Ernest Brautigan, one of the self made men,
prominent citizens and successful farmers of Hilyard township, Macoupin
County, who owns 282 acres of its best land, located in sections 32 and 33,
was born in Saxony, Germany, October 7, 1856. His parents were Frank and
Christina (Starkey) Brautigan.
Frank Brautigan was born in Germany,
September 20, 1829, and came to America in 1867, being followed by his
family in the following year. By trade he was a carpenter. His death
occurred in Macoupin County, Illinois, in 1891, at the age of 62 years. His
wife died in 1881, aged 48 years. He identified himself with the Democratic
party. In religious faith he was a Lutheran. The children of Frank and
Christina Brautigan were: Ernest, of this sketch; Frank, deceased; William,
of Brighton township; Mrs. Anna Lynsick, of Alton; Albert, who lives with
his brother Ernest; Mrs. Emma Greenfield, of St. Louis; and Charles, of
Brighton township.
Our subject was a lad of 11 years when he left
his home for America and easily recalls the departure of the family from the
city of Bremen on the sailing ship "Atolphine," and the events of the long
sea voyage of 70 days. This ship landed its passengers at the port of
Baltimore and our subject, with the other members of the family, proceeded
directly to Brighton, Macoupin County, Illinois. He has remained in this
county ever since and has always been connected with farming operations.
Beginning as a helper on farms, by saving his money and carefully investing
it he became a landowner, and through continued industry, one of the
substantial men of his locality. In addition to general farming, Mr.
Brautigan started a dairy, and also made plans for the raising of fine
cattle. His present herd of 60 head of Holsteins cannot be excelled in the
county. The products of his dairy command high prices. It must give Mr.
Brautigan extreme pleasure to note his handsome dwelling, his fine barn,
which is one of the largest in Macoupin County, his other excellent
improvements, and to realize that this property has been accumulated
honestly, through his own efforts. He has never given much attention to
politics, voting regularly, however, with the Democratic party.
In
1881, Mr. Brautigan was married to Bertha Haag, who was born September 12,
1859, and is a daughter of John and Caroline (Kurtz) Haag, who came from
Germany and settled in Madison County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Brautigan have
two children, — Lena and Edward.
Fraternally Mr. Brautigan is a
Master Mason and belongs to Shipman Lodge, No. 212, and is also a member of
the Court of Honor. He is one of the leading members of the German Lutheran
Church at Shipman. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits,
has become expert in the tilling of the soil and is an authority on the
breeding of first class cattle and on modern dairying. Personally he is a
man of upright character, one who is respected and esteemed, both as a
neighbor and as a citizen.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 275-276.
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