NOTE: This is not intended to
be a complete genealogy of the Bracken family. It only shows the results that I
just happened across while researching the Orner-Bracken family connections.
Thomas Bracken (son of William Wakefield and Ruth Gregg), born about 1766 in York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania; died after the 1850 census in Cambria County, Pennsylvania; married to Margaret Wakefield (daughter of David Wakefield and Mary Wade, both born in Ireland) who apparently died before the 1850 census.
[Bracken family ancestry is on page 009 of the Bracken Genealogy transcription, posted on the Indiana County GenWeb site.] [Bracken family genealogy is also on Scott Williams’ website.]
1850 Census: Thomas Bracken, page 198, visit 063/065, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania.
They had at least eleven children, including:
Thomas Bracken, born 04 July 1803; died 20 May 1882 in Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania; married 22 December 1832 to Mary Davis who was born 18 April 1819 in Pennsylvania and died 09 August 1889. 1850 Census: Thomas Bracken, page 332, visit 168/168, Pine, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1860 Census: Thomas Bracken, page 059, visit 068/066, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1870 Census: Thomas Bracken, page 035, visit 054/054, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: Thomas Bracken, page 462, visit 025/025, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. Known children:
Isaac Bracken, born about 31 December 1833; died 12 April 1856 aged 22 years, 03 months, 13 days(14). He is buried at Union Cemetery at Strongstown, Indiana, Pennsylvania.
William Bracken, born 16 May 1836(14); died 05 March 1913(14); married 1866-67 to Elisabeth Duncan (daughter of William Duncan) who was born 28 March 1841(14) in Pennsylvania and died 19 December 1920(14). He was a lumberman; later a farmer; later a watchman; later he worked at a steel mill. 1870 Census: Wm. Bracken, page 035, visit 053/053, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: William Bracken, page 461, visit 002/002, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: William Bracken, page 253, visit 113/124, West Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: William Bracken, page 073, visit 082/097, West Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery in Middle Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. Children: Franklin Bracken, born about March 1867; Charles O. Bracken, born about July 1868, 1910 Census: (single, with parents); Flora May Bracken, born about September 1870, 1910 Census: (single, with parents); Taylor Bracken, born about December 1871, married 1894-95 to Rosella ______ who was born about April 1872 in Pennsylvania, he was a railroad brakeman, later he worked at a steel mill, 1900 Census: Taylor Bracken, page 253, visit 112/123, West Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Harry Alfred Bracken, born 19 July 1873(40), married Emma ______, he was a crane operator at Cambria Steel Company(40), he registered for the WWI Draft at Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Mary A. Bracken, born about October 1875.
Davis Bracken, born about December 1839; died before the 1910 census; married 1862-63 to Isabel M. ______ who was born about June 1838 in Pennsylvania. He was a lumberman; later a farmer. 1870 Census: David Bracken, page 035, visit 055/055, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: Davis Bracken, page 461, visit 001/001, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Davis Bracken, page 141, visit 179/182, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Belle M. Bracken (widow, with son Elmer). They had ten children, two of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children: John Wakefield Bracken, born about 1864, married to Lizzie ______ who was born about 1863 in Pennsylvania, he worked at a saw mill, 1910 Census: John W. Bracken, page 247, visit 293/299, Dunlo District, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Harrison S. Bracken, born about 1866; George H. Bracken, born about November 1868, married 1890-91 to Maggie ______ who was born about July 1873 in Pennsylvania, he was a coal miner, 1910 Census: George H. Bracken, page 246, visit 187/191, Vintondale borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Laura B. Bracken, born about 1870; Alice Bracken, born about 1872; Anna May Bracken, born about 1874; Mary Blanche Bracken, born about 1877; Thomas S. Bracken, born about 1879; Elmer Roy Bracken, born 06 November 1883(40), he was a fireman at a coal mine, 1910 Census: Elmer Bracken (single), page 236, visit 096/101, Dunlo District, Cambria, Pennsylvania.
