 |
Addison J. Brinker: Born April 23rd, 1840 (Butler County, PA.)
Died circa. 1910 (Erie, PA. Soldiers and Sailors Home)
Addison J. Brinker, alderman of the 12th ward of Allegheny City, was born in Butler County, PA., April 23rd, 1840. In 1847 his parents removed to Allegheny City, where he received the greater part of his education in the public schools. After a residence of seven years in Allegheny City, the family moved back to Butler County, where his father Jacob Brinker, died in 1853. The death of his father threw a good part of the burden of the family support upon Addison, and he went to work in the mines, digging coal. In the spring of 1856 he obtained a position on the old Pennsylvania canal, where he continued for some time, and later, in 1857, went to Meadville to learn the trade of an iron-molder. About a year later he went to Pittsburg and found employment on the river.
During the Mormon troubles of 1858 he was in the US service under Gens. Percy S. Smith and W. S. Harney. After a four month campaign against the Mormons, he returned to Pittsburg and worked in the oil fields until 1861. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Brinker returned to Butler County and enlisted as a private in Company I, 12th Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the three-month serivce, under Captain Biddle Roberts. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he again entered the service, this time as first sergeant in Company H, 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. In February, 1862, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and went through the Peninsula Campaign to Harrison's Landing, when he resigned and returned home. He recruited a company and a third time entered the army, his company becoming Company G, 137th Pennsylvania Infantry, in which he started as a private, but was soon promoted to orderly sergeant, then sergeant-major and acting adjutant under Col. J B. Kiddoo. On the last day of the battle of Chancellorsville, at the request of the officers of the line, Mr. Brinker took command of the regiment. After nine months service with this regiment, he returned home, and from that time until December, 1863, he acted as US detective for Pennsylvania. From December, 1863, to the close of the war he was stationed at Brady's Bend PA., at work upon the rolls. After peace was restored, he went to Meadville and secured a position on the police force, serving until 1869, when he resigned to become the chief of police at Franklin, PA. Two years later he resigned this position to become chief at Butler, PA., where he remained until 1875, when he came to Allegheny City. For a little while he was connected with the street railway company, but was soon appointed detective, under Chief Robert Hague, at the first exposition. After the exposition he went on the police force as lieutenant in charge of the day division, under Mayor Peterson, and continued in this place until 1884, he was appointed alderman for the twelfth ward, and helf the postion for five years. For about nine months he was on the police force, when he was again appointed alderman for a term of five years, and at the expiration of this term he served as alderman for about eight months in the tenth ward. He then moved back to the twelfth ward and was again appointed alderman, this time by Governor Hastings. After the term of his appointment expired, he was wit hthe Bell Telephone company, as an inspector, for four years, when he was a fourth time chosen alderman, this time by popular election. His present office is located at No. 1517 East St. He has been appointed police magistrate two terms, and is at the present time holding that office. Throughout his entire career Mr. Brinker has been a close adherent to the principles and tenets of the republican party. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Jane McCleary, of Allegheny City. His wife died in 1901, leaving one son named Blaine. Mr. Brinker is a member of the English Lutheran church, and Lodge No. 128, United Workmen. His long official career has rendered him one of the best-known men in Allegheny City, and in his whole course of life, whether as a soldier, a policeman or an alderman, he has never shrunk from responsibility nor swerved from a duty.
|
|
|
|
