Westmoreland County PA Archives Biographies.....Braden, William D. March 1, 1858 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 12, 2018, 6:52 pm Source: See Below Author: See Below WILLIAM D. BRADEN, one of the enterprising and intelligent young farmers of the county is a son of David and Eliza (Offner) Braden, and was born March 1, 1858, in Derry township, Westmoreland county, Pa. His grandfather, James Braden, was a native of the Emerald Isle, and immigrated to America, locating in Derry township, Westmoreland county, Pa., about the close of the eighteenth century, where David Braden (father) was born March 17, 1821. David Braden was the son of a farmer and worked by the day and by the month until after he attained his majority. At the age of about twenty-six he and his brother George purchased a farm on which they worked together for six years, and then bought another near the village of Bradensville, Pa. When the farms had both been paid for they dissolved partnership, each taking a farm. David Braden besides farming then began buying stock and shipping it to the eastern markets, which continued throughout his life. His business prospered and he acquired considerable property. He purchased two more farms in Derry township, on one of which he built two houses; ten lots in West Latrobo and two houses in Bradenville. When he began life for himself he had practically nothing, but he made good use of his time and his industry was well rewarded. Mr. Braden was a member of the United Brethren church and a strictly moral, conscientious man. He was cheerful, charitable and generous and no man however poor ever went from his door unfed or unclothed. David Braden married January 7,1847, Eliza, daughter of John Offner, of Lancaster county, Pa., and they had six children, three of whom are living: Harrison, a merchant of Bradenville, who is married to Martha, daughter of George Trauger, of near Pleasant Unity, Pa.; Anna H., wife of J. K. Ellwood, of Adamsburg, Pa., and William D. George Lincoln Braden died January 15, 1899, leaving a wife and two children. David Braden departed this life November 10, 1879, and his wife Eliza (Offner) Braden, who was born April 18, 1823, survives him. William D. Braden was educated in the public schools of his native township, a normal school in Topeka, Kansas, and in Mount Union college near Alliance, Ohio. For three years he successfully wielded the birch in the school room, then began farming which he still follows. He owns and occupies the old homestead farm, besides which he owns another farm, two houses in Derry borough, three in Bradenville and property in West Latrobe. He is genial, kindhearted, hospitable and liberal, a respected citizen, an indulgent parent and an honest manthe noblest work of God. Like his father he is a stanch republican and an active worker for his party. He married January 11, 1883, Hulda L., daughter of William Burd, and to their union have been born four children: Delia E., Dayton Earl, Mary S. and Ann Eliza. Mrs. W. D. Braden's grandfather was Maj. Simeon Burd, who was a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., and her father was William Burd, who was born March 18, 1826, in Unity township, not far from Latrobe, Pa. He was a blacksmith and a farmer, and married Mary, a daughter of John Mitchell, and to them were born seven children, four of whom are living: Hulda L., Simeon E., Harmon F. and George M. William Burd died May 29, 1886. and his wife remains on the old homestead. Additional Comments: Extracted from Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Compiled and Published by John M. Gresham & Co. Samuel T. Wiley, Chief Assistant 1890 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb