Charles and James E. Bradley were brothers born to Irish immigrants Patrick (1805-1896) and Catherine (McCullough) Bradley (1806-1871). The Bradleys had four children: John (1836-1900), James E. (1838-1887), Ann (1840-1913), and Charles (1845-1927). Patrick and Catherine brought their four children to the United States in 1850, settling first in Pennsylvania then moving to a farm in in Doniphan County, Kansas, in 1858.

James Bradley joined the Confederate Army in Memphis, Tennessee, but became disenchanted with the Southern goal of dividing the states, despite his support of slavery. By November 1863, James joined the Union Army using his mother’s maiden name, McCullough, and fought in Virginia with the New York State Volunteers. By March 1864, James requested a transfer to a company set up specifically for former Confederate soldiers and received orders to transfer to the Northwest Department, thus, avoiding possible capture by the Confederate Army and being shot for desertion. By May 1864, he was stationed in Minnesota. James decided to remain in the north, settling in North Dakota.

Charles E. Bradley left his family farm in Kansas to attend the Academy of the Christian Brothers in St. Louis during the Civil War. He worked in real estate, first with Leffingwell & Company and later with other firms. Charles entertained the idea of joining in business with James in North Dakota but after visiting, he decided to return to real estate in St. Louis. On 27 May 1875, he married Mary Ella Capell and the couple had eight children: George, Charles, Mae Beecher, Harry, Elliot, Bessie, Helen, and Richard.