William Henry Bradley, 1826-1908

The History of Appanoose County, Iowa

[Chicago, IL: Western Historical Co., 1878], Page 540 -----------------------------------

  BRADLEY, W. H., farmer, stock dealer and fruit grower, Sec. 6 [Bellair Township]; P. O. Centerville; born in Clarke Co., Ind., in 1826; at the age of 8 years, removed with his father to Morgan Co., Ind.; remained at home until 22 years of age. In 1848, married Martha [Ann] Elliott, who was born in Pulaski Co, Ky., in 1826; her parents, Fountain B. and Martha Elliott, returned to Clarke Co., where they died, only a week intervening between their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley removed to Owen Co., Ind., in 1856; came to this county, purchased 180 acres of land two miles north of Centerville and engaged in farming; in 1859, removed to their present residence and own 705 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; they have seven children—Sarah E., J. R., Melvina J., Alvira, Patrick H., Chas. E., and Wm. Albert. Mr. and Mrs. B. and the four elder children are members of the M. E. Church; the parents have belonged to that Church for thirty years. Mr. B. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., No. 313, of Numa.

Unidentified Seymour, Iowa, Newspaper Obituary, 1908

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  William H. [Henry] Bradley was born Jan. 30, 1826, and died in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. M. Boydston, Oct. 28, 1908.  He has made his home with his daughter in Mt. Pleasant for the past six years. Until that time since coming to Iowa from Indiana—the state of his birth—in 1856, me made his home in Appanoose County. Until the death of his wife [Martha] in 1882, he resided three miles east of Jerome but since then he has made his home with his children. He was the father of nine children, two having died in infancy and P. H. Bradley died about ten years ago. The remaining children were all present at the funeral and are as follows: J. R. and W. A. Bradley of Centerville, Mrs. B. M. [Melvina] Boydston and Mrs. James [Sarah] Johns of Mt. Pleasant and Mrs. J. A. [Elvira] Sidles of this place. He has been in feeble health for some time but his last sickness lasted only a few days. Charles, Mrs. Johns and Mrs. Boydston were with him at the time of his death and accompanied the remains to Jerome where the funeral was held at the M. E. church conducted by Rev. Perdew, pastor of the M. E. church of Centerville, assisted by Rev. Bishop of this place. The Masonic Lodge of Centerville had charge of the services at the cemetery, where the body was laid to rest by the side of his wife.

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the permission granted by Linda Jacobs Green to transcribe the above material from her book, History of the Bradley, Van Ness, Elliott, Elgin, Sidles, Condra Families of Appanoose County, Iowa, 3rd Revision, 3rd Printing [Columbia, MO: Linda Jacobs Green, January 2011], page 152.

John Rowan Bradley, 1850-1919

Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa

Volume II, Pages 402-404

[Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913]

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  Through well-directed activity and enterprise John R. Bradley has gained a high place in the business circles of Centerville, where since 1892 he has been engaged in general contracting and building. He was born in Morgan County, Indiana, August 9, 1850, and is a son of William H[enry] and Martha [Ann] (Elliott) Bradley, the former born in Clark County, Indiana, January 30, 1826, and the latter in Kentucky, February 20, of the same year. Mr. Bradley's paternal grandfather was Benjamin [Franklin] Bradley, a native of the South [Maryland]. His wife [Elizabeth Keynon] was born in Ireland [or Pennsylvania]. The mother of our subject removed from Indiana to Kentucky when she was still a child and there her marriage occurred. Immediately afterward Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bradley came to Iowa, locating in Appanoose County, where they purchased eighty acres of land in Vermillion Township, adding to it from time to time until the farm comprised six hundred and eighty acres. Upon this the father engaged in general farming but later gave much attention to buying and shipping stock, carrying on an extensive business along this line for a number of years. His wife passed away in 1881 and six years later the father sold the farm and went to Numa, where he engaged in the mercantile business. He remained there for eight years and then sold his business interests and moved to Centerville, where he made his home with the subject of this review. Later he moved to Mount Pleasant and there his death occurred at the home of his daughter, Melvina Boydston. For many years he was active in the Masonic order, holding membership in Centerville Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M.

  John R. Bradley acquired his education in the district schools of Appanoose County and in the Centerville High School. After he laid aside his school books he helped his father with the work of the farm until he was married, after which he moved upon a portion of the homestead, which he developed and improved for some time. In 1884 he learned the carpentering trade and worked at it for wages for eight years, after which he established himself independently as a contractor and builder, in which work he is still active. He has erected some of the finest and most attractive business houses and residences in Centerville and the surrounding district and has handled much valuable property, doing a very extensive and profitable business.

