Alba H. Braden, 1839-1899

Alba H. Braden

Alba H. Braden was born 7 July 1839 on the family farm near Jefferson, Clinton Co., Indiana.  His parents were Burr and Mary D. (Jenners) Braden.  He was probably named for his uncle, Alba Jenners.   While numerous documents confirm that Alba's middle initial is "H," I have not yet found any document that states his full middle name.

He is found with his parents and siblings on the 1850 census for the town of Jefferson, Clinton Co., Indiana.  He was listed as being 10 years old and having attended school during that year. 

On 6 December 1861, when Alba was 22 years old, his father, Burr died. 

Alba was mentioned in a letter from his brother, Robert (who was serving in the Army) to their sister, Sarah, dated 27 October 1862: 

"So Alba is promoted to the high office of Chief Chore Master for Mother!  I wish him joy in his new "sphere", and trust that he will learn to combine Opic cum dignitate.  I have a dim recollection - softened I am happy to say by time and distance - of what "doing up a few chores" means, "When the fall time comes" and Mother's gentle tones are heard, "Now, Alba when you are done sorting those potatoes you may take down this grape vine and cover it with corn stalks" and so on ad infinitum, and I think I see the look of "holy ineffable peace" which shadows Alba's face, as he moves with springy, elastic step to execute his welcome mission!  - And what a nice handy boy he is for such business: so quick and so industrious!" 

By January 1863, Alba was in Crawfordsville, Indiana, apparently staying with his brother, Hector and Hector's wife, Mary, when he wrote the following letter to his sister, Sarah:

 "Crawfordsville, 24th Jany  Sunday night

My Dear Sister,

Your so kind and so long looked for got here after a long time, safe and sound, but awfully soiled.  it looked as if some P.M. had rubbed his inky fingers all over it and then dropped it in the mud in trod on it.  that was all on the outside.  the inside I am happy to say was clean clear and sister like.  And I am very much obliged to you indeed for remembering to write me at all.  And will now add that I hope you will do so time & again.  I got two or three letters from home last week.  All well.  And I have some news for you, which is news.  What do you think, Bill is to be married the 1st of March.  did you ever? &c  And more.  he is to marry my Patsey.  So I reccon [sic] this is the last letter you will ever get from your heart broken brother Alba.  Pity me oh pity poor me.  The last three 1/2 lines are all stuff & bombast - for I am truly thankfull [sic] that things are as they "is".  for to tell you a fact (of which you are doubtless aware,) I never had any notion of marrying the gal nor she me. (I hope) and had come to the conclusion to tell her so, when I heard the above astounding report.  Bill writes me every week.  1st he wrote me asking release of all claims on Patsey.  I sent in my resignation.  He accepted  it thankfully.  Next letter told me how he was getting along, time of the happy event, &c &c.  Gene [?] and Anna wrote me last week, telling me of some of his talk, which sounds just like him. Here is a sample.  he says he will not go on a bridal-tour, but will get spliced about noon, take dinner, and then go down to the farm.  Says he must get the chills broken ere that time, as marrying is very trying on a man, and the two combined will finish him entirely.  I would not miss being up there at the occasion for worlds, nor would you if you could only get there, but never mind I will try and send you a report of the time in full.  I got a letter from Coz Ann & Bettie.  They report all well.  Bettie is coming up here soon to go up home with me.  says she is very sorry that you can't be up there at the same time.  so am I.  You remember I told you how you would miss me when I went away.  I hope you have for I have missed you of an evening when I sit here all alone and I would love to see you dearly.  When are you coming back.  you did not say one word about it.  I got a letter from Rob last eve.  all well.  he was at Fayetteville were ordered to march the next morning at 8 a.m. thought they would go to Little Rock, I hope so to, for then we could hear oftener & sooner.  Goodby & write me soon.  Mary sends her best love & Heck to.  Likewise your affect. Bro  Ab"



The "Patsey" referred to in Alba's letter is probably his brother William's first wife, Martha Hester Campbell, who married William in March 1863 and died in December 1863 of "consumption."



