Beecroft/Becraft Ancestors

Lyman M. Brackett and Sarah Merriam

Husband Lyman M. Brackett [2018]

           Born: 8 Sep 1854 - Fulton, Indiana, United States ¹
     Christened: 
           Died: 9 Jul 1928 ¹ ²
         Buried: 12 Jul 1928 - Rochester IOOF Cemetery, Rochester, Fulton, Indiana, United States ¹

       Marriage: 17 Oct 1877

Events

• He worked as a Druggist.

• His obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 9 Jul 1928. Lyman M. BRACKETT, 74, one of Rochester's leading citizens and a life-long resident of the city, died at his home 928 Jefferson Street at 12:15 Monday afternoon after an illness of one week. Death came as the result of a general poisoning which came from an infection of the throat. He was confined to his home last Monday and the illness gradually became worse until the end. Relatives and friends had been advised that there was no hope.
---Mr. Brackett was widely known in this community having been one of the progressive business men in Rochester for nearly fifty years. At a comparitively early age he made a comfortable fortune in the lumber and other businesses and the spacious Brackett home was one of the social centers of the city. He was an accomplished sportsman, a lover of good dogs and fine horses and his friends were listed among all ranks in the community. He was well liked by young and old as he maintained an exceedingly youthful spirit always. In the last few years he had not been actively engaged in business.
He was born September 8, 1854 the son of Dr. Charles and Margaret WILSON BRACKETT, who were pioneers of Fulton County. His birth place was at the old Taylor farm place just a short distance north of Rochester on Federal Road 31. Fifty-two years ago he married Miss Sarah MERRIAM of Grafton, Vt. The ceremony took place at Rochester. She came from one of the pioneer families of that state. Fourteen years ago he was married to Mrs. Katherine RANNELLS. He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Knights of Pythias lodge and was always an active Republican.
Originally he engaged in the wholesale and manufacturing lumber business with Abner J. BARRETT in 1879, retiring from this in 1900. Then he went into the wholesale grocery business with members of his family. He erected several business buildings in Rochester, the chief one being the Arlington Hotel and business block which was built in partnership with Mr. Barrett.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Maurice SHELTON, Indianapolis, a son, Lyman Ely BRACKETT, San Diego, Calif., a brother Charles W. BRACKETT of north of this city, a sister, Mrs. Charles K. PLANK, Rochester, a half-sister, Mrs. Frank E. BRYANT, Rochester, and five grandsons, Lyman BRACKETT, Maurice Merriam [SHELTON] and Richard M. SHELTON, James BRACKETT and Richard Ely BRACKETT. A son, Charles [BRACKETT], died 12 years ago and two sisters, Mrs. Geo. W. HOLMAN and Mrs. W. J. WILLIAMS both preceded hi in death.
No funeral arrangements have been made due to the fact that Lyman E. Brackett and his family are on the way from California and preparations will not be made until after their arrival tomorrow. They left their home and were rushing by train eastward in hopes of seeing his father alive. All of the other surviving relatives were here at the time of Mr. Brackett's death.

• His obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 11 Jul 1928. Funeral services for Mr. L. M. BRACKETT will be conducted at the home corner of Jefferson and 10th street Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with the Reverends Joseph GLEASON and R. H. CROWDER in charge. Burial will be made in the mausoleum.

• His obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 13 Jul 1928. The funeral of Lyman M. BRACKETT which was held at the home, 928 Jefferson Street, Thursday afternoon, was very largely attended. The services were simple and impressive. Owen DAVISSON sang two solos, accompanied by Mrs. Robert SHAFER on the piano, Rev. R. H. CROWDER, gave a prayer and Rev. J. B. GLEASON delivered the funeral sermon. The pall bearers intimate friends of the deceased, were Charles E. PLANK, Abner J. J. BARRETT, Henry A. BARNHART, Rome C. STEPHENSON, George W. HOLMAN, and Frank HOFFMAN. A short service was held at the mausoleum.
Quite a number of persons from out of the city attended. Among the relatives and friends there were: Lyman BRACKETT, of San Diego, California; Mr. and Mrs. M. C. SHELTON, sons Merriam [SHELTON] and Richard [SHELTON] and Mr. and Mrs. Brackett SHELTON, of Indianapolis; Dr. and Mrs. C. L. GEYER, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. STEPHENSON and Hugh STEPHENSON, of South Bend; Mr. and Mrs. Scott BOWEN, of Chicago; Mrs. William ALLMAN and Mr. HAUCK, of Argos; Mrs. John CARTER and Mrs. O. JEFFERSON, of Kokomo; Mr. and Mrs. E. RANNELLS and son Robert [RANNELLS], of Fulton and Mr. and Mrs. E. J. BEYER, of Winona Lake.

Wife Sarah Merriam [2030]

           Born: 24 Apr 1855 - Brandon, VT
     Christened: 
           Died: 5 Jan 1912 - Rochester, Fulton, Indiana, United States
         Buried: 7 Jan 1912 - Rochester IOOF Cemetery, Rochester, Fulton, Indiana, United States

Events

• Her obituary was published. Obit of Mrs. Lyman Brackett, Rochester Sentinel, Fri., Jan. 5, 1912, and funeral notices of Sat. & Mon., Jan. 6 & 8, 1912, tell that Mrs. Brackett died at the family home on West Ninth street "this morning". Sarah Merriam, dau of Samuel & Jane Merriam, was b. April 24, 1855 at Brandon, Vermont. She m. Lyman M. Brackett October 17, 1877. She was a member of D.A.R. Survivors were: her husband; three children: Mrs. Zoe A. Shelton, Charles Brackett (of Rochester); and Lyman Brackett, Jr. (at Indiana University). The funeral was held on Sunday, & the body was "laid to rest in the new mausoleum, which was beautifully decorated with palms and flowers and heated so that it was very comfortable in spite of the severe weather." Among those attending the funeral, were: Mrs. R. C. Stephenson, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Brackett and dau, Mary, of Hegeswich, Illinois, Mr. & Mrs. John Flynn of Albion, Michigan, Fred Williams of Chicago.
.