Henderson Bracken, born 1843(14); died 1930(14); married 1871-72 to Sarah E. George who was born 1843(14) in Pennsylvania and died 1927(14). He was a farmer. He served in Company D, 206th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. 1880 Census: H. Bracken, page 196, visit 111/121, Buffington, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Hendren Bracken, page 119, visit 063/064, Buffington, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Henderson Bracken, page 102, visit 208/212, Buffington, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1920 Census: Henderson Bracken, page 197, visit 006/009, Indiana (2nd Ward), Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1930 Census: Henderson Bracken (widower, with son-in-law Harvey W. Orner), page 278, visit 484/530, Youngwood borough, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Pineland Cemetery at Strongstown, Indiana, Pennsylvania, (their gravestone). Children:
+ Mary Olive Bracken, born 30 April 1873(14); married DANIEL GRANT6 ORNER.
+ William George Bracken, born 07 October 1874(17)(36)(40); married MARTHA BELLE6 ORNER.
Jennie S. Bracken, born 07 October 1876(14); died 1949(14) in Pine; married 1895-96 to Alexander Bennett (son of Abraham B. Bennett and Margaret C. McAdams, and brother of William T. Bennett who married Mary Gertrude7 Orner) who was born 04 December 1872(14)(but SSDI says 02 December(17)) in Indiana County and died 14 May 1971(14) at Indiana, Indiana, Pennsylvania(17). He and his brother William owned a hotel in 1900; later he was a farmer. He served as President of the Homer City State Bank for 62 years. 1900 Census: Alex Bennett, page 049, visit 034/038, Indiana (2nd Ward), Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Alex Bennett, page 102, visit 192/196, Buffington, Indiana, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Pineland Cemetery. They had no children.
Dillie A. Bracken, born 05 October 1878(14); died 02 September 1898(14); unmarried. She is buried at Pineland Cemetery.
+ Ella Mae Bracken, born 04 July 1881; married HARVEY WILLMER6 ORNER.
Ada Pearl Bracken, born 07 August 1886(17); died May 1968 at Canton, Bradford, Pennsylvania(17); married 1905-06 to Homer Regnal Geesey (son of Franklin and Priscilla Geesey) who was born 04 June 1883(40) in Indiana County. He was a carpenter. He registered for the WWI Draft in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Homer Geesey (with her parents). 1920 Census: Homer R. Geesey, page 101, visit 087/088, Penn, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. Known children: Edgar H. Geesey, born 24 October 1908(17), died June 1987 at Jeannette, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania(17); Paul L. Geesey, born 05 May 1911(17), died September 1984 at Greensburg, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania(17).
Sarah J. Bracken, born 15 March 1846; married 25 February 1864 to Edward H. Baird.
Samuel Bracken, born 27 April 1850; died 16 December 1896; married to Mary Ann Stewart.
Thomas J. Bracken, born about May 1851; died 1925; married 1875-76 to Mary Emma ______ who was born about February 1856 in Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter at a steel mill. 1880 Census: Thos J. Bracken, page 257, visit 060/060, Prospect borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Thomas J. Bracken, page 021, visit 176/178, Johnstown (18th Ward), Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Thomas J. Bracken, page 266, visit 062/062, Johnstown (20th Ward), Cambria, Pennsylvania. They had ten children, eight of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children: Edna S. Bracken, born about November 1888; Clifford Hiram Bracken, born 11 October 1897(40), he registered for the WWI Draft in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
John Wesley Bracken, born 04 September 1857(14); died 19 February 1931(14); married 1876-77 to Theresa Belle Empfield (daughter of Thomas J. and Mary Empfield) who was born 1859(14) in Blacklick and died 1944(14). He was a farmer. 1880 Census: John Bracken, page 462, visit 026/026, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: John W. Bracken, page 132, visit 048/049, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: John Bracken, page 083, visit 281/300, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Belsano Methodist Cemetery at Belsano, Cambria, Pennsylvania. They had thirteen children, four of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children: Edward Burk Bracken, born 16 October 1878(40), married 1902-03 to Bertha M. ______ who was born about 1882 in Pennsylvania, he was a teamster at Inland Coal Company(40), 1910 Census: Edward Bracken, page 087, visit 249/276, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Thomas Kebler Bracken, born 29 July 1879(40), married 1905-06 to Hazel ______ who was born about 1888 in Pennsylvania, he was a coal miner, 1910 Census: Thomas Bracken, page 086, visit 328/349, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Gillis Doty Bracken, born 03 April 1885(40), married 1902-03 to Sarah ______ who was born about 1884 in Pennsylvania, he was a coal miner, 1910 Census: Gillis Bracken, page 087, visit 255/282, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania; William Roy Bracken, born 16 November 1886(40); Katherine Belle Bracken, born about September 1888; Jesse Hale Bracken, born 15 October 1890(40); Alton Russel Bracken, born 04 March 1894(40); Harry McKinley Bracken, born 23 November 1896(40); Danell? Bracken (daughter), born about 1904.
