Capt. Hugh M. Bradley
Capt. Hugh M. Bradley, attorney and government claim agent, of Ironton, was born in West Jefferson, Ohio, Aug 10, 1839, and is the son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Davis) Bradley, both natives of Ohio, of English-Irish descent. The paternal grandfather was born in Logan Co., VA, immigrated to Ohio in 1800, where the Indians camped on his place when peace was made with them. He was in the War of 1812, and passed his last days in Ohio. The father of our subject was a mechanic by trade, and followed this occupation all his life. He and his wife both died in West Jefferson, he Feb. 6, 1855, at the age of fort eight, and the mother April 16, 1859, also forty-eight years of age. They were the parents of seven children three now living: James W., William L. and Capt. Hugh M. The last named was reared in West Jefferson, Ohio, and there remained until fourteen years of age, when he received his education at Delaware College, Ohio. In 1857 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he studied law for about one year. He then went to Louisiana, Mo., remained there a short time, being admitted to the Pike County bar in 1859. He then went to St. Louis, where he practiced his profession until the late war. He then went to Louisiana, Mo. and raised his first company in that place, going out as first Lieutenant. This was Company I, Tenth Regiment, Missouri State Militia Cavalry Volunteers, and in 1863 it was consolidated with the Twelfth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, forming the Third and the Fifth Missouri State Militia, remaining as the same company. He raised his second company at Fredericktown, MO., which was called Company I, Forty-seventh Missouri Volunteers, and Mr. Bradley went out as its captain, serving about seven months. He was in the engagements of Moore's Mill, Pilot Knob, Patterson and several hard skirmishes. At Patterson he was wounded seven times by gunshots, a mini-ball passed through his right thigh, and his left hand was shot to pieces. He was a brave officer and a gallant fighter. He rode a well-trained horse, and this saved his life many times. After being wounded April 20, 1863, he filled the office of provost-marshal at Ironton, Fredericktown and Columbia, Mo., during the years, 1863-1864-1865 and was filling the office at the time of being mustered out. He was mustered out April 5, 1865, and now draws an officer's pension. After the war he went to Madison County, Mo., where he remained but a short time. May 6, 1868, he married Miss Margaret B. Grove, a native of Pittsburgh, PA. To them were born four children: William H., born 15 May 1870; Elizabeth B. born Feb 5, 1872; Ida May born 13 Apr 1874 and Hugh M. Jr., born 9 Feb 1876. While in Madison County, Mo., Capt. Bradley was given the contract for carrying the United States mail from Pilot Knob to Pocahontas, Ark., and filled this contract until 1868, when his time expired. He then went to Patterson, Wayne County, and engaged in the mercantile business at that place, he ran three stores at one time. Taking the contract to build eleven miles of ties of the Iron Mountain Railroad, which kept him until 1872, when he came to Ironton and engaged in the law and claim agency business, which he is engaged in at the present time. He is also engaged in the insurance business, representing the Phoenix, of London, and Niagara, of New York. Mrs. Bradley and children are members of the Episcopal Church.