Lucas-Dubuque-Polk County IA Archives Biographies.....Braden, Joseph 1831 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 14, 2007, 7:36 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896) HONORABLE JOSEPH BRADEN.- Among the representative early settlers of Chariton none are more worthy of mention in a work of this character than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. With the political and business history of this city he has long been identified, and his labors in behalf of Chariton and her best interests have been effective and valuable. He was born in London, England, March 8, 1831, and acquired his education in his native city, where he engaged with his father in the grocery business until twenty years of age. He then came to America, but the family remained in London, where the parents both died. The father, Alexander McDonald Braden, was a merchant engaged in both the wholesale and retail grocery trade, and to that industry he gave his time and attention throughout his entire business career. He also owned and operated an oatmeal manufactory, making what was called "prepared groats." He married Miss Frances Eleanor Foulks, who died when our subject was a lad of twelve summers, and the father died about twenty years ago. Their family consisted of seven children, only three of whom are now living, namely: Charles, who owns and operates the old oatmeal manufactory in London; Henry, who is living a retired life in England, both being quite well-to-do; and Joseph. When the last named arrived in this country he came at once to Iowa and located in Dubuque, where soon afterward he accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in the service of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., then State Superintendent of Public Instruction. His services consisted mostly in examining the books and making settlements with school-fund commissioners throughout the State. The accounts with this fund had before that been very loosely kept, and his task, therefore, proved a difficult one; but affairs were usually adjusted satisfactorily, so that the State was not the loser. In this capacity Mr. Braden traveled most of the time for six or seven months in company with Mr. Benton, who delivered lectures on educational topics while Mr. Braden made his settlements with school funds. He next entered the United States land office at Dubuque, and in 1853 came to Chariton in charge of the United States land office here, serving in that capacity until 1858, with the exception of one year. In 1857 he was appointed register of the United States land office in Chariton,-his previous service having been under the superintendence of others. During all this time he handled many thousands of dollars daily, and yet not a dollar was ever lost to the Government or to himself. When it is known that there was not a bank or place of safe deposit in the entire country, the enormous risk and careful management will be better understood. The office was removed to Des Moines in 1858, and Mr. Braden then engaged in the banking or exchange business for a short time. During President Buchanan's administration he was appointed Postmaster of Chariton and served until after the inauguration of President Lincoln, when he resigned. His next field of labor was merchandising, in which he was extensively engaged. Enterprising and persevering, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and in this new undertaking he likewise prospered. But his efficient public service is too well known for him to remain long in the privacy of his own business interests, and he was called to serve as City Treasurer of Chariton, to which position he has since been elected and re-elected, without opposition, until he has now filled that office for fifteen years. His faithfulness to every trust reposed in him is well known, and a thorough reliability and conscientiousness has gained him the unlimited confidence and respect of all. He was for some time a member of the Board of Education, and served as its president for two terms. Mr. Braden was married in Dubuque county, Iowa, in December, 1854, to Miss Emily Waterhouse, a native of London, England, who came to Iowa with her parents, now deceased. Her brother, William Waterhouse, made his home wit!"* our subject until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the service of his country, and died at St. Louis. Her only living brother is George, a farmer residing in Farley, Dubuque county. Mr. and Mrs. Braden have never had any children of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Emily Braden, who was born in London, England, and is a daughter of George Braden, a brother of our subject. She is now the wife of Howard Culbertson and resides in Wallace, Nebraska. In connection with his other business interests Mr. Braden is vice president of the First National Bank of Chariton and is the receiver for the Fitzgerald & Mallory Construction Company and superintends the clerical work therewith. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. In his political views he has been a life-long Democrat and by that party has been elected to the various offices which he has filled. Although the city and county are strongly Republican, the people recognize his sterling worth, and his great personal popularity wins him a large following. He has also been the candidate of his party for the office of County Clerk. A gentleman of broad experience in public affairs with a record unsullied as an official and business man, we gladly give him a place among the representative men of the State of Iowa. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA ILLUSTRATED "A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."'—MACAULAY. "Biography is by nature the must universally profitable, universally pleasant, of all things."—CARLYLE "History is only biography on a large scale"—LAMARTINE. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1896 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/lucas/bios/braden155gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb