The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-03-24
Si0graphies.
from THE PREss.l
William Bradford, A. M.
sY VI. D.

teWDer 14tn, lIo5, ana was piaceu GARY anu0l
the particular care of very respectable and
worthy clergyman, a few miles from that city,
from whom he received the rudiments of an edu-
cation, which was afterwards improved to the
greatest advantage, and under the tuition of
this excellent preceptor he remained with little
interruption, until he was fit to enter College
It was at this time that his father had formed
plan of keeping him at home, and of bringing
him up in the insurance Office, which he then
conducted but so strong was the love of learn
ing implanted in the young mind of his son, that
neither persuasion, nor offers of a pecuniary adj
vantage, could prevail with him to abandon the
hopes of liberal education, and he voluntarily
offered to resign every expectation of the former
from his father to obtain the advantage of the
latter, by regular course Of studies. Accord
ingly in the spring of 1863, he sent to Prince
ton, and entered the College of Nassau Hall,
then under the direction of the learned and pious
Dr. John WATERPROOF, where he continued with
great benefit to himself till the fall of 1872 when
he received the honors of the College by de-
gree of Bachelor of Arts and in ITS, that of
A. NJ During his residence at the College, he
was greatly beloved by his fellow students, while
he confirmed the expectations of his friends and
the faculty of the College, by giving repeated evil
dence of genius and taste, and at the public
commencement, had one of the highes: honors of
the class conferred upon him.
He continued at Princeton till the yearfollow-
ing, during which time an opportunity was offered
him of attending Dr. Witherpoor's excellent lee
lures on Theology, and from his useful teacher,
he received much information and general knowl-
edge after which he returned to the scenes of his
youth, and spent several months under the in
struction of his first reverned preceptor, who
strove to prepare him for future usefulness by
his piety, experience, and knowledge of the
world
Thus fitted for active life, after consulting his
own nclinaticns, and the advice of his friends, he
fixed on the study Of the law, which he commenced
under the Hon. Edward Shipper, Esq,
then one of the council of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania. and afterwards Chief Justice of
his usual diligence and unwearied application.
In the spring of 1776, he was called upon, by
the peculiar circumstances of the times to exert
himself in defence of the dearest rights of human
in opposition to the oppressive exactions of
Great Britain. When the militia were called
out to form the flying camp, he was chosen Ma
jor of brigade to General Roberdean and on the
expiration of his term, accepted company in
Colonel Hampton's regular troops, where he was
soon promoted to the station of deputy paymas-
ter general, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel,
in which Office he continued about two years,
till his want of health, being of a delicate con.
obliged him to resign his commission
and return home.
He now RECOMMENDED the study of the law,
and in the year 1879, was admitted to the bar of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, where his
rising character soon introduced him into an I'M
usual share of business; and, in August 1880,
only one year after he was licensed by the rec
cancellations of the bar, and the particular at
tention of his excellency, Joseph Reed, Esq,
then president of the state, he was appointed at
torney general of the State of Pennsylvania.
In 1884 he married the daughter (and only
child) Of Elias Boudnot, of New jersey, coun-
sellor at Law, with whom he lived till his death,
in the exercise of every domestic virtue that
could adorn human nature.
On the reformation of the Courts of Justice
under the new constitution of Pennsylvania, he
was solicited to accept the honorable Office of
one of the judges of the Supreme Court which
with much hesitation, he accepted, and was COM
missioned by his excellency Governor Mifain,
August 22nd. 1891.
His indefatigable industry, mistaken integrity,
and correct judgement enabled him to give gen.
era satisfaction in this Office, as well to the suit
ors as at the bar.
Here he had determined to spend consider
able part of his life; but, on the attorney gener-
al of the United States being promoted to the
Office of Secretary of State, Mr.. Bradford was
urged, by various public considerations, to yield
that Office.
He accordingly resigned his Judges commits
sion and was appointed Attorney General of the
United States. on the 28th day of anuary, 1894
This Office he held till his death, when he was
found at his post, in the midst of great useful
ness, possessing, in high degree, the confidence
of his country
Mr. Bradford's temper was very mild and anna
BILE, his manners were genteel, unassuming mod