• Her obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 5 Jan 1912. Mrs. R. C. STEPHENSON was called here this morning by the illness and death of Mrs. L. M. BRACKETT.
Mrs. Lyman BRACKETT died at the family home on West Ninth street, at 9:50 this morning as a result of a surgical operation performed Wednesday. Only recently it was discovered that Mrs. Brackett was suffering from a cancerous growth and an operation was decided upon as the only course offering relief. Dr. W. S. HECTOR of Chicago, with assistants, performed the operation Wednesday morning and found conditions much worse than expected; nearly three hours being required to remove the diseased parts. Mrs. Brackett never fully rallied from the shock of the operation, though conscious at times, and death was not wholly unexpected by those watching at the bedside. The death was a distinct shock, however, as no one fully realized the true condition of her health and the gravity of the surgical operation, and no fears for her ultimate recovery were entertained prior to the operation.
Sarah MERRIAM, daughter of Samuel and Jane MERRIAM, was born April 24, 1855, at Bradon, Vermont, and was united in marriage with Lyman M. BRACKETT on October 17, 1877. Since that time she has been a constant resident of this city, and by her kindly disposition and splendid character made a host of friends in all walks of life. She was a refined and cultured woman and took an active part in the social life of the community, being a member of the Woman's club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and other clubs devoted to women's interests. She was a true Christian in the widest sense of the word and was an active member of the Baptist church of this city. Mrs. Brackett was noted for many acts of unostentatious charity and beloved by a wide circle of friends.
Besides the husband, three children survive: Mrs. Zoe A. SHELTON, Charles BRACKETT, of this city, and Lyman BRACKETT, Jr., now at Indiana University.
The funeral will be held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

• Her obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 6 Jan 1912. Mr. & Mrs. Charles BRACKETT and daughter, Mary [BRACKETT], of Hegeswich, Illinois, are here to attend the funeral of Mrs. L. M. BRACKETT. Mr. & Mrs. John FLYNN of Albion, Michigan, are expected to arrive in the city this evening.

• Her obituary was published in The Rochester News-Sentinel on 8 Jan 1912. Fred WILLIAMS of Chicago, returned home, after attending the funeral of Mrs. L. M. BRACKETT Sunday afternoon.

The funeral of Mrs. L. M. BRACKETT was held at the home Sunday afternoon, and was attended by a large number of friends, including several from out of town. The body was laid to rest in the new mausoleum, which was beautifully decorated with palms and flowers and heated so that it was very comfortable in spite of the severe weather.

Children

Birth Notes: Husband - Lyman M. Brackett

Taylor Farm, north of Rochester

Burial Notes: Husband - Lyman M. Brackett

Note: This person was originally interred in the Rochester Mausoleum. In April 1971, 124 people interred in the Mausoleum were removed to this section of the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The cemetery lists this section as 'Burials from Mausoleum'.

Plot: Mausoleum Section, Row 2

Medical Notes: Husband - Lyman M. Brackett

[NOTE: Lyman Brackett, son of Charles & Margaret Brackett of Rochester Twp, was a druggist in the city of Rochester, Fulton Co Ind, in 1880 (Census). His (1st) wife was Sarah Merriam, and they were residents of Rochester city in 1880 with a dau, Zoe, age 1 year.
Lyman M. Brackett, b.ca.1855 Ind, m. (2nd), October 1, 1914, Mary Katherine (Becraft) Rannells, widow of Dr. Jacob N. Rannells, and dau of Wm. & Mary Becraft (Fulton Co Ind M.R.).
The will of Lyman M. Brackett, of Rochester Ind, (Fulton Co Ind Will Book "G", p. 209-210), dated January 20, 1921 / July 21, 1928, asks to be placed in the Rochester Mausoleum beside "my dearly beloved wife's body (namely Sarah Merriam Brackett) and remain there for a period of one year . . . the . . . both be buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery." He also mentions the burial place of his father, and "my son Charles C. Brackett and my mother-in-law Jane Merriam . . ." He also states that on October 1, 1914, he married Mary Katherine Rannells, widow of Dr. J. N. Rannells. He names his heirs: (dau) Zoe Anna Shelton, and her husband, Maurice C. Shelton; (son) Lyman Ely Brackett (realty in Rochester, Ind, room occupied by R. K. Gillilands Cigar Store and Billiard Room); (gr-son) James Shafer Brackett, son of "my
deceased son, Charles C. Brackett." A codicil, regarding residence in NW corner of Jefferson & 10th sts., Rochester, states that he was passing through very critical financial trouble, caused by heavy losses in the operation of the Progress Wholesale Grocery Co.

Burial Notes: Wife - Sarah Merriam

Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List

This website was created 2 Dec 2025 with Legacy 10.0, a division of MyHeritage.com; content copyrighted and maintained by castlewrks@aol.com

Beecroft/Becraft Ancestors

Sources