Aratus R. Bradfield

ARATUS R. BRADFIELD, one of the leading business men in Altamont, Labette county, Kansas, is engaged in the hardware trade. He was born in Coles county, Illinois, in 1860, and is a son of J. P. and Martha J. (Carnell) Bradfield.

J. P. Bradfield was born in Indiana in 1834, and in 1850 moved to Coles county, Illinois. In 1872 he moved to Labette county, Kansas, and settled in Montana township. In 1874 Mr. Bradfield embarked in mercantile pursuits, and continued thus until 1896, when he began farming, his present occupation. He married Martha J. Carnell, who was born in Indiana, in 1836. She died at Montana, Kansas, in 1881. They reared the following children, namely: Henry, of Parsons, Kansas; Rachael (Peak), of Parsons; Samuel, deceased; James, of Montana, Kansas; Aratus R., the subject of this sketch; Aggie (Barnes), of Augusta, Kansas; Joseph, living in New Mexico; Nellie, deceased; and Minnie (Kiter), of Parsons, Kansas. Mr. Bradfield married a second time, and the latter union resulted in the following offspring: Cleo, of Montana, Kansas; John, deceased; Carlos; and Flora, of Montana, Kansas.

Aratus R. Bradfield, whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, lived in Coles county, Illinois, until 1872, and attended the schools of that county. He assisted his father in farming for ten years, and in 1874 began his mercantile career, by assisting his father in their general store. In 1881 Mr. Bradfield went to Colorado, but remained only one year, returning to Labette county in 1882, where he began farming. He continued at this occupation until 1889, when he engaged in the implement business in Montana, Labette county, and continued thus for a period of ten years. His next move was to Altamont, where he now resides, and is engaged in the hardware and implement business. He has a large number of patrons, with whom he deals honestly and fairly. His reputation as a man of just business methods has long been established in the county. Mr. Bradfield has a large, well stocked store, which is considered one of the best in the county.

Mr. Bradfield married Lucy Ammonds, in 1882. She was born in 1859, in Greenville, Illinois. They have had three children, - Clifford, deceased; Arthur M., of Altamont; and Edith C. Mr. Bradfield is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors.