History of the Box L Ranch

This ranch was homesteaded by William Braddock in 1884. William Braddock was one of the first settlers that came to Western Sheridan County. Coming from Marshal Town, IA, he joined wagon trains going as far west as the Beautiful Beaver Valley. Here he took out a pre-emption claim and built himself a dugout for the winter of 1884-1885. Come spring he took up a homestead, in what is probably today known as Sec. 18 of Sheridan County. As soon as money was available he bought cattle to run on the range, branded them with the ‘Box L’ brand, still used by the family today.

March 28, 1899, William (Billy) married Julianna Jacobson, a young teacher of Beaver Valley school. She came here with her parents John and Dora Jacobson in 1885. John and Dora proved up on land 7 miles NW of Rushville. My grandmother, Gladys Braddock Isham Pegues and her only sister, Doris Enid Henry were the only 2 children born of this union. Great grandfather Braddock died in 1916, leaving Great grandmother Braddock to raise both girls and run the ranch. She immediately took rein in hand and continued to raise pure bred register Hereford Bulls, which were some of the very best in the country. She was also known for buying a national Champion Bull named Superior Domino, in 1918 for $27,000. In 1941 she retired.

Grandmother Braddock froze to death when she was 80 after abandoning her car in a blizzard in 1957 on the ranch.

Robert William Isham, my dad, was the only grandchild. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, he married my mother Joy Norman, in 1950. They moved to the ranch and proceeded to have 5 children in five years. Julie, Glory, Robin, Andrea, and Robert William Isham the 3rd.

Dad died of cancer in 1994. Grandmother died just 3 years ago in January. I was with her at the time. Galen and I were married in 1982 and moved to the ranch after coming home from our honeymoon. We have been here ever since. We have 2 children, Jay 13, and Joy 7.