1895 Marvindale, PA

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"Gaffney Brothers Will Erect a Large Chemical Plant on the Block Farm, This Side of Hazel Hurst, in the Near Future"
--McKean County Miner, 16 December 1898
The Gaffney Brothers of Bradford also erected 2 other chemical plants, The National Chemical Co. and Gaffney, Arnold and Co. Both were in operation in 1898. The former as 2 miles east of Westline, in Olivedale, until dismantled in 1914. The five company houses were loaded on flat cars and moved to Westline--where the equipment was sold to a competitornote: the Marvindale plant later became Bradford Wood Products Co., office at 304 Hooker-Fulton Building in Bradford. The president was Miss Katherine McCullough in 1956, and it closed shortly thereafter.

Augustus H. Gaffney Died
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, August 14, 1930

News of the sudden death of Augustus H. Gaffney of Kane at the Thousand Islands Monday night came as a distinct shock to his legion of McKean county friends.

He and Mrs. Gaffney. The former Alice Badger of Smethport, had been bacationing the guests of friends at Association Island, owned by officials of the General Electric Co., in Alexandria Bay.

He was stricken with a heart attack while in the act of telephoning and expired soon after.

Born in New York on Dec 20, 1868, the son of a prominent linen manufacturer, the deceased when a young man came to the Kushequa with his four brothers where they started their careers which made them leaders of the chemical manufacturing business of this county.

Mr. Gaffney was active in management of chemical plants at Olivedale and Nansen ad in 1900 took up his residence in Kane where he became president of the American Plate Glass Co. Putting the business, which had been wavering on a sounds basis, Mr. Gaffney brought the big plant to a commanding position where it was sold in 1923 to the Durant Motor interests for $4,000,000 but Mr. Gaffney remained as president.

He was also interested in other glass making enterprises and banking. He was a leader in Kane civic life, a prominent Republican, having served as a member of the Republican State committee and in 1916 was a delegate to the national convention. He was an intimate friend of the late Senator Penrose.

A lover of horses, he for a number of years maintained a racing stable. He was also a devotee of golf.

Mr. Gaffney married Miss Alice Badger December 20, 1898. The wife and one son Joseph, survive. A brother, William S. Gaffney of Bradford also survives.

The funeral is being held at the family residence, 15 Pine street, Kane this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. The Rev. Dr. Bruce Wright, pastor of the Delaware Asbury M. E. church, Buffalo will officiate.

William S. Gaffney Died
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, Feburary 15, 1934

William S. Gaffney, retired chemical manufacturer, died at his home 180 Jackson avenue, Bradford, at 2:10 a. m. Saturday. Mr. Gaffney had been suffering from a heat ailment since last October. He was 74 years old.

At his bedside when death came were his two sons, Fredrick Gaffney of Bradford and Harold Gaffney Greensboro, N. C.

Mrs. Gaffney died here in October of 1932.

A resident of Bradford for almost a half-century, Mr. Gaffney was a leader in civic moves for many years. A staunch supporter of the First Presbyterian Church, Mr. Gaffney was a member of the board of trustees for the past 10 years and also was and elder of the congregation. He was a member of all Masonic bodies the Coudersport consistory and Zem Zem temple, Erie.

A past president and director of the local Y. M. C. A., Mr. Gaffney took keen interest in the affairs of this organization. He was one of the original members of the Epicurean Club and the rotary Club.

Mr. Gaffney’s business activities were wide with his brother he had been connected with the Marvindale and Coryville Chemical companies and until 1926, was a director of the Standard Charcoal Co.

Although a pioneer in the chemical business in this community. Mr. Gaffney was attracted by the oil industry and at the time of his death was interested in two oil companies. For a number of years Mr. Gaffney was also a director of the Commercial National Bank here.

One of the most civic-minded of citizens, Mr. Gaffney was a steady contributor to many local projects and his philanthropic activities covered a wide range.


Fire at Charcoal Plant
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, June 15, 1950

The Smethport Fire Department answered and alarm Sunday afternoon shortly after 5 o’clock and sent two trucks to Marvindale where a fire was raging in the charcoal plant of the Bradford Woods Products Co.

Flames had ignited the frame work over the oven in the center section of the plant and efficient work of the local department and the Mt. Jewett Fire Department checked the conflagration from spreading. The center section was badly damaged by the blaze. Firemen remained at the scene until 8:15 p.m.

The charcoal company is owned by Katherine McCullough of 194 Jackson Ave., Bradford

The plant is under the supervision of Leland Backman, son of superintendent Ludwig Beckman while the latter in on a trip to Sweden.

Estimate of the damage s not available. The fire damage will not cause any work interruption, it was said.

The plant employs 12 men in the manufacture of charcoal with a large numberof wood cutters and haulers indirectly employed.

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2004 Marvindale Row Houses
photo credit: Kayla Lincoln
These row houses were built with the chemical plant in Marvindale, PA. Along with these two houses, there are two other existing houses. They were built to house the plant workers.

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