Ira B. Bradford (June 24, 1851 – September 1, 1916) was an American lawyer, banker and politician. He served as a
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
member of the
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.
Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...
in the late 1880s and early 1900s.
Early life and career
Bradford was born in
Fulton, Wisconsin
Fulton is a town in Rock County, Wisconsin, Rock County, Wisconsin, in the United States. As of the United States Census, 2000, 2000 census, the town population was 3,158. The unincorporated communities of Fulton (community), Wisconsin, Fulton and ...
,
[ ] and was raised and educated in
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...
.
He was admitted to the bar in
Monroe, Wisconsin
Monroe, known as "the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA", is a city in and the county seat of Green County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,661 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered by the Town of Monroe to the north and the T ...
in 1873, he and took up residence in
Augusta, Wisconsin
Augusta is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,550 at the 2010 census. The city is bordered by the Town of Bridge Creek.
History
Augusta was formerly called Ridge Creek. A post office has been in operatio ...
. He helped establish the Augusta State Bank in 1875 and served as director.
Political career
Bradford was elected to the Assembly in 1880 and was reelected in 1881. During his second term he served as Speaker of the Assembly, making him the youngest person to serve as Speaker at the time. Bradford declined to run for reelection at the end of his second term.
He was elected the first Mayor of Augusta in 1885,
where he was also Village Attorney. Bradford was a candidate for governor in 1899, and in 1902 he was again elected to the Assembly.
Personal life
Bradford was related to Massachusetts Colonial Governor
William Bradford.
He was married to Allie M. Burnham and they had two children, Archie E, Bradford and Sadie M. Bradford. He died in Augusta following a lingering illness.
References
External links
A Political History of Wisconsin*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bradford, Ira
1851 births
1916 deaths
Mayors of places in Wisconsin
Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
People from Fulton, Wisconsin
People from Monroe, Wisconsin
People from Augusta, Wisconsin
Wisconsin lawyers
19th-century American lawyers