Bratton, William B.

WILLIAM B. BRATTON, Shanks Run, Mifflin county, Pa., was born in Oliver township, Mifflin county, September 22, 1836.  He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Brown) Bratton.  His grandfather, William Bratton, was a native of Ireland.   When quite a young man he came to America in a sailing vessel, and settled in Wilmington, Delaware, where he worked as a day laborer.  He afterwards removed to Oliver township, Mifflin county, where he was employed as farm laborer.  He was known in the community as "Sailor Billie."  Mr. William Bratton identified himself with the Democratic party.  He had six children:  William;  Samuel;   John;  Rachel;  Sarah;  and Elizabeth.  He and his wife died in Oliver township;  both were members of the Presbyterian church.  Mr. Bratton's father, Samuel Bratton, born in Oliver township, about 1801, and educated in the public schools of his native township, was a boatman on the Juniata river.  He assisted in the construction of the canal and afterwards owned and commanded a canal boat called the "Lady Washington."  When the canal was sold, Mr. Bratton removed to Oliver township, Mifflin county, and bought a farm near McVeytown.  Samuel Bratton was a member of the Democratic party, actively interested in local politics, and served his county as tax collector and school director.  He married Mary Brown, of Oliver, now Bratton township.  Their children are:  Nancy, died at the age of twenty-four years;  William B.;  George, deceased;  Cyrus, deceased;  John, residing in Clearfield county, Pa.;  and one who died in infancy.  Mrs. Bratton died in Oliver township, in April, 1846.  Mr. Bratton's second wife was Sarah McMinn, of Oliver township.  He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
 
William B. Bratton was educated in the district schools of Oliver township.  He began to earn his own living when he was only eleven.  For one summer he received nothing but his food and clothing.  The next year he obtained a position on a canal boat, where he earned six dollars a month.  Three years later he left the canal and worked as farm laborer until 1855, when he secured employment as a trackman for the railroad company.  Two and a half years of faithful service were rewarded by a promotion, and Mr. Bratton was appointed section foreman.  This position he held for thirty years, to the entire satisfaction of the company.  Twenty-eight years were spent on Division No. 31 and two years on No. 32.  His health failing, he resigned his position and turned his attention to the cultivation of the soil.  In 1881, he bought the Miller farm of 70 acres, which he has cultivated ever since.  He also owns and farms a tract of land in Wayne township.  He has greatly improved his land and devoted much of his attention to raising fine horses and cattle.  Mr. Bratton's genial manners have made him popular in his county.  He takes an active interest in local affairs, has identified himself with the Democratic party and has been elected to various township offices, having been school director, assessor and supervisor.  He is past master and secretary of Grange No. 771, Bratton township, and a member of the I. O. R. M.
 
William B. Bratton was married in 1862 at Lewistown, Mifflin county, to Hannah C., daughter of David Miller, of Bratton township.  They have nine children:   Andrew M., a farmer in Wayne township;  Mary (Mrs. Samuel C. Berdine), of Wayne township;  Ada;  Martha (Mrs. John D. Banks), telegraph agent, was station agent at Ryde, Pa., for three years;  Annie, at school;  Daisy, stationed at Ryde, Pa.;  Samuel D., at home;  William C., at home;  and Edna, at home.  Mr. William B. Bratton and his family are active members of the Presbyterian church.[bib]455[/bib]