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| Alba E. Braden ca 1897 |
He was probably named for his paternal uncle, Alba H. Braden, and perhaps also for his great-uncle, Alba Jenners. The source for his middle name, "Ellsworth," is undocumented family research compiled by earlier Braden researchers. I have found a few primary documents with his middle initial of "E.", but nothing so far with his full middle name. I have not found any other examples of "Ellsworth" in the Braden or Watt families, so I find the middle name interesting. Perhaps a primary document somewhere will finally prove or disprove it.
The family usually called him "Alby" or "Ab."
Alba's birth was mentioned in letter from his uncle, Hector, to Alba's father, Will, dated 5 April 1871: "... Your letter to Alba [their brother] gave us the first intimation of the new scion that follows the parent stock. It seems fitting, though possibly burdensome to you & Laura, that the name & fame of the "House" should thus have promise of being kept alive in the Land, as some of rest of us are doing aught toward such result! Mary joins me in kindest congratulations, & hopes for both Laura & little one, the best of success. When the Rail is down to this place, you surely will bring all down to see us. Weather lovely, & I know is doing your farmer's heart and eyes good. As ever, your affctnd Bro Hector"
On 11 May 1875, Alba was mentioned in a letter from his cousin, Mary Richards, to his mother, Laura: "I do wish you would come down, have you made Alby a suit of clothes (I mean pants and coat and vest)... With Love to all and a kiss for Alby I am as Ever Your Niece Mary Richards"
The 1880 census shows 9-year-old Alba with his parents and siblings in Washington Twp., Clinton Co., Indiana. The household included William, age 43, born about 1837 in Indiana; head of household; married to Laura V. Braden; Farmer; parents born in Virginia; Laura V. Braden, age 40; Mary J. Braden, age 13; Robert F. Braden, age 11; Alby B. Braden, age 9; James Timmons, age 25, farm hand.
On 20 May 1888, Mary Richards wrote a letter to her Aunt Laura in which she mentions Alba and something Laura had apparently written in a letter to her: "Aunt Lar it hurts me to hear you speak of Alba as you do. I believe that the boy has manly qualities that you dream not of. And could they be rightly aroused, he would prove himself to be more than you expect of him. Please persuade or send him to Frankfort to school next winter, or if he would rather to Purdue, some where away from home and there will be a coming out from the old rut. Just try it and see." Alba was 17 years old at the time. We don't have a copy of Laura's letter to Mary Richards, so we don't know what Alba had done to upset his mother.
There are a few hints in family papers that Alba's health was not very good. On 10 June 1893, Alba's sister, Mary Jane, wrote a letter to their mother, Laura, who was visiting Chicago: "Alba had the rheumatism in his lungs this morning and I put the hot watter [sic] bags on him and that helped him, then I fixed the belt and he put it on and now he feels all right. He is going to ware [sic] the belt every day."
Alba E. Braden married Emily Amina Crane on 15 May 1897 in Frankfort, Indiana. Alba was 26 years old. Emily Crane was 18 years old and was the daughter of William Crane and his first wife, Nancy Beck. Her nickname was "Mina."
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| Alba E. and Emily A. Braden ca 1897 |
In a letter dated 16 May 1898, Mary Richards wrote to her Aunt Laura (Alba's mother): "I am not surprised that you are to be grandmother - it is just a natural consequence. But Aunt Lar above all things you must make up your mind to like it. But I know you will - what appeals to a woman's heart more than a little, weak, helpless baby, and they are all sweet if they have any sense at all. I shall love it for its own sake if not for Alba's."
The coming baby mentioned in Mary Richards' letter was William Robert Braden, born to Emily and Alba on 28 September 1898 in Mulberry, Indiana. Bill was named for his grandfathers who were both named "William" and also, probably, for his uncle, Robert Braden.
An undated, unidentified newspaper clipping tells this story about Alba: "AB CAUGHT THE THIEF. When Bert Fling was agent here for the old L.E. & W., at one time he kept missing money from the cash drawer in the office. Of course, when money was taken he had to make good to the company, and the robberies came so frequently that it kept him strapped all the time to make up the deficits. Finally, he told Ab Braden his troubles and Ab vowed that he would catch the thief. He climbed up under the roof of the depot and bored a hole in the ceiling right over the money drawer, and then at a certain time in the day he stationed himself where he could peep through the hole. We do not remember how long he kept this up before he got results, but one day when the local freight came in, Fling went outside to check off the freight as it was unloaded. While he was busy at this, the conductor slipped into the office and opened the money drawer. Braden nabbed him and he confessed his guilt. He gave Fling a valuable ring and agreed to pay back a certain sum every month until the loss was made good, on condition that the matter be kept quiet. But the story leaked out, finally, and the fellow had to skip. Fling had the ring and the man had paid a little of the money back, but the agent was probably the loser."
On 4 March 1900, Emily and Alba's daughter, Laura Nancy Braden, was born in Mulberry. An undated note from an unidentified newspaper announced the birth this way: "A. E. Braden has taken in a partner. The little stranger put in an appearance Sunday morning. It won't be a machinist, but may some day become a machinist's wife."
Laura was named for both of her grandmothers, Laura (Watt) Braden and Nancy (Beck) Crane. Laura's nickname was "Lollie."
