John Williams Bradshaw was born on July 7, 1849 in Crown Point, NY. The son of a minister, Bradshaw represented the ninth successive generation of ministers in his family. Bradshaw received his undergraduate education at Middlebury College, VT, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1869. After spending two years working for the United States Government in Washington D.C., Bradshaw pursued theological studies at Chicago Seminary, from which he received a degree in divinity. Bradshaw's ministry included pastorates at Congregational churches in Rochester, MN (1874-1884), Galesburg, IL (1884-1888) and Ann Arbor, MI (1888-1900). In 1900, Bradshaw went to Oberlin, OH to serve as minister of First Congregational Church in Oberlin. During his eleven years as pastor, First Church saw the addition of a parish house and social hall, the James Brand House (1909), and a renovation project which included the installation and dedication of a new organ (1910). In 1911, Bradshaw resigned from First Church due to his declining health. He died on September 2, 1912, in Peoria, IL from spinal sclerosis. He was married to Mary Coffin of Bataria, IL and they had four children.
From the description of Papers, 1897-1921, n.d. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 34300117
