000.
April 3, 1880, a fire which originated in the Sawyer house causing the death of James Wilson, swept over four acres of ground, destroying hotels, saloons, stores, restaurants, ctc., on both sides of Main street, and causing a total loss of $100,000.
An oil fire May 31, 1880, did considerable damage, another fire June 22, 1880, destroyed the central office of the United Pipe lines and another in December of the same year destroyed a store, two hotels and a livery stable.
June 19, 1884, the Burt house and three adjoining buildings were burned. July 11 of the same year a bakery and hotel owned by Mrs. Charles Reibley was burned and Mrs. Reibley, her two children and a Swedish girl lost their lives in the flames.
December 19 20, 1886, fire destroyed five buildings on Kennedy street and January 11, 1889, the Palace hotel and several other buildings in the vicinity were destroyed.
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In November, 1889, a fire originating in the Stewart building, caused about $10,000 damage.
January 19,1890, the Protestant Episcopal church on Chautauqua place was burned.
February 19, 1890, a small fire occurred on Pleasant street. February 26, 1890 McAmbley's lumber mill was burned, entailing a loss of $6,000.
April 21, 1891, six dwellings on Pleasant street were destroyed and this fire led to the organization of the George H. Potter hose company.
April 1, 1893, the Higgins house and the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg station burned. Three persons lost their lives and six were seriously but not fatally injured. The loss amounted to $26,000.
June 19, 1896. the Bay State hotel fire, which included the buildings from McCourt's restaurant to Chestnut street, caused a loss of $60,000.
THE CITY PERIOD.
CHAPTER I.
HE influx of oil operators, beginning just after the close of the civil war brought the citizens to a realization of the needs of a village government, and steps were taken to procure the necessary articles of incorporation. The Borough was incorporated February 26, 1873, and the first election held the last Friday in March, when these officers were elected : P. T. Kennedy, burgess; P. L. Webster, assistant burgess; F. W. Davis, E. Parsons, J. Moorehouse, J. H. Matteson and A. T. Stone, councilmen; G. D. H. Crooker and James Broder, justices; W. Lord, con- stable; G. D. H. Crooker. R. W. Davis, S. Emery, assessors; A. C. Switzer and P. Woodward, poormasters; J. W. Hilton, A. DeGolier, and G. D. H. Crooker, auditors; J. H. Matteson, H. S. Baker, P. T. Kennedy, W. J. Morrow, J. Moorehouse and E. D. Foster, school directors and J. Moorehouse, treasurer. F. W. Davis was appointed clerk. Subsequently A. DeGolier, John A. Evans and Loyal Ward were elected justices.
The village government was maintained for six years. During that time the following gentlemen held the office of burgess.
P. L. Webster, 1874; J. W. Brennan, 1875; P. T. Kennedy, 1876; J. H. Norris, 1877; J. M. Fuller, 1878; assistant burgesses elected annually up to 1877; T. J. Melvin, 1875; P. L. Webster, 1876; H. Friedenburg, 1877.
The growth of the village was so rapid that a more comprehensive scheme of government became necessary in a short time, and so in 1879, Bradford was incorporated as a full fledged city, and casting off the fetters of villagehood prepared to take her place among the enterprising municipalities of the state of Pennsylvania. The first election of city officers was held in February, 1879. The candidates for mayor were James Broder and P. T. Kennedy. Broder received 483 votes and Kennedy 222. Broder was therefore the first mayor of the city of Bradford and under his vigorous and diplomatic administration
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Robbins
BRADFORD IN 1901.
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the city entered upon a new era of prosperity and progress. The scheme of government as outlined by the city charter, briefly stated, provided for a local legislature to consist of two branches, a Common and a Select Council. The common council was to consist of two members from each ward and the select branch of one. At that time Bradford had but one ward and a special act was passed by the legislature allowing the selection of six members for the common branch and four for the select. The first body of Councils was com- posed of the following gentlemen: Select Branch: James Anglum, A. H. Borchert, Charles C. Melvin, C. J. Lane; Common Branch, W. P. Book, Charles Miller, William Roberts, James H. Snow, William J. McVey, George R. Wright.
