Colusa County
Biographies
WALTER COBB BRADFORD
WALTER COBB BRADFORD. The descendant of an honored pioneer family
of California, and a worthy representative of its native-born citizens,
Walter C. Bradford, of Arbuckle, is especially deserving of more than
passing mention in a work of this kind.
Endowed with great mechanical ingenuity and ability, he has developed
this natural talent by constant practice, becoming one of the most skillful
carriage manufacturers of Colusa county, and as a
member of the well-known firm of Bradford Brothers has built up a large and
lucrative business. A son of
John H. Bradford, he was born near Oroville, Butte county,
May 15, 1856. His grandfather,
William Bradford, a native of England, immigrated to the United States,
settling first as a merchant tailor in New York city,
but later removing to New Jersey, where he spent the closing years of his life.
Although born and educated in New York
city, John H. Bradford went with his parents to New Jersey when young, and
there learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for a while in that
state, and also in Virginia. In 1852 he
migrated across the continent, coming by ox-teams to California, and locating
in Butte county, where he was employed in mining for a
number of years. Locating in Solano
county in 1866, he took up land, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits
for six years. Removing from there to
that part of Colusa county now included within the limits of Glenn county in 1872, he settled near Jacinto, where he followed
farming, making a specialty of grain raising, until his retirement from active
pursuits. Now, a venerable man of
eighty-five years, he is living in Orange county, free
from business cares, and enjoying to the utmost the reward of his earlier years
of toil. He married Caroline Ward, who
was born in New Jersey in 1822, and together they have trod life’s pathway for
more than half a century, sharing alike the joys and the sorrows that have
fallen to their lot. Both are most
highly esteemed, and are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Seven children blessed their
union namely: George, a farmer in Lake
county; Mrs. Caroline High of Siskiyou county; Lewis, also engaged in
farming in Lake county; Mrs. Josephine Mackin,
who died in Tehama county; Walter Cobb, the subject of this sketch;
Mrs. Jessie Bashore of Orange county; and
William David of the firm of Bradford Brothers.
Moving with his parents to Solano county when ten years old, Walter C. Bradford there
completed his early education. In 1872 he
began working on a farm in Colusa county, and at the
same time took up wagon repairing, for which he had a natural aptitude, doing
various kinds of mechanical work on the large ranches. Starting in business for himself in 1886,
Mr. Bradford opened a wagon shop in Germantown, Glenn county,
and was there four years. Coming to
Arbuckle in 1890, he and his brother William both entered the employ of
Mr. Johnson, the leading blacksmith of this vicinity, remaining with him
fourteen years. March 7, 1904, Messrs. Walter C.
and William D. Bradford bought out their employer, and under their present
firm name of Bradford Brothers have since carried on a large business, having
the most complete and up-to-date smithy and wagon shop in Colusa county. Their
machinery is of the most modern and approved manufacture, operated by an
eight-horse-power gasoline engine, and they manufacture and repair everything
in their line, including large machines and agricultural implements, and also
do sheet metal work and plumbing. They
are noted for their artistic and durable work, and are carrying on a large
business, extending from Maxwell to Woodland.
Walter C. Bradford is also interested to
some extent in agriculture and horticulture, having a twenty-acre ranch, which
adjoins Arbuckle on the north. There he
has a fine orchard of almonds, and raises good crops of alfalfa each season,
making his home on his ranch, and greatly enjoying its management. He is interested in all local matters, and in
national politics supports the Democratic ticket.
William David Bradford was born near
Oroville, Butte county, October 8, 1864. He married Emma Wohlfrom,
and they have one child, Wilmer Bradford.
Mr. Bradford is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge and
encampment, and is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters.
[Inserted by D.
Toole.]
Walter
Cobb Bradford
1926 Jul 21, San Diego Union, P5, San
Diego, California
Bradford – In this city, July 19, 1926,
Walter C. Bradford, brother of Lewis R. Bradford and Mrs. W. Bashore of San Diego, George W. Bradford, Modesto, Calif.,
Wm. D. Bradford, Arbuckle, Calif., and Mrs. Charles High, Siskiow[sic]; aged 70 years. Remains will be in state at Bradley & Woolman’s chapel, C street, corner
of Seventh, Wednesday, July 21, 1926, at 10 o’clock a.m. Interment Glen Abbey
Memorial park.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 502-503. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2017 Donna Toole.
Golden Nugget Library's Colusa County Biographies