By: Mark Holtsberry
The story of the Ralph Owen Brattain family is a sad but strange one and ends up being an unsolved mystery.
Now that I have caught your attention, this fella was born in Antwerp February 28, 1897. The son of Dr. Giles M. born October of 1863 in Ohio and Bertie Alba (Franks) Brattain born October 12, 1870 in Ohio. This couple was married June 30, 1891 in Franklin, Ohio. On October 27, 1893, a daughter, Elizabeth Aurelia was born in Antwerp, and a son, Ralph, born in 1897, also born in Antwerp.
By 1900, the Brattain family was living in Antwerp. Dr. Giles Brattain was a local physician. A servant, Leone Allison, was also living with the Brattain’s. By 1910, the Brattain family was living on Kiner Street in Antwerp. Both children were in school. Dr. Giles Brattain had attained a list of patients whom he cared for.
By 1917, Ralph had moved to Dakota Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. On June 4, 1918, Ralph registered for the draft. He was listed as 6’1″, 157 pounds, blue eyes, dark hair. He was employed at D.L.Auld Company on East Long Street, Columbus.
On August 26, 1918, Ralph was selected to service in Columbus. Ralph was sent to train with 159th Depot Brigade, at Camp Taylor. While at Camp Taylor, his home training and environment made him a valuable asset and an active helper in the flu and pneumonia epidemic that ravaged a number of army camps. At the close of the war, when the army was disbanded, he served until December 2, 1918, where he was Honorably Discharged. Moving back home after service, Ralph lived with his parents on River Street in Antwerp.
By 1920, Ralph had moved to Ft. Wayne and was living with his sister Elizabeth, brother-in-law Charles, and their three children on Broadway Street. He worked as a traveling coal salesman. Ralph met Gretta Elizabeth Taylor, born in lowa May 9, 1899. The daughter of James and Jennie Taylor. They were married December 21, 1922 in Indiana.
On May 7, 1924, Elizabeth passed away in Antwerp. Details are vague and unknown. She gave birth to a son, Douglas, June of 1923. Could this have any bearing on her passing? She was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Ft. Wayne. On October 16, 1927, Ralph’s father, Dr. Giles M. Brattain passed away. Dr. Brattain developed a pimple in his nose which developed into erysipelas which reached his brain causing death. This all occurred within three days. He is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Ft. Wayne.
In 1927, Ralph and Greta were living in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were living at 119 Herbert Avenue, Ralph was a salesman. By 1930, the couple was divorced and Ralph moved back home with his mother at 121 West River Street, Antwerp. His grandmother, Elizabeth Franks, Bertie’s mother, and nephew, Ralph’s sister, Elizabeth’s son, Douglas E. Kigar, born June 18, 1923, and two boarders were also living with them.
More sad and tragic news. On July 20, 1936 at 5:56 a.m. Ralph O. Brattain passed away at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. Dr. Walter E. Kruse ordered an inquiry into his death. Ralph was found lying in an alley in back of the Antwerp Hotel, near his place of residence, Thursday July 17, 1936 at approximately 2:00 a.m. He was found with a fractured pelvis. He was taken by Schilb’s ambulance service to Lutheran Hospital. Exploratory surgery was performed July 18 along with X-rays. The cause of death, stated by an unknown hospital employee, was that he died of pneumonia. But the death certificate states that a fractured pelvis, pulmonary edema and internal injuries was the cause of death. No autopsy was performed. Ralph’s body was brought back to Antwerp, by Schilb’s ambulance service, funeral services were conducted at the home, corner of West River and Cleveland streets. Wednesday July 22 at 2:00p.m. Rev. Charles R. Harmon of the Paulding Presbyterian church officiated. Pallbearers were selected from the Cottrell-Boylan Post, American Legion, Antwerp.
Following up with research, I called the Antwerp Village Police Department to see if any record of this tragedy was in their possession, and they had no records going back that far.
In my thoughts, Ralph was hit by a vehicle, whether accidentally or deliberately. Records show that he was buried in Maumee Cemetery, Lot 526, Old Block, Grave 5, no stone was located, but he is also listed as buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Ft. Wayne. Plot E-29.
Again, my guess is, that he is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery. His mother Bertie never remarried, she passed away March 1, 1946 in Antwerp. She too, was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery.
