Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-07-12
DAILY DEMOCRAT.


Joseph w. Draalev, 1nveasor q
llooPslxlrss.
lie. ofsen 10 10 said Of . man v DO
particularly successful in life t5at he has
been "a lutAy fellow" We believe it 10
only in rarely exceptional cases that this
can properly be said Of any man Ii il,
could, Americans should be considered the
mos, fortunate race OF people in the world
In no country do we find 80 many men who
rise ssupericr to circumstances, and WIN
wealth aud position, without the adysntag
eous aids oil birth and social condition, as
In our own. Aud 70 attribute the ach!eve>
,nents Of eur self.msGe men to merely for>
tai,ous accident, or luck, Ms some people
cal it, is to pronounce . libel on the distin e
gushing characteristic Of ovr race.
Luck don't make men emins0t Jsnlthy or
wise, and certalplfssyR makes them exam
pies for their felow6
When . nsn has 30 lived a. 70 Challenge
the admiration ofths world, sashss up It's
store OF riches, and mako his prsssr ce and
his influence felt BY those who come within
its reach, he mej1to the highest and hearth
est need Of praiss for well.dshs.
Mons. esVQeiAlly IL this the cas-, where
these results ere attained without eduea>
tons sils. Work, right down hard vssk,
with head sSd haad, persevering, unrsmii-
ting eiIort, coupled With steadiHess Of pur-
pose, is the 011g 1lsben1 A6at viii lfAns-
mute stesbdSer iato TIE pres6ees metal. =
Than the subject u this skstch, nr. Jos.
W. Bradley, few men more fully attest the
correctness Of our propositions lilo hiss Sc
cured wealth. distinction in his vocation,
81 L.. Ill A>A 81 l,fa Il
sirable, simply BY working for It.
The path in life which has led him to
the ways of pleasantness is open 70 oil oth>
ers who have the courage. the energy, and
the nature 10 walk therein.
Joseph w. Bradley entered this mundane
sphese on The 18th Of March, 1921 He 10
the son Of the late Joel Bradley, ESQ, Of
Lee, Bsrk.hire county, Mass, and We be-
lisve, the youngest If four sons. These
boys were al carefully nurtured and receiv-
| ed the advantages Of sound English edus
cation.
| Joseph, il seems, WAS the most ambitious,
and, in true spirit of independent self
reliance, he left the parental roof at the
early age Of sixteen, and made bold strike
for himself The Western country, where
he had an uncle issiding, was the goal to
which he first directed his steps. But he
remained there only syear his work in
the service Of bis UNCLE only opened his
eyes to the greater pro -pects Of the metrop
oils, and inspired him with determination
TO risk his fortune in that great mart Of
trade. BY no means unaware Of its dangers
and temptations, he was quite willing to ems
counter them.
lie arrived in New York city in Septem.
ter. 1889, and by special invitation became
the guest the OFFS relative, who had promia
ed lis influences and efforts 10 introduce him
pati,nc, he could, for week for the employ
rnent. Then, finding his friends much tor
| busyssta attend to him, he concluded to look
about for himself. To finding employ
ment he devoted himself; from morning to
night no made earnest application at every
store where he thought there Was the least
chsnce and on tho third day he was sue
cessfu. lie much surprised his friends by
informing them that he had found thres
plac at either Of which he could get em.
ployment. Seeing that he was fully able to
help himself. they Immediately procure d
Tim situation more in accordance with
their ideas Of what Was desirable. They
placed HIM in house where every advsn-
tage was open TO him. Froma general uiil
ity boy, he became in due time head sales>
man.
At this time he made what appeared 10
he most promising change by entering
another house. Bus his new venture was
overtaken by the events OF the unfortunate
year lS47, and he shared the fortunes OF
hundreds Of others, and was affected in the
| general and wide>s read ruin that ensulfed
| CONNER cal circles. His situation was ad-
| ditionally embarrassed at this time by the
| sudden and accidental death of his partner
The whole res possibility and care of the
business dsvolved upon Mr.. Bradley, and,
without the assistance Of any one, he, in a
creditors which wss cminently satisfactory
TO them.
He refused, at this time, many catering
| inducements TO establish new house; but
his zeal was fully tempered with discretion
with less pretentious efforts than were
proposed to him.
In 1859. he decided alone to enter the
Geid IS a manufacturer Of hoop skirts, land
commencing with a half dozen hands, to
whom he paid but ten dollars a month, he
,cgan experimenting IS manufacturer =
Meeting with greater success than he ever
dared to dream Of bis goods meeting with
a ready sale, he was compelled 10 enlarge
his business. and increase his capital. These
objects he attained By an association with
men Of means and experience.
Uncessing diligence, constant personal
attention, and unremitting exertion, soon
secured an unparalleled growth of business,
and Mr.. bradley became the head Of one Of
| the largest and most wealthy firms in
New York and his business embraced
9everal important branches Of industry,
and furnished employment TO hundreds
Mr.. Bradley's success may be easily traced
TO its real source In the manufacture OF
his goods, he always insisted upon the
highest attainable excellence. lie has con-
stsatly improved his gsods in every posi-
be manner, and created for them . real d ..
mand and above oil, he has kept before
the people, by means of judicious adver-
Using, knowledge Of what he was doing
BY reputation. at least. there are bu: few
men in America who are better known than
Joseph w. Bradley. lie has not escaped
the usual trials and ycissitudts of life, but
he has met all diff culties with frm deter
mination 10 overcome them He has ex-
eiolted fine inventive abilities, rare execu
tive powers, and an industr y that knows
no l,cging. 1n;his business he is extreme.
" prompt, and almost peremptosy with
those in his employ. but always ready to
rec ,gnlze and Acknowledge real merit.
In social life he is hearty and genial, with
perfect appreciation of its finest enjoys
.nents. But he is too busy man often to
exhibit this trait Of character. lie believes
success to be the truest, If no, the only,
criterion of worth He has achieved il, and
80 may others who act in the same spirit in
which he has acted.