Of Dr. Bracelin it may be said that he is not only noted as one of the pioneers of this region, but also as one of those strong, self-reliant men who, having been dependent upon himself since early youth, has come to regard ordinary obstacles in the way of his progress as mere trifles which vanish like shadows when attacked with zeal and determination.
His parents - John Bracelin, a weaver by trade, and Sarah (Brogan) Bracelin-came from the North of Ireland to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1832. In the latter place Patrick M. Bracelin was born, February 14, 1840, and with his parents fourteen years later - in 1854 - came to Clayton County, Iowa. He had received a partial education in the public schools of his native city, but in Iowa his opportunities for intellectual development were by no means all that he might have desired. In spite of discouragements, however, and when the chances seemed that he would be compelled to follow an uncongenial occupation, he studied assiduously when time could be spared from his farm work. At the age of seventeen he had fitted himself to teach a winter school. He continued teaching until he was twenty-five years of age, giving it up then to engage in business. He then opened a store at De Witt, Clinton County, but soon turned his attention to the profession in which he has since attained high standing in the City of Davenport. With the same diligence and close application that had made him successful as a school-teacher, he applied himself to the study of medicine in spare moments in his store at De Witt, and in 1872 he entered the medical department of the Iowa State University of Iowa City, from which he graduated in 1875. He remained in Iowa City a few months, engaging in active practice, and then located in Davenport, where he quickly began to build up a large practice.
Dr. Bracelin has practiced almost continuously here since 1875, although in the spring of 1888 he went to Omaha with the intention of remaining permanently in that city. He gave up the idea, however, after a two months' visit and returned to Iowa, going to Crawford County, where his brother and sister reside. He found country practice uncongenial and, therefore, in the spring of 1891, after an absence of three years, he resumed his practice in Davenport.
He has not only practiced medicine with great success, but has given much thought and time to some valuable inventions, among which might be mentioned an improved truss for the cure of rupture, a pessary, an inhaler and a proprietary medicine for the cure of throat and lung diseases, particularly diphtheria and pneumonia.
Dr. Bracelin is identified with the Scott County Medical Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In religion he is a Catholic and in politics a Democrat.
He was married in 1867, in Clinton County, to Susan Theresa Tiernan, daughter of Michael and Susan Tiernan. Of nine children born to them, three - two girls and a boy - died in infancy. Those living are: John T., Francis, William E. L., Henry, Robert Emmet and Helena Susan.
BIOGRAPHIES