On 5 September 1863, Alba's mother, Mary D. (Jenners) Braden died.  Alba was 24.

Alba lived for most of his adult life in Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co., Indiana.  He never married and we know of no children.

On the 1870 census for Crawfordsville, he is shown in the household of Eli Wilhite, probably as a boarder, and is listed as 31 years old and an "express agent."  On the 1880 census for Crawfordsville, Alba is listed as a lodger in the household of D. W. Wilson: "Braden, A.H., wm 41, Lodger, Single, Agent Met & Am Express."  I have not yet found Alba on the 1860 census; he is not listed with his parents and siblings in Clinton Co.

On 20 November 1893, Alba wrote the following to his brother, William: 

"Crawfordsville, Ind.  Nov 20/93

My dear Brother,

Your's of the 18th inst, duly rec'd & contents noted.  Enclosed I hand you dft for $200.- as per request and trust it will reach you in good time.  I hope you & your family are all well.  Give my love to all, and be good to your self -
        As ever & ever   your bro  A.H."

On 4 January 1895, Alba wrote to his brother, William's wife and daughter:

"Crawfordsville, Ind.  Jany 4/95

Dear Laura & Mary,
I expected to write you long ago, thanking you for your kind Christmas remembrance, but the truth is I have been so busy that have not had time to do near so much as I wanted to do.  The cup & saucer you so kindly sent me will come very handy when I go to housekeeping and will always remind me of Laura, who gave it - when ever I drink my coffee.  And for you dear Mary, that cake was tiptop.  You certainly must have taken early lessons from your Mama.  It was my favorite kind of cake and was most excellent.
I am glad to learn that William & Rob. are getting along so well, even they have the horse business to keep them busy.
I am obliged to you for invitation, and no preventing Providence, I will certainly get up to see you all this coming summer.
We have had nice winter weather until the last two weeks which have been quite cold --
Love to all and a great deal for both of you,
As ever, your brother   Alba"

By about November 1898, Alba's health was not good and he had moved to Frankfort, Indiana to live with his sister, Sarah D. (Braden) Clark, at 408 E. Clinton St.

On 9 September 1899, Anna Braden sent the following note to her brother, Will, regarding their brother, Alba.  The envelope was addressed to Mr. William M. Braden, Frankfort, Indiana and postmarked at Frankfort, Ind. on Sept 9 '89.  The note follows:  

"Frankfort Ind  Friday 8
Dear Brother Will -
Dear brother Alba began sinking very fast last eve, his cough & the mucus [sic] is so troublesome can not raise anything himself.  He can not endure much longer.  I write this that you may get it & come over when you receive it.
With love from [unreadable word]    Sister Annie"

Alba H. Braden died at 2:00 p.m. on 9 September 1899 at the home of John G. and Sarah (Braden) Clark, 408 E. Clinton St., Frankfort, Indiana.  He was buried at Springvale Cemetery, Lafayette, Indiana.

The following obituary appeared in the Crawfordsville Weekly Journal for 15 September 1899 (page 9, col. 3):

 

Sarah Deborah Braden (1835-1915) and her husband, John G. Clark

Sarah Deborah Braden was born 21 September 1835 on the family farm near Jefferson, Clinton Co., Indiana, and was the daughter of Burr and Mary (Jenners) Braden.  The family seems to have usually called her "Debbie."

She is not listed with the family on the 1850 census, but since she would have only been 15, I suspect she was just missed.  The 1860 census for Clinton Co. shows her with her parents and gives her age as 25.

On 6 December 1861, Sarah's father, Burr, died.  On 26 December 1861, Sarah Deborah married John Gilkeson Clark in Clinton Co., Indiana.  The Clark family was listed next door to the Bradens on the 1850 census and so John and Sarah grew up as neighbors.

John G. Clark was born in February 1836 in Virginia.  His parents, Dr. John M. and Sarah V. Clark, moved from Virginia to Indiana about 1837.  John G. Clark rose to the rank of Colonel when he served in the Civil War from Indiana.

John G. Clark

On 5 September 1863, Sarah's mother, Mary, died.  On 26 February 1864, Sarah and John's son, Addison Braden Clark, was born.