The first election was held at the Third Ward school house, which was the only voting place in the city. The first meeting of the Councils was held at C. J. Lane's office on Pine street, opposite the Black Bear hotel. W. P. Book was elected president and R. P. Miller city clerk; F. W. Davis, city treasurer; Frank P. Wentworth, city comptroller; John McKeown, street com- missioner; Daniel Wilbur, city engineer. The early records show that con- siderable time was devoted to ridding the city of some of the evil influences that had secured a foothold. One of the important committees at that time was known as the "Vice and Immorality" committee, and the records contain frequent reference to this and that ordinance and petition which had been presented by, or referred to this committee. It is evident too that the citizens and manufacturers of nitro glycerine occasionally disagreed regarding the pro- priety of hauling the dangerous explosive through the city streets, as on April 2, 1879, the records show that a petition was presented from the manu- facturers, requesting the Councils to establish a route through the city. Whether or not such route was established the records do not say.
CHAPTER II.
NE of the important questions that early claimed the attention of the councilmen was the now frequently agitated question of municipal ownership. It appears the city was at that time supplied with water from a private plant, owned by the Bradford Water Works Company, and on October 8, 1879, a petition signed by numerous citizens was presented, asking that Councils purchase these water works. Negotiations were prolonged for over a year. There were committees and special committees, in- vestigations and counter investigations and at last on December 1, 1881, the city voted to issue bonds to make the much desired purchase. The sale was con- summated in 1883, the original price being $19,400, to which was quickly added the cost of construction of a new plant in 1884 and other and further improve- ments year by year up to the present date, which brings the present cost of the plant close to an even $300,000. Of this sum, however, nearly $200,000 has been paid in water rentals and on the whole municipal ownership of water works has apparently proved satisfactory to the people.
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Mayor Broder served during 1879 and 1880. He was succeeded by Hon. Will F. Jordan, now deceased, and in turn succeeded Mr. Jordan for a second term, which lasted during the years, 1883 and 1884. In 1885 Hon. R. M. Shannon was elected. He was followed in 1887 and 1888 by Hon. R. A. Dempsey. Edward McSweeney served during 1889. Loyal Ward in 1890, '91-'92. R. A. Dempsey again in 1893-'94-'95. George C. Fagnan in 1896- '97-'98 and Hon. Joseph C. Greenewald in 1899, 1900 and 1901. This completes the list of mayors from the incorporation of the city down to date.
Mr. Miller retained the office of city clerk from the organization of the city up to 1883, when he was succeeded by James A. Lindsey, who held the office with the exception of nine months, filled by S. M. Decker in 1887, up to 1900, when E. C. Charlton was elected.
The following have held the office of city treasurer: F. W. Davis, Samuel Critchlow, Hepburn McClure, C. K. McCafferty, E. A. Boyne, R T. Lain, William Boviard, Jr. There have been the following city comptrollers : F. P. Wentworth, J. T. Bishop, A. McLean, M. Albert, A. D. Sloan, F. M. Kelleher.
In 1882 there was a flurry of excitement in the Councils over the deadlock for the office of president. The candidates were Joe McElroy and W. C. Kennedy. Ballot after ballot was taken without result until finally McElroy withdrew leaving Kennedy to be elected on the 140th ballot. The presidents who have succeeded Mr. Kennedy are L. C. Blakeslee (deceased ) Joseph C. Greenewald, J. B. Fox, W. K. Laney, (deceased), Thomas J. Flynn, W. J. Boviard, T. McCray, J. L. Andrews.
The first police force was made up of the following men: Chief, Thomas Murphy; patrolmen, Barney Duffey, Abel Edick, W. H. McCandless, E. Emerson and Bill Kirk. The rapid gait of the town demoralized the original force, the chief resigned and was succeeded by J. C. McCrea who increased the efficiency of the department.
The officials of Bradford have been involved in two scandals. In Feb- ruary, 1882 Treasurer Critchlow was arrested on a charge of embezzlement, but it subsequently appearing that the offense alleged was purely technical, the charge was withdrawn. In 1885 W. F. Kelley, councilman from the second ward was accused of accepting a bribe, and although the charge was not proven, it forced his resignation from the council.
CHAPTER III.
RADFORD is remarkably free from the control of any class or clique. The rash radicalism of one class of citizens is well balanced by the intense conservatism of another class, and the whole is tempered with a spirit of enterprise and progressiveness that promises wonder- ful things for the future. While one political party predominates by a large majority, the management of municipal affairs is in a large degree non- partisan. As a result, Bradford offers advantages that can be found in few cities of the size in the state. A delightful and healthful climate, pure water,
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all the modern municipal improvements, churches second to none in the country, schools that lead the list of educational institutions of the state; an intelligent, wealthy and progressive population, what more can one ask?
