OBITUARY-The New York Times
OCTOBER 9, 1942

LAW HEAD FOR 16 YEARS

Served Government in World War in litigation over U.S. control of wire system.

Charles M. Bracelen, Vice President and General Council to the America Telephone and Telegraph Company, died at 8:30 o'clock last night in his home at 960 Park Ave., his age was 64.
Mr. Bracelen, who headed the legal department of the company for 16 years, was born in Humboldt, Neb., son of Thomas and Sarah (Donahue) Bracelen. He graduated Humboldt High School in 1895 and was graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1902. He studied law at the university's College of Law and also at the College of Law at Creighton University, Omaha. He served two terms at Humboldt High School as Principle and also at Blair, Neb., he also was instructor in history and debating at Central High School in Omaha from 1903 to 1907.
He was engaged in legal practice in Minneapolis, Minn., in association with Neil Cronin, from 1907 to 1918, becoming associated with the American Telephone & Telegraph Company as an Assistant Attorney in the latter year. Soon after he joined the company, he entered the service of the Federal Government temporarily in the office of the Postmaster General, having charge of litigation arising out of Federal control of wire systems.
When the telephone and telegraph systems were returned to private management in 1919, Mr. Bracelen re-entered the employ of A.T.& T. as an attorney. He was appointed general solicitor of the company in 1921, and was elected a Vice President in 1924. His title was changed two years later to Vice President and General Council.
Mr. Bracelen received an Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Nebraska last May and was the guest of honor at a testimonial dinner in the evening at Lincoln. Among those sending messages in tribute to his achievements was Walter Gifford, President of the company.
Mr. Bracelen married in 1900 Mary Ellen Thornton of Falls City, Neb. Mrs. Bracelen died in 1924.
His survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Ellen Bracelen Flood; a sister, Miss Margaret Bracelen; a brother, T. Henry Bracelen, both of Lincoln, and two other sisters, Mrs. Kathryne Dennis and Delia Schmitt of Calif., and two grandchildren, Charles Bracelen and Mary Ellen Flood.