Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Bradford received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Yale University in 1868 and read law to enter the bar in 1870.

He entered private practice in Wilmington, and was an attorney for the levy court commissioners, in New Castle County, Delaware.

[1] On April 26, 1897, Bradford was nominated by President William McKinley to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware vacated by Judge Leonard Eugene Wales.

Bradford was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 11, 1897, and received his commission the same day.

[1] Following his retirement from the federal bench, Bradford resumed private practice in Wilmington from 1918 to 1928.