Biography of Frank J. Roddy; Savannah, GA., then Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Mike Miller
Source: A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 239, by Henry E. Chambers.
Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925. 



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Frank J. Roddy, a resident of Monroe since 1907, has been one of the men
most prominently before the public through his valuable service as chief
of the Monroe Fire Department.  He was appointed the first fire chief of
Monroe, and to him more than to any one else Monroe is indebted for its
present highly efficient department.  Since he became chief, the insurance
rating at Monroe has advanced from fourth to first class, with a
corresponding reduction of a third in insurance rates.  The number of
fires has likewise been greatly reduced.

Mr. Roddy was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1883, and was reared and
educated in that city, and after leaving school he learned the plumber's
trade.  That trade he followed in Savannah and various Cities in the
country, and after locating in Monroe in April, 1907, was engaged in the
plumbing business for five years.

In the latter part of 1912, he entered the fire department service as a
driver, was soon appointed foreman, and on February 17, 1913, was made the
first fire chief by Mayor Forsythe.  Since then he has worked untiringly
to secure better equipment, more capable men and perfect the complete fire
fighting and fire protection service of this rapidly growing city, which
has increased in population from wealth and material resources perhaps as
rapidly as any city in the South.  It was a short time before Mr. Ruddy
entered the Monroe Fire Department that the first step was taken towards
motorizing the equipment.  He has been the fire chief during the
administrations of A. A. Forsythe, Charles A. Downey, H. D. Apgar and
Arnold Bernstein.  During these twelve years, a large investment has been
made in motor apparatus, and the personnel of the department now numbers
twenty-four men.  Since he became chief the Gamewell fire alarm system was
installed in 1916, and in 1919 he instituted the double platoon system.

Mr. Roddy married Miss Edna R. Downey, a daughter of the late C. A, Downey,
who for many years prior to his death in September, 1924, had been a
conspicuously useful citizen of Monroe, serving as a member of the city
council and mayor.  Mr. and Mrs. Ruddy have two children,  Charles and
Frank Roddy.

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