Volume III of the Pioneer Collections of the Pioneer Society of Michigan was published in 1881 in Lansing, Michigan and it contains a death notice for Martin S. Brackett on pages 399-401 and it reads: "Martin S. Brackett The man most prominent, all things considered, who lived and died in Bellevue, was the Hon. M. S. Brackett, whose obituary notice was printed in the Bellevue Gazette, February 15, 1877, is herewith appended: ‘We had hoped that some one, an older resident of this county and one earlier and better acquainted than we with the late Hon. M. S. Brackett, would be found to prepare for the columns of the Gazette a history of his early life, his long residence in Michigan, his death and burial, but as no such preparation has been made, we have consented to prepare such an article according to the best of our ability. Mr. Brackett was born in the village of Elbridge, Onondaga county, N. Y., December 19, 1810, and passed his boyhood days working on his father's farm and in the brickyard during summers, and attending district schools during the winters. At fifteen years of age he entered an academy at Onondaga Hollow, where he remained for three terms. He then returned home and pursued his studies until the close of the summer of 1828, under the instruction of Rev. Timothy Stowe, pastor of the Presbyterian church at that time. He then spent two years in the employ of his brother, in superintending the construction of nine miles of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, near Washington. Early in 1831 he commenced civil engineering under the supervision of Judge Wright, in the State of New Jersey, and did valuable service in the construction of the canal built through New Jersey at that time, and also in the partial excavation of the canal for the water-works at Trenton. The Trenton company being enjoined from further proceedings, Mr. Brackett went to Philadelphia and took a contract on the Philadelphia, Germantown & Morristown railroad. After finishing this contract he went to New York city, where he entered into a contract with Robert L. Stevens, Esq., to furnish the stone blocks for the Camden & Amboy railroad. He then returned to Onondaga Hollow, and entered the law office of the Hon. James Lawrence, where he studied law for over two years. In 1836, after the commencement of the Auburn & Syracuse railroad, Mr. Brackett contracted for and completed the heaviest job on the line. It was also under his supervision that the Erie canal was enlarged from Syracuse to Geddes. In the spring og 1838 he became one of the earliest settlers of Bellevue, and at once identified himself with the growth and prosperity of the now great State of Michigan. In the fall of that year he entered the law office of Gibbs & Bradley, of Marshall, and the following year was admitted to the practice of his profession. During the same year he was elected county clerk, and held that position for three years, holding one year by appointment. He was a candidate for State senator upon the whig ticket in 1842, but with his party was defeated. In 1848 he identified himself with the democratic party, with whom he has ever since acted. He was their candidate for State senator in 1856, and lieutenant governor in 1864. Foreseeing as he did, in no very distant future, the possibilities and probabilities of a railroad through our town, Mr. Brackett added his early knowledge of constructing public works, to his enterprise and energy in pursuing improvement of such a nature, and joining forces with Hon. L. D. … of battle Creek, worked and talked for the road, until, on the 7th of September, 1865, the organization of the company was completed in his office in the village, and work at once commenced on a road which he lived almost long enough to see grow to be one of the best roads in the west. He was elected one of the directors, and also secretary and attorney, all of which positions he held steadily up to the time of the consolidation of the Peninsula and Port Huron and Lake Michigan roads under the title of the Chicago & Lake Huron. Mr. Brackett was also prominently identified with the early history of the order of Good Templars, and was for three years Grand Worthy Chief Templar. His love for the study of geology led him to spend much time and many dollars in collecting specimens, and it has been conceded for many years that not more than one finer collection of such specimens could be found in the State and that at the State university. Mr. Brackett possessed many traits of character which made him a pleasant and sociable companion, a kind husband and father,a generous, kindly disposed neighbor, and a good citizen. He leaves a wife in feeble health, the companion of his youth, and seven sons and three daughters, all of whom reached home in time to find him alive. As to his last sickness and death we can only say that it was less than one week after he first gave up business before his death. The disease which terminated his life seemed to be inflammation of the lungs complicated with inflammation of the liver. The funeral services, which were held at the late residence of the deceased on Sunday last, were conducted by the Masonic fraternity, of which deceased had long been a prominent member, and was the largest attended of any funeral ever held in Bellevue. Not less than 1,200 people were in attendance, between 300 and 400 of whom belong to the Masonic order. The burial services were conducted by the Peninsula Commandery of Knights Templar of Kalamazoo. Special trains were run from both ways, and commanderies and lodges were present from Kalamazoo, Marshall, Battle Creek, Charlotte, Vermontville, Kalamo and Bellevue. Rev. Mr. Fo, of Charlotte, preached the sermon, and was assisted in conducting the services by Rev. M. Smith of the Baptist church. The geological and mineral collection owned by M. S. Brackett, Esq., of Bellevue, is well worthy of historical mention before leaving the Bellevue portion of our sketch. A correspondent of the Detroit Tribune published in June, 1874, in describing this fine collection, says: ‘Mr. Brackett has been gathering contribution for thirty years from all parts of the world for this rare cabinet. In a large room built expressly for the purpose, finely classified, are petrifactions, corals, metals, rocks, and fossils from the formations of every period. The leading attractions of this collection is a case of precious stones, among which are Brazilian agates, sapphire, topax, emeralds, beryl, garnets, onyx, Lake Superior and western agates, cornelians, turquoises, opals, rubies, etc. Many of these are highly polished, and they are so arranged in an octagon case that all may be brought under the rays of the strong light. Mr. Brackett has in his collection a meteoric stone weighing 102 pounds, rare Indian relics, and part of a petrified serpent, which must have been seventy feet in length. A lapidary dressing and polishing fine stones, a geological chart, and many standard books treating these interesting subjects, are among the valuables of Mr. Brackett's collection, and have been gathered and placed here in a most attractive way for his own recreation and the entertainment of his friends. In value and extent this collection is greatly in advance of many of the college cabinets.' This collection has received frequent visits from abroad. It has become so large that it requires an entire day to view it with satisfaction. Among the Indian relics are flint spears and arrow heads, stone hatchets and axes, stone chisels and skinning knives, and stone pestles for pounding. The cabinet also contains a fine collection of shells. The meteoric stone fell on the farm of an old German residing in Bellevue several years ago. As an able lawyer practicing in our earliest courts, as an efficient clerk of the county commissioners and supervisors, and as a guide in all kinds of public business, putting matters in shape, Mr. Brackett has filled a prominent place in the early history of our county."