The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1909-10-08

ANOTHER OLD PIONEER GONE
James sBraybrooks of Lawrence Passed
Away After Brief Illness. Was
Nearly SO Years of AGE.

Another OF the old pioneers OF Van
Buren, county has ceased his earthly
toll, and gone to his long rest. James
Braybrooks for many years a resident
OF Lawrence township died at his home
in the village OF La renee on Thursday,
September 30. 1909
lie WAS born 10 Somersetshre, Eng
land, on February Ia, 1924, and was 80
years, 7 months and Is days OF age at
the time OF his death. he was married
at Elm, Cambridgeshire. England, Octo-
ber l3, 1916, to Jane Simmons. In
l8iS thinking TO make a home for his
wife and baby, now Mrs. Isabelle Brown,
he left the place of his birth to come to
America, landing at New York City with
only % cents of American money 10 his
pocket. Not being able to travel with
out funds, be finally secured passage on
a canal boat running to Sandusky, Ohio,
aud worked as boat hand to pay for
his transportation. He was industrious
and frugal, and in two years had saved
out OF his meagre earnings $4,000 in
American money which he sent to his
wife that she might join him in the new
country. The receipt of such a large
sum of money caused considerable ex-
citement among the friends and neigh
bors in the old country. They thought
if person was able TO save $4,000 in
two years, America must surely be
land of riches. On the strength of Mr..
Braybrooks S success, seven families de
ciGed to come to this wonderful country.
His wife and baby, then three years old,
came direct to Mouroewle, Ohio, where
the husband joined them. They re-
NAMED there about one year, when be.
coming dissatisfied with conditions and
prospects there they decided that Mich
igan was the place to locate and make
a permanent home. Conseq quently he
packed what few goods he had, one
wagon holding them all, and with his
little family, now increased by baby
girl, Mrs. Laura Chapman, drove over
land to the farm now the old home
stead southwest of Lawrence, where they
resided until they moved to the village
of Lawrence about ten years ago.
Eight children were born to Mr.. and
Mrs Braybrooks, four boys and four
girls. One son died 10 infancy, and one
daughter, Sophrona Brown, passed away
August %, 1903, at the age of 81 years
Deceased leaves besides an aged widow
six children Isabelle Brown, and Lau-
ra Chapman of Lawrence, Mrs. Emma
Boyles of Charlotte, James, John and
George Bray ybrooks all of Lawrence,
tweuty-six grandchildren aud seventeen
great grandchildren to mourn his death
His last illness was of brief duration,
Only being confined to his bed niue days,
and was conscious to the last. His last
thoughts were for his aged wife. who
had been a true and faithful compan-
ion for so many years. 1t was she who
received his last good bye.
He was a loving husband, a kidd and
thoughtful father, a good neighbor and
an honest and industrious citizen Nc
one could say aug ht against James Bray
| brooks, he was loved and resi- ected by
all who knew him.
The funeral was held from the NJ. H.
church at Lawrence last Sunday, Rev.
Mr.. Hart officiating. Interment was
in the new Gene cry one mile west of
/ the village of Lawrence.