The Henry Braker/Leslie
Braker farm was purchased by Arnold and Patsy Braker.
That was long after Arnold Braker, Sr was dead. The
census information re the families in the 4th ward
of Beaver Dam means that they were living in Beaver
Dam, doesn't it? Although Rosa and William living
in the field across from the church and across the
road from Kelly's tavern makes sense. It gives a more
pertinent why Lost Lake was called Hooperville. Rev.
Hopper was a traveling minister. And apparently the
conversion of Rosa and William to non drinking etal
caused quite a stir in the community. It weould also
explain why the church was originally located so much
closer to Lost LAKE. The Brakers were the only members
who lived in that direction. The rest of the church
community lived much closer to where the church was
relocated.
Henry and Eda were step brother and sister to Mary
and Emma. Maybe the relationships would be clearer
if Louis, Lawremce. Ben, and Emma were called step-cousins.
Lawrence lived in Beaver Dam. I worked with his sons
fiance when I worked at the Beaver Dam hospital. The
Lawrence Braker family was named the Catholic family
of the year in l954, I belive it was.
Louie Braker never had enough money. He spent time
in the Waupan State prison for passing forged checks.
As a matter of fact, he went to the minister who married
Donald and I and told him that he was Arnold Braker
and asked for money. (At the time of our marriage.)
It was something Dad lived with all his life. I guess
they were both tall and thin. And ,since they were
related, probably resembled each other.
There was also a Braker group who lived near Horican.
Brothers and a sister. Their farm with its simple
buildings were condemmed for the Horicon Marsh federal
project. They were given the fair market price for
the small place, but it wasn't enough to buy any other
place. Eventually they ended at the Juneau poor farm.
I don't know where they fit into the family.
On the chimney in the basement of the house on the
old Henry Braker farm, Henry carved information into
the chimney. It might be interesting to see.
Christian and Rosa are buried in the Beaver Dam City
cemetary. While William is buried in the Lost Lake
Methodist cemetary.
I remember men coming to our house in winter and asking
Dad to help dig a grave at the Catholic cemetary.
(Theirs was a larger church community so they had
a funeral more often, and it is what neighbors did.) |
