B.K. Bradfield

BRADFIELD, DARLING, ROWEN

Posted By: Debbie Clough Gerischer (email)
Date: 7/15/2005 at 22:58:42

B. K. Bradfield. An enumeration of the enterprising and progressive citizens of northwestern Iowa who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have conferred honor on the localities in which they live, would be incomplete without specific mention of Baty K. Bradfield, postmaster of Spirit Lake, Dickinson county. He was born on a farm in Hardin county, Iowa, April 4, 1876, a son of Charles N. and Wilda (Darling) Bradfield, who were born and reared in Ohio. During their childhood they were brought to Iowa by their respective parents, both families being numbered among the pioneer settlers of Hardin county. Here they were reared and eventually married, after which they settled on a farm in Hardin county. In 1884 Mr. Bradfield moved to Wright county, where he continued farming, and in 1892 he was elected sheriff of that county, being reelected in 1894, and again in 1896, serving three full terms. It was said of him that he was one of the most efficient and popular men who ever held the office of sheriff in that county. In March, 1898, he moved Winnebago county, where he bought six hundred and eighty acres of land, on which he resided until 1914, when he moved to Spirit Lake. However, his active nature would not be satisfied with a life of leisure, and he traded his Spirit Lake property for some North Dakota farm land, to the operation of which he gave his attention for two years. Subsequently he returned to Spirit Lake, where his death occurred in April, 1919. The mother who is still in good health, maintains her home in Spirit Lake. Baty K. Bradfield was given the advantage of a good public school education, though his early years at home were strenuous ones. His father was an active farmer and the son's work was planned for him, the day's schedule usually beginning at five o'clock in the morning and continuing until his tasks were completed in the evening, regardless of the lateness of the hour. At the age of nineteen years he took over the management of his father's Winnebago county farm, which he operated for four years, or until 1899. During the two following years he farmed a portion of the land and subsequently moved to Dickinson county, renting a farm near Lake Park, which he cultivated for seven years. On March 1, 1906, he moved to Lake Park and during the ensuing four years was engaged in the live stock business. In November, 1912, he was elected sheriff of Dickinson county, taking office on the 1st day of the following January. He rendered such efficient service in that responsible position that he was three times re-elected, serving four terms. During this period he also conducted a real estate business. On the entry of the United States into the World war, Mr. Bradfield was appointed chairman of the exemption board, in which capacity he served with credit to the end of the war. After the expiration of his fourth term as sheriff, he devoted his entire attention to his real estate business until March 14, 1923, when he assumed the office of postmaster of Spirit Lake, his commission as postmaster having been signed by President Harding on January 15, 1923. His entire attention is given to his duties in this connection and his administration has been entirely satisfactory to the people of Spirit Lake. Efficiency, promptness and courtesy have characterized the conduct of the office and Mr. Bradfield has demonstrated his eminent fitness for this exacting position. In 1898, while living on the Winnebago county farm, Mr. Bradfield was married to Miss Josephine Rowen, of Clarion, Iowa, and to them were born four children, of whom two are living, Herbert Charles, who attended Iowa State University and is now a clerk in the Spirit Lake postoffice, and Marguerite Rowena, who attended the Iowa State Agricultural College, at Ames, and is now at home. Mr. Bradfield is a member of Twilight Lodge, No. 329, A. F & A. M.; Spirit Lake Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M.; Esdraelon Commandery, No. 52, K. T., at Estherville; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. A. S. R.; and Abu-Bekr Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., while he and his wife are members of Twilight Chapter, No. 59, Order of the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Spirit Lake Commercial Club and of the board of directors of the First National Bank.

-source: NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME III; 1804-1926; by C. B. Bailey
-transcribed by Debbie Clough Gerischer co-cordinator of the Iowa History Project

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