Apparently, after her mother died, Sarah took her younger siblings into her home.  On the 1870 census, besides John, Sarah, and Addison Clark, the household also included Sarah's brother, Addison B. Braden, and her sister, Lucy J. Braden.  On the 1880 census, Sarah, John, and Addison Clark were living in Frankfort, Indiana.

The household on the 1900 census was:  Clark, John G, head, wm, born Feb 1836, 64, married 39 years; Clark, Sarah D, wife, wf, born May 1836, married 39 years, 1 child born & living; Clark, Braden, son, wm Feb 1863, 37, salesman.  Also Irene Hedley, 18, servant.  They were living in Frankfort.  On the 1910 census, they were living at 408 E. Clinton St. in Frankfort;  the household was listed as: Clark, John G., head, 74, married 1 time for 49 years; Sarah B., wife, 74, married 1 time for 49 years, 1 child, 1 living; Braden A., son, 46, single.

John G. Clark died 28 December 1910 at his home in Frankfort, Indiana.  He was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort.

Sarah Deborah (Braden) Clark died 6 June 1915 at her home in Frankfort, Indiana.  She was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort.

Their son, Addison Braden Clark, attended law school at the University of Michigan.  He never married and had no children.  He died 24 September 1917 of a stroke in Sault St. Marie, Michigan.   He was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort, Indiana.

To date, I have found no pictures of Sarah D. (Braden) Clark or Addison Braden Clark.

Captain Robert Floyd Braden, 1833-1877

Robert Floyd Braden was born 21 September 1833 on the Braden farm near Jefferson, Clinton Co., Indiana.  He was the fourth child of Burr and Mary Braden, but only the second child to live past infancy.  He was probably named for his paternal grandfather, Robert Braden, and his paternal uncle, Robert Braden, who had died of cholera a few months before Robert Floyd was born.  It apparently took Burr and Mary a little while to decide on his name since Burr's brother Addison reported that until Burr and Mary decided on a name for their new son, his father, Burr, called him "Pete."  He was well and about one month old when he was mentioned in letter from Joseph Addison Braden to his sister Elizabeth.

He is mentioned in a family letter  written 1 April 1834: "the baby...is not very healthy although it looks so."  According to a letter written by Ann Jenners on 1 August 1834: "Mary's boys grow finely.  The youngest is one of the handsomest children I have ever seen."  According to a letter written 30 August 1834 by Joseph Addison Braden, "Bob is the finest boy in all this country."  And according to Ann Jenners Jennings in a letter dated 15 February 1835: "Mary's little boys grow finely.  Bob is a beauty."



Robert is found with his parents and siblings on the 1850 census living near the town of Jefferson in Clinton Co., Indiana.  He was 16 and had attended school that year.  In 1851 and 1852, he attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he was in the Prep School department and the scientific department during the academic year.  He lived in a dormitory on campus.


On 7 December 1852, he was commissioned 2nd Lt. of Company 6 in the 3rd Regiment of the 8th Mulberry District of the national guard of the State of Indiana to serve six years.  His commission paper was signed by Joseph A. Wright, Governor of Indiana.  He was 19 years old.

