Dr. Pleiades Arthur B. Brackett (1842-1899)

BOLANDER, BRACKETT, MCCULLUM, PARMELEE, SCHOLTON, STEVENSON

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00

Dr. Brackett of Goldfield, who is in the city for a few days having an operation performed for a neck trouble, came near being seriously injured yesterday on Walnut street by being knocked down by a passing vehicle. The doctor is blind in his left eye and approaching vehicle which contained two young ladies and he states that the fault of being struck was entirely his own. He was starting across Fourth street, from the corner of the Iowa National bank, when the buggy came around the corner and he was knocked down and quite severely injured, but soon recovered from the shock after being cared for in a nearby store.

The Daily Iowa Capitol --- Des Moines, Iowa
Wednesday, May 17, 1899
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Dr. Brackett has been ill for many months, without adequate hope of recovery, and his death cannot be said to have been unexpected. The dread disease which finally ate his life away baffled the skill of the best physicians. After the discovery last fall by accident, of the fact that the cancer had returned, the doctor, hoping against his own judgment, went immediately to Chicago, where one of the most successful surgeons of America removed every vestige of the disease that could be found. For a time thereafter, it was hoped that its progress had been successfully arrested especially when the microscopic analysis revealed the fact that the tumor differed somewhat from the malignant form of cancer, and was, in a more hopeful degree amenable to treatment. Early in the winter of '98-'99, the lump again appeared however and another trip to Chicago was made; than another, and soon, with an ever shortening period intervening, the trips being finally made to Des Moines, until late this spring when the doctor decided for himself that no medical treatment could ever restore him health. After a trip to Chicago in June or this year, he, for the first time definitely gave up the idea of further practice of his profession, and resigned himself to await the end. It was longer in coming than the doctor or his colleagues calculated, but it came surely steadily, frightfully, like the tide rises resistlessly, calmly, and awfully around the mariner shipwrecked on a stray rock of the harbor which lifts its darkened surface above the water when the tide is low, but is engulfed when the tide is high.

During all this period, the fortitude and courage of the doctor were sublime. Hoping while there was yet room to hope he made no complaint. With all the calmness and judgment of the skilled physician that he was, he diagnosed his own case, assisted so far as possible in its medical treatment, and cooley watched the developments which told him in the language only a physician can understand, that the end of his life was drawing near. In all of the writer's somewhat close relations with the deceased during the past year, whether in hours of suffering or in times of comparative ease, Dr. Brackett never uttered one word of complaint at the hard fortune which had overtaken him, nor suggested the idea, so tempting in such cases, that his God was other than the kindest and most loving father. Like a soldier he went to his grave; like a true physician, he met his life long enemy. Death, whom he had so often in times past robbed of his prey, and fought the fight to the bitter end.

So long as he was able, he continued his wide reading. A lover and a judge of good books, he devoured them with a rapidity that was astonishing. Many a dark hour of pain was thus whiled away, which the majority of invalids are accustomed to spend in grumbling. He was glad to entertain visitors, and to the end, he was the same sociable joker, and conversationalist that he had been for twenty and more years before on the streets of Goldfield. He was generous to a fault, and often in the last days of his sickness when he felt that he needed money, would share the half or more of his bills with unfortunate debtors. He was not a good hater; he rarely had a criticism to express upon his fellowmen, and an apology from an offender erased every feeling of injustice on the part of the doctor. He was a kind husband, an indulgent father, a friendly neighbor, a good citizen, a skillful physician, and an honest man. His wide practice made him universally known in this section, and his reputation as an able doctor grew with advancing years. He had that high religious feeling, which recognizes the "wideness of God's mercy," and his daily life was an exemplification of the definition of pure undetailed religion as given in the Bible. Goldfield has indeed lost an "old landmark" in the death of Doctor Brackett.

Dr. Brackett requested that J. T. Bradshaw should write the obituary, but owing to Mr. Bradshaw's illness the copy will not reach us before next week. The editor could not, however, issue this week's Chronicle without some extended mention of the Doctor's life. The regular obituary will be published as soon as received.

The following, among others, from out of town were present at Dr. Brackett's funeral: W. M. Brackett and wife and M.E. Winn, Garner; Dr. Welch and daughter, Mrs. Van Velsor and members Masonic lodge, Humboldt; Dr. Garth. Walter Elder, Mr. and Mrs. Templeton, Mrs. Taft and members Masonic lodge, Clarion; Dr. Morse and wife, Dr. McGrath, Dr. O'Toole, W. E. Nichols, Mrs. E. E. Dewey and members of Masonic lodge, Eagle Grove; Dr. Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Thorp, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sill, and members of Masonic lodge, Renwick; Geo. Hanna and wife, LuVerne. Eight doctors were in the procession.

The Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Friday, October 13, 1899
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Dr. A. B. Brackett died Oct. 9, 1899, at 5 p. m. after a lingering illness. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at the Baptist church under the auspices of Bower lodge, A. F. and A M., of Eagle Grove, of which he was a member. The lodges of Renwick, Humboldt and Clarion were also represented. The sermon by Rev. R. A. Harwood, of Buffalo Center, formerly pastor at Goldfield, was very pathetic; the music was appropriate; and the church was fittingly draped and decorated. Mrs. Egau presided at the organ while a quartette, composed of Mesdames Pearson and Selders and Messrs. Elliott and Rev. Everett sang the songs selected by the doctor some time ago, he also selected the choir and minister. Additional solemnity and beauty was lent to the services by the impressive ritual of the Masonic brotherhood. A very large crowd had assembled to pay their last tributes of respect to one so widely known. Drs. Garth, of Clarion; Welch, of Humboldt, Cunningham, of Renwick, Will, Morse, McGrath, O'Toole, of Eagle Grove, and Hanna and Bastine, of Goldfield, were among the professional brethren present. A large number of friends from other places were also present. W. M. Bradett and wife, of Garner; W. E. Winn, W. E. Nichols, of Eagle Grove, Geo. Hanna and wife, LuVerne, E. A. Thorp and wife, F. Sill and wife, Boone; Mrs. Velsar and daughter, Humboldt, Mrs. E. E. Dewey, Eagle Grove. Prof. J. T. Bradshaw was selected some time ago by the Doctor to write his obituary which will no doubt be fittingly done. The Doctor was once heard to say “I want no better epitaph than this ‘A poor man has lost a friend.’” No doubt many can say that in truth and sincerity of him. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the community. We will understand better the reason of sorrows sent us “When the mists have cleared away.” -Goldfield

The Times Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, October 19, 1899
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"He has done the work of a true-man.
Crown him, honor, him, love him.
Weep over him, tears of woman,
Stoop manliest brows above him." —Whittier.

Dr. Arthur B. Brackett was born at Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York, June 26, 1842. He was therefore fifty-seven years, three months, and thirteen days old on the day of his death, October 9, 1899. He was brought to Michigan in childhood and thrown on his own resources at nine years of age. Drifting around, picking up a little knowledge here and a little there, he managed to obtain some education and worked on a farm until about twenty-one years of age. His spare time was all spent with books but from the age of eighteen to twenty-three diseased eyes resulting in almost total blindness prevented all study or reading.

In 1865 he began the study of medicine and was graduated from Rush Medical College in 1869. After five years practice in Chicago, two of which were before graduation, he came to Goldfield in 1873 where he remained until his death, with the exception of two years spent in Nebraska.

In 1868 Dr. Brackett was married to Laura Bolander, who died in 1877. Of this marriage were born two children Alice C. now Mrs. J. R. McCullum, and Wallace C. who died in infancy. In 1878 he was again united in marriage to Miss Julia G. Parmelee who survives him. Both marriages proved exceedingly happy unions, and the intense suffering of his last illness was greatly alleviated by the presence of his daughter and the untiring attendance of his devoted wife who for more than three months scarcely left his bedside night or day.

Two brothers and two sisters mourn his death namely; Wallace M., four years younger, living at Garner, Iowa, Mrs. Jennie Stevenson living at Canton City, Colorado, Mrs. Helen Scholton, living in Pennsylvania, and Franklin, two years older, whose present address is unknown.

Dr. Brackett was in many respects a remarkable man. Eminently successful in his profession, his skill was in constant demand, yet he found time to acquire a knowledge of general literature possessed by only a few. He was an omnivorous reader and few subjects could be mentioned of which he did not possess some knowledge.

Truly, he was the poor man's friend. With a large practice he might have grown wealthy had he been less kind hearted. His time, labor and money were freely given to the poor, but in so quiet and modest a way that only the recipients knew of his kindness. No worthy cause ever sought his contribution in vain. Hence, he remained in moderate circumstances though his earnings were large. A business man once remarked to the writer that Dr, Brackett was a poor collector. The hard selfish qualities that make a good collector were, certainly, absent from his character.

But while his virtues were hidden his faults were fully exposed to the public gaze. Misunderstood, misjudged, he was often condemned wherein he was blameless.

His religion was void of cant. He possessed deep and sincere conviction of sin and a grand and hopeful conception of the loving fatherhood of God. Like the Master he went about doing good, and when the summons came he met Death calmly, unflinchingly, uncomplainingly.

The Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Friday, October 20, 1899