U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Brain, Benjamin (d. 1779) ------------------------------------------------------------------- The History of Upshur County West Virginia From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time by W. B. Cutright Buckhannon, W. Va., July 1, 1907 Pages 397-398 BENJAMIN BRAIN, the ancestor of the family in this part of the state emigrated from England to the United States when a mere boy, and after wandering several years from settlement to settlement, he married and lived at a fort on the frontier on the waters of Snowy Creek. In 1779, he and his two sons had an encounter with the vindictive savages, who frequented the neighborhood about the fort, which protected his family. Benjamin was killed and the two sons, Benjamin, Jr., twelve years of age, and Isaac, nine years of age were taken into captivity. Benjamin, Jr., was carried into the Northwestern territory across the Ohio river and was there adopted into the family of the chief of the tribe which had captured him. Isaac was carried South by the Indians and contracted a fever, which caused his death. Benjamin, Jr., escaped from the Indians after living with them six years, returned home and married at the age of twenty-nine. His children were: Elijah H., James, Rachel, Annie, Miriam. Miriam married Henry Swisher and settled in Marion County; Annie married Jacob Vincen and went west. Elijah H., at the age of sixteen was made an apprentice to learn the carpenter trade, served out his time, was proficient and went out to work for himself. He finally came to Marion County and there married Roanna Swisher, daughter of Jacob Swisher and granddaughter of John Swisher, who emigrated from Germany. Children of Elijah H. Brain: Rufus, Susan, Elma, Isaac, Harriet, Benjamin F. Alcinda and J. O. Three of these children, Susan, Isaac and Harriet died while young. In 1859, Elijah Brain bought land in the southern portion of Upshur County and on account of the complete density of the forest was obliged to rent a farm near where the Carter Postoffice now is, until he was able to erect a log house on his land and clear out a small patch around it. His eldest son, Rufus, at the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in Company E, 3d West Virginia Infantry and reenlisted in Company C., 6th West Virginia Cavalry, serving almost continuously from the beginning to the end of the Rebellion, and when this war closed his Company was ordered West to guard the frontier against invasions of Indians. And on account of this service to his country by his eldest son, Elijah had very little help during the first years of his settlement in the upper end of the county. Rufus Brain married Celia Scott, Elma married Michael Guyer, Alcinda married Peter J. Smith, Miriam married J. M. Vangilder, Benjamin F. married Ida Lewis and J. O. married E. C. Lewis. J. O. Brain was a school teacher for one term, he is now a carpenter and farmer at Selbyville, W. Va. RUFUS BRAIN, a farmer of Washington District near Hemlock, W. Va. Was born February 4, 1841, in Marion County. Son of Elijah H. and Roanna (Swisher) Brain. His father was a farmer and mechanic and for a broader field of action moved to Upshur County in 1859, near Kings Palace, now Palace Valley. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Brain enlisted in Company E, 3d West Virginia Infantry, and served therein until 1865, when he reenlisted as a veteran and went across the plains to guard the frontier settlements against Indian invasions. During his war record he was not wounded or captured or was sent to an hospital. He is now a pensioner under the general disability law. In January, 1865, he married Celia Scott, a daughter of William and Susa (Channel) Scott of Randolph County, and to this union have been born seven children, six of whom are living; Alice, wife of Asbury Taylor; Clamanzie, wife of E. H. Markley; Olive, wife of Joseph Radabaugh; Lizzie, wife of Willis Coffman; W. T., married Matilda Wolf; George H., married Eliza Currence. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Upshur County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/upshur/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------