547 Franklin St

Benson House
547 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY

Painting by Carl F. Zoschke
Watercolor
17 1/2" X 12 1/2"
1996

Text below illustration

Built
c. 1870

Owners

Original owner: Benson

In 1924, the owner was either Joseph Bradney (1844-1924) or, more probably, his son Joseph John Bradney, a Buffalo architect.

The father, Jospeh Bradney, was born in 1844 in England. In the US, he made his living as a chainmaker and later as a confectionery store owner. He was married to Mary Ann Hudson (1842-1916). They had three children:

Mary (1875-1882)

Emma Charlotte (1872-1918; m. 1896)

Joseph John

Joseph Bradney died on June 30, 1924 and was buried from the Franklin Street home.

The building was used for apartments for many years.

Style
Hip-roof Italianate with Gothic Revival wing and square cupola

Architectural Features
Belvedere and main eaves have dentils and scroll brackets.

Semi-elliptical arched entrance has wood-paneled double doors with single lights and a leaded-glass fanlight-shaped transom.

There is plain wood frieze.

The stucco finish is scored to give the impression of ashlar blocks.

The front porch on the wing has fluted posts, a pendant design in the balustrade and a stick design at the porch base.

A one-story rear addition made.

Sources of information:

Carl F. Zoschke

Obituary of Joseph Bradney on June 30, 1924

"Buffalo's Brick Italianates: An Allentown Legacy," by Sonia R. Efron. 1994

See also:

Carl F. Zoschke on the Web

Highlights of Buffalo's History, 1870

web site consulting by ingenious, inc.

Built	c. 1870
Owners	Original owner: Benson In 1924, the owner was either Joseph Bradney (1844-1924) or, more probably, his son Joseph John Bradney, a Buffalo architect. The father, Jospeh Bradney, was born in 1844 in England. In the US, he made his living as a chainmaker and later as a confectionery store owner. He was married to Mary Ann Hudson (1842-1916). They had three children: Mary (1875-1882) Emma Charlotte (1872-1918; m. 1896) Joseph John Joseph Bradney died on June 30, 1924 and was buried from the Franklin Street home. The building was used for apartments for many years.
Style	Hip-roof Italianate with Gothic Revival wing and square cupola
Architectural Features	Belvedere and main eaves have dentils and scroll brackets. Semi-elliptical arched entrance has wood-paneled double doors with single lights and a leaded-glass fanlight-shaped transom. There is plain wood frieze. The stucco finish is scored to give the impression of ashlar blocks. The front porch on the wing has fluted posts, a pendant design in the balustrade and a stick design at the porch base. A one-story rear addition made.