Washington

BRADFORD, Philander D.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 39-40

Philander D. BRADFORD, late of Northfield [Washington County, Vermont], was 
born 09 April 1811 in Randolph [Orange County, Vermont], son of John and 
Lucy (BROOKS) BRADFORD. His father was a lineal descendant in the sixth 
generation from Governor William BRADFORD, who came over in the "Mayflower." 
An orphan at the age of seven years, he found a home with relatives of his 
mother at Alstead [Cheshire County], New Hampshire, but returned to Randolph 
at the age of fifteen, and entered the Orange County grammar school. Five 
years later he commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. Austin 
BRADFORD, and at the age of twenty-three graduated from the Woodstock Medical 
School, then a branch of Middlebury College. He practiced medicine in 
Braintree [Orange County, Vermont], Randolph [Orange County], and Bethel 
[Windsor County, Vermont]. In 1850 he received the degree of A. M. from the 
University of Vermont. In 1854 he permanently settled in the town of 
Northfield. In 1857 he became professor of physiology in the medical college 
of Castleton [Rutland County, Vermont], and held that position until December 
1862, when he resigned. An antiquarian by nature, he made a large collection 
of objects of interest and historical value, as well as a fine collection of 
minerals, which he donated to Norwich University, where they are known as the 
Bradford collection.

Dr. BRADFORD belonged to the Republican party. He was elected to the 
Legislature from Randolph in 1853-1854. In 1854 he was made commissioner of 
the insane and served the state in this capacity for two years. In 1862-1863 
he was elected senator from Washington County, and in 1863 president of the 
Vermont Medical Society. A strenuous advocate of the cause of human rights, 
of temperance and all moral reforms he was elected a trustee of Norwich 
University. In December 1862 he was commissioned surgeon of the Fifth 
Regiment Vermont Volunteers, but from ill health was compelled to resign the 
ensuing April. In 1860 Dr. BRADFORD was made Grand Master of the Grand Lodge 
of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was also placed at the head of the 
grand division of the Sons of Temperance. In 1875 he was a member of the 
Right Worthy Grand Lodge U. S. I. O. O. F., and in 1879 of Right Worthy Grand 
Lodge, International Order of Good Templars.

In 1835 Dr. [Philander D.] BRADFORD first married [Miss?] Susan H. EDSON of 
Randolph [Orange County, Vermont], who died in October 1865, leaving one 
child, Mrs. George W. SOPER, who died in 1889. In May 1867 Dr. BRADFORD 
married Mrs. Olive MOORE, widow of Hiram MOORE, Esq. The second Mrs. 
BRADFORD died 05 August 1890. Dr. BRADFORD was a liberal supporter of, and a 
constant attendant at the services of the Protestant Episcopal church, and 
was senior warden of the same at the time of his death. Dr. [Philander D.] 
BRADFORD died 16 July 1892 at Northfield [Washington County, Vermont].

Submitted by Cathy Kubly