Hazel Josephine Coogan Bradford
Birth: 26 Jan 1898, California
Death: 6 Jun 1982, San Francisco, California
Spouse: William J Bradford
Birth: 20 Jul 1894, North Ireland
Death: 10 Oct 1968, San Francisco, California
Marriage: 6 Jun 1929, San Francisco, California
Born on January 26, 1898, Hazel was referred to as “The Baby.” Apparently, she was the first girl baby born on Jersey Street. There was an article in the Chronicle on her 25th birthday talking about “people coming for miles around to see the cherub…a small baby with golden hair and blue eyes.” Octogenarian Mike Howard even wrote a poem about the event:
She isn’t an angel,
She isn’t a goddess
She isn’t a Lily—a rose or a pearl.
She’s simply the neatest,
Completest and sweetest--
A dear little, sweet little, nice little girl.
With an introduction like that, it might be difficult to have a life to match, but Hazel did so.
Hazel lived on Jersey Street for ten years. Her father died when she was nine and the family moved around the Mission for the next three years until finally settling in at 4109 - 23rd Street. She would live there with her mother until she married.
Hazel had a public school education through two years of high school at Mission High. Like many women, she left school at sixteen and entered the workforce. In 1920, she was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a stenographer.
Hazel was always the life of the party. She was small but vivacious. It is no surprise that she is in the position of the lead chorus girl in the beach picture with her friends. She always coordinated the celebrations. She was well known for her Tom-and-Jerrys at Christmas parties.
Death: 6 Jun 1982, San Francisco, California
Spouse: William J Bradford
Birth: 20 Jul 1894, North Ireland
Death: 10 Oct 1968, San Francisco, California
Marriage: 6 Jun 1929, San Francisco, California
Born on January 26, 1898, Hazel was referred to as “The Baby.” Apparently, she was the first girl baby born on Jersey Street. There was an article in the Chronicle on her 25th birthday talking about “people coming for miles around to see the cherub…a small baby with golden hair and blue eyes.” Octogenarian Mike Howard even wrote a poem about the event:
She isn’t an angel,
She isn’t a goddess
She isn’t a Lily—a rose or a pearl.
She’s simply the neatest,
Completest and sweetest--
A dear little, sweet little, nice little girl.
With an introduction like that, it might be difficult to have a life to match, but Hazel did so.
Hazel lived on Jersey Street for ten years. Her father died when she was nine and the family moved around the Mission for the next three years until finally settling in at 4109 - 23rd Street. She would live there with her mother until she married.
Hazel had a public school education through two years of high school at Mission High. Like many women, she left school at sixteen and entered the workforce. In 1920, she was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a stenographer.
Hazel was always the life of the party. She was small but vivacious. It is no surprise that she is in the position of the lead chorus girl in the beach picture with her friends. She always coordinated the celebrations. She was well known for her Tom-and-Jerrys at Christmas parties.
In 1927, Hazel left the SP and became the cashier and bookkeeper at the Palace Hotel Barber Shop. The Palace Hotel had been built in 1875 by William Ralston as a mark of the conversion of the City from a boomtown to a world-class metropolis. The 40 foot long barber shop was opened by George Bernhard’s father in 1877 and it served all the rich and famous of the City. The Palace Hotel burned in 1906 and it—and the barbershop—was reopened in 1909. According to a newspaper article which Hazel saved, George was “a distant family friend and asked her to come in and help him out when she had first completed her education.” She finally came in after suffering from a ruptured appendix and he suggested she should continue for a while because the work did not require much physical effort. She stayed for over 30 years. Somewhere along the way, Hazel met the owner of a nearby car park named Bill Bradford.
William J Bradford was born on July 20, 1894, in Rich Hill, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland. Hazel’s aunt Kate Leonard referred to him as “the Orangeman.” His parents were James Bradford and Fannie Roundtree. James was a cement contractor who brought the family to San Francisco in 1905. A year later he had plenty of work as the City was rebuilt after the Earthquake and Fire. The family lived on 23rd Street but moved to 27th Street before the Coogans came there. Hazel might have met Bill in the neighborhood. Bill had an 8th grade education and then went to work as a clerk and salesman for Kohler & Chase, a piano store on O’Farrell and Market. With the coming of The Great War, Bill switched jobs and became a ship’s caulker, working for Charles T. Foster. According to his draft card, Bill was of medium height and build, with black hair and brown eyes. In 1942, his WWII draft card said he was 5’7”, 150 lbs, with light complexion, gray hair, and brown eyes.
By the mid-1920s, Bill was working as a painter, but, in 1929, he became the proprietor of the car park at the corner of Mission and Main Streets, a few blocks from the Palace Hotel. Bill and Hazel were married on June 6, 1929, at St. Phillip’s Church. They initially moved into 48 Haight Street, near Market. Later, they would move to 1545 Greenwich Street, in St. Brigid’s Parish. They would never have children of their own. Hazel chose not to have children. She liked being the baby of the family and everyone called her “Baby” even later in life.
By the mid-1920s, Bill was working as a painter, but, in 1929, he became the proprietor of the car park at the corner of Mission and Main Streets, a few blocks from the Palace Hotel. Bill and Hazel were married on June 6, 1929, at St. Phillip’s Church. They initially moved into 48 Haight Street, near Market. Later, they would move to 1545 Greenwich Street, in St. Brigid’s Parish. They would never have children of their own. Hazel chose not to have children. She liked being the baby of the family and everyone called her “Baby” even later in life.
Hazel was a devout Catholic and a very social individual. These aspects came together when she joined the Dolores Institute No. 7 of the YLI (Young Ladies’ Institute). The YLI had been formed in September of 1887 by three San Francisco women who “were inspired to help an ill friend.” By the 1920s, it was the largest organization for Catholic women in the western United States. It is still active today and has offices in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Hazel began as a teenager and helped organize dances and card parties. Later, she would coordinate women’s retreats and Sunday breakfasts. The YLI was a big part of Hazel’s life. She was a member of the YLI her whole life and served in leadership positions including, President. Membership gave her friends for life and they prayed, celebrated and stayed close to each other through youth to the grave. She was in charge of collecting for the “priests’ purse,” which was a donation to the seminary. She had a fondness for helping the priests at the seminary who needed a money to pay for their education there. She made that a charity she held dear until her passing.
The Bradfords were fairly comfortable during the Depression, though by no means were they wealthy. They had two incomes and no children. Consequently, they could quietly assist family members when need arose. Hazel excelled socially and that worked to her advantage at the barbershop. Early in her career, a customer told her to always know people’s names, and she did. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. She was also a prodigious letter writer. Whenever she saw news about someone (or their family) who was a customer, she would write a letter of consolation or congratulations. She received many letters in return from Supreme Court judges, newspapermen, San Francisco Society members, and celebrities of all kinds. She had signed photos from Will Rogers and Judge James Conlan (no relation).
Hazel was popular enough to be in the 1938 Travelark Contest. This was a contest run by The Chronicle to “determine the Bay Region’s most efficient and courteous person.” The grand prize was an all-expenses-paid Pacific cruise and there were various smaller vacation prizes for the top ten. She was in 5th place (40,000 votes) with a week to go, but ended “out of the money” in 13th place (650,000 votes).
The Bradfords were fairly comfortable during the Depression, though by no means were they wealthy. They had two incomes and no children. Consequently, they could quietly assist family members when need arose. Hazel excelled socially and that worked to her advantage at the barbershop. Early in her career, a customer told her to always know people’s names, and she did. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. She was also a prodigious letter writer. Whenever she saw news about someone (or their family) who was a customer, she would write a letter of consolation or congratulations. She received many letters in return from Supreme Court judges, newspapermen, San Francisco Society members, and celebrities of all kinds. She had signed photos from Will Rogers and Judge James Conlan (no relation).
Hazel was popular enough to be in the 1938 Travelark Contest. This was a contest run by The Chronicle to “determine the Bay Region’s most efficient and courteous person.” The grand prize was an all-expenses-paid Pacific cruise and there were various smaller vacation prizes for the top ten. She was in 5th place (40,000 votes) with a week to go, but ended “out of the money” in 13th place (650,000 votes).
In 1940, she and Bill (often referred to as just Bradford to distinguish him from Billy Ellison and Will Coogan) bought the house at 2180 – 15th Avenue, in St. Cecelia’s Parish. It became the house where everyone was welcome. Through Bill’s connections in the merchant marines, they were able to decorate t he whole house in oriental style. (Of course, the living room chairs and sofas stayed wrapped in plastic, like Dolores Quattrin’s French Provincial furniture.) And there was the obligatory pine bar in the downstairs rec room where folks spent most of their time in visiting.
That same year, Hazel became godmother to her cousin Jack Leonard’s only daughter, Lynda. Hazel and Jack were very close. Lynda remembered Hazel as a very happy person who always had a twinkle in her eye. Hazel always had Jack and his family over for dinner when they came up from Southern California to visit for the Holidays. Hazel never forgot Lynda’s birthday and always sent a card and a present.
