Yuba County
Biographies
MISS EVA M. BRADLEY
For a woman to achieve success in the world of business these past ten or fifteen years, does not create much comment; but when we go back another decade or two and there find a woman who was pioneered in establishing herself firmly in the marts of trade, we cannot in justice withhold the recognition due to one who has helped to pave the way for her sisters and incidentally won her own way to unusual success. Such a woman is Miss Eva M. Bradley, founder of Bradley, Inc., Dry Goods, of Marysville. Born in Westfield, Monroe County, N. Y., she joined her father, Isaac Bradley, here, who came to Marysville in 1883. Her uncle, Samuel H. Bradley, had crossed the plains in an ox-team train in the pioneer gold days of 1849. He served as supervisor of Yuba County for a term in the early days. Isaac Bradley, on his arrival here, became associated with his brother in operating a wagon and carriage shop. He was a councilman of Marysville for one term. His demise occurred about twenty years ago. His wife was Miss Frances Cooper, of Cooperstown, N. Y. Cooperstown was named for the Cooper family. J. Fennimore Cooper, author of the Leather Stocking series, who by his description of its natural scenery made the region of central New York famous, was a member of the same family.
Eva Bradley was reared and educated at Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y., completing her education at Dansville Seminary, where she was graduated in 1884. She then came immediately to Marysville, whither her father had preceded her in 1883. Miss Bradley first entered into business in Marysville as a clerk in the office of Edward Weilander, who conducted a dry-goods store in this city; after one day in the office, however, she became saleslady, through her ability to please one of Mr. Weilander’s new customers. She started at a salary of ten dollars per week, and this was raised five times during her first year. This was in the day before women were employed as clerks in the stores, and she was the first one so employed in Marysville. Some twenty-one years ago, with Mr. H. A. Bruce as a partner, Miss Bradley bought out the Weilander store. Six years later, she sold her interest to her partner and started a new dry-goods store for herself in the Casey Block, at corner of Fifth and D Streets. This was considered out of the business district at the time, and hers was the first store in that block; and predictions were freely made that the business would not pay “up there.” But it did, and Miss Bradley made a success of it from the start. The floor space was small then, 40 by 60 feet; but the next year thirty feet were added, and later forty more. She installed a fine modern plate-glass front in the new store, the first of its kind in Marysville, designed by a San Francisco architect, for she was determined to have an establishment in which the entire community could take pride. She took two trips yearly to the Eastern markets for new goods and ideas, and was the only local dry-goods merchant to do so at that time. She also installed a modern carrier system in the store; and today this thoroughly modern high-class store stands as a monument to one woman’s initiative, energy and persevering enterprise. Always held in high esteem as an employer, Miss Bradley, on disposing of her establishment, in October, 1921, was given a banquet by the employees of the store.
In civic and social matters, Miss Bradley has always been prominent. She is a charter member of the Marysville Art Club and of the Ladies’ Improvement Club of Marysville; while her patriotic spirit has led her to belong to the Woman’s National League for Service Club, of San Francisco. She was also a charter member, as well as the first woman member, of the Marysville Chamber of Commerce. Politically a Democrat, she was elected and served two years as chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Yuba County, being the first woman to hold that office in California.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 332, 333
JAMES BRYDEN
Although more than thirty years have lapsed since the death of James Bryden, his memory still lives in the hearts of those who knew him, for he was one of those hardy pioneers who bravely faced the hardships and dangers of the unknown West and by their own labor evolved, out of a trackless wilderness and vast forests, the fertile land and well-developed farms that have made this State one of the greatest agricultural sections in America. His name is inseparably associated with the history of the development of Yuba and Butte Counties, in which his operations were conducted; and the Bryden Ranch, one of the finest in the State, has been in possession of the family for more than seventy years.
Mr. Bryden was a native of Ohio, but later removed to Monticello, Ill., and in February, 1850, while yet a young man, started across the plains, traveling with ox teams and wagons. They were six months in making the journey, which was a long and hazardous one, and in the fall of 1850 they arrived in California. For two years Mr. Bryden worked in the mines at Downieville, winning success in his search for gold; and in 1852 he invested his capital in land, purchasing a large tract on Honcut Creek in Yuba and Butte Counties. He was at first associated with a partner; and in 1852 they planted the first grain sown in Northern California. Their first crop was harvested by the Indians, and much of it was stolen; but the experiment proved that the soil of this section was well adapted to the growing of grain, and many settlers afterward followed their example. Subsequently Mr. Bryden bought out his partner and became sole owner of the ranch, which he brought to a high state of development, erecting thereon substantial buidings and converting it into one of the most desirable farms in the State. He worked diligently and persistently, and equipped his place with all of the newest devices in farm machinery. He conducted his labors systematically and scientifically and set the standards of farming in his section, becoming recognized as an authority on agricultural matters. The ranch comprised 3400 acres, all in one body, and since his death land has been added until there are about 5000 acres. The place is now being operated by Charles Bryden, a grandson of the subject of this sketch. Large numbers of sheep and cattle graze on a portion of the land, while the remainder is used for the growing of crops, and for three generations the ranch has been owned and cultivated by members of the Bryden family.
In Marysville, on November 30, 1865, Mr. Bryden married Miss Mary J. Sadorus, who survives him and is now residing in Marysville. She is a native of Illinois, born near Champaign, a daughter of A. M. and Margaret (Hamilton) Sadorus, who crossed the plains to California in 1850 and were pioneers of Butte County, where Mrs. Bryden was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. James Bryden were born six children, of whom three are living. Mrs. Kate Gates, of Oroville; Mrs. Lillian Flannery, a resident of San Francisco; and Mrs. Edna Murphy, of Portland. Their son, James R. Bryden, died in April, 1922. He was born on the ranch and there spent his entire life. He was a worthy successor of his father, ably carrying forward the work which his sire had begun and adding many acres and modern improvements to the place, in which he took justifiable pride.
The death of James Bryden occurred in April, 1892, and in his passing California lost one of its pioneer builders, his associates a faithful friend, and his family a devoted husband and father. He was a man of broad vision, a power in constructive development and evolution; and his irreproachable character and life of industry and usefulness won for him a reward which he valued more highly than material gain – the high and enduring regard of his fellow-men.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 333-334