USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > Bradford > Illustrated history of Bradford, McKean County, Pa. > Part 4
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railroad at Poit Jervis. Five years of his life were spent in the noise and bustle of these shops, and then he sought other employment. His next venture was with Stanzer & Miligan, wholesale commission merchants at Port Jervis. He remained with this firm five years and in 1884 located in Bradford. Here he became connected with the Allegany and Kinzua railroad, holding the important position of superintendent up to 1889, when he was appointed chief of the Bradford police force. In this capacity he has shown much talent for organization and his executive ability has brought the department up to the present high standard of efficiency. That he is the right man in the right place, none who know him will for a moment question.
BRADFORD POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES.
T. L. Lindsey, F. J Ossenbeck, C. J. Heinzman, Tracy Rider, Jas Bovaird, Walter W. Hone, P. H. Roach, Jas. Moseley, E. F. Sheldon, E. L. Appleby, T. V. B. Switzer, J. H. Thomas, E. J. Jifkins, H. H. North, P. M., S. E. Vantine, Asst. P. M.
HERMAN H. NORTH.
Was born in Patterson, Juniata County, Pa., 1852, educated in Airy View Academy at Port Royal, Pa., Chambersburg Academy, Pa. and the college of New Jersey at Princeton, from which institution he graduated in 1873. A course in the Albany Law school was completed in 1875 and' in the fall of that year Mr. North entered the law office of McDonald & Butler, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Ill health compelled his removal from Indianapolis and in 1880 he came to Bradford and engaged in the oil business. Regaining his health he resumed the practice of his profession. Interested in politics, Mr. North has served his party in various ways .. In 1878 he was a member of the Republican State Committee of Indiana. In 1890-91, he was a chairman of the Mckean County Republican Committee. He has served as representative to the state legislature and as city solicitor with honor to himself and credit to his party. In July 1898, he was appointed postmaster and September 1, 1898, he assumed the duties of the position.
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1
THE BRADFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
(By "Sec").
HE Bradford Fire Department had its birth with the formation of the F. S. Johnson Hose Company No. 1, which was organized on August 2, 1877, and is still filling an honorable and thoroughly appreciated position in the department. The company was named in honor of Hon. Frank Spencer Johnson, who at the time was a prominent oil man and conspicuous in political circles as a leading Republican, having served in the legislature and also as postmaster of Bradford under
J. L. ANDREWS.
President B. F. D.
BERT McALLISTER.
Chiet B. F. D.
appointment of President Harrison. He died a few years ago universally beloved.
The company was furnished by the Burough Council with a two wheeled jumper and one thousand feet of rubber hose. The apparatus was stored in a barn belonging to Whitney & Wheeler, located on Barbour street, and the meetings were first held in the loft of another barn situated near the public square, but soon after removed to Pine street where several members of the council had a house fitted up for them.
The first large fire in Bradford was the burning of the old Bradford house. This fire occurred in the spring of 1878 and completely destroyed a
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large block of buildings bounded by Main, Mechanic and Pine streets and the creek. The Johnson Hose Company did most valiant service at this fire,
GEO. REIDY. Vice-President B. F. D.
FRANK WARD. Secretary B. F. D.
J. E. WARD.
Treasurer B. F. D.
BFD
W. D. RUSSELL. 1st Asst. Chief B. F. D.
and the citizens of the Burough in recognition of their efforts presented them a valuable hose carriage, which was purchased from the Fertig Hose Company of Titusville at a cost of $600, and which in the hands of the Johnsons did
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BRADFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
50
Hose 1. Old Hand Pump.
Hose 5.
Chief's Rig. Chemical 2.
good service until the company purchased a new spider carriage in New York city. This carriage was used until horses were purchased.
The Johnson's as the senior and one of the most efficient companies of the department has always stood high in the esteem of the citizens. This feeling was given a practical manifestation in June 1880, on which occasion Mayor James Broder, in an eloquent and appropriate speech presented the company with a beautiful silk flag and two banners on behalf of the ladies of Bradford.
The company has entertained representative companies from Rochester, Dunkirk and Auburn, N. Y., Reading, Pa., and other points too numerous to mention, and in turn has visited other cities, where it has added to its well deserved reputation for gentlemanly conduct. It is at present housed in very cramped and inconvenient quarters in St. James Place, but at the last election the voters authorized the issue of bonds to provide more suitable quarters. The officers of the company at the time of organization and at present are :
1877.
1901.
President, F. Wheeler
President, William Boviard, Jr.
