The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-13
OBITUARY.
Isaac Brayton.

Massachusetts. January 2oth, 1901, and died a
Ravenna, Ohio. August 28th. 1888, aged 81
years. 7 months and DAYS.
/ Fatherless at an early age, he found a home
upon the island. in the family of a cousin. Hon
HEzEKIAH BARNARD. where he was surround
ed by influences in many respects superior and
stimulating. Such desire for knowledge was
here kindled. that although as other Nantucket
boys at that time. he entered upon sea-faring
life when young, his spare hours were filled with
study. which soon fitted him for the responsible
position of Captain of whaling vessel.
At the age of twenty-three he married LOVE,
1.-THE daughter of PELEG MITCHELL, of his
native island.) who died in 1869, after sharing
with him the vicissitudes of life for forty-five
years.
By this marriage there were six children
Two of the three daughters died in childhood.
and one of the sons about three years ago.
Only three of his six children are now living.
When a ship captain, he conveyed to their
fields of labor in the Sandwich Islands some of
under their influence and preaching he imme-
diately established family altar upon ship
board (the first known). where was heard daily
the voice of prayer. A Sabbath School was
also organized, where. as he from time to time
learned. several entered the way of eternal life
He abandoned a sea-faring life in 1888, after
spending about nineteen years upon the ocean,
during which time he visited many important
countries of the world.
He was soon elected to the Massachusetts
legislature. and became intimately associated
with some of the antl-slavery leaders and edu-
cators-WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON ARTHUR
TAPPAN. EDWARD EVERETT HORACE MANN,
and others.
He came to Ohio in 1899. and fired with the
spirit of Massachusetts, reformers, entered hear
tily into the battle just begun in his adopted
State. BENJAMIN F. WADE, SALMON P. CHASE,
JOSHUA R. GIDDINGs. and JOHN BROWN were
frequent visitors in his house; where their dis
cussions of the great issues of that date occu-
pied them often until the wee hours of the morn
ing.
He was a delegate TO. and member of the
platform committee. of the organizing conven-
ton of the Free Soil party held in Buffalo in
Is4s.
Later. as member of the Ohio Legislature. he
became author of the law governing the Asy-
lums and similar institutions of the State, which
with some few amendments. is still in force. He
was appointed examiner of the institutions of
the State by Governor Salmon P. Chase, and
filled that Office several years. He was Pres
ident of the first Board of Trustees of the Ohio
Asylum for the Insane at Cleveland.
During the war he was past the age for mill
tary service. but he had charge of Station of
At the close of the war he was made Super
intendent of the Soldiers Home at Columbus,
which position he held until the completion of
the permanent institution at Dayton. when it
came under military control.
He was also for some years an associate of
Benjamin F. Wade, on the bench of the Court
of Common Pleas
From his conversion he was an earnest active
member of the Congregational Church. Prompt
and regular in his attendance upon religious
meetings and always interested land through
his large acquaintance with the world) an inter-
estng talker, especially on the subject of Chris
tian missions.
He was man of excellent physical constitu-
tuition, and of clear, quick. active mind. His
health was good. and his natural force seemed
scarcely abated until he was past 30 years of
age. Then by an accidental fall on an icy walk,
he was so badly hurt that for some weeks his life
was despaired of. After sickness of two
months herecovered. but soon it was found that
memory md judgment were gone, and from that
time his powers of mind failed rapidly until they
were total wreck.
He always took the liveliest interest in every
movement that had for its object the advacne-
ment of the interests of education and humani-
ty. He was natural leader and natural re-
former. His benevolence reached out in every
direction, and sought to do good to all men of
whatever race. country or condition. As sea
captain, legislator reformer, Judge, Le was al
ways the same earnest. active. honest, consci-
entious, Christian man.
His leading characteristics were a strong love
and devotion to his family and home, faithful
membership in his church, and an eager, watch
full and selEsacrifcing loyalty to his country.
He was man who loved to have children about
him, and who could find time to listen to their
ideas and teach them how to frame sound argu-
ments. A man who diligently sought to do his
duty. and when convinced that particular line
of action was right, he went to work to do it
with all the energy of his ardent temperament
and with an answering frmness. His head
and heart were both for the right and against
the wrong: heart quick to sympathize with all
the down trodden and oppressed. and mind
always ready to devise, and so far as possible.
carry into execution ways and means for their
relief.
These facts and others were given by his pas
tor. Rev. S. w. MEEK. at the funeral services
held at the home of his son-in-law, F. w.
WOODBRIDGE on August goth, and Mr.. MEEK
| added:
The story of his life is itself a sermon. l
could tell you nothing today better fitted to in
/ spire you to earnest endeavor after a noble
Christian life. than the example of the good
man who has gone from us into the presence oi
the Savior whom he loved and served fulfill
ment of Gods gracious promise. with long
life will satisfy him and show him my saliva
tion.''
Caroline X. Ward.
L