Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-03
WILLIAM F. M'CULLY,
OLD POLITICIAN, DIES
Real Estate Assessor and For.
mer Fire Commissioners Sue
cumbs Suddenly

William Freeland McCully, a real es-
tate assessor and former Democratic
politician of the old school, died at his
home, 21l9 North Thirteenth street, last
night from complications due to ad-
yanced age. Mr.. McCully was eighty
years old.
He had been at his desk in City Hall
until last Tuesday, when he went home
suffering from a chill. His condition
was not regarded as critical until last
night. when he began to sink and died
within q few hours.
His brother, Thomas McCully,
Twen-y-frst and Diamond streets, and
three sisters, the Misses Helen and
Elizabeth McCully and Mrs, Jennie F.
Cleaves, were with him at the time.
K granddaughter. Miss Edna 'F. Para
more, also survives him.
Funeral services will be held from
his home on Thursday afternoon at two
O'Clock Interment will be made in Mt.
Moriah Cemetery.
Mr. McCully created a sensation in
1870 when, as a fire commissioner, he
stopped the ringing of the bell in the
state House, which since Revolutionary
times had given warning of small fires
throughout the city He believed that II
savored too much of small town life
and succeeded in having "A resolution
passed doing away with the ancient GUS
tom, despite a storm Of protest.
Mr.. McSculy was born in Philadel-
rhia. His father was James McScuily,
Il prominent Democratic citizen or the
old Southwark district. The elder NC
Gully was one of the commissioners OF
Southwark, and also member OF the
School Board of his ward, being greatly
Interested in the public school system
of education. The son was educated at
the Locust Street Grammar School and
the Central High School. When sixteen
years of age he was apprentiCed to Elias
Joseph Hinchen. one of the proprietors
of the Sunday Dispatch, to learn the
trade of pressman.
Following the footsteps of his father
Mr.. McCuly corly took an interest in
the management of the public schools
and at the age of twenty-two was
elected to and made president of the
school board of the third section, a
position he held for the term OF three
years, when, having removed out of
the ward, he was ineligible for rc-eleC-
ton.
Mr.. McCully's connection with the fire
department dottd back to the old volun-
teer days. When but eighteen years
old he became "a member of the Hibernia
Fire Engine Company, and was sub
stquently elected recorder and treasurer
of that organization. Upon the forma-
tion of the honorory association, called
the Old Guard, he was made president
He was also president OF the Hibernia
Fire Company.
On December 81. 1870, when the paid
fire department was established, Mr. Nc
Gully was elected by the Councils a
member of the Board of Fire Commits
sioners and served four years and four
months in a most efficient manner. In
May, 1881, he was reelected by Coun-
ellis to fill an unexpired term. and in
February, 1888, he was reelected for
the full term. Mr.. McCully was made
real estate assessor on April 7. 1912
and was reappointed last year He wae
connected with the office of the civil
service commission in the Blankenburg
administration.
Mr.. McCully was a charter member OF
the Americus Club and its secretary
for many years. He was a prominent
member of the Masonic order. being a
past master of Mount Moriah Lodge. No
1856 IA member of Harmony Chapter
r. a. M, No. ,52 a member of Pbiladel.
phia Commandery, No. ., knights TEN.
plar; a past master of Philndephis
Council and member of the Consist.
ory.