Vice-President, John Kioer
Treasurer, L. Cushing
Secretary, S. Bedell
Foreman, James J. Lane
Treasurer, Gus. Herbig
First Ass't, Wm. Gallagher
Foreman, Geo. Leipold
Second Ass't, James O' Neil
ERA HOOK AND LADDER No. 1.
Era Hook and Ladder No. 1, organized in June 1878, is the second organization in point of seniority of the department. It was composed of energetic young business men, some of whom had done hook and ladder duty in other cities and recognized the need of a similar organization in Bradford. But it was one thing to get capable volunteers and quite another to procure equipment. As the Burough officials were unable to provide the necessary funds, the company, under the efficient leadership of J. L. Andrews, the first foreman, purchased and paid out of their own pockets for a fine one thousand dollar truck. This truck was for a time stored in a shed in the rear of the store of L. Emery & Co., and the shed was also used for an assembly room by the company, until rooms were rented in the opera house block. The truck remained in service until superseded by horses and the fine Seagrove apparatus now in use. The housing of the new truck and team, necessitated a change of quarters, and the company is now located on Pine street, an extremely inconvenient location, which fortunately is soon to be changed.
CITIZEN HOSE No. 2.
This company was organized November 27, 1878, which action was the result of the emigration to Bradford of a number of young men from Buffalo who had been members of the Buffalo Volunteer Department and were anxious to continue the good work in their new home. Another hose company sprung into existence about the same time and the strife was hot
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Secretary, E. J. Carew
and heavy as to which should have the coveted number two. With the one organization it was merely the natural desire for precedence in the order of things, but with the Citizen Company there was also a sentimental reason. Several of the most prominent organizers had been members of Citizen 2 of Buffalo and after adopting the name were naturally desirous of adding the same number. It finally came down to the issue of which should be first ready for service, and the Citizen Hose boys went to the plumbing shop of R. WV. Clark, a most enthusiastic member, and soon put together a strange and horrible engine of fire extinguishent in the shape of a sleigh built of steam pipe with a sheet iron reel. They then announced to the councils they were ready for service. This move extinguished all opposition and since that date the Citizens have been "Two," although it would be difficult to make them admit they were second in any other respect. This company like the others felt the full effects of the financial stringency which the village government labored under, and instead of waiting for municipal assistance, proceeded with their arrangements at the expense of their own cash and credit. They purchased a reel of hose and a cart in New York and their first quarters were in the old Frew block on Webster street, with hemlock bunks arranged one over the other against the wall after the manner of the steerage in a trans-Atlantic steamer. This proving unsatisfactory, the company erected a hose-house on Newell avenue, which building they occupied until the city government built their present quarters at No. 20 Kennedy street. The company is now equipped with a combined chemical and hose wagon and may be found at any time of the day or night, prepared to entertain any character of guests from a visiting fireman to the legendary fire fiend, so often mentioned in the newspapers. This company, like others, has in its turn entertained and visited companies from Rochester, Buffalo, Meadville, Corry, Bolivar and other cities. The company has a fine cross matched team, a gray and a black, whose only vice is the habit of begging tobacco.
WHITNEY HOSE CO., No. 3.
The Whitney Hose Co. No. 3, date their organization from Nov. 12, 1878, but as related in a previous paragraph was numbered three on the roster of the department. Originally this company was composed of employees of Whitney & Wheeler, who at that time were among the largest producers of petroleum in the country, and also owned and conducted the Tuna Valley Bank which was the first bank opened in Bradford. This company was the first to purchase a horse to haul its hose wagon. The company was for a long time a capable member of the department but was finally disbanded by the city government.
UNITED HOSE CO. No. 4.
March 25, 1879, United Hose Co. No. 4 was organized. The membership was made up of employes of the United Pipe Lines division of the Standard Oil Company, and it is a question whether even the officers knew the number of members. One novel piece of fire apparatus owned by this company was a small rifled cannon, which was used in oil fires to shoot holes in the big thirty-five thousand barrel tanks and thus draw off the oil. After an honorable and useful career of several years the company disbanded for reasons unknown to the writer.
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JOHNSON HOSE COMPANY.
--
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T. Duffee, C. B. Willie, W. O. Brennaman, T. Rider, F. Glazier, A. McKrittrick, J, Starbell, G. Shurbert, G. Herbig, John Ardizone, S. W. Bedell, Z. J. Pierson, P. Alger, C. Watson, J. A. Lindsey, W. Beahn, Geo. Leipold, B. McAllister, Chief, Wm. Bovaird, Jr., M. Cohn, J. Leipold, C. Boyd. Geo. C. Fagnan, F. Leipold, Ed. Starbell, Master Boyd, F. Miles, Dutch.