That same year, Hazel became godmother to her cousin Jack Leonard’s only daughter, Lynda. Hazel and Jack were very close. Lynda remembered Hazel as a very happy person who always had a twinkle in her eye. Hazel always had Jack and his family over for dinner when they came up from Southern California to visit for the Holidays. Hazel never forgot Lynda’s birthday and always sent a card and a present.
In 1941 as in 1917, Bill became part of the war effort and went back to caulking ships. He hired his brother-in-law Bill Flynn to run the car park for him while he went to work for Bethlehem Steel in the Naval Yards. Other male members of the family who were too old to serve in the ranks worked in the Naval Yard during the War. Catherine Silk’s husband Lester Callaghan worked as a firefighter. Hazel’s cousin George Leonard came on as a ship’s caulker. Most likely, Bill got George the job. Both of them stayed on in that capacity after the War. Bill became a member of the Carpenters’ Union, Local 1149 as a consequence.
In 1946, George Bernhard died and he left the Palace Hotel Barber Shop to Hazel and the head barber Charles Ackerland. Newspapers claimed the estate was worth $100,000. It later was determined that it was worth $68,000. Ackerland had been with the shop since it reopened in 1909. The customers and employees were ecstatic, but the hotel was less so. The next year, the hotel management decided to not renew their lease and have the hotel run the shop instead. It would have been the end of an era, but Hazel and Charles opened the Original Palace Hotel Barbershop across the street and took all the employees and customers with them. The Original shop still exists today.
The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Hazel continued to run the barbershop for another 15 years before turning it over to a new generation around 1961. She then went top work for the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company as a secretary. Shortly after that, she became a clerk at the City and County of San Francisco Health Department, where she served for ten years.
In 1946, George Bernhard died and he left the Palace Hotel Barber Shop to Hazel and the head barber Charles Ackerland. Newspapers claimed the estate was worth $100,000. It later was determined that it was worth $68,000. Ackerland had been with the shop since it reopened in 1909. The customers and employees were ecstatic, but the hotel was less so. The next year, the hotel management decided to not renew their lease and have the hotel run the shop instead. It would have been the end of an era, but Hazel and Charles opened the Original Palace Hotel Barbershop across the street and took all the employees and customers with them. The Original shop still exists today.
The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Hazel continued to run the barbershop for another 15 years before turning it over to a new generation around 1961. She then went top work for the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company as a secretary. Shortly after that, she became a clerk at the City and County of San Francisco Health Department, where she served for ten years.
Bill continued at Bethlehem Steel until 1965, when he retired. But his retirement did not last long. Bill had been a smoker and drinker his whole life and, in the summer of 1968, he had a heart attack which required an aortic bypass graph. But he developed an aorta-intestinal fistula, a very rare physical connection between the intestine and another organ that developed due to the surgery. It led to intestinal bleeding and Bill went into shock. On October 10, 1968, Bill died at Kaiser Hospital on Geary Street. He was 74 years old. After a Sunday evening rosary at Carew and English and a Requiem High Mass at St. Cecilia’s Church Monday morning, Bill was entombed in the outdoor Sts. Peter and Paul Mausoleum at Holy Cross.
After Bill’s death, life went on for Hazel. She stayed heavily involved with the YLI and enjoyed her friends and family. She, her sister Isabel, and sister-in-law Eda would often dine together at the favorite restaurant, The Iron Horse, down on Maiden Lane. In the mid-Seventies, she entered a new career. According to the 1975 Crocker Directory, she worked as a schoolteacher, but it is unknown where or what grade level. Later, she moved into the main office. She would retire again in 1980, at the age of 82.
As she got older, Hazel had some problems with her heart. In 1979, she had a stroke while on a long merchant marine cruise. She really slowed down after that. At home, she limited her movements to the bedroom, kitchen, and a chair in her living room, but she never asked for help. She was so used to being concerned for everyone else that she did not want to be a burden on anyone. In 1981, Dr. Leon Harris put in a pacemaker. The next year, Hazel was admitted to Kaiser Hospital on Geary with symptoms due to high blood pressure. Hazel passed away on June 6, 1982. She was 84 years old. The cause of death was listed as hypertension and sepsis peritonitis. After a well-attended requiem mass at St. Cecilia’s Church, she was entombed beside Bill, high up on the wall of the outdoor mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery.
After Bill’s death, life went on for Hazel. She stayed heavily involved with the YLI and enjoyed her friends and family. She, her sister Isabel, and sister-in-law Eda would often dine together at the favorite restaurant, The Iron Horse, down on Maiden Lane. In the mid-Seventies, she entered a new career. According to the 1975 Crocker Directory, she worked as a schoolteacher, but it is unknown where or what grade level. Later, she moved into the main office. She would retire again in 1980, at the age of 82.
