When I first started working on my family tree, I had no idea what was in store for me. We had stories passed down from living family that said that one of our ancestors sold his son- who was thought to be illegitimate into servitude. The man was Daniel Brady and he is my 3 great grandfather. Alexander is his son.
We had come to think of Daniel as a heartless man. He had disappeared from records for several years and as far as we knew died alone in Seward, Nebraska in 1886.
Turns out, he was poor and couldn't feed his children. So they worked as child laborers and indentured servants until they came of age. Alexander just got caught in a bad situation. The family he worked for was cruel and he wasn't sold.
From the Blue Valley Blade Seward, Seward, Nebraska April 14, 1886
"DIED
Brady.-In Seward, on Thursday evening, April 8, 1886, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J.W. Shipley, of consumption, Daniel Brady, aged 58 years.
Mr. Brady was born in Indiana county, Pa., in 1828, and at an early day the family moved to Ohio. Shortly after the war broke out he enlisted in the 92nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years and served until its close. Soon after the war he moved to Iowa, where he resided for two years, when he came to Nebraska and settled on a homestead in this county, near Tamora, where he resided for a number of years before removing to this city.
Mr. Brady leaves one sister, Mrs. Margaret Brown, living south of Tamora; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret J Hurst, of Doddridge county, W.Va., and Mrs. Sarah L. Shipley, of this city; three sons, William and Alexander of Car Valley, Benton county, Oregon, and John I., of New Athens, Harrison county, Ohio. Deceased was a member of Seward Post No. 3 G.A.R., and was so much respected by his comrades and all who knew him. The funeral services took place on Saturday afternoon at the M.E. church, the Rev. G.M. Morey officiating. The remains were escorted to the grave by the Post, where the burial was conducted under their auspices.
_______
HEADQUARTERS OF SEWARD POST, NO.3
Department of Nebraska, G.A.R.
Seward, Neb., April 12,1886
WHEREAS: In the view of the loss we have sustained by the decease of our comrade, and associate, Daniel Brady, and of the still heavier loss sustained by those who were nearest and dearest to him; therefore be it
Resolved; That is but a just tribute to the memory of our departed comrade to say that, in regretting his removal from our ranks, we mourn for one who was, in every way, worthy of our respect and regard.
Resolved; That we sincerely condole with the family of the deceased on the dispensation with which it has pleased our Supreme Commander to afflict them, and commend them for consolation to Him who orders all things for the best, and whose chastisements are meant in mercy.
Resolved; That this heartfelt testimonial of our sympathy and sorrow be published in all the Seward papers, and a copy forwarded to the daughter of our deceased comrade.
W.R. DAVIS,
R.R. SCHICK,
E.C. PARKINSON.
Committee.
_________________
Card of Thanks
We take this method of returning our grateful thanks to the Grand Army Post and other friends of Seward, for their kindly aid and sympathy during the last illness of our departed relative, Daniel Brady.
SARAH L. SHIPLEY,
J.W SHIPLEY."
Our family legends were very wrong about him. I am so glad that we found this today, as it provides us with more insight into Daniel's life and more places to search for him.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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2 comments:
It's so sad that Daniel died so young and that he was so poor during his lifetime. What surprises we find in our research, huh?
Yup! always something to uncover and always more to learn. At least with my research some mysteries were solved (for over 60 yrs the cemetery had no idea who he was or what happened to his family) and we were able to extend the family line. Every hour of searching is worth it- even if you don't turn up anything.
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