Oscar P. Bradford
A native of the town of which he is now acting trustee, and a young business man of ability, is Oscar C. Bradford, who was born December 18, 1869, in Washington Township, Grant County. He is a son of Jesse T. and Lucy J. (Gaines) Bradford, and it may be mentioned here that the Bradford family is one of the best known families in Grant County today, being mentioned at greater length in the sketch of Jesse T. Bradford, preceding this brief review.
Oscar C. Bradford was born on the home farm in Grant County and received his primary education in the community schools, later supplementing this elementary training by a good practical education in other schools. He finished a thorough course of study in the Indianapolis Business College in 1896, and then spent a year at DePauw University, in Greencastle, Indiana. In 1890 the young man began teaching, and from then until 1895 he spent the summer months in study at the Marion Normal College, his teaching being carried on during the winter seasons.
In 1900 he removed to Warren, Indiana, and was there employed as a bookkeeper for a well known hardware firm in that place, some little time later becoming secretary-treasurer of the Warren Machine Company, a corporation, of which he was a director. He was with this firm whose business was the manufacturing of oil well machinery and repairs for three years, and in 1904 engaged in business for himself, making the hardware and implement business as the object of his interest. He located at 521-523 North Washington Street, in Marion, Indiana, and continued for three years, when the business was organized into a close corporation, the stock being held by himself, his father, and his brother. It has since continued in a successful and enterprising manner, and the business is regarded as one of the solid enterprises of the city.
In 1908 Mr. Bradford was elected a trustee of Washington Township, and he still holds that office. He is a prominent Democrat and was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Grant County during the presidential campaign of 1912, and the results of the election were the most victorious ever experienced by the Democrats of this section.
Mr. Bradford was married on June 17, 1899, to Ethel O. Stevens, the daughter of Harrison and Sarah (Beach) Stevens, another pioneer family of Grant County, and highly esteemed wherever they are known. Mrs. Bradford was born in Pleasant Township, Grant County, and there reared. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bradford, two of whom, Ruth M. and George R., are living. The second born, Doris A., died in 1906, at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford are highly regarded in their home community and have a part in the best social activities of the place.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner