Joseph J. Bradley, Sr.
Joseph J. Bradley, Sr., 1868-1922, from Huntsville-Madison County Public Library: Portrait. |
Agent and General Manager for Merrimack Mill
Notes:
• The Bradley Middle (and later, High) School was named after Joseph J. Bradley, Sr. It was a school for the children of mill workers in the Merrimack Mill. Because the mill towns were outside the city limits, the families would be required to pay non-resident fees to continue education past fifth or sixth grade. These families could not afford such fees. So, at some point, the mills built and funded mill schools.
• Community leader and advocate for Merrimack employees.
• "Pennsylvania born 'Big Joe' Bradley was the agent and general manager of Merrimack Mill from 1905 until his death October 26, 1922. He was a community leader and an advocate for his employees. Joe Bradley School was named for him. After his death, his son, Joseph J. Bradley, Jr. became Merrimack's agent for about 15 years." - Huntsville-Madison County Public Library
Related Links:
| Nickname: | Big Joe |
| Born: | 1868, Pennsylvania |
| Died: | October 26, 1922 |
| Buried: | Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, AL |
Notes:
• The Bradley Middle (and later, High) School was named after Joseph J. Bradley, Sr. It was a school for the children of mill workers in the Merrimack Mill. Because the mill towns were outside the city limits, the families would be required to pay non-resident fees to continue education past fifth or sixth grade. These families could not afford such fees. So, at some point, the mills built and funded mill schools.
• Community leader and advocate for Merrimack employees.
• "Pennsylvania born 'Big Joe' Bradley was the agent and general manager of Merrimack Mill from 1905 until his death October 26, 1922. He was a community leader and an advocate for his employees. Joe Bradley School was named for him. After his death, his son, Joseph J. Bradley, Jr. became Merrimack's agent for about 15 years." - Huntsville-Madison County Public Library
Related Links:
• Historical Marker Society of America - Short History on Merrimack Mill and its school. (Originally found at http://www.hmsoa.org/counties/item/65805-merrimack-mfg-co--village-joseph-j-bradley-school.)
• Huntsville-Madison County Public Library - Photo of the school named for him.
• Huntsville-Madison County Public Library - Portrait
• MerrimackHall.com - Longer History on Merrimack Mill and the school (Originally found at http://www.merrimackhall.com/downloads/MerrimackMill_HistoryTextonly.pdf.)
• rison-dallas.com - Tells the story of how the schools for children from the mills were formed by Cecil V. Fain (January 26, 1977)