CORNEN HOSE CO. NO. 5.
Cornen Hose Company No. 5, organized in Kendall Burough, March 2, 1881, was named after the Cornen brothers, who were then prominent oil pro- ducers. It was then and still is an independent organization, owning its own house and beautiful parade carriage, and after effective service in the protection of Tarport, became a part of the Bradford department. The city has lately placed a new horse hose wagon in the house and the Cornen's are now as well prepared for duty as any hose company in the country.
CENTRAL HOSE.
For the protection of the Boviard and Seyfang plant, Central Hose Company was organized in September 1885, the membership consisting originally of employees of the corporation. A large and elegantly furnished home on Boylston street is provided for this company, which is athletically inclined and which maintains one of the fastest running teams in the country. Numerous beautiful trophies of the prowess of this company adorn its quarters.
ERA HOOK & LADDER CO.
POTTER HOSE.
A disastrous fire on Pleasant street in 1891, called attention to the necessity for fire protection in that section of the city and led to the organiza- tion of the George H. Potter Hose Company in August of that year. Membership is made up of the residents of the residence district on the "hill" in the third and fourth wards. The company has a good carriage, is neatly uniformed, most comfortably quartered and is a credit to its organizers and members.
LIBERTY HOSE.
Very much after the fashion of the preceding company and organized for much the same purpose, is the Liberty Hose Company, whose house is situated on High street in the sixth ward. This company was organized in 1892 The members have erected a hose house and with their efficient apparatus have been a valuable aid to the fire department of the city.
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CITIZENS HOSE COMPANY.
-
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G. Hulmes, F. Strahl, L. St. Germain, B. Weaver, A. Grimes, W. Stewart, John Stewart, C. Gethner, J. Larkens, W. Pettis, B. Siscoe, F. Rook, C. Davis, D. Stewart, C. McBride, R. Waterson, M. Rowland, F. Bean, B. Sackran, M. Myers, W. Toy, F Putman, J. Turner, W. B. Russell, H. Myster,
W. Francis, Hon. J. C. Greenewald, J. Gerry, R. A. Humes, Babe.
CORNEN HOSE COMPANY.
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M. Donohue, P. Hyde, R. A. Saylor, L Hart, W. Crawford, P. M. White, M. Clark, E. Mosley. B. Anderson,
B. Smiley, L. Crawford, E. A. Buchanan, R. A. Mills, J. Finen, C. Cox, M. T. Paterson, C. H. Sherman,
D. E. Ash, J. H. Jones, J. H. Gayton, G. Reidy, M. A. Hagerty, O. F. Spencer, E. Sieley, Wm. Berger, P. Kane, J. Sherin, O. H Miller, M. W. Gibbs.
Prior to the adoption of the present gravity system, water pressure was provided by two Cameron pumps, placed at a station on Water street. This proving inadequate the citizens purchased a steam fire engine by public subscription. The city soon after purchased a La France engine and L. Emery, Jr. & Co. also purchased one, making three steamers besides the water works. Two of these steamers have been unlucky. The one purchased by the citizens was destroyed in a fire, and the one purchased by the city was subsequently badly damaged.
The first chief engineer was J. L Andrews. He held the office five years, giving satisfaction to all. Since resigning he has kept up his membership in the organization as an active member of the hook and ladder company, and for several years has been its president
To the present efficient chief engineer, Burt McAllister, is due in a great degree the credit for procuring the efficient apparatus in use today."
In the early days of the city there was a Fire Police Brigade, fully equipped for service. This company finally disbanded and the. vacancy was subsequently filled by the appointment of a certain number of members from each company to do police duty at fires.
The Firemen's Relief Association was made possible by an act of the legislature, granting to the fire department a portion of the two per cent. tax, levied by the state on foreign insurance companies. The association has thus far received about $1,000.
Bradford had the honor of entertaining the State Firemen's Association in 1882, and the event was a conspicuous success.
The fire chiefs from the organization to date are as follows: 1878, J. L. Andrews; 1883, E. N. Southwick; 1885, James E. Granger; 1887, James F. Campbell; 1888, Burt McAllister; 1889, Thomas White; 1890, D. A. Rapp; 1895, Burt McAllister.
