NEGenWeb Project
Hall County
THOMAS E. BRADSTREET, president of the Bradstreet & Clemens Company, Grand Island, has long been identified with many substantial business interests in Nebraska. He is equally prominent in public affairs and is at present serving as a member of the upper house of the Nebraska legislature.

Thomas E. Bradstreet was born at Independence, in Buchanan County, Iowa, February 14, 1865, the tenth in a family of twelve children and the only member living in Nebraska. His parents were William and Mary (Redman) Bradstreet, both of whom were born in the state of New York and were married there. In 1858 they removed to Iowa and homesteaded, where they passed the rest of their busy, useful, unpretentious lives. The father directed his affairs with honesty and good judgment and was considered a successful farmer and cattle feeder in Buchanan County. In his political views he was a Democrat, and of the Methodist Episcopal faith, he reared his children in that religious body.

Although brought up a farmer boy Thomas E. Bradstreet had educational advantages and after his primary school course was completed he sought other opportunities alternating his studies with work on the farm; later he attended a business college at Dubuque, Iowa, and at Waterloo. After working on a farm during two summers for $15 a month, Mr. Bradstreet went to Cedar County where he taught one term in the Elkhorn district, and subsequently taught one term in O'Brien County. Early in 1886 Mr. Bradstreet rented a farm in that county, following his marriage, and continued on that farm for three years before removing to Sioux City, Iowa. After one year with D. H. Talbott on a ranch, he engaged in the dairy business in Sioux City, an enterprise carried on for the next twelve years with much success, but his next business venture proved that other business qualities than those he possessed were needed in the cattle feeding industry, for within four years Mr. Bradstreet had practically buried a capital of $20,000. The balance quickly swung however, when he went into a line of business with which he was familiar and for which he was well equipped, since 1903 no resident of Hall County having prospered more substantially in the horse business. He has greatly enlarged the original scope of his enterprise and is now at the head of the Bradstreet & Clemens Company which own much valuable property at Grand Island. He owns all the barns used by lease from him, of the Grand Island Horse & Mule Company, and the Blain Horse, Mule & Cattle Company, which cover a large area. He is concerned along other business lines and was the originator and is president of the Equine Packing Company, now known as the Grand Island Packing Company.

Mr. Bradstreet married, in 1886, Miss Luella M. Biddinger, who was born at Independence, Iowa, and is a daughter of James Biddinger, a substantial farmer there. Mrs. Bradstreet is a highly educated woman. During the time she and Mr. Bradstreet resided on the farm in O'Brien County, she also taught school. Mrs. Bradstreet passed away February 5, 1919 at Lincoln, being buried in Grand Island February 7th. She was a member of the O. E. S. Mr. and Mrs. Bradstreet had three children; two sons survive; Archie L., associated with his father in business; and Deo, who has been with the American Expeditionary Force in France since June, 1918, taking a gallant part in the great army of successes in September, a non-commissioned officer, being coporal (sic) of his company.

Although Mr. Bradstreet is a Republican in his political sentiments, his personal popularity carried him into office in a Democratic stronghold, in the fall of 1918. He could not be unmindful of the great honor tendered him but apparently made little personal effort at campaigning, having left his home but three times for that purpose. His fellow citizens feel that their interests are safeguarded by a man of Senator Bradstreet's character.

He served in the state legislature in 1919, taking a very active part in demanding increased facilities for the Soldiers Home at Grand Island. He instigated a probe of existing conditions that resulted in several sweeping changes in the personnel and administrative policies of the State Board of Control of Public Institutions of the state of Nebraska. Senator Bradstreet also rendered invaluable service on the Roads and Highway Committee and numerous other committees. He advanced the idea that while the new $5,000,000 state capital is being built the old building should be retained intact and the new building located on the north end of the present grounds and two blocks adjacent, to be acquired for that purpose. His contention that this would save the state approximately $1,000,000 in rental and other expenses, may yet prove sound.

He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Elks and the Odd Fellows.

Transcribed by Larry Coates