Burial of Pioneer Taylor Bradley

When the little group of friends and schoolmates used to go to the old fashioned spelling school at the old log school house in Indiana fifty years ago, little did they reckon that some day so many of their buddies would lay side by side on the hills west of Missouri River in what, in 1848, in what was considered an unconquerable wilderness. But in the Fort Calhoun, Nebraska cemetery have been buried Dr. J. P. Andrews and wife, Grandfather Hagenback and wife, Elam Clark and wife, Newton Clark and wife, David Couchman, Mrs. Taylor Bradley, Mrs. Tompkins and now Taylor Bradley.

And this August 3, 1898, a few tender loving friends of the old Indiana days and a larger group of the early pioneer Nebraskans, with tears for the departed and words of comfort for the sorrowing, laid away the body of Taylor Bradley, aged seventy eight years. An honest, good hearted Quaker of the noted American family.

Years ago when the firm of Clark and Bradley ran the old Fort Calhoun mills, their name and fame was known nearly everywhere. Men came from over 150 and 200 miles for flour or loaded wagons for Pikes Peak western mining camps and Salt lake. Today not a brick of the foundation of the old mill is left in that place, but the spirit and enterprise of these two sturdy pioneers and their companions will remain in history for centuries to come. Brave, true, loyal men were these, the pioneers of this once wilderness, now a land of city, farm and home.

The body arrived hear from Duluth, Minnesota, his last abiding place on earth, by train. His funeral was preached by Rev. Dr. Williams of the Blair Presbyterian Church. The choir was Mrs. C. F. Chase, organist; Misses Marie Feldhusen, Mary Coachman, Grace Vaughan and Charles Schwager. Pallbearers E. N. Grendel and H. H. Couchman, Fort Calhoun; Elder Achilles, Dr. Palmer, Fred Kenney, Sr., and Mr. Adams, Blair. Among other old friends and pioneers present were E. F. Clark and wife and two daughters, Aut Beales and wife, Mrs. Brooks, Peter Klindt, Mrs. Wainwright, Washington Runyan and wife, Ex Governor Crounse, David Neale, Charlie Clark, Dr. Pettingill and wife, Wm. Hardy, Mr. Howes of Blair and others.

The day was beautiful and the floral offerings were very large and elaborate, displaying the choicest skill of the Omaha florists. E. C. Pierce had charge of the remains, and the funeral was one of the quietest held here in a long time, just as the dear old man would have desired.

Young Benjamin Miller says that although a Quaker, he was always in the lead when living here in farming, and conducting some useful entertainment for the children and young people. So while the old people honor him for his purity and integrity, the young people remember him for his love and kindness.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #18175185