Johnson County KS Archives Biographies.....Bradshaw, Harry 1860 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 8, 2008, 4:45 pm Author: Ed Blair Harry Bradshaw is the leading household furnishing goods dealer of Olathe, Kan. The career of Harry Bradshaw is a striking example of what the American boy can accomplish by industry and determination under adverse circumstances. He was born in Buchanan county, Missouri, March 29, 1860, son of John and Sabrina (Sparks) Bradshaw, both natives of Kentucky. The father died when Harry was two years old, and the mother married Henry J. Culp, who is now deceased. The mother resides in Kansas City, Kan., and is eighty-four years old. She comes from a family noted for their longevity, her mother being ninety-nine years and eight months old when she died. Harry Bradshaw was the only child born to his parents. The family came to Johnson county in 1867, crossing the Kaw river on a ferry boat and located near De-Soto. Harry was never especially devoted to his step-father, and when a child of only nine years of age, left home and notwithstanding that he was frail and delicate and a victim of rheumatism at that early age, he went to work for farmers in the neighborhood and on many occasions hoed corn on crutches for fifteen cents a day. He worked as a farm laborer until he was twenty-one years old, sometimes attending school during the winter months. He then came to Olathe and entered the employ of E. S. Saunders, as a piano and sewing machine salesman in Johnson county and for fourteen years followed that line of work for Mr. Saunders, and was a remarkable success as a salesman. He has driven every inch of road in Johnson county and perhaps is more familiar with every locality in the county than any other man within its borders. In 1895 he entered the employ of Willis Keefer, as clerk, and after remaining there for a time, was engaged in the livery business for a year. He then entered the employ of John Elder in the furniture business, and in 1903 engaged in the household furnishing business for himself. He started in a small way but under his capable management his business had a rapid development. His entire capital, twelve years ago, consisted of $400 in cash, and today he has the largest furniture stock in Johnson county and does a large cash and installment business. His store is located in the Hyre building on East Park Street and has a floor space of over 8,000 feet. Mr. Bradshaw was united in marriage in 1882 to Miss Lilly McKnight. She was born near Lawrence, Kan., and is a daughter of John McKnight, a native of Illinois and one of the pioneer settlers of the Kaw valley. He homesteaded the place where Mrs. Bradshaw was born and spent his life there. His wife died in Olathe some years after his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw have been born two children: Sadie, now Mrs. Henry Gardner, of Olathe, and John O. Both Mr. Gardner and John O. are employed in Mr. Bradshaw's furniture store. Mr. Bradshaw is a Republican and has served as constable and been under-sheriff of Johnson county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal church. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF Johnson County Kansas BY ED BLAIR AUTHOR OF Kansas Zephyrs, Sunflower Sittings and Other Poems and Sketches IN ONE VOLUME ILLUSTRATED STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY LAWRENCE, KANSAS 1915 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/johnson/bios/bradshaw196nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ksfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb