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In the late 1800's, the Bradshaw family had chosen the Wolf Creek area of Graham County as their "home place". This area would become the community of Ja'pan because of the Japan clover that grew there. Thomas Bradshaw, who was born in Haywood County, had moved to the area and married Patience Maranda Proctor. Thomas was a farmer and they would make their living while raising their family in the community of Ja'pan. Thomas & Maranda had four daughters Cassie, Marinda (Rindy), Carra (Carie) and Candice Elmina and two sons, Edward (Ed) and Andrew (Andy).

In 1899, Elmina, the oldest daughter, gave birth to her first son and named him Oliver Fred. Fred took his mothers maiden name of Bradshaw since he was born out of wedlock. Fred lived with his Grandfather, his mother, his two Aunts, Rindy and Carie and his Uncle Ed Bradshaw, and life on his grandfather's farm located at Wolf Creek would become the foundation for the life of this industrious, young man.

Fred married Martha Marcus February 12, 1921 and they too began their life together in this, now thriving community. Martha said that Fred came for her with a little mule to ride the day they got married. Fred's mother, Candice Elmina, died that year in September. She had married Charles (Charlie) DeHart and had two other sons, Martin Van Buren and Richmond Auten. These brothers were not only brothers to Fred but also dear friends. They would continue to be close all through life and would help each other along the way.

Fred and Martha's first home was at Ammons Branch near Almond where his natural father, Will Ammons, had lived. From there, they moved to Smokemont while Fred worked at the Band Mill (a saw mill where logs were processed into lumber). Martha enjoyed living there. They lived in a "company house" surrounded by family and friends who also worked there. She enjoyed a time when she didn't have the responsibilities of caring for her elderly Father. Martha's mother had died when she was 13 and she had remained at home to care for him until she married.

She and Fred moved to the Nantahala Gorge from Smokemont, where they lived for a short time. While Fred was away working, a cloud burst occurred and washed their house away including most of their furniture. At that time they decided to move back to Wolf Creek. Martha told the story of when they moved across the mountain from the Gorge. Buren, Fred's brother, helped with the move. They walked across the mountains twice in the same day to salvage what was left of their belongings to set up house keeping again on Wolf Creek. This must have taken a great effort since there was only a footpath to follow.

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