Jonathan Bracken, born about 1809; died before the 1880 census; married to Martha Empfield who was born about 1815 in Pennsylvania. He was a wagon maker. 1850 Census: Johnathan Bracken, page 328, visit 115/115, Pine, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1860 Census: Jonathan Bracken, page 368, visit 1477/1418, East Wheatfield, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1870 Census: Jonathan Bracken, page 221, visit 042/042, East Wheatfield, Indiana, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: Martha Bracken (widow), page 159, visit 108/130, Millville borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania. Known children: Wesley S. Bracken, born about 1836; Henrietta Bracken, born about 1838; Delila Bracken, born about 1839; Sarah A. Bracken, born about 1842; Eliza Bracken, born about 1844; Harry Ellis Bracken, born about 1846; Jefferson W. Bracken, born about September 1849, married 1873-74 to Sarah ______ who was born about October 1849 in Pennsylvania, he was a carpenter, they had five children; Eleanor Bracken, born about 1853; Catharine Bracken, born about 1857; George Woodruff Bracken, born about July 1859, married 1886-87 to Mary E. ______ who was born about June 1860 in Pennsylvania, he was a locomotive engineer, they had seven children, three of whom died young.
James W. Bracken, born about 1811; died about 1875; married to Anne Elizabeth Willis who was born about 1812 in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. 1850 Census: James Bracken (with his father), page 198, visit 063/065, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1860 Census: James Bracken, page 060, visit 073/071, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1870 Census: James Bracken, page 035, visit 042/042, Blacklick, Cambria, Pennsylvania. Known children:
William W. Bracken, born about December 1833; married 1863-64 to Letha E. ______ who was born about February 1846 in Missouri. 1870 Census: W. W. Bracken, page 321, visit 134/136, German, Madison, Missouri. 1880 Census: William W. Bracken, page 068, visit 266/277, Marquand village, Madison, Missouri. 1900 Census: W. W. Bracken, page 102, visit 015/018, Portland (11th Ward), Multnomah, Oregon. They had five children, two of whom died before the 1900 census. [Descendant Chester Markley.] Known children, most born in Missouri: Laura M. Bracken, born about 1866 in Pennsylvania; Birdelle R. Bracken, born about 1869; Kitty A. Bracken, born about 1871; Eddy L. Bracken, born about 1879.
Nathaniel Bracken, born about 1835.
Caroline Bracken, born about 1837; married to Jacob Garmon.
Margaret Bracken, born about 1839; married to David H. Keller.
James S. Bracken, born about April 1842; married 22 June 1877 to Malvina S. Willis.
Susanna Bracken, born about 1846.
Catharine J. Bracken, born about 1849; married to ______ Davis.
+ Johanna Bracken, born 12 April 1851(14); married AMOS DINNINGER5 ORNER.
Mary Elizabeth Bracken, born about 1852; married to _____ Wilson.
