Bradley, Almer

(Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties. Lake City Publishing Co. Chicago. 1892.)

Almer H. Bradley

Almer H. Bradley, a farmer and market gardener, has resided on Section 5, Somers Township, Kenosha County, since 1868.  He was born in the town of Wallingford, New Haven County, Conn., February 22, 1844, and comes of an old New England family.  His father, David Bradley, was also a native of New Haven County, where he was reared to manhood and, after attaining his majority, married Abbie Peck, who was also born in that locality.  Mr. Bradley was a mechanic by trade, and followed his chosen occupation in Wallingford, throughout his entire life.  He died in 1889.  Mrs. Bradley, Almer’s mother, died when the lad was eleven years.

At his mother’s death, Almer Bradley was adopted by his uncle, who was then living in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, whither he came in the winter of 1856.  Stephen Peck, his uncle, was one of the very early settlers of this locality, where he had made a settlement in 1838, when the country round about was almost an unbroken wilderness.  He made a claim and purchased the land from the government when it came into market.  With Mr. Peck, Almer resided until during war, having in the meantime acquired a good English education in the common schools.  On the 20^th of August, 1863, he joined the boys in blue of the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery as a member of Battery C, and was sent to Chattanooga[1].  He served until the close of the war and participated with his regiment in the battery of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain.  At the front he remained until the close of the war. When he was honorably discharged from the service and mustered out in Madison, in August, 1865.  Returning then to the home of his uncle, he there remained until 1866, when he went back to his native State and was employed in silver plate works at West Meriden, Conn., for about two years.

During the interval spent in Connecticut, Mr. Bradley was married on the 7^th of November, 1867, to Miss Sarah A. Peck, who was born in Salem, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Stephen Peck.  At the request of his father-in-law, Mr. Bradley returned to Kenosha County, and took charge of the farm and business, while upon Mr. and Mrs. Peck, who were now in their declining years, were bestowed all the care and attention which would make their last days peaceful and happy.  Since 1868, therefore, Mr. Bradley has resided upon his present farm in the Town of Somers and is ranked among the leading agriculturists of the community.  In 1891 he was called upon to mourn his wife, who died on the 27^th of June.  For twenty-four years she had been to him a true and faithful helpmate. And her death has been to him the greatest sorrow of his life.  She was a true Christian lady, an active worker in the church, and was beloved by all who knew her.  The two daughters of the family are Etta A. and Fannie M.  The former was graduated from the Three Oaks High School, and was also for one year a student in the Normal at Whitewater, Wisconsin, after which she became a successful teacher.

On December 1, 1891, Miss Etta A. Bradley was married to William J. Hansche, a native of Racine County.  His occupation is that of an agriculturist and market gardener.  The young couple will make their residence in Mt. Pleasant Township, where they are both well known as young people of high social standing and prominence.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Hansche are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, known as the Lake Shore Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Hansche is a gentlemen of good liberal education, and is a friend of good schools.  He was formerly a Republican, but now advocates the principles of Prohibition.  Miss Fannie is also a well-educated young lady, and a graduate of the Racine High School.

In religious belief Mr. Bradley is a Methodist, and an active worker in the church.  He has also been Superintendent of the Sabbath-school for about ten years.  In politics he is a Republican, having supported that party since attaining his majority, but has never been an aspirant for public office.  Socially he is a member of Gov. Harvey Post, No. 17, G.A.R., of Racine, and is highly esteemed by his army comrades.  The upright and honorable life which he has led has won him the confidence and good wishes of all with whom he has come in contact and few men are more widely known in this community than A.H. Bradley.  He was a faithful soldier of this country in her hour of peril, and is likewise a true and valued citizen in the days of peace.

(Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties. Lake City Publishing Co. Chicago. 1892.)

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[1] Additional Information from 1890 Wisconsin Veteran’s Schedule.  Battery C sent to Fort Wood, Chattanooga..  January 1864 it was sent to Fort Creighton and in May moved to Fort Sherman.  On March 29, 1865, it moved to Athens, Tenn.