   John F. Bradley 13 October 1843 - 15 December 1910  Mrs. F. (Fannie) Bradley 26 June 1845 - 5 February 1894 w/o John F. Bailey 1880 United States Federal Census J. F. Bradley head 37 Fannie J. Bradley wife 28 Rufus D. Bradley son 8 Annie B. Bradley daug 1 The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, July 27, 1884 INQUIRIES OF AN INVALID Mr. John Bradley, an ex-Confederate soldier, and well known to a large portion of the community, who had been confined to his bed by a stroke of paralysis, and consequently unable to get about and mingle with the outside world for the last 2 years, has kindly furnished us with a short sketch of his life, and of the thoughts that have engaged his mind during the last few months of his terrible affliction. Mr. Bradley is a brother-in-law of Dr. J.L. Jones. He has a wife and 4 children and up to the time of his great affliction, by dint of his energy and industrious habits he was enabled to maintain his family comfortably. Since his affliction, Mr. Bradley has been unable to get out of bed, and for 2 long years he could only employ himself with his own thoughts and with reading. From Mr. Bradley's sketches, we find that he is a deeply interested observer of events transpiring in the political and religious world from which he is entirely isolated. He is a well wisher to Christianity and earnestly desires it success, and points out what are some of the essential elements wanting in the Christian system, that would greatly promote its interest. Mr. Bradley deplores the lack of union among the Christian people. He says, the very fact, "that the different sects of Christianity who claim to advance the same grand cause, who pray to the same God, who expect to go to the same heaven, and there to form one family, and share equally a common Father's care, based upon a common Savior's love and yet can not drop sectarian prejudice and unite their forces for the sake of their cause, is one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of sinners and unbelievers in general. In union there is strength - in union, Christianity could conquer the world, (but in union there is love, and love is the essential element that is wanting to effect a union of the Christian forces.) The unbeliever is not blind in this fact. He appeals to Christians everywhere, is this not the principal stumbling block in the way of sinners? Is it natural, that an honest unbeliever could repose faith in Christianity divided into a thousand sects, and between those most nearly related but little love exists, and many hating each other only a little less than they do the devil. Can a house thus divided against itself stand? Let history answer. Let Christ answer. Christianity divided into a thousand sects, may read their doom in the history of the numerous Indian tribes who held undisputed sway of this mighty continent, and who by united their forces might have driven the handful of white invaders into the Atlantic, but by their petty jealousies of each other, and lack of union, now find themselves on the brink of extermination; and many of them utterly destroyed. Free masonry is a good instance of what can be accomplished by union. In every part of the civilized world free masonry is acknowledged to be a power - in every part of the world its workings, it teachings, its principles are the same, hence it inspires confidence, and furnishing the key to the success of this very ancient order. In this respect the system of free masonry is more perfect than the Christian system. Then in order to success, the doctrines and principles of every institution should be uniform; its foundation laid upon an unchanging basis, and its various branches held firmly together by a perfect union; and I venture the assertion that religious systems are no exception to the rule. The old adage, "United we stand, divided we fall," is just as applicable to Christianity as to any other institution. Mr. Bradley was born October 13th, 1843 - moved to Texas in 1854 - settled in Anderson county - enlisted at the age of 18 years in Judge Ochiltree's regiment, Walker's division - served over 3 years in same. Moved to Grayson county in 1873 - settled 5 miles east of Denison - stricken with paralysis August 29th, 1882 - confined to bed since that time - almost entirely helpless - general health at present good and free from pain. He has scarcely a hope of ever being able to walk again. The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, February 18, 1894 Mrs. J.F. Bradley died early Thursday morning at the residence of her brother, Dr. J.L. Jones, 4 miles east of the city. Mrs. Bradley was a native of East Tennessee but had been living in Texas very nearly, if not quite, a quarter of a century. The lady died of dropsy and was a great sufferer for 2 months or more. Mr. Bradley, her husband, has been an invalid for 12 years, and was unable to attend the funeral. During Mrs. Bradley's sickness the neighbors were very kind and attentive. Dr. Jones and family and Mr. Bradley and children desire the Gazetteer to express to one and all their heart-felt thanks and appreciation. The remains were interred in the Lankford burial ground, 4 miles east of the city, Thursday afternoon. Pastor Hill of the Denison Congregational church officiated. A large crowd was present, including many people from the city.   Lankford Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |