JOHN E. BRADLEY. Among the many who are gaining a maintenance as farmers in Lovington Township, is the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs and whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. He is the owner and operator of a fine farm of eighty acres on section 12. By honest industry, good judgment and unwavering perseverance, he has won prosperity, and what is far better, a reputation as a man of honor and uprightness. The spirit he has shown in worldly affairs, affords a lesson to others who begin life without capital, while the influence of his consistent life is felt far and near.

Mr. Bradley is an honored representative of a patriotic and industrious family. His grandfather, John Bradley, served seven years as a brave soldier in the Revolutionary War, while his father, John Bradley, was one of the founders of the old Free Soil party. The latter a native of Chester County, Pa., married Elizabeth Evans, a native of the same place as himself, and there they dwelt for some years after their marriage. Later they removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where the faithful wife and mother died December 1, 1833. After her decease the father came as far West as Illinois, where in Lovington Township, Moultrie County, he closed his eyes to the scenes of earth February 21, 1872.

Of the six children in the family circle our subject was the fifth, and he was born in Chester County, Pa., December 18, 1829. He was a child of four years when his parents came to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, in the meantime acquiring as thorough an education as was afforded by the schools of the vicinity. He remained on a farm in Trumbull County until the spring of 1850, when he came to Moultrie County, Ill., and settled in Lovington Township, of which he has since been a resident.

Mr. Bradley was first married December 18, 1856 to Mary S., daughter of Oren Dunscomb, who died in Trumbull County, Ohio. Mrs. Bradley was born in Trumbull County, and bore her husband one child, a son, Charlie H., who married Miss Mary E. Weatherly and now lives in Sullivan. The wife and mother passed from earth August 18, 1866. Mr. Bradley was again married in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 19, 1871/4, choosing as his wife Miss Martha A. Hayes. This estimable lady, the daughter of Jesse and Betsey (Hurst) Hayes, was born in Pickaway County, September 27, 1836, and under the careful instruction of her parents and teachers, grew to a refined womanhood. Her happy marriage with Mr. Bradley has been blest by the birth of three children--John F., Mary E. and Alfred C.

Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Bradley has been prominent in its ranks, and has served the people in various official capacities. He is greatly interested in educational matters, and for twenty-five years has served efficiently as School Director. He has also been Highway Commissioner and held the minor offices of the township. But we would be doing great injustice to Mr. Bradley's career, were we to omit especial mention of his army record. On August 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, as a musician. He served in the ranks until he was promoted to be Corporal and later Sergeant. The entire term of his service was three years, and during that time he participated in many engagements, among the most important being the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Little Rock, and Clarendon, Ark. After an honorable service he was mustered out at Pine Bluff, Ark., and returned home to resume the pursuits of peace.

While serving his country, Mr. Bradley received a severe sunstroke which has been a source of great affliction to him up to the present time. As might naturally be expected he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, being a prominent member of Lovington Post, No 354. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In religious work he takes an active part, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1853, and his wife also holds membership in the same church. As one of the valiant soldiers to whom we owe the preservation of the Union, and as a capable farmer we are pleased to represent him in this volume.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 511/512

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb