BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 711-712. One of the most prominent, if not the most prominent, business man of Barnesville, Ohio, is JOHN BRADFIELD, who was born in 1813, in the county of York, England. In 1827 he, in company with his father and mother, Joseph and Isabella Bradfield, and his several brothers and sisters, came to America. The children were: Joseph, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and John. The family came direct to Baltimore, and from there to Belmont county, 0hio, settling upon a farm about four miles north of Barnesville. His education, which was received in England, was limited, but being a lover of books, like many another self-made man, he has by improving his spare moments, informed himself upon all of the leading topics of the day. Mr. Bradfield remained on his father's farm until 1838, when he began to buy and ship leaf tobacco. Meeting with great success in this his first business experience, he remained in it for three years, at the expiration of which time he bought out the firm of James Barnes & Sons, general merchants. He has continued in this business until recently, running it in connection with the tobacco trade. From time to time, as his several sons have become of age, he has taken them into the firm. The privations of his youth have stood him in good stead, as from them he learned the lesson of economy, and self-reliance. In the spring of 1889, Mr. Bradfield retired from the general merchandise business, turning it over entirely to his sons, who have inherited their father's sagacity to a considerable degree. The firm, in connection with the First National bank, are building one of the finest business blocks of its size in the state, at a cost of $50,000. The First National bank is another monument to this honorable citizen's enter- prise and wisdom. He was its president from its inception, in 1864, until the year 1875, at which time he retired, his son Edward then taking the office of cashier. Besides having organized the bank, the Gas company of Barnesville, owes its beginning to him. He has been the president of the latter organization for some eight or ten years. The company has lately contracted to take and control of the electric light plant. Mr. Bradfield is pre-eminently a public-spirited man, one who has always favored and aided any and all legitimate enterprises that would tend toward building up the town, and bettering the condition of its citizens. With his large fortune, and many personal attainments, it is no wonder that political offices have been tendered him; the senatorial prize has been cast in his way, but he has steadfastly refused to connect himself in any way with politics. In 1843 he married Anna L. Shannon, daughter of Thomas Shannon, a brother of Ex-Governor Shannon. Four boys and two girls have blessed this marriage. They are: Thomas, Edward, John W., Anna, Charles and Kate. Mrs. Bradfield was born and raised in Barnesville. In 1889 Mrs. Bradfield passed away to reap the reward of a devoted wife, and a wise, affectionate mother. Mr. Bradfield was one of the principal organizers of the Presbyterian church at Barnes- ville, of which both he and his wife were charter members. The town of Barnesville perhaps owes more of its prosperily to John Bradfield than to any other one man.