Santa Barbara County Biographies

CHARLES BRADLEY

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

CHARLES BRADLEY.� Among the successful ranchers and sheep raisers of the 
Santa Maria Valley, we find the subject of this sketch. He was born at South 
Wingfield, England, in the county of Derby, in 1839. He had little opportunity 
to cultivate his mind, but his hands were kept constantly busy, and at the 
early age of twelve years he began work in the coal mines at Oakerthorpe, 
and at the age of eighteen years he began contract work, in mining and breaking 
suitable for market, which he continued until 1868, when, through the influence 
of his uncle, Paul Bradley, he came to California, first stopping at Salinas, where 
his uncle then resided; but in the fall of 1868 all stock was driven to the Santa 
Maria Valley, where his uncle had purchased land, and subject continued to work 
for him about four years. In 1872 Charles Bradley purchased his present home 
ranch of 160 acres, and added thereto by pre-emption and purchase to the 
amount of 2,560 acres, 1000 of which is tillable and balance grazing land. He farms 
about 700 acres and leases 300 acres for general farming purposes. He keeps 1,500 
sheep, in which industry he has been very successful. He also has 100 hogs, and 
about forty head of horses and cattle. He set a small orchard, experimentally, in 
1880, in a variety of fruits, all of which have done well, and his present orchard 
covers eight acres, apples, peaches and apricots being principal fruits, although 
he also includes all small fruits. Mr. Bradley was married at South "Wingfield, 
England, on April 5, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Booth. By the marriage eleven children 
have been born, two sons and nine daughters, all living. Mr. Bradley built his 
present spacious residence in 1873, at an expense of $5,000, including all modern 
improvements. He is a member of Hisperian Lodge, No. 264, F. A. & M. Mr. Bradley 
takes no interest in political or public life, except education, and he has served as 
School Trustee and Clerk for over six years. His eldest son, Charles W., was 
educated at San Martha's Hall at San Mateo, and at Heald's Business College at 
San Francisco. Mr. Bradley gives his children the higher education, of which he was 
deprived. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.