History of Butler County Pennsylvania: William P Braham edited by Jack Gilchrist in Oct. 2009 for grammer, spelling and general readability.

He was the son of Samuel Braham and Mary Ann Patton and he was born in Hickory Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania on 6 Jan 1824. On the fifth of January 1834 came to Butler. His father followed farming and William stayed home to assist obtaining his education in 1845. He then married Nancy Rebecca daughter of Philip Snyder and Deborah Tannahill Snyder who were early settlers of Slippery Rock Twp and the following year moved to Connoquenessing Twp. In his politics he was a strong republican.

A rigid Abolitionist, Mr. Braham was brought in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. In 1870 he was elected an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Harrisville. He has largely contributed largely toward the support of the gospel and all other branches of church work. Mr. Braham is a publicly spirited progressive man and a friend to every good work. His family consists of his wife Nancy Rebecca and 11 children. In the spring of 1849 he bought a farm from Ebenezer Beatty (his brother-in-law) in Mercer Twp. Removing to the farm the same spring he engaged in farming and dealing in cattle. Continued in this business until 1872.driving cattle to New York state in the spring and Eastern Pennsylvania in the fall of each year.

During the war he dealt quite extensively in wool and horses and contributed largely of his means to the war in suppressing the rebellion. Finding the stock business dull in 1872 he closed it up and began dealing in oil and coal lands which he continued for several years. His real estate now consists of 1,000 acres of land. In 1880 Mr. Braham was elected a Representative to the State Legislature and served during the sessions of 1881-82. That independence of character for which he is noted was strikingly evinced in the election of United States Senator in 1881.

While the senator from his district and his colleague in the House went into caucus with the majority he being of opinion that under the then existing condition of things, it was not for the best interests of the Republican party or welfare of the State and that he might more effectually carry out the will of his constituents in electing the best man for the office he, with fifty-five others, Senators and members declined to go into caucus on the election of a candidate for United States Senator. This action was heartily indorsed by a large majority of his constituents and gained him many warm friends. In politics he is a strong Republican and has been identified with the party from its origin. A rigid abolitionist his first vote for President was cast for Martin Van Buren. In 1852 he voted for Hale and in 1856, for John C. Fremont.

Mr. Braham was brought up in the Reformed Presbyterian Church and connected himself with that organization in 1845 under the pastorate of Rev. Josiah Hutchman. He continued a member of that church until 1870 when he united with the Presbyterian Church of Harrisville of which he was soon afterward elected an Elder. He has always contributed largely toward the support of the Gospel and all other branches of church work. Mr. Braham is a public-spirited progressive man and a friend to every good work.