Noted Mifflin County Family Hold Reunion on Historic Homestead

Special to the Inquirer

Lewistown, Pa., Jan. 20 - Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bratton and their interesting family of ten sons and daughters held a reunion recently at the old homestead in the southwestern corner of Bratton township. It was on this spot that Samuel Bratton, grandfather of the present owner, cleared away the virgin forest in the early part of the eighteenth century and made a home for himself.

Charles Bratton, Sr., father of Charles, Jr., was born on the old farm in 1798 and he lived on it until his death in 1880. Charles Bratton, Jr., the present owner, was married on March2, 1829, to Susan Taylor. They had twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. The other ten survive, and they, with their families, attended the recent gathering.

In the accompanying picture, the members of the family are shown. They are, reading from left to right and beginning with the rear row: James Meaker, Harry Clay, Enos Franklin, Samuel Silvester, Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Benton, Ambrose Auston, Edwin Garfield; front row: Grace Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. Bratton, and Mary Getrude.

Mr. Bratton voted for Winfield Scott in 1852 and has been a Republican since the party was organized. A copy of the photograph herewith reporduced was sent to President Roosevelt.1

• 1. Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/21/1905