32) Frederick James Bradley: Elected mayor for the City of Welland in 1931 & 1932
Vital statistics
Birth: December 12, 1893 at Marshville, Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada
Death: July 3, 1980 at Welland, Ontario, Canada (age 86)
Burial place: Fonthill Cemetery (Find a Grave)
Parents: Abraham Henry / Jane Ann
Spouse: Mildred Ruth (née Cowan)
Children: Betty / Anne
Occupations: Grocery store owner / Insurance salesman
Religion: Anglican
Community affiliations: Welland Hydro Electric Power Commission / City Councillor
Profile
Frederick James Bradley was born on December 12, 1893 in Wainfleet to Abraham and Jane Bradley. He grew up in Marshville in the Wainfleet area, he attended Welland High School, and also spent some time in Pittsburgh before finally moving to Welland in 1913 when he was twenty years old.
He started his own business in 1919, a grocery store he called F. J. Bradley’s, under the Red & White chain branding, which was located at 50 Niagara St. He opened a second store at 37 West Main St. in 1939. He was a grocery store owner until 1954, when he changed his career at the age of sixty one and began working in insurance, first with the Continental Insurance Company and then with the S. O. Mason Insurance Agency until he retired in 1968.
When operating his grocery store he became well-known and trusted in the community, and he decided to run for councillor in 1923 and was elected. He was elected as a councillor twelve times between 1923 and 1943, with two stints as mayor in 1931 and 1932.
The two years he was mayor were among the worst of the Great Depression. At the end of his second term Councillor Patterson stated that Bradley had served during two strenuous years, but that he had been most conscientious and very fair, taking his stand like a man. The next mayor of Welland, Frank Springer said that Bradley had handled the affairs of the municipality truly and well, being exceedingly fair in all his decisions, pointing out all the committees kept within their estimates. “The city should be proud of your accomplishments.” Mayor Bradley himself declared his two terms as mayor were a pleasure for him as the councillors provided much cooperation and respect, and he would recommend them all for re-election. He mirrored Springers comments that the various committees kept within their estimates so that they had a surplus of $3,500. He advised the next council that they should keep in close touch with the city’s claim against the federal government arising from the Welland Canal construction, and he felt that with the proper diplomacy exercised, the claim would eventually make its way to the city treasury.
Frederick reached the advanced age of eighty six, dying on July 3, 1980 at the Welland County General Hospital. He was survived by his wife Mildred and his two daughters Betty and Anne.
Sources
- “F. J. Bradley’s Second Store.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, January 19, 1939.
- “Former mayor dies.” Evening Tribune, July 4, 1980.
- “Valedictories Delivered at Final Meeting.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, December 21, 1932.