Walter L. Bradshaw

W. L. BRADSHAW, the proprietor of a general merchandise store at Crestline, is a well known citizen of Cherokee County. He was born in Maries County, Missouri, December 9, 1866, and is a son of Henry C. and Nancy A. (Fritz) Bradshaw.

The subject of this sketch is a grandson of Skelton Bradshaw, whose father came to this country from Scotland. Locating in New York State. Henry C. Bradshaw was born in New York State and died near Lowell, Kansas, July 28, 1895, aged 56 years. When a small boy he was taken by his parents to Illinois, near Bloomington, where he was reared to manhood. He was 18 or 19 years old when the family moved to Muscatine, Iowa, and when the Civil War broke out he was living in Missouri. He enlisted at St. Louis, in Company H, 24th Reg., Missouri Vol. Inf., and immediately saw active service. He was wounded at Tupelo, Mississippi, and for a time was confined in a hospital, afterwards rejoining his regiment. He served three years and sx months, and was mustered out at St. Louis. He then took up farming in Maries County, Missouri, and continued in that occupation until he removed to Galena, Kansas, in 1879. Here he mined one year, and then purchased a farm on which he continued until his death. During the last 12 years of his farming, he made a specialty of the raising of potatoes. He planted from 10 to 20 acres in potatoes each year, being the largest producer in the county, and disposed of them in the home market. His death was the result of an accident, brought about by his team becoming frightened and running away. He was a Republican in politics. Fraternally, he was a member of the Galena Post, G. A. R.; and of the A. O. U. W.

Henry C. Bradshaw was married, in Missouri, to Nancy Fritz, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Philip Fritz. Four children were born to them, namely Walter L.; Laura, deceased wife of J. L. Phillips, of Galena; Robert A.. of Crestline; and John E. They were members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Bradshaw was a deacon.

Walter L. Bradshaw remained with his parents until he was 22 years old, working on the farm during the summer and in the mines in winter. At that age he prospected for himself, with some success, and subsequently farmed for four years. After mining again for 18 months, he went to the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, and was engaged in general merchandising for two and a half years. He next returned to Galena. and in 1891 purchased the general merchandise store of V. K. Hocket, at Crestline, which he has since conducted with good results. He also has a farm of 80 acres, which he has rented out.

In September, 1891, Mr. Bradshaw was united in marriage with Jeanette Wentzell, a daughter of William Wentzell. of Lowell, Kansas. They had five children, three of whom are living, namely: Ira O., Ray and William H. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Republican. He was trustee of Garden township one year, and takes an earnest interest in party affairs, although never a seeker for political honors. He is a member of Crestline Lodge No. 476, I. O. O. F.; the Rebekahs; Lodge No. 139, A, O. U. W.; and the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Mrs. Bradshaw is a member of the Christian Church.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 5/5/97.