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Emma was born the 14 July 1889 at St George, Washng, Utah. She was the tenth of twelve children. Her parents were worthy Later-Day Saints and did much in the pioneering of the little town of St. George. Her schooling was obtained in the common schools of that time. With two grades of high school, at the age of sixteen her mother became seriously ill and Emma was souly responsible for her care. Her mother had a massive stroke and lay bedfast for fourteen months, from June until May, her nurse was Emma. Due to the constant strain and lack of sleep and rest Emma had a nervous condition which required her sister Ida to leave her school teaching at Rockville and come home and help. Effie, Emma's younger sister, was attending the Dixie Junior College at the time. Emma's father fell on some ice and injured himself, breaking three ribs and was ill for some time during the winter. These expierences made Emma determined she should have some training as a nurse. Circumstances were such that this training was impossible at this time. Emma met her future husband at Hurricane. Her sister Ida Barber was teaching school at Hurricane and Emma was there to help with the house work. Ida having recently been married was soon pregnant so Emma finished the school year as teacher. Ira Hinton Bradshaw a recently returned returned missionary soon became interested in Emma and after a whirlwind courtship of eigth months they were married on the 1st of June 1910 in the St. George Temple. They built a little house on a lot in Hurricane and started house keeping. In some fifteen months a darling baby boy came to bless their home. It was quite a serious birth and as time went on an operation was required. Emma was left an invalid with the operation, also with no hopes of having any more children. But with the blessings of our Heavenly Father in some six years another baby boy came to bless theor home. During the time between babies Emma spent her time in correspondence schooling taking a course in Practical Nursing and homecare of the sick from the U.U.C at Logan, also one in Home Economics from the school of Home Economics in Chicago which included a course on Practical Nursing. She also completed three training courses from the Red Cross Instructor. On 20th and 21 of June 1921 twin daughters were born to Emma and Ira. The Twins, Enid and Elaine, were just the sweetest and prettiest little girls the Lord ever sent to bless anyone's home. Emma wasn't well for a good many years which necessitated having help in the home. On 13 March 1923 another little boy came to bring joy and happiness but the happiness was short for the little fellow, Marion, passed away two days later, 15 March 1923. Gwynn, a wee little girl, so tiny and sweet, was born 7 June 1925. The little old house was now too small to hold all their happiness so more rooms and upstairs were added making the house very comfortable and modern. This was completed in September 1928. On the 7th of Jan 1929 another little son was born, he had the longest, blackest hair you ever saw. Their happiness was now just about complete when the great depression of 1929 struck with a vengence. Ira and Emma were in debt for their home, trucks and etc., conditions were really difficult for so many years. But tithing and church dues were always paid and the blessings of the Lord never failed when they were in need. In 1917 Emma was asked to be a teacher in Relief Society, also a visiting teacher and from theis time on she held some position in Relief Society such as; about 1925 she served as Counselor in the Presidency, later teacher in theology, teacher for social service and work meeting, and literary teacher up until 1966. when the only position she has is that of a visiting teacher at the present. She served in the Stake Relief Society for sixteen years. Emma was organist in the Primary for ten years, also teacher of the boys class for five years, a teacher in Sunday School and in the Y.L.M.I.A. In December of 1939 she was set apart as an ordinance worker in the St. George Temple and labored there for fourteen Years. In the year 1942 after Elaine, one of the twins had passed away from a heart condition, Emma was asked by Dr. McIntire to open her home as a maternity home. This Emma did and operated this home until 1955 when she had the misfortune of falling and breaking her shoulder. She cared for some four hundred and fifty mothers and babies. There was just one baby lost, dying at birth, a very excellent record. He home was licensed by the state and inspected each three months. It had a very good reputation throughout the whole country, many of her patients were sent by the Red Cross during the war years coming from all parts of the country. Ira and Emma's five living children are all married to good Latter-Day Saints and have fine homes and wonderful children. At the present two grandsons have filled missions and two more are going soon. Four of the twenty-three grandchildren are married blessing Ira and Emma with seven great grandchildrem. Truly our Heveanly Father has been good to this couple and many blessings have come to them through their faithfullness. They both have strong testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the goodness of the Lord to them. They are wonderful and outstanding parents, grandparents and great grandparents. In 1960 they celebrated their Golden Wedding and all their children except one were able to be back home for the great occasion.
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