The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, March 22, 1906 All Chariton mourns the death of JOSEPH BRADEN, one of our pioneer citizens, which occurred at his home on Braden Avenue on Monday morning, March 19, 1906, at 4:30 o'clock, after an illness of several months with intestinal indigestion. While it had been known for some time that his condition was critical yet his death was a shock to all and has brought sadness to the hearts of all who knew him, for Chariton never had a better or more upright citizen than JOSEPH BRADEN. Largely attended funeral services conducted by Rev. W.S. McCullagh, were held at two o'clock yesterday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church, where for so many years he had been one of the most devout and faithful worshippers. The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful, tender tributes to the memory of one who was loved by all who knew him. At the close of the service the remains were tenderly laid to rest in the Chariton Cemetery to await the resurrection morn. JOSEPH BRADEN was born in London, England, on March 8, 1831. He acquired his education in that city and there engaged with his father in the grocery business until he was twenty years of age. he then came to America and located in Dubuque, Iowa, where he accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in the service of Thomas H. Benton, Jr., then State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He next entered the United States land office at Dubuque. In 1853 he came to Chariton and was in charge of the U.S. land office here, serving in that capacity until 1868 when the office was moved to Des Moines. He sold the first and last tracts of land disposed of through this office. He then engaged in the banking or exchange business for a short time. During President Buchanan's administration he was appointed (*can't read - paper torn; looks like postmaster of ?) and served until after the inauguration of Lincoln, when he resigned. His next field of labor was merchandising in which ! he was extensively engaged. For twenty-five consecutive years he has filled the office of City Treaturer, being repeatedly re-elected to that position. He was for some time a member of the Board of Education and served as its President for two terms. He was President of the First National Bank and had acted in that capacity for several years. During his long and honorable service to the public he was faithful to every trust and every duty was well performed. His labors have always been in behalf of the best interests of Chariton and as a fitting tribute of esteem all places of business in the city were closed yesterday afternoon while the funeral services were being held. Deceased was married in Cascade, Dubuque Co., Iowa, on December 10, 1855, to EMILY WATERHOUSE, also a native of London, England. No children were ever born to them but they reared an adopted daughter, EMILY BRADEN, who was a daughter of his brother GEORGE, and who is now the wife of HOWARD CULBERTSON of this city. MR. BRADEN had been an active member of the Presbyterian Church for many years and had ably filled all the offices in the church from Sabbath School Teacher and Superintendent to Elder, which position he filled at the time of his death. He lived a faithful Christian life and was extremely conscientious and upright in all his dealings. During his connection with the land office large sums of money were continually passing through his hands and although the building was void of bolt or bar, such was his vigilance that not a dollar was ever lost or stolen. He was a deep student and had a mind richly stored. He was not perhaps what would be considered a leader of men, but he exerted that silent influence that molds and shapes the course of events and leads to good results. In him Chariton had a citizen they could ill afford to lose. Full of years, full of honor, full of all that will make the name cherished in memory, the life of JOSEPH BRADEN has gone from earth to that s! weet reward God has promised. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursdday, March 29, 1906 'IN MEMORIAM' - - - - The session of the First Presbyterian Church of Chariton, Iowa, deeply realizing their loss in the death of Elder JOSEPH BRADEN, which occurred at his home in Chariton, Iowa, March 19, 1906, desiring to record their high appreciation of him as a member and as an officer in this church, declare, That in his 40 years of membership with us, 38 of which as Ruling Elder, and about 20 years its Treasurer, he has, in every capacity, been faithful to the Great Head of the church, faithful to his fellow members and of untarnished integrity to every official obligation. As a member he was charitable to all; as the Church Treasurer he not only handled the church funds in strict conformity to duty, but he often advanced from his own private funds, money with which to meet the church's obligations; while as Ruling Elder he was wise in counsel, conservative in discipline and true to his ordination vows, taken in assuming the duties of that high and responsible position. While we miss him in counsel and while the church has lost a pillar of strength, we mourn not as those having no hope, and we will remember him, not with tears of sorrow only, but with reverent thankfulness for having had with us so long, so inspiring an example of the true Christian character. We extend to MRS. BRADEN, in this hour of her bereavement, our profound sympathy, but with this, the consolation that he is now in the enjoyment, in full fruition, of the true Christian's reward, the glad welcome. Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The clerk was directed to enter the foregoing upon the sessional records and that a copy be delivered to MRS. BRADEN. By order of Session. -- WARREN S. DUNGAN, Clerk. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 3, 2004 [email protected]