On 9 July 1855, Robert wrote the following letter (*see note below) to his sister, Sarah Deborah:
 "Jefferson, July 9, 1855        Your letter came Saturday, dear Deb, and none too soon for your good let me tell you.  But it did come then and let me tell you the truth, I have been determining for some time to give you an awful scolding for not writing some to me;  Father has worked himself into a perfect passion and every mail would ask in a rush and say - "Well I'll not put my self to the trouble of writing her again if that's the way she treats my letters." All this wrath was reserved [?] for you, when your letter comes and lo! the tables are turned at once and instead of "jumping" you, I am compelled to  [unreadable] amend [?] for my deed, glad if I can escape without being [unreadable] therefore "I think you are a real naughty boy, " Cool! busy?  A nice way to commence a letter to your loving Brother, who has been torturing [?] hiself [sic] to death for a year for [two unreadable words].  After making Pa worry for two weeks, your answer to his letter which was rather short both in matter & news, but that is alone attributable to the [unreadable] of the [unreadable].  [several unreadable words] a "settling down." And then, not content with that, but must even take up Sue's arrival, and rate me roundly for disclosing the fact of my being the bearer of a "ring" from the said Hubbard to Sue. But I have the advantage of you there, my dear girl, for it was your fault that I tried this for had you not told me such an awful _____ I mean had not told but that Mr Hubbard and her were both married and go with you to VA (which statement I wrote to Coz Suzzie) I would not have written any thing concerning it, but give my apology to Coz Suzzie for my former statement.  this came in as a matter of course, - not considering it anything a secret when two women hear of it, I took no care of it. But I got caught nicely.  Happening down at the [unreadable] the same night I recv'd it, I handed your letter to Sue to peruse, without once thinking of this content[?].  I sat there waiting patiently for her to get through with your epistle (by the way, write a little more plainly next time, for your matter don't pay unless the chirography is fair (I'll get a blessing for that)) when all at once I am awakened from a profound reverie by an awful slap on the face.  I could not for a moment contrive what was the matter, But Sue's "Now Mr Bob Braden, how dared you tell that," brought me up "standing," and I could do nothing but beg pardon and promise to do it no more, which promise I intend to keep most religiously - till I find out something else still, But I owe you one for this, and I could scarcely refrain from telling Sue how I happened to find out "who made that proposal," more especially when she went into a long dissertation on the difference of people in regard to keeping secrets, and chose to arrange you illustrated the class that could and I the --other. I was down to Crawfordsville a short time since on a visit   I got there at a [unreadable] and was compelled to return to J[?] that evening and was sorry that Hec had an engagement as I wished to see him [unreadable] but he could not stay.  "They" say that his marriage with Mati is a settled thing, and you may expect shortly to see in the City papers, the announcement: "Married on the --inst, Mr. H.S. Braden Esq'r, by the Grace of God, and his own good Etc., to Miss Elston, daughter of Major Elston "[several unreadable words] "The happy pair &c, &c---"    The Fourth was celebrated by the good people of our town at Kirklin from the fact that the Lord Templars had some kind of a "fixing" at that place.  It was rather a grand affair, but as I and mother [unreadable] of [unreadable] it, I can not give you a description of the proceedings.  We are still having a delightful time with the "housebreakers" and it is no uncommon thing for a house to be broken open once or twice a week.  Mother has prophesied that some one will get in her stores but I can't get her to [several unreadable words]  She is looking rather thin, but I supposed it was on acct of the [unreadable] all you took mother [unreadable] of the last.  Bro Hubbard writes very regularly and that is a great comfort.  Now you must, my dear sister, write soon and often to me and the family, for we do indeed miss you very much and the only way to console us is to write that you are enjoying yourself.  The [unreadable] are all very wild, and [unreadable]  I hear that you are enjoying yourself so much.  They all send their love.  You must answer Fathers letter or he will never forgive you for what he deems are awful in others but does not even remind him much of himself.  love to all.  Tell [unreadable] I will write to her if she will answer.  Write soon  With much love, Your Brother Robt."

In October 1855, Robert ran for Clinton County Auditor, but lost the election.

On 9 August 1861, Robert was commissioned to serve in the 26th Regt, Co. B, Indiana Volunteer Militia.  He was originally commissioned as a first Lt. by Gov. Oliver P. Morton and later was promoted to Captain.    By 22 September 1861, he was away from home serving in the Union Army stationed in Booneville, Missouri.  It seems from some of the family letters, that he signed up and left without telling his parents he was joining the Army.

Over the course of the Civil War, Bob wrote many letters home to his family.  A number of his letters to his mother are preserved as photocopies by the Indiana Historical Society.  They are interesting, but too lengthy to include them all here.

From the dates and addresses on the letters, it seems that Robert spent about the first year of his service in various places in Missouri.  He often wrote of wanting to get a leave of absence to visit home, but it does not appear that he was ever able to accomplish it.

