William H. BRADLEY, farmer, section 5, Athens Township, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1829. His parents were William H. and Maria (BELL) BRADLEY, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Washington County. They reared a family of four children - William H., Mary, Ellen, and Margaret. William was the oldest child, and when he was four years of age his parent removed to Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where he received his education. He attended the same school with James G. BLAINE* for a time. In 1839 the family removed to Jefferson, Greene County, where they remained until 1843, thence to Washington County, thence to Allegheny County in three years, and in 1852 removed to Wayne County, Ohio.

He was married October 16, 1856, to Miss Catharine STAIR, a native of Germany, and daughter of John and Christina (MOSSES) STAIR. In the fall of 1856 Mr. BRADLEY came to Iowa, and settled in Poe Township, Ringgold County. At that time Mt. Ayr had only eight log houses. In the spring of 1857 he located on the B. B. DUNNING place, where he remained until the fall of 1860, then removed to section 21, Poe Township, where he remained until the breaking out of the civil War.

He enlisted August 10, 1862 [from Mount Ayr as a Private] in Company G, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and was engaged in the battled of Helena, Little Rock, Camden, Mobile, and several minor engagements. He wa honorably discharged [on August 10, 1865, New Orleans, Louisiania] and returned to his home in Ringgold County.

In 1870 he removed to section 1, and in 1876 to section 6, Athens Township. In 1879 he moved upon his present farm, which was then in a wild state. He has improved it until he has brought it to its present condition. He has a fine residence, and a barn, 32 x 36 feet, an orchard of eighty trees and small fruits, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. and Mrs. BRADLEY are the parents of five children - Keziah, Joseph, Louis (sic), Seigel (sic), and Zephina. Mr. BRADLEY is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Mt. Ayr, and also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge 69. By honest dealing he has won the confidence and respect of all who know him. Postoffice, Kellerton.

NOTE: William H. BRADLEY died on May 25, 1901. Catherine (STAIR) BRADLEY was born on December 17, 1824 in Germany, and died July 25, 1903. William and Catherine were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Joseph BRADLEY, son of William H. and Catherine (STAIR), was not listed with the family in the 1880 Federal Census.

Lois BRADLEY, daughter of William H. and Catherine (STAIR), was born circa 1859, Ringgold County, Iowa.

James K. BRADLEY, son of William H. and Catherine (STAIR), was born circa 1861, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Sigle Henry BRADLEY, son of William H. and Catherine (STAIR), was born in 1882, Ringgold County, Iowa, and died in 1947, with interment at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Zepheniah W. BRADLEY was born in 1869, Ringgold County, Iowa, and died in 1948, with interment at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

* James G. BLAINE (1830-1893) was a Senator and Representative from Maine, editor of The Portland Advertiser and the Kennebec Journal, unsuccessful candidate for nomination for President of the United States on the Republican ticket in 1876 and 1880, Secretary of State in the cabinets of Presidents James GARFIELD and Chester ARTHUR and Benjamin HARRISON, and was the first president of the Pan American Congress.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 372, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

1880 Federal Census, Athens Township, Ringgold County, Iowa

WPA Graves Survey

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000519

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

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