Joseph Cyrus Bradfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Cyrus Bradfield
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | February 19, 1889 |
| Died | April 11, 1936 (aged 47) |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery, Lima, Ohio, USA |
| Education | Mt. Vernon High School Starling Medical College (1911) |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Title |  Captain |
| Spouse(s) | Edith Payne (m.1912) |
| Children | Joseph Cyrus Bradfield(b. 1914) Madeline Bradfield |
| Parent(s) | Joseph Bradfield Elizabeth Williams |
Joseph Cyrus Bradfield (February 19, 1889 – April 11, 1936) was an important African-American doctor in Lima, Ohio. He was well known for helping his community. The Bradfield Community Center in Lima is named after him. This was to honor his hard work for the African American community. He was also a member of the NAACP. Dr. Bradfield served as a doctor in World War I. He worked with the 92nd Division in the 365th Field Hospital.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Cyrus Bradfield was born on February 19, 1889. His parents were Joseph Bradfield and Elizabeth Williams. His family lived in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Joseph grew up there and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School.
After high school, Bradfield moved to Columbus, Ohio. He attended Starling Medical College. This college later became part of Ohio State University. Bradfield finished his medical studies on May 24, 1911.
He stayed in Columbus for about a year. There, he met Edith Payne, who would become his wife. In 1913, Dr. Bradfield moved to Lima, Ohio. He opened his own medical office there. At that time, only about 978 African Americans lived in Lima.
Military Service in World War I
In 1917, the United States joined World War I. Many people wanted to help the war effort. At first, many African Americans were turned away from joining the army. The United States Army was not ready for a big war. It had only four black regiments. Also, many leaders did not want black and white soldiers to serve together.
A special training school opened for African-American men. This was the Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School. It opened because many African Americans wanted to join. Students from Howard University also asked for it.
When Dr. Bradfield offered to serve as a doctor, he was made a First Lieutenant. He joined the Army Medical Reserve Corps. Like other African-American recruits, he went to Fort Des Moines. He trained at the Medical Officers Training Camp. After his training, he became a medical officer. He was assigned to the 365th Ambulance Company.
When Lieutenant Bradfield arrived in France, he was moved to a new role. He worked in the 365th Field Hospital near Raon Letape. He had a lot of work to do. German forces were attacking French and American troops. Many soldiers in the trenches got sick with Influenza. He also treated many soldiers who were gassed by the Germans. Even though gassing did not cause many deaths, it caused lung problems.
Before the war ended, Dr. Bradfield was promoted to Captain. He was honorably discharged from the army in 1918. He also became a lifelong member of the American Legion.
Community Work and Career
After the war, Dr. Bradfield returned to his family in Lima. He continued working in his medical office. He mostly worked in the Allen County area of Lima. He also joined the staff at St. Rita's Hospital.
In the 1920s, Dr. Bradfield showed how much he cared about the African American community. He became an active member of the Republican Executive Committee of Allen County. He strongly believed that African Americans should be more involved in politics.
He also took part in events held by the NAACP. At one point, Dr. Bradfield thought about leaving Lima. But the NAACP worked hard to convince him to stay. And they succeeded!
Personal Life
In 1912, Bradfield met Edith Payne in Columbus. She moved to Lima, and they married in December 1912. They had two children together. Their son was named Joseph Cyrus Bradfield, born in 1914. Their daughter was named Madeline Bradfield. Edith was later buried next to her husband.
Death and Legacy
Dr. Bradfield passed away on April 11, 1936. He was 47 years old. He had been sick with pneumonia for two weeks. He died in St. Rita's Hospital and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima.
In 1933, Dr. Bradfield was part of a committee in Lima. This group worked to create more social opportunities for the African American community. In July 1938, the Bradfield Community Association was formed because of this group's efforts. This Association later became the Bradfield Community Center. The center is still active today, helping the community.
