My Genealogy Hound

JOHN K. BRADFUTE. The substantial Scotch nationality finds an admirable representative in the subject of this notice, who by his energy and perseverance has built up one of the finest farms in Miami Township, Greene County. Not only has he a good home and a plentiful supply of this world’s goods, but is more than fortunate in his domestic relations, having a very pleasant family and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. He has never considered labor a hardship — in fact, seems to enjoy himself at his work.

In noting the antecedents of our subject we find that his father, also named John Bradfute, was a native of Scotland, and born November 3, 1796. He came to America with his father in 1800, settling near Lexington, Ky. Thence they came to this State in 1806, and located near the embryo town of Clifton, Greene County, upon a tract of heavily timbered land from which they cut away the forest trees, brought the soil to a good state of cultivation and instituted a comfortable home. The mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Langhead. She was born in Kentucky in 1802, and was married to John Bradfute in 1828, the wedding taking place in Greene County, this State.

The parents of our subject after their marriage settled in Xenia, now Cedarville Township, where they lived one year then purchased the land now owned and occupied by John K. There they spent the remainder of their lives. Of the six children born to them four are living, namely, Elizabeth, the wife of James J. Johnston of Franklin County, Iowa, and the mother of seven children; John K., our subject; Jane, the widow of James C. Stormont and the mother of two children, and Ellen Mary, the widow of J. B. Knox, who also has two children. The deceased are an infant, who died unnamed, and Sally, who died when thirty-two years old. The mother departed this life in 1866 and the father in 1870.

The subject of this notice was born May 21, 1833, at the farm where he now lives and acquired his early education in the district school. Later he attended an academy for two years, being under the instruction of Rev. J. B. Smart. He assisted his father in the labors of the farm until the latter’s death. In the meantime he married, May 24, 1854, Miss Cornelia Ann, daughter of James and Margaret (Mitchell) Boal. Mr. Boal was born in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch descent. His wife was a native of Union County, Ohio. They were the parents of ten children only three of whom are living.

Mrs. Bradfute was born January 11, 1832, in Union County, Ohio, and was carefully reared, receiving a good education. Mr, and Mrs. Bradfute after their marriage lived on the home farm one year and then our subject purchased a farm one and one-half miles south, which they occupied for a period of sixteen years. After the death of his father he purchased the homestead where he has since lived. To him and his estimable wife there have been born nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Ora E., Lilly M., Martha J., the wife of Robert P. Benham, of Miami County, this State, and the mother of two children; John A., who married Miss May Marshall, occupies the old Knox farm and is the father of one child; Anna and Mary are at home; William is living in New Mexico.

Mr. Bradfute has always taken an active interest in politics. In former years he voted the straight Republican ticket, but is now a Free Trader. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the School Board of his district and has officiated in other minor offices. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Bradfute has been Trustee. From early manhood he has been interested in Sunday-school work and for many years has been a teacher in the Sunday-school. He keeps himself posted upon current events and formerly belonged to the Miami Grange. His farm is ninety acres in extent, all under a good state of cultivation and very productive.