On December 6, 1861, Robert's father, Burr Braden, died.  Robert was stationed in Sedalia, Missouri.    On 21 December, Robert wrote home to his sister, Sarah, after learning of their father's, death.  The letter (*see note below) reads:  "My dear Sister: I cannot say anything to comfort you in this our first great grief, but my anxiety is none the less to hear from you.  Why have you not written me?  I heard about one week since through Major Clark of our loss and again from Annie Jenners and Albie.  When I first received Major Clark's letter my intention was to return immediately home, let the consequences be what they might, but that night we received marching orders and since then we have been on - what we expected - the eve of a battle ever since.  The absence of Captain Logan left me in command of the Company, and I could not, without being cashiered and branded as a coward, leave my command.  You will see from the papers what the troops have been doing and though our Regiment took no part in the affray, having been placed on one of the roads to prevent the rebels from escaping, we had quite a hard time on the forced march and standing picket duty, as it has been quite cold with a slight fall of snow.  They have just brought in the prisoners - some 1300 - with a large amount of arms, tents, mules, and wagons.  It is the most severe blow the Secessionists have had in Missouri.  The excitement and labor, consequent upon our movements, has been of great advantage diverting my mind from the sad loss we have received, though in my tent at night his dear face seems always present, that same calm, spiritual look upon it which it bore when I last saw him.  I cannot realize that he is indeed gone - it seems impossible.   We again have orders to march, where I know not.  Captain Logan will be home ere this reaches you.  I send my dague - the first I have had an opportunity of having taken since I left.  You will see I have not fallen away.  Give much love to dear mother and all the family for me.  In haste, your affectionate brother, Robert."

From October 1862 to January 1863, Robert was stationed in Arkansas.  It appears that he fought in the Battle of Prairie Grove.

He was back in Missouri for several months in 1863, then sent via Vicksburg, Mississippi to New Orleans.

His mother, Mary Braden, died 5 September 1863.  It appears that Robert never got back home to visit her after he enlisted.

In September 1864, Robert was serving as Provost Marshall of the District of Baton Rouge, Gulf of Mexico and stationed in New Orleans.  He served there until he was honorably discharged in June 1865.

After his service in the war, he returned to Clinton Co., Indiana.  He was listed as "Robert F ae 32" on the 1866 "Enumeration Schedule of White & Colored Men Age 21 & Over" in Washington Twp., Clinton Co., Indiana.

By 1870, he had moved to Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  He is found on the 1870 census living with the family of Lemuel A. Huff.  He was listed as follows:  "R. F. Braden, age 36, male, white, Clerk in Store, $2,000 real estate; born in Indiana."

Between 1872 and September 1877,  Robert worked as the assistant cashier for First National Bank of Lafayette for about 5 years until the cashier retired, and Robert took his place.  A new cashier was appointed Sept. 22, 1877, which may mean Robert was too ill to work any longer.

Robert never married.

Robert F. Braden died on 12 October 1877 in Lafayette, Indiana, of "congestion of the stomach."  He was only 44 years old.

An obituary appeared in an unidentified Lafayette newspaper:  "Obituary.  We are called upon to announce the death of our esteemed fellow citizen, Robert Braden, Esq., which took place at half-past 8 o'clock o the morning of Friday last, 12th inst.  The deceased was taken sick two weeks prior to his death, his disease soon assuming an acute form, and developing into typho-malaria.  Subsequently hemorrhage ensued, resulting fatally as above stated.  Mr. Braden enjoyed an enviable reputation as a citizen and business man, his career being marked by courtesy and strict integrity towards all with whom he had dealings, and in no way was it more signally manifest, than during the many years that he acted as Teller of the First National Bank.  he was at one time largely engaged in the stock and grain trade, and during the war of the rebellion, made an honorable record in the Union army.  He was unmarried but leaves brothers and sisters who deeply mourn his untimely death.  His remains will be interred in Spring Vale Cemetery.  Funeral services from the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. Horatio Jennings, No. 58 North Fifth street, this afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Rev. Chas. J. Clawson, of Grace Church, officiating."

He was buried in Springvale Cemetery, Lafayette, Indiana.

