ALFRED BRONDSTATTER

Alfred Brondstatter was born July 31, 1909 at the lower hotel, now the Irwin House, Main Street, Poland. His parents were Charles and Clara Brondstatter.

He moved to Cold Brook when he was six and has lived there ever since with one exception. As a young married man in the 1930’s he lived on Fort Noble Mountain where he worked as a fire warden/conservationist.

He married Pauline Hanley in 1932 in Newport. She died in 1997. They had one daughter, Arlene King; two granddaughters, Shari Killian and Kelli Allen; and four grandchildren.

His first job was shoveling dirt for the Town of Russia when his father made him quit school in the eighth grade because schoolbooks were too expensive. As a young man Alf worked at Autenrith Furniture Store and Funeral Home, Cold Brook Chair Factory, Poland Movie Theater, and Jamestown Veneer where he earned $12.00 a week.

In 1935 he was appointed Cold Brook Postmaster where he served until his retirement 39 years later. He met a variety of interesting and unusual people as Postmaster. One time a patron broke into the Post Office after hours-all he took was a check he was waiting for but Postmaster Brondstatter had a lot of explaining to do to the Postal Inspector.

He and his wife also operated the Seven Bridges Antique Shop. He also kept busy as a Notary for 50 years.

Alfred has always been a very active member of the Town. He belonged to Postmaster of Herkimer County where he served as President for two years and was a member of NAPUS-National Association of Postmasters of the United States. Over the years he has belonged to the Odd Fellows and served on the Cold Brook Boy Scout Committee and as a Cold Brook Cemetery Trustee. He helped with the Cold Brook Bicentennial Book published in 1976. Alfred is a staunch Democrat and was very involved in the Herkimer County Democratic Party. At various times he was a Village Trustee, Town Tax Collector, and on the Cold Brook Election Board.

One of his fondest memories is a train trip he and his wife took to Saskatchewan and Quebec City.

According to Alfred the best thing about living in the Town of Russia are the girls. Though he has always gotten along with just about everyone.

When asked if he had any advice Mr. Brondstatter said he had plenty but wouldn’t share any because no one ever listens to his advice.

Alfred Brondstatter is a self-educated man who always earned a decent living and is an outstanding citizen of Cold Brook.