A native of New York State, but since his early childhood a resident of Rhode Island, Mr. Bradley was during the earlier part of his career identified in various responsible positions with several of the leading manufacturing companies of Kent County. Eventually, he became a member of one of the leading insurance firms of Kent County, becoming the secretary and treasurer. He enjoys not only a high reputation in business and financial circles, but has been exceptionally prominent and active in fraternal affairs. Effectively active in church work, Mr. Bradley, by the extent and variety of his numerous interests, typifies a useful and public-spirited citizenship.
Albert W. Bradley was born in Buffalo, New York, April 25, 1896, a son of Andrew William and Carrie (Johnson) Bradley. His father, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was successfully engaged in the hotel business until his death. Mr. Bradley’s mother is a native of Sweden. Educated in the public grammar and high schools of West Warwick, Mr. Bradley, after leaving school, became associated with the Crompton Company, of Crompton, Kent County, of which well known industrial establishment he remained an employee for eight years, holding various positions of steadily increasing importance. Next, he became office manager for the Quidnick-Windham Manufacturing Company, with which firm he likewise continued for eight years. In 1927 he entered the insurance business, becoming a partner in the firm of Clarke & Kendall, the firm name being changed at that time to Clarke, Kendall & Bradley. This partnership continued until 1927, when the firm was incorporated, and since then Mr. Bradley has been both the secretary and the treasurer, with Nathan E. Kendall (q. v.), one of its founders, president. The headquarters of the firm are located in the Curson Building, Arctic, West Warwick.
Mr. Bradley is also the branch manager of the Arctic branch of the Old Colony Cooperative Bank. For many years prominently active in Masonic affairs, he is a member of numerous Masonic bodies, including the following: Manchester Lodge, No. 12, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a Past Master; Landmark Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; Nar-ragansett Council, No. 16, Royal and Select Masters, of which he is now the principal conductor of work; St. John’s Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Rhode Island Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Ruth Chapter, No. 15, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is a Past Patron. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliation is with the Centreville Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is treasurer of its board of trustees. He is fond of amateur sports and is especially fond of baseball.
Mr. Bradley married, in 1928, Laura J. Dewell, a native of Centerville.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.