Obituary

Clara Drusilla Bradford was born at Bayside, New Brunswick, February 7, 1848, and died May 10, 1924 at her home in Herman at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 3 days. She lived for a number of years in New Brunswick and in and around Portland, Maine when later she went to Boston, Mass. It was at this place, while young in life, that she united with the First Baptist church of Boston, later she placed her membership in the Ruggle Street Baptist church of Boston. Dr. Seymour, the world-wide known minister being her pastor at one time.

In 1875 she came west with friends and located at North Platte, Neb. and on September 16, 1877, she was united in marriage to Mr. John C. Bailey and they soon came to Herman and from that time until her death they have lived in or near this place.

She always felt a pride in her illustrious ancestors for she was of the eighth generation of Governor Bradford of the Mayflower age.

On December 20, 1879 the First Baptist church was organized in Herman and Mrs. Bailey was a charter member.

Being a pioneer of this country she lived to see the victories of the little church of Herman as well as the trials and discouragements they passed through in those early days.

It was she who was instrumental in organizing the first Aid Society of the Herman church and served as its president for over fourteen years. She was always untiring in her efforts to make this work count for good.

In March, 1908, the Eastern Star of Herman was instituted and she was also a charter member of this organization serving as its first Worthy Matron for two years, she was later its treasurer and from 1912 she has acted in the capacity of chaplain up to the time of her death. She was a charter member of the Herman Woman’s club and served as its treasurer for a number of years. Mrs. Bailey has always taken a leading part in the social life as well as in the church and lodge circles in the community. She was of the disposition that to know Mrs. Bailey was to love her and she was a friend to all. She loved little children ad was always interested in their doings.

She lived an exemplary Christian life and will be remembered and mourned by everyone in Herman and the surrounding country for she had ministered to the needs of all who came to her.

She leaves to mourn her departure her dear husband, one sister, Mrs. Lillian B. Mara, of Portland, Maine, one brother, Benjamin Bradford, of Black Harbor, New Brunswick, besides a number of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock and were conducted by her pastor, Rev. T. J. Reese, assisted by Rev. W. A. Bowden of the M.E. church.

A quartet composed of Mrs. C. E. Johnson, Mrs. Geo. Lowe, Fred Robertson and C. R. Gray sang several favorite selections. The honorary (missing)

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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