As a site for manufacturing enterprises, Bradford is unsurpassed. Situated as it is almost in the center of the gas producing fields, it is able to offer manufacturers an abundant supply of natural gas at a few cents per thousand feet, covering a little more than the cost of production. Over forty thousand acres of undeveloped territory is situated close to Bradford, and experts estimate that with due attention to economy the supply will last fully fifty years. The value and convenience of this kind of fuel cannot be over- estimated.
The great coal fields of Pennsylvania are situated in close proximity to Bradford and it is said coal can be supplied to factories at an approximate figure of $1.15 per ton. This advantage is one which few manufacturers seeking a site can afford to overlook.
Tron and steel manufacturers can find an advantageous location in Brad- ford. Iron ore can be delivered here as cheap as at any point on the globe, and with the cheap gas fuel, there is no reason why the future should not witness the development of this great industry in Bradford.
The facilities for the manufacture of glass are certainly equal if not indeed superior to that offered by any other city. In this, as in the iron industry, cheap fuel cuts a not inconsiderable figure in the cost of production, and with extremely low freight rates and close connections with the eastern markets, there is no reason why Bradford should be unable to successfully compete with western factories. Another advantage offered the glass manufacturers is the fact that in the immediate vicinity of Bradford is found an inexhaustable supply of the best glass sand in the United States, sand which chemical analysis demonstrates contains over ninety-nine per cent. pure silica. The cost of procuring this sand is purely nominal, involving only the expense of crushing, cartage and sieving to its proper mesh.
Extraordinarily good advantages are offered to wood working factories. Thousands of acres of virgin forests still stand within easy reach of Bradford and the saving in freight rates ought to be sufficient inducement to the average business man. Those factories already located here are doing well, and the fact that one of the principal factories, namely, the Wood Rim Company, ships its product to every country on the globe, is ample evidence of the desirability of the city as a location for industrial enterprises of this kind.
Some of the finest quality of shales or clay used in the manufacture of brick is found in the vicinity of Bradford, and three factories already in oper- ation turn out a large quantity each year. Brick manufactured from this shale took the first premium at the World's Fair in 1893, Tests made by the United States Ordnance Department, at Watervleit Arsenal, Faneuil, Mass., of the vitrified brick manufactured in Bradford, showed an open pressure of twenty-five tons. The enamel on this brick is said to be superior to the Eng- lish enameled brick as well as those made in New Jersey and Canada
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CHAPTER IV.
E NOW come to the Bradford of today. The city is well lighted by a private corporation that supplies twelve hundred C. P. Arc lights for all the streets and alleys at an extremely low price. A municipal water plant furnishes an abundant supply of pure water at practically the cost of production, the trifling excess in price being used to pay water bonds as they mature. Street railway lines girdle every section of the city and extending in all directions bring in close touch all the citizens.
The railroad facilities are the best. First-class telephone service is pro- vided by the N. Y. & P. Telephone and Telegraph Company, and an equally good service by the Independent Telephone Company. The principal business and residence streets are well paved with brick and the other throughfares, under the supervision of the present capable street commissioner present an equally pleasing appearance with their excellently kept highways and rows of well trimmed shade trees.
Elegant and commodious public buildings are provided for the use of the city officials in the transaction of public business, the fire department, etc.
The slope of the Tuna Valley furnishs a natural drainage that conduccs to the health of the city. With a picturesque and healthful location. with a well organized city government and a prosperous and progressive citizenship, all harmoniously working for the common good, Bradford proudly claims a place at the head of the list of the enterprising municipalities of the state, and who shall say that the claim is not well founded?
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HON. J. C. GREENEWALD.
Mayor of Bradford.
See article page 43
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CITY OFFICIALS.
HE City Charter has been amended from time to time to meet the demands of the growing city, but these amendments have not materially modified the original scheme of government. The present officers of the city are:
Mayor, Joseph C. Greenewald, Edward C. Charlton. City Clerk,
CITY COUNCILS.
SELECT: I. G. Howe, President; W. F. Potter, Clerk.
First ward, F. E. Durfey; second ward, C. V. Merrick; third ward, E. Peake: fourth ward, I. G. Howe; fifth ward J. S. Fisher; sixth ward, Philo Ackley.
COMMON. M. W. Gibbs President; E. C. Charlton, Clerk.
First ward, J. L. Costello, J. C. Weaver; second ward, W. M. Kincaid, C. E. Judd; third ward, H. M. Plague, George F. Guy; fourth ward, A. Watson, R. A. Weaver; fifth ward, James G. Paul, W'm. H. Shaw, sixth ward, J. Gayton, M. W. Gibbs.
ALDERMEN.
First ward, Thos. Osborne; second ward, George E. Thomas; third ward, Steve Foley; fourth ward, L. F. Egbert; fifth ward, Eugene F. Williams; sixth ward, William Dobie.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
City Solicitor, F. P. Schoonmaker; Clerk, A. A. Winter.
TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT.
City Treasurer, W'm. Bovaird, Jr. ; City Comptroller, F. M. Kelleher.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. City Engineer, P. B. Winfree; Assistant, A. F. Bannon, Jr.
WATER BOARD.
J. B. Fox, President; S. D. Heffner, Superintendent; W. D. Singleton, Secretary ; D. D. McGown, Street Inspector.
POOR BOARD.
A. Mayer, President; William Dobie, Secretary.
First ward A. J. Bond; second ward, John Vantine; third ward, A. M. Mayer; fourth ward, M. J. Benjamin, fifth ward, E. F. Williams; sixth ward, Wm. Dobie.
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BOARD OF APPEALS.
I. G. Howe, Chairman; Eugene Peake, J. G. Paul, W. M. Kincaid, F. E. Durfey, Ed. C. Charlton, Clerk of Board.
HEALTH BOARD.
Fred W. Winger, M. D., President; Jas. A. Lindsey, Secretary; Wm. Roedel, Health Officer.
CITY BUILDING.
-Robbins Photo.
. First district, F. W. Winger, M. D .; second district, L. B. Waters; third distrrict, Geo. H. Potter; fourth district, Jas. Johnston, M. D. ; fifth and sixth districts, E. R. Sherman.
BOARD OF CITY ASSESSORS.
M. G. Raub, J. H. Bovaird, J. K. Merriam.
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BOARD OF TRADE.
President, A. J. Edgett; Treasurer, D. C. Greenewald; Secretary, F. Durfey.
DIRECTORS OF BOARD OF TRADE.
A. D. Burns, A. J. Edgett, J. J. Powell, L. W. Oakes, Felix Steinberger. M. W. Wagner. D. C. Greenewald, J. C. Greenewald, F. E. Durfey, G. C, Fagnan, E. N. Unruh, A. Mayer, J. Eloskey, J. M. Sloan, R. W. Edgett, R. B. Stone.
COMMISSIONERS-SINKING FUND.
J. C. Greenewald, Chairman. William Boviard Jr., F. M. Kelleher, Secretary.
CONSTABLES.
First ward, Alex Harrington; second ward, Geo. R. Gibbons; third ward, Thos. J. Fennerty; fourth ward, Charles A. Spreter; fifth ward, W. W. Tadder; sixth ward, Wm. H. Hudson.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief Engineer and City Electrician, Burt McAllister.
First assistant, W. D. Russell; second assistant, Frank Greer; fire marshall, M. D. Murray; driver Chemical Wagon, M. Myers; driver Era Hook and Ladder, Morgan Oliver; driver Johnson Hose No. 1, Geo. Liepold.
Superintendent Public Parks, G. L. Graham; City Hall Janitor, Robert Ciscoe; City Scavanger, John B. Whitman.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Chief, M. D. Murray.
HON. JOSEPH C. GREENEWALD.
To write of the career of Hon. Joseph C. Greenewald, the present mayor of Bradford, is to write of one who has been successful in both business and politics, to record the achievements of a long and busy business life and to recapitulate a good portion of the history of the growth and development of Bradford.
Mr. Greenewald is an old resident of Bradford. He came to the city in 1878. He has seen every phase of the life of this capital of oildom and has taken a not inconspicuous part in the management of its affairs. Elected first as a member of the common council in 1881, he served on the board until 1886, during which time he was elected president and in that capacity served two years, then retiring to private life until called by the citizens to assume the duties and responsibilities of chief executive of the municipality. It will thus be seen that he was equipped with a fund of experience, which coupled with a keen business judgment and executive ability admirably fitted him for the performance of the exacting duties of the important office he occupies.
