Joseph Bradbury was born on a farm near Kygerville, Gallia County, Ohio.

In 1857 he joined the United States Army, and served under Albert Sidney Johnson against the Mormons.

[1] Bradbury began the practice of law in 1866 in Union City, Indiana, and later that year in Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio.

In 1869 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Meigs County and re-elected in 1871.

[1] Bradbury was elected in 1888 to the Ohio Supreme Court, defeating Democrat Lyman R. Critchfield for a five-year term.