Born in Yorkshire, England, Bradley immigrated to the United States in 1846 with his parents, who settled in Walden, New York.

He attended school until nine years of age, and then began working for his family's business, the New York Knife Company, as a "shop boy."

After the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was promoted to captain and became the aide-de-camp to Major General Gershom Mott, 3rd Division, II Corps.

[1] After the war Bradley was active in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and other veterans organizations and reunion societies.

Citation: Volunteered in response to a call and alone, in the face of a heavy fire of musketry and canister, went and procured ammunition for the use of his comrades.