Biographical Sketch of R. D. & R. J. Bradley, Johnson County, Missouri
Johnson Township

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
**********************************************************************

R. D. Bradley and R. J. Bradley, widely known throughout this section
of Missouri as the "Bradley boys," are sons of F. M. and Ellen (Fulker-
son) Bradley, who were well known and highly respected pioneers of
Missouri, among the first and best of the early settleres of Johnson
county.  F. M. Bradley was born in Kentucky in 1827, a son of Richard
T. Bradley, a veteran of the Revolution of 1776.  His mother was a 
daughter of Jonathan Baker, a leading colonist of the early days.  
Richard T. Bradley was one of the body of troops sent to Florida in 
1817 under General Andrew Jackson to quell the Seminole Indians and the
border warfare there.  In 1829, the Bradleys came to Missouri and sett-
led on Spanish Oak.  The son, F. M., was then a child two years of age.
Richard T. Bradley engaged in the stock business extensively and became
very prosperous.  He died in 1868 and five years later was followed in
death by his wife, one of the noblest of the pioneer women.  She too, 
was a native of Kentucky.  F. M. Bradley was reared in Johnson county.
He remained with his parents until he attained maturity and then enter-
ed the stock business for himself.  He entered a large tract of land 
from the government and was the owner, at one time, of 400 acres of
valuable land.  His sons, R. D. and R. J., now reside at the old home-
stead of the Bradleys.  F. M. Bradley was united in marriage with Ellen
Fulkerson, daughter of Reuben Fulkerson, a member of one of the oldest
families of Missouri.  To this union were born three children, who are
now living: Alice Stonewall, who resides in Nevada; R. D. and R. J.,
subjects of this review.  Mr. and Mrs. Bradley experienced not only the
trials of pioneer life but also the sorrows of war.  Their home was 
burned to the ground during the Civil War.  The father died in 1902 and
three years later Mrs. Bradley joined him in death.  Mr. and Mrs. F. M.
Bradley were numbered among the county's best citizens and a multitude
of friends in Johnson county have mourned their loss.  R. D. Bradley 
was born June 10, 1872 and in September of the following year his 
brother, R. J., was born on the home place in Johnson county.  With the
exception of two years' residence in Holden, the brothers have always
lived at the Bradley homestead.  They have managed the farm since they
were small boys and cared for the stock when they were sixteen and
fourteen years old, respectively.  The Bradley brothers are recognized 
as expert stockmen far beyond the confines of Johnson county.  At the
present time, in 1917, they are raising and feeding a large number of
cattle, mules and hogs, although their herds are not so large now as
formerly.  R. D. Bradley owns 120 acres and R. J. Bradley 160 acres of
the home place, and in addition, they manage the land owned by their
sister, Alice.  They have the place in excellent condition and repair
and recently fenced the entire farm with woven wire fencing.  Both 
R. D. and R. J. Bradley are stanch Democrats and good, substantial
citizens of Johnson county.

====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by:  <>
		      Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell <Incog3678@aol.com>
====================================================================