The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-19
CITY MOURNS
 AT DEATH OF F.J. MULCAHY
Remarkable Career of Distin- guished Manufacturer--Inspira ton to Young Men
WAS PURCHASING AGENT
 FOR CHICAGO EXPOSITION
Achieved National Eminence in Manufacturing Circles From Humble Beginning as Rail- road Photographer

Frank J. Mulcahy, vice president
 and general manager of the Crane
 Valve Co.,. conspicuous among the
 public spirited, and progressive man
 ufacturers of the east and well
 known throughout the entire business
 world, died at St. Vincent's hospital
 early this morning. Stricken nearly
 two weeks ago with appendicitis, he
 waited too long before submitting to the surgeons knife. He made a
 brave fight for life. displaying vitality that surprised specialists in constant
 attendance, but the disease had made
 such inroads, before his operation,
 his doctors had not dared to encour-
 age the members of his family to
 hope for recovery, when the incision brought to light the critical nature
 of his disease.
 MT. Mulcahy's death is a profound
 shock to Bridgeport. Apparently
 blessed with a rugged physique, 53
 years of age, he appeared in the
 prime of lifes vigorous and active, full of plans for the further develop ment of the business in which be had become such an important factor and happy in the enjoyment of his home and his social lkfe.s He was proTni- nent ciubman.
 The deceased was a self made man in the most complete, sense of the term. His first position was as a rail- road telegTaphef His progress from place of comparative obscurity to the head of one of the largest indus trial enterprises in the country was the result of a natural endowrpe ent of keen judgment, quick perception, and indefatigable industry.
 MH.sMulcahy was native of Cleve- land, O., where he was born in 1859, Le.- -A TA--~ Ma.l cahy. His parents were natives of Ireland, and came to this country without a large share of this worlds goods At an early age the son dis played the industry that was later to become one af his most striking char acteristicsa and after several minor places, he qualified himself for the position of railroad telegrapher. His close attention to his duties re- suited in his promotion to the posi- ton of train. dispatcher on the Wells vile division of the Pennsylvania railroad, from which he resigned to accept an important executive post cago. He remained in that. post for two years when further advancement came to him in the position of pur- chasing agent for the Deering Har- yester Co.
 His skill in this position commend
  cago merchants, and when in 1881 the Worlds Colum bian Exposition plans were well under way, he was selected as admirably equipped for the position of purchasing agent for the entire exposition. He reTpained in this post until 1893, and his masterful methods of financing the wonderful enterprise commanded the admiration of all who were familiar with the inner work ings of the exposition. Many millions of dollars passed through the hands of the former railroad telegraph operator, whose capacity for big things was apparently unlimited. Long before his duties with the Worlds Fair had ceased, Richard T. Crane, now deceased, the founder of the Crane Co. had become familiar with the business ability of MT. Mul- cahy. His vast purchases for the Worlds Fair included many orders from the Crane Co. and the officials of the company including Mr. Crane took keen interest in him. The re- suit was that in recognition of his ability MT. Crane rendered him the position of purchasing agent for the Crane O., in which post he remained until 1905.
 About that time the Eaton, Cole & Bufnham Co of this city had passed into the hands of the Crane interests. Mir: Mulcahy was selected as the man to whom to entrust the responsibili- ties of the big Bridgeport acquisition. He came to Bridgeport in 1905 as the general manager of the Eaton, Cole & Burnham Co.,, which later became the Crane Valve Co, and remained here continuously. At the time of his death he was the vice president and general manager of the Crane Valve O.
 MT. Mulcahy became active in the
 business life of Bridgeport promptly on taking up his residence here. He was actively identified with the Man
 ufacturers' Association and the Board Of Trade. He was member of the executive committee of the former or- ganization. He took a keen interest Tn public affairs, and though only a short time a resident of the city, when the occasion arose. Mayor Marcus L.
 Reynolds selected him as one of the most enfnently qualified to handle a (Continued or Page 3.)