Santa Clara County

Biographies

 

 


 

 

 

 

BRADLEY SMITH

 

 

            BRADLEY SMITH. This veteran of the Civil war, who was one of the pioneers of Santa Clara county, and for many years has made his home here, is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Maine, and was himself born in that far eastern state, Calais, Washington county, being his native place, and January 20, 1841, the date of his birth. His father, George Stillman Smith, a native of Maine, conducted a general mercantile store in Calais for a long period, remaining a resident of that place until he died in 1850. In early life he embraced the Congregational religion and ever afterward retained his connection with that church. In politics he supported the Whig party, which did not permanently disintegrate until after his death. For a wife he chose Miss Elizabeth Page Bradley, who was born in Cumberland county, Me., and now, at the age of eighty-seven years (1904) makes her home in Sandusky, Ohio, retaining her physical and mental faculties to an unusual degree considering her great age. She was a daughter of Rev. Caleb Bradley, who was born in Dracut, Mass., in 1792, and during the war of 1812 served as a chaplain of a militia regiment stationed at what was then Falmouth now Portland, Me. The genealogy of the Bradley family is traced back to Hannah Dustin, of Revolutionary renown.

            In a family consisting of four sons and four daughters Bradley Smith was third in order of birth. After he had completed the studies of the common schools he attended the Westbrook Academy, where he availed himself of every opportunity offered for the acquisition of knowledge. Having his own way to make in the world from an early age, he worked on an uncle’s farm from the time he was sixteen, and was thus occupied when the Civil war began. In August, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company G, Ninth Maine Infantry, and was mustered into the Union service as second sergeant, from which he was promoted to be orderly sergeant and sergeant-major. In 1863 he was raised to the rank of second lieutenant, and during the same year became first lieutenant of Company A, in which capacity he took command of the men in several charges. During the battle of Bermuda Hundred he was wounded in both arms by minie-balls and his wounds forced him to remain in the hospital at Fortress Monroe for a considerable period.

            During the progress of the war the young lieutenant was given a fifteen days’ furlough, which he utilized by returning to the north, and March 5, 1864, in Ohio, became the husband of Miss Sophronia Shaw, a native of Maine. From Ohio he returned to his regiment and continued in active service until he received the serious injuries previously mentioned. When able to leave the hospital he was still in an almost helpless condition, unfit for active duty at the front, and therefore was honorably discharged. Returning to Maine he gradually regained his strength and, as soon as able, took up farm work once more. During 1866 he went to Illinois and for a year engaged in the sheep business in Ford county, but not liking the location sold out and returned to New England. In 1869 he left the east permanently and came to California, settling in the Willows district, Santa Clara county, where he bought five acres on Pine avenue, to which he subsequently added by purchase. This tract he planted in trees, making of it a valuable and productive orchard. For thirty-three years he made his home on the same property. In the spring of 1903 he settled on his present place on Minnesota avenue, San Jose, where he has a small, but well-kept and attractive homestead. On this property he and his wife live quietly and happily, enjoying the friendship of neighbors and the esteem of associates. Though not active in politics, he is stanch in his support of the Republican party. The days of his army service are commemorated through his membership in the Phil Sheridan Post No. 7, G. A. R., of which at one time he officiated as commander. Fraternally he is associated with the Loyal Legion of the United States in San Francisco and friendship Lodge No. 210, F. & A. M., of his home city.

            Mr. Smith has engaged to a considerable extent in the buying and selling of real estate and has been quite successful in his operations. At present he owns about thirty acres of full bearing orchard in Santa Clara county, on which prunes are principally raised.

 

 

 

Transcribed by Marie Hassard 19 April 2015.

­­­­Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 461. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.


© 2015  Marie Hassard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Clara Biography

Golden Nugget Library