His parents died in the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic, which claimed the lives of approximately 10% of the Portsmouth population.
James Brady returned to Virginia after the war, taking home the colors (flag) of the Irish Brigade, as was the tradition.
President Hayes appointed Brady Collector of Internal Revenue for the second district of Virginia from 1877 to 1885, and from 1889 to 1900.
Brady was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 40.48% of the vote, defeating Democrat George E. Rives and Independent Republican Joseph P. Evans.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress