Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-01-17
DEATH OF JUDGE BRADFoRD.

A Sketch of the Late Jurfst's Life
ana Public Services, as Deputy
Aftorney-GeneraI, Legislator, .Ad-
vocate, District Attorney and
Judge.
Judge Bradford Of the United States
district court, died yesterday morning at
1850. He bad been suffering from
general breaking down OF his physical
system and had been confined to his bed
for several weeks. For several days past
1t has been evident that his life WAS
slowly ebbing away.
The deceased had been suffering from
organic troubles which have gradually
undermined his health for nearly
year past. On Christmas
night he WAS taken much wcrse
I, nd since then his life has been despair
OF. AT times he was unconscious and
suffered considerably. Since btirg con.
fined to his bed begraduslIy grew wes ker
up to the time of his death.
Edward Green Bradford was born in
Middle Neck, Ceo,t couuty, Maryland,
July 17th, 1873, onSeq nsntly was in bis
65th year. With HE parents, he re-
moved to this city while very young,
attending school here for time and after
ward becoming pupil of Delaware Col
lege, Newark, from which institution he
WAS graduated September 28th, 1888
He then entered the law office Of
Edward +. Gilpin, Esq, afterward
chiet Justice of the State, as student of
the profession, and was admitted to
practice April 11th, 1912. At the time OF
his admission to the bar as praoti-
TONER, Judge Gilpin WAS attorney general,
and Mr.. Bradford WAS at once appointed
| as his deputy. He filled the office for the
remainder of the term in which he
WAS appointed, and the succeeding
one. He WAS afterwards elected
city solicitor. He served a term in
the Legislature of this State having
been chosen representative from
New Castle county In 1S49. President
Lincoln appointed the deceased United
States district attorney for the district of
Delaware, April 18th, 1861, and
President Johnson reappointsd him
to the Same office July 22d,
1865. September 18th, 1865, after John
| son had broken faith with his party, Mr..
Bradford resigned his position in letter
addressed to Postmaster General Randall.
The letter attracted great deal of atten-
tion on account Of the fearless, out
spoken manner in which the
writer expressed his opinion of
the President, and parts of it
were widely copied in the newspapers.
On the resignation Of Judge Hall, Mr..
Bradford, on December 18th, 1871 was
appointed judge OF the United States
district court for the district of Delaware,
death.
In TrJ psa a.
Wing, and from the outset of his career,
was one Of the leaders of the party In
this State and an effective and eloquent
speaker on the stump.
He WAS among the organizers Of the
Republican party In this State, and in
1856 was the leader OF the 300 of his
political faith who cast their ballot for
Fremont. What Is regarded rs Mr..
Bradford's master effort on the ntump
was delivered during the campaign Of
1858 Cor '6O. 1t was an exhaustive and
mastery review Of the coI,f fliot over
the extension of slavery. Upon
public opinion, in the opposition ranks,
the discourse had a powerful influ-
enoo. In 1868, Mr.. Bradford received the
vote of the Republican representatives. of
the General Assembly for United States
senator. He was delegate from this
State to the national convention at
Baltimore in 1864, which renominsted
Lincoln.
During his political career Mr.. Brad
ford had few equals as speaker, and he
always had throngs of patie mt hearers.
He delivered his addresses tly without
notes, and when warmed to his subject
was most impressive speaker, present
ing solid argument, with v,sins OF sar-
oasm, in his intensely earnest, peculiarly
interesting manner. The deceased was
powerful and successful as an advocate
at the bar. He was a fDroible and
eloquent plesder and deeply read upon
all points relating to his profession. He
continued the practice OF law from the
time of his admission until his appoint.
ment as judge. For a number of years
he was director OF the Far ner5' Bank.
Judge Bradford was the ascendant Of
family distinguished in this pulpit, at
the bar, and on the bench. His father,
| Moses Bradford, was a native Of Massa-
| ohusetts, aud descendant OF the illus
trions colonial governor of the same name.
He came to this city in early lite and for
| a time edited and published the Delaodre
Gazette. His mother was Miss Phoebe
George, of an aristoeratio Maryland
family, several members of which have
risen TO much distinction in the various
| professions.
The deceased leaves a wi and nine
children: five daughters and four sops,
one of whom is a captain In, the United
| States army and another a le aiding MEM
| ber of the New Castle bar.