Philip Burr Bradley, b. 5 Jan 1809

BAKER, CARPENTER, CREVLING

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 23:14:45

Hon. Philip Burr Bradley, usually known as Judge Bradley, a disinguished resident of Andrew, was an early comer in this county, and its annals would be incomplete without reference to his work as a Legislator and in the law courts. For thirty-seven years he was a prominent figure in the public life of the county and State, being leading member of the bar, and a stateman and a politician of high rank and influence. He is now living in honorable retirement, having left the cares and responsibilities of public life behind him while at the height of his power and fame.

He comes of good New England blood, and is himself a native of that section of the country. His paternal grandfather, Col. Philip B. Bradley, was a native of Southport, Conn., and was a graduate of Yale College. He was a man of considerable prominence in his day, and took an active part in the public life of his native State. He was an officer in the Revolution and was one of Washington's warmest friends. His colonel's commission was signed by Hancock. He engaged in buying land which he rented, and was the wealthiest man in the town of Ridgefield. He was Marshal of the District of Connecticut during both administrations of Washington and of John Adams, receiving his appointment directly from them, and he was one of the most prominent men in the Federalist party in New England. He was a member of the Congregationalist Church. He lived in his native state until his death. The paternal greatpgrandather of our subject, was born in England, and coming to America, located on the shores of Long Island Sound. The maternal grandfather of our subject, was Dr. Amos Baker, a physician of note in New England. He moved from Vermont to Ridgefield, Conn., during some period of his life, and there practiced medicine until death.

The father of our subject, Jesse S. Bradley, was born in Ridgefield, Conn., and graduated at Yale College, where he was distinguished as being the best linguist in the class. He studied law with Judge Gould in his native State, and became one of the most brilliant members of the bar. He early received the appointment of Judge, which office he held until death. He was also interested in the general merchandise business in Ridgefield, and had a large amount of landed property to look after. He died on the judge's bench in 1832, at the age of fifty-one years, when scarcely past the meridian of life. His death was an irreparable loss to the community, and the state at large, as he was not only a great but a good man. Besides having exceptional talents as a lawyer and a judge, he was a shrewd man of busines. He was a true Christian gentleman and was active in the support of the Congregational Church, of which he was a deacon. He was a leader in the Whig party, and was influential in its councils. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Baker, was born in Vermont and died in Ridgefield, Conn. Seven children blessed their union, as follows: Sarah, (deceased); Philip Burr, subject of this sketch; Jesse S., who died in infancy; Francis, a real estate dealer in Chicago; William H., Clerk of the United States Courts in Chicago; Jesse and Amos B., are deceased.

Philip Burr, of whom we write was born in Ridgefield, Conn., Jan. 5, 1809. He was reared in his native town and was graduated from the high school when but sixteen years old. In 1826, he was entered as a student in the classical course in Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., from which institution of learning he was a graduate with high honors in 1829. After leaving college he commenced the study of law in Danbury, Conn., under the instruction of Hon. Reuben H. Booth. He remained in Ridgefield with his mother until the spring of 1834, when he started westward and landed in Galena, where he established himself in the practice of his profession at the August term, 1836. He was appointed Prosecuting-Attorney for the term by Gov. Ford, and in 1837, was commissioned Postmaster. In the fall of 1839, he resigned his position, having decided to take up his residence in the Territory of Iowa. He purchased 300 acres of land in Van Buren Township, Jackson County, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1840 an attempt was made to draw him back to the bar, and his friends elected him Probate Judge of Clinton County, but he did not care for the office and did not qualify. In 1843 he was appointed District Clerk of the Court for Jackson County, and removed with his family to Andrew. He held that office until the spring of 1845, when he was elected to the Territorial Council on the Democratic ticket. In 1846 an admiring constituency sent him to represent them in the State Senate, and he served with honor four years. In 1850, he was elected Secretary of that body, and served in that capacity, or as assistant secretary, every session except one, during his connection with the senate, until the capital was removed to Des Moines. In 1857 he was elected to the State Legislature as representative from Jackson County in the first session of the law-makers at Des Moines, after it had been made the capital of the State. In 1861, Mr. Bradley was elected County Judge for a term of two years, and in 1863 he resumed his practice before the bar. In 1877 he was again elected Representative of the State Legislature to assist in the deliberations of the 17th session of that honorable body. At the end of that term he retired to private life, having earned a rest from the weary exactions and demands of public life by thirty-seven years of earnest and tireless effort in behalf of the people and State. He retired with honor and a stainless record after a brilliant and useful career, in which he had unselfishly labored for the good of the greatest number, irrespective of party; and as a stateman, judge, and politician he was always true to himself and others, and was faithful and incorruptible in the discharge of his duties. He was for many years a power in the Democratic party, and in 1852 was Chairman of the Iowa delegation in the National Convention that met at Baltimore, and cast his vote for Stephen A. Douglas until the last ballot, when Franklin Pierce was nominated for the presidency of the United States. The Judge was Gov. Brigg's right-hand man during his administration, and had great influence in the management of the State government.

Judge Bradley was married in Galena, July 1, 1838 to Miss Lucinda Carpenter, and their happy, peaceful wedded life has been of unusual duration, extending over more than half a century. Mrs. Bradley is a woman of amiable disposition and quiet force of character, and is, in truth, a homemaker. She is a sincere Christian and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She is a native of New Jersey and a daughter of Samuel D. Carpenter, also a native of the same State. Her grandfather Carpenter was a native of Germany, and a farmer, who, during some period of his life emigrated to America and settled in New Jersey. Mrs. Bradley's father was bred to the life of a farmer in his native State, and in 1827 removed from there to Galena, Ill., becoming a pioneer farmer of that section of the country. Later he removed to Rock Island, where he had an interest in a coal mine. He afterward crossed the Mississippi River into this State, and taking up his residence in Van Buren Township, this county, died there. The maiden name of his wife was Crevling. She was born in New Jersey, and after her husband's demise she married Gov. Briggs, of this State, and lived in Andrew until her death. To her and her first husband three children were born in their native New Jersey. The following are the seven children born to our subject and his wife: Frances; Sarah (deceased); Alice lives in Chicago; Rhoda in Sigourney, Iowa; Philip B., in Chicago; Henry S., in Cass County, Iowa; Charles F., in Burlington; Clinton H., in Chicago; Walter S., dead.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)