James Dow Brakeman and Fern L. Forbes

---

---

Husband James Dow Brakeman ^{1 2}

---

           Born: 17 Mar 1871 - Union City, Erie Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

---

         Father: George W. Brakeman (1847-      ) 1 2
         Mother: Almira C. McCutcheon (      -      ) 1 3

---

       Marriage: 4 Jul 1897 2

---

---

Wife Fern L. Forbes ²

---

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

---

Children

---

1 F Mildred Brakeman ²

---

           Born: 4 Dec 1900 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Sydney Michaels (      -      ) 2

---

2 F Kathryn Brakeman ²

---

           Born: 1901 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
         Status: Twin

         Spouse: Capt. J. Mameryer, U.S.A. (      -      ) 2

---

3 F Arlene Brakeman ²

---

           Born: 1901 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 1901 2
         Buried: 
         Status: Twin

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

---

4 F Lula Brakeman ²

---

           Born: 1903 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Lyod Meerdink (      -      ) 2

---

5 F Harriet Brakeman ²

---

           Born: 5 Mar 1915 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

---

---

General Notes: Husband - James Dow Brakeman

---

He and his brother William had always been very near to each other and were closely associated in many ways.
Public schools of Union City provided James Dow Brakeman's early formal education, and after completing his high school studies he was first employed by the Novelty Wood Works, of this place. For two years he remained with that organization, then became associated with his father in a general mercantile store in Union City and stayed there for three years. Next he and his father owned and operated a restaurant for two years in Union City. Still later Mr. Brakeman and a partner, Mr. Brown, bought and ran the Riverside Laundry. After four years Mr. Brown acquired the entire business, whereupon Mr. Brakeman spent six years in other business pursuits. Next he went to Elgin, Pennsylvania, where, with his brother, he formed a partnership in a general store known as Brakeman Brothers. In 1908 he returned to Union City and became a partner in the Loomis Table Company, remaining with this organization until, in 1916, he sold out his interest in that enterprise and formed a partnership with his father and brother in a clothing and shoe store known as Brakeman & Sons. That enterprise continued as such until the father's death in 1936.
In July of that year James D. Brakeman was appointed postmaster of Union City. He was under civil service jurisdiction, and was known for his many-sided labors on behalf of Union City. He was a member of the City Council and a school director in Elgin, and both in Elgin and in Union City was affiliated with the Democratic party. At one time he was president of the Golden Rule Club, in Union City. In fraternal circles he was widely known, being a member of both the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the Masonic fraternity he was a Past Master of Lodge No. 366, having been Master for two terms, and was affiliated with Erie Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and with the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the official board of the Methodist Church.

1 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), BS 169.

2 Joseph Riesenman, Jr., History of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Vol. III (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1943), Pg 500.

3 —, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 1115.

4 Joseph Riesenman, Jr., History of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Vol. III (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1943), Pg 501.