COMANCHE COUNTY KSGENWEB 2008: HISTORY & GENEALOGY

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The Western Star, March 4, 1949.

Protection Pioneer Mother Passes Away

Mrs. Minner Bratcher a Resident of This County 65 Years

Funeral services for Mrs. Minner Bratcher, pioneer Protection mother, who was found dead in her home in Protection last Saturday morning, were held in the Baptist church in that city last Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock and were in charge of Rev. E. M. Pearson, the pastor. A mixed quartet composed of Sam Frantz, Edgar Deck, Mrs. Geo Herron and Mrs. Mable Vincent sang "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown" and "In the Garden" accompanied on the piano by Miss Dorothy Pearson.

The active pallbearers were Herman Herbord, G. C. Ellison, Dr. W. B. Hale, John Morton, Alva Alexander and R. Sigars and the honorary pallbearers were Arthur Vanwey, Claude Rowland, George Eubank, D. W. Brite, Ray Butts, W. U. Keltner, W. C. Monticue, J. J. Edmondston and Otto Schumacher. Burial was in the Protection cemetery.

Obituary.

Minner Millem was born March 12, 1865, in Grayson county, Kentucky and passed away in Protection, Kans., February 26, 1949, at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 14 days. She grew to womanhood in Kentucky and was married to Zeph J. Bratcher on February 14, 1882.

In 1884 Mr. Bratcher came to Comanche county, Kansas, and settled on a farm one and a half miles south of Protection, Kans. Mrs. Bratcher and her son, Laurence Bratcher, came to Comanche county, in February 1885, and lived on the farm for a number of years.

Also to this union were born two daughters, Essie and Emma, and a son, Owen Bratcher. Of the children, Emma, who was married to P. D. Thornhill, passed away in Protection in 1910, and Owen Bratcher passed away in 1919 in that city.

Mr. and Mrs. Bratcher continued to live on the farm until 1914, when they rented the farm and moved to their home in Protection, where they continued to live until both passed away. Mrs. Bratcher's husband died in 1935.

Mrs. Bratcher joined the church years ago and was active in the work until a few years ago when her health began to fail. She was a charter member of the Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodges in Protection and held offices in the lodges for years.

Surviving her is a son, Laurence Bratcher, who resides in Denver, Colo., and a daughter, Essie Thornhill, who lives in Protection; also three grandsons, Orville and Melvin Thornhill of Protection and Zeph J. Bratcher of San Francisco, Calif., and a great granddaughter, Bonnie Thornhill, of Protection.

Mrs. Bratcher was well liked by all who knew her and was commonly called "Ma" Bratcher by many friends.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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