Joseph John Bracket

Joseph John Bracket was born in August of 1856 in Italy.  His parents are listed as John “Brachet” and Mary “Kusser”.  On 09 Jul 1891 in Rutland, La Salle County, Illinois Joseph John “Brachet” married Mary “Patton”.  This record gives Mary’s father as Thomas “Patton” and mother as Catherine “Mcgeough”.  After the marriage Joseph and Mary Brachet moved to Wenona, Illinois.  The town of Wenona is partly in La Salle County and partly in Marshall County. 

Note:  I believe this name may have been Brachetti or Brachotti in Italy and was Americanized to Brachet/Bracket.

The 1900 census of Evans Township of Marshall County, Illinois includes:

Brachet, Joseph J. born Aug 1856 in Italy

Brachet, Mary P. born   Dec 1857 in Illinois

Brachet, Katie born Jan 1892 in Illinois

Brachet, Joseph T. born Sep 1894 in Illinois

Brachet, Nora born Sep 1897 in Illinois

Note:  This record indicates Joseph immigrated in 1880 and was naturalized.

The 1910 census of Benton Township of Berrien County, Michigan includes:

 

Bracket, Joseph age 49 born in Italy farmer

Bracket, Mary age 50 born in Illinois

Bracket, Catherine age 17 born in Illinois

Bracket, Joseph age 15 born in Illinois

Bracket, Nora age 12 born in Illinois

Bracket, Louise age 7 born in Illinois

Mary (Patten) Bracket died in 1913 and Joseph in 1919.  Both are buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor, Michigan. 

 

The News Palladium carried the following death information about Mary (Patten) Bracket:

11 Jan 1913 “Mrs. Bracket Dead-The death of Mrs. Bracket occurred this morning at the home in Benton Township and followed a lingering illness of about a year’s duration.  A husband and four children, one son and three daughters remain. Services will be held from St. John’s Catholic church Monday morning at 10 o’clock.”

13 Jan 1913 “High Mass Was Sung At Funeral, Monday At 10 o’clock Monday morning high mass was sung at St. John’s Catholic Church for Mrs. Joseph Bracket, who passed away on Friday.  Quite a large company of friends attended the funeral services.  The bearers were Messrs. John Oelhoffen, Frank Deittle, Frank Yore, William Cheevers, Edward O’Brien and Wm. Bradley.  Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery.”

“Obituary:  News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Mich.,-On Friday evening, Jan 10, occurred the death of Mrs. Mary Bracket at her home near Pearl Grange after a lingering illness of over a year.  Although after being ill for so long a time death came as a shock to her many relatives and friends.  Mrs. Bracket, formerly Miss Mary Patten, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Patten, was born at Magnolia, Ill., Dec. 4, 1858.  When but a child he moved with her parents to Rutland, Ill., residing there until after her marriage with John J. Bracket on July 9, 1891, afterwards moving to Wenona, Ill.  Four children, three daughters and one son, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bracket, Kathryn, Joseph, Nora and Louise, all at home.  Seven years ago the moved to this city, and purchased a farm southeast of the city, where they lived until the time of her death.  Besides the husband and children, two brothers and a sister, Thos. Patten and Mrs. Nora Flynn of Rutland, Ill., and P. W. Patten, who lives on a farm adjoining, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving sister.  Mrs. Bracket was a devoted wife and mother and will be greatly missed by her family.  Although suffering a long time she was always patient. Her first thought was always for her children who did all that was in their power to help her, but to no avail.  The remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery.  Out of town relatives who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Patten, Miss Mary Patten, Mrs. James Flynn and daughter, Miss Nora, from Rutland, Ill.”

The News Palladium carried these death notices for Joseph Bracket:  10 May 1919 “Joseph Bracket Dies Following An Operation Joseph J. Bracket of Napier avenue died this morning at 9:30 o’clock at Mercy hospital.  He was operated upon Wednesday morning but failed to rally.  Deceased was a well known resident of this community, owning a farm on Napier avenue.  He has resided in the vicinity for the past ten years, was sixty one years of age and leaves one son, Joseph B. Bracket, a student at Kalamazoo college, and three daughters, Katherine, Nora and Louise.  His wife died several years ago.  Mr. Bracket was a member of the St. John’s Catholic church.  The funeral will be held Monday morning at 9 o’clock at St. John’s Catholic church, with burial at Calvery cemetery.” 

