Funeral Service For W. J. Brooder

Prominent Coleville Man Died Thursday

McKean County Democrat August 4, 1949

Funeral services for William John Brooder, who passed away at his home on Smethport R.D.3 Thursday evening, July 28, from complication due to advanced age, were held Saturday morning at 10 o’clock with a High Mass of Requiem from St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. Urban S. Barrett officiated.

Pallbearers were Arthur Brooder Jr., Donald Wright, Kenneth Johnson, William Sherry, Lee Booth and John Patrick. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sartwell.

Mr. Brooder was born in Sartwell, Feb. 16, 1867, the son of the late William and Ellen McAulliffe Brooder, pioneer settlers of McKean County. He was employed by Campbell and Helmer as a lumberman, and the Mississippi Glass Company of Port Allegany, when a young man.

Later he moved to Smethport R.D. 3 and became a farmer. He also served as caretaker on the Bradford-Smethport road for the Pennsylvania Highway Department.

Mr. Brooder is survived by a son, Arthur Brooder, and a daughter, Miss Betty Brooder, Smethport R. D. 3; two step-daughters, Mrs. Alwilda Wright, Smethport, and Mrs. Edna Johnson, Port Allegany; a sister, Mrs. Celia Aubury, Toledo, O., and a brother, Raymond Brooder, Binghamton, N.Y.; nine grandchildren. His wife, Mrs. Etta Mae Eastwood Brooder, and two sons, Archie and William, preceded him in death.

Death of William Brooder

McKean County Miner June 13, 1918

The sudden death of William Brooder, of Sartwell, occurred in Buffalo Friday morning while in that city consulting a specialist in regard to his eyes. Mr. Brooder was 85-years-old and had always enjoyed the best of health, death overtaking him as he sat in a chair. He was a farmer by occupation and came to this county over 50 years ago. He was a brother of Edward and J. D. Brooder, of Kane. Funeral services were held at Sartwell on Monday morning.

In the early history of the county Mr. Brooder was active in politics, being a full-fledged Democrat, and was chosen in 1856 as delegate to the national convention which nominated James Buchanan president of the United States.

Mr. Brooder served several terms as a Jury Commissioner of McKean County.

ARCHIE BROODER DIES FROM INJURIES
CAUSED BY DYNAMITE BLAST

McKean County Democrat August 30, 1928

Archie Brooder, 21, well known local young man, was fatally injured by a blast of dynamite at the farm of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Brooder near Wright Corners on the Smethport-Bradford road about 11:30 o’clock last Saturday morning and died at the Bradford hospital at 10:20 o’clock that evening.

The young man had been working during his spare time on the erection of a tenant house, adjoining his parents’ home and was using dynamite to excavate for the cellar. He had buried a charge of dynamite Friday evening which failed to explode and Saturday morning attempted to dislodge the “dud” charge, using a pick. The implement hit the buried dynamite, it is thought, and a terrific explosion occurred, the young man receiving the full effects of the blast.

Part of Brooder’s face was blown away and he was otherwise seriously injured, being partly buried by the earth thrown up by the explosion.

Mr. Burdick, who was driving a team along the highway, Frank Canfield and state highway workers engaged in building the new Wright Corners curve witnessed the distressing accident and carried the victim into the house

The young man was rushed to the Bradford hospital where his injuries were treated by Dr. G. E. Benninghoff, but little could be done for the victim owing to the terrible nature of his injuries.

Young Brooder had been employed at the Farmers Valley Refinery up until recently when he quit to engage in carpenter work.

Was in Former Explosion

While employed at the refinery a year ago last spring Brooder was overcome by poison gas while working in the interior of a steel tank car. The plant superintendent, George Probert, entered the tank and secured a rope around the young man’s body by which he was lifted to safety. A moment later as Probert started to climb through the manhole in the top of the tank car a terrific explosion occurred inside which blew him high in the air and caused his instant death.

Archie Vincent Brooder was born at Wright Corners, May 7, 1907, and had resided there all his life. He was a young man of exemplary qualities who was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Brooder, a brother, Arthur, of home and three sisters, Betty of home, Mrs. Edna Reeves of Port Allegany and Mrs. Leo Wright of Bradford.

The funeral was held at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic church, Smethport, Tuesday morning at 9:30 o’clock, the Rev. P. J. Donohue officiating. Interment was made in the family plot in the Sartwell cemetery.