N. W. Bradford

Nathaniel West Bradford was born on February 14, 1854, in Pontotoc, Mississippi.[1][2] He was the son of Malcolm Dougherty Bradford and Rosalie (Dandridge) Bradford, and was a descendant of many of the First Families of Virginia.[1] Bradford received his early education in Pontotoc's schools and read law in his father's office before being admitted to the bar at the age of 21.[1]

Bradford then began practicing law, and he also served as the Mayor of Pontotoc, Mississippi.[1] He moved to Houston, Mississippi in 1897, and continued his law practice there.[1][2] In 1903, he was elected to represent Chickasaw County as a Democrat in the Mississippi House of Representatives, and served that term from 1904 to 1908.[2] In 1915, Bradford was elected to represent the 31st District in the Mississippi State Senate and served from 1916 to 1920.[1] During his tenure in the Senate, Bradford supported enacting laws to increase the quality of Mississippi's roads.[1]

Bradford was an Odd Fellow, a Woodman of the World, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church.[1][2] married Tula Lee Baskin on November 24, 1886, in Pontotoc, Mississippi.[1][2] They had four children: Joe Baskins (died 1915), William Dougherty, Annie, and Paul Williams.[1][2][3] Bradford was found dead in his bed in Houston, Mississippi at about 6 AM on October 10, 1926.[3]