History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois, Vol. II.
William Henry Perrin, ed.
(Chicago: O.L. Basking & Co. Historical Publishers)
1883.
P. G. Bradbury--States Attorney, Robinson, one of the most distinguished and
successful young attorneys in this part of Illinois, is the gentleman whose name heads
this biography. He is a native of Crawford County, Ill., being born October 6, 1847; is a
son of John S. Bradbury, whose portrait appears elsewhere. He was the second of three
children by his fathers union with Jemima Buckner, who died when our subject was
quite small. His fathers business being that of a ruralist, from early boyhood until
he reached the age of twenty-one, P. G. worked on the farm with unceasing industry, the
only relaxation being his attendance at the York schools from five to six months during
the winters, until he was twenty years old. He had the advantage of the Normal Schools of
Bloomington and Carbondale, Ill., a short time. At the age of fifteen, he formed a dislike
for farming and decided upon a broader field of labor. His ambition did not slumber, and
his zeal for his anticipated profession, that of law, did not abate; and, of course,
prosperity crowned his efforts. So anxious was he to gain the knowledge requisite to his
future prosperity that he carried his history and algebra to the field with him, and while
the horses were resting, he applied himself vigorously to those two studies. Soon after
attaining his majority, he passed an examination and was awarded a certificate to teach in
the common schools of both Clark and Crawford Counties. He at once began teaching in the
Mail neighborhood, in his native borough at $33 1/3 per month. He continued the labor of a
pedagogue for ten consecutive years, receiving for his last term a compensation of $110
per month. During his labor in the schoolroom, he saved $1,700, a portion of which he
loaned and the remainder was used to defray necessary expenses. His reputation soon became
widespread, and every year increased the demand for his services and added laurels to his
professional career, and accordingly, in 1873, he was elected Superintendent of schools of
Crawford County, which position he resigned within about three years to accept the office
of States Attorney, which was tendered him in 1876, which position he has held ever
since. He began reading law with Judge Robb, of Robinson, in 1874, and was examined by the
Supreme Court at Mt. Vernon, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He at once formed
a partnership with his preceptor, which still exists. During his first term as States
Attorney, he turned over to the school funds $1,859 as fines. Before this time, the
records dont show one cent every having been reported by any previous prosecutor. He
has been very earnest as an official, and has convicted nearly 300 persons for felonies
and misdemeanors. It is not often we find in one man such a devotion to his
profession and to science, and at the same time such an undaunted public spirit as we find
in Mr. Bradbury. In his profession he is possessed of a firmness, a calm, cool brain, a
quick, unfailing eye, a steady nerve, a strength of will, and a physical endurance, which
give him so much distinction as a prosecutor. He performs a prodigious amount of
professional labor enough to bankrupt the physical system of any man of ordinary
endurance but yet he finds time to attend to scores of enterprises of a local but
important character. Everything he undertakes bears the unmistakable impress of his
energy, sound judgment and genius. In addition to all this, he is a thorough scholar, and
a true gentleman, and enjoys the abiding confidence and respect of the people for his
manly character and unimpeached integrity. He is an energetic Democrat, and labors
ardently for the success of the party. He was married December 31, 1879, to Jennie
Kelley, born December 5, 1855, in Sullivan County, Ind. Her father, James Kelley, was a
native of Ireland, and came to Sullivan County, Ind., when a boy; started there with
nothing, and at his decease in 1861, was worth $50,000. Her mother, Melinda (Johnson)
Kelley, was a native of Sullivan County, Ind., and blessed Mr. K. with three children,
viz.: William, John
and Jennie. The mother was married after the decease of Mr. Kelley to Dr. Van Vleck, of
New York, who is also deceased. She survives on the old farm in her native county. Mrs.
Bradbury was educated at the State Normal School, Terre Haute, Ind.; is a very pleasant,
affable lady, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. B. is a member of the A.,
F. & A. M. Lodge of Robinson.
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