Hugh (bio) BRADLEY

1832 - 1907


Hugh Bradley, farmer, Warren, Ark. A native born citizen of Bradley County, Ark., Mr. Bradley has become one of its most enterprising agriculturists, and has done much in a quiet, un-assuming way to advance the farming interests in this community. He was born on October 21, 1832, and is the son of Capt. Hugh and Martha (Hunter) Bradley, both natives of Tennessee. The parents were married in their native State, and in 1818 emigrated to Arkansas, coming down the river on a flatboat, and locating on Red River, where they remained until 1826. From there they moved to Bradley County (then a territory), located two miles northeast of the present town of Warren, and were the very first settlers of this section. Mr. Bradley was obliged to chop down the trees in order to build his little cabin in the woods, and covered the roof of this simple structure with clapboards weighted down poles. The floor was made of hewed puncheons. He entered a large tract of land, became the owner of a large number of slaves, and although he had made farming his principal occupation during life, he was also interested in other pursuits, and was a first class business man. Neighbors were few and far between, and Capt. Bradley did nearly all of his trading at Monroe, La., going down the Saline River in a dugout, and bringing back supplies. He was a great hunter, kept a number of first-class bear dogs, and his cabin was always supplied with bear-meat. Deer and panthers were also to be found in great numbers, and other wild animals were numerous. Capt. Bradley was known for many miles around as the pioneer settler of what is now Bradley County, and was a man of great courage, fearing neither man nor beast, but was always pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with his fellow men. There were no roads, only a few trails made by the Indians, who were still inhabitants here, and the pioneers had to cut their way through the timber. All their wagoning was done with oxen, and of these the Captain always had his share, using them often for the saddle. He received the title of captain from hold that rank in the War of 1812, and remained on the farm where he first located on coming to the county, until his death which occurred in 1854. Bradley County was named in his honor, and he was the first representative from that county under the Territorial Legislature. Pennington Township, in which the county seat is situated, was named for his son-in-law, J. H. Pennington, and Warren, the county seat, was named for the Captain's colored body servant. Politically the captain was a stanch Democrat, always taking an active stand but never seeking office. His wife died in 1856. They were the parents of eleven children, only one of whom, Hugh, is now living. The latter was reared on the farm, assisted his father in clearing the forest and inherited from that gentleman a decided taste for hunting. Many a bear and other wild animals have fallen a prey to his unerring rifle. His education was very limited, owing to the fact that no schools of any consequence existed at that time, and when not assisting his father in clearing the home place, might be found on the trail of some luckless animal. He is now living on the old homestead, where his father first settled, and he has never lived off the place. He owns 200 acres of land and has about 150 acres under cultivation. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Ninth Arkansas Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in all the principal engagements of his regiment, and although he experienced many hardships, he was never wounded nor captured. He was married in 1854 to Miss Amelia V. Blankenship, a native of Virginia, and they have one child, Martha H. (wife of P. W. Martin). Mr. and Mrs. Bradley are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is Democratic in his political views. (Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas - Goodspeed Publishing Company - Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis - 1890)

Contributed on 11/7/12 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 779102

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