Family of the Century

The Braudrick Family was chosen as Caddo's "Family of the Century" at Heritage Day. That's Bill Braudrick accepting the certificate from J.J. Lowrance. They represent a rich history of Caddo residents and also had the most family members present at the event. I had an opportunity to view some of the family albums they brought with them. I hope every Caddo resident is keeping such good records. You can look at their family display at the Indian Territory Museum as soon as it is finished.

Here is a family history printed in the History of Bryan County (1983).

The Braudrick Family

by Dorothy Johnson

My Grandfather, W. M. (Bill) Braudrick migrated to Honey Grove, Texas from Tennessee after the Civil War. He had served for three years as an aide and scout for General Robert E. Lee. Grandfather often told the story of how he was only fourteen years old when Gen. Lee came to their farm in 1861. He was seeking a short cut to Chattanooga. My Great-Grandfather sent young Bill with Gen. Lee to show him the way over the mountains. Bill stayed on with Gen. Lee serving until the end of the war in 1864.

At the end of the war Bill married Elizabeth Pitts, and they moved from Tennessee to Honey Grove, Texas. Eight children were born of that marriage. They were: Pit, Jeff, T.L., Luther, Sim, Henry, Leona, and Grover. Several of these children eventually came to settle in Caddo, Indian Territory where they became prominent citizens of that community. Jeff drove a dray wagon which transferred mail form the train depot to the post office. T.L. was a sheriff in Coal County.

…(there seems to be a family branch left out here) Johnson. Louise lived in Caddo all of her life.

Myrtle Braudrick, a second daughter, married Sam Armstrong and they had eight children: Blanche Williams, Bobbie Jean Stillwell, Kenneth Armstrong, Ethel Peters, Dick Armstrong, Midge Stonebarger, Lathe Armstrong, and Sammie Shoemake. Myrtle presently lives in Durant.

Allen Gordon Braudrick, the youngest of the four children died at the age of thirty, without having ever married. My dad, Richard Paul Braudrick, married Mabel Ann Nelson, of Electra, Texas on September 23, 1928 in Caddo, Oklahoma. Grover worked in Lake Brewer’s grocery store, before moving back to East Texas. Pitt served as sheriff of Caddo, as well as city judge for a while.

At this time Bill was still living in Honey Grove. After the death of Elizabeth, Bill had married Sara Elizabeth Fletcher. They had three additional children: one son, John and twin daughters, Viola and Elnora. This marriage did not work out, Bill and Sarah were divorced around 1900. Pit encouraged Bill to come to Caddo and live with him, so Bill joined a cattle drive that was going through he Indian Nations near Caddo.

My Grandmother, Mary Ann Trice, a Choctaw native often told the story of how she met my grandfather. She said there is an old Indian legend that says you will meet the man you are to marry in water. Grandmother lived in the small community of Robinson about halfway between Durant and Caddo. She was at the well drawing water when Grandfather rode up and asked permission to draw water for his horse and himself. Grandmother said that when she saw his reflection in the well she knew that she would marry him, and so it came to pass on September 23, 1903. Grandfather was fifty-six and Grandmother was thirty-one.

Bill and Mary Ann had four additional children, bring the total number of children Bill had fathered to fifteen. The first of their children was a daughter, Louise, born on June 21, 1904. Louise was married twice, first to Jack McNatt, and later to Turner Johnson. Louise had four children, Mary Alice and Billy dale McNatt, and Turner Coleman, and Michael Allen. They had nine children. Madeline Potts of Denison, Texas is now retired after having worked several years for a local finance company. Pauline Claborn of Calera, Oklahoma. Pauline is also retired, having worked for a number of years for a local toy manufacturing company. William Thomas Braudrick, has followed the family tradition and manages a meat packing plant in McKinney, Texas. Richard Paul Braudrick Jr. lives near San Francisco, manages an auto salvage company. Dick enjoys racing automobiles as a hobby. Mary Lou Sherrod of Durant, has taught a number of years for Blue Public Schools. Dorothy Sue Johnson of Durant has taught a number of years at Silo Public Schools. Imogene Winnett of Oklahoma City works for a large western wear concern. Don Braudrick of Plano is an electrician and likes to rodeo whenever possible. Luther Niclos Braudrick of Calera, Oklahoma is an ironworker and also likes to rodeo.

The following excerpt is taken from the Bryan County Star of May 5, 1970. It is part of a passage written about the Braudrick Family by Cowboy Pink Williams in his recollections of Caddo History. “The Braudrick Family was a well-liked family. They had good personalities and made friends easily. There were good workers, especially at market work. Pit ran a meat market in Caddo at one time. John claimed to the be best worker, but Richard was a hard worker, too. They may have spent their lifetimes trying to prove which man was the best worker. Richard could work all day and follow a pack of hounds all night.”

The Braudrick Family is very proud to have played a small part in the development of Bryan County and its history, and of our Oklahoma Heritage.

   

Comments

[Michael Smith]

Note to Dorothy Johnson

My mother is Mary Alice McNatt. I would be interested in hearing and seeing more pictures about my mom's history and her family tree. She died in 2006 but she did tell us we had a great, great grandfather who was General Robert E. Lee's waterboy. She also told us that her grandmother was a Choctaw Indian but we never knew exactly what percent Native American we are.

Anyway drop me a line if this is still a live web connection.

thanks.

Michael Smith

[Plano Electrician]

hi Really good Blog and i also use this blog.

[Frank Braudrick]

This was very neat someday I hope to make it back there to see