Biography of Julia M Bracken Source History of Jo Daviess County -- 1904 BRACKEN, JULIA M. sculptor, born at Apple River, Jo Daviess County, Ill., June 10, 1871, the daughter of Andrew and Mary (McNamara) Bracken, both natives of Ireland, the former born at Watertown, County Westmeath, and the latter in Dublin. Her paternal grandparents were Thomas and Ann (Hughes) Bracken, and her great-grandparents John and Julia (Murry) Bracken, while her grandparents on the maternal side were Hugh and Julia McNamara-all natives of Ireland, the last born near Dublin. Miss Bracken came to Galena, Ill., with her parents in 1876; in 1887 began her art studies in the Art Institute, Chicago, and between 1887 and 1892 assisted Lorado Taft in his studio, later assisting in the decorations for the World's Columbian Exposition. She also executed a number of indepen- dent commissions. She is now engaged as a sculptor with a studio at No. 19 Studio Building, Chicago. In 1898 she took the first sculptor prize offered in Chicago, and during the last year has executed a statue of James Monroe for the St. Louis Exposition. Miss Bracken is a communicant of the Catholic Church, and is identified with several organizations associated with art work, including the Cosmopolitan Art Club, the Western Society of Artists, the Chicago Society of Artists, the Municipal Art League of Chicago and the Industrial Art I.eague, Chicago-in the last three organizations holding the position of Director. Miss Bracken was first encouraged to study art by Alice B. Stahl, of Galena, Ill., whose helpful sympathy in her work she gratefully acknowledges. ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Dori Leekley