My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. BRADBURN, a prosperous farmer of Worthington, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Manchester, N.Y., April 14, 1828, son of James and Delancy (Smith) Bradburn. Mr. Bradburn’s father was born in Massachusetts, of Irish ancestry. He was a sailor in early manhood, but finally relinquished the sea and engaged in farming. He was twice married. The children of his first marriage are George and James; and those of his second marriage are: John W., the subject of this sketch; and Anson W., who is a machinist and resides in Preston, Minn.

John W. Bradburn was educated in the district schools, and resided with his parents until he reached the age of nineteen. Having been trained to farming, he followed that occupation for a time. Then he became a sailor, and made voyages to Africa and the south seas. Abandoning sea life, he served for some time as a brakeman on the railroad between Bridgeport and Winsted, Conn., and afterward engaged in various kinds of work. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteers, which participated in the North Carolina campaign, and was present at the battles of Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, and several minor engagements. While in Newbern he contracted a severe illness, which confined him to the hospital for two months, after which he was sent North, and received his discharge July 29, 1863. Mr. Bradburn has constantly suffered from poor health since, a result of his war experience. When partially restored, he resumed work, taking employment in a wood-turning shop. After spending two years at this he came to Worthington, where he purchased a farm consisting of forty acres, and has since resided there, dividing his time between agriculture and carpentering. He is a Republican in politics, while he is an unbeliever in any of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

On December 4, 1851, Mr. Bradburn was united in marriage to Sarah C. Morse. She was born in Dalton, Mass., August 4, 1833, daughter of Alonzo and Betsey C. (Thayer) Morse. Mrs. Bradburn’s parents were natives of Massachusetts. Her father was a harness-maker by trade. He died December 30, 1881, aged seventy-nine years; and his wife died in October, 1889, at the same age. Mr. and Mrs. Bradburn have had seven children, as follows: Wallace J., who married Mary Etta Chandler, and resides in Chesterfield, Mass., where he is engaged as a basket-maker and a photographer; Martha Jane, who married Charles Markham, and resided in Pittsfield, Mass., died July 27, 1876; Marshall John, who is engaged in farming; Elva Maria, who died July 7, 1879; Lura Amanda, who married Eugene Rhodes, and has six children; Flora Ellen, who wedded Alvin Buck, and died January 5, 1884; and Celia E., who died July 13, 1880.

Mrs. Bradburn is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Bradburn has made a special study of astronomy and navigation for the past forty years, much assisted by a fine telescope which he possesses. He takes much pleasure in conversing upon these subjects, regarding which he exhibits a remarkable knowledge.