BRADLEY, DARWIN AND MAXINE (NEIMOTH)

by Darwin and Maxine Bradley

Entry F46 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Darwin and Maxine Bradley

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
November 15, 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
October 23, 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 August 12,
1971 and Michaela Elaine born May 5,
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 January 16, 1974 and Cynthia Lynn
born March 6, 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.