BIO: Reuben O. BRAUCHT, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 339 R. O. BRAUCHT, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Coburn Hotel," is one of the prosperous business men of Penn's Valley, one who has made his own way in the world unaided by capital or influential friends, and at one time served as stable boy at the hotel of which he is now the owner. He was born in Penn township, Centre county, September 10, 1865, a son of William and Harriet (Geary) Braucht. George Braucht, grandfather of our subject, was the first of the family to come to Centre county, his home being previously in Lancaster county, Penn., and in Penn township married Elizabeth Kersteter, a daughter of Leonard Kersteter. They lived upon the farm where the father of our subject spent his entire life, and there reared their seven children, namely: John, of Penn township; Daniel, of Coburn; William, who died near Coburn; Dena, who died near Penn Hall; Sarah, who married John Heckman, and died near the same place; Lydia, wife of Jacob Breon, of Penn Hall; and Elizabeth, wife of William Neese, of Gregg township, Centre county. Upon the homestead farm the parents of these children spent their entire married life, and at their death were buried in the cemetery at Aaronsburg. Both were earnest members of the Reformed Church, and highly respected citizens of the community. William Braucht was born in Penn township, January 11, 1838, and was educated in the country schools near his home. In January, 1865, he married Miss Harriet Geary, who was born in the same township, August 6, 1846, a daughter of Reuben and Catherine (Musser) Geary, in whose family were eight children: Samuel and Mary (twins), the former a resident of Lewisburg. Penn., the latter being the widow of Andrew Stover, and a resident of Coburn; Daniel, of Penn township; Sarah, widow of Michael Rishel, of Brush Valley, Centre county; Philip and Catharine, who died in childhood; Harriet, the mother of our subject; and Diana, who married Simon Wolf, and died in Sugar Valley, Penn. The father of these children, who was an agriculturist, died at the age of seventy on the farm where he had made his home for many years. He was buried at Millheim by the side of his wife, who had died previously in the faith of the Reformed Church, of which he was also a member. When a young man, William Braucht learned the carpenter's trade, and, although he located on a farm after his marriage, was principally employed at his trade. After suffering for two years from heart disease, he died suddenly in September, 1873, and his remains were interred at Aaronsburg. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, but cared nothing for political distinction. In his family were four children: R. O., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth; Abigail, who died at the age of thirteen years; and William, a resident of Glen Union, Penn. The mother continued to reside upon the farm left by him, and is now the wife of Jonathan Dingles, by whom she has two children: Cloy and Frank. She is a consistent member of the Evangelical Church. R. O. Braucht was but a small boy at the time of his father's death, and as his mother's financial condition was not very good, he was deprived of many privileges afforded most boys. Being robust and strong, he left home at the age of twelve years, and began working as a farm hand for Daniel Kramer for $2.50 per month. By nature steady and industrious, he could always find employment, and remained with Mr. Kramer, of Penn township, for two years. His educational privileges were necessarily limited to a few months' attendance, at the country schools during the winter season, and often he was obliged to work for his board. He worked as hostler at the hotel which he now conducts, and also as a farm hand for many of the best farmers of Penn township. At the age of seventeen he went to the lumber woods, where he was variously employed, his first contract being for trucking logs at Poe Mills, and later worked in the sawmill for Luther Guiswite, at Engleby. In the spring of 1886, he went to Stephenson county, Ill., where he worked as a farm hand one summer, and on his return to Centre county again worked at Poe Mills for four years and a half. In the spring of 1891 he became connected with the livery business in Coburn, buying out the establishment of William Kremer, which he conducted for three years, and then purchased the "Coburn Hotel." This property he has greatly improved, making it one of the best hostelries of Penn's Valley. Of an agreeable disposition, and unusual willingness to administer to the wants of his guests, his house has become a favorite with the traveling public. In 1889, in Millheim, Centre county, Mr. Braucht was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary L. Gates, a native of Sunbury, Penn., where her parents, Amos W. and Louisa Gates, still reside. Two children grace their union: Bessie, born March 5, 1890; and Daniel, born April 24, 1893. Mr. Braucht uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, while fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Millheim, and the 340 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Patriotic Order Sons of America at Coburn. Honest in his business dealings, public-spirited and liberal, he has won the confidence and respect of the entire community, and for the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit. 1870 Penn Township, Centre County census - Wm. Brocht, 31 Henrietta Brocht, 26 Ruben D. Brocht, 4 Elizabeth Brocht, 2 Abby Brocht, 1 Elizabeth Brocht, 45 Lina Brocht, 30 Daniel Brocht, 23 1880 Penn Township, Centre County census - Perry H. Stover, 31 Eliza J. Stover, 28 Reuben O.? Bracht, 14 Jane Eisenhurt, 32 William J. Mc Manigle, 26 Wilson Burd, 26