The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-04-26
WILBERN K, BRADBURY,
PIONEER REAL ESTATE,
INSURANCE man, DIES

Wilbern K. Bradbury, 72 years old,
identified with the real estate and
general insurance business of Rich
mond since 1876, died of heart disease
at his home, 308 North Fourteenth
street, at 4:30 o'clock Wednesday
morning, after an illness that had con-
fined him to his home for the last six
weeks.
His death marks the passing of a
Richmond business man who had been
loved and respected by friends and
business acquaintances through a
period of many years. A native of
Wayne county, he was born in Jack
sonburg in the same house in which
his father, William H. Bradbury, was
born. Both his grandfather and grand
mother were pioneers of the county,
having come here in the early part of
the last century.
Although his death came as a sur
prise to the community, his intimate
friends knew that Mr.. Bradbury nad
been in i'll health for some time.
Entered Business
He received his preliminary educa-
ton in the public schools and closed
his students career at Hadley's Acad-
emy, which was flourishing private
school, conducted by Hiram Hadley
in those days. After leaving school
Mr.. Bradbury held a clerical position
in the Richmond post office until 1870
when he resigned to join his father
in the insurance and real estate busi-
ness. In the spring of 1873 he went
q WI 6A 4
in the real estate business for about
three years. Returning to Richmond
i in 1875, he rejoined his father under
the firm name of William H. Bradbury
and Son. After the death of his
father, the business was carried on
under the same firm title until 1920,
when it was changed to Bradbury and
! Bailey, Mr.. Jesse A. Bailey having
been accepted into the firm in 1910.
! Mr.. Bradbury maintained an office
| in the building now occupied by the
Lee B. Nusbaum company from 1884
to 1920, when he changed his location
to the Colonial building.
Had Wide Acquaintance
| Mr.. Bradbury's acquaintance in
Wayne county was an exceedingly
wide one. He was superintendent and
treasurer of Earlham cemetery at the
! time Of his death, a position which he
had held since the retirement of his
father from the same position. He
! was president of the library commit.
tee of the Morrisson-Reeves library
from Dec. 81, 1896 until the time OF
| his death.
Mr.. Bradbury was one of the mem.
bers of the Tuesday club, which was
| M hn \;
Richmond many years ago, and had
been connected with number of civic
organizations during his long career
here.
His death removes another of the
men who were actively identified with
the community during the years of its
expansion and growth from a town in
I to substantial city He belonged tt
that group of the older business mer
who helped lay the foundation for the
enviable position which Richmond now
enjoys in Indiana
Pioneer Business Man
It is recalled that shortly before the
death of George H. Knollenberg. a few
years ago, he and Mr. Bradbury com
mented on the fact that few of the
men who began their careers with
them still remained. He handled
many of the most important real es
tate transactions that were made il
Richmond for many years. His ances
try goes back to the very earliest pion
eers of the county, and he was one o
the few remaining to form links be
tween the present day and the perioC
when Richmond was carved out O
wilderness and the political limits o
the county were established
In 1876 he married Elizabeth A. Lup
ton With whom he lived in unusua
concord until her death in 1914. SUI
viving him are a brother, Clarence
who resides at the Bradbury home, hi
daughter, Anna, teacher in the MOI
ton high school, his son, Clifford, O
Chicago, and three grandsons.
: The funeral will be conducted from
the home, 3o8 North Fourteenth street
at 2:30 o'clock. Friday afternoon
Friends may call Thursday Afternoon
and evening.