Bradford Fire Department

The 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 homorable an thourghly 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 Republician, having served in the legislature and also as postmaster of Bradford under 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 large block of buildings by Main, Mechanic and Pine streets and the creek. The Johnson Hose Company did most valiant service at this fire, 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 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 comapnies of the department has always stood high inthe 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
  • President, F. Wheeler
  • Secretary, E. J. Carew
  • Treasurer, L. Cushing
  • Foreman, James J. Lane
  • First Ass't, Wm. Gallagher
  • Second ass't, James O'Neil

  • President, William Boviard, Jr.
  • Secretary, John Kioer
  • Treasurer, S. Bedell
  • Foreman, Geo. Leipold

ERA HOOK AND LADDER NO. 1

Era Hook and ladder No.1, organized in June 1878, is the second organization in point f 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 organizatin in Bradford. But it was one hting 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 shot time stored in a shed in the rear of L. Emery & Co., and the shed was also used for an assembley room by the company, until rooms were rented inteh opera house block. The truck remained in service unti superseded by horses and the fine Seagrove apparatus now in use. The housing of the new truck and tam, necessitated a change of quarters, and the company is now loctd on Pine street, am extremely incoveneint location, which fortunately is soon to be changed.

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

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 Volunteer Department 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 aboutthe same time and the strife was hotand 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 addinghte 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. W. 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 wiht 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 thye wer 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 insted of waiting for municipal assistance, proceeded with their arrangements at the expense of thier own cash and credit. They purchased a reel of hose and a cart in New York and thier 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 presetn quarters at No. 20 Kennedy street. The company is now equiped with a combined chemical and hose wagon and may be found at any time of the day or night, prepared to enterain any character of guests from a visiting fireman to legendary fire fiend, so often mentioned 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.
Citizen Hose Company BFD

  • G. Hulmes
  • P. 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. G. Greenwald
  • J. Gerry
  • R.A. Humes
  • Babe- the dog

    • 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 ont he roster of the department. Originally thie company was composed of employees of Whitney & Wheeler, who at the 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 to open 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 fainally disbanded byt he city government.

    UNITED HOSE CO. No. 4

    March 25, 1879, United HOse Company No. 4 was organized. The membership was made up of employes ofthe United Pipe Lines division of Standard Oil Company, and it is a question whether even the officers knew the name of members. One novel piece of fire apparatus owned by this company was a small rifled cannon, which was used in oil firees to shoot holes in the big thirty-five thousand barrel tanks and thsu draw off the oil. After an honorable and useful career of several years the company disbanded for reasons unknown to the writer.

    CORNEN HOSE CO. No. 5

    Cornen Hose Company No. 5 organized in Kendalll Buroug, March 2, 1881, was named after the Cornen brothers, who were then prominent oil producers. It was then and still is an independent organizatin, owning its on house and beautiful parade carriage, and after effective service in the protection of Tarport, became a part of the bradford Fire department. The city has lately placed a new horse hose wagon in the house and the Cormen's are now as well prepared for duty as any hose company in the country.
    • M. Donohue
    • P. Hyde
    • R.A. Saylor
    • L. Hart
    • W. Crawford
    • P.M. White
    • M. Clark
    • B. Mosley
    • B. Anderson
    • B. Smiley
    • L. crawford
    • B.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. Hgerty
    • O. F. Spencer
    • B.Sieley
    • Wm. berger
    • P. Kane
    • J. Sherin
    • O.Miller
    • M.W. Gibbs

    CENTRAL HOSE

    For the protection of the Boviard and Seyfang plant, Central Hos Company was organized in September 1885, the membership consisting originally of employees of the corporation. A large elegantly furnished home on Boylston stteet is provided for this company, which is athletically inclined and which maintains on of the fastest running teams in the country. Numerous beautiful trophies of the prowess of this company adorn its quarters.

    POTTER HOSE

    A disastrous fire on Pleasant Street in 1891, caled attention tot he necessity for a fire protectin in that section of th city and led to the organization of the George H. Potter Hose Company in August of that year. Membership is made up of the residence district on the (hill) in the third and fourth wards. The company has god carriage, is neatly uniformed, and most comfortable quartered and is a credit to its organizers and members.

    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

    LIBERTY HOSE

    Very much after the fashion of the preceding company and organized for much the same pupose, is the Liberty Hose Company, whose house is situated on High Street inthe sixth ward. This company was organized in 1892. The memebers have erected a hose house and with their efficient apparatus have been a valuable aid to the fire department of the city.
    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 destoyed in a fire, and the one purchased by the city was susequently 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 chief engineer, Burt McAlister, is due a great degree of the credit for procuring the efficient apparatus in use today.
    In the early days ofthe 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 Associaion was made possible by an act of the legislature, granting to the fire department a portion of the two percent 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 Friemen's Association in 1882, and the event was a conspictuous success.
    The fire chiefs from the organization to date are as follows:
    • 1878 J.L. Andrrews
    • 1883 E.N. Southwick
    • 1885 James Granger
    • 1887 James F. Campbell
    • 1888 Burt McAlliaster
    • 1889 Thomas White
    • 1890 D.A. Rapp
    • 1895 Burt McAllister
    The present officers of the department atthe time of writing:
    • president - J.L. Andrews
    • vice-president - George Reidy
    • secretary - Frank Ward
    • treasurer - J.E. Ward
    • chief engineer and superintendent fire alarm systems - 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 full service. The balance of the department is strickly volunteer.
    The personnel of the department is as follows:

      JOHNSON HOSE COMPANY No.1
      • president - Wm. Boviard, Jr.
      • vice-president - Jno. Kiser
      • secretary - S. Bedell
      • treasurer - Gus Herbig
      • Foreman Geo. Leipold
        • P. Alger
        • J. Ardizone
        • N. Asselto
        • A. Bauer
        • Ed. Briggs
        • Wm. Brenneman
        • C. Boyd
        • M. Cohn
        • W.J. Cotter
        • L. Cottrell
        • T. Duffy
        • J.B. Dolan
        • 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. McKittrick
        • F. Miles
        • E. Myers
        • Jno. O'Day
        • Z.Pierson
        • D.A.Ropp
        • T.Ryder
        • G.Shubert
        • E.Staebell
        • J.Staebell
        • E.Sorrentino
        • C.Watson
    More to come!
    Illustrated History OF Bradford, McKean County, PA.
    Editor: Vernelle A. Hatch
    Pub: Burk Brothers, Bradford, PA. 1901
    Printers: The Mausauer Press, Caxton Bldg. Buffalo, N.Y.

    contributed by Thomas Prenatt Newton
    NewtGen@aol.com

    transcribed by Sheila Barr Helser

    Return to McKean County Home
    McKean County pages © Sandy Payne