Went and picked up two sulkey rakes yesterday. one had a seat made of cast iron that had the name Furst & Bradley cast into it. I did an archive search, but all I came up with was a post by 1 powell on Sept. 23, 2000 asking for information on a Furst and Bradley seat, but there were no responses. So, after doing a little research, I decided that I would post what I found. One mr. David Bradley, who had been manufacturing stoves and farm equipment with a brother in Syracuse NY, came to Chicago in 1835. There he built the first iron foundary and is known to have brought the first load of pig iron to Chicago. In 1860, there was a Furst and Bradley company located at Fulton, Jefferson, and Des Plaines streets. (not being from Chicago, I don't know how three streets can share an intersection) There they produced plows and other farm implements. They had produced wagons, but it was at his time that the wagon line was discontinued. In 1872, David Bradley and Conrad Furst incorporated the Furst & Bradley Mfg. Co. and issued stock. This company existed for the manufacture of farm implements until 1884, when David and his son J. Harley Bradley bought out Conrad Furst's interests and re incorporated as the David Bradley Company. The seat on my hay rake also has the # 81 engraved in a round patch at the crotch area of the seat, and I believe that it is the year (1881) of manufacture. If any one knows better, please correct me.
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