The Memoirs of Frank A. McBride (publ. 2017)

Production and Commentary by Timothy B. McBride

The humble dustjacket above frames a compilation of stories and photographs that tell the family history of Frank A. McBride, who started a hauling business in Paterson, New Jersey in 1898. In his eighties, McBride dictated his memories on a Dictabelt (1950s recording device), an account that was later transcribed and, much later, compiled for this book by his grandson Timothy. Below are excerpts of the elder’s account, describing boyhood memories of working in his father’s horse-and-coach business until the founding of his own business, which over the next century grew from plumbing to mechanical contracting, construction, and real estate ventures.

“Having been a drover in Ireland, dealing in horses and cattle, it was but natural that he [my father] got into the horse-owning business in Paterson, with 30 or more horses and a hauling business. He added a third story to his brick building…in which he boarded 18 wagon drivers for $4.50 a week each, including their laundry. Most of these drivers were newly arrived Irishmen who had no other home.

“Our drivers were paid $1.50 a day and worked from 5 in the morning to 6 at night…eating three meals a day plus a hearty bedtime snack. Naturally, we needed a large food supply on hand all the time, so my father bought eggs by the barrel, packed in sawdust; hams by the dozen; and tea in lead-lined crates—which we also sold to neighbors. Generally we [my friends and I] used to throw eggs down at passersby from the top of our 3-story building, trusting to luck that we would hit someone. Occasionally we would have an egg-eating contest, some of the boys eating as many as 15.

“We furnished coaches for several undertakers in Paterson, and very often I drove a coach when one of the drivers was ill. On one occasion, when I was driving, the horses acted normally until I got to River Road, on the way to the cemetery. At that point, one of the horses got the blind staggers and broke into a mad run. The riders were frantic, but I was unable to do anything except attempt to hold him back, which I finally did at the High Bridge, a mile beyond the cemetery. I finally got the passengers home, never having gone to the cemetery. Fortunately they were my father's friends and never complained to him.

“A great deal has been written to support the theory that our winters are growing warmer and warmer, a theory with which I'll certainly go along. I'm quite sure there was more snow on the ground when I was a boy. What better evidence than the Blizzard of 1888?

“We had at least two sleigh-ride parties a week. The sleighs were about two feet off the ground and 15 feet long, holding approximately 20 people when tightly packed. On one occasion when the driver had had a little too much to drink, we put him in the bottom of the sleigh and I drove the four-horse hitch home. The temperature was a frigid 17 degrees below zero as we left Ridgewood, and the long hairs of the horses were coated with icicles.”

Interior pages (custom endsheets) depicting the McBride company logo and colors

as seen on their trucks in the late 1900s

June Question: What is the most common profession in your family?



Staff responses

Megan St. Marie: Before my parents' generation, I have decidedly blue-collar roots: hardworking farmers, factory workers, hairdressers, and housewives

Sean St. Marie: Megan and I have very similar backgrounds, and I’d add military service to her list when thinking of my own family.

Ali de Groot: Engineers and musicians



Liz Sonnenberg: A mix of bankers, engineers, veterinarians, and contractors in more recent years; farmers and housewives in earlier years

Nicole Miller: Military, accountants, mechanics, artists, nurses, and psychologists

Emma Solis: Teachers in earlier years and doctors and nurses in more recent years