Born in
Yorkshire, England, Bradley immigrated to the
United States in 1846 with his parents, who settled in
Walden, New York. He attended school until nine years of age, and then began working for his family's business, the New York Knife Company, as a "shop boy." Bradley enlisted in the Army from Walden in August 1862, advanced to become a
sergeant, and later received a commission. After the
Battle of Chancellorsville, he was promoted to
captain and became the
aide-de-camp to Major General
Gershom Mott, 3rd Division,
II Corps. He later received a
brevet promotion to
major of Volunteers. Bradley was wounded at the
Battle of Gettysburg, the
Battle of the Wilderness, and the
Battle of Boydton Plank Road, and was mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. After the war Bradley was active in the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and other veterans organizations and reunion societies. Bradley also continued his military service as assistant inspector general of the
New York National Guard with the rank of
lieutenant colonel, later receiving promotion to
colonel. Bradley was a member of the
New York State Assembly (Orange Co., 1st D.) in
1876; and a delegate to the
1892,
1896 and
1900 Republican National Conventions. Bradley was elected as a
Republican to the
58th,
59th,
60th,
61st and
62nd United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1903, to March 4, 1913. Bradley was a member of the board of directors, vice president and president of the Walden National Bank. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Columbus Trust Company and the Walden Savings Bank. Bradley was employed by the New York Knife Company for more than 50 years, and rose through the company's ranks to become president and treasurer. Bradley died in
Walden, New York, at age 76 and was interred there in Wallkill Valley Cemetery. ==Medal of Honor citation==