Cumberland County, Maine - John Bradford
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Biography
John Bradford
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 548-549


John Bradford, long a representative citizen of Portland, having been engaged in
business on one street of this city for sixty-four years, was born in Portland,
July 10, 1810, son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Corbett) Bradford, of Plymouth,
Mass. He is a direct descendant of the Colonial governor, William Bradford, one,
of the "Mayflower" pilgrims, who became so prominent in the history of the
Plymouth colony. Nathaniel Bradford, who was a sparmaker in Duxbury, Mass., came
to Portland in early manhood, and here worked at his trade for many years.

John Bradford, after making the best of his opportunities for obtaining an
education, engaged in spar-making with his father, and continued it with an
elder brother after his father's death. He was but nineteen years of age, when,
his brother having gone to sea, the entire responsibility of the business
devolved on him. He then took charge of the establishment on Commercial Street,
at the foot of Cross Street, which still bears his name. By close industry and
well directed effort he built up the largest spar-making business in the city.
Giving employment to fifteen men, he furnished spars for most of the new boats
built in Portland, and also for many of those that came into the port for
repairs. In business from 1829 to 1893, when he retired, Mr. Brad ford rounded
out a prosperous business life of sixty-four years, thereby making a noteworthy
record. He was the owner of a considerable amount of real estate in Portland.
Careful to avoid debt, he commanded the respect of all with whom he had
dealings. His punctual habits and stern integrity were the chief agencies that
built up his enviable business reputation. He died January 24, 1896.

Mr. Bradford was twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Jane
Knight, he had two children, namely: John, who now has charge of his father's
business; and Elizabeth, who died in childhood. His second wife was Mary A.
(Harris) Bradford, a native of Portland, born in March, 1822, and a daughter of
Stephen and Mary (Knight) Harris. Her father was from Boston, Mass., his wife
being a member of the old and prominent Knight family of Portland. By this wife
he had one daughter, Lizzie M., who is the wife of Herbert S. Dyer, of Portland.

Mr. Bradford was a member of the City Council four years and of the Board of
Overseers fourteen years, serving four years as Chairman of the last-named body.
He was at one time connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but
during the latter years of his life did not attend the meetings of the Lodge. He
took a keen interest in military matters, and in early life was Lieutenant of a
company for seven years, having received his commission from Governors Kent and
Dunlap about the time of the Aroostook War.
His commission read as follows:

GOVERNOR KENT as Captain,
ROBERT P. DUNLAP, Governor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Maine,

To JOHN BRADFORD, of Portland, Greeting
You have been elected a Lieutenant of a Company of the Battalion of Artillery in
the Second Brigade and Fifth Division of the Militia of the State, to take rank
from the 28th of July, 1837.

(Signed) ROBERT P) DUNLAP, Governor.
A. R. NICHOLS, Secretary of State.

Mr. Bradford was an attendant of the High Street Church. He had a pleasant home
at 38 High Street, where he lived for many years, and where his widow now
resides.