Francis A. Bradford

Mr. and Mrs. Francis A. Bradford

    Some forty years ago when Francis A. Bradford first came to his present farm n Washington Township, practically primitive conditions existed here, there being but thirteen acres cleared from the timber while the improvements consisted of a log house and stable. Today this is one of the finest tracts of its size in the township, the fertile fields yielding large and valuable crops and the buildings being of modern design and substantial character. This desirable state of affairs has been brought about by the industry, perseverance and well directed efforts of Mr. Bradford, who fairly won a place among those who have aided in the development of their community. He was born on Section 1, Washington Township, Grant County, Indiana, August 27, 1850, and is a son of Isaac and Susan (Spray) Bradford.

    There is a tradition in the Bradford family that this branch descended from William Bradford, the American colonial governor and author, who was born in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England, in March, 1588, and was one of the celebrated signers of the compact on the Mayflower. George W. Bradford, the grandfather of Francis A. Bradford, was born in Virginia, August 21, 1783; he became a pioneer settler of Grant County, coming here from Virginia in 1843, October 13, and died December 14, 1855. He married Elizabeth Shell, who was born in 1797, and died in 1874. Isaac Bradford, father of Francis A. Bradford, was born June 2, 1816, in Virginia, and as a young man went to Clinton County, Ohio, and later came to Grant County, Indiana, and settled on a quarter section farm on Seciton1, Washington Township, half the land being in Van Buren Township; entered the land in 1840 and settled thereon in 1844. The original sheepskin referring to this tract and signed by President Van Buren is still in the possession of Francis A. Bradford. Isaac Bradford continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his career, and passed away June 4, 1900, one of his community's successful and highly esteemed citizens. He married Miss Susan Spray, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 25, 1823, and she died December 21, 1876, having been the mother of the following eight children:

  1. Oliver M., who died December 21, 1893.

  2. Samuel, who died Mary 19, 1874.

  3. Andrew, born February 21, 1846, who died October 2, 1847.

  4. Charity N., born December 25, 1847, who married Jacob Beckman, and died August 23, 1870.

  5. Francis A., of this review.

  6. Sarah Jane, who married Oscar E. Landess and died August 31, 1912.

  7. Mary, born April 18, 1858, who married Henry Wine and died March 7, 1911.

  8. James b., born October 3, 1860, who now resides in the West.

    Francis A. Bradford was educated in the district school No. 3, in Van Buren Township, and when twenty years of age received a license allowing him to teach school for eighteen months. At the end of this period he came to Section 12, Washington Township, and settled on a tract of eighty acres, which was then almost entirely uncultivated, as stated at the head of this article, and here began at once to cut timber, dig ditches and in other ways to improve the property, year by year adding to its value. A few years later he added another eighty acres to the last purchase. In 1900 he purchased the old home place of eighty acres on Section 1, and he now has all of his land under cultivation except thirty acres of timber which he is reserving. Of late years he has not engaged in farming to any great extent, although he still has twenty-five acres in corn and fifteen acres in oats, the rest of the land being devoted to hay and pastures. He handles the average number of hogs and has found a profit in dealing therein, and also has one and one-half acres in apples and small fruit. The fine twelve-room residence was erected in 1888, but ha since been greatly improved, being now equipped with electric lights and heated by a hot water furnace, hot and cold running water being always at hand. There are three large substantial red barns on the property, and the other buildings are proportionately commodious. Everything about this property goes to give evidence that Mr. Bradford is a progressive, energetic and up-to-date agriculturist, of the class that has made Grant County the center of agricultural prosperity that it is. In business circles he bears the highest reputation for integrity and honorable dealing, and as a citizen he stands equally high. During his long residence in Washington Township he has made numerous friends, and those who know him best will cheerfully testify to his many excellent qualities of mind and heart.

    On August 7, 1873, Mr. Bradford was married to Miss Maria Landess, who was born October 17, 1825, daughter of Louis Landess. Mrs. Bradford's father was born October 17, 1825, and as a lad of sixteen years came to Van Buren Township, Grant County, Indiana, from Highland County, Ohio, with his parents. John and Sarah (Roush) Landess, of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. John Landess was the son of Jacob Landess, a native of North Carolina. The two families located in Hamilton County, Ohio, and there John Landess spent his whole life in farming. He was the father of sixteen children. Louis Landess was a well known citizen of his day, was the owner at one time of 300 acres of land and assisted in the building of the first bridge across the Wabash River at Huntington, Indiana. He died in November, 1912, at the age of eighty-seven years. Mr. Landess married Phoebe C. Whinnery, and they became the parents of eight children, as follows: Oscar E., Alice, Maria, William, George, Ada and Sarepta. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Landess was again married and by that marriage had one son, Elmer.

    Mr. and Mrs. Bradford have been the parents of three children:

  1. Grace, who married J. Edwin Price and is now a resident of Wayne Township, Huntington County, Indiana.

  2. Eulalie, who married Chester Phillips and lives at South Marion.

  3. Francis A., Jr., a farmer of Washington Township, who married Edith Wildermuth.

    Mr. Bradford has always been a Republican, has taken an active interest in his party's affairs, and is known as a man of influence in his community. He is a great lover of home, and much of his time is spent in reading and study, and as a result he has not found a great deal of leisure for outside connections. With his family, he is a member of the United Brethren Church.

Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.

 

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