Seventy-eight Year-old Bell is Fraught with early Bradford History

Augustus W. Newell--a pioneer with nerve enough to take over a failing railroad and to erect a school building after others were afraid to take the contract--used the bell for a year and a half on his home-made passenger engine running between Carrollton and Bradford (Pennsylvania) as early as 1856 then placed it in the belfry of the building he erected as one of Bradford's first schools.

He came here in 1852 to work for his uncle, Daniel Kingsbury, the 20 year-old Augustus Newell surveyed and plotted land for his uncle until 1856 when the newly chartered Buffalo and Bradford Railroad Company announced plans to build a line from Erie junction (now Carrollton) to the semi-bituminous coal lands of Lafayette Township, McKean County. At that time it was believed this territory was rich in coal deposits (the discovery of oil wealth came considerably later and Daniel Kingsbury himself, who owned extensive holdings in the county, was firm in his belief that coal was to be the hope for whatever prosperity this district was to enjoy. Mr. Kingsbury was president, projector and principal stockholder in the new [rail]road and his nephew a member of the engineering corps under Frank Williams, chief engineer.

The survey for the line was started in the spring of 1856 from Carrollton to Bradford. Snow in the hemlock swamps, heavy down timber and dense underbrush made the work next to impossible. The young Mr. Newell humorously stated regarding his title as assistant engineer "in other words I did the work." This "work" consisted in setting every center stake and fixing every level between Carrollton and Bradford [12 miles].

Few Settlers Then

When the survey was being made there were but very few settlers in the valley, many of whom lived in log homes. Valley roads were next to impassable and the popular method of transportation was ox-drawn sledges in summer and winter alike.

John S. King, succeeding King and Loomis, as contractor, graded the [rail]road to Bradford and seven miles up West Branch. With the rails laid the new railroad was ready for business and the "Orange" was the first locomotive to travel the new line from the rolling plains of south-western New York to the forest-covered hills of McKean County. The crew on this first train included an engineer, a fireman, one or two brakeman and several conductors.

[Rail]Road goes in "Red"

But receipts fell short of expenses and after a time the [rail]road was abandoned. It was then that the young Augustus Newell who was never paid for his work on the [rail]road purchased a handcar and attempted to "make a living" in that way. He said of this venture "that was work."

Seeing a need for power of locomotion other than that supplied by his arms and back, Mr. Newell constructed what is probably the strangest locomotive in American railroad history. Taking a set of wheels and boxes from a gravel car, Mr. Newell constructed over them a wooden covered platform. He obtained a little 5-inch single cylinder engine, formerly used in drilling oil wells and placed this on the car after much difficulty. The engine was connected by a belt to a pulley on an axle of the car. Mr. Newell remarked "to the surprise of all I made it work and made it pay."

The bell, probably more to inform the populace that the train was in the neighborhood than for safety's sake was placed on the combination locomotive and passenger car.

Start Showing Profit

Ten dollars a day "and upwards" for a year and a half placed the line on a successful basis and attracted considerable attention, especially in the face of the failure of the former and "big" company.

Mr. Newell invited the superintendent of the Erie Railroad, Charles Minot, to ride his [rail]road and Mr. Minot was so impressed with the Carrolltown-Bradford line that he organized a syndicate, making Mr. Newell a director to operate the line with the young railroader running the [rail]road on shares. This continued for a year or more, until Mr. Newell's contract expired, when a Mr. Kerr took over the line with Joe Haggerty as engineer. The line finally was absorbed by the Erie which uses the old grade.

Erects New School

Out of the railroad business, Mr. Newell a few years later was prevailed upon to erect a school building which formed a part of the later Third Ward structure. On this early building Mr. Newell placed the bell from the locomotive on this district's first successful railroad.

Augustus W. Newell, central figure in this colorful chapter of Bradford history died March 25, 1919.

from The Bradford Era, Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1934


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Augustus William Newell

Augustus W. Newell was born at Newton, Massachusetts on October 9, 1832 and the oldest of nine children. His ancestors in this country were among the first settlers of Massachusetts coming from England in 1642 [NOTE: Actually in 1620 aboard the Mayflower]. His great grandfathers were both soldiers in the American Revolution. Mr Newell attended school at Brookline, Mass. until 13 years of age, when he began to learn civil engineering and from that time he made his own way in the world. While studying his profession he clerked for two years in the office of his father (who was a magistrate) and while there acquired a knowledge for exactness. After leaving his father's office he was employed four years as clerk for different railroad companies. His uncle, Daniel Kingsbury, had bought the property of the United States Land Company, consisting of 200,000 acres of land in McKean and adjoining counties. When Mr. Newell was 20 years old he gave the money he had saved to his uncle to invest in the land in McKean County [Pennsylvania] and two years later he took up his residence in Bradford [Pennsylvania].

He was employed by the Buffalo, Bradford and Pittsburg Railroad Company when the line was built through Bradford. Then the company went into bankruptcy and stopped running their cars; he was unable to get his pay and he conceived the idea of hiring an engine and running the train himself [NOTE: See more detailed account in previous article]. Obtaining permission, he hired a man and together they mowed the track with old-fashion scythes from Bradford to Carrolltown, a distance of 12 miles. He then hired an engine and commenced railroading. He soon made enough to pay the company's indebtedness, and here was laid the foundation of his own future. The enterprise also proved beneficial to the city. What money he had accumulated he invested in lands and thus laid the foundation for the extensive real estate business he is now doing.

