Spencer M DeGolier
Funeral Incomplete

Burial Rites for Former
Mayor of Bradford Are
Still Uncertain

DIED MONDAY MORNING

Spencer M. DeGolier, only mayor
of Bradford to serve three terms,
succumbed at 5 a. m. yesterday to
a six-month illness at his home,
129 West Corydon street. With his
passing, only three former city
executives remain here. They are
C. H. Deninger, Charles F. Schwab,
and T. P. Thompson, jr.
Funeral arrangements, which are
in charge of the Still funeral home,
were incomplete last night. Friends
have been invited to call at the
funeral home. The courtesy of no
flowers has been requested.
Was Native of City
Son of pioneer residents of Mc-
Kean county, and a native of Brad-
ford; outspoken free thinker and
dynamic writer on public questions,
Mr. DeGolier was long a prominent
figure in public life in Bradford.
His terms as mayor were in 1911-
15, 1920-23 and 1928-31. His last
sally into the political field was last
fall, when he ran on an independent
ticket for mayor after being defeated
in the Republican primaries.
Spencer M. DeGolier was born in
Bradford 67 years ago, the son of
Albert and Eleanor Hutchinson DeGolier,
and one of a family of 11 children.
His father was born in Keating township
and in his later life had become
interested in the oil business here.
Spencer DeGolier assisted his father,
working for the Berney Bond Glass company,
in hisyouth, and later worked as a bookkeeper
for the Manufacturers Gas company.
Keating township and in his later
life had become interested in the oil
business here. Spencer DeGolier
assisted his father, working for the
Berney Bond Glass company, in his
youth, and later worked as a bookkeeper
for the Manufacturers Gas company.
Lost in First Campaign.
Before being elected mayor, Mr.
DeGolier ran once unsuccessfully,
receiving but 18 votes. He achieved
the office in 1911 by a good-sized
plurality. He was defeated by Mr.
Schwab in the 1931 election and by
Mr. Thompson in 1933.
For many years Mr. DeGolier was
honorary president of the National
Association Opposed to the Blue
Laws. President for a time of the
Rationalist society, he was a contributor
to the official society magazine,
published in London, England.
He was an advocate of municipally
owned utilities and wrote
on this and other subjects of public
interest, contributing often to the
local newspapers' "public forum"
columns. Mr. DeGolier's staunch
stand on various issues won for him
many close friends and enemies as
well.
Mayor Issues Statement
Mayor Hugh J. Ryan yesterday
issued the following statement:
"Spencer DeGolier was a man who
was sincerely honest in his convictions.
I prized bis friendship
very highly. He was a good mayor
and had a large following of personal
friends. I bespeak the sympathy
of the entire community to
his wife in her sad bereavement"
John B. Callahan, councilman for
years under Mr. DeGolier also expressed
sorrow at his death.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs.
Ada DeGolier; a son, Albert DeGolier
of Kanesholm; three sisters,
Mrs. DeGolier Smart of Philadelphia,
Mrs. Lillian Lamphrell of Calumet,
Ill., and Mrs. Eleanor Davis
of Bradford, and a number of
nieces and nephews.

BRADFORD ERA, 3-25-1936,
pages 1 and 14