Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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l l 4 l I 1 i l i I l l l l r l ll Cfibllw to mrs. Bradley Q Mus. .EQ gm R:XIDI-I2X was born in Indiana, her parents having moved ' ' , . . Lvnrx Moss -la if from Ixentuekv a few vears before her birth. bhe grew up .wits ff '. . ' . . . .efrffigf .,,ffzf U'. on western soil with western customs and ideas, modihed gk'-y12 ,wr 1 'N were somewhat by the old southern habits which her family had i X brought from the land of slavery. After her marriage to Mr. Bradley, she moved to Peoria, where she lived a short time in the square house on High street, which over- looks the city, and from which she moved into her present home. During her whole life habits of thrift and industry have kept her interests close to the interests of the great mass of American people, and when she saw herself nearing her eightieth birthday, possessed of a large amount of money, and remembered that of her six children not one lived to inherit the fortune which had piled up through her frugality and her business ability, her thought went out to other children who had too little opportunity to learn the practical things of life. Mr. Bradley's death, some thirty years before, had cut short plans for building an orphan asylum in memory of their dead children. The orphan asylum idea gave place in Mrs. Bradley's mind to the Bradley Polytechnic Institute, and now, in her eighty- sixth year, she takes comfort and pride in the school she has established, because she believes it is doing good work. Mrs. Bradley's chief interest at home is her flower garden, and her choicest roses -of which she has great numbers-are often sent to the Institute upon occasions of festive gatherings. Mrs. Bradley herself frequently comes to the Institute, and as she sits upon the platform, a beautiful figure in her black silk gown, relieved by handsome lace, the students look upon her with the love akin to that they give their mothers. At home Mrs. Bradley is cordial to her friends: is ready to entertain those who delight in the Institute, whether they are former acquaintances or not: and always holds her house open for the personal friends who are fond of gathering for an evening chat. i During the eighty-five years of her life Mrs. Bradley has laid up stores of wisdom, which, united with her sturdy common sense, make her a most interesting woman, and as she sometimes gives her ideas about the vital questions of the day, every one within reach is glad to listen and to know what her keen insight and strong judgment find in the problems which this generation must work out. Long may Mrs. Bradley live to lend to us her gracious presence, her kindly thought, and her helpful word. All Bradley Institute members unite in loving and honoring the woman who has done so much for the young people of today. f if x O

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MRS. LYDIA BRADLEY FOUNDER OF BRADLEY POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

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at LL ,f- V E A. PEDRICK UGG K E L L VVEST VV A RD RAMSEY FRANKS SZOLD MILES