The present officers of the department at the time of writing, June, 1901, are as follows: president, J. L Andrews; vice-president, George Reidy, secretary, Frank Ward, treasurer, J. E Ward; chief engineer and superintendent fire alarm system, Burt McAllister; first assistant chief, W. D. Russell; second assistant chief, Charles J. Flick; drivers, M. Oliver, Joe Powell, M. Myers, Chas. Smiley.
The chief and drivers are paid for their service. The balance of the department is strictly volunteer.
The personnel of the department is as follows:
JOHNSON HOSE CO. NO. 1.
President, Wm. Bovaird, Jr .; Vice President, Jno. Kiser; Secretary, S. Bedell; Treasurer, Gus Herbig; Foreman, Geo. Leipold.
P. Alger, J. Ardizone, N. Asselto. A. Bauer, Ed. Boggs, Wm. Brenneman, C. Boyd, M. Cohn, W. J. Cotter, L. Cottrell, T. Duffy, J. B. Donlan, J. B. Fox, Geo. C. Fagnan, F. Forbes, F. Glazier, A. J. Hanna, J. H. Hogan, Jas. A. Lindsay, F. Leipold, Jno. Leipold, Gus. Leipold, B. McAllister, Jno. McCray, A. MeKittrick, F. Miles, E. Myers, Jno. O'Day, Z. Pierson, D. A. Ropp, T. Ryder, G. Shubert, E. Staebell, J. Stae- bell, E. Sorrentino, C. Watson.
ERA HOOK AND LADDER CO.
President, J. L. Andrews; Vice President, M. P. Oliver; Sec'y, J. P. Powell; Treas. D. R. McArthur; Foreman, E. A. Hamilton; 1st Asst. Foreman,
Jos. Kennedy; 2nd Asst. Foreman, E. L. Howard.
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C. S. Avery, J. Anglun, Jos. Andrews, F. E. Bradley, R. M. Burnett, H. J. Burns, T. E. Costello, S. Caskey, R. Drehmer, S. DeGolier, G. L. Graham, W. Grubb, D. Griffin, E. L. Howard, R. A. Howard, Morris Herron, H. W. Hoy, E. Jifkins, Ed. Little, C. Lepsch, T. F. Mullin, A. F. Mossman, H. H. North, A. A. Perkins, T. Powell, M. G. Kaub, C. H. Riley, H. Schoolmaster, Lester Simons, A. O. Spangler, Geo. Titus, W. N. Tyron, M. W. Wagner, E. P. Whitcomb, G. A. West.
CITIZEN HOSE CO. NO. 2.
President, Hon. J. C. Greenewald, Vice President, Jas. Geary; Secretary, H. King; Fin. Secretary, F. Dean; Treasurer, W. K. Urquhart; Foreman, IV. A. Pettis, Asst. Foreman, Fred Putnam.
Jas. H. Burns. R. Burr, C. V. Cottrell, C. A. Dickinson, Geo. Dolloff. Morris Dun- lavey, T. A. Flynn, Wm. Francis, Jno. Foy, A. E. Grimes, C. F. Geuthner, H. T. Hulme, P. H. Hennessey, H. George Hulme, Jas. Larkins, Loomis Marck, M. Myers, H. Meis- ter, C. A. McBride, Win. McCord, J. A. Polley, Chas. Palmer, M. Roland, W. D. Russell, R. Richards, Frank Rook, Thos. Rice, Jas. D. Smith, N. A. Smith, Geo. Sockrand, Ben. Sockrand, Rob't Sisco, Jno. Stuart, Frank Strahl. Ed. Stewart, Louis St Germain, Wm. Toy, Jos. Turner, R. S. Watterson, Sam. Webber, Al. Weaver, Geo. Weaver, Rob't Weaver, J. C. Weaver.
CORNEN HOSE CO.
President, O. F. Spencer; 1st Vice President, G. Ready; 2nd Vice President, M. A. Clark; Rec. Secretary, O. H. Miller; Fin. Secretary, Jno. Shearon; Treasurer, M. A. Haggerty; Foreman, E. C. Seeley; 1st Asst. Foreman, W. Berger;
2nd Asst. Foreman, P. Keane; Sergeant, M. Donahue.
CENTRAL HOSE.
OFFICERS:
Foreman. G, L. Lyons; 1st Ass't. Foreman, M. J. Flannigan; 2nd Ass't Foreman, J. B. Kelley. President, F. J. Collins; Vice President. L. A. Marck; Treasurer, F. E. Durfey; Fin. Secretary, C. J. Flick; Record. Secretary, C. B. Trucks.
