Emily Gibson Braerton
Encyclopedia
Emily May Gibson Braerton (1884–1966)(née Emily May Gibson) was an early advocate of historic preservation in the western United States. She was the Vice President General for the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) from 1950–1953 and remained an Honorary Vice President General until her death in Santa Ana, California in 1966. She was a member of the DAR’s Peace Pipe Chapter and served as Colorado State Regent from 1950-1953.
Braerton was born on 14 January 1884 in Council Grove, Kansas
to Albert Eugene Gibson (Tiffin, Ohio 1851-1909) and Lillian Griffith (Tiffin, Ohio 1851-1939). She was the great niece of William Harvey Gibson
, the "Silver Tongued Orator" and Union Army Brigadier General from Ohio. She was a direct descendant of Colonel John Gibson, a U.S. Revolutionary officer and of Robert Coe
, who arrived in Boston in 1634. She attended the University of Kansas
in 1902-1903.
During Braerton’s tenure as national vice president, the DAR worked to redress denying Marian Anderson
the right to perform at Constitution Hall in 1939. On 14 March 1953, Anderson sang to an unsegregated audience in Constitution Hall as part of the American University concert series. This performance was repeated at Constitution Hall on 1 April 1956. On 24 October 1964, Anderson began her farewell American tour from Constitution Hall.
Braerton was particularly supportive of issues concerning the disabled. She was the mother of five daughters (Emily Louise, Lillian Joan, Mary Lee, Susan Frances, and Lucy Jean), one of whom died in infancy and another one suffered from cerebal palsy caused by premature birth. She was married to Warder Lee Braerton, a law graduate of the University of Kansas (1903) and partner in Braerton, Simonton & Brown Insurance based in Denver, Colorado.
“Emily Braerton,” Who's who in America. (1955). Chicago: A.N. Marquis.
“General William H. Gibson,” New York Times, 23 Nov. 1894. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70B14FF355515738DDDAA0A94D9415B8485F0D3 [retrieved 1 February 2011]
Bigger, D. D. (1901). Ohio's silver-tongued orator: Life and speeches of General William H. Gibson. Dayton, Ohio: United Brethren Pub. House.
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Peace Pipe Chapter – Denver, “Past Honorary State Regents and Honorary National Officers,” http://www.coloradodar.org/honoreddaughters.htm [retrieved 22 November 2010]
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colorado State Society, “A Photo Essay of Colorado's State Regents, 1944–1961,” http://www.coloradodar.org/StateRegents/stateregents4.htm [retrieved 26 November 2010]
Braerton was born on 14 January 1884 in Council Grove, Kansas
Council Grove, Kansas
Council Grove is a city in Morris County, Kansas, United States. It was named after an agreement between European Americans and the Osage Nation about allowing settlers' wagon trains to pass through the area and proceed to the West. Pioneers gathered at a grove of trees so that wagons could band...
to Albert Eugene Gibson (Tiffin, Ohio 1851-1909) and Lillian Griffith (Tiffin, Ohio 1851-1939). She was the great niece of William Harvey Gibson
William Harvey Gibson
Brigadier General William Harvey Gibson was a Republican politician from Ohio and Brigadier General of the Union Army’s 49th Ohio Infantry of Volunteers during the American Civil War.- Early life :...
, the "Silver Tongued Orator" and Union Army Brigadier General from Ohio. She was a direct descendant of Colonel John Gibson, a U.S. Revolutionary officer and of Robert Coe
Robert Coe (colonist)
Robert Coe was an early English settler and the progenitor in New England of most of the Coes in America. Robert Coe was born at Thorpe-Morieux, in the county of Suffolk, England, and baptized in the ancient church there on October 26, 1596, as recorded in parish registers...
, who arrived in Boston in 1634. She attended the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in 1902-1903.
During Braerton’s tenure as national vice president, the DAR worked to redress denying Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century...
the right to perform at Constitution Hall in 1939. On 14 March 1953, Anderson sang to an unsegregated audience in Constitution Hall as part of the American University concert series. This performance was repeated at Constitution Hall on 1 April 1956. On 24 October 1964, Anderson began her farewell American tour from Constitution Hall.
Braerton was particularly supportive of issues concerning the disabled. She was the mother of five daughters (Emily Louise, Lillian Joan, Mary Lee, Susan Frances, and Lucy Jean), one of whom died in infancy and another one suffered from cerebal palsy caused by premature birth. She was married to Warder Lee Braerton, a law graduate of the University of Kansas (1903) and partner in Braerton, Simonton & Brown Insurance based in Denver, Colorado.
External links
"Class of 1903," Graduate Magazine of the University of Kansas," Volume 12. http://books.google.com/books?id=kn_OAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=emily+gibson+braerton+kansas&source=bl&ots=hiMBc5R1Ga&sig=RSKn6rMgqa7EBp3J1fdhIPEBlnI&hl=en&ei=EM9VTZWzFcK78ga6jYWXBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=emily%20gibson%20braerton%20kansas&f=false [retrieved 10 February 2011]“Emily Braerton,” Who's who in America. (1955). Chicago: A.N. Marquis.
“General William H. Gibson,” New York Times, 23 Nov. 1894. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70B14FF355515738DDDAA0A94D9415B8485F0D3 [retrieved 1 February 2011]
Bigger, D. D. (1901). Ohio's silver-tongued orator: Life and speeches of General William H. Gibson. Dayton, Ohio: United Brethren Pub. House.
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Peace Pipe Chapter – Denver, “Past Honorary State Regents and Honorary National Officers,” http://www.coloradodar.org/honoreddaughters.htm [retrieved 22 November 2010]
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colorado State Society, “A Photo Essay of Colorado's State Regents, 1944–1961,” http://www.coloradodar.org/StateRegents/stateregents4.htm [retrieved 26 November 2010]