BRADFORD, Ezra

BRADFORD, WOODRUFF, WHITTED

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 3/11/2004 at 07:27:02

Ezra Bradford, who died in the spring of 1915, was one of the most venerable residents of Mills County, having reached the eighty-ninth milestone on life’s journey, and was also one of the oldest residents in years of continuous connection with this part of the state. He deserves especial mention in that he was one of the first to develop the horticultural possibilities of western Iowa, whereby the prosperity of his section of the state was greatly advanced.

Mr. Bradford was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1826 and completed his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated. He was a young man of about twenty-nine years when, in 1855, he came to the middle west, setline at Glenwood, Iowa, which was then a small village. There were a few farms scattered along the creeks and in the timber, but no one living on the prairie, as it was thought unwise to build so far from the supply of wood. For a short time after coming to Mills County, Mr. Bradford engaged in merchandising at Glenwood, but he was reared in a fruit country and believed that conditions were suitable for fruit culture in this state. Accordingly, he bought a place adjoining Glenwood on the north and began growing fruit, becoming the pioneer in that business in western Iowa. For many years he was recognized as the best authority on horticulture in Mills County and did much toward making it the leading fruit county of the state. He also introduced fruit raising into Nebraska and he proved that is could be made a success in that state and in Iowa, giving his attention largely to the production of the Grimes Golden, Ben Davis, Missouri Pippin and Jonathan apples. He was called upon to act as judge of fruit at many fairs. He continued the development of his own farm, especially in fruit raising, as long as his health permitted and then sold out, after which time he lived retired, his former toil having brought to him a substantial competence which supplied him with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

In response to the presidents last call for volunteers at the time of the Civil war Mr. Bradford enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Regiment and served for six months, or until the close of hostilities. It was after his removal to the west that he was married, for in Glenwood he wedded Miss M.W. Woodruff, a native of Michigan, who at that time was teaching school in Mills County. They became the parents of a son and daughter, Walter, now a banker of Detroit, Michigan, who is married and has two children; and Mary, the wife of Professor Whitted, of Abingdon, Illinois, by whom she has one child.

In politics Mr. Bradford was always a stalwart republican after the organization of the party and staunchly advocated its principles. He was a very active member of the Methodist church, contributed generously to its support and did all in his power to further its growth and extend its influence, guiding his life at all times by its teachings. He was ever interested in the welfare of Mills County and took an active and helpful part in promoting the work of general improvement and advancement. He received the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years, for the record of his life was an untarnished one. His example is in many respects well worth of emulation and he ever enjoyed in full measure the confidence and goodwill of young and old, rich and poor.

Source: Iowa: Its History and Its Foremost Citizens 1915 Vol.3