BRADLEY, DARWIN AND MAXINE (NEIMOTH)
Darwin was born June 24, 1925, the oldest son of Roy and Annie (Kirk) Bradley at Mullen, Nebraska. He, with his parents and brother Orville, lived northeast of Whitman, Nebraska.
Darwin was taught at home by his mother for two grades, then went to Dist. #40 in Cherry County, Nebr. Later he attended High School in Mullen, staying at the home of Jessie Phipps and Lillie Elliott. He participated in FFA and was awarded the State Farmer Degree.
A first job to earn money was riding a binder for Malcolm Harcourt. Later, he worked for Uncle “Eck'' cox in the hayfield and feeding in the winter, also spent some winters helping Uncle Dale to lamb out his ewes. Come Saturday night, off they would go to a dance, card party or something. In 1945 Dale and Bessie were married.
Darwin was employed by Mathews Oil Co. for 1 1/2 years driving the gas truck.
Darwin met Maxine Niemoth, daughter of Rudy and Florence Niemoth of Halsey, Nebr. They were married February 15, 1947 at Broken Bow, Nebr. We lived at Halsey for a year. A daughter, Janet Elaine was born
1947. In April we had a blizzard with no equipment also no feed extra, as we had just moved. So we had air-lift hay brought in with no trouble feeding it as they dropped it on the fence and the cattle were on it immediately.
A son, Gordon Leroy joined our family
1949. That fall we purchased a 32 volt light plant, such a luxury! In April 1951, REA came through, we were the last place on the first line. It was so nice. Later we added the Wilcher and Wilkinson land to our place.
Darwin was on the school board at Dist. #15, also Brewster Rural High. He was on the re-districting board when Dist. #71 Sandhills was organized. Director on Sandhills Cattle Association, a member of Nebraska Stock Growers, also ASCS committeeman for fif-teen years.
Janet and Gordon attended Dist. #15 Blaine County and Brewster Rural High School. Janet went to Grand Island School of Business in Grand Island, Nebr., then worked in Lincoln. Janet married Ronald Tompkins, son of Glen and Claudia Tompkins of Mullen, Nebraska September 6, 1970. They have two children, Christopher Michael born 1971 and Michaela Elaine born 1976. They live in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Gordon joined the navy May 1968 and took boot training in San Diego, California. He was then assigned to the Aircraft Carrier Roose-velt, Norfolk, Virginia. Gordon married Margaret R. D\er, daughter of H\ilton and Margaret Dwyer of Chesapeake, Virginia August 15, 1970. After his discharge from the Navy, Gordon and Margaret returned to the ranch. They have two children, Mary Elaine born 1974 and Cynthia Lynn born 1976.
Darwin and Maxine started square dancing in 1975 where they met a host of friends and have taken several trips that included Square Dancing.
Darwin and Maxine received the picture award from the Upper Loup Natural Re-source District in October 1986. We felt quite honored to receive this award.