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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Source: The Marine Record, Cleveland, OH December 3, 1885 - p.4 OBITUARY -------- CAPTAIN ALVA BRADLEY Perhaps no name is more familiar to the lake navigator than that of Captain ALVA BRADLEY, who died at his home in this city last Saturday evening. And perhaps no man knew better how to turn the business of the hour to the best account. The evolu- tion of commerce evolved Captain BRADLEY as a business man - a man who was in every respect a champion for the cause which he represented - the lake marine, a position he obtained by strict attention to duty and by pure and disinterested business relations. Captain BRADLEY was born in Ellington, Conn., November 27, 1814, and when 9 years of age accompanied his father's family to Buffalo, the journey being made by wagan and canal boat, thence to Cleveland in a vessel, reaching this city in September, 1828, Brownhelm, Lorain county, being their destination, where that family settled on a farm and where Captain BRADLEY re- mained until 19 years old. Strongly in- clined to lead a sailor's life, he left the farm and shipped on the Liberty, plying be- tween Lake Erie ports, and continued to sail in various capacities until 1841, when he and Mr. AHIRA COBB, built the schooner South America, of which Captain BRADLEY assumed command. The venture of shipbuilding proved profitable and other vessels were constructed at his shipyard on Vermillion river. Captain BRADLEY continued to sail, however, until 1852, the Oregon, being his last command. He then devoted his entire time to shipbuilding on his own account at Vermillion until 1859, when he removed to Cleveland, and in 1868 brought his plant to Cleveland, and continued to build, at the head of the river bed until 1880, at which time he was owner of more floating property than any other man on the lakes, and the pos- sessor of a handsome fortune besides. The last vessel he built was the Henry Chisholm. His other vessels include the steamers City of Cleveland, R. P. Ranney, E. B. Hale, S. Chamberlin, J. S. Fay, S. E. Sheldon, and Superior, and the schooners A. Bradley, John Martin, D. P. Rhodes, Sandusky, S. P. Ely, A. Cobb, Thomas Quayle, S. J. Tilden, Negaunee, Fayette Brown, David Wagstaff, S. H. Kimball and J. F. Card. Beside those he was interested in a number of tugs, barges, and other vessels. Mr. BRADLEY was also the vice president of the Ohio National Bank and owned a large amount of real estate in Cleveland and vicinity. The past summer was his fiftieth season on the lakes. Captain ALVA BRADLEY leaves a wife and four children, one son, Mr. M. A. BRADLEY, who has been with him in the office a number of years and is well known by marine men; and three daughters, all married, Mrs. D. C. KELLER, of Atwerp, O., Mrs. C. E. GROVER, and Mrs. O. MOREHOUSE, of Cleveland. The funeral took place at his late residence on Euclid avenue on Wednesday and was very largely attended. In token of the loss sustained by the busi- ness interests of Cleveland, and appreciation of his manly good qualities, the Board of Trade adopted the following resolutions: Amidst the moil and turmoil of a busy life, in a populous and busy city, we are now and then oftentimes unexpectedly and suddenly called to a thoughtful halt, caused by the decease of one whose promin- ence in everything that pertained to the good of mankind is the more fully appreci- ated when it is definite that furthermore his lifework so well accomplished has ended. When that life has been one numbered among the few remaining of those who a quarter of century ago were the "bone and sinew" of our city, and whose conduct in all relations of life had much to do with forming the prosperity which now exists, we all the more realize the great loss, and hold in revered remembrance the departed friend. In the life of Captain ALVA BRADLEY, recently and so unexpectedly taken from us, we have an exemplification of honest, energetic purpose, large-hearted, and kindly, unostentatious, humane action with all ennobling elements that form the character of God's best work. Quiet and unassuming Captain BRADLEY had been identified with and doing his full share in producing prosperity to his fellow-man. Almost unknown, except to those who will sadly miss his kind, pleasant greeting and benificent acts, he has been a constant liberal contributor to charity. His monument, so well built by his own hands, will long stand gratefully remembered in the hearts of those who knew him as an honest man. The members of the Board of Trade of the city of Cleveland give freely these expres- sions of their appreciation of the life and character of Captain BRADLEY, and most re- spectfully render their kindest sympathy to the family whose grief is immeasurable at their irreparable loss of a good husband and father. Resolved, that the secretary be and he is hereby instructed to place the above expres- sions of regret and sympathy on the records of this Board of Trade, and forward a copy of the same to the family of our deceased member. The Ohio National Bank, of which Cap- tain BRADLEY was vice president, and the Savings and Trust Company, of which he was a director, also passed resolutions expressing their feelings at the loss sus- tained and sympathy for his family. ===========================================================================