  Mr. Bradley has been thrice married. His first wife was in her maidenhood Miss Mary [Ann] Crist, a daughter of John [G.] and Mary Ann [Coffman] Crist, the former a farmer in Appanoose County. The first Mrs. Bradley died one year later [was buried in the Jerome Cemetery] and in 1884 the subject of this review wedded Mrs. Martha C. Brown, a daughter of Addison and Rhoda (Bryant) Veach, the former born in West Virginia and the latter in Galesburg , Illinois. Both came to Appanoose County in the early '50s and there the father learned the blacksmith's trade, later opening a shop in Centerville. Afterward he removed to Numa and engaged in the same business until his death, which occurred in 1895. His widow returned to Centerville and died in that city at the home of the subject of this review. Mrs. Martha Bradley passed away on the 11th of February, 1902, and on the 29th of December, of the following year, Mr. Bradley was again married. His third union was with Miss Ann Spooner, a daughter of James B. and Catherine (Bryant) Spooner, the former a native of Indiana, born in 1828, and the latter of Galesburg, Illinois, where her birth occurred in 1833. The father came to Iowa in 1846 and entered eighty acres of government land in Center Township, Appanoose County. A few years later the mother came and in this section their marriage occurred, after which they settled upon the farm, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the mother dying in 1898 and the father on the 29th of April, 1905. Mr. Bradley had one daughter by his second marriage, Martha, who was born May 10, 1890, and who died October 9, 1911. During her life she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Centerville. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley are devout members of the Methodist church.

  Mr. Bradley gives his allegiance to the Republican Party and has held various responsible township offices, for he never seeks to avoid the duties of citizenship. Fraternally, he is connected with Centerville Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M. Throughout his business career he has always faithfully discharged any obligation devolving upon him and has thus established a reputation for integrity and reliability, his name being an honored one wherever it is known.

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  Note: The notations in [ ]s were made by the editor of The Jerome Journal.

Sarah Jane Bradley, 1864-1938

SARAH J. BRADLEY TAKEN WHILE ON VISIT TO SISTER

  Sarah J. Bradley, of Los Angeles, Calif., passed away in the St. Joseph hospital in Centerville, Iowa, Thursday, September 8.

  Miss Bradley was the daughter of John and Sarah [Elliott] Bradley, Appanoose County pioneers, and had grown to young womanhood in that county and had entered the teaching profession. She taught first in rural schools, and later in Cincinnati, Jerome, Seymour and cities of this community. She went to Los Angeles twenty years ago where she became a teacher in the grade schools, where she taught until her retirement two years ago.

  She came to Centerville August 1, for a visit with her sister, Mrs. B. C. [Mary Ann] Van Ness. She had been there only a week when she was stricken with intestinal flu and was taken to the hospital where she grew constantly weaker and death came in spite of all that medical aid could do.

  Miss Bradley was well known over Wayne and Appanoose counties and her death brings sorrow to a host of friends here.

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Unidentified Newspaper Article

  The body of Miss Sarah Bradley, who died in St. Joseph's hospital, was brought to Seymour for burial Saturday afternoon. She was buried on the family lot. Miss Bradley taught school in Seymour for many years. She was a charter member of Seymour Chapter 124 O. E. S. Several of her pupils and friends were at the service.

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Los Angeles Woman Succumbed at St. Joseph Hospital

 Last Night—Had Been Here Month

  Sarah J. Bradley, 74, of Los Angeles, California, who was here visiting with her sister, Mrs. B. C. [Mary Ann] Van Ness, of 805 North Eleventh Street, died in St. Joseph's hospital at 9 P. M. yesterday.

  Miss Bradley, who was the daughter of John and Sarah [Elliott] Bradley, Appanoose County pioneers, had grown to young womanhood in this county and had entered the teaching profession. She taught first rural schools, and later in Cincinnati, Jerome, Seymour and cities of this community. Twenty years ago she went to the west coast and became a teacher in the grade schools of Los Angeles, where she taught until her retirement two years ago.

  A sufferer from asthma, Miss Bradley had written her sister here saying that she planned to visit in Iowa just as soon as she recovered from an attack she was having. She came here August 1 and was weak from her recent illness. She was stricken with intestinal flu after her first week here and taken to the hospital 10 days ago, grew constantly weaker until her death in spite of every care.

  Miss Bradley and Mrs. Van Ness were the last of a family of eleven, Mrs. Van Ness now being the sole survivor. Miss Bradley was well known over the county and her death brings sorrow to a host of friends here as well as in California.

  Funeral services will from the Miller funeral home at 2:30 Saturday afternoon and burial will be in Seymour.

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the permission granted by Linda Jacobs Green to transcribe the above material from her book, History of the Bradley, Van Ness, Elliott, Elgin, Sidles, Condra Families of Appanoose County, Iowa, 3rd Revision, 3rd Printing [Columbia, MO: Linda Jacobs Green, January 2011], page 148.

Charles Elliott Bradley, 1864-1945

 Centerville Iowegian, October 1945

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  Charles Elliott Bradley, 81, retired resident of Champaign, Illinois, since 1821, passed away at 4:30 a. m., Monday [15 October 1945] at Burnham City hospital after a six weeks' confinement due to a fractured hip.

  Born on November 6, 1864 near Centerville, Ia., the third son of William and Martha Ann [Elliott] Bradley, he was the last survivor of a family of seven children.

  In early manhood, Mr. Bradley became associated with the Williams Hardware and Implement Company of Centerville, Iowa, later accompanying the firm to Chicago where it became known as the Williams Organ and Piano Company. After 20 years of service as the company's representative, he became branch manager for the Davenport Wagon Company, traveling throughout the United States. He later retired to his farm south of Mattoon [Illinois] where he lived for seven years, moving to Champaign in 1921 to take up permanent residence at 511 South Prairie Street.

  Mr. Bradley was united in marriage to Stella Bradley, only daughter of Patrick Bradley of Mattoon on June 21, 1898. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Centerville, Iowa. Surviving are his widow; three daughters, Mrs. H. F. [Gladys] Priebe of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Mrs. Ray [Charlotte] Fisher, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Beth Bradley at home, who is on the U. I. Music faculty; and four grandsons, Bradley and Paul Priebe and Robert and Richard Fisher.

  Funeral services were conducted from the Mittendorf Chapel, at 2:30 p. m. Wednesday. Interment was in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.

  A number of relatives live in this county: Mrs. J. E. [Ettie Melvina Sidles] Condra of Numa, Susie Sidles of Seymour route and Mrs. Guy [Jennie Maurine Sidles] Streepy of Udell are nieces. William John[s] of Centerville, a nephew, and several other distant relatives.

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the permission granted by Linda Jacobs Green to transcribe the above material from her book, History of the Bradley, Van Ness, Elliott, Elgin, Sidles, Condra Families of Appanoose County, Iowa, 3rd Revision, 3rd Printing [Columbia, MO: Linda Jacobs Green, January 2011], pages 154-155, provided to her by Mary Hilliker-Rasmussen.

Rev. B. M. Boydston, 1851-1902

Rev. B. M. Boydston 

Served the Jerome Methodist Episcopal Church 
1880-1881

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Knoxville Express [IA] - 21 May 1902

Posted on IAGenWeb.org by James Quigley 8/17/2003

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  Died at his home in Lone Tree, Iowa, Monday May 12 [1902], Rev. B. M. Boydston, aged 51 years.

  Rev. Boydston was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and came with his parents to Iowa, who settled in Knoxville in 1856. He united with the M. E. church at the early age of 15 years, and from his youth up has been a faithful follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. His high school education was completed in Knoxville, after which he held a position as teacher in the same school.

  In 1872 he entered the Iowa Wesleyan University, at Mount Pleasant. After pursuing the course he entered the Boston Theological Seminary in 1876, and entered the ministry in 1880. He was united in marriage Aug. 24, 1881, to Miss Melvina J. Bradley of Centerville, Iowa. Their union was blessed with the following children: Mrs. H. B. Miller, Albert W. and David P., all of who with their mother survive their husband and father.

  Deceased was a brother of Mrs. H. Cunningham and County Treasurer George L. Boydston of Knoxville, and has many old friends in this county who mourn his death.

  The funeral was held at Lone Tree on Wednesday, May 14.

Elvira Bradley Sidles, 1853-1932

Daily Iowegian - 11 March 1932

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Mrs. John Sidles Called by Death

  Mrs. John Sidles, 78, of Jerome, was called by death at the home of her daughter Mrs. Guy Streepy at 12:30 yesterday afternoon following a siege of influenza. Services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Jerome Methodist church with Rev. Wilson officiating.

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  Elvira Bradley, daughter of William H. Bradley and Martha Ann Elliott, was born 2 June 1853 and died 10 March 1932. She married John Alexander Sidles and lived one mile west of Jerome.

