John Smith Bradley

John was the son of Thomas Minter and Sarah Elizabeth Lewis Bradley. He married Mary Elizabeth "Bessie" Hubbard on May 12, 1892 on the Hubbard Farm of rural Clark, Randolph, Mo. From this union were born two known children: Omar Nelson and Raymond Calvert.

Largely self-educated until 1886 when, at age 19, he entered a rural school near Clark MO. Salary was thirty or forty dollars a month, one hundred eighty to two hundred forty dollars for the half-year. The other half-year when the schools were closed, he worked as a hired hand. Ref: James E. "Jim" Bradley.

The Higbee Weekly News 24 Feb 1905--J. S. Bradley was here from near Burton Tuesday. He is thinking of moving to Higbee.

The Higbee Weekly News 7 Apr 1905--John S. Bradley, of near Burton, moved to town Friday. Mr. Bradley, we learn, will take charge of the mutual telephone systems here.

John Bradley walked 6 miles round-trip to his teaching post, after a family move to Higbee in 1905. During a particularly harsh winter, in January 1908, John came down with pneumonia (from slogging through snow) and died. He was a few weeks shy of his 41st birthday. Ref: Autobiography of Omar Nelson Bradley.

HIGBEE Weekly NEWS 31 Jan 1908--JOHN S. BRADLEY DEAD--During the twenty-one years of the existence of the NEWS it has been its sad and painful duty, almost in every issue, it seems like, to record the death of some friend, neighbor or acquaintance. It again becomes its duty to make announcement of another good friend crossing the dark river--John S. Bradley, who died at his home in Higbee at 4 o'clock on the morning of Jan 30, 1908, after a brief illness of pneumonia, aged 40 years, 12 months and 16 days. Mr. Bradley had been teaching the Ebenezer school, and up to Friday of last week he was as well as he ever was, when he took la grippe and had to dismiss the school. Pneumonia developed at once, and he grew constantly worse until death released him from his suffering. No death in recent years has cast such a gloom over the community. that such a good man who, a week ago, was in the vigor of his manhood, should now be lying so low, is a fact that his friends and acquaintances can not yet realize. Mr. Bradley united with the Christian church at the age of 15 years and has since lived a consistent Christian life--not laying aside his religion when he put off his Sunday clothes, but living it and practicing it in his daily walk. He was married on May 12, 1892, to Miss Bessie Hubbard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Hubbard, of near town, and is survived by his widow and 12-year-old son ,Omar, another son which came to bless his home, dying in infancy. He also leaves a father, three brothers and three sisters, and a large circle of more distant relatives, as well as legions of friends who will mourn for him as for a brother. Funeral services will be held at the Christian church Saturday at 11 o'clock and interment made at Old Log Chapel, Howard county. No better citizen ever lived among us. He was absolutely honest in all things with himself and with those with whom he came in contact, and was for anything and everything that tended to elevate humanity. The world is better for his having lived in it, and although he is gone from among us, his life was such that it will have influence for good for years to come. As a tribute of respect to the memory of such a good citizen, we suggest that every business house be closed during the funeral services, and that all who are not prevented by sickness attend. It is his due.

HIGBEE WEEKLY NEWS: 7 Feb 1908--CARD OF THANKS--We wish to thank all who so kindly assisted us through the sickness and death of our beloved husband and father. Mrs. J. S. Bradley. Omar Bradley.