Sacramento County
Biographies
WILLIAM BARTON BRADFORD
A study of the Bradford
genealogy indicates that the family were identified
with the pioneer element in every portion of our country. Beginning near
the shores of the Atlantic they followed the westward drift of migration and always
were to be found in the vanguard of civilization, developing land, building up
villages and aiding in the transformation of forest or prairie into regions of
productivity and scenic charm. Some remote ancestor had
erected a mill on one of the Connecticut streams and around it were built a few houses, thus starting a hamlet known as
Bradford Mills, but later called merely by the title of Bradford.
There occurred the birth of George Bradford in 1790 and there he early learned
lessons of endurance of hardship and self-reliance in labor. The location
and period alike precluded educational opportunities, yet he was fortunate
enough to attend a neighboring school for some years prior to the age of
thirteen. After that his information was gained solely by experience,
reading and observation.
When the great valley of the Mississippi was in the infancy of its development George Bradford
traveled along much of its length and studied its possibilities. Settling
in New Orleans he began to operate keel boats on the river and for some
five years continued to do a freighting business with his small crafts.
At the expiration of that period he disposed of his interests in the south and
settled at Washington, Daviess county, Ind., where he soon acquired varied commercial
connections. For a time he owned a mill. The distilling business
also engaged his attention. Mercantile pursuits contributed to the
variety of his occupations, while the ownership and cultivation of land kept
him in close touch with the most important occupation of the county.
While living at Washington he met and married Miss Mary Bruce, a native of Mason, Ky. During 1856 he followed his sons to California and after having made the trip via Panama to San
Francisco he proceeded to Sacramento, where he made his home until his death.
Born in Washington, Ind., February 10, 1826, William Barton Bradford spent the years of boyhood in attendance upon
the country schools of the period and in helping with the work on the home
farm. Possibly he might have settled on an Indiana farm and passed his entire life in that state had it not
been for the discovery of gold in California. As soon as he had heard the exciting tales brought
by messengers from the far-distant mines he decided to come to the west and the
year 1849 found him en route for Panama, whence he came to San Francisco. His first experience as a miner occurred at Georgia's bar on the American river in 1850 and proved not
especially encouraging. An unprofitable summer in the mines was followed
by return to San Francisco and a trip on the ocean from there to Portland,
Ore., where he remained for one year, returning in the fall of 1851 via the
Oregon Trail to Sacramento, where he bought a team and engaged in the hauling
business with his brother, James B., for eighteen months, with headquarters at
Diamond Springs.
An experience of six years in the
teaming business was followed by the removal of Mr. Bradford to Yankee Jim's,
but later he came back to Sacramento and bought a livery barn on Eighth and K streets.
His ventures had proved so successful that when he resumed mining he had a
large sum with which to work. However, an experience in the mines at Last
Chance proved so disastrous that he lost $45,000 within eighteen months.
It was then necessary to start anew. Dissolving a long-continued
partnership with his brother he bought one hundred and sixty acres in the fall
of 1859. During the following year he bought a team, drove to Aurora and engaged in the general mercantile business for three
years. Following 1864, however, he resided continuously on the ranch
which he bought in 1859 and which lies near Bruceville,
Sacramento county, operating it until his
death, August
17, 1902. A specialty was
made of the grape industry, one hundred and twenty nine acres being in vineyard
and the sale of the annual product. The reputation of his grapes extended
throughout the surrounding country and the crop always commanded the highest
market prices.
The first wife of Mr. Bradford was Jennie
Smith, a native of Minnesota and his faithful helpmate from their marriage in 1872
until her death in 1900. Later he was united with Mrs. Amanda (Hall)
Utter, a native of Newport, Ind., and a woman of attractive qualities of heart and
mind. She was a widow of Dowty Utter, with whom
she crossed the plains in an overland stage in 1860 to Sacramento county. Mr. Utter engaged
in farming near Franklin, this county, and here he passed away in 1870.
Four children were born of their marriage. As early as 1849 Mr. Bradford
was initiated into Masonry and he was one of the very oldest members of the
blue lodge in his county. During young manhood he voted with the
Republican party. At the time of the Civil war
he was an ardent admirer of Abraham Lincoln, whom he twice supported in
presidential elections. He continued to vote the Republican ticket until
1896, when his views concerning the silver question led him to cast his ballot
for William Jennings Bryan. Religious movements had his generous support
and enthusiastic interest. From the year 1880 he was connected with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he gave the denomination his zealous
co-operation and the influence of his consistent character and upright
life. Mrs. Bradford has been no less interested in religious progress and
enhancement than was he, and by her life and benefaction continues to bear
testimony of her faith and interest in the work of the church.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages
574-578. Historic Record
Company, Los
Angeles,
CA. 1913.
© 2005 Sally Kaleta.