Died aged 78 years & 3 months.

William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, 1883, Nemaha County:
JOHN McBRATNEY, farmer, P. O. Centralia, was born in 1818, in Ireland, and came to America in 1834 with his parents, who settled in Adams County, Ill. Here he learned the trade of blacksmith, and through that attainment was employed as a manufacturer of plows for about six years in Pattersonville, La. In 1859 he settled in Kansas, where we now find him. His brick house, built in 1860, is with one exception, the oldest brick house in Nemaha County, and it is pleasantly environed by a good orchard. Mrs. McBratney was Presenda Chapman, and of their nine children, three were born in Illinois, two in Louisiana, and four in Kansas. Mr. McBratney is a noted and successful breeder of Clydesdale horses, his imported stallion 'Confidence' being regarded, before his unseasonable death, as a most valuable and promising horse.

Centralia Journal, Friday, Jan. 15, 1897, page 1:
Obituary
John McBratney, who died at the home of his son, near Centralia, Jan. 5th, 1897, was born in the north of Ireland Oct. 5th, 1818, being at the time of his death aged 78 years 3 months. He inherited many of the noble characteristics of his Scotch Irish ancestors.
Mr. McBratney came with his parents to America in 1834. They located for a time in Pittsburg, Pa. A few years later they removed to Clayton, Ill., where his family remained about 15 years. At this latter place, on April 10th, 1847, Mr. McBratney was married to Precinda Chapman. Moving to the south they located in Louisiana where for six years he followed his trade as a worker in iron.

In 1859 with his young family he directed his course to the north-west, locating on the homestead which has for 38 years been known as the McBratney place near Centralia, Kansas. Here he lived and labored for all these years. He marched in the front ranks of those who bore the heat and burden of the day, in the building up of homes and the development of a new country. Mr. McBratney was among the early pioneers, who came to this country before the virgin soil had been turned by the plow; while yet the wild cattle fed upon the native grass, and wilder men held undisputed sway over all these wind swept, treeless, houseless, homeless, plains. To the class of men, of whom Mr. McBratney was a representative, we owe much of our present prosperity, and many of our present comforts. They labored and we enjoy the fruits of their labors. One by one those men, who subdued the native wildness of this goodly land, are dropping from the ranks of the living. But their names and the memory of their deeds will never die. The grateful heart will ever cherish kindly he names of those who died for us.

Mr. McBratney was a man who might have stood among senators and graced legislative halls. But he chose an humble lot and labored in the fields of earnest, honest toil. He leaves a name that will never die.

Mr. McBratney leaves a wife of his youth and a family of six sons, the latter partake largely of the noble characteristics of the father, being honored and useful men in the community and being highly respected for their many manly virtues. Three daughters grace the ranks of women. The sons and daughters with their wives, husbands and children, are held in high esteem for their many praiseworthy virtues, being as plants grown up in their youth, as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.

The family highly appreciate the kindness shown them, and are thankful for sympathy manifested during the sad ordeal through which they have passed.
P.K.S.

Contributor: Cheryl White

(Thanks goes to Cheryl White for sending this information!)