Edward L. Bader
| Edward L. Bader | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 29th Mayor of Atlantic City | |
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In office 1920–1927 |
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| Preceded by | Harry Bacharach |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Ruffu |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Lawrence Bader June 8, 1874 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 29, 1927 (aged 52) Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Katherine Holvick |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
Edward Lawrence Bader (June 8, 1874 – January 29, 1927) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey for much of the Roaring 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.
Bader grew up on an 80-acre farm in West Philadelphia, born to German immigrants Daniel and Sarah Bader in 1874. He had a brother, Harry Bader.
Until he turned 13, he attended Boon'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 the Wharton School of Business at the University 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 the Latrobe 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."
After a year with Latrobe, Bader returned to work full-time. He also played a year for a professional football team operated by Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie 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 of Steel Pier and 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 to Pleasantville which is now part of the Black Horse Pike that passes by a field that bears his name.
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