Edward L. Bader

Edward Lawrence Bader(June 8, 1874 – January 29, 1927) was an American politician who served asMayor of Atlantic City, New Jerseyfor much of theRoaring Twenties,when the city was arguably at the peak of its popularity as a vacation spot. Bader was known for his contributions to the construction, athletics and aviation of Atlantic City.

Edward L. Bader
29th Mayor of Atlantic City
In office 1920–1927
Preceded by	Harry Bacharach
Succeeded by	Anthony Ruffu
Personal details
Born	Edward Lawrence Bader (1874-06-08)June 8, 1874 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,United States
Died	January 29, 1927(1927-01-29)(aged 52) Atlantic City, New Jersey,United States
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Katherine Holvick
Relatives	William B. Bader(grandson) Diedrich Bader(great-grandson)
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania

Early life

Bader grew up on an 80-acre (32 ha) farm inWest Philadelphia,born toGerman immigrantDaniel Bader andScottish immigrantSarah Bader (née Boyle) in 1874. He had a brother, Harry Bader.

Until he turned 13, he attendedBoon's Dam School,though he recalled skipping a good deal of class. He worked a number of chores on the family farm, and he credited this rural labor with building his athletic physique.His family could not afford his further education which led him to champion educational growth in Atlantic City as an adult.

Bader sold newspapers, after leaving school, then worked for his father's new contracting business where he drove a six-horse team. He was married in 1899 to Katherine Holvick and enrolled in college. First he attended dental school, then the veterinary school, and finally theWharton School of Businessat theUniversity of Pennsylvania.

Originally Bader intended to earn money by playing football while attending college, but when he learned that he would have to be a student for a year before being allowed to play, he left and joined theLatrobe Athletic Association,the first professional football team in the United States. At a height of 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) and a weight of 195 pounds (88 kg), Bader helped Latrobe win an unofficial "United States Championship".

Early career

Steel Pier between 1910 and 1920

After a year with Latrobe, Bader returned to work full-time. He also played a year for a professional baseball team operated by Philadelphia Athletics ownerConnie Mack.He became a superintendent for his father's contracting company. In 1902, he set up a garbage-collecting operation for his father in Atlantic City. After two years, he started his own contracting business.

In 1904, a storm washed away part ofSteel Pierand many engineers stated that it could not be rebuilt but Bader and his company accepted the challenge to rebuild it. His success with that job led to more work in Atlantic City. His next major project was the paving of the five miles of Albany Avenue in Atlantic City toPleasantvillewhich is now part of theBlack Horse Pikethat passes by a field that bears his name.

Bader's contracting business was successful for the next few years working several projects in Atlantic City and along theEast Coast of the United States.An activeRepublican,politically, he was involved with local charities, and he was a member of theBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks,Moose International,Fraternal Order of Eaglesand theKnights of Columbus.His wife and he had four children, including a son, Daniel, who would later become an Atlantic City city commissioner.

Bader was an avid sportsbooster.He fielded basketball teams, organized Atlantic City's first professional football team - the Blue Tornadoes - and owned a boxing gym on North New Hampshire Avenue. Before world-titleBoxingbouts sponsored by casinos he would regularly bring world-class boxers to Atlantic City to fight.He developed a friendship with Boxing championJack Dempseyand was rumoured to be a potential manager for him in 1921.He formed Atlantic City High School's band and encouraged high school athletics.

Politics

Convention Hall

Bader's Republican allies, includingpolitical bossandracketeerNucky Johnson,convinced him to run for city commission in 1920. Winning his seat he was chosen by his fellow commissioners to serve as mayor. In 1924, he was re-elected.

In 1920, Bader was electedMayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Bader spoke out against aKu Klux Klanmeeting in Atlantic City in 1923. He also pushed the idea of the city residents organizing a beauty pageant that became known asMiss America.

Despite the opposition of many others, he purchased land that became the city's municipal airport and high school football stadium; both of which were later named Bader Field in his honor. He led the initiative, in 1923, to construct the high school at Albany and Atlantic Avenues.Bader, in November 1923, initiated a public referendum, during the general election, at which time residents approved the construction of a Convention Center. The city passed an ordinance approving a bond issue for $1.5 million to be used for the purchase of land for Convention Hall, nowBoardwalk Hall,finalized September 30, 1924.Construction of it was underway at the time of his death.

Bader ordered decency laws for bathers on the beaches of Atlantic City, July 14, 1924. Women were permitted to wear one-piece suits provided they also wore a skirt with it.The New York Timesedition for March 27, 1924, read: "The official regulation provides that the bottom of the tights shall be no shorter than four inches above the knee and the bottom of the skirt no higher than seven inches above the knee." Prohibited in previous years, bare legs were allowed. Additionally, Atlantic City passed a "macintosh law" which required that anyone in beach attire had to wear a coat reaching at least to the knees. TheTimesreported that police turned back hundreds of would-be bathers: "Mayor Edward L. Bader ordered this action on complaints that bathers were sometimes unclad to the point of indecency, while with others their wet suits were a nuisance."

Filmography

Series

• Buster Brown(1916-1930)
• The Teenie Weenies(1917-1922)

Death

Bader was stricken by a stomach ailment in mid-January 1927. Doctors, originally, did not properly diagnose it asappendicitisbecause his appendix was on the left, rather than the right side of his torso. Initially asked to rest at home, he was later moved to theCity Hospitaland underwent surgery. In an effort to speed his recovery, city policemen fanned out along the street in front of the hospital to prevent any unnecessary noise.

Originally given a good chance to recover because of his strong physique, Bader's condition worsened, and on the evening of January 29, 1927, he was givenlast ritesby a priest. For a bedside vigil his family was joined by a few local dignitaries, including CommissionerAnthony Ruffu(who would succeed Bader as mayor), AssemblymanAnthony Siracusaand political power-brokerNucky Johnson.

Just before midnight Bader died.

His body lay in state atSt. Nicholas of Tolentine Church,of which he was a member, and it was then carried out in a five-mile-long procession down theWhite Horse PiketoHoly Cross Cemetery.Mourners of diverse racial background mourned his death and all businesses in the city closed for two hours during the funeral as a mark of respect.

In popular culture

Bader was played by actorKevin O'Rourkein theHBOtelevision seriesBoardwalk Empire.

See also

• Diedrich Bader
• William B. Bader