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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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History of the Great Lakes
Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II
Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899

           [243-244]

           WILLIAM BRAKE, a marine engineer sailing out of Marine
        City, of which place he has been a popular and esteemed
        citizen about forty years, is in demand at the opening of
        every season to take command of the machinery of a good
        steamboat. He is the son of JONATHAN L. and MARY A. (LOCKE)
        BRAKE, and was born in England, May 29, 1846. His parents
        took passage for the United States about the year 1844,
        first locating in Buffalo, going thence to Detrait, where
        the father entered the employ of E. B. WARD as foreman of
        his shipsmith shop, remaining in that position four years.
        He then removed to Marine City, where he started in busi-
        ness for himself as shipsmith, conducting it successfully
        up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1874, his
        wife having preceded him across the silent river.
           WILLIAM BRAKE acquired his education in the public
        schools of Buffalo and Marine City. After working with his
        father two years, and becoming a skillful artisan, he went
        to Buffalo and entered the employ of J. O. ROBISON, a gun-
        maker in business on Main street.  MR. BRAKE learned this
        trade thoroughly, devoting two years to it, and is able to
        make and finish a gun in the most approved style.  On his
        return to Marine City he again worked in his father's shop.
           It was in the year 1867 that MR. BRAKE first conceived
        the desire to become a marine engineer, and he shipped as
        fireman on the steamer Bay City, which came out new that
        spring. This was followed by two seasonsas second engineer
        on the steamer J. S. Estabrook, owned by the Toledo and
        Saginaw Transportation Company. In the spring of 1870 he
        was appointed chief engineer of the Trader. This was the
        first of that class of vessels since known as steambarges.
        He remained chief of her two seasons. His next steamer was
        the Robert Holland, which he brought out new in the spring
        of 1872, and engineered five consecutive seasons.
           In 1877 he took the steamer Salina as chief, and ran her
        two and a half years, then transferred to the P. H. Birckhead,
        and was chief on her for the three following seasons.  The
        steamer C. F. Curtis came out new in 1883, and MR. BRAKE
        joined  her as chief engineer, going onto the Robert Holland
        the next year. In 1885 he put in the machinery, and brought
        out new the steamer J. W. Westcott, engineering her three
        years. His next new steamer was the Robert F. Freyer, into
        which he put the machinery and ran her five seasons. In the
        spring of 1891 he was appointed chief engineer of the F. W.
        Fletcher, bringing her out new and running her five seasons.
        His next berth was as chief engineer on the steamer Katahdin,
        followed by a season in the E. M. Peck, and was retained on
        her in this position for the season of 1898.  During the
        thirty years since MR. BRAKE obtained his first berth as
        second engineer he has not lost a season, and by mechanical
        skill and good judgment has steadily advanced in his profes-
        sion. Socially, he is a Master Mason and a member of the
        Marine Engineers Beneficial Association.
           MR. BRAKE was united in marriage to MISS NELLIE F., daughter
        of GEORGE BEAL, of East China, Mich. Their children are FORREST
        B., MOLLIE B. and RUSSELL. The family homestead is located on St.
        Clair street, Marine City, Michigan.

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