Bratton Reunion 1906

Will Be Held at Ryde, Mifflin County, on Saturday

Our Juniata correspondent sends the following:

Last year the members of the Bratton family held a grand reunion in Mifflin county and the affair was such an unqualified success that it was decided to make it an annual event. The invitation for the second family reunion is:

"All persons who are in any way related to the Bratton tribe, are cordially invited to prepare a basket of provision and be present at the second reunion, to be held on the Charles Bratton homestead, near Ryde, Mifflin county, rain or shine, Saturday, September 14, 1907."

There will probably be present at this reunion several residents of Juniata: H. A. Bratton and wife, Logan Bratton and Mr. and Mrs. Will Thompson and family, all of 616 Third Avenue; also Joseph Bratton, wife and daughter, of Fourth avenue. Several other residents of the borough who are especially close friends of the Brattons may also attend.

The leading member of the family in this section is the genial ex-postman, Harvey A. Bratton. This prominent citizen has not been enjoying perfect health for some time, but is at present somewhat improved. He was an active participant in the [incomplete] ..from the railroad company's service and return to his fine farm in Mifflin county. Mr. Bratton is 65 years of age and has spent his life in the quiet pursuits of peace with the exception of about three years of wearing the union blue in the south.

Mr. Bratton's army record began on August 10, 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, 131st Pennsylvania Volunteers. In this regiment and during a sussequent enlistment in Company A, 205th Pennsylvania Volunteers, he served his country in many of the battles of the Civil War. He was an active participant in the battles of South Mountain, AAntietam, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Appomattox and many others. One of Mr. Bratton's most interesting reminiscences of the war is concerning the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox. He witnessed the rebel leader's formal surrender to General Grant and loves to tell of Grant's magnanimous return of Lee's sword. Mr. and Mrs. Bratton are pioneer residents of the borough and he was a member of the first councilman body of the town. After sixteen years residence in Juniata he proposes to this fall return permanently to the fertile farm in Mifflin county. He will spend his remaining years in directing the management of the farm and looking after his timber interests.1

• 1. Altoona Tribune, 9/9/1907