David H. Bracken, born about 1815; married to Christeann Rager (daughter of Jacob and Mary Rager) who was born about 1820 in Pennsylvania and died before the 1900 census. He was a farmer. 1850 Census: David Bracken, page 198, visit 065/067, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1860 Census: David Bracken, page 323, visit 2984/3021, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1870 Census: David Bracken, page 292, visit 046/046, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: David Bracken, page 285, visit 025/026, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: David Bracken (widower, with son-in-law John Goughnour). Known children:
Jacob Bracken, born 1840(14); died 28 August 1921(14); married first after the 1860 census to Barbara Flockmer who was born 20 July 1842(14) and died 05 April 1891(14); married second 1892-93 to Alice ______ who was born about December 1855 in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. 1870 Census: Jacob Bracken, page 292, visit 043/043, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: Jacob Bracken, page 293, visit 151/155, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Jacob Bracken, page 153, visit 116/121, Cambria, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Jacob Bracken, page 024, visit 346/419, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. He and Barbara are buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery in Middle Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. Known children with first wife: Christeann “Anne” Bracken, born 07 May 1863(14), died 16 January 1918(14), married 1889-90 to Solomon B. Goughnour (son of Jonas F. Goughnour and Hannah H. Benshoff, and brother of John A., below) who was born 04 January 1857(14) and died 05 April 1893(14), they are buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery, they had two children; David Bracken, born about November 1865, married 1891-92 to Christina Wess? who was born about 1871 in Pennsylvania, he was a farmer, 1910 Census: David Bracken, page 023, visit 366/387, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Mary Jane Bracken, born about 1868; Ellen Bracken, born about 1872; Catharine Bracken, born about 1874; William Lewis Bracken, born 01 September 1877(14)(40), died 1959(14), married 1898-99 to Jennie Minerva Peters who was born [about April] 1880(14) in Pennsylvania and died 1951(14), 1900 Census: Wm L. Bracken, page 249, visit 047/049, Rosedale borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania, they are buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery. [Jacob had more one child (who died young) with his second wife.]
Margaret Ann Bracken, born about 1841.
William I. Bracken, born about 1842.
Mary Bracken, born about 1844; died 06 June 1908(14); married 1867-68 to Aaron Stutzman (son of Jacob Stutzman and Catherine Knable) who was born about June 1848 and died 21 September 1923(14). He was a farmer. 1870 Census: Aaron Stutzman, page , visit 048/049, Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: Aaron Stutzman, page 242, visit 058/063, Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Aaron Stutzman, page 260, visit 244/265, West Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery in Middle Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. They had seven children, two of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children: Christian Stutzman, born about 1869, [not with parents in 1880]; Albert C. Stutzman, born about 1872; Catherine J. Stutzman, born about 1876; Harry Elmer Stutzman, born 14 August 1879(40), married Susan ______, he was Assistant Superintendent of Grandview Cemetery at Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania(40); William Henry Stutzman, born 18 March 1882(40), married Bertha ______, he worked in “agriculture” for Cambria Steel Company in Upper Yoder, Cambria, Pennsylvania(40); Elda May Stutzman, born about June 1886.
Catherine Bracken, born about 1846.
Elizabeth Bracken, born about 1848.
David Bracken, born about 1850 after the census.
Sarah J. Bracken, born about 1853.
Christina Bracken, born [about November] 1857(14); died 28 July 1939(14); married 1879-80 to John Albert Goughnour (son of Jonas F. Goughnour and Hannah H. Benshoff, and brother of Solomon, above) who was born 18 April 1859(14) and died 22 October 1912(14). He was a farmer. 1900 Census: John A. Goughnour, page 219, visit 109/111, Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery in Middle Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania. Known children: William Irvin Goughnour, born probably 09 June 1881 (month and year from 1900 census)[although WWI draft registration says 1882(40), but also says age 37 (as of 09 September 1918) which would also figure out to 1881]; David Jonas Goughnour, born 07 May 1884(40), married Martha W. ______; Oscar D. Goughnour, born 08 August 1886(40), ; Edith Viola Goughnour, born 21 January 1888(14), died 22 October 1967(14), married Elmer Harvey Boyer who was born 24 June 1887 at Juneau, Pennsylvania(40), he was a coal miner(40), she is buried at Benshoff Hill Cemetery; Charles Boyed? Goughnour, born 22 January 1894(40).
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