Henry Brien (Harry Bryan)

Middletown Daily Times

Thursday, May 28, 1891

Harry Bryan, son of Henry Bryan, left town yesterday for Rochelle, Ill., where he will make his home with his uncle.

Middletown Daily Argus (The Argus)

December 19, 1894

Brien-Holley.

Mr. Harry L. Brien and Miss Bertha A. Holley were married, last evening, by Rev. F.A. Heath, at No. 4 Spring street, the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Julia M. Holley, in the presence of immediate relatives.

The bride was charming in her bridal dress of white, trimmed with lace and ribbons, and carried a handsome bouquet of pearl roses.

The bridegroom is a well known and very popular young man, and is an active member of Phœnix Engine Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Brien will take up their residence with his parents on Wallkill avenue.

Middletown Daily Argus

Tuesday, August 13, 1895

Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Brien have been bereaved by the death of their only child, Olive M., aged six months and twelve days, who died this morning, of cholera infantum.

Middletown Times Herald

Friday, October 26, 1945

Seventy-Year Active Fireman Honored by Phœnix

Phœnix Engine Company Honors Charles H. Sharp,

70-Year Active Fireman

Charles H. Sharp, first seventy-year active fireman in the history of the Middletown Fire Department, was honored last night by nearly 180 fellow members of Phœnix Engine Company and their guests, including all city officials and State legislators.

From Senator Thomas C. Desmond of Newburgh Mr. Sharp received a framed certificate citing him for faithful service to the Phœnix Company and the Middletown Fire Department for seventy years and a special gold badge which the eighty-eight year-old fireman promptly pinned on his vest alongside the gold badges presented to him by the company and the city on his fiftieth anniversary. The certificate was signed by Mayor T. Edward Brochu, Fire-Chief C. William Bosch, Frank S. Mapes, president of Phœnix, and John E. Grogan, company secretary.

Also honored at last night's dinner in the Central Firehouse was Jesse F. Fountain who has completed fifty years of service in the Phœnix company. Mr. Fountain received the gold company badge from Assemblyman Wilson C. Van Duzer and the city's gold badge from Mayor Brochu.

Taken by Surprise

The citation to Mr. Sharp came as a surprise. So overcome was he when he received first the certificate, then the badge, he was able only to nod his thanks to fellow firemen. Mr. Sharp is two years older than Phœnix Engine Company. He served as secretary of the Company from 1876 to 1932 and was vice president in 1925 and 1936.

He was first elected trustee in 1926 and was re-elected each term until 1943 when he was made a trustee for life, the only member of Phœnix Company accorded that honor. He is also one of the three member awarded life active memberships since the company was organized in 1859. The white-haired guest of honor, who makes a daily call at the Phœnix firehouse, is also a charter member of the Middletown Veteran Firemen's Association and a trustee for life of the association. He celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday on January twenty-fifth.

Served Long as Secretary

Mr. Fountain was elected to membership in the Phœnix September ninth, 1895 and served as secretary from 1896 to 1898. He resigned at that time to serve in the Spanish American War. After returning from service he was again elected secretary in 1900 and served until 1918, holding the office longer than anyone in the Company's history.

Last night's program was brief. Mr. Desmond and Mr. Van Duzer praised the two veteran firemen for their work and Mayor Brochu extended congratulations of the city. Mr. Mapes acted as toastmaster.

Five fifty year members of the Company were introduced. They were Edward Lorenz, William French, Harry Brien, Harry Ellenberger and Joel R. Wheeler.

Seated at the head table were Aldermen Burr G. Fuller, former Fire Chiefs, William Seeley and Francis E. O'Boyle, Alderman Rucke Korne, Howard E. Johnson, representative of the American LaFrance Company which will soon deliver a new truck to the Phœnix. Alderman Herman Schuerholz; Edward Wengenroth, discharged soldier just returned from India; Alderman-at-large John N. Eckert; Alderman Richard Gregory, Alderman Don I.L. Bates, Alderman Albert Smith; Fire Chiefs Bosch, Lee I. Hunt and William B. Marx and Francis J. Bannon, secretary of the Fire Department.

Members of the Company stood for one moment in silent prayer in memory of a company member, Wilkin Decker, who lost his life in drowning accident while in service.

Dinner was served by a committee of Phœnix members headed by James Wilson.