As she got older, Hazel had some problems with her heart. In 1979, she had a stroke while on a long merchant marine cruise. She really slowed down after that. At home, she limited her movements to the bedroom, kitchen, and a chair in her living room, but she never asked for help. She was so used to being concerned for everyone else that she did not want to be a burden on anyone. In 1981, Dr. Leon Harris put in a pacemaker. The next year, Hazel was admitted to Kaiser Hospital on Geary with symptoms due to high blood pressure. Hazel passed away on June 6, 1982. She was 84 years old. The cause of death was listed as hypertension and sepsis peritonitis. After a well-attended requiem mass at St. Cecilia’s Church, she was entombed beside Bill, high up on the wall of the outdoor mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Bill continued at Bethlehem Steel until 1965, when he retired. But his retirement did not last long. Bill had been a smoker and drinker his whole life and, in the summer of 1968, he had a heart attack which required an aortic bypass graph. But he developed an aorta-intestinal fistula, a very rare physical connection between the intestine and another organ that developed due to the surgery. It led to intestinal bleeding and Bill went into shock. On October 10, 1968, Bill died at Kaiser Hospital on Geary Street. He was 74 years old. After a Sunday evening rosary at Carew and English and a Requiem High Mass at St. Cecilia’s Church Monday morning, Bill was entombed in the outdoor Sts. Peter and Paul Mausoleum at Holy Cross.
After Bill’s death, life went on for Hazel. She stayed heavily involved with the YLI and enjoyed her friends and family. She, her sister Isabel, and sister-in-law Eda would often dine together at the favorite restaurant, The Iron Horse, down on Maiden Lane. In the mid-Seventies, she entered a new career. According to the 1975 Crocker Directory, she worked as a schoolteacher, but it is unknown where or what grade level. Later, she moved into the main office. She would retire again in 1980, at the age of 82.
As with Carrie, Bill Flynn, Jr., handled all the details of the burial and the estate. The house on 15th Avenue was sold and most of the estate went to Hazel’s nieces and nephews. Blanche Coogan Gallagher and Marion Ellison Scattini were particularly appreciative of their inheritances. Hazel’s scrapbook and her mother’s family Bible were almost thrown out, but Sr. Toni Lynn saved them. She gave the scrapbook to Marion’s son Jerry Scattini and the Bible to Kevin Quattrin.
The “Baby” was born loving life and she really lived knowing how to celebrate within it. She was definitely an extrovert who knew how to approach people, make them feel welcome, and begin conversations that were easy. Though seen as a fun loving lady, she was also a very capable businesswoman and a hard worker. She worked most every day of her life and did not really retire until she was in her 80s. Her success in business was rooted in her care for other people. Her heart was always open for those who needed comfort, usually with them asking. Her well-attended funeral was a testament of those she loved and who loved her in return. Her birthday poem may have stated that “She isn’t an angel,” but many—from the family to the YLI to the costumers she served and coworkers she supported—would have disagreed. Her joy of life is remembered by all those who knew her and who, then, smile at those memories.
After Bill’s death, life went on for Hazel. She stayed heavily involved with the YLI and enjoyed her friends and family. She, her sister Isabel, and sister-in-law Eda would often dine together at the favorite restaurant, The Iron Horse, down on Maiden Lane. In the mid-Seventies, she entered a new career. According to the 1975 Crocker Directory, she worked as a schoolteacher, but it is unknown where or what grade level. Later, she moved into the main office. She would retire again in 1980, at the age of 82.
As with Carrie, Bill Flynn, Jr., handled all the details of the burial and the estate. The house on 15th Avenue was sold and most of the estate went to Hazel’s nieces and nephews. Blanche Coogan Gallagher and Marion Ellison Scattini were particularly appreciative of their inheritances. Hazel’s scrapbook and her mother’s family Bible were almost thrown out, but Sr. Toni Lynn saved them. She gave the scrapbook to Marion’s son Jerry Scattini and the Bible to Kevin Quattrin.
The “Baby” was born loving life and she really lived knowing how to celebrate within it. She was definitely an extrovert who knew how to approach people, make them feel welcome, and begin conversations that were easy. Though seen as a fun loving lady, she was also a very capable businesswoman and a hard worker. She worked most every day of her life and did not really retire until she was in her 80s. Her success in business was rooted in her care for other people. Her heart was always open for those who needed comfort, usually with them asking. Her well-attended funeral was a testament of those she loved and who loved her in return. Her birthday poem may have stated that “She isn’t an angel,” but many—from the family to the YLI to the costumers she served and coworkers she supported—would have disagreed. Her joy of life is remembered by all those who knew her and who, then, smile at those memories.