Tom Bradley
Tom Bradley was the earliest known white resident of the area that became Burke. In 1835 Bradley brought a load of goods from San Augustine to what came to called Bradley Prairie and established a log cabin trading post to do business with the Indians who lived along the Neches River and other parts of Angelina County. Along with him be brought a clerk named Hughes Bradley, who was soon murdered by an Indian named Harry Popher who was angered by the clerk's refusal to sell him liquor.
It is not clear whether Bradley continued with his trading post after the murder of his clerk.
Sources:
- Malcom McLean, Papers Concerning Robertson's Colony In Texas, Volume VIII, pages 192-195