James R. Bradley, 1881-1907

James R. Bradley Dead - Burial To Be Here

Death Occurred at El Reno, Okla. and

Remains Will Arrive Here Today

  Death has claimed James R. Bradley, aged 26 years, he being afflicted with heart trouble for the past four months so as to be considered in serious condition, and death coming Sunday morning. He was the son of P. H. Bradley, and leaves a sister, Ruth, who was with him at the time of his death, and a brother, Carl, of Jamestown, Va. He was married to Miss Bessie Stephenson, and leaves his wife and a son to mourn him. The little son is at the Albert Bradley home in this city, where the remains will be brot this afternoon and the funeral held Wednesday.

  The death of this young man brings much sadness to this community where he was so well known. He was a pharmacist here, going to El Reno to engage in the same business. He was an Elk, and a delegation from the El Reno lodge will accompany the remains here. 

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Transcribed from 1903-1909 Semi-Weekly Iowegian Obituaries [Page 78], compiled by the Appanoose County Genealogy Society, on FHL US/CAN Film #1703962, Item #12 [Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990].

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Oakland Cemetery, Vermillion Township, Appanoose County, Iowa [Centerville, IA: Appanoose County Genealogy Society], page 115:  James R. Bradley, 1881-1907.  F.S. Lou Stephenson, 1890-1945.  F.S. Ralph Stephenson, Feb. 9, 1941, Corp. 50 Ia. Inf.

William H. Bradley, 1826-1908

Wm. H Bradley Death

Old Resident of This County Died at Home of Daughter

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  Mt. Pleasant News:  Wednesday evening at 10:30 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. M. Boydston, of North Broadway, occurred the death of Mr. William H. Bradley, an old and respected resident of Mt. Pleasant. He as been in feeble health for some time, death being due to bowel touble, with complications.

  Mr. Bradley lived to the ripe old age of 82 years, and his long life has been an active and useful one. Wherever he lived he was universally respected and esteemed, and his scores of friends will long remember him and keep his memory green. He was devoted to his family and friends, and all that could be desired as an upright citizen and man.  For many years he had been a member of the Methodist church, and although in recent years deprived of the privilege of church attendance, died strong in faith and hope. He was also a Mason of long standing.

  The deceased was born in Morgan county, Indiana, in 1826, and was married there in 1848 to Miss Martha Ann Elliott. In 1850 they came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Appanoose county, near Centerville. He engaged in farming and stock raising and they made that their home until 1882 when the good wife passed away, and Mr. Bradley made his home with his several children. 

  To this union were born nine children; two dying in infancy, and one son, P. H. Bradley, died about ten years ago. Those who remain are: Mr. John R. Bradley, of Centerville; Mr. C. F. Bradley, of Chicago; both of who are here; Mr. W. A. Bradley, of Centerville, Mrs. J. A. Sidles, of Jerome, Ia., and Mrs. B. M. Boydston, and Mrs. James John, of this city. One son, Mr. W. A. Bradley, is in Texas on a trip at the present time, and no word has been received from him this afternoon in answer to telegrams sent. In addition, to these sons and daughters, the deceased has one brother living in Mattoon, Ill.; and a number of grandchildren.

  A short service will probably be held at the home of Mrs. Boydston here Friday morning, and the remains will then be taken to Centerville and the funeral will be held from the Jerome circuit near there, conducted by Rev. Perdew, pastor of the M. E. church, at Centerville, assisted by the Masonic lodge of which Mr. Bradley was a member. Interment will be at the Jerome cemetery.

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Transcribed from 1903-1909 Semi-Weekly Iowegian Obituaries[Page 103], compiled by the Appanoose County Genealogy Society, on FHL US/CAN Film #1703962, Item #12 [Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990].

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Census Records of William H. Bradley

--1850 United States Federal Census, Place: Clay, Morgan, Indiana; Roll: M432_162; Page: 151; Image: 304.  [Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1860 United States Federal Census, Place: Bellair, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: M653_311; Page: 40; Image: 41.  [Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1870 United States Federal Census, Place: Bellair, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: M593_375; Page: 356; Image: 13.  [Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA] 
--1880 United States Federal Census, Place: Bellair, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: T9_326; Family History Film: 1254326; Page: 543.2000; Enumeration District: 19; Image: 0168. [Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1885 Iowa State Census, Place: Bellair, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: IA1885_144; Line: 10; Family Number: 10.  [Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1895 Iowa State Census, Place: Centerville, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: IA1885_287; Line: 14; Family Number: 387. [Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1900 United States Federal Census, Place: Bellair, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: T623_416; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 12. [Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1900 United States Federal Census, Place: Center, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: T623_416; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 27. [Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]
--1905 Iowa State Census, Place: Centerville, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: IA_75; Line: 602. [Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]