Edson Bradley

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Edson Bradley (born 1852 died 1935). President of W.A. Gaines and Company of Frankfort, KY. This was also known as the "Whiskey Trust". Brands included Old Crow and Old Hermitage. W.A. Gaines erected the Hermitage distillery in 1868, and were the largest producers of fine "sour mash" whiskeys in the world. The involvement of W.A. Gaines and Co. in the whiskey industry ended with Prohibition. National Distillers, which owned the distillery and brand from the end of Prohibition until 1987, continued to use the W.A. Gaines and Company name. Jim Beam bought National in 1987.

Edson Bradley was a well known member of the Washington, D.C. society and was often mentioned in the society pages of the newspaper. His debutante daughter Julia had her coming out party in 1894. His home, located in Dupont Circle was famous for its 500-seat theater, Aladdin's Palace. He was a large art and book collector. In 1923, he physically moved his home to Newport RI. It is currently known as Carey Mansion. His wife Julie died shortly after construction was completed in 1929. Edson Bradley died of pneumonia in London in 1935.