* A Note About Robert's letters:  The originals have been lost to the family.  The above letters are taken from transcriptions done 1932-1965 by Vera (Healey) Braden while the letters were in her possession.

 

Elizabeth Virginia Braden, 1829-1830

I don't usually do blog posts about infants who died, but Elizabeth Virginia Braden intrigues me.

Elizabeth was the first child born to Burr Braden and his wife, Mary Dulin (Jenners) Braden.  Burr and Mary were married on 29 March 1827, probably in Maryland, and started west from Virginia with Mary's family in the fall of 1828.

By the winter of 1828-1829, the travelers were in Dayton, Ohio.  Perhaps they decided to spend the winter in Dayton because of Mary's pregnancy.  Elizabeth Virginia Braden was born in Dayton, Ohio on 13 January 1829. 

In the spring of 1829, the family resumed their trip west, finally settling in Lafayette, Indiana.  They were certainly in Lafayette in July 1829 when Mary received a letter from her friend, Sarah Hough in Waterford, Virginia.  This letter indicates that the baby, Elizabeth, was ill.

Elizabeth was mentioned as "our dear little babe" in a letter written by her father, Burr, to her mother, Mary, in September 1829.  Burr had gone back to Virginia to settle some affairs there. 

In January 1830, Elizabeth's Aunt Nancy (Mary's sister) wrote a letter home to her friend, Elizabeth in Waterford, Virginia, in which she says this about the baby, Elizabeth Virginia:  "Mary is almost worn out with her little babe, which is still very poorly and does not think weighs more than six pounds.  It does not sleep any barely at night." 

At this time, Burr and Mary were still in Lafayette, Indiana, but Burr was planning on moving to "the country" in the spring.  This would be the move to the Jefferson area of Clinton Co., Indiana.

On 14 May 1830, Elizabeth Virginia Braden died, probably at Lafayette.  She was about 18 months old.  Her grave has not been found.  Hers would have been one of the early burials in the new town of Lafayette and many of those graves and their stones (if there ever was one) are no longer to be found.

Except for the references in the family letters (which do not actually name the baby), my information on this child comes from an old family document provided to me by another Braden descendant.  This handwritten document appears to be a copy of another earlier document, perhaps a family Bible record.  The handwriting may be that of a granddaughter of Burr and Mary, Mary Jane Braden, daughter of their son, William.  While I have found no primary evidence to prove the dates for Elizabeth Virginia found on that document, it should be noted that most of the other dates and information found there have been verified and are accurate.  This leads me to trust that the information on Elizabeth Virginia is also correct.

I hope someday to find something to verify the information on her, but realize it is probably unlikely.

Keeping Up With the Joneses: Margaret (Jones) Hofmann and family

John Allen & Margaret (Jones) Hofmann and children.    Left to Right: John A., Christine, Phil, Jim, John, Margaret.   (Photo taken in Wooster, Ohio.  Date unknown.  Probably ca 1925)

Margaret Victoria Jones was the first daughter of John Roberts Jones.  She was his only child by his first wife, Victoria Hamilton Jones.  Margaret was born 16 February 1888 and her mother died giving birth to her.  Margaret was sent to live with her maternal grandparents, James & Susan Hamilton, in Blue Earth, Minnesota.  In 1892, when Margaret was 4, her father married a second time to Mary Elva Stillwell.

Margaret became a teacher and in 1913, she traveled to China as a Presbyterian missionary.  While in China, she met Dr. John Allen Hofmann and they were married at the Second Presbyterian Church in Canton, China, on 15 December 1915.

John Hofmann was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in June 1887. 

John and Margaret had the following children:  John Robert (born 1916), Christine (born 1918), James Hamilton (born 1920), and Harold Philip (born 1921).  I believe all the children (except perhaps Harold Philip) were born in China.  When not in China, the family lived in Wooster, Ohio.

Dr. Hofmann died in China about 1933 and sometime after that Margaret and the children returned to Wooster, Ohio. 

Margaret died in Los Angeles, California on 22 June 1980.  All of her children are also now deceased.

I would be happy to give this photograph to a descendant, if contacted.