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WM. B. CLARK.
Sheriff Mckean County.
-
E. C. CHARLTON. City Clerk.
WM. BOVAIRD, Jr. City Treasurer.
1
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Mr. Greenewald is one of the pioneer advocates of municipal ownership of essential monopolies. Many years ago when a member of the common council, he introduced a resolution, contemplating the purchase of the private water plant, and he was identified with the element that took the initiative for bringing this about. The record of this legislation was used with beneficial effect in the mayoralty campaign in which he was elected.
In business as well as politics, Mr. Greenewald has prospered. Beginning as a merchant in Scranton in 1871, he removed to Edenburg, Clarion county in 1876, and to Bradford in 1878. He was one of the founders of the business now conducted by Greenewald and Company, and for many years was engaged in oil production, and later became connected with the Alton Chemical Company and Bradford Chemical Company.
Notwithstanding his varied business interests, Mayor Greenewald has found time to mingle socially with his fellows. He is a member of all the masonic bodies of Bradford, Rochester Consistory Scottish rite; Zem Zem Temple of Erie, Pa., past grand of Tuna lodge, I. O. O. F., P. C. P. of the Mckean county Encampment, president of Citizens' Hose Company since 1879, president of the Firemen's Relief Association. ex-president of North-western Pennsylvania Volunteer Firemen's Association, chairman of the Executive Board of the city hospital, an active member of the Board of Trade, member of the Heptasophs and A. O. U. W. He was born in Philadelphia, June 24, 1848 and educated in the public schools of that city. He has always been active in any business movement intended for the welfare of the city of Bradford.
WILLIAM B. CLARKE
Sheriff of Mckean County, was born at Westbrooke, Conn., September, 15, 1845. Removing to New York City he was educated in the High school, graduating therefrom in due time. His first business experience was with Jacob Lorillard, the well known New York tobacconist. Four years were spent in this occupation and in 1865 he went to Oil Creek and engaged in the oil business. Removing to Bradford ten years later, he soon became a factor in Mckean county politics and his popularity is attested by the fact that he has been twice elected Sheriff of McKean County. Mr. Clarke is a 32nd degree Mason and also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
EDWARD C. CHARLTON.
City Clerk of Bradford was born at Oil City, Pa., October 8, 1870 and when seven years old came with his parents to Bradford. After a course of study in the Bradford public schools, he entered the employ of the Western Union as a messenger boy. This was during the early days of the city, viz, 1879, 1880 and 1881. He was also employed as messenger by the famous oil broker, C. P. Stevenson, and as check boy in the well remembered department store of DeForest Weld, known as the Peoples store. December 28, 1886, Mr. Charlton commenced work as messenger boy for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railway, under superintendent Charles E. Lytle. Assiduous attention to his duties quickly brought its reward in the shape of
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promotion to the responsible position of yard clerk and yard master, which position Mr. Charlton filled up to April 1st, 1900, when he was elected city clerk. He is a member of F. A. M., No. 334, R. A. M., No. 260, R. and S. M., No. 43, Knight Templars, No. 58, I. O. O. F., No. 411, Heptasophs, Rebekahs and the S. U. of N. A.
WILLIAM BOVAIRD, JR.
City Treasurer was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1854, and came to America in 1856, receiving his education in the public schools of Westmoreland County, Pa. In 1869 he first visited the oil country and ten years later he
BRADFORD'S POLICE FORCE.
M. D. Murray, Chief.
R. Cowan,
M. C. Bain, P. F. Sculley,
N. G. Case,
H. D. Mooney,
C. L. Foust.
came to Bradford, where he soon became known as one of the energetic and enterprising young men of the city. Taking an interest in politics, he was for five years a member of the Republican county committee. April 1, 1899, he was elected city treasurer and is now discharging the duties of that responsible position to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a member of Johnson Hose Company for twenty years and is now president of the organization.
M. D. MURRAY.
The subject of this sketch is a New Yorker by birth. He was born in Orange County. N. Y., and educated in the public schools of Port Jervis. After leaving school he secured employment in the machine shop of the Erie
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