C. P. Alling, S. Auerhaim, A. D. Burns, W. J. Bovaird, J. H. Bovaird, G. W. Bo- vaird, Wm. Barnsdall, Jr., T. N. Barnsdall, T. B. Brown, E. W. Benjamin, C. E. Boyle, W. W. Bissett, J. C. Brennan, M. E. Barton, O. K. Barton, S. Baker, E. J. Blair, W. E. Barnes, A. J. Bond, C. C. Bratton, F. J. Collins, J. Chilcott, J. E. Cochran, F. E. Cos- tello, W. H. Crow, R. U. Criswell, J. B. Cross, J. J. Cole, E. J. Crooker, W. J. Caverly, E. C. Charlton, A. Cary, C. H. Deninger, F. E. Durfey, M. I. Deuel, G. H. Drake, H. W. Eaton, J. M Englehaupt, F. E. Ellison, C. L. Egbert, E. R. Esler, C. J. Flick, W. L. Fields, J. P. Flannigan, J. E. Flannigan, M. J. Flannigan, W. J. Flaharty, A. Fav, T. O. Brady, W. M. Griffith, R. A. Griffith, Frank Gallagher, B. R. Hoadley, F. P. Holley, L. V. Hubbard, H. A. Harvey, B. A. Harris, D. T. Healey, A. L. Harrington, F. P. Isher- wood, W. M. Jackson, J. W. Johnson, R. J. Kelly, J. B. Kelly, C. C. Kimball, R. H, Lee, D. W. Lerch, J. H. Lohner, W. C. Leary, M. C. Leary, G. L. Lyons, Daniel Lyons. L. A. Marck, M. Matson, C. S. Matson, J. J. McDonald, J. M. Matych, J. M. Mullin, W- H. McQuilkin, D. McQuilkin, Jno. Marshall. A. F. Moore, G. A. Messimer, Harry Mes- simer, R. F. Monighan, T. Mooney, N. Nichols, W. O. Neeley, F. L. Pitkin, J. H. Quinn, P. H. Roach, Rob't Roy, A. C. Rice, J. L. Seyfang, Hugh See, A. Silberberg, F. Silberberg, H. E. Schonblom, L H. Simons, W. H. Smith, C. F. Smith, C. P. Smith, A. J. Shrader, W. D. Singleton, J. J. Shay, E. J. Tarbox, B. B. Taylor, C. B. Trucks, J. E. Ward, E. T. Ward, D. J. Wilson, J. W. Willis, G. Werthman.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.
Wm. Bovaird, Jr., R. L. Edgett, G. C. Fagnan, J. C. Greenewald, Geo. Leo- pold, Jno. Mecker, B. McAllister, W. D. Russell.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
F. J. Collins, L. A. Marck, J. J. McDonald, C. H. Deninger, J. E. Ward.
GEO. H. POTTER HOSE CO.
President, A. L. Brown; Vice President, F. C. Dill; Secretary, Chas. E. Seeley; Treasurer, P. H. Donahoe; Foreman, D. F. Brown; 1st Asst. Foreman, Wm. Woodruff; 2nd Asst. Foreman, Burt Coon. TRUSTEES. Z. Hill, Geo. Guy, F. C. Dill, J. H. Lyons. D. F. Brown.
H. E. Brown, W. Burlingame, C. Carlson, Thos. Coffey, Wm. Coffey, Jas. Clark, F. B. Chamberlain, T. E. Costello, Jno. Canty, Chas. Clancv, T. J. Donaghue, F. Dol- lard, C. Fox, L. Freeman, Jno. Gilbertson, W. Gilbrath, Lew Heath, H. Heath, T.
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POTTER HOSE COMPANY.
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B. Sadorsky, C. Clancy, F. Miller. W. Burlingham, T. Roberts.
C. Hillwig, J. M. Mead, J. Gilbertson, J. Larkins, H. Martin, L. Freeman,
F. Thompson,
W. Woodruff, H. M. Plague, C. E. Seeley, A. L. Brown, D. F. Brown, Geo. Guy,
B. Coon,
Master J. Plague.
Hogan, C. Helwig, R. Hendrickson, P. Hughes, R. Hurdle, W. E. Johnson, Emil John- son. H. Lawrence, J. D. Larkins, Thos, Marooney, H. Martin, G. W. Mead, D. Merrill, F. A. Miller, J. S. McKilrick, E. McDevitt, Jno. McFarlane, W. McIntyre, B. McKan, J. O'Donnell, D. O'Hern, O. Pixley, H. M. Plague, Jno. Pixley, Eugene Peak, Burt Prue, T. Roberts, E. J. Riley, A. T. Ralph, Frank Slatterv, J. T. Scanlon, E. Slack, B. Sar- donsky, D. Sardonsky, Chas. Stapleton, W. Smith, F. L. Thompson, Frank Ward.
LIBERTY HOSE CO. NO. 6.
Jno. McFarland, President; H. J. Stone, Vice President; W. H. Shaw, Treasurer; J. S. Babcock, Cor. Secretary; C. V. Fisher, Fin. Secretary; S. McQuilkin. Foreman; H. J. Stone, Asst. Foreman. TRUSTEES. W. J. Stewart, W. A. Polley, H. J Stone.
T. D. Heuretta, J. E. McCord, Jas. Dougherty, I. C. Burns, W. H. Griffith, B. Fizzell, H. B. Coleman, M. Murphy, J. F. Meeker, C. F. Colligan, F. W. Gilchrist, Jno. O'Laughlin, C. C. Dean, J. Moorehouse, W. E. McFarland. J. Boyle, M. Costello, D. Washabaugh, F. A. Harris, J. G. Paul, Thos. Geary, Geo. MeLenan.
CENTRAL HOSE CO.
J. L. ANDREWS,
President of the Bradford Fire Department, was born January 19, 1842, and has lived in Bradford since 1875. His public services may be catalogued as follows: he was elected first chief of the Bradford Fire Department and served five years. He served three terms in the select council and two terms in common council of Bradford and was subsequently elected to the responsible position in the fire department that he now occupies. He is a veteran of the civil war, having served in the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and is now a member of Bradford Post, G. A. R.
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THE CHURCHES.
RADFORD city is thickly dotted with handsome church edifices. There is a church for every thousand of population The pastors of these churches, without exception, are talented and earnest religious workers. Nearly every sect and denomination is represented. Jew and Gentile, Protestant and Catholic, each and all have their respective places of worship and the influence of these varied religious teachings is reflected in the life of the citizens.
CHURCH OF ETERNAL HOPE.
The first church in Bradford is the Baptist. This church has a history of over sixty-six years duration, although the organization under state laws did not occur until 1852. From the sketch prepared by the pastor, Rev. William T. C. Hanna, the following facts are culled. The first organization was made on December 14, 1834. The meeting was held at the house of Brother Baker. Hiram Mason was chosen Moderator and Abiah Knapp clerk. The first converts were Levi Sutton and Ann Sutton, who were baptized April 19, 1835. December of the same year, David De Golier, then a fifteen year old lad,
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together with Sally Ann De Golier were baptized "and received the right hand of fellowship in the church."
With the advent of the oil excitement there was a chaotic period during which time little interest was shown in church work. In 1877 the church . revived and has since grown and prospered, its present pastor being Rev. William T. C. Hanna, D. D., his pastorate beginning August 15, 1890.
The first Methodist church of Bradford was incorporated May 30, 1878, with Loren G. Peck, J. H. Harris, A. De Golier. HI. S. Baker, L. B Blakeslee, A. W. Newell and John Brown. Prior to this, however, meetings had been held for religious worship. In October, 1876. Rev. J. A. Copeland was pastor, the meeting being held in the opera house. In March, 1887, the church building was completed. Rev. Charles E. Milspaugh, D. D. is the pastor.
CATHOLIC CHURCH, SCHOOL AND PARSONAGE.
The first Presbyterian church society was organized June 19, 1877, with twenty-four members. Having no regular place of worship, the services for about two years were held in the opera house, the Universalist church, the Academy of Music and other places. In June 1879, the church was incorporated with the following signatures affixed to the constitution: Thomas Ladd, C. D. Webster, A. M. Davis, C. H Hoffman, A. L. Kinkead, J. M. Armstrong. R. G. Williams and William M. Boggs. Among the directors were Bernard Hook and W. J. Mccullough. May 30, 1880, the new church building was dedicated. Rev. R. G. Williams was the first pastor. Rev. George M. Hickman is the present pastor.
The Protestant Episcopal church of the Ascension, petitioned for incorporation May 27, 1880. The Petitioners were W. W. Mason, A. B. Putnam, L. C. Blakeslee, W. F. Crane, I. Beam, J. A. Ege, S. L. Wilson, J. R. Mattock, S. H. Durston, T. L Shields, E. F. Willets, A. C. Scott, J. F. Merrill, Peter T. Kennedy, C. L. Wheeler, Ed. R. Shepherd, Lynford
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