BRADLEY, CHARLES AND BETTIE (GUSTIN)

Charles Rawleigh Bradley was born in Scottsville, Kansas on May 22, 1873, the son of James and Bettie (Painey) Bradley. Eliz-abeth “Bettie Ann'' Gustin was born in Emerson, Iowa on October 17, 1876. Her parents were Issac and Sarah Martha (David) Gustin.

Charles and Bettie were married in Red Oak, Iowa on October 5, 1894. They moved to Thurston County near Bancroft, Nebraska where they farmed. They had five children, Lillie Elsie born June 22, 1896; Clara Leone on November 3, 1900; Issac “Roy'' on June 11, 1903; Dale on August 15, 1908; Minnie Melva born in 1911 and died of the flue in January of 1914.

In the spring of 1910 they came to their Cherry County, Nebraska homestead in N W 1/4 531 T 26 R 34. They arrived with their possessions in a railroad car at Hecla, Nebras-ka. Their first trading center was Hecla and later Mullen, Nebraska after the advent of the automobile. Their first Post Office was Hire and later Prentice before a rural route was established from Mullen.

Charles was a carpenter and built their home. He helped to build the old Mullen Sale Barn and the Dick Phipps ranch home, still standing mementos of his work.

Bettie Bradley's parents, Issac Gustin and wife homesteaded in the adjoining section to the south and a cousin Harvey Eddie located 2 miles to the southeast of the Charles Bradleys.

Charles died July 1, 1926 and Bettie Ann and Dale took over the ranching business. In 1941 the homestead was sold and Bettie Ann and Dale moved to a ranch 15 miles southeast of their place. They moved the house with them, fording the Loup River.

Bettie Ann died on February- 11, 1957. Charles, Minnie, Lillie, Roy, Dale and Bettie Ann are buried in the Mullen Cedar View Cemetery.