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| William R. and Laura N. Braden ca 1907 |
The 1900 census shows the family living in Mulberry, Clinton Co., Indiana. Alba is listed as "Allen", age 29; Emily is listed as "Amina" age 22; William is listed as 1 year old, born Sept. 1898, parents Allen & Amina Braden; Laura is listed as 3/12.
A letter written 9 October 1902 by Emily to Alba's cousin, Clara Richards, seems to indicate that Alba is out of town: "We have not heard from Alba since you have gone so I suppose they are not having any very great trouble."
And another letter written in October 1906 mentions that Alba has been sick.
On 1 April 1907, Alba's father, William M. Braden, died of pneumonia. Alba was 36 years old.
Alba's health was not good. A family story states that Alba went west on a hunting trip and while there caught a virus that was a neurological disease. As the disease progressed, every movement was painful. He would have spasms and fits similar to epilepsy.
Alba E. Braden died on 10 November 1907 in Mulberry, Indiana. He was 36 years old. His death certificate gives his cause of death as "epileptic convulsion."
Alba's children, William and Laura, were only 9 and 7 years old. His widow, Emily, was 29 years old.
"HEART TROUBLE FATAL - Sudden death of A.E. Braden of Mulberry. Attacked by the Disease while in Bed - Funeral services were held yesterday. - Late Saturday night, at his home in Mulberry, occurred the sudden death of A.E. Braden, a well-known citizen of that town. The funeral was held yesterday at 10 o'clock at the Farmers Chapel church, the interment being at the Fair Haven cemetery. The deceased was almost thirty-seven years of age and was a son of the late William Braden, of near Jefferson. In 1897 he was married to Miss Annie Crane [actually, Emily Amina Crane], a sister of Henry and John Crane, of this city, who survives him. He was in apparently as good health as usual, but died soon after an attack of heart trouble which came upon him. He had, however, been afflicted for brief periods for several years, but never considered his condition as being serious. He was the proprietor of a machine shop in Mulberry. He is survived by, in addition to his wife, a son and daughter, his mother, Mrs. William Braden, one brother, R.F. Braden, and one sister, Miss Mary Braden. He was an honest and upright citizen with many friends."
The other article reads, "DEATH OF ALBA BRADEN: Another of Mulberry's well known men has gone to his final rest. Sunday morning the news flashed around town that Ab Braden was dead. The news came as a shock, although people who were acquainted with Mr. Braden's physical condition knew that his end was likely to come at any hour. Saturday he was in his usual good spirits and went to Frankfort with the boys who played football. He spent the evening in his accustomed haunts about town. At eleven o'clock he ate heartily at the restaurant and soon afterwards went to his home. Shortly after retiring he went into a convulsion and Bruce Peters, who slept in the house, went to the sick man's bedside to render what assistance he could give, but within a few minutes after Bruce reached him Mr. Braden passed away. A physician was called, but when he reached the house the unfortunate man had been dead fifteen or twenty minutes. Death was due to heart failure, it is supposed. Mr. Braden had been afflicted with heart disease for a long time and when the epileptic attack came on, the heart was overtaxed beyond its capacity, due, probably, to the distention of the stomach. Alba E. Braden was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Braden, his father having died only a few months ago. The deceased was born in Washington township on March 27, 1871, and died November 10, 1907, aged 36 years, 7 months, and 13 days. On May 16, 1897 he was united in marriage with Miss Amina Crane. As issue from this union two children were born, William and Laura. His wife and little ones, his mother, a sister, Miss Mary Braden, and a brother, Robert Braden, besides a host of friends and more distant relatives mourn for the departed. The funeral services were held at the residence Monday at 1:30 pm, Rev. H.C. Riley, of the M.E. Church, having charge. Mr. Braden was not a member of any denomination nor secret order. The burial was at Fair Haven. This community has lost a useful man, one whose place will probably never be filled as he filled it. Ab Braden was a genius along the line of mechanics. In his youth he worked at the machine shop of the Wallace Manufacturing Company in Frankfort. Later he opened a shop in Mulberry and we presume he has done work for every man who owns machinery of any kind, in this territory. He was an enthusiast. Seemingly the pay, to him, was of secondary importance. Mastering a difficulty job and the satisfaction he got out of knowing that he could help a man in time of need was to him a source of gratification. His jovial nature and his loyalty to those in whom he trusted won for him a large circle of friends. We'll all miss Ab Braden."
The following letter was addressed to Mrs. William Braden, Frankfort, Indiana, RFD #7 and postmarked at Indianapolis, Indiana Nov 12, 1907. The letter reads as follows:
"Tuesday morning
My Dear Aunt Laura and Mary,
I received Aunt Sallie's letter this morning telling me of Alba's death. I was perfectly shocked as never dreamed of him being so poorly. I do feel so sorry for you all, for it seems such a little while since Uncle Will left you. It makes my heart ache to think of Alba's poor little wife and babies to be left alone so early in their lives, but am sure with her courage she will be very brave.
If I had know [sic] of Alba's death sooner would have come out to the funeral yesterday for you know what I always thought of Ab. What good times we used to have at your home. I do wish I lived nearer you where I could be of some help to you, but you know my heart is with you and I send you much love and sympathy to you all from us both.
Your devoted
Annie B.S. Horn
November the twelfth"
Alba E. Braden was buried in Fairhaven Cemetery, near Mulberry, Clinton Co., Indiana.
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