William Clark Bradley (June 28, 1863 – July 26, 1947) was an American entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist. He, along with partner G. Gunby Jordan, co-founded two banks that eventually merged to become the present-day Synovus Financial Corp. He also formed the W. C. Bradley Co. in 1885 by purchasing a cotton factoring firm and immediately expanding it into a diverse business spanning many different industries.[1] Bradley also played a prominent role in the early history of The Coca-Cola Company, serving as its chairman of the board from 1919 to 1939.[2]
Early life
Bradley was born in Russell County, Alabama, on June 28, 1863.
Career
In 1885, he moved to nearby Columbus, Georgia, and began work as a clerk at the cotton factoring firm Bussey-Goldsmith and Company. He soon purchased the firm from its owners with the help of his brother-in-law, Samuel A. Carter. They changed the name of the company to Carter and Bradley and immediately began to diversify its line of business into other areas including fertilizer sales and groceries.[1]
Banking interests
Three years after his move to Columbus, Bradley teamed with local businessman G. Gunby Jordan to form the Third National Bank of Columbus and the Columbus Savings Bank. As president of both banks, Bradley led their merger in 1930 to form Columbus Bank and Trust,[3] lead bank and predecessor company of the present-day Synovus, a regional bank located across five southeastern states.[4]
W. C. Bradley Co.
External links
References
- "W. C. Bradley", New Georgia Encyclopedia; retrieved January 2007^
- "Coca-Cola Company", New Georgia Encyclopedia; retrieved January 2007^
- "Synovus Financial Corporation", New Georgia Encyclopedia; retrieved January 2007^