As Bradford became a great oil town and railroad center, he sold his land at a large advance on the purchase price. He still owns two or three hundred town lots and a large number of dwellings in the city. Mr. Newell, although not an aspirant for political honors, has served the city in various capacities. His knowledge of civil engineering enabled him to be of valuable service in organizing a system of water works and he served as a water commissioner for eight years. He has also been a School Director, and served as Postmaster of Bradford under Lincoln's administration. He was a Commissioner from the State of Pennsylvania appointed by Governor Beaver to the International Exposition at Paris. He is a member of the American Association of Engineers and accompanied its excursion to Europe in 1889, where the party was received under the auspices of the English and French engineers. Mr. Newell has been a member and Director of the Board of Trade since its formation and has always been foremost in civic affairs.

from unknown report written while Augustus was still living

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The 1880 census records show that Phebe's sister Sarah E. Lewis was living with the Newells. In addition, Emma Barlow, the housekeeper (born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in England) and Emma Shirley, a maidservant (born in Pennsylvania) were living in the household.


Source to investigate:
Name: Augustus William NEWELL
Birth Date: 1832
Volume: 124
Page Number: 262
Reference: Ely anc. Lineage of Rich. Ely who settled at Lyme, Ct. By Moses S. Beach. New York, 1902. (44, 639p.):403, 504

Source: Please cite original sources.
Compiled by: J. K. Loren

1. 2. Lewis (Capt.) NEWELL, Capt.   b. 31 Dec 1880, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 2 Oct 1966, Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida.
2. 3. Henry Foster NEWELL   b. Jan 1882, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 1920, While working as an engineer on the Panama Canal.
3. 4. Augustus "Gus" William NEWELL   b. 1884, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 1918, While working as an engineer on the Panama Canal.

Two on Augustus' and Phoebe's sons, Gus and Henry died while helping with the construction of the Panama Canal. Gus Newell died of "Spanish Grip" and Henry Newell died of pneumonia.

Their surviving son, Lewis, enlisted in the army at age 17. He was a private in the Puerto Rican campaign, and then on the Mexican border in the El Paso district as lieutenant of machine guns 16th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry. He also served as a Rifle Instructor, 4th Training Regiment, at Fort Niagara, New York. He served in various other capacities, such as Infantry Machine Gun, Quartermaster's Corps, rising from private to rank of Captain.

Returning to private life, Lewis took over his father's estate and oil business at Bradford, Pennsylvania. Lewis' daughters allege that when asked about his occupation he would reply "I am the son of a wealthy man."


To investigate:
Name: Lewis NEWELL
Birth Date: 1880
Volume: 124
Page Number: 284
Reference: Ely anc. Lineage of Rich. Ely who settled at Lyme, Ct. By Moses S. Beach. New York, 1902. (44, 639p.):504

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917 - 1918, McKean County, Pennsylvania
2790 2270
Lewis Newell
Bradford Pa.
Age 37, Born Dec 31 1880
Race: White
U.S. Citizen
Present Occupation: Oil Producer
Employer: Working for himself
Place of Employment: Bradford Pa.
[illegible heading] Mary Lewis Newell (Wife)
Bradford Pa.
[signature of Lewis Newell]
Height: Tall
Build: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
[illegible heading]
No (Near Sighted)
Dated: 9/9/[19]18
Elsie Dittmer
Dep. Co. Clerk

Source: Please cite original sources.
Compiled by: J. K. Loren

1. 5. Margaret "Margie" Hope NEWELL   b. 23 Dec 1905, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. Jan 1981.
2. 6. Elizabeth Rogers NEWELL   b. 22 Mar 1907, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 5 Feb 1984, Los Angeles County, California.
3. 7. Virginia "Janie" Ruth NEWELL   b. 13 Dec 1908, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. Deceased.
4. 8. Dorothy Isabelle NEWELL   b. 25 Mar 1910, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 26 Feb 2004, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina; bur. 1 Mar 2004, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Candler, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
5. 9. Martha McIntosh NEWELL   b. 13 Jun 1913, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 11 Oct 1995, Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut.
6. 10. Mary Lou NEWELL   b. 26 Dec 1918, Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. 15 May 1998, Orlando, Orange County, Florida.

Source: Please cite original sources.
Compiled by: J. K. Loren

Source: Please cite original sources.
Compiled by: J. K. Loren

Source: Please cite original sources.
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1. 11. POWELL  
2. 12. POWELL  
3. 13. POWELL  

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1. 14. AXMAN  

1. 15. AXMAN  
2. 16. AXMAN  
3. 17. AXMAN  

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1. 18. GRAY  

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1. 19. DUNNINGTON  
2. 20. DUNNINGTON  
3. 21. DUNNINGTON  
4. 22. DUNNINGTON  
5. 23. DUNNINGTON  
6. 24. DUNNINGTON  

Name on Social Security Death Index: Martha N. Shetler

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1. 25. SHETLER  
2. 26. SHETLER  
3. 27. SHETLER  
4. 28. SHETLER  

Name on Social Security Death Index: Mary N. Seacat

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1. 29. SPITZNAS  

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