In Memoriam: William Broadhead - Part 2

Last month I posted some information about William Broadhead, one of the most well-known manufacturers in Jamestown's history. The text came from a booklet various newspaper articles detailing the life of Broadhead. It was published shortly after his death. 

Here is another article about Broadhead, this time published two days after his death in the Jamestown Morning Post. That day's editorial from the Post can be found below the article.

JAMESTOWN'S FIRST CITIZEN  

Jamestown Morning Post - May 23, 1910

WILLIAM BROADHEAD, a resident of Jamestown for nearly 67 years, and one of the pioneers in the industrial activity of Chautauqua County, died at his residence, 130 South Main Street, Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock, aged 91 years. He celebrated his 91st birthday on February 17th at Passadena, California, where he spent the winter in company with is two daughters. He passed away peacefully with the members of his family present and his death will be mourned by the entire city as thousands of its inhabitants knew him personally and many more had seen the familiar figure on the streets for over half a century.

Mr. Broadhead and his daughters returned from California early in May. At that time he was in excellent health and spirits. He contracted a severe cold and complications developed which ended in his death on Saturday. The end had been expected for several days.

One Wednesday, May 11th, Mr. Broadhead was at the worsted mills, where he had spent so many years, for the last time. He did not leave his home after that day, his vitality growing gradually weaker until the end came. His mind was keen and clear to the last and he answered the last summons with a confidence that he had done all that he could in the struggle of his life.

Mr. Broadhead was a shrewd business man and made many profitable investments in addition to the worsted mills. He erected numerous business blocks in the city, was a director and vice president of the First National Bank and was one of the leading promoters of the Jamestown Street Railway which his son Almet N. Broadhead now controls. About a decade ago Mr. Broadhead built the Meadowbrook Worsted Mills at Falconer. The large mill was conducted in connection with the Broadhead Mills in this city.

Mr. Broadhead's large manufacturing interests naturally made him a believer in a protective tariff and consequently he was always an ardent Republican, although he never sought nor held public office.

On February 15, 1900, Mr. Broahead was signally honored by his fellow citizens at a great banquet given in the Sherman House in honor of his 81st birthday, which was to come two days later. The most prominent men of Jamestown sat down at the banquet tables and noted men came from other places to honor the Jamestown manufacturer and city builder. About 150 men were in attendance. The banquet was one of the notable events in the city's history and it is still vividly remembered by all who were present. 

Mr. Broadhead's worth as a developer of great enterprises that had exerted powerful influences in the growth of the city were referred to by brilliant speakers. Judge Jerome B. Fisher was toastmaster, and the following men responded toasts: Lynn Tew Sprague, Ex-mayor Eleazer Green, Frank W. Stevens, Edward Appleyard, Rev. Dr. Albert L. SMalley, James L. Weeks, Representative Edward B. Vreeland, Rev. Elliot C. Hall, Edwin A. Bradshaw, Arthur C. Wade and Supreme Court Justice John Woodward.

At the First Methodist Church yesterday morning the pastor, Rev. Dr. Horace G. Ogden, made an appreciative reference to the useful service for the community rendered by Mr. Broadhead, a former member of that church. 

At the First Congregational Church yesterday morning, the minister, Rev. Dr. Charles H. Small spoke very tenderly of the passing of Mr. Broadhead. The Broadhead pew was draped with purple gauze and a wreath was placed in the seat usually occupied by Mr. broadhead.

WILLIAM BROADHEAD

Editorial from the Jamestown Morning Post - May 23, 1910

When William Broadhead died, the pioneer era in the industrial history of Jamestown may be said to have closed. He had outlived most of the men who had been associated with him in establishing the textile industry in this city, though he was himself well along in life when he entered upon that larger career as a manufacturer which was to give him and his family a national instead of a local reputation.

It was to his foresight and business sagacity that the rapid industrial growth of Jamestown is largely due, for he was connected with the first two worsted mills and his sons have so wisely managed the family interests that they have made the Broadhead name known far and wide as synonymous with business enterprise and integrity. It is exceedingly rare for the members of one family to engage in so many kinds of business with such uniform success. William Broadhead was justly proud of this great business development achieved in less than forty years and Jamestown is proud of his having lived and labored in the city, to which his coming meant so much.

William Broadhead was an Englishman of the old school, a man who loved his native land to the last, though he became a good citizen of this country, to which he removed in 1843 at the early age of 24. He and some of the older members of his family were the forerunners of that sturdy company of English artisans who have contributed so largely to the prosperity of Jamestown. In old Yorkshire, he had learned the weaver's trade as an apprentice, but had later worked with his father in the village smithy until he decided to try his fortune in the new land of promise beyond the sea. So it was that iron products rather than textiles first occupied his attention. He manufactured scythe snaths, grain cradles, axes and forks, and later with his sons engaged extensively in the clothing and merchant tailoring business.

A visit to his native village of Thornton in 1872, where he witnessed the remarkable growth of the mills in which he had worked as a boy, determined him to engage extensively in the manufacture of dress goods. It is not often that a man comes to the great work of his life when he is past his fiftieth year, but William Broadhead was exceptional in many respects. With all the energy of a youth, he united his own capital with that of others and the result was that within two years there were two worsted mills in Jamestown, instead of the one at first planned, both of which have made Jamestown goods famous through the length and breadth of the land. Later, the Broadheads engaged in extensive street railway enterprises. They built business blocks, established the Rose Gardens, and in every way showed their interest in the home town.

It was a builder of business concerns that William Broadhead will be longest remembered. He had the vision for large undertakings which made him willing to risk his money to make them successful, and such citizens are a great benefit to any town.

The personality of William Broadhead was so familiar to all our citizens that it needs no comment in a Jamestown newspaper. Both in private and public life, he was a good citizen. He was devoted to his family, church, and his city. In his rugged old age, prolonged far beyond that of most men, he resembled one of the oaks of his native England, which seems to grow stronger as the blasts of winter break around them. He had wrought well and faithfully and he rests from his labors in the "peace that passeth understanding."