JOHN R. BRADNER. The present able and popular mayor of the city of Fostoria is well upholding the prestige that has been one of prominence in connection with the history of Seneca county for nearly a half century. He is one of the influential citizens and representative business men of his native city and as its chief executive is fostering all municipal interests with the same scrupulous care and fidelity as did his honored father, who was incumbent of the same office for a period of six years and who is the subject of a special memoir on other pages of this work, so that further reference to the family history is not demanded in the present connection.

John R. Bradner, the youngest in the family of nine children, was born in the city of Fostoria on the 15th of January, 1875, and is a son of John A. and Catherine E. (Phillips) Bradner. After completing the curriculum of the public schools, including the high school, Mr. Bradner continued his studies in the Fostoria Academy, of this city, for two years, after which he engaged in reading law for a number of years. He has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Fostoria since 1894 and is one of the leading representatives of these important lines of enterprise in Seneca county. He is well informed concerning the value of real estate in this section of Ohio and has handled many important property interests, in connection with which he has negotiated deals that have involved heavy investments. The insurance department of his business is one of most prosperous order and he does a large amount of underwriting each year, as representative of several of the standard life and fire insurance companies.

Mr. Bradner has at all times shown a lively and loyal interest in all that touches the welfare of his home city and county and lends his aid and co-operation in furtherance of all measures and enterprises tending to conserve the best interests of" the community . He is aligned as an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party and from 1896 to 1901 he served as constable of Loudon township, Seneca county. From 1901 to 1906 he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace and he has served as mayor of his native city since 1910, giving an administration that has met with the unqualified popular approval. He is affiliated with the Home Guards, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is an associate member. Both he and his wife hold membership in the United Brethren church.

On the 16th of October, 1906, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bradner to Miss Laura M. Earl, who was born in Wood county, this state, and who is the daughter of Leroy Earl, now a representative citizen of Fostoria. Mr. and Mrs. Bradner have six children, J. Alonzo, Earl Milton, Virgil C., Harry R., Leroy J. and Catherine L.




Page 581
History of Seneca County, Ohio
by A. J. Baughman