12 May 1919 “Joseph Bracket Buried Today Funeral services were held this morning at St. John’s Catholic church for the late Joseph J. Bracket, Sr. a farmer residing on Napier avenue road.  Rev. Father D. Mulcahy officiated.  Burial was at Calvary cemetery where the late wife of the deceased rests.  Bearers were Messers. Frank Yore, Mat Yore, Phillip O’Brien, Timothy O’Brien, Edward Burks and Wm. Cheevers.  The only son, Joseph Bracket, Jr. will remain on the farm with his sisters, Katherine, Nora and Louise, the two former being teachers in the rural districts.  He had about four more weeks of his college courses at Kalamazoo before the college … for summer vacation, but his father’s death will prevent him finishing.” 

There is a World War I draft registration card for who appears to be the son of Joseph and Mary Bracket.  Joseph T. Brackett who was born on 12 Sep 1894 in Wenona, Illinois was reportedly living in Kalamazoo Michigan when he was registered on 05 Jun 1917.  He was a patient in a TB sanatorium at that time.  He appears to be one in the same as the Joseph T. Bracket buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska.

Nora Bracket can be found in the 1920-30 census of St. Joseph, Michigan.  She is listed as a teacher.  When she was 50 years of age she married on 09 Dec 1948 to Francis Burton Loshbough.  She died on 12 Nov 1969 and they are buried in the Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph, Michigan. 

The News Palladium carried an obituary for Nora Loshbough on 13 Nov 1969 and it reads:  “Mrs. Burton (Nora B.) Loshbough, 72, of 1603 South State street, St Joseph, was dead on arrival at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial hospital.  Mrs. Loshbough was born in Rutland, Ill., Sept. 12, 1897, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bracket.  She was a retired teacher in the Benton Harbor and Battle Creek school systems.  Surviving are her husband Burton, whom she married on Dec. 9, 1949, in St. Joseph; two sisters, Mrs. Kathryn Burr of St. Joseph and Mrs. Louise Best of Traverse City.  Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph Catholic church.  The Rev. Edwin F. Schoettle will be the celebrant.  Burial will be in Resurrection cemetery.  Friends may call at the Kerlikowske and Starks funeral home.”  

Kathryn Bracket married on 22 Oct 1921 in Berrien County to Edward Burr.  The 1940 census indicates she was a substitute teacher in a parochial school. She died on 10 Mar 1972.  They are buried in the Spring Run Cemetery, Royalton Township.

The News Palladium carried an obituary for Kathryn Burr on 11 Mar 1972 and it reads:  “Burr Rites Set Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the St. Joseph Catholic church for Mrs. Kathryn Burr, 80, of 519 Colfax avenue, Benton Harbor.  The Rev. James O’Leary will serve as celebrant.  Burial will be in Spring Run cemetery, Scottdale.  The Rosary will be recited Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Kerley and Starks funeral home where friends may call after 7 p.m. today.  Mrs. Burr was born Jan. 5, 1892, in Rutland, Ill.  She was a graduate of Benton Harbor high school and Western Michigan University and had taught school in Berrien county for over 25 years.  Her husband, Edward, whom she married in 1921, preceded her in death in 1958.  Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Louise Best of Traverse City.  A sister, Mrs. Nora Loshbough, and a brother, Joseph Brackett, preceded her in death.” 

Louise Bracket can be found in the 1930-40 census and city records of Niles, Michigan.  She is recorded as being a teacher.  She married J. W. Best and lived in Traverse City, Michigan in 1970 and then retired to Florida.  She is one in the same as the Louise Best who is buried in Resurrection Cemetery, St. Joseph, Michigan who died in Pinellas, Florida in 1987.  She was born on 02 Dec 1902 and died on 29 Sep 1987.  The Herald Palladium carried an obituary for Louise Best on 03 Oct 1987 and it reads:  “Louise Best, 85, of 15H Tahitian Gardens, Holiday, Fla., former area resident, died Tuesday in Tarpon Springs, Fla.  Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at resurrection Cemetery, St. Joseph.  Arrangements are by Kerley & Starks Funeral Home. St. Joseph.  She was born Dec 2, 1902, in Rutland, Ill., and was a former manager of Avon Distributing.  There are no known relatives.”  Louise is buried next to her sister, Nora (Bracket) Loshbough.  The 1945 Niles City Directory shows Mrs. J. W. Best living at the same address where Louise lived in 1942.  There is a James William Best, found in Niles records, that appears to be the person she married but no marriage record has been located.