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Ad from 1910
Edwin O. Bradley, a Humboldt merchant for
more than 50 years, began his career in 1890 as a clerk for D. A. Ray, who
owned a business in the building now occupied by the DeGroote Clothing Store.
Because the young clerk could understand
Norwegian, the store became a Mecca fro immigrants from Scandinavian
countries. "New comers," as they were called were helped in locating
relatives, finding jobs and receiving credit for supplies at the store until
they could become established.
As Mr. Bradley moved on to partnerships
with William Wallace and Louis Kinseth and to his own store, the friends whom
he had helped continued to show their loyalty. Often they drove their
horse from surrounding towns to buy shoes, clothing and supplies for the
entire family for one season. If the shoppers took more than a day to
make their choices, they were taken to the Bradley home for meals and to spend
the night5. The family was always prepared to feed "customers".
Always interested in the betterment of
the community, Mr. Bradley served many years on the school board and on civic
committees. he was a Rotarian, and an active member of the
Congregational Church. He was not spared the hardships of a real
pioneer, but accepted them with patience.
On the occasion of the observance of his
50 years in business, the other merchants celebrated with him by assisting
with a special salute in the Humboldt Republican.
He was married June 6, 1894, to Hannah
Orres, who survives him and is in her 92nd year. Their sons and daughter
are Mrs. Kenneth J. Smith and Evenor of Humboldt; Eugene, of Buffalo, New York
and Orres of Chicago.
Mr. Bradley died December 20, 1945, at
the age of 79 years.
The foregoing biography of her father was
written by Mrs. Bernice B. Smith at my request. Ed Bradley, as a clerk,
could jump his nearest rival, and he could wait on three customers at once.
Later, as a merchant, he was popular, generous and successful. He did
not acquire wealth, but far more important, he often scarified his own
pleasure, that his children could attain advanced education.