Democratic messenger., 1893-09-23
DcatIs of George II. Israttcm.


The most solemn duty devolving up
on lis is that of chronicling the death
of departed friends. The subject OF
this sketch is Mr. George T. Bratten.
Il young man, who by reputation, il
not by personal acquaintance, is we'll
known to every reader OF the MEssEN,
GER. II will therefore he useless for
us to cnumcrate the many good quail
ties of mind and heart which he p0ss-
esscd and which made him honored.
respected and loved by all. He was
the son of George I. Bratten, deceased,
formerly Register OF Wills. and was
one Of the most popular and cultured
young men i'll the county. From boy
hood he was Il universal favorite
among all classes of people. After
completing the course ut Snow Hill
High School he accepted scholarship
in II. Johns College where his strict
attention to his studies attracted the
attention and won the admiration OF
professors ard scholars. He gradua-
ted with honor and was salutatorian of
the class of 1870. After leaving col
lege he accepted a position as teacher
of the public school at Whaleyville,
which position he filled acceptably un-
ill called to principal of the Snow
Hill High School where he remained
for seven years. During these years
he was considered the best teacher the
school had ever had. Indeed under
his management the school was raised
to the high standard of success it has
since and now enjoys. While teach
ing he also studied law, and mastering
the profession, he was admitted to
practice at the bar Of this county in
1885 but owing TO his own prefer
ment he never entered the field of ac-
tive practice although he had many
friends who urged him to do so. At
the opening of theFirst National Bank
the position of Teller was offered him
which was accepted and held until the
time of his DEATH In this position as
in all Others he ever held, his profcien-
cy was thoroughly acceptable to every
one concerned He was member of
the Knights of Honor and occupied
the position of Past Dictator of Attain
tic lodge in this town. Mr.. Bratten
was member of the NJ. L. Church of
this town, and for many years super
intendant of the Sunday School where
the effect Of his efficiency will show for
a long time to come. This position
although acceptable to him and in
hearty accord with every act of his
life, he was compelled to resign some
time since owing to i'll health. 1t was
the ambition of his life to live Christ
ian and his accomplishment of this aim
was manifested in his every day life
and can he attested by all who knew
him. Mr.. Bratten had not enjoyed
health for several years and his suffer
ing during the past month were at
times severe, but he bore them patient
ly-and hoped till the end that he
might recover. Several weeks ago he
went TO the mountains accompanied hy
his sister Mary, but finding the air too
heavy for him they returned to New
York where under the treatment of
specialist he died on Friday morning
of last week He remains were brought
to a heart broken family the follow
ing day and inferred in the NJ. +.
Cemetery on Monday last whittier a
host of grief stricken friends followed
them. Revs. Ralph I. Coursey, Robt.
Watt and Mr.. Stevenson, all former
pastors of the deceased, ofiiciated. The
pail bearers were: Robley ID. Jones,
Oliver ID. Collins, William Tingle
Dickerson. Robert j. McAllcn, John
l.. Mock and William +. King. cash
ier OF the Pocomoke City National
Bank.
Mr.. Bratten was consistant Christ
ian and was always willing to talk OF
his Saviour's goodness, and ready to
give reason Of the hope that was
within him. In him was the scripture
verified. The path of the just is as
the shining light, that shineth more
and more unto the perfect day" He
leaves a mother four sisters and two
brothers with many other relatives and
Il host of friends 10 grieye for him but
our faith tells us that to him it was
Christ TO live, and to died was gain.
Let our thoughts then linger not about
the grave, but seek him in the near
presence of his Father and his God, in
the home where every holy wish is met
and every pure desire fulfilled, where
life clothes itself in eternal youth and
unt:,ding beauty.