Eaton Co., Michigan - USGenWeb Archives - Biographies
************************************************

Copyright.  All rights reserved.

http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm

************************************************



Submitted by Cindy Bryant 


ABNER H. BRAINARD, one of the honored and respected citizens of
Eaton Rapids, was born in Greene County, NY, August 29, 1810. 
His parents were Zachariah and Jane (Wheeler) Brainard, whose
four children were named Phoebe, Zachariah, Levi, and Abner H. 
The latter grew to manhood in Greene County, receiving such
educational advantages as were common in that day.  Upon
attaining years of maturity he was united in marriage with Miss
Cornelia M. Dedrick, of Greene County, and to them were born
five children, three whom lived to be adults: Francis M, William
D, and James B.



	About 1840 Mr. Brainard emigrated to Delaware Co, Ohio, where
he followed his trade of carpenter and joiner.  Long before the
reaper and binder were known, hand cradles were used, and being
in demand he engaged with a company to manufacture them.  He was
also employed in the same way as foreman in the Columbus State
Prison.  In 1846 he removed to Jackson, Mich., where he had
charge of the same business in the Jackson Penitentiary.  In
1856 he located in Eaton Rapids, where he is still living.  His
good wife has passed away.  All of their children enlisted in
the Sixth Michigan Infantry, and served with credit and honor
during the late war; James, the youngest, was promoted to be
Second Lieutenant at New Orleans, and died in June, 1864, of
disease contracted in the army; William D., was mustered out as
First Lieutenant, after an army career characterized by striking
bravery and courage.  For further particulars see his sketch on
another page of this volume.



Taken from "Portrait Biographical Album of Barry and Eaton
Counties, Mich." Chicago